Chapter 33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

ONE MONTH LATER

RIPLEY

" G reat practice, ladies. No one works harder than the Anacondas." Coach Billie places her hand in the middle of our circle, and we all follow suit. "Hard anacondas on three. One, two, three!"

We all smile and shout, "Hard anacondas!"

Coach Billie is constantly trying to come up with Anacondas cheers, but they all end up being unintentionally sexual. We all giggle as she seems blissfully unaware.

I noticed two of the owners watching practice, Reagan Daulton and Beckett Windsor. Beckett's daughter, Andie, was also watching. She's about eight years old and comes to almost every game. She's a huge fan. Sitting with her is Tanner Montgomery's daughter, Harper, equally adorable and also a huge Anacondas fan .

As soon as practice is over, Harper sprints out and jumps into Bailey's waiting arms. Kam leans over and whispers to Arizona and me, "Is it just me, or is Beckett Windsor super-hot for an old dude?"

I nod. "He's, like, my mom's age, but he's so fucking sexy. He's jacked." He's tall, broad, and muscular with dirty blond hair. "He looks like the actor who plays Jack Reacher."

Kam moans, "Yes! Totally. Yum."

Arizona smiles. "He's hot, but he's not available. I met his new wife. She's gorgeous. They just had twins last year."

Kam bites her lip. "Lucky kids. I'd love to call him daddy."

We giggle.

Kam looks behind them. "Speaking of daddies, there's Bailey's daddy , Tanner. He must be here to pick up Harper." She mumbles, "Or maybe bang my sister."

I shake my head. "What's with all the hot older dudes around here?"

Just then, Reagan motions our way. I assume it's for Arizona since they have a bit of a friendship, but she shakes her head indicating it's for me. I wonder what she wants.

I walk over and she smiles. Reagan Daulton is a blonde-haired, blue-eyed stunner, a few years older than us. She's always dressed in designer pantsuits that hug her perfect figure like they were custom made for her. They probably are.

"How are you feeling, Ripley?"

"I feel great. I've been working out with a trainer every morning and pitching with my mother every afternoon. I wasn't expecting to be ready for the beginning of the season, but the early delivery seems to have helped in that regard."

"Great. Is it safe to assume that you're not thinking about a trade anymore?"

"Definitely not this season. I don't know yet about future seasons." I bite my lip. "I'm hopeful about staying here, but I don't want to overpromise."

She nods. "I understand. I didn't realize your mother was still out here. She's a former Olympian and longtime coach, right?"

I nod. "Yes. She's the best. She taught me everything I know. She's out here to help with the baby at least through our seasons. It's hard with Quincy and I both having demanding schedules."

"Does she have any interest in coaching this team? I'd be crazy not to consider someone with her experience and talent level."

I can't deny that I was thinking the same thing.

"I imagine she'd be interested. I'd certainly like it. It's just a matter of childcare."

She nods. "We can help with that. Let's try to get your mom out to practice tomorrow morning."

"Will do. Quincy is around then. It won't be an issue."

Quincy has a game tonight, and I'm home with Kaya. The past month has been special. He's done exactly what he said he was going to do. He's courting me.

We've gone out together, we've stayed in together, we've spent time with our daughter together, and we stay up late talking and reconnecting every single night that he's not on the road. While there's been some kissing and roaming hands, we haven't been intimate. I'm still a little on guard with him, and he doesn't push at all.

Despite my hesitancy, I can't deny that I've fallen in love with Quincy Abbott all over again. I swore I wouldn't let him back in, but the simple fact is that I love him and always will.

He chose not to address the publicity surrounding our relationship. It's the one thing giving me pause. I will always have those insecure moments where I fear he's ashamed to be with me. But I'm focused on my upcoming season and our happy little family. I also have a date set next week to meet my brother and sister. They're coming into town.

Despite my encouraging them to go out, my friends said they're happy to come over to Quincy's house tonight to hang out with me and Kaya. I've barely seen my baby today. I've missed her.

We plan to have takeout and watch terrible reality television.

We're sitting in the family room eating Chinese food when Arizona looks at me nervously. "So…how's it going with you and my brother?"

I'm leaning back on the sofa with Kaya sleeping on my chest as I twirl my fingers through her growing, curly hair. I love it.

I look at Arizona. "You want me to shoot straight?"

Her face turns worried. "Yes. What's the matter? Did he fuck up again?"

"He didn't fuck up. Just the opposite. He's completely devoted himself to us."

"Then what's the problem?"

"I still don't trust him with my heart. I'm waiting for an inevitable Quincy freakout. I can't bring myself to be physical with him, because if I do, I don't think I'll ever recover if he walks away again."

Kam shakes her head. "You've been sleeping in the same bed for weeks, and you still haven't cleaned the cobwebs in the womb room? "

I giggle. "Do you know every single slang phrase for sex?"

She nods. "It's better than the one Cruz…err…Cheetah, used last week. He said he wanted to take the skinboat to tuna town. I've never heard that one before."

We all smile. I ask, "What's the latest with you two? You seem very touchy-feely when you're together."

"Nah-ah. No deflection. Back to the lack of cream in your doughnut hole."

Arizona winces. "Ew. Don't talk about my brother's cream. That's weird."

Kam rolls her eyes. "Says the woman whose doughnut hole is overflowing with superstar cream."

Arizona smiles. "It certainly is." She shivers. "Just when I think it can't possibly get any hotter, he rocks my world."

I sigh. "Ugh. I hate you. I can't even troll the Bermuda Triangle myself because he's in my bed."

Kam smirks. "What? When was your last orgasm?"

I shrug. "Sometimes I have wet dreams. I had them all the time when I was pregnant. A few since."

Kam narrows her eyes. "Define all the time ."

"A handful each week. I read it has something to do with increased blood flow." They all look shocked. "Quincy was surprised by it too. I think it's one of those little-known pregnancy facts that no one talks about."

Kam mumbles, "Maybe I should get pregnant."

I turn to Bailey. "What about you, Bails? What's the latest in your love life?"

She sighs. "I've definitely been having my batter dipped by a corn dog." She mumbles, "A big fudging corn dog." She gasps, covering her mouth. "Oh my god, I'm starting to sound like my sister. Hell has frozen over."

We all giggle as Mom walks in with a huge smile. "I love hearing you girls laugh. "

Kam looks up at her. "Mama June, did you have wet dreams when you were pregnant with Ripley?"

A small smile forms on her lips. "Almost daily. It's the best part of pregnancy."

I nod. "I told you so."

Kam shakes her head in disbelief. "They should advertise this more than they do. I think more people would be into getting pregnant if they knew."

Mom giggles before asking me, "Do you want me to put Kaya to bed?"

I look down at her sleeping soundly on my chest. "No, it's okay. She's content, and I missed her today. I want to hold her. Let's not poke the bear."

"Alright, I'll head up to my room. I don't want to disturb your fun."

Kam shakes her head. "You're not disturbing us, Mama June. Bailey was just about to tell us what it's like being with a man closer to your age."

Mom smiles as if she's remembering something. "I used to like older men too. Ripley's father was older. Now I don't like my men much older than me. I don't want a man with saggy balls who needs Viagra to make me come."

I shake my head. "Thanks for the overshare, Mom. How old was my father when you were with him?"

"Hmm. Let's see. I was twenty, so that would have made him thirty-five."

Kam wiggles her eyebrows. "Ooh. Fifteen years. Does that sound familiar, Bails?"

Bailey rolls her eyes.

I see Mom starting to leave the room but stop her. "Actually, Mom, we were just about to watch a reality show. We're split on which one we're watching. You can be the deciding vote. "

She nods. "Which shows? I don't watch much reality TV."

I answer, "I want to watch Love Is Blind ."

"What's that?"

"A bunch of men and women date with a wall between them. For weeks. Then they propose, then they meet in person, then they decide if they want to get married."

She scrunches her face. "That sounds ridiculous. Who would get engaged without having sex first, let alone not having even seen them? If you're not physically compatible, what's the point?"

Kam nods. "It is stupid, and I agree. I want to watch Too Hot to Handle . They take the twenty most attractive, horniest people on the planet and tell them they can't have sex. They pay them to not have sex for a few weeks, and those dumb fuckers can't manage to do it. It's hysterical."

Mom smiles. "That sounds much more fun."

Later that night, I hear Quincy walk in from his game just as I'm finishing my shower. He rushes into my bathroom, not considering that I'm naked in the shower. "Where's Kaya? She's not in the bassinet."

Turning off the shower, I answer, "I thought it was time for her to try the crib tonight." I point to the monitor. "I've been listening. She's out cold. And do you mind? I'm showering."

As if it's just occurring to him that I'm naked, his eyes slowly drink in my body.

He immediately walks my way and opens the shower door with a towel in hand. "Allow me to dry you. "

He begins slowly running the towel down my body. I swear I almost have an orgasm from it. I'm starved for his touch.

He only dries my legs before standing to his full height and handing me the towel. "Your towel, princess."

He's so tempting. I know my body is flushing. It always does when he's nearby.

He's being patient and letting me control the pace of things, but a little animalistic Quincy wouldn't be unwelcome right now.

He's still standing close to me and I'm still naked. I can see the bulge in his sweatpants. I'm aching for it.

He rubs my cheek with the backs of his fingers. He breathes, "Can I kiss you?"

I wordlessly nod.

Uncaring that I'm getting his clothes all wet, he pins me to the tiled wall of the shower and proceeds to kiss the shit out of me. I can feel every hard ridge of his body against my soft one.

His thumbs brush across my hardened nipples before he begins to pinch and twist them in the way he knows I like.

His cock, though covered, is pushing hard against my center. Oh god, it feels good.

I swear the way he pinches my nipples is a direct line to my clit, which is throbbing. That, coupled with the pressure of his dick, has me quickly ascending the ladder toward ecstasy.

I wrap one leg around him and shamelessly grind myself over his thick length.

Maybe I should be embarrassed that this is doing it for me, but I don't care right now. I'm starved for it. For him.

I take in his scent and taste, my favorite things in the world. He pinches and pushes just the right amount. My face scrunches and my legs go numb as I orgasm on a long moan, releasing a small amount of the pent-up frustration I've had.

As I come down, he pulls his lips away just a fraction. I can still feel his breath in my mouth. "That's the fourth time you've come on my lap. Next time, it will be with me inside you."

"I do want you, Quincy. I'm still scared though. My heart couldn't take another rejection from you."

He nods. "However long it takes for you to trust me, but I promise you can. I'll never let you down again."

He pulls away a few inches. His eyes widen in horror as his fingers gently trace my face and neck. "My beard has you all red. Did I hurt you?"

I shake my head. "No."

He rubs his beard. "I think maybe it's time for me to shave this. I don't want to hurt you, and the guys are giving me so much shit. Vagina Jesus is my new nickname. I think I much prefer Long Quail Quincy."

I gasp. "Don't you dare shave. I've been fantasizing about it for weeks. Not until I get to feel it between my legs at least once."

That gets his attention. He squeezes his eyes shut as if in pain.

After opening them, he traces his fingertips over the tops of my breasts. "Is that what you want, Shortcake? My face between your legs."

I nod. Or maybe I moan. I don't know at this point. What I do know is, despite the fact that I came seconds ago, the thought of that beard between my legs is mighty appealing.

He pulls me out of the shower, picks me up, and places me on the vanity next to the sink. He rakes his eyes over me before spreading my legs wide.

"Are you wet? Did coming on my covered dick make you extra wet?"

I nod.

"I'll need to see for myself. "

By all means. Have at it. I spread my legs wider in invitation.

He smiles as he slips two fingers inside me. As soon as he does, he bites his lip. "You're very naughty. And very greedy."

I breathe, "Punish me."

He pulls his fingers out and takes my hand in his. This time he slips both of our fingers inside me. Fuck, I'm so wet. "Can you feel it? Can you feel what I do to your body?"

"Yes." I squirm, desperate for him. "Please."

He pulls them out and sucks them both into his mouth. "Hmm. I've missed your taste."

"There's an overflowing buffet of it waiting for you."

His shoulders shake in laughter as he drops down to his knees. He kisses up my inner thigh. I'm officially loving the feeling of his beard running up toward my center. I've been dreaming about how it would feel between my legs. Just a little higher.

He continues moving in the right direction. He's almost there. Please lick through me. I'll do anything for it.

He parts my lips, and just as he's bending to lick, there's a blood-curdling scream from the baby monitor.

I tilt my head back. "Noooo!"

Quincy stands and smiles. "Raincheck. I'll deal with the other princess."

As I get dressed for bed, I listen on the monitor to him talking to her as he tries to rock her back to sleep. I must drift off at some point.

I assume with Kaya in her room for the first time, Quincy will sleep in his own bed, but in my sleepy state, I feel him slip into mine and pull my body to his. It feels good. It feels right.