Chapter 23

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

ALEXANDER

She lets out a low moan as she bites the hot dog, and holy fuck, my dick takes notice. Calm down, Decker. The woman is sitting on the grass in the family section, watching a baseball game, and eating a hot dog. It is not an invitation to jump her bones. Shit, one asshole has already assaulted her. I won’t be another one.

The statistics shared by the self-defense instructor were devastating. Almost eighty percent of women experience sexual harassment. I get sick when I think about Ash and her response when I asked her about it. Women shouldn’t have to worry about how a man will react to everything they do. Like Dani eating a fucking hot dog. But damn, I’m attracted to her.

I don’t know which is more sexy, her hot as fuck ass in those jeans or her desire to watch the game from the cheapest seats in the house. Honestly, they both turn me on.

I rarely find a woman who wants to spend time with me and not spend my money. Although, technically speaking, I did spring for the hot dog. When she reached for her purse, I almost snapped. Lik e I would let her spend a penny of her hard-earned money when I have more than I’ll spend in this lifetime. And at my ballpark too? No way. But I also appreciate the gesture. It wasn’t an expectation that I’d pay. It’s not about the money. Could it be about me?

“How did you know this is one of my favorite spots to watch a game?”

She reaches over, takes a beer, and washes down her hot dog. No dainty sip. It’s a turn-on, watching her swallow. My mind goes to places it shouldn’t.

She grins and leans into me so that our shoulders touch. She gives a slight shrug. “Just a hunch. You seemed kind of wound up in the suite. I thought getting out and being part of this would help.” She looks up at me. Her long eyelashes frame her mesmerizing eyes, her lips part, and she licks her bottom lip. “Did it?”

I’m stunned by her beauty. “Did what?”

“Did it help to get out? Look around you, Xander. People are having the time of their lives.” She takes another bite of her hot dog and settles in to watch the game.

I do as she says and scan the crowd. People are having fun. Smiles abound. Everyone around is wearing Reaper’s colors, even the kids sitting in front of us. A little boy looks up at his dad while his father explains the game to him. His glove is ready to catch a home run ball. The Liberties are up to bat, so I hope there isn’t a ball heading in this direction right now.

Dani’s right. I’m relaxing. Although, to be honest, my tension wasn’t because of the game. We’re in the playoffs, and this is a big game, but we’ve been here before. The team is good this year, and they’ve had a great season. The stadium team is outstanding and practically runs itself. They don’t need me on game day. My nerves? I wasn’t sure she would show up. When it comes to Dani, she’s unpredictable, and she leaves me unsure, unsteady.

“I’m more interested to know if you’re having a good time?” I know she ’s not a huge sports fan, so I don’t know if this is fun for her or not.

She finishes her hot dog and takes another big sip of her beer. “I am. This is fun, just being out here, soaking up the excitement. It’s a gorgeous evening. And I’m hanging out with you.” She looks at the carrier in my lap. “Hot dogs and beer not your speed? Or has Costco spoiled you for all hot dogs?” She indicates the hot dog and beer still in the carrier. I’m so captivated by her I forgot about them.

I give her a little chuckle at the memory. “I’ll put my dogs up against any on the market. While I’ll concede on their price point, I’m willing to pay for quality over quantity every day.” I give her a little wink. “I’m soaking it all in like you suggested.” I open the hot dog and take a bite. It’s a perfect, high quality, plain hot dog. I finish it in a few bites. I take our trash and tell her I’ll be right back.

I get another round of beers, go to guest services, and pick up two blankets. The ground is cool, and I don’t want her to get cold. When I return to Dani, she’s made friends with the family sitting beside her. She’s tossing a ball back and forth with the little boy.

“Looks like you made a friend.” She smiles up at me and takes the beers. I spread out one blanket, and she moves to it while I place the other blanket over her lap. She goes back to tossing the ball to the kid, leaning into my side.

“Hayden, this is my friend Mr. Decker. He knows a lot more about baseball than I do.” The little boy looks at me with a sense of wonderment.

“Hi, Hayden. How old are you?” He holds up four fingers. “Wow. Four, huh? Practically ready to sign with the big guys.”

His parents smile at me, probably glad I’m not being an asshole to their kid. This section is supposed to be family-friendly, but sometimes a guy will have one too many and move this from a PG to R rated section pretty fast. That’s why I have adequate security constantly watching this area .

I note his oversized glove. “You look like you’re ready to catch a ball. Let’s hope the other team doesn’t hit one out here, or we’ll be in trouble.” I give him a wink and a pat on the head, and he runs to his mother’s lap.

I look at Dani, and she’s in her element around kids. It’s like they flock to her. She’s the kid whisperer or something. When she’s with Tyler, she practically glows. I’ve never given serious thought to kids. Probably because I’ve never been around anyone who I could envision myself having a family with. Until now.

“Is Tyler mad you didn’t bring him tonight?”

“A little, but I promised to bring him to another game. And he was tired after his big win today. Sitting out here would be something he'd love, but being closer to the players has spoiled him. I don't think this would fly with him again.” She gives me a full-on smile so bright it practically blinds me.

“Any time you want to bring him, let me know. He can sit anywhere he wants. Hell, Matt would love to have him on the bench if he could. He’s a great kid.” Tyler is funny, full of spunk, and well-behaved. He has an outgoing personality but is balanced with a dose of respect and manners. He has a kind heart, just like his mom. I’m still curious about his father and hopeful she’ll share the story.

“Thanks. I appreciate it. I try to keep him grounded, you know. Teaching gratitude is difficult these days.”

“Well, I think you do a damn good job. Building up a child’s character isn’t easy, I’m sure. What about his father? Is he in the picture?”

She leans away, losing contact, making my body cold, instantly missing her touch. “He died before Tyler was born.” Her smile dims, and I can feel a cloud of sadness surround her. Probably not the time for this discussion, but curiosity was getting the better of me.

“Oh, I’m sorry the hear that. Really.” I can’t imagine the grief she must hav e felt losing Tyler’s father. Grief while pregnant has to be extremely devastating and heartbreaking.

“Thanks. It’s a messed-up story.” She wrings her hands. I reach over and take hers in mine.

“When and if you want to tell me, I’ll listen. I know what it’s like to lose someone you love. My mom died way too early. I know it’s not the same, but grief is grief where love is concerned.” Did she lose the love of her life? Is that why she’s unattached?

“Thanks. It’s not quite like that.” She takes a deep breath and watches the game for a minute. For the first time in a long time, I couldn't care less what’s going on out on the field. I’m more concerned about the woman next to me. We sit in silence, her watching the field. Me watching her.

She talks, still looking at the field. “I was young, graduated from college, finishing my Masters. Out on my own for the first time. Just got my first teaching job in D.C. I met Riley at a bar.” She pauses, recalling each sentence like a distinct memory. "He was stationed at the Pentagon. He was fun, a nice guy. We had chemistry but never had the same goals, you know?” She gives a little shoulder shrug.

She takes a swig of her beer, and the heavy subject sits between us. After another pause, she continues speaking. “We dated for a few months on and off. We were both busy, and dating or a relationship wasn’t a priority for either of us. A drunken night, a round of antibiotics for a sinus infection, and a forgotten condom, I had a positive pregnancy test a few weeks later. This was about the same time he was being deployed overseas. We got married at the courthouse, just us. He wanted me to have his benefits for the baby. We both knew what it was, but were trying to do the right thing. We weren’t in love. But like I said, nice guy.” She has a slight smile as she says that. “Anyway, six weeks later, his helicopter was shot down. Then I’m sitting at a gravesite surrounded by his family I’d never met.” A small tear slides down her face, and she quickly wipes it away. I want to wrap her in my arms and take her away to keep her safe.

She needs to tell her story, in her own way, and in her own time. But if this is too much for her, she doesn’t need to continue for me. Watching her is breaking my heart. “You don’t have to,” I say, but she interrupts me to continue.

Her voice is a little stronger now, but still a hushed tone, so no one else can hear. “There was a scene at his funeral. His sister went ballistic when they gave me the flag that covered his coffin. I immediately gave it to his mother, not wanting something I didn’t deserve. Then it got worse when they realized I would get his life insurance and widow benefits. They wanted the money, but nothing to do with me and the baby. So, I gave it all to them and haven’t heard from them since. There I was, alone, pregnant, and ashamed. Not one of my best days, that’s for sure.” She gives a weak chuckle. “I got the best part of the deal. Tyler’s my world.”

Fuck. That’s not the story I was expecting. She was in a tough situation, and she tried to make the best of it. I put my arm around her and pull her into my side. She’s not alone now.

“Agreed. He’s awesome. I’m sorry you had to go through it all alone. That must have been hard.” Her protectiveness and determination to parent right makes more sense. She’s compensating for his lack of a father, too.

“My parents have been great. At first, my dad was angry at my irresponsibility, but then he held Tyler in his arms and immediately became wrapped around his finger. They make up for the shitty grandparents he lost in the deal too.” She pauses. “If I’m realistic, if he hadn’t died, we probably wouldn’t have lasted, anyway. We had to put in a lot of effort to make it work. You can’t build a relationship on chemistry alone.”

My heart’s heavy at her story. She’s a strong, single mom doing it all by herself while dealing with the ghost of Tyler’s father. I can hear the guilt in her voice as she talks about him. They were never in love. I can’t imagine what kind of guy wouldn’t f all head over heels for Dani, but I appreciate his attempt to care for her. This woman deserves to be loved and worshipped. The chemistry I get. But there’s just so much more to her than that.

“Hey, look at me.” I put my finger below her chin and turn her face to mine. “Thanks for sharing your story. You’re amazing.”

Her smile lights up her face, any trace of sadness erased.

The little boy hits me with his gloved hand.

“Kiss her,” he says.

His voice breaks the spell she has over me. “What?” He points to the Jumbotron behind us, where we’re on the kiss cam.

I look back at Dani, and she giggles. Fucking giggles. She leans in and gives me a chaste kiss. Her soft lips feel like heaven against mine. A blush fills her cheeks, and I want to run my fingers through her curls. I lean in, about to kiss her like I want, when everyone around us cheers. I almost forgot where I was. Who I am. The camera moves on to some other unsuspecting couple.

My phone buzzes in my pocket like a beehive in my pants. I’m sure the group chat is blowing up right now. Bastards.

“Sorry,” she says shyly. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

“What?” I’m still stunned at the course of events this evening.

“I’m sorry I kissed you. I shouldn’t have been that forward.”

Wordlessly, I stand up and offer her my hand. When I pull her up, she falls into my chest. She feels good there.

“Come on,” I growl as I take her hand. “Let’s take another walk.”

“Don’t you want to watch the game?” she asks innocently.

“I’ll catch the highlights on ESPN,” I mumble. I take her hand in mine and walk with purpose.

“Are we going back to the suite?”

“Absolutely not. ”

She stops walking, and I take a step before I feel her resistance. I turn and look at her, her hand on her hip.

“Where are we going, Mr. Decker?”

“Somewhere a little more private.” I’ll be damned if our first kiss will be some kind of middle school peck on a fucking Jumbotron for all the world to see.

“And where would that be?”

Where is this sass coming from? Any other time, I’d like it. Right now? It’s not my favorite thing about her.

“My office.” Hell, I’ll take a dark corridor at this point. I need to taste her.

She grimaces. “Yeah, been there done that. Are you taking me to the principal’s office?” Now I picture her bent over my knee, getting spanked. Not helping.

“You aren’t in trouble, I promise.” Well, not that I kind of trouble, anyway.

“I’d rather not go up there if that’s okay with you.” She looks guilty. Of what, I have no idea.

I stop and turn toward her. It’s between innings, and the crowd is growing, everyone making their way to the bathrooms and concession stands.

I stop myself. Fuck, am I forcing myself on her and making her uncomfortable? I’m no better than Pauly. I clear my throat. “Fuck,” I mumble. “I’m sorry. I can’t believe I’m putting you in an uncomfortable position.” I run my hand down my face. “I’m so sorry.”

She gives me a little smirk. “First, I’m not uncomfortable. Nervous, maybe, but not uncomfortable. And second, I told you no more apologies.” She takes my other hand, and her look is sincere. She’s okay being with me. Thank fuck.

“Why don’t you give me the private tour of all the forbidden places that mere mortals like me never get to see?”

“Are you sure?” I quirk my eyebrow at her.

“Positive.”