ROMANCE: SPORTS ROMANCE: Scored by the Billionaire (Alpha Billionaire Secret Baby Football Romance) (Alpha Male Sports Romantic Comedy) (4 page)

A month later, Liona was at her desk in the League office building. She had a small office on the eleventh floor with a city view. She was drinking coffee and reviewing audits that had been performed on teams during her maternity leave. When she wasn't on a special assignment like investigating a potential new owner, auditing the teams to make sure they were following League rules made up the bulk of her duties. It was a constant game of cat and mouse with big-number puzzles. It would be terrifyingly complex and dull to most people, but for Liona it was like playing detective games all day long. Complicated math situations didn't frighten her. Complicated people situations were another manner.

There was a knock at her door, and she looked up, expecting it to be one of her team members, but to her surprise it was Carlson Murphy. He stood in her doorway holding a bouquet of tiger lilies, looking irresistible in his tailored navy blue suit.

"Hello, Liona. Not still interviewing my ex-girlfriends, I hope?"

She sat back in her office chair. "Well, I would have to interview myself then, wouldn't I?"

"Maybe, I don't know." Then with mocking drama, he pleaded "What are we?" She laughed, and he entered the office and closed the door. "May I join you? I hope I'm not being presumptuous. Oh, here, these are for you." He handed her the flowers.

"Wow, these are gorgeous," she said, accepting the bouquet. She smiled as she sniffed them, revelling in the sweetness of their scent. "What are these for?"

Carlson sat down in the chair across from her. "Everything," he said. "Your excellent work vetting me for the League. Your effort in flying out to interview with my organization."

"That's no trouble," she said. "Did you find someone for the role?"

"We hired Bernie Jorgensen from San Diego. Do you know Bernie?"

"Sure. He's a good man."

Carlson nodded. "Oh, and of course the flowers are also a thank you for discreetly raising the daughter I didn't know I had for the last year."

Liona's eyes flashed wide open. "I…what…"

He smiled reassuringly. "It's all right," he said. "But did you actually think that I'd never figure things out? I asked around a little bit. I'm no forensic accountant, but I can put two and two together. There are a few too many coincidences at play here."

"I'm sorry," she said. "I wanted to keep things low profile."

"I respect that," he said. "But I would also like to be involve in the life of the child that I helped create. Can we work together to make that possible?"

She nodded, lost in his brown eyes. He was so handsome. "Absolutely," she said.

"I'm glad. Look, Liona," he said, "this is very tricky for me. I really, really like you, and I would like to be involve with you. The fact that we have a baby together makes that even more important for me. Tell me what I can do. I want to be near you."

She smiled and smelled the lilies again. "We'll work something out," she said.

Carlson looked at her hopefully. "May I meet the baby today?"

Liona picked up the phone and pressed a button. She waited a moment, and then spoke. "Derrick? Yes, it's Liona. I'm going to be out of the office for the rest of the afternoon. Yes, just take messages. Don't forward anything to my cell. If it's an emergency, send it upstairs. I'm going dark. Great. Thanks."

"Let's go," she said, standing up. "I know that the two ladies will love to meet you."

"Two?" he asked. "Good grief, it wasn't twins, was it?"

"No, my mother babysits Ashley while I work. She'd love to meet you."

He held the door open for her. "I'd be delighted. Although I'll have to stop and pick up flowers for her as well."

Liona smiled. This was going to be a good day.

********

THE END

BONUS STORY

Dance with the SEAL

Anna Hart took the elevator up to her apartment full of excitement. When the doors opened on the twenty-fifth floor she rushed out and down the richly carpeted hallway to her door. Key’s at the ready she was in the door and tossing her purse on the counter. She had to get herself ready, she had not been this nervous in years even dancing at the Olympics. She turned and saw the clock, then deflated a little bit. Her date wasn’t for another five hours. It was too early to get ready.

“Damn, now what do I do?” She asked herself out loud. Her phone started playing a selection of Adele’s new song and she smiled going over to her purse and digging it out. It was her best friend Maggie. Mags was a huge Adele fan.

“Hey Maggie!” she said.

“Hey Annie, what was so important I had to call right away? You know my Fridays are busy,” her friend asked cheerfully. Anna laughed.

“Right. Did you just finish your nap?” She asked teasingly. Maggie worked four days a week and her Fridays were set aside for self-care. Maggie laughed.

“Of course, naps are serious business,” Maggie said.

“Well, you will never guess who I ran into today,” she told her. Unable to keep it to herself any longer.

“Who, that Russian ballerina you have been talking about?” Maggie asked.

“No, although that would have been cool. She is going all the way to Broadway, you’ll see. No, I ran into Mike Hardlake, remember him?” She asked her friend.

“Mike…Mike…oh, that Mike. He was your first crush in high school wasn’t he?” Maggie said.

“Yeah, but Mom and Dad were not too cool about him and we never got a chance. I saw him at Chancers Deli having lunch. He said he missed me and I said the same and…we have a date for tonight!” She told her friend and blushed at the slight squeal in her voice. Maggie would understand, she told herself, and she did.

“Hot damn girlfriend! Good for you. You bring him up at least five times a year. Even during your hardcore training days. How is he doing?” Maggie asked enthusiastically.

“He is doing great. He went into the Navy and became a Navy Seal. He was discharged a year ago, he said, and now works for a securities firm downtown. He asked me out for dinner to catch up and because…he said he always wanted to.” Anna finished. Maggie chuckled.

“Of course he did Annie. I know you both had the hots for each other. I was the one passing the notes between you in class, remember,” she said. Anna laughed with her.

It was true. She and Mike had been infatuated with each other and Maggie had been the go between. Of course Mike had been in a few scrapes and her parents would not let anything get in the way of her goals. Back then it had been her folks’ goals more than hers. Seeing Mike at the deli had been a shock. She had not laid eyes on him since the last year of high school and had missed him ever since. She had never been able to keep a long term boyfriend because she was always thinking of Mike Hardlake. She reminded Maggie of that.

“Well, that and until last year your schedule terrified most guys,” Maggie pointed out.

“Well, yeah, that too,” Anna admitted. Training for ballet was all encompassing and did not leave a lot of time for relationships.

“I finally get a chance to see what might have been, a second chance, I feel so lucky Maggie,” she told her.

“I am happy for you, you know that. What can I do to help?” Were her next words.

“I have five hours until the date and I don’t know what to wear,” she told her and she could hear the panic in her own voice and blushed again.

“Calm down, I will come over and save the day for you. I know you have some great clothes so just chill. You have time and I will be over in twenty minutes. How does he look these days?” Anna grinned at the question, thinking of Mike.

“Muscular and gorgeous,” she said.

“I’ll hurry, see you soon,” Maggie said and hung up.

********

“I think you look great. I don’t know what you are complaining about Annie. We have been through most of your clothes and this is perfect,” Maggie told her almost three hours later.

“I don’t know Mags; it is just…” She shrugged as she trailed off.

“I know and how many times do I have to tell you, you look great,” Maggie said with a touch of exasperation coming over to her.

“I know, it just seems strange, looking at myself,” Anna said sheepishly. Maggie sighed and patted her shoulder, then stood them in front of her mirror side by side.

“When you left the ballet a year ago you were a skinny ballerina and had been your whole life. For the past year you have not had to work the grinding schedule you have spent most of your life doing. Of course you are a little different. But look here,” she said standing them in profile to the mirror.

“You have a sexier ass than I do. You no longer wear those restraining breast bands and you gained a little in the chest too so your tits are as sexy as your rear. Your waist is trim and your arms and legs have softened some. Especially your calves and that is the best part. Your calves used to be rock hard knots. Necessary, if you are going to be the star performer at the Olympics, but not for a dance and exercise instructor. Simply put, you are gorgeous darling and I am betting your product endorsements are going to increase too. Get used to it!” Maggie finished.

It had been strange for Anna to not have her constant workout routine, not to mention finally being able to eat what she wanted. She had secretly been coming to the conclusion that Maggie was right, but she looked so different, that it was hard. Especially next to Maggie who was a voluptuous dark haired beauty. Anna straightened her blouse and adjusted her skirt for the twentieth time and fluffed her long blond hair. Glancing at the clock she realized she would need to leave soon. Pre-date was over. As she did before a performance, she shook off her nervousness and nodded to herself. Ready or not, she thought. Maggie smiled.

********

“Okay, let me get this straight. You had finished the final performance, you knew you had nailed it, and while you were heading down a back corridor in the stadium you shattered your ankle?” Mike asked in amazement.

“Yep, that was what happened. I knew it was bad as soon as I heard the snap, crackle, pop. It was the last part of the final evening though, so I just had it wrapped and went to the ceremony. That was a mistake, but I hardly limp anymore and I have a weather wise ache so…” she shrugged with a grin. Her injury didn’t bother her anymore.

“It is amazing to me, the timing of it. About a week later my ankle was shattered and that is how I left Afghanistan,” he said. Anna was shocked and she felt her eyes widen with her surprise.

“Are you kidding me?” She asked in her own amazement. He grinned in reply.

“Nope. I remember I heard you had danced at the Olympics over the news just before we went into the bush. A week later my ankle was broken in about ten places. I am still doing rehab for it, twice a week. Weird huh?” He asked and took a drink of his beer. She nodded.

The dinner was going fantastic, Anna thought. They were getting along as well as they always had and she could see the honesty in his eyes and the warmth of his smile every time he looked at her. She knew it was a coincidence that they both left their professions due to an ankle injury, but if felt like a sign they were meant to be together. A childish thought, she knew, but she couldn’t help it.

It was a cozy French restaurant that he had taken her to. A table in the corner with some privacy, a candle and excellent food. She had a glass of wine to go with her fish and both were wonderful. The whole thing was going so well that Anna was on cloud nine. He appeared to be too.

“It is weird; may I ask how you broke it?” She said.

“Sure, we were coming down out of the mountains in a hurry and I ran into an animal trap the afghans use. Nasty thing, it crushed a section of the bone. It hurt like hell, but fortunately they could do some repair work. I have a titanium piece in there though and the warranty is good for another ten years,” he said and they laughed.

“Do you think of going back, I know some SEALs do?” She asked. She couldn’t help all of her questions. She wanted to know everything she could about him. He shrugged and shook his head.

“No, I did my bit for the country and it is time to move on. There are things I can do here at home. I am thinking of going back to school. I got lucky with the job I have now so I can make some good money and take advantage of the G.I. bill to get an education. I am hoping to work with homeless vets, there are a lot of them around,” he said and a shadow passed over his wonderful green eyes. She nodded sympathetically.

“I know. The gym I started teaching calisthenics at has a shelter down the street. I have been talking to the woman who runs the place and I hadn’t realized how bad it was. I am afraid my time in training left little room for paying attention to the news. Since I decided to not go back into dance, I have become something of a news junkie and have kept track of things like that. I feel like I have missed so much important information,” she said honestly.

“Well I wasn’t really up on the news much until I got back either, but like you, I pay attention now. Why did you decide to not keep up with ballet? I know you are the best,” he said. She blushed slightly.

“I don’t know…well, I do. I just felt like I was done. When I was going through rehab everyone was talking about getting back on my feet and back into dance. The more I heard, the less I wanted to do it. I figure I busted my ass and danced on the biggest stage in the world, the Olympics. I just don’t have anything to prove to anybody but me now. I am doing some product endorsements, since I became pretty well known, and I teach calisthenics. I might even teach dance if it is on a smaller scale. I am doing alright for now so I am in no hurry. Mom and Dad are not too happy about it, but I am an adult so they have to live with it,” she could not help grinning at the last. He knew better than anyone how her parents were and smiled too.

“I bet their heads will explode if they hear you and I connected again,” he said with his own grin.

Oh yes, she thought, he knew her parents. She laughed because he was right but Anna did not care. After her rehab she had intentionally made a separate life, away from her demanding parents. She was happier now than ever and having dinner with Mike Hardlake! She could not comprehend life being any better than it was right then. She reached out and took his hand on the table.

“I am so glad we ran into each other Mike. I have thought about you ever since high school and wondered. Mags kept telling me to look you up, but I guess I was nervous to find out you got married or something,” she said blushing slightly. He squeezed her hand.

“No chance. I have thought of you ever since high school too. I thought I was seeing things at the deli. I was wondering if you would mind a walk in Central Park? I have always wanted to take you there,” he said looking away, embarrassed. She squeezed his hand this time as her heart fluttered.

“I would love to walk in the park with you Mike. You always were a little romantic. I remember the notes we used to pass in class. Don’t laugh, but I still have most of them,” she admitted and he actually blushed slightly. His handsome tan face blushed!

“Me too,” he said softly and then cleared his throat. She realized a Navy Seal probably did not need to be embarrassed for his soft heart so she grinned.

“Great, so we are both old softies in our twenties. I hear the boat races at the lake are fun,” she said to change the topic. He seemed to appreciate it.

They walked through the park with the summer tourists. They bought ice cream cones at a stand and she was approached twice for autographs. She just smiled and signed what they wanted. The second one wanted a selfie with her and she gave it. She waved as they left and turning back to Mike she saw he was grinning at her. He ran his hand through his black hair.

“Does that happen a lot?” He asked as they continued their walk. She felt brave and put an arm around him as she licked her ice cream.

“Not like it used to. I have a commercial coming out as part of the Wheaties Cereal Olympic series. Not sure why they wanted me, but why not,” she said. He laughed at her nonchalance attitude.

“You handle it great. I was impressed. I don’t know if I would do as well,” he said and they walked down to the edge of the lake, watching people race remote control boats back and forth over the water.

“I bet you would. You have always been charming,” she told him and his arm found its way around her waist and she sighed happily.

They continued enjoying the park and then strolled over to a local pub to get a drink. She found he had got a good apartment not far. It wasn’t a high rise like hers, but it was in a good neighborhood, as well as close to his work. For him, that was the most important.

“I hate long commutes. Being able to leave home and be at work within a half hour is my goal in life,” he told her loftily, getting a laugh out of her.

After a few beers he asked, almost shyly, if she would like to see his place and she was glad he did. They walked down the street hand in hand and she knew she was smiling hugely. Being around him again had ignited long lost feelings deep inside her and being alone with him, away from others, would be yet another dream come true in a night full of them. They both had a little bit of a buzz and they swayed together as he unlocked his apartment door. It was a ground floor and she followed him inside.

“It is not much, but it works,” he said turning on the light.

“Are you kidding this in nice. Two bedroom you said?” she asked, looking politely around. She was being honest. For a single guy it had plenty of space without being too big, she decided as he showed her around. They were leaning against the kitchen counter side by side and she finally decided to be forward with him.

“There is something I always wanted to know about you Mike, do you mind?” She asked. He turned to face her and shook his head.

“I don’t mind…” was as far as he got. She reached up as he started shaking his head and put her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. After his initial start, he got into it as she did and they did not come up for air right away. When they parted, arms still around each other she sighed deeply and contentedly.

“Now I know. It was worth the wait,” she said and he chuckled with her.

“I am never going to know what to expect from you am I Annie?” He asked. She had not been called Annie in a long time.

“Nope, I hope you don’t mind?” She said.

“I don’t, but you will have to get used to surprises from me,” he answered mischievously.

“Like what? Oooh!” She shrieked as he scooped her up into his arms, laughing. He carried her across the apartment.

“I like your surprises,” she gasped out and she had no problem with him carrying her into the bedroom. They had both desired each other since high school. She felt it was completely natural that the evening would end this way.

He laid her on the big bed and she stretched out and undid a few buttons on her blouse. She was wearing a white one-piece leotard under it that Maggie had said showed off her breasts and she saw his eyes widen as he began taking off his jacket, then his shirt. They both kicked off their shoes and he climbed onto the bed. He stretched out with her and leaned on one elbow over her.

“Annie, I have dreamed of this moment since high school, I had almost given up on it ever coming true,’” he said with a hoarse, soft voice. Her heart fluttered and her body reacted with a heat of desire she had never felt.

“I have too Mike. I was so angry with my parents for chasing you away and not having the courage to do anything about it. If it makes a difference, I do now,” she promised him, feeling her eyes well up with emotion. He leaned down and kissed her in answer and it was even better than their first kiss. The tenderness he showed her was intoxicating, the feel of his gentle hand, as it caressed her side and then up to her breasts made her gasp. She reached up and cupped her face, running her fingers through his hair and it felt so
right
she couldn’t believe it.

Mike slid the shoulder straps down over her arms exposing her breasts and he groaned lowering his face down and when his lips touched her in that place, she gasped again, arching her back in acceptance and an erotic greed for more. He obliged and slid her top down further. The touch of his hand on her bare belly was explosive and she moaned in her joy and desire for this amazing man. Her hands went down to undo her skirt and he moved back to get out of his slacks. His body was muscular and lean. She could see a few scars on her shoulder and chest but then when they were naked he moved back in and she could feel his nakedness against hers. It was a dream that she too had never thought she would get to experience. Now that she was, she gave herself to it.

He went back to kissing and caressing her willing body and she returned it. Loving the feel of his hard body under her hands. His hairy chest felt soft and strong at the same time. Then his hand moved its way to above her thighs and it was like he had touched her needy opening. She groaned and lifted her hips uncontrollably. His fingers trailed over her secret lust and it was not a secret anymore. She moaned again and arched her back as she felt an orgasm from his touch.

Groaning they wrapped their arms around each other and he rolled half over her. She wanted it and him like she had never wanted anything. Mike was the love of her life and desire and he soon lifted hips, positioning himself, panting as she was. He entered her deep places, touching a great desire and need that set off a chain reaction. Every movement of their hips he plumbed the depths of their desire and she cried out each time. Panting and gasping their full enjoyment of each other’s body, soul and mind. When his final thrust released inside, her whole body felt the wave of pleasure and she trembled uncontrollably until it slowed to a stop.

They both lay, catching their breaths in amazement for what they had experienced together. She had always heard about an afterglow and never completely understood what was meant by it. Now she did, it was a complete tingling feeling of completeness. It felt like her whole life had led to that moment, to lay in the arms of her love. It was a joyous moment and once again she considered herself greedy, because she wanted many more just like it.

              “Annie, I think I have found the first perfect moment in my life,” Mike said, echoing her feelings. She felt tears fill her eyes and she turned her face against his chest and he hugged her as she softly cried in her agreement of joy. They lay together for hours, planning the upcoming weekend that they both wanted to spend together. Anna did not want to leave his side.