Back at the stadium, everyone mumbles their goodbyes as we go our separate ways. My drive home is short with minimal traffic on the road, and when I’m standing at the door to my apartment, everything shifts. I have a decision to make once I’m inside. It’s going to be life-changing, and we may not want the same things. Ainsley and I need to talk and not let our attraction to each other get in the way. Lord knows, with the thought of her sleeping in my bed for the past few nights, my hand has been getting a workout. And don’t even get me started on her breasts. I’ve noticed that they’ve gotten bigger and I really can’t wait to watch them bounce up and down—that’s if she still wants me.
When I step inside, all the lights are off except for the small glow coming from the bedroom. I move quietly through my apartment and knock gently on my bedroom door. She doesn’t answer, but that doesn’t stop me from entering.
Inside my room, candles are lit, and there are rose petals scattered over the floor and on the bed. Ainsley stands in the middle of the room with a long nightgown on. From where I stand, I can see her belly protruding, giving her shape. I set my bag down and step into the room.
“Welcome home,” she says, staying in her spot. There’s something different in her voice, a tone I can’t place. Is she nervous that I won’t like this or that I don’t want her?
“I think this has to be one of the best homecomings I’ve ever had.”
“Have you had many?”
I shake my head slowly as I stalk toward her. Her breathing catches when my hand cups her cheek. “None since I’ve met you.”
A small smile plays on her lips, and I pray that was enough reassurance for her to know that I haven’t been with anyone else.
“What do you want, Ainsley?”
“You,” she replies softly.
“But for how long? Do you plan to go back to Florida? Or stay here?”
She closes her eyes and rests her head against my hand. “I want a family,” she says as she meets my gaze.
“Do you see me in your family?”
When she nods, I lose all sense of reality and carry her to my bed. I lay her down gently with her hair fanning over the rose petals on the comforter. “You’re so beautiful,” I tell her as I kiss her exposed skin.
“Make love to me, Cooper.”
“With pleasure.”
* * *
Ainsley sleeps soundly next to me while my thoughts run rampant. All night I’ve thought about what I have to do, and I realize I don’t want to wait. I slide out of bed carefully and get dressed in my closet. The few clothes she brought hang opposite of mine, bringing a smile to my face. I like that she hung her stuff up and made herself at home, even though this one will be temporary. We can’t raise a family in an apartment and will need something bigger.
I check on her before I sneak out, making sure she’s still sleeping. The temptation to crawl back into bed with her is great, but so is my quest. I shouldn’t be gone long, but in the event that she wakes up, I leave her a note telling her I’ll be right back.
It’s after two in the morning, and the streets are empty except for those going home from the bar scene. That’s never been me; even in college, I kept to the curfew and rarely went out during the off-season. Baseball was and still is too important to me.
I pound on my
manager’s door, knowing that I’ll end up paying the price on Friday when I go back to work, but right now, I don’t care. There’s something I need to do, and it can’t wait.
“What the fuck do you want, Bailey? It’s two a.m.”
“Yes, sir, but this can’t wait.”
He yawns and motions for me to come in. “Don’t sit. You’re not staying long.”
I stand there under the scrutiny of my boss. “I’m here to ask your permission to marry Ainsley.”
“What?” he scoffs.
“I’d like to marry Ainsley but would also like your permission.”
He shakes his head and brushes me off. “Whatever, Bailey. Ask her. I’m going back to bed. Lock the door on your way out.”
Wes Wilson, the man who busted my chops for getting Ainsley pregnant to begin with, walks out of the room and into his bedroom. When the door slams, I jump and quickly realize that this was easier than I thought.