Gripping the side of my face with his hand, his eyes widen and his mouth opens in shock. “You’re a Trekkie?”
I nod in answer. “My dad was and still is a huge fan of the Original Series. I practically grew up on that show along with a ton of other science fiction and fantasy shows and movies.”
“Woman, you know the way to my heart.” Jamie kisses me once more, and a chill rushes over me in waves, hardening my swollen nipples.
I break away from his lips and hook my legs around his back. “My pussy wants to meld with your dick, so you had better get to work, Captain,” I say with a wink.
He laughs so hard that he snorts. But it’s cute. Everything he does is so damn cute and sexy.
Without warning, Jamie lifts me off the counter and throws me over his shoulder.
“Hey, I gave you an order,” I say, with laughter in my voice, as he stalks toward the bedroom with me draped over his body like a doll.
“And I’m following it.” The arrogance in his tone sets my body on fire, excited by the promise of more.
Chapter 11
Jameson
The gymnasium at the rec center is at max capacity with all the kids and their parents taking up most of the space. On weekends, we have to take turns with sharing the court. It’s been a while since I attended a game with Charlie and our boys. For years, I’d helped Charlie coach the Gladiators. But with my hectic work schedule and Charlie’s wedding coming up, it has been tough.
I already disappoint Regan enough as it is with having to cancel on her last minute at times. Now, I have to do the same to Charlie and the kids. I hate that my job has turned me into such an unreliable person. Because that’s not who am I. Not even close. I was always the guy people could rely on, including Charlie. Now, I feel as though I am failing everyone, all because of my job.
The crowd hums to life as the first game ends, and Charlie tells our team to get their gear and head over to the bench. Slinging my gym bag over my shoulder, I walk alongside Charlie and drop the bag on the ground next to the bench. It’s sad that this is the only time we get to spend together anymore, apart from the usual wedding stuff.
While the boys practice their layups and free throws, we walk over to half-court to watch. As usual, Rico is showing off his layup skills. For his age, he displays serious talent that Charlie hopes to mold, as he gets older. If anyone could turn a kid into a star, it’s Charlie.
“What are you going to do next year when he’s too old to play on this team?” I ask Charlie, who turns away from the court to look at me.
“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “It might be time to start thinking about starting my own team. Alex keeps mentioning kids to me. He wants to be a father, but he hasn’t come out and said it yet, only drops the occasional hints.”
“You’d make a great mother, Charlie. Just look at what you’ve done with Rico and these kids. The proof is already there.”
“Thanks, Jamie.” Charlie smiles and pats me on the shoulder. “My life is changing now. This is so…weird.”
“It's the right kind of change, though.”
“I see changes in you, too. Ever since you met Regan, you’re different.” Scanning the court, Charlie checks off the names of the boys on the roster and clips the pen to the board. “Maybe you should think about making her a more permanent fixture in your life.”
“It’s this job,” I confess. “It keeps us apart more than I would like. Regan says she understands, but I know it must be hard for her not to hate me when I tell her I have to cancel plans.”
“Why don’t you just tell her why this is so important to you over dinner? Make the time to do something special with her that doesn’t revolve around your office or playing video games at your apartment. She might be okay with whatever she can get for now, but that is not going to last. You can only make so many excuses before they get old and tired.”
Surprised by her diatribe, I raise my eyebrows at Charlie. “Since when did you become such a romantic?”
She shrugs, flashing a wicked smirk at me. “Since Alex changed my life. You should see for yourself what it’s like to make a change for another person. I can tell you have feelings for her. Maybe even love. If that’s the case, you need to get your shit together. I regret spending all that time apart from Alex when I should’ve told Mickey to shove it. You should go into work and tell that asshole Conway to shove that job up his ass. Then, you’d be free to do what you want.”
I frown at her words. “I’d also be jobless and eventually homeless. What woman would want to date a jobless computer programmer?”
“You’re the smartest person I have ever known, Jamie.” Charlie cups my shoulder with a firm grip. “On your own, you could make millions. You don’t need that moron or his stupid company. I’m sure if people knew you were available they would scoop you up in a heartbeat. Or you could just write your own ticket and start your own company. You have the smarts and business sense for it.”
“Do you have any idea how much money that would cost to bring my team along with me to start up a company? I don't know if it would even succeed.”
“No, but I could bankroll your startup just on the commission I earned for scoring Dante West another crazy deal.”
“I can’t,” I stammer, “I’m not taking money from you, Charlie.”
She places her other hand on my shoulder, pushing down on both of them. “You have supported me both financially and emotionally for half of your life. The things you have given up for me I can never repay. You always sacrifice your own happiness for others, including me. It’s about time someone does something for you, Jamie. Let me help you.”