Climb on My Stepfather (Ashley and Alex)

Chapter 84

16: Stella.

He's incredible out there.

Watching Gage sail the ball down the field, take tackles, run like the wind, find gaps in the defense, I can't help but marvel. I'm in the family box with the wives of the coaches and various administrators. They have all been very kind to me, even if they did look a little puzzled when I arrived with four hulking security guards with guns. Most of the wives aren't paying attention to the game. They're most interesting in catching up with each other and talking about their children, so I sit alone, glued to the glass.

How is that machine down on the field the same man who holds me so tenderly? How is that the same man whose mouth makes love to mine slowly one second, becoming demanding in the next? He seems so far away. Like maybe everything that has taken place since I met him was a dream. He's everyone's fantasy, isn't he? Maybe he's mine. Maybe I imagined it all.

But no.

The chafing on my thighs tells me we're real. The heavy ring sitting around my throat like a collar means the last week truly happened.

You will marry me, Stella.

Truer words were never spoken. I'm not sure I could make it a day without his arms around me. Without his skin warming mine. I'm in love. I'm so in love, it'

s practically painful. I never could have imagined this deep, consuming brand of passion before now. But I'm letting it take me. I'm being sucked down into the inky darkness of obsession along with Gage and it's exhilarating. I can hear every breath I take, loud and echoing in my head. I have permanent goosebumps. My breasts feel exposed, even fully covered, because they've been so well loved. Sucked and squeezed and bitten. Even though I speak and nod at everyone who addresses me, I'm thinking of him. Getting back to him.

I blow out a shuddering breath, fogging up the glass in front of me. I am not going

to let my schoolwork suffer, even though my relationship with Gage is huge and overwhelming. I cannot fail to seize the opportunity I was given.

There has to be something just for me. The way he has football, I have academics. I can't allow anything to derail me from that.

That will be easier said than done, I'm guessing.

Down on the field, Gage takes a hard tackle and I make a helpless sound, my shaking hand pressing to the glass until he stands up, jogs toward the huddle. Slowly, I let out the concrete breath in my lungs, my attention straying to the game clock. Five more minutes. We're ahead by ten. Unless the other team really turns it on, another championship is in the bag. I'm so happy for Gage. He needed this. He needed to know he could love football on his own, even though he shared the sport so closely with his father. I can't wait to hold him later, tell him how proud I am of him for overcoming such a tragedy. For emerging better than ever.

A cheer goes up in the family box moments later, the wives exchanging a hug.

Two of them even pull me into an embrace, making me laugh and blush.

begin clearing out of

asked to wait here until Gage comes to get

clear out," one of my security guards answers to my right. "It's

"Oh. Okay."

you going to be all right, dear? Or would you like

I can see Gage down on the field. His helmet is off now and he's being interviewed,

None of his teammates are being bombarded by reporters. They've all left the field. And my

MVP according to the giant

His behavior is highhanded and sort of irrational-do I really need a security team?-but I won't pretend I don't like him caring for me, even in the craziest of ways. For so long, I barely existed. No one hugged me, let alone spoke to me. I was a

say to the coach's wife, smiling. "Thank you for

and I suck in a surprised breath when the elevator doors open, revealing total pandemonium. Fans and players alike have uncorked bottles of champagne and they're spraying it at each other. A big

guards stays me with a hand on my

my boyfriend's world. Should I get used to it? I understand he's protective of me, but I can't always

them stops me Someone hands me a red solo cup of beer and I laugh, taking a sip. The crisp night air combined with the magic of victory is wonderful. Knowing I'll be home with my boyfriend soon is equally incredible. I'm just about to take my first sip of beer when one of the players stops in front

game." He turns to the crowd of celebrating fans. "Hey everyone! This is the girl who tutored Weston. She's the reason he passed the test so he could play

they cheer for me. Loudly. So loudly

he didn't want her speaking with anyone outside of the family

from my guard, the receiver smiles back down at me. There is something in his expression that makes my stomach feel hollow, but it's probably just me. I'm still not used to speaking with strangers. "So are you going

it," I say, cradling the solo cup to my chest. "But

"Since you're dating?"

travel lower to my breasts, I tamp down

off the market before any of us poor assholes got a chance to shoot our shot."

in his tone keeps me silent. I don't know

whisper. “But we both know it's not real, don't

prickle my scalp.

us. When I say

at me like I should