To Love a Man (28 page)

“What’s this?”

Ramón walked over to her and pulled her to the bed.

“Ramón I am really not in the mood for this.”

She tried to pull away but he pulled her down to the bed, sat behind her and began to massage her neck.

“You are so tense let’s see how we can fix that.”

He pulled the massage oil from the dresser and poured it into his hands he released her from the towel that was hiding her beauty and began to rub her neck and back. Desiree loved his massages. He was so good at using his hands. How could she think he was still feeling his ex when he was so good to her? Every game he would give her a rub down saying it relaxed him then she would return the favor. They had a ritual they had a connection they were in love and that was something worth fighting for. As his hands explored her back they moved to her front and caressed her breast. As he did so he moved closer to her and began to kiss her neck.

“Desi I know I hurt you and I am sorry. I never meant to. You mean so much to me.”

He kissed her neck again then nibbled on her ear.

“Ramón I am seriously not in the mood for this. I need to go check on the kids.”

She stood but he pulled her back down.

“You know they are not here. They are with my mom like they are before every away game.”

“I forgot.”

She stood up again but he pulled her back down.

“Desiree let’s talk about this.”

“Oh so now you wanna talk?”

Desiree pushed him off of her and grabbed her robe. He frowned.

“Look don’t be like this.”

Desiree walked away from him.

“You gonna tell me that I have no say in this? I love Maddie like my daughter. And you have the nerve to tell me that it’s between you two?”

“I’m sorry but you need to realize that it was just Maddie and me for a long time.”

The anger she felt lit a fire within her.
“Don’t give me that bull!” she raised her voice. “It was just me and Zack for a long time too and yet I had no problem letting you in.”

“I let you in.”
he yelled back. 

“No you let me in part of the way. I tell you everything that went on or goes on between Charles and me! And I just want the same thing.”

“Those are different situations.”

She faced him.

“Why? Why is your situation so different from my situation?”

“Because.”

“Because what?”
she challenged.

“Because you had a chance to get over Charles.”

Desiree felt a pit slowly creep into her stomach. Her heart began to race and all of the possibilities of his words played in her mind.

“What are you saying?”

“I am just saying I need to handle this situation differently.”

Desiree rolled her eyes and walked out the room as Ramón followed her.

“No we need to resolve this.”

“Resolve what? Six months ago you asked me to marry you. And now I find out you
’re not over your ex. It’s pretty clear to me what is going on.”

He pulled her close to him but she rejected him.
“Desiree you have to know I love you.”

“So what you wanna be with her?”

“Baby I wanna be with you.”

He pulled her closer to him
again. She didn’t have the energy to fight it anymore. She didn’t have the strength to handle what usually came next when she opened her heart. Charles broke her down like a fraction on every occasion always telling her how much weight she gained from the pregnancy or how she couldn’t do anything right. If he wasn’t belittling her he was cheating. Desiree hated the way Charles closed down. She didn’t want to lose Ramón she was willing to do anything she could to make it work. Ramón pulled her close to him.

“I don't wanna go to these away games not knowing what is going on with us.”

“Ramón how am I supposed to handle this?”

“I love you so much we are gonna make this work.”

“Are you sure I am what you want?” she asked looking up to him, searching his eyes for an answer.

“How can you even ask me that?”

“Because Ramón we moved here, I gave up my apartment and my job, I have nothing I don't want to have to start over again. You promised me I wouldn’t be hurt.”

“And you won’t.”

“How do I know that?”

“You have to trust me. I love you so much.”

“Ramón I don't know how to change the way I feel.”

“Just trust me. Trust in what we have. I won’t hurt you.”

He pulled her lips to his as he directed her back to their bedroom. He laid her down and nuzzled her neck while undoing her robe. Grabbing the oil bottle that was still on the bed, he poured more onto his hands and rubbed them together. He rubbed her body down front and back with oil hitting every hot spot she had along the way. As he worked his way back up he could see the look in her eyes telling him she wanted him. He looked into eyes and knew he could love her forever. As he entered her slowly she arched up with him. Wrapping her legs around his waist he lifted her off the bed and pushed her against the wall. He legs hooked each other around his back and she moaned loudly as he pushed harder inside her.

“Desi I
love you. Tell me you believe me.”

He pushed deeper in her and she closed her eyes letting a few tears fall from her face. He stopped moving looking at her and she opened her eyes.

“Desi talk to me.” He whispered.

“I love you too.” Was all she could say. She began rocked her hips against his wanting him to give her the pleasure she desired. He
began to push into again with each thrust moving deeper and harder. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he pushed harder and faster. She felt her orgasm build up from her core and begged him to move fast. His head became light headed as he gave her one big thrust and she tightened around him signaling she was Cumming. As if he was taking his cues from her he let his rip and his knees went weak and the releasing. They fell backwards onto the bed still locked with each other.

Present

Ramón walked back onto the court ready to get the game over with. As much as he wanted to win back to back championships he needed Desiree more. She was the reason he won the first time and she is the reason even after breaking his wrist he came back stronger than ever this season. He moved his wrist around and glanced back up to Desiree. She was everything to him and he wanted her more than he wanted anything. He thought back to that game just a year ago that threatened his whole career.

One year earlier

Desiree stood to her feet as the clock ran down. With one minute left in the playoff’s it was anyone’s game. The Eagles were down by
two and had to get it together if they wanted to win.

“Come on eagles. You got this!”

Desiree couldn’t help but scream as loudly as she could. She wasn’t sure if she was even heard over the roaring of thousands of fans per team rooting and cheering and chanting. The crowd was screaming Defense and Virgil Stone their newest power forward stole the ball and tossed it to Aj. He ran the ball in from half court faked a shot and passed it to Ramón. As Ramón went to shoot a layup Jerome Hill, the center for the other team jumped up with him. As they collided the ball went in and they both fell to the ground.

Desiree jumped in her place as she heard the call and Ramón was given a foul shot, which could make for a three-point play. It wasn’t until she saw him still lying on
the ground holding his wrist did her heart sink. The game forgotten all she wanted to know was if he was alright. As they pulled him up the coach sent the backup center in for Ramón. When she saw how disoriented he was that was when Desiree knew he wasn’t ok. As the clock ran down, and the free throw shot was made the Eagle’s leap in celebration and all Desiree wanted to do was make sure Ramón was ok.

Desiree paced back and forth
in the small hospital waiting room, as she waited to hear from the doctor. As Aj paced with her, seeing her shaking hand he wrapped his arms around her. She held back the tears as Gia ran into the hospital waiting room. She hugged Desiree and Aj looked at them.

“You know he is gonna be ok.”

Desiree shook her head “They have been running test for over an hour. They already said he broke his wrist and that he has a concussion. What more is there?”

Gia held her hand.

“He is a strong man he can handle anything that comes at him.”

“What if he can’t come back from this?”

“He can. We gotta be there for him. Make sure he realizes that we love him and are here to support him.”

Desiree wiped the tears from her eyes,
“I am always there for my family no matter what.”

“Good I hope you mean that.”
Aj said before he could stop himself.

“And what does that mean?” She turned to face him. He sat in a chair and motioned for her to sit next to him. She did as he motioned and frowned. He raised his head.

“I have seen a lot of girls come in and out of my teammates lives. Some create lasting relationships and some don't.”

“Ok and what does that have to do with me?”

“I have also seen players come back from major accidents and I have seen players with minor ones never come back.”

“I am still not following you.”

“What if he can’t play anymore? Then what? Are you gonna leave?”

Gia smacked Aj in the head.

“Aj!”

Desiree looked at him.

“What?”
She stood up. “How can you ask me that?”

“I have seen it before.”

“You mean gold diggers? You really think that I am only with him for the money?”

“I think he is worth a lot of money and marrying him would make you worth a lot.”

Gia stood as Desiree tilted her head.

“You listen and you listen well
because I am not going to repeat myself.” She moved closer to him. “I love Ramón with all of me, everything I have in me. I wouldn’t be with someone if I didn’t love them. I am not that kind of person. And you know what I thought you were the last person to think of me like that. You have some nerve if you think that I am gonna sit here and allow you to talk to me like some groupie.”

He held up his hands and smiled. Gia put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes.

“What’s so funny? Aj I can’t believe you would say something like that to her.”

“Gia, Desi I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. Most women would have made excuses or changed the subject. Some would have begun to cry and begged me not to say a thing and then there are the few who would walk away to ashamed to say a word. But you, I knew you were different. You came with us to Dave and Busters and just had fun. You speak your mind no matter who you are talking to.
Like right there you went right for my throat. You pull no punches and I like that. I like you and I think Ramón is lucky to have you.”

“You were testing me?”

“I'm sorry but I needed to know how you felt about him.”

“I can’t believe that you actually thought I was one of those women I am in love with Ramón.”

“I get it but you have to understand that’s my best friend and I needed to know that you really did love him.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “And what do you think of me now?”

“I don't think he could do any better than you.”

Gia shoved Aj.

“You idiot. Don't do that again.”

“Desi is he ok?”

Desiree looked at Rachael as she walked towards her.
Desiree saw the fear in Rachael’s eyes.

“Joe is with the kids and Brit is on her way up.”

Desiree went over to her and hugged her wanting to ease her sadness. “We don't know yet. I'm sure it’s gonna be ok. I know he is.”

The doctor walked over to them and smiled. He looked at his chart then back to them.

“It’s not as bad as we thought. He has just like we thought a severely sprained wrist and a mild concussion. We are gonna keep him over night just to make sure he is ok. All of the other tests we have run have come back negative so that is a good thing. You can go in and see him now if you want.”

Rachael looked at her Desiree.

“You go first I wanna call everyone let them know he’s ok.”

“
Ok.”

Desiree walked into the hospital room and
walked over to Ramón. He turned his head away from her as she sat next to him.

“Baby how are you feeling?”

Ramón shrugged his shoulders.

“Do you need anything?”

He still stared the other way. Desiree turned his head towards her and saw the anger in his eyes.

“Baby what’s the matter
?” she asked now more concerned for him then relieved.