The Baller's Baby by Cristina Grenier Page A

you, feeling the way I did...do, would change me. I don't have to worry about that anymore. That in part is thanks to you. I know now that we can love each other wholly and still be ourselves.”
                                                                          ***
    Cole caressed her hand again, only letting go when their waitress brought their orders. Cole raised an eyebrow at the massive helping of spaghetti and homemade meatballs sitting in front of Stacey. “Hungry, much?”
    “I didn't know how huge there portions were.”
    “I guess we won't have to worry about dinner then,” Cole said, staring at his huge serving of Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and whole kernel corn.
    “I think we're good,” Stacey laughed. They ate in relative silence, simply enjoying each other's company. Cole couldn't quite get over how beautiful she was. She'd taken care of her appearance today in a way that affected him in a completely new way. She was, by nature, a beautiful woman. Today, however, she simply glowed. Her makeup was light, accenting her doe-like eyes so that Cole could barely look away from her.
    “You ready to blow this Popsicle stand?” Cole asked.
    “I am if you are.”
    “Good. I'll follow you home, if that's where you're headed,” Cole said, holding the door for her. When he stepped outside she hadn't moved. When she turned around there was a mischievous smile on her face.
    “That sounds wonderful.” Stacey planted a laughing kiss on Cole's waiting and hungry lips. The kiss punched through both of them.
    “Screw it, I'll get my car later.”
    “What about practice?”
    “There's time,” was all Cole said as he tucked Stacey into the passenger side of her car. He took the keys she offered him and put them in the ignition, starting the Miata and screeching the tires as he pulled out of the restaurant. He didn't say anything as he put the car in park, walking around and helping Stacey out of her side. One easy movement and Stacey found herself in the air, Cole's strong arms comfortably supporting her.
    “Put me down, Cole,” Stacey admonished, feeling like a complete idiot.
    “Not a chance, babe,” Cole replied, working the lock and finally opening her front door. Careful not to knock her head against the door, Cole worked to get them both past the threshold.
    “You know grooms are supposed to do that for their bride's, right?” Stacey said and laughed heartily when Cole's blue eyes snapped to hers. “Oh, boy are you gun shy.”
    “I'm not gun shy,” Cole argued. “I'm just not sure I'm ready to talk about happily ever after.”
    “Are you ready to talk about upstairs, now?” Stacey asked, her brown eyes twinkling with laughter and a hunger that matched his own.
                                                                          ***
    Stacey finally knew that soul searing kiss that knocked all the wind out of your lungs so that your lover could almost literally breathe into you. The gut wrenching power lovers gave and equally took as bodies melded together. Knowing herself well, she'd never questioned what she and Cole had, what they shared. Now, being sure of herself and him, she gave herself fully to the experience, wanting nothing but pure, unadulterated ecstasy for both of them. If that was all she could leave behind with him, Stacey knew it'd be enough to sustain him until she came home.
    “Kiss me again,” Stacey whispered as Cole finally let her feet touch the ground. His lips were tender, moving over hers with languid succulence, as if to savor every moment, to turn every breath into a memory, so that he wouldn't starve for her presence while she was away.
    Stacey wanted to rush, to press her body hard, hungrily against him. To take and be taken in a tangle of limbs and libidos until neither of them could move. Every time she tried, Cole would slow down,