Hello everyone! Thank you for waiting patiently these past two weeks, this chapter proved to be a difficult one to churn out. I'm happy with the end result though, and I hope you enjoy it! Happy Reading! :)

Alex stared at the closed hotel door for a moment, forgetting all about the hard male body pressed against her. How long had Rebecca and Ted been together? Why were they hiding it?

The small chuckle rumbling from Jamie's chest brought her attention back to him. He was grinning like a child who got away with stealing some candy.

"The lads are going to freak out when they 'ear about this."

With a stern gaze and firm poke to his chest, Alex quickly shot the idea down. "You can't go telling people what we saw, Jamie."

"Erm, why not?"

"Because they clearly don't want people to know yet. Uncle Ted would have told me if he did. This isn't our business, Jamie."

She could tell he wanted to roll his eyes at her, but he grumbled out his acceptance of the matter. "You're right, babe. I won't say anythin'."

Alex patted his chest appreciatively and they shared a smile. In the back of her mind, she knew she was approaching dangerous territory. Standing there with him sharing a grin and soft caress, it felt natural to her. She'd never felt so comfortable with a guy before and so suddenly.

The warmth of his body went away before she had time to really soak it in. Jamie shifted back a few steps and cleared his throat.

"I was headin' to Isaac's room to talk about the game tomorrow. I should go before he comes lookin' for me."

She shook her head, as if to clear the thoughts of his warmth away. Alex licked her lips nervously, not wanting to leave things as they were. She didn't know when they'd have another chance to talk.

"Jamie, we need to talk about this more."

He was already shaking his head, knowing what she was referring to. He stalked closer to her again so he could whisper lowly. "I already told you, Alexandra. This can't be anythin'. I've worked too 'ard to have this team and these people around me. I can't mess it up."

"Why are you so sure what's between us will ruin things?" She asked boldly, yet unable to meet his eyes. "You know Ted is a good man. He won't kick you off the team." She swallowed hard when she looked up and saw the fear in his eyes. "He's not going to abandon you, Jamie."

Jamie closed his eyes briefly and looked down. "I can't risk it. Richmond is all I have." He let out an aggravated sigh and clenched his teeth momentarily. "You weren't here last year, so you don't understand. I was a right prick to everyone. I used to play for Man City. Did you know that?"

Alex shook her head and searched his face for what he was getting at.

"I was loaned to Richmond for the season and when I got here, I felt like I needed to prove myself as the star player. I didn't care who I hurt or who I had to step on to dominate. Then, when I got back to Man City and got Richmond relegated when we played them, I disappeared from the league to go do a reality show."

"Lust Conquers All." Alex confirmed for him.

Jamie's eyes widened and a red shade dusted his cheeks. "You've watched it?"

She nodded awkwardly, "I really hope you apologized to Amy."

He huffed a laugh of disbelief, "So you know how much of a dickhead I am?"

Alex struggled with her reply for a moment. Yes, he made a real ass out of himself on that show. Yes, he'd been rude to her at times. Yes, she heard of his past treatment to the other players. But she also saw that softer side of him. And if Uncle Ted was willing to take a second chance on Jamie, he must have seen something worth taking the risk.

"Everyone makes mistakes, Jamie." She said finally. "But if you're truly uncomfortable with continuing whatever this is, I'll understand. But you have to mean it." He opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off. "You can't string me along and have me thinking you actually want me."

He clenched his jaw and frustratingly ran a hand through his hair, "I already told you. This isn't about me not wanting you." His eyes pierced through her so intensely, she could barely hold his gaze. "Because I really fuckin' do. You're sweet and soft and I could spend hours talkin' to you and not feel like a total knob after."

"What's a knob?"

"An idiot." Jamie smiled sadly at her. "You don't make me feel stupid. You make me feel like a person."

Alex's eyes softened and she took the chance of reaching for his hand. She traced his fingers lightly before lacing them through her own. "You make me feel like a person, too. You've lit up some part of me that I didn't even know was there. I've never felt what I feel with you."

She watched his throat contract tensely for a moment. His eyes were looking downwardly at their hands, but she could feel his uncertainty and discomfort.

"Can't we at least try and see where this goes?" She asked bravely before holding her breath and waiting for what he'd say.

"I think we should see where this goes."

Ted was concentrated on lightly tracing a patten along Rebecca's bare back. His eyes focused on the small freckles scattered across her soft skin. She was absolutely radiant and glowing in the aftermath of their lovemaking.

When he gently brushed her hair aside to get a better view of her swan-like neck, he noticed the small red marks where his mustache scratched her delicate skin. Rebecca didn't seem to mind the coarse hair above his lip. The memories of her breathy giggles echoed in his head.

While their connection had been unexpected and seemingly crept up on both of them when they weren't looking, Ted was happy with this new development in his life. It felt easy. In the many times he'd thought about the idea of being with Rebecca, he always imagined an awkwardness to follow quickly afterward. After all, they worked together and had a professional relationship to maintain if Richmond was going to progress. Yet here they were, laying together on the blissful aftermath, skin to skin, and completely at ease with each other. Maybe it was the alcohol, and they would be thinking differently in the morning. But right now, he needed to say a few things.

"Did you hear me, Rebecca?" When her raspy hum vibrated against his hair line, he felt that familiar shiver rush down his spine. "I think we should see where this goes."

She had been sifting her fingers through his hair, lost in the chocolate tresses, and likely thinking about what would happen in the morning. "Ted, I can honestly say I haven't felt so connected to a man as I have with you." Rebecca paused her words and the hand he was growing fond of being against his scalp. "But I'm not sure if that's a good idea."

Ted lurched upright and felt the same sinking feeling in his stomach as he had the day he said goodbye to Michelle. "I won't let you end something before it has a chance to start."

She blinked at him in surprise. "You won't let me?" Her arms were quick to defensively cross below her chest, which was hidden under the hotel sheets.

He grimaced at her expression of irritation. "You know what I'm saying. Rebecca," His hand found her shapely thigh from atop the sheets and gave a gentle squeeze. "Don't tell me this didn't feel right to you."

Ted watched her bright eyes glaze over with memories of what just happened. He wasn't the kind of guy to kiss and tell, but he knew she enjoyed herself. If the fierce grip of her thighs around his waist and erotic groans she unleashed were anything to go by, he had made her orgasm three times tonight.

"What will your players think? Or the other staff?"

This was the first time he'd ever seen Rebecca look insecure in a situation that didn't involve her SOB of an ex-husband. In all the time he'd known her, she didn't care about what others thought and did what she damn well pleased. Seeing this uncertainty cast over such a strong woman didn't sit right with Ted. He gripped her hand firmly and held her gaze.

"Fuck what anyone else thinks." He almost laughed as her eyes widened and mouth gaped open. "Rebecca, you… You have been there for me when no one else was. At such a dark and lonely point in my life I knew seeing your face every day would make it shine a little brighter."

"Ted, I…" Rebecca swallowed hard, and he could see the inner conflict battling in her uncertain eyes.

"We don't have to figure it out right now." He reassured her softly. "Just tell me you're willing to try."

Rebecca cupped his rough cheek and stroked his bottom lip with her thumb. They shared a secret smile before allowing their lips to touch. Ted clutched her to him and tumbled her back into the sheets. They were losing themselves in each other once again, letting their hands explore each other and swallowing each other's sighs.

Ted had only been with one other woman since Michelle. Sassy, Rebecca's friend, was a passionate and headstrong person who he would remain dear friends with. He understood why Rebecca and her were so close, and he appreciated what Sassy was able to do for him after he'd signed his divorce papers. He and Sassy decided it was best to part ways, as she was focusing on her daughter Nora and he, at the time, wasn't looking for a commitment.

For a long time, Ted wasn't sure if he'd ever meet another woman who could make his heart flutter like it once did for Michelle. In the beginning, Ted thought what Rebecca and he shared was genuine friendship bonded by tough past marriages. Then, she started showing up when he needed someone the most. Rebecca would be there, whether he knew he needed her or not. She never wavered, never turned her back on him no matter how many times he annoyed her with his banter and witty comebacks. Sure, they'd dealt with the past drama of her wanting him to fail, but he knew Rebecca really only wanted Rupert to fail. Divorce is hard. Being alone is hard. Being around her made it easy.

"Should we tell Alexandra?" Rebecca blurted out at the inconvenient time of which he was reacquainting himself with her exquisite breasts.

His reality felt like it was coming to a screeching halt as images of his sweet niece flashed through his mind. An icy realization hit him that his family might not be as accepting about this relationship after only a year of being divorced from Michelle. Would Lexie think he was forgetting about his life back home? Lexie had seen the life he'd created over in England, but it was such a small part of his life so far. His relationship with Lexie had been strong since she was in diapers, since before he met Michelle. Hell, she was the flower girl in their wedding. She was in the hospital waiting room with her parents when Henry was born. What was she going to think about Rebecca?

"Ted, I can hear you thinking." Rebecca's touch pulled him back to the surface. "What's wrong?"

His eyebrows were drawn tightly together in worry, and he licked his lips nervously. "I just…. I don't want her to think I'm forgetting about my life back home."

She gave a small, bewildered laugh. "I should think if she were to have thought that, it would have happened when you left Kansas to move here."

Ted shook his head. "It's different."

Rebecca looked at him understandingly. "Ted, I haven't known Alexandra for very long, but from what I can tell she is an incredibly sweet and understanding young woman." She watched him as he continued the battle in his head. "Alexandra just wants you to be happy."

"I don't want my happiness to make her feel like I'm leaving Kansas behind." Ted muttered sadly.

"Ted Lasso, look at me." Rebecca said with a gentle sternness, causing him to shift his gaze from the pillow she was laying on to her brilliant blue eyes. "Where you come from is a part of you. It's in the way you treat people, it's in the way you talk, and it's the very best thing I love about you. I don't believe for a moment you could possibly forget about your home."

The anxiety began lifting from him as he took in Rebecca's words. He knew she was right and looking at her confident gaze made him see that. The frown lines faded from his mouth and his eyebrows relaxed once again. There she was again, putting him back on his feet.

"Thank you, Rebecca." He murmured before leaning down to press a soft kiss to her generous mouth. "I'll talk to her about it tomorrow. What about everyone else?"

She reached up to push back the hair that head fallen on his forehead. "They can figure it out on their own. I don't want to hide but I also don't think an announcement is in order. Is that alright with you?"

Ted smiled, "Yes, ma'am."

He let his lips fall from her mouth to begin a trail of sensual presses along her jaw and down her delicate neck. Every time she giggled at the feel of his mustache against her skin caused him to harden even more. Ted began sucking at the pulse point of her throat, nibbling at times, and soothing his bites with a remorseful kiss.

"Do you really think if two people have feelings for each other, they should be together?" Rebecca breathed dreamily as she allowed him to continue showering her skin with his touch. "No matter what anyone else thinks?"

Ted lifted his head in confusion, "Yes, I do. Why do you ask?"

Rebecca shook her head with a dizzying smile, "No reason."

He watched the contraction of her throat as she worked to catch her breath and was pulled back into the need to touch her. He quickly forgot about her question and began losing himself in her warm and inviting body. He could spend hours worshiping her strength and softness. Just before he completely went under into the lust she drowned him in, he thought he heard her quietly reply with,

"I'll be sure to remind you of that."