Nic's Devotion: An Endless Series: Book One (32 page)

     I stalked forward and her eyes widened, not in
apprehension, but in excitement. “Are you saying I’m manipulative?” She was
absolutely right on the mark of course.

     “If the totalitarian hat fits.” She laughed, and the
next thing I knew I was getting wacked in the head by the big fluffy pillow I’d
bought her. “Oh Nic, thank you so much for the pillows, they’re awesome.” She
hit me again.

     Rushing her I tackled her to the bed causing her to
shriek in laughter. I ripped the pillow out of her hands but she wasn’t done
in; she’d gotten a hold of the other pillow and continued the battering,
gasping out laughter. My heart about exploded in my chest at the sound.
Struggling with her and laughing myself I tossed the second pillow away.

     Looming over I grinned evilly as she slumped back on
the bed breathing hard. Of course this brought my attention to her heaving
breasts. I jerked my gaze back up to her joy-filled face.

     “I’m not giving in.” She tried looking stern, but the
grin kept getting in the way ruining it.

      Leaning over I brought my finger up and traced the
skin around her collarbone giving her a smirk. She narrowed her eyes at me.
“What?”

     “Seth reminded me of something this afternoon that I
completely forgot about.” I trailed my finger up to her ear and she shivered.
“He’s been hanging on to some money that belongs to you from a certain poker
game you were in. It amounted to two-hundred and sixty-five dollars.” Carrie’s
mouth dropped open and I chuckled at her look of shock.

     “Oh, my god. I can’t believe I was playing in a game
with that kind of money.” She looked horrified. “What if I’d lost that money
instead of winning it, I would have felt awful.”

      Well, this wasn’t going as well as I thought. “You
would have never known.”

     I got fierce glare for that. “That does not make me
feel better. You or Landon should get that money for spotting me.”

     “Landon refused on the grounds that it would make him
look like a sore loser and douche bag. He pushed the money on you to play and you
won fair and square. I only put my I.O.U. in and he didn’t accept that either.”

     She shook her head in bemusement. “It’s crazy playing
for that kind of money in a card game.”

     I continued my finger trail down her neck to swell of
her breasts. “Two-hundred and sixty-five dollars covers half of what I spent,
excluding the laptop, so I will relent and allow you to make payments to me
every other week for what you deem necessary.” It was actually more, but close
enough. 

     “Will you really? You’re so kind.” I could tell she
wanted to sound sarcastic, but her voice came out too breathless.

     I gave her a smug look. “I am, aren’t I?”

     She rolled her eyes.

     “You’re going tomorrow, right?” I asked to change the
subject of money, and because she’d never really given me an answer.

     “Yes, I would like to if it’s still alright with
Amanda?” She answered hesitantly.

     Her hand was drifting over my wrist and forearm that
was anchored next to her waist and it was like a straight line of delight to my
cock. It amazed me what the slightest touch from her could do to me. I had to
clear my throat. “I confirmed it with her today. She would love for you to go.”
I assured her throatily.

     “What time?” She asked, her fingers still caressing.

     “The game starts at twelve, so she’ll be here between
ten and ten-thirty. The ride is about an hour depending on traffic and then
parking.” Setting my other hand next to her head I leaned down and ghosted my
lips over her smooth jaw. I nuzzled that exquisitely soft patch of skin between
her ear and shoulder, drowning in her fresh exclusive scent. Her breath caught
and she tilted back giving me more access. Boy, did I want more access.

     “I…I have school work…” Her gasped in a breath when I
sucked at the skin on her neck. “…that I need to get done if I’m going to go.”

     Well, damn. With one last gentle bite to her earlobe I
reluctantly pulled away. Her eyes had been closed and when she opened them they
were dazed. I wanted to kiss her but knew if I did I wouldn’t be able to stop.
Standing up I brought her with me and settled for an embrace which was still
hell on my libido; feeling all her soft curves pressing against mine.

     “I’m going to go then so you can get that done. I don’t
want to cause you to fall behind, and it wouldn’t hurt to get some of my own
work done either.” With one last squeeze I released her and grabbed my coat.
She followed me to the door and I turned back to her in the doorway for a quick
and platonic goodnight.

     She surprised me though. Stepping up to me and taking
my head in her hands she went up on her toes and pulled me down for one of the
sweetest kisses I’d ever experienced. It was soft and tender and over way too
swiftly. I scarcely had the fortitude to not jerk her into me and give her
something deeper.

     Releasing my lips but not my face she leaned back.
“Thank you for everything today; going with me to Dr. Mathew’s, and then doing
this room for me. Just…” She seemed to swallow with difficulty and her eyes
were glistening again. “…thank you. You make me feel special and do such nice
things for me. It seems like I’m living a dream a lot of the time, but then I
pinch myself and know that I’m not. You’re for real and actually here in my
life.”

     Fuck, those words shattered me. It was like she thought
she didn’t deserve to be treated special or have nice things done for her. She absolutely
deserved it.

     Taking her face between my hands I leaned down and
tried to give her the same sweet kiss she’d given me. I knew it wasn’t the same
though because I wanted her too damn much. “You deserve the sun and the moon,
but regrettably I can’t get those for you.”

     She smiled beautifully. “You are my sun, remember, and
that’s all I need.”

     Sweeping her back in my arms I stuffed my face in her
neck overcome. “God, I love you.”

     She didn’t say anything, just wrapped her arms around
me and squeezed hard. Even though she couldn’t say the words yet I knew what
she felt, she was just too fearful to verbalize them because of her past. I
could wait till she was ready.

Chapter Twenty-seven

CARRIE

    
Amanda and I jumped up and down cheering loudly as the
Cavalier’s scored another goal. It was even more exciting because Nic made it.
I was yelling so loudly that I knew my voice box was going to be hurting later,
but I didn’t care. Nic was playing an awesome game.

     “Damn, Nic’s always been a fabulous player but he has
been phenomenal in the last two weeks. It’s like you’re his good luck charm.”
Amanda yelled gleefully over the noise of the crowd. 

     I couldn’t help but smile madly. The exhilaration of
seeing Nic play so well and the excitement of the game had my emotions in an
all-time high. Nic was running back down the field toward the center and he
looked my way giving me a wave. I waved back enthusiastically. We’d been able
to get front row seats right behind the Cavalier’s with some help from Nic.
He’d actually saved the seats for us.

     The game only had another couple minutes to go, but the
Cavalier’s had already won and were slapping each other on the backs in
congratulations. The score was 11 to 4 and there was no way Richmond was going
to be able to catch up.

     The last two minutes went quickly. Richmond didn’t
bother stretching out the game with time-outs since they were so far behind.
People had been leaving during the last five minutes realizing that their home
team had already lost and there was no longer any reason to stay and watch the
continued annihilation.

     The buzzer sounded and the minority of Cavalier fans
screamed and stomped their admiration. The player’s on the sidelines rushed the
player’s on the field and they all came together in a massive pile of bodies,
jumping and slapping each other. I tried to keep my eyes on Nic but he got lost
in the mass.

     Amanda and I turned to each other smiling broadly. “I
feel so jealous that you’ve been able to watch Noah play for years. Nic is so
amazing out there I feel like I’ve lost out not seeing him play the last two years.”

     Amanda grinned. “Like I said, Nic was great before, but
he’s only been amazing since meeting you.”

     “I would be happy just watching him run around; that’s
pretty amazing in itself.” I said, grinning appreciatively.

     Amanda expression exhibited the same appreciation.
“Yeah, especially when they take off their shirts, all those fine muscles on
display. Yummy.”

     My thoughts flashed to when I’d gotten to see Nic’s
naked torso that one time in his bedroom when he’d come out of the shower. His
chest was broad with sharply defined pectorals and it had been bare of any
chest hair, his stomach seemed to have muscles on top of muscles, and there had
been a faint trail of blonde hairs leading down under the towel that had been
tied around his trim waist. The muscles forming his biceps and shoulders had
been downright eye-popping. The entire picture all together had caused my whole
body to clench and throb.

     The only comment I could make to Amanda’s comment was a
breathy ‘
yeah’
of my own which had her laughing almost hysterically.

     “What’s so funny?”

      My head jerked around instinctively at the sound of
Nic’s voice. He was standing at the stadium wall staring up at me with an
enormous smile on his red and dripping face. Jumping up he grabbed the railing
and climbed up to stand on the outside of the stadium bleachers. I threw my
arms around him and hugged him voraciously, not at all caring that he was
soaked with sweat.  

     “Nic, you were amazing. Well…everyone was amazing.” I
didn’t want to make little of the other player’s contribution to the game. “But
you did so well out there; four goals and five assists. It seemed like every
time I looked up your picture was on the screen.”

     Nic gave me a quick, but hard, kiss before setting me
away from him with a laugh. “You don’t want to be touching me right now, I’m
sweating like a pig.”

     “Pigs don’t sweat, and I don’t care. Its winners
sweat.”

     He laughed again, and I could tell that he was high off
the win. It was great to see. “I’m going to go take a shower and then you can
hug me all you want. I’ll be out in around twenty to thirty, okay.” He jumped
back to the ground and jogged over to the tunnel leading to the locker rooms.
Noah met him there and he gave a wave to Amanda as he went in with Nic.

     “Come on; let’s meet the guys outside the locker room.
I need to grab a drink for my sore abused throat and go to the little girl’s
room.” Amanda gathered up her cushion and blanket; although, the blanket hadn’t
been needed that much today. It was sunny and almost fifty and we’d been
jumping around for the last two hours. I’d unzipped my coat just to get a
refreshing breeze.

     We stopped at the bathroom and Amanda loosened her hair
from her ponytail and arranged it so it fell around her shoulders. I had my
hair braided again and decided since Amanda had let her hair loose I might as
well do the same. It made no difference to me either way, but I knew Nic liked
it loose. Amanda gave me a sly smile and I scrunched my nose at her making her
laugh. I stuffed my beanie in my coat pocket.

     Both of us grabbed water from the vending machine and
one for the boys; no doubt they’d be thirsty. We then walked down to the locker
rooms. A cluster of people were waiting there; family, friends, fans, and some
reporters. Amanda and I waited down the hall against the wall away from the
large group surrounding the locker doors.

     Noah’s parents were there and Amanda gave them each a
hug and introduced me as Nic’s girlfriend. They were exceptionally nice and
congratulated me on how well Nic played. It felt weird being praised for
someone else’s actions, but I accepted it genially.  

     After a while players began filing out of the room.
Some were met by either a family member and/or friends, but only a few of them
were questioned by a reporter. Finally, Noah, Nic, and Seth exited the doors
and suddenly the reporter’s went nuts. They surrounded Nic and began bombarding
him with questions.

     Seth and Noah worked themselves out of the commotion
and made their way over to us. Noah wrapped his arms around Amanda giving her a
kiss and then hugged each if his parents as they came up and congratulated him.

     I stayed back against the wall watching Nic. He looked
my way giving me a big smile as he answered a question. It was too loud to hear
what exactly was being said.

     Seth walked up to me and I gave him a hesitant smile
still unsure about what he thought about me after what had been revealed. I
hadn’t asked that Nic keep what happened to me a secret, but I wasn’t sure if I
wanted people to know the entire story. Both the public and private events of
what happened were horrendous.

     However, I knew I needed to make an effort in being
social since I would be seeing each of Nic’s roommates a great deal. From the
little I knew of Seth I found that I liked him the best of Nic’s roommates.
Maybe because he was quiet like me.

     “Congratulations, Seth, that was an incredible game.
All you guys did great. I especially liked that block in the third quarter.
That guy never knew what hit him; I bet he’s still feeling it.”

     He grinned and it really softened his features,
especially since both dimples came out this time. He was a good-looking guy,
but it was more rugged than classically handsome. “He seemed to think I was
just going to let him pass.” Seth shook his head as though it had been the
height of stupidity for the guy to come to that presumption.

     “He won’t be thinking those silly thoughts again, will
he?” I huffed out solemnly.

     Seth tilted his head down and gave me a stern look.
“No, he won’t.”

     I couldn’t help grinning at his display and just like
that I was over most of my discomfort. I looked back over at Nic who was still
answering questions. “Does this happen all the time? I don’t know much about
college sports, but I didn’t realize that reporters took such an interest in
it.”

     Seth followed my gaze. “These are mostly local
television and radio. Although, when championships come around we’ll get more
national coverage. Nic is one of the best players, if not the best in the
league, and he normally gets questions after every game, but he played
exceptionally well today so that’s why they are all over him right now.”

     It didn’t sound like Seth was jealous that another
player, and friend, was getting so much attention. He just sounded
matter-of-fact about it. “You’re really good; do you get your fair share of
interviews?” I asked.

     He shrugged. “Some here and there; defensemen are
underappreciated by the press because they don’t make the goals.”

     Having already established Seth’s penchant for short
comments I couldn’t help teasing him. “I would like to see those interviews.
Did you do a lot of ‘yes’ and ‘no’s, or did you just stick with grunts and
snorts.” I made my expression all serious and curious.

     He narrowed his eyes at me, but the right corner of his
mouth had a definite curl. “I’m actually quite loquacious when I put my mind to
it.”

     I laughed and his small curl went to a full out smile,
and he suddenly went beyond just ruggedly good-looking to adorable…not that he
would probably appreciate that attribute.

     An arm curled around my waist pulling me against a
hard, warm body. “You’re not over here stealing my girl, are you Seth?”

     I twisted my head and looked up at Nic’s twinkling
green eyes. He leaned down and captured my mouth in a kiss, biting my bottom
lip for a quick foreplay before retreating. For how short it was it still took
my breath away.

     “We were just whiling away the time waiting for you to
finish up your grandstanding.” Seth grumbled.

     Nic laughed. “I gave all the credit to the team. I
would have never made those goals if my teammates hadn’t cleared me a path, and
the reason the other team scored so few was because our defense was awesome.
You were blocking great today.” Nic held up his hand for a high five which Seth
acknowledged. There was a multitude of clicking and flashes as people in the
hallway took their picture. I turned my head away quickly hoping I was obscured
by the two enormous bodies on either side of me.

     Nic drew me away down the hallway, and I knew he
remembered how I felt about getting any publicity. “Let’s get out of here, I’m
starving. Seth, you taking the bus or you want to have lunch with us. I’m sure
Amanda won’t care if you ride along. We can squeeze you in.”

     Seth walked along beside us. He grimaced and threw me a
look before looking at Nic with a scowl. “I’ll pass. Two whipped guys and their
girls do not make for an appetizing meal.”

     When we reached the stadium exit Seth gave us a salute
and turned right heading for the bus, while the rest of us turned left heading
for Amanda’s car. Noah’s parents invited us all out for a late lunch, early
dinner, so we ended up following them to some really nice restaurant. All of us
were in jeans or casual clothes so I didn’t feel as conspicuous as I might have
being in a place so upscale.

     The conversation consisted of game highlights which was
great because I was able to keep up. If it had been about people they knew or
past events I would have been lost and left out. Nic was still amped up from
winning. It was another side of him that was fun to see. He was like a kid that
had experienced Disney World; his eyes were bright with exhilaration and he
couldn’t stop talking. Noah and even Noah’s dad, Jay, were just as bad. Amanda
and I shared quite a few grins and speaking glances across the table.

     By the end of the meal some of the enthusiasm had waned
and we left the restaurant a lot calmer then when we’d arrived. Noah said
goodbye to his parents and the four of us piled into Amanda’s Cadillac and
headed back to Charlottesville.

     Nic relaxed back into the rear seat corner and wrapping
an arm around my waist he pulled me partially against his front. He expelled a
huge sigh. I let out a softer one at finally being in his arms. 

     “You tired?” I asked, resting my hand on his thigh. His
muscles shifted under my palm and I could feel the heat of him through his
dress slacks.

     “A little, but that’s not why I sighed.” He said
squeezing my waist. “It’s from finally having you in my arms.”

     My heart skipped at his words and I could feel an inane
smile taking hold of my mouth. I laid my head on his chest. “You really did
play incredibly today, you should be proud of yourself.”

     “I only played that well because you were out there
watching me. Every time I looked over and saw you it gave me an added boost to
do better. Hell, you make me better at just being me in general. I figured it
out last night; you’re my yin and I’m your yang. You said that I’m your sun,
well, you’re my moon. As long as were together our worlds will be in perfect
balance.”

     I lifted my head to look up at him my heart in my
throat. “That is the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard.”

     He leaned down and whispered against my lips. “You’re
my everything.” Molding his mouth over mine he kissed me deeply and thoroughly.

     There was the sound of a smack from the front seat.
“Why can’t you say shit like that to me?” Amanda demanded grumpily.

     “Jeez, Amanda. If you think back to when we first met
I’m sure I said some pretty sappy hearts and rainbow crap that made you cry
buckets. In a few years Carrie will be hitting Nic complaining about what he
isn’t saying to her. My ‘I love you’ should say it all.”

     Nic lifted his mouth and tucked me back into his side
with a smile on his face.

     “Laziness, that’s what it is, laziness.” Amanda
continued huffily.