Sliding Into Second (13 page)

“Yeah, we’re all tight. They’re family.”

“I guess being on the road like that, you can’t help but form some strong bonds.”

“It can get lonely and hectic. We try to ground each other.”

“It shows.” She thought about all those nights she had wondered what he was doing on the road. Did he think about her? “I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone during spring training. I have to start scheduling some one-on-one interviews. I’m doing a ‘get to know the team’ segment. We’ll add a few interviews every week.”

“That sounds interesting. I’m sure the fans will love that.”

“You want to go first?”

“You want to interview me?”

“You’re part of the team, aren’t you?”

“Sure, I’ll go first.” He held her tighter. “I can’t imagine you’d have anything probing to ask me though. You know the whole story.”

“The early stuff, but not the man you’ve become. The one who made all of his dreams come true. I want to know that man.”

He moved her off him, placing her at his side so he could turn to face her. He gazed into her eyes for a few moments, not speaking, just staring. He was thinking again. That scared her. She couldn’t help but reach out and touch his lips.

“You already know the man I am.” He kissed her fingertips. “I sacrificed so much to get where I am today. Sometimes I wonder how much of it was worth it.”

“It was all worth it.” She hated being one of his sacrifices, but it didn’t change how she felt about his accomplishments. “I’m so proud of you.”

He smiled, but didn’t say anything.

“I’m serious. I may have been upset with you for years—and now, looking back on the situation, I was acting like a spoiled kid—but we both did what we thought was right. When I saw you in Chicago, I was so happy for you. I watched that game, knowing how much it meant to you, how hard you worked to get there. If you had to make sacrifices, so be it. You can’t regret them now, Nic. No one can take away what you’ve accomplished.”

“I could say the same for you.” He interlaced their fingers. “You’re so determined. Look at all you’ve done since graduating.”

“I threw everything I had into my career. We both managed to get where we needed to be.” It wasn’t as if the years they were apart were wasted.

“We’re back together.”

“We took a detour, in different directions, but it all worked out.” She may have been trying to keep her heart intact this time, but she liked being with him. All those hurt feelings were slipping away and being replaced with new emotions. More powerful than the ones she had experienced the first time around. “It feels right.”

“I know it’s right.”

“Now you’re kind of stuck with me,” she said. “My place is going to be ready in a few days. A moving truck is scheduled for this week. Do you think you could get some of those hot, hunky teammates to help me with that move?”

“I’m sure I could, but you should only be referring to one Crusher as hot and hunky.”

“Really?” She grinned. “Do you think Sophia will mind if I call Pax hot?”

“You’re a riot.” He rolled on top of her. “Maybe you shouldn’t move into the cottage at all. Won’t you miss my bed?”

“I’ll still come sleep in your bed, and you can sleep in mine.” She ran her hands down his spine. “We’ll take turns. Switch things up. It’ll be fun.”

“I don’t think I could sleep without you now.” He reached between them, grasping his length in his hand and moving it along her slit.

“I thought you wanted to take a shower.” She arched her back when he slid inside her. She was so receptive to him. Every touch caused her to surrender to him a little more. Soon he would claim her completely, and there wasn’t anything she could do to stop it. She wasn’t sure she wanted to anymore.

“I don’t think we’re dirty enough.” He sunk deep inside her, lifting himself on his forearms as he thrust into her. “I can fix that.”

“Let’s get filthy,” she moaned.

* * * *

Move-in day went off without a hitch, but when six strong baseball players did all the hard work, it was an easy day. Sage gazed out the window of her new cottage, watching Nic interact with his friends. She enjoyed the camaraderie between them and planned to do a whole feature on the brotherhood they displayed.

“Enjoying the view?” Rosalie asked her as she came in from the cold. “I know I am.”

“It’s an impressive one. You can see the lake through the trees.”

“Yeah, like I was talking about that view.” She laughed. “I only wished you moved in July.”

“Why?”

“Then they would have been shirtless.” Her sister came to stand by the window with her. “A lot of fine men out there. Your neighbors are drooling.”

“I have to agree.” They were all good looking, but Sage only had eyes for one of them. “It’s a tight team. They’ll give me some great material during spring training.”

“You’re finally going to get out there on the road with Nic.”

“I guess so.” She continued to stare at him. “He’s still the same, you know?”

“I think he’s cuter.”

“He has improved with age.” She giggled. “He’s a man now. It’s strange to see him this way, but when he smiles or laughs, kisses me, says something sweet, he’s my Nicky.”

“I think he’s always been yours.” Rosalie stepped away from the window as Nic walked up the path to the porch. “You know what the best part of you two being together is?”

“The hot baseball players you get to hang out with?” Sage smiled.

“That’s a perk, but I’m talking about you.”

“What about me?”

“He’s given me my sister back.”

“Huh?” Sage wasn’t sure what she meant. “I haven’t gone anywhere.”

“You smile now, Sage. It’s genuine. You’re happy, so I hope you don’t do anything to screw this up.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you.” Rosalie put her arm around Sage’s waist. “Drop your guard and go with it. That man out there has proven he’s worth it. Don’t let him get away.”

Before Sage had time to respond, Nic came through the door. His long sleeved, gray t-shirt clung to his chest, displaying his muscles. For the first time in weeks, he wore his baseball cap with his number on the side. His dark blue sweatpants with the team logo on his thigh accentuated his toned legs. Watching him flex his muscles all day had affected her, and now, all she wanted was for everyone to leave so she could take his clothes off.

“Hey, sexy chicks, the guys are heading to Bennet’s for drinks and food. You want to go?” He pulled Sage to him, fueling her desire to stay inside and play with him. “Just for a little while?”

“Sure,” she said. “I owe them a round of drinks for all their hard work today.”

“You’ve fed them all day,” Nic said. “They may never leave.”

“I’m grateful for their help.” She turned to Rosalie. “I need to lock up here. You going to come with us?”

“I’ll hitch a ride with Holt and Ryder.” She glanced out the window. “That should be fun.”

“Rosie, you said
one
baseball player, not two.” Nic put his hand on his hip in an attempt to show his displeasure over her association with the horny pitcher and shortstop who had both been paying Rosalie attention all afternoon.

“Well, you know what they say.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and zipped up her jacket. “Two is definitely better than one.” She winked before hurrying outside. “I’ll see you over there.” She shut the door behind her.

“She’s something.” Nic took off his baseball cap and tossed it on the wooden bench by the front door. “I just hope she can handle them.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Sage brushed her lips along his jaw. “I have to disagree with her though.”

“About what?” He picked her up and carried her to the sofa. He sat down with her in his lap.

“I think one baseball player is plenty.”

“You better.” He nuzzled her neck. “Your new place is very cozy.”

“I can’t wait to use the fireplace. Do you think you could start one for me tonight?”

“I have no doubt I could start a fire with you.” He licked her bottom lip. “All night long.”

“I thought we were going out?”

“We are.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Just for a bit, but then I want you all to myself.”

“Are you going to stay here with me tonight?” she asked. “I know it’s a little crowded with Rosalie here, but you’ve never slept in my bed.”

“I’d love to share your bed.”

“My parents are coming in for a few days, and then they’re flying back with Rosie. I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with us.”

“You’re inviting me this time?”

“I know you’ll just crash if I don’t. You’ll get my sister to take you.” She laughed. “I want you there with me.”

“How about I have dinner brought in and everyone can come to my house? I think it will be more casual that way,” he suggested. “Do you think your parents would like that?”

“I’m sure they would.” She wasn’t sure why, but she liked the idea of entertaining at his house. “If you don’t mind.”

“I want to. It’ll give me a chance to smooth over your old man. Make him see I’m not that wild boy who stole his daughter’s heart all those years ago.”

“You were wild, and you did steal my heart all those years ago.” Not just then either. He had totally stolen her heart a second time and she wasn’t sure why she was fighting it anymore.

“I’m tamer now,” he said. “And I still have it bad for you.”

“Good.” She chewed on her lip. “I’m kind of hot for you.”

“Are you?” He turned her so she could straddle him. “We don’t have to go to Bennet’s.”

“I think your friends will be looking for us.”

“I’m sure they’ll figure out what we’re doing back here. Any one of them would do the same.” He gripped her hips and moved her over his erection. “Let’s get that fire going.”

Chapter 13

Nic stoked the flames while Sage got ready for bed. It was nice to build a fire, as opposed to lighting the gas fireplaces he had in his house. He hadn’t started a real one since he lived at home years ago. As he concentrated on getting the blaze just right, Sage came into the living room.

“Rosalie called,” she said. “She’s having a blast and told us not to wait up. They’re going to shoot some pool.”

“That means they’ll be closing the place, so she won’t be home for hours.” He set one more log in the hearth before turning and losing his breath. “Holy hell.”

“What?” She stood before him in a sheer black nightie that rested just below her waist, revealing a little scrap of lace panties.

“You’re practically naked.”

She was awfully tempting and his cock let him know just how much he wanted her.

“Are you complaining?” She sauntered over to him, slinking down to the floor and lying on her side. “I could go put on sweatpants.” She propped herself up on her elbow. “I thought you’d like this.”

“I love this.” He moved in next to her, lying on his side to face her. “I just don’t know how much more I have in me.”

“Oh, come on. Where’s all that stamina now?” She trailed her finger down his bare chest. “You ate and took a shower.”

“We had sex after dinner,” he reminded her. “I think you forget I’m not twenty anymore.”

“No, you’re much better than you were when you were twenty.” She skimmed her finger below his bellybutton. “In many ways.”

“Really?” He sucked in a breath when she popped the button on his jeans.

“Those skills must have taken lots of practice to perfect.”

“We’re not going there.” He tugged on her hair. “No good can come from it.”

“I’m not giving you a hard time. You’ve improved with age. That’s a good thing.”

“Well, maybe it’s the woman you’ve become that’s inspired me to bring my best game.”

“You’re still a charmer.” She kissed his cheek, but he caught her chin between his fingers. “What is it?”

“I’m serious.” He brought her face closer to his. “The sex is off the charts, baby, but there’s so much more. The passion you ignite within me, it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. When I’m with you, you’re everything. What I’ve been doing these past few years means nothing, because you’ve been missing, and I’ll do anything to make sure we’re never apart again.”

“I’m in Kingston now and I’m going on the road with you.” Her warm breath washed over his lips, causing a rush of heat to flow through him. “We’ll be spending a lot of time together. You might change your mind by May.”

“That’s not going to happen.” He couldn’t imagine a life without her in it. “I promise.” He needed her to know he wouldn’t leave again.

“Good, because I like being with you, spending time with you. These past few weeks have been amazing. I’ve missed you.”

He relaxed against her mouth. He’d been waiting weeks for her to open up and let him in. “I missed you too. We have so much to make up for.”

“Let’s just start over.” She sprinkled kisses along his lips and jaw. “Forget what happened and see where we end up.”

“What are you saying?”

He wanted to be clear. He didn’t want to push her, but with each passing day he grew more impatient. It was his heart that couldn’t keep his feelings inside anymore, but he had to stay rational and let her come to him willingly.

“I’m just saying that I’m ready to see where this is going.” She lay on her back, her breaths quick as she waited for him to touch her. “I don’t want to think. Not now. I want you to...”

Love you. You want me to love you. Why can’t you say it?
“I get it.” He slipped his hand under the thin nightie, seeking out her breasts. “Let me show you how much I need you. Not just physically. I need you to surrender it all to me, Sage. You have to trust me to do right by you.”

“I’m trying,” she whispered as he caressed her nipples. “I never thought we’d have this chance.”

“But we do, and you have to go with it now. Stop being afraid.” Dipping down, he swept his lips along her neck, tenderly, slowly.

Taking his time, he moved his hands over her heated flesh. Making sure that no part of her was left neglected, he covered her in open-mouth kisses, licking and sucking the tops of her creamy, full breasts.

He sat up on his knees, reaching underneath the sheer negligee that left nothing to his imagination and pulled down her panties. “We’re going to need these off for what I have planned next.” He slipped them over her ankles and tossed them to the side.