Sliding Into Second (6 page)

“Because she decided to follow you to Florida. Another sacrifice on her part.”

“Princeton was the better option for her. I tried to tell her that, but it was her choice.”

“She wanted to be with you.” He shook his head. “Don’t you see she’ll do anything you ask?”

“I know it seems like she’s making all the wrong decisions, but if this works out for me, I’ll be able to give her a great life. She’ll have anything she needs. I’m going to take care of her for the rest of my life. I promise.”

“That’s a pretty big if. Even you know the odds are not in your favor when it comes to signing with the majors. You know the stats.”

Yes, Nic did, but he was too determined for this not to work in his favor. “I’m already beating the odds. I’m going right out of college.”

“College that you got to finish. What about Sage? When will she finish her education if she’s traveling from city to city with you?”

“We’ll figure it out. She’ll get her degree.”

“When it’s convenient for you?”

“Dr. Millan, I’ve been by your daughter’s side for years. I can’t imagine my life without her. Not now. Not ever.”

“I don’t doubt your loyalty to her. I know you care for her. I haven’t always been the most receptive when it came to your relationship. Someday, if you have a daughter, you’ll understand. Sage is precious to me. I can’t give you my blessing to marry her.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way.” He didn’t expect him to say yes, but he wanted to do things properly for Sage. She adored her dad and she would want his approval.

“Not only can I not give you my consent to marry her, but I can’t allow her to go on the road with you.”

“With all due respect, she’s an adult. You can’t stop her.”

“Not legally, but I can cut her off. Without my financial backing, she’s not going to get very far, is she?”

“I’ll support us.”

“How are you going to do that if you’re playing ball all day? And training in the off-season? You won’t be making that much money. What are you going to do if they cut you? Have you thought about any of this?”

“It’s all happening so fast.”

“Exactly.” He sighed. “Now you want to throw marriage into the mix? You’re setting yourself up to fail. Don’t do this to her. If you care about her as much as you say you do, then let her finish her education. If your bond is as strong as you say it is, then surely you should be able to handle another two years apart. If it’s meant to be, she’ll still be there after she graduates.”

“I can’t leave her behind. She’ll be devastated.”
I’ll be devastated.
“Don’t do this to us.”

“I’m doing this for Sage. Don’t make her choose between the two of us. Put her first for a change. This time, you make the sacrifice for her. The way she always does for you.”

“I wish you would reconsider.” There was no way Nic was going to break her heart and tell her not to follow him. She was her own person. Sage had always made her own choices. How could he decide for her? “You’re wrong.” As arrogant as his next statement sounded, he knew it to be true. “She’ll pick me, Dr. Millan. She’ll go anywhere I go. Money or not.”

“Don’t you think I know that?”

“Then why would you even ask me to do this?”

“Because she’s still my daughter. My responsibility. I’ll do anything to keep her happy and safe.”

“So would I.”

“Consider this,” he said as he stood from his desk. “If she goes with you, and things don’t work out with your career, and she’s not only given up her education but her mother, myself, her sister, and her trust fund.” He pointed at him. “You’ll be the reason. How many years do you think it will take her to resent you for that? What kind of future will you have then?”

And that was all it took. Ten minutes in his study and Nic had made up his mind to do the right thing for the love of his life. He was young and stupid, and if he had to do it today, knowing what he knew now, he would have told her father there was no way he could ever walk away from her.

That was easy to say now though, knowing that he had managed to fulfill his dream of becoming a major league player. He was no longer a kid trying to do the right thing. He was a man who knew better, knew he never should have walked away from her. He’d accomplished a great deal since leaving her, but at what cost? Somehow none of it—the fame, the fortune, or the recognition—seemed as important. Something was always missing.
Someone...

He signed the bar receipt and raced over to the elevators. He may have made the biggest mistake of his life seven years ago, but today, he was a man capable of making his own decisions. He promised Sage’s father that day in his study that he would take care of her for the rest of his life. He got sidetracked, but breaking that promise was something he had regretted for years. This was their second chance, and he was embracing it for all it was worth.

Sage came out of the restroom, scanning the elevators for him. The area was crowded with people scrambling in and out. He recognized the disappointment in her eyes when she couldn’t find him. She really did want this.

As she sprinted for the main lobby, he caught her by the arm.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t be here?”

“Nicky.” She smiled as relief filled her expression.

“You’re sure this is what you want?” he asked as he swiped his room key to access the private elevator, the one that took them to the suites on the highest floor of the hotel. “We could order dinner and talk. We have so much catching up to do.”

“I don’t want to talk.” She moved her lips along his jaw, sending a jolt straight to his balls. “I don’t want to eat. I just want to be with you. It’s been so long.”

“Too long.” When the doors opened, he led her into the elevator. “Whatever you want.”

“I want you.”

Chapter 6

Sage had never propositioned a guy before. There had only ever been Nic and Jason, and they both sought her out. Her legs tensed when Nic slid the key card into the double doors that led to his suite.
I can do this. I can be seductive.

He placed his hand on her back and guided her into the room, taking her coat once they were inside. She set her bag on the table in the entryway before walking over to the floor-length windows that spread throughout the suite and wrapped around the corner to what she assumed was the bedroom.

“This view is spectacular.” She glanced down and took in the lights, crowds, and traffic that surrounded Manhattan.

“Not as spectacular as the one I’m looking at right now.” He wrapped his arms around her waist as he kissed her neck. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’m good.” Their eyes connected in the reflection of the glass.

“You’re better than good.” He slid his hand over her hip and down her thigh. “I’ve missed touching you.”

His voice vibrated in her ear, throwing her whole body into the awareness that was only him. Her nipples ached for his attention, but the throbbing between her legs dominated any other sensation. She’d never needed to be satisfied as much as she did right now.

“I want to touch all of you.” He slipped his hand under her dress, circling her inner thigh with his fingers. “You’re just as soft as I remember.” As he kissed behind her ear, he inched his fingers higher, pushing them under the elastic of her lace thong. “Do you still want this?”

“Yes.” She shifted her feet, spreading her legs for him. “Touch me.”

She arched her back when he brushed his fingers over her mound. As he busied himself inside her heat, he undid the first few buttons on the front of her dress, exposing her black lace bra.

“Nic.” Her stomach muscles tightened when he concentrated on her sensitive spot.

“You’re so wet.” He caressed her stomach on his way to her breasts. “So ready for me.”

When he added another finger inside her slick sex, she bucked forward, pressing her hand into the window, trying to steady herself.

“Lose yourself in this, in us.” Placing his hand over hers, he kept a steady rhythm inside her, increasing the speed and pressure. “You’re close.” He slowed down as she teetered on the brink of orgasm. “You remember my touch, don’t you?”

“Always,” she moaned as she moved her hips in time with him. Each time she crested, he stopped what he was doing just before she could release. The push and pull he created was maddening, but at the same time intriguing. He was drawing out her pleasure. That was new.

He interlocked their fingers. When he stepped closer to her, pinning her to the cool glass, his arousal pressed into her backside. “Feel what you’re doing to me.”

“I need to...” she mumbled as she quivered. Her legs shook as her heart rate increased. She heard that swooshing sound between her ears and just when she thought she could take no more, he released her hand and gathered her hair in his hand, tugging her head back as he brought her closer to bliss. She found she liked this odd sensation of the slight pain mixed with such intense pleasure.

“Come for me.” His voice was rough and deep. “Fucking come.”

“Oh.” No one had ever spoken to her like that before. She clawed at the glass as she gave into her desire. Letting go was so natural with him. She screamed out his name as she slumped forward and came harder than she ever had.

“That’s my girl.” Her hair still in his hand, he guided her up and turned her to face him. Smoothing out her locks, he tenderly kissed her lips. When she looked up, she found him smiling at her, soft and caring. Different from the man who had just commanded her to do what he had never asked her to do before.

As he trailed his hand down her neck, he moved lower to undo the last couple of buttons of her little dress. She was mesmerized by his capable touch, staring as he parted the dress and stripped her of it.

“Take those heels off,” he directed.

“When did you become so demanding?” she asked, but did as he requested.

“Are you complaining?”

“Just so we’re clear, I’m not one of those little star-struck groupies who stand outside the stadium waiting for you after the game.”

“Hmm...” His gazed traveled over her body, making her wet with need. “I’m not looking for a groupie.” With one swift move, he unclasped the front of her bra, freeing her breasts. “I want the woman standing in front of me. The one who asked me to take her upstairs. The one who knows she can handle me. All of me.”

Holy hell!

“Am I wrong?” He pushed the bra from her shoulders, letting it fall on top of her discarded dress. “You’re more exquisite than I remember. In my dreams, you’re utter perfection, but standing here in front of me after all this time...” He brushed the back of his hand down her throat and over her breasts. “This is better than any fantasy I could come up with.”

“You dream about me?” She dropped her head, watching as he circled her nipple. She never expected to have been a memory in his mind through the years. Her head spun with these new revelations. Coming up here took on a new meaning. How could this be about sex now? There were too many emotions cluttering her mind.

“I’ve never forgotten you.” He lowered his head, pushing her breasts up and licking her nipples. “Your scent, the way you taste. The noises you make when I make you feel good. Do you remember how good I make you feel?”

She cupped the back of his head when he swirled his tongue along her sensitive nipple, sucking it into his mouth.

Sprinkling kisses across her breasts, he made his way back to her lips. “The way you say my name. The look in your eyes when you’re about to come. I’ve forgotten nothing, my goddess of love.”

She shook her head when he used his pet name for her. His Aphrodite or goddess of love. The memories came flooding back. She recalled how nervous she’d been the first night he took her. They were kids, fumbling in the dark. She wasn’t his first, but she didn’t care. He was hers and that night stayed with her for a long time. As the years they were together went by, they learned to explore in the bedroom. They were still too young to know what true pleasure was. The look in his eyes, the hunger she saw there, told her tonight was going to be different.

“Let me show you how much I’ve waited for this reunion. How long I’ve thought about it.” He picked her up in his strong arms and carried her around the corner to the king-size bed that faced the windows. The only light came from the city beneath them. It streamed in, creating enough gleam for her to see the intensity in his eyes when he set her on the bed. She got up on her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him as he moved his hands down her bare back.

“There isn’t a place on your body I’ll leave unexplored tonight.”

“I’d like to see your body too.” She tugged at the hem of his shirt. “I’m sure it’s even better than I remember.”

“I can get naked for you, baby.” He lifted his arms so she could help him out of his shirt.

As her gaze took in his muscular abs and chest, she couldn’t help the small gasp that escaped her lips when she spotted his tattoo, the one he had gotten on her eighteenth birthday. Just below his left shoulder was her name written in dark, thick letters.

“You kept it.” She reached out and traced her fingers over the ink. “Why would you?”

“It’s kind of permanent.” He grinned. “It’s a tattoo.”

“You could have had it removed or inked over.” Her hands trembled when she realized how difficult she may have been. All this time she had been acting like a victim, but she never gave him the opportunity to tell her his reasons. “It must have been—”

“A constant reminder of what I had done?”

She nodded.

“I kept it,” he said as he pressed her hand against his chest, “because it’s part of who I am. That’s why I put it so close to my heart, remember?”

“So you would always know I was close.”

“And you were.” He gently kissed her lips. “There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think about you.”