Sliding Into Second (7 page)

“Don’t say that.” There were too many days when all she wanted to do was forget about him. After a few years, she had become almost successful at it too.

“It’s true.” He inched closer to her, so that their bare skin touched one another. “If I could go back and make things right, I would.”

“You can’t,” she whispered. “Let’s not go down that road.” She didn’t want to dwell on the past. “I just want tonight.”

“I want more than tonight.”

“Nic? I can’t—”

“Shh.” He took her face between his hands and kissed her harder than he had a few minutes ago. “I’ll give you tonight, but then we have to talk tomorrow. Promise me that.”

“Make me feel good.” She lay back on the bed. “Please.”

He reached down and slipped off his shoes and socks before grabbing her ankles and pulling her to the edge of the mattress. She propped herself up on her elbows as he dropped to his knees.

“I want to taste you.” He smoothed his palms up her legs, making his way to her panties. “Let’s get these off.” Pulling the scrap of lace over her hips, he shimmied them down her legs, never taking his eyes away from his prize.

She arched her back when his stubble grazed her thighs.

“I’ve missed your flavor on my tongue.”

“Ahh.” She clawed at the comforter when he took the time to lick her slit. She hadn’t fully recovered from the orgasm he’d already given her. While she was still dripping with arousal, he teased her with the tip of his tongue.

Spreading her apart, he took his time pleasing her. At first, he was slow and careful, leaving no part of her heated core neglected. Once the fire in her belly intensified, he picked up his rhythm, working his fingers and tongue simultaneously inside her. Her insides twitched, begging for release. Could she climax as hard as she had the first time? She was about to find out. When he sucked her clit into his mouth, she lost it. Arching her back and thrusting her pelvis into his face, she rocked into him like some kind of unrestrained animal. Never before had she been so uninhibited. Her thighs tensed and her toes curled as she screamed out his name.

When she finally opened her eyes, she heard the sound of his zipper being lowered. She sat up as he removed his jeans and boxers.

Wow!
He’d always been in impeccable shape, but now he was pure perfection. The years he’d spent mastering his sport had rewarded his body. His flesh was firm and stretched over every inch of his muscles. The veins popped in pleasing places all over his tanned skin. She allowed her stare to travel lower to his spectacular length.

“See something you like?” He shot her that sexy, smug smile that made her want to do anything he asked.

“You’re impressive.” Her gaze took in his masculine form. She sat up on her knees. “Come here. I need you inside me.”

“Such a greedy girl.” He stepped forward, curling his arms around her waist. “Didn’t I just take real good care of you?” He kissed her neck. “Twice?”

“You did.” She kissed his jaw as she skimmed her hand down his chest. “Now it’s my turn to return the favor.”

“Let me get a condom.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I can’t hold off anymore.” As he made his way to the bathroom, she spied his taut ass. Now that was hot. He was back in a minute with a strip of foil packets in his hand. “I came prepared.”

“I see.” She held out her hand for one. “Why don’t you let me do the honors?”

“Yeah?” He handed her the strip. “That’s new.”

“You’d be surprised the things I can do.” She ripped off one packet and tore it open.

“I’ve never underestimated you.” A low, labored breath escaped his lips when she took his shaft in her hand, swirling her finger over the beads of pre-cum that formed on his tip. “Don’t tease me.”

“Since you did give me two really fantastic orgasms within a matter of ten minutes, I’ll play nice.” She rolled the thin latex down his length. “For now.”

“I like this daring side.” He took her face between his hands, kissing her forcefully. “We could have fun with it.”

“Show me.”

“Turn around.”

She did as he asked without hesitation. If he could make her come as amazingly as he had the last two times, she would do anything he asked. When he climbed onto the bed, her body prickled with desire. He pushed on the small of her back, causing her to lean forward. He inched closer to her until there was no space between them. Slipping his hand down her back to her hip, he held her still as he worked his hard, thick cock inside her. She held back the need to scream out. She hadn’t had sex in a few months and he was bigger than...

“Oh.” She gripped the comforter, trying to relax so he could ease his way in. “Just do it.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t.” She breathed out as he shifted his hips. “Please.”

“Relax for me, baby.” He squeezed his fingers into her waist as he thrust his pelvis. “That’s my girl.” He pulled her upright until her back met his chest. The heat of his breath swept along her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“Mmm...hmm...” she moaned when he moved inside her.

“Just enjoy.” He laughed into her neck. “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed us.”

“Me too,” she whispered, getting lost in him. After a few seconds, the large intrusion became pleasurable, desirable.

His hands covered her body, strong and possessive, claiming every part of her. She burned for his touch, the way only he could make her feel. He was in total control. Forceful, feral, and untamed. The noises that escaped his chest came out in growls as he slammed into her. The sensations he created threw her into overdrive. His cock pounded relentlessly into her as he tugged and pinched her nipples, alternating between the two. He grazed his teeth along her skin, biting down on her shoulder as he taunted her lower lips with his fingers. He managed to concentrate on all of her erogenous zones, making this encounter one of the most erotic experiences of her life. Her pussy ached with pleasure as her flesh tingled with lust. She clenched around his cock, shuttering when he pulled out and turned her around.

“Why? Don’t stop.” Shock filled her over the loss of their connection.

“Shh.” He guided her onto her back. “I want to look into your eyes when I come.”

“Nic!” she screamed when he entered her. “I’m going to come. How do you do that?”

“I’m that good.” He lowered himself onto her, stilling his movement. His thighs stiffened and his body went rigid. “Fuck.” He collapsed onto her as he twisted his fingers in her hair and kissed her lips. “That was wonderful.”

“Hmm.” She ran her hand up and down his back. “Really good.”

“You’ll stay the night with me, right?”

She saw the uncertainty in his eyes.

“I don’t want you to go.”

“I won’t.” She nodded, because at this point she couldn’t deny him one single request. “I want to stay.”

Chapter 7

As the sunlight flowed in from the large windows, Sage lie cuddled in Nic’s strong embrace. He hadn’t let go of her since he’d fallen asleep a few hours before. Being so close to him, snuggled in his arms, gave her a sense of peace. Last night had been different from when they were younger. He was more aggressive with her, less afraid to try things. She couldn’t help but wonder how many women he must have been with to gain that much experience in the bedroom. Not that she was complaining. It was the best sex she’d ever had.

She turned in his arms to face him. As he slept, she studied him. She’d watched him over the years, but Rosalie was right, he looked better in person. He hadn’t changed much. His face was a bit fuller, but his chiseled jawbone and prominent cheekbones hadn’t changed at all. The dimples in his cheeks were present even when he wasn’t smiling. She always loved that about him. He stirred for a second when she reached out and traced her fingers over his luscious, kissable lips, but then settled in deeper, holding her tighter.

She’d waited years to be here with him like this. But why didn’t it feel right? Why couldn’t she hold on to the feelings from just a few hours ago? When it was just the two of them and she didn’t let any of the demons in from the past.

What am I thinking?
She shimmied out of his arms, trying not to wake him, but when he caught her hand in his, she realized she’d been unsuccessful.

“Where are you going?” he murmured. “It’s early.”

“I have to go.” She pulled out of his hold, searching for her panties. He had taken them off in the bedroom. Hadn’t he? “Go back to sleep.”

It was too late; he was already out of bed and standing in front of her.

“What’s wrong?” He rested his hands on her shoulders as he stared at her with concern in his intense green eyes. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” She tried to sound convincing. “It’s morning and I have to go. I have things to do.”

“I don’t think so.” He guided her back until her legs hit the bed, forcing her to sit. Now that she was eye level with his length, how was she supposed to concentrate? He was already sporting an early morning wood. She had to sit on her hands to keep from touching him.

Stop it!
Why was she so horny? Sex wasn’t something she needed on a daily basis. She could go months without it, but in the past eight hours, she couldn’t seem to get enough.

“Do you think I’m going to let you bolt out of here after what we shared last night?” He sat down next to her. “You promised we would talk.”

Technically, she had never agreed to his requested promise.

“Can we get dressed first? Maybe order some coffee?” Get out of this bed, leave this room that made her want to straddle him. “Why don’t I go home and shower, and we could meet for lunch?”

“You can shower here, and we can have lunch in bed.” He grinned. “It’s Saturday, and we have a lot of years to make up for.”

“Don’t you need a break or something?”

“Aphrodite, I’m an athlete. Have you any idea the stamina I possess?”

“Don’t call me that.” She couldn’t handle his affections in the light of a new day.

“No?” He stroked her cheek, eliciting a chill. “You didn’t mind it last night, did you,
love
?”

“Last night is over.”

“Today isn’t and neither is tomorrow or the day after that.” He lengthened his caress, extending it down her neck. “We’re together again. You’re coming to Rhode Island. That has to mean something.”

“It means I took a job for a station in the city where you play baseball. There’s no coincidence. I knew you would be there. Don’t look for signs where there are none.”

“When did you become so realistic? We used to dream all the time. Really big dreams too.”

“I was a kid.” They had nothing but dreams back then. “Life took a different direction for me.”

“You’ve done really well for yourself. I’m in awe of all you’ve accomplished in such a short time.” He continued to rub her skin, making her feel warm and wanted. “I knew you could do anything you set your mind to.”

“Is that why you left me?” She closed her eyes, giving in to his touch. “To help me achieve my goals?”

“That was part of it.” He stopped touching her, pulling the comforter over their legs. Perhaps the conversation had turned too serious to be naked. “I didn’t leave for very long. I tried to reach out to you, but you made it clear that you wanted nothing to do with me.”

“Could you blame me?”

“No,” he whispered. “I place the blame all on myself.”

“What happened?” She’d pondered that question for years. “We were so happy. I wanted to share it all with you. What did I do to make you leave me behind?”

“You?” He looked down at his lap. “None of it was your fault. I...” He looked conflicted, but he continued. “I was young too, Sage. I was overwhelmed and I was taking a huge chance, but I had my college degree. You didn’t. If I left and things didn’t work out, that would have been one thing, but you... How could I screw up your life?”

“That wasn’t your choice to make.”

“I wasn’t asking you to stay away from me forever.” He took her hand. “I just wanted to get situated and make sure I had a team by the end of the season. You didn’t give us a chance to work things out. You didn’t let me pave the way for us like I wanted to.”

“I was so hurt I couldn’t see straight. After you left, I lost it. Thank goodness Daddy intervened and helped me get into Princeton again. If not for him, I don’t know what would have happened. I was in a bad place. You were my whole world. I couldn’t stay in Florida. You were the reason I was there.”

“I’m glad your dad could help you.” He tightened his grip on her hands. “When I couldn’t.”

“All you needed to do was take me with you. We could have made anything work.”

“We still can.” He turned her to face him. “I felt it last night. I know we still have something and so do you.”

“I need to be honest with you.” She took a breath because she wasn’t ready to let him go, but she was never going to hurt the way she did when he left. “Last night was wonderful. I needed to be with you. I wanted you.”

“The feeling was mutual, but why does this sound like a goodbye?”

“Not a goodbye,” she said. “Just not a beginning. I don’t want what we had before.”

“Neither do I.”

“You don’t?” Maybe this could work out.

“No, that was young love. We may have thought it was the real deal, and maybe it was, but we’ve done some living in the past few years. We’ve grown up. Things were never like that between us.” He licked his lips as he focused on her mouth, making her wet with desire. “Let’s see where we can take this without the baggage of the past. Can we try?”

“We’re going to be working with one another come spring training.” She inched closer to him, and her nipples hardened when he rested his hand on her hip. “I’ll have to interview you soon. I need to stay professional, Nic.”
I can’t get hurt again.
“Whatever we’re doing, it can’t be more than this.”

“You just want physical?” He placed his free hand on the side of her face, guiding her to his lips. “I don’t believe that’s what you really want. That’s not the way your heart works.”

“It does now.” She had to protect herself.

“I don’t believe that either.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “You’re lying to me.”