Sliding Into Second (9 page)

“You and my sister make quite the team.” She tilted her head, eyeing his lips. “What did you promise her in exchange for her help in undermining me?” Her wine scented breath fluttered across his mouth. “She’s so determined.”

“We’re not undermining you.” He placed his fingers behind her ear, resting his palm on her cheek. “We’re just making you see things my way.”

“What if I don’t want to see them your way?”

“You will.” He brushed his mouth along her jaw. “You have no choice.” His dick stiffened when she inhaled, thrusting her breasts forward and pushing them into his chest. “You’re making things hard.”

“I hope so.” She set her hand in his lap. “I like when you’re hard.”

“Naughty girl.” He moved her hand to his knee. “I meant you’re making it difficult for me to not ravish you in public.”

“Then take me home.”

“If you’re ready.” He was a bit disappointed she wanted to leave so soon. “I can have the valet hail us a cab.”

“Just so we’re clear.” She reached under the table and pulled out a bag that appeared larger than a purse. “We’re not going back to my place.”

“We’re not?”

“I believe this morning you demanded that I spend the night with you.” She pointed at what he now realized was an overnight bag. “I came prepared.”

“You do like my demanding side.” He smirked. “I knew it.”

“I’ll let you know when it gets out of control.” She nipped at his bottom lip. “But tonight I want you just like you were last night.”

“How was that?”

“Rough.” She kissed him. “Untamed and unforgiving.”

Fuck!
“Let’s go.” He stood and extended his hand for her. “This is going to be the longest cab ride of my life.”

“Maybe not.” She cuddled into his side as he took the bag from her. “I could make it an interesting ride.”

“Let’s save it for the bedroom.” He cradled her against him as they walked out of the dining room. When he kissed the top of her head, he took in her peppermint scented shampoo. She always smelled so good. “I love the way you smell. The way your scent lingers on my skin after we’ve been together.”

“I thought about a few things too.”

“I’ll bet you did.”

“I’ll show you when we get to your place.”

“You’re killing me,” he groaned.

Chapter 8

Sage’s head spun as they made their way into Nic’s suite. What was she thinking finishing that bottle of white wine all by herself? She wasn’t a big drinker, more of a social one. But seeing him walk into that restaurant in a suit and tie, clean-shaven and donning that sparkling smile did things to her. Things that she didn’t want to admit.

Nic dropped her bag in the foyer before removing her coat.

“I would offer you a drink, but...”

“I don’t want a drink.” She slipped his jacket from his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. “I’m thirsty for you.”

“Then I’m a lucky son-of-a-bitch.” He glanced down as she undid his tie. “Eager?”

“I’ve thought about peeling these clothes off you all night.”

“Don’t you like my suit?”

“Quite the opposite. I like it so much I want you out of it.” She tugged his shirt from his waistband before unbuckling his belt. “It really turned me on.”

“Maybe we should move this to the bedroom?”

“No.” She bit her lip as she lowered his zipper. “I want you to take me right here, right now.” She placed his hand under her dress, resting it on her panties.

“What has gotten into you?” He kissed her, working his way down her neck.

“Nothing, yet.” She smirked. “You could solve that problem.”

“No man in his right mind is going to turn you down.” He pushed her panties down her legs, helping her step out of them. “Including me. Although, when I’m with you, I’m far from in my right mind.”

“I told you sex was the right way to go when it came to us.”

“I won’t argue.” He looked over his shoulder, in the direction of the bedroom. “I hate to kill the mood, but I’m still going to have to go back there if we want to continue this.”

“No, you don’t.” She reached inside his boxers and grasped his cock, pumping him. “I’m on the pill. I just donated blood, and they check for almost everything, so I’m cool.”

“Hell,” he hissed when she swirled her thumb over his tip. “I don’t have unprotected sex.”

“Oh.” She stopped her movement inside his boxers, tensing over the awkwardness she had created. She had no right to assume that he would want to be with her without using anything. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have suggested it. We can get a condom.”

“Let me clarify.” He lifted her dress, exposing her. “I haven’t had unprotected sex.” Pressing her into the door, he fingered her, paying attention to her clit. “Not since you.”

“We’re good?”

“We’re real good.” He dropped his pants and boxers before lifting her up with one arm, holding her against the door.

Gotta love an athlete.

With his free hand, he reached between them, gripping his cock and entering her hard. The sheer force slammed her against the door. She wrapped her legs around his waist and held on to his shoulders. He didn’t give her a chance to acclimate herself. He thrust full speed and kept up a constant pace.

I asked for it.

“This is...” He kissed her neck, licking and biting at her sensitive skin. “Incredible. Nothing between us. I feel how wet you are for me.”

A thin sheen of sweat covered her body, causing the silk of her dress to cling to her. With each pass of his cock inside her core, he brought her closer. He’d never taken her like this before, raw and relentless. The deeper he thrust, the more she wanted. She clawed at his back, silently begging him to go deeper and harder.

“More,” she whispered. “I need more.”

“Anything, my love, anything you want, I’ll give you.” He slipped his hands under her backside, hoisting her higher and hitting her at a new angle. Sucking her nipples through her dress, he bit down and then smoothed his hot, wet tongue over each one. “I should have gotten you naked before we started. I want to lick, suck, and fuck all of you.”

“Oh God!” she screamed. “Nicky!”

“Sage, baby...” With one final thrust forward, he released inside her, fueling her to climax with him. She shuttered and shook. Hot, cold, wet, sweaty, sexed up. She felt it all, and God help her, she wanted more.

When she came to her senses and opened her eyes, he was staring at her. His green eyes were content and his expression more than satisfied.

“It was never like that in college.” She giggled as he slid her down his body. “You’ve had some practice.”

He didn’t respond to her assumption.

“Don’t be ashamed.” She tried to smooth out her dress, but it was no use. She’d have to send it to the cleaners. “I didn’t expect you to take a vow of celibacy or anything.”

“I’d rather focus on what it’s like between us.” He pulled up his pants. “How good we are together and not just like this.”

“We are good.” She grinned. “And I do mean just like this.”

“Sage.” He sighed as he placed his hand on her back and led her to the couch that over looked the city.

“What?” She snuggled into his lap after he took a seat. “Don’t tell me you’re not having a good time.”

“I’m having a great time.” He played with her hair, just like he used to when they would cuddle up on her parents’ couch and watch a movie. “I know we can have more.”

“I don’t want to have this conversation.”

“I know, and I’m trying to respect that.”

She shifted so she could look up at him. “I don’t want any expectations.” She pressed her palm to his cheek. “We’re reconnecting in a physical way and that feels right for me. Can’t you just go with it?”
Can’t you let me protect myself?

“I’ll go with it, but you need to know it’s not necessary. It’s only been a few days and I haven’t proven myself yet, but I will.”

You can’t.
“I’m not sure if it was that orgasmic experience you just gave me or the wine, but I’m starting to feel a little funky.” Her skin was hot and her head was cloudy. “Can we lighten things up?”

“Of course.” He moved her out of the way, stood, and then scooped her up, taking her down the hall.

“Where are we going?”

“I need to put you to bed.”

He set her on the edge of the bed and untied the bow on her hip that held her dress in place. He stripped her of it, leaving her naked.

“Do you want me to get your bag or are you good like this?” He studied her body. “I know which way I prefer.”

“I think the heels need to go though.” She kicked off her stilettos and crawled into bed, making sure to give him a nice view of her backside before slipping under the covers.

“Don’t think you won’t pay for that later.”

“I’m counting on it.” She propped the pillows. “Are you joining me?”

“Absolutely.” He went into the bathroom, took off his clothes, and returned with a wet washcloth. “Do you need anything?”

“Just you.” She settled lower into the plush pillows. She was sending mixed signals. If whatever this was between them was only about sex, why was she spending a second night in his bed? Why wasn’t she strong enough to do the deed and go home? Because that wasn’t what she wanted.

“I can get you water and aspirin if you need it.” He placed the damp washcloth on her forehead. “This should help for now.”

“Thank you.”

“Why did you drink so much tonight?”

“It wasn’t that much.”

“More than you would have if I wasn’t there.” He went back to playing with her hair, soothing her. “Am I causing you distress by being here?”

“I’m confused,” she admitted. “Logically, I know what I want, but...”
No more mixed signals.
“It’s not you that’s causing me the stress.”

“Liar.”

“Hey, I’m moving in a few weeks and I’m starting a new job. Don’t be so conceited. I have a lot going on, and just maybe what we’re doing is a good distraction.”

“A distraction?” She heard the amusement in his voice. “I guess I’ve been called worse.”

“How come you haven’t had sex without a condom since being with me?”

“Really?”

“I’m just curious. I’m happy you practice safe sex, but I would think in seven years you would have had a few serious relationships.”

“I haven’t.”

“Not one?”

“I’ve been busy. The road takes its toll. During the season, I’m too focused to have a relationship, so it was just easier to...” He flipped the washcloth over. “Let’s just say I’ve been playing the field.”

“In more ways than one.” She should have been disturbed by the number of women he could have slept with during his career, but she found comfort that there hadn’t been anyone important enough to replace her in his heart.

“I’ve been holding out and waiting for a very special girl.” He pulled her onto his chest, cuddling her in his embrace. “I think I’ve made the right decision.”

When she didn’t respond, he didn’t continue the conversation. Instead, he reached over and turned off the lamp.

“Get some rest.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s not like I’m going to let you sleep through the night.”

“I admire your stamina.”

“I admire the way you keep up with my stamina, Aphrodite.”

When he used his pet name for her, it didn’t sting as much as it had the evening before. Tonight, she liked it. Almost welcomed it. Almost.

* * * *

When Nic came back to the suite with coffee and muffins, he found Sage gazing out of the windows, deep in thought. What he wouldn’t give to know what was really going on in that conflicted head of hers. Her mouth said one thing, but her actions portrayed something entirely different. She wanted more than physical, but she was too afraid to admit it. He’d have to find a way to prove that her heart was worth listening to.

As she turned to face him, he took in her long, tussled hair, evidence of a wild night between the sheets. She was clad only in his jersey.
Fuckin’ hot.

He never allowed another girl to wear his jersey. He couldn’t bear the thought of anyone tainting that image for him. That visual was reserved for her alone. When it came time to choose his number as he was starting his professional career, he had chosen her birthday. That was how he kept her with him on the field.

“I can smell the coffee from here.” She made her way to him. “How did you know I needed it?”

“You hit the wine bottle pretty hard last night.” He handed her the drink carrier. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.” She kissed his cheek. “Thanks for taking care of me last night. The compresses helped my head.”

“Anytime.” He stole another quick kiss. “Nice shirt.”

“I saw it hanging in the closet.”

“I had to take some promo pictures in it the other day.” His gaze traveled down her body, lingering on her smooth, toned legs. “It looks good on you.”

Memories of her wearing his college jersey flooded his mind. She was always there in the stands, cheering him on, even when he was having a crappy day on the field. Her smile inspired him to push through and bring his A game. He’d missed his little cheerleader when he came up in the majors. Early on in his career, he used to wish she would be in the stands when he played. Sometimes, he’d find himself searching for her. After a few seasons, he stopped holding out hope.

“Maybe you could wear my number again to a game?”

“Maybe.” She popped the lid off the coffee cup. “If I’m not reporting.”

“We haven’t talked much about that.” He sat down on the plush sofa, patting for her to sit next to him. “When do you start?”

“I’m moving to Rhode Island right after the new year.”

“Really?” He liked the sound of that.

“I’m going to Boston for the holidays and then I’m heading to Kingston after. Since I’m on special assignment, I won’t have much field reporting to do until the team hits spring training, so I think the station plans to keep me busy with paperwork and desk stuff.”

“Where will you live?”

“I’m renting a cottage on the lake. It’s close to the station and stadium.”

“I live about five minutes from the lake. Most of the guys who have houses in the community do, so you’ll be surrounded by them.”