CHAPTER TWELVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N ico leaned his head against the wall and stared at the ceiling. Caroline’s pulse raced as she wiped away the tears and closed the distance between them.

“You didn’t leave. I thought maybe… doesn’t matter; you’re here.” She reached out to touch his arm, but he stepped away. Silence descended, and she wasn’t sure what to say to make things right. He glanced at her quickly, and then looked away. The fire in his eyes diminished and part of her thought she might already have lost him.

“I’m not sure why I’m still here except that it felt wrong to leave you with strangers and with no way home. I might not be the greatest guy, but I’m not that big of an asshole.”

“You’re an amazing man. I—”

“Don’t! You’ve been lying for weeks. At this point, I’m not sure I trust a single word out of your mouth. I don’t even know who you are. Let me take you home and then we can go our separate ways.” He pressed the elevator call button and turned his back to her.

A sob escaped. “Just like that; you’d walk away without allowing me a chance to explain. I thought we were closer than that?” She gave him a minute to say something, but he remained silent. “Figures,” she huffed.

The moment life got difficult people turned their back on her. First her mother left without a word, choosing to end her life rather than get help. Her father escaped in his work, coping the only way he knew how. Then every single one of her boyfriend’s left her in the dust for various reasons. She wanted so badly to meet someone solid enough to stick by her. Nico wasn’t any different from the rest of them.

“What the fuck does that mean. You lied to me!” His tone bordered on yelling as he turned to face her. “Not only did you give me a fake name, but you also put my career in jeopardy.” The pain etched in the creases of his forehead gave her the impression he cared. Maybe his feelings ran as deep too, but he was willing to leave it all behind. She wouldn’t give him up without a fight.

“Your job was never in danger and I didn’t lie about my name. I don’t work with my father. My full name is Caroline Celine Masters Northcote. I’ve used Masters as my stage name since I started singing because I want my success to be my own. For whatever reason, my last name brings me nothing but problems in relationships; case in point. I planned to tell you all of this tonight.”

“Convenient,” he scoffed. He shifted his weight as if the elevator was taking forever, and he couldn’t wait to get away from her.

She got right in his face. “The hell it is.” She jabbed her finger at his chest. “I didn’t deliberately set out to deceive you. I had no idea who you were when we met. Your name wasn’t relevant, only the connection we shared. The truth is I didn’t find out until after I began falling in love with you.” Her chest heaved, trying to keep up with her racing heart. The words stumbled out and she couldn’t take them back.

His eyes flared and some of the fire, she’d grown used to seeing returned. “Stop talking.”

This was her only chance to convince him she was worth the risk. Caroline deserved a man who’d fight for her. She thought of him as her knight in black leather, and it was time for him to step up. Her hands shook as she mustered the courage to put herself out there. “The moment we kissed, I felt something growing between us. If you’re looking for an excuse to hate me or to run, then here it is; but I wish you wouldn’t. I took a chance that first night and let you take me back to your room. You promised you wouldn’t hurt me. I trusted you then and now. The last few weeks have been the best of my life. My name changes nothing. I’m still the same woman who makes you laugh as much as I make you hard.”

“Caroline.” He closed his eyes.

“No, let me finish. I’m sorry you found out this way that my father owns your team. But I am who I am and nothing will ever change that. You need to listen to my apology and decide if I’m the woman you want.” Her voice trembled as she continued, rushing to beat the elevator. “I’m not your boss, and I’m not a liar. Every single thing I’ve told you about my life and my feelings are true. My last name shouldn’t change anything. The moments we’ve shared were real. I don’t care about hockey, but I care about you. It’s more than that. I’m in love with you.”

The elevator chimed and panic set in, sending her stomach in a tailspin. The doors opened, and she had no idea what he would do. Her eyes widened as he gripped her coat and pulled her into the small space. “I’m sorry. Nico, please,” she begged for another chance.

His lips crashed onto hers in a kiss that took her completely off guard. She opened to him and he took advantage, slipping his tongue into her mouth. He consumed her. Caroline’s hands worked their way inside his jacket and felt the quickened beat of his heart. It matched hers.

She lost track of how long they kissed, but soon it became apparent they weren’t moving. Caroline hugged him tight, the unmistakable length of his erection poking into her belly. “Does this mean you forgive me?” Her fingers moved down the hard planes of his stomach and over the swell in his jeans.

He growled as she gripped him through his pants. “Less talking and more kissing.” He leaned down and sucked her lip into his mouth. Her body melted into him and the kiss became more passionate than the last. She took that as a yes, but she needed to hear him say it.

The zipper slid down with ease and her hand slipped inside his briefs. He was so hot and hard. “I live in this building. Do you want to come over?”

“Another surprise,” he said as she gripped his shaft. She worked him slowly, enjoying the smooth flesh in her hand. “Yes, let’s go to your place,” he hissed as she rubbed her thumb over the tip.

Caroline reached her free hand over and pressed the tenth floor. Theo’s place was only five floors above, so they wouldn’t have far to go. “Tell me we’re okay. I want to hear the words before we have crazy monkey make-up sex.”

Nico gripped the back of her head and pressed their foreheads together. “We… you and me; we’re going to find a way to make this work. I—”

The broken pieces of her heart mended at the mention of we. She kissed him and swallowed his words. She let them sink in and soothe her soul. Those words had the healing power she desperately craved. He wasn’t running, and neither was she.

The doors opened on her floor and she pulled him by his cock into her condo. The second the door closed, she dropped to her knees and took him inside her mouth.

“Fuck!” His hands dug into her hair as he thrust deep down her throat, forcing her gag reflex to adjust.

There was no way she could take him all, but she swallowed as much as she could handle. Nico fucked her mouth with abandon. Her lips wrapped around him and she savored him. Every groan and curse spurred her to suck harder. Caroline used her hands to work the base of his cock and fondle his tightening balls.

“If you keep that up I will come.” Nico pumped his hips as he spoke. “That feels too good. It’s been a week since I’ve felt your heat.”

Her tongue licked along the underside of his dick, reveling in the taste of him. Caroline had no intention of stopping until he lost control. She didn’t stop licking and sucking as his face scrunched, fighting to prolong his release. He hit the back of her throat a few more times before he stilled. Her eyes remained fixed on him as he let go. So hot. There was so much come she couldn’t swallow it all. It dripped down her chin as he spurted more creamy goodness into her mouth. She loved watching him come.

That was an activity she could do again and again. But first she needed him naked and then inside her. Caroline sucked the last of his climax and Nico barely softened. She smiled, satisfied with herself.

“There’s… angel. That… damn.” His baby blues locked onto her as his words failed him.

Caroline giggled, and she gripped his pants. The jeans hit the floor. “Prove to me we’re okay. Show me you still want me and that you’re not about to disappear.”

He rubbed his release along her lips, coating her mouth. “You’re a vision. It’s not possible for me to want you any more than I do. It scares me how badly I want you. I’ve been dreaming about your tight little cunt all week. I will not be gentle.”

Her nipples hardened. “I don’t want you to be. I just want you. Nothing between us.”

He kicked off his shoes and stepped out of his jeans. They had so much to talk about; so many issues to resolve, but those discussions would have to wait. She didn’t think great sex would change their stars and take away the risks involved with them being together. But if he wasn’t inside her soon, she might explode. Still on her knees, she shrugged out of her coat and removed her blouse over her head.

“Get up and take me to your bed. I would fuck you against that wall right this second, but we’re going to be at this for a while. You know I can’t get enough of your sultry voice, but unless you’re screaming my name, I don’t want to hear it. Save your words for later when we’ll talk about all the surprises you’ve laid on me.” His smirk ignited a reaction unlike anything she understood. Her body was on fire as she trembled with desire.

Her room wasn’t ready for company. The bed had not been made and her discarded outfit choices lay scattered across the emerald green bedspread. Caroline’s cheeks blushed as Nico took in her space. None of those things mattered as he pushed the blankets off the bed, tossing the contents to the floor. In the next breath she was on her back.

They spent the next few hours not talking. She was sore in places she didn’t know could get sore. Never had she ever allowed a man to use her body the way he did, but everything he did was magic. They both climaxed more times than she could count. This was the first time she’d been with a man without a layer of latex separating them. She never wanted to use rubbers again. Ever. The feeling of his flesh connecting with hers was surreal. Skin to skin brought an entirely new sensation, and she loved it. He came inside her, on her stomach and her breasts like he staked his claim. She belonged to him and she trusted Nico. As much as that scared her, it gave her wings.