9
She woke the next morning with Reid’s arms wrapped around her, his chest beneath her cheek and her leg slung over his thigh beneath the covers.
It was still dark outside, not yet dawn. But she could see a glimmer of the sun rising over the mountains in the distance.
For several moments, she just lay there savoring the heat of Reid’s body and listening to his strong heartbeat. She wondered how long they’d slept like that, tangled in each other’s arms. Had it been all night? The thought warmed her from the inside out.
Closing her eyes, she slid her hand up his chest, feeling the hard ripple of muscle beneath his warm skin.
He stirred, his arms tightening around her as if to prevent her from escaping.
She held her breath, waiting for him to come fully awake.
“Good morning.” His voice was low, rough with sleep.
A hazy smile curved her lips. “Good morning.”
He kissed the top of her head, his lips nuzzling her hair. “Sleep well?”
“Yes.” She sighed. “All three hours.”
He chuckled into her hair, the vibrations traveling along her body and sending shivers down her spine. “Come on. It had to be at least four.”
She grinned. “I don’t think so. It was after two by the time you finally let me up for air. I saw the time when you set the alarm.”
He chuckled again. “You got me.”
Being a hockey player in prime physical condition, she’d expected Reid to have above-average stamina.
Stamina? The man was a beast.
Smiling at the thought, she angled her head back to look at him. The bruise from last night’s game had darkened over his right cheekbone. His eyes were slumberous and heavy lidded, weighted with the vestiges of sleep. That, combined with his bruised cheek, mussed hair and stubble-darkened jaw, made him look unbearably sexy.
They stared into each other’s eyes as he tenderly stroked her tousled hair back from her face. “I’m glad you stayed,” he murmured.
She smiled shyly. “Me too.”
It shouldn’t have felt so right to wake up in his arms that morning, naked and warm. She shouldn’t have felt like she belonged there.
As he kissed her forehead, she reached up and brushed her hand over his jaw, the coarse whiskers rasping her palm. “Do you grow a full beard for playoffs?”
“Yup,” he said. “It’s a tradition.”
She smiled. “I’ve seen pictures of you sporting a beard. You look like a lumberjack.”
He grinned. “You got something against lumberjacks?”
“Not at all,” she purred. “All that rugged manliness is sexy as hell.”
“Good answer.” He pushed up to one elbow and ran his fingertip down her arm, spreading goose bumps all over her body. “Are you hungry? I was gonna make you breakfast.”
This pleased her. “You were?”
“Of course.” He chuckled. “You think I’d wear you out all night and send you home without feeding you?”
She grinned. “You did wear me out.”
“And I’m just getting started.”
“I don’t think so,” she said with a breathy laugh. “I need to get home and get ready for work. And aren’t you supposed to be leaving for Boston?”
“My flight doesn’t leave until eleven.” He nipped her jaw. “What time do you have to be at work?”
“No later than nine-thirty. My boss is more lenient with the recruiters since we often work in the evenings.”
“Good. That gives me plenty of time to feed you…among other things.”
Nadia took one look at his devilish grin and shook her head. “Oh, no, you don’t.”
When she tried to scramble out of the huge bed, he laughed and pulled her back, flipping her onto her stomach so fast her head spun.
She choked out a laugh, her cheek pressed into the pillow. “You’re gonna make me late!”
“No, I’m not.” His callused hands moved over her ass cheeks, cupping and spreading them apart. Heat shot through her, lashing at her core.
“You have the sweetest ass,” he rumbled appreciatively as he kneaded the round curves, his fingertips brushing the sensitive lips of her pussy.
A helpless moan slipped out of her mouth.
He levered over her, planting his hands on either side of her head. When she felt the scorching, rock-hard column of his cock against her buttocks, she gasped.
“So sweet,” he whispered roughly, sliding his erection along the crack of her ass. Arousal pulsed deep within her and she moaned, gyrating against him.
The rounded head of his cock slipped between her slick folds and hovered there, teasing and tormenting her. When she reached down to rub her throbbing clit, he caught her wrist in one hand, drawing both her arms above her head.
“Reid,” she groaned.
“Shh.” He leaned down, licking his way up her spine and then kissing the sensitive skin between her shoulder blades.
She shivered, her pussy clenching on a vicious spasm of pleasure. She ground her pelvis into the mattress, seeking some relief for her aching clit.
Reid laughed, low and husky. Downright wicked.
“Please,” she begged.
“Please what?”
“Please fuck me.”
His cock jumped at the throaty request. “Thought you didn’t want to be late for—”
“Reid!”
Laughing hoarsely, he released her wrists and rolled away from her to grab one of the condoms scattered across the top of the nightstand. He’d gone through so many last night, she’d lost count.
She watched as he ripped open the foil packet and unfurled the latex over his raging cock.
It felt like an eternity before he came back to her, although it couldn’t have been more than ten seconds. Her primal need to be fucked had her body burning and quivering with impatience.
He pulled her up on all fours, then eased his long, thick cock between her buttocks. A thrill of anticipation shot through her and she sucked in a breath.
He slid inside her so slowly and deliberately she almost came on the spot. She moaned loudly, her fingers clenching the sheets.
He pushed deep inside her until she felt the hard wall of his hips against her bottom.
A violent shudder shook him. “Fuck, Nadia,” he growled. “I love watching your beautiful ass swallow my dick.”
She whimpered in helpless lust, the raw carnality of his words making her pussy cream.
He began thrusting into her, sliding his cock back and forth between her ass cheeks. She shuddered under the onslaught, overwhelmed by the sensation of his massive girth filling her.
His hands kneaded her buttocks as he drove deeper inside her, the pleasure bordering on pain. She writhed and moaned, pushing back against him as his hand slipped around to her stomach and slid downward. When his fingers speared between her legs to stroke her clit, she cried out in ecstasy.
Turning her head, she looked over her shoulder at him. His eyes were dark cobalt slits as he stared down at her, lips parted, skin stretched tight over the chiseled planes of his face.
He rubbed her clit in time with the rhythmic slap of his pelvis against her buttocks. Reeling from pure sexual gratification, she lowered to her elbows, lifting her ass higher against him.
“Ah, fuck!” His harsh expletive drew a lusty laugh from her.
His hand tightened on her waist while his other hand slid up her stomach to cup her breast. He brushed his thumb over and around her hard nipple until she keened with pleasure.
“Fuck me, Reid,” she begged, grinding her ass against his thrusting cock. “Fuck me hard.”
“Hell, yeah.” He was buried to the balls, driving into her with long, ramming strokes that had her sobbing and pounding her fist on the bed.
Every thrust of his hips wound her up tighter, bringing her closer to that blinding orgasm just out of reach.
She threw back her head and thrust backward until lights exploded behind her eyes and waves of ecstasy crashed over her, so fast and hard that she couldn’t catch her breath. As violent spasms convulsed her pussy, she squeezed her thighs together, gripping Reid’s dick in a ferocious vise.
He shuddered and pumped his hips twice more before letting go with a deep, insanely sexy groan that sent shivers through her.
He collapsed against her, his chest hot and slick on her back, both of them spent and gasping as little aftershocks rippled between them.
She didn’t know how long they stayed like that before he rolled over with her, gathering her close as she sprawled bonelessly on top of his body.
As he stroked her back, she stared out the French doors that overlooked the rugged mountains.
“I bet you see some breathtaking sunrises from here,” she whispered.
“I do.” He kissed her temple. “You’re welcome to come back anytime and enjoy the view with me. In fact…I hope you will.”
Two hours later, he pulled up to her apartment building.
She didn’t have much time to get ready for work, so she needed to haul ass. But she made no move to get out of the car. She was reluctant to part company with Reid, and she sensed that he felt the same.
As he put the car in park, she gave him a shy smile. “I had a wonderful time last night.”
“So did I.” His eyes glinted. “This morning too.”
She bit her lip, her body heating at the memory of their explosive lovemaking—last night and this morning. Her muscles ached and the flesh between her thighs was tender. She was going to be sore for days. But it had been oh so worth it.
Reid turned to face her, one arm draped across the back of her seat as he leaned toward her. “When can I see you again?”
Her stomach fluttered. “I don’t know.”
“I’ll be back from Boston on Sunday. How about dinner and a movie?”
“The night you return? Won’t you be too tired?”
“Not for you.” His thumb caressed her chin and traced the curve of her bottom lip. “I can’t get enough of you, Nadia.”
A warm rush of pleasure licked into her belly. She could no longer deny how much she wanted him. He’d gotten under her skin, into her blood. She craved him like a drug, needed him like water and oxygen.
“Be ready for me at seven,” he told her.
She nodded shyly. “Okay.”
He smiled, stroking her cheek with the back of his knuckles.
“I’d better go so I won’t be late,” she said regretfully.
He nodded and winked, then got out and came around to open her door. As she stepped out of the car, he pulled her close for a kiss that stole her breath and left her tingling all over.
She was still smiling minutes later as she hurried into her loft. She had less than an hour to get her ass to work. So she showered and dressed quickly, then grabbed her car keys and raced out the door.
When she arrived at the office, Emily was already sitting at her desk, texting furiously on her phone.
“Hey, there,” Nadia greeted her. “Feeling better today?”
Emily mumbled something unintelligible.
“I didn’t catch that,” Nadia said, crossing to her desk and dropping her new flap bag in the bottom drawer. “What’d you say?”
“Nothing,” Emily muttered.
Nadia sat down, staring at the back of her coworker’s bent head. “You should have stayed home another day if you’re not feeling better.”
Emily was silent.
Nadia frowned. “Em? You okay?”
Emily hesitated, then put her phone down and reluctantly swiveled around in her chair.
Nadia was startled by her appearance. Emily’s face was blotchy and pale, her eyes red and swollen. She’d clearly been crying.
“Hey,” Nadia said with gentle concern. “What’s wrong?”
Emily’s lips twisted bitterly. “Well, the good news is that I don’t have a urinary tract infection.”
Nadia stared at her with a feeling of dread. “What’s the bad news?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“What?”
“I’m pregnant. Fucking pregnant.” Emily burst into tears.
“Oh, shit, Em.” Nadia got up and crossed the room to kneel beside the blonde’s chair, gently taking one of her hands in hers. “Does Karl know?”
Emily bobbed her head. “I told him yesterday after I took the test.”
“What did he say?”
“He was happy,” Emily choked out between sobs. “He wants me to keep the baby. Can you believe that?”
Nadia grabbed a handful of Kleenex from the box on Emily’s desk and pressed the tissues into her hand.
“He lives with his mom and can barely keep a job,” Emily blubbered, dabbing at her streaming eyes. “What the hell makes him think he’s ready to become a father?”
“Maybe fatherhood will cause him to reassess his priorities,” Nadia gently suggested. “Maybe it’ll force him to grow up.”
“Or maybe he’ll become an even bigger loser than he already is.” Emily burst into fresh tears and buried her face in her hands.
Nadia’s heart constricted with sympathy. “I’m so sorry, Em. What’re you gonna do?”
“I don’t know.” She groaned. “My parents are gonna freak out when I tell them.”
Nadia rubbed Emily’s knee consolingly. “Do you want the baby?”
“Hell, no! I’m not ready to be someone’s mother! Are you crazy?”
“Sorry,” Nadia said ruefully. “I had to ask.”
Emily sniffled, swiping the tissue under her red nose. “I’m so fucked. I can’t have this baby, Nadia. I just can’t.”
“You’re scared,” Nadia said soothingly. “That’s totally understandable. I’d feel the same way.”
Emily snorted. “You’d never be dumb enough to get yourself knocked up.”
“You don’t know that. I make mistakes too.” Nadia gently squeezed Emily’s hand. “Whatever you decide to do, sweetie, I’m here for you. If you’re not feeling well and need to take off, I’ll cover for you. If you want me to go to the clinic with you, I can do that. Whatever you need, Em, just let me know. All right?”
Emily nodded, dabbing at her watery eyes. “Thanks, Nadia. I really appreciate—” She was interrupted by the sound of Nadia’s phone ringing from the bottom drawer of her desk. “You can get that. I need to use the bathroom.”
After Emily left the office, Nadia walked back over to her desk, took her phone out of her purse and answered on the last ring. “Hello?”
“Hey, girl,” Bianca greeted her.
“Hey, Bianca,” Nadia murmured distractedly. “What’s up?”
“I need a favor.”
“Sure. What do you need?”
“I need you to ask Reid to pose for a calendar.”
Nadia’s brow went up. “A calendar?”
“Yes. For the Helping Hands Caring Hearts charity.” As an active member of her sorority, Bianca volunteered in the community and served on a number of committees. One of them was a charity founded by popular radio personality Tamela Harvin. The purpose of Helping Hands Caring Hearts was to provide financial support to single fathers who’d lost their wives to cancer.
“I know Reid donates to several charities and has done a lot of community work back in Detroit,” Bianca said.
Nadia smiled softly. “He has.”
While doing research on Reid, she’d been pleased to learn about the community center he’d founded to serve the needs of Detroit’s low-income youth. The center, which featured an Olympic-size ice rink, offered free skating and beginner hockey lessons as part of Reid’s mission to introduce minority youth to the sport he loved, a sport they typically weren’t exposed to.
“Reid would be perfect for the calendar—for more reasons than one,” Bianca said with a lascivious chuckle. “I can just see him posing naked with gloves strategically placed over his, ahem, hockey stick.”
Nadia laughed. “He’s not posing naked for your calendar.”
“Hmm. Spoken like a possessive girlfriend.”
Nadia flushed. “I’m not his girlfriend.”
“Yet.” There was a knowing grin in Bianca’s voice. “So do you think he’d do it?”
“It’s hard to say. With his busy schedule, I don’t know when or if he’d have the time. Now that the season has started, he’s gonna be on the road a lot.”
“I know, but I’d really love to have him as one of our calendar men. Can you ask him for me?”
“I don’t know,” Nadia hedged. “We’ve only gone out twice. I don’t want to start asking him for favors.”
“Please, Nadia,” Bianca begged. “This is really important. Seriously. I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t for a good cause.”
“I know.” Nadia wavered another moment, then relented with a deep sigh. “All right. I’ll ask him. But I can’t make any promises.”
“Thanks, girl. You’re the best!”
No sooner had Nadia hung up the phone than Jess burst into her office with an excited gleam in her eyes. “Oh my God. You’ve been outed!”
Nadia frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Jess made a beeline across the room to shove her phone into Nadia’s face. “I’m talking about this.”
Nadia looked at the screen and gasped.
A photo of her and Reid at the café had made its way onto some gossip blog. In the picture, he was holding her hand as they gazed into each other’s eyes across the table. The headline above the photo speculated: Does Reid Holden Have A New Woman? You Be The Judge!
“Shit,” Nadia whispered, grabbing the phone out of Jess’s hand.
“There’s more. Scroll down.”
She did. Then wished she hadn’t.
There were two other pictures of her and Reid standing together outside the locker room after yesterday’s game. In the first photo, he was leaning close to her while gently touching her hair. Another photo captured her kissing him on the cheek while a sexy smile played at his lips.
“Holy shit,” she breathed.
She felt lightheaded. Becoming tabloid fodder was the very thing she’d been hoping to avoid. She valued her privacy, enjoyed her anonymity. She didn’t want to be known as the latest chick on Reid’s arm, just another random puck bunny doomed to be discarded when the next pretty thing came along.
“The pictures are all over the Internet,” Jess said gleefully. “Everyone’s talking about you and Reid over at the admissions office.”
Nadia groaned. “Kill me now.”
“Why? You’re Reid Holden’s bae, and everyone knows it.”
Nadia’s cheeks warmed. “I’m not his bae.”
“Seriously?” Jess snatched her phone back and pointed to the photos. “Look at the way he’s staring at you, Nadia. Of all the women he’s been photographed with, I’ve never seen him look at any of them the way he looks at you. You’re totally bae.”
Nadia bit her lip, trying to ignore the wave of pleasure unfurling deep inside her. “I don’t want all this attention.”
Jess grinned. “What the hell did you expect? You’re dating one of the hottest players in the NHL. Which reminds me, how did your date go last night?”
Heat washed over Nadia’s face. “It was nice.”
“Nice?”
Nadia couldn’t help smiling. “Better than nice. But I don’t have time to go into detail right now. I’ve got work to do.”
“Well, luckily for you, I have a meeting to attend. But you’re not getting off the hook that easily. I want all the juicy deets, so I’m taking you to lunch. Capisci?”
Nadia sighed. She knew better than to argue. “Fine.”
“Good girl.” Jess grinned. “I also need you to get me the scoop on Viggo. As you saw, I totally froze last night.”
“I know.” Nadia laughed. “I’ve never seen you so tongue-tied with a guy before.”
“I couldn’t help it. He’s so fucking hot, my brain just kinda melted when he spoke to me. I’ll be better prepared next time.” Jess paused at the door, hazel eyes twinkling. “You should Google yourself to see what the blogs are saying about you and your new boyfriend. But stay off the fangirl Tumblr pages. Those jealous bitches are probably having epic meltdowns right now.”
Cackling with delight, Jess headed off to her meeting.
Swiveling around in her chair, Nadia dropped her head on the desk and groaned.
What the hell had she gotten herself into?