Walk Off (Double Play Series Book 5)

by Nicole Rodrigues

  I didn't do this! I don't deserve to be put in this position, hurt the man I love to protect him. Push him away from me, where he belongs, to make sure he isn't hurt. Why does she get to decide this?

  I hear my front door handle jiggle and Nico busts through the door, slamming it behind him and dropping to his knees in front of me.

  “This ain't over, Blondie. I don't wanna hear another fuckin’ word unless it’s my name dripping from those filthy lips.”

  He lunges for me, his hand going to the back of my head, pulling our lips together in a desperate kiss. He frantically takes off my jacket, whipping my t-shirt off my head and I let him. I'm not strong enough to push him away tonight. I thought I was but I'm not. I'll deal with all that in the morning, but right now I need him.

  “Why are you cryin’?” he asks, his voice soft.

  “No,” I say shaking my head. “We're not doin’ this emotion shit tonight,” I snap.

  He pushes me to the floor, unbuttoning my jeans and getting me naked so fast my head is spinning.

  “I'm taking you right here on the fuckin’ floor,” he groans pulling his jeans down and throwing his shirt to the side.

  “Nico you weren't...oh my God,” I gasp clenching my thighs.

  “No, Blondie. No boxers. One less thing separating my cock from this addicting pussy. Open up,” he demands pulling my thighs open.

  He crawls up my body, biting every inch of my skin until he gets to my bud, nipping that and I buck up.

  “Shit,” I moan.

  He bites up my ribs, marking me as he goes like an animal.

  “If you're gonna fuck someone else, they're gonna know I was here. Every fucking inch of you, Lacey. They're gonna know.”

  I groan, loving his possessiveness but hating his words. There's no one else, they'll never be anyone else.

  “Nico…”

  He stops my words, biting my nipple as his giant hand wraps around my small wrists, pinning them to the floor and I whimper underneath him, not able to do anything else.

  His lips suction on my plump breasts, purpling a spot, then moving to another. I look down watching him mark me, claim me and I love it, I need it, reminders of him. I wish I could etch them on my skin, keeping a part of him forever once this is over.

  He moves to my other breast, biting my nipple, biting my skin, and I groan, my body on fire, painfully seeking a release.

  “Enough,” I rasp. “Inside me. Now.”

  “You must be confused,” he says through gritted teeth. “Me coming back in this house wasn't for you, Blondie, it was for me. I'll put this cock inside you when I want to.”

  “Nico please…”

  I'm begging. I'm fucking begging. I don't beg. My God this man has no idea what he's doing to me. How far he has gotten me. I would literally do anything for him, even break my own heart.

  “Get up,” he demands.

  I scramble up to my knees and his hand goes behind my head, gathering my unruly blonde hair in his fist as he pumps his hand around his length.

  “You're gonna suck my cock like the fuckin’ pro you are, then I'm gonna put it inside you and fuck you until you can't walk. Until you can't even sit, can't even sleep because every time you move, even just a fraction of an inch, you'll feel it. You'll feel every fuckin’ spot I hit inside you. You destroyed me for any other woman, Lacey Turner, don't think I won't repay the favor. Think you can manage that?”

  I flinch at his words, words I've read over and over in that damn letter. Harsh words I've heard from Weston in this exact position. This isn't the demanding, sexy Nico, this is the asshole. I grit my teeth wanting to lash out at him, but I hold it back. This is what needs to happen, Lacey, he needs to walk away from you. Enjoy the last time touching, caressing, being with this man because it will never happen again.

  I nod obediently, bending forward, my hand wrapping around his cock as I dip my head down, prepared to take it all, give him every ounce of pleasure he deserves for loving such a disaster.

  “Stop,” he says pulling my hair to stop me.

  I look up at him with question, a stubborn tear slipping down my cheek. I close my eyes, begging the others not to follow. I haven't allowed myself to cry in so long and of course now today is the day I won't be able to stop.

  “I knew something was going on. Fuck, Blondie, talk to me.”

  He kneels down in front of me cupping my cheeks. His voice is soft, the opposite of seconds ago and I break, sobbing into his chest as he wraps me in his arms.

  “We can't...d-do this Nico...I...I...can't d-do this to you...we...I…”

  “Slow down...breathe.”

  “I don't w-wanna talk right now, I just want you. Please, just hold me tonight b-baby...don't...don't talk about me with anyone else, or y-you with another woman, don't look at me like you were l-lookin’ at me, don't say shit like you just-”

  He cuts me off with a kiss, laying me down on the floor gently, lifting my leg around his waist and pushing inside me. The invasion calms me, my rapid heartbeat slowing, the pit in my stomach evaporating and the hysterical mess I was seconds ago easing.

  Mine.

  This man is mine, I don't think I'll ever be able to let him go. When we connect my heart is whole, I forget the monster that birthed me, I forget her cruel words, her promises. He saves me. He pulls me out of the deadly waters and I need him. I've never needed anything like I need him.

  “I love you, Lacey. I'll always love you,” Nico says his voice soft as he slowly moves in and out of me.

  Making love.

  We've never done this, and I feel the difference. He touches my heart with each stroke and I wrap my arms around his solid back, running my fingers up and down, reveling in the strength. He will gladly carry me on this back if I tell him everything. He'll shield me from the hurt, from the threats with this strong back.

  “Look at me,” he says his voice a little louder.

  I glance up locking eyes with him, his eyes watering.

  “Every time you push me away, I'll push back. You're mine. Whenever, wherever, forever. Don't you ever fucking forget that,” he says his voice breaking.

  I bury my face in his chest, his length sliding in and out of me, both of us soaking each other in our tears. Tears out of fear, fear of losing the other half of our heart.

  I grab his cheeks with my hands and pull his face down to kiss me. He reaches with one hand between us, finding my clit as he continues his slow rhythm, seducing my body to explode. He rocks harder into me, hitting my kryptonite and I moan my release into his mouth, grabbing his face, grounding myself as he groans on top of me, pushing in a couple more times before his own release pummels him.

  “I'm sorry,” I say my voice hoarse and drained.

  He pulls out of me, lifting me to my feet and wrapping me in his arms. He walks us upstairs to my bedroom, laying me down, coming up behind me and wrapping me in his big arms.

  “Sleep, Blondie. We’ll face the world tomorrow. Together.”

  The sound of his voice, his strong voice filled with love, love for me, coaxes me to sleep, wrapped in his arms.

  -----

  I feel something running through my hair, soothing movements and I crack my eye open.

  Nico's smirk sends a tickle to my belly and I put a hand on his cheek, his stubble prickling my palm.

  “I didn't mean anything I said yesterday, Lace. I just...I wanted a reaction out of you. I knew there was more going on, but you put up this wall and the only way past it is to get you riled up. When you just kneeled there and took it...fuck, Blondie, you broke my heart,” Nico says cupping my cheek, running a soothing thumb down the bridge of my nose.

  “Nico, I have to walk away from you. There are things you don't know...things that could hurt you. Annihilate your career, you...I...I won't do that to you. I love you too much.”

  He leans up on an elbow above me and moves a strand of hair off my face.

  “Talk to me, Lace. Don't push me away. Tell me what's goin
g on and we’ll face it together.”

  He grabs my hand from his cheek and kisses each of my knuckles and I close my eyes. I know if I tell him right now, he’ll give in to her. He'll give her what she needs to repay her debt and she won’t stop there. She's going to use his love for me against him and I can't let her do that.

  “I can't,” I whisper.

  “Lacey, I love you. I'll walk through fucking fire for you, just let me, dammit.”

  “Why?” I snap leaning up on my elbow too. “Why me, Nico? You've had your fair share of women just like I've had my fair of men, why stop with me? I've kicked you out on your ass more times than I can count, why are you still here?”

  “Because I cannot for the life of me get you out of my head, my heart. I can't escape the feel of your skin, the smell of your hair. I can't forget those beautiful sounds that drip from your lips when I bury myself inside you, when I make you come. I cannot forget you, Lacey. Ever since I laid eyes on you, I don't have eyes for anyone else and that's never happened before. It scares the shit out of me because I'll never be able to put someone else in your place if you leave me. You were put on this fucking earth for me. Now let me help you, because that's what I was meant to do. Worship your body and protect your heart. Let me, Blondie,” he says putting his hand over my racing heart.

  I close my eyes and exhale, making probably the worst decision I could make, but the only one that I could. Every damn word he said is true. We can never escape each other and together or not, Kat Winters knows it, hell everyone that has eyes can see it. They'll get to him no matter what because we love each other, and we always will.

  “No matter what you say, no matter what you do, no matter how far apart we are, I don't give a shit. My heart is at your bedside, Blondie. Accept it willingly or I'll gladly enforce it, every damn night, for the rest of our days,” he says taking my silence as a refusal.

  “Okay,” I say softly. “Okay.”

  -----

  “I think we've had enough for today,” Rose says softly as Nico cradles me to his chest.

  I nod and wipe my eyes again, crying, my new favorite fucking hobby apparently.

  “I have to say, y'all have made amazin’ progress. I know it's difficult to relive some moments, but it will be worth it. Your communication is really improvin’.”

  We both nod and walk towards the door and out to the parking lot.

  “I uh.. leave in two days but I got us into a yoga class tomorrow if you want?” Nico says softly.

  “Sure.”

  I unlock my car and sit inside as Nico kneels in between the car and the open door.

  “You okay?” he asks putting a hand on my thigh.

  “I don't like thinkin’ about that. I was so nasty to you and here you are. Alessandra believes you didn't cheat on me and after everythin’ I fuckin’ put you through, I should believe it too.”

  “Lacey, I wasn't a saint. I made that stupid bet and should have told you about it and you only acted like that because of your mother,” he says rubbing up my leg.

  “You know that's not true, Nico. You spent the first few months of our relationship out on your ass every night. You didn't have to worm your way into my heart, you didn't have to continue to keep comin’ back and push me. You could have fucked and bailed, taken the easy way out.”

  He laughs and shakes his head squeezing my thigh.

  “It’s funny that you think it was that easy to fuck and bail on you, Blondie. You are not an easy woman to forget, not by a long shot. But I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Every moment. I'm not going anywhere. Take the time you need to trust me again and I'll still be here waiting. Don't forget, Lacey Lee, I promised you. Whenever, wherever, forever.”

  He gets to his feet, bending down to press a soft kiss to my lips and shuts the door.

  I start the car and drive home more confused and torn than I've ever been in my life.

  Chapter 16

  Nico

  “What happened to your GTR?” Lacey asks as she walks out her front door.

  “I thought I need a more baby friendly ride. I still have it, don't worry.”

  I picked up the GMC from the dealer last night and I feel different driving it. Not so much like the suave baseball player I once was, but the responsible dad. I actually really like it.

  “Lord, you almost gave me a heart attack. I love that car, thought you got rid of it,” she says clutching her chest.

  “Nah, I still got it. I got this for when we have the baby with us.”

  “Us, huh? I don't know how much travelin’ we’ll be doin’ the three of us, Nico.”

  “Remember, Blondie. I like breaking down the walls. It's a good workout,” I wink

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  I stop her at the passenger door and put my hand on her shoulder.

  “So, I need to tell you this before we go today because if I tell you after, all the relaxation will be for nothing,” I say opening the car door.

  “Jesus, what now?” she asks letting out a breath.

  “I um...have a lead on the guy at the club. I wasn't going to tell you, I don't want to stress you out so promise me you won't. It was either keep it from you and you find out from someone else and I take up permanent residence in the dog house or tell you and potentially stress you out but get in your good graces. Actually, now I feel like a selfish asshole putting myself before the baby, never mind. Let's go to do some yoga.”

  “Dammit, Nico! Now when you say shit like that you can't take it back. Who is it?” she says with her hand on the top of the door.

  “Weston Parker.”

  She closes her eyes, her knuckles whitening on the door.

  “Lace, say something.”

  “I hope you already searched him up. Fuck yoga, we're goin’ to his house right now and I'm gonna stick my foot so far up his ass it'll come out his mouth.”

  “Lacey, I have it handled. Please don't stress about this.”

  “This is bullshit, Nico! First my mother, now Weston? Why can't everyone just leave us the fuck alone?” she yells.

  “Hey. I have it handled, okay? I'm gonna figure it out, you just worry about baby girl, okay? I just wanted to be honest with you, please don't make me regret it. I'll feel so guilty if something happens to either of my girls.”

  “Don't do that!” She says slapping my chest. “Don't put that guilt on me you jerk! Fine! Handle it then. Take me to yoga, driver.”

  She gets in the car slowly and I shut the door, coming around to the other side.

  The car ride is silent, and I can tell she's stressed. I feel like an asshole telling her but if I didn't, she would get pissed too. I'm determined to keep her calm today and happy. Something I think she hasn't been in a long, long time thanks to me. Now it's my job to fix it.

  I open her passenger door and sweep her right off her feet carrying her ‘bride over the threshold’ style and she squeals.

  “Nico! Put me down, I'm so heavy now!”

  “Blondie, you probably weigh as much as my right bicep now. Shush and enjoy.”

  A couple women are walking into the studio smiling at us and I nod.

  “You're so full of yourself,” she whispers.

  “Do you wanna be full of me too?” I whisper back.

  She exhales and shakes her head with a smirk on that beautiful face.

  “Behave,” she laughs.

  “Sorry, Mama, that word isn't in my vocabulary.”

  I carry her into the studio and the instructor smiles at us.

  “Look at y’all, still in that honeymoon phase,” she gushes.

  “Oh, it's easy with this one. She's just a ball of sweetness. Ain't that right, Mama?” I say with an attempt at a southern drawl.

  Lacey eyes me suspiciously.

  “Sure thing, Daddy.”

  I smile as we sit on the mat and wait for the other women and their partners. I take Lacey's feet in my lap and start rubbing them as she leans back on her hands, her head back in ecstasy.<
br />
  “God Nico, you don't know how good that feels.”

  “You can have this every night Blondie, just say the word.”

  “I never make decisions angry, hungry or horny. Ask me after lunch and a round with mini Hulk.”

  I laugh and pinch her toe and she does too, her smile lighting up her face.

  “I've missed that smile, Lacey.”

  Her gaze locks on me and she keeps the smile, winking at me.