by Emma Hillman
Nothing apparently, she thought to herself as she stepped into the house and followed the laughing trio to the kitchen. They all took seats, as if they’d done this a hundred times before, and she stood in the doorway feeling out of her depth.
“Come in, Leah, come in. I’m sorry, we’re babbling like crazy and you’re probably wondering where you’ve ended up.” Mia gestured towards her, a wide smile playing on her lips. “So how did you meet Nick?”
“Mia!”
“What? I have the right to know.”
“No, you don’t,” her husband countered. “Leah, you don’t have to tell her anything. She’s just being nosy.”
“Hey!” Mia slapped Kevin on the shoulder. “Be nice.”
“I am nice,” the dark-haired man replied, wriggling his eyebrows as he patted her butt. “Always.”
“Kev, not now,” his wife admonished.
Leah looked at Nick, only to spot the frozen smile on his face. It didn’t last long however, and he was back to his cheery self before she could wonder why he’d looked like that. He gestured her forward and she obeyed, more because she had no idea what else to do. The other couple was talking in hushed voices and she tried to hear what they were going on about, but Nick’s hands were suddenly palming her waist, dragging her forward until she was standing between his legs. And just like that, he kissed her.
She had no idea what she was doing here, in this house. With him and his friends, feeling so out of her depth. And the damn guy found nothing better than to eat her mouth! She tried to pull away but his hands slid up until they were cupping the back of her head, holding her into place. His tongue twirled around hers, his chest hard against her soft breasts. She felt herself fall under his spell, leaning more and more against his tall frame. He seemed to like that as he sucked on her tongue, dragging a surprised moan out of her. And that’s when he stopped.
He pulled away from her and propped his elbows on the counter at his back, sending a quick smirk to his friends while he was at it. And she stood there, wondering what the hell had just happened and why she felt as if she had been used.
Chapter Five
“So,who is she?” Kevin asked as soon as they’d stepped outside.
“My girlfriend. Didn’t I already tell you this?”
“Come on, Nick, you’ve seen what she looks like.”
“And?”
Kevin sighed as he stared at his friend. “Don’t be like this. She could be Mia’s twin!”
“I did say I wanted someone like her, didn’t I? It’s nothing new.” Nick ignored his friend’s disbelieving look and walked towards the other end of the terrace.
“You’re still in love with her, aren’t you?”
Nick whirled around. “What?”
“Mia, you still love her. I thought you were past it, Nick.” He didn’t answer, forcing Kevin to step closer and add, “I know it was my fault that you got stuck in the middle of our marital problems, but Nick, it’s gotta stop.”
“What does?” Nick didn’t look at him, his gaze stuck on the horizon. His hands were clasped on the railing in front of him so tightly his knuckles went white.
“You’ve gotta let her go. She’s my wife.”
“I know that! She’s my friend as much as you are, that’s all.”
“No, Nick, don’t you see? You’re dating someone who looks just like her! You’ve never liked curves before and now look at your girlfriend!”
“So, what? My tastes have changed. I have changed.”
“You have and that’s a good thing but man, please stop thinking about Mia.” Kevin took a deep breath before saying, “She wanted to be the one to tell you this but…she’s pregnant, Nick.”
That made him react all right. Whirling around, Nick looked at his best friend, fear in his eyes. “Mia’s pregnant.”
Kevin nodded. “She’s due around Christmas. You do see how this changes everything, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” came the strangled sound.
“I’m sorry, Nick. I know you thought it’d happen again, but it won’t, man. It just won’t.”
Unable to hide what was going through his head, Nick stalked off, ignoring the older man’s shouts. He needed to be alone. He needed to think.
* * * *
Leah sat on the bed, her eyes unseeing. Nick had been gone for hours and no one knew where he was. She’d been asked if she wanted one of them to drive her to his house, to wait for him there. But she didn’t know the place, had never been there. It would just feel weird to be in his house on her own. So, she’d opted to stay here instead, in this house where his best friends lived. She didn’t know what had happened with Kevin, but the conversation had ended with Nick running away. Oh God, she prayed for the dozen time, please make sure he’s all right. She hoped he hadn’t fallen somewhere or hurt himself. The couple, albeit friendly, had forbidden her from going after him, telling her he needed to be alone. That he’d had news he needed to digest first –whatever that meant.
She listened to the sounds of the old house creaking around her, wondering what she should do. It was the middle of the night now, and she was still sitting here, unable to sleep. She’d retrieved both their suitcases from Nick’s car and had even changed into the nightie she’d intended on wearing for him. Although she hadn’t been sure she’d have the courage to sleep with him straight away, it was a comfort somehow to be wearing it now, waiting for him. Hoping…
A shuffling sound made her head jerk up. What was that? It sounded like something was being dragged outside her door. What the hell? Panic rose inside her. This wasn’t a horror movie just waiting to happen, right? Shoot, she really had to get her imagination under control!
That sound again! A gasp left her throat and she found herself clinging to the bedspread underneath her. She was scared, pathetic as she was. “Nick?” she couldn’t help but call out.
The sound stopped abruptly.
Then the handle turned and the door opened.
Her breath hitched, shadows forming in the doorway. Shadows that suddenly revealed a dishevelled Nick.
“Thank God!” she cried out, jumping to her feet and rushing to him. “Are you okay? What happened? Nick!” She threw her arms around his neck and hung on tight. He stood there, unmoving, until she finally realized something was wrong. Really wrong. “Nick?” she repeated. “Nicky? Talk to me.”
He shook his head as if coming out of a deep torpor, his eyes focusing on her face. “Baby?”
She closed her eyes. “Thank God.” She opened them again just in time to see his face harden. Two seconds later, she found herself flat on her back. Her nightie was pushed up her thighs, his fingers harsh on her soft skin. “Nicky?”
He drew a breath at the sound of his name and it was as if a dam had collapsed. He became a whirlwind: taking his clothes off, pushing her further up the bed, spreading her legs open as if they’d done this before. But they hadn’t!
She should say something, she knew. But he appeared crazed and somewhere inside her, she realized he needed this. She still didn’t know what had happened during his conversation with Kevin, didn’t know what’d happened to make him react in such a way, but he was hurt. That was clear as day.
So when he dragged the thin strap down her shoulder and arm, revealing a pale breast, she didn’t say anything. When he bit on her nipple, hard enough that it hurt, she didn’t say anything either. She just held his head against her and let him have his way with her.
He needed this. He needed her.
So be it.
It was only when he thrust into her, her insides dry without any pleasurable foreplay, that she winced. Her back arched as if her body wanted to move away, but Nick didn’t even notice. He was too busy pumping inside her, getting himself off whilst she lay underneath him. She grabbed his shoulders and held on, her eyes never leaving his face. And when he stilled, eyes closed, lips parted, she watched him come. He strained above her, his face a rictus of pain and pleasure mixed together.
It was only when he groaned out a name, the name of his best friend’s wife, that she realized that maybe, just maybe, she shouldn’t have come here in the first place.
* * * *
Nick came back to himself as he slumped onto the soft body spread underneath him. He could feel her breath against his neck and knew he was too heavy, that he should move. But he couldn’t. Not yet. She felt too good.
He loved being close to her like this. Had always relished it. She’s pregnant, a tiny voice clamoured inside his head. Hold on a second. Kevin had said it’d never happen again so what was she doing here?
He drew himself up onto his elbows and looked down at her. Only the bedside lamp was lit, the rest of the room in darkness. He blinked but no, the hair curling around the pillow wasn’t exactly the right color. Her eyes were shut but he could clearly see the tears tracking their way down her cheeks, spilling into her hair. “Leah?”
She snorted. Her eyes opened, and she stared straight up at him. “So, now you remember my name?”
He drew back, appalled. “I…I…” He climbed off the bed and looked around him. This was the bedroom he usually stayed in, but now there were two suitcases. He could see them clearly now. His and…Leah’s. Fuck! He turned around to see she’d moved to her side, her back facing him. He could easily imagine what she was going through right now. He’d used her. He’d fucked her as if she was another woman. Had even cried out Mia’s name, he was pretty sure of it. “Fuck!” he repeated but this time out loud. “Leah?”
“Go away, please Nick.”
“No. Just…let me explain.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” she mumbled into her pillow. “I understand quite clearly.”
“No, you don’t. You can’t. You don’t know anything at all.”
“I don’t wanna know. I just…Let me go to sleep and I’ll head home in the morning.”
He couldn’t deal with the other couple on his own! That was the first thing that went through his mind. He needed her here, he needed her support and her affection and…he needed her as a buffer too. He needed to show them he was past it, that he didn’t love Mia anymore. That he understood she was Kevin’s and always will be. And he knew that. He did. His heart just needed time to accept it. “I’m sorry, Leah. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” He sat down on the side of the bed and laid his hand on her back. “Please.”
She shook her head, refusing to turn around and hear him out. So he did the only thing he could think of: he seduced her.
* * * *
She was weak.
He’d settled behind her, his body spooning hers as if he had every right to be there. As if he hadn’t just taken her, as if he hadn’t just cried out another woman’s name. And yet, she hadn’t pushed him away. Oh, she knew she should. She wasn’t that stupid. She now understood the look that’d swept across his face earlier in the day: he loved his friend’s wife. He loved Mia.
So why was she here? Why had he pestered her until she’d agreed to a date with him? Why was he so bent on her being his girlfriend if he loved another? Thoughts left her head as his lips brushed the spot where her neck met her shoulder. Her back arched at the intentional caress, her fingers tightening around her pillow.
His mouth travelled up the length of her neck until it stopped briefly near her ear. He whispered, “Let me love you.” before biting the lobe for a few hot seconds. Her lips opened on a silent moan, and she was quite proud of herself when she realized she’d kept it inside. She didn’t want him to know how he was affecting her. It was just too easy. Far too easy.
Except his hand found a way beneath her arm, cupping her left breast from behind. She’d put her nightie back to rights when he’d pushed off of her, but the material was so thin that she could clearly feel the warmth of his palm. Her nipple beaded. Sweat formed around her hairline.
His thumb started a circling motion, bumping into her nipple every so often. She felt her legs tense, her mouth parting as if she needed more air. Then he pinched the distended nub and the moment was lost. She rammed her left elbow backwards, catching him in the chest.
His breath woofed out and he swore, “Fuck! What the hell was that?”
“You hurt me,” she snapped back. “I’m tired of being hurt!”
“Oh.” He blinked. She hadn’t liked that? “Are your breasts that sensitive then?”
She refused to answer and only slid further away from him, nearly falling down the other side of the bed. She quickly managed to right herself, but he was faster than her. He grabbed her flailing hand and pulled on it. She found herself flat on her back once again, Nick’s body looming above her and she couldn’t help her reaction: she shrieked.
“Shh!” He clamped a hand over her mouth. “Are you crazy? What’s wrong with you?”
She slapped at his hand and any parts of his body she could reach, but he appeared unfazed. Of course, for an ex-football player, her hits probably felt more like mosquito bites than anything else. She cursed at him but he couldn’t understand what she was saying. Damn it!
Her knees jerked up but he caught the movement and sat on her thighs, effectively blocking her. “Leah, come on! I won’t hurt you.” He watched her eyes flash and relented, “Okay, okay, I won’t hurt you any more. Promise. I don’t know what came over me earlier, I wasn’t myself! Please believe me, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Her head shaking from left to right, she barely heard him. She didn’t care if he was sorry. It had still happened. He’d used her! “I’m sorry,” Nick tried again. He leaned down, his face just above hers. “I’m so sorry, believe me. I need you to believe me, Leah.” His voice caught and he drew a deep breath.
She stared into his eyes and grew faint. He looked near tears. Apollo Hamilton was crying. What was wrong with that picture? She watched as he moved off of her and sat on the side of the bed, his head clasped in his hands. She was free; she could move away and find another bedroom. She probably could even call a taxi and get a hotel room or a ride to the airport. Right? Instead, she sat up and moved until she found herself beside him. She laid a hand on his back and peered at his face. “Nick?”
“I’m sorry,” he repeated for what seemed the hundredth time. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, I swear!”
“I know.” And as soon as the words came out, she knew they were true. She might not have known him long, but she knew he wouldn’t usually behave in such a way. He’d always been a perfect gentleman with her, always complimenting her or even telling those kids off after they’d managed to hurt her with their belittling comments.
“Do you really?” He wiped his cheeks and looked up at her.
“I don’t know what Kevin told you but…you weren’t yourself earlier, I got that. It still hurt though. I understand you love her and I know it’s got nothing to do with me, but why am I here? Why are we even dating if you’re in love with your best friend’s wife?”
His eyes widened at her words. She knew? “No, no, that’s not it.”
Leah snorted. “Sure, and I’m the Pope. Nick, I’m not that stupid. I can see what’s happening.”
“No.” He shook his head. “That’s not it. I mean, yes, I love her. As a friend. And I know she’s married. It…let’s just say we have a past together.”
“So, what happened earlier?” Leah crossed her arms over her chest. He wasn’t telling her the whole truth; she could see it in his eyes.
“She’s pregnant.”
“Oh.” She blinked. “That’s good news.”
“It is. It is.” He had to remind himself that. It was good news. They deserved it, he knew that.
“So, why did you run away?”
He hesitated before saying, “It’s a long story.”
Leah stared back at him then with a wry smile, stood up. “I see.”
“Where are you going?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I should get dressed.”
“Why? It’s the middle of the night.” Nick was suddenly behin
d her, his hands pulling on her shoulders. He turned her around until she was in his embrace, his arms heavy around her waist. “Stay here.”
She sighed. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Let me make it up to you,” he whispered just before brushing his mouth on hers. “Please,” he added, his tongue tracing the crease of her lips.
And in the end, she found she was just as weak as before his explanation. She gave in and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding tight.
Chapter Six
She might have been weak where he was concerned, but even she knew she’d be in even bigger trouble if she let him make love to her. Pulling away from his kiss, she fought until he let go of her, his hands falling at his sides. He looked defeated, his hair spiking wildly on his head. “I’m sorry,” he repeated once more.
“I know, Nick, it’s okay.”
“It’s not. Look at you!”
She blinked, unsure of what he meant. “What’s wrong with me?”
“You’re holding yourself back. You obviously don’t want me to kiss you and I get that. I get it. I was rough with you earlier. I didn’t take care of you or your needs. I suck. I really do.” He plopped down on the side of the bed and clasped his head in both hands. Again.
Shit! Leah groaned inwardly. Kneeling in front of him, she tugged at his hands until he was looking up at her. “I just don’t think we should be doing this, Nick. I mean, it’s obvious you love someone else. I don’t want to be hurt. And I will be if I stay here.”
“I don’t love her,” he replied, his tone earnest, and yet she knew he was lying.
