Crossing the Line

by Long, Samantha

He kept an eye on Jude, silently counting the push-ups, and also watching the other boys work on lifting weights. He and Luke used the hard work to tire the kids out. That usually kept them out of trouble for a while. The brothers also gave the boys their cell numbers and told them to call whenever they needed to talk or if they needed help.

  For the next four hours, Nick worked extra hard on talking to Jude, showing him what to do. He paired him up with another kid, because he thought the boys’ personalities would mix well. Maybe Jude would respond better to the program if he had a friend. One who had been through the same stuff he had. Nick knew he’d never have survived if he hadn’t had his brother.

  After all the boys were picked up, he and Luke showered, then headed to their mom’s for dinner. An idea had been rolling around in Nick’s mind, and he wanted to talk to her about it.

  “How did the mentoring go?” Charlotte asked, kissing each of them on the cheek. “I’m so proud of you two.”

  “Mom, you say that every time,” Luke said. “You’re going to make us egomaniacs.”

  “Don’t be silly. What you do for those boys, it warms my heart.” She pointed to the bathroom. “Wash your hands and get ready for dinner. I made meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans.”

  “You’re not only going to make us egomaniacs, you’re going to make us gluttons.” Nick’s stomach growled at the smell of home-cooked food.

  He waited until they’d all sat to give voice to his idea. “Mom, I’d like to pick something out for Victoria for Mother’s Day. Will you go with me tomorrow?”

  Charlotte’s eyes misted. “Oh, of course, baby. You want to get her a gift? Am I going to meet her soon?”

  “Mom, don’t cry. It’s just a gift.” Nick frowned. “I’m not marrying her.”

  “You’re getting her a gift. For you, that’s pretty much proposing.” Luke leaned back in his chair. “I think you’ve got it bad. More than you think you do.”

  Nick shook his head, that familiar panic rising. He forced it down. “It’s not a big deal. We’ve just been hanging out.”

  Charlotte paused. “She has daughters, right? If you get that girl’s hopes up, or her daughters, and then leave them in the dust, I will make you regret it.”

  Nick gave her a solemn look. He knew why his mom would get angry over that. “I won’t.” The thought of hurting Victoria like that made his chest ache. “Besides, she hasn’t introduced me to her girls yet.”

  “Smart woman.” Charlotte nodded her approval. “I want to meet her soon.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Nick ignored Luke’s grin. “I’ll talk to her about it.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  VICTORIA BIT HER LIP nervously. Nick had just walked in the door, and she was worried about what he would say when she told him what she wanted. Would he think it was a horrible idea?

  “Hey, babe. What’s wrong?” Nick asked when he saw her expression.

  “Will you take me to get a tattoo?” She said it really fast, afraid if she slowed it down she wouldn’t finish the sentence.

  Nick grinned. “Yeah, you want one?”

  Victoria nodded shyly. “I want to get the girls’ birth date in Roman numerals with their birth times on my left ribs.”

  “Are you sure? You know tattoos are permanent?”

  She elbowed him in the side. “Of course.”

  “Let’s go. I know the perfect person to do it; he’ll fit you in for me.” Nick twirled his keys on his finger. “Put your yoga pants and a sports bra on. He’ll have to remove your shirt.”

  “Okay.” Victoria beamed. “I’ll be right back.”

  She couldn’t believe she was doing this. Ever since the girls were born, she’d wanted to get this tattoo, but Roger always forbid it. He thought tattoos were trashy and pointless. He’d always throw the biggest fit when she talked about it. Now that she could do it, she wanted Nick to take her.

  When they entered the tattoo shop, Nick asked for a guy named Logan. While they waited, Victoria surveyed the lobby. Pictures of tattoos and tattooed men and women hung on posters around the lobby. A set of three chairs sat against the left wall. No one waited at the moment, so it seemed they’d come at a good time.

  The receptionist had her bright blue hair pulled up in a pin-up ‘do. She had face piercings that looked cute on her, although it was something Victoria knew she’d never be able to pull off. The girl smiled at Victoria before she went to find Logan.

  “You nervous?” Nick ran a hand up her arm.

  “Definitely.” Victoria smiled to show she wasn’t backing out. “But I’ve wanted this tattoo ever since the girls were born.”

  “Let me guess. Roger didn’t approve.” Nick frowned. “That guy needs an ass kicking.”

  Victoria laughed. “I still agree, and if it ever happens, you’ll have to beat Addie to the punch.”

  “Not sure I want to get in her way.” Nick smiled down at Victoria. “Do you want me in the room?”

  “Hell yes. You’re going to hold my hand.”

  A tall, lanky man covered in tattoos walked out from the back. He shook hands with Nick, then smiled at Victoria. “Shelby tells me you’re looking to get a tattoo.”

  “Yes.” Victoria shook his hand, liking him instantly. “My girls are twelve, so it’s been a long time coming.”

  Logan clapped his hands together. “Let’s get to a room and you can tell me what you want. I’ll draw it out, then you tell me if you like it. If you do, we’ll get started.”

  “Okay.” Victoria took Nick’s hand and followed Logan into the small room. An exam table stood in the middle. Posters of various rock stars and their tattoos hung on the walls.

  “Have a seat on the table and tell me what you want.” Logan sat on a swivel stool and pulled out a sketch pad. He drew as Victoria described what she wanted. It didn’t take him long to sketch out the tattoo since it wasn’t very detailed. “Are you wanting it in color or black?”

  “Black. I want it on my left ribs, not big.” Victoria’s fingers tightened around Nick’s. “Nick says you’re great at what you do.”

  “He should.” Logan chuckled. “I’ve done all of his.”

  “Then I’ll be happy with what you do.” Victoria tried not to blush as she thought about how she’d seen all of Nick’s tattoos.

  “Is this what you’re looking for?” Logan turned the sketch pad around.

  Victoria’s grin widened. “That’s perfect!”

  After Logan gave her a few instructions, she removed her shirt and lied down. Nick’s stare heated, and she swallowed as her own desire rose in response.

  “Okay, I’m going to clean the area with antiseptic. After, I’ll draw the tattoo out on your body with a surgical marker. You approve the placement and we’re ready to go.”

  “Okay.” Victoria took a breath. She prayed she wasn’t shaking. She was nervous, but determined to do this. When he asked her to stand and look in the mirror, she realized that she really did want this. “I love it.” If Nick’s stare in the mirror was any indication, he loved it, too.

  “You should probably take a bathroom break while I set up the machine. You don’t want to have to hold it.” Logan pointed down the hall. “It’s the last door on the left.”

  Victoria hurried and used the restroom, ready to see the finished product. She returned to the room and laid back down the way he’d told her to.

  “It’s going to look great.” Nick leaned and kissed her forehead. “You’re going to love it.”

  Once Logan started, Victoria forced herself to be still, the burning sensation spreading under her ribs. She shut her eyes and thought back to when she’d given birth to the twins. That pain was much worse than this. Nick distracted her with talk about the renovations he was doing. Soon her endorphins kicked in, and she was able to focus on more than his voice.

  When Logan fini
shed, he cleaned the area with disinfectant. “Go to the mirror, have a look.”

  Victoria slid off the table, moving gingerly at first, and crossed to the mirror. Her smile widened as she looked at the small tattoo that ran along her left ribs, up high and close to the bottom of her sports bra. “I absolutely love it.” She glanced at Nick over her shoulder. The heat in his eyes blazed now. “What do you think?”

  “I think it’s amazing.” He cleared his throat. “Logan always does a great job.”

  Logan placed the bandage on and gave her a paper packet on tattoo care. “If you have any questions you can ask me, or ask Nick. He knows what to do.”

  “Okay. How much is it?” Victoria reached for her purse.

  “Nothing.” Logan grinned. “I don’t charge beautiful girls who are dating my friends.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a free-loader.” Victoria slipped her loose work out shirt back on.

  “It was a pleasure to work on you. Besides, tattoos are addicting, so just promise you’ll come back to me for your next one.” Logan winked at her.

  “Okay. If you’re sure.” Victoria nodded.

  “I’m sure.” Logan clapped a hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Now, take that lady out to get something to eat.”

  “That was nice of him,” Victoria said. They headed to pick up burgers for dinner.

  “He’s a close friend, and doesn’t charge us.” Nick smiled over at her. “We’ve fostered his nephew, so he feels like he owes us or something. It really looks sexy on you. I thought I was going to lose my mind watching you get it. I don’t know why it was so fucking hot, but damn.”

  “You’re crazy.” Victoria tried to laugh, but his hand rubbed up her thigh. Her breathing hitched. “Nick.”

  “Hmm?” He kept his gaze on the road, but continued up between her legs.

  “Oh God.” Victoria leaned her head back. Even through her pants, his fingers made her boil.

  “When we get home, I want you to ride me. We have to be careful of your tattoo, and rubbing it on the bed would be bad for it.” Nick moved his hand, took hers and kissed her fingers. “I want you so bad.”

  “I want you, too.” Victoria took in his profile. “I’ve wanted you since you left this morning.”

  “I’ll have to fix that.” Nick pressed the gas pedal down.

  Chapter Nineteen

  NICK DROPPED THE burger bag onto the counter and walked Victoria to the room. He took his time with her shirt and bra, making sure they didn’t brush her bandage. He pressed a kiss to her collarbone, and she tilted her head back, hands undoing the button on his jeans and unzipping them.

  He slipped his tongue inside her mouth and reached his hands up to her hair. He pulled the ponytail down, tossing the rubber band. His fingers ran through her hair, the curls wrapping around the tattoos on his wrists. She fit so perfectly against him.

  “Nick.” Victoria bit down on his lip, then laved it with her tongue to soften the sting. “I want you now. Hurry.”

  Nick chuckled, deep and husky. They both tossed their pants and underwear at the same time, which made her giggle. His abdomen tightened at the sound. She was so beautiful. He sat on the edge of the bed, slipping the condom over his stiff cock.

  She straddled him without hesitation and sank down. He breathed through clenched teeth as her wetness surrounded his cock. When she started to move, his hands tightened on her hips. He didn’t want to accidentally brush her tattoo and hurt her. Her hair fell over her shoulders and breasts, teasing him with the sight of her nipples every time she moved.

  “Tori.” He breathed her name, getting her to look him in the eyes. He wanted to see her reaction. “I’m addicted to you.”

  Her lips curved and her hands drifted up his chest. She moved faster, rocking her hips, her head falling back. Her skin flushed, and when he reached a hand between them, she gasped.

  “Tori, I need you.” Nick nibbled her neck, keeping his fingers moving between them. Her body tensed, her toes curled against his thighs. She was close; he could feel her tighten around him.

  When she came, she bit his shoulder. It pushed him over the edge, and he came, too, thrusting into her a few more times.

  Her head dropped to his shoulder and she tried to catch her breath. “Just…once…I’d like to eat first.”

  “That wouldn’t be any fun.” Nick ran a hand down her hair. The feel of her cuddled on his lap snuck into his heart. He didn’t want her to move yet.

  “Hmm, probably not. But I’m starving now. The last thing I ate was sushi with my sisters.” Victoria’s stomach rumbled.

  Nick laughed. “Okay, I get it.” He let her slide off his lap. “Let’s clean up and we’ll eat.”

  After scarfing down the burgers, they settled onto the couch.

  “You pick.” Victoria pulled up Netflix. “I can’t think straight.”

  Nick took the remote. “I know just the thing.” He searched and found it.

  “City of Angels?” Victoria looked over at him. “Isn’t that a little girly for you?”

  He poked her side, far below the tattoo. “This is an awesome movie. I happen to be a huge Nicholas Cage fan.”

  She smiled, shook her head. “Are you picking this movie because I got a tattoo tonight and you want to show me how awesome you think that is?” She raised a brow, humor in her eyes.

  “Yes, sweet thing. I know how much you wanted that tattoo, so I’m rewarding you with a movie that I happen to like.”

  “Shut up and start the movie.” She moved closer and laid her head on his shoulder.

  He might have pushed play, but he couldn’t have said how much of the movie he watched. It had been since high school that he’d been with a woman this long, that he’d been on dates or just watched movies. Hung out, like he’d told his mom. He knew he walked the slippery edge of the cliff here, but he was beginning to realize he didn’t care.

  * * *

  Victoria approached her office, the sounds of the tools and conversations coming out into the parking lot. Through the window she saw Nick, standing with his feet planted, keeping a ladder steady. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw her dad standing at the top, attaching wires to the chandelier light she’d picked out. She swung the door open. “Dad! What are you doing up there?”

  Wes glanced down at her as the crew and Nick stopped working at the sound of her voice. “Hey, sweetheart. I didn’t know you were coming by.”

  She stopped at the bottom of the ladder and glared up at him. “Dad!”

  “Relax, Victoria.” Her dad went back to work. “I’ve done this a million times.”

  “I know that.” Victoria sighed. “Sorry, it just freaked me out to see you up there.” She glared at Nick. “Why didn’t you go up there?”

  “Whoa, hang on. He was up here when I got back from picking up materials.” Nick looked up at her dad. “I tried to talk him down, but he firmly refused.”

  “I’m almost finished, then I’ll screw in the chandelier and you’ll have your pretty light fixture,” Wes told her. “By the way, we’re having the Mother’s Day barbeque this weekend. I’d like for you and the girls to be there.”

  “Of course, Dad. Just focus on what you’re doing.” Victoria sent Nick a look. He winked at her.

  “I want Nick to come, too. Bring your mom and brother.” Wes gestured to one of the crew members. He climbed the ladder and held the chandelier in place while Wes operated the drill.

  Nick looked swiftly at Victoria before he answered. “Sure thing, Wes. We’ll be there.”

  Victoria didn’t relax until her dad’s feet were firmly planted on the ground. “Do we need to bring anything?”

  “Nothing but yourselves. You can get there early to help your mom cook and set up.” Wes assessed the chandelier. “Frivolous, but it’s going to look great when the room is finished. You always k
now how to fix up a room.” He put an arm around Victoria’s shoulders and pulled her into a side-hug.

  “Thanks, Dad. No more ladders. Mom would freak if she knew.”

  “Then don’t tell her.” Wes squeezed her shoulder before letting go. “The barbeque will start at two, so be at the house around eleven.”

  “Okay, Dad.” She kissed his cheek. “Do I need to call Halle and Addie or have you already?”

  “I called them this morning before they went to work. I extended the invitation to Trevor, which he’ll probably refuse.”

  Victoria watched her dad’s expression. She could never tell if her dad liked Trevor for real, or if he just put on an act for Halle. Her dad’s cell phone rang from his pocket.

  “It’s your mother. I’ll be right back.”

  The crew went back to work, and Nick gestured for Victoria to follow him into her back office. He left the door open, so the crew wouldn’t get suspicious. “I didn’t realize he was going to ask me to the barbeque. Do you mind?”

  “Do you?” Victoria wondered if he did. If it put them more toward a couple instead of friends with benefits. She glanced at the crew steadily working, and out through the window where her dad faced the parking lot.

  He shook his head. “Any time I get to spend with you, I’m cool with it.”

  “Helena and Lucia are going to be there.” Victoria’s excitement faded. “I don’t think I’m ready for you to meet them.”

  “Oh.” Nick shoved his hands in his pockets and frowned. “I can give an excuse.”

  “No.” Victoria sighed. “Dad will get his feelings hurt. He really likes you.”

  “I can pretend we aren’t sleeping together.”

  “I….” Victoria’s mind and heart were conflicted. “That’s not how I want it to be. I’m just worried how Helena and Lucia will take this because of their father. Plus, I don’t even know how long you’re going to be around, and I don’t want them getting attached.”

  Nick nodded slowly. “I get it. I do. We can wait to come out to your family.”

  “Okay. Thanks. I’m going to get back out there before Dad gets back in.”