Shattered (Shattered #1)

by D'Agostino, Heather

  I reached for his belt buckle, and began fighting to release it. It was like I was all thumbs. I grunted in frustration as it mocked me.

  “I got it,” he gasped as he covered my hands with his, and freed the clasp.

  His pants dropped to the floor in a pool around his ankles as he reached to pick me up. When my feet left the floor, they instinctively wrapped around his waist. It was as if things had never ended between us. This, though, was so much better than it had ever been in the past. How I had left this man behind still baffled me.

  We toppled backward onto the bed, and Nick climbed up over me, kissing his way down my body. When he reached my hip, he stopped, and grinned up at me.

  “What?” I gasped when I looked down at him.

  “I never thought you’d be one to get any ink,” he fingered the edge of my thong where my latest tattoo graced my hip. “N'abandonne jamais. It’s fucking sexy,” he growled. “What does it mean?”

  “It’s French…it says ‘never give up’,” I groaned as he fingered the script.

  “Why French?” he leaned forward and began tracing it with his tongue.

  My body shivered and quaked beneath his as he tortured me with pleasure. “It’s personal…my choice who I tell about it,” I panted. “Can we talk about it later?”

  Nick chuckeled as he watched me squirm, “Sure…although I am having fun exploring here. What else are you hiding under these?”

  He grabbed the edge of the purple lace and began peeling it down my thighs. As his mouth followed his hands, and I couldn’t help but squeeze my legs together as I fought for control. I couldn’t remember the last time I was this turned on. His body vibrated with amusement as he watched me.

  “Eyes open,” he growled as he pushed my knees apart. “I want you to watch me.”

  I blinked trying to clear my head enough to handle the sight before me. This man was going to dominate me. He was slowly taking me somewhere I had never been before. Sex was going to have a whole new meaning after tonight.

  I bent my knee to skim my foot along his side. He was still wearing his boxer briefs, and I wanted them off. It had been too long since I’d seen him, and here he had me spread eagle in front of him.

  As he grabbed onto my thigh, he growled at me, “Hold still!”

  I swallowed as I watched a smirk slide into place. I’d never seen this side of Nick before, and I’m a little embarrassed to say that it turned me on in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Before I could absorb everything that was happening, I felt him. His soft sandy hair tickled against my thighs as he leaned forward and brushed his lips across me. My hips bucked off the bed at the sudden onslaught of sensations running through me. Before I could recover, he mumbled something, and his tongue plunged in.

  “Ahhh,” I squealed as he lapped at me pinning me down with one hand, and using the other take over where his mouth had been.

  As he twisted his fingers hitting just the right spot, I groaned and felt a shiver run up the length of me.

  “Nick…” I panted. “Please?”

  “Please what?” he queried as he leaned in and sucked at the tight bundle of nerves. “So sweet,” he murmured.

  “I want the rest of you…please?” I begged again.

  He leaned forward and sucked again as his fingers quickened their pace. My heels dug into the bed as I felt my orgasm fighting to come to the surface.

  “Nick!” I shrieked as my body quaked before slumping back into the soft bed.

  He looked up at me with amusement on his face. The grin didn’t last long though before it was replaced with a dark desire that I’d never seen. He licked his lips as he stared down at me.

  “How the fuck did I ever let you walk away? Tell me!” he demanded. “How did you do it?”

  I shook my head from side-to-side. I didn’t know. I don’t remember what I told myself that night he walked out of my room. We had loved each other. Loved each other in a way that I didn’t know was possible for two teenagers. Tonight was different though. Nick was different. This was so much more. So much better.

  Before I could answer him, Nick stood, and shucked off his boxer briefs. He quickly climbed back onto the bed over me, and leaned down next to my ear.

  In a lower gravelly voice, he asked again, “How? Tell me how.”

  As I opened my mouth to answer, he plunged himself in, pushing all the way to the hilt. My eyes rolled back as I arched into him.

  “How could you walk away from this?” his grunted as he pulled back and thrust in again. “I couldn’t get you out of my head, Leah. I loved you…I still do.”

  His hips began to grind against me, hitting just the right spot to send me back into oblivion once again. His hands moved to grab my wrists and pin them above my head. As I looked up at his face, I saw the love mixed with anguish. It was like he was afraid… afraid I would leave again.

  I fought against his hold, finally freeing my hands, and reaching for his shoulders to pull him close to me. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours…forever. I love you too,” I whispered into his ear before turning my head to claim his mouth.

  As our kiss grew, his thrusts sped up, and became almost frantic. It was like he finally stopped holding back and began to let go. To live in the moment.

  “Oh god,” he groaned. “I’m gonna…” he grunted as his body shivered and stiffened before slumping over me.

  ooooooooo

  As our bodies began to cool, Nick rolled to the side. One arm was draped over his eyes as the other moved to wrap around my shoulders. The fire had simmered between us, and now a slight awkwardness had emerged.

  I rubbed at my wrists, where Nick had grabbed them. When he had done it, it didn’t hurt. The passion between us had masked it. Now that things were calm, I noticed the slight red marks.

  “I’m sorry,” he mumbled beside me. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  My head jerked to the side. How did he even know what I was doing, his eyes were closed?

  “Stop!” he commanded. “Relax.”

  “How did you…” I trailed off.

  “I know you Leah. You may not think I do, but I know you. I know that you are over thinking something right now. You’re trying to figure out where this is going…what it means…if things are different, or if it’s more of the same,” he moved his arm from his eyes and turned his head so he was facing me. “I know you.”

  “Well?” I pushed up on an elbow.

  “Well what?” he shrugged.

  I sighed and slumped back down knowing that I probably wasn’t going to get the answers that I wanted tonight. Maybe sleeping with him was a mistake.

  “Go to sleep,” he mumbled. “We’ll talk about it in the morning.”

  Sleep was the last thing I wanted to do as I rolled onto my side and tugged the covers over my sweat dampened body. This was a side of Nick I’d never seen. The colder side. Did I do this to him? Did I turn him into a lover that took what he wanted and then turned a cold shoulder? Could I get the Old Nick back? Was he even in there anymore? I fought the war in my head until I finally fell into a restless sleep.

  ooooooooo

  Nick

  As I laid there in the dark, my thoughts turned from hopeful to dark and back to hopeful again. What had happened tonight? I couldn’t explain it. What the hell had come over me that I could have moved things along so quickly? Was sleeping with her really the best thing to do? What did this mean for us?

  I glanced over at where Leah had fallen asleep. I knew she had wanted to talk tonight, and I felt like a dick for turning her away, but I really needed to sort out what I was feeling. You should have done that before you fucked her, you idiot. I had never been able to resist her in the past, why would now be any different? She said she wasn’t leaving, but how am I supposed to believe that? I rolled to put my back to her. Sleep was not going to come tonight. Why had I been such a dick?

  As her even breaths became louder, I glanced over my shoulder, and noticed she’d moved closer to m
e. She was now pressed against my back. I turned, and pulled her into my embrace. I don’t know why I even considered pushing her away. I loved this woman. I’d make her stay. I’d show her how great we could be together.

  As Leah released a contented sigh, and snuggled further into my embrace, sleep began to finally claim me. Nothing was going to disturb this. We’d waited too long to find our way back.

  Chapter 11

  Leah

  As sleep began to fade, I slowly blinked my eyes against the morning light. It took me a minute to figure out where I was. A smile slowly spread across my face as I glanced over at the glorious sight beside me. Nick was lying sprawled out on his back. His hair was sticking up in every direction, and his lips were curled into a soft smile. His nose twitched slightly like he was dreaming, and he released a contented sigh.

  As I let my eyes continue to wander, I rolled over so I was facing him. His tanned chest was exposed, and his left arm was draped over his stomach right at the waist. The white sheet from the bed was barely covering him. His muscular legs were stuck out and tangled below, and his right arm was tossed above his head.

  At first, I had thought that last night had only been dream. There was no way that it really happened. No way that Nick and I actually came back here and made love into the wee hours of the morning. Now as I lay here feeling the ache between my legs, I know that it was very real. Nick took me to places that I’ve only dreamed of over the last several years. How I had gone without him for so long was still baffling me.

  Before I could let my thoughts drift anymore, Nick released a soft groan as he shifted slightly in the bed. The sheet slipped further down his hips, exposing more of the soft trail of hair below his navel. As I watched him settle into sleep once again, I began to think of all the ways I could wake him.

  A wicked grin spread across my face as I began to slide further down the bed. Once I was settled by his hips, I slowly drug the sheet back exposing him to my view. I licked my lips in anticipation for what I was about to do. Rising up on my knees, I reached over and used one arm to brace myself as I leaned down, and placed a kiss right on the tip of him.

  Nick groaned, and shifted slightly, but didn’t wake. I giggled to myself as I leaned down again, and took a swipe at him. I watched him harden even more as I began to swirl my tongue before sinking down as far as I could go. Once I hollowed my cheeks that was all it took to wake him up.

  Nick’s eyes flashed open, and connected with mine before they rolled back. He began mumbling as he reached down, and weaved his fingers into my hair.

  “Feels…so …good,” he panted as he tightened his grip.

  Pleased with myself, I began to use my free hand to stroke the parts that I couldn’t get into my mouth. As I applied pressure with my fingers, I sucked harder, encouraged by his reaction.

  “Shit baby!” his hips jerked up. “I don’t wanna…I wanna be in you when I finish.”

  At this I swirled my tongue again, and sunk down more causing him to hit the back of my throat. I wanted to show Nick that I’d grown up too. I wasn’t the naïve girl that left five years ago. I’d changed.

  “Ok,” he grunted. “You’ve made your point Leah.”

  He grabbed my hair and tugged lightly, breaking my contact with him. When I peered up through my lashes, and grinned, it put him in motion. Before I could prepare myself, Nick flipped us so he was then on top of me. He leaned down next to my ear and growled, “My turn,” before thrusting into me in one quick push.

  I felt a tremor run through me as my body melded to him. It was like I was a magnet, and he was the metal I was craving. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders as my lips searched for his mouth. When they made contact, I thrust inside, and began to tangle my tongue with his. He groaned as his hips rolled in a slow seductive move. He reached down, grabbed my thigh, and wrapped it around his hip as he shifted for a better angle.

  I wretched my mouth away in a gasp when I felt him sink deeper. I was quickly becoming lost in him. Every part of my body pliable to Nick’s whims. When I felt his hips press against that magic spot, my body began to spasm. I dragged my nails down his back, eliciting a groan when I stopped right above his ass.

  “You’re gonna end me,” he panted as he sped up.

  “Nick,” I gasped as I felt the end coming. “I…”

  “Let go!” he commanded as he fell over the edge into oblivion with me.

  ooooooooo

  Nick

  Holy shit! What a way to wake up. I seriously thought I was dreaming when I felt her sweet mouth on me. I had fought hard to keep my eyes closed, and continue the dream. When I finally opened them, though, I realized it wasn’t a dream at all. Leah was kneeling right beside me with her sweet little mouth right on my cock. Jesus, I’m gonna get hard again just thinking about it.

  Our breathing has finally returned to normal, and she’s curled up in my arms tracing patterns on my chest with her finger. She’s got this look on her face that I can’t quite figure out yet, but I know that right now there’s nowhere I’d rather be. I don’t know how I made it as long as I did without her.

  “Whatcha thinking about?” I nudged her shoulder.

  “Nothing really,” she murmured. “Just life…”

  “What about it?”

  “Things just seem to be too good to be true right now…it worries me,” she shrugged and turned so she could prop herself up and look me in the eye.

  “Tell me…” I reached up and cupped her chin.

  She swallowed, leaned into my hand, and blinked a few times before releasing a pent up breath.

  “My mom’s sick. I’ve been visiting, but I’m worried. They’re hiding something from me,” a single tear began to gather in the corner of her eye. “I think she’s sicker than my dad’s letting on.”

  “They love you. They’re trying to protect you.”

  “I’m a grown-up now. I want the truth,” she frowned.

  “We can go over there together today if you want to talk to them,” I suggested. “I haven’t stopped in in a while.”

  “You’d do that for me?” she looked hopeful.

  I couldn’t believe that she’d doubt me. I mean after the night, and the morning that we just shared, how could she doubt me?

  “Of course,” I sighed as I pulled her into a hug. I kissed the top of her head as she snuggled closer, “I love you Leah.”

  I felt her stiffen as the words left my mouth. The only time we’d uttered those words was in the heat of passion. Things were different now. This was a moment in which we both had clear heads, a moment where we could think about what we were saying.

  “Do you really mean that?” she whispered.

  I pushed back so I could look her right in the eyes, “Yes…with everything I have, yes. I love you!”

  “I love you too!” she sobbed as she wrapped her arms around my neck squeezing me tighter than ever before.

  “Let’s eat some breakfast,” I kissed her cheek. “I’ve got to stop by my office to pick up some things, and then we’ll go see your folks.”

  “Sounds good,” she nodded. “I’m glad it’s a work day. I needed this,” she pointed around the room and offered a watery smile. “I needed to hear all of this.”

  ooooooooo

  Leah

  As we pulled into my parent’s driveway, I glanced around. The house seemed so quiet. There was a soft breeze blowing that created an ethereal feeling. The tire swing my dad had hung in the big oak out front was swaying. I smiled as I thought about all our lazy Sunday afternoons playing in the yard. Sunday’s were the only days that my dad closed the pizza shop. He saved those for my mom and me. We cherished them dearly, and I would give anything to go back and relive just one. Life was simple then. No worries about sickness, or the future.

  Nick approached me from behind and placed his hand on my lower back bringing me out of my memories, “Everything ok?”

  I nodded and offered a weak smile, “Yeah. Just thinking.”

 
He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer as we walked up the front steps. When we reached the front door, it swung open before I could knock.

  “Leah,” my dad offered a tight smile. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to come see Mom,” I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug, and kissed him on the cheek.

  “She’ll be happy you stopped by. She’s upstairs. Go ahead,” he pointed up the stairs and moved to close the door behind us.

  ooooooooo

  When I reached the top of the stairs, I knocked lightly before pushing open the door to my mom’s room. When I stepped in, her bright smile greeted me. Something was off, but I couldn’t place it yet.

  “Leah, what a pleasant surprise,” she smiled a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  “Mom, you’re looking better,” I moved to sit on the edge of the bed as Mom placed the book she was reading beside her.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Oh, I’ve been better. The meds the doctors have me on make me feel awful. Today’s been good though. I’ve been able to eat more.”

  “Has Dad been doing better with the cooking,” I joked.

  “It’s been a lot of soup lately,” Mom grimaced.

  “So what have the doctors been saying? Does it look like this is going to go into remission any time soon?”

  Mom twisted her hands together in front of her and bit down on her lip. I could tell she was hiding something. She was a bad liar just like me.

  “Mom?” I felt my voice tremble as I watched her blue eyes fill with sadness.

  “It doesn’t look good honey. They say that it’s spreading,” she glanced up at me and shook her head.

  “Mom?” I could feel the tears coming.

  I shook my head, and stood from the bed. This was not happening. How could this be happening? Today was supposed to be a good day. Nick and I were back together, my mom was on new medication…

  “Oh honey,” my mom reached for me as I staggered backward. “Wait! Talk to me,” she begged.

  I continued to move toward the door in daze. This had to be a dream. God was not going to take my Mama. He’d taken enough from me over the last five years. He couldn’t have her.