UnWanted

by Piper, M.

  “Fuck, Nico,” I whisper, my hands cupping his face. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I know, Ten.” He dips his head lower and latches onto my nipple, making me gasp.

  Nico’s hands work their way around my entire body like he can’t get enough. I know how much he loves touching me, and I don’t hate it. His hands are magic. Fucking magic.

  I manage to reach down and shove off his briefs and when he slides into me, so slowly it aches, I moan and hold on to him like my life depends on it.

  His lips press to mine, his hips pivot and thrust, slowly and sinfully bringing me to the edge before backing off and teasing me a bit more. Our bodies pressed tight together, every inch of skin that can be touching right now is, and it feels like heaven.

  “You’re it for me, Reagan,” he whispers, his breath hot on my ear while his cock rubs that perfect spot inside me, over and over again. I pant, sucking on his neck and meet his thrusts with my own. “God, you’re tight.” He grunts and picks up his speed and that’s when I feel it. The familiar tingle that starts in my toes and shatters the numbness that’s taken over my body these past few days. My legs quake and I come so hard I see stars, my entire body shaking under him as he lets his own go.

  We lie there, twisted together after the hottest sex I’ve ever had. It wasn’t just sex. It was way more. So much fucking more.

  “You’re right, you know,” I whisper, my hands playing in his hair as he rests his head on my stomach, trying to catch his breath.

  “About what?” he pants, smirking up at me.

  “You ruined me for other men.”

  “Did you try that theory out in the past two weeks?” His eyebrows dip and I laugh.

  “Fuck no, I didn’t. I didn’t even want to. I had no drive without you here. It’s like, I see you and I want to fuck you. I see any other hot guy and think ‘meh, Nico’s better.’”

  He barks out a laugh and slams his lips to mine, shifting to the bed and wrapping his arms around me.

  “I fucking love you, Ten,” he says, laughing.

  “I love you, Nico,” I say, grinning ear to ear.

  “Are we going to your brother’s today?” he finally says, breaking the comfortable silence.

  “I feel like we should, but I don’t want to leave this bed with you.”

  “Me either, Ten.” He kisses my forehead. “Me either.”

  “Then it’s settled. You’re all mine today.”

  “I’m all yours every day, Ten. I’m not going anywhere.”

  We spend the rest of the weekend locked in my apartment, only going out to take Monroe outside. It feels amazing spending this much time with him and not worrying about him going back to Chicago. It’s still surreal knowing he lives here now, and I feel horrible about it at the same time.

  Because he did all this for me.

  “Hey Nico,” I say, sitting on the couch under three blankets with him next to me and the dog on my lap.

  “Yeah?” He’s been absentmindedly playing with my fingers for a while now and I pause, gripping his hand tight.

  “You moved here for me,” I say. “When we weren’t even together.”

  “I knew I’d win you back,” he says, grinning.

  “You’re pretty presumptuous, you know?” I giggle.

  “I love you, Ten. And I knew deep down you loved me too.” He shrugs. “I checked in on you once or twice, just to make sure you were okay. Your brothers were more than happy to reply. Granted, they also texted me death threats if I didn’t start answering your calls, but at least I knew you were safe.”

  “My brothers?” I ask. “You talked to them but not me?”

  He blinks a few times at me, then slowly nods.

  “I had to make sure you were okay, even as mad as I was.” He sighs. “I was angry. I was hurt. I didn’t want to talk to you because I didn’t trust myself. But I still loved you, that never stopped. I just…I had to know how you were doing.”

  “I was doing shitty.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  “I figured. When I visited last week I saw how bad the apartment had gotten.”

  “You visited last week?” He shifts and his eyebrows furrow in confusion.

  “Yeah,” I say. “Your brother didn’t tell you?”

  “No,” he blurts. “When? Where was I?”

  “Another business trip, I guess.” I shrug. “I was coming to claim you back. But then you weren’t there and it was midnight so I slept on the couch and left to go home the next morning, defeated and convinced you wanted nothing to do with me.”

  “God,” he huffs. “That’s why my shit was on the couch when I got home. I thought I was going fucking insane thinking your smell was on my pillow.” He laughs.

  “Nope. Just me.” I shrug and grin.

  “You’re never just you, Ten. You’re more than a ‘just me.’ You’re everything to me. My entire world. And how someone can become that to a stranger in six months is insane to wrap my head around.” I shake my head. “But you have. And you’ll always be.”

  “Where’s your apartment?” I ask, petting Monroe absentmindedly. He winces and his face scrunches.

  “Don’t think I’m creepy, okay?”

  “Why would I think you’re creepy?” I laugh nervously. “What did you do? You do have a place to live, right?”

  “I do,” he nods. “Uh…”

  “Nico…”

  “Downstairs,” he blurts.

  “You live in my apartment complex!?” I shriek, eyes so wide they’re practically bugging out of my head.

  “I do. Surprise!” He waves his hands in the air with a cute as fuck grin on his face and my mouth falls open.

  “Nico… I…” I laugh. “You’ve been staying in my place without telling me your place is right downstairs.”

  “To be fair, you’ve had a shit-tastic week, Reagan. The last thing I wanted to bother you with was mundane shit with my life.”

  “Yeah but…” I shake my head. “Wow. So you’re close.”

  “I’m close. I’m as close as I can get without moving in with you.”

  I bite my lip. Him moving in does sound nice…

  “One day,” I whisper. “Maybe when we can get out of apartments and get a real house.”

  “Just no lakes. I refuse to learn how to fish.”

  I laugh, feeling so happy it makes me want to vomit.

  Six months ago my life was going downhill fast. It was shit, and honestly I didn’t have it in me to care. All I had in me was the pride that I was taking care of myself.

  But I wasn’t. I wasn’t taking care of myself at all. Not the right way.

  And then I met Nico, and somehow I’m living a completely different life than was my future back then.

  And I’m happier about it than I thought I’d ever be.

  “Come on, Monroe,” I say, lugging in the presents and the dog and just waiting to slip on ice on my way up the stairs.

  The front door swings open and Ford yells.

  “Aunt Reagan’s here!” and I roll my eyes.

  “Maybe you could help before they pummel me and these presents all break.”

  He laughs and grabs a few boxes from the top of the pile and follows me inside. I drop the presents by the massive spruce and unclick Monroe’s leash, letting him run free in the house.

  “Think you bought enough?” Ford asks, laughing at me as I start to organize the gifts.

  “It’s Christmas, big brother. And ya’ll are the only people I have to buy gifts for.” I shrug, standing and looking at the haul of gifts. “I think I did pretty good this year.”

  I smile at him and he smiles back, nodding.

  “When’s Luigi getting here?”

  “His plane lands at ten,” I make a face. “I doubt he’ll make it here tonight, but he’ll be home for Christmas.” I wiggle my eyebrows and watch the kids run through the living room screaming and chasing Monroe. “You ready for their birthday?”

  “No,” he says, lau
ghing. “They’re growing up too fast,” he mutters, laughing again as they run to the opposite side of the house after the dog.

  “You guys want anymore?”

  He gives me a look and I pat his back, nodding. I know what they went through to make it to where they are now so it’s not surprising that he doesn’t want to push for more.

  “What about you?” he asks, nodding to the kids. “Ever think about having any rugrats of your own to ruin your sex life?”

  “Stop,” I laugh. “It’s not that bad.”

  “Nah, it’s not. But I’m serious. You’ve got a good guy,” he says, shrugging. “Would it be the end of the world?

  “Ford, I finally feel like I’ve got my life somewhat on track. Can I live a little like this before having to make the big decisions? Marriage…kids…it’s all just too much right now to even try to think about.”

  My mom walks into the room, wearing that same smile she’s worn since we were kids but there’s something missing now and all of us know exactly what it is.

  This is her first Christmas without Dad.

  “How do you think she’s doing?” I whisper to Ford as my mom laughs and follows the kids down the hall. He watches her and shoves his hands into his pockets.

  “I guess fine. She’s been calling more than usual lately but I know she’s getting lonely at home. Mack’s been trying to have her over once a week, Linc’s been stepping up letting her babysit more. She’ll be okay. She’s got us.” He smiles at me and I roll my eyes.

  “That’s sometimes not a good thing.” I head to the kitchen to grab a drink and Mackenzie and Wren are already two wine bottles into the evening.

  “The baby’s here!” Wren yells, walking over to me and hugging me tightly. “Where’s the stud?”

  “Oh my God, Reagan. Seriously. That boy’s ripped.” Mack’s eyes are glassy and I chuckle.

  “He is, isn’t he?” I bite my lip and they erupt in laughter.

  “What’s so funny?” Lincoln walks in, trailed by Ford. The three of us girls stand there, laughing, but Wren and Mack are so far past the point of retreat their laughs turn into loud obnoxious giggles in no time.

  “Who let them drink already?” Ford says, chuckling and grabbing the empty wine bottles.

  “Oh we’re fine,” Mack scoffs, slapping the bottles out of his hand. “Just showing our appreciation for the male form, that’s all.”

  “Peen?” Ford blurts, making all three of us bust out in laughter again.

  “This is a family Christmas, ladies,” Lincoln says, grinning as he winks at Wren. “Maybe I should take her home. Ya’ll are good watching the kids for an hour…or three…right?” Wren bites her lip and walks over to Lincoln, wrapping her arms around his side and he chuckles, wrapping one of his around her.

  “Oh! I have a present to give your sister!” Wren gasps, pulling away from Lincoln and shuffling into the living room.

  “Hey, so where’s Luigi? I thought you said he’d be here?” Mack pouts and I laugh, because as much as he says he hates that nickname he’s pretty happy that it stuck.

  “His plane doesn’t land until late,” I say, sticking out my bottom lip. “Stinks he’ll miss this tonight, but it’s awesome he’ll be home for Christmas.”

  “You two doing ok?” Mack asks, resting her elbows on the counter and leaning down.

  “More than okay,” I say, smiling bright. “He’s just…” I shrug and grin, making all three of the grown adults in the room ‘aww’ for me.

  “A baby in loooove,” Mack swoons and Wren walks back into the room.

  “Here. It’s for you.” She shoves a large square present at me and I squeal.

  “I love presents!” I say, ripping open the wrapping paper. “Oh my God,” I whisper when the painting from her show is staring back at me.

  “You said you wanted it. But just so you know, I had an offer for about five grand for that painting, so you two better be worth the money I lost.”

  “Oh my God,” is all I can say over and over again. “It’s beautiful,” I manage through a thick throat.

  “You two are beautiful,” she says. “I’m happy you two worked it out, Reag.” She hugs me again and I smile.

  “Me too. Thank you.”

  The evening winds down with drinks by the fireplace after the kids have gone to sleep in their parents’ laps. Just as I’m about to call it a night, tired and missing Nico, the front door cracks open and he steps in, covered in snow and wearing the brightest most brilliant smile ever.

  “Nico!” I yell, hopping up from the couch and running over to him, plowing into him with my full force.

  I haven’t seen him in almost a week with his work schedule sending him all over the country to get some final sales of the year in before the holidays hit, and oh my God he smells good.

  “Hey, Ten,” he murmurs, holding me tight against him.

  “You made it.”

  “Of course I did.” He pushes his lips to mine briefly before pulling back and glancing behind me where everyone’s watching from the living room. “Hey guys,” he says.

  “Luigi!” Ford whisper screams with a sleeping kid on his lap. Nico chuckles and rubs his scruff.

  “I’m so happy you’re here,” I say, smiling.

  “I wouldn’t have missed it, Ten. You know me, there’s only one girl I want to be with on Christmas Eve. It took moving a few mountains, but I got here.” He grips my hand in his. “Now, point me to the alcohol. I’m in need of a few drinks after that cab ride.”

  I laugh and take him to the kitchen where my mom still keeps the place stocked. While the kids have all passed out for the night, we adults stay up talking and reminiscing until almost midnight when everyone decides to call it quits for the night.

  “Hey Regan,” Nico says as we curl into bed for the evening.

  “Yeah?” I murmur, almost asleep in his arms. His warm arms, full of power and love.

  “I love you, you know.”

  “I love you more, Nico.”

  He presses his lips to my forehead and holds me close. I can breathe easy knowing he’s home for Christmas. Home with me.

  Nico wasn’t the type of person I ever thought I’d end up with. I was at a point in my life where I didn’t think I’d end up with anyone, and if I did it wouldn’t be the happily-ever-after lives both my brothers were lucky enough to have.

  But I guess my dad was right. Nico was in my life for a reason. He was shoved into my life to show me I was doing it all wrong.

  I wasn’t loving right. I wasn’t living right.

  Now I am, and it feels amazing.

  Nine Months Later

  “One more push, babe,” I tell her, pushing my lips to her forehead. She groans and shakes her head.

  “Fuck no. I’m fucking done.” She pants and throws her hands to her hips, so sexy with beads of sweat dripping down her temple. She’s glowing, but it’s strangely hot as fuck. “This fucking car isn’t gonna make it. I knew it was time to buy a new one last winter when it died on me.” She pats the hood and hops up on it, leaning back and basking in the summer heat. “I think I’m dying.”

  I chuckle and push her knees apart, my hands resting on her bare thighs and fingers dipping under the hem of her shorts.

  “I told you I’d help you out, Ten,” I say, grinning at her when she goes up to her elbows and glares at me.

  “I’m not taking your help,” she says. “I can afford a new car, I’m just cheap. And…” She shrugs, sitting all the way up. “My dad bought this one for me. It was my first car. I know I need a new one, okay?”

  I nod, knowing how much the small things mean to her. Those unicorn socks are still her favorite pair.

  “Then how about we head back home and get cleaned up, because it’s hot as balls out here, then maybe we can hit up a dealership and see what you can get?”

  “Yeah,” she huffs, hopping off the hood and pulling her phone out to check the time. “Sounds good. When do you leave again?”

&
nbsp; “Five,” I say, biting back a grin. She thinks I’m going to Chicago tonight for an early morning work meeting, but I’m really going to prep my newest purchase for her and make sure everything’s perfect.

  These past nine months have been amazing. More amazing than I thought they could be. She moved into my apartment in February when her lease was up, and only mine because the bathroom is bigger, and since then we’ve been inseparable. She’s traveled with me to some of my work weekends away and I’m at the shop any time I can when I’m in town. I’ve grown to count her brothers as some of the best friends I’ll ever have in my life, even if the damn Luigi nickname stuck like it did. Her family took me in when I really didn’t have much of a family left of my own, and they saved me in a way. Getting out of Chicago was the best thing I could’ve done for myself, and for our relationship.

  “Do you know what type of car you want?” I ask when we make it back to the sweet air-conditioning of our apartment.

  “Nope,” she says, then pulls her tank top off and grins at me. “I don’t feel like car shopping tonight anymore.”

  “Oh yeah?” I bite my lip as I watch her shimmy out of her shorts.

  “I don’t really feel like leaving the house tonight.” Her eyes hit mine and she winks before taking off for the stand-up shower in the main bedroom.

  I let out a chuckle and shake my head, tossing off my clothes as I go and leaving a trail behind me.

  Living with Reagan’s taught me that messy houses are sometimes okay. And by sometimes, I mean why the fuck would I put off fucking her to pick clothes up from the floor.

  When I make it into the bathroom the shower’s already going and I pull the door open to her lathering up her tits and looking at me through hooded eyes.

  “Took ya long enough,” she says, her soapy fingers circling her nipples. Her eyes trail my body unabashedly and she smirks at my erection that I’m currently gripping.

  “You brought lube?” I ask, chuckling at the bottle on the shelf.

  “Sure did,” she says, grinning and playing with her nipples as she stares at my dick.