Harmless (Pier 70 Book 4)

by Nicole Edwards

Seg smirked. The guy obviously knew that Seg was still on pins and needles regarding all the shit that had gone down.

  “Cool.”

  Kaufman touched his shoulder, then headed back to his seat. Seg leaned his chair back and closed his eyes. He had a feeling he knew what Phoenix wanted to talk about. And since he had no desire to dwell on that right now, he figured he might as well get some sleep.

  Three and a half hours later, Seg was sitting across from Phoenix at the coffee shop in their hotel. He’d checked in with him as soon as the plane landed, and Phoenix had informed him he would be about an hour behind. That had given Seg enough time to dump his stuff in his room, grab a quick shower, and make it back downstairs.

  And now here they were, small talk out of the way. Seg anxiously awaited Phoenix’s news, his hands practically vibrating from the tension coiling tight throughout his body.

  “I wanted to talk to you first. Give you a heads-up on what’s going on. I’m sure you’ve heard some talk.”

  Seg nodded, encouraging Phoenix to continue.

  “Valeri is looking to be traded. His contract is not up yet, but when his agent came to me about the request, I didn’t put up a fight. He’ll be snatched up pretty quick, I’m sure. But it’ll probably cost him.”

  Seg knew Phoenix meant in regards to a new contract. When a player decided to leave a team for personal reasons, the potential new team usually did some digging. No doubt about it, there would be some team out there with compassion for Mattias’s issue, whatever that might be. However, it’d likely include less money than he would’ve received if he’d been a free agent.

  “Because of me.” Seg dropped his gaze to the table as it all made sense.

  “He claims to have an issue, but Seg … look at me.”

  Seg looked up.

  “He’s the only one who’s come forward with a problem. Do you realize what that means?”

  No, he didn’t.

  “You need to relax. Not everyone in the world is going to be happy with the decisions we make for ourselves. But those who don’t like it have options. You can be who you are and they can be who they are.” Phoenix leaned back, his position casual. “He’s handling this well, in my opinion. He hasn’t come out publicly, and he doesn’t intend to.”

  That was a relief. Seg had suspected Mattias had a problem with him, but he wasn’t about to stir shit up for no reason.

  Phoenix leaned back. “Plus, I’ve got a bead on a great winger who’d be perfect for the team.”

  That caught Seg’s interest. For one, he hadn’t expected Phoenix to share any more details than he had to.

  “Heath Rush.”

  Well, that was a name that everyone knew. Kingston Rush’s brother played for Colorado, and he was one of the best damn forwards in the league right now. Not that Valeri was a lightweight.

  “If all works out, we’ll have Heath in place for next year, and Mattias will be leading the line for someone else.” Phoenix’s eyes softened. “How are you doing otherwise? Any issues?”

  Other than the fact that he’d practically given Roan a reason to walk away? “No. No issues.”

  “Good.” Phoenix sat up, took a deep breath. “Well, I’ll let you get back to it. Good luck tonight.”

  “Yeah. Thanks.”

  When Phoenix disappeared, Seg remained where he was, staring at the coffee cup in his hand while he processed everything that was going on. He reached for his cell phone as his mind whirred with so much chaos. He pulled up his contacts and hit the button.

  “Seggy?” his mother greeted. “Are you okay?”

  “I am.” He hadn’t talked to her but briefly in the past week. Ever since he put her on a plane home, he’d kept from burdening her with his issues. He knew she worried, which was why he was calling her now.

  “Are you in Boston?”

  “Yeah. Got here a couple of hours ago.”

  “How are things back home?”

  Seg went on to explain about Roan’s father, about Milly having the baby a little early, and also about his decision to walk away should Roan feel that was the right thing for him.

  “You’ve always been good at that,” Deb said when Seg finished.

  “At what?”

  “Putting everyone above yourself.”

  Seg didn’t think that was true, but he knew that arguing with his mother would get him nowhere.

  “I’m so proud of you,” she continued. “You are one of the finest men I’ve ever known. And I’m not just saying that because you’re my son either. I want you to be happy, Colton. And I think you understand what that means now. I hate what Roan is going through. It’s not easy being a parent in general, and to have to deal with his own turning on him… I hope he makes the right decision.”

  Seg chuckled, although he found little humor in it. “The right decision for him.”

  “The right decision for him is to stand up for the ones he loves. To never give up. To give you the same love and devotion that you give him. But I think he knows that.”

  Seg wanted to have his mother’s optimistic viewpoint, but he just couldn’t. He knew that walking away from Roan, not insisting that this thing between them was right could potentially backfire in his face. However, he’d been the one pushing since day one, and he’d come to a point last night when he needed to know that he mattered to Roan.

  Roan easily said he would push everyone else away to do what was best for Liam. He understood that to a degree, but Seg had no desire to find out one day he was on the back burner again. He needed to be a partner in this relationship, not a liability.

  Seg had been as clear as he could be in his feelings for Roan. He’d told him repeatedly that he wanted to be with him, to stand behind him, to love him. Now he needed Roan to do the same.

  Because no matter what, Seg had tackled the biggest obstacle of his life. He’d come out. Risked his career even. He was finally free and that mattered to him. He wasn’t going to settle for second place for anyone. Not when it mattered most.

  “I want you to go out on that ice tonight and play like you always do. Play to win, Seggy. That’s what you do. In every aspect of your life.”

  Wanting to break the melancholy mood, Seg forced a smile and sat up. “I will, Ma. Is Marjorie coming over to watch the game?”

  Deb giggled. “She is. Which means I’ve got to come up with a way to freak her out again. So, maybe you could score a goal or something. That should send me right over the edge.”

  Seg chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”

  “You always do. Oh, and Seggy?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Ma.”

  Thirty-One

  Sunday, February 12th

  “YOU’RE SURE Y’ALL DON’T MIND watching him?” Roan asked Cam, observing his best friend closely.

  It’d been a hell of a week for Cam and Gannon. Ever since Milly brought the baby home, she’d been in rare form. From what Roan had been told, she called them with a million questions. Mostly about work and her fear that Gannon would not be able to survive without her. Of course, Gannon had assured her that he would barely scrape by, but he would manage.

  “We’re sure,” Cam assured him. “We’re just hanging out tonight, so you’re good. Go.”

  Roan nodded, then headed over to Liam. He kissed his son, told him he’d see him first thing tomorrow morning, and made his way to the door. He hated leaving Liam right now, but with Seg coming home, Roan needed to fix things between them. Only then could they move on with the rest of their lives.

  “Thanks,” Roan called out as he opened the door. “And call me if you need anything.”

  “We won’t. We’re pros at this now.”

  That wasn’t far from the truth. Cam and Gannon had helped more than Roan ever expected them to, and he was beyond grateful.

  Roan made a beeline for his truck. Five minutes later he was on the way to Austin. He wasn’t exactly sure what time Seg would be home, but h
e’d waited as long as he could. He had purposely not called or texted—however, Seg hadn’t either—for the last few days. Roan had focused solely on trying to figure out what he wanted.

  It hadn’t been difficult. He knew what he wanted; he merely didn’t know how to go about getting it. Did he want what Cam and Gannon had? Or Noah and Dare? Hudson and Teague?

  Of course he did. Would he be able to sustain a relationship with little effort the way those guys did? Doubtful. Roan wasn’t perfect. He’d proven that already.

  However, he didn’t think he’d gone so far as to kill this thing between him and Seg. It was clear he’d pushed too far, not giving Seg a chance. That was on him. And tonight he intended to lay it all out for Seg. Tell him how he felt and just what Seg meant to him. He’d spent hours thinking about how he would deliver that message, but he’d never come up with the perfect plan, so he intended to wing it.

  Along with thinking about Seg these past few days, Roan had also had to deal with his father. They’d talked, but not at length. His father had invited him and Liam to dinner tomorrow night. Roan had tentatively accepted but had every intention of inviting Seg to go with him. That would likely shock the shit out of his old man, but it was the way it was going to be.

  If all went well tonight, Roan would be moving on to the rest of his life.

  He only prayed Seg was on board for that wild ride.

  Forty-five minutes later, Roan pulled up to Seg’s house. It took him a few minutes to get the nerve to get out of his truck, but he finally got some starch in his legs and managed to make it to the front door.

  He knocked.

  There was no sound from the other side. He prayed that meant Seg wasn’t home and not that he was ignoring him. There was no way Roan could accomplish his goal if Seg didn’t give him a few minutes at least.

  Still, he stood there, staring at the door, willing it to open.

  “Come on, Seg,” he whispered.

  A tap on his shoulder had Roan spinning around so fast he nearly toppled them both off the front porch.

  “Damn it,” Roan grumbled. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  With his hands securing Roan’s upper body, Seg glanced over his shoulder to where he’d parked his Range Rover. “I thought for sure you heard me.”

  Roan shook his head. “No. I was too busy pleading with a higher power to open the door.”

  Seg grinned and the move caught Roan’s breath. He hadn’t seen Seg smile like that in a while.

  “Would you like me to unlock the door?” Seg asked.

  It took a second to process Seg’s words, but when he did, he grinned shyly and stepped out of the way. Seg got the door open, then allowed Roan to precede him into the house. Once inside, Roan peered around while Seg disengaged the alarm. It looked the same as it did every other time he’d been there.

  “Can I get you something to drink? Beer?”

  Roan turned to face Seg, the memory of the first night he was there coming back in a dizzying rush.

  “I don’t want anything to drink,” he stated, his eyes raking over Seg’s handsome face.

  Living without this man wasn’t an option. When he wasn’t with him, he wanted to be. And when he was with him, Roan never wanted to be anywhere else.

  FROM THE SECOND SEG SAW Roan standing on his front porch, his heart had relocated to his throat. And now, as they stood in his foyer, he found that breathing was becoming difficult.

  He hadn’t expected this, but he’d secretly prayed for it.

  Now that he had Roan inside his house, he was at a loss for words. He had so many things he wanted to say, but Seg knew now was not the time to share his thoughts. He’d forged through the past few days, giving Roan the distance he’d asked for. It was Roan’s turn.

  However, he felt a familiar sense of déjà vu, Roan turning down the offered drink while standing right here in this very spot.

  “No drink? So, what do you want?” Seg waited patiently, trying to regulate his breathing.

  “You.”

  One word. That’s all Roan said, and Seg felt as though he’d shared a million of them.

  “I’ve been doing some thinking,” Roan continued. “And believe it or not, you plagued every single one of my thoughts.”

  “That’s a bad thing?”

  A small smile curled the corners of Roan’s lips. “No. Not unexpected either.”

  Good to know.

  “How’s Liam?”

  Roan’s smile grew wider. “He’s good. He’s with Cam and Gannon tonight.”

  “All night?”

  Roan nodded.

  Seg still didn’t move. He couldn’t. Roan was here to make a point. Seg needed him to get on with it or he risked losing every ounce of his patience in the next few seconds.

  “I didn’t know if you’d be home or not, but I came prepared to sit outside all night if I had to.”

  “I’m home.”

  “You are.” Roan took a step closer. “And I don’t want to sit outside.”

  “No?”

  Roan shook his head. “I want to spend the night with you.”

  “I’m sure that can be arranged.”

  Roan reached up, cupping the side of Seg’s neck. The warmth of his touch had Seg’s heart kicking in his chest. Still, he managed not to move.

  Roan’s thumb grazed his jaw. “I love you.”

  It was a wonder that Seg’s knees didn’t give out. Somehow he found the strength to stand right where he was, watching this man, waiting.

  Roan didn’t speak.

  “I’m running out of patience, Roan,” Seg warned, encouraging him to continue.

  “I need to say more?” he teased.

  “Well, we could move on to the naked portion of our evening, but that might take some time. So, if there’s something on your mind…”

  Roan grinned, closing the distance between them completely as he backed Seg against the door. “I want to spend the night.”

  “You mentioned that.”

  “Tonight.” Roan pressed his lips to Seg’s.

  “That’s probably a given,” Seg mumbled, Roan’s intoxicating scent going straight to his head.

  “And every night.”

  Seg pulled back slightly, studying Roan’s eyes, trying to find the hidden meaning.

  Roan’s nod was nearly imperceptible.

  But Seg got it.

  Damn, did he.

  That did it. Seg’s thin grip on his self-control snapped, and he flipped their positions, shoving Roan against the door, crushing their lips together. When Roan’s hands gripped him roughly, jerking him closer, his fingers digging into his back, Seg groaned.

  This was pure heaven. He was right where he wanted to be. Now and forever. Secretly, he’d wondered if he’d seen the last of Roan. Finding the man waiting for him… Seg’s world had been righted.

  He tore at Roan’s clothes in his haste to get the man naked. He needed to feel him, to hold him, to touch, taste. He needed Roan more than he needed the life-giving oxygen that flooded his lungs.

  And he couldn’t wait long enough to get to the bedroom.

  “You don’t have anything to say to that?” Roan said against Seg’s lips.

  “Oh, I’m saying it all right. Just without words.”

  “Got it.” Roan’s mouth slid to Seg’s neck. “Maybe we should move this to the bedroom.”

  “Don’t want to wait.”

  “Gonna need some stuff in your nightstand,” Roan muttered.

  Right.

  Turning, Seg grabbed Roan’s hand and jerked him toward his bedroom. Roan stumbled along behind him, laughing. It made Seg’s heart swell, his body lighter than he’d been in months.

  When they reached his bed, Seg fully intended to take control, but Roan clearly had other ideas. Seg wound up on his back, Roan straddling his hips, their jeans still on.

  “I need to taste you,” Roan informed him. “All of you.”

  Seg nodded. Like he was going to say no?

>   Roan grinned, then backed his way off the bed. Within seconds, Seg discarded his shoes, then his jeans, socks following close behind. He propped his hands behind his head, watching as Roan stripped down to beautiful bare skin.

  Lube and condoms appeared beside them, but Seg was so caught up in the way Roan’s mouth engulfed his dick that he hardly noticed. A desperate groan escaped him as he grabbed for Roan’s hair, pulling him onto his cock.

  “Fuck,” he hissed. “So damn good, Roan. Your mouth…”

  Seg’s head fell back, his body tense as the pleasure consumed him from his scalp to his toes.

  When Roan’s mouth descended lower, drawing Seg’s balls into his mouth, his abs contracted painfully.

  “If you’re not careful, I’m going to come from your mouth alone.”

  Roan chuckled, but he didn’t stop the sensual assault. In fact, he took it a step further, pushing Seg’s legs up and back, his knees close to his chest.

  “Son of a…” Seg growled when Roan’s tongue pierced his anus.

  He’d never in his life felt anything as good as that. He had no idea why it felt so fucking good, but shit… Seg was lost, his body floating on the sensations ripping through him.

  Roan’s tongue was replaced by one finger, then another.

  “Want more,” Seg panted. “Need more.” He lifted his head to make eye contact with Roan. When those golden eyes met his, he added, “Now.”

  “Turn over,” Roan insisted, reaching for the lube and condoms.

  Seg twisted his body, turning over onto his stomach.

  “On your knees,” Roan instructed.

  Seg did as he was told.

  A minute later, Roan pushed inside him. The initial pain quickly dissipated, long forgotten when Roan’s hands curled over Seg’s shoulders, pulling him back as he slammed into him.

  “I need you, Colton,” Roan said on a tortured groan.

  “You have me.”

  “All of you,” he added, pumping his hips, filling Seg completely.

  Roan jerked him backward, his hips slamming into him. Seconds turned to minutes as the pleasure stole his thoughts, his words. Seg gave himself over to Roan, allowing the man to fuck him hard. He could sense the need in Roan. This was different than any other time. For the first time, Seg realized he didn’t need sweet and gentle to feel all that Roan was feeling. He liked that he drove the man to lose control.