Poke Checking

by Kristen Echo

  “You mean cluster-fuck. Say it. You’ll feel better.”

  Caroline lifted her face and smiled. “I try not to swear because my little sister is a sponge. I’m pretty sure nothing will make me feel better, unless Nico somehow finds it in his heart to hear me out. Guess there’s fat chance of that happening; he’s gone. Thank you for your hospitality. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

  “Thanks for coming. I honestly don’t think highly of hockey players. Theo had to really convince me to give him a chance. But there are good ones out there. Okay, maybe not Joe, and I’m on the fence about Martin, but Nico seems great. If you like him, then fight for him and your chance. If Theo hadn’t fought for a chance, I wouldn’t be so deliriously happy.” She walked Caroline to the door. “Good luck. I hope to see you again.”

  Carly reached into the closet and handed Caroline her coat. Nico’s jacket was gone.

  He wasn’t coming back. Caroline’s heart broke apart, but she gave her new friend a hug and held it together as they said goodbye. As she stepped into the hall, she let the tears fall. Her vision blurred, but there was no mistaking the gargantuan shadow against the wall. Nico hadn’t left.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  N ico leaned his head against the wall and stared at the ceiling. Caroline’s pulse raced as she wiped away the tears and closed the distance between them.

  “You didn’t leave. I thought maybe… doesn’t matter; you’re here.” She reached out to touch his arm, but he stepped away. Silence descended, and she wasn’t sure what to say to make things right. He glanced at her quickly, and then looked away. The fire in his eyes diminished and part of her thought she might already have lost him.

  “I’m not sure why I’m still here except that it felt wrong to leave you with strangers and with no way home. I might not be the greatest guy, but I’m not that big of an asshole.”

  “You’re an amazing man. I—”

  “Don’t! You’ve been lying for weeks. At this point, I’m not sure I trust a single word out of your mouth. I don’t even know who you are. Let me take you home and then we can go our separate ways.” He pressed the elevator call button and turned his back to her.

  A sob escaped. “Just like that; you’d walk away without allowing me a chance to explain. I thought we were closer than that?” She gave him a minute to say something, but he remained silent. “Figures,” she huffed.

  The moment life got difficult people turned their back on her. First her mother left without a word, choosing to end her life rather than get help. Her father escaped in his work, coping the only way he knew how. Then every single one of her boyfriend’s left her in the dust for various reasons. She wanted so badly to meet someone solid enough to stick by her. Nico wasn’t any different from the rest of them.

  “What the fuck does that mean. You lied to me!” His tone bordered on yelling as he turned to face her. “Not only did you give me a fake name, but you also put my career in jeopardy.” The pain etched in the creases of his forehead gave her the impression he cared. Maybe his feelings ran as deep too, but he was willing to leave it all behind. She wouldn’t give him up without a fight.

  “Your job was never in danger and I didn’t lie about my name. I don’t work with my father. My full name is Caroline Celine Masters Northcote. I’ve used Masters as my stage name since I started singing because I want my success to be my own. For whatever reason, my last name brings me nothing but problems in relationships; case in point. I planned to tell you all of this tonight.”

  “Convenient,” he scoffed. He shifted his weight as if the elevator was taking forever, and he couldn’t wait to get away from her.

  She got right in his face. “The hell it is.” She jabbed her finger at his chest. “I didn’t deliberately set out to deceive you. I had no idea who you were when we met. Your name wasn’t relevant, only the connection we shared. The truth is I didn’t find out until after I began falling in love with you.” Her chest heaved, trying to keep up with her racing heart. The words stumbled out and she couldn’t take them back.

  His eyes flared and some of the fire, she’d grown used to seeing returned. “Stop talking.”

  This was her only chance to convince him she was worth the risk. Caroline deserved a man who’d fight for her. She thought of him as her knight in black leather, and it was time for him to step up. Her hands shook as she mustered the courage to put herself out there. “The moment we kissed, I felt something growing between us. If you’re looking for an excuse to hate me or to run, then here it is; but I wish you wouldn’t. I took a chance that first night and let you take me back to your room. You promised you wouldn’t hurt me. I trusted you then and now. The last few weeks have been the best of my life. My name changes nothing. I’m still the same woman who makes you laugh as much as I make you hard.”

  “Caroline.” He closed his eyes.

  “No, let me finish. I’m sorry you found out this way that my father owns your team. But I am who I am and nothing will ever change that. You need to listen to my apology and decide if I’m the woman you want.” Her voice trembled as she continued, rushing to beat the elevator. “I’m not your boss, and I’m not a liar. Every single thing I’ve told you about my life and my feelings are true. My last name shouldn’t change anything. The moments we’ve shared were real. I don’t care about hockey, but I care about you. It’s more than that. I’m in love with you.”

  The elevator chimed and panic set in, sending her stomach in a tailspin. The doors opened, and she had no idea what he would do. Her eyes widened as he gripped her coat and pulled her into the small space. “I’m sorry. Nico, please,” she begged for another chance.

  His lips crashed onto hers in a kiss that took her completely off guard. She opened to him and he took advantage, slipping his tongue into her mouth. He consumed her. Caroline’s hands worked their way inside his jacket and felt the quickened beat of his heart. It matched hers.

  She lost track of how long they kissed, but soon it became apparent they weren’t moving. Caroline hugged him tight, the unmistakable length of his erection poking into her belly. “Does this mean you forgive me?” Her fingers moved down the hard planes of his stomach and over the swell in his jeans.

  He growled as she gripped him through his pants. “Less talking and more kissing.” He leaned down and sucked her lip into his mouth. Her body melted into him and the kiss became more passionate than the last. She took that as a yes, but she needed to hear him say it.

  The zipper slid down with ease and her hand slipped inside his briefs. He was so hot and hard. “I live in this building. Do you want to come over?”

  “Another surprise,” he said as she gripped his shaft. She worked him slowly, enjoying the smooth flesh in her hand. “Yes, let’s go to your place,” he hissed as she rubbed her thumb over the tip.

  Caroline reached her free hand over and pressed the tenth floor. Theo’s place was only five floors above, so they wouldn’t have far to go. “Tell me we’re okay. I want to hear the words before we have crazy monkey make-up sex.”

  Nico gripped the back of her head and pressed their foreheads together. “We… you and me; we’re going to find a way to make this work. I—”

  The broken pieces of her heart mended at the mention of we. She kissed him and swallowed his words. She let them sink in and soothe her soul. Those words had the healing power she desperately craved. He wasn’t running, and neither was she.

  The doors opened on her floor and she pulled him by his cock into her condo. The second the door closed, she dropped to her knees and took him inside her mouth.

  “Fuck!” His hands dug into her hair as he thrust deep down her throat, forcing her gag reflex to adjust.

  There was no way she could take him all, but she swallowed as much as she could handle. Nico fucked her mouth with abandon. Her lips wrapped around him and she savored him. Every groan and curse spurred her to suck harder. Caroline used her hands to work the base of his cock and fondle his tightening balls.

>   “If you keep that up I will come.” Nico pumped his hips as he spoke. “That feels too good. It’s been a week since I’ve felt your heat.”

  Her tongue licked along the underside of his dick, reveling in the taste of him. Caroline had no intention of stopping until he lost control. She didn’t stop licking and sucking as his face scrunched, fighting to prolong his release. He hit the back of her throat a few more times before he stilled. Her eyes remained fixed on him as he let go. So hot. There was so much come she couldn’t swallow it all. It dripped down her chin as he spurted more creamy goodness into her mouth. She loved watching him come.

  That was an activity she could do again and again. But first she needed him naked and then inside her. Caroline sucked the last of his climax and Nico barely softened. She smiled, satisfied with herself.

  “There’s… angel. That… damn.” His baby blues locked onto her as his words failed him.

  Caroline giggled, and she gripped his pants. The jeans hit the floor. “Prove to me we’re okay. Show me you still want me and that you’re not about to disappear.”

  He rubbed his release along her lips, coating her mouth. “You’re a vision. It’s not possible for me to want you any more than I do. It scares me how badly I want you. I’ve been dreaming about your tight little cunt all week. I will not be gentle.”

  Her nipples hardened. “I don’t want you to be. I just want you. Nothing between us.”

  He kicked off his shoes and stepped out of his jeans. They had so much to talk about; so many issues to resolve, but those discussions would have to wait. She didn’t think great sex would change their stars and take away the risks involved with them being together. But if he wasn’t inside her soon, she might explode. Still on her knees, she shrugged out of her coat and removed her blouse over her head.

  “Get up and take me to your bed. I would fuck you against that wall right this second, but we’re going to be at this for a while. You know I can’t get enough of your sultry voice, but unless you’re screaming my name, I don’t want to hear it. Save your words for later when we’ll talk about all the surprises you’ve laid on me.” His smirk ignited a reaction unlike anything she understood. Her body was on fire as she trembled with desire.

  Her room wasn’t ready for company. The bed had not been made and her discarded outfit choices lay scattered across the emerald green bedspread. Caroline’s cheeks blushed as Nico took in her space. None of those things mattered as he pushed the blankets off the bed, tossing the contents to the floor. In the next breath she was on her back.

  They spent the next few hours not talking. She was sore in places she didn’t know could get sore. Never had she ever allowed a man to use her body the way he did, but everything he did was magic. They both climaxed more times than she could count. This was the first time she’d been with a man without a layer of latex separating them. She never wanted to use rubbers again. Ever. The feeling of his flesh connecting with hers was surreal. Skin to skin brought an entirely new sensation, and she loved it. He came inside her, on her stomach and her breasts like he staked his claim. She belonged to him and she trusted Nico. As much as that scared her, it gave her wings.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  C aroline was flying high with Nico crashed in her bed. His blond waves sprawled over her pillow was the sexiest sight on the planet. By all rights, she should have been sleeping too, but she didn’t want to miss a moment of their time together. The underlying sense of dread lingered. He had asked her to hold off on the tough conversation until later, but she wondered when that time would come. Every time she tried to start a dialog he’d silenced her with more sex. Not that she’d complain, the sex blew her mind, but she wanted them to be more than physical.

  She’d admitted that she loved him, and he said nothing. The expectation he would say it back wasn’t there. She wasn’t naïve enough to think he loved her yet, but she hoped they were heading in that direction. He introduced her to his friends, people he considered family, that had to mean something.

  The longer she stared at him, the more she needed to clear the air. Once they figured out where they were headed as a couple, they could tell her father together. There wouldn’t be any more secrets.

  “Nico… Mr. Man… hey!” She shook him, but he didn’t wake. “Nicolas Ivarsson wake up!” Still nothing. Caroline tucked his hair behind his ear, sucked the lobe into her mouth and he stirred.

  “Angel, you can’t be serious.” He twisted onto his back and she straddled his body, capturing his legs between her thighs.

  He got a quick kiss before she sat back on his legs. “We need to talk.”

  “Or…” Nico cupped her breasts in his hands.

  She covered his hands. “If you want more sex after, then I’m all for it, but first we talk. A lot of things came out tonight and I’m kinda freaking out. How do you feel about… everything?”

  “I wish you had trusted me earlier with your identity, but I get it. It’s the same reason I didn’t tell you who I was right away. I don’t like lies, so is there anything else you failed to mention?”

  Caroline stared into his eyes, ready to bare her soul. “No. I swear that’s the only thing I didn’t tell you. I never lied, but I omitted one tiny detail. Every story I shared about my family is true. Being a Northcote has ruined more than one relationship and I wanted to give us a chance. I’m sorry.”

  “Our names don’t define us, angel. You’re not the only one who’s been burned by being famous. That’s why I haven’t dated in fucking eons.”

  She snickered. “I questioned why you were single. But so far, I can’t find anything wrong with you. I figured you’re playing the field, but then you told me you wanted a monogamous relationship. Why now? Why me?”

  He looked away for a moment, lost in thought. “Because there’s a sorrow in your soul that matches mine. Because you kissed me and you had no idea I am Nicolas Ivarsson, the greatest defensemen in the NHL. I fucking loved that your attraction to me had nothing to do with hockey. I’m still coming to terms with a crazy fan. She… it’s in the past.” The hesitation spoke volumes.

  Whatever happened had changed him and she needed to know that story. “Will you tell me about her?”

  “Caroline, it’s a long story and one that doesn’t paint me in the best light.” He pulled his hands away and rested them behind his head.

  “I told you I loved you, earlier.” She swallowed hard. “My best friend says I fall too fast and too hard, but that’s who I am. You blew me away with a kiss and then again with your monster cock.” She laughed, but she was serious. “But I’m falling in love with your heart; the man inside the rugged exterior. When we went skating, the first time I fell on my butt and you did a pirouette, and then laughed so hard you fell right along with me. You took the attention away from my ungraceful tumble. That’s when it happened. Anyone willing to make a fool of themselves to make me smile would win my heart. It’s yours. What do we do about that?”

  “Caroline. I can’t say it back and I’m not sure I’m capable of saying it. You wear your heart on your sleeve and that’s beautiful and so fucking rare, but I’m messed up. I’ve been single for four years. You’re the first woman I’ve slept with—”

  She smacked his abs. “Are you saying you haven’t had sex in four years? Like forty-eight long months?” Her eyebrows reached the ceiling.

  “Oh, hell no. I’ve had plenty of sex. But once the sex is over, I haven’t stuck around. The night at the hotel was the first sleepover in years.”

  “That’s mighty slutty of you. What kind of girls have you been with that are okay with that arrangement? And before you say girls like me, I’ll remind you that your dick is inches from my capable and crushing grasp.”

  He moved his hands at lightning speed to cover hers. “Hockey fans. I get propositioned frequently and if I’m in the mood to let off steam, I take one of the puck bunnies up on their offer. It’s mutually agreed upon that it’s a few hours of fun. I don’t have it in me to off
er much more.”

  “But you said a fan turned you off of relationships. I’m confused. You’re the one who asked me to spend the day with you. You’ve been the one initiating things between us. Are you telling me it’s been a game?” Caroline tried to move off his legs, but he held her in place with his quick reflexes.

  “You’re different. Even your pickup line was unique.”

  She huffed. “I did not use a cheesy pickup line on you.”

  Nico sat up so they were face to face. “Something about going fast and having fun. No mention of hockey, riding my stick or scoring. I’ve heard them all, and you caught me at the right moment. I was pretty low after the game and needed a distraction.”

  Being referred to as a distraction wasn’t a good thing. “You looked like you wanted to be anywhere but there. Didn’t the team win that night? What could you possibly have been down about?”

  “Your dad’s foundation brings up a lot of memories for me with my sister. We talked about that already, and how she ended her own life to find peace. I support mental health awareness and treatment, but it reminds me how I wasn’t there for her. I have a hard time smiling when she can’t. You know. Anyway, besides that old wound, one of our goalies got injured that night because of me. I let an opponent get the better of me and Rick paid the price. Martin had to take over, and I played like shit. Sure, we won, but I can’t take any credit for the win.”

  “You’re really hard on yourself. How does all of this bring us back to you not thinking you can fall in love? That’s what’s confusing me the most. Things have been great with us. Is it actually me because I’d prefer the truth from here on out?”

  His lips pressed lightly to her forehead. “It’s not you. If anything, you’ve made me want to try again. But you need to know I might not say those words. As in ever.”