Fall for Me (3 page)

“Shit, princess, you damn near killed me.” Nick chuckled. “You are a damn tiger under that innocent, schoolteacher exterior, aren’t you?”

Beth smiled, pleased that she could bring a playboy like Nick literally to his knees. Apparently, those self-help books were really paying off. What she lacked in experience she more than made up for in research.

Ruffling his hair one last time, Beth said, “Help me down, Romeo. I have a bag of bagels wedged under my head.”

Beth almost groaned as Nick slowly slid out of her, causing a delicious friction every inch of the way. One look into his face and she knew it was intentional. “You’re a bad boy, Nick, you really are.” When she finally had her feet on the floor, she deliberately stretched her body like a cat, working out all of the kinks that sex on the hard counter had caused. She noticed on the last stretch that she had Nick’s full attention visually and physically.

As he reached for her, she sidestepped his arms and started to gather her clothes. When she looked up at him, he had a puzzled expression on his handsome face. No doubt, he was used to women hanging all over him postcoital. She patted one of his firm butt cheeks on the way out the kitchen door and smiled to herself at the stunned expression on his face.

* * *

The sound of Suzy gagging beside her brought Beth back to the present. Suzy took a huge gulp of wine and groaned. “My god, Beth, I told you I didn’t need all of the details. How am I supposed to look Quick-Zipper in the eyes again knowing what he did to you on
my
counter?”

Beth laughed as she said, “I believe the better question here, sis, is how will you look him in the eyes knowing what I did to him on your counter? Every time we have sex, he seems to expect something more. Why can’t he just accept that I want to have sex with him without being his girlfriend?”

“Well, I don’t know; maybe because you are pregnant with his child?” Suzy snapped.

Beth waved her off. “No, that’s not it. He doesn’t know about that yet. It’s not a game changer anyway. I still don’t plan to get involved with him. Nick is a player and that might make him really, really,
really
great in bed, but it doesn’t make him a good father figure. He can be involved, but I will be the parent to my child.”

Suzy looked at her as if stunned. “Just who in the hell are you, Beth? You know I’m far from a prude, but I have to say I hardly recognize you. It’s not that I’m putting down your choices, because I’m the last person who should throw stones, but you just seem so different from the person I always thought you to be. It’s blowing my damn mind into a million pieces. I’m horrified and strangely proud of you all at the same time. Nick really didn’t take advantage of you, did he?”

With a smile of supreme satisfaction, Beth said, “Nope, he had very little say in the matter. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t sleep around. You know I haven’t slept with many guys. And Nick is the first man I have had sex with in years.” Then, almost embarrassed to admit it, she continued, “I wanted him though, sis, and for once I didn’t let the fat me talk me out of it. I know we are nothing alike and it’s not going to go anywhere. I won’t let him break my heart, but I’m enjoying the ride.”

“Shit on a stick, Beth! Helllloooo! This just went from sowing some delayed wild oats to a serious, life-altering complication. You do realize that your life has changed forever, don’t you?” Suzy asked more gently.

Smiling, Beth said, “Yeah, I do and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve always wanted to have a family and finally I get what I want. It might not be the fairy-tale version, but it’s closer than I ever imagined.”

“Can I ask you something else? Why are you talking about Nick as if you already know he won’t be sticking around? Are you sure he doesn’t know?”

“Nope, he is totally clueless.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” Suzy groaned, “but you should give the guy a chance to do the right thing. I know he has probably given more rides than Greyhound, but deep down he seems like a good guy.”

After all of these years, Suzy never failed to surprise her with some of the things that came out of her mouth. Comparing Nick to the Greyhound bus line? She idly wondered how Suzy would react to knowing that even though she hadn’t slept with many men, she had been on a bit of a dating marathon the last few months. Somehow, she didn’t think Suzy was ready to deal with any more information tonight. Her bottle of wine was long since empty and her sister still looked shell-shocked.

But after another moment of deep thought, Suzy said, “So this has been going on for a while. How in the world have you managed to keep it hidden?”

Beth laughed. “It’s been rather easy. No one suspects the fat girl of screwing the hot guy’s brains out. I could have been doing him in the office when you walked in and your mind would have come up with some other way to justify it. I’m just not hot-guy material.”

“Damn it, Beth, you are not a fat girl! Why must you continue to harp on that? The only reason I wouldn’t have suspected you two of sleeping with each other is because you and Nick are always arguing. Ugh, now I know that’s just foreplay. You’re a beautiful woman, and I have no doubt that Nick had a boner every time you walked past.”

Chuckling, Beth said, “Wow, when did you become such a romantic? Settling down with Gray has done wonders for you. I can only imagine how you sweet talk him.”

With a feline smile, Suzy said, “Trust me, Gray has no complaints about anything concerning my mouth.”

“Oh, gross! Please don’t go there; leave me with some of my ignorance.”

“What are you bitching about? I’m the one who is going to have to tear the damned counters out of my kitchen because I’ll never be able to use them again without wondering if your butt cheek was on that section.”

“Touché, sis. You’ve got me there,” Beth agreed.

“When do you plan to tell Nick about the baby?”

“Well, obviously before it’s born.” When Suzy elbowed her, Beth sighed. “Probably tonight. He’s supposed to come over this evening, so after we, um, well you know, then I’ll see if I have the energy to tell him.”

Luckily, she was saved from Suzy’s comment when Gray walked hesitantly into the room. He looked as if he was prepared to dive for cover at any moment.

Beth took pity on him. “It’s okay, Gray. I’m getting ready to leave.” She took advantage of the distraction that Gray offered and quickly grabbed her purse. She gave Suzy a fast hug and smiled at Gray as he insisted on walking her to her car.

He reached for her door handle, but instead of opening it, he turned to look at her. “Beth, are you okay?” he asked quietly.

She was touched to see the look of concern in his eyes. Suzy had hit the jackpot when she met Gray, and a part of Beth couldn’t help but feel a little envious. She might be sleeping with a Merimon brother, but he was as different as night from day from Gray. Smiling reassuringly at him, she said, “I’m fine, Gray, really I am. I hope Suzy doesn’t give you a hard time about Nick. He isn’t the bad guy in all of this. If anyone is, it’s me.”

Beth could see that she had surprised Gray yet again. He gave her a shrewd look and said, “Be careful, Beth. Whether you mean to or not, you’re giving my brother something that he won’t be able to resist: a challenge. I doubt he has ever had a woman walk away.”

“I don’t know what you mean. Both Nick and I know where things stand between us. I bet he’s blowing the dust off his little black book as we speak.”

With a tired sigh, Gray said, “All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He leaned over to kiss her cheek and then opened the door for her. “Be careful driving home and, um, tell my brother I said hello.”

Chapter Three

Suzy laid her head back on the couch, trying to come to terms with everything she’d learned from her conversation with Beth. Apparently, the quiet ones were always hiding something. She almost felt sorry for Nick. She was fairly certain that her sister had seduced him right out of his pants. This whole thing might be kind of funny if not for the baby.

She opened her eyes to see Gray standing in front of her, visibly braced for her assault. She held her hand out to him, suddenly more thankful than ever to have such a wonderful man in her life. He took her hand and settled in beside her. She laid her head against his chest and snuggled back into his arms.

“What’s going on, baby?” Gray asked quietly.

With a sigh, Suzy said, “Beth’s pregnant and Nick’s the father.”

She felt Gray stiffen against her. This was all hitting too close to home for them. Just months ago, their relationship had almost been destroyed by a woman from Gray’s past claiming to be pregnant with his child. If not for Reva’s sudden attack of conscience, they may well have lost each other. She knew that it was a hard blow to Gray, but she also knew that he would support his brother and Beth no matter what.

“Ah, shit. Does my brother know?”

“No, I think she’s going to tell him tonight. God, Gray, how could I have been so blind? I never suspected anything was going on between them. I was so desperate for them to stop arguing that I even pushed them together at every turn. I might as well have bought them a set of handcuffs and some Cool Whip. I practically made this happen.”

With a chuckle Gray said, “Well, I don’t know about the handcuffs, but a box of condoms might have come in handy.”

Suzy smacked his chest, but couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her lips. “Well, if I had thought my sister was getting busy with someone, you bet I would have covered that base. It wasn’t Nick, though. Apparently, he tried to be good for once. I never thought I’d be saying this but supposedly my sister seduced your brother. The only person who can drop Nick’s zipper faster than him seems to be Beth.”

“Wow,” Gray murmured. “I just never imagined Beth . . . I mean, um . . . wow.”

Groaning, Suzy said, “Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I don’t even know how to process this. Things were much easier when I thought my sister was the innocent little wallflower seduced by your gigolo brother. At least then I would have a clear course of action. Kick his ass and then help her pick up the pieces. Now I’m in the uncomfortable position of feeling like I need to protect Nick from my cougar sister.”

Gray gave her shoulders a squeeze and laughed. “Trust me, baby, my brother has never been innocent a day in his life, so don’t make him the saint here. He might have been swayed the first time, but unless Beth had him chained up somewhere, he’s been sleeping with her all this time of his own free will.”

Suzy turned and wrapped herself around Gray. When his lips settled onto hers, she felt the world slip away, as it always did whenever he touched her.

* * *

Beth smiled as she pulled into her parking space in front of her apartment and saw Nick’s Audi in her other space. For weeks he had been driving a minivan that he had rented while his car was in the shop. The van really had come in handy while Suzy was on crutches with a broken ankle. The three of them had gotten rather attached to it and, even though he wouldn’t admit it, she thought Nick had been a little sad to see it go as well. The Audi R8 definitely suited him more though—a two-door sports car that he adored. Beth had to admit, she felt a bit like a bad girl when she rode in it. It might not be sensible, but man was it sexy.

As she stepped in front of her door on the second floor, it suddenly flung open. “God, Beth, where have you been? You got off work hours ago. I called you several times and no answer. I was afraid something had happened to you.”

Beth was surprised to see Nick visibly disheveled. “Um, sorry, you knew I was meeting Suzy for a drink after work.”

“That was hours ago. Where the hell did you go for a drink, Atlanta? I called you, Suzy, and Gray. Have you all stopped answering your damn phones?”

Good grief, what had gotten into him? Sure, she was a little later than usual, but she hadn’t thought he would notice, much less be upset about it. Walking over to him, she went up on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt the familiar desire start to hum through her body as she looked at his handsome features. Nick Merimon was every woman’s wet dream. He made her heart pound and her body go slick with need in an instant. He turned her into a wanton, intent only on having his body any way she could.

With Nick, she could pretend that she was someone else. There was freedom with him because he never knew “fat Beth.” She didn’t think she could ever be comfortable dating—much less sleeping with—anyone who knew her when she was heavier. In her mind, they would be turned off by who she used to be. She felt like someone other than that plain, overweight girl she’d always been when she was with Nick. In his eyes, she was pretty and sexy and that is exactly how she felt with him.

Beth had come to the realization a while back that in order to find someone to spend her life with, she would have to date outside her circle and, boy, had she been. Things had gotten complicated when she became involved with Nick and suddenly her two worlds were colliding.

The feel of Nick’s warm mouth against the side of her neck had her nipples suddenly standing at attention. God, did that man know how to use his tongue. Outside the impressive package between his legs, that had become her favorite part of him.
When did I turn into such a guy? Shouldn’t I be concerned about his feelings or love him for his mind or at least his sense of humor? Instead, I just lust after his body. I’m a T and A girl now. Well, tongue and ass that is.

Between nips to her lower lip, Nick growled, “I missed you today, princess.”

Beth smiled at him. She knew this was a part of his whole seduction routine. If she ever let herself believe that she was special to him, then she was finished. Nick was an all-around good guy and he really loved women. He not only wanted you to feel special while making love, he wanted you to feel special before and after. It was probably why women seemed to love him even when he was showing them the door. It was one of the things she respected about him. He would go a mile out of his way to keep from hurting someone’s feelings, especially a woman’s feelings.

He slid his hands from her waist to the bottom of her dress, bunching it up in his hands. Pulling it up her body, he moaned low in his throat when he brushed his hand against her bare bottom. “The thong was the single best invention of this century. I hope you aren’t attached to this, princess.”

Before she could answer, Nick snapped the fragile lace on one side and let it slide down her legs. When it reached her ankles, she kicked it off. Without releasing her, he quickly lowered the shorts he was wearing and kicked them away. He lifted her off her feet and she automatically wrapped her legs around his waist. He backed her up against the wall and her breath left her lungs on a whoosh as he impaled her on his cock.

Beth’s neck arched back as she moaned in pleasure. He held her hips, setting a relentless pace as his body pumped into hers. Her body recognized his from the first stroke. The emptiness she felt when they were apart was only ever truly filled when his body was joined with hers. She tried hard not to think about what would happen when he was no longer there to take that ache away.

Sweat rolled from their bodies and Nick continued to claim every inch of her. His tongue licked her neck and then took possession of her mouth. She moaned at the taste of him. She could spend hours a day twirling her tongue with his. As her body started to tighten, she ground her hips against his, desperate for a release from the tension that threatened to split her apart.

As if sensing that she was close to the edge, Nick started swiveling his hips causing his cock to rub against her clit. The sensation was exquisite as pleasure radiated out from the sensitive nub. With another hard thrust, Beth exploded. The tremors shaking her body sent Nick to his own orgasm and, with a shout, he emptied himself inside her.

Still joined with her, he staggered to a chair. She collapsed against his chest, too tired to move. Sitting in the chair with her legs still wrapped around Nick and his cock still nestled inside her was one of the most intimate moments of her life. She felt his lips brush against her forehead as one last shudder shook his body.

“I guess you’re forgiven for being late, princess. Wall sex is gonna make me forgive and forget most every time.”

Beth chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Ugh, I need a shower, but I don’t have the energy to get there.”

“Just hold on, baby, I’ll get us there.”

Beth sighed with regret as he gently pulled out of her and then tried to protest as he lifted her and walked through the bedroom to the bathroom. She was flattered to see that he didn’t look winded by the trip.

The shower was a quick affair. Both of them were too tired to attempt anything other than washing. They were already snuggled under the bedcover when she remembered that she had decided to tell him her news tonight. With a yawn, she decided it could wait until tomorrow and she drifted off.

* * *

Something woke Beth from a sound sleep. She lay there for a moment, disoriented until a crushing wave of sickness rolled over her. Pressing a hand to her mouth, she stumbled from the bed, almost sprinting to the bathroom. She barely got the lid up on the toilet before she emptied her stomach of its contents. As she sat on the floor wondering if there was going to be another round, she heard Nick knock on the door.

“Princess, are you okay?”

Before she could answer, round two was well on its way and she was again hanging over the toilet, even though there appeared to be nothing left. She felt Nick’s hand on her back and then he was pulling her hair back from the line of fire. After a few moments, she was down to nothing but dry heaves so she dropped to the floor and sat back against the bathroom cabinet. Nick grabbed a cloth and wet it under the faucet before gently cleaning her face. She felt the strange urge to start crying when she looked into his concern-filled eyes.

“Honey, are you all right?”

Beth nodded, too weak to say the words. Nick finished cleaning her up and then left the room. He came back a few moments later with a fresh gown and, without saying a word, he pulled her to her feet and used one arm to support her while using the other to strip the now soiled gown off and put the clean one on. He helped her brush her teeth and rinse her mouth and then he leaned down and hooked his arms under her knees, lifting her in his arms. Had she not been so weak she would have been horrified at him carrying her, but now she was just grateful for the help.

He had pulled the covers back on her side and now he sat her down and grabbed some extra pillows to prop up her head. When he had her tucked in to his satisfaction, he sat down beside her and gently brushed her hair out of her face. “Better now?” he asked.

“Oh, yes, thank you, Nick,” she rasped out.

“What happened, princess? Was it something you ate last night?”

Damn, the stupid tears were back in her eyes. What was wrong with her tonight? Had throwing up always made her an emotional wreck?
Tell him, just get it over with.
Beth opened her mouth to do just that and found no sound coming out at all. No matter how hard she tried, the words would not come.
Chickenshit, you have to tell him.

Nick gave her a sweet kiss on the forehead and went to get her a bottle of water. Her eyes were getting heavier by the moment, and when he returned, she was already asleep.