Hammer & Nails (10 page)

“Oh, hey, baby, can you see me now?” he drawls.

I sigh. “I’m sorry, Nolan.”

He scoffs and shakes his head.

“Can we get out of here?” I ask him.

He lifts an eyebrow in surprise. “What about Roman? I figured you’d be leaving with him.”

I frown. “No, Nolan. I want to leave with you.”

He watches me for a minute as if he’s trying to decide what to do. Finally, he pulls his wallet out of his back pocket, pulls out a hundred dollar bill, and places it on the bar. He shoves his wallet back in his pocket and motions for me to lead the way.

When we get outside, I hold my hand out. “Keys.”

Nolan looks at me like I’m crazy. “What? No.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Fuck,” he grunts and digs his car key out of his front pocket. He slaps them into my waiting hand.

“Thank you.”

He just hums in response.

We climb into his BMW and I start the car. I look over at him through the darkness of the car. “Want to stay at my place tonight?”

Nolan sends me a small smile. “Sure.”

The thirty-minute drive to my house is silent except for the sound of Nolan’s soft snoring. I’ve barely pulled out of the parking spot and he is out like a light. The whole way home, I debate with myself about whether or not to tell Nolan about Roman kissing me. I pull into my driveway and shut the car off. I turn slightly to look over at Nolan. I have to tell him. It will bug me to no end if I don’t. Mind made up, I pat Nolan’s thigh. He pulls in a deep breath as he rouses.

“We’re here,” I tell him.

His sleepy eyes blink at me through the darkness. “Where?”

I smirk. “My house.”

Nolan nods. “Oh, right.”

We get out of the car and I lock it. As we walk up to my front door, Nolan’s hand finds mine. I can’t help but smile. I was afraid that I might have messed things up between us tonight. I can’t believe I got so…blinded. It’s not every day a guy you’ve fantasized about for years actually flirts with you and shows interest in you. Especially someone like me, who usually gets seen as just one of the guys.

Nolan follows me inside. I turn on some lights as he shuts and locks the door. He looks around with a pleasantly surprised look on his face. “This is nice.”

“Thanks,” I say.

My house is small; it’s a two-bedroom ranch style, but most of it has been completely reno’d. I only have a few things left that I want to do. It’s just me, so I don’t need a huge space. And I’ve been taking my time with the renovations, working on it whenever I have some free time.

I go into the kitchen and grab a bottle of water out of the fridge. I bring it out into the living room to Nolan, who has gotten cozy on my favorite brown leather recliner. I hand him the water. He takes it and cracks it open. After taking a long swig, he looks up at me.

“Thank you,” he murmurs.

I nod then take a seat on the coffee table in front of him. “Nolan, I need to tell you something.”

Nolan’s brows furrow. He definitely doesn’t look as drunk now. “Okay?”

I take a deep breath and put on my big girl panties. If we are going to be together, then I want there to be no secrets between us. Only honesty. I’m not good at lying or hiding things from people I care about, even if I don’t know how the other person is going to react.

“Back at the bar…when I went to the bathroom, Roman was waiting for me when I came out. He proposed that we leave and then he kissed me.”

I hold my breath and wait for Nolan to respond.

~ Nolan ~

“Roman kissed you?” I ask, making sure that I heard her right.

I’m not as drunk as I was when we left the bar, but I’m still feeling the alcohol in my veins. I grip the arms of the chair as the fury over another man putting his mouth on my woman’s mouth builds.

“Yes,” she whispers.

I can see that she’s scared and nervous of my reaction. I take a minute to think about this. It’s not like she cheated because we’re not together, we’re just fucking. And yet, she felt like she had to tell me when she could have easily kept this to herself and not had to worry about how I would react. She also left with me, not him.

“Did you kiss him back?” I ask quietly because I just need to know.

Harley frowns. “Not exactly. I just kinda stood there until he tried to stick his tongue in my mouth then I pulled away.”

I white knuckle the arms of the chair. “Goddammit!” I shout and shoot to my feet, unable to hold it back. I pace away, one hand on my hip while I shove the other into my hair. That fucking asshole! Who the hell does he think he is? Does he think that every woman is going to just fall at his feet? When I turn back around to face her, I’m caught off guard by how upset she looks. She actually looks like she’s on the verge of tears. My anger diminishes slightly.

“Shit, I’m not mad at you, Harley. I’m just pissed off that some other guy had his hands and mouth all over you.”

“Why?” she asks quietly, her green eyes lifting to meet mine.

“What do you mean ‘why?’” I reply incredulously.

What the hell? Does she not know what she means to me? Obviously not.

“I mean exactly what I asked. Why does it piss you off that some other guy kissed me? You’re not my boyfriend. Why do you even care?”

I grit my teeth and advance on her. I grab her by her upper arms and yank her to her feet. Her beautiful green eyes widen and her delicious pink lips part as she gasps. I lower my face to hers so that our eyes are locked on each other’s and my lips brush hers when I speak.

“That changes right now. I care a lot about you, Harley. You’re mine and no one else can have you,” I rasp then fuse our mouths together.

Harley moans and grips the front of my shirt. She pulls me closer and I slip my arms around her as our kiss becomes more heated. We stumble our way over to the couch as we rip each other’s clothes off. We fall naked onto the couch with her under me. I quickly put on a condom then go back to kissing her. Harley cries out against my mouth as I bury myself deep inside of her. Her hands claw at my ass and thighs, trying to pull me deeper, but I don’t think it’s possible.

I drag my mouth down her neck and chest until I get to her breasts. Using one hand, I cup the soft flesh and push it up so that I can pull her nipple into my mouth while I pound into her, taking her hard and fast. Harley lets out a strangled cry and arches her back. Her hand finds my hair and she holds my head to her breast. After a minute, I move to her other nipple.

“Nolan!” she cries and it’s like fucking music to my ears.

She yanks my hair, forcing me to bring my face back up to hers.

“Fuck.” I gasp and capture her lips again.

Harley pushes at my shoulder, forcing me to push up onto one of my hands.

“What’s the matter?” I grunt.

“I need some space to get my hand down there.” She smirks.

I watch as she reaches between us to rub circles around her clit with her middle finger.

“Good god,” I say on a harsh breath. “That’s hot.”

She just moans, her eyes fluttering shut. I stare down at her, blown away by how fucking stunning she is. Her blonde hair fans out around her head like a halo, her face a mask of ecstasy. And she wants me. Not Roman Borovsky. Me.

Her free hand smacks against my pec. She digs her head back into the cushion of the couch and I can feel her start to convulse around me. Her short nails dig into my chest as she comes apart. I can’t hold back as her body squeezes me like a fist. I come right along with her. I drop my forehead to hers as we both ride out our orgasms. When we’re both spent, I collapse on top of her and tuck my face into her neck. Harley wraps her arms around me and sighs in contentment.

~
Nine
~

~ Harley ~

I wake the next morning in my bed with Nolan wrapped around me. After the round of fantastic sex on the couch, we moved into the bedroom for round two. That was also smoking hot. Nolan’s body is to die for. I wish he could stay naked all of the time. I wiggle out from under him so that I can run to the bathroom. I have to pee so badly!

I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth before I make my way back into my bedroom. I climb back into bed and snuggle under the covers. Nolan sighs and rolls onto his back. He rubs his eyes before blinking blearily over at me. I smile.

“Morning.”

He smiles. “Morning.”

“Sleep okay?”

“Like a rock,” he grunts and stretches.

He groans as his joints pop and crack. He rolls onto his side to face me. I run my fingers over his scruffy jaw. Nolan places his hand over mine, turns his face into my palm, and kisses it.

“So, I can call you my girlfriend now, right?” he murmurs.

I grin. “Yes.”

“Good.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you last night because we got kinda sidetracked, but Roman said some shit about you so I punched him in the balls.”

Nolan blinks at me in shock before busting out laughing. I think it’s the hardest I’ve ever heard him laugh. And of course, I can’t help but laugh along with him.

When his laughter begins to die down, he asks, “What did he say about me?”

“He asked what I was doing with you, and then he called you a pompous dick and daddy’s little bitch.” I wince.

Nolan hums and rolls onto his back. He stares up at the ceiling.

“That bothers you?” I ask softly.

“Not the pompous dick as much as daddy’s little bitch,” he replies gruffly.

“Why?”

He turns his head to look at me. “Because it’s true.”

I frown. “Nolan…”

“No, really, it is.”

“How so?”

“I’ve pretty much worked for my father since my mother died, doing little things in the office like copy papers and stuff, right up until I went to college. I got my degree in biology because I wanted to help find a cure for breast cancer but as soon as I graduated, my dad waved a shit ton of money in my face and said I could have it if I worked for him. So I took it and threw my dreams away for some cash.”

“That’s hardly fair. You were young and dumb and your dad should have supported what you wanted to do, not flashed a bunch of money to get you to work for him.”

“I wasn’t that young. I was 26 when I graduated. Old enough to make the right decision.”

“You do know that boys mature far less quickly than girls, right?” I snicker.

Nolan snorts and rolls his eyes at me. “Even so. Roman started with the team around the same time I did and found out about what my father offered me to work there. He didn’t care for me after that because I didn’t have to do anything to get my job. I didn’t have to work for it like he did. He trained his entire life to be the best hockey player so he could get into the NHL. And I didn’t do shit to get my job.”

“Do you like working for your dad?” I ask.

“Not really,” I grumble.

“So why not leave? Do what you went to college for?”

Nolan sighs. “I’d be taking a serious pay cut. I wouldn’t be able to afford my house or the renovations you’re doing. I’m kind of stuck now.”

I sigh and move closer to him. I lay my head on his chest and wrap my arm around his waist. “I’m sorry.”

Nolan’s hand starts stroking my hair. “No one’s fault but my own,” he murmurs.

“There has to be a way to get out from under your dad,” I say.

“If you can think of something, make sure you let me know,” he says and I can hear the smile in his voice. “Hey, I’m starting to organize the Bruisers yearly benefit for breast cancer. You want to be my date?”

I lift my head to look at him. “Uh, hell yeah!” I say excitedly.

Nolan smirks. “It’s a black tie event, you know.”

My excitement disappears. “What does that mean?” I ask, even though I have a pretty good idea.

“You have to wear a dress. Well, more like an evening gown,” he replies, fighting off a laugh.

My eyes bug out of my head. “Dude! The last time I wore a dress was at my third birthday party!”

Nolan laughs. “You already said yes, so you can’t back out now.”

“I don’t even know where to buy a dress, let alone an evening gown!” I squawk.

“I’ll take you shopping, don’t worry; we’ll find something that works for you.”

“So, I have to wear high heels, too?” I grimace.

“Yes.”

I thunk my forehead against his chest. “Oh god, I’m going to break my ankles! I’ve never walked in heels before!”

Nolan laughs. “Well, we’re going to have to get them soon then so you can practice.”

I groan. This is going to be a total nightmare.

~ Nolan ~

I walk into my office two hours late. I didn’t want to leave Harley, but I have stuff that needs to get done for the benefit. I have to find a venue, caterer, band, sponsors, etc. I told Harley we would go dress shopping this weekend. That should be fun. Her face was priceless when I told her that she was going to have to wear an evening gown. As soon as I sit down, my phone beeps and the speaker crackles to life.

“Nolan, my office, now,” my dad’s voice says.

“Yes, sir,” I answer.

I make my way down the hall to my dad’s office. I have a feeling this isn’t going to be a good meeting. Bypassing his receptionist, I knock on his open door and wait for him to motion me in.

“Shut the door, son,” he says, his tone hard.

I do as I’m told and shut the door. I then go and take a seat in the chair in front of his desk. His unhappy gaze meets mine over his bifocals.

“You didn’t come home last night,” he says.

“No, I didn’t,” I reply.

“Where were you?” he asks and I can see his temper flaring.

“I’m 33 years old, that’s hardly any of your business,” I murmur.

His top lip curls up in a sneer. “You were with that girl, weren’t you?”

“Again, none of your damn business,” I snap.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Listen, she and her obnoxious family are not welcome in my club box again, and I don’t think you should continue seeing her, either.”

“Well, it’s a good thing that it’s not your decision,” I snarl.

“You’re making a huge mistake,” my father says.

“No, I’m not. The only mistake that was made here was introducing her to you,” I growl and stand.

I start for the door. I hear my father push out of his chair but I don’t pay it any mind. The next thing I know, he’s grabbing my shoulder and spinning me around.

“I didn’t say you can leave,” he barks in my face.

I wrench away from his grasp.

“I’ve got stuff to do for the benefit; I don’t have time to listen to this bullshit.”

His eyes flash lividly. “I didn’t raise you this way. I raised you to respect me, and my opinion. I don’t care if you’re a grown man; this is my family that’s going to be disgraced, while you’re screwing that girl!”

“Her name is Harley!” I shout angrily at him. I’m so tired of him calling her “that girl.” “And what you should care about is the fact that your
only
son is head over heels in love with her! But you don’t because all you care about is your goddamn social status and how she’s not
fit
to be in your presence. How about how I feel, huh? I don’t give a shit about where she comes from or what kind of work she does, I just care about her! And if you love me like you’re supposed to, then it won’t matter to you who I fall in love with!”

My dad flinches as if I physically slapped him across the face. And holy shit, I just said that I loved Harley…twice. He backs up a couple of steps, his face stricken. I’m still so furious that I can’t even look at him anymore. I turn and leave his office, slamming the door shut behind me.

I shut myself in my office with a slam of my door. I go over to my desk and drop down into my chair, slumping back into my seat and closing my eyes. Dammit. I just realized yesterday that I was falling for her, but after last night and this morning, I guess I made the jump into full blown in love with her. And really, how can I not be? She makes me a better person. She’s sweet, funny, and caring. She’s honest and loyal. And she’s gorgeous. There is nothing about her that I don’t love.

~ Harley ~

I’m kinda nervous about going dress shopping with Nolan. I’m especially nervous about wearing heels. I’ve never had to or wanted to wear them before. And I still don’t. He takes me to a high-end boutique where every dress I pass is over a thousand dollars.

“Nolan, I really don’t feel comfortable with such an expensive dress. What if I rip it or spill a drink on it or something?”

“Babe, you’ll be fine. I promise,” he says with a reassuring smile.

“I just don’t want you paying for such an expensive dress when there’s a possibility that I might ruin it.” I sigh.

“Don’t worry about it,” Nolan murmurs and presses a kiss to my temple.

An associate comes over and Nolan talks with her for a moment about what we’re looking for. She pulls a bunch of dresses from the racks and has us follow her over to a dressing room. Nolan takes a seat on a chair outside of the door. The lady follows me into the dressing room and helps me into the first dress. It’s a gold strapless mermaid cut dress. I don’t like it one bit. I can’t friggin’ move! I go to show Nolan, fiddling with it the whole way. Nolan’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline.

“Whoa,” he breathes.

“No. This thing is so uncomfortable.”

“Okay. You still look amazing, though.”

I huff and head back into the dressing room. The next five dresses pretty much go the same way. The lady helping me says that she has something that I might like and leaves me alone for a couple of minutes. She comes back with a deep purple dress. She helps me into it and I stare at myself in the mirror. It has a deep plunging neckline that stops at a purple sequined sash that wraps around my waist just under my ribs. The dress has long matching purple sheer sleeves with a pretty lace design on them. The skirt falls straight down and has a high slit that goes more than halfway up my left thigh. It’s beautiful and I feel really sexy in it. I smile brightly at her through the mirror. She smiles knowingly.

I hold up the skirt as I walk out of the dressing room. Nolan’s eyes widen and his lips part. I blush.

“I…I’m…damn…” he stutters.

“Do you want to try on a pair of shoes with it?” the sales woman asks me.

“I’ve never worn heels before.” I wince at her.

She smiles softly. “It’s okay. I’ll find something that’s not too high.”

I nod. “Okay.”

She leaves Nolan and me alone. I glance shyly at him and find him still staring at me.

“Do you like this one?” I ask hesitantly.

He nods. “Yes, very much,” he rasps.

“Should I get it?”

“Definitely,” he says immediately.

I smile. “Okay, good, cause I like this one, too.”

“You look stunning, Harley,” he says sincerely.

“Thank you.”

The sales lady comes back with a pair of four inch silver strappy stilettos and holds them out for me.

“Are you insane?” I squawk incredulously.

Nolan laughs and takes them from her. “Sit down,” he says.

I sit down with a huff. Nolan kneels down in front of me and puts the shoes on my feet. I kinda feel like Cinderella. I clasp my hands together and use the best fair maiden voice that I can.

“Oh, look, my prince charming has come to sweep me off my feet,” I say with a girly little giggle afterwards.

Nolan rolls his eyes at me and fights off a smile.

“Alright, you’re strapped in. Let’s see how you do,” he says and gets to his feet.

“Oh god,” I groan.

Nolan takes my hand and helps me stand. I immediately stumble and yelp. Nolan catches me. He chuckles. I send him an evil glare, which has him biting his bottom lip.

“I’m going to break my ankles!” I whine.

“No you’re not, come on, just walk slowly,” Nolan encourages, holding both of my arms.

With Nolan’s help, I walk a few feet.

“I look like a fool!”

Nolan shakes his head. “You just need to practice. Maybe we’ll get you a cheap pair of lower ones to start with, and you can work your way up,” he says.

“This is ridiculous,” I huff.

“Listen, the benefit is six months away. You can so master this by then,” Nolan says.

I sigh heavily. “Alright.”

Nolan turns to the sales woman. “We’ll take them both, thank you."