Pitch Perfect (12 page)

“Thank you.” He acknowledged her compliment without remembering that he was supposed to be a badass and keep her at arm’s length. Well, he thought with an inner grin, he had already blown that all to hell anyway. Mia had a way of throwing him off guard. Other than on the baseball field, no one had ever put any real trust or value in him before. He was much more used to getting reamed out than praised. In a short period of time Mia had made him feel more self-worth than he had experienced in a long time . . . meaning, well,
a lifetime
, and he didn’t even have to hit a ball or make a diving catch to get it. He liked the feeling. He liked it a lot. He liked
her
a lot.

“No thanks necessary,” she replied and then put a light hand on his arm. This time Cam didn’t shake her off, and he really wished that they weren’t about to be rescued. “What are you thinking? I can almost hear the wheels turning.”

“Honestly?”

“Well, yeah, honesty is preferable,” she replied with a hint of humor.

Cam hesitated and then sighed. Maybe it was the cloak of darkness or maybe because she somehow put him at ease, but he suddenly decided to come clean. “I grew up cleaning pools for rich assholes. And I totally fit the stereotype of the pool boy being hit on by lonely wives and spoiled daughters. I fell for a couple of the daughters, who ate me up and then spit me out. Believe me when I say that I’ve sworn off of them forever.”

“I don’t blame you.” She rubbed her hand up his arm. “I’m sorry that you were treated that way. I hate it when wealth and power are used to hurt or take advantage of others,” she said hotly.

“When I met you, I seriously thought you were one of them. I can usually spot one a mile away. Obviously, I was dead wrong.” He waited for her response, hoping that she would shed some light on her background.

“Oh, believe me. I totally understand. More than you know.”

“So you’ve had the same experience?”

“In a roundabout way,” she answered slowly, but then she fell silent once more. Cam wanted her to elaborate, but Owen returned and let them know that a tech was on the way and they would be rescued very soon.

“Well, that’s a relief,” Cam said, even though he wished he had more time with her.

“Yeah, it sure is,” she answered, but he suddenly felt some uneasiness in her demeanor that he couldn’t explain.

Cam could almost feel her withdrawal, and she actually stepped away. Disappointment washed over him, but he decided it was for the best. He had bigger things to worry about, but when thunder boomed and lightning flashed through the small opening, she gasped. Unable not to, Cam reached over and took her hand. “Hey, it’s going to be okay. We’ll be out of here soon.”

“I know.” She didn’t move closer but didn’t pull away either. “I just need to learn to stand on my own two feet and not be so scared. I’m so tired of being a wimp!”

“Really?” Cam gave her hand a squeeze. “Um, just a little while ago you were attempting to yank the ears off of a dude while hanging on to his back. That’s pretty out of character for a wimp, if you ask me.”

“I was scared! I just reacted.”

“Being scared but stepping up anyway is called being brave, Mia.”

“Sounds like you’ve been there.”

“A time or two, I guess.” Until her comment, Cam wouldn’t have considered himself to be brave. But how many times had he longed for a hand to hold and had to just gut it out?
Countless
whispered in his head. In the moment he gave a much deserved pat on the back to the lost little boy inside him who had pedaled to baseball practice in the rain, huddled in his bed in fear, and sucked up pain so he could play ball. He swallowed the hot wave of emotion that suddenly clogged his throat. That brave kid inside of him deserved to play major-league baseball! He just hoped he wouldn’t be kicked off the team, blowing his very last chance.

10

Show and Tell

T
O THE WORLD, NICOLINA DIAMANTE PRESENTED
herself as a confident, self-assured woman, but in reality she was a big bundle of insecurities. Thunderstorms were a perfect example. The pelting rain and howling wind scared her out of her wits. She liked to be in control, and storms made her feel small and powerless. But when she was raising Bella back in Chicago, booming thunder would always bring little Bella bolting into her mama’s bed to huddle beneath the covers. Nicolina would soothe and comfort her sweet child, never letting her own trembling fear show.

After an initial round of severe storms, rain now politely pelted the roof of her loft apartment. Tree branches tapped against the windows as if asking permission to come inside, away from the nasty weather. But within just a few minutes frequent lightning flashed like strobe lights, followed by the distant crackle of thunder. Ah, but while the weather intensified on this particular night, Nicolina snuggled in a warm cocoon beneath the soft down comforter on her big brass bed. She felt safe and secure wrapped in the strong arms of Mitchell Monroe. They had already made sweet, passionate love for more than an hour, and she was finally drifting off to sleep when a sudden sharp clap that sounded like a gunshot made her twitch.

“Sweetheart, it’s okay.” Mitch drew her even closer while murmuring more words of reassurance.

“I was simply startled.” To this day Nicolina hated to show any sign of weakness. Humble beginnings coupled with being a single mother in a big city caused Nicolina to keep her chin up and her backbone stiff, knowing firsthand that the weak were often preyed upon. She taught Bella to show some grit because getting ahead was the survival of the fittest.

“It’s perfectly okay to be afraid,” Mitch gently assured her.

“Really now?” Nicolina had never met a more self-assured, confident man. “What could you possibly be afraid of, Mitch?” Her tone was teasing, but when she felt him go still, Nicolina frowned while she waited for his response.

“You’d be surprised.”

“Try me,” she offered softly and then waited silently when he hesitated still. They had gotten to know each other so well and shared so much, but Nicolina sensed that there was a piece of him that he kept locked away. She longed to draw him out and peel back that layer, but another boom of thunder made her tremble, and he pulled her flush against his warm body.

“Oh, I fully intend to try you, Nicolina. Every sweet inch of you.”

“Please do,” she answered, drawing a low chuckle from him. He let her know early on that he preferred her earthy sensuality to coy pretense. Although she had issues with her curvy body, she made no bones about enjoying sex. But she didn’t push for an answer to her earlier question, knowing it was better to wait until he was ready to expose his fears. Surely he had them . . . everybody did.

“I know it sounds clichéd, but I can never get enough of you.” Firm, capable hands cupped her breasts, and when he nuzzled her neck with his warm, moist mouth, a hot shiver of desire made her body tingle. Her toes curled into the soft sheet and she purred deep in her throat. “Nicolina, I think about you all day long.”

“God . . . ,” she breathed when he caressed the smooth underside of her breast. She moved upward, wanting him nearer to her nipples, but he teased her with his thumb, getting closer and closer but not quite there. When another roll of thunder sounded as if it was right next to her window, Nicolina sucked in a breath. But her fear only heightened her arousal, and she arched her back, giving Mitch better access to her body. When he gently rolled her sensitive nipple between his thumb and finger, she moaned and pressed her back against his chest while moving her hips erotically against his erection.

“Ah . . . Nicolina, I can’t believe you have me wanting you all over again. You make me feel like a teenager,” Mitch said in her ear, and when he slipped his hand between her thighs she sucked in another breath. His finger found her folds, and although the storm raged all around them, all she could think about was his touch. “Your skin is like warm velvet. Baby, you drive me wild.”

Nicolina laughed. “Calling me
baby
makes me feel young . . . at least at heart.”

“Baby . . . my sweet baby!” He laughed with her and then kissed her shoulder while he stroked her gently. His caress was light but firm against flesh that was tender from their previous lovemaking. It was a sweet, aching desire, lacking urgency, but it went deeper and was even more satisfying as a slow simmer rather than a flash of heat. When he stroked her harder, she sucked in an audible gasp and he chuckled. “Too much for you?”

“Never!” she boasted.

“Good!” He laughed harder, and it made Nicolina smile from her heart.

Laughter was something else they shared, and it was wonderful. Love and laughter, Nicolina decided, were two things that belonged together and that not all couples shared. Wait . . .

Couples? Were they an official couple? Of course they were. She had been seeing him exclusively since last summer.

The thought made her ecstatic and yet fearful. “Oh!” Her breath caught when he found her sweet spot, and all thoughts of fear vanished. Mitch was an amazing, giving lover, and for the first time in her life Nicolina felt . . .
cherished
. Yet her damned insecurity continued to rear its ugly head. Mitch was a rich, powerful man and to top it off was incredibly handsome. Silver hair and tanned skin set off arresting blue eyes. He kept his body lean and toned and could have any woman he wanted. Would he tire of her? Want someone younger? Thinner? Taller?

“God, you’re beautiful,” Mitch said as if reading her mind. He seemed to do more and more of that lately.

“You’re kind to say so.”

“Nicolina!” He pushed her onto her back and gently took her chin in his hand. “I’m not being
kind
.”

“I am—,” she began, but he dipped his head and smothered her protest with a lingering kiss that had her melting into the mattress. When he finally pulled back, he braced himself on one elbow.

“You are a beautiful woman. Don’t ever doubt it, okay?”

Nicolina pressed her lips together.

“Please?” He trailed his fingertip over the firm set of her mouth. “Believe me.”

Nicolina swallowed hard. “But you could have any woman you wanted.” She looked away after her soft admission. It wasn’t like her to vocalize such a thing, but she was falling for him and she supposed she craved validation.

Mitch rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. “That’s doubtful, my dear, but even so, Nicolina . . . I want
you
and only
you
,” he insisted as he gently tugged her chin to face him. “And you aren’t just any woman. You are the only woman.”

Her heart pounded, but she remained silent.

“Hey, in this relationship,
you
are the one holding back. Believe me, I should be the one with doubts,” he added, and something flickered in his eyes before he hid it with a slight smile. “Not only are you beautiful, but sensual . . . graceful. But what we have goes deeper than looks or even attraction. Nicolina, at our age we deserve the whole package. You’re smart, creative, and best of all you make me laugh! Tell me, what more could a man want?”

Nicolina licked her bottom lip and lowered her gaze.

“Seriously?” He gently shook her chin until she gazed up at him. “Nicolina?”

“I’m sorry, Mitch. You must think I’m fishing for compliments. How embarrassing.”

He gave her a full megawatt smile that made her weak in the knees. “You will never need to fish for compliments with me. I’ll just say it. I don’t care how old you are, Nicolina. You are one gorgeous, sexy woman. You have elegance about you . . . a certain grace that transcends age and is timeless. Rich or poor, young or old . . . any man would be lucky to have you!”

She had to smile and put a hand to his cheek. “You aren’t just any man.”

“I hope I’m your man,” he said in a teasing tone, but she could see in his eyes that he was serious. How could such a successful, handsome man have any doubts?

She tilted her head. “Of course you are.”

“Then I am a very lucky man.”

Nicolina sighed. “Thank you. Again, I don’t want to sound so
needy
. I despise needy women!”

He only smiled, making his eyes crinkle at the corners. “As long as it’s me you need, it’s perfectly fine. I know I
need
and
want
you. I use my involvement in the baseball complex as an excuse to come to Cricket Creek. Noah and Ty are fine at this point without me, and this strip mall is almost finished. Nicolina, the reason I come here so often is to be with you. I hope you know that.”

Nicolina laughed. “You are so good for me.” Yes, she took pains with her appearance, and deep down she knew that even at her age she turned heads, but in a world that worshipped youth and pencil-thin figures? Well, she was short and had curves to spare. Her crowning glory was her thick, rich, dark brown hair with a hint of auburn added at the salon. There was no denying her Italian roots. She talked with her hands, and despite her hidden worries, she was a little spitfire and had passed those traits on to Bella. She could get fired up in nothing flat, but Mitch didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he seemed to enjoy their animated conversation as much as the passion in the bedroom. She hid her smile . . . well, perhaps almost as much as the passion. Nicolina had waited all of her life for a man like him . . . why did he have to be so damned rich? His wealth unnerved and intimidated her. And she supposed he was so wonderful that she was afraid to let herself believe it could all work out. Stupid, she knew, but still . . .

“Ah . . . I can see doubt in those lovely eyes of yours.” Mitch trailed a fingertip down her cheek and then gave her a slow smile. “Sometimes, it’s better to show how you feel rather than to tell,” he said and then dipped his head and captured her mouth with his once more. He kissed her thoroughly, deeply, and with such passion that Nicolina found herself arching her back and offering herself to him all over again. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, and even while the storm raged outside, for the first time in her life Nicolina felt safe and secure. She both loved and hated the feeling. It was like jumping out of an airplane with a parachute. In theory, Nicolina knew it was safe, but the fear of a crash landing was what kept her from jumping. So she buried her face in the crook of his neck so he couldn’t see the raw emotion that she just couldn’t hide and instead lost herself in the moment. He made love to her with slow, easy strokes, taking his sweet time until she tilted her hips upward, letting him know that she was close to climax.

“Oh . . . Mitch!”

“Baby, you feel amazing . . . so hot, so ready.” He moved faster and drove deeper, harder. Waves of pleasure washed over her, and she clung to his broad shoulders while he came with her. Then, as always, he kissed her tenderly and pulled her close. She rested her head against his chest and loved the rapid beat of his heart beneath her cheek.

Nicolina knew that in his business dealings he could be hard-nosed and determined. Other than the love he had spoken of for his daughter, this softer side of Mitch Monroe belonged solely to her, and in truth she treasured being held in his arms even more than the passion. Not that the passion wasn’t . . . amazing. She’d never known it could be like this.

Of course another burning question was, How long could they sustain a long-distance relationship? Nicolina was finally getting to realize her dream of opening her own business, so moving back to Chicago wasn’t an option, especially since Bella had moved here, if not permanently, at least until Logan moved up to the major leagues. She inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly. If truth be told, it was getting more and more difficult every time Mitch left, but could a man of his stature give up the big-city lifestyle to live in a small town? She was guessing not.

Nicolina frowned. Perhaps she should end this before she got in even deeper, before words of love were spoken. She was only setting herself up for a long, painful fall, and damn, it would be so hard to pick herself up and get on with life. It had taken her years to get over the betrayal of Bella’s father, and she shuddered at the thought of having to do it again.

“Cold?” he asked in that deep, sexy voice of his.

Unable to trust her voice, Nicolina gave him a negative shake of her head. She closed her eyes tightly and willed tears not to flow. She should end this! It would be better in the long run. But her heart constricted at the thought of never seeing him again, never feeling his touch.

Dear God, what am I going to do?

She should share her concerns with him, but she knew she would sound needy and whiny again and she just couldn’t bring herself to do so. Besides, her throat had tightened with unshed tears, so talking would sound more like a croak.
Not
cool,
as Bella would say.

*  *  *

Mitch could always pinpoint the instant when Nicolina pulled back, and he felt it now . . . even while basking in the warm glow of their lovemaking. He turned to his side and slid her even closer, spooning her against him, and although she responded with a soft sigh as she snuggled back against his chest, he could feel the slight tension in her body. He kissed the top of her head and then moved his hand gently up and down her arm. No words were spoken, but he was silently letting her know that he could be a patient man when needed.