Sliding Into Second (5 page)

“Is this seat taken?”

“Hey.” She looked up to find Nic pulling out a stool and taking the seat next to her. She noted that his faded blue jeans fit just right as he set his phone on the bar. His olive complexion appeared darker than normal against the white shirt he wore. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to see me here.”

“You’re hard to miss.” He flagged Joe down. “Same as last night, please.” He glanced at her glass. “Make that two.”

“Thanks.” She took the last sip in her glass before pushing it to the edge of the bar. “You have some catching up to do.”

“Just like old times.” He grinned. “Remember when we used to split a six-pack in the back of my old truck?”

“I remember you having four and me getting two. That was hardly a fair split.”

“You were underage and I outweighed you, so it was more than a fair split.” He put his credit card on the bar when Joe brought the beers over. “You can start a tab, and put hers on there too.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Yeah, I do.” He nodded. “What kind of man would I be if I didn’t?”

“How did the photo shoot go today?”

“Pretty good. I’m always in my element when I put my uniform on and they hand me a bat.”

“It’s a great endorsement for you.”

“I have a damn good agent.” He looked around the crowded lobby. “You like living here?”

“I’m used to it now. I’ve been here for years.”

“Will you miss it when you’re living in Kingston?”

“Probably.” Kingston was a small suburban town filled with baseball players and their fans. If they didn’t have the Crushers, they wouldn’t have anything worth mentioning. It was very different from Manhattan. “I’ll be on the road with the team for most of the season.”

“On the road with me.” He took a sip of his beer. “How do you think that’s going to go?”

“It’s kind of funny, isn’t it?” She shrugged. “That’s where we ended. With me not going on the road with you, and now here we are.”

“The road was a lot different back then for me. It was no life for you.”

“I should have been able to decide that for myself.” No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t let go of that resentment.

“Why are you here?”

“You’re in my town,” she reminded him.

“You know what I mean.” He swiveled his stool so he was looking at her. “Why did you come back to the hotel?”

“We didn’t get to talk last night. According to my sister, that was what that whole set up was for. So you and I could talk.”

“I didn’t expect you to bring a date.” He practically choked on the words. “Are you with him?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yeah, it does.” He turned her stool to face him. “Are you together?”

She shook her head, but she didn’t want to elaborate on her relationship with Jason. To the outside world, it seemed complicated, but to the two of them, there couldn’t be a more perfect union.

“You brought him to torment me?” The muscles in his jaw tensed. “Why would you do that?”

“You shouldn’t have gone behind my back and set something up with Rosalie.”

“Would you have taken my call? Would you have met me if I had asked?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why are you so stubborn? It’s been seven years.”

“You don’t have to remind me,” she said. “I know exactly how long it’s been.”

His eyes appeared tired, and she wondered if he’d had trouble sleeping the night before like she had.

“I didn’t come here to fight or rehash the past.” She softened her tone, trying not to be so standoffish with him.

“Why did you come?”

“I just wanted to tell you we should move forward, especially since I’ll be living in Kingston and working with the team. Things don’t have to be awkward between us.”

“That’s fair.” The corner of his mouth rose when he smiled. Another trivial action that triggered so many memories.

She wanted to lean forward and kiss him.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“Huh?” She gripped her beer bottle. “I’m not.”

“You’re lying.” He tugged on the end of her hair. “Don’t be embarrassed. I couldn’t take my eyes off you last night.”

“I noticed.” Every time she’d glanced in his direction, he’d been looking at her. “Did you get your fill?”

“No.” He took her hand. “I’ve missed you. Missed every detail about you. I didn’t think there could ever be a chance for us again, but when I saw you that night at the stadium, everything came rushing back.”

“Nic, we can’t.” She looked down at her hand intertwined in his warm grasp. “Too much time has gone by. We’re not the kids we used to be. We’re different now.”

“Maybe that’s a good thing.” He coaxed her off the stool and guided her to stand between his legs. Helping her regain her balance, he steadied her by her waist. “Ever since I saw you six weeks ago, I can’t get you out of my head. I kept hoping you’d contact me, but I got tired of waiting. Seven years is too long, and I can’t do it anymore.”

“It’s not like you were sitting around waiting for me. I’ve seen the models, ball girls, and actresses you’ve been linked to. I’m sure I wasn’t a thought in your head.”

She had to stay strong. Her career was in full swing now, and one wrong move with him could cause catastrophic circumstances. But damn, why did he have to smell so good?

“You were more than a thought in my head, especially in the beginning when you wouldn’t return my calls. The nights on the road were long and lonely.”

The fire in her belly increased when he moved this thumbs over her hipbones, digging his fingers into her back. The black silk dress didn’t create much of a barrier between them. Her nipples ached for his lips.
Hell!

“I’ll admit I’ve had many women over the years, and I can’t apologize for living. But as the years went by, my feelings for you were always someplace deep in my heart. I know that’s why I can’t settle down. Why I can’t find the peace I’ve been searching for. It doesn’t exist without you.”

“How can you say things like that? You don’t even know the woman I’ve become. I’m not that girl who relied on you, the one who would’ve followed you anywhere. I’m not her anymore, Nic. I can’t ever be her again.”

“Maybe I’m not asking for her.” He leaned closer to her face. “Maybe I want to know the woman you are today. I want another shot at this.”

“No,” she whispered.

“If you remember anything about me, I have a hard time with that word.” He tipped her chin up, his gaze focusing on her lips. “I
am
going to kiss you. Right here and right now.”

Her knees buckled as a cool tremor swept through her. She wanted to say no. It was the only logical word to mutter, but her heart didn’t want her to say it. Her body wasn’t on board with turning him down either. The warmth that built in her stomach had moved lower, and now all she could think about was his lips on hers.

“It doesn’t sound like you’re asking,” she breathed out.

“I’m not.”

Before she could say anything else, his mouth was on hers, eager, but slow and soft. His stubble grazed along her chin as he tilted his head and deepened the kiss. The sound throughout the crowded lobby seemed to fade into the background, and soon all she could hear was her heart pumping loud between her ears. Why did he have to be such a freakin’ good kisser?

After the incredibly long connection, he pulled away, but not before stopping to kiss the bottom corner of her mouth like he used to.

“I’ve waited a long time to do that,” he said. “It was worth every lonely minute.”

“I... Nic...” She’d always had the gift of words. It was what she did for a living, but in that moment, all of her thoughts were jumbled and senseless.

“It’s okay.” He grinned as he stroked her cheek. “Let’s get something to eat and maybe figure this out. Whatever
this
is.”

“No.” She ran her hands along his strong chest, resting them on his shoulders.

“Don’t over analyze this, baby.” He glanced down at her hands on his body. “Let’s just go with it.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” She took a breath and continued before she lost her nerve. “Take me upstairs to your room. I know how we can figure this out.”

“What are you asking?” He placed his hand on the small of her back, drawing her closer to him. “You need to be real clear.”

“I want to go upstairs with you.”

“That’s not why I kissed you.”

“Isn’t it?” She smirked. “We’re adults now, Nicky. Let’s settle this like adults.”

“I’m not looking to settle anything. That usually means it’s over, and we’re nowhere near over.” He motioned for Joe. “I’ll take care of the bar tab and then we’ll get dinner.”

“No.” She draped her arms around his neck, intoxicated by the idea of being so close to him again. He may be older, and may have lost those boyish looks, but the man he had become suited him and drove her wild with need.

“What did I tell you about that word?”

“I can guarantee I won’t be using it once we’re in your bedroom.” She ran her tongue along her top lip. “I’m going to the ladies room. When I come out, if you’re not by the elevators waiting for me, I’ll know that kiss was nothing more than the heat of the moment and we can go on with our lives.”

“Sage?”

“Shh.” She pressed her lips to his. “Now who’s over analyzing?” She reached for her purse and coat hanging on the back of the stool. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
I hope.

She stepped away from him, trying not to stumble on her way to the bathroom. She’d never been this bold with any guy before. After Nic, there had only been Jason. He had always been gentle with her, protective and caring. He knew where her heart belonged, and since he didn’t want anything serious, their relationship had worked. They took what they needed, when they needed it, without any strings or commitments. It was an arrangement that benefitted them both, and there was no chance either one of them would get hurt.

That wasn’t going to work with Nic. There were too many emotions and feelings, but right now, none of that mattered. She wanted him, and to hell with the consequences. For the first time in her life, she was going to take what she wanted. She’d waited for this night and she was going to have it.

She went into the bathroom and splashed some cool water on her face. Bracing herself on the sink, she stared in the mirror. She could be making a huge mistake. What she shared with Nic seemed like a lifetime ago. Could high school sweethearts rekindle an old affair?

Maybe she was over analyzing this. Perhaps he was right. Tonight should be about desire and all the physical feelings he had ignited within her. The past was just that. They were adults now. Why shouldn’t they have some fun? She would set the terms, and if he couldn’t deal with them then they would just move on from here.
No harm, no foul.

As she made her way out of the restroom, she tried to calm her nerves. What if he didn’t want her? Would he abandon her again? She frantically looked around the elevator area, searching for him.
Where is he?

* * * *

Nic sat at the bar finishing his beer as Joe closed out the tab. Sage had him worked up over one kiss. How could he be expected to control himself once they were upstairs? Although, it didn’t appear that she wanted him to control himself at all.

When he came to New York, he never thought it would be this easy to get back with her. He figured he’d have much groveling to do. What was happening tonight seemed a little too perfect. Was she finally ready to forgive his mistakes of the past?

He didn’t think about that afternoon in her father’s study often, and although he had denied it when Rosalie called him out, it had been on his mind all night. He hadn’t slept well last night. The memory that he had long ago buried hit him hard, and now, after seeing Sage so successful, it should have validated what he had done all those years ago. It didn’t. He was filled with more guilt now than the day he had told her she wasn’t going with him. That decision had haunted him.

Everything was happening so fast. Nic was about to graduate from FSU. He’d been signed to a team and he needed to get on the road in the next couple of weeks. He and Sage came home to tell their parents the good news. His mom and dad couldn’t have been happier for him. All of their dedication and years of traveling with him as he played baseball were paying off. He was almost there. Now he had one more thing to do before he and his girl could live the life they had dreamed.

“Dr. Millan,” Nic said as he sat in the chair across from Sage’s father’s large cherry desk. “I know this may seem kind of sudden, but since Sage has agreed to come with me, I wanted to ask for your permission to marry her.”

Dr. Millan didn’t say anything as he stared at Nic. Her father had never been a fan of his, but they had always been civil toward one another. Even after the pregnancy scare the summer before. Sage had always been open and honest with her parents, but she was too afraid to tell them what she had suspected. When her mother found the receipt for the pregnancy test all hell broke loose. It was a false alarm, but that was one more reason for the good doctor to dislike Nic even more. They had managed to keep their animosity for one another under control, because they both had Sage’s best interest at heart.

“I know we’re young, but we’ve been together for four years. Long enough to know this is right.” He continued to talk, because the silence was too awkward. “I love her and I want to be with her. Always.”

“That’s very admirable of you, especially since it’s my daughter who seems to be the one sacrificing everything for you.”

“Sir?”

“She waited around the last two years of high school while you went off to college. She spent weekends alone while all of her friends were going on dates and doing what other teenagers do.”

“I came home as often as I could, but between my studies and my baseball schedule, things were a bit hectic.” He and Sage had discussed the downfalls of a long-distance relationship. With them both being so young, they weren’t sure it was going to work out, but somehow it did. “We got through that. We’re still together two years later.”