----
Three years ago...March
“You don't get to decide ice cream flavors for the both of us, you brat,” I laugh slapping Lacey's ass.
“Piss off, I do too,” she says slapping my chest.
She reaches into the freezer and grabs the tub of cookie dough ice cream. She shuts the door and puts it into our shopping cart, and I laugh shaking my head as she sticks her tongue at me.
We've had the apartment to ourselves the past few days since Bella’s been away playing ball and it's been great, comfortable, right. We spend any second Lacey is not at work, together, but ball starts next week for me. I'm sucking up any time I can with Lacey and any chance I get, I'll be flying right back to spend some more.
Although we've been sticking to the physical part: the bedroom, the kitchen counter, shower, couch, car, hell anywhere, just not “dates”. Lacey effectively kicks me out on my ass every single night or escapes my hotel room like a fucking ninja.
I should be thrilled. I don't want a girl to tie me down, but there's something about her that I can't let go of. She's funny, and sexy and keeps me on my toes and her personality is intoxicating. She's such a head strong woman.
“Fine, as long as I get to eat it off your body,” I whisper in her ear.
“Not in the grocery store, pig,” she says pushing me off her.
I don't move, just pin her back against the cold glass of the freezer door.
“Whenever I want, wherever I want, Blondie.”
I kiss her hard, my hand going to her hip as I push her into the glass, our bodies drawn to each other again, like they always are. My other hand cups her cheek as I pull her face up, exposing her neck and launch for it, latching on to a spot and sucking.
“This ain't a motel,” a stern voice says from behind us.
I quickly drop my hands from her body, and she smirks as I turn around.
“Hi Mama,” Lacey says brushing past me to give her mother a hug.
“Lace, you're lucky your daddy didn't come shoppin’ with me,” she says eying me. “You're lucky too big guy,” she says pointing in my direction.
I walk over and smile extending my hand.
“Nicholas Johnson ma'am. Nice to meet you.”
“Savannah Turner.”
She shakes my hand and smirks and Lacey grabs my arm, leading us away.
“Well, we gotta get goin’. I'll come by this weekend for dinner,” she says quickly.
“We'd be happy if you could make it too, Nicholas. We usually do dinner Sunday nights,” Savannah says smiling.
“I'd love-”
“He can't,” Lacey says cutting me off. “He's goin’ back to Miami.”
“I mean I don't have to be back until Monday night. I could take a red eye, it's no problem. I've heard wonderful things about your cooking, Mrs. Turner,” I say smiling, wrapping an arm around Lacey's waist.
“Well thank you, Nicholas. I'll cook up somethin’ special for you. We eat around five.”
“He really can't-”
“That sounds great. It was lovely to meet you,” I say in my best charm boy tone.
“You're welcome anytime, Nicholas. Nice to meet you too,” Savannah says waving to me. She moves towards Lacey and hugs her. “Bye baby.”
I glance over at Lacey and she's biting her top lip, a nervous habit she seems to have.
“I won't go to dinner, relax,” I laugh.
She looks at me, relief in her eyes and laughs nervously.
“I don't mean to be a bitch, it's just my brother is obsessed with you and I don't want him to get any ideas, ya know?”
“I get it, no worries. Let's go. Dinner is calling and I want my dessert,” I growl in her ear taking a handful of her ass and squeezing it.
She seems to relax now that we're back on playful ground as we continue to food shop. This feels so good. Walking around the grocery store on a weeknight, getting food for the week, talking about making dinner. When the fuck did this change and how do I get my brain to shut it off?
Lacey
“Good Lord, that was delicious. How will I survive you in Miami? I'll starve,” I laugh dropping my fork to my empty plate.
“Feeding you might be my favorite thing to do lately, right behind fucking you of course,” Nico says getting to his feet.
“So romantic, Mr. Johnson, please keep makin’ me swoon,” I say clutching my chest.
He launches for me and lifts me over his massive shoulder as I laugh, attempting to swat at his back.
“I'm taking my payment for your dinner in pussy. That okay with you, Blondie?” he says walking towards my bedroom.
“You better, Hulk.”
He drops me to my feet and rips open my button-down flannel. The buttons fly all over my room and my jaw drops, my eyes burning into his.
“I fuckin’ liked that shirt,” I seethe.
“It was in my way,” he growls reaching for the front clasp of my bra.
He pops it open and my breasts spill out of the cups, my breathing quickening.
“God, these are so fucking beautiful.”
His big, rough hands cup my breasts and I feel my nipples harden underneath his palms. I close my eyes, dropping my head back and a sigh escapes past my lips.
“Mmm that feels good,” I moan as he massages my tits in his hands.
“Get on the bed,” he demands taking his hands off my body.
I look up at him arching an eyebrow and reach for his jeans popping open the button and unzipping them.
“Making your own rules here, Blondie, huh?” he says grabbing my wrist to stop me.
“You know I don't like to be told what to do, Hulk.”
I grab his crotch through his jeans with my other hand and squeeze.
“And you know the hornier you get me, the harder it's gonna be for that pretty little body to even walk tomorrow.”
I smile rolling my eyes and let go of him, walking towards the bed and sitting down, spreading my legs and rubbing myself over my thong.
“Mmm, so wet,” I whisper.
He growls and pulls his jeans down, tossing his shirt over his head as he lunges for me, slamming me back on the bed.
“Oh God,” I pant as he takes the top of my thong and pulls it up between my lips, the material rubbing against my clit.
“You wanna come from your panties, brat, or you want my cock to be the one to do it?”
“I don't care what does it, just do it,” I moan.
He pulls my thong higher, and I whimper, my orgasm creeping up my legs to my center and he stops.
“Nico…”
“Next time I tell you to get on the bed, get on the damn bed.”
“Don't fuckin’ talk to me like-”
He cuts off my rant with a kiss, his lips mashing against my own, taking everything from my mouth, a mouth that is willingly surrendering to him.
His hands go down between us and he moves my thong to the side, pushing two fingers into my channel.
“No,” I rasp. “You. I want your cock, put it inside me right now, I'm gonna come.”
“Bossy,” he smiles getting off the bed.
He walks over to his jeans fishing out a condom and I watch him slide it over his erection. This release he gives me has been something I crave, something I've never had with any other man I let in my bed, not even Weston. He makes me forget my mother's words, makes me think they're empty promises, makes me think I'm more like my father than her.
“This feels so right, Lacey,” Nico whispers to me.
As he slides inside me all I can do is nod.
“It does.”
-----
“Where'd you go?” asks my mother from across the table.
“Nowhere.”
My voice is raspy and rough, how it always is after I day-dream about our love before the cheating scandal, before the bet. In the beginning, the only worry was finding a place to fuck. Now it's different, everything is different, but it doesn't have to be.
“What's on the
agenda today?” I ask pulling myself out of those thoughts.
“I was thinkin’ maybe a massage? Then some lunch? I also wanted to bring you to the store to pick somethin’ out. I don't know if you have a crib picked out, or maybe a changin’ table? Your daddy and I wanna buy somethin’ special for our first grandbaby. Tucker and Harrison are veryyyyy far off, so we're really excited about this,” she says clapping her hands together.
“What do y'all wanna be called? Grandma and Grandpa seem too old for two forty-six-year olds,” I laugh.
“Papaw Jax and Gammy Savvy. Me and your daddy were talkin’ about this last night,” she laughs. “I still can't believe it.”
“Me either,” I laugh. “But a massage sounds absolutely perfect right about now.”
It's been amazing spending the day with my mama. We haven't done this is so long and I miss it. I've been so busy drowning my sorrows over Nico, or worrying about the baby, it's been so nice to relax with my mama. She makes everything better.
“Let me come in and look at the nursery. I wanna make sure the dresser and changin’ table will fit with the crib y'all got,” she says pulling into my drive.
We walk towards my front door and I unlock the top lock. I swing the door open and almost piss in my pants as a whole crowd yells surprise, my house covered in pink...everywhere.
“What the fuck is this?” I gasp.
“God, that mouth!” my mama says from behind me.
“You better clean it up before baby girl comes,” says a deep voice from next to me.
“Nico, you sneaky bastard!” I laugh hitting his chest, wiping a tear from my eyes. “You knew about this?” I whisper.
“Guilty. The only secret I've been keeping from you, Blondie. I swear.”
“I approve of this secret,” I say pulling his head down for a quick kiss.
He breaks it, grabbing my hand and drags me upstairs.
“Nico, everyone is downstairs we can't go and have a quickie while-”
“We're not. I was gonna do this later, but I'm too excited. Close your eyes, okay? I'll guide you.”
His smile takes up his whole face and it's so damn adorable. I close my eyes as his hands engulf my shoulders, walking us slowly, opening a door.
“Okay, open.”
I open my eyes and immediately the flood gates open. I wipe at my eyes as I take in the small room down the hall from mine that I was going to change into a nursery. It is fully decorated, painted and ready for our baby girl.
The walls are a light purple, decorated with different animals’ paintings. There's a small, white teepee tent in the corner with two bookshelves on the wall, holding the most popular baby books. In the other corner is a light brown rocking chair with an ottoman.
A white dresser and the white changing table my mama and I picked out a few hours ago is standing along the opposite wall.
“How did you...we just picked this stuff out this afternoon.”
“It was kind of a setup. Your mama already had it delivered this morning while you were sleeping, and I put it together as soon as I dropped you off. You going to the store to pick it out was just to play the part,” he laughs.
“The room wasn't painted either, how did you know I wanted purple? You...you did all this today?” I ask my voice breaking.
“I may have stalked your nursery Pinterest board, Bells showed me how. I was gonna put the crib up, but figured we could do that together, tonight. Organize all the baby stuff you get today.”
I'm crying harder now; big, fat tears falling down my cheeks, my chest heaving and Nico wraps me in his arms.
“Lace, did I fuck this up? I'm sorry, I should have included you in it, I just wanted to surprise you.”
“No!” I say shaking my head. “It's beautiful, I love it. I...I'm so sorry, Nico. God, I'm so sorry. All this time this is what we should have been doin’ I...I believe you. I should have believed you from the beginnin’. I want this. All of it. With you. I don't need to know what happened that night I...I love you. So damn much, I love you, you thoughtful, amazin’ man.”
He lifts me in his arms now, spinning me around and I'm a laughing, crying, big fucking mess. He puts me on the ground and kneels in front of me kissing my belly and cupping my cheeks.
“I love you so much, Lacey Lee. I should be the one apologizing. You dole out forgiveness to me way too easily, Blondie. I don't deserve an ounce of it, but I swear I will make my girls the happiest that is humanly possible.”
“I know you will. You do, Nico, every day you do.”
We kiss again, his hand going to the back of my head as I finally surrender to him fully. Our tongues wrestling together, our lips brushing against each other in a frenzy, the way they used to. The past floating away, the man before me mattering so much more.
“Don't put my baby into labor yet, Nicholas Johnson! She needs to open all her presents first,” says my mama's voice from the door.
I laugh and turn around wiping my eyes and straightening my shirt.
“You sneaky, sneaky woman,” I say wagging my finger at her.
“The nursery was all his idea,” my mama says holding up her hands in defense. “I was in charge of keepin’ you out of the house for the baby shower by boss Bella. He came and stole the opportunity.”
“Shit! I didn't even say hello to anyone.”
“Don't worry, they'd rather you be up here,” my mama says smiling giving me a big hug then giving one to Nico.
“The threats I issued last time are lifetime guaranteed by the way. So, fuck up again and I'll deliver this time,” my mama says punching Nico's arm.
“Mama!” I laugh.
“Sorry, sorry. I blackout in mama bear mode. Lord, forgive me,” she says looking to the ceiling.
We laugh and walk down the stairs as I say hello to everyone, kissing and hugging friends and family.
“How's my little niece?” I ask Normani rubbing her belly.
“Pain in the butt like her daddy,” she says eyeing my cousin Devin.
“These girls are both too much like their daddies,” I grumble. “This one too!” I say pointing at my belly.
“Both of you stay away! I swear I'm gonna leave this baby shower pregnant,” Bella says coming up to us.
“Pregnant? Who wants to get pregnant?” Damon says from behind her.
“No!” she says putting her finger up. “Don't you dare, Damon.”
“Oh Angel, we both know that when you say no, it actually means fuck yes.”
“Stop,” Devin says shaking his head. “Please, for the love of God, stop it.”
“I specifically remember at your mama's party. You totally jinxed me and told the whole damn party I'd be the pregnant one. Payback is a bad bitch, Bells. Knock her ass up, Damon,” I laugh.
“Let's go Angel, your mom has the kids tonight,” Damon growls.
“I put this whole damn shower together. I can't just-”
“Yes you can,” I interrupt her.
“You're gonna pay for this,” Bella says shaking her finger at me.
Damon grabs Bella’s hand and they move out of the room and out the back door.
The group laughs as Alessandra comes towards us with Miguel holding Peter.
“Congrats guys,” Alessandra says bringing me in for a hug. “This is so cute. Co-ed baby showers are the way to go.”
“I remember not too long ago when a certain little sassy teen told me she loved the co-ed baby shower idea back when Charlotte was pregnant,” says a voice from behind us.
I smile and open my arms wide.
“Hi Daddy.”
“Hi Pumpkin.”
“How are you feelin'? You're lookin’ good.”
“I'm feelin’ good,“ I smile looking over to Nico who is trapped in a convo with my Grandma Franny and Jen.
“Good. Can't wait to spoil this girl as much as I spoiled you,” he laughs kissing the top of my head.
“Oh God, please don't,” I grumble.
“I'm proud of you,
Pumpkin. You've come a long way. You're a strong woman and I couldn't have asked for a better daughter. You make me really happy, Lace. I'm proud to be your father.”
“Daddy!” I say slapping his chest.
Walk Off (Double Play Series Book 5) Page 24