“Oops, didn’t mean to offend. Image is everything in your world.”
The tone may have been lighthearted but Nick sensed an underlying significance to her words. Instinct told him to push now instead of later.
“You’re right. Most team owners are sick of the off-the-field crap that flies all over the Internet.” He waited, hoping she would open up more on the subject. It didn’t take long.
“You know what they’re going to say about me.”
“Well, the guys will say you’re hot. Definitely hot. The women…ah, they usually have a different perspective.”
He watched as her fingers tugged the hem of her wine-colored top, agitation growing. “That’s not what I mean. Everyone is going to say that I deliberately set out to trap you.”
“So?” Nick said, trying to disguise his own dread. “You and I know that’s not true. Hell, you don’t even want me.”
Her hands stilled. “Well, that’s not entirely true either. But my point is. I’m not sure how to handle it. The thought of facing your mother when she finds out is bad enough. What about the media?”
“I’m not going to lie to you, Abby. They’ll probably pounce on the story. Spin it to sell extra copy. You know better than anyone how a newspaper operates.”
His brain hit rewind, settling on her more interesting admission. “So, how much do you want me?”
A soft hue of pink blanketed her face. “Maybe just a little.”
Nick was not above taking advantage of the situation. “Show me.”
He saw the indecision and mentally kicked himself for pushing too fast. When she brushed past him, he almost apologized. Then she knocked the wind right out of him.
“Want to curl up on the couch? Watch a movie. Talk. Whatever.”
It was the way her breath caught at the end that sent his hormones into overdrive. This was more than he had hoped for. Way more. By the time he caught up with her, she was already cuddled under a fuzzy green throw blanket. He settled into the corner of the couch, anchored one leg to the floor, and pulled her back into the cradle of his body. When she didn’t object, he let his hands hook around the front of her stomach.
“I’m sending mixed signals.”
Laughter rumbled in his chest. “Totally.”
She crouched lower, nestling the back of her head into his chest. “It’s weird. Before you came back, I convinced myself that a clean break was definitely the way to go. Now…well, my head and my hormones are playing a mean game of ping pong.”
He watched her fingers trace lazy circles above his knee. It was a careless gesture, but one that still left a lump in his throat. He swallowed hard. “Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. The last thing I want is for you to make a decision you’ll regret down the road.”
She turned, forcing him to look into her eyes. “Aren’t you worried about the same thing?”
“Making a mistake? This may sound dumb…but not really. For a long time I wanted to rescue Alyssa. Step in when Paul stepped out. Commit when he wasn’t willing. Hold her hand when she found out she was pregnant.” Nick hesitated, wondering if confession would be good for his soul. “The truth is, being in Tampa was an eye opener.”
“It’s hard letting go. Did you…I mean were you jealous of Paul?”
A subtle shift in her posture, told him he was wading into dangerous territory.
“No. Hell no! My mother had been right all along. The problem with my marriage wasn’t simply that Alyssa didn’t love me. It was that I didn’t love her either. At least in the way I should have.”
That shame still weighed heavy on his shoulders. It took him thirty damn years to figure out what a relationship should be. It finally clicks and the woman responsible doesn’t share his feelings.
“Alyssa is someone I care about. Worry about. That’s probably not going to change. But I want more than she could ever give me.”
She pulled the blanket up, nestling her chin under the satin border. His words didn’t assuage her worries. Abby wasn’t an expert on marriage or even stable relationships, but she was pretty darn sure she wouldn’t walk down the aisle with someone that she didn’t love with her whole heart and soul. Maybe Nick was a serial loser when it came to love.
His body shifted, derailing her thoughts.
“Sorry,” he said, nudging his hips away from her lower back. It wasn’t until he positioned a throw pillow in front of his jeans that she caught the meaning behind his apology.
Stretching forward, she scooted sideways until her gaze rested on Nick’s face. “I don’t understand.”
A warm grin broke out immediately. “What? That I want you.”
“Look at me, Nick,” she said, glancing down at the curve that was once her flat stomach. “I’m not exactly sporting the cover-girl look.”
He shook his head, amusement still dancing in his eyes. “I told you before. Your body is amazing. Added curves are a good thing. Trust me.”
Later she would wonder if those words triggered her meltdown.
Instead of thinking she let her body take over. Snaking her legs around his waist, she pushed him back against the couch. Her lips moved roughly over his mouth, teasing and tasting until he opened up to her. She took her time, savoring the sense of being right where she belonged.
His hands moved up to palm her breasts, causing her body to ache in a way she had almost forgotten. She closed her eyes as his mouth blazed a trail of wet hot kisses down her throat. When his hands dipped under the waist band of her slacks, cupping the soft mounds of her buttocks, Abby instinctively stiffened.
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. Oh, Nick…”
His mouth brushed across her lips, causing her to swallow the rest of her words.
“Don’t say it, McCabe. This is a great idea. The best freaking idea either of us have ever had.”
The frantic rush of words matched the frantic movement of his hands. Abby had never seen him so desperate. The fact that he was desperate for her nearly sent her into an emotional stupor.
She bit her bottom lip to stem a threat of tears. He flipped her heart upside down with a single stroke of his fingertips. One of them was in lust. And the other…well Abby was too much of a chicken to acknowledge what her heart knew long ago.
His voice cooled, but his eyes remained hot. “I am not a mistake. You might not know it yet, but I’m the best damn thing that has ever happened to you, Abby McCabe.”
On the surface the words seemed brash, egotistical. Underneath there was a thread of vulnerability that reminded her too much of her own insecurities. It took the decision for tonight right out of her hands.
She let him set the pace. Nick took his time. Instead of minutes, he spent hours getting reacquainted with her body. His hands, no longer frenetic in their exploration, gently caressed her skin, taking extra time to worship the swell of her tummy.
It was after midnight before they found their way to her bedroom. Exhaustion claimed Nick almost immediately. Abby watched the soft rise of his chest as his body relaxed in sleep. Resting her head on her elbow she studied his face. The slight twist at the corner of his lips resembled that of a mischievous boy. The heat of his leg draped across her thighs warmed her body. This was an intimacy unlike any she had ever experienced.
She never closed her eyes that night. For six hours she focused on capturing memories. If nothing else she would always treasure those quiet moments with Nick entwined around her body and her soul.
Nick refused to budge. He heard the rustle of morning activity, teeth brushing to hair drying, and figured it was Abby’s way of trying to coax him out of her bed. Her efforts were wasted. For the first time in maybe forever he was perfectly content to linger in someone else’s bed. Nothing short of fire was going to drag his head off of Abby’s lemon-scented pillowcases.
Nick had never felt more connected to anyone. A certainty washed over him. Abby brought him the most intense joy and pleasure he ever experienced. Both in and out of bed. Last night might not ha
ve moved the needle in her mind, but for Nick it was the final confirmation. There had been other women. Some beautiful. Some smart. Some captivating. But there had never been anyone who took complete control over his heart.
Curiosity almost had him throwing back the blanket. How was she going to handle their latest morning after? Nick figured she would probably shoot for casual, dismissing him as soon as her conscience would allow. His adrenaline pumped. Tangling with Abby vertically was almost as fun as tangling with her horizontally.
The sound of footsteps had him pushing the sheet down just past his hips. Might as well mess with her a little. Poke a few holes in her composure.
He watched her eyes move from his face down to the exposed planes of his torso. Score one in his column. A soft flush crept across her cheeks and her mouth moved but no words came out.
“Want to lose those jeans and join me?”
“Hmm,” she muttered, twisting her hand around the door knob in a death grip. “Thanks for the offer. But I’m good.”
Laughter exploded in his chest. “McCabe, you are way better than good. That’s why I’m asking.”
“Can you hear that?” She slipped forward a few inches closer to the bed. “That’s my heart beating out of my chest. I’m touched that I lived up to your standards.”
“Now you’re just fishing for compliments,” he drawled, delighted to see her jaw tighten and her eyes pinch at the corners.
Her hands wrestled with the balled up comforter stuffed half way around the bottom of her four-poster bed. When her expression slipped from frustration to hurt, he quickly changed tactics.
“Truth is, I wouldn’t even try to describe what last night meant to me, Abby.” Tugging the sheet around his waist he shifted down the bed until he was within reach of her. “I don’t want to just be the guy who got lucky with you a few times.”
She dropped her head before he could read her reaction. He felt a warm rush of air as she released a heavy sigh. “Geez, you really don’t believe in fighting fair.”
He captured her hands, tugging her around the column of the bed, until she landed across his lap. “Not when I want something as badly as I want you.”
Her body tensed. “I hate to change the subject but I’m on a tight schedule this morning.”
“Still itching to get me out the door?”
“Absolutely,” she replied, with enough humor to spare his ego further trashing. “Actually I’m supposed to meet my mother at the Cashmere Club. She wants me to pick out an impractical, overpriced Christmas gift.”
“You choose your own present?”
“My mom likes input. She hates to see anyone disappointed on Christmas.”
“What about you?” he asked, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re not going to take a chance on ruining my holiday, are you?”
Her gaze narrowed. “Meaning what, exactly?”
“Well, this is my first time celebrating as a father. I’d like to spend time with you and our baby.”
He moved his hand slowly around her waist, letting it rest on the soft rise of her stomach. Uncertainty flickered in her eyes.
“My parents host a small party every year at Eagle Ridge on the 24th. Kevin and Bridget will be there. You’re welcome to come.”
He wasn’t in a position to quibble over her lack of enthusiasm. Ignoring his own frustration, he pressed gently. “As your date, right?”
She eased away from his hold, straightening to a standing position. “That will be like waving a banner. Are you ready for that?”
“Absolutely,” he said, anticipation gripping his chest. “My parents are coming later that night. We should probably plan on telling them too.”
A soft sigh was her only response. If she had her way they would probably delay telling anyone until their baby graduated from high school. He understood her anxiety. People would talk. Ignorant people would somehow point an invisible finger at Abby. The truth was he didn’t care what anyone thought. He wouldn’t change the situation even if he could. He wanted this baby. He wanted Abby.
She eyed her watch. “I have to fly. There’s coffee and fresh banana bread. Help yourself.”
She dipped her head, pressing a feather-light kiss against his cheek. It took Nick a long time to recover from that simple gesture of affection. The sound of the front door clicking had him easing back against a mountain of pillows. After days of plotting ways to earn Abby’s trust, a strange realization settled over him. Maybe he was the one who had been most scarred by the past.
Despite his protestations to the contrary, his wife’s betrayal had cut deep. The relationship hadn’t been perfect but it had been worthy of truth. Alyssa had stripped him of that fundamental right. It was a position he never wanted to be in again. Months ago he said he didn’t want to rush into another relationship. He probably would have held tight to that path for years if he had never met Abby.
Cripes, vulnerability sucked. His connection with Abby was different though. She was different. Hurting others wasn’t in her genetic makeup. If things didn’t work out between them it wouldn’t be rooted in deception. Nick didn’t want to dwell on the things that could go wrong. Right now his gut told him two things. He had found his forever. And satisfying Abby’s needs last night left him hungry as a bear.
She couldn’t believe her mouth had betrayed her. Again. On every level she was unprepared. The emerald dress she had her heart set on wearing had gone from snug to obscene since last week. Calls to her mother had gone unanswered, which meant Abby had little hope of giving her family a head’s up before the party.
Loitering on a lopsided bench outside of Macy’s only heightened her anxiety. Slipping her feet back into her wool-lined clogs, Abby marched into the nearest department store. Twenty minutes later she tossed three bags into the trunk of her car and punched the gas pedal.
By the time she pulled into her driveway it was already past five. No time for a nap. The blinking light on her answering machine indicated four more messages than she wanted to deal with. Guilt had her hitting the play button anyway. Nick. Bridget. Nick. Ben.
Since Ben’s message was the only one that made her smile, she played it again.
“This is your pre-Lamaze class coach calling to remind you to take deep cleansing breaths. Tonight is either going to be a complete catastrophe or a major stress reducer. Either way I don’t envy you. I’m here if you need a shoulder. Call me.”
Tonight’s party would certainly go down in family history. Reactions would waver between shock and sympathy. Most people, even those that loved her, would speculate on how quickly the relationship would implode. For some strange reason Abby wasn’t sure she agreed. Something had changed. Maybe it was the look of wonder on his face yesterday. A chaste kiss hardly seemed worthy of such a reaction. Yet she was sure no man had ever looked at her with such appreciation and unabashed joy. She couldn’t let him go. Right. Wrong. It no longer mattered. Loving him was a risk. But it was worth taking.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, Abby flicked her wrist, adding a second layer of mascara. She looked good. Years of watching Bridget had finally paid off. The iridescent blue taffeta sparkled as she twirled in a small circle.
Nick. The thought of an engagement flashed through her mind. It would be a huge step. Excitement chased away anxiety. She wanted to publicly commit to the man who would soon be a father to her child. Even though he had never gone so far as to say those words, Abby was pretty sure Nick wanted the same thing.
By the time headlights flashed in her driveway she was practically jumping out of her skin.
He climbed the steps leading to her door, grateful for the record-low temperatures. Nerves already threatened to leave perspiration stains under his suit coat. As he dressed for the party he told himself not to pin his hopes on winning her family over immediately. Few intelligent fathers would be overjoyed to discover that their only daughter had hooked up with a professional athlete. According to Kevin, the family didn’t e
xactly exude warmth. Nick hoped his friend had been exaggerating. Controlling his temper wouldn’t be an issue unless Abby was the target of their displeasure. They could rake him over the coals any day of the week. Their daughter and future grandchild were another story entirely.
It was crazy. The front door opened and his ability to breathe disappeared. Tiny white lights twinkled in the entryway, framing her angelic face. He moved closer, planting a small kiss on the corner of her mouth. Her shoulders trembled under his loose embrace. It was enough to bring his mouth firmly over her lips caressing them with unabashed longing. Her warm, sweet lips matched his tempo, creating a desperate longing that could not be sated. At least on her doorstep.
She pulled back, resting her hands on his shoulders. “Let’s skip the party, Nick. I’ll tell my mother I’m not feeling well.”
Alarm shot through him. “What’s wrong? You should have called me.”
Her eyes danced with mischief. “Wow, your brain must be really addled tonight. Other than a little sexual frustration, I’m fine.”
A soft blush settled on her cheeks. It took every ounce of willpower to shift his hands from her hips to his front pockets. Nick was more than willing to ease her frustration. After the party.
“Sorry, sweetheart. Tonight we’re sticking to the game plan. A hot bout of sweaty sex will have to wait until after I meet your family.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re serious?”
“Don’t look so shocked. I need to start busting my butt if I’m going to have any chance of winning them over.”
A frown creased her forehead. “Be prepared. Underneath layers and layers of starch, they’re part human. They just mask it pretty well.”
Fifty minutes later he was almost ready to raise a white flag. Nothing short of a blowtorch would melt the frost on the tongues of the McCabe clan. Even without a formal declaration, Abby’s family immediately grasped the significance of his presence at her side. Etiquette prevented any public display of outrage but it simmered just below the surface. Misery left its mark as Abby’s smile all but disappeared.
The Catcher and the Lie Page 16