She threw her head back, sending her long blond waves cascading down his chest. He fisted a thick column of her hair in his hand, forcing her back further against him until she was reclined against his chest and impaled on his cock. “Want you to come all over me,” he said, reaching around to stroke her. She arched on contact, but Nick held her fast against him as his fingers pressed firm, quick circles against her clit.
The diamond caught the light as she grasped and kneaded her breasts, her movements growing desperate as she thrust forward against his fingers and back against his cock. On a guttural moan, she held her breath and her core fisted around his length until her muscles were pulsing, sucking, squeezing the sanity from him. A high-pitched moan wrenched out of her as she went slack on his lap, and the languid satisfaction of her body made him feel ten feet tall.
“Holy shit,” she rasped.
He smacked her ass. “Kneel on the chair and bend over.”
“Ooh. Yes, sir,” she said as he helped her stand. He grinned as she got into position and looked back over her shoulder.
Gut instinct had him pulling off the bandage covering her tattoo. “I wanna see this ink while I fuck you.” He penetrated her inch by maddening inch, his gaze glued to the words she would wear forever. For him.
Gripping the back of the chair, she peered at the design from the corner of her eye. “You’re so good, Nick. All of you. I’m so lucky you’re mine.”
Her voice lit up places within him that once were so dark. Buried all the way inside her, he leaned over her back and braced his hand on the chair next to hers. Then his hips started to move in small, deep, punctuated thrusts that had her moaning with each stroke and his body screaming for release. As deep as it was, it wasn’t deep enough. It would never be deep enough. “Fuck, Becca. Just want you so goddamned much.”
“You have me, Nick. Oh, God,” she rasped as he banded an arm around her ribs and moved faster. The chair screeched against the floor and their skin slapped against the percussive beat of a grinding rock song.
He clutched her left hand on the backrest of the chair, and the diamond bit into his palm. It was the nail in the coffin of his remaining reserve. On a shout, he buried himself balls deep and came until he couldn’t help but rest his weight against Becca’s back. When his body finally stilled, he wrapped both arms around her and pressed a soft, open-mouthed kiss next to her tattoo. “I love you, Becca. And I always will.”
NICK COULD BARELY keep the smile off his face as he opened the apartment door. Him, unable to hold back a smile. If that wasn’t life doing a one-eighty, he didn’t know what was.
“After you,” he said to Becca. As she stepped inside the loft, he flicked on the lights to the main room.
“Surprise!” rang out in a great chorus of voices, along with a few barks. All their friends were there waiting for them—Jeremy and Charlie, Nick’s sister, Kat, and all of Nick’s teammates and their girlfriends. Baltimore police detective Kyler Vance, who’d been such an ally during their investigation, was there, too. And Nick had even managed to convince Walter and Louis Jackson to come. Walter had been Charlie’s landlord and had taken a special interest in helping Becca, even calling in the assistance of his son, Louis, who’d turned out to be an amazing resource for the team as the coordinator of the city’s task force on gangs.
“Oh, my God,” Becca said with a huge smile on her face. She turned and threw her arms around Nick. “You planned all this?”
Now he could grin. “I did good, huh?”
She laughed and hugged him tighter. “You did amazing.”
When they broke apart, he and Becca were surrounded by their friends and family, although the distinction didn’t mean much in this room. These people were all their family of choice. Everyone offered words of congratulations as Becca showed off her ring and recounted his proposal.
“Congrats, man. I couldn’t be happier for you,” Jeremy said, wearing the most unreserved smile Nick had seen on his brother in weeks. Not that Nick could blame him—between recovering from brain surgery, managing the construction on the other half of the Hard Ink building, and grappling with the death of two friends in the attack, the guy had a lot on his plate.
“Thanks, Jeremy. That means a lot,” Nick said. He shook his brother’s hand and tugged him in for a quick hug. “I’m happy for you, too. You and Charlie.”
Becca arched a brow at Charlie. “So, going to a movie, huh?” Charlie’s smile was a little sheepish, where Jer’s was a total shit-eating number that said he was pleased with himself for pulling one over on her. “So you were in on all this?” she asked them.
Charlie nodded. “It’s nice to have something else to celebrate.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Nick said as he watched Becca hug the blond-haired man who’d helped make tonight possible when he’d given Nick his blessing to propose to his sister.
Someone touched Nick’s arm, and he turned to find Kat standing beside him. Short, with long brown hair, she matched Nick for stubbornness and guts, something she’d proven more than once during the recent investigation. “She’s really good for you, Nick. You deserve this. And I’m really proud of you,” Kat said. Given the way the two of them butted heads sometimes, the words meant a lot. They hugged, and Nick was reminded yet again just how much he had in his life now. Because of Becca.
“Thanks, Kat. Although all this happiness is really fucking weird,” he said.
Rolling her bright green eyes, she shook her head. “Too damn bad. You’ll just have to get used to it.” She linked arms with Becca. “So when do we get to go dress shopping?”
“I’d love to help, too,” Sara Dean said, brushing her red hair back from her face.
“I hadn’t even thought about it yet,” Becca said, looking between Kat and Sara. Of all the women here, Becca and Sara had known each other the longest. Nick knew that Becca held a special affection for Sara, who’d helped him and the team rescue Charlie from the basement of the strip club where Sara had been forced to work. “I’m off on Thursday and Friday, so maybe then? Jenna and Emilie can come, too. We’ll do a whole girls’ day.”
“After everything that’s happened, isn’t it weird to think we can just go shopping?” Sara said. Words of agreement rose up all around, and Nick was glad that Becca had a close group of friends to share all this with.
Shane McCallan came up behind Sara and kissed her on the cheek. “Champagne?” He held out a tray of plastic flutes. Sara looked up at Shane with so much affection on her face, and Nick wondered if he and Becca were that blatant with their feelings. Hell, he guessed they probably were. But everyone in this room deserved a big old slice of happiness, so Nick couldn’t begrudge a single one of them.
“You make a good waiter,” Nick said to his best friend as he took a glass for Becca and himself. “In case this security business doesn’t work out, and all.”
“Don’t make me tell you to fuck off at your engagement party,” Shane said, a hint of his Southern accent coming through.
Nick laughed and shook the guy’s free hand. “Thanks again for coming with me today.”
“Wouldn’t have been anywhere else,” Shane said. And Nick knew that was true, despite the initial disbelief and subsequent ribbing Shane had dished out when Nick had told him what he planned to do.
When everyone had a glass of bubbly in their hands, Shane called out, “Hey everyone, gather ’round. I’d like to make a toast.”
Standing in a big circle between the loft’s open living room and kitchen, everyone quieted. Becca slipped her arm around Nick’s back and leaned in tight against his side.
Shane held up his glass. “Nick Rixey is my best friend, my teammate, and my brother, and I know he’d lay down his life for me as quickly as I’d do the same for him.”
“Fuckin’ A,” Nick said, giving Shane a nod. Their other teammates—Beckett Murda, Derek “Marz” DiMarzio, and Edward “Easy” Cantrell—sent up words of support, too.
“So I couldn’t be
happier,” Shane continued, “to see him getting everything he deserves. Well, maybe even more than he deserves, given how amazing Becca Merritt is.”
Against a round of laughter, Nick grinned and nodded, while Becca protested and hugged him.
Shane winked at her. “Becca, you went above and beyond in helping us clear our names, and I will forever be proud to call you my sister.” Before things had a chance to turn serious, he added, “So if you ever need any help with this stubborn pain-in-the-ass man with whom you’ve chosen to spend your life, you just let any of us know.” He gestured to the other guys in the room.
“Count me in for that, too,” Jeremy said with a big smile. Everyone laughed, and damn, it felt good seeing their friends at such ease.
“So let’s raise a glass to the couple who brought us all together. May love, peace, and happiness be your constant companions. To Nick and Becca.” Shane raised his glass higher.
“To Nick and Becca,” everyone called.
Grinning up at Nick, Becca clicked her plastic flute against his. “I love you,” she said.
“Right back atcha, Sunshine,” he said, his heart feeling two sizes too big for his chest. They drank.
“Is it time to eat the cake yet?” Marz said to more laughter as he leaned against the breakfast bar. Which was when Nick noticed a big cake with a figurine standing atop it next to Marz’s elbow.
“Leave it to Marz to demand food,” Beckett said with a smirk. Seeing Beckett relaxed and cutting it up was another big change, because for almost as long as they’d known one another, Beckett had been reserved and quiet, not one to shoot the shit or joke around. Before all this, only Marz had seemed to get behind the big guy’s walls. Nick now knew that Kat had had a lot to do with how the man had changed, as much as their relationship had thrown Nick at first.
“Well, he did help me make it,” Emilie said, planting a kiss on Marz’s cheek. “It was all I could do to keep him from eating all the icing.”
“Aw, you made this?” Becca said, stepping up to the counter. The square cake was two layers tall and read, To Nick and Becca, The Best Is Yet To Come! Next to the words stood a porcelain figurine of a man in fatigues embracing a blond-haired woman in a wedding dress.
And that was officially the first time Nick imagined seeing Becca in her wedding gown—about to get married to him. And hell if the thought of that didn’t slay him.
“This is amazing, Emilie,” Becca said as the women hugged.
“It really is. Thank you,” Nick said, hugging Emilie next. After losing her brother—who’d been the team’s enemy—her devotion to everyone in that room was truly amazing. Nick held out his hand to Marz next. “And thank you for not eating the cake before we had a chance to see it.” Marz’s appetite was pretty damn legendary.
Wearing his trademark grin, Marz nodded. “Dude, it was a close call.” Marz could always be counted on to lighten a moment and make them laugh. Despite the fact that he’d borne the most serious injury from their ambush, he never let his amputation hold him back or get him down. Nick fucking admired that, he really did.
For a moment, surrounded by everyone he loved, Nick let himself bask in this moment of such fucking perfect contentment.
The best is yet to come.
Now that all the bullshit was behind them, Nick absolutely believed it. The future was theirs, and nothing could keep him from his happily ever after with Becca now.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Nick asked. “Let’s eat some damn cake.”
CHAPTER 5
I’m really excited to do this today,” Becca said as Nick parked the car along the curb. She’d spent all her free time after work on Tuesday and Wednesday searching local venues, dress shops, caterers, florists, and other things related to planning a wedding. She already had her two days off booked with appointments, just so she could get an idea of what she’d want at her wedding.
Her wedding! Part of Becca could hardly believe it. She and Nick were getting married. She thought back to the stubborn, standoffish man she’d met that first day at Hard Ink all those months ago, and could only marvel at how far they’d come.
“Me too,” Nick said. “Besides, whatever makes you happy makes me happy, you know that.”
She gave him a look. “Smart man.”
He grinned. “Come on. Let’s go check it out.”
They stepped out onto Front Street, a little cobblestone-paved gem right in the middle of downtown Baltimore. At one end of the block stood the towering 1840s Carrollton Inn and at the other, the historic Carroll Mansion, onetime home to Charles Carroll, Maryland’s longest living signer of the Declaration of Independence. A brick-paved courtyard surrounded by lush gardens joined the two.
They’d barely stepped through the wrought-iron gatehouse entrance onto the property before Becca was head over heels in love—with the historic ambiance, the beautiful architecture, the whole romantic setting. A thrill of excitement shot through her. A few months ago, she’d been worried about losing her only remaining family member. Now, she’d gained a huge new family, had her brother firmly back in her life, and was about to become someone’s wife. It was amazing how quickly life could change. For the good and for the bad.
“Hello,” a tall woman in a smart pants suit said. With her long black hair and warm brown skin, she was strikingly pretty. “I’m Sonya Mayer, the assistant manager of the inn. Welcome.” Nick and Becca introduced themselves, and Sonya gave them the tour of the inn’s four interior levels and rooms, as well as its outdoor spaces.
“I can’t believe I’ve never noticed this place before. It’s just gorgeous,” Becca said. The rooms each had their own unique atmosphere and decor, lending elegance to the inn’s charming nineteenth-century architecture. And the courtyard would be gorgeous for an outdoor wedding, something she’d always wanted.
“We have our own little enclave back here,” Sonya said. “A little oasis of calm and historical charm in the middle of the city.”
Becca nodded, struggling to keep her outward cool when inside she was all I want it I want it and I don’t care how much it costs!
Back downstairs, Sonya guided them to a table where they had a few flower and cake samples laid out. Menus, catalogs, and price lists sat on one corner of the table atop a shiny venue folder.
“Can I offer you a glass of champagne while we talk?” Sonya asked.
“I’d love that,” Becca said. “Nick?”
“Sounds great,” he said. When Sonya departed, he turned to her. “Okay, tell me how much you want this place.”
Becca managed to hold in her enthusiasm for about five seconds. “It’s so amazing. Don’t you think so? It’s pretty and charming and not too big and—”
Nick kissed her. “Done.”
“It’s pretty expensive, though,” she said.
He shook his head, his pale green eyes locked on hers. “I don’t care what it costs. If you want it, we’re having it. I like it, too. And we deserve the best to start our new life.”
“Really?” she asked. “How’d I get so lucky?”
The smile brought out his dimple. “That’s my line.”
“Here we go,” Sonya said, settling two crystal champagne flutes down on the table. She had an iPad tucked under her arm.
“Cheers,” Nick said, clinking glasses with Becca. The champagne was sweet and bubbly, absolutely delicious.
“So, have you picked a date?” Sonya asked, bringing the iPad to life in front of her.
Becca looked to Nick. “We only just got engaged,” she said. “If we wanted to have the ceremony outside, I suppose we’d need to do it by the fall or wait until the spring?” Nick nodded and gave her hand a squeeze.
“Well, let me see,” Sonya said, scrolling through her digital calendar. “We’re actually booking a year out right now. I know all the weekend dates in the fall are completely booked. And I think the spring is, too.” Becca’s shoulders dropped. She shouldn’t have been surprised, really, since most people had l
ong engagements to allow them to make their plans. “If you’re interested in a shorter engagement, it looks like . . .” The woman focused on the screen for a long moment. “It looks like I only have two options as of this moment. The third Saturday in December, which would preclude an outdoor ceremony. Or, oh, we had a cancellation on Saturday, August eighth. Though if you’ve only just gotten engaged, I imagine that’s much too soon. Otherwise, our next weekend opening is next July.”
Becca barely heard anything after the August date. That was three weeks from now. She looked up at Nick. “Is three weeks from now too crazy?”
The smile he gave her made her fall even more in love with him. “Only in the best possible ways, Sunshine.”
Tears pricked the backs of her eyes. “I could be your wife in three weeks.”
A heated masculine satisfaction slid into those pale green eyes, and Nick turned to Sonya. “We’ll take August eighth.”
“IT’S A GOOD thing you’d already made an appointment to look at dresses,” Emilie said as the five women piled out of Shane’s big truck the following day. Sara had sweet-talked him into letting them borrow it for their girls’ day out.
“I know, right?” Becca said, still floating over the fact that she was getting married in three weeks. “But the inn was just too perfect to pass up, and neither of us wanted to wait a whole year to get married.”
Sara elbowed her in the side. “And you’re sure this isn’t a shotgun wedding, right?”
Grinning, Becca shook her head. She and Nick had been answering this question ever since they’d returned from the inn yesterday after several hours of choosing food, cake, and flowers for their event. “Nope. There’s no bun in this oven, I promise you.” Everyone laughed. Becca walked up to the ornate carved desk and greeted the young woman standing there. “Hi, I’m Becca Merritt.”
“Welcome, Becca. Please have a seat. Diana will be right out,” the woman said.
The five friends sat on the overstuffed cream-colored sofas and nibbled at cookies and fancy wrapped chocolates displayed on plates covering the glass-topped end tables. Becca and Nick might be doing this fast, but it all still felt so special to her. She was glad they weren’t waiting.