Pulse: Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 6) (7 page)

T
he farther
we put the city behind us, the less congested Long Island becomes. I crack open the windows when we’re close to our destination. “Smell it?” I take a deep breath and blow it out. “Isn’t it glorious? I forget how much I miss the ocean until I come back to it.”

Nick inhales too but doesn’t react with the same glee. I chuckle at the way he’s crinkling his nose like a little boy who has to eat Brussels sprouts.

“What?”

“You’re wrinkling your nose, and it’s cute.” The sky roof cover thuds when I slide it back, and the hum of the window as it opens is drowned out by the rush of air. “Once we get past the mud flats, you’ll like the smell better.”

A seagull swoops down close, and Nick reaches for the bag of chips that is open between us. “Those damn birds steal food.”

“Bad experience with a seagull?”

“Yeah. When I was a kid, we took a vacation in the Carolinas. I lost a whole lobster roll to one of those thieves.”

“Aw, poor little Nick. We’ll have to get you another.”

“We sure will. I’m going to eat seafood every day.”

The sides of the road are now adorned with the fresh pale green of spring. “It does smell better now.”

“That’s the lilacs.” I flip the blinker and pull off to a side road to travel more slowly.
Home.

When I was a toddler, my father left my mother. She had me and my sister, who was just a baby, to take care of at the time Bellae was just taking off, and I suspect my father was the sacrifice that made it happen. But Alex and I never felt neglected. Perhaps my mother learned a lesson from her divorce, because she made enough time for us that we grew up feeling loved. And capable.

It was driven into us that we were smart and able to run the world. Or a company like Bellae. But I wanted nothing to do with business and majored in psychology to become a domestic violence counselor, while Alex couldn’t get enough and went on to get an MBA. I’m not exactly sure when my mother decided I should be the one to take over, and it’s almost funny that for me it’s punishment when for Alex, it would be a reward.

I pull up to a black box that is window height and open it to reveal a keypad. “Can you find the text from my mom with the code?”

Nick reads off the numbers, and the keys beep as I push them. The wrought-iron gate slides open with a low mechanical hum. The entry to our estate is framed by neatly trimmed hedges, and once we get past them, a vast expanse of land is before us, with a white house in the distance.

It’s impressive, and Nick says, “Wow. You own enough land for an entire neighborhood.”

I glance at him quickly. “This area used to be for horses, but my mother doesn’t like them. She had an Olympic-length pool installed where the barn stood.” As we rise over a ridge, another building appears. “That’s the guest cottage. If you look past it you’ll see my pool—” I stop because I realize what I said. But this is Nick, so I relax and try to make light of my privileged upbringing.

“I’m about to sound like a princess. You know I was a nationally ranked swimmer in college. When my mother realized I was good, she built me a pool so I could get more training in.”

I slow the car to a crawl and study Nick’s face. He just nods, and I wonder what he’s thinking.

“Do you have lots of visitors come to stay?”

“No. But if they do and my mother doesn’t like them, they can stay here.” He doesn’t laugh, and I think he must be nervous.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. This is kind of overwhelming. What if your mother hates me?”

“Babe, my mother is nice. We may have our problems, but most people like her. And she’s going to love you.” I stop the car to take his hand. “You’ll see.”

“So the fact that I’m wearing clothes that are probably not worthy of the thrift store in town won’t matter?”

The pad of Nick’s thumb is rough on my skin as he rubs the top of my hand. “Look at what I’m wearing.” I’m in worn jeans that are frayed on the bottom and a ski logo T-shirt. “Besides, we just drove two thousand miles in two days.” I wink at him. “I think you look hot.”

He lets out a small chuckle. “Okay. But I feel like I should have brought something or—” He sighs. “I don’t know.”

Nick touches my cheek and asks, “What about you? Are you nervous?”

“No. I’ve accepted what I have to do.” I start driving again, and we reach the house to pull up in front of one of four garage doors. Once the engine is off, I turn to my boyfriend. “Thank you for coming. I hope you don’t regret it, because knowing you’ll be here with me has made this a lot easier.”

He leans over and kisses my nose, and it makes me smile. He says, “Stop saying that. I’m glad to be here with you.”

“I hope I can keep it that way.” A dull ache is behind my eyes, and I squeeze them shut for a second to alleviate the pain.

When we get out of the car, my mother is standing on the wrap-around porch by the front door. She’s in loose slacks and a silk blouse that is draped over her thin frame. Even though I’ve turned my mom into the bad guy in all of this, I want to hug her.

She says, “Welcome home.” We stand for an awkward moment with neither of us making the first move. We finally exchange air kisses, and my mother’s scent floats to my nose. It’s her signature perfume made for Bellae, and I swear it doesn’t smell this good on anybody else. It makes me long for the days when an embrace was easy for us. Back when I would have told her about my love for Nick. “It feels good to be here.”

Mom’s gaze lands on Nick. “You must be Nick. Welcome.”

She take both of his hands and exudes charm that is elegant and poised. He says, “Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Russo.”

“Come on in. We can get your things later.” She glances at me. “Frank is waiting.”

Frank is our family lawyer. I nod at her, and we enter a spacious entryway that reaches up to the ceiling. A staircase with dark risers and white railings is exposed all the way up to the third floor, and plenty of daylight streams in the decorative windows above the door. It’s grand and much bigger than I remember as I look with fresh eyes, imagining what Nick must think.

We make our way to the kitchen, where the space is an open floor plan that includes a living room. It’s done in clean white with royal-blue accents. But the view is the best part. The ocean is visible through the windows, and Nick gazes out them as he says, “What a beautiful room.”

Mom answers, “Thank you. What can I get you to drink?”

“Water would be great, please.”

I shoot a questioning look to my mother because she doesn’t wait on people. She says, “I gave the staff the evening off so we could be alone.”

Nick wanders over to the sliding glass doors that lead to an enclosed section of the deck. The remaining deck space spans a large portion of the back of the house. A table in the screened room is set.

Water gurgles in two glasses as my mother says, “Nick, I hope you don’t mind if we excuse ourselves. The powder room is down the hall, and help yourself to anything in the kitchen.”

I’m grateful that she’s treating him in a manner that makes him comfortable. The glass she hands me is cold in my hand, and Nick says, “Not at all. Take your time.”

I glance over my shoulder at him as I follow my mother down the hall, and he holds up crossed fingers. I wink back.

Mom’s wearing flat leather-soled shoes that tap lightly on the hardwood while my sneakers follow silently as she leads me into the office. I gulp down the icy water as we go. The ice cubes clink in the glass when I finish, and I smile at the attractive man I see. Tall, with graying temples, he’d look good next to my mother, and I think they may have once had a thing. “Frank.”

“Megan.” He stands up from the desk to hug me. His aftershave is the same as I remember. One more memory of home. He says, “This is a big day.”

“It sure is.” I recall my conversation with Nick and the fact that I decided I would be gracious about my inheritance and start things off on the right foot. I turn to my mother. “Mom, I’m grateful for your trust and confidence in me. And I appreciate this gift and all that it means. Thank you.”

My mother squints at me, and her tone is cool. “You’re welcome. I’m grateful to have such a capable daughter to inherit Bellae. I know you and Alex will make me proud.”

Frank walks us through the mountain of paperwork, and forty-five minutes later, we return to the kitchen. Nick is sitting at the counter on his phone and stands up when he sees us. I say, “You’re looking at the woman who’ll take Bellae to the next level.”

Frank chuckles, but Mother glares at me for a second. She caught my hint of sarcasm. She turns to my boyfriend. “Nick, would you grab the bottle of champagne out of the refrigerator and open it for us please while I see Frank out?”

“Happy to.” Frosty air curls out of the fridge as Nick opens the door, and I get glasses out of the cabinet. Nick asks, “So? You were civil?”

I let out a noise from the back of my throat. “I may not be happy about this, but I understand the importance of taking the higher ground.” I bump my body against his, and the glasses clink as I set them down on the sandstone counter. “Thanks for being my voice of reason.”

I take the bottle of champagne from him as my mother returns to the kitchen. I hold it up. “Shall we?”

Her smile is the plastic one I recognize as tolerant. “Let’s.”

The cork comes out with a soft pop I control, and Nick tilts a glass for me to pour. When the three champagne flutes are filled with bubbly liquid, we all raise them. I say, “To the mother who wants success, fame, and fortune for her daughters.”

Our glasses ting with the melodic sound that comes from fine crystal, and we all take a sip. The bubbles dance on my tongue, and I decide I might get a little drunk tonight. My mother lifts her glass and says, “To Megan, may she flourish in her newfound role and discover her true calling.”

My large red button has just been pushed. I snort and say, “Leading a makeup company is as far from my true calling as you can get. I don’t even wear the stuff. Please, Mother. Let’s call this what it is.” I lift my glass. “To the daughter who’s trying to do what she must to keep peace in the family for the next five years.”

My mother glares at me. “It’s not about the product, it’s about the leadership. You’ll thank me for this someday.” She sets her glass down to place her hands on the counter and lean toward me. Her voice is low when she says, “You’ve been given a position of extreme power. What you do with it is up to you. I suggest you survive.” She stands and takes her glass to walk out onto the deck.

“Crap.” I run my hand through my hair and glance at Nick. “I’m sorry. I just acted like a sixteen-year-old. Something about my mother does that to me.”

“It’s okay. She didn’t take it lying down.”

I offer a weak smile. “Let’s go out to the deck and enjoy the view.” The chilled bottle is moist from condensation and wet in my hand as I grab it. My idea of drinking too much is getting more appealing by the second.

N
ick
and I step out on the deck into a cool breeze coming off the water. The sun is low in the sky and has a hint of orange. I inhale the salty air and relax.

Mom is standing at the railing and gazing out over the water. I hate run-ins with my mother, because I get a stomachache and regret my words for days. I can’t believe I still have that reaction when, as an adult, I know I’m not the only one at fault.

She turns as she hears us approach. “Nick, have you spent much time at the ocean?”

“No, ma’am. I was born and raised in Colorado. I even went to CU in Boulder.”

She leans back against the railing, and I watch my mother pour on the charm. “Well, there’s so much for us to show you.”

“I look forward to it,” says Nick.

Mom smiles. “You’re going to have plenty of time to enjoy it. I assume by the ring I saw on Megan’s finger, you’re a permanent fixture in my daughter’s life.”

Oh, God.
I jump in to rescue Nick. “We’re not engaged.” I slip my arm around his waist in case he thinks I’m freaking out. “But if I have my way, Nick will be forever.”

“I see.” Mom studies us for a moment and shifts gears. “I thought we could eat out in the screened-in porch. Trina left us some chowder to heat up. It will be a bit chilly, but I’m sure you both have warm clothes.”

Nick says, “Wonderful idea. Should I go get our things?”

“Yes, do that. I’ll get started on dinner. Megan, he’s in the seashell room.”

As we make our way to the car, crickets chirp, and I stop for a moment to gaze out at the horizon. “Nick, I’m sorry. I feel like you’re seeing the worst in me, and I totally understand if you want to turn around and drive back to Colorado.”

Nick grabs my hand and pulls me close. He takes me by my shoulders. “Remember how I said there was nothing you could tell me that would push me away?”

I nod.

“I’m not going anywhere. Families have drama, and it’s all good.”

“You say that now. My mother and I are just getting warmed up.”

Nick steps back, and a smirk covers his face as he jerks his head. “Bring it.”

I can’t help but laugh at his gesture. After we unload the bags from the car and I get him settled in his room, we grab coats and make our way back to the kitchen.

Mom is stirring the soup pot and says, “The chowder is almost ready.”

“It smells wonderful,” says Nick. Wine is in a marble cooling cylinder, and three glasses are set out along with bowls for the chowder.

I say, “You won’t starve here. Our cook is amazing and makes all food taste good.” I grab the basket of blueberry muffins and wine to bring out to the table. I nod for Nick to get the goblets.

We come back to get our meal. My mother has just finished filling her bowl, and I say to Nick, “It’s help yourself.” I grab my bowl and walk over to fill it with the clam chowder. Frothy cream splashes into my dish, and I salivate in anticipation.

Nick takes his turn and says, “I’m going to need more than one bowl of this.”

Mom says, “Trina is going to be so happy to have new mouths to feed.” She looks at Nick as she says, “Our cook loves compliments, so use them wisely.”

Bowls thump on the wood outdoor table as we all sit to dinner. My mother pours herself wine as my saltines crack when I crumble them into my soup.

Mom leans back with her drink and takes a sip as she gazes out over the water. “It’s a wonderful feeling to know I don’t have to go to work tomorrow.”

Nick asks, “What are you going to do now that you’ve stepped down from Bellae?”

Mom smiles over her steepled fingers. “I plan to spend some of my money and enjoy myself.” She lifts a spoonful of soup to cool.

“You’re far too young to retire.”

“I bet you were good at your job, young man.”

I say, “Nick was amazing at his job. He was the most requested instructor and had a return client list a mile long.”

Nick adds, “What she isn’t telling you is she was that good too. Our return rates were always neck and neck.”

Mom raises her eyebrows but says nothing. I say, “Nick also just made the development team. It’s a big deal, and I’m so proud of him.”

My mother asks what that means, and I explain it to her as Nick excuses himself to use the bathroom. When he’s out of earshot, my mother lifts a wine glass up to her mouth. It hovers at her lips as her tone changes. “I’ve taken the liberty to arrange a few things for you this week. Lydia, my assistant, who will now work for you, can walk you through everything tomorrow. A car will be here for you at four-thirty.” She takes a sip of her drink.

While I expected to work right away, I did think I’d get a day off to settle in. Being on Colorado time is going to make my morning feel like I’ve just gotten to sleep. I swallow a mouthful of soup along with my sarcastic comments. “May I ask what?”

“For starters, you need a good grooming and a wardrobe. I don’t suppose you have a makeup kit, do you?”

“I do. But I prefer not to wear it most days.” I don’t tell her that an eye pencil, mascara, and lip gloss is about the extent of it.

“That’s going to have to change.”

“But—”

“You are the public face for Bellae now. Surely you realize you need to use your products.”

Fantastic. This really is my idea of hell.

“Lydia can set you up for a makeover.”

Nick has returned and sits next to me as I squint at my mother in annoyance. “I’ve got it covered.”

She sets her spoon down and lowers her voice for impact. “Watch your tone.”

Now I’m seething with anger and let out a huff as I count to ten in my head.

Nick fills the silence. “Is there a beach on this property?”

My mother smiles at Nick as if nothing’s wrong and answers, “Yes.” She points to the left. “There’s a path over there.”

Before I can spit out some vitriol, my boyfriend says, “Megan, let’s go for a walk. I want to see the water.”

He touches my leg, and I shove my chair out with a loud scrape against the wood deck as I grumble, “Good idea.”

Nick’s good manners make him ask, “Shouldn’t we clear a few things first?”

My mother answers quickly. “No, dear, but thank you. I’ve got it.”

The deck shakes under my feet as I lead the way. When we get to land, I continue at breakneck speed until we are no longer in sight. I stop suddenly and turn to Nick. The sun is about to dip below the horizon, and it gives off an eerie glow, making him look like something supernatural against it. Nick reaches his hands out, and I step in to wrap my arms around his waist.

He asks, “Are you okay?”

“No. I can’t seem to control myself around her. I feel like I never left. My mother is the one person who makes me mad enough to explode.”

Nick says, “I’m sorry. What can I do to help?”

“Nothing. Just keep holding me.”

I tug on my elbow to squeeze tighter, and the muscles in Nick’s chest flex beneath my cheek. I say, “I have to get up early tomorrow and go into the city to get a wardrobe. Then I need a proper grooming.”

His belly quivers with a silent laugh. “What are you? A dog?”

I feel my body relax, and I smile up at him. “That’s not a bad analogy. This week my new assistant will be telling me to jump, and I’ll be asking how high.”

Nick asks, “Are you scared? I mean, do you even know how to do this job?”

Wind has blown my hair in my face, and Nick pushes it back. “Nope, and I’m terrified. My mother is testing me. Like she’s done all my life.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know.”

Nick grabs my hand and tugs me down a dirt path that gets increasingly steeper. I let him, because I need to feel sand between my toes and be close to the sea. We stop at a weathered-wood staircase that leads to a small strip of white beach. I say, “Careful.”

When we get to the bottom, Nick and I kick off our shoes. The sand is cold between my toes, but sinking into the softness as we walk toward the water is soothing.

“You have your own beach.”

I grab his hand. “I do. And even though my life is about to suck, I
am
really rich.” I pull him as I run toward the ocean and squeal when ice-cold water hits my toes and sends shock waves to my brain. Nick laughs.

We race back out quickly, and he says, “That’s brutal.”

“It’ll warm up soon.” I sober as sensation burns in my feet. “I’m not going to be around much during the week. I’m sorry I have to leave you to fend for yourself.”

“I’ll be fine.” Nick takes my hand again, and we walk slowly in the soft sand closer to land. “I wish we could sleep in the same room.”

“Yeah.” A thought occurs to me. “We have a cottage on Shelter Island. Once my hell week is over, let’s go out there for the weekend.”

Nick stops and turns to face me. He grabs my butt and pulls me against his groin as his erection grows. “We can try some of my rich-people fantasies.”

“Oh yeah? I like the sound of that.” I slide my hand down the front of his loose jeans, and he hisses when I put my cold fingers on his silky warmth. Nick trembles as I stroke him.

“Want to tell me what they are?”

“Can we do it in a boat house? You know, rolling around in sails.”

“Sails?” I giggle as I undo the button on his pants, and the zipper grinds as I lower it. “I think I’ll have to pass on that one. But I’m sure we can think of something.”

The sand is rough on my knees when we both sink down, and Nick tugs at the waistband of my pants. I ask, “Did I mention this beach is private?” His hand slips into my panties.

Denim is soft in my hands as I push it down off his hips. He says, “Good. I’m going to miss you in my bed tonight.”

“Same.” Nick’s fingers slip into me, and I inhale sharply and reach for my jeans to slide them down.

Nick removes his hand and lies back on the sand. The light is so dim, his teeth gleam against his lips as he says, “I have this other fantasy.”

I straddle his body and place my slit over his cock to slide my juices along his length. “Does it involve sand?”

He thrust his hips up. “Um-hm. And a sexy girl who rides me.”

I grip his dick and roll on the condom he hands me. I tease the latex-covered tip of him with my entrance. “This wouldn’t be the one you moved across the country with, would it?”

Nick grips my hips and pulls me down to spear me with his cock. He grunts. “That’s the one.”

I sigh. “Oh.” Nick guides me as I move up and down over him. I begin to moan when he flips me over, and I say, “Hey! I was hoping to avoid sand in my butt crack.”

Nick starts to pump. “Sharing the love.”

I can’t think of a reply as my orgasm builds.

T
he rolling
of waves lulls me to a sleepy state as I snuggle into Nick’s chest. His fingers comb through my hair as he says, “I know this situation is hard for you. If it gets to be too much, I’m not opposed to leaving it all if that’s what would make you happy.”

My laugh makes my body shake against him. “I have no intention of giving up the people of Bellae. I’m looking at this as a personal challenge. Besides, I came up with a plan.”

“You did? Was it when you screamed ‘Oh God’? Did he answer you?”

I slap his chest. “You’re lucky I’m helplessly in love with you.”

“Yes, I am.” Nick grips my wrist and places a light kiss on the inside of my arm. “So what’s the plan?”

“I’m going to give Alex more control and hire people to do whatever it is I’m supposed to do. If everything works out the way I want, I can sit back and let other people run the show.”

“I like your thinking.”

Me too. But I suspect it’s not going to be that easy.