Hotshot (42 page)

“Tell me,” I urge him to continue.

“Caldwell has a relationship with an investigator. This guy discovered that Sasha hired a Private Investigator shortly after I told her about us. She wanted to know everything, digging up your life and mine. When you left for Charlotte, she saw an opportunity and took it. It pushed her over the top when I followed you a few weeks later. That’s when she put her plan in place. According to records that may or may not have been legally obtained, Sasha actually knew the sex of the baby for weeks before we supposedly found out together. There’s a way to look at the genes and discover the gender through the blood tests with genetic testing. She knew the whole time. All of it was a giant game to her, watching to see how far I’d bend to her will. It must have pissed her off that I wasn’t back in Miami, so she made this elaborate story to lure me home. Needless to say, it worked.”

“Wow, talk about manipulative. This is cunning, even for her.”

“I’m an idiot for falling for it. Why didn’t I catch on?”

“Let’s not go there, Shaw. You did what you thought was right.”

“Yes, but the whole time, she continued to work behind the scenes. You received the job offer in Charlotte because her father offered a handsome donation to the hospital if they’d keep you.”

“W-w-what?” I stammer, not believing what he’s said.

“Yep. Good ole Claude Crane wanted his daughter happy, so somehow, he was able to influence them to offer you a position—one he never thought you’d reject.”

“So they didn’t really want me?” I feel like I can’t breathe as it dawns on me. Even though I didn’t want to stay in Charlotte, it was nice to think they believed in me.

“No, baby, they did want you. But Evie threatened her counterpart if she tried to steal you.” He kisses my shoulder, tightening the arm around my waist. “But the administrator made the offer based on the promise of a hefty endowment.”

“What a bitch!” I move to wiggle away, needing to pace. This is over the top. How dare she fuck with my career?

“I wish it hadn’t come to this, but we knew she was vindictive.” He’s barely holding in his rage, and I know it’s up to me to calm us both.

I run my hands through his hair, as he’s done to me all these years, hoping it has the same effect. He avoids my eyes for a few minutes then focuses on me.

“She’s not going to get away with this. I’m not sure how to go forward while she’s still pregnant, but as soon as the baby’s born, I’m taking everything to court.”

“Okay,” I agree.

“She’s not getting away with this,” he repeats, and I think it’s more for him than me.

“What can I do?”

“You’re doing it. Listening to me, holding me, loving me…That’s all I can ask for.”

“It doesn’t seem like enough.”

His eyes rise to mine, and their pain is crippling. When I thought I couldn’t hate her more, she continues to prove me wrong.

“I may have some good news.” I try to sound cheery.

“I need good news.”

“Your mom came to the hospital and had lunch with me today.”

“That’s not unusual.” He chuckles. “Did she want to try and change the menu again for the engagement party?”

“Nope, she brought magazines for us to pick out baby furniture. I thought we could finally discuss the nursery, considering it’s a priority.”

A light flickers in his eyes, and his lips start to twitch. “Nursery furniture?”

I nod.

“Did you find something you like? Something safe?” He leans down on each side of the chair, putting the bottle and the glass on the ground.

I nod again, this time a bit more enthusiastically.

“Get it. I trust you.” The familiar gleam starts to shine in his eyes.

“Don’t you want to see it? Know what it costs?”

“Nope, you have my credit card. Charge it and have it rushed. We’ll set up the room as soon as possible.”

“That was simple,” I mutter, right as he starts to nibble a path along my earlobe and jawline.

“Right now, I want to fuck my gorgeous fiancée.”

“Now? I thought you were upset.”

“I was, and then you swooped in and made everything better, like you always do. So now, I want to show you my appreciation. Right here on this balcony.”

A delicious shiver runs down my spine, and I’m instantly turned on. My body sizzles with excitement. “Right here?”

His hands skim up my sides, taking my top upward with them. “Right here. In the open. I want you to ride my cock until I make you scream. Would you like that?” His voice is husky and laced with raw sex appeal.

“Yes.” The answer comes out in a rasp.

“Slide around, babe.”

I maneuver one leg between us until I’m straddling him in the chair. His hips thrust upward, driving between my legs and showing me how hard he is.

He leans back and whips my shirt over my head, his eyes landing on my favorite black bra and growing wide in appreciation. “Fucking perfect,” is all he says before threading his hands through my hair and bringing my mouth to his.

Our kiss starts slow, him taking his time, kissing along my lips gently and lightly, stroking his tongue against mine. The taste of whiskey coats my mouth, and it’s all I can do not to suck him in deeper for more, turning my insides into mush.

The wind picks up, and goosebumps break out on my chest and back. He notices and cocoons his arms around me, never breaking the kiss. I unbutton his shirt as far as I can and run my hands up and down his chest, feeling each ripple of muscle contracting at my touch. He grows harder between us, and I move one hand to caress him under the material.

There’s a deep rumble in his throat that vibrates on my tongue. It’s foreplay like I’ve never experienced, exploring him in the open, grinding down and gripping him at the same time. My fingers find his belt, and I easily get it unbuckled. His pants are so tight there’s barely room for me to get his button undone and zipper down, but I manage without breaking our connection. I finally free his cock through his boxers, and it bounces in my hand.

My brain screams in victory as I stroke it several times.

“Fuck.” He tears his mouth away from mine and moves it to my shoulder, while flicking my bra clasp open. He pulls the straps down my arms, forcing me to release him, then tosses it somewhere behind him. My already hard nipples grow harder in the night air, and I swallow down a whimper when his teeth skim over one of them.

Lust and need start to sear in my veins, and I don’t want to wait any longer.

“Shaw, please.” I scoot back to stand, but his arms form a vice grip around me.

“Where are you going?”

“I need to stand to take off my pants.”

He looks at me with an evil glint in his eye, and my heart skips a beat. The sound of ripping fills the space and the cool air hits my throbbing core immediately. There’s no time to react when he slides a finger easily into me, then another, teasing me with slow movements.

“Aaaaaahhhh…” I throw my head back, shoving my hips lower.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck—”

Shaw scoots lower and leans back in the chair, removing his hand and replacing it with his tip. Unlike earlier, he doesn’t go slowly. He slams into me and lets out a guttural moan, gripping my hips so hard the pressure builds immediately.

In this position, he hits so deep I shudder, falling forward and landing chest to chest. He doesn’t stop rocking into me from below, holding both our weights. I cry out in ecstasy, my body craving release.

I love the fact that this man made love to me all night and once this morning, cherishing my body. But now, he ravages me as if he’s starving. I start to move with him, thrusting my hips into his, bracing my hands on his chest. I stare at him as he stares at where we are joined. His movements grow faster, and I meet him push for pull. There’s no stopping the moans and groans falling from my lips.

My first orgasm hits me full force, and I clamp down on my bottom lip to keep from crying out. He doesn’t stop his assault, flashing me a satisfied grin. The next few minutes are a combination of both of us kissing, biting, and moaning until I reach my peak again. He swells inside me and lets out a possessive moan, sending me over the edge as I start to drown in pleasure. My whole body shatters, sparks flying, until I go limp and collapse onto him.

Nothing registers but the beating of his heart against mine, until my vision clears and I feel his lips moving gently across my neckline.

“Pretty sure I can’t move and we have to sleep this way,” I whisper lightly.

“I’d gladly do that.”

“I’m serious. Everything is numb.”

“Bizzy, you want to stay like this for the rest of the night, I’ll gladly do it.”

I use all my energy to sit up and face him. “I love you, Crenshaw Bennett.”

“Not nearly as much as I love you, soon to be Bizzy Bennett.”

I fall back to his chest and close my eyes. Sometime during the night, he takes us back to our room and takes care of me.

“I can’t explain it, Claire! It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my whole life. The whole team was amazing, but Nicky was unstoppable. He had it all together. When we saw him at lunch on Sunday, he was so calm and collected, you’d never know he was playing in the Super Bowl. I’ve never been so proud in all my life, except when he yanked Shaw and Mathis on stage with him afterwards. Maria and I couldn’t stop screaming.”

I continue to babble on about my weekend, raving over Nicky’s win and the chance at being a part of so many activities. Shaw had us busy the whole time with business events, but it didn’t take away from the glamour of the whole event.

“So, when will the boys be back?”

“Shaw’s flying back mid-day with Mathis. The team will be here soon after. There’s a rally at the airport to welcome them home. The parade is on Wednesday.”

“My ass is going to the damn parade with you. Make sure Shaw gets us prime seats.”

“I will. My parents will be with us, too.”

“You almost home?”

“Yes, I’m driving into the parking garage now. Tell me again why I agreed to take a shift tonight. That was stupid of me. Four a.m. flights suck.”

“Told you it was stupid, but you never listen,” she mocks me.

“I’m hanging up now,” I cut her off and pull into my designated spot.

Suddenly, I’m bone tired, the events of the last five days catching up with me. My eyes start to prickle with exhaustion as I grab my small overnight bag from the passenger seat, thankful Shaw is bringing the rest of my luggage with him.

“Well, you must be pretty proud of yourself.”

I stop mid-step and spin around to find Sasha walking toward me with hatred and revulsion in her stare. My stomach drops as I search the parking garage and see we are completely alone.

“Sasha, what are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you, woman to woman. It’s time we set this shit straight.”

“What shit is that exactly?” I fight hard to keep my voice steady. This is the first time I’ve seen her in months, since she stopped by the hospital unannounced. I hate to admit it, but she’s still beautiful. I’d hoped she’d have blown up or had some of the side effects women talk about while being pregnant, but not her. She’s fit, trim, and all baby belly.

Her hair, make-up, and choice of maternity dress looks perfect on her. Even with the nasty glare she’s shooting at me.

“You say you love Ren, so it’s time you understand, if you don’t end this farce of a ridiculous relationship, you will cost him his son.” She stops less than three feet in front of me.

“Stop talking right now. I refuse to stand here and have this conversation. Especially after all you’ve done to Shaw and me. If you have anything to say to me, it should go through Caldwell.”

“Bullshit! Time for lawyers is done. We’re settling this today. You don’t get to live this life that is supposed to be mine. Ren and I are a perfect match. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, he’s blinded by pity for you. That’s the only explanation for this insane behavior. You’re making him choose between you and his own flesh and blood. You are nothing.”

Eleven years of pent up frustration, intimidation, and insecurity finally blows up, and I stand tall, returning her stare.

“You are a jealous, narcissistic, self-centered, and obviously deluded woman. This isn’t supposed to be your life, because there is no you and Shaw. I know he slept with you in a drunken haze, both times. He’s admitted his mistakes and lack of judgment, both things he will live with for the rest of his life. You may have had hearts in your eyes when he went home with you that night in July, but did you even ask him what he was doing out that night? Did you know he was at that bar because I had just walked away from a date? He and his brothers are protective and nosy and came out to make sure they didn’t need to run interference. That’s not pity. That’s love. So, in actuality, you were an easy lay when he was drunk. Why don’t you understand that? He’s told you numerous times.”