Off Limits (13 page)

Emily

Danny exits her apartment building and sees me. She heads my way with a smile on her face and I stare in marvel at this woman...my sister-in-law. She's always so happy and self-assured. And I'm sure that extra soft look on her face now has something to do with the fact that she's knocked up with my little niece or nephew.

Reaching me, she pulls me into a surprisingly strong hug and says, "I'm so glad you could come tonight. It's going to be so much fun."

"Me, too."

Ryan got us invitations to the owner's box tonight. Usually they gave out several each game to player's family members but I have yet to sit in such luxury during a hockey game. I'm looking forward to not having to stand in a long line to pee or get a pretzel.

Oh, the little luxuries in life now are surprisingly simple for me.

Danny loops her arm in mine and we take off down W. 33rd. We're both wearing matching Burnham jerseys and the people walking in our direction are all decked out in their Rangers gear. I love looking for my brother's jersey on other people. It makes me so proud.

"So how are you feeling?" I ask her as we walk with the flow of the crowd.

"Surprisingly good. I've had a little nausea but nothing that a few crackers doesn't settle right down. Oh, and my boobs hurt like hell already. I had to tell Ryan to go easy on them last night."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. T-M-I. Now that image is burned into my brain."

Danny giggles at me and I grin back at her. I love her.

"Heard any more from your mom or dad?"

"A few emails from Dad to check in," I comment.

I'm really liking his shortened title. Dad. It sounds much better than Father.

I had told both Danny and Ryan about the botched dinner a few nights ago. Ryan wasn't surprised by our father's reaction as they've been communicating more and more. It started out with emails and now they've progressed to a few phone calls. Ryan hopes that he can get dad to come for a visit soon. Maybe our mother will thaw out a bit too. They shouldn't miss the birth of their first grandchild.

We make it into the arena and find the owner's box. The large wood-paneled room has artfully framed photographs of various players and Rangers executives. There is a full service bar with bartender and a buffet layout of the most delicious looking foods. I'm starved, I realize.

After Danny makes some small talk with a few of the top dogs, we make up some plates and choose two plush leather chairs in the front row. We got here early so we are enjoying watching the players warm up. I smile to myself the way Danny's eyes never leave Ryan while he's out on the ice.

I want to pee before the game starts so I make a dash to the uber-luxurious bathroom. They even have sumptuous hand towels and expensive soaps lying out. Nice touch!

When I finish, I head back to the bar to get me and Danny some bottled waters. As I'm standing there, I feel a sudden prickling on the back of my neck and I turn around. My heart comes to a standstill for a painful second then starts beating rapidly.

Nix is standing there, five feet away. He gives me a devilish grin and I smile back. He's standing with an older man, who I'll go out on a limb and guess is his father. Grabbing my waters, I walk over to him and he introduces me.

"Emily...this is my dad, Hank Caldwell. Dad...this is Emily Burnham. She's Ryan Burnham's sister."

Nix’s dad pumps my hand in an exuberant shake and says, "It's a pleasure, Emily. Your brother is a fine man and a damned good hockey player."

"It's good to meet you too, Mr. Caldwell."

"None of that. You call me Hank. All my friends do."

I'm amazed at how outgoing Nix’s dad is. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Linc is, after all, a people person. Just because Nix is a snarly son-of-a-bitch half the time doesn't mean his family is that way.

I turn to look at Nix. "What are you doing here? I thought you were out of town."

Hank looks at Nix questioningly and all Nix says is, "I went to Bethesda, Dad."

His dad just nods in understanding and makes no comment.

"I had to go to Maryland for a few days for a business trip."

"Oh...well, welcome back."

He smiles at me and it's so nice. He actually looks happy to see me, which is something to say for Nix Caldwell. I know I’m certainly glad to see him. He has practically dominated my thoughts since Saturday night.

The game is getting ready to start so we take our seats. Nix and Hank sit next to me and I make introductions with Danny. Then we settle in to watch the game.

***

The first two periods are not going well for the Rangers and they are down by two goals at the end of the second period. We all get up to stretch and get more drinks. I'm waiting for Danny to come out of the bathroom, when I can feel Nix step up behind me. He's standing close and my body tingles just from the prospect that he may brush up against me. He leans down and whispers near my ear, "Have you missed me?"

I turn slowly to look at him and our faces are inches apart. I glance around to make sure his dad isn't standing nearby but we are thankfully alone.

"Maybe," I reply.

"Miss me bad enough you'll let me come home with you tonight?"

I suck in my breath and a rush of warmth courses through me. I don't need to think about this. Here I've been worrying the last few days that Nix was backing off. Here I’ve been fantasizing the last few days about having sex with Nix. There’s no way I’m going to pass this up.

"Okay," I whisper.

The blinding smile that Nix gives me is like nothing I've seen before. I've seen him smile, of course, and it's been beautiful. But the smile he is giving me right now is full of light and joy. It's amazing and I'm momentarily struck stupid.

Did my agreement to take him home tonight do that?

***

The game is over and it was a stunner. The Rangers came back with only four minutes left and tied the game up. After a futile overtime period, we ultimately won in a shootout thanks to Linc's overly impressive goalie skills. We were all so crazed with excitement that when Linc stopped the last shot, I threw my arms around Danny and squeezed the daylights out of her. Then I spun the other way, seeing Nix there with his hand raised in the air for a high-five. I ignored it, choosing instead to throw my arms around his neck in a fierce hug. He was momentarily stunned then his arms wrapped around me tight, his nose burying briefly in my hair. When he released me, I gave his father a hug as well, although I certainly didn’t plaster my body to his the way I had with Nix.

Danny merely raised her eyebrows at me when I told her that Nix was going to give us a ride but she didn't question me. She and Nix talked about the Marine Corps and Sarge on the way to Danny’s while I sat in the back seat and listened to them. After we arrived, Danny gave me one fleeting look in her eyes that said "be careful" then she hopped out of Nix’s truck.

Now, as Nix and I are walking up to my apartment, I have a sudden case of nervousness. I know we are getting ready to cross a bridge that will not be open to further traffic once we make it over. It feels so weird...walking side by side, not talking, not holding hands. We are both entering this building with the sole purpose of screwing each other's brain out.

I don't know whether to be mortified or titillated.

As I pull my key out, Nix brushes the hair from the back of my neck and leans down to place a warm, kiss there. I shiver, almost uncontrollably and can't get the damn key in the door. He covers my hands with his own and deftly helps me insert it into the lock. He pushes the door open and waits for me to go in.

When I walk inside, I'm grateful that the living room is dark. Fil is most likely in her room studying for when I look down the hall, I see the soft glow of light coming out from underneath her door.

I drop my purse and keys on the kitchen counter and turn to Nix, suddenly nervous and at a loss as to what to do.

"Would you like something to drink?"

He walks toward me, shaking his head. "No."

"Do you want anything?"

My question was said innocently enough but his eyes darken with meaning.

"I want you," he replies as he comes to stand directly in front of me.

And oh, hell...my knees practically give out over the sexy rumble in his voice. I just stare up at him, not sure what to do. He moves even closer, so our bodies are just barely touching—nothing more than a whisper between us—and I can feel my skin tightening all over.

"Take me to your bedroom now, Emily, or we'll have to put on a show for your roommate."

I swallow hard. Taking a step to the side, I walk by him and head down the hall to my room. I can feel him right on my heels...stalking me. I can feel the pulse at the base of my throat starting to thump with anticipation, giving credence to the rush of blood flowing through my veins.

As soon as I step into my bedroom, Nix has his arms banding around me from behind. I can hear him kick the door shut but I can't turn to see it. The front of his body is pressed tight against my back, his arms circled around me...one forearm tightened across my chest, the other around my waist.

He brings his mouth down, nips at my earlobe and says in a voice so low, I can barely hear it, "You don't know how bad I want inside you right now."

A bolt of the purest lust fissures through me and I can't help the strange and warbled sound that comes out of my throat. I surrender completely by letting my head fall back onto his shoulder.

"But first, we need to talk."

What? Huh? What?

Nix releases me and pulls me to the bed as I try to shake off the lust-induced fog. He sits on the edge and pulls me to stand between his legs. His hands rest gently at my hips and I feel awkward as hell.

Looking up at me, he asks, "Do you really want to do this, Emily?" His voice is gentle, worried.

I nod my head. I have no clue why he's asking but there isn't a doubt in my mind.

"I need to make sure we are on the same page. I'm worried that you'll get hurt and even though I'm an ass to you most of the time, I really don't want to harm you."

My heart melts over his words but they aren't necessary. I think I understand where he is coming from. "I'm good, Nix. Really."

"Tell me what you expect of me?"

"What? Nothing...I don't expect anything. I swear."

He shakes his head at me. "Wrong answer. Any two people, no matter the level of interaction, will always have expectations of each other. You have to want something."

That makes sense, I suppose. I think about it for a minute. I don't have any fairytale ideas about Nix, or aspirations that we will have a happy, long lasting relationship. But there is something...

"I need you to promise you'll be monogamous...as long as you're having sex with me, that is."

He doesn't hesitate at all. "Done. Anything else?"

I shake my head as I raise my hands to his shoulders. I want to lean in and press up against him but he holds my body firmly in place.

"My turn. You need to know my expectations, too."

Well, hell. I thought I knew what they were. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am!

"Okay. Shoot."

Nix takes a deep breath. "I'm not relationship material, Emily. I just don't have it in me to care about someone like that. You cannot expect anything like that from me."

I knew this. I knew this going in and it still hurts just a little. But I'd already made my choice and I wasn't going to change. I want Nix too much.

"But," he continues. "I promise that I will cherish you when we are intimate, and I won't intentionally hurt you."

I give him a small smile and nod my head again.

"Are you still okay with this?" he asks.

"Yes. I'm fine with everything. I know what to expect."

He releases his hands from my hips and I don't like the sudden loss of warmth.

"Good. Now...I want you to stand back a few feet."

I take two steps back, never thinking to question his command.

Nix leans back onto his elbows and watches me like a starved man. "Now...take off your clothes for me, Em. And do it slowly."

Emily

Oh My God. This is way out of my league.

I want to fly out of the room because I'm achingly nervous but I want Nix more so I hold my ground. The timber of his voice is like rough bark on a tree, deliciously grating on every exposed nerve. The look in his eyes is so sensual it makes me want to get on all fours and submit my neck to him.

On their own accord, my hands grab the hem of my jersey and pull it over my head. I'm wearing a long sleeved, white t-shirt below but I leave it on for now. Bending one knee to the ground, I quickly remove my shoes and socks. When I stand back up, I look at Nix and his position on the bed hasn't changed. He's watching me quietly...waiting. His only movement is his chest moving shallowly and his thick lashes blinking around those jade eyes.

I press forward, dispensing with my t-shirt quick enough and let my jeans follow. Standing before him, I wait to see what he does. Now that my main clothes are off, I really don't feel so self-conscious. Luckily, I'm wearing some of my nicer lingerie and the simple white, lace bra and bikini underwear set shines bright against my skin.

Nix leisurely runs his gaze down my body, then moves slowly up again. I'm holding all of my breath in and I know I should release it before I pass out. I wait for further instructions and I don't wait long.

When Nix meets my eyes again, he says, "All of it, Emily. Slower."

I think I might just incinerate right now. I didn't think Nix would be in for a slow seduction but clearly the man has skills I didn't think were possible. And he hasn't even touched me yet.

I reach behind my back to unclasp my bra. Hunching my shoulders slightly forward, I let it slide down my arms, and drop it carelessly to the ground. Nix doesn't watch it fall and I almost groan when I see him lick his lips while he caresses my breasts with his eyes. My nipples harden almost painfully under his scrutiny.

Then his eyes travel down and he just stares at me. Without moving his gaze, he orders me, "Your panties, Emily. I need to see all of you."

My heart is pounding so hard, I'm sure Nix can hear it. Hooking my thumbs into my underwear, I push them slowly down my thighs until they just slide off. I step out of them and kick them to the side.

Now I'm self-conscious again, standing there totally naked, while Nix just peruses my body. I've never done this before, put my body under such bold examination.

"Come here," he says thickly. The way he is watching me...he's hungering and it makes me realize I have never known true passion before.

I walk to stand between his legs and he sits up on the bed. Leaning forward, he brings his hands to my hips while placing a gentle kiss on my stomach. My entire body trembles from the pleasure of that small touch and my arms glide to his shoulders. His skin is hot and I luxuriate in the burn.

Nix moves his mouth up my stomach. After placing a warm kiss in the center of my chest, he turns his face and rubs his cheek against me. My hands come up to his head and I lace my fingers through his hair. I don’t have to wait long before Nix brings his lips to my breast. So hot, so wet. He kisses and sucks at my nipples, paying both equal attention with his tongue and teeth. He takes his time, he savors. He doesn’t seem to be in a rush. I, however, feel like I’m going to explode from the incendiary contact of his mouth on me.

Pulling back slightly, Nix looks up at me while his thumbs smooth back and forth over my hips. "You're so fucking beautiful. The most beautiful..." But he trails off, as if the power of his own words scare him.

My heart dissolves into a puddle of emotion over his words and I lean in slightly to kiss him. He shakes his head and stands up from the bed. Taking a step back, I watch as he takes his shoes and socks off, his gaze never leaving mine.

When he's done he says, "Undress me, Emily."

I don't think twice about his order.

And it is an order.

Reaching out with shaky hands, I lift his t-shirt up and over his head. Up close, the blinded skull look even more terrifying but I don't want be scared of it. I don't want to be scared of anything that Nix presents to me.

I try to read the words on the scroll that floats down his ribs. I only catch brief snippets as I reach down to the fly of his jeans.

For quiet times disappear...

The way is not in the sky...

Don't let your ears refuse to hear...

The words have no clear meaning to me but they are beautiful. They are at complete odds with the skull. If I get an opportunity, I want to make a study of Nix’s body, which will include all the words he finds so important to permanently ink them on his skin.

I glance up at him briefly to see the purest desire etched in his face and then lower my eyes again to watch my hands make their progress.

Popping the top button, I ease his zipper down. He takes in a sharp breath as my knuckles make soft contact with the hard bulge that is outlined below.

Taking my hands, I place them on his stomach and then smooth them around to his back. Tucking my hands into the waistband of his boxer briefs, I glide my hands down over his ass, flexing my fingers as I go. Nix growls at my touch but follows up with a whispered, "Yes".

Emboldened, I slide my hands around to his hips and push his pants down, kneeling as I go until they reach his ankles. He lifts one leg, and then the other while I take his jeans completely off.

Nix gazes down at me while I kneel in front of him, the impressive evidence of his feelings stands boldly in front of me. His body is beautiful in every way.

I lick my lips and lean forward but I'm stopped when Nix takes his fingertips and places them at my throat. He traces them gently around to the back of my head, cupping it, and then pulls me to my feet.

"Not this time," he whispers. "But later..."

I'm his puppet and I do what he tells me. I have no thoughts of trying to take charge because frankly, I'm not sure what to do. This is a sexual experience beyond anything I've ever known.

Still holding me immobile by the back of my head, Nix just stares at me, like he's contemplating his next move.

After several painful seconds, he finally dips his head down. I think he's going to kiss me but he bypasses my lips and heads a little further south. The first contact of his tongue is on my collarbone and I sigh softly from the touch. He kisses me gently, moving back and forth, the stubble on his face divinely abrading me.

Finally, his other arm wraps around me and pulls me in closer to his body. The heat of his skin is scorching and I can feel his erection twitching between our bodies. He feels like steel wrapped in satin.

Nix finally moves his mouth upward until our lips connect, and then he is kissing me deeply. Never releasing my head, his other hand drops down and hikes my leg up over his hip. The move brings his hardness squarely between my legs and I can't help but move my hips against him.

The contact is overwhelming and I want to beg him to please just bury himself in me.

But I don't.

Instead, I gasp when he reaches down and picks me up, forcing my legs around his waist.

He turns swiftly to the bed and lays me on it, never breaking contact between our lips. He comes to rest on me, gently rubbing himself between my legs and I can already feel myself building for him.

Nix finally breaks our kiss and he sits back, kneeling between my legs.

"I'm dying to make you come again, Emily. Do you want that?"

"Yes," I whisper.

He looks down at me and places his hands on my knees. I can feel rough callouses against my skin and I shiver. He pushes gently against my legs and they fall apart at his simple request. He just watches me...hungrily...running his eyes all over my body.

The world seems to stop when he drags a finger down between my legs. My hips arch high off the bed and I can't help but softly cry out, "Nix."

A lovely smile plays across his face and I am even more turned on by the fact that he loves turning me on.

"That's my girl," he says, desire thick in his voice.

Nix wastes no time. He scoots backward then lies down between my legs, deftly pulling them over his shoulders. He places one soft kiss on my hipbone, then his tongue darts out to lick the same spot. Nix looks at me briefly and our eyes hold for just a moment before he brings his mouth down on me.

There is no way I could have even been prepared for that feeling of his mouth between my legs. The world as I know it spins out of control, faster and faster. I try to keep my eyes open, to stare down at his head between my thighs, but my eyelids keep fluttering closed.

I've never had a guy go down on me. Hell, the only guy I've ever been with was Todd and that was a disaster. Todd would never think to want to pleasure me. I have had girlfriends that have talked about it and how wonderful it is. But I never could imagine how unbelievably spectacular the sensation is until his lips branded me there.

I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming out. My muscles clench up and a pleasurable cramp rolls all the way up from where his mouth is latched on to me to the top of my spine.

Nix has no mercy. He licks, kisses, sucks and plunges with his lips...with his tongue...with his fingers. I'm vaguely aware of my head thrashing and when I look down at his glorious head working between my legs, I notice that my hands have fistfuls of his hair clenched tightly. He doesn't seem to care.

My climax builds fast, like a fireball massively rolling outward from the nucleus of an explosion. Pressing his face against me harder, I let out a low, long moan as I come. It goes on, wave after wave, muscles clenching and releasing, all the while Nix gently kisses at me until I plummet downward again.

Nix finally raises his head to look at me and his look his dark, almost sinister. I know he's not finished with me by a long shot. "I could do that all night to you, Emily. Just to hear your sweet cries."

Oh God, did he know the right words to use in the bedroom? He is a terrible conversationalist in real life but he probably has the power to induce an orgasm just from his wicked thoughts translated into erotic conversation.

He licks his lips and pushes back off the bed. Rummaging around in his jeans, he brings out a foil wrapped condom.

Nix comes to stand at the edge of the bed and I have a clear view of him while he rips open the packet. He has no modesty but there's no reason why he should. His body is beyond glorious.

I've never watched this before. My sexual experiences were always fumbles in the dark. Nix is deft and efficient, and he's quickly sheathed. I want to do that for him next time but those thoughts are banished when he crawls onto the bed, back between my legs.

Kneeling between my thighs, Nix runs his hands up my stomach and over my breasts. He rolls my nipples back and forth, causing a pleasured sound to gurgle up from my throat. He glances at me. "Tell me what you want."

"You."

He smiles. "Where, Emily? Be specific with me."

I suck in a small breath. "I want you inside of me."

My words inflame him and he covers my entire body with his own. His lips find mine and he is ferociously kissing me. He lays thick and heavy between my legs, rubbing himself against my heat. Nix takes one arm and loops it under my leg, the back of my knee coming to rest in the crook of his elbow. He raises me up, spreading me wider.

He pushes inside of me with gentle precision. He goes slowly, working his way in, even though I can feel that I'm wet and ready. The sensation is almost unbearable. He's huge but my body is melting to accommodate him. I have no control over my hips as they undulate to help move him deeper in me.

Finally, with one strong push, he's all the way in and our pelvises are locked together. Nix pulls back from my mouth and lets his gaze travel down to our union.

"Look, Emily. Look at us...together." His words are rough, his breath heaving. I can feel his arms trembling as he holds himself above me.

I look down and I find the sight to be erotically overwhelming. Pleasure pulses through me and my muscles involuntarily clench around him. He feels it and grits out, “Fuck, Emily.”

Then Nix starts moving and my eyes close. I can feel his lips on my neck, kissing me. One arm is still holding my leg but he takes his other and wraps it behind my head, fusing our bodies tighter together.

There is no way possible we could be any closer. I can almost feel him touching every part of my body with every part of his. There's nothing that feels neglected.

Our movements become faster, harder. We find a sympathetic rhythm that is pushing me higher and higher. He's hitting me so deep, he's awakened something inside of me that I didn't know existed.

Nix’s breaths are coming faster and he's gasping in my ear, "You feel so fucking good, Emily. I'll never get enough of you."

Those words evoke an unparalleled emotion in me and already I feel another orgasm coming on. And it's coming fast but the wave of it is no less forceful.

"I'm going to come again, Nix," I warn him, almost with fear that I won't be able to contain my reaction.

"Damn right you are," he growls against my neck. His thrusts become more focused, intent on wringing every bit of pleasure that he can out of me.

Without warning it crashes through me and I bite down on his shoulder, riding the pleasure until it starts to recede like an ocean wave at low tide.

I can just feel the last rumbles easing up my spine when Nix gives an incredibly deep push, shuddering violently.

"Emily," he groans as he unloads inside of me. My name on his lips sounds like a prayer and a curse.

I'm vaguely aware of Nix pulling back off my body a bit, the cool air soothing our sweat soaked bodies. He rolls to the side, taking me with him.

I am boneless yet I feel invincible.

As the frantic beating of my heart starts to calm, all I can think is that this is the best experience of my new and improved life. I'm positive it can't be topped.