Damaged Pieces (Cape Isle, #2): A Cape Isle Novel Read online

Before I get distracted by her lips, I need to make sure this is really what she wants. I lay her down on the bed and look down at her beautiful face. “Are you sure?”

  Her arms wrap around my back and she lifts her hips, grinding her wet pussy against the underside of my cock. I swear to God, it feels so good I think my eyes cross. “I have never been more sure about anything. I want you inside of me, Nick,” she whispers, against my mouth.

  I give her lips a quick kiss before rolling off of the bed and getting a condom out of my wallet. I look at her naked body laid out on the bed as I roll it down my length. I hope I’m not rushing this and I hope she doesn’t regret it in the morning, but I am so far gone with need, all I can think about is getting inside her.

  I crawl back between her legs and settle myself on top of her. I take my cock in hand and rub it up and down, through her wetness, before positioning myself at her opening. I watch her face as I push my tip inside of her. Her my mouth opens on a gasp as I push deeper. I groan when I feel her tighten around me.

  “God, honey, you’re so tight,” I whisper against her mouth.

  She moans and lifts her legs around my back, pushing me deeper into her.

  When my pelvis meets hers, I take a second for her to adjust to my size and kiss up the side of her neck. She rolls her hips and gasps when the base of my cock rubs against her clit.

  “You feel so good, Katie.” I pull all of the way out before pushing back in. Her hips meet mine thrust for thrust and I can feel myself getting closer and closer to coming.

  “Please don’t stop,” she pants.

  “Never.” I lift myself up on my knees and grab onto her hips, pushing myself deeper.

  “Oh God, Nick, I’m going to come again.”

  I can feel her tightening around me like a vice and I just hope I can hold off until she get’s hers. I move one hand down her stomach and pinch her clit between my fingers. I can feel her heels dig into my ass as she throws her head back and moans long and loud. I didn’t think it was possible, but her inner walls close in on me even tighter than before. I push in as deep as I can go and come harder than I have in my entire life. My vision goes dark and I’m pretty sure my legs go numb. Being inside of Katie, is the best thing I have ever felt and now that I know how good this is, how am I not supposed to crave her all of the time?

  I collapse on top of her, careful not to smother her with my weight, and bury my face in her neck. She rubs her hands up and down my back, as both of our bodies tremble and shake. When I am finally able to form words, I pull back and look down at her.

  Her eyes are still at half-mast and she looks up at me with a sleepy, but satisfied smile.

  “Hey,” I whisper. Jesus! I think she fried my brain cells.

  Her smile grows wider. “Hey.”

  I push back the few strands of hair on her forehead and lean down to kiss her swollen lips. This kiss is soft and sweet and it makes me feel something I’ve never felt for a woman. I knew I wanted Katie, I just didn’t realize how much until right now. I have no way of knowing if she feels the same way about me and I’m leaving soon.

  Will she wait for me? I have a little over two weeks left, before I go back out on tour. I’m going to spend every waking moment showing her how much I want to be with her, that way she has no doubt in her mind how great we could be together. I just hope she gives me a chance.

  Chapter Seven

  Katie

  I WAKE UP WITH AN odd feeling of warmth, at my back. I don’t remember falling asleep and I’m disoriented. I crack one eye open and look at the clock beside my bed. Wow, I slept late. It’s already 9:30 am. The warmth behind me moves and I feel my eyes widen, as last night comes back to me. Oh God, what did I do? I slept with Nick! He must be completely oblivious to my panic as he kisses my bare back.

  “Good morning,” he says, with his lips still pressed against my skin. He voice is still gravely with sleep and I have to clench my thighs together at the sudden tingling between my legs.

  “Good morning,” I whisper in response.

  He turns me over and looks down at my face and the smile that was gracing his face only seconds before drops away.

  “What’s wrong?” he asks, with concern.

  “We had sex,” I whisper, trying to cover my naked breasts

  He slowly nods his head and looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

  He moves quickly and covers my body with his. I let out a squeal at the unexpected change in position. He continues to stare down at me not saying anything for a long second, until he finally sighs and drops his forehead to mine.

  “You regret sleeping with me.” It’s not a question and it’s said with so much hurt, I immediately feel like an asshole.

  My hands go to his sides and I hold him to me. “It’s not that I regret sleeping with you, Nick,” I reassure him.

  He lifts his head and smirks down at me. “It sure feels like regret, Katie.”

  I shake my head and in a moment of pure honesty I tell him my fears. “I can’t get hurt again and you are leaving soon. How could we possibly make this work when we aren’t even in the same country? I can’t be with someone who is going to be constantly leaving. I have a daughter, Nick. What will happen when you get tired of me? You will break her heart too.”

  His eyes look pained. “I’m not trying to hurt anyone, Katie. I know you have Abbi. I’m not proposing marriage, but I want to see where this goes for us. What if I told you that this would be my last tour? I was already thinking of getting out of the Marines, anyway.”

  I’m already shaking my head, before he can finish his sentence. “I don’t want you to change your life for me. I don’t want you to one day wake up and feel trapped.”

  He lets out a little chuckle and bends his neck to lay a soft kiss on my mouth. “Katie, I could never feel trapped by you. If anyone should feel trapped it would be you. I have wanted to be with you since the moment I meet you six months ago, but you wouldn’t give me the time of day. Now that I finally have your attention, I’m going to do everything I can to keep it.”

  There is a little voice in the back of my head wondering how long he will want my attention, but I push it back and focus on what he is saying.

  “Let me show you how good we could be together, kitten,” he whispers.

  “Quit calling me that,” I respond, breathlessly. I can feel his hardness against my hip, as his mouth closes over mine, again.

  He ends the kiss abruptly, as he rolls out of bed. I stare up at him, my mouth agape and he chuckles at my expression. “Come, on. I want to make you breakfast.”

  I stare down at his hard cock and raise my eyebrows in question. He groans and closes his eyes. He reaches for me and picks me up, setting me on my feet beside the bed. “I’m trying to show you that I can be a gentleman, but you’re pushing my limits. Get dressed, and I will make you breakfast.” He gives my ass a playful slap, before walking towards the bathroom.

  “What if I don’t want you to be a gentleman?” I ask.

  He looks at me over his shoulder, but continues walking towards the bathroom. “I really think you are trying to kill me, kitten.” He gives me one more lingering look, before closing the bathroom door. I laugh as I go to my dresser and get a change of clothes.

  I’m dressed by the time Nick comes out of the bathroom. I smirk at his pained expression, as I walk past him to go brush my teeth.

  I turn the tap on and get my toothbrush ready. I can see Nick out of the corner of my eye and I turn to look at him.

  “I thought you were going to make breakfast?” I ask, when he still doesn’t move out of the doorway.

  He gives his head jerky nod, before walking away. I watch him out of the corner of my eye as he pulls on his jeans from last night. I see the tattoos on his shoulder and chest, but I notice he has a tattoo on his back too. I try to make out the words, but he is too far away. I make a mental note to ask him about them later. He walks out of my bedroom and I turn to the sink to finish freshening up.
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  Left alone with my thoughts, I think back on his words. I know we could be good together, but for how long? Could I trust him enough to not hurt me like Greg did? I shake my head at my inner thoughts. I shouldn’t compare, I know they aren’t the same men. I give myself a long look in the mirror. I’m a grown woman. I may be a mom, but that doesn’t mean I can’t date, does it? I will give Nick a chance and if he screws it up, that’s on him. Besides, I don’t think he will leave me alone until I do.

  I pull my hair up into a pony tail and make my way towards the kitchen. Nick is standing in the door of my refrigerator, pulling out the ingredients he needs for breakfast. I pull a stool out at the island and sit down to watch him.

  “Are you really going to cook for me?” I ask.

  He looks at me over his shoulder and nods his head. “Yep, bacon, fruit and toast okay with you?”

  “Yeah, sounds good.” Besides my dad, I’ve never had a man cook for me and I have to admit I think I’m enjoying the show more than I will enjoy the food. He left the top button of his jeans unbuttoned and my eyes keep wandering to the patch of hair leading into his pants. I squirm on the stool and rub my legs together, trying to ease the ache caused by Nick just standing there. I watch his hands as he pulls the bacon apart and sets it in the pan. I remember how good those rough hands felt on my body just hours ago. I clear my throat and look away, trying to get my mind out of the gutter.

  “So, what did you mean when you said this was going to be your last tour?” I ask.

  He walks over to the coffee pot and fixes a cup, before walking over to me. I am a self proclaimed coffee addict. How did I forget to fix my coffee? God, this man is so distracting!

  He hands me the cup and I take it with a quiet “Thank you.” I watch him as he folds his arms and leans on the island, giving me his full attention.

  “I’ve been thinking about getting out of the Marines for some time now. I miss home and I miss my friends. Shit, I miss having a life. I’ve loved serving, but I think I’m done.”

  “What will you do?”

  “I’m going to talk to Grant tomorrow. He said something a while back about me working with him when I came home. I think he knew it was only a matter of time. I think we are both burnt out.”

  I nod my head as If I understand, but I don’t. I don’t know very many people in the service, but I respect Grant and Nick so much for the sacrifices they’ve made.

  My eyes wander to his shoulder and I tilt my head, trying to make out the tattoo on his arm.

  He looks down to see what I’m looking at and then moves his arm closer to me. I lift my hand and then hesitate, looking up at his face in question. He smiles and nods his head. “You can touch me, Honey.”

  I lay my hand on his arm and run my fingers over the raised skin. Whoever did this is extremely talented. I’ve never seen anything like it. The words U.S.M.C. is printed at the top of his shoulder and down by his elbow are the words Semper Fidelis. I run my fingers along the Eagle, the Globe and the Anchor, before looking back up at him again. His eyes are trained on mine and he has a small smile playing on his lips.

  “What does this mean?”

  “It’s the Marine Corps symbol. The eagle represents the proud nation we defend. The globe represents our worldwide presence. The anchor points both to the Marine Corps’ naval heritage and its ability to access any coastline in the world. Together they symbolize our commitment to defend our nation in the air, on land, and at sea.”

  “Wow,” I whisper.

  He chuckles. “It’s just a tattoo, Katie.”

  I shake my head and look up at him. “I’m thinking it’s more than a tattoo, Nick.”

  His eyes go soft and he nods his head. “Yeah, it’s more than a tattoo, honey.” He pulls his arm back and goes to the stove to flip the bacon. I get another glimpse at the one on his back. The font that was used is hard to read, but when I finally make the words out, I gasp. He turns and looks at me in question.

  “Death Before Dishonor,” I mumble.

  He sets the fork down and walks towards me. He spreads my legs wide and settles his big body between them. “It just means that I would die before I dishonored my country.” He kisses my lips before I can form a response. I’m pretty sure he is using this as a distraction technique and it’s working. I run my hands up his chest, but when my hand meets raised skin, I pull back.

  “What’s this one?” I ask, placing my hand over his heart. It looks like a small scroll of names and numbers.

  He covers my hand with his large one and looks down at me with sad eyes. “That one is for the Marines who didn’t get to come home.”

  I gasp and I feel my eyes begin to water and I quickly blink back the tears. How does he do this everyday, not knowing if he will be the one that doesn’t get to come home?

  I lean up and touch my mouth to his in a soft closed mouth kiss. “Thank you,” I whisper.

  He seems to understand what I’m trying to say and just nods his head. He kisses the top of my head, before dropping his hand and walking back to the stove.

  “What time will Abbi be home?” he asks, changing the subject.

  “Probably around 4:00 pm, my parents are staying for dinner.”

  “Really?” he asks, sounding way to excited about that and I immediately go on high alert.

  “Why do you sound so happy that I’m eating dinner with my parents?” I ask, picking up my coffee to take a drink.

  “Because I’m coming to dinner, kitten.” He shoots me a smirk over his shoulder and the coffee cup stops half way to my mouth.

  Oh hell no he isn’t coming to dinner.

  Chapter Eight

  Nick

  I HAVE TO HOLD BACK a laugh at the expression on Katie’s face. If looks could kill, I would be dead.

  “Nick, you are not coming to dinner with my parents and Abbi.”

  I transfer the cooked bacon onto a plate and turn the stove off, without responding. I put two slices of bread into the toaster and start slicing the fruit. I can feel her practically vibrating with anger, but I continue fixing our breakfast.

  Once I have everything fixed onto our plates, I set hers in front of her and refill her coffee. When I finally sit down beside her, I look up to see her scowling at me.

  “Eat your breakfast, kitten.” I smile.

  She actually growls at me and I laugh harder. “Quit with that damn nickname, Nick, and I repeat, you are not coming to dinner with my parents.”

  I put my hand over my heart and try to look hurt. “You’re hurting my feelings, Katie. Why can’t I eat dinner with your parents?”

  She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “My parents will love you.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?” I ask, with a laugh.

  “Yes, I haven’t dated in years. Having you here for dinner will give them all sorts of ideas.”

  I turn towards her and lay my hand on her legs. “What kind of ideas will me being here for dinner give them?”

  “They will think we’re dating Nick!”

  I raise my eyebrows at her. “I thought we talked about that this morning?”

  “But, they will think this is serious,” she gestures between us, “Abbi will be here and they know I wouldn’t ever bring a man around her unless I was serious about him.”

  Okay, that kind of hurts. We obviously aren’t on the same page here. I gently squeeze her legs to get her attention. “What is it you think we’re doing here, Katie?” I ask, seriously.

  She catches my tone and her eyes snap to mine. “Nick, this is happening really fast. I haven’t dated since Abbi was born and all of a sudden you come barging into my life. I just don’t know how this is going to play out and I have to protect me and my daughter.”

  Now I’m getting pissed. “You have to protect your daughter from me? Katie, if you think back you will see that this isn’t happening fast. Sure, we just went our first official date, but I have been trying to get your attention for over six months. I have been so hung up
on you, I can’t get you out of my head. You’re all I think about. I know I’ve only met Abbi a couple of times, but I love your daughter and I would never do anything to hurt her. Give me a little bit more credit than that. I just want to be part of your life.”

  Her eyes soften and her hands cover mine, where they are resting on her legs. “I know, you’re right, Nick. I’ve felt the same way about you. You have to understand where I’m coming from though. This is all new to me.”

  I know this is hard for her. I don’t have a kid, so I don’t know what that’s like, but at least I know she feels something for me. I sigh and soften my voice. “It’s new to me too. If you really don’t want me at dinner, I will understand. I shouldn’t have invited myself like that. I’m not a parent, so I wasn’t thinking about how Abbi would react.”

  She waves me off. “No, Abbi hero worships you already and she is too young to understand what it would mean for you to be at dinner. I’m more worried about my parents. My mom is always pushing me to get out more. She would latch onto you and never let go and you are probably the living, breathing replica of who my dad would pick to date his little girl,” she says with a drawn out sigh.

  I chuckle and shake my head. “You don’t have to decide anything right now. Eat your breakfast, before it gets too cold.” I drop my hands from her and spin to face the counter. I get it her reasoning’s, I really do, but I think she’s making this into a bigger deal than it is. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice her still staring at me. I turn on my stool and look at her questioningly.

  “Nicholas Sinclaire, would you please come to dinner at my house tonight?”

  I chuckle at her dramatics. “Are you sure, Katie? I wasn’t trying to pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do.”

  She nods her head. “I’m positive. I’m sorry for freaking out about it.”

  I lean over and gently kiss her soft lips. “You don’t have to apologize. I would love to come to dinner.”

  She smiles and turns towards her breakfast. “Good, you can help me cook.”

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