Meet Me in the Penalty Box (Orchid City, #1)

by Cali Melle

“We’re friends, but nothing more. We might do things we probably shouldn’t, but that’s all it can ever be. You already know the risks we are running by doing that.”

“You’re right. We’re nothing.” “That’s not what I meant,”

It was clear I had offended him or hurt his feelings. I shouldn’t care. I didn’t want these feelings and I didn’t think he did either.

“I know exactly what you mean, Harper.”

“I’m not going to ruin your career or fuck up your life because I enjoy spending time with you. Being inside you was just an added benefit.”

“You made yourself crystal clear. If you decide to change your mind, you know where to find me.”

“Nico, wait.”

“I don’t want whatever this is between us to be done.”

“Then what do you want, Harper? You’re giving me fucking whiplash with your mixed signals. One night you’re in my bed, the next you’re giving me short responses and then telling me we can never be anything more than friends.” “You know I can’t afford to lose my job.”

“Fuck your job. Come live with me and let me take care of you.”

“Absolutely not. I won’t be some kept woman—ever. I need to have my own thing too.”

His face was inching closer to mine and my heart was pounding erratically in my chest. “What are you doin...

Nico walked me backward until my back was pressed against the concrete wall. “Is that better, love? No one will see us here.” “Someone could walk in at any time,” I countered.

“Shh. You don’t want anyone to hear us, do you? They’d definitely find out about us then.”

I swallowed roughly as he dragged his finger down both of my lips. His eyes searched mine once before his mouth was crashing into mine. I leaned my head back and he ran his hand down to my throat as he lightly wrapped his hand around it. He had me ...

need. His tongue traced the seam of my lips and I parted them as he entered my mouth. Our tongues were tangled together and my head was swimming from the ecstasy of him kissing me. His hand was still around my throat and mine were around the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

Fuck my job. Fuck it all. Nico Cirone had me under his spell and there was no way I was getting out of it now. Like a spider with a web, he already had me tangled up in him and he was ready to devour me.

“I’m going to end up fucking you against this wall if we don’t stop now.” “Then don’t stop,” I told him even though my brain was screaming at me for being a fucking idiot. His eyes jumped to mine and I knew he wasn’t joking.

“I’ve got a game to play, love.” He smirked with a wink. “We can pick up where we left off later.”

Nico lingered for a moment with mischief dancing in his eyes. “Don’t worry, love. I’ll find you.”

“Right,” he said with the sarcasm heavy in his tone as he rolled his eyes. “So, you wouldn’t mind if she went home with someone else then tonight, right?”

My jaw clenched and ice slid through my gaze.

Wes was testing me and he knew exactly what he was doing. And goddamn him f...

“Fucking ...

“It’s because of you, love. Maybe we need to make a habit of seeing each other before games now too.”

“I think we could probably arrange that.”

“How much have you had to drink? I don’t think the Harper Jensen I know would willingly agree to something like that.” “Perhaps she had a change of heart,”

“Maybe she realized that sometimes risks are worth taking.”

“I like the way that sounds.”

“Why didn’t you tell me, love?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think it was something that was possible or would ever happen since most of my experience is in shooting sports.” “Don’t you like sports photography?”

“I enjoy it, but I don’t think it’s where my heart is. I love love. I want to shoot engagements and weddings and babies. I don’t want to spend my entire career shooting professional sports.”

“I love that for you,” I

“I know you will be amazing and it will all work out. If that is what you want to do, I know you will make it happen.”

“How can you be so sure and so confident in me? It almost feels like it’s a dream and it’s literally only one shoot. It’s not like I’m changing my career with this one job.”

“Because I believe in you, Harper. The sky is the fucking limit and there’s nothing stopping you from achieving your dreams. I’ve seen how good your photography is. We just need to get it seen by the rest of the world.” “Who are you, Nico Cirone?”

“Come with me and I’ll show you.”

“Tell her whatever the fuck you need to, but you’re leaving here with me.” I paused as I pulled out my phone. “And we’re leaving now.”

Harper standing beside me. Her chin was lifted as she looked up at me with a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. “Are you ready to go?” I asked her over the crowd. She nodded and smiled as she shifted her weight impatiently on her feet.

“My place or yours?” “Mine is closer.” I smirked. She had the same thoughts as I did and I wasn’t sure how much longer I’d be able to control myself around her. “Your place it is.”

He found an empty parking spot and parked his car in it before killing the engine. My hand was still in his and I fiddled with the strap of my purse on my lap. “Harper.” He spoke softly and his voice filled the empty space in the car. “Look at me.”

“I don’t have to come in if you don’t want me to.”

“I want you to. It’s just a little different for me, bringing someone back to my place instead of just going to yours.”

“We can sit out here for a little if you want.” “And do what?” I

He shrugged. “Whatever you want.”

Releasing his hand, I planted my own on his seat beside the headrest and I began to climb over the center console. Nico’s seat was already slid back as far as it would go because of his long legs. He moved his arms out of the way and rested his hands on my hips as I straddled his lap. He leaned his head back on the headrest and looked up at me with a look of curiosity mixing with the playful glimmer in his irises. “What are you up to, love?”

“I want you, Nico. And I want you to fuck me in your car.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “Well, this is a different request. You’d rather I fuck you out here instead of in your apartment?”

“I want both.” I paused for a moment, suddenly feeling a bit shy. “I’ve never had sex in a car before.” He studied me as a smile crept onto his lip...

He slowly raised one hand to cup the back of my neck and pulled me down to him. Our mouths collided and he stole the air from my lungs as his tongue slid against mine. He tasted like whiskey and he smelled like his soap. His hair was still damp from the shower he got before meeting us at the bar and I couldn't resist pushing my fingers through his tousled waves.

He started the kiss gentle, with his hands wandering beneath the bottom hem of my shirt. He pushed up the silk material and slid his hands beneath my bra as he rolled my nipples between his fingers. I couldn’t stop myself as I moaned into his mouth and he swallowed the sound.