40
Kennedy
They won the game and were one step closer to making the playoffs.
I couldn’t have been any prouder, at least not until Nash was named Most Valuable Player.
Liz burst into tears and pulled me into a hug so tight it nearly knocked the air out of me.
She thanked me—again—for coming back, and just like that, I was crying all over again.
The media was—as expected after that performance and our very public reunion on the Jumbotron—all over Nash. He handled their questions like a pro, but I could tell from the way his eyes kept drifting up into the stands that he was ready to go, and so was I.
Sammy had already warned me that pictures of us were flooding social media.
We’d be under a spotlight for the foreseeable future.
Speculation, headlines, photos, they would all come.
But for the first time, I didn’t care. I still didn’t like it, but if that was the price for being by Nash’s side, I’d gladly pay it.
Mitchell was the first familiar face out of the dressing room. I watched him scanning the crowd until his eyes landed on me. The smile that broke across his face was nothing but relief and pure happiness.
“I feel just like that,” Howard chuckled beside me, giving Mitch a friendly pat on the back as he came over and wrapped me in a big, familiar hug.
“Oh, Kennedy,” Mitchell sighed. “You’ve made our boy the happiest he’s been in months. Since you left, really. Please tell me you’re staying?”
“I am,” I said, squeezing him back with a smile. “I resigned.”
That stopped him. He leaned back, his eyes studying me carefully, surprise flickering across his face. “Was that what you wanted?” he asked slowly, like he was bracing for bad news.
“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “That job wasn’t what I signed up for, and I couldn’t do it anymore. I missed home.”
“Hands off,” came an authoritative voice from behind us.
Mitchell and I both chuckled. Before I even had a chance to turn around, Nash swept me right off my feet. He lifted me like I weighed nothing, spinning me around. I could hear Sammy and his parents laughing somewhere behind us, but Nash didn’t seem to notice any of it.
“I can’t believe you came,” he said, voice low and rough against my ear, holding me so tightly I could feel his heart pounding.
“Yeah.” I half laughed, half cried, my fingers curling into the back of his suit jacket. “I missed you so much. I missed home. I missed New York.”
“You’re really back?” he asked, pulling back just enough to search my face.
“Yes. My stuff is at your place. At home.”
“Home?” His brows shot up.
I nodded, tears rising again.
“You’re moving in?” he breathed, like the words were too good to be real.
All I managed was another nod.
He kissed me then like he didn’t care who saw, who snapped pictures, who was whistling or cheering, or that his parents were giggling ten feet away.
It was all just background noise.
Because this—this moment—was ours.
· · ·
Back at Nash’s apartment, we moved around his bathroom, getting ready for bed together like we’d been doing it forever. I put my toothbrush away and picked up my face cream while Nash leaned up against the doorframe, watching.
“I want you so bad, baby,” he groaned. One glance in his direction showed a very obvious tent in his underwear. “I’m not sure if it’s too soon or not, but I need you to know that I fucking love you, and I’m so hard for you right now.”
I felt a small smile spread across my face.
“If you’re not ready, we can wait,” he added quickly. “I just want to hold you. In my bed. Our bed,” he corrected himself, and the way he said it made my heart do a little flip.
I put the lid on the cream and turned to him with a teasing grin. “This is what does it for you, Nash? Me putting on face cream?”
He chuckled, reaching for me.
“No,” he said, pulling me close. “But seeing you here, in my place, getting ready for bed with me? That does something to me.” His lips brushed mine as he murmured, “It gives me so many ideas about what I’d like to do in that bed with you.”
I couldn’t help but giggle, feeling the warmth rising in my cheeks. Nash’s famous smirk appeared, and his eyes roamed over me like he knew exactly the effect he was having. God, he was just so unbelievably gorgeous.
“Then take me to bed, Nash,” I whispered. “Love me like only you can.”
And did he ever. The moment his lips met mine, soft but commanding, my knees nearly gave out. He chuckled against my mouth, scooping me up with ease and carrying me toward the bedroom, flicking off the bathroom light as we passed.
He placed me gently in the center of his bed, climbing up next to me.
His shirt was already gone, and my hands couldn’t resist trailing over his smooth chest. He was so effortlessly gorgeous.
So strong and masculine, all hard muscles and smooth skin.
I leaned forward and pressed a kiss just above his heart.
“Baby,” Nash sighed, the word thick with feeling.
His fingers threaded into my hair, tugging just enough to tilt my head back and bare my throat to him. A low hum rumbled in his chest as his lips brushed down the side of my neck, warm and soft.
I let out an unsteady sigh.
We didn’t rush. Each layer of clothing came off slowly. Even though we’d shared a bed in California, this was different. We hadn’t been naked, nor this close. I was a little self-conscious about the way my body looked after losing weight, which Nash must’ve noticed.
“You’re beautiful, Kennedy,” he said. “Just as beautiful as you always were.”
Then his mouth was on me again, and the last of my doubts faded.
“How do you always know the right thing to say?” I whispered, my breath catching as his lips brushed across my breast.
“Because I know you,” he murmured, his voice low and steady as he switched his attention to the other breast. “And because it’s the truth.”
I leaned back into the pillows as his hands and mouth moved lower, letting him set the pace.
The world outside didn’t matter. It was just the two of us taking our time rediscovering each other.
The soft brush of his fingers, the warmth of his lips, and the light in those green eyes confirmed that I’d made the right decision. I belonged here with him.
“Nash,” I breathed, my voice unsteady and full of want.
“I’ve got you, baby,” he promised, his touch sure but unhurried.
He licked and nibbled his way to that magical place between my legs where I needed him the most. I threaded my fingers through his hair and tugged as his very talented tongue had me squirming and bucking against him.
My toes curled as the euphoric sensation began deep in my pelvis, building higher and higher.
Nash’s grip on my thighs tightened just as I started rambling out broken curses.
He held me wide open, refusing to let me escape as his lips, tongue, and teeth worked me mercilessly.
When I finally climaxed, it was with his name on my lips.
It took a full minute before I could breathe again. “Oh, damn,” I mumbled, still dazed.
Nash chuckled as he shifted, pressing the hard length of his erection against me. “Are you ready for me?” he asked, his voice rough.
All I could manage was a shaky, “Mmm.”
He adjusted, and then I felt him, so thick and hot, sliding into me in one long, slow stroke.
“Oh, fuck,” Nash groaned, his voice rough with need. “You feel so fucking good.”
A moan tore from my throat as I sought his mouth.
He met me halfway, crushing his lips to mine.
It was messy and demanding, and I could taste myself on his lips.
The weight of him pushed me into the mattress while he kissed and caressed me like he couldn’t get enough, his thrusts growing harder, deeper, until I was clinging to him just to hold on.
I felt the flex of muscle beneath my grip as his hips drove faster. Our breathing was labored when realization hit me.
“Nash!” I gasped, my body going rigid.
He froze instantly but stayed buried inside me, his eyes finding mine in the dark. I could see the effort it took for him to hold still, but he did, his entire focus on what I needed.
“What’s wrong?” he panted.
“I’m not on the pill,” I blurted.
“Oh.” His shook his head like he was trying to force blood back into his brain. “And I’m not wearing a condom. Do you want to stop? Or should I pull out?”
“I don’t . . . I don’t really want to stop . . .” My words trailed off.
“I’ll finish on you,” he said, his voice trembling. “You good with that?”
“Y-yes.”
Relief flickered across his face before he withdrew almost completely, then he slammed back into me with a force that stole my breath. A moan tore out of me that was so loud I worried the neighbors heard me.
“Damn, Ken,” Nash groaned through gritted teeth. “You’re making this so hard.”
I shifted my hips, and the angle let him sink even deeper. Suddenly I could feel him everywhere. His scent, his taste, the weight of his body pressing me down, the heat of him filling me completely.
“Oh my God, Nash,” I moaned, my body spiraling toward release again.
He drove into me a few more times, each thrust harder, deeper, until my legs went limp and a broken cry escaped my lips.
At the same moment my climax ripped through me, he pulled free.
His hand wrapped around himself, and with a few urgent strokes he came undone, spilling across my stomach with a guttural, primal growl.
Before I could catch my breath, Nash gathered me into his arms, holding me close against his chest. He pressed soft, lingering kisses to my forehead, grounding me as we both came down from the high.
After a minute, he slipped out of bed, only to return a few seconds later with a damp towel.
His touch was gentle as he cleaned me off.
“I guess we’ll need to talk about birth control going forward,” he said, pulling me back into the safety of his arms. “I’m clean, Kennedy. I need you to know that.”
“Me too.”
It got quiet for a few seconds.
“I can start the pill,” I murmured, tracing my fingers over his chest.
He shifted, using his strength to roll me onto my back so he could study my face in the dim light. “Is that safe? Did the doctor say that was okay?” he asked, his eyes serious as they studied me.
“The doctor only said to hold off for a few weeks before we could . . . try again.” Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I knew I was blushing, but Nash didn’t look fazed. So I pushed on, my voice softer. “He didn’t say anything about birth control, and I was too overwhelmed to ask questions.”
“That’s understandable.” Nash’s thumb brushed along my cheek. “But what do you want to do? Do you want to go on the pill? Should I use condoms? Or . . .” His lips curved in a nervous chuckle. “Do you want to try again? I mean—actually try, since we didn’t the first time around.”
I blinked at him, my mind scrambling to catch up. “What? You—you want to try for a baby?”
“Absolutely, Kennedy,” he said immediately. “As soon as you’re ready. I love you, and I’d love to have a baby with you.”
My heart stumbled in my chest. “But . . . I thought you weren’t ready. That you didn’t want that. Because of the pregnancy scare in college,”
“Ken.” He propped himself up on one elbow, hovering over me.
His eyes locked on mine, and the love shining in them made tears prick my own.
“If that pregnancy had been with you, it would’ve been okay.
But it wasn’t. That’s the difference.” His voice gentled as he leaned down, brushing a tender kiss against my lips.
“You’re what I want. And I want everything that comes with you—a home, kids, the everyday stuff. I want all of it.”
Emotion thickened my throat, and I felt the burning of tears behind my eyes.
Nash went on, his voice low and certain.
“It’s up to you when, babe. I can support us—you know I can, and you know I will.
But I don’t want to push. Your independence and your career matter, and I’d never take that from you.
So you tell me what you want. Either way, as long as I have you, I’m good. ”
That was it. My heart broke open, and I burst into tears for what had to be the ninth time that day. I couldn’t believe the man I loved had just said all that.
“I didn’t mean to upset you, babe,” Nash whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m really okay with whatever you want.”
“I don’t know,” I admitted through the tears. “I want all of that too, Nash. I just don’t know if I’m ready . . . or if it’s irresponsible to risk getting pregnant when I don’t even have a job right now.”
Nash shifted onto his back and pulled me with him until I was sprawled against his side, one leg draped across him. His hand immediately started tracing slow, soothing strokes up and down my spine.
“That depends on what you want, Ken,” he said gently. “We both know we’re going to end up married with kids someday. When you’re ready for that is up to you. I’ll never pressure you.”
I blinked up at him, tears slipping down my cheeks.
“I can support us, you know that,” Nash went on, his voice steady and confident.
“But if you’d rather wait until you’ve found another job, or until we’re married, I get it.
I’m just saying you don’t have to wait if you don’t want to.
Whatever you want, I’m with you. Hell, if you told me you wanted to go down to the justice of the peace, I’d be there first thing tomorrow morning. ”
I laughed through my tears, clinging to him, overwhelmed by how much I loved him and by the way he always seemed to say exactly what I needed to hear.
“I love you, Nash,” I whispered once I calmed down enough to speak.
His lips brushed my hair. “I love you too, Kennedy. So much.”
“Let’s just not do anything.” The words tumbled out of me before I could second-guess them. “If we get pregnant, then that’s okay. And if we don’t . . . that’s okay too. As long as you’re okay with it.”
“Yeah?” He moved so we were side to side, his eyes lit up. “That’s what you want?”
“Yes, Nash.” I wiped at the tears. “As long as you promise it’s me and you—no matter what—that’s what I want.”
“No matter what, Kennedy,” he whispered, brushing a tender kiss across my lips. Then, with a crooked grin, he added, “Want to marry me?”
I let out a half snort, half laugh. “Is that your proposal?”
He chuckled. “No, babe. You’ll know when I’m proposing. I just need you to know I’m ready. Ready to marry you, have a baby with you, buy a house, all of it. Whatever you want, whenever you want it. As long as we’re in it together.”
“Okay.” I shifted closer, pressing my mouth firmly to his. “Together. No matter what. No pills.”
“Yeah?” His whole face broke into a wide smile. “You’re sure that’s what you want?”
I couldn’t help but smile back at him. He looked so ridiculously happy. My heart beat hard inside my chest, swelling with relief and joy that everything was finally falling into place the way I’d always dreamed. “Yeah. You and me, Nash. Whatever happens. Always.”
“And forever.”
“And forever,” I echoed.