Chapter Eighteen #2
Nico nodded, trying not to smile too much since the game was far from over. But he imagined he could feel the imprint of Jake’s hand, and knew no matter what, they’d get through it together.
Nico wasn’t sure what exactly he’d said to the reporters after the game, but he’d tried to stay calm as he’d told them what they wanted to hear about a tough loss and a powerful Boston lineup, and that tomorrow was a new day and the team would focus on that.
He took the elevator up to his condo now, itching with restless energy.
Skip had pulled him in the sixth with the Caps clinging to a one-run lead, and in the end Boston had squeaked it out with a homer in the ninth.
Nico told himself it was just one of those things, and he’d done his best. The team had done their best.
But fuck, he still hated losing. There would be five days to think about it and regroup, but he wished he could pitch again tomorrow for a do-over. His arm didn’t like the idea one bit, and he rolled his shoulder.
Sitting in the dugout watching the game slip away had sucked large, but he’d kept his frustration in check. Granted, he’d bitten the inside of his cheek almost raw, but he hadn’t said a word. And he knew the guys really had tried their best, and that sometimes your best still meant you lost.
Still, the urge to break something now and vent the frustration was almost overwhelming. But it would be okay. Jake was coming, and Nico would be able to release the tension, like a blister being popped.
Inside his condo, he opened a beer, pacing by the kitchen island. Waiting.
It wasn’t long before the concierge called up. Another minute before the tap at the door. Nico had forced himself to wait in the kitchen and not be hovering right there to answer the knock. He didn’t want to seem too eager. But fuck, he was dying to get his hands on Jake—to get Jake’s hands on him.
Jake filled the doorway, carrying a small leather duffel. He closed the door behind him and unlaced his sneakers, and Nico hovered now. They’d decided they were a couple, but he suddenly felt awkward and unsure.
“Did you eat?” Jake asked.
Nico couldn’t quite swallow his groan. “Yes. I grabbed a sandwich in the lounge while you were still doing press. I’m fine.”
“You’d be better if you didn’t make yourself puke before games.”
“It’s, like, barely more than once a week.” He stalked back to the counter and chugged his beer. “It’s gotten me this far, so whatever.”
Jake stood watching him silently for an uncomfortably long time. “I’d argue that how far you’ve gotten has nothing to do with that. In fact, I’d argue it’s in spite of it.”
Nico tore off a strip from the label on the beer bottle. “Is that what we’re going to do? Argue?”
Jake softened and came closer. “No. I just think you underestimate yourself. I know you do. Look at how you handled that jam tonight. I was so proud of you.”
Another strip of paper came off with a sharp rip, Nico’s gaze on the bottle. “You’re not now?”
“That’s not what I meant.” Jake was right there then, easing the bottle from Nico’s hands, squeezing them. “I’m sorry. I’m being a dick.” He pulled Nico into his arms, and they held each other tightly. “I definitely didn’t come here to argue or lecture you.”
“Good. That’s not what I thought you had in mind when you said you had something planned.” He leaned his head on Jake’s shoulder, nuzzling his neck and inhaling the minty soap from the clubhouse.
Chuckling, Jake murmured, “Not quite.”
“Are you going to tell me?” He nipped at Jake’s throat, then kissed and sucked the little mark. Jake’s arms were powerful around him, and Nico loved that Jake was bigger. He’d seemed like a giant when Nico was a kid, and somehow still did now even though he only had a few inches on him.
Pulling back to look him seriously in the eye, Jake asked, “Did you always use condoms when you had sex?”
“Yes.”
“Every time?”
“Always. No way I was going to get some girl pregnant.”
“I’ve always been safe too, and I was tested when I joined the team, for the insurance and all that.”
“Right. Uh-huh. I got tested recently too. Had a checkup.” He quivered in anticipation. “Do you want to fuck without one?”
Jake cupped Nico’s cheek, brushing his lips with his thumb. “Yes. But only if you feel comfortable. We’re not seeing anyone else, and we’d have to trust each other.”
“Yes. Absolutely. I want to.” He rocked on his heels. “Now. Now would be good.”
The smile that lit up Jake’s face creased the skin by his blue eyes. “Okay. That’s settled.”
“Yep. Was that what you were talking about? What you had planned? Because I’m ready. Now.”
“I did have something else in mind too.” Humming, Jake walked Nico back into the wall by the fridge. He lifted Nico’s arms over his head and held his wrists with one hand. “You ever been tied up?”
Oh sweet Mary, mother of Jesus. Nico hadn’t been to church in years, and he thought of Nonna, guilt prickling. It sure as hell wasn’t the time for it, and he hit the mental delete button.
Jake’s grip loosened as his forehead creased, but he didn’t release Nico’s hands. “Where did you go? If you’re not into it, it’s okay. We don’t have to.”
“No, no. I’m into it. Totally into it.” Nico flexed his wrists in Jake’s grasp, already digging being restrained.
“You like the idea?”
His answer was little more than a trembling exhalation. “Yes.”
Gripping Nico’s wrists tighter in one hand, Jake slipped his other under Nico’s T-shirt, tickling his belly. “I could do…anything. You’d be helpless.”
Twitching, Nico’s breath hitched. “Yes.”
Jake barely brushed his skin, making him shudder. “You’d have to let go. Do you want that?”
“Please.” His throat was too thick, lust and some unnamed emotion building with each heartbeat.
“Go into the bedroom and get naked. Wait for me on the bed on your stomach.” Jake stepped back, releasing Nico.
Heart about to explode, Nico scurried into the bedroom, flipping on the soft pot lights in the ceiling.
The gray walls were decorated with some abstract art that he didn’t love, and the queen bed had a burgundy duvet.
He peeled it off and pulled down the sheets.
When he’d stripped his clothes, he followed Jake’s instructions and stretched out on his stomach, dick hard already, nervous excitement fluttering his limbs.
Jake had insisted he wasn’t a weirdo, and Nico didn’t care if he was. He wanted this. Needed it. Was so grateful he could have it—and with Jake. For a stupid second, Nico had to blink rapidly to stop from crying.
Footsteps, almost silent on the thick carpet, approached. The mattress dipped, and Nico turned his head to see Jake with one knee on the side of the bed, smiling down. Jake threaded his fingers through Nico’s hair and lifted his head for a slow kiss.
He whispered, “Remember: armadillo,” and Nico nodded.
Jake moved back out of sight. There was the sound of a zipper lowering, and Nico waited, breathing shallowly.
The mattress dipped again, behind him this time, and Jake’s big hands spread Nico’s legs farther, kneeling between them, still in his jeans and Henley.
Nico craned his neck, watching over his shoulder as Jake lifted velvety-looking red ropes out of the duffel bag beside him.
Lungs stuttering, Nico didn’t move an inch.
“Sit up. Put your arms behind your back and grab your elbows. Tell me if it’s too much on your arm.”
Nico did as he was told, his legs folded under him. “It’s fine.”
“If that changes, tell me. A little discomfort is okay, but you pitched tonight. We have to be careful.”
The mattress shifted, and Jake’s breath wafted over Nico’s neck as he loomed over him and circled the rope twice around Nico’s chest. He tied what felt like knots in the middle of Nico’s back, then looped the rope down over Nico’s wrists, securing them, arms immobilized and folded behind him.
Nico could let go of his elbows now, his arms staying in position.
“This is called a box tie. It should allow for good blood flow. How does it feel?” With powerful hands, Jake eased Nico onto his stomach, and Nico kicked out his legs wide.
The rope was taut around Nico’s chest, and he arched his back, the weight of his wrists tugging on the binds, but not painfully. “I like it.” And shit, he did. His dick got harder by the minute, and he circled his hips against the soft cotton sheets.
Jake’s lips brushed his neck. “That’s it.” He left the bed, and Nico closed his eyes. He desperately wanted to ask what Jake would do next, but bit the inside of his already raw mouth. He didn’t resist as Jake lifted his hips and propped his ass up with pillows under his groin.
“Bend your knees. That’s it, all the way.
” Jake took hold of Nico’s left ankle, the rope slipping around it.
“This is a frog tie. I’m going to bind your lower legs to your thighs.
One rope will go just above the ankles and around your upper thighs; the other below and above your knees.
Your feet will still be free.” He worked as he talked softly.
“You won’t be able to raise your head very far at all.
Standing is obviously out of the question. You’re not going anywhere.”
Shivery anticipation bolted through Nico.
Sure enough, his chest pressed into the mattress, his ass in the air.
When Jake was done, Nico’s legs were completely bent and lashed together, his heels by his butt.
He was utterly exposed, his hands and arms trapped behind him and legs caught, and panic briefly corkscrewed through him with a whimper.
“Shh.” Jake stroked Nico’s ass. “You’re okay. You know the safe word. You know I’d never hurt you.”
He did, and Nico breathed through it and relaxed. Jake’s weight left the mattress, and Nico wanted to look, but he kept his eyes closed. Clothing rustled, and the water ran in the bathroom sink. Then nothing. And more nothing.
Nothing.
Fidgeting, he wanted to demand what was taking so long. He jumped when Jake finally touched him again, his hands running lightly over Nico’s bonds.
“Look at you. I wish you could see how beautiful you are. You’re being so good. Such a good little slut.” His fingers teased Nico’s crack. “Maybe next time I’ll stick a plug in you. Or fuck you with a nice big dildo.”
Nico moaned. “Anything.”
“That’s right. But tonight my cock is aching for your ass.” He sucked loudly, then a wet finger circled Nico’s hole.
Rubbing his rough cheek against the cotton, Nico could only beg, “Please. I need it.”
“I know.” He kissed Nico’s cheeks, stubble scraping. “How does it feel to be tied like this? Knowing I could do anything?”
“I… I don’t know.”
Jake spread Nico’s ass open, licking his hole. “What words come into your mind?”
“Um…” He shuddered. “Open. Exposed.” Nico sucked in a gasp as Jake stabbed at his hole with his tongue. “Trust.”
“That’s it.” Jake caressed Nico’s ass. “You’re doing so good.”
“Free.”
And he was—free and flying even though he couldn’t move, could only take what Jake gave him.
When Jake stopped teasing and fucked him, pushing his thick, slick cock inside, Nico willed himself to relax.
The sensation of skin on skin had his eyes rolling back as he gasped and cried out, filled with Jake’s dick.
Completely at his mercy. Why it was liberating, Nico had no idea, but he already wanted more. Needed it.
On his chest with his ass in the air and cheek pressed to the mattress, Jake’s cock stretching him, Nico grunted softly, little whimpers and moans escaping, his arms locked behind him. Jake grasped Nico’s hips with his powerful hands as he fucked him.
Nico’s thighs began to cramp, but he breathed through it. He didn’t have to strain or push or fight. He didn’t have to meet anyone’s expectations—or even his own. He didn’t have to be perfect. He just had to be.
He listened to Jake’s grunts, focusing on the sensation of Jake impaling him. Owning him. What he’d craved for so long was finally his, and there was nothing between them. He was filled to the brim, and nothing else existed but Jake’s cock, and Jake’s hand pulling Nico’s hair now as he fucked him.
“Give it to me,” Nico begged hoarsely. “Until it drips out.”
Chanting urgent little nonsensical words, Jake thrust powerfully, tugging Nico’s head up. Nico’s back arched like a bow as Jake shot him full of cum, shuddering and emptying himself, moaning.
Nico was bereft when Jake pulled out, but he could feel semen dripping down his crack. Knowing it was inside him turned him on fiercely, his cock straining beneath him.
Jake untied Nico’s legs and rolled him onto his back, arms still bound behind. Nico’s aching legs splayed, his cock standing up, the leaking head a dark, reddish pink. He gasped as Jake, on his hands and knees, swallowed him to the root, sucking almost painfully hard.
All Nico could do was take it, heat rushing through his veins and exploding through his cock, choking Jake and coming on his face when he pulled off, spurts of white painting his dark stubble and dripping down his neck. Jake took it all, milking him until it was too much.
“No more,” Nico whimpered.
Jake gently untied his arms and rubbed Nico’s limbs carefully, paying special attention to Nico’s throwing arm. Absolutely boneless, Nico laid there, watching Jake inspect him with such concern. He whispered, “I’m good.”
A smile playing on his lips, Jake kissed him. “You are. You’re so good.”
They were both sticky with semen, and Jake disappeared into the bathroom for a washcloth. When they were clean enough, he tugged the covers over them, holding Nico close. Nico knew morning had to come, but he almost hoped it wouldn’t.