Page 31 of Stolen Bases

I’m going to go jerk off, over and over, to visions of Talia in that little green bikini and the sound of her soft voice whispering my name.

nine

Talia

Nico slides open theheavy glass door just as Cameron closes his and slips into his room, leaving me, my galloping heart, and his name on my tongue behind. I can’t tell if my heart is racing over almost getting caught or if it’s the way my body came to life under his fingertips.

“Hey, Lia. What are you doing out here?” My brother approaches the hot tub, eyes narrowed.

I stay still, refusing to sink under his scrutinizing gaze.

Can he tell Cam was in here with me?No. No way. Cam was quick to leave, making it appear as though he had never been here.

“I was relaxing. I think the lady used too much pressure during my massage. Made me sore.” It’s only a half-lie that slips out. Rubbing my trapezius, I roll my head from side to side, attempting to ease the tension in my neck. Guilt and jitters have replaced my earlier calmness.

“Alone?”

I bristle at his question.

Gee, what is he, my keeper?

“Yes.”

Nico quickly looks over my shoulder, towards Cam’s room.

“You didn’t tell me… How was your meeting with the shoe company?” I ask, distracting him.

When he looks back my way, he seems less tense and the wrinkles on his forehead have softened. Nico smiles, clearly happy with his dinner. “It was good. I think they are going to reach out with a contract.”

“That’s amazing. I’m so proud of you.” My chest puffs with pride as he gives me the rundown of what happened and why he thinks it’s a done deal.

Nico deserves this. Not only does he work incredibly hard, but he has done so much for our family that he’s earned this piece of happiness all for himself.

“It’s still early. Want to watch a movie or something?” he asks, shocking me.

I didn’t think he’d have much time to hang out. With his daily practices and sponsorship meetings, I kind of assumed I would only see him in passing.

“Really? You want to hang out with me?”

Nico chuckles, tugging my ponytail like he did when we were kids. “Don’t act so surprised, Lia. Of course I want to hang out with you.”

“Then, yeah. I’d love to watch a movie. Our favorite, right?”

“Sure. But just to be clear, it’s your favorite,” Nico lies.

He can deny it all he wants, butA League of Their Ownis totally his favorite movie too. He’s a sucker for anything with Tom Hanks.

I climb out of the hot tub and dry myself off with the towel I left on the little table, before wrapping it around my chest. “Can we have popcorn and ice cream too?”

“You can have ice cream.” He lifts his shirt, showing off his stomach. “None for me. The ladies like the abs too much.”

As hard as I can, I whack his stomach with my wet hand.

He doubles over with a groan. “Fuck, Lia. That hurt.”

“Then knock it off, Nic. You sound like a jackass when you say stuff like that.”

Nico laughs, walking ahead of me to open the door. “You’re probably right, but it’s still the truth.”

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