Love Faces Off

Chapter 17

They all rode in silence the rest of the way to Raegan’s building. She was laying on Nick shoulder emotionally exhausted.

Just then a buzz came from the Collson’s driver before he put down the privacy divider.

“Sir, I think you might want to see this.”

They all looked out the front windshield to see a large group of reporters camped out in front of Raegan’s building.

“Oh my god, this a nightmare.” She said.

“Is there a back entrance?” Nick asked her.

“Yes, take Gentry Avenue and turn up Lexington. We should be able to slide in the back. But the lobby is all glass windows. We won’t be able to get on the elevator or stairs without being seen.”

Nick to the driver, “When you drop us off circle the block. Go back to the front of the building. Slow down and stop at the entrance. This should cause a big enough distraction to get the attention on the limo and we can slip into the elevator.” They all looked at him. “It isn’t my first time trying to avoid the press.”

Nick’s plan had worked. Reagan and Nick were in the elevator on the way to her condo. She reached over and grabbed his hand.

“Thank you. I would understand if you wanted nothing to do with this mess.”

“I love you, Angel. And none of this is your fault. I wish you had told me before now but I understand why you didn’t. I’ve told you. I’m here and you are safe with me. That will always be true.”

Raegan hugged him. “I love you. I’ve missed you”

Nick just held her as the elevator stopped.

As they walked down Raegan’s hallway hand in hand, she noticed the door to the condo beside her open.

“Crap the new neighbor was moving in today. Not the best welcome to the neighborhood.”

Nick chuckled. Just then the new tenant walked into the open door way. Nick nodded but Raegan stopped in place pulling Nick to a sudden stop.

He looked at her, “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Raegan just shook her head and starred at the man in the doorway

“Well, hello MS. Moore. I guess we are neighbors. Small world isn’t it.”

Nick looked from the man to Raegan and back.

“Raegan, do you know this guy?” Nick had a very bad feeling creeping up his spine

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your new boy toy.”

Nick was mad now, “Watch your mouth, buddy!”

When Raegan finally spoke, her voice was barely audible, “Nick, this is Ted Tidewater.”

Nick released her hand and instantly had his had around the guys throat with him thrown against the wall.

“How the hell did you get in here?”

Ted chocking, “I… live… here. I… bought… this… condo…two… weeks… ago.”

“Nick, put him down, please.”

He looked to Raegan and did what she asked.

“What do you want?” she asked him.

Tidewater smile broadened, “You. If I can’t have you, I will ruin you and the Thunder. Get your guard dog under control or he will be my next target.” With that he turned and went into the unit closing the door behind him

Raegan let them into her apartment as Nick was calling Pete

“Pete, you still with Coach and the Big Guy. Good put me on speaker.”

“O.K. you’re on. What going on?”

“Tidewater is here. Apparently he bought the condo next to Raegan’s.”

“Damn it. She can’t stay there.” Pete declared

“Raegan, do you have somewhere you can stay?” Mr Kwatski asked.

Raegan was on her couch holding herself rocking back and forth.

Nick answered, “I think she is in some kind of shock. I’m going to see if I can’t pack her a few things and I can take her back to my place to stay.”

Raegan looked at him then. So many emotions crossed her face

“Easy, Angel. It’s a 4 bedroom townhome on a private beach in a gated community. You will have as much space as you need. I’m not trying to get anything from you. Just keeping you safe.”

“This is my home. He lives here. I’m not safe in my own home.” She just kept repeating to herself.

Nick needed to end this call. “O.K. guys, I’m going to go now and work this out with her. We will see you in the morning.”

“I’m calling the team’s car service. I will have them meet you at the back entrance in 20 minutes.”

“Thanks, Boss.” He ended the call

Raegan was still mumbling, “This is my home. He is here. Where I live.”

Nick slowly sat next to her on the couch. He didn’t want to scare her so he softly put his arm around her.

“I know its your home. This is just temporary. You can’t stay here with him so close. It just isn’t safe. Even if I moved in it wouldn’t be safe. Come stay with me for a little while until we work this out. If you don’t want to do that then we will go to a hotel and stay.”

She looked at him with tears in her eyes, “This is going to ruin you. You should run away as fast as you can. I can’t ask you to-”

“You didn’t ask and I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for the long haul. I love you and I will keep you safe.”

Raegan finally agreed. She, with a lot of help from Nick, was able to pack several suitcases of her things. They managed to get into the car without being noticed.

Reagan was quiet in the ride to Nick’s place. It was a short drive. She wondered if he had done that on purpose to be close but not to close to her. It was late and everything was quiet. The guard gate was manned and let them in. Nick told her he would have her added to the approved list in the morning. A lot of good approved lists do when they let monsters move in next door to their victims. The driver unloaded their bags as Nick lead Raegan in. He settled her on his couch while he went to let the driver out. When he returned she wasn’t in the living room. He found her in the master bedroom looking out the floor to ceiling windows. She must have known he entered the room.

“This place is beautiful. You did this all in a week?”

Nick came up behind her and slowly put his arms around her. He didn’t really know if she would want his touch. Just like before she sank into his arms and wrapped her arms around his like she wanted nothing separating them

Nick smiled, “I can’t take all the credit. My stuff was shipped from Toronto while we were on the road. I hired an agent suggested by a few players to look for potential places.”

“So its just a coincidence that it is 10 minutes from my place?” She almost sounded disappointed

“No, I don’t want to sound stalker-ish given tonight’s events. But when we started getting close I called the agent and narrowed the zone I wanted her to look in. I wanted to be close to you. Even if you you didn’t want me. I wanted to keep you safe.” He said sheepishly.

“I have always wanted you. I just didn’t want you to lose everything because of me. Now that is probably happening anyway.”

Nick drew her closer, “We will face tomorrow when tomorrow comes. It has been a very long night. Lets get you settled and in bed. You are going to need some rest before the morning comes. I’m going to give you this bedroom. Let me clear a few things out that I will need.” She nodded her head.

Nick brought her suitcases in and got a change of clothes and some items from the bathroom out. When he left the room it felt so empty. Raegan went into the bathroom and got ready for the night. She turned of the light and laid down in the bed but sleep wouldn’t come. She slowly got up with just her oversized T-shirt on to go find Nick.

She opened the door to find him in the kitchen. He was bare chested and just a pair of lounge pants on. He stopped what he was doing and slowly looked her up and down. Desire flash in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, did I wake you?” He asked. “I was just trying to get things ready for breakfast tomorrow.”

She shook her head, “I couldn’t sleep. I don’t want to be alone. I need you.”

She walked over to him and pulled him down for a kiss. Nick’s hands instantly went to her ass. Her shirt rose up. He lifted her and sat her on the kitchen counter. Returning the kiss as deeply as she was. But then he pulled away.

“Are you sure about this? It’s been an emotional night. You don’t have to do this. I can just hold you all night.”

“While that sounds nice. I need you buried deep within me. You can hold me after.”

That was all the invitation Nick needed. He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. It had only been a week since they had been together but it seemed like a lifetime without water. They both drank each other up. They fell asleep in a tangle of sheets, arms, and legs entwined and not willing to let each other go.