Sacked (The New York Nighthawks 1)

No one who came to this club would mess with my woman. I wasn’t quick to lose my temper, and I rarely resorted to physical violence, but I was still a big, scary motherfucker.

The tension in Nixon’s shoulders eased, and he tossed me a grateful smile before looking at Naomi. “You good, Mims?”

She nodded, and he turned around, continuing his path to the VIP area.

When we entered the much quieter space, he gave me a chin lift and murmured, “Thanks,” before heading toward the other guys congregating at the bar.

I led my girl over to a corner where there were intimate seating areas, claiming one of the half-moon couches with a small table in the middle. Naomi sat near the center, and I dropped down beside her, close enough that our thighs touched when I relaxed back into my seat. Then I put my arm behind her and leaned in as though it were too loud to hear each other without our heads being close together.

“Tell me about yourself,” I encouraged.

Naomi shrugged. “There isn’t much to tell. Nixon and I grew up in a small town in Connecticut. My brother was the golden boy, but he never let it go to his head. He’s a really great big brother, even though I’m the mature one between us.”

She giggled and shook her head, moving her silky hair under the lights so it shimmered a golden brown. “I didn’t want to go to college yet, but my best friend is attending NYU, and Nixon suggested I come stay with him while I figure things out.”

“You didn’t want to stay in your hometown?”

Naomi gestured toward the rowdy boys near the bar. “Not especially. But my brother was the one who wanted to leave and see the world, to be a star.”

“And what did you want?”

She blushed adorably and looked away. “I like the idea of traveling. And I had no problem leaving our small town. But I…um…”

Even in the darkness of the club, I could see her cheeks darken to crimson.

“You can be honest with me, Naomi. I want you to be able to tell me anything.”

Her eyes turned soft, and she smiled sweetly. “I’ve really just wanted to be a mom and a wife. Though, I would like to pursue my degree. I’d just rather do it online while I live my life.”

Her answer was music to my ears, and I was tempted to pick her up and make a run for Vegas. However, I didn’t want to scare her off, and the situation was tricky, what with her older brother being my teammate.

“There’s nothing wrong with your ambitions, baby.” The endearment rolled off my tongue without thought, and I was damn glad it had when I saw her pink cheeks and the pleased sparkle in her eyes. “Everyone dreams of something different. It’s what makes us unique.” I winked. “Special.”

Naomi beamed at me, and I fell a little further under her spell. She was so fucking perfect. I had no clue that she was everything I ever wanted until I met her.

“What about you?” She cocked her head to the side and studied me with a sweet smile. “I can’t imagine your story is as boring as mine.”

“Baby, I guarantee there isn’t a person out there who would think you’re boring.” My hand absently played with the ends of her hair, and I couldn’t help imagining what it would feel like to have those tresses wrapped around my fist while she took me deep down her throat.

I shifted in my seat and put one ankle on the opposite knee, trying to give myself more room in my pants without making my condition obvious.

“Perhaps,” she replied, her blue eyes sparkling.

“My story isn’t as exciting as I think you’re imagining. Pretty typical childhood. I have an older brother, a younger brother, and twin baby sisters.”

“Big family,” she murmured.

I shrugged. “It never seemed that way. Our house was always loud and crazy, and still is. Maybe that’s why I’d like a big family.”

“You want a big family?” Naomi asked, her voice colored with surprise.

I smiled and nodded. “I can’t imagine my children growing up any other way.”

Naomi’s head dipped, and her hair fell forward. I pushed a lock behind her ear and bit back a grin when she shivered as my fingers whispered down her neck. When she looked up at me again, her smile was a little shy. “I want a big family, too.”

“Good to know.” I said under my breath. I intended to get started on that family as soon as possible.

“Pardon?” Naomi leaned in even closer, and I was about to give in to my desire to kiss her when we were interrupted.

“Miss?”

We both looked around to see a server standing on the other side of the small table holding a tray. She held out a martini glass toward Naomi but halted when she glanced at me and saw the expression on my face. I knew what she was about to say, and I was already pissed as fuck about it.