Heart Ache (Bound by a Touch Novels #1) (11 page)

“
Come on, babe.” When she turned to glare at him, he added, “You don’t want it to get cold. Later, Mr. Voinea.”

It was as though Gabrielle had frozen where she stood. Jayson gently tugged her inside and, with Gabrielle’s eyes still on locked with Niko’s, the door closed.

Defeat filled him. So close, yet still no closer. Did he dare come back while she slept?

Hell, yeah, he’d come back, and if Jayson was in her bed, he’d just have to stake himself.

Gabby leaned against the door for a moment. She sensed when Niko walked away, feeling strangely lost. She sighed and Jayson looked over from where he stood in her kitchen. The pizza box was open and he had a slice halfway to his mouth.

“
You okay?”

“
Yeah. Just tired.”

His look told her he didn’t believe her. “Come on, babe, get something to eat and then we can watch some TV.”

She stepped away from the door. A flash of motion on the balcony caught her attention. She tipped her head to see between the curtains better, her brows wrinkling, her eyes narrowing.

Hard hands grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. Jayson’s fingers dug into her skin, and she cried out, expecting bruises in the morning. He leaned down, his face crowding hers. For all the fury churning in his actions, his eyes were strangely murky; the beautiful, expressive hazel a dingy brown.

“
No more. When it comes to him, no more,” he snarled through a scowl.

“
What the hell is your deal?” She put her hands on his chest and shoved. He stumbled back and landed in an awkward pile. He blinked up at her. He shook his head and blinked in quick succession.

“
What happened?”

“
Nice try.” She stomped back to the door, opened it. “I think you should spend some time alone tonight.”

He still wore pinched brows and a confused frown as he grabbed his jacket. “I’m sorry, Gabs, I’m not sure—” Another head shake. “I love you.”

For the second time tonight, she leaned against the door after closing it. Jayson’s bi-polar act made absolutely no sense. She knew he didn’t like Niko, but he’d never pulled the jealous Neanderthal act before.

She would never understand men.

Chapter Eight

Thankfully, Niko didn’t ever find anyone but Gabby in her bed.

Was tomorrow really the wedding? Was he already out of time?

A week ago, Nikolai was convinced he’d gotten through to her. If only the stupid punk peddling pizza hadn’t interrupted.

From their first touch Niko had been determined to let Gabby make the choice for herself, to choose him without outside influences, but he’d be damned if anything had worked thus far. And if tonight went badly, well, then he would truly be … damned straight to a life of hell. This was his last chance. If he didn’t convince her tonight, then Gabrielle would marry Jayson tomorrow.

Nikolai popped into Gabby’s room when he was sure she’d drifted to sleep. It was well after midnight, and as he cautiously approached the bed, he breathed a sigh of relief to once again find her very much alone—and very much naked which both excited and horrified him.

How was he supposed to remain in control and get his message across?

Losing control
would
get your message across
.

Waving a hand over her forehead brought her to the delirium stage between awake and asleep. He wrapped her up like a burrito before tucking her safely into his arms.

“
I love you,” he told her as she cuddled further into his embrace. “I need you, Gabrielle. Marry
me
. I can make you happier than you even know is possible. Please give me a chance.”

Her small hand gripped tightly at his shirt. Her tears soaked his shirt. “Tomorrow. Marry Jayson tomorrow.” The words came out on a sob.

“
Don’t do it,
bebelus
, please don’t marry him.” He held her tight against his chest, covering her face with tender pleading kisses, and whispering the phrase over and over.

When the sun trickled in through the window, Niko slid out from under her and prepared for the worst day of his horribly long, lonely life.

Gabrielle awoke excited, nervous, and scared to death. Were those good feelings to have on your wedding day? She guessed the intense fear and sense of loss didn’t exactly fit the protocol of emotions.

Every muscle stretched as she moved and shifted under the sheet. Last night, once again, she’d slept naked, and once again, she’d dreamt of Nikolai, and yes, once again, she’d awoken covered in the erotically dark scent that was exclusively him. A sick part of her wondered if things would be different tomorrow morning after she’d slept in Jayson’s arms.

She’d invited Nikolai to the wedding, hoping beyond all hopes it would kick him in the ass. The delusion, dreamy version of Nikolai had become more aggressive, kissing her, telling her how much he adored her. Hell, he’d even asked her to call off the wedding—in her dreams.

But the real-life Nikolai had been as cool as ever, barely acting as though he recognized her as a woman. He’d sent her flowers; at least she thought he had. When it came time for him to verify or deny, he’d done neither.

The last few days away from the office had been spent getting ready for the wedding; final dress fittings, approving flower arrangements, picking up tuxedos. It’d also been used to help Gabby distance herself from Niko.

As soon as she got back from her honeymoon, she would give her two-week notice and be rid of Nikolai Voinea forever.

Good riddance.

Her hand rubbed at a deep ache as it bloomed in her chest.

As hard as it would be she
would
say goodbye to Niko. There was no choice in the matter. The internal struggle was too painful. It certainly carried its intense emotional and psychological pain, but there were also physical aches an entire bottle of Advil wouldn’t ease.

She swallowed hard, trying to choke down her feelings for Nikolai. Today was her turning point. With Jayson, she
would
be happy—the kind of happily-ever-after romance novels were written about.

Everything would be perfect when she walked down the aisle to marry the man who loved and adored her. Marie had seen to every minute detail; red roses, white lilies, vanilla cake with raspberry filling, flowers on top instead of a blissfully happy couple. Gabby smiled as her mind’s eye imagined how handsome Jayson would look, and her smile widened, knowing there would only be two tuxedos in attendance today; the groom and the best man. There would be no father of the bride. Just the way it should be.

Her father—if you could call him that—had never been around for Gabby and she’d be damned if she would pretend today. Today was all about what
she
wanted—for the most part.

And
Bam!
, just like that, she was right back to where her thoughts had begun.

Nikolai
.

She screamed and yanked the Niko-scented sheets up over her head. What were the odds he would ride in on his white horse and steal her away before the ‘I do’s’?

“
Nikolai,”
she pleaded with the silence around her, “please, don’t hold your peace.”

“
Gustav.” Nikolai’s voice broke.

A growl rumbled from behind the curtains of the bed as red painted toes peeked out. Gustav murmured something to his companion then raised his voice to say, “You can’t keep popping in here and waking me up.”

“
I need your help.”

Gustav’s laugh was deep and gravely from sleep. “I’m not in the best mood to be granting favors, brother.”

“
The wedding is today.” Agony seeped through every syllable and his throat tightened around the words.

Gustav swung his feet over to sit on the edge of the bed. He scrubbed at his face with his hands.

Long, French-tipped fingers crept up and over his shoulders. A female face appeared and lush lips whispered something in his ear.

He shook his head.

She eased around him with grace, clad in only a red negligee that left nothing to the imagination, and barely acknowledged Nikolai before evaporating away.

Gustav dropped his head into his hands, tugged at his hair, nearly ripping it out as he whipped his head back to glare at Niko.

“
You really let it get this far?” His loud laugh mocked. “You’re an idiot!”

Nikolai sighed, unable to contradict his brother. He
was
an idiot. A moron. A freaking jackass! The list could go on and Gustav probably couldn’t come up with a name he hadn’t already attached to his asinine, passive behavior.

“
So, how do you need my help? You want me to help you kidnap Gabby?”

“
No!” Niko felt a sudden stab of panic.

“
You want me to do it for you?”

“
No!”

Gustav’s hand stroked at the stubble on his chin, making a soft scratching sound. “I’m too tired to keep guessing.”

“
I want you to go with me to the ceremony.”

Nikolai’s back met the wall with a thud. The muscles of Gustav’s forearm flexed against his neck. Charcoal eyes flashed with intense onyx fury. Niko struggled, which only made Gustav tighten his hold.

“
You are going to the wedding?” His question low, controlled.

He only nodded because his brother’s arm crushed his vocal cords. He could have fought his brother, could have thrown him off, but Gustav needed to release some of his frustration and Niko enjoyed the physical punishment.

“
And you’re going to sit there and watch your heartmate marry another man?” Gustav growled, his nose nearly touching Nikolai’s. “When did you get castrated?”

Niko’s forehead met Gustav’s nose. “Get off me.”

Instead of relenting he continued, “You gonna let that mortal marry her? How’s it gonna feel to know he’s making love to her? What about when her belly grows with
his
child?”

Anger erupted inside him and he launched Gustav across the room. He smashed into the wall, knocking a painting off the wall and grinned.

“
That’s better. Now, what can I do to help you?”

Niko hated his brother’s smirking taunts, but wasn’t sure he could do it alone. “I need you to come with me and keep me from ruining her happiness.”

“
What about
your
happiness?” Gustav asked under his breath just before he burst into laughter that oozed sarcasm, his head shaking back and forth. “You’re an even bigger fool than I thought. If you want to put yourself through hell, I can’t stop you. But don’t you dare expect me to watch.” He turned on his heel and stormed toward the bed.

“
Please,” Niko begged through a tight throat.

Gustav turned, his face full of fury which softened as he met his brother’s pleading eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again.

Nikolai dropped his gaze and stuffed his hands into his pockets. Gabby’s choice had been made. He’d done everything except steal her away last night. Now he wondered if that wouldn’t have been best.

Goddess, maybe he was his father.
No!

“
If I’m truly going to lose her, I must witness it myself. Please.”

Gustav closed his eyes, then he snorted in an attempt to hide his compassion behind irritation.

“
Fine. I’ll go with you, but only if you charge the altar and claim the woman who is rightfully yours.”

Knowing it was the best he was going to get, he nodded. “The wedding starts in two hours.” He prepared to vaporize home, but paused. “Thank you.”

“
No problem.” Gustav prepared to climb back into bed.

“
We have to drive. I’ll be back in forty-five minutes.”

“
Forty-five minutes? You planning to be there early?” Gustav asked with a smile and a raised brow.

“
I guess I was hoping to—” He ran his hands through his hair. “—I don’t know. Maybe talk to her … if—”

“
If nothing. I’ll be ready in thirty,” Gustav announced over his shoulder as he disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door.

Nikolai looked at the closed door and wondered if he could really watch the female who held his heart vow to love another man forever. Could he remain silent or would his possessive instincts flare, making him no better than the bastard father he’d hated for centuries?

Gabby sat in front of the mirror in the bride’s room at the church. Marie stood behind her, moving her fingers through Gabby’s hair, pinning strands to the top of her head and placing baby’s breath amongst the curls.

“
Are you okay?”

She looked at her friend’s reflection and forced a smile. “Of course. I’m getting married today.”

Marie grunted. “Then why do you look like you’re about to meet the firing squad?”