by Love, Kristy
I’d just moved to a corner to sit down and eat. I had a small break before the cake was cut and the bouquet was tossed. For now, I needed to rest my feet. They ached with the long day. Someone tapped my shoulder, and I turned. My eyes widened, and I gasped, standing up and placing my food on my chair. I had to clasp my hands together to keep them from shaking. “Vivienne. It’s so nice to see you.”
Somehow, I’d avoided her for the last year. I’d gone to a few red-carpet events with Nash, and she’d been there, but we hadn’t spoken to her. I’d seen her across the room, and that was it.
“Bianca.” She smiled, pulling me into a hug. At first, I was too shocked to hug her back, though I was eventually able to move my wooden arms. “I’m so glad to see you.” She backed up and looked me up and down. “You look great. How is life?”
I blinked a few times, trying to register her words. “Everything is great. Really good.” I swallowed. I couldn’t get my footing with her. She smiled at me and looked genuinely happy to see me. I didn’t expect that. I’d never expected that. “How are you?”
Her smile broadened. “I’m actually really good. Everything has been amazing. I’m leading a new movie, and I’m in talks to direct another one. I’ve been traveling and really enjoying life.”
“That’s amazing.” I couldn’t think of what else to say. What do you say in this situation? Did I apologize for stealing her fiancé?
“It is. I actually wanted to talk to you away from all of this.” She gestured around the packed ballroom. “I wanted to tell you I hope everything is good with you and Nash.”
Her words kept surprising me more and more. “It is. Yes. We’re really good. Really, really good.”
“I also wanted you to know there are no hard feelings. I see now that things happened the way they should have. I loved Nash, but I wasn’t in love with him if that makes any sense. Looking back, he felt more like a good friend than someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”
Her words eased tension in my shoulders I hadn’t known I’d had. “I hope you know that I never meant to hurt you. It wasn’t my intention, and I’m sorry.”
She waved away my words. “You did me a favor. I’d rather a broken engagement than a marriage end in divorce. He loves you, you know? I should have realized it from the start, but I got it at the end. Things ended as they should have.”
I smiled now—easy and genuine. “Thank you, Vivienne. I hope you continue to be happy. You deserve all of the good things.”
She hugged me again. “I appreciate it. I’m going to get back to the wedding. Do you have a card or anything that I can give to my friends? To drum up more business for you. I know we didn’t get to finish planning the wedding, but you were so amazing. I’d hate for people to miss out on the opportunity to work with you.”
Her words touched me. I kept a small stash of business cards on me, just in case someone wanted my information. I handed one to her. It had StarStruck Events written across the top. When I’d picked the name, I figured it was fitting since most of my clients now left me a bit starstruck. “Thank you. I’m so glad we were able to catch up a bit.”
“Me too. Take care of yourself. And Nash.” She waved as she walked away, and I fought the urge to pinch myself. I hurried up and finished my dinner and went back to my duties of making sure things were going smoothly, though I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
* * *
Nash and I were in bed, his fingers tracing lazy circles over my arm. I’d just told him all about the wedding and how my conversation with Vivienne had gone.
“She’s good people,” he said, dropping his eyes to my breasts, where his fingers were currently stroking.
“She is. I feel better knowing she doesn’t have any resentment or anything toward me.” I fought to keep my voice steady, even though the light touches from him were already arousing me.
“Mm-hmm,” he hummed, then lifted my shirt and licked a nipple. I gasped and soaked in the way he touched me. He licked my nipples, giving both equal attention, before sliding his hand down my belly and slipping his hand inside my panties. A finger entered me, and I dug my nails into his arm. After all this time, the slightest touch from him heated my blood, caused me to grow wet, and wiped out my thoughts. “Let’s celebrate your peace of mind with dessert.”
He slid down the bed, taking my panties with him. He kissed up my thighs, and goose bumps and shivers spread across my body. I was already panting, anticipating his touch. When his lips collided with my swollen flesh, I cried out.
I’d never get tired of the way it felt with Nash. It was a fire that was constantly burning. It only needed a bit of attention to roar into an inferno.
I also really, really loved his way of celebrating.
Epilogue
Three Years Later
I watched Nash from the side of the stage. He commanded the audience and sang his heart out. Felix’s skill on the drums brought down the house. The crowd sang along, the air charged and feeling like a live wire. There was nothing like a HeartLess performance. I’d gone to many over the last few years, and they were always my favorite. It may have had something to do with the front man, though.
I’d joined Nash on the European leg of his most recent tour. It was hard to be away from him, especially when I couldn’t hop on a plane and spend some time with him in whatever city he was in. Europe was a lot farther to travel than the East Coast. I’d had to juggle some things back home to be able to join him, but I was so glad I did. Seeing him on stage still did things to me. I squeezed my thighs and fought the urge to fan myself.
It may have been a learned reaction after all this time, though. He always came off the stage pumped and ready for me. It was the perfect combination.
“They’re on fire tonight,” Cody said from next to me. He was the tour manager. He made sure everything ran smoothly. And he was absolutely right. Tonight, there was something extra about their performance.
“I know. The last time I saw them, they were good, but nothing like this,” I replied.
“I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that you’re here now.” He bumped his shoulder into mine, smiling.
“Nah. It’s all them.” I nodded my head toward them. “They’re something special all on their own.”
“Spoken like a woman in love.” He walked away to go see to his other duties because the concert was almost over. He needed to make sure the guys had towels and water for when they walked off stage. They were always drenched in sweat and thirsty as hell.
After a few more songs, the guys left the stage. People descended on them, checking in with them, handing them water and towels, going over details of when we’d have to leave. Nash’s eyes found me immediately. They were smoldering, and I couldn’t wait. The promise in his gaze caused my muscles to clench and heat to pour through my body. I smiled at him, pulling my lower lip between my teeth. There was nothing sexier than Nash. His brown hair disheveled and the ends wet with sweat, his green eyes blazing for me, his chiseled chest on display.
Nash nodded a few times before striding toward me. He picked me up and devoured me with a kiss, spinning me in a circle. “I fucking love when you’re waiting for me when I get off stage.”
“You’re just excited there’s actually going to be sex at the end of the night.”
He slapped my ass and chuckled. “That could very well be a huge perk.” He brushed his lips over mine before deepening it, desire swirling potently through my veins. “I also love knowing you’re here and not across the country.”
StarStruck Events had grown over the last couple of years. We catered to the who’s who of Hollywood and the music business. I was sure Nash played a part in that, but it was okay. We took care of each other. That was the way it was supposed to be. I employed a small team, and I’d left my right hand in charge. I had faith in her ability to keep things running smoothly. I loved being able to step away for a while. Being the boss definitely had its perks..
&nb
sp; “I’m glad we get to be together too. Now, go clean up. We have a dinner to go to, and you are sweaty as hell.”
He grinned. “You sure you don’t want to come with me?”
“I’d love to, but the sooner we get this dinner over with, the sooner we can skip right to dessert.” I raised an eyebrow and gave him a suggestive quirk of my lips.
“Yes, ma’am.” He trotted away. Felix waved at me before he took off to go clean up himself. I waved back and made myself useful by helping the crew clean up and start packing up.
We had an important dinner tonight with people Nash’s record label wanted him to impress. So, we had to do that before we could spend time alone. I couldn’t wait.
* * *
Nash
I kissed Bianca’s hand. We were curled up together in bed, my finger running over the rings on her fingers. I’d surprised her by flying out my family, her parents, and Peyton to Italy a week ago. I’d planned a small ceremony for us to get married. We’d talked about it, but I knew the planning aspect was overwhelming for her. I didn’t want our own wedding day to overwhelm her, so I took care of it all. The last thing she wanted was a big wedding, so our families, plus Peyton and Felix, was perfection. She’d only told me a million times since I’d surprised her with it all.
Her hand ran down my arm, moving my own hand down between her legs. She was naked already, so I brushed my fingers over her. The wetness I found there made me groan and harden immediately.
“Bee, you’re killing me.”
“I can’t help it that I find my husband sexy as hell and I always want to sleep with him.” She pushed me onto my back, climbing on top of me. “It doesn’t seem like you’re struggling too hard.” She gripped my swollen dick in her hand, squeezing lightly.
“I’m definitely ready, able, and willing.”
She stole my breath away as she slid down on me, moaning and throwing her head back. My hands went to her breasts, relishing the smooth skin and her stiff nipples. “You are,” she groaned, grinding her hips against me.
I’d never get enough of her. It amazed me all these years later that I still burned with as much need for her as I had when we were teenagers. Sometimes I felt like I was suffocating with the need for her. I was glad she was able to take a couple months off and travel with us. I wanted to show her the world—give her the world. I wanted her with me always. Her business and career were important to her, and I’d never ask her to give it up. Just like she’d never ask me to give up music.
We found our own way to navigate the challenges of being apart for long periods of time. We constantly talked and even Skyped. Seeing her naked on my computer screen was an absolutely awesome way to end a long day of travel.
“Nash,” she rasped, her body moving more urgently. I could tell by the way she contracted with me that she was getting close. I slid a hand down her torso, over her belly, and my thumb contacted her clit, rubbing it. She spasmed around me and came on a yell. I thrust up into her a few times until I found my own release.
After, she collapsed on top of me. I stroked my fingers over her back. Her weight against me was my own slice of heaven.
“I love you,” she said. I could always count on her saying those words. In text, over the phone, in person. It was as if she needed to constantly express how much she loved me or she’d explode.
“I love you.” I kissed the top of her head.
“Can you believe we’re here?”
I chuckled softly, running a hand through her hair. “It’s kind of late to be in disbelief, Bee.”
“Sometimes it feels too good to be true, even still. For so long I’d given up hope that you loved me. And here we are. I’m your wife.” I felt her smile against my chest.
My heart squeezed painfully. “You’re my wife.” She looked up at me, tears shining in her eyes, smiling. “And I love you.”
“Always?”
“Always and forever.”
She grinned, then kissed me.
THE END
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Also By Kristy Love
The Undone Series
The Fragile Fall (Book 1)
Heartfelt Lies (Book 2)
Unfolding Desires (Book 3)
Second Beginnings (Book 3.5, Novella)
Fractured Hope (Book 4)
About the Author
From the time she was old enough to form words into sentences, Kristy Love has been writing stories. She attended La Roche College and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Writing. When she’s not writing, Kristy can be found with her nose stuck in a book or spending time with her family and friends.
She lives with her husband and two girls in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Acknowledgments
With every book, I never know where to start, but it’s even more true with this book. The last two years of my life have been a whirlwind. After releasing Fractured Hope, I took a long break. I wasn’t sure if I’d actually ever publish again, but here I am.
My husband has always been by my side. Always. Through every up and down, cheering me on and supporting me. Thank you for everything. No words could cover how much you mean to me.
My kids… I love you. Both of you. You’re the best things in my life.
Without the support of friends, I’m not sure if I’d be here right now.
Bianca Smith — Thank you. You’ve become one of the people in my life that I count on and love so much. I love that we can share dog pictures for days and be totally cool with it. Plus you have an adorable nephew. Thank you for pushing me to write, to make this story the best it could be, and for letting me use your name.
J.A. DeRouen — Here we are again. I’d be lost without you. Both for my writing and picking what to read, and for life outside. I can’t imagine not having you in my life. Thank you for every single thing you do for me every single day. Whether it’s gifs or giving me a verbal slap, I can’t express how much you mean to me.
Stephanie Rose — Other than my husband, I’m not sure if there’s anyone on this planet that I feel such a connection with. You get me in ways that sometimes scare me, but I love it. Thank you for being my friend and for always letting me get the nastiness out in a safe space.
A.M. Johnson — I don’t know how in the world we haven’t been friends from birth, but I’m glad we’re friends now. Thank you for convincing me to pick up the pen (figuratively) again. Without you, I know I would have left HeartLess in a dusty file in my computer. Thank you for being you.
To my beta readers, Tammy Cole, Tracy Dalton, Shannon Mummey, thank you for your time and feedback. You helped make this book stronger and I so appreciate that!
Mitzi Carroll — You are an amazing person, and editor. I’m so glad I met you and that I can count on you as a friend.
Marisa Nichols — Thank you so much for your eagle eye. I loved your comments while I was going back through the document!
Emily Wittig — Thank you for all your work on this cover. You took a cover I loved already and made it into something I ADORE.
Becca Zsurkán — There are not many people who I feel such an instant connection to, and you’re one of them. Thank you for your help with all the things. Your designs are gorgeous. You are an amazing person. I’m so glad I met you!
Jenn Holter — Thank you so much for helping me to organize my life toward release. You are seriously so fabulous. I’m lucky to count you as a friend!
Ena and Amanda at Enticing Journeys — Thank you for helping to spread the word about this book! And for being so kind!
And to anyone else that I haven’t mentioned
, thank you. My brain is kind of like a bucket full of holes. Know that you are important to me. I really thank you.
And mostly, to you, the reader. Thank you for picking up HeartLess out of all the books out there. Thank you for reading Nash and Bianca’s journey. I hope you enjoyed it.
