by Staci Hart
“And guys?”
“More girls than guys.”
He let out a laugh. “Oh, really?” He seemed to be part impressed, part not sure if I was fucking with him.
I took another bite and nodded. “True story.”
“Anything serious?”
I swallowed hard. “Not really.” I watched his face, looking for his reaction, but he just smiled.
“It actually makes a lot of sense, from your reaction to me looking for you.”
“You mean stalking me?” I teased.
“Stalk, orchestrate a grand gesture, whatever.”
“You would have been the catch of the century, if they could have caught you.”
“I don’t know,” I scoffed, “I’m a little intimidating. No one gets very far with me. I shut them down before they have a chance.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’m persistent. I know what I want, and I get what I want.”
I watched him take a bite of eggs, bewildered. “You’re something else, Sullivan Collins.”
He looked over at me, his eyes honest and open. “So are you, Cory James.”
“I don’t know how you got in,” I said, half to myself.
“I can scale any wall in my way, and I never give up on what I believe in. You never stood a chance,” he answered with a smile.
I slipped off my stool and into his arms, my lips finding his, hands on his cheeks. I tried hold back my fear and uncertainty, just wanting him to know that he meant something to me with the action.
Our mouths slowed and I leaned back, feeling tears prick the corners of my eyes, but I smiled. “I’ve got to go. I’ll hit you up later, okay?”
“All right, Cory.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes, not knowing if we’d ever have a moment like that again, full of his hope and trust in me.
I whispered into his ear, “Thank you.”
By the time I reached the loft, I had a plan, a speech, and a shitload of resolve. The plan was thin: try to convince Jade that the painting was a fake. The speech was better and involved several dirty names and threats. The resolve would be my saving grace, if all else failed.
I closed the warehouse door to the quiet apartment, figuring everyone was either gone or sleeping. I threw my bag on a chair and sat at the table, wondering when Jade would be home. I didn’t wonder for long.
She walked in from her room, looking smug as she pulled out a chair and sat down across from me. “You look really fresh. You’re really pulling off that ‘just fucked’ look.” She folded her forearms on the table and leaned forward. “How was it getting actual dick? A little more exciting than Erin’s fist?”
I glared at her. “God, you’re the worst brand of asshole, you know that?”
She just smiled.
“It’s not a Rothko. It’s by some nobody who paints imitations.” I crossed my arms and stared her down.
Jade leaned forward a little closer, looking down her nose at me. “Nice try. He’s listed as the buyer in the registries.”
Fuck. I paused, but I didn’t move a single muscle. “I’m not doing it, Jade.”
She shrugged and sighed. “Jill is going to be so disappointed in you.”
And just like that, I decided. I wasn’t going to let her push me. I had enough money saved. Nothing was worth dealing with Jade’s megalomania, not anymore. Van wasn’t the only person to learn the truth. “I’m going to tell Jill. Today.”
Jade laughed, the sound haughty and superior. “Sure you will.”
“What, want to come with me?”
“Get real, Cory.”
“I’m not fucking kidding, Jade. I’m done with this. You don’t own me, and you can’t force me to do this. I’m telling Jill.”
Jade stared at me, her smile slipping into a sneer as she realized I wasn’t bluffing. “You’re really going to tell her?”
I nodded.
She fumed. “Who the fuck is this guy? You would risk it for him? Cory, that painting is worth millions. And not just a couple. Like in the neighborhood of fifteen.”
I set my jaw.
She stood. “Fifteen million dollars.” She paused. “Your cut would pay for Jill’s school, college, a yacht, a house in Malibu, and you’d have money to live on for life. Fuck your ‘not doing it.’ You’re fucking doing it.”
I stood and met her eyes. “You gonna make me?”
Jade walked around the table, stopping close enough that we were almost touching, our noses just inches from each other. “This isn’t stealing laptops and thumb drives. This is something that could set us up for years. Years. Just because you got your cunt serviced doesn’t mean we all suffer. How stupid are you? You’ve known him for five minutes, and you’re going to throw everything away? For what?” She leaned closer, sending my nerves on end.
“Back the fuck up, Jade.”
She mocked me with a whiny tone, throwing my words back at me, “Oh, are you gonna make me?” But then she straightened up, something in her shifting, a shadow behind her eyes I hadn’t seen before. “Do not fuck with me. That’s your only warning.”
“Fuck your warning.” I slammed her in the shoulders with my palms and brought my fists up as she tried to catch her balance.
Her face twisted, her teeth bared when she charged me, but I threw out a fist and caught her in the jaw. She reeled back and hit the ground. I stepped toward her.
“How about you don’t fuck with me.”
Jade coughed, looking beaten, and I took a step closer, ready with a threat. But when I opened my mouth to speak, she swept her leg. The world tilted as she knocked my feet out from under me, and I hit the ground, my lungs frozen from the impact. Before I could react, she was on me.
She backhanded me and sat on my chest, pinning my arms with her legs. My chest ached, my skin stinging from the slap, and she arched over me, pressing her palms to the concrete next to my ears. “You’ll do this, or I’ll find Jill. I’ll find her, and I’ll kill her. And once you get the painting, you’re out. You’ll disappear.” She grabbed my hair and slammed my head into the cold floor.
Black spots danced in my vision, and I groaned, feeling the contents of my stomach shoot up my esophagus. I swallowed hard.
“Do you understand, Cory? Do you get it? This is bigger than you, and you’re not going to get in my way.”
I reeled, ears ringing as she bent down to my face.
“So long I’ve been wanting to get rid of you,” she hissed. “So long. Give me a reason. Just one. But I’ll start with Jill.”
Jade grabbed my hair again, her face bent and ugly as she hammered my head into the concrete once more, and everything went black.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
AS ALWAYS, THE FIRST person to thank is Jeff Brillhart, husband extraordinaire. Thanks for putting up with my inconvenient need to keep myself (and in effect, you) constantly busy. Thank you for being so incredibly supportive, as well as being an incredible badass.
Brooke Cumberland - Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are an amazing, shiny, absolutely lovely woman, and I love you times one million. Your support through my journey into a new genre has meant more to me than I could ever really put into words. I’m grateful for you every day, pookie.
Lori Riggs #lifetwin - You’ve now had my back through the completion of a(nother) book. Don’t ever leave me. Evarrrrrr.
Jen Miller - Thank you for being there for all the crazy, armed with memes. #iunderstandyourfrustration
Rachel Grey - You are a glorious, spectacular ladybeast and a wonder to behold. Thanks for always giving it to me straight, and for taking time (of which you have very little) to read my scribbles.
Zoe - #paybacks
Tanya - #feelings
Melissa - #crybaby
Terry Maggert - Many thanks for your Guy-eyeballs (guy-balls: sounds right, looks wrong.).
To my amazing betas - Your feedback helped shaped Van and Cory’s story, and without you, well, it would be a mess. Thanks for
your eyes, hugs, and spankings.
To my readers - THANK YOU! I hope you found a few hours of enjoyment reading Hardcore. Catch you on the flip!
Other Books by Staci Hart
Deer in Headlights (Hearts and Arrows 1)
Snake in the Grass (Hearts and Arrows 2)
What the Heart Wants (Hearts and Arrows 2.5 Novella)
Doe Eyes (Hearts and Arrows 3)
Hearts and Arrows 4 - COMING 2015
Once (FREE short story)
Hardcore (Erotic Romantic Suspense Serials)
Volume 1 - January 27th
Volume 2 - February 24th
Volume 3 - March 24th
Nighthawk (Nighthawk 1) - May 2015
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
STACI has been a lot of things up to this point in her life: a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom to three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife, even though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey, and her favorite word starts with f, ends with k.
From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she’s not writing, she’s gaming, cleaning, or designing graphics.
Follow Staci Hart:
Website: Stacihartnovels.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/stacihartnovels
Twitter: Twitter.com/imaquirkybird
Pinterest: pinterest.com/imaquirkybird
