Heart Ache (Bound by a Touch Novels #1)

by Morgan Kearns

  “You okay, man?” His amusement melted into concern. He gripped the door to close it and Niko jumped at him.

  “No!” He took a breath. “Leave it open,” he tacked on quietly. “Please.”

  Good hell! He was going to lose his freakin’ mind!

  Vincent let go of the door and walked over to sit in one of the chairs in front of the desk. “I’d like to speak with you, and I think it would be better—”

  “Shh!” Niko rushed toward the door and flattened himself against the wall. Voices in her office caused every muscle in his body to tighten. His surprise had arrived.

  “I’m Gabby Ryan.” A shuffling sound. “Oh, they’re beautiful.”

  “No, the tip has been taken care of,” the deliveryman told her and the outside door closed.

  His heart rate increased to an almost violent rate as excitement and anticipation consumed him. He watched as Vincent gathered the shadows, concealing himself. He assumed his friend had slipped through the gap in the door to gain a ring-side seat to the scene unfolding in her office.

  Through the crack in the door, Niko could see the vase where she’d set it on the desk. Her fingers plucked the card from amongst the petals. He heard a wistful sigh and he smiled. At any moment she would rush through the door and into his arms. He took a deep breath to calm his pounding heart and started toward his desk.

  “Jayson,” she squealed.

  He stopped midstep. What the hell?

  “Thank you so much. They’re beautiful.”

  Nikolai stretched his senses to be able to hear the human’s answer. There was only a split second of “Huh? What?” before he responded, “I’m glad you love them. Did they get the card right?”

  “You are my everything,” she said reverently.

  “My everything.” Niko prowled from one end of the office to the other. His hands fisted. His teeth ground together.

  “Wow, he’s good.” Vincent’s voice appeared before he released his hold on the shadows and became corporeal.

  Niko whipped around and narrowed his eyes. “Those are my flowers.”

  He felt his eyes flash from black to silver as his rage took over. He couldn’t stop his reactions though. He ran a hand through his hair and tugged before slamming his fists into his thighs. “How dare that stupid man take credit for my flowers.”

  “He is playing the game, my friend. Speaking of which, I—” Vincent stopped just as Gabby headed toward them.

  She knocked her knuckles lightly on the jamb. “Niko, it’s 5:45 and—”

  Niko cut her off with a waved dismissal. His hand shook and he shoved it into his pocket.

  “Go. It’s fine. I’ll see you later.” His tone was just shy of irate and he hated himself for striking out at her. He wasn’t angry at her, but she certainly played a part in his current mood.

  He’d expected for her to know the flowers were from him. He’d anticipated the look of love on her face as she raced into his office and launched herself into his waiting arms, covering his face with kisses of gratitude.

  He clamped his teeth together so tightly his jaw hurt. Jayson had a big set, no doubt about that. To actually claim flowers he didn’t send … Niko shook his head.

  “I can stay—”

  “Go.” He was about to get violent.

  “If you’re sure.” Her voice cracked a bit.

  “Goodnight Gabrielle.”

  Her eyes betrayed the hurt of his dismissal but he couldn’t bring himself to apologize. He couldn’t even look at her. He went around his desk and sat, opening a file. He could feel her eyes searching his body language for what had set him off. He was afraid he’d yell at her if he opened his mouth. Or worse, he’d take her in his arms and never let her go.

  He didn’t want to become his father. He didn’t want to run the risk of his son hating him. But sometimes he wondered if he’d have another choice.

  She huffed a heartbreaking sigh and muttered, “Goodnight, Vincent,” on her way out.

  Seconds later the outer door closed lightly and the pounding of his heart slowed—

  Thump-thump.

  Thump … thump.

  Thump…

  —Until it finally stopped.

  His hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds as he slowly, painfully rubbed at his chest in obsessive circles. His silent heart ached. He closed his eyes and sank his fangs into his bottom lip to keep from …

  What?

  Yelling? Cursing? Curling up in the fetal position and bawling like a baby?

  He wasn’t sure what would ease the conflicting emotions waging war.

  “Good job on the flowers, my man.”

  He’d forgotten Vincent was in the room. Thank the Goddess, he’d maintained control over his emotions. He pounded a fist on top of the desk. “I cannot believe that bastard.”

  “Nik, you have two weeks before she marries that bastard. You have got to step it up.”

  He stood and walked around the office. His head shook back and forth then, unable to contain his frustration a second longer, he slammed his fist into the wall. Drywall dust puffed then fluttered to the ground.

  “Claim her.”

  Niko was in Vincent’s face between one blink and the next. His chest heaved with every intense breath. “And how do you propose I do that?”

  He stalked away, using one forearm to sweep his desk clean. It was satisfying when the phone hit the floor with a thud. Papers fluttered to the floor. His fists clenched.

  “Should I just toss her on my desk and pound into her until she submits?”

  “Well, I do think pounding is a good idea.” The corner of Vincent’s mouth twitched. At Niko’s scowl, he bit his lip and cleared his throat. “Maybe you should throw your hat into the ring. Give her a choice.”

  “She’s always had a choice.”

  Vincent shook his head. “Take matters into your own hands.”

  “How?”

  “Goddess, you’re dense. Propose!”

  *****

  It took a week to finalize everything. Tonight would be the start of their lives. Together. Excitement mingled with anxiety zipped through his bloodstream. After he explained who he was and what their connection meant, she would accept him and be his. Heart, body and soul. They’d come home—what a glorious word—and make love until the sun came up. Then he’d wake her with kisses and another round of lovemaking. Chances were good, they wouldn’t make it into the office tomorrow.

  With suit jacket in hand, Niko vaporized to the study upstairs. He laid the jacket over the back of his buff leather couch and went around the oak desk to stand in front of the portrait of his mother hanging on the wall. He rubbed at his unbeating heart and smiled at the painting that didn’t do her justice.

  “Tonight’s the night, mamai.”

  Plucking the portrait’s corner away from the wall, it swung to the side. A safe was revealed and Niko quickly entered the combination. Inside, he pushed through the files—deeds to land, titles to vehicles, wills for himself and Gustav—to get to the velvet case that held the few remaining pieces of his mother’s jewelry.

  Turning to sit at his desk, he reverently placed the jewelry box in front of him and slowly opened it. Goddess, he missed his mother. She had once been his everything. He hated that he hadn’t been there to protect her when the mob had come looking for the monsters of nightmares.

  Goddess, has it really been two hundred years?

  His fingers traced the emerald choker he’d bought her on her 600th birthday, the pearl drop earrings that had never left her lobes until her final moments, the ruby ring that had rested on her right ring finger, and—the piece he needed for tonight—the simple gold band with the intricate criss-cross pattern that had been her wedding band.

  Niko wished his mother could offer her input on this impossible situation. His short moment of desperation was replaced by an overwhelming guilt boiling through his whole body. It had always been Nikolai’s greatest desire to protect his mother. Yet when she nee
ded him most, he hadn’t been there. Gustav hadn’t blamed him and there’d been no accusations from any of his kind. But that didn’t mean Niko hadn’t walked through two hundred years feeling guilty as hell for failing her.

  He pressed his lips to the cold metal. The idea of connecting his mamei and his heartmate felt right. Perfect.

  Niko stood, slipped the ring into his pocket and returned the box to the safe. He offered his mother’s portrait another smile and grabbed his jacket before heading to the garage.

  Three cars were housed here; a Model T that he’d watched roll off the assembly line in 1927, a 1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible—red with a white ragtop, of course—and a new Shelby Mustang, black. He had a thing for Fords. He supposed it was the undying loyalty Gustav accused him of.

  Henry had been very good to Nikolai. The male had been like a father to him. Nikolai would have been thrilled to call the man tata. He’d been a better male than his sire ever was. The years working as an apprentice to Mr. Ford had afforded Niko his business sense.

  He slid behind the wheel of the Mustang and smiled when the engine roared to life. Some cars purred, some roared, and tonight Niko wanted a car that growled. With a press of the pedal, he shot off into the night. He had one stop to make first.

  The tiny bell rang as Nikolai strode through the door of Flowers by Flo. The scent of flowers overwhelmed his senses and he loved the variety of colors amongst the petals.

  “Mr. Voinea” Flo sighed when she came out of the back room. Her age-spotted hand smoothed the loose strands toward the bun that had once held them tight. “What brings you by?”

  He took the elderly woman’s hand in his and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I came to see you, my lovely.”

  She giggled and blushed from lacy white collar to gray hair, her wrinkled cheeks flooding crimson. With a hand on her heart, she went behind the counter, putting space between them.

  “Such a flatterer you are.”

  He shrugged and smiled at her which sent her heart into overdrive. “I try. I need something simple.”

  She hurried to the cooler and began pulling single plumes from their buckets. “An amaryllis for splendid beauty, asters for love and patience, forget-me-nots equal true love.” Her voice rose nearly an octave as her excitement boiled.

  “Perfect.”

  “I’m going to add a gerbera daisy. They mean happiness and I’ve yet to find a woman who doesn’t smile when she sees one. You definitely need one of these—it’s an ipomoea and they declare that you belong to her.”

  “You have no idea how right you are about that. What about those?” He pointed to a bucket filled with bright yellow flowers with vivid green stems.

  “Oh no, dear. Those are daffodils, they mean unreciprocated love.”

  He jerked his hand back. “You’re right, no daffodils for this bunch.”

  “We’ll add a lavender rose for love at first sight and a bit of baby’s breath for innocence.” She held the bunch out for his inspection. He couldn’t believe he was going to propose to Gabby and the reality of the situation crashed down around him. She frowned. “Is there something you don’t like?”

  “No, it’s perfect.”

  Her aged hands wrapped green paper around the flowers. “There you go, dear,” she said, handing him the bunch. “And don’t forget a card.”

  “There’s no card needed. I’m delivering these myself.” There was no way that bastard fiancé of Gabby’s was going to take credit this time.

  Following him toward the door, Flo grabbed his arm. “I almost forgot to ask, did she like the bouquet we sent over last week?”

  He grimaced. “Yes, very much.”

  “Good, good.” She smiled, her eyes glittering.

  “Thank you, Flo. Good night.”

  The night was cool, comfortable, but Niko hurried to his car anyway. It was nearing 8:00 and he wanted to get to Gabby’s and become the man she would marry before the clock could ring out 8:15. This night was going to be perfect.

  Gabby’s building came into view and Nikolai pulled into a parking space. He grabbed the flowers and all but jumped from the car. After checking his pocket to make sure the ring was still safely where he’d left it, he jogged up the stairs to her door. Her neighbors were busy tonight; an old episode of Friends from the door behind him and moans of ecstasy flowed from a door down the hall.

  Thump-thump.

  Thump-thump.

  Gabrielle was home. She was behind that door. All he had to do was knock. Yeah, knock. Goddess, he was nervous. Had he ever been this nervous? He didn’t think so. If she turned him down now, his life would never be the same.

  He sucked in a breath, blew it out. Ground his teeth, opened his jaw wide enough to crack it. Rolled his head on his shoulders, flexed his hand then formed a fist … which knocked on the door.

  “I’ll get it,” a male voice hollered. “It’s probably the pizza.”

  Jealous rage seethed through his bloodstream. He tightened his hold on the ring in his pocket.

  The door opened and Jayson narrowed his eyes at Nikolai.

  “Well, well,” the male snarled. “My fiancée’s secret admirer.” He looked at the flowers then glared when he met Niko’s gaze. “I know what you’re doing.”

  “Do you?” It took everything Niko had to remain calm. Blood raced behind his ears. The throbbing in his chest so intense it actually hurt.

  “She’s mine.”

  “You’re mistaken,” Niko growled, “Gabrielle is—”

  “Niko!” She squealed, seeming to be truly surprised to see him standing at her door. Even in sweats and a t-shirt, his female was gorgeous. And she was his—no matter what her fiancé claimed. Her eyes were the bluest blue, he could stare into them forever. Her gaze flicked down at the flowers, then met his. “What are you doing here?”

  Niko held the flowers up and extended his hand toward her. She took them and their fingers brushed. A small sigh flowed from her lips and her eyes grew heavy-lidded.

  They did, right? He didn’t just imagine that. Jayson’s disgusted snort revealed Gabby had reacted just as Niko thought.

  “Those idiots!” Jayson exclaimed. “I told them to deliver those to your apartment.”

  Niko’s blood boiled. How dare he?

  An alarm of some kind went off in the kitchen and Gabrielle asked Jayson, “Can you get the brownies?” When he continued to glower at Niko, she encouraged, “Please.”

  “Yeah, of course, babe.” He turned to leave but returned to plant a possessive kiss on Gabby’s mouth. Thank the Goddess, there was no tongue. Niko was having a hard enough time keeping his fists out of the male’s face. Jayson grinned at Niko, raised a brow, then said to Gabby, “Glad you like the flowers, babe.”

  “The brownies. Please,” was her only response.

  The beeping ceased and a curse wafted from the kitchen. Gabby glanced over her shoulder before easing out into the hall and closing the door.

  “Thank you for the flowers.”

  “How did you know?”

  Instead of answering his question, she asked one, “Did you send the ones last week, too?”

  Time seemed to pause around them. Her tongue slipped out to moisten her full bottom lip just before her teeth clamped down on it. He was just about to tell her yes, to pour his heart out to her, when an adolescent male voice behind him asked, “Hey lady, you live here?”

  The scent of garlic and oregano and tomato sauce registered in his mind. The pizza had arrived, interrupting the most important moment of his life.

  Gabrielle didn’t move, didn’t respond, and neither did Nikolai. They just looked at each other; her waiting for him to answer her question, him waiting for her to … he didn’t know what. She’d figured out he’d sent the flowers, yet she hadn’t approached him about it. Why?

  The door whipped open and Jayson muscled his way into the hallway to accept the pizza. “Oh, good. I’m starving.”

  Nikolai didn’t take his eyes off of Gabrie
lle and she didn’t so much as blink. Jayson paid the pizza guy, who looked from Niko to Gabrielle to Jayson and shrugged before jogging off to make his next delivery.

  “Gabs, you hungry?”

  “Um, yeah ... I’ll be right in.” She blinked.

  Jayson took hold of Gabby’s arm and Niko shoved his hands deep into his pockets to keep from punching the guy.

  “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.”