Elastic Hearts (Hearts #3)(92)

“You too.”

I knew Nicole wouldn’t be at my place when I got home, but it didn’t keep me from missing her as I walked through the house, looking for any sign that she’d been there. The only sign was a navy blue blanket on the living room floor where the dog had slept. I’d never cared to have a dog, but I’d definitely have to get used to it being around. I looked at the blanket for a long time, debating whether or not I should pick it up. Itching to pick it up, really. In the end, I took a breath and made myself walk away. I went upstairs, changed into something comfortable, and smiled at the sight of my shower still being wet with her handwriting on the foggy mirror that read, I love you. I took my phone out and snapped a picture of it before I decided to call Quinn to ask him for a huge favor before heading to her house. I only hoped what I had planned would work and that she’d be able and want to go with me.





I WAS SITTING outside with Bonnie, enjoying a cup of cereal, when Brent jogged by. As much as I appreciated the eye candy, I was seriously starting to wonder if he had a job.

“Hey, you want to grab lunch today?” he asked, stopping to catch his breath in front of my porch. I put my hand up to shield my face from the sun as I looked at him.

“Nah. I kind of—”

“Have a boyfriend,” Victor said, his sudden presence making me jump an inch out of my seat.

Brent’s and my head whipped toward him. My heart leaped at the sight of him, standing there in a pair of jeans and a polo. The fact he wasn’t at work and had changed from his suit to this was not a good sign.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, blinking rapidly.

“Aren’t you her lawyer?” Brent asked, frowning.

“Was.”

My stomach dropped. Was?

“Yes. Was. Do you have any more questions for me or are you going to finish that run now?” Victor asked. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.

“Maybe another time,” I said to Brent, who nodded slowly.

“I’ll catch you later,” he said as he ran off.

“That was so mean,” I said as soon as he was far enough away. I took a handful of cereal and began to chew.

Victor eyed the cup in my hand as he sat down in the chair beside me and patted Bonnie on the head. “Fuck that guy.”

My eyes widened. “He’s a nice guy.”

“A nice guy who wants to f*ck you.”

I smiled, shaking my head. “Can you blame him?”

He had this wicked gleam in his eyes as he gave me a slow once-over. “Fuck, no. Doesn’t mean I want to see him try, though.”

“Now I know why you never have a girlfriend,” I said, raising an eyebrow. He lifted my foot from the little table I had it on and placed it on his lap, massaging it. I closed my eyes and tossed my head back, putting down the cup of cereal on the floor beside me.

“What were you saying?”

“Huh?” I asked, opening my eyes to look at him. He was still smiling as he lifted my foot and bit down on my toe. “Ouch! Fuck.”

He chuckled. “You were saying that you knew why I never had a girlfriend.”

“Oh.” I straightened a bit in my chair. “Your controlling tendencies. I don’t know if women can handle that.”

“Can you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I looked at him for a beat, unable to keep myself from getting lost in the intense look his eyes held. The challenge. I freaking loved it. Loved him. I realized, as he massaged my feet, clearly not at work like he would have been if he’d worked his magic on my dad and whoever else he met with, that in a world full of Gabriels, men like Victor came a dime a dozen.

“I think I can,” I said quietly. I smiled when he dropped my feet and stood, towering over me with both hands clutching the armrests on either side of me.

“If anybody can, it’s you,” he said, dropping his lips to mine and kissing me deeply, his tongue delving into my mouth in a way that took my breath away. He broke the kiss and backed away slightly, still holding the armrests. “I have a surprise for you, but now that you’re being so sassy, I’m not sure I want to give it to you.”

“What are you going to do? Spank me?” I asked, smirking.

His gaze heated instantly. “Don’t tempt me.”

“Maybe I want to,” I said, bringing my foot up and brushing it against his crotch, which was already hardening. He breathed out harshly.

“You love playing with fire, Nicole,” he said, his voice a low rasp as he placed his forehead against mine.

“I love playing with you,” I replied, pressing my lips against his.

He reached down and carried me, my chair making a screeching sound against the concrete as he lifted me and pushed it aside.

“Wait,” I said as we waited for Bonnie to walk in before closing the door behind us. “Did you get fired?”

He chuckled, setting me down on the couch. “You wait until now to ask me that?”

“I was distracted.”

“By how handsome and controlling I am?” he asked, grinning.

“You are so full of yourself.”

“So I’ve been told,” he said, grabbing his crotch in his hand. I nearly moaned at the sight of it.

“Did you?”