“I’ll have to check your schedule.” Nikki said, reaching into her suitcase she called a bag.
“No, Nik. Whatever I have on, reschedule it. I’m doing this. Look up High Rollers Casino in New Jersey. When you’ve researched the owner, come back to me.”
“Roman, I'm your PA for a reason.”
“Yeah, I know. But this,” his finger whirled in the air, “I’m doing. Anything that coincides you can reschedule. Just be your normal charming self.” I snorted at his comment; it didn’t go amiss by Nikki, as she threw daggers at me.
“Okay.” Her tone was full of irritation as she pursed her lips. I looked down into my coffee. I was still fixated on going to the casino for work, which meant I wouldn’t be able to do a fucking thing. Not so much as roll one dice or even pick up a card. If I thought it was hard the first time I walked back into a casino, this was going to be ten times harder. Not only would I be working. But I’d have Roman there, too. I was not looking forward to this. I chewed on the inside of my mouth, and tried to keep my nerves at bay as I moved towards the open door. I was flushed, just the thought of this had me sweating again. As I stood at the door, I was hoping for some breeze to cool down my overheated blood, but of course, this was fucking L.A., breeze didn’t exist unless a tropical storm was rolling in. Then it just swept you away.
Leaving the doorway, I went to the sink and poured a glass of water drinking it down in one gulp. There was no way I could let Roman know I felt like this
“You should do this, Rome.” Paisley said as she cupped his face in her hands.
“Okay, I’ll get to work.” Nikki said eventually.
“Nik, we can sit down and go through my diary, let’s see what we have scheduled and go through the priority stuff first.”
“Cool. Well first, I’ll grab one of those…” She pointed her head towards the coffee pot, her bag hit the table with a thud as she unzipped it. She took out her MacBook and opened it up, then moved towards the coffee pot. The kitchen seemed to clear instantly until it was just the two of us.
“You know Nik, you can’t ignore me forever.” I said, knowing it was going to piss her off.
“No,” her chin lifted as she found my eyes, “but I can damn sure try.”
“What’s your problem now?” I sighed.
“My problem, Gavin, is you,” her finger hit my chest, “you fucked me and left me.” She ground out in hushed tones.
I smirked, captured her finger in mine and moved her hand away, “You can call me a bastard or whatever you want to call me, but you told me not ten minutes earlier that you didn’t want it anymore. So, I gave you the perfect parting gift. I didn’t wait for an explanation. I didn’t wait for the awkwardness. I thought I’d spare ya. I’m not ready for a relationship, Nik, and I know that’s what you were going to say. So, fucking forgive me for thinking of you.”
“Thinking of me? You were doing what you’ve always done…” She stepped closer, and her chin lifted higher, “took what you wanted and walked away. Just like Gavin Wright does.”
“You wanted that. You can’t blame me for that. I just did what you asked. But because I did, you don’t like it. You wantedthe same, Nik. I didn’t hear you tell me to stop or maybe ‘no’. So don’t give me that fucking shit. I mean, if it’s easier for you to make me out to be the bad guy here, then do it. Think what you like, I don’t fucking care, but you have to look at this with clearer vision, Nik. We’re fucking toxic. I mean don’t get me wrong,” I leaned down and placed my lips at her ear, “I’d fuck you. Hard. All day long if I thought you weren’t getting feelings for me,” my whisper rough, raw, as I lifted myself back up, “because I don’t want fucking feelings. We’re not good for each other.” The muscle ticked in her jaw at my words as she swallowed. I inhaled her scent, it was hard not to, but I was firm with my decision. At least this way I couldn’t hurt her down the line, or even have her hate me for my shitty attitude.
“You ready, Nik?” I looked over her head and saw Roman. He didn’t look fucking happy… great. This is all I needed now, the third degree from the reformed playboy.
“I’ll leave you two to work.” I said and rounded Nikki to pass Roman, as he stood in the doorway. Our conversation could wait.
“Gav?” He called out as I passed him.
I walked the long hallway to the staircase. “Later, Rome.” I got to my bedroom in no time. I yanked open drawers and pulled a case from under my bed. There was no time like the present to start packing. The sooner I got it done, the better.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Gavin
I’d spent hours packing away every trace of me, but I needed a break. I hadn’t seen Nikki or Roman since mine and Nikki’s exchange. They were busy working on Roman’s schedule.
I skipped down the stairs, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and made my way onto the patio just as a call came through from the front gate.I turned back and answered the buzzer, “Go ahead, Walsh.” I said as I pressed the button for the intercom on the wall.
“A Miss Karen Duncan is here to see Roman and Nikki.” My lips pulled into a wicked smile.
“Let her through.” I said and let go of the button. I screwed the cap off my water and guzzled a quarter of it down; less than five minutes later, I heard the door shut, and Rhys greeted Karen. Her sweet, gentle voice drifted down the hallway and through to the kitchen. I wandered across the room, leaned my shoulder against the doorframe as I drank some more of my water.
I pulled the bottle from my lips, “To what do we owe the pleasure?” Her footsteps slowed just a few yards from me as she looked up. My gaze travelled up and down her slim frame, and for some reason, I found myself comparing her to Nikki, not in a bad way. She was all soft curves, whereas Nikki was toned and tight.
“I’ve come to see Roman. Nikki asked me to come by.” My chin lifted in acknowledgement. “I don’t suppose you’d know what it’s about?”
“Haven’t a clue, sorry.”
