“Why? Is she the reason you came back down in a mood. Did she say something to you.”His tone had changed from the seductive whisper to agitated.
My finger settled against his lips to stop him, “No she didn’t say anything to me, it’s what I happened to hear. Just talk to her.”
He palmed my face firmly and briefly kissed my lips. I smiled and stepped away from him. “See you later.” I blew him a kiss and went back into the kitchen before telling Roman I was leaving, then grabbed my purse.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Gavin
Karen had been gone around an hour, and in I hadn't seen Nikki at all that time. As far as I knew, she was still with Paisley. I grabbed a coke from the fridge and took it back out onto the patio. Roman had disappeared too. Fuck knows where everyone was. To be honest, I quite enjoyed the peace out here. The sound of the water rippling from the pool was relaxing. I cracked open the fizzy drink and took a long gulp then rested back on the lounger. I held it firmly in my grip as my eyes closed briefly with the sun beaming down on my face. My reprieve was cut short, though, when I heard the clacking of Nikki’s heels on the tile in the kitchen. I sat up and twisted to the edge, stood and went back inside before she could run off. “Hey, Nik?”
“What do you want, Gav. I’m busy.”
As I got to the island, I pushed my arms on to the top and leaned on them. “I’m sure you can give me five minutes.”
A sigh of pure frustration left her lips while her hands landed on her hips. “Go on then.”
“Are you okay with me and Karen being, you know,” I tried to find the right word for us, “together?”
“You’re asking that like you think I care.” she forced a tight smile. I knew Nikki well enough; I knew she cared.
“I know you do.”
She stalked through the kitchen, a thoughtful look crossed her features as she got closer, “You know shit. I was the one that broke our arrangement off in the first place, remember.” I snorted. I just couldn't help it. I loved how she tried to fool herself, because she didn’t fool me. “Look, whatever, you and me aside, just do me a favour and don’t hurt her. I think she’s way too sweet for you, and I think you’ll break her heart.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. I appreciate it.”I nodded.
“Cut the bollocks, Gav. I know you. I know what you’re capable of and I know better than anyone that you can walk away at the drop of a hat, because relationships don’t factor in your world. But whatever you’ve told her or whatever you’ve promised her, don’t go back on your word, because you have the power to smash her heart to pieces. Personally, that’s why we wouldn’t work, I wouldn’t let you have that kind of power over me.”
A smirk played on my lips but every word was true. Nikki and I had always clashed, which was why it was only sex between us, but as I stared at the fiery spitfire now, I knew my conclusion was right when it was broken it off, whoever initiated it. She wanted more and that was something I couldn’t ever give her.
“Promise, Gav. Promise you won’t hurt her? I like Karen, and I think she deserves better than you, but can you at least do that for me?”
“I’ll try my best.” I nodded, “Friends again?”
My hand thrust in her direction, she glimpsed at it before looking back up at me and sighed with a roll of her eyes, “Fine.”We shook hands like we were ten, just as my phone vibrated in my pocket. As I took it out, I saw a message from Karen:
Can you come to my place now please I really need to speak to you.
I quickly typed back a message.
Yeah, if you want me to. Are you okay?
“Tell Rome I had to leave, would ya?” I asked as sweet as sugar, as I shoved my phone away.
“I’m not your fucking receptionist.” Nikki replied, a scowl twisted her pretty face.
Laughter burst from me, “Annnd there she is. Thank you.” I said as I walked away, threw my hand up in the air and I left through the back doors.
As I got to Karen’s place, someone was leaving through the security door of her apartment block, I jogged over and thanked them as they held it open for me.
Once I’d climbed the two flights of stairs to her apartment, I rapped my knuckles on the door, I smiled as the door opened but it soon turned to a frown when I saw her standing before me, dark eyes and even more pale than earlier. “What’s going on?” She stepped aside as she opened the door wider for me, I waited for her to close it again. She turned and pressed her back to the front door.
“We need to talk.” She made her way down the hallway and into her living room.
“Okay.” I followed her dutifully into the lounge and stood just inside the door. She sat herself down on the couch and buried her face in her hands. Unable to see her like this, I went over and crouched in front of her, took her hands from her pretty face and placed them in mine. “What’s happening?”
“I’m not sure how to tell you this.”
