expected her to notice that? Come on. You’re talking to the guy who can’t remember the name of the female who just popped out of here.”
“ Exactly.”
“ But I know you don’t send flowers to every woman in the company and expect her to read something special into the ones you sent her.”
“ We’ve had dinner together.” Nikolai quickly re-played the events of the last three years, searching for ammunition against his brother’s arrogance. There wasn’t much.
“ Chinese take-out delivered to the office doesn’t count either.” Gustav tapped Nikolai in the chest, each poke becoming harder. “You have a choice to make, dear brother. Let her go, which will make you utterly miserable for eternity, or find your balls and go after what the Goddess has given you.”
Nikolai couldn’t look at Gustav, so he concentrated on his brother’s bare feet and legs.
“ So, what are you going to do?” Gustav asked.
Nikolai pondered the question.
What would he do now?
He knew what he should do.
But could he walk away from the woman fate, and the Goddess, meant to be his?
Chapter Two
The flash of pain in his eyes had given her a glimpse of what she’d hoped for, but it was gone faster than it’d appeared. His entire reaction had surprised her. And not in the way she’d hoped.
When he’d tugged her into his arms and held her against his chest, his heart beat steadily beneath her ear. His shirt had been soft against her cheek. His cologne always made her knees go weak. She’d dreamed of him taking her into his arms, but the action had been so unexpected she’d straightened like a board and pushed him away.
Idiot!
Then he’d dismissed her, locking himself away from the world. Away from her.
It was just plain sad she had to remind herself to be cheerful as she shared her news with her nearest and dearest. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the expression on Niko’s face. Her heart clenched. She stared at the closed door, wishing she could take the last few minutes back, rewind the clock, and do things so very differently. More than anything she wanted him to wrap her in another embrace, to hold her close, and never let go.
In her mind’s eye she called up the sadness beneath the attempt at nonchalance. She didn’t understand his expression.
He had always been so kind to her, but he’d never given her any reason to believe he felt anything beyond a working relationship.
She, however, was crazy attracted to him; the way he ran his fingers through his jet black hair when he was frustrated, the way his obsidian eyes flashed silver when he was upset, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. He had a way of making her insides turn to mush, her knees to boiled spaghetti noodles with an innocent wink.
More than once, she’d been embarrassed by her inability to pay attention when he got too close. It was like he had a built-in tractor beam she couldn’t get away from. She both loved and hated the effect he had on her.
She’d wanted to escalate things, even daydreamed of stripping down to only her satin and lace in the middle of his office, and announcing, Hey, Niko, make love to me right here, right now! But because she liked her job, needed her job, and he was her boss, she’d had no choice but to keep a tight leash on that pipe dream.
No matter how hard she’d tried not to think of him in an erotic way, Gabrielle had never been able to ignore the flicks of electricity that pleasured her with his simple, innocent touches.
“ Okay, I’m here!” The announcement came in stereo as Marie opened the door with a flourish, her cell phone still attached to her ear. They’d small-talked as Marie made her way up from the accounting department, housed on the second floor. “Tell me all about it.”
Gabby laughed and shook her head.
The black hair of her best friend was pulled back in a ponytail, showcasing perfect olive-toned skin. Marie entered with the strut