Heart Ache (Bound by a Touch Novels #1) Read Free Page A

of a runway model in her cream turtleneck, chocolate skirt, and matching brown boots. She closed her cell phone and dropped it into her pocket.
    “ How are you feeling? Are you happy? Are you—?”
    “ I’m engaged, Marie. Of course I’m happy.” Gabby sneered a smile.
    “ I’m glad you’re happy.” Marie perched herself on the corner of Gabby’s desk. She huffed, crossed her legs at the ankles and her wrists over her knees. “Did you tell McHotty yet?”
    “ Yes.”
    One dark brow rose. “And?”
    Gabby’s thoughts followed her gaze to the door that separated her office from Nikolai’s. Part of her wanted to go in there and demand…
    And what exactly are you going to demand?
    She had no idea. She did know she would take off Jayson’s ring and send him packing, if for only a chance of having Niko love her.
    She knew it would never happen. Nikolai Voinea prided himself of being professional and that was that. It had been three years of coming to work every day, hoping he would see her as a woman. He was her boss!
    And probably has a whole flock of floosies just waiting to be pleasured by his caresses. She shuddered at the thought of those strong, long-fingered hands touching female flesh that wasn’t hers.
    “ Gabby? What’d he have to say about your engagement? ”
    She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Let’s go downstairs and get some coffee.”
    Marie looked confused for only a split second. “Okay.” She jumped down, her head tilting quickly in the direction of the closed door. “Should you tell McHotty?”
    “ Stop calling him that!”
    Marie snorted.
    Gabby ignored the scoff, wishing she could see through the door, just to know he was okay—or wasn’t. Ha! Like he wouldn’t be okay. The man was probably on the phone right now, ordering flowers for the woman who would occupy his bed tonight.
    “ I’ll tell him.” Marie took a step toward the office. “I never pass up the chance to lay my eyes on that particular delicious piece of man.”
    Gabby’s teeth painfully ground together and heat slammed into her. “He is not a piece of man , as you so uncouthly put it. He’s kind and caring and an all-around really great guy.”
    “ Wow.” The corners of Marie’s lips lifted, her dark eyes sparkled. “A little protective of him, aren’t you?”
    Hell yes, she was protective of him! The connection she felt to Nikolai was insane and totally unexplainable. Every night he starred in her dreams, doing all kinds of dirty things to her. Every day she prayed it would be the day he took her in his arms and changed her life forever. And she had an uncanny knack of knowing when he was around, like he was a wave point and she was the freakin’ GPS.
    She glared at her friend. “Do you want to get coffee or not?”
    “ Coffee. Definitely coffee.” Marie started for the door. “How ‘bout tonight after work I take you for a massage? You seem a bit tense. It’ll be my treat, an engagement gift.” When Gabby didn’t answer right away, Marie added, “Come on, it’ll be fun.”
    “ Yeah. Sure.” Not.
    All Gabby really wanted to do was sit down with the man residing in her thoughts, and talk to him, touch him—maybe rip his clothes off and show him just how much she wanted to assist him. For the rest of his life!

 
    Chapter Three
     
     
     
     
    Hurt and anger equaled seriously pissed off. Natasha had given some of the best years of her long life to that bastard. She’d loved Nikolai Voinea with her heart, with her body, and had gotten nothing but the shaft!
    And damn her straight to hell!
    As much as she hated him, she still loved him with everything she had.
    She stalked around the parlor of the home she shared with her sister. Her mind was reeling. She’d heard through the contacts she still had at Voinea Enterprises that the little bitch had finally sunk her claws into Nikolai.
    It’d taken three years, but they were finally engaged.
    A frustrated scream roared out of her throat,