Threads Of Desire (Creative Hearts Book 3) by K.M. Jackson Read Free Book Online Page B

sheepish and apologetic. There was none of his usual sultry, self-assured cockiness. This openness, this softness, had a vulnerability that had Gabby frowning and taking a small step back.
    She waved a hand and looked down. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    But his voice pulled her back up to his gaze. “Come on, Gab. I know you do.”
    She let out a short breath. There he was, challenging her again. “Nick, don’t start. There’s really no need, besides I don’t think you want to go there.”
    He stared at her a moment, as if considering carefully what to say next.
    “Go where?”
    They both turned to the pull of Steve’s sleepy voice and the sight of him coming out of his bedroom.
    Gabby looked from Steve to Nick, once again between the two men who had so much influence over her life. She wondered how long they would dance to this tune. It was getting damned tiring being friends with one brother while hiding her true feelings for the other. She gave Nick a raised brow then turned back to Steve. “I was telling your brother that he doesn’t want to go messing with my coffee creamer. It’s my morning vice, and I won’t have him bugging me about it with his health kick ways.”
    Steve nodded. “Yeah, bro, I’d not mess with her morning coffee. She will fight you. and I’ve yet to meet a man she won’t cut, if it’s before her caffeine fix.” Steve looked at the kitchen clock. “Is that the time?”
    “Yeah, always is,” Gabby said with a frown.
    “Shit, I need to get a move on. I’ve got an early flight.”
    “But I thought you were taking the redeye,” Gabby said.
    “Change of plans. I couldn’t get a ticket. Sorry, love.”
    “Damn, bro, I was hoping we could catch dinner.” Nick looked at his watch. “You need me to do anything for you?”
    Steve shook his head. “Nah, I got it covered. You just hold down things here. Take care of yourself, don’t go breaking any hearts, and watch out for our girl here.”
    Gabby growled. “I told you I don’t need watching.”
    Steve just laughed and Nick snorted. Yep, it was the same old dance.
    “Oh, shut it, the both of you.” Gabby stepped around the counter and shooed Nick out of the way then pointed to Steve. “Let me at least make you a goodbye breakfast to send you on your way.”
    Steve leaned over and kissed her on her forehead then looked over at Nick. “See how lucky I am? You take care of her. She’d better be in one piece when I get back or I’m holding you personally responsible.”
    Gabby looked past Steve to a cool and unreadable Nick. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll keep a close eye on her.”
    The sudden pounding in her chest and the tingling in her deepest center told her this promise was something she should be wary of.

Chapter 5

    Steve was gone, and it turned out Nick Ross was a very early riser. Gabby heard a light click of the front door at 5:30 A.M. She frowned and peeked at her nightstand clock again when she heard the click of the tumblers at 6:30. Gabby screwed her eyes shut but let out a groan when the shower in the back bedroom came on. The thought of him so near and in the shower… there was no way she could sleep.
    Later, in the kitchen, they skirted around each other, Nick trying to scoot out of her way by going to the other side of the counter with his toasted bagel. She shimmied past him, butt to butt, as she went to get creamer for her coffee, hoping it was with all confidence and none of her inner turmoil and nervousness.
    Gabby glanced briefly at his cup of black coffee, her face screwing up.
    They’d already shared a brief though cordial good morning and she was glad to see that he was fully dressed, thank goodness, not trolling the apartment in his underwear this morning. No, by 7:15 Nick was in full financial combat mode. Pinstriped slacks with a razor sharp crease, silver cufflinks, black tie with grey  fleur de lis  accents, and his trademark suspenders, today in a deep