Chasing Heartbreak: A Friends-to-Lovers Romance (Dark Love Series Book 6)

by Kat T. Masen

  “Eric wouldn’t say that,” I lied.

  “You’re not the best of liars.”

  “I’m not lying.” I almost busted out laughing at this incredibly gorgeous stranger and hid my smile behind my glass. “Perhaps an extension of the truth is more on point. Besides, Eric is complicated.”

  Isn’t that the goddamn truth?

  “He dragged you to this?”

  “He didn’t have to twist my arm or anything. It’s not like I was busy.” I cover my mouth again as a slight cough escapes me. Telling Dominic I wasn’t busy is the same as telling him I’m single, wide open for anything, literally. “It’s all work and no play these days.”

  Dominic pursed his lips with a slight nod. He motioned to me to follow him to a secluded part of the garden with beautiful trees surrounding us and an old oak chair.

  “Sit, please.” He gestured.

  I took a seat, pushing the bottom of my dress aside to avoid it getting caught in my heels. As I sat beside him, the smell of his cologne was intoxicating—masculine with a hint of dominance—or maybe it was forever since I smelled a man so good, and even longer since I last slept with anyone. My mind did a mental calculation, but the numbers went too far back that I can’t even compute. No wonder Eric and Charlie were always trying to set me up on dates. My personal life was beyond tragic.

  Silence crept up between us, and only the rustle of the trees could be heard. The only thing we had in common to discuss was Eric.

  “So, I can only imagine growing up with Eric would’ve been fun.”

  “Not really.”

  “He’s complicated.” I carried on to keep the conversation flowing. “But I have to hand it to him, he knows how to have fun.”

  Dominic forced a smile, not looking impressed with the conversation swaying toward his brother. Okay, this was getting worse. I need to try a different angle.

  “What do you do for a living?”

  “A bit of this and that,” he responded flatly.

  “Right…” I’m tapped out. It was like pulling teeth out. How could a man so incredibly sexy be so dull? A moment ago, we had light-hearted banter, and now it’s crickets. Eric may not have been so wrong in his brick-wall analogy.

  I raised my glass toward my lips and downed the champagne in one go. I thought of a reason to excuse myself, and the best I could come up with was to use the bathroom, which wasn’t far from the truth.

  “Listen, Dominic, I, uh…”

  “You’re beautiful,” he confessed as he poured more champagne into my glass, which caught me by surprise. “I’ve heard Eric speak about you to my mother. You’re the CEO of the Lexed office in Manhattan.”

  “And London,” I mumbled in an uncertain tone. “And, um, thanks for the compliment?”

  Dominic laughed, the lines around his eyes creased slightly. “Too left field?”

  “Left field, or maybe just wasn’t expecting it. It’s been a while, hearing a compliment like that. So, thank you.”

  “You’re telling me you don’t hear such compliments daily?”

  “Well, not really. I spend most of my days in the office or with clients. It would be highly inappropriate to be complimented in such a way and would have a serious breach of workplace protocol. Like I said earlier, all work and no play.”

  “All work, no play,” he repeated in a low voice. “Interesting.”

  “How so?” I asked, curious about his sudden interest in my personal life. “Let’s be honest, Dominic, we’re both adults. Working long hours then crawling back to my apartment at some godawful hour means I have no personal life. I’m not a dating person, although Eric will argue that in a heartbeat. And so, with that said, work has become my life. I don’t have time for relationships unless a man understood my lifestyle, and so far, that’s come up empty.”

  I’d laid all the cards on the table, unsure why I’d gone this far. I blamed the champagne plus my empty stomach and the combination of both of those mixed together. Add in a handsome man beside me and a raging libido, and that right there was your answer.

  “What if you could have both?” he questioned with a serious tone.

  “Both what?”

  “Your passion, your work, and have your personal needs fulfilled?”

  I laughed, shaking my head. “Then, I’d say it’s my lucky day.”

  Dominic didn’t say another word. Placing his hand in his pocket, he removed a business card, handing it to me. “Call me sometime.”

  Standing up, he poured the remains into my glass with a playing smirk. For a brief moment, he lingered but then walked away like a thief in the night.

  Call me? Is that it?

  What the hell was that?

  I gave myself time to process our encounter. Undoubtedly, he could’ve stayed around and conversed rather than handing me a business card, mainly after I rambled on about my personal life. Then, he questioned me about all my needs being fulfilled. It’s bizarre, or maybe, I was boring, and it was his way out, thinking I wouldn’t have the courage to call him.

  Ten minutes later, and with an empty glass, I made my way back to the party with an over-dramatic Eric raising his hands when he sees me.

  “There you are!” He sounded panicked, the high-pitched tone hurting my eardrum. “Jesus Christ, Kate, I was this close to unraveling a cravat in the pool house. Where were you?”

  “Just, um…” I decided to keep my chat with Dominic to myself as it would only bore Eric, anyway. “Just walking around the grounds and admiring the property.”

  “Okay, way to get laid tonight,” he dragged, distracted by a large birthday cake being presented to his mother. “I’ll be back.”

  The band began to play a sweet version of Happy Birthday as the crowd sang. Eric’s father stood beside Vivian, and standing on the other side were Dominic and Eric. Between them, I could see the strong gene pool with Dominic looking more like his father.

  Vivian blew out the candles as we all cheered, then kissed Eric on the cheek and then Dominic. She kissed her husband with a loving smile before he turned to the mic and said a few words.

  His speech was delivered with admiration and love toward his wife, and a few humorous anecdotes prompted their guests to laugh. I found myself listening attentively, but somewhere during a mention of his sons, my eyes shifted toward Dominic.

  He was staring directly at me, a piercing gaze caught me by surprise and left me breathless. My rational thoughts told me to look away, yet I couldn’t seem to shift my gaze, almost as if a magnetic force pulled me.

  Taking a deep breath, I thought of ways to ignore Dominic. After this party was over, I no longer needed to torture myself in his presence. Nothing good would come of it, anyway. He’s Eric’s brother, and no matter how handsome he may be, I didn’t want to ruin my friendship with Eric.

  Inside my purse, I pulled out his card and re-read it.

  I placed it back in my clutch as if it would magically disappear, ignoring the sensation building inside of me. You imagined all of this, conjured up wild thoughts because you lacked intimacy with a man, especially one so sexy.

  I could resist his charm.

  And resist the temptation to call him.

  But for how long, I had no idea.

  KATE

  Present

  There’s something to be said about the change of seasons in France.

  It was only a few weeks ago when I walked the streets, admiring the pretty pastel blossoms and the lush green parks while over-indulging in chocolate during Easter celebrations. People are much more pleasant, welcoming the sunshine after a dreary winter.

  But time flew by quickly, and we all found ourselves in a much more uncomfortable predicament—summer.

  Our skin burned from the summer sun, and our clothes clung to us mixed with an uncomfortable sweat while we fanned ourselves relentlessly for some sort of relief. Many people are flocking to the south to bathe in the ocean, fortunate enough to vacation and not be chained to the office like me.

/>   I shouldn’t complain though, the air conditioning is my best friend during the sweltering heat outside.

  Back in the States, the Americans will mock us English folk for our constant complaining of the tiresome heat and dragging summers. I’m no different. My pale skin doesn’t care to get sunburned, which happens way too quickly when I spend any moment unprotected under the harsh summer rays.

  This is why fall is, by far, my favorite season. The air is more relaxed and bearable, yet the sun still shines through the day. At night, there’s a slight crisp in the air with a promise of winter on the horizon. It’s the perfect time to explore the outside nightlife without being stripped to barely any clothing or, in reverse, wearing a bulk load to protect yourself from the cold.

  It’s been three years since I moved to Paris with absolutely no regrets. My job, stressful with its demands, has become my sole focus. I’ve pushed myself in ways I never imagined possible, purposely threw myself into learning mode as Lex did his best to mentor me, given our geographical distance.

  I created this routine, thriving in my purposely-organized schedule. The mornings start at four o’clock. A run around the park followed by yoga in my living room while I listen to audiobooks by well-known entrepreneurs from around the world. I ditched the romance novels a year or so ago, my guilty pleasure since becoming a blooming teen. Frankly, I don’t need to read about the so-called happily-ever-after nonsense. Being single is the new black, and I refuse to be sucked into the emotional heartbreak authors often write about.

  Without too much difficulty, I changed my eating habits. My diet consists of high-energizing food to give me stamina until the official workday ends. Coffee, being that I’m in Europe, is almost mandatory. My addiction is one I’ll proudly own, and let’s be honest, survival without it is practically impossible.

  As France is surrounded by so many other beautiful countries, I have traveled more than I anticipated around Europe. Many nights in Rome and Venice, a quick flight to Berlin. Switzerland had been one of my favorites, such a beautiful country, and the lifestyle is so relaxed.

  But Paris ultimately won my heart over and over again. I’ve heard it from many people, though never truly understood the meaning until I experienced it for myself. Paris has a charm and allure beyond most other cities, and I’ve visited quite a few through my adult years while working beside Lex.

  Having left all my friends behind in the States, there’s never a dull moment when I have the time to explore museums and architecture, high-end fashion boutiques, cafés, and quaint restaurants, all of which align the beautifully paved streets.

  I never grow tired of the scenery as each season showcases the city so differently. Each architectural masterpiece becomes mesmerizing amongst the sun, the autumn leaves, and the beautiful blanketed snow. Everything feels grand in its presence, making me stop and appreciate its beauty amongst the chaos of everything around it. The Parisians rarely give the Eiffel Tower a second thought, something I learned very early on. Yet every cab ride past the iconic treasure, I reflect on my life and the beauty of being alive. It inspires me to follow my dreams and ambitions, and raise the bar in my so-called life. Paris is nothing like Manhattan, and the truth be told, I have no desire to go back to the city that never sleeps.

  Eric often questions my sanity, telling me I need to get laid pronto because I’m this close to joining a nunnery. However, he’s quick to say that even nuns get their happily ever after, remembering the conversation word by word.

  “Captain Vontrapp has been my fantasy ever since my mother made me watch The Sound of Music at the age of seven.” Eric sighed.

  “The dad?” I questioned, slightly disturbed by his admission.

  “A powerful man falls in love with a nun. I mean, how romantic is that?”

  “Yes, it’s romantic,” I agreed. “You fantasizing about him is not.”

  “Maybe you’ll meet your captain in Paris. You can live happily ever after in his castle with his seven children while you sing songs of joy.”

  “I couldn’t think of anything worse,” I mumbled under my breath.

  Even from across the globe, Eric still weighs in on my personal life, but I ignore him for the most part. There’s no time to worry about relationships or men as my interests have shifted to museum visits and French culture. My fascination with France’s history only grows as I delve deep into the genetics of what makes this city and country a worldwide attraction. If only I had been so studious in school, surprising even myself on how educated I have become as an adult.

  The only thing Eric welcomes is my change in wardrobe. My tastes have become sophisticated. Unlike Charlie and Eric, I was never into designer labels, but Paris awakens that part of me. People are pursuing the streets dressed like runway models to the events I attend with no end of couture in sight. Women in Paris aren’t afraid of fashion, especially the older generation. They stay in the decade, confident and fearless with their fashion choices. I’ve become bolder with some of my latest ensembles. With my rigorous exercise routine and healthy eating, I finally have the body I’ve always dreamed of without the plastic surgery society pressures women into. It gives me the confidence to wear things outside of my typical attire, and I never expected to be so in love with fashion in general.

  But perhaps my greatest joy isn’t the fashion, nor my new body. It’s becoming a local and finally feeling like this could be home, immersing myself into life as a Parisian. I was forced to learn French, given it’s the native tongue of almost all of my employees. While I still prefer to speak English, I know enough to have a simple conversation.

  My love affair with Paris runs deep, and one I can talk about for hours. Eric and Charlie are very vocal in expressing their jealousy on almost every phone call we have.

  As I sit in a local café enjoying this lazy Sunday morning which is a rare occurrence of late, my phone begins to ring in my pocket. Pulling it out to answer, I mouth ‘thank you’ to the waiter who serves my coffee along with a pastry I’ve been eager to try. I call it Sunday’s guilty pleasure.

  “Hello, Lex,” I greet, noting the time back in Los Angeles. “It’s late. Is everything okay?”

  “I thought I’d try to catch you at a reasonable time,” Lex strains, his voice stiff and unwelcoming.

  “I was just served a triple shot of coffee, so shoot.”

  “We have a problem with Jefferson. I’ve had my suspicions, but we’re talking big concerns.”

  I cross my legs, paying attention. “Please don’t tell me we’re talking insider trading?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  I let out a long-winded breath, also suspecting something of late. A few weeks ago, when things surfaced, I’d done a little digging but didn’t have anything concrete to hold him accountable.

  “We’ve invested too much money to have it fall apart now,” I express, firmly. “This could be disastrous.”

  “You’re telling me,” he almost grits. “I’ve got legal on this and need you to be on standby this week. I know you are flying back to London on Thursday, but you may need to fly to Geneva to sort this out.”

  “Of course,” I tell him, making a mental list of what I need to do. “I’ll rearrange and shift some projects to make sure we don’t fall behind on anything.”

  “Thank you. Fucking asshole.”

  “Listen, Lex, it’s just after midnight for you. Get some sleep, and when you’re back in the office on Monday, I’ll have a contingency plan drawn up.”

  “Sleep?” His soft laugh echoes through the phone. “What’s that foreign concept?”

  “Charlie told me Addison has been a terror of late. Climbing into your bed in the middle of the night.”

  “There’s nothing more terrifying than waking up in the middle of the night with your child standing next to you, just staring.”

  I laugh at the thought. “I guess those horror movies have worked against you. I’m sorry to hear it. Hopefully, she’ll outgrow it soon.”

  “
Either that or we’re adopting her out… how about you take her?” he jokes half-heartedly.

  “Hey, I’m good for short-time babysitting. You know my stance on having kids.”

  We say goodbye but not before Lex unloads other concerns that need my attention. It isn’t unusual for him to contact me at all hours, or more specifically—the weekend. Together, we’re a well-oiled machine. Despite his attempt to slow down, Lex is and will always be a workaholic.

  The European market is entirely different than back in the States. More money to play with, therefore, more greedy assholes trying to fuck us over.

  I finish my coffee and chouquette, then decide to take the more extended route home to clear my head before heading into the office despite it being Sunday.

  Five hours later, I’ve drunk way too much caffeine and completely missed eating lunch. My nerves have become jittery, but I manage to get things sorted so Lex can breathe easier. When I look at the clock, I notice the time and reminder on my phone.

  Reminder: Blind Date—Gustave.

  I let out a frustrated groan, cursing at myself as to why I agreed to this in the first place. Just when I think of an excuse to bail, my phone rings, and it’s the devil herself—Mrs. Matchmaker.

  “Don’t bail on this,” Charlie scolds without a greeting.

  “What are you? A clairvoyant now?” I answer abruptly, straightening my posture to stretch my tense muscles. “In case you don’t know, something has come up with work.”

  “Not an excuse. I know for a fact you’ve been emailing Lex documents, therefore, you’re on top of your work, and it’s Sunday night. You owe me this.”

  Clenching my jaw, I close my eyes to calm my irritation. I agreed that once a year, Charlie is allowed to set me up on a blind date. When I consented to this, I recall being drunk on rum and Coke, combined with being sexually charged. But, of course, Charlie, with her overbearing ways, has held me to it.

  The only reason I agreed to this date tonight is that last year’s blind date wasn’t too bad. Maxim was lovely and very good-looking. We went on four dates until he dropped the ball mid-dinner—he’s bisexual and was looking to have an open relationship. We remained friends and still catch up for drinks every few months. On our last catchup, he introduced me to his new boyfriend, Youssef. The two of them are a match made in heaven and are fun to unwind with.