Wounded Soldiers Trilogy

by Milly Taiden

  He cursed under his breath. “Again?”

  “Yeah. Again. Luckily, she really likes me and gave me an extra ticket, aside from mine and Ryan’s, for my mother. My mom’s staying with Lucy, so she can’t come. The ticket is yours, but if you upset her, I’ll make your life miserable.”

  Nick nodded. “Agreed. Okay, thanks. I promise, you won’t regret this,” he smiled.

  “I already do.”

  SIX

  Addy listened to Henri Wineberg tell her how great he was doing after his latest investment.

  “Really, Addilyn,” he said in that monotone voice, making her want to fall asleep on her heels. “You should let me take you out to dinner so we can discuss what my client can do for your company.”

  She smiled, trying to be polite but knowing full well there was no chance in hell she’d go out to dinner with Henri. Not with his slippery eel hands that were common knowledge. Everyone in her circle knew full well he was looking to get a second or third mistress and that was not going to be Addy.

  “Your client sounds fascinating, Henri. Maybe you should set up some time for him to talk to one of my directors and get him to give a full presentation on his ideas for working with the company.”

  Henri would have moved closer, but a waiter stopped to take her wine glass and give her a fresh one. She didn’t miss the way Henri’s gaze stuck to the low-cut neckline of her form-fitting dress, nor the way he boldly glanced down her entire body with a disgustingly hungry look that made her want to throw a blanket over her shoulders.

  But she would not cover up, seeing as her dress was perfectly decent and it was really pretty. Her designer friend had made it just for her. Blue to match her eyes in a sheer wrinkly gauze material that was almost see-through. There was a full-length skin-tone slip under it that hid everything but the dress still gave the impression of showing off a lot, even though it didn’t.

  “How about just you and I work out some details over dinner or drinks,” Henri said again. “This hotel has great breakfast,” he told her. “If you wanted to stay the night and chat, I’m sure we can work something out.”

  Seething from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes, she pressed her lips together and counted backward and forward to keep from slapping the sleazy grin off his face. “I don’t think—”

  “There you are, darling,” said a familiar voice and then a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into a hard body. “You’ve got to stop hiding from me, love.”

  She turned slightly and glanced up to meet Nick’s gaze. “Nick. What—”

  “Hi,” Nick interrupted her and offered his hand to Henri, who was scowling at him. “I’m Nick Gates, Addy’s boyfriend. She says she loves my pancakes, but I think she really only wants me for my body.”

  Addy tensed, but Nick massaged her waist with his fingers and she had a hell of a time not relaxing into his touch.

  “Nice to meet you,” Henri said without a hint of truth. “Addilyn. I’ll speak to you another time. We can set up something about that business idea.”

  “Have your client call my office,” she said as Henri walked away.

  She waited until he was out of ear shot before she turned fully to face Nick. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  At her attempt to pull away, he leaned farther into her and lowered his head to her ear. “Careful, your friend Henri is watching us. Now act like you’re in love or he’s going to make you uncomfortable the first chance he gets the minute I walk away.”

  Addy didn’t look for Henri. That would’ve been stupid. Instead, she allowed Nick to hold her and frowned. “What are you doing here?”

  He gave a sheepish grin that made her insides melt. The guy was gorgeous. How could her sister have ever let him go the way she did? Just thinking of Gracen and her selfishness made her forget she was annoyed with Nick.

  “I wanted to apologize and found the best way to do it, since you weren’t taking my calls, was to come to one of the events you would be at.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Shit.” Then he met her gaze. “Sorry.”

  “Sorry for—”

  There wasn’t a chance to finish the question. His head came down fast, his lips taking hers, and for a second, she wasn’t sure what he was doing, until his tongue licked the seam of her lips. Then she knew. And she opened for him. Oh, she definitely opened to Nick and the one thing she’d been dreaming of for too long. His kiss.

  His lips pressed over hers, sucking lightly while his tongue swept into her mouth to curl over hers. The kiss was sexy, slow, hot. It wasn’t like any other kiss she’d ever gotten. Nick wasn’t like any other man. His hands pulled her tightly to his body. His hardness made her ache. She wanted more of Nick. More of this heat he’d ignited in her and she wasn’t sure how to handle.

  Then it stopped. He pulled away and her mind argued to bring his lips back. Her body desperately sought more of that warmth. She licked her lips and met his gaze.

  “Was he looking?” she finally asked, her voice hoarse.

  Nick raised a hand to her face, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. “No. I just couldn’t stop myself from kissing you.”

  She pulled out his arms and turned to people watching them and making comments. This wasn’t Addy. She wasn’t into public displays. She made sure to keep a very professional image and was careful whenever she dated to keep men at arm’s length. The last thing she wanted was to be confused with Gracen.

  “I’m sorry about the way I treated you,” he said.

  She cleared her throat and glanced around, looking for a place they could talk where everyone wouldn’t listen. “Come on.”

  SEVEN

  Addy’s insides trembled from nerves and excitement. He followed behind as she led him out of the giant ballroom and pulled him behind a giant plant down the hallway. “How are you even here?”

  He grinned. “I have my ways.”

  She shook her head, trying to make sense of what he was telling her. “Look—”

  He placed a finger over her lips. “No. I fucked up. I own up to that. I treated you badly just because you’re related to Gracen.”

  She smirked. “Her and I looking exactly alike had something to do with it, I’m sure.”

  “I was confused when Kayla said you were her twin. She never mentioned a twin. She said she had an older sister.”

  Addy laughed outright. “Yeah. By two minutes. Listen, Nick, it’s okay. I know you weren’t trying to be rude to me. You were lashing out at the person you thought I was. I get it.”

  “Good. Then you’ll let me take you out so we can get you what you paid for.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not necessary. Like I said, I would’ve donated anyway.”

  “It is necessary. I want to get to know you.”

  Did he really? Or was he just saying that out of guilt? Her own desires were making it difficult to make a rational decision. Perhaps she should follow his lead and see where this went. “Okay.”

  His smile almost did her in. “Great. I have the perfect place to take you.”

  Oh, boy. Nick Gates turning on the charm was a very dangerous thing. “You’ll have to give me a call so we can figure out a date and time. I’m unsure what my week looks like right now.”

  They heard people looking for her passing by, so they left their hiding spot and went back to the dinner. There they found Kayla and her husband, Ryan.

  “I see Nick found you,” Kayla said with raised brows. Ah, yes. Now she knew how Nick got into the event.

  Nick had his hand on her back, giving everyone something to talk about. She should be worried or uncomfortable, but she rather liked him touching her. “Yes. We were discussing getting together.”

  “If you don’t want to,” Kayla started.

  “No, no,” Addy reassured her. “It’s okay. Nick and I will be fine.”

  Well, maybe fine wasn’t the word. She’d have to control herself with Nick, something she’d never had to do with any man. Nick
was temptation unlike any she’d ever encountered.

  Dinner would have been an easy event had it not been for Nick sitting next to her. His hand on her lap caused all kinds of distractions.

  “How’s your chicken?” he asked, a knowing grin on his gorgeous lips.

  “Good,” she lied. She couldn’t remember what it tasted like no matter how much she ate. “Your steak?”

  He leaned forward and whispered only for her ears. “I’m not hungry for food. There are other things I’d love to eat right now.”

  Good god. She gulped her water and put her fork down, giving up on any pretense of eating. “What caused this change? Unless you’re still under the impression all I want is a one-night stand.”

  She had to know. Nick had been adamant about how she was the devil because she was related to Gracen.

  The flirtatious grin left his eyes. “No, I don’t. I can’t believe I put you in that category. I know you can be related and be totally different. I just didn’t expect it with twins.”

  She nodded and waited until her plate was taken before saying anything. “Actually, that’s most common with twins. There’s usually a big difference between the two.”

  “Goes to show what I know. I really do want to get to know you, Addilyn.”

  She smiled at how soft and sexy he said her name. “Most of my family and friends call me Addy.”

  He glanced around the table and then at her. “So how many of these do you go to a week?”

  A short laugh burst from her. “You sound like my father. Not many, really. Around one or two per month. There are a lot of charities that need help. And a lot of events happening to raise funds. I try to help and being the face of Scars, I need to make sure I show up to some of them. A lot of times, my co-chairs take my place, but in many of these, the organizers have invited me because we know each other.”

  He nodded and listened to her speak about her love for nonprofits and fundraising. She would’ve believed he was faking interest but he asked questions and commented and seemed genuinely into what they were talking about.

  By the time the music started playing for people to dance, he pulled her on to the dance floor and she knew full well that the rumor was going to get around about them. She never danced at any of these events. They were doing a slowly dance and her mind was wrapped up in the vision of him and her and soft sheets and slick bodies. Someone tapped on her shoulder.

  “Hello, sweetheart.”

  She couldn’t believe her parents had decided to show up to this dinner over any of the others they’d been invited to.

  “Dad! Hi,” she kissed her father and then her mother and turned to Nick. “Dad, Mom, this is Captain Nick Gates. Nick, these are my parents, Greg and Allison Walton.”

  She’d worried they might recognize the name from someone Gracen had dated, but neither gave any sign of it.

  “Captain Gates, a pleasure,” her dad said and shook Nick’s hand. “You must be incredibly persuasive to get my little Addy on the dance floor. She never dances unless I’m here.”

  Nick smiled at her dad, but she noticed it wasn’t as warm as he’d done with her. “Well, you have a lovely daughter.”

  “That, I do,” her dad said.

  “Sweetheart,” her mom pulled her to the side for a second. “He seems like a very nice man. Too bad Gracen doesn’t meet men like him. You should see if he has a brother.”

  “Mom, I really don’t think—”

  Her mom shushed her. “Ask whenever you get a chance. You know your sister needs a good man in her life. The poor girl. Okay, we’re going to circulate.” She air-kissed Addy’s cheek and pulled her dad away before Addy got a chance to say anything else.

  Addy took a deep breath and let it out in a whoosh before turning to Nick. “Sorry about that.”

  “They really have no idea the type of woman Gracen is, do they?”

  She shrugged and glanced at her parents chatting with the event organizer. Her mother was the ultimate socialite. She spent her days giving orders in multiple households, arranging staff, and keeping everything running smoothly. Then she went to the spa, the club, and was busy working out to stay fit.

  Her dad was a busy man with multiple companies to run. Both of them indulged Gracen. She was their baby.

  “They let a lot slide when it comes to her. She’s always played the baby role well.”

  EIGHT

  Nick had been fooled again. First, he’d been pulled in by Gracen’s games. The innocent glances. The soft smiles. It was all a fucking act. His gaze roamed Addy from head to toe. Her blonde hair was picked up on one side and fell on big, fluffy curls on her left shoulder.

  The long mermaid style sapphire-blue dress was captivating. It fit her hourglass figure like second skin. Long crystal beading on the bust made the top stand out, but the shimmery fabric covering her neckline and upper back stopped it from looking overtly sexual and instead made it look stunning.

  It was clear Addy didn’t have to try hard to look elegant. She wasn’t wearing any big jewelry pieces tonight. All she had on was a large sapphire ring on her right hand. Her pale skin glowed under the lights of the ballroom.

  He wanted to touch her again. Definitely kiss her.

  “Why isn’t she here?”

  Addy gave him a surprised look. “Gracen? She’s never here unless there’s one of her celebrity friends attending. She’s more interested in private parties and club openings or restaurants than charity. I don’t mind. I dislike the type of atmosphere some of her friends create. I prefer these events to go off without any drama that takes away from what we’re trying to accomplish.”

  He nodded. From what he’d seen so far, Addy was a lot more private and toned down than Gracen. Even the way she dressed was more elegant and classy.

  “So why don’t you have a boyfriend?” He’d looked at the report Matt had given him thoroughly. The last man she’d dated was the president of a large consulting firm. Some of the photos in the file of them together made them look like a power couple. Like her parents.

  Someone started walking their way, but he wasn’t ready to give up his time with her, so he took her on to the dance floor again. Another slow song played. Having her in his arms was fucking with his mind. He liked how she felt. Her tiny curves pressed against him perfectly. She belonged there.

  The rest of the night passed with people coming up to speak to her, and him never leaving her side. He wanted to see her around others. Was she playing the innocent role? His instinct couldn’t be that wrong, but he wasn’t sure anymore. He’d thought Gracen was the one for him. That had been a big mistake.

  When he was readying to take her home, a man walked up to them. He recognized him as her ex, William Helton III.

  “Addilyn,” William said as Nick helped her put on her long wool coat with fur collar.

  Addy smiled at William. “Hi, William. How are you?”

  Nick frowned at the other man, watching him closely. There was nothing about him that made him instantly dislike him, but he’d slept with Addy and that alone was enough to make him want to rip his balls off.

  “I’m good. I wanted to see if you’d given any thought to my message.”

  Addy’s smile fell and she blushed. “Uh, William, I don’t think so. Now’s really not the time.”

  “Think about it,” William said and made a move to come closer but Nick cut him off by pulling Addy into his side. William’s brows rose as he glanced from one to the other. “Oh.”

  “Have a good night, William,” she said politely. “It was great seeing you. Thanks for your support tonight.”

  Once William was gone, Nick walked her to the limo waiting for her outside. He opened her door and just before she went in, he pulled her close and gave her a quick kiss. It was mostly to calm the thundering in his chest for another taste of her. But it ended up driving the hunger in him out of control.

  She pulled back and stared at him with lust-filled eyes. “Goodnight, Nick.”

&nbs
p; NINE

  Addy stretched in her bed and stared at her high ceiling. Unlike Gracen, who made her father buy her a house only to spend all her time at their parents’ mansion, Addy lived in a penthouse on Fifth Avenue.

  She’d worked hard enough and made good investments. Her penthouse was another sound investment. The two stories had been gutted and remodeled to give it a clean, sleek feel. It was mostly white because she loved white, but also because it was such a soothing color.

  She got up and headed for her kitchen. The soft Berber carpeting rubbed the soles of her feet and made her feel extra cozy on such a cold day. June, her housekeeper, was probably gone for the day.

  Saturdays, she only came in early to make lunch and leave Addy breakfast for when she woke. She padded toward the kitchen, a yawn falling from her lips only to stop in her tracks.

  “There you are, Addy,” June said, her coat on as she readied to leave. “I could not believe these all came in for you.”

  Addy glanced at her white living area covered in vases of long-stemmed red roses. There had to be twenty vases all over her place.

  “What is this?”

  June grinned. “There’s a card, Addy. Read it. I want to know what man shows this type of romance for you.”

  Taking the card from an excited June, she opened it and read a personalized note.

  One rose wasn’t enough to tell you how much I loved seeing you last night.

  -Nick

  Goodness. She glanced around her home. Nick had sent her at least two florist shops’ worth of flowers.

  “Ah,” June sighed. “I can tell you’re happy with whoever sent them. I hope you have finally found love, Addy. You deserve it.”

  “Thank you, June,” was all she could think to say.

  “You had a call from a Nick,” June told her as she headed to the door. “He said he’d be here at ten to take you for breakfast and for you to dress comfortable and warm.”

  Wait. What? Her heart tripped as she glanced at the decorative clock on her wall. He was going to be there in five minutes. Crap!