by Banks, Maya
He took the box from her hand and pulled the ring free. Then he picked up her left hand and slid the glittering diamond onto her third finger.
The crowd erupted around them, and then Gabe pulled her into his embrace, his mouth hard and fierce over hers. She clung just as fiercely to him, absorbing this moment, committing it to memory. It was one she’d never forget as long as she lived.
When she and Gabe were old and gray, she’d remember this night and play it over and over. It would be a story to tell their children, their daughters.
And then she realized she had no idea if he even wanted children.
“I want babies,” she blurted out.
Then she blushed wildly as she realized how far her voice had carried in the crowd. There was laughter around them and one called out loudly, “Give them to her, man!”
Gabe smiled, his expression so tender that it melted her heart and warmed her so thoroughly that she didn’t even register the cold.
“I want babies too,” he said huskily. “Daughters as beautiful as you are.”
She smiled so wide she thought surely her lips would split.
“I love you, Mia,” he said, his voice gruff and uncertain. He looked so vulnerable there on his knees in front of her. “I’m going to love you forever. I hope that’s good enough for you. I’ve done so much wrong since you came into my life, but I swear to you that I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. No one will ever love you more than I do.”
Tears leaked down her cheeks as she stared back at the man who’d humbled himself in front of her and half of New York City.
“I love you too, Gabe. I’ve always loved you,” she returned softly. “I’ve waited most of my life for you.”
He slowly stood and then lowered his hand to help her to her feet. Then he pulled her into his embrace and held on tightly as the music began around them.
“I’ve waited just as long for you, Mia. Maybe I didn’t always know what I was missing, but it was you. Always you.”
He turned them so they faced Jace and Ash. She’d forgotten all about them, and then realized that they were in on this too. She realized the enormity of them being in on it.
Joy flooded her heart, and she launched herself at Jace, nearly toppling him over as she hugged him.
“Thank you,” she whispered in his ear. “Thank you for understanding and for accepting, Jace. You can’t know how much this means to me.”
He hugged her back, emotion thick in his own voice. “I love you, baby girl, and I just want you to be happy. Gabe has convinced me that he’s the man for the job. That’s all any big brother can ask for.”
She turned and threw herself into Ash’s arms and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you too, you big lug. And thank you for helping me through these past weeks.”
Ash grinned and kissed her cheek before releasing her back to Gabe. Then he ruffled her hair affectionately. “Anything for you, kiddo. We just want you to be happy. And well, I want to be the baby’s godfather.”
Jace scowled. “Oh hell no. That’s my job. I’m the kid’s uncle.”
Mia rolled her eyes and squeezed herself into Gabe’s side as Ash and Jace started arguing. Gabe chuckled and then tightened his hold around her waist. He smiled down at her, his love shining brighter than the star atop the Rockefeller tree.
“What do you say we go home and practice giving them a baby to fight over?”
Turn the page for a special preview
of the next book in Maya Banks’s
Breathless trilogy
fever
Coming in April 2013 from Berkley Books
Please note:
The following is not final and
may differ from the published book.
Bethany Willis rubbed her palms down the worn legs of her pants and briefly closed her eyes, swaying as she stood in front of the basin containing all the empties she’d collected from the ballroom.
She was tired. So damn tired. And hungry. The best part of this gig—besides the fact it was cash paying—was the food. She was allowed to take leftovers, and judging by the amount of food bustling in and out of this place, there was going to be plenty.
Rich people always did things in excess. There was no way the number of people invited to this party justified the amount of food and booze being fronted. She mentally shrugged. At least she’d get a decent meal, even if the stuff was too fancy for her palate.
There’d be enough for Jack too.
A wave of sadness engulfed her, and just as quickly, guilt. She had no business feeling this way because Jack had come back around. He did that. Disappeared for months and then reappeared, usually when he needed a place to crash, a friendly face. Food, money…Especially money.
Her chest squeezed because she knew what he did with the money he asked for, even as he hated to ask for it. He never looked her in the eye. Instead he’d drop his gaze and he’d say, “Bethy…there’s this thing. I need…” And it was all he’d say. She gave him money because she couldn’t do anything else. But she hated the way he said Bethy. Hated that nickname when it had once been one she adored, because it had been given to her by someone who cared for her.
Jack. The only person in the world who’d ever tried to shield her from anything. The only person who’d ever given a damn about her.
Her brother. Not by blood but in every other way it counted. He was hers just like she was his. How was she supposed to ever turn her back on him?
She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.
There was a sound at the side door, the one that opened to the alley where the trash was taken out. She glanced up to see Jack leaning against the frame, his head tilted back so he could glance down the alleyway. That was Jack. Always one eye on escape. He never went into any situation unwary and without his escape route planned.
“Bethy,” he said in a quiet voice.
She flinched, knowing why he’d come. She didn’t say anything and instead reached into her apron pocket for the wadded up bills she’d stuffed there. Half up front. Half when she went off duty for the night. Jack would get this half. The other half would have to feed her until she found another gig, and she never knew when that would be.
Hurrying to where he stood, she pressed the bills into his hand and watched uncomfortably as his gaze skated sideways, not making eye contact with her as he shoved the money into the ripped, torn jeans. His stance was uncomfortable. She knew he hated this. She hated it too.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “You okay? You got somewhere to sleep tonight?”
She didn’t, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. So she lied instead. “Yeah.”
Some of his tension eased and he nodded. “Good. I’m working on it, Bethy. I’ll have a place for both of us soon.”
She shook her head in denial, knowing it was what he always said, and also knowing it wasn’t going to happen.
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. For a long moment, she closed her eyes and imagined different circumstances. But that was pointless. It was what it was and wishing for it to be different was like pissing in the wind.
“I’ll be checking on you,” he said.
She nodded. And then as he started to melt back into the shadows of the alley, she looked up and said, “Be careful, Jack. Please?”
His smile was just as shadowy as the night. “Always, babe.”
She watched him go as the knot in her throat grew bigger. Damn it. Rage built but she knew it was a useless emotion. Her fingers curled and uncurled at her sides and the itch invaded. The need, the craving. She fought it, but it was a hard battle. A victory that wasn’t completely solidified. Instead it was an ongoing war of wills. One she fought every single day.
The need for oblivion. Just that short window of time where everything felt better and more manageable. When things looked up, even if for a few short hours.
She couldn’t go back to that. She’d fought too hard to make it out and she’d lost everything in the pro
cess. Some might say that would be even more reason to allow herself that slow slide back into the inky past. But she had to be strong. She wasn’t that person any longer.
“Your boyfriend?”
The dry question startled her and she whirled around, her heart racing as she took in the man standing across the kitchen, staring at her.
He was one of the richies. A guest at the party. More than just a guest, as Bethany had seen him close to the honorees. And God, but the man was gorgeous. Smooth. Polished. Like he’d stepped right out of a magazine solely devoted to everything beautiful and wealthy. A world she damn well didn’t belong in.
He shoved his hands into those expensive slacks and continued to stare at her, his pose indolent and arrogant. His green eyes flicked over her as if judging her, almost as if he were considering whether to deem her worthy. Of what? His notice? It was a ridiculous thought.
He had blond hair—although not just plain blond. And she’d never really been attracted to blond men, but his hair wasn’t simply blond. It had at least four different shades, ranging from muddy to wheat and all shades in between. He was so gorgeous that it hurt to look at him.
“You going to answer me?” he asked mildly.
Mutely she shook her head, and to her surprise he laughed.
“Is that no you’re not going to answer me, or no he’s not your boyfriend?”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” she whispered.
“Thank fuck for that,” he muttered.
She blinked in complete surprise and then her eyes narrowed as he advanced toward her. Quickly she moved to the side so she wouldn’t be pinned against the door. She couldn’t leave, so running wasn’t an option. She needed the other half of her pay too badly and she wanted that food.
But just as quickly he closed in on her again, moving into her space until her pulse leapt erratically and she began to eye the alley door, suddenly uncaring whether she’d get paid or not.
“What’s your name?”
She glanced up at him. “Um, does it matter?”
He paused a moment, cocked his head to the side and then said, “Yeah. It matters.”
“Why?” she whispered.
“Because we’re not in the habit of fucking women we don’t know the name of,” he said bluntly.
Whoa. There was so much wrong with that statement she didn’t even know where to begin. She put her hand up in automatic defense before he could get any closer.
“We?” she demanded. “We? What are you talking about? Who the hell is we? And I’m not fucking anyone. You. We. They. No way.”
“Jace wants you.”
“Who the fuck is Jace?”
“And I’ve decided I want you.”
She barely suppressed her snarl of rage. Barely. She gritted her teeth and then went on the attack.
“I am not putting up with sexual harassment on the job. I’m filing a complaint and then I’m out of here.”
To her further surprise he merely grinned and then reached out to touch her cheek.
“Cool your jets, sweetheart. I’m not harassing. I’m propositioning. Big difference.”
“Maybe in your book,” she pointed out.
He shrugged like he didn’t particularly care if she agreed.
“Who the hell is Jace?” she repeated. “And who are you? You don’t proposition a woman without giving your name. And you have problems not knowing a woman’s name before going to bed with her? What is wrong with you? You didn’t even introduce yourself.”
He laughed again and it was a warm hum that felt so good she wanted to hang on to it forever. It was a carefree sound and she bitterly resented it. Was so jealous she wanted to burn with envy. This was a man who had no problems. Had no cares. Except who he wanted to go to bed with next.
“My name is Ash. Jace is my best friend.”
Her eyes narrowed. “And you both ‘want’ me.”
He nodded. “Yeah. Not so unusual. We share women. A lot. Threesomes. You ever had one? Because if not, I guarantee we’ll make it an experience you won’t forget.”
Her nostrils flared. “Yeah. I have. Nothing special.”
Something flickered in his eyes. She could tell she surprised him, but oh well. He should expect to have it handed back to him when he made outrageous propositions like this.
“Then maybe you’re fucking the wrong men.”
“Ash.”
The sound was explosive in the confined area of the kitchen and Bethany jerked her head up to see another man standing in the doorway, his brooding, dark gaze scorching the flesh right off Ash’s bones. Ash didn’t seem overly bothered that this guy was obviously pissed.
Bethany was.
This guy was the one she’d caught watching her when she’d ventured out to bus the tables. Twice. She’d felt his gaze on her. Burning a path over her skin until she’d shivered with the intensity. Where Ash was lighter, carefree, that whole package of wealthy and I know it and I don’t gotta do nothing except what I wanna, this man was…He was Ash’s polar opposite.
Intense wasn’t the right word. It didn’t even come close to describing him. He looked like a complete badass, and she knew badasses. She had plenty of experience with men on the street and from the streets, and she had the sudden thought that she’d rather take her chances with the devil she knew rather than this man staring holes through her.
Dark hair. Dark eyes. Tanned skin. Not the fake tan some of the metrosexual pretty boys went for. There was a ruggedness to him even as he screamed wealth and polish, like Ash did. It was just a different kind of polish.
Where Ash wore his wealth like a skin, like he’d always known it, this other guy looked like he’d accumulated his wealth later in life and wasn’t yet as comfortable with it as Ash was.
It was a ridiculous assessment, but there it was. There was something dangerous about this other man. Something that made her stand up and take notice.
“Jace,” Ash returned mildly. “Meet…” He lifted an eyebrow in question, still waiting for her to provide her name.
“Bethany,” she croaked.
Oh shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.
This was the threesome guy? Ash’s best friend? A man involved in the outrageous proposition Ash had just given her?
Jace’s lips tightened and he stalked forward. Bethany instinctively backed away.
“You’re scaring her,” Ash said, a reprimand in his tone.
To Bethany’s surprise, Jace pulled up short, but he was still glaring holes in Ash. At least it wasn’t her.
“I told you not to do this,” Jace said in a quiet, angry voice.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t listen.”
Bethany was utterly confused. But then Jace turned to her and there was something in his gaze that caught her breath.
Interest.
Not just a look like a man gave a woman when he wanted to fuck her. It was something different and she couldn’t put her finger on it. But then he’d watched her all night. She knew that because she’d watched him too.
“I’m sorry,” Jace began.
“Does this offer come with dinner?” she blurted.
She was instantly mortified, but she also knew in that one moment when he looked at her, that she didn’t want him to walk away. Not tonight. Tonight she wanted one night in the sun. Where it was warm and bad things didn’t happen. She wanted one night to forget her life, Jack, and all the problems that came with both.
This man could give her that. She was absolutely positive on that count. And if he came with Ash, she’d just have to take that too.
She did not want to walk out of this kitchen into the cold and back to what awaited her.
“What?”
Jace stared at her like she’d grown two heads. His brows drew together and his gaze became even more piercing, like he was peeling her from the inside out.
She gestured toward Ash. “He said you two wanted a threesome. I’m asking if the offer comes with dinner.”
“Well, yeah,” Ash
said, his tone suggesting he was insulted.
“Okay then,” she said, before she could change her mind.
She knew it was stupid. She knew it was one of the most stupid things she’d ever done, but she wasn’t going back.
“I have to finish here first,” she said, while Jace just stood there, silent and brooding, his gaze never leaving her, not even once. Not to look at Ash. Not to look away. Fixed on her.
“No you don’t,” Ash said. “You can cut out at any time.”
She shook her head. “I get the second half of my pay when I’m done. I have to finish.”
“Party’s about to break up. Gabe’s not going to remain out on a fucking dance floor when what he really wants is Mia at home in his bed,” Ash said. “I’ll cover your second half.”
Bethany went cold and she took a step back, ice forming over her face. Then she shook her head. “I changed my mind.”
“What the fuck?” Ash demanded.
And still Jace stood there. Silent and forbidding, watching her the entire time. It was unnerving and suddenly that alley door was looking better all the time.
“I’m not for sale,” she said in a low voice. “I get that I asked for dinner. I shouldn’t have. You were offering sex. But I won’t be paid for sex.”
Pain, like a cloak, crept over her. Distant memories, not ebbing. Choices. Consequences. It all drifted together until it was a murky, impenetrable darkness surrounding her. One day. Just one day in the sun. But the sun wasn’t for her. It never had been.
A low muttered curse tore from Jace’s lips. The first sound he’d made in forever. Then that mouth tightened. He was pissed.
His gaze skated sideways at Ash and it was then she realized he was pissed at Ash. Really pissed.
“I told you not to do this,” Jace ground out. “Fuck it, man. You should have listened to me.”
This was getting worse. Evidently Ash wanted some action. Jace did not. Ash wanted to approach her. Jace did not. Could this get any more humiliating?
“I’ve got to get back to work,” she said, hastily backing away until her escape route to the door leading back into the ballroom was secure.