Electing Love (The Collins Brothers Book Three)

by Pinder, Victoria

  The heat inside her grew. She hung her jacket at the door and followed him into an office. He opened a refrigerator and found a bottle of Moscato. How did he know her favorite? “I am sorry I ruined your business meeting.”

  He fetched glasses out of a cabinet and used a machine to uncork the bottle. “Imogen Ramos, the woman sitting with me, would be happy. I was horrible company for her, and talking to you feels good, Nicole. I also have whiskey if you prefer?”

  “Wine.” Nicole smiled and took a seat on his desk. “One glass is all I can handle. I don’t hold my alcohol well at all.”

  Nicole took a sip, and the refreshing liquid washed through her. “In Hollywood the A-listers who turned into a celebrity screw-ups also lost their long-term career. Very few get the redemption story, and I don’t want to be the next crazy star who falls from grace.”

  “What makes you think you’d end up crazy?”

  Gerard made every nerve ending in her body tingle. “You’ve met my family.”

  “True.”

  “I have a pulse and a brain, so that qualifies me, I guess, and my father was bright enough.” A genuine smile couldn’t be stopped. She tilted her head. “You see all the women in Boston, from what I read. Is that your usual line?”

  Had she just flirted? She gulped the wine, and her heartbeat grew rapid. The sense of being with someone who understood her felt strange. She might be making the whole thing up, but she sipped her wine and waited.

  “No.” He placed his hand on the desk closer to her.

  Her pulse raced and her lips ached for a kiss. She closed her eyes, but then opened them as he stepped closer.

  She leaned closer. He smelled like the forests that surrounded all of New England.

  “You’re nothing like I expected you to be,” he said.

  Perhaps the past and her fantasies fogged up her present. She lowered her gaze to his lips as he scooted away. “She said you broke her heart. Then you’d been in magazines for years with various women, Gerard. With you being on television a lot, I have to find out the best thing to tell her doctors, so they can help her.”

  “You’re a good sister.”

  Her face heated. If she was nice, she wouldn’t be having drinks with the man her sister had obsessed over for years. She’d walk away. Gerard triggered something inside her that she liked, but she wouldn’t let that get in the way of honesty. “No, I’m not. I’m protecting my own. It’s not the same thing.”

  “True. So why would you read those tabloids?”

  He sipped his drink, and she watched his mouth on his glass. She gulped her own drink and hoped she wasn’t the worst sister in the world. “I get them for work. Keeping your name in the papers or out of them is important to me. You can tell who the reporter is from the questions they ask or the articles they write.”

  “It’s not because you thought me a toy.” He winked at her.

  “You’re deadly handsome in person.” Her hands shook. “And I didn’t know you could be a nice man.”

  He rubbed his hands on his chin. “My own family would never call me nice, and they know me better than anyone. My brothers think I’m hard and unforgiving.”

  “Sounds like teasing.” Her eyes widened. “I remember how close you and your brothers were. I was jealous. My family was nothing like yours.”

  She could see the storm of emotions swirling through his eyes.

  “Nicole, you don’t know me well at all.”

  “Or I do because I know my sister caused you pain. I came home to Boston because…” She hadn’t meant to tell him why she’d come. She placed her glass on the desk and scooted closer to him to change the topic. “Either way, you’re a nice man and I’m glad we finally talked.”

  “You can help me.”

  He stood and placed his glass next to hers as his arms spread on the desk around her. She couldn’t speak.

  He hovered closer, and her heartbeat thundered. She closed her eyes as he said, “I’m going to kiss you, Nicole.”

  His hard lips made her body ache in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time, if ever. His kiss sent sparks through her. She sighed and curled her arms around him. Her lips tingled with his warmth as her high heels fell off and her toes curled.

  Gerard set her on fire, and she hadn’t ever been burned.

  ***

  As Nicole woke up, she found her silk sheets thrown everywhere. Today she needed to speak to Stella. She stretched her arms around the king-size bed and smiled. The quietness in her hotel room reminded her that she had the power. She’d created the peace in her world, and no one could steal it.

  Last night, she’d been hit with the bullet train of the hot, sexy Gerard Collins, and his kiss lingered on her lips. He had walked her to her hotel then disappeared into the blackness of the night.

  Her phone rang. Nicole sat and stared through her window to the Boston skyline. “Hello.”

  “You were with my Gerard.”

  “He’s not yours.” Nicole swallowed. Stella. She closed her eyes. “And yes, I went to speak to him.”

  “Tell me. Does he still think about me like I do him?”

  Her sister sounded like she was still sixteen and following Gerard around in school. Nicole would speak to the doctors. “Stella, he was never yours.”

  “You don’t know anything about me. Get me out of here.”

  Her sister was a danger to herself, the reason why she was in the hospital. “I’ll come see you today.”

  “Did you have sex with Gerard Collins?”

  “He is not your concern.” Nicole swallowed. “And no, I went to talk to him.”

  “Don’t ever betray me.”

  “Stella. There is nothing to betray.”

  Nicole raced to the shower. A background where she didn’t have to talk to doctors about mental issues would be nice, but this was her lot in life. She had to take care of Stella.

  As she scrubbed her skin, Nicole’s thoughts returned to Gerard’s lips. She had gone too long without even one glance at any man.

  ***

  As she sat in the yellow taxi that would take her to the hospital on the South Short, Nicole saw “missed call” flash on her screen.

  Lightness in her heart caused her hand to tremble, as she thought it might be Gerard. Her heart skipped a beat until it dropped in her stomach. She stared at the screen at her agent’s name. Damn. He had called an hour ago, which must be four o’clock in the morning his time.

  She dialed him back. He answered on the first ring. She sighed. “Hello, Roy.”

  “Baby doll, how’s my angel? Can you meet me for lunch on Rio to schmooze with a new producer?”

  She held her breath and counted. “I can’t, Roy. I’m in Boston.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m from here.” She crossed her legs and one arm wrapped around her waist. Today she’d take the new commuter rail back to her place of birth. “I needed to get back to my roots.”

  “You are already twenty-eight,” Roy stated flatly. “It has been harder to land you roles. When you turn thirty, another woman will take your place. Are you ready to play matronly roles now?”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “I don’t know what I want.” She leaned against the window as the whirlwind of the city flew past. Gerard’s kiss had set off a chain reaction inside her—she had to make choices, soon. Everyone else seemed to have direction and purpose. “I need time off. It’s time to take some time for myself.”

  “Tick-tock. When you’re done, I’ll try to get a role of a lifetime for you, dollface.”

  “I hate that term and you know it.” She pushed her shoulders back. “And I’ll figure out what’s right for me.”

  “Geez. We’ll talk later, after you’ve had your coffee.” Roy hung up.

  If she made another movie, Gerard’s kiss would serve her as inspiration for at least two more romance movie heroines. Possibly three.

  She made enough money to never make another movie, if she didn’t feel li
ke it.

  Right now, she stretched. Then she grabbed her bag, walked to the elevator, and focused on how she’d get a cup of coffee for the train. Today she went home.

  ***

  Nicole took a deep breath and signed in. No visitors waited in her wing of the white-walled hospital. A few minutes later, Doctor Reyes came out and shook her hand. “It’s nice to see you.”

  The empathetic expression somehow made this man exude confidence and ability. He held the door for her to enter the hospital wing.

  “How is my sister?” she asked.

  The doctor pointed to an activity room. “She’s in here right now. She’s had a setback.”

  Nicole sucked her bottom lip and stared at her sister through the window. “Yeah. She is still having delusions concerning Gerard Collins.”

  “Live your life as you see fit, Ms. Burns. Stella will be safe in here.”

  The wise words of the doctor made her relax. Yesterday’s kiss didn’t make her a bad sister. She met the doctor’s gaze. Stella wrote on a notebook and stared out the window. “She seems to like it here,” Nicole said.

  The doctor held the door for her again, but as Nicole entered the activity room, Stella threw a pen at her face.

  Nicole dodged and widened her stance. “Stella.”

  Her doctor pressed a button on the wall. Stella flinched as he said, “Stella, we’ll have to report that incident.”

  Stella glared at Reyes. “Get her out of here.”

  “Your sister’s come from California to see you.”

  Stella jumped to her feet. “She’s come to steal my husband.”

  Nicole placed her hands on her hips. “Gerard isn’t your husband. He’s not your property, Stella. You know better.”

  “Says the man-stealing whore.”

  Nicole flinched. “You know better.”

  “Now is not a good time, Ms. Burns,” the doctor said gently. “Perhaps you can return later, when your sister is feeling better?”

  At the door, Nicole turned to watch her sister. “Stella. You’re the only family I have left. I need you to be rational. Dad told us to always be there for each other.”

  Stella’s face contorted. “You deserve to die.”

  Nicole would have to find a way to ensure Stella stayed calm. She had promised her father she’d protect Stella, and somehow, she would.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Gerard

  “Gerard, marrying some woman because you’re running for the Senate is the stupidest thing you’ve done ever.”

  Last night’s kiss with Nicole after that dinner fiasco proved he wasn’t marrying anyone. Gerard’s face heated as he stared at his mother and wished she hadn’t read the news reports. He shuffled on his feet, and decided not to mention what had happened. “Mom, I said no. I’m not marrying anyone to win the election.”

  “You had dinner with the woman.” She shook her head and crossed her arms.

  He must have inherited what the papers called his lethal gaze in a courtroom from her, because she still made him feel he was ten years old. “I met Imogen to tell her the plan was off. I couldn’t go through with marrying anyone to win.”

  “Don’t you dare think you can work those charms on me, boy.” His mother slumped in her chair. “You had dinner with this woman willing and you were willing to sell your hand for a momentary win. I raised you better, and I told you to stay away from women like her.”

  “I listened.” He came closer, intending to hug her. She glared at him, so he stopped. He knelt on one knee. “I told her no and left ten minutes after I met with her. Then I had a date with Nicole Wyman.”

  “The actress? She’s pretty and talented.” Her eyes widened. She reached out wrapped her arms around him. He sighed and smelled his mother’s peppermint soap as she asked, “When did you meet her?”

  “At church, when we were young.” Gerard smiled.

  His mother’s mouth opened. “I would know her, then.”

  “You do. Nicole Wyman is Nicole Burns, Stella Burns’ baby sister.”

  “The stalker.” His mother covered her mouth. He didn’t move, and waited for her to say something. She jumped out of her chair. “You ruined her movies for me now. Explaining to the police how you would never burn down the church was my worst nightmare. The Burns girl caused you nothing but trouble.”

  “Nicole isn’t Stella.” Gerard massaged his chin. “Stella’s been diagnosed as schizophrenic, and she’s under medical care.”

  “I’ll light candle for her at mass, then.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Nicole is not who…”

  Gerard swallowed. “You like her movies, and she’s understanding. Don’t blame her for her sister’s mental issues. Nicole moved to California, has been wildly successful, and she pays for Stella’s long-term stay. She did a few plays with Liam back in school, and most important, she’d not marry me for my money. She has her own.”

  “This is hard, Gerard.” His mother wavered and retook a seat. “Stella tried to ruin your life. That home had no parental guidance, and we’re lucky your father knew the police chief. I’m going to think about what you said while I cook dinner.”

  She stood up and walked out the room.

  Gerard crossed his arms and stared out the window. It was early in the morning still. He had come home to get away from the pressure of digging up dirt on the Boroni mafia connections for the day. He called out to the next room, “I’m going to take the sailboat out.”

  “Do what you want. See you at dinner,” his mother called from the doorway. “I’ve always connected to Nicole in her movies. I’ll give her a chance if you bring her home.”

  He was unsure why he had said Nicole’s name. If he had told his mother that it was Nicole’s eyes that haunted his imagination for years, she’d behave very differently.

  He grabbed the keys to his car on the end table and left. The crispness of the day woke him, and fingers crossed the unpredictable Atlantic would keep him sharp.

  The sunshine hit his head as he made his way to the driveway. He took a deep breath, and crossed his fingers there were still days like left. The last warm days for the season.

  His phone rang. Gerard stared at his brother’s number on the screen, but didn’t answer. He’d like to not discuss politics or corruption right now.

  He started the car and drove toward the ocean. The back roads were clear now, as the tourists already left. Again his phone rang, and now the screen read Barnie. Gerard declined the call. He’d not think about the election either. He needed a break from the pressure.

  He drove toward the next corner and realized he was at Nicole’s old home. She had probably returned to Los Angeles or whatever part of Beverly Hills she inhabited, but his Aston Martin steered closer, so he might peek at her house.

  Once upon a time, he’d flown past this spot.

  Then his jaw dropped as he stared at Nicole. She sat on her porch, with her knees to her chest, sporting jean shorts and a ponytail. Without another thought, he parked his car on the street, stopped gripping the wheel, stepped out, and stared. She stood and gazed at him. His heart fluttered fast and furious.

  Nicole smiled at him. “Morning, Gerard. I hadn’t expected to see you.”

  “Likewise, Nicole.” He walked closer to her to see if he’d been wrong. The lightheadedness stayed, and again her vanilla scent wet his tongue. He tucked his hands in his pockets and swallowed. “I’m heading to the marina to take out my boat.”

  “The ocean is in the other direction.” She gave him a half-smile. “Did you get lost?”

  “No. The other road is closed for the next month.” He took his hands out of his pockets, and sat beside her on her steps. “Would you like to join me on my yacht this afternoon, Nicole?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Why are you outside?” Her soft skin on his made his body spark to life. He rubbed his hands together.

  “Power company won’t be here for a few hours.” She bit her lower lip.
“I haven’t been home in years, and the place is a disaster.”

  “Come with me, then. The ship has power.” He smiled and offered his hand. “Worst-case scenario is that we hire you electricians, plumbers, and cleaners to make the place livable.”

  “How do you know the place needed all that?”

  “Good guess. No one has lived here in years, and winters are hard here, if you remember.”

  “Okay. You caught me. I’ll go with you, Gerard.” She smiled, and then squeezed his hand as he stood to go inside. “I’ll get my pocketbook.”

  She climbed the three steps. He swallowed. Nicole Burns embodied all that was right about the female form.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Nicole

  His dark hair and brown eyes captivated her, but she hadn’t been born yesterday. Nicole wondered if Gerard saw the movie star or her. It shouldn’t matter. At least she still had feelings. Perhaps she should stop this. If she ever became involved with him, then her sister would devolve.

  She shook her head and then straightened her shirt. No more thinking. She strode out into the sun and toward Gerard. “I’m ready now.”

  He reached out and placed his hand on her back, which sent sparks throughout her. “I called a local cleaning crew. Your house will be spotless when we get back.”

  “Thank you.” She stepped away from his hand, but she followed him to his fancy car, another reminder of who he was. Gerard Collins represented old money, class, and elitism.

  She’d earned million dollars for her movie roles, but she’d never have the smell of Massachusetts traditions. No matter what though, she had the money to keep her sister in the hospital, and enough to do whatever she wanted to do next. “I need to sort through things in there, and to ensure Stella has everything she needs. When I saw a disaster inside, I intended to call a cleaning service, but didn’t know who was good.”

  He closed the door behind her and walked around his sports car. She leaned over and opened his door and then tugged at her seatbelt. “Will there be anyone else on the ship today besides us?” she asked.