Threads Of Desire (Creative Hearts Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

commit to? He flipped the sheet aside.
    “Besides, I do need to figure this thing with Claire out. And I promise in the meantime I won’t clutter your life.” He looked to the two of them, then around the eclectic apartment. “You know how I hate mess.”
    “What the hell? Was that a dig?” Gabby said.
    “You know it was,” Steve chimed in.
    And seriously Nick?” Gabby asked. “Should I type up some house dress rules?”
    He grabbed the sheet again as his brother let out a bark of laughter. “Yo, bro, if you’re going to stay here, one thing you have to learn, despite this morning is that Gabby doesn’t take too well to naked men running around the apartment—and she responds even worse to naked women.”
    Gabby shook her head and threw up her hands. “Honestly, with you two what does it matter? Have at it. Make it a Harlem nudist colony. What do I care? Later. I’m heading out.”
    With that Nick watched as Gabby hit the door. She tried to look cool, but he saw it. Saw the effect he had on her, how her breathing grew shallow; saw the way the color rose on her creamy, tanned cheeks before she made her way out the door. Saw the way she took a quick peek back at him before the door shut behind her. And worse yet, he felt it. Felt the way his body reacted to each and every thing she did. He was wound tight, so tight he felt like he could break with just the barest touch. An extra blink, a whisper, a blow, and he would be over the edge.
    Nick knew he was in trouble. He needed to think and he needed to think fast. He’d been a fool to get tangled with Claire, and now his living arrangement, his job, his plans of making partner, his entire future depended on how he handled this breakup with her. It was time to get his head in the game and off of the milky eyes, pillowy lips, and curvy hips of Ms. Gabrielle Russell.

Chapter 3

    The Opal Lounge was packed on this Saturday night.
    Gabby got there around eleven with Samara, relieved to have successfully avoided Nick for the rest of the afternoon. He’d been gone by the time she returned to the apartment, and thankfully, Steve was so excited about getting his part that he was already in hyper mode getting things together for his trip and didn’t bring up the whole mortifying naked bathroom scene again.
    Gabby couldn’t help the pang she’d felt at seeing him at the door with his big duffle in hand. He wasn’t even gone yet and already she was missing him. Her security blanket. It had seemed like it was them against the world for so long. “You will make it back for the wedding, right?” she’d asked. “Don’t forget you’re my plus one.”
    “Of course, I will.” He’d frowned. “At least, I hope so.” Gabby felt her heart drop, but Steve continued, giving her a smile. “Hey, there’s no way I’ll let you down there. Besides, how can I miss the event of the year? You know I’ve gotta get my swag on.”
    Gabby and Samara made their way to the bar as Gabby let go of her afternoon reminiscing. She sure hoped that Steve made good on his promise because she didn’t want to go it alone. Looking around, she noticed Steve wasn’t at the bar. She was just about to ask the bartender on duty where he was when hands wrapped around her already tightly corseted waist. She quickly turned.
    “We’re over here,” Steve said. “My boss let me off early so I could celebrate. Come on over, he set us up with a table and a couple of not quite top shelf bottles.” He turned Sam’s way. “Hey, where’s your other half?”
    “Mark’s working tonight but sends you his best. We’re happy for you,” she yelled over the hard-thumping music.
    Steve grinned at that. “I love how you talk in ‘we’s now. It’s so cute. New York’s wild child has been tamed.”
    “Oh, shut up. You’re making me sound like some type of romantic sap, and you know that’s not me.”
    “If you say so, darling,” Steve shot back.
    Gabby noticed Sam’s color get high in that