Page 16 of Break

I know a lot about Nicole, actually. Probably too much, considering my best friend Mason was her betrothed for years. Even though they’ve always acted like they can’t stand each other, he’s been there for her, which means so has Kerrington, Gage and I. Leah now, too. Nicole’s part of our rebellious family. She just doesn’t see it that way yet.

Kerrington’s deep voice echoes from outside as he orders room service, then he peeks back in. “You want chocolate mousse or a box of chocolates?”

“Both,” I answer before she can. It’s a dick move, but I’m too riled up and my possessive instincts have taken control. “And send someone out for those thin mint candies we get with the bill at Marcellos in Manhattan.”

Yeah, I’ve gone off the deep end now. But they’re her favorite, and so help me God, I’ll fly to New York myself tonight if I have to, just to go to that restaurant and get them if that’s what it takes to make her feel better.

“How did you—” Nicole huffs a little laugh and shakes her head. “You’re crazy.”

For you, I wish I could say, but I’m not trying to sound like a douche. Besides, I’m too awestruck by the smile she’s finally got on her face.

“I’ve missed you,” I blurt out. “Why’d you leave us that morning?”

So much for taking things slow and feeling her out. I suck at subtlety. That’s Kerrington’s specialty. I’m more like a bull with a red flag. I see it and go for it.

Nicole sinks into the water and doesn’t answer me.

“Duchess,” I warn. “We’re here to help you, and that can’t happen if we don’t know what’s going on.”

She didn’t get to this state overnight, or over a month or two. Our girl has been going through something for a while for her to be in this condition now.

“If you’re not sick,” I say cautiously, “then is it stress?”

“Why does it matter?”

“Becauseyoumatter,” I’m quick to answer. “Always.”

Jeez, it’s getting hot in here. The steam in the bathroom feels like sticky fog in my lungs and my shirt is too tight.

“Why do I matter to you, Landon? What we…” She plays with the water a little bit and swallows hard. “What we did that night was just fun. It wasn’t reality. It didn’t matter.”

She’s a fool if she truly believes that.

Or maybe I’m the dumbass because I don’t agree. One night with Nicole wasn’t enough for me. It’s put a huge rift in my relationship with Kerrington because I haven’t told him what’s up. I’m scared he’ll leave me. But seeing how fast he was to swoop in like a knight in shining armor today and help her gives me hope that maybe he’s a fool for her too.

Blowing out a long sigh, I sit on the floor and rest my chin on the edge of the tub like a puppy. “The night we shared you was the best night of my fucking life.”

She freezes and looks straight ahead.

The growing silence is killing me.

“Why did you runaway, Nicole?” My heart gallops as I await her answer. “Answer me.”

“Because,” she whispers, “I was ashamed.”

Her watery gaze swings to meet mine and all the air leaves my lungs. “Ashamed of what?”

It was a bad idea to ask that. She’s likely ashamed ofme. Sometimes I think Kerrington is too. Both of them are too good for me. I’m an embarrassment and a brat who doesn’t give a shit about what others think of me.

“I…” Nicole bites her lip and shakes her head, swallowing whatever she was going to say.

“Did we do something wrong? Or me? Was it me? Did I—” Fucking hell, I thought I’dDommed her exactly like how she needed me to. I didn’t think I’d gone overboard and everything we did that night was consensual. But maybe I’d misread something. “If I fucked things up, or scared you, I take full responsibility, and I’ll make it up to you.” It guts me to think I somehow messed this up. “You don’t have to stay with us if you don’t want. Kerrington can take you back to Mason’s if you—”

“Landon,” she all but growls. “Can I answer your question, or are you going to keep rambling?”

I shut up and stare at her.

God, I want to kiss her. Wrap her in my arms and hold her until she feels better. I want to feed her and bathe her and fuck her and worship her until whatever has gone wrong between us is fixed.

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