Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Nikki
As I stepped up to the window, I wrapped myself in a sheet and parted the slats of the blinds with my fingers to peer out of the narrow gap.
The coloured flashing lights from the DJ lit up the back garden, but it was the movement at the gate that caught my eye.
I knew it was Gav from the way he held his head partially down, the way he kept himself guarded.
This time, he was talking to the security detail.
I didn’t want to think bad of him, but I couldn’t help it.
Gav had been out of control on so many occasions.
Sometimes, I hated to admit that I admired his out-of-control behaviour, but at times, he needed to be reined in.
Kept on a short leash, because when Gavin Wright got out of control, he did it in spectacular fashion.
The sad thing is I’m supposed to hate him.
He had a knack of getting so far under my skin that I shouldn’t want him anywhere near me, and most days I didn’t, but then he gives me a stupid smirk, and I fold inside.
He took me to places no other man had. Fuck’s sake.
Even now, I could still feel his hands on me, in me, the way he brought me to the edge.
I’d like to say I didn’t know why I fell at his feet, but I did know, it was alcohol.
It’s both enjoyment and my downfall, because when Gavin is around, and alcohol is involved, everything turns into a game.
It always was, and tonight wasn’t any different.
He slapped the guy’s shoulder and climbed into the back seat of the car. I bet if I had three guesses at where he was headed, I’d get it right first time. He’s that predictable.
The blinds made a snapping sound as I released them and whirled away from the window.
I hated that I felt this way about him.
I hated even more that he made me feel this way, when there’s no doubt that he didn’t feel the same for me.
A sigh fell from my lips, and I was irritated with myself.
It wasn’t like I didn’t know what he was like.
And even more, I knew he was right. We were not good together, not that we’ve tried as a couple, we didn’t have to, I knew in my own mind that we weren’t compatible with each other.
But the last thing I was going to do was sit up here and mope around.
Not over a dick like Gavin. I wasn’t that woman.
I let the sheet drop from my body, and I scraped my hair on the top of my head in a messy bun and waltzed into the bathroom to turn on the shower.
The steam rose from the hot water in mere seconds, and I stepped inside, dipping my head to allow the water to run from my neck and down my back.
Instantly the tension that whirled around inside me eased, and I quickly washed the parts I needed to and stepped out again, turning off the taps.
I went back to the bedroom and dried myself off with a towel, then stepped into fresh underwear and back into my powder blue bridesmaid dress.
I loved the colour, and pastels are as close to girly as Paisley would ever get.
I took a cleansing wipe and brushed it beneath my eyes, removing the black smudges that lined them, along with any giveaway sign that proved I’d slipped away to have sex.
Once they were gone, I topped up my makeup and stepped into my shoes again.
With some perfume sprayed around my neck and over my chest, I grabbed my bag.
As I left the bedroom, I closed the door behind me then reached inside my bag to retrieve my phone. A message from Paisley sat on my screen, but I refused to open it. I made my way back downstairs instead, back through the house and out into the marquee.
Considering it was almost midnight, there were still quite a few people around.
Then again, though, when it’s an all-expenses paid shindig and free bar kind of party, the cling-ons would always be around.
I headed for the bar first, now that my drunken arse had sobered up a bit, and grabbed myself a Baileys from the good-looking barman.
I needed something smooth, not like the tequila and vodka from earlier.
As he passed it over, I thanked him with a sweet smile, then waltzed away with confidence.
Rhys was the first person I came into contact with.
“Have you seen Gav?” He asked nicely. I took a sip of the sweet smooth drink, and licked the Baileys from my lips as I looked up at him.
I mean it wasn’t hard for anyone to be taller than my five-foot frame, but Rhys, he was fucking huge.
His eyes trained on me, seeking a truth I wasn’t willing to give. “I can’t say I have.”
A smirk tipped his lips up at one side and shook his head, “I saw you earlier with him.”
“Yeah earlier. Not in the last hour though.” I concentrated on the caramel-coloured liquid over the ice in my glass and swirled it around, hypnotised as the ice clinked against the sides.
“He’s gonna hurt you, Nik.” He sighed and looked away, “I don’t want to see that. I know Gav, I’ve known him way too many years to not know that this is what he does.” He placed his hand on top of my glass to stop my movement, “he doesn’t deserve you.”
“You’re right,” I nodded, “but it’s a means to an end.
” I smiled brightly. Where does it say that women couldn't use men the way they used us. Then my feelings from earlier washed back over me, I answered my own silent question; because women are full of fucking sentiment. I took his hand from over my glass, “Well, I’m all good, big guy, you don’t have to worry about me.
” I reached up and tapped his chest as a smile pulled at my lips, a fake one at that, but never mind.
I lifted my glass to my lips and knocked back the Baileys.
It went down way too quick, maybe I did need something stronger.
“But I do.” My eyes widened at his statement and a heavy frown settled over my eyes. “I do worry about you.”
“I’m fine.” With a smile fixed to my face, I made the short distance back to the bar and thrust my empty glass back to the barman. “Can I get a Jack Daniels, please.” he nodded and fulfilled my request quickly. I knew Rhys was still behind me, I could sense his looming presence.
“I guess you wouldn’t care then if I told you he got in one of the cars and left.” Rhys stated.
I turned at his tentative voice, “Couldn’t give a shit.” I smirked at him. “Rhys, please just drop it. I’m a big girl, I know what I’m doing.”
His lips pursed and his eyes narrowed, “No woman knows what they are doing where Gav is concerned. He knows how to work that charm of his.”
“Well, I do.” I curled my fingers around the lapel on his black tux jacket and pushed myself up, “I appreciate your concern though.” I whispered before I pressed my lips to his smooth-shaven cheek, he smelled amazing.
Gav and Rhys were total opposites. Where Gav was rough and ready, Rhys was gentle, and he wasn’t ashamed to show it.
I pulled back and gave him a smile. I liked Rhys, he was one of the good guys.
If only good guys were what I wanted - he’d have been the perfect choice.
As our eyes met briefly, he nodded, finally backing down on the subject of Gavin bloody Wright.
“Come on.” I wound my arm around his forearm and dragged him through the marquee.
We stopped at a table to place down my glass while Rhys stood protectively by my side.
His large frame eclipsed mine as we stood on the edge of the marquee’s dance floor while I sipped on my drink, it left a delicious burn on the back of my throat, and I was sure that after another few of these, I’d be buzzed enough not to care about where Gav went, hoped anyway.
Roman had Paisley in a tight embrace as his arms wrapped around her from behind, I smiled at them, they were so cute.
It was a complete turnaround from the day she came to work for us.
I was shocked when I first found out they went to school together.
Roman and Gav were the ‘it’ guys apparently, but they treated her like shit, complete bastards to her.
Paisley said even back then, wherever Roman was, the crowd followed, That I could see.
Roman held a room whenever he walked into it and Gav, he had the smirk of a true bad boy. I guessed habits die hard.
As Roman lifted his head from her neck, he saw us.
He kissed the top of her head and released her after saying something in her ear then quickly scanned the room.
I knew who he was looking for, so I turned my back on him and faced Rhys instead.
Being Roman's PA, I got all his moods. All twenty of them.
“Hey guys. You having a good time?” I half-turned with a smile as Roman sidled up to us.
I looked past him to see Paisley heading for us too, a million-dollar smile on her face as she rocked up behind him.
As Paisley linked my arm, I gave her a smile and rested my head on her shoulder; since she was taller than me, it was easy to do.
From the day she walked into that lobby for that meeting, I knew we’d be good friends.
I’d felt it, deep down in my soul. I think I needed that.
I’d never had a friend like her. I’d had lots of friends at school but not that certain someone I could tell everything to.
I guess I was a bit like Roman and Gav in that respect, I was always with the popular kids.
It’s probably why Gav and I were the way we were. Everything was a battle.
“Well, I’m working, so…” Rhys’ sentence trailed off with a tight grin and a tilt of his head. Rhys was always working. It was nothing new.
“How about you, Nik?” His arm fell around my shoulders; I focused on the smirk that played on his lips. “I’m sure you’ve had a good time?” His eyebrows danced.
I frowned as I leant back from him, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What’ve you done with Gav, locked him away for seconds?” Roman laughed, lifting his chin cockily. Dickhead. He leaned in closer, “I saw you two sneaking away,” he winked, “come on, you can tell me.” he said quietly.
“Roman.” Paisley’s eyes were wide, her voice laced with shock.
I heard Rhys excuse himself, there wasn’t so much as a slight grin on his face as I looked up at him.
I watched his retreating back as he turned.
After Rhys disappeared, I turned my eyes back on Roman.
That stupid smile was doing my nut in, so I decided to play with him.
“Actually, I’ve got him bound and gagged in my room, I’ll throw him some food and drink every now and then, he’ll be fine.” I smirked, but it was way more than what I was feeling. I didn’t want to unleash my weird mood on Roman, not tonight at least, this was their day.
“Seriously though, where is he?” My eyes stared into his for a moment until his brows came together, and he knew I was hiding something. “Where is he, Nik?”
“I don’t know,” I sighed and chewed on my lip, “Well, not for sure anyway,” my shoulder lifted, “all I know is he got into a car and left. I think one of security drove him.”
His face changed as he and Paisley shared a look. I knew that look; they were thinking exactly the same as I was. It was either a club for easy women or a casino. I knew which one I’d opt for.
Roman pulled out his phone and typed a message, well I assumed that anyway. He swiped up his screen once he was done, then pocketed it again. “You know, Rome, you can’t always watch him. You have to let him be him.”
His brows lifted, but it didn’t change the look of thunder on his face. “Yeah, but it’s always me that has to pick up the pieces. I’m just trying to prevent another relapse. I’m trying to help him, Nik.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, nodding, “but one day you might not be able to put the pieces together again.” My mouth was tight as I looked at them both.
Roman had a good reputation, the last thing he needed was Gavin to ruin things for him.
I rubbed his arm, “All I’m saying is you can only help someone that wants to be helped. ”
He sighed heavily, Paisley moved to rest against him and rested her head on his shoulder. He pulled her into his embrace, I was thankful because it enabled me to make a quick getaway.
First stop was at the bar. With the last mouthful of Jack Daniels swallowed, I got myself another, deciding to push Gav from my thoughts. On the way back, I grabbed Paisley’s arm and we danced until she was fit to drop.