Radiance (8 page)

Jessica added in a whisper, “Where’s the closest place to get you naked?” 

* * *

Harper watched a fit young couple crawl over Gabriella and thought his brain would explode. 

He moved to stand up and Elijah ordered, “Do
not
draw attention to your presence.  She needs to be touched.” 

“Then
fetch
her, Elijah.” 

“She’s no more a
dog
than she is a
rabbit
.  She’s a kind and beautiful woman who deserves better than what you would do to her. 
Sit there
.  Enjoy the result of your fucking games.” 

“Your mouth…” 

“Says far less than it could.  You’re many things.  A hypocrite was never one of them.  Two weeks ago, you flaunted a woman in front of her who is
everything
she knows she’s not.  Your
type
, as she so accurately described it.” 

Shame curled in his belly.  He lashed out, “Your
type
as well.” 

“Never.  I could barely tolerate them.  It was made only slightly more bearable if they were gagged.” 

The shock of the admission rocked him.  “
All of them?
” 

“Each and every one.”  He broke protocol and met his eyes.  “You rubbed your lack of care in her face.  You hurt her.  I told you you’d lost her.  That night, I told her to seek comfort wherever it could be found.” 

There was no doubt Elijah wanted her desperately.  “Why didn’t you…” 

“Shut
up
.  For once in your fucking life, shut the fuck up and
think
before you speak to me as if I only met you today.” 

Crossing his arms at his back, he faced forward and did his best to disconnect from Harper’s presence.  It had been many years since he’d attempted it.

Harper’s gaze returned to the image of Gabriella in the grip of a focused assault on her sensuality. 

Where she’d seemed nervous and hesitant initially, she gradually gave in to a nature that craved human contact.  Her hands drifted to the back of one dark head, one light.  He watched her eyes close and her lips part slightly. 

She was fully involved and it was spectacular. 

After half an hour of public making out that had him harder than he’d been in a long time, they helped her stand and walked with her to the exit. 

Harper held his breath as he realized she was truly going to let the couple take her home. 

His eyes connected with Hudson’s and the man smiled tightly.  There was no doubt in his mind that his somewhat friend and rival had been aware of his presence from the start.

He
wanted
Harper to witness the fact that Gabriella was not without options of her own. 

“I hope they give her everything she deserves,” Elijah said quietly.  “I also hope they don’t steal Brie’s heart.  For that, I might never forgive you.” 

He meant the words.

At the apartment, his bodyguard checked the house, pronounced it clear with a nod, walked into his room, and closed the door. 

In his own bedroom, Harper’s body was in chaos.  He pictured what the couple was doing to Gabriella.  He wondered if they were tasting her at that moment.  Eating her pussy, sucking her nipples, and touching her everywhere. 

He quickly undressed and stepped in the shower.  Fisting his cock, he let the pleasure build slowly as he considered the image they made.  When he came with a gasp, he remained under the spray for a long time. 

There was no way he could stay in New York.  He needed to get Elijah out of the city as well. 

His friend was not the only one who hoped they’d get another chance in the future to touch Gabriella.  The woman spun out his brain, made it hard to think. 

* * *

Elijah showered and sat in focused meditation.  One day, he’d have the chance to touch her.  For now, he hoped she took
everything
she needed and deserved.

Calming his mind, imagining the happiness Brie would feel receiving touch, allowed him to sleep deeply for the first time since the unfortunate events on her birthday. 

The following day, they returned to Washington.

Early December 2014

Harper had been off-balance for weeks.  It was unfamiliar and unwelcome.  Upon their return to the Delkin family estate, Elijah settled into the routine he’d held since he was a child and all but ignored his oldest friend. 

The bodyguard spoke to him in his capacity as his head of security.  Otherwise, the man refused to interact on any level.

Harper finally had all he could stand.  On the way to their meeting, he said quietly, “I’ll talk to Winters.” 

“Regarding?” 

“Gabriella.”  When Elijah didn’t move or respond, he nodded.  “I know I messed up.  I’m sorry.” 

“I wonder how he’ll react to your
second
apology.” 

Harper sighed.  “Don’t let him kill me, if you don’t mind.”

Ascending to the top floor of a high-rise in Salt Lake City, he braced himself to face his most formidable business rival in a deal that benefited them both.

He’d arranged dinner afterwards to gauge the waters outside of the business realm. 

The dozen people at the conference table stood when Elijah preceded him into the room. 

Hudson Winters did not
. 

One of the rare men who had his respect in the world they inhabited watched him, absolutely still and unblinking.  He’d be lying if he said it didn’t affect him on a gut level.

For several hours, Harper engaged in a financial battle of wits with someone who never failed to make it interesting. 

When the documents were signed, they shared possession of a small abandoned town, forgotten in the fifty years since the last of the population moved away. 

Set in a secluded valley in Utah, it would be the future testing site for educational, environmental, and sociological technology being developed through their own companies as well as those of their friends and colleagues. 

As the others gradually made their exit, Harper found himself alone with Winters.  Elijah hadn’t moved or spoken in hours.  He barely blinked. 

“How did this project come to your attention?” 

“A conversation I had with Gabriella before she was hurt.”  Harper hid his surprise as the man stood and walked to the windows.  “She saw an article about abandoned towns around the world.  Her idea was for several clean slate locations.  Projects that focused on bringing out the best mankind had to offer in all areas.  I purchased three of them in Europe, South America, and Australia.” 

“The others?” 

“Marciella Canfield now owns three in Canada, Central America, and Iceland.  Owen Douglas purchased one in Oklahoma before I could grab it.  I was displeased.” 

He inhaled carefully.  “I’ll send you a list of those that remain for analysis.  This is the only other viable site of those available in the United States.” 

“Why bring me in?  You certainly didn’t need my money.” 

“Gabriella suggested we attempt a joint venture with only positive and far-reaching outcomes.  She said it would be good for us.  I believe the phrase she used was
bonding experience
.”

He couldn’t hold back his snort of amusement and was shocked to hear a stifled one from Elijah as well. 

Joining Winters to take in the view, Harper was silent for a long time before he murmured, “I fucked it up.” 

“Yes.” 

“I’m sorry.” 

“Noted.”

The silence drew out between them.  “Any suggestions?” 

Winters didn’t answer for so long that Harper didn’t think he would.  “Why should I help you?” 

“I have no idea.” 

“I warned you she was different.” 

Nodding, he replied, “I didn’t realize how different.”  Clearing his throat, he sought information.  “The couple…?” 

Turning to face him, Winters clasped his hands behind his back.  “Gabriella ended their arrangement after two weeks.” 

“The reason?” 

“Their similarities to Natalia and myself.  A deep love for one another without the capacity to include others in it.”  Black eyes held his unsympathetically.  “Your actions were childish and needlessly hurtful.  She felt it deeply.”

Harper accepted the deserved reprimand with a nod.  Even
he
could not deny the words.

“Joshua and Jessica’s youth and sense of adventure stopped her from spiraling into despair.  However, it is another situation that ultimately left her without what she needed.”  To himself, he murmured, “I hate seeing her unhappy.” 

Unable to handle Elijah’s silence any longer, Harper made a decision.  “Will you discuss it over dinner?” 

“Within boundaries, yes.” 

* * *

Elijah cleared the private room at the exclusive restaurant and took a position beside the door. 

As Hudson Winters passed him, he stopped and said clearly, “Join us, Eklund.  Your role is not that of
employee
when Gabriella’s name is involved.” 

Meeting the man’s eyes, they took the measure of one another for the third time in twenty years. 

The first involved Harper’s reputation.  Winters proved himself a man of honor who could be trusted.  Their interaction was a
draw
with an outcome of mutual respect.

The second involved Natalia Roman.  Seeing the man’s love for a woman Elijah had always admired but
did not
love convinced him to concede.  He could
count
the number of times in his life that he’d done so. 

This time, the woman who stood in the space between them was Brie.  It was critical Winters understood there would be
no concession
this time. 

“You love her,” Elijah stated without animosity.

“Naturally.  I won’t see her harmed.  I see your desire to ensure she is not.”  Gesturing to the table, Elijah nodded and all of them took a seat. 

Winters wasted no time. 

To Harper, he said clearly, “You
must
set aside your
pride
and your
jealousy
.  If you’re powerless to do so, don’t toy with her.” 

Turning his gaze to Elijah, he stated, “It was you who suggested she seek comfort elsewhere.” 

“She needed things I was unable to provide.” 

Winters sipped his scotch.  “Your position now?” 

“I’ll see her when we return to New York.”  He felt rather than saw Harper stiffen beside him. 

For a long time, they maintained eye contact. 

Elijah didn’t blink. 

“You’re prepared to care for her?” 

A hundred scenarios rapidly filed through Elijah’s mind. 

Caring for Brie in ways she understood as well as ways she did not
yet
understand had been at the forefront of his mind since watching her leave with a couple focused on her pleasure, on soothing her, on reminding her that she was alive. 

“I’m prepared to wait until she’s cleared from medical care.  At that time, yes.”  Looking deeply into the black eyes of a man he knew would kill to protect Brie, Elijah made his feelings clear.  “I love her.  I believe she loves me.” 

“You’re correct.  It happened quickly but it isn’t reversible, Eklund.  She hurts at the loss of you.” 

The words filled him with fucking
bliss
.  His desire to go to her immediately was almost overwhelming. 

Switching attention, Winters asked, “Your position, Delkin?” 

“I don’t want to love her.  I don’t want
her
to love me.  I have neither time nor patience for such tender emotions.” 

Tender emotions would change his life if he’d allow them the opportunity. 

Winters didn’t seem surprised.  “Your interest in Gabriella remains entirely sexual.” 

“Yes.” 

“I call
bullshit
.”  Harper’s eyes went wide.  “No matter your
words
, you’re attracted to her beyond mere sex.”

“No.  I…” 

“Harper, so help me god.”  He sat forward and put his arm on the table.  “I get your initial need to fuck someone who was temporarily mine.” 

Elijah watched Harper’s face still with shock. 

“I also understand the attraction to a woman very
other
from the women in your history as well as my own.”  He shook his head.  “You lie to us
both
if you tell me you don’t feel the fucking draw of her heart.” 

The room was silent for almost a minute. 

Clearing his throat, Harper murmured, “I’m too cold for a woman such as her.” 

“As I once thought of myself.  Yet she wants you any fucking way,” Winters shot back.

“She’s drawn to me because I look like
you
.” 

“It isn’t my
looks
, Delkin.”  He sat back and sipped his scotch.  “As an artist, she must find our physical similarities fascinating.  As a woman, she’s drawn to something she
feels
, not something she
sees
.” 

Elijah agreed.  “It’s the puzzle that fascinates her.”

The two men shared a silent communication and Winters smiled slowly.  “She’s mentioned feeling as if there’s something she’s missing about both of you.”

Harper was annoyed.  “It’s not complicated.  I look like you.  She wanted you and it didn’t work out.” 

“How
little
you know her.”  Sitting up straight, Winters drew who he was around himself.  “Gabriella seeks a lover who will provide strength, knowledge, and safety.  Who will appreciate who she is without judgment.  Simple
touch
and
love
are what drive her.  In return, she is willing to give all of herself.  Mind, body, and heart.” 

“You were able to provide all but love,” Elijah mused.

“It was a bitter truth.” 

Taking a long pull of his drink, Harper stated, “Her emotions are frustrating.” 

Winters shook his head.  “No.  It’s frustrating to be
incapable
of loving her.  Natalia and I speak of it often.  We’d take her into our lives but it would ultimately hurt her more than help her.  I wouldn’t present her with an offer that’s less than she deserves nor would she accept it.” 

“I don’t understand this woman.” 

“It isn’t for you to
understand
her, Harper.  You don’t have the emotional capacity.  It’s only for you to
accept
her and provide the very little she needs.” 

“She requires more than any woman I’ve ever met.” 

“Not
more
, merely
different
.  What she offers in return is priceless.”  Winters leaned forward.  “She’s pulled toward what she senses from both of you.”  He paused.  “She
will
love you, Harper.  Every aspect of who you are as a man.  She will accept you, love you unconditionally.  You can trust her.” 

“I don’t trust women.” 

“Untrue.”  The words hung between them. 

Finally, “Natalia was different.” 

“Gabriella and Natalia are the
same
in every way that matters.”  Elijah watched Winters inhale carefully.  “You’re the obstacle.  You deny yourself, as well as the other two involved, out of misplaced
fear
.”  Leaning forward, he growled, “Slay the fucking
weakness
and get the fuck on with it.”