and her positive nature.
To her reflection, she said firmly, “Snap out of it. Today.”
Using a cream to bring down the swelling around her eyes, she dressed carefully. She needed all the armor she could muster when Hudson arrived. The man saw everything.
Considering she hadn’t been much of a crier before the day she landed in New York, she cried far too frequently these days.
The trait disgusted her.
After she dressed, she picked up the cane and did a few test laps in her bedroom. Slow but doable.
Making her way to the kitchen, she started the coffee pot and stared at nothing.
Harper had deliberately shown up at Trois with a spectacular woman on his arm to hurt her for spending time with Elijah.
The question was… why ?
To do such a thing meant he knew it would affect her. He was aware she was unguarded where he and Elijah were concerned.
Frowning, she said aloud, “What a douche move.”
The man wanted her but only on his terms. Sex only …none of that messy emotion she was known to have.
His display the night before was the equivalent of a sharp slap to show her who was in control. A hateful reminder that while Elijah might have told her he’d wait, Harper had no intention of putting his life on hold for someone like her.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. When Hudson tapped on her door, she made her way to it, and threw it wide.
His eyes widened. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fucking angry .”
“You’re using a cane.”
“I’m done looking like an old woman. It takes a little more time but the up side is I can use it as a weapon to beat the fuck out of emotionally stunted people.” She returned to the kitchen.
He closed her door and followed. “Gabriella…”
“No. I’m sick of being sweet little Brie . Sick of it. I’m going to do something crazy and not feel the least bit bad about it.”
“Does this involve eggs or spray paint?”
Turning to him, she lifted a brow. “Would you talk me out of it if it did?”
“No. However, I’d enlist Tawny’s assistance to keep you from getting caught. She loves mayhem.”
The fury evaporated her but her desire to fight didn’t and she laughed. “I don’t know how she stays out of jail.”
His expression was gentle. “What can I do?”
“Hudson...I want to be like you.”
“In what way?”
“Less… me . More you.”
“Gabriella, you’re perfect.”
“I’m too soft. Things make me cry when they should make me flip people off.” She growled. “I hate crying.”
“You’ve had reason to cry.”
“I’m weak , Hudson.”
“You’re gentle , Gabriella. There’s a difference.”
Lifting her eyes, she told him, “Elijah came here after you and Natalia left last night.”
She watched him carefully control his expression. Then she explained their conversation and he was unable to hide his shock.
“Elijah told you to seek comfort elsewhere?”
Nodding, she whispered, “What do you think?”
“One, you’re standing perfectly upright with that cane and seem steady on your feet. You’ll be back on your own steam in no time.” The observation made her grin. “Two, I agree.”
“You think…an affair is a wise choice?”
“You must consider it. You cry because your heart hurts and you’re lonely. I don’t want you to be lonely. I hate it.”
“I-I wouldn’t know where to look for…casual.” She shrugged. “It’s never been my thing and I’m limited. You know?”
“Avoid anyone involved in the lifestyle until you heal. Someone new may neglect to consider your injuries.” He mused, “I know attractive young men who are biddable. They work for me.”
The suggestion made her laugh. “No matter how much I love you, gonna have to reject your offer to pimp out some nerdy hotties at your company.”
He snickered and it made her
To her reflection, she said firmly, “Snap out of it. Today.”
Using a cream to bring down the swelling around her eyes, she dressed carefully. She needed all the armor she could muster when Hudson arrived. The man saw everything.
Considering she hadn’t been much of a crier before the day she landed in New York, she cried far too frequently these days.
The trait disgusted her.
After she dressed, she picked up the cane and did a few test laps in her bedroom. Slow but doable.
Making her way to the kitchen, she started the coffee pot and stared at nothing.
Harper had deliberately shown up at Trois with a spectacular woman on his arm to hurt her for spending time with Elijah.
The question was… why ?
To do such a thing meant he knew it would affect her. He was aware she was unguarded where he and Elijah were concerned.
Frowning, she said aloud, “What a douche move.”
The man wanted her but only on his terms. Sex only …none of that messy emotion she was known to have.
His display the night before was the equivalent of a sharp slap to show her who was in control. A hateful reminder that while Elijah might have told her he’d wait, Harper had no intention of putting his life on hold for someone like her.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. When Hudson tapped on her door, she made her way to it, and threw it wide.
His eyes widened. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fucking angry .”
“You’re using a cane.”
“I’m done looking like an old woman. It takes a little more time but the up side is I can use it as a weapon to beat the fuck out of emotionally stunted people.” She returned to the kitchen.
He closed her door and followed. “Gabriella…”
“No. I’m sick of being sweet little Brie . Sick of it. I’m going to do something crazy and not feel the least bit bad about it.”
“Does this involve eggs or spray paint?”
Turning to him, she lifted a brow. “Would you talk me out of it if it did?”
“No. However, I’d enlist Tawny’s assistance to keep you from getting caught. She loves mayhem.”
The fury evaporated her but her desire to fight didn’t and she laughed. “I don’t know how she stays out of jail.”
His expression was gentle. “What can I do?”
“Hudson...I want to be like you.”
“In what way?”
“Less… me . More you.”
“Gabriella, you’re perfect.”
“I’m too soft. Things make me cry when they should make me flip people off.” She growled. “I hate crying.”
“You’ve had reason to cry.”
“I’m weak , Hudson.”
“You’re gentle , Gabriella. There’s a difference.”
Lifting her eyes, she told him, “Elijah came here after you and Natalia left last night.”
She watched him carefully control his expression. Then she explained their conversation and he was unable to hide his shock.
“Elijah told you to seek comfort elsewhere?”
Nodding, she whispered, “What do you think?”
“One, you’re standing perfectly upright with that cane and seem steady on your feet. You’ll be back on your own steam in no time.” The observation made her grin. “Two, I agree.”
“You think…an affair is a wise choice?”
“You must consider it. You cry because your heart hurts and you’re lonely. I don’t want you to be lonely. I hate it.”
“I-I wouldn’t know where to look for…casual.” She shrugged. “It’s never been my thing and I’m limited. You know?”
“Avoid anyone involved in the lifestyle until you heal. Someone new may neglect to consider your injuries.” He mused, “I know attractive young men who are biddable. They work for me.”
The suggestion made her laugh. “No matter how much I love you, gonna have to reject your offer to pimp out some nerdy hotties at your company.”
He snickered and it made her
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