Their Virgin Captive(36)

Nikki. God, if his brothers knew what Gavin had done to her, they wouldn’t be so interested in sharing Hannah. Slade would be appalled. Dex would threaten to kill him if he so much as looked at Hannah. Gavin figured he’d deserve it.



Behind him, he heard a firm knock and a familiar deep voice. “Gavin? Is that you?” Slade. Speak of the devil.

“Were you expecting someone else?” Gavin quipped.

His brother turned on the light to reveal a frown. He’d pulled on a pair of jeans, but wore nothing else. His hair was mussed as though Hannah had run her fingers all through it. His brother wore an unmistakable air of satisfaction on his face.

“Well, apparently half the damn company has followed us to Alaska. You never know. They might just show up on our doorstep.”

“Well, Preston might be that obnoxious, but I talked to Marnie. He checked in an hour ago and has been complaining about the accommodations ever since. She promised to call me if he leaves the lodge.”

Slade’s face broke into an easy grin. “I can imagine he’s not used to dealing with anyone like Marnie.”

“She told him that if he didn’t like his room, he should feel free to take a hike. I believe she put him in 108.”

Slade’s laugh boomed through the room, making it seem alive when just moments ago it had felt so lonely. “Chester will love Preston. Tell me she didn’t fix the window. Tell me that old moose still sticks his head in at six in the morning, looking for treats.” Gavin felt his own lips turn up. He’d missed this place. Chester, despite being a moose, was known to walk into any establishment with a door big enough to accommodate his bulk. Long ago, a man had stayed with Marnie in room 108. He’d thought it was funny to have the moose greet him every morning, so he’d trained Chester to seek treats. Though the man had moved on, the people of River Run continued the tradition. Preston was in for a rather rude awakening.

“Gavin.” Slade sobered as he sat in the chair nearby. “You don’t have to be here alone.” His brother’s soft words made his gut clench. He attempted to maintain a placid demeanor. “I prefer the solitude, Slade.”

“No, you don’t. Come on, man. Talk to me. I don’t know what’s going on in your head.

Hannah has feelings for you. She admitted it to me and Dex. She wants to be with all of us.

You’re the only one maintaining distance, and I don’t get it. I know you love her.” Gavin’s irritation rose like a kettle getting ready to boil over. “Do I need to put it in the plainest terms possible? I’m not interested.”

“Bullshit. This is about Nikki. She’s dead, and you feel guilty for being alive. I never understood why you’d waste your emotion on her. I can’t keep this a secret any longer. I overheard her telling one of her trailer-trash girlfriends that she was only interested in your money and your position. She didn’t love you. Damn it, Gavin, she came onto me just before she died, when she thought she was losing you. I had planned to tell you, but when she died, it didn’t seem right to pile that knowledge on top of an already tragic incident. Now I wonder if I made the right decision. You’ve damn near buried yourself with her. I can’t stand to watch a ghost drag you down any more.”

Cold filled Gavin’s gut. He’d known most of that, but it didn’t change anything. What right did his younger brother have to throw this shit in his face? He might have started the relationship with Nikki with the best of intentions, but the most they had ever had together was good sex.

He’d never intended to marry her, never been in love with her. He hadn’t even cared when she’d threatened to kill herself.

Do what you have to, Nikki.



His own cold words echoed in his brain. All he needed to keep him away from Hannah was to think about the past. He didn’t deserve another chance after Nikki’s demise. And especially not after what had happened to…

Gavin didn’t dare finish the thought. Instead, he turned to his brother, eager to strike back. It was the only way to end his constant beating at Gavin’s well-built defenses. “Hannah is a lovely girl, Slade. I am very happy that you and Dex have finally gotten between her legs. If you want to marry her, hell, I’ll pay for the wedding, but she’s not for me. I need someone with more style, more polish. Can you imagine me inviting investors over? She’s a sweet thing, but she wouldn’t last a minute with society matrons. They would eat her alive. Sure, I’d enjoy fucking Hannah, but marriage and kids?” He scoffed. “I can’t possibly build a life with her.” A little gasp from the doorway froze Gavin’s heart. He turned, and Hannah stood in the hallway, Dex by her side. She was wearing a robe that couldn’t quite conceal the gorgeous bounty of her breasts. Dex’s arm came around her middle, pulling her to him. Even in the low light, Gavin couldn’t mistake his hard eyes and furious snarl.