What the Heart Wants – Love With Strings Read Online Nikki Ash

Categories Genre: Contemporary, Taboo Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
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Hayden must notice because his hand moves to the top of my thigh as he leans in and squeezes it. “We’ll talk later, okay? Right now, just enjoy the night. The food is to die for.”

“But…” I breathe, wanting answers to my questions. Before I can voice that, though, Brody’s hand lands on my other thigh, forcing my words to be cut off.

“You look gorgeous,” Brody murmurs, kissing the sensitive area just below my ear. “All night, we’ve wished we could’ve invited you. And then, to see you, dressed in this sexy as hell dress and those heels, walk through the door. Fuck,” he groans. “It’s like a fantasy come true.”

We… Oh my God, he said we. They know. They’ve known. They were in on this, and I had no idea.

The server returns with our drinks, and I down mine in one go, needing the liquid courage to get through tonight. Brody chuckles, then orders me another, and I let him, not wanting to make a scene. Tonight is important to Sam. Lacey told me this was a huge project for him, and there are talks about him being promoted.

While I sip the second drink slower, everyone at the table talks about the club and their hopes for it, then eventually moves on to discuss other business. Since I don’t really have anything to add, I sit quietly, which is probably best because while the guys talk and I drink, both massage circles into my exposed flesh. And when the appetizers arrive, their hands ascend under my dress and get dangerously close to the apex of my legs. I should push them away, but my common sense is clouded by my arousal.

But when Hayden’s fingers brush my center, I snap out of it, shoving both their hands away. “I need to use the restroom,” I announce louder than necessary, making everyone look my way.

I catch Hayden’s smirk as he shifts out of the booth so I can escape and take a moment to find my bearings.

I’m not looking behind me as I flee, so I don’t realize both guys follow me until I’m almost to the bathroom. Brody calls my name and grabs my bicep, pulling me into a door marked PRIVATE.

The second the door closes, and I see we’re in an office, I spin around and glare at both of them. “You knew… the entire time I was dating you both, you both knew, didn’t you?” My tone is a mixture of anger and hurt because even though I’m mad, I’m also hurt.

“Was this all just a game? Date the fat chick and see who she picks?” I ask, hating the insecurity in my voice. “Did you laugh after every date? Compare notes? How much did you bet?” I accuse.

“Fuck no,” Brody says, stepping toward me first. “This wasn’t a game. We’re both attracted to you. We want you just the way you are.” His hand cups my cheek, and for a split second, I relax into his touch before I back up, needing answers.

“How long have you known?”

They glance at each other, something silently being said between them, before Hayden answers. “The entire time.”

I gasp. “And you said nothing.” I shake my head. “This whole time, I’ve kept you at arm’s length, trying to choose one of you, hating myself for dating two guys at the same time, feeling like the most horrible person in the world, and you knew and said nothing?”

“You are not a horrible person,” Brody says. “We both really like you and care about you and…” He sighs. “We were okay with you dating us both.”

“For how long?” I cry. “Would you have let this go on forever? What would’ve happened when I picked one of you? What would you have done then? You’re roommates and best friends! You would’ve brought me back to your place and introduced me to the guy I broke up with?” I hiss, tears burning behind my lids. I know I brought this on myself by dating them both, but they knew and didn’t even say a word.

And now, I have no choice but to end things with both of them.

“I didn’t see either of you last night or confirm plans for the future because I’ve been stressed out thinking I needed to choose. It hurt my heart to imagine not being with either of you, and now, because of what you did, I have to lose you both.”

“What? Why?” Hayden approaches, but I put my hand up to halt him in place.

“Why?” I screech, traitorous tears falling as the reality of the situation hits me. I’ve been falling for two men, and now I’m about to lose them both. “Because you’re best friends, and I can’t pick between you without hurting the other person or myself!”

When both guys try to come closer, probably to comfort me because I’m now full-on crying, I stop them. “I have to go,” I mutter through my tears, darting past them and out the door.


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