Heart Ache (Bound by a Touch Novels #1)

Heart Ache

Copyright©2012 Morgan Kearns

Kindle Edition

Praises for HEART ACHE:

“
Looking for the ultimate villain? Heart Ache delivers!”

~Nichole Severn, author of
Let Me Out

“
Heart Ache is aptly named, for my heart felt every step of Nikolai and Gabrielle’s heartrending journey…”

~Deena Remiel, author of
Trinity

“
A feast of murder mystery with sensual romance, this story has it all.”

~Siobhan Muir, author of
Her Devoted Vampire

Praises for MORGAN KEARNS
:

“
I could read Morgan Kearns all day

and never tire of it.”

~Deena Remiel, author of
Trinity

“
Whatever Morgan puts in ink I will read.”

~Good Choice Reading

Praises for IN IT TO WIN IT
:

“
If sweet and romance had a baby,

this book would be the finished product.”

~Romance Novel Junkies

“…
a gigantic 10.”
~skyla11377 book reviews

Praises for FADE TO BLACK
:

“…
a rollercoaster ride full of sensations.”

~Coffee Time Romance

“…
an amazingly powerful love story…”

~Book Crazy

Heart Ache
is a work of fiction. The characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any similarities to any persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Published in the United States through:

Goodnight Publishing

Copyright © 2012 Morgan Kearns

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without the written consent of the author, except for brief quotations used in critical articles or reviews.

Cover art by Tricia Schmitt aka Pickyme

www.wix.com/pickyme/port

www.morgankearns.com

ISBN:
1-4681-2335-1

EAN13:
9781468123357

Visit www.MorganKearns.com to order additional copies.

He knelt down on the floor and ran his fingers through the tangles of her auburn hair, traced the subtle lines of her face, caressed the freckles so lovingly sprinkled over her pert nose. He would never tire of looking at her, studying her. She smiled in her sleep, taking on the innocence of an angel, and leaned into his touch.

His thoughts drifted to their first touch, to the warming sensation that blossomed in his chest—a flower opening to replace centuries of emptiness with hope, light, love. In that moment, he’d felt something; something strange, something miraculous, something more than a bit scary. Something that meant she was exactly what he needed.

Forever.

To Nikolai: Your Happily-Ever-After has been a long time coming. Thanks for being patient! Enjoy forever. You deserve it.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To anyone who has ever read one of my books:

THANK YOU!

To Wanda, Raquel, & Monique:

You guys are fabulous! Thanks for loving my writing.

To Kathryn, Dawn, & Megan: Thanks so much for your feedback, but more importantly, thank you for being my friend!

To Tricia: Your covers are awesome. Thank you.

To Nichole: I would’ve had to change a name had I met you first. *wink* Thank you for your input on this project. I couldn’t have done it without you!

To Siobhan: Your friendship has come to mean a lot to me. Thank you for always having the words to make me smile when I’m frustrated.

To the best cheerleaders ever, my four kids: You’re my greatest accomplishments! Thanks for letting me tackle a few more.

To my husband, my best friend, the love of my life: Thank you for encouraging me to follow my dreams! I love you!

Heart Ache

Bound by a Touch Novels

Book
One

Morgan Kearns

Chapter One

THUMP-THUMP.

Thump-thump.

Nikolai rubbed his chest, directly above his beating heart and smiled. He loved the affect Gabrielle Ryan had on him.

He raised his knuckles and rapped on her door. Again. He knew she was in there. As if his heart wasn’t proof enough, he could sense her.

As another few seconds ticked by, he began to worry. If something had happened to her— He could easily enter her apartment, but would leave that for a last resort.

Another set of knocks, verging on the realm of pounds.

He was just about to bust the damned door down when he heard the lock tumble and the soft squeak of the hinge.

“
Niko, what are you…? Pl—” Gabby sneezed. “Excuse me, please come in.”

She flung the door wide and Nikolai stepped over the threshold. White tissues dotted the floor around her coffee table and formed a makeshift snowdrift atop it. A pink fluffy blanket had been thrown aside and a pillow still held a head mark at one end of the couch.

She hurried over to the coffee table and yanked another tissue from the box. After an adorable honking she crumpled it into her hand and began tidying her living room.

“
Gabby, it’s okay. I’m not here to inspect your housekeeping skills. I only came by to make sure you were okay.”

She smiled, her eyes red and watery. She sneezed again before melting onto the couch. He took a seat in the large leather chair that interestingly enough matched the one in his office. He reached out and handed her a bag with a Styrofoam container of chicken noodle soup.

“
I thought you could use something homemade.”

“
You cooked?”

He laughed. “Not exactly.”

The bag crinkled as she pulled it open and stuck her face into it. He grinned at the snuffling that accompanied her deep inhale.

“
Oh. That smells so good.” She took another breath and her nostrils whistled. Red splashed her cheeks. She held up the bag. “Thank you, this was very kind of you.”

Kind had nothing to do with what brought him to stand on her doorstep, food in hand. Gabby was his female, his to protect, even if it was only from a flu bug.

“
How are you feeling? Better?” He stared into her bloodshot eyes, noting her red nose, and wild disarray of curls barely contained by a rubber band.

Did she have any idea how adorable she was?

She coughed, sneezed … and farted. Her blush from earlier was nothing compared to the crimson she sported now.

“
Excuse me.” She blew her nose and looked up at him. The misery in her watery eyes made him mental. “I hate being sick.”

“
Is there anything I can do for you?” He forced himself to rub his palms against his thighs instead of pulling her to his chest and comforting her for the duration of her illness.

“
No, I’m fine. Just sick of being sick.” She pushed a lock of hair out of her face with the back of her hand and sneezed again.

“
Why don’t you sit down and I’ll put the soup in a bowl for you.”

“
I can—”

“
I insist.” Niko held the bright pink blanket while she settled against the pillows. Tucking her in was one of the greatest pleasures of his life. He resisted pressing a kiss to her forehead, but only barely.

In the tiny, tidy kitchen, Nikolai stared at the closed cupboard doors and took a guess which one would house the bowls. He grinned like a fool when he was right.

A bowl, a spoon, and a splash of soup later, Nikolai returned to her side. She’d rolled onto her side, her face pressed into the pillow, her mouth hanging open. The soft snore and whistle combination made his heart ache.

Goddess, he loved her.

He knelt down on the floor and ran his fingers through the tangles of her auburn hair, traced the subtle lines of her face, caressed the freckles so lovingly sprinkled over her pert nose. He would never tire of looking at her, studying her. She smiled in her sleep, taking on the innocence of an angel, and leaned into his touch.

His thoughts drifted to their first touch, to the warming sensation that blossomed in his chest—a flower opening to replace centuries of emptiness with hope, light, love. In that moment, he’d felt something; something strange, something miraculous, something more than a bit scary. Something that meant she was exactly what he needed.

Forever.

Gabby was now his right hand. The last two days had been hell without her. He missed her like crazy! He missed the way his heart beat when she was around, but he’d also missed two meetings, misplaced an important file—until he’d looked on his own damned desk—and had been short tempered with anyone who braved to walk through his door.

He’d have to remember to apologize to Vincent tomorrow.

She snorted and rolled over. Her lids opened a crack then popped wide. She jumped, her heart rate skittering.

“
Sorry.” She yawned and rubbed at her eyes. “How long was I out?”

“
Not long.” An eternity wouldn’t be enough to take in all the things he loved about her. “You hungry?”

She eyeballed the bowl of soup and licked her lips. He had visions of her licking other things.

Damn, he was a letch. Ogling the poor sick female.

He helped her settle the bowl in her lap and stood. His next words nearly killed him, but he managed to force them past his tongue. “Why don’t you take the rest of the week. Get better. I’ll still need you when you return on Monday.” More than she could ever know.

“
Thank you.” She tried to stand—probably to walk him to the door—and he motioned for her to stay seated.

“
I can see myself out. Rest well, Gabrielle.”

Walking out of her apartment was torture, plain and simple. He paused in the hall and stared at her closed door. Running his hand over the cool metal he wished he could go back inside. Instead he walked away, anticipating the dead feeling that accompanied their separation.

*****