Radiance (2 page)

Brie was acutely aware of two things as she faced Harper and Elijah.  The first was that she was wearing yoga clothes that showed every inch of her body.  The second was that the two men looked even
better
in daylight. 

Elijah pushed his shades on top of his head, capturing the blonde strands.  She registered that they were dressed semi-casually in jeans and button-down shirts with light jackets but she couldn’t have described the details if pressed. 

Struck speechless at their appearance coupled with the news that Harper owned an apartment in
her
building, she gripped the rails of her walker with white-knuckled hands. 

They stopped within inches of her and neither hid the way their eyes tracked down her figure. 

“Gabriella.”  Harper’s eyes flicked to his name printed in neat, bold letters before finding hers again.  “May I?” 

Somehow, she managed to nod. 

He reached past her and accepted the package from Carlo without a word.  Tearing the tab, he shook the note into his hand first and read.  His mouth lifted in a half smile before he removed her sketch. 

When she looked back on the moment, she would never forget the way he inhaled sharply before fixing her with an expression of pure hunger. 

Elijah’s eyes glanced at the sketch quickly and then returned for a longer examination with his lips slightly parted.  His eyes landed on her and she was fascinated by the expression on his face.

Harper’s voice drew her attention.  “You drew this.”  It wasn’t a question but she nodded.  “I appear angry.” 

Breathing deeply, she replied, “I thought you were.  I don’t really
fit in
at such functions.  I lack the…ability to blend in that most people in your sphere possess.  I thought you were annoyed by my presence.”  She lifted one shoulder slightly.  “I draw what I see.” 

He didn’t blink.  “You thought I felt you didn’t
belong
at the event?” 

“I wasn’t sure what else it could be.” 

“Not
that
, I can fucking guarantee.”  He took a step closer and she looked up into his face.  “You clearly belong wherever you decide to be.”  His focus was incredible and she wasn’t able to look away.  “I wasn’t angry.”  There was a pause.  “You exist in the same sphere as I, Gabriella.” 

The way he said her name reminded her of Hudson. 

“We could not
be
more different.” 

“Perhaps we are alike in ways you have not yet discovered.”

Elijah took the drawing from Harper’s hand and let his eyes roam the details.  “It’s perfectly executed.  This is outstanding.” 

“Thank you.” 

His gaze captured hers and, though he seemed the gentler of the two by nature, she felt a shiver of response climb her spine.  “Is this what you were drawing the night of the party?” 

“Yes.  I often get distracted in such ways.” 

He didn’t blink.  “Are you so thorough with all of your work?” 

“Not usually.  No.”  Her legs were weakening and she
did not
want to show vulnerability to the friends.  Gripping the walker tighter, she confessed through gritted teeth, “I can’t…I need to sit down.  I can only use the walker for short periods.” 

Carlo came around the counter.  “Brie, can I call one of the girls to go up with you?” 

“I’m fine.  Thank you so much.  Do
not
call the penthouse.”  She smiled at his guilty expression.  Returning her attention to the two men, she asked, “Would you like coffee?” 

Placing the sketch and note in the envelope, Harper handed it to Elijah.  “Yes.” 

Then he stepped around the walker and gently lifted her into his arms.  Startled, her arm went around his shoulders. 

“You can’t
carry
me.” 

“On the contrary.”  He said nothing else as he headed for the bank of elevators. 

Elijah was a step behind him with her walker in hand.  They selected her floor and made the trip in silence.  She stared at the curve of Harper’s hand beneath her knees and found herself enthralled by the strength apparent in it. 

The bodyguard preceded them into the apartment.  He leaned her walker against the wall and checked each room quickly as Harper placed her gently on her living room sofa. 

She murmured, “Coffee…”

“Unnecessary.  Rest a moment.”  He sat beside her, his gaze focused on her face.  “What is the extent of your injuries, Gabriella?” 

Elijah lowered himself to the coffee table in front of her. 

“I was immobile for…quite some time.  I’m building my strength back.  I get better every day.  Some…injuries will take longer to heal completely but I’ll get there.”  She met Harper’s eyes.  “I think you know everything about me already.” 

“I do,” he admitted.  “I was curious if you’d exaggerate your condition.  Clearly, you downplay it.” 

“I don’t focus on the negative.” 

“Does it bother you that I had you checked out?” 

After a long pause, she shook her head.  “Hudson did the same.  It’s a necessary precaution I imagine all powerful men are required to exercise.”  Letting her mind return to their conversation downstairs, she thought about the night of Hudson’s building commemoration.  “At the party…you thought I was a paid mistress or something similar.” 

“Your position confused me.  Your painting as well.”  It was a lot for a man such as him to admit.

Elijah leaned forward.  “There was obvious emotion in the painting you did for Winters.” 

Her smile was slow.  “You’re dancing around the question you really want to ask.”  Carefully adjusting herself on the couch, she cleared her throat. 

“I had a brief sexual relationship with Hudson and Natalia.  I don’t regret it.  When I was released from the hospital, I learned he’d deeded this apartment to me.  He’s my best friend and I love him.  I’m not
in love
with him and feel intense happiness now that Natalia holds her true role in his life.”

Harper’s frown made her shake her head. 

“I doubt you’ll ever be able to understand our friendship.  To be fair, it confuses most people.  You’ve spent the majority of your adult life in competition.  I’m not part of your game nor would I
ever
give him up.” 

“You’re brutally honest.” 

“It’s a fault.”  She shrugged.  “He changed everything about how I viewed the world, my place in it, and what I considered for my future.  I don’t take such things lightly.” 

“His brother…”

“Don’t.”  She blinked back instant tears.  “It was as horrific for him as it was for me.  More, in fact.  He takes protection of the people he cares about very seriously.  He loves rarely but fiercely.  You may know Hudson, you may know everything about me on paper, but you have no idea how the entire situation affected both of us.  I won’t discuss it.” 

There was a quick knock a moment before her front door swung wide.  She’d disengaged the auto-lock when she went to the lobby. 

Hudson stood in the entry with Natalia’s hand in his.  Both of them had clearly just rolled out of bed.  Brie was grateful they’d managed to put on clothes.

The blonde exclaimed, “Fuck if you weren’t right.”  Her blue eyes were huge.

“I would do the same.”  Hudson’s voice was low and dangerous.  “Point it away from my woman or I will snap your fucking neck.” 

Turning her head, she realized Elijah held a wicked handgun pointed at the couple in the doorway.  Brie hadn’t heard him draw it nor had she seen him move. 

“Put it away, please,” she said softly.  He immediately returned the gun to a holster beneath his jacket. 

She gave her friends a careful smile.  “You’ve checked, satisfied your curiosity, proven Hudson’s gut should always be followed, and seen I’m fine.  Go back to bed.” 

“Gabriella.”

“Hudson.”  Her no-nonsense tone made him smile.  “I’m
fine
and you know it.  Don’t get up until both of you have plenty of sleep.  No less than eight solid hours.” 

“She’s right.  I’m exhausted, darling.”  She winked at Brie.  “Perhaps finally go to bed yourself?” 

Waving her hand, Brie said, “Ridiculous notion…sleep.  Highly overrated.  Go and we’ll have dinner.” 

Hudson stared at both men for a long moment before tightening his hand around Natalia’s.  He engaged the auto-lock and the door clicked shut behind them. 

Harper’s expression was unreadable. 

To Elijah, she said, “I…I understand your position but I’ve never been around guns.  Perhaps we can find a compromise?” 

“I’m proficient with knives and my bare hands as well.”  Elijah kept his gaze somewhere over Harper’s shoulder. 

He didn’t look or sound proud of his skills.  The line seemed rehearsed.  His fists were clenched on top of his thighs. 

Reaching out, she gently lifted one of them and turned it over.  She brushed her fingers lightly over his until he opened them.  His hand was strong, the fingers long and blunt at the tips.

She laid her smaller one on top.  “What instrument do you play, Elijah?”  His green eyes snapped to hers.  “I noticed your callouses last night.  One of the strings?” 

Voice barely audible, he replied, “Violin.” 

“That’s lovely.  Music was hard for me.  I was horrible but never lost my appreciation.”  She gave him a smile.  “I imagine your hands are proficient in
many
beautiful things.” 

His fingers curled around her wrist, his thumb stroking the side.  They stared at one another for a long time. 

Finally, he exhaled the tension he’d gathered around him in the single instant a possible threat to his boss and friend invaded her space.  “I’m sorry, Brie.” 

“You have nothing to apologize for, Elijah.  Your job as your best friend’s bodyguard must be stressful sometimes.” 

“Sometimes,” he agreed.  He applied gentle pressure and pulled her forward.  Planting a kiss on her forehead, he said softly, “I like what makes you different.  Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome.”  Leaning back, she turned her attention to Harper.  “Tell me what you want from me.”  His eyes went wide in surprise.  “Allow me to state my position so there’s no confusion.”  She stroked her fingers over Elijah’s hand and returned it to his thigh, sad to lose the contact. 

Inhaling deeply, she looked back and forth between the men.  “I imagine you’re confused, as Hudson once confessed to being, that I’m not interested in money or position.  You look at someone like me and see the
perfect
submissive.  I admit it’s a role that seems to come naturally.” 

Both men stilled. 

“You figure I’m a woman who will allow you to dictate terms, be waiting to fulfill your needs, and show proper gratitude for your attention.” 

Shaking her head slowly, she said, “It’s important that you understand a few things about me.  I don’t need any man to take care of me financially.”

“There’s no such thing as too much money, Gabriella.” 

“There’s such a thing as
enough
, Harper.  I certainly have no interest in
your
money or assuming the position of your whore.” 

Elijah growled, “You’d
never
be such a thing.” 

“Isn’t that more about state of mind, Gabriella?”  The man was far more exasperating than Hudson was in the beginning. 

“Since I only have
my
state of mind as reference, I wouldn’t know.”  She inhaled carefully.  “I have
months
remaining of physical therapy.”

She told Harper, “My personality will probably annoy you as often as it intrigues you.  The notion of a ménage relationship doesn’t offend me in any way but my bones are still too weak to handle the…pressure I imagine would be involved.”  She was distracted by the intensity of Elijah’s gaze for a moment. 

“Jesus, you’re blunt.”  Harper had the angry expression on his face again and she grinned. 

“I am.  I’d apologize but I wouldn’t mean it.”  She reached out and smoothed her fingertip along the crinkle in his forehead, startling him.  “You get frustrated easily.  You should smile more, Harper.” 

He captured her hand.  “Perhaps you could help me do that.” 

“Perhaps.”  She shook her head and tugged from his grasp.  “Why are you interested in me?  I doubt I remotely resemble your usual fare in regards to women.”

“Explain.” 

“I’d guess the women you typically choose are tall, slender, and docile.  Much like Hudson’s former lovers, they’re almost universally grasping, greedy, and willing to fake emotion in exchange for
gifts
, preferably of the sparkly variety.  You don’t have any desire to talk to them nor do you give a single fuck about who they are as people.  They’re permitted in your orbit for sex and discarded when you’re done.  Paid for services rendered and quickly forgotten.”