Free Submission Under the Mistletoe by Yvette Hines Page A

used.
    Moving to the edge of the bed, he reached down for
his pants and scooped them up before rising. “When can I see you
again?”
    Putting on her coat, she crossed the room to him.
“Look, let’s not make this more than what it was. I needed someone
last night and you were there. Case closed.”
    He didn’t like the casual tone she used. Last night
had been more than a fuck and go between them. He’d seen the
sparkle of her tears in the low light and felt the connection.
    Slipping his hand around to the base of her neck, he
said, “I’d stay longer for you. Discover what this is between
us.”
    Her lids slid shut, blocking him from those lovely,
expressive amber eyes.
    Taking a deep breath, she let it out slow then
looked at him. “Brad, what would a few more days gain us? We’re
from two different worlds. To you my lifestyle is nothing more than
a freak show at the circus someone dragged you to watch.”
    He dropped his hand. Her words stung him deep.
    Was that how he treated her?
    Was that what his sister and his best friends
thought of him?
    In that moment he felt guilt, ashamed. Even though a
large part of him knew things were different for him. With
Gabriella, because of China Doll.
    Before he could formulate the words bombarding his
mind, she kissed him and headed toward the door.
    When she pulled the door open, he took hold of her
hand, waited until she looked back at him.
    “ This isn’t the end for
us.”
    One corner of her mouth curled up; in something he
could only call a heartbreaking smile then pulled her hand from his
and walked away.
    He stood there watching her move toward the stairs,
wanting to call her name. Go after her and bring her back to his
room, his bed…his arms. As she’d said, what did he have to offer
her at the moment? Another toss in the sheets? What then?
    But, his heart weighed in his chest, telling him to
stop her from leaving. He took a step in the direction of her
retreating form.
    “ Brad, it’s about time you
awakened.”
    Turning, he saw Brian exiting from the elevator and
heading toward him.
    Immediately, he looked back in the direction of
Gabriella only to see her shove open the door and disappear.
    “ Well that explains why you didn’t
answer your phone.” Brian patted him on the shoulder. “You decided
to go to the bar anyway?”
    Glancing at, Brian, he frowned, “I thought you were
going to go down and listen to some music.”
    Brian shoved his hands deep into his pockets,
glanced down the empty hall and said, “No, decided to just hang out
in my room.” Looking back at him, Brian asked, “If you changed your
mind, why didn’t you call me?”
    “ It wasn’t like that.” Not wanted
to talk about her with his brother Brad changed the subject. “Where
are you coming from?”
    “ Breakfast. I could wait forever
for you. I called Alesha about an hour ago and told her we would
make it.”
    “ Ah, shit.” Brad smacked his palm
against his forehead. “I completely forgot we were supposed to go
over for breakfast.”
    “ No worries, I told her you were
still sleep. If you’re up for a little defensive mall shopping I’d
like to head out and get something for our sister for
Christmas.”
    Rubbing his hand over his head, Brad nodded. “Give
me about twenty minutes to shower and shave and I’ll be ready.”
    “ No problem. I’ll go grab you a
breakfast sandwich at the café downstairs and meet you in the
lobby.”
    “ Great.” Brad stepped into his
room and allowed the door to close behind him.
    A few moments earlier and his brother would have
been at his door when Gabriella left. He would have been forced to
not only introduce her, but Brad was pretty sure his brother would
have asked where they had met in front of her.
    The beautiful, vivacious submissive was just bold
and spontaneous enough to possibly blurt out to his twin that they
met at the dungeon. That would have led to a lot of questions from
Brian, Brad wasn’t ready to answer.
    Standing