Mr. Heartbreaker (The Nest, #1)

by Piper Rayne

“Fair enough. How about we order takeout and watch a movie?”

“Rowan, that’s not our arrangement.”

“Maybe we change the rules. Sex doesn’t have to be on the table in order for us to see each other?” He draws ...

I cuddle into his side, and he holds me under his arm as we watch a comedy he chose to cheer me up. It’s one of the best nights I’ve had with him, and I wasn’t even screaming his name in ecstasy. I’m in so much trouble. So in over my head. I’m not telling him who I am because the thought of losing him entirely makes me feel as though I can’t breathe. But losing him is inevitable. Just not tonight.

“I’m using you to keep customers happy. Are you mad?” Her hand runs down my chest.

“No. As long as you don’t get the wrong idea.” I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear.

She tilts her head. “Wrong idea?”

“That I would want any...

I’m falling for him. I’ve known it for some time, but tonight, while I ventured in and out of that backroom, the way he would smile at me as if I’m his entire world pierced my heart because I know I’m guaranteed to lose him.

“Stay over. Spend the night with me.”

“What?” I whisper.

“Spend the night with me.”

“...

He lowers his head, kissing my neck. “I’ll beg if...

“But what ...

“Please, ...

“Okay,” I whisper.

Those gorgeous

blue eyes of his say it all. I’m not the only one feeling something I shouldn’t. Which means I’ll break both of our hearts tomorrow morning when I tell him who I really am.

“Oh, I think there’s going to be a line of ladies climbing and risking their lives to kiss this beautiful face.” I cradle his face with my hands and bend down to kiss him.

“You’re the only one who gets the real thing.”

My heart soars, but at the same time, bits and pieces are breaking off because if he’s going to say what I think he’s going to, I’d be so damn happy, but so undeserving at the same time. And I can’t let him bear his soul to me when he doesn’t know the truth. The end is finally here.

“What the hell?” Rowan pushes Conor back by the chest. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

stumbles but recovers like the athlete he is. “Me? You’re the one fucking my sister!”

“What is he talkin...

“Oh, snap!” Tweetie says with glee. “And the sidewalk show goes from Chicago Fire to the Maury Povich Show. You are the sister!” Jesus, does this guy ever shut up?

All this time I thought she wanted to tell me something, I never thought it was that she was Conor Nilsen’s sister and that she’d

been lying to me since the moment we met. Fuck, it hurts.

“It was your intention. That’s the problem. You were purposely lying to me, to him, and to yourself.”

It’s Sunday afternoon. Rowan hasn’t texted. Rowan hasn’t called. Rowan hasn’t come over. I bury my head under the covers and ignore the splintering sound of my shattered heart.

It’s Wednesday, and there’s still been no word from Rowan. Every day I tell myself that he just needs time, but I’m starting to think I’ll be waiting forever.

“Hey,” Ruby says before I turn to leave. “Don’t give up—he hasn’t.”

“Admit it. You fell for her. That’s the only reason you’re hurting so much. The reason your game fucking sucks. The reason you’re moping around. You did the one thing you always swore you wouldn’t do, and you fell for the woman.”

“Cut out your heart because you’re refusing to listen to it. Fuck it, right? It’s just your life and your happiness. Being stubborn is way more important than that.” “Who are you?” “I’m your mind begging you to listen to your heart. Shit, man, we get one life, and happiness isn’t guaranteed. Why are you just throwing your chance in the gutter? So what? She lied about her name, but she didn’t lie about who she is. You saw the real her. You fell for the woman she is. A name doesn’t mean shit. The fact she’s Pinkie’s sister doesn’t mean shit. The only thing that matters is how she made you feel—about her and about yourself.” He pats me on the chest, just over the heart.

It’s a struggle to admit to myself that she made me feel on top of the world. I’ve accomplished a lot in my life, but nothing compares to how it felt to have her in my arms. See that smile on her face when I stepped

into a room. Admire the flush on her skin when she came.

like her. A lot. I fell for her. And as your friend, I’m sorry it upsets you, but I’m not backing down. I want her in my life.”

“You care about me still. I haven’t completely blown this, have I? On the way over, I thought maybe I’d lost you.”

“Then when you saw me at breakfast and asked me to continue the arrangement, I wanted to because when I was with you, all that crap in my life didn’t exist. It all disappeared,

and I liked not having to feel all that pain. But I also liked you. As time went on, I didn’t want us to end. By the time Conor was traded, I was invested. I’d already fallen for you, and every time I saw you, I told myself to tell you, to come clean, but I didn’t want it to end. I’m sorry. I know I lost your trust.”

“Can I ask you a q...

“Was it just the sex? The sex that let you forget?”

“I wish. These past six days, I so wished that was the case because if it was, you’d be replaceable.”

“It’s you, Rowan. Your humor, your kindness, your supportive nature, it’s all of you. The entire Rowan Landry package.”

He shakes his head then presses his lips to mine and pulls back. “I love you, Kyleigh Nilsen. Will you be my girlfriend?”

“I love you too, and I’d love to be your girlfriend, Rowan Landry.”

His gaze floats up to mine. “You snuck up on me.”

“You did, too. At a time when I didn’t believe in love or forevers.”

I’m not naive enough to think that our life will be perfect from here on out. We’ll have our arguments and disagreements, but I will forever remember that we have moments like this where we cherish and love one another. That will get us through the hard times.

“Well, that’s how I feel about Kyleigh. I wish she wasn’t Conor’s sister, but I can’t do anything about that. She’s my only real love. A once-in-a-lifetime love.”