Rolling out of bed, I felt a flutter of excitement at the thought of finding Gideon and agreeing to marry him without reservation. What else could I say besides yes, now that by some miracle I’d found him? Back to a time when I’d been so certain I would never find a man who loved me for who I was, with all my emotional scars and baggage and neediness. Then the weeks before, and the few months since I’d met Gideon. I lay there for a while, thinking over the night and the day before. I stretched in a tangle of sheets that smelled of sex and Gideon and breathed in the salt-tinged breeze drifting through the open patio doors. “I do, angel,” he whispered, his smile widening. “Love me,” I demanded, my nails digging into his h*ps as he flexed inside me. His wickedly curved mouth brushed over mine. I draped my leg over his hip, holding him in me. I love the way you feel when I’ve been at you all night. I have to show him all of that ugliness is in the past.“Umm …” He purred, sliding his c*ck deep. But what else can I do? If my dad doesn’t see I’m okay, he’s not going to get over finding out about Nathan. “It’s screwy to be making plans to drink Cristal and kick up my heels in the middle of everything going on. “I don’t know if I’m up for it,” I admitted. “You think he’s going to be up for that?” “Cary went back to work today, so we’ll celebrate with champagne and then head out to dinner.” “Any idea how you’re going to handle him?” The reminder brought some of the jitters back. It was odd to be in a position where I both feared who she was and appreciated it. I hadn’t factored her into the equation, and I should have. But in the few interactions I’d had with her, she’d struck me as being intelligent and street-smart. I didn’t know Shelley Graves, not really. “Detective Graves is a very intelligent woman.” I’m worried, too.” His thumb brushed over my bottom lip. “You’re asking me to predict the future, Eva. I’m just wondering how you’ll prevent it.” “No.” I smoothed his brow with my fingertips. “Will I let someone else pay for my crime?” His jaw tightened. Who are they looking at? Why are they looking at him? Chances are very good that it won’t pan out. “Right now, I’m waiting on more information. His blue eyes were cool, his expression one of confidence. You need me.” His hands slid up my back, and then he pulled away just enough to look down into my face. Changing clothes, making the trip back and forth … “You didn’t have to come home.” I could only imagine how doing so had disrupted his day. The feel of his strength eased my anxiety enough to allow me to take a deep breath. I dropped my purse and wrapped my arms around him, snuggling into him. His kiss was surprisingly sweet, his firm lips soft and warm. He caught my hand and pulled me inside, tugging the hat off before lowering his mouth to mine. The Gideon who greeted me was in jeans and T-shirt, with a ball cap on his head. The moment I heard her go inside her apartment, I darted over to Gideon’s door. One of my neighbors was just unlocking her door, so I offered a polite, distant smile and pretended to wait for the elevator. I snatched it out of my purse and answered, “Hello?” My burner phone rang and I lunged to my feet in a rush, stumbling around the coffee table to get to it. He was tan and had a goatee, which really worked for him.
Not as hot as Gideon, but then who was? Gideon was in a league by himself, but Jean-François was a head-turner in his own right, with dark wavy hair and eyes the color of pale jade. What I discovered was that Jean-François Giroux was a really good-looking guy. I did a search for “Corinne Giroux and husband” on Google, looking specifically at images. I had enough time left over to drive myself crazy. I got online and checked my dad’s flight.ĭone. I checked the guest room again, even though I’d gone over it the day before. I double-checked the kitchen, making sure all of my dad’s favorite foods that I’d stocked up on were exactly where I’d put them. I answered a text from Martin, agreeing that it was great we’d hung out Saturday night and that we should do it again. When I got home, I changed into a simple, lightweight summer dress and sandals. I was a wreck and I didn’t know what to do about it. I needed to know what Gideon was thinking … how he was feeling. I used the burner phone to send a text while I took a cab ride home: Heading to the apt.
Mark seemed to understand that I didn’t want to stick around and talk. “Thanks.” That one word would have to do. “So go home, get ready, and pick him up.” He looked at me, then frowned, his gaze searching.