by Dee Davis
She closed her eyes, sucking in air as if somehow it could cleanse her mind of the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. There could be no going back. Gideon was helping her—nothing more. He’d ridden to her rescue, true enough. But only because it was his job.
His job. She repeated the words, forcing herself to accept them. To accept the fact that she couldn’t undo the past. She stared out into the night, her heart shattering. Gideon Sloan had betrayed her and yet the only thing she truly wanted was to be back in the circle of his arms.
CHAPTER 10
"RUNNING AWAY FROM SOMETHING?"
Emily whirled around to tell Gideon to leave her alone, but it wasn’t Gideon. A shiver worked its way up her spine. Jack Wetherston stood in the doorway, his body blocking the light from the party behind him.
A reporter for a daily newspaper, the man had once claimed to be in love with Emily. When ultimately she’d rejected him, he’d claimed no hard feelings, but ever since he’d taken every opportunity to find ways to impugn her in the press. Nothing that truly hurt. Just jabs. Journalistic parries and thrusts designed to hurt without destroying.
In public, he was always pleasant. But in private she knew he still nursed his anger over the rejection. What, she wondered with quickening pulse, would he do if he found out the truth about her and Tom Irwin?
"I’m just catching a breath of fresh air." She forced a social smile. "You know what a crush Gabrielle’s parties always are." Wetherston’s family held a pedigree almost as revered as hers. As such he was an invited guest at social functions like the Delacort gala. It was the perfect entrée for a man of his ilk. An easy in to prey upon the weaknesses of others in their set. To expose their foibles to a hungry readership.
More than once, he’d skewered her family in the public limelight. Hanging out their dirty laundry for all to see. All was fair, he’d told her once. But she’d never known if he’d meant love or war—probably some amalgamation of the two.
"I saw you with Gideon Sloan." He moved closer, searching her face for answers she honestly didn’t have.
"He asked for a dance. It would have been rude to refuse him." Unwillingly, her mind pulled forth the heat of Gideon’s hand pressed against her back.
"I thought you were done with him." There was something in Jack’s tone that sent a tremor of warning racing through her.
"I am. I told you. I was just being polite."
"Ah yes," he said, stepping close, his arms imprisoning her on either side of the terrace balustrade. "The ice queen strikes again. I’d almost feel sorry for the poor bastard, but that would imply that I cared."
To Jack’s way of thinking it had been Gideon that had stood in his way. Never mind that Gideon had already betrayed her. Jack had recognized what at the time she still hadn’t been able to see—that despite her hurt and anger, Gideon still held a piece of her heart.
Emily tilted her chin. "Let it go, Jack. I told you it was nothing."
"It didn’t look like nothing. And despite what I just said, you should be careful."
"I’m fine. Gideon isn’t going to hurt me." Again. The word hung between them unsaid.
"You can’t trust him, Emily. He’s a dangerous man. And I doubt very much that he has your best interests at heart. You need to watch your step."
"And I’m telling you that you’re barking up the wrong tree, Jack."
He shifted away from her, a shadow crossing his face. If she wasn’t so certain he despised her, she’d have almost thought it was regret. "You’re not far wrong actually. I didn’t come out here to talk about Gideon Sloan."
"Then why are you here?" For the most part, they danced around each other in public, neither acknowledging the animosity that drove Jack to attack. Both pretending social niceties even though they both knew they were a lie.
"To warn you."
Another tremor pushed its way down her spine. "About what?"
"I received a tip today." He tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. "An anonymous one."
Emily resisted the urge to run. To try and hide from the sudden knowledge that Jack knew. Or was close enough to the truth to pose serious danger. Instead she held her ground, squaring her shoulders. "Yes, well, people intent on hurting other people rarely bother leaving their names."
"I don’t want to see you hurt, Emily." There was a sincerity underlying his words that couldn’t be easily discarded. She felt her throat tighten.
"What on earth are you talking about, Jack?"
"The message said that there’s more to Senator Irwin’s death than meets the eye. Said I should ask you about that."
"What could I possibly know about Tom’s death?" Fear laced through her, but her voice sounded surprisingly calm.
"I don’t know. But your father made no secret of the fact that he wanted you to marry him. And Tom’s wishes were as plain as the nose on his face. The man wanted you. Period. And knowing you as well as I do, I can just guess how you responded to his desire." There was a flash of contempt, mixed with pity.
"I’ve never pretended to have any feelings at all for Tom Irwin."
"You could have fooled me. I saw the two of you at the bar the night he was murdered."
"I was merely reinforcing what he already knew. That I wasn’t interested in him."
Jack winced. "Been there, done that. Anyway, knowing Irwin, I doubt he was as good at taking no for an answer as I was."
"Jack," she whispered, her fear washed away by her own regret, "no matter what happened between us, you have to know that I’d never put you in the same category as a man like Tom Irwin."
He blinked, clearly surprised at her answer. "Honestly, Emily, I don’t know what to think where you’re concerned. But I do know that if someone contacted me, they’ll have contacted others."
She frowned as he took her hands, confused by the gentle tone in his voice.
"Whatever game we play between the two of us, you’ve got to know that I don’t want to see you truly injured."
"This isn’t a game, Jack." The words came of their own volition.
"I know that. Which is why I’m telling you this instead of printing it in the newspaper."
"But you have nothing to print." Her protest sounded feeble, even to her own ears.
"The hell I don’t. Did you know that your sainted father was being blackmailed by Tom Irwin?" She fought against a gasp as Jack’s hands tightened on hers and he stepped closer. "Emily, I don’t know what’s going on. But I can see in your eyes that you’re frightened. Let me help you."
"I don’t need help." Emily jerked her hands free, her heart pounding as she tried to process what Jack had just said. "I had nothing to do with Tom’s death." That much at least was true.
Jack’s concern faded in the wake of a scowl. "Fine. Have it your way. But mark my words, the truth, whatever it may be, will come out."
"No thanks to you and your libelous reporting." Gideon’s growl filled the small space of the balcony, his shadow looming as he stepped between Jack and Emily.
"Ah yes, enter the lovesick swain. Perfect timing." Jack stepped back, both hands lifted as if to ward them off. "The two of you deserve each other." He held her gaze for a moment, his eyes awash with conflicting emotions, and then with a little shrug, he turned and walked back into the party.
"Are you all right?" Gideon reached up to push a strand of hair from her face.
"I’m…" She started to lie but she just couldn’t. Maybe Jack was right. Maybe she shouldn’t trust Gideon. But she did. It was as simple as that. "No. I’m not all right."
"If he said anything to hurt you…"
"Don’t blame Jack," she said. "He’s just the messenger. Oh God, Gideon, somebody out there knows. And they’re leaking information to the press. Jack said that someone told him I knew more about Tom’s death than I was saying."
"Who? Who told him that?"
"He doesn’t know. It was anonymous."
"Nothing is truly anonymous in this day and age. I’ll talk to
him." His hands came to rest at her waist, his eyes searching her face.
"I don’t think that’s such a good idea." Her smile was tremulous. "He’s not exactly a fan."
"All right then, I’ll have someone from the team do it. Maybe we’ll actually catch a break."
"There’s more," she said, her voice stuttering with emotion. "According to Jack, Tom was blackmailing my father. Which means…" She trailed off, unable or unwilling to finish the thought.
"That your father had motive to kill Irwin." His jaw tightened, his hands sliding up to her shoulders.
She shook her head. "My father may be capable of a lot of things, but not murder, Gideon. And certainly not while I was in the room."
"While I wouldn’t put anything past the man, I agree that he’d never leave you in harm’s way. Still, if what Jack is saying is true, we can’t ignore the possibility that he’s involved somehow."
"But we can’t trust anything Jack says. He works for the press, for God’s sake. And besides," She paused, swallowing with trepidation, "he, um, has reason to lie. He isn’t exactly my biggest fan."
"You could have fooled me, sweetheart." Gideon’s fingers tightened on her shoulders. "I saw the way the man was looking at you. Like you were his first meal after a year of starving in the desert."
"It isn’t like that. He might have cared for me once, but not so much anymore. I’m sure if he had his way, he’d like to forget all about me."
"Trust me, Em, you’re not an easy woman to dismiss." His green eyes darkened, the air between them seeming to crackle with electricity, tension drawn taut as a wire. Desire cut through her, hot and heavy, chasing away all other thoughts.
"Gideon." She sighed his name as he pulled her close. His breath caressed her cheek, and then his lips covered hers. His tongue forged deep into the warmth of her mouth, his kiss both primal and possessive.
She opened her mouth to him, offering herself without thought to what she was doing. Only knowing that she needed this. Needed him. His arms closed around her, his strength molding to her softness. She relished the familiarity even as she embraced the changes time had wrought. His chest was harder. His shoulders broader. And yet her body still recognized his. The feel of his skin, the taste of his tongue, the spicy smell that belonged only to him.
It had been so long.
She pressed against him, wanting to be closer. He groaned, kissed her eyes and nose, then sought the soft hollow beneath her ear. She shivered, passion building, white heat lacing through her to settle between her thighs. It had always been like this between them. Combustible. One touch, one kiss was never enough.
He kissed the rise of her breasts above the line of her sequined gown. His tongue leaving a trail of moist heat. She sighed, her hands on his chest, relishing the feel of his heart beating beneath her fingers.
With a groan, he took her lips again, his kiss devouring, raw desire meeting hers and upping the ante. She was on fire now, her body aching for his touch. His hands smoothed across her bare back, and then slid around to stroke her breasts beneath the sequins and silk. His heat filled her, igniting a fire that had been banked for far too long. His lips stroked hers, nipping and teasing as he tasted.
She drank deeply. Taking all that he offered. Wondering how she’d ever allowed herself to walk away. This man was as essential to her as breathing. It was as if she’d been dead. Snow White in her coffin waiting for her prince to come and reawaken her. Her heart rejoiced at the rebirth, even as her mind admonished that she was insane.
He wasn’t to be trusted. Jack’s words sang in her head. But she pushed them aside, her heart not caring. Needing only to feel Gideon’s hands. His lips. His body pressed to hers. Breast to chest. Heart to heart. This was where she belonged. Safe and secure.
Loved.
The word rang through her brain. Mocking with its false promise.
"Emily?" Jules’ voice broke through the heated haze.
Gideon lifted his head, but he didn’t release her, his arms still circling her waist. Emily felt heat flood her face as Jules looked at the two of them, disappointment and a hint of anger washing across her face. "I didn’t mean to interrupt."
"You’re not…I mean…we’re not…" Emily pulled from Gideon’s embrace, almost disappointed when he let her go, his expression inscrutable.
"We were having a discussion," Gideon said, his voice far calmer than hers.
"Yes, well, it looked to be quite passionate," Jules replied, her attention centered now on Gideon, eyes sparking with anger. "But maybe you’d better save it for another time? This balcony isn’t exactly private." She nodded at the crowd just behind the double glass doors. "And I suspect that one of you at least is not thinking clearly."
Emily could see Uncle Vincent striding across the room, his brows drawn together in ire. And behind him, Sylvie, her eyes wide with worry.
"I…I need to get out of here," Emily said, not daring to meet Gideon’s eyes.
"I’ll take you." Gideon slid a hand back around her waist.
"I don’t think that’s a good idea." Jules shook her head, reaching out to take Emily’s hand. "You’ve already done enough damage for one night, don’t you think?"
"It’s not Gideon’s fault, Jules. I was upset. He was just trying to make me feel better." She bit her lip, heat rising as she realized the implication of her words.
"I can see that," Jules snapped, shooting Gideon another condemning look. "But considering recent events, you’re not yourself. And I don’t want him taking advantage."
"Emily can make her own decisions." There was anger in Gideon’s voice now. And suddenly Emily wasn’t sure she could take any more.
"Yes. I can." Her gaze encompassed the two of them, her heart shattering at the need still reflected in Gideon’s eyes. But it was too much. Too soon. The risk was too great. It had hurt so much to lose him the first time. She couldn’t go through it again. "And right now what I need is to be alone. So if you’ll excuse me, I’ll see myself home."
"Emily." Gideon’s hand closed around her arm, his face lined with frustration. "You can’t go on your own. It isn’t safe. If you won’t go with me, then go with Jules."
"He’s right about that much. Come with me," Jules urged. "I’ll take you back to your father’s."
Emily hesitated a moment, knowing somehow that she was crossing a line. Making a decision. One that there might be no coming back from. She couldn’t breathe, her heart threatening to break through her chest, tears pounding at the back of her eyes, the enormity of the past few days crashing through her like a tidal wave.
"Go," Gideon said, pushing her toward Jules.
With a stiff nod, Emily let Jules pull her back into the room and steer her through the crowd toward the door, Uncle Vincent and Sylvie moving to flank her other side.
Behind her, Gideon remained on the balcony. Alone in the dark. Watching her. And some part of her—something primordial, deep inside—whispered that she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life.
CHAPTER 11
"WHAT THE HELL happened out there?" Ryder asked, moving to Gideon’s side as he strode back into the party. "Emily just blew through here looking shell-shocked and her self-appointed protectors looked ready to shoot someone."
"Shell-shocked is no doubt due to a combination of me and Jack Wetherston. The anger is all on me."
"What did you say?" Ryder crossed his arms, his eyes full of reproach.
"It’s not so much what I said as what I did."
"Oh God, tell me you didn’t make a move on her."
"No. Well, yes, sort of. I kissed her." It had been a hell of a lot more than just a kiss, but he wasn’t going to discuss that with Ryder. "But she kissed me back." God, he sounded like an apologetic teenager.
"And that makes everything all right?" Ryder blew out a breath and shook his head.
"Look, she was really upset. That bastard Wetherston was threatening her. And she just looked so fragile and—"
"And you just c
ouldn’t help yourself. Come on, Gideon, you know that anything between the two of you is only going to land you in all kinds of trouble again."
"And yet, here we are."
"Trouble in paradise?" Declan asked, striding to a halt next to Ryder. "I saw the princess on the move. Along with her posse."
"Kind of a mixed metaphor," Ryder said. "Maybe knights errant instead of posse?"
"Cut the crap, guys. I kissed her. It didn’t go well. End of story." He fought to hold on to his temper. It wasn’t his friends’ fault that Emily had beat a hasty retreat. No, that lay squarely on his head. Except that he’d have bet his life savings on the fact that she’d been a willing participant. The chemistry between them had just been too incendiary for it to have been a one-way street.
And then Jules had arrived. Although blaming Emily’s friend wasn’t fair either. Hell, women were just hard to figure out. He ran his hand through his hair and glared at his partners. "So is somebody following her?"
"Yeah, Russ is on it. He’ll call in if there’s any problem."
"Jules is taking her to her father’s. Maybe I shouldn’t have let her come tonight."
"I’m not sure you truly had a say in the matter," Declan offered.
Which was part of the problem. Being around Emily without knowing that he had a place in her life was making him crazy. The longer he was with her, the more he wanted to find his way back to where they’d been before her father had betrayed him.
Along with Emily, a little voice in his head reminded him.
"So what’s up with Wetherston?" Ryder asked, cutting though his warring thoughts. "You said he was partly responsible for Emily’s upset."
"Yeah, he got a tip saying that Em knew more about Irwin’s death than she was saying." He went on to tell them the rest of it. The threat as well as the warning.
"You think he’s telling the truth?" Declan asked. "About Masterson, I mean? If he really was being blackmailed that sure as hell gives him a motive."