by Addison Fox
“What is it?” Gabe pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. “Looks like one of Meghan Frost’s concert videos.”
“It is.”
Gabe suppressed a flash of irritation. “You said this was urgent. You have no idea what you just interrupted. This better be good.”
“Just watch.” Rafe punched the play button.
Of course Gabe found his gaze immediately drawn to Meghan, who danced in a skimpy outfit. Her body looked even more toned than he’d imagined, and her moves were guaranteed to set any man on fire.
“Not at her.” Rafe tapped the screen. “Look at him.”
A man in a gray hoodie sat on one side of the stage, his face in shadows. With his height and slender build, he looked very similar to the man the witnesses had described.
“It’s him,” Rafe said. “That’s why she thought he looked familiar. He’s either part of her show or a superfan.”
“I don’t know.” Gabe didn’t bother to hide his doubt. “There are lots of people with light-colored hoodies.”
“But this guy is tall and slender. And look at his hands. On top of that, he’s with Meghan’s crew.”
“She gave all of them two weeks off for Christmas. None of them traveled with her.”
Expression determined, Rafe refused to give up. “That she knows of. What if one of her guys decided to come out on his own?”
“Okay, I’ll play along.” Clenching his jaw as he thought of what he’d just walked away from to hear this, Gabe paused the video. “Following that line of thought, say one of Meghan’s employees came out to Vegas. He doesn’t check in with her, just comes on out and shoots one of our blackjack dealers and sets a poker table on fire. Because...?”
Judging from the muscle working in Rafe’s jaw, now his brother was equally pissed. “Because he’s a Hunter.”
“Look.” The last shreds of Gabe’s patience vanished. “I agree there’s a possibility this guy is a Hunter. I disagree that he’s part of Meghan’s crew or attached to her in any way.”
“Because you’re not thinking with your head,” Rafe protested fiercely. “At least not the right one.”
“What are you saying? That you think Meghan is somehow involved in all this?”
Rafe took a deep breath. “No. Not at all. I doubt she even knows what a Hunter is or that one of them is part of her entourage.” He frowned. “And it’s possible that guy is some sort of stalker fan. Has she mentioned anything like that to you?”
“No. But I can ask her.” After he made sweet love to her one more time.
“You do that.” Rafe’s attention had already gone back to the video, which he replayed over and over, continually stopping on the frame with the man who might or might not be linked to the Hunters. “And when you’re in the casino, keep your eyes out for that guy in the gray hoodie. Or anyone resembling him—tall, thin, with unusually long fingers and dusky skin.”
“Will do.” Anticipation coursing through his blood, he hurried to the elevator. Even the thought of making love to her again made him burn with an inner fire that had little to do with his upcoming Rejuvenation and everything to do with Meghan.
All the way to her floor, his heart pounded. His blood ran thick and heavy as he contemplated the things they’d do to each other this time.
When he reached her suite, he tapped lightly on the door. No answer. Waiting a second, he used his master key to get inside.
She wasn’t there. Not curled up on the sofa, or lounging on the bed, or even out on the patio where she’d left a half-full glass of wine.
After the first crush of disappointment, he turned and went to look for her. He figured he knew where to find her.
Casino or auditorium? If he were a betting man—and he’d been known to place a large wager a time or two—he’d take the auditorium. After he’d shown it to her, he’d made sure she had her own key card so she could have access whenever she needed. She’d been itching to get back there.
Decision made, he headed toward the amphitheater. Huge posters announcing her upcoming shows flanked the main entrance. He stopped for a moment to admire them. With makeup and false eyelashes, her beauty transcended reality. But he found he much preferred the real Meghan, with little or no makeup, wearing her baseball cap and faded jeans.
Gabe went around back, down the long hallway and through the door marked Employees Only.
Once he’d slipped inside, he saw the stage lights were on. Moving quietly, he headed that way. A sound stopped him. Meghan, singing a cappella. Her crystal clear voice rang out, soaring from the rafters, magical and sensual and full of hope and joy. An entire song this time. Something about love and loss and hope.
Though the sentiments were unusual for him, he couldn’t move. Stunned, he stood frozen, listening. Her voice reached deep inside him, grabbed him by the heart and wouldn’t let go.
Though a Helios, he’d never been prone to flights of fancy like some of his kind. Both he and his brother were more down-to-earth, analytical types, Rafe especially. Gabe tended to be a bit brasher, but rationally so. But then he’d never met anyone like Meghan.
As she finished the song, drawing out the final note before letting it fade away in a husky murmur, he felt a shudder move through his entire body, expanding his heart so much he thought it might burst.
She was something, this Meghan Frost. From soft and warm to sultry and seductive, she was unlike any other woman in the world.
Chapter 12
Taking a moment to get his raw emotions back under control, Gabe moved closer to the stage. He felt he should make his presence known, since the very act of listening to her intimate, personal performance felt like an invasion of her privacy. Far too familiar for two people who still danced on the edge of real intimacy.
“Sounds great,” he called out, long before he reached the edge of the shadows. “I can’t wait to hear it with your live band.”
If he’d startled her, by the time he rounded the last corner, she showed no sign. Tiny and strong, sexy and powerful, she pivoted on her toes to face him. Instead of surprise, an amused smile hovered around her lush lips. “Thanks. I just had to check out the acoustics again. So far, I’m very pleased. I’ll know more once my full crew arrives.”
Which wouldn’t be until after the holidays.
“You’re a workaholic, aren’t you?”
Her smile widened. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
A jolt of lust slammed him, right in the gut. He looked down to try and collect himself. “It’s not. I can relate. How much longer are you going to be here working?” He eyed her, trying like hell to keep his voice casual.
She cocked her head. “Why? What did you have in mind?”
Though he wanted to answer her by stating he wanted to finish up where they’d left off, he didn’t. Even though every cell in his body screamed desire. She deserved more than that. He wanted to take her out, show her around and spend some real time learning more about the woman who fascinated him on so many levels.
“I thought we could go out on the Strip and check out my competition. You know, act like tourists. We can play some slots or poker, wander from casino to casino and grab a drink here and there, maybe even a bite to eat.”
Her smile morphed into a huge grin. “I’d love that.”
“Then later tonight, if you’re up for it, we could hit out the Fallen Angel or Spark, here in the hotel. They’re two of the trendiest nightclubs on the Strip. We’ve had lots of celebrities party in both of them already.” Because truth be told, he wanted to see a little bit of her wild side.
Just like that, the animation vanished from her expression. She shook her head, her green eyes flashing. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m afraid I’ll have to take a pass on that.”
Curious, he studied her. “Why? Are you wo
rried you’ll be recognized?”
“That, too, but I’m not much for the club scene, actually.”
“Really?” He thought of every tabloid article he’d read, the photographs showing her on the dance floor. She’d been on gossip blogs too many times to count, always getting in or out of someone’s car after partying all night. When she didn’t respond, he couldn’t help but ask. “Is that because you don’t want to hang out with the casino owner when you party?”
“No.” She sighed, dragging her fingers through her hair, making the short strands stand up even more. “It’s because I don’t really like to party.”
Stopping, he crossed his arms and studied her. Sexy as hell. And so many contradictions. She fascinated him. “Then why—”
“Is every tabloid filled with my partying antics? And the blogosphere always seems to catch me living it up?”
“Exactly.”
She exhaled wearily. “Most stars’ lives aren’t really what they’re made out to be. When I first made it big, my publicist and the label decided my sales would be stronger if I came off as a bad girl.”
He wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed or relieved. Some of his thoughts must have shown in his face because she laughed. “I’m sorry. But I’ll tell you what. At some point, my PR team is going to make me do something wild and crazy. Just so I can be photographed and make the entertainment shows. When that happens, I promise you can come along with me.”
This made him chuckle. “That sounds like a plan.”
“So for now, no to the nightclubs.” She smiled up at him. “But the rest of what you suggested sounds like fun. I’ll need a little bit to get ready.”
“How long do you need?”
“Twenty minutes.”
He mustn’t have done a good job hiding his skeptical shock, because she laughed. “Look at you. You must be used to women who need a couple of hours to do their makeup and hair.”
“And to choose exactly the right outfit.” He didn’t bother denying it.
“Well, since I’m trying to disguise myself, I don’t have to worry about that. As long as you don’t mind me looking kind of raw, it’s all good.”
What she called “kind of raw” on her was better than any other woman. He almost didn’t tell her that, guessing she had a pretty good idea of her own beauty, but at the last minute he did. To his amazement, she blushed, pink transforming her dusky complexion.
“Thank you.” Glancing at her watch, she rocked up on her toes. “Let me run up to my room and put on my disguise. Do you want to meet in the lobby in twenty minutes?”
“I’ll just come to your room.” He hadn’t meant the words to sound so suggestive—or maybe he subconsciously had. Meghan’s blush deepened, making her dusky skin take on a rosy hue, odd since earlier she’d propositioned him.
Again he felt a tug of lust, which he pushed away. They’d gone fast once, nearly twice. This time, he was determined to woo her.
“Sounds good,” she said easily. “See you in twenty.”
She hurried off, her hips swaying. Heaven help him, he watched until he could see no more.
He had it bad. This kind of craving was a definite distraction. The sooner he got her out of his system, the better.
Years ago, one of his previous girlfriends had told him angrily that he was all about the chase. Once he captured his quarry, his intense interest faded into boredom. He’d disagreed at the time, but now he hoped that statement had actually been accurate. Though he couldn’t imagine anyone growing bored with a woman as fascinating as Meghan Frost.
Yep. He definitely had it bad.
* * *
Meghan couldn’t recall the last time she’d had more fun. Gabe taught her to play poker, and she learned she had a knack for keeping her expression impassive so as not to give away her hand.
She won a small jackpot before deciding she’d had enough.
“You’re a natural,” he said, his expression proud. “You should have kept playing. You might have cleaned up.”
“I think,” she reminded him gently, “I’ve already won enough.”
This made him laugh.
They ended up in a smoky piano bar where a husband and wife sang Christmas carols. The bar had been decorated for the holiday, from the red-and-gold-trimmed Christmas tree to the poinsettia plants on several tables.
This time, thinking about the holiday didn’t make her sad. Instead, for the first time in a long while, she felt almost...festive.
Keeping her voice low, she sang along to “White Christmas.” After a second, Gabe joined her, his low voice hitting the notes just right. She leaned into him, content.
“Since your family doesn’t celebrate, what are your plans for Christmas Day?” he asked.
Too happy to let the bleak prospect of the actual day blacken her mood, she shrugged. “Sleep in, have a nice breakfast, maybe watch some TV. What about you?”
Though he eyed her with what might have been compassion, she refused to acknowledge the need for any such thing.
“My brother, Rafe, and I have a Christmas Eve tradition,” he told her, his tone light. “We play some high stakes poker, knock back a few drinks and grill steak in our private rooftop garden. On Christmas Day, we either have the entire family over to eat a huge meal, potluck style, or we go to our parents’ house out in Red Rock. This year it’s our turn to host.”
She felt a twinge of envy. “That sounds lovely.”
“It is.” Twining his fingers with hers, he kissed the back of her hand. “But this year, Rafe is engaged. He’ll naturally want to spend the holiday with his fiancée. So I think everything is going to change.”
Bemused, she studied his face. “You don’t seem too sad about it.”
“I’m not. Change is inevitable.” He nuzzled her, his lips searing a path up her neck to her ear. A shiver of raw need rocked her. She held her breath, waiting to see what he’d do next.
But he released her and leaned forward, taking a long pull on his bourbon. “You know what?” he asked, his tone musing. “I’d really like it if you would spend Christmas Eve with me.”
“What?” Though her heart leaped at the idea, she didn’t want to be anyone’s charity case. “There’s no way I’m crashing your and Rafe’s traditional celebration.”
“You won’t be. He’s either doing something else entirely or he’s bringing his fiancée, Evangeline. You should meet her. I think you’ll like her.”
Unsettled, she shifted in her seat and turned to face him. “Gabe, you have a big heart. I appreciate you thinking about me. But we’ve only known each other less than a week. I’m not sure this is a good idea.” Which she honestly wasn’t, even if she wanted it so very badly.
The intensity in his gaze made her ache. “It feels like longer.”
She hoped he didn’t notice that her short laugh contained a hint of pain. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.”
He kissed her then, right there in the bar. A slow, lingering kiss that left no doubt about his comment. “Please spend Christmas Eve with me,” he murmured. “Otherwise, Rafe will feel guilty about leaving me alone, so he and Ev will take pains to include me in their plans. I’ll be the proverbial third wheel.”
Hope flared in her, though she took care not to let it show. She shook her head. “So you’re wanting me to make up the foursome.”
“Either that, or it’ll just be the two of us. I don’t know if Rafe and Evangeline need to have this, their first Christmas Eve, alone together. I don’t see any reason why you and I can’t find something to do.”
Christmas Eve. A few times, when the loneliness had grown unbearable, she’d gotten in her car and tried to make an annual tradition of driving around the neighborhoods and looking at Christmas lights. While the outdoor displays had been breatht
aking, she’d been witness to so many family gatherings displayed through huge picture windows lit up from inside, that this had become her own peculiar form of torture. She’d finally stopped the practice because it made her too conscious of what she was missing.
“Christmas is a joyful time,” Gabe said, squeezing her hand. “I’m happy when I’m with you.”
Warmth spread through her at his words. Too fast? Maybe. But he was right. She needed to seize the chance for happiness while it existed. After all, she knew from personal experience how fleeting such moments could be.
“You talked me into it,” she finally said, trying for casual. “I love your patio and garden. I can’t think of a better place to spend Christmas Eve.”
He watched her, his eyes still molten. “I’d love it if you’d consider coming up on Christmas Day, too. My family would love to meet you. One of my nieces idolizes you. She has every album you’ve ever made and can recite the words to all of your songs.”
She loved how he managed to make even this, asking her to meet his family after only knowing her a few days, seem like it wasn’t such a big deal. Who knew, maybe to him it wasn’t.
This would have to be one of the first times ever she would gladly use her celebrity status in exchange for not feeling like an intruder.
“I’ll think about it,” she said, not wanting to seem too eager.
“Don’t think about it too long. We’re only five days out.”
Which meant tomorrow was the twenty-first. Winter solstice. The night of the big hunt. When legend had it the Helios Rejuvenated, their earthly bodies engulfed in flames. Supposedly, they survived this, emerging from the ashes cleansed and whole.
She’d never understood how so many could believe so much nonsense.
“You know what,” she said, deciding, “I’m in. I’d love to spend both days with you, on one condition. If you change your mind, you promise to tell me right away. There’ll be no hard feelings, I promise.”
Instead of agreeing, he lowered his brows in a frown. “What kind of person would do something like that? Cancel at the last minute, right before the holidays?”