“For fuck’s sake.” He made a frustrated noise. “Would you feel better if we shared the rent?”
“Ha! Like I could afford your penthouse, even paying just a third of it. And there’s no way Cary could.”
“So we’ll move in here or next door, if you want, and take over the lease. I don’t care where, Eva.”
I stared at him, wanting what he was offering but afraid I’d miss a big pitfall that would hurt us.
“You came to me as soon as you got up this morning,” he pointed out. “You don’t like being away from me, either. Why torture ourselves? Sharing the same space should be the least of our problems.”
“I don’t want to screw this up,” I told him, my fingers brushing over his chest. “I need us to work, Gideon.”
He caught my hand and pressed it over his heart. “I need us to work, too, angel. And I want mornings like this and nights like last night while we do it.”
“No one even knows we’re seeing each other. How do we go from being broken up to living together?”
“We start today. You’re taking Cary with you to the video launch. I’ll come up to the both of you with Ireland, say hi—”
“She called me,” I interrupted, “and told me to go up to you. She wants us to get back together.”
“She’s a smart girl.” He smiled and I felt a little thrill at the thought that he might be opening up to her. “So one of us will approach the other, make small talk, and I’ll say hi to Cary. You and I won’t have to fake the attraction between us. Tomorrow, I’ll take you out to lunch. Bryant Park Grill would be ideal. We’ll make a show of it.”
It all sounded wonderful and easy, but … “Is it safe?”
“Finding Nathan’s bracelet on a criminal’s corpse opens the door to reasonable doubt. That’s all we need.”
We looked at each other, sharing the feeling of hope, the sense of excitement and expectation in a future that had seemed so much more uncertain just yesterday.
He touched my cheek. “You made a reservation at Tableau One for tonight.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I had to use your name to get on the list, but Brett asked me out to dinner and I wanted us to go to a place connected with you.”
“Ireland and I have a reservation at the same time. We’ll join you.”
I shifted awkwardly, nervous at the thought, and Gideon thickened inside me. “Uh …”
“Don’t worry,” he murmured, his focus clearly shifting to more heated thoughts. “It’ll be fun.”
“Yeah, right.”
Banding his arms around my hips and shoulder blades, Gideon scooped me up and moved, rolling and putting me beneath him. “Trust me.”
I was going to reply, but he kissed me quiet and fucked me senseless.
I showered and dressed at Gideon’s, then hurried back down the hallway to my apartment for my purse and bag, trying not to look like I was sneaking around. It was easy to get ready at Gideon’s apartment, since he’d stocked the bathroom with all my usual toiletries and cosmetics, and had purchased enough clothes and underwear for me to never have to wear anything from my own closet.
It was too much, but that was the way he was.
I was rinsing off the mug I’d used for a quick cup of coffee when Trey came into the kitchen.
He smiled sheepishly. Dressed in a pair of Cary’s sweats and his own shirt from last night, he looked right at home. “Good morning.”
“Back atcha.” I put the mug in the dishwasher and faced him. “I’m glad you came to dinner.”
“Me, too. I had fun.”
“Coffee?” I asked him.
“Please. I have to get ready for work, but I’m dragging.”
“I’ve had those days.” I fixed him a cup and slid it over.
He took the mug and lifted it in a salute of thanks. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“Do you like Tatiana, too? Is it weird for you, having us both around?”
I shrugged. “I don’t really know Tatiana, to be honest. She doesn’t hang with Cary and me the way you do.”
“Oh.”
I started heading out and squeezed his shoulder before I passed him. “Have a good one.”
“You, too.”
I checked my phone while taking a cab to work. I almost wished I’d walked, since the cabbie kept the front windows down and was apparently averse to wearing deodorant. The only saving grace was that it was faster than walking.
There was a text from Brett sent around six in the morning: On the ground. Can’t wait to c u 2nite!
I sent him back a smiley face.
Megumi looked good when I met up with her at work, which made me happy, but Will was looking glum. As I was putting my purse in a drawer, he stopped by my cubicle and rested his crossed arms along the low wall.
“What’s the matter?” I asked him, looking up at him from my chair.
“Help. Need carbs.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “I think it’s sweet that you’re suffering through this diet for your girl.”
“I shouldn’t complain,” he said. “She’s lost like five pounds—that I didn’t think she had to lose, mind you—and she looks amazing and has all this energy. But God … I feel like a slug. My body’s not built for this.”
“Are you asking me out to lunch?”
“Please.” He clasped his hands together like he was praying. “You’re one of the few women I know who actually enjoys eating.”
“I’ve got the butt to show for it, too,” I said ruefully. “But sure. I’m game.”
“You’re the best, Eva.” He backed up and bumped into Mark. “Oops. Sorry.”
Mark grinned. “No problem.”
Will headed back to his cubicle and Mark turned his smile to me.
“We’ve got the Drysdel team coming in at nine thirty,” I reminded him.
“Right. And I’ve got an idea I’d like to run past strategy before they get here.”
I grabbed my tablet and stood, thinking we’d be running down to the wire. “You’re living on the edge, boss.”
“Only way to do it. Come on.”
The day flew by and I rushed full-bore all through it, filled with restless energy. Getting up so early, then eating a plate of pierogi for lunch, didn’t slow me down.
I wrapped up exactly at five and did a quick change in the bathroom, switching from my skirt and blouse into a more casual jersey dress in pale blue. I slipped on a pair of wedge sandals, swapped out my diamond studs for silver hoops, and turned my ponytail into a messy bun. Then I headed down to the lobby.
As I moved toward the revolving entrance door, I saw Cary standing outside on the sidewalk talking to Brett. I slowed, giving myself a minute to absorb the sight of my old flame.
Brett’s short-cropped hair was naturally dark blond, but he’d had the tips dyed platinum and the look was a good one for him, with his tanned skin and irises of a beautiful emerald green. On stage he was usually shirtless, but today he was dressed in black cargo pants and bloodred T-shirt, his arms covered in sleeves of tattoos that writhed over his muscles.
He turned his head then, looking inside the lobby, and I started walking again, my stomach fluttering a little when he caught sight of me, and his ruggedly handsome face was softened by a smile that revealed a killer dimple.
Jesus, he was sexy as hell.
Feeling a little too exposed, I pulled out my sunglasses and slipped them on. Then I took a deep breath as I spun through the revolving doors, my gaze shifting to the Bentley parked just behind Brett’s limo.
Brett whistled. “Damn, Eva. You’re more gorgeous every time I see you.”
I shot a strained smile at Cary, my pulse racing madly. “Hey.”
“You look great, baby girl,” he said, reaching for my hand.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Angus step out of the Bentley. In that moment of distraction, I totally missed Brett reaching for me. A split second after I registered his hands at my waist, I realized he was going to kiss me and barely turned my head in time. His lips touched the corner of my mouth, feeling warm and familiar. I stumbled back, tripping over Cary, who caught me by the shoulders.