Page 74 of Cruel Saint

Now that I was able to look between Samuel’s portrait and Gideon, the difference was staggering, the thirst Samuel had for life readily apparent. Like Mama said, he viewed every day as a new adventure.

As a gift.

Gideon didn’t have that same hunger. He was more hardened, filled with unspoken pain. Maybe that was what had drawn me to his eyes when we first met. Not the similarity, but the darkness within.

“Regardless, they’re still quite sexy.” Mama pulled my attention back to her.

“They certainly are.”

Especially when he came undone.

I never understood how a pair of eyes could convey such deep and primal craving until I met Gideon. Whenever he looked at me, it was as if he could see every forbidden desire and carnal longing I’d tried to mask for years.

But with him, I didn’t have to hide any of those desires. Not anymore.

“Did I miss anything?” Melanie asked when she returned to the table with her mother, plopping down in the seat beside me. “Are the menfolk still at the bar?”

I blew out a laugh. “What do you think?”

“I didn’t realize it would take close to an hour to check the score of the game,” Olivia remarked.

“Or that it was necessary to go to the bar to begin with,” Mama added. “I could be wrong, but cell phones have marvelous capabilities these days, including the ability to check baseball scores without having to be near a television.”

“Perhaps we should go look for them,” Melanie suggested with a devious glint in her eyes. “They could have gotten lost. And who knows what dangers they may have encountered on their quest. Wearenear Big Sur, after all. Bears have been spotted on occasion.”

That was all the invitation Mama and Olivia needed, both of them jumping to their feet, wavering slightly due to all the wine they’d consumed.

“Then we must save them,” Mama said around a laugh. “We’d never forgive ourselves otherwise.” She looked my way. “Will you be joining us, too?” She stole a discreet glance toward Gideon.

I hesitated, but he knew where my room was. He could find me later.

Ireallyhoped he’d find me later.

“What kind of person would I be if I allowed you all to go off on this dangerous mission alone?” Standing, I finished the last of my wine and grabbed my clutch. I briefly floated my gaze toward the terrace, and wondered if I should let Liam know I was leaving.

It wasn’t like I was here with him, though. I was here on my own. So I could leave on my own.

Which was exactly what I did, looping my arm through Melanie’s as we made our escape and headed toward the lobby lounge.

Not surprising, Lachlan and Alexander stood at the bar, their eyes glued to the television screen, cheering for the Red Sox as if it were the playoffs instead of one of the first games of the season.

Then again, theywereplaying the Yankees. No matter how early in the season, those were important games, a fact I learned from living with Melanie, who was born and raised a diehard Red Sox fan, as she told me.

“Just checking the score of the game?” Olivia crossed her arms in front of her chest, giving Alexander a playful look of disapproval.

“They’re playing the Yankees. You can’t expect menotto watch, love.”

“I’m only upset that it took me this long to figure out what you two were doing.” She sidled up next to him, and he wrapped his arm around her, kissing the top of her head.

The two men looked infinitely more comfortable now that they’d removed their ties, vests, and jackets, the top button of their crisp shirts undone, their sleeves rolled up.

“In our defense, it did go into extra innings,” Lachlan added, gesturing to the TV, the broadcast indicating it was currently the top of the eleventh.

“Then I guess that means we need some drinks,” Mama suggested, signaling the bartender.

I was about to order a manhattan when I noticed a familiar silhouette approach the bank of elevators. Gideon stood tall and imposing, his sharp jawline and intense gaze sending shivers down my spine. Mama followed my line of sight, giving me an encouraging look.

“On second thought…” I smoothed a hand down my black dress. “I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll call it a night and get some rest.”

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