Page 46 of Forbidden Games

But she didn’t feel any better two hours later when she stood in front of the Blue Lagoon, shivering in the cold beneath her thick coat.This is fine. Everything is fine.She walked inside and gave Gideon’s name. The host smiled welcomingly and led her to a semi-private corner.

Lucy caught sight of a man sitting there already, but her steps stuttered when she realized he wasn’t Gideon.What the hell?There was nothing to do but keep following the host. She started to reach for his arm to let him know that there had been some mistake, but as they came even with the table, she recognized the man.Aaron Livingston.

No. Oh, Gideon.Why?

She had to fight to keep her expression neutral as Aaron rose and smiled. “Lucy, it’s been a while.”

“I’m surprised you remember.” She let him pull out her chair, her mind racing a million miles a minute. Gideon had set this up. It should have gone without saying, but she still couldn’t wrap her mind around it. Twelve hours ago he’d told her that he wanted her to pick him—only him—and now he’d set her up with another man.

Aaron resumed his seat. “It’s been a few years, but you’re not a woman one forgets.” He smiled charmingly, and though she could recognize whyBuzzFeedhad labeled him one of the hottest bachelors in NYC, his perfect features did nothing for her.

They also did nothing to explain why he washere.

You know why he’s here, just like you know what it means.

If she was a better person, she’d sit and make small talk with Aaron and keep her eye on the prize—the whole reason she’d put this plan into motion in the first place. A husband.

But Lucy couldn’t focus on anything beyond the fact that Gideon had set her up. She lasted a full thirty seconds before she pushed back her chair and rose. “I am so sorry, Aaron, but I’ve got to go.”

“Go...?” Those keen dark eyes took her in. “You didn’t realize you were meeting me, did you?”

“I’m really very sorry.” She headed for the exit as quickly as she could without actually running. Lucy made it onto the street before she found her phone at the bottom of her purse. She dialed Gideon’s number and listened to it ring and ring and ring before clicking over to voice mail. She hung up without leaving a message.

That was the moment she should have stopped. It was clear Gideon didn’t want her, that he’d misled her horribly. She didn’t give a flying fuck. He didn’t get to put her in this position and then avoid dealing with the fallout.

She scrolled through her contacts to find Roman’s number. It wasn’t one she’d used more than once, and that was years ago when she’d planned Jeff’s surprise birthday party.I was such an idiot. Apparently, I amstillan idiot.She dialed, holding her breath as it rang. He’d probably changed his number by now—most people did at one time or another.

But she recognized the cultured, masculine voice that answered. “Lucy?”

She lifted her arm to hail a cab. “You’re going to tell me where he is, Roman, and you’re going to tell me right this instant.”

16

The second Gideon heard the buzzer being pressed repeatedly, heknew it was Lucy. He hadn’t even tried to hide. He’d known what he was doing today and, as sick to his stomach as it made him, Roman was right—it was the right thing to do. Hurt her a little now and set her back on the path she’d carved out for herself.

Knowing that did nothing to prepare him for the fury on her face when he opened the door. “Lucy.”

“No, you do not get toLucyme as if nothing’s changed.” She pushed into the apartment and spun to face him. “What the hell was that tonight, Gideon?”

He kept his expression stoic, knowing it would make everything worse. “I’m just doing what you contracted me for.”

She actually took a step back. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re going to take that stance now? What happened to you wanting me to pickyou?”

“I was wrong.” It actually hurt to say the words aloud, and it hurt more to see the naked pain on her face. He forced himself to keep talking.A little hurt now, rather than a big hurt later.“This was fun, but you were right when you pointed out that I’m not the keeping kind.” She’d survived her breakup with Jeff. She’d bounce back even faster from this mistake with him.

Because that was how she’d see it in a few weeks—a mistake, a bullet dodged.

“You’re serious.” Lucy shook her head. “What happened between leaving my bed and writing me a note and...” She trailed off. “What did Roman say to you?”

She always had been smart. He let nothing show on his face. “He didn’t have to say anything. A little distance was all I needed to realize that we aren’t suited.”

“Aren’t suited.” She pressed a hand to her chest as if he’d reached out and hit her there. Gideon felt like he had. She finally took a deep breath and lifted her chin. “You’re a coward, Gideon Novak.”

He flinched. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You. Are. A. Coward.” He could actually see her putting the pieces of herself back into place, though her bottom lip quivered, just a little. “Last night was too good and, I’ll be honest—it scared me, too. But the difference between you and me is thatIfought that fear and focused on how good it could be.” She raked him with her gaze. “I’m not fighting for this. I spent too long fighting to be with someone who didn’t even try. I won’t do that again, Gideon. This was barely a bump in the road and you’ve already jumped ship. Fine. So be it.” Her lower lip quivered again, but she made an obvious effort to still it. “I chose you, and you didn’t choose me.”

It felt like she’d stabbed him and twisted the blade. “Lucy—”

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