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“What about making herself happy?”
“That’s the million dollar question, one I’ve asked her quite a lot. I think part of the problem is she lost someone who made her extremely happy. Since then, she’s just been going through the motions.” She lifted her eyes to mine. “Until recently. And I have a feeling you might have something to do with that, Mr. Saint.”
She cracked a smile before her expression turned severe.
“But if you hurt her, I will make your life a living hell. My father’s a retired Navy SEAL. He knows how to kill people and make sure their bodies are never found. I’d hate to use his expertise on you.”
I laughed, hoping she didn’t pick up on my nerves.
Because the truth was, I’d already hurt Imogene.
She just didn’t realize it yet.
ChapterFourteen
Imogene
I ran my fingertips along the smooth, worn spines of the books filling one of the shelves in Liam’s library. Since he knew how much I loved being surrounded by the smell of books and leather, he made sure each of his homes had a quiet space just for me.
I once told him it wasn’t necessary to go through all the trouble.
He’d replied by saying it worked for the Beast and he hoped it might work for him one day.
He’d failed to take into account the explosive chemistry between Belle and the Beast. Even when she despised him, there was still a connection she couldn’t ignore.
That wasn’t the case with Liam and me. There was no deep connection. No intense attraction. No powerful reaction to a single look, word, touch.
Not like there was with Samuel.
And lately, with Gideon.
In fact, Gideon was one of the reasons I sought refuge inside the library, despite the party still going on outside. It wasn’t just to have a reprieve from pretending I actually liked all the people Liam had invited. Instead, it was to have a break from the heat that radiated through my body every time my eyes met Gideon’s.
And they seemed to meet often, two magnets drawn to each other in an inexplicable and mysterious way.
When the deep, confident thud of masculine footsteps echoed from the hallway, coming to a stop in the doorway, I groaned, certain it was Liam here to drag me back to the party.
“I’ll be out soon,” I said sweetly, not turning to face him. “Just wanted a few minutes to myself.”
“My apologies,” a voice responded.
But it wasn’t Liam’s.
I whirled around, my breath catching in my throat at the sight of Gideon standing in the doorway. My pulse kicked up as I drank in his striking features — dark hair that was slightly disheveled, a hint of scruff along his jawline, and a black suit that hugged his muscular frame perfectly.
It didn’t help that Liam seemed to deliberately keep me away from Gideon most of the night. Still, I couldn’t stop seeking him out in the crowd.
Couldn’t stop focusing on his lips.
Couldn’t stop remembering how they felt on my skin.
Couldn’t stop fantasizing about how they’d feel on other parts of my body.
If a gentle kiss to my cheek unhinged me, I could only imagine how I’d respond if he kissed me for real.
I imagined he kissed with authority. With control. With determination. He wouldn’t be gentle or timid. No. He’d be possessive, stealing my kiss with the ruthless efficiency of a thief.
And I’d be his willing victim.
