Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel

I relished the opportunity to be so close to his scrumptious body in public. Breathing him in, I relaxed into his expert hold. “I like this.”

Nuzzling against me, he murmured, “That’s the idea.”

Bliss. It lasted as long as the dance did.

We were exiting the dance floor when I caught sight of Magdalene off to the side. It took me a moment to recognize her because she’d cut her hair into a sleek bob. She looked slender and classy in a simple black cocktail dress, but was eclipsed by the striking brunette she was speaking to.

Gideon’s stride faltered, slowing fractional y before resuming his usual pace. I was looking down, thinking he’d avoided something on the floor, when he said quietly, “I need to introduce you to someone.” My attention shifted to see where we were going.

The woman with Magdalene had spotted Gideon and turned to face him. I felt his forearm tense beneath my fingers the moment their gazes met.

I could see why.

The woman, whoever she was, was deeply in love with Gideon. It was there on her face and in her pale, otherworldly blue eyes. Her beauty was stunning, so exquisite as to be surreal. Her hair was black as ink and hung thick and straight almost to her waist. Her dress was the same icy hue as her eyes, her skin golden from the sun, her body long and perfectly curved.

“Corinne,” he greeted her, the natural rasp in his voice even more pronounced. He released me and caught her hands. “You didn’t tel me you were back. I would’ve picked you up.”

“I left a few messages on your voice mail at home,” she said, in a voice that was cultured and smooth.

“Ah, I haven’t been there much lately.” As if that reminded him I was next to him, he released her and drew me up to his side. “Corinne, this is Eva Tramel .

Eva, Corinne Giroux. An old friend.”

I extended my hand to her and she shook it.

“Any friend of Gideon’s is a friend of mine,” she said with a warm smile.

“I hope that applies to girlfriends as wel .” When her gaze met mine, it was knowing.

“Especial y girlfriends. If you could spare him a moment, I’ve been hoping to introduce him to an associate of mine.”

“Of course.” My voice was calm; I was anything but.

Gideon gave me a perfunctory kiss on the temple before he stepped closer to Corinne and offered his arm to her, leaving Magdalene standing awkwardly next to me.

I actual y felt sorry for her, she looked so dejected.

“Your new hairstyle is very flattering, Magdalene.” She glanced at me, her mouth tight, and then it softened with a sigh that sounded fil ed with resignation. “Thank you. It was time for a change. Time for many changes, I think. Also, there was no reason to imitate the one who got away now that she’s back.” I frowned in confusion. “You lost me.”

“I’m talking about Corinne.” She studied my face.

“You don’t know. She and Gideon were engaged, for over a year. She broke it off, married a wealthy Frenchman, and moved to Europe. But the marriage fel apart. They’re now getting divorced and she’s moved back to New York.”

Engaged. I felt the blood drain from my face, my gaze shifting to where the man I loved stood with the woman he must’ve once loved, his hand moving to the smal of her back to steady her as she leaned into him with a laugh.

As my stomach twisted with jealousy and sick fear, it struck me that I’d assumed he had never had a serious romantic relationship before me. Stupid. As hot as he was, I should’ve known better.

Magdalene touched my shoulder. “You should sit down, Eva. You’re very pale.”

I knew I was breathing too fast and my speeding pulse rate was dangerously high. “You’re right.” Moving to the nearest available chair, I got off my feet. Magdalene sat beside me.

“You love him,” she said. “I didn’t see it. I’m sorry.

And I’m sorry for what I said to you the first time we met.”

“You love him, too,” I replied woodenly, my gaze unfocused. “And at that time, I didn’t. Not yet.”

“Doesn’t excuse me, does it?”

I grateful y accepted another glass of champagne when it was offered to me and took a second for Magdalene before the waiter straightened to move on.

We clinked glasses in a pitiful display of scorned female solidarity. I wanted to leave. I wanted to get up and walk out. I wanted Gideon to realize I’d left, to be forced to leave after me. I wanted him to feel some of the pain I felt. Stupid, immature, hurtful imaginings that made me feel smal .

I took comfort from Magdalene sitting silently beside me in commiseration. She knew how it felt to love Gideon and want him too much. That I sensed she was as miserable as I was confirmed what a threat Corinne might be.

Had he been pining for her this whole time? Was she the reason he’d closed himself off from other women?

“There you are.”

I looked up as Gideon found me. Of course Corinne was stil on his arm and I got the ful effect of the two of them as a couple. There were, quite simply, impossibly gorgeous together.

Corinne took a seat beside me and Gideon brushed his fingertips over my cheek. “I have to speak with someone,” he said. “Would you like me to bring you back anything?”

“Stoli and cranberry. Make it a double.” I needed a buzz. Bad.

“Al right.” But he frowned at my request before he walked away.

“I’m so glad to meet you, Eva,” Corinne said.

“Gideon has told me so much about you.”

“It can’t have been too much. You two weren’t gone that long.”

“We talk nearly every day.” She smiled, and there was nothing fake or malicious in her expression.

“We’ve been friends a long time.”

“More than friends,” Magdalene said pointedly.

Corinne frowned at Magdalene and I realized I wasn’t supposed to know. Was it she or Gideon or both of them that had decided it was best not to tel me? Why cover up something if there was nothing to hide?

“Yes, that’s true,” she admitted with obvious reluctance. “Although that was some years ago now.” I twisted in my seat to face her. “You stil love him.”

“You can’t blame me for that. Any woman who spends time with him fal s in love with him. He’s beautiful and untouchable. That’s an irresistible combination.” Her smile softened. “He tel s me you’ve inspired him to start opening up. I’m grateful to you for that.”

I was about to say, I didn’t do it for you. Then an insidious doubt drifted through my mind, making a vulnerable spot inside me fold in on itself.

Was I doing it for her without knowing it?

I twisted the base of my empty champagne flute around and around on the table. “He was going to marry you.”

“And it was the biggest mistake of my life walking away.” Her hand went to her throat, her slender fingers restlessly stroking, as if toying with a necklace she’d normal y find there. “I was young and in some ways he frightened me. He was so possessive. It wasn’t until after I married that I realized possessiveness is much better than indifference. At least for me.” I looked away, fighting the nausea that rose in my throat.

“You’re awful y quiet,” she said.

“What is there to say?” Magdalene tossed out.

We al loved him. We were al available to him. In the end, he would make a choice between us.

“You should know, Eva,” Corinne began, looking at me with those clear aquamarine eyes, “he’s told me how special you are to him. It took me some time to gather the courage to come back here and face you two together. I even canceled a flight I had booked a couple weekends ago. I interrupted him at some charity event he was giving a speech at, poor guy, to tel him I was on my way and to ask for his help getting settled.”

I froze, feeling as brittle as cracked glass. She had to be talking about the advocacy center dinner, the night Gideon and I had sex for the first time. The night we’d christened his limo and he’d immediately withdrawn; then left me abruptly.

“When he cal ed me back,” she continued, “he told me he’d met someone. That he wanted you and me to meet when I got into town. I ended up chickening out.

He’s never asked me to meet a woman in his life before.”

Oh my God. I glanced at Magdalene. Gideon had left me in a rush that night for her. For Corinne.

“Excuse me.” I pushed back from the table and searched for Gideon. I saw him at the bar and went to him.

He was just turning away from the bartender with two glasses in his hands when I intercepted him. I took my drink and gulped it down, my teeth aching as the cubes of ice knocked against them.

“Eva—” There was a soft note of chastisement in his voice.

“I’m leaving,” I said flatly, stepping around him to set my empty glass on the bar top. “I don’t consider that running, because I’m tel ing you in advance and giving you the option of coming with me.”

He exhaled harshly and I could see that he understood my mood. He knew I knew. “I can’t leave.” I turned away.

He caught my arm. “You know I can’t stay if you go.

You’re upset over nothing, Eva.”

“Nothing?” I stared at where his hand gripped me. “I warned you I get upset and jealous. This time, you’ve given me good reason.”

“Warning me is supposed to excuse you when you get ridiculous about it?” His face was relaxed, his voice low and calm. No one looking from a distance would pick up on the tension between us, but it was there in his eyes. Burning lust and icy fury. He was so good at putting those two together.

“Who’s ridiculous? What about Daniel, the personal trainer? Or Martin, a member of my stepfamily?” I leaned closer and whispered, “I’ve never fucked either of them, let alone agreed to a marriage! I sure as hel don’t talk to them every damn day!”

Abruptly, he caught me by the waist and hauled me up tight against him. “You need to be fucked now,” he hissed in my ear, nipping the lobe with his teeth. “I shouldn’t have made us wait.”

“Maybe you were planning ahead,” I shot back.

“Saving it up in case an old flame popped back into your life, one you’d prefer to screw instead.” Gideon tossed back his drink; then he secured me to his side with a steely arm around my waist and led me through the crowd to the door. He pul ed his smartphone out of his pocket and ordered the limo brought around. By the time we reached the street, the long, sleek car was there. Gideon pushed me through the door Angus held open and told him, “Drive around the block until I say otherwise.”

Then he slid in directly behind me, so closely I could feel his breath against my bare back. I scrambled toward the opposite seat, determined to get away from him….

“Stop,” he snapped.

I sank to my knees on the carpeted floor, breathing hard. I could run to the ends of the earth and I stil wouldn’t be able to escape the fact that Corinne Giroux had to be better for Gideon than I was. She was calm and cool, a soothing presence even to me—the person freaking out over the unwelcome fact of her existence. My worst nightmare.

His hand twisted into my loose hair, restraining me.

His spread legs surrounded mine, his grip tightening so that my head was pul ed back gently to touch his shoulder. “I’m going to give you what we both need, Eva. We’re going to fuck as long as it takes to dul the edge enough to get through dinner. And you’re not going to worry about Corinne, because while she’s inside the bal room, I’l be deep inside you.”

“Yes,” I whispered, licking dry lips.

“You forget who submits, Eva,” he said gruffly. “I’ve given up control for you. I’ve bent and adjusted for you.

I’l do anything to keep you and make you happy. But I can’t be tamed or topped. Don’t mistake indulgence for weakness.”

I swal owed hard, my blood on fire for him.

“Gideon…”

“Reach up with both hands and hold on to the grab handle above the window. Don’t let go until I tel you, understand?”

I did as he ordered, pushing my hands through the leather loop. As my grip secured, my body sparked to life, making me aware of how right he was about what I needed. He knew me so wel , this lover of mine.

Shoving his hands into my bodice, Gideon squeezed my ful , aching breasts. When he rol ed and tugged my nipples, my head lol ed against him, the tension leaving my body in a rush.

“God.” He nuzzled his mouth against my temple. “It’s so perfect when you give yourself over to me like that…al at once, as if it’s a huge relief.”

“Fuck me,” I begged, needing the connection.

“Please.”

Releasing my hair, he reached under my dress and pul ed my panties down my thighs. His jacket flew past me to land on the seat; then his hand pushed between my legs from the front. He growled at finding me wet and swol en. “You were made for me, Eva. You can’t go long without me inside you.”

Stil he primed me, running his skil ed fingers through my cleft, spreading the moisture over my clit and the lips of my sex. He pushed two fingers into me, scissoring them, preparing me for the thrust of his long, thick cock.

“Do you want me, Gideon?” I asked hoarsely, needing to ride his thrusting fingers, but hampered by how far I had to reach to grab the strap.

“More than my next breath.” His lips moved over my throat and the top of my shoulder, the warm velvet of his tongue sliding seductively across my skin. “I can’t go long without you either, Eva. You’re an addiction…

my obsession…”

His teeth bit gently into my flesh, conveying his animal need with a rough sound of desire. Al the while he fucked me with his fingers, his other hand massaging my clit, making me come again and again from the simultaneous stimulation.

“Gideon!” I gasped, when my damp fingers began to slip from the leather.

His hands left me and I heard the erotic rasp of his zipper lowering. “Let go and lie on your back with your legs spread.”

I moved to the seat and stretched along it, offering my body to him in quivering anticipation. His gaze met mine, his face briefly lit by a passing swathe of headlights.

“Don’t be afraid.” He came over me, setting his weight onto me with excruciating care.

“I’m too horny to be scared.” I caught him and pul ed my body up to press against the hardness of his. “I want you.”

His cock head nudged against the lips of my sex.

With a flex of his hips, he pushed into me, his breath hissing just as mine did at the searing connection. I went lax against the seat, my fingers barely clinging to his lean waist.

“I love you,” I whispered, watching his face as he began to move. Every inch of my skin burned as if from the sun, and my chest was so tight with longing and emotion that it was hard to breathe. “And I need you, Gideon.”

“You have me,” he whispered, his cock sliding in and out. “I couldn’t be more yours.”

I quivered and tensed, my hips meeting his relentlessly measured drives. I climaxed with a breathless cry, shuddering as the ecstasy rippled through my sex, milking him until he grunted and started powering into me.

“Eva.”

I rocked into his ferocious lunges, urging him on. He clutched at me, riding me hard and fast. My head thrashed and I moaned shamelessly, loving the feel of him, that decadent sensation of being possessed and ruthlessly pleasured.

We were wild for each other, fucking like feral beasts, and I was so turned on by our primal lust I thought I’d die from the orgasm building inside me.

“You’re so good at this, Gideon. So good…” He gripped my buttock and yanked me up to meet his next thrust, hitting the end of me, forcing a gasp of pleasure/pain from my throat. I came again, clenching down hard on him.

“Ah, God. Eva.” With a serrated groan, he erupted violently, flooding me with his heat. Pinning my hips, he

ground against me, emptying himself as deep in me as he could get.

When he finished, he sucked in a harsh breath and gathered my hair in his hands, kissing the side of my damp throat. “I wish you knew what you do to me. I wish I could tel you.”

I held him tightly. “I can’t help it that I’m stupid over you. It’s just too much, Gideon. It’s—”

“—uncontrol able.” He started over again, thrusting rhythmical y. Leisurely. As if we had al the time in the world. Thickening and lengthening with each push and pul .

“And you need control.” I lost my breath on a particularly masterful stroke.

“I need you, Eva.” His gaze was fierce on my face as he moved inside me. “I need you.”

Gideon didn’t leave my side, or al ow me to leave his, the rest of the evening. He kept his right hand linked with my left al the way through dinner, once again choosing to eat one-handed rather than release his hold on me.

Corinne—who’d taken a seat on the other side of him at our table—gave him a curious look. “I seem to remember you being right-handed.”

“I stil am,” he said, lifting our joined hands from under the table and kissing my fingertips. I felt foolish and insecure when he did that—and conscious of Corinne’s scrutiny.

Unfortunately, the romantic gesture didn’t keep him from talking to Corinne throughout the meal, not me—

which left me feeling fidgety and unhappy. I saw more of the back of Gideon’s head than his face.

“At least it’s not chicken.”

I turned my head toward the man sitting beside me.

I’d been so focused on trying to eavesdrop on Gideon’s conversation that I hadn’t paid any mind to our tablemates.

“I like chicken,” I said. And I had liked the tilapia served for dinner—I’d cleaned my plate.

“Not rubberized, certainly.” He grinned and suddenly looked much younger than his pure white hair would suggest. “Ah, there’s a smile,” he murmured. “And it’s a beautiful one.”

“Thank you.” I introduced myself.

“Dr. Terrence Lucas,” he said. “But I prefer Terry.”

“Dr. Terry. It’s lovely to meet you.”

He smiled again. “Just Terry, Eva.”

Over the course of the few minutes we’d spoken, I’d come to believe Dr. Lucas wasn’t a whole lot older than me, just prematurely gray. Aside from that, his face was handsome and unlined, his green eyes intel igent and kind. I revised my guesstimate of his age to be mid-to-late thirties.

“You look as bored as I feel,” he said. “These events raise a considerable amount of money for the shelter, but they can be dul . Would you like to accompany me to the bar? I’l buy you a drink.”

Beneath the table, I tested Gideon’s grip by flexing my hand. His tightened.

“What are you doing?” he murmured.

Looking over my shoulder, I saw him watching me.

Then I watched his gaze lift as Dr. Lucas stood behind me. Gideon’s gaze noticeably cooled.

“She’s going to al eviate the boredom of being ignored, Cross,” Terry said, setting his hands on the back of my chair, “by spending time with someone who’s more than happy to pay attention to such a beautiful woman.”

I was immediately uncomfortable, aware of the crackling animosity between the two men. I tugged on his hand, but Gideon wouldn’t release me.

“Walk away, Terry,” Gideon warned.

“You’ve been so preoccupied with Mrs. Giroux, you didn’t even notice when I sat at your table.” Terry’s smile took on an edge. “Eva. Shal we?”

“Don’t move, Eva.”

I shivered at the ice in Gideon’s voice, but felt stung enough to say, “It’s not his fault he has a point.” Gideon’s grip tightened painful y. “Not now.” Terry’s gaze moved to my face. “You don’t have to tolerate him talking to you that way. Al the money in the world doesn’t give anyone the right to order you around.”

Infuriated and horribly embarrassed, I looked at Gideon. “Crossfire.”

I wasn’t sure I could use the safeword outside of the bedroom, but he released me as if I’d burned him. I

shoved my chair back and threw my napkin onto my plate. “Excuse me. Both of you.”

With my clutch in hand, I walked away from the table, my stride easy and smooth. I made a beeline toward the restrooms, intending to freshen my makeup and col ect myself, but then I saw the lighted exit sign and went with my urge to bail.

I pul ed out my smartphone when I hit the sidewalk and

texted

Gideon; Not running. Just

leaving.

I managed to hail a passing cab, and headed home to nurse my anger.

I was jonesing for a hot bath and a bottle of wine when I reached my apartment. Shoving my key into the lock, I turned the knob and stepped into a porn video.

In the few shocked seconds it took for my brain to register what I was seeing, I stood riveted on the threshold, flooding the hal way behind me with blaring technopop. There were so many body parts involved, I had time to hastily slam the door behind me before I pieced them al together. One woman was spread-eagled on the floor. Another woman’s face was in her crotch. Cary was banging the hel out of her while another man was dril ing him in the ass.

I threw my head back and screamed bloody murder, completely fed up with everyone in my life. And because I was competing with the sound system, I ripped off one of my heels and threw it in that direction.

The CD skipped, which jolted the ménage a quatre in progress on my living room floor into awareness of my presence. I limped over and shut off the volume; then faced the lot of them.

“Get the fuck out of my house,” I snapped. “Right now.”

“Who the hel is that?” the redhead at the bottom of the pile asked. “Your wife?”

There was a brief flash of embarrassment and guilt on Cary’s face, and then he shot me a cocky smile.

“My roommate. There’s room for more, baby girl.”

“Cary Taylor. Don’t push me,” I warned. “It’s real y, really not a good night.”

The dark-haired male on top disengaged from Cary and stood, sauntering toward me. As he got closer, I saw his hazel eyes were unnatural y dilated and the pulse in his neck was throbbing viciously. “I can make it better,” he offered with a leer.

“Back the fuck up.” I adjusted my stance, preparing to ward him off physical y if necessary.

“Leave her alone, Ian,” Cary snapped, pushing to his feet.

“Come on, baby girl,” Ian coaxed, making me sick by using Cary’s pet name for me. “You need a good time. Let me show you one.”

One minute he was inches in front of me, the next he was sailing into the couch with a scream. Gideon moved into place between me and the others, vibrating with fury. “Take it to your room, Cary,” he bit out. “Or take it somewhere else.”

Ian was squealing on my sofa, his nose spraying blood despite the two hands he tried to staunch it with.

Cary snatched his jeans off the floor. “You’re not my fucking mother, Eva.”

I sidestepped around Gideon. “Wasn’t screwing up with Trey enough of a fucking lesson for you, you idiot?”

“This isn’t about Trey!”

“Who’s Trey?” The bottle blonde asked as she got to her feet. When she caught a good look at Gideon, she visibly preened, showing off an admittedly pretty body.

Her efforts earned her a glance so disdainful y dismissive and unimpressed that she final y had the grace to blush and cover herself with a slinky gold lamé dress she picked up off the floor. And because I was in a mood, I said, “Don’t take it personal y. He prefers brunettes.”

The look Gideon shot me was lethal. I’d never seen him look so livid. He was literal y vibrating with suppressed violence.

Frightened by that glare, I took an involuntary step back. He cursed viciously and shoved both of his hands through his hair.

Suddenly bone weary and desperately disappointed with the men in my life, I turned away. “Get this mess out of my house, Cary.”

I headed down the hal way, kicking off my other heel en route. I was out of my dress before I reached my bathroom and in the shower less than a minute beyond that. I stayed out of the range of the spray until the water warmed, and then I stood directly beneath it. Too tired to stand for long, I sank to the floor and just sat beneath the stream with my eyes closed and my arms wrapped around my knees.

“Eva.”

I cringed when I heard Gideon’s voice, and tucked into an even tighter bal .

“Goddamn it,” he snapped. “You piss me off worse than anyone else I know.”

I looked at him through the veil of my wet hair. He was pacing the length of my bathroom, his jacket shed somewhere and his shirt untucked. “Go home, Gideon.”

He halted and shot me an incredulous look. “I’m not fucking leaving you here. Cary’s lost his damned mind!

That amped-up asshole was seconds away from putting his hands on you when I got here.”

“Cary wouldn’t have let that happen. But either way, I can’t deal with him and you at the same time.” I didn’t want to deal with either of them, actual y. I just wanted to be alone.

“Then you’l just deal with me.”

I scooped my hair back from my face with an impatient swipe of my hand. “Oh? I’m supposed to make you the priority?”

He recoiled as if I’d hit him. “I was under the impression we were both each other’s priorities.”

“Yeah, I thought that, too. Until tonight.”

“Jesus. Wil you drop it with Corinne already?” He spread his arms wide. “I’m here with you, aren’t I? I barely said good-bye to her because I was chasing after you. Again. ”

“Fuck you. Don’t do me any favors.”

Gideon lunged into the shower ful y dressed. He yanked me to my feet and kissed me. Hard. His mouth devoured mine, his hands gripping my upper arms to hold me in place.

But I didn’t soften this time. I didn’t give in. Even when he tried coaxing me with lush, suggestive licks.

“Why?” he muttered, his lips sliding down to my throat. “Why are you driving me insane?”

“I don’t know what your problem is with Dr. Lucas, and I honestly don’t give a shit. But he was right.

Corinne got way too much of your attention tonight. You pretty much ignored me during dinner.”

“It’s impossible for me to ignore you, Eva.” His face was hard and tight. “If you’re in the same room with me, I don’t see anyone else.”

“Funny. Every time I looked at you, you were looking at her.”

“This is stupid.” He released me and shoved the wet hair out of his face. “You know how I feel about you.”

“Do I? You want me. You need me. But do you love Corinne?”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. No. ” He shut the water off, caging me to the glass with both arms. “You want me to tel you I love you, Eva? Is that what this is about?” My stomach cramped as if he’d struck me with the ful force of his fist. I’d never felt that kind of pain before, hadn’t known it existed. My eyes burned and I ducked under his arm before I embarrassed myself by crying. “Go home, Gideon. Please.”

“I am home.” He caught me from behind and buried his face in my soaked hair. “I’m with you.” I struggled to get free, but I was too wiped out.

Physical y. Emotional y. The tears came in a torrent and I couldn’t stop them. And I hated crying in front of anyone. “Go away. Please. ”

“I love you, Eva. Of course I do.”

“Oh my God.” I kicked at him, flailing. Anything to get away from the person who’d become a massive source of pain and misery. “I don’t want your fucking pity. I just want you to go away.”

“I can’t. You know I can’t. Eva, stop fighting. Listen to me.”

“Everything you’re saying hurts, Gideon.”

“It’s not the right word, Eva,” he pressed on stubbornly, his lips at my ear. “That’s why I haven’t said it. It’s not the right word for you and what I feel for you.”

“Shut up. If you care about me at al , you’l just shut up and go away.”

“I’ve been loved before—by Corinne, by other women…But what the hel do they know about me?

What the hel are they in love with when they don’t know how fucked up I am? If that’s love, it’s nothing compared to what I feel for you.”

I stil ed, trembling, my gaze on the mirror’s reflection of my mascara-smeared face and bedraggled wet hair next to Gideon’s ravaged beauty. His features were overcome by volatile emotion as he wrapped himself tightly around me. We looked al wrong for each other.

And yet I understood the alienation of being around others who couldn’t real y see you or chose not to. I’d felt the self-loathing that came with being a fraud, portraying an image of what you wished you could be but weren’t. I’d lived with the fear that the people you loved might turn away from you if they ever got to know the true person hidden inside.

“Gideon—”

His lips touched my temple. “I think I loved you the moment I saw you. Then we made love that first time in the limo and it became something else. Something more.”

“Whatever. You cut me off that night and left me behind to take care of Corinne. How could you, Gideon?”

He released me only long enough to scoop me up and carry me over to where my bathrobe hung from a hook on the back of the door. He bundled me up; then had me sit on the edge of the tub while he went to the sink and pul ed my makeup removal wipes out of the drawer. Crouching in front of me, he stroked the cloth over my cheek.

“When Corinne cal ed during the advocacy dinner, it was the perfect time to make me do something stupid.” His gaze was soft and warm on my tear-streaked face. “You and I had just made love, and I wasn’t thinking clearly. I told her I was busy and that I was with someone, and when I heard the pain in her voice, I knew I had to deal with her so I could move forward with you.”

“I don’t understand. You left me behind for her. How does that move us forward?”

“I screwed up with Corinne, Eva.” He tilted my chin back to rub at my raccoon eyes. “I met her my first year at Columbia. I noticed her, of course. She’s beautiful and sweet, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone. When she pursued me, I let myself be caught and she became my first consensual sexual experience.”

“I hate her.”

That made his mouth curve slightly.

“I’m not kidding, Gideon. I’m sick with jealousy right now.”

“It was just sex with her, angel. As raw as you and I fuck, it’s stil making love. Every time, from the very first time. You’re the only one who’s ever gotten to me that way.”

I heaved out a breath. “Okay. I’m marginal y better.” He kissed me. “I guess you could say we dated. We were exclusive sexual y and we often ended up going to the same places as a couple. Stil , when she told me she loved me, I was surprised. And flattered. I cared about her. I enjoyed spending time with her.”

“Stil do, apparently,” I muttered.

“Keep listening.” He chastised me with a tap of his finger to the end of my nose. “I thought maybe I might love her, too, in my own way…the only way I knew how.

I didn’t want her to be with anyone else. So I said yes when she proposed.”

I jerked back to look at him. “She proposed?”

“Don’t look so shocked,” he said wryly. “You’re bruising my ego.”

Relief flooded me in a rush that made me dizzy. I threw myself at him, hugging him as tight as I could.

“Hey.” His returning embrace was just as fierce.

“You okay?”

“Yes. Yes, I’m getting there.” I pul ed back and cupped his jaw in my hand. “Keep going.”

“I said yes for al the wrong reasons. After two years of hanging out, we’d never spent a ful night together.

Never talked about any of the things I talk to you about.

She didn’t know me, not real y, and yet I convinced myself that being loved at al was something to hang on to. Who else was going to do it right, if not her?” He moved his attention to my other eye, cleaning away the black streaks. “I think she was hoping that being engaged would take us to a different level.

Maybe I’d open up more. Maybe we’d stay the night at the hotel—which she thought was romantic, by the way

—instead of cal ing it an early night because of classes in the morning. I don’t know.”

I thought it sounded terribly lonely. My poor Gideon.

He’d been alone for so long. Maybe his whole life.

“And maybe when she broke it off after a year,” he went on, “she was hoping that would kick-start things, too. That I’d make a bigger effort to keep her. Instead, I was relieved because I’d started to realize it was going to be impossible to share a home with her. What excuse was I going to come up with to sleep in separate rooms and have my own space?”

“You never considered tel ing her?”

“No.” He shrugged. “Until you, I didn’t consider my past an issue. Yes, it affected certain ways I did things, but everything had its place and I wasn’t unhappy. In fact, I thought I had a comfortable and uncomplicated life.”

“Oh, boy.” My nose wrinkled. “Hel o, Mr.

Comfortable. I’m Miss Complicated.”

His grin flashed. “Never a dul moment.”

Gideon tossed the makeup remover wipe in the trash.

Then he grabbed a towel to throw over the puddle he’d left on the floor and toed off his shoes. To my utter delight, he began stripping out of his wet clothes.

Watching him raptly, I said, “You feel guilty because she stil loves you.”

“I do, yes. I knew her husband. He was a good guy and he was crazy about her, until he figured out she didn’t feel the same way and things fel apart.” He looked at me as he peeled his shirt off. “I couldn’t figure out why he let it get to him. He was married to the girl he wanted, they lived in a different country away from me, so what was his problem? Now, I understand. If you loved someone else, Eva, it’d shred me to pieces, every single day. It’d kil me even if you were with me and not him. But unlike Giroux, I wouldn’t let you go. Maybe I wouldn’t have al of you, but you’d stil be mine and I’d take what I could get.” My fingers laced in my lap. “That’s what scares me, Gideon. You don’t know what you’re worth.”

“Actual y, I do. Twelve bil —”

“Shut up.” My head spun and I pressed my fingertips to my eyes. “It shouldn’t be such a mystery that women fal in love with you and stay in love. Did you know that Magdalene kept her hair long hoping it’d remind you of Corinne?”

He dropped his slacks and frowned at me. “Why?” I sighed at his cluelessness. “Because she believes Corinne is who you want.”

“Then she’s not paying attention.”

“Isn’t she? Corinne told me she talks to you almost every day.”

“Not quite. I’m often not available. You know how busy I am.” His gaze took on the heated look I was so familiar with. I knew he was thinking about the times he got busy with me.

“That’s nuts, Gideon. Her cal ing every day. That’s stalking.” Which reminded me of her assertion that he’d been as possessive over her as he was about me. That niggled at me in a terrible way.

“Where are you going with this?” he asked, in a voice laced with warm amusement.

“Don’t you get it? You drive women off the deep end because you’re the ultimate. You’re the grand prize. If a woman can’t have you, they know they’re settling for less than the best. So they can’t think about not having you. They just think of crazy ways to try and get you.”

“Except for the one I want,” he retorted dryly, “who spends a lot of time running in the opposite direction.” I stared unabashedly, drinking him in as he stood naked in front of me. “Answer one question for me, Gideon. Why do you want me, when you can have your pick of perfection instead? And I’m not fishing for compliments or reassurances. I’m asking an honest question.”

He caught me up and moved us into the bedroom.

“Eva, if you don’t stop thinking of us as temporary, I’m going to take you over my knee and make damn sure you like it.”

Setting me down in a chair, he went to rifle through my drawers.

I watched him pul ing out underwear, yoga pants, and a top. “Have you forgotten I sleep in the nude with you?”

“We’re not staying here.” He faced me. “I don’t trust Cary not to bring more intoxicated jerks home and once we turn in for the night I’l be drugged on the medication Dr. Petersen prescribed and possibly unable to protect you. So we’re going to my place.” I looked down at my twisted hands, thinking about how I might need protection from Gideon, too. “I’ve been down this road with Cary before, Gideon. I can’t just hole up at your place and hope he comes out of it on his own. He needs me to be around more than I have been.”

“Eva.” Gideon brought me my clothes and crouched in front of me. “I know you need to support Cary. We’l figure out how tomorrow.”

I cupped his face. “Thank you.”

“I need you, too, though,” he said quietly.

“We need each other.”

He pushed to his feet. Moving back to the dresser, he pul ed open his drawers and grabbed clothes for himself.

Standing, I began to dress. “Listen…”

He pul ed a pair of low-slung jeans on. “Yes?”

“I feel tons better now that I know the score, but Corinne is stil going to be a problem for me.” I paused with my shirt in my hands. “You wanna nip her hopes in the bud real quick. Stow the guilt, Gideon, and start weaning her off.”

He sat on the edge of the bed to pul on his socks.

“She’s a friend, Eva, and she’s in a rough spot. It’s a cruel time to cut her off.”

“Think careful y, Gideon. I have exes in my past, too.

You’re setting the precedent now for how I’l handle them. I’m taking my cues from you.”

He stood with a scowl. “You’re threatening me.”

“I prefer to see it as coercion. Relationships work both ways. You’re not her only friend. She can find someone more appropriate to lean on in her time of crisis.”

We grabbed what we needed and walked back into the living room. I saw the mess left behind—an aqua-hued bra beneath an end table and blood spray on my cream sectional —and I wished Cary was stil around to smack some sense into.

“I’m digging into it with him tomorrow,” I bit out, my jaw tight with anger and worry. “Goddamn it, I should’ve decked him when I had the chance. I should’ve knocked him out cold, and then locked him up in his room until he gets his brain working again.” Gideon’s hand at the smal of my back rubbed soothingly. “It’l be better to do that tomorrow, when he’s alone and hungover. More effective that way.” Angus was waiting for us when we got downstairs. I was about to climb into the back of the limo when Gideon cursed under his breath, stopping me.

“What?” I asked him.

“I forgot something.”

“Let me get my keys.” I reached for the overnight bag Gideon was holding, which had my purse inside.

“No need. I have a set.” He shot me an unapologetic grin when my brows rose. “I had copies made before I gave them back to you.”

“Seriously?”

“If you’d paid attention”—he kissed the top of my head—“you might’ve noticed that you’ve had the key to my place on your key ring since I returned it.” I gaped after him as he darted past the doorman and back into the building. I remembered the torment of those four days when I’d thought we’d broken up and the excruciating pain I’d felt when those keys slid out of the envelope and into my palm.

I’d had the key to being with him al along.

Shaking my head, I looked around at my adopted city, loving everything about it and feeling grateful for the crazy wel of happiness I’d found here.

Gideon and I stil had so much work ahead of us. As much as we loved each other, it was no guarantee that we’d survive our personal wounds. But we communicated, we were honest with each other, and God knew we were both too stubborn to quit without a fight.

Gideon reappeared just as two large, beautiful y groomed poodles walked by with their equal y coiffed owner.

I climbed into the limo. As we pul ed away from the curb, Gideon tugged me onto his lap and cuddled me close. “We had a rough night, but we got through it.”

“Yeah, we did.” Tipping my head back, I offered my mouth for a kiss. He obliged me with one that was slow and sweet—a simple reaffirmation of our precious, complicated, maddening, necessary connection.

Cupping his nape, I ran my fingers through his silky hair. “I can’t wait to get you back in bed.” He gave a sexy little growl and attacked my neck with tickling nips and kisses, banishing our ghosts and their shadows.

At least for a little while…

Gideon and Eva’s story continues in the powerfully sensual sequel in

the Crossfire series,

1. Eva’s move from California to New York brings her closer to her mother. While the move was a good one for both her and

Cary’s careers, it could have been

avoided. Why do you think she made the

choice to start her new life in New York?

2. Cary is dependent on Eva material y and emotional y, even though she turns to him as a sounding board more often than he

turns to her. What needs does Eva meet

for Cary?

3. Initial y, it’s the physical attraction that draws Gideon to Eva, but by the time he lures her to his nightclub there’s something deeper involved. What is it about Eva that causes Gideon to pursue her so

relentlessly?

4. Gideon has a difficult time accepting any 4. Gideon has a difficult time accepting any privacy barriers between him and Eva. Do you think Eva is too soft or too tough on the issue? How would you respond?

5. Eva values transparency in her

relationships, but she al ows Gideon to keep his secrets. Why do you think that is?

Do you agree or disagree?

6. Gideon’s life revolves around his work and his philanthropic commitments; Eva’s

social life is more personal. How do these differences affect them as a couple?

7. Gideon and Eva have a very sexual

relationship. Considering their pasts, why do you think sex is such an important way for them to communicate?

Sylvia Day is the national bestsel ing author of over a dozen novels. Her résumé includes a variety of odd jobs ranging from amusement park employee to Russian linguist/interrogator for U.S. Army Military Intel igence. She’s presently a ful -time writer. Sylvia’s work has been cal ed an “exhilarating adventure” by Publishers Weekly and “wickedly entertaining” by Booklist. Her stories have been translated into Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, German, Czech, Italian, and Thai. She’s been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the EPPIE award, the National Readers’ Choice Award, the Readers’ Crown, and multiple finalist nominations for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA®

Award of Excel ence. She’s now hard at work on DEEPER IN YOU, the sequel to BARED TO YOU, but would love for you to visit with her on her website.

Connect with Sylvia

www.SylviaDay.com

www.Facebook.com/AuthorSylviaDay

www.Twitter.com/SylDay

Books by Sylvia Day

Paranormal Romance

Renegade Angels

A Taste of Seduction

A Hunger So Wild

A Touch of Crimson

Dream Guardians

Heat of the Night

Pleasures of the Night

Historical Romance

Seven Years to Sin

Pride and Pleasure

The Stranger I Married

Bad Boys Ahoy!

Georgian

Don’t Tempt Me

A Passion for Him

Passion for the Game

Ask For It

Writing as S. J. Day

Marked

Eve of Chaos

Eve of Destruction

Eve of Darkness

Writing as Livia Dare

Sapphire’s World

In the Flesh

Anthologies

Hot in Handcuffs

Guns and Roses

Wicked Reads

Best Erotic Romance

Steamlust: Steampunk Erotic Romance

Men Out of Uniform

The Promise of Love

Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2

Al uring Tales: Hot Holiday Nights

Perfect Kisses

Got a Minute?

Al uring Tales: Awaken the Fantasy

Declassified: Dark Kisses

White Hot Holidays: Vol. 2

Dreams of the Oasis: Vol. 2

Sex on Holiday

NonFiction

Lustful y Ever After

Perfectly Plum

The Write Ingredients

Digital Titles

A Caress of Wings

A Dark Kiss of Rapture

Al Revved Up

Kiss of the Night

Misled

Snaring the Huntress

Catching Caroline

Writing as S. J. Day

Eve of Warfare

Eve of Sin City

Table of Contents

1. Praise for Sylvia Day

2. Books by Sylvia Day

3. Copyright

4. Bared to You

5. Dedication

6. Acknowledgments

7. Chapter 1

8. Chapter 2

9. Chapter 3

10. Chapter 4

11. Chapter 5

12. Chapter 6

13. Chapter 7

14. Chapter 8

15. Chapter 9

16. Chapter 10

17. Chapter 11

18. Chapter 12

19. Chapter 13

20. Chapter 14

21. Chapter 15

22. Chapter 16

23. Chapter 17

24. Chapter 18

25. Chapter 19

26. Chapter 20

27. Chapter 21

28. Chapter 22

29. Deeper in You

30. Book Club/Readers' Group Guide

31. About the Author