know.”
How could she? He didn’t realize how she’d fabricated everything just to suit her purpose. She’d protected herself, and lied to him in the bargain.
Luther’s gaze met hers. “It’s not always easy for me, Gaby. It goes against the grain to be drawn into falsehoods.” Luther’s earnest expression never wavered. “I’m not a liar, and even a lie of omission eats at me. But I understand it. Hell, if I hadn’t been so busy trying to catch maniacs, I probably would have seen it sooner. But I see it now.”
Oh God, oh God. She shook her head, words beyond her.
Luther held her face in a gentle hold. “I see this, your apartment. And I see your life, what you’ve done and why and what you’ll still have to do. And most of all, I see
Fear, hope, choked her. Around the tears that tried to escape, Gaby said, “You’re nuts.”
He had to be. If he saw the real her, he’d want nothing to do with her. He couldn’t. He was a law-abiding man, and so much of her life fell outside the law.
One corner of his mouth kicked up in a compassionate smile of acceptance. “It’s okay, Gaby. You’re an admirable woman, a woman I can like despite your . . . individuality.”
She stared at him, saw his grin widen before he said, “And it just so happens that you make me hot as hell, too.”
Another tentative knock sounded on her door.
Luther said, “Not yet, Bliss.”
Mired in a jumble of foreign emotions, Gaby licked her lips. “Why is Bliss here?”
Reaching down, Luther wedged his hand to the inside of her thigh, opening her legs wider so he could settle between. Then he propped himself on his elbows and stared down at her.
“Well, you know she was dead-on about the basement, right?”
“You believe that now?”
Teasing, he bent to kiss her lips. “You don’t?”
She’d always believed. So many things couldn’t be explained by science or logic. “I know Bliss has a gift.”
“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page for once. Because that’s why I’m here.”
She didn’t understand any of this. “You’re here to talk nonsense and molest me?”
He laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you, but no, I won’t molest you. I won’t have to. We’ll be together whether you like it or not.”
That bold statement pushed her ridiculous reserve to the back and brought out her truer nature. “If you think to force me, cop, think again.”
“Silly.” He pushed off the bed, grabbed her hands and hauled her up. “That bed was far too tempting, and I guess it’s time for you to talk to Bliss anyway.”
“I don’t—”
Luther hauled open the heavy door.
Red-faced and worried, Bliss almost fell inside. It was obvious she’d been trying to listen in.
She wiggled her fingers in a half-hearted wave. “Hi, Gaby.”
Standing behind her, offering silent support, Mort watched them. And now Ann had joined them, too.
Unsure of herself and the situation, Gaby just waited.
Ann said, “Do you know what you’re doing, Luther?”
“For once, yes.” He nodded at Bliss. “Tell her.”
Looking down at her feet, rounded shoulders hunched, Bliss sighed. “I see the two of you together, Gaby. Just as Mort and Ann are meant to be, you and Luther are—”
Gaby slammed the door. No. Bliss couldn’t possibly know that.
Time stood still while she struggled to reconcile the impossible with a dream.
Luther touched her back. “Take a breath, honey.”
“You!” Gaby turned on him. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”
“Probably, but it doesn’t change anything.”
It hurt. More than anything ever had, it hurt. Gaby shook her head.
“I know you care about me. By now you have to know that I care about you. And Gaby? Nothing else matters.”
He caught her when she would have turned away. Jerking her into his chest, he reiterated,
“That’s because you don’t know.”
He went solemn, serious. “I know I didn’t kill Oren or his relatives. I know you protected me. And I know I’m glad to be alive.”
Gaby’s brain went blank. How could he . . . ?
He swayed her from side to side. “I know that Bliss confirmed what I’d already suspected.”
“Oh God, Luther, you should stop now, while you can.” If he didn’t stop, she might be convinced, and then they could both be doomed.
“I can’t. We’re an item, Gaby, now and forever.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s meant to be.”
Desperation clawed at her heart. “Because Bliss said so? You don’t even believe in that stuff!” He didn’t believe in her.
But . . . he hadn’t turned her out for lying about Oren. In fact, he’d almost sounded grateful.
“What can I say, Gaby? You’ve made a believer of me.” Luther set her away from him. “Now, much as I realize you’re pretty superhuman—”
Her mind stalled on that description. Not a freak, but . . . superhuman.
“—I’m still just a man, and I’d prefer we ease into the physical part of this relationship little by little. Perhaps tomorrow works for you? I can get out of the station early. What do you say?”
Her brain was still contemplating the odd compliment he’d given. “What are you talking about?”
“I need to make love with you, Gaby.” His gaze skimmed down her body, and came back to her face. He inhaled. “But I’m throwing a lot at you all at once, so I’m trying to be noble. I want to give you time. I want you with me every step of the way.”
Oh, when it came to the sexual side of their relationship, she was with him. “How much time?”
He smiled. “Tomorrow sounds good to me, after we’ve had a chance to talk things out, figure out how we’re going to do this. But for right now . . . Being this close to you with you dressed like that and a bed right there is testing my control.”
The shock of Luther’s proposition wore off, and the possibility of acceptance presented itself. Gaby looked at her bed. Did she dare?
Luther took her hand. “What do you say, Gaby? Want to go out to dinner with our friends?”
Their friends.
Just like a normal couple.
Gaby turned her back on Luther, desperate for a clear thought. But from the first, he’d kept her thoughts jumbled and skewed her perspective.
And maybe . . . just maybe, that had been God’s plan all along. Was it possible she needed to learn acceptance? And in acceptance, could she have it all?
It was worth the risk. It had to be.
Keeping her back to him, but unable to keep her heart any longer, Gaby nodded. “Okay, Luther. I’d like that.”
