“What happened to her?”

Lander shrugs. “I’m not entirely clear on that. All of a sudden it was just over. And then in a year or so he announced his engagement to Jessica, and shortly thereafter the other woman’s wedding announcement popped up in the New York Times. She ended up marrying some millionaire philanthropist. His family isn’t as rich as ours, but they have fewer enemies.”

I smile. My guess is that most political dictators have fewer enemies than the Gables. But then, dictators are probably more aware of their vulnerability to those enemies too. Gables seem to think that the only people capable of hurting them are other Gables.

“I’ve told you a lot about my history,” Lander continues. “May I ask about yours?”

“No, not tonight,” I say quietly.

My audacity startles us both and together we laugh.

“I know I’m being unfair,” I continue, “but I just don’t have the energy to comb through my history.”

“Is there something I can do for you? Is there something you need?”

I nod, and then I do something that surprises even me. I reach over and take his free hand in mine. I’ve been underneath Lander, had him inside me. I know what it’s like to have him caress my skin. I know what he tastes like. But other than a fleeting, thoughtless moment in the bedroom, this is the first time I’ve ever held his hand.

His eyes spark with something warm and he pulls me to him so I’m tucked into the crook of his arm.

And that’s when the shaking stops.

We sit there, just like that, silently looking out at the city, until eventually I feel sleep pulling at me and I close my eyes, slipping into unconsciousness while I hold his hand.

chapter twenty-six

Hours later I wake up. We’re still both on the couch, his right arm still wrapped around me as his body leans to the left, his head lolled to the side. The sky has an orange glow and its color penetrates the room, making everything look a little bit magical. The rhythm of Lander’s breathing is slow and sweet.

Everything about this moment feels blessed.

Gently I put my hand on his chest, feel the methodical and determined beat of his heart. His eyes open and he takes in the room and our place in it before turning to me. When he presses his lips against mine the sensation is gentle and filled with more adoration than lust.