"Lucas's wife."
"Oh ."
I remembered the photo I'd found of her through my Google search.
"She's a redhead," I said lamely.
"My attraction to Anne was based entirely on her relationship to Lucas."
I frowned, confused.
"So things were off between you and Dr.
Lucas before you slept with his wife? Or because of it?" Gideon set his elbow on the side of the tub and scrubbed at his face.
"He alienated me from my family.
I returned the favor."
"You broke them up?" "I broke her."
He exhaled harshly.
"She came on to me at a fund-raiser.
I brushed her off until I learned who she was.
I knew it'd kill Lucas to know I'd banged her, and the opening was there so I took it.
It was just supposed to be that once, but Anne contacted me the next day.
Because it would hurt him more to know she couldn't get enough, I let it go on.
When she was ready to leave him for me, I sent her back to her husband."
I stared at him, noting his defiant embarrassment.
He would do it again, but he was ashamed of what he'd done.
"Say something!" he snapped.
"Did she think you loved her?" "No.
Fuck.
I'm an a**hole for nailing another man's wife, but I didn't promise her anything.
I was screwing Lucas through her - I didn't expect for her to become collateral damage.
I wouldn't have let it get that far, if I had."
"Gideon."
I sighed and shook my head.
"What?" He was practically bristling with restless, anxious energy.
"Why did you say my name like that?" "Because you're ridiculously dense for such a smart guy.