She couldn't remember seeing his chiseled features in full light without being drunk or terrified. With a low brow and piercing gaze, gravelly voice, a perfectly sculpted body and rugged features, Gabriel was the sexiest man she'd ever seen.
"You have no idea how happy I am right now," Katie said.
"Out, woman."
"Fine. I'm two doors down, Deidre. Come find me later."
Gabriel held the door open for Katie, who took the hint and walked out. Deidre's gaze fell to his shapely shoulder, thick bicep and roped forearm as he extended one arm high enough for Katie to walk under. His hands were large, his palms flat. She crossed her arms, too aware of how close to the bed she stood. He regarded her for a long moment, as if assessing if she was going to run or cry, then closed the door.
"You're in one piece," he said after a tense silence.
"That's something, I guess," she replied.
"Rough day?"
"You could say that. Yours?"
"Nothing I couldn't handle." He lifted his chin towards the other side of the bedroom.
Gazing at the muscular man who freely admitted to killing for a living, Deidre couldn't help thinking she never wanted to see something he couldn't handle.
She turned where he indicated, noticing the double French doors for the first time. They led onto a balcony, but it was the eerie green glow beyond that caught her attention. Curious, Deidre crossed to the doors. She didn't notice Gabriel follow and jumped as he leaned around her to open the door. His scent stirred her blood.
Stepping quickly onto the patio, she was able to make out the shapes of tall pine trees. The air was crisp and fresh, the night sky clear.
"What is it?" she asked, eyes on the green glow.
"Lost souls."
Deidre gasped. "Are you serious?"
He nodded once.
"Did I do that, too?" she whispered, dismayed.
"Not directly." Gabriel met her gaze. She felt the shift in him. He was guarded again.
"Never mind," she replied, looking away fast.
"Who told you what exactly?"
"It scares me when you do that, Gabriel."
There was a pause. He wiped his face and sat facing her on the edge of the balcony's railing, arms folded across his chest and legs crossed at the ankle. He made an effort to relax.
"Better?" he asked.
She nodded and moved forward to stand beside him, leaning her hips against the railing. It was too chilly for her to want to keep her distance from the incredibly attractive man. Immortal. Deity. She didn't know what he was.
"Katie and Toby told me what they knew," she replied. "That I was Death for a zillion years and that I fucked you over bad then ran off and became a human."