Page 12 of City of Love

“Tell you what, baby doll,” Margot cut her off, flipping on a bright smile. “Why don’t you go ahead without me for a few minutes. The bartender will exchange your money for some of their currency and you can go explore on your own a little bit.”

“Really? Gideon said we needed an escort to go out and—”

She waved off the idea. “Matt and I will be your escorts, and you’ll only be out there alone for a few minutes. Seriously, it’s not that different a world. Market Street is Market Street in both places. In fact, there’s an awesome clothing shop right next door. Go check out their super cool calfskin leggings or some of those knee-high boots, and I’ll come find you there in about fifteen minutes. You’ll be fine. Okay, doll?”

Before she could respond, Margot gave her a peck on the cheek and strode off toward the back of the salon.

Well, okay then. Lexi looked toward the bartender, but didn’t bother with a currency exchange. With her current checking account status, there’d be no buying of leather anyway. Just viewing this new world—a parallel dimension!—was more than enough to satisfy.

Glancing around the room once more before heading out, she sought Gideon’s form among the crowd. Considering he seemed to have his plate full for the evening, he’d probably already forgotten his promise to assist with her psychic problems.

With a shrug, she turned and stepped to the elegant hand-carved doors leading from the club out onto the streets of Philadelphia—this world’s version of Philadelphia. As she reached for the handle, another hand whipped around to open it for her.

“Going off by yourself?”

Gideon Ashe.

“Just stepping out front while I wait for Margot and Matthew to join me.” The corded muscles of his forearms flexed as he held the door open for her, a magnificent gemstone band at his wrist sparkling in the torchlight. “That a problem?”

“Well…”

She missed the rest of his response as her eyes focused on the scene before her. Just as in her dreams, the cobblestone street was busy with activity. Horses pulled ornate carriages, bicycles and pedestrians bustled by, not a car in sight. Up and down Market Street stood the magnificent three-story brick Colonial houses and shops she was familiar with from home, but the windows all glowed with actual candles rather than fake electric ones.

As in the club, people dressed in a modern, more comfortable Victorian style, with elaborate crystal designs worn over their body’s energy centers. Yes, that’s it! She hadn’t realized until now, but the crystals specifically sat over chakras and pulse points. It varied from person to person, but the placement wasn’t random, she was sure of it.

They stepped further outside just as a young man, dressed in fine pinstripe slacks, crisp white shirt, and cobalt and silver brocade vest, came toward them. Probably on his way to a first date, Lexi thought as she noted the bouquet of flowers he held in one hand. With the other he fumbled with a masculine styled, rose quartz broach sitting right were his shirt collar came together, over his throat. For better communication, she assumed, and mentally applauded his effort.

He smiled at her as he passed, and Lexi lifted a hand to wave when she realized the young man’s feet weren’t actually touching the ground. He was gliding smoothly and quickly a couple inches above the street as if wearing invisible skates. Levitation. The dude was freaking levitating! Not just parlor tricks here—this world had seriously leveled up on the psychic talents.

“Gideon!” she said, not realizing she’d placed a hand on his arm. “Look at that.”

All along the street, vendors with carts sold flowers or baked goods, some of them even singing as they peddled their wares. Not a Starbucks in evidence.

Standing there, everything was as surreal as it had been in her dreams. More so even, because there’d been no floating people in them.

Beaming, she looked back at Gideon. He was staring down at her hand on his biceps, his eyes wide enough that you’d have thought she’d burned him with her touch.

She snatched it back to her side. “I’m sorry.”

He continued to stare at the spot on his biceps where her hand had just been. “Not… a problem.” His shoulders relaxed and his eyes returned to hers with a twinkle. A smile spread across his full lips. “I’m glad you’re enjoying the sights of my world.”

She fought to pull her gaze from those lips. Lips she’d tasted so many times before, yet never truly touched. And since blurting out, “Hey, I know you’ve just met me, but I’ve been kissing you for months in my dreams,” didn’t really seem like a great plan, it was hard to see the path from “nice to meet you” to his lips on her neck. Especially with the growing reticence he’d shown to her touch.

But he held her gaze now, his smile doing all kinds of tingly things to her anatomy, and the instinct to reach up and pull his face to hers grew stronger. She clasped her hands behind her back to keep them out of trouble. “I thought you had an appointment to go to?”

His expression dropped, as if her reminder had slapped the fun right out of him. “I did. I mean, I do.” He glanced toward the club entrance, pausing before turning back to her. “But I promised to get you some answers tonight. About your gift.”

Her gift? Oh, right. Her curse. Her constant embarrassment. Her life-ruining affliction. Yeah, that gift.

God, maybe she didn’t want to talk about it tonight after all. Maybe she just wanted to explore this amazing, unexpected, mind-blowing world and forget all about her damn gift for a few hours. “Oh, thank you, but you really don’t—”

The door to the club burst open and out popped a vibrant bundle of energy disguised in the form of a rather stunning man.

Wearing a dark red linen shirt worn loose over black leather pants, and gold rings inlaid with citrine and emerald adorning every finger, he conjured up images from a fairytale. His skin was dark, his hair a glossy black, in waves brushing the tops of his shoulders.

And the man was nothing but smiles and movement.

He clapped Gideon on the shoulder. “I assume this is the lovely lady you were telling me about?”

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