Free According to Hoyle by Abigail Roux Page B

all that Cage cared about. Gabriel was warm too, and that was a fact that Cage was beginning to notice more and more.
    He was also a talker. Cage found himself smiling despite the discomfort of their situation as Gabriel murmured to him quietly in the darkness.
    “Were you born unable to speak?” Gabriel asked him. His breath was warm on Cage’s face as they huddled together, close enough that when Cage answered with a nod, Gabriel was able to feel it rather than needing to see it.
    Cage had never been asked questions like the ones Gabriel asked him. He supposed people had always been too afraid to ask them, or had just not cared enough to be curious.
    “I bet you find it works to your advantage, sometimes,” Gabriel mused. “It took me far too long to learn that keeping my mouth shut was advantageous.”
    Cage snorted in amusement. He wasn’t sure Gabriel had learned that lesson in its entirety yet. He raised his hand, placing it on Gabriel’s chest carefully. He jabbed a finger against his chest and then patted him again.
    “Yes, I know,” Gabriel murmured in amusement.
    Cage nodded, still amazed that Gabriel continued to be able to decipher his attempts at communicating with him. He supposed that was one reason he felt drawn to the man. His hand remained where it had been, resting between their bodies against Gabriel’s chest.
    “Yes, well I suppose some never do, hmm?” Gabriel murmured thoughtfully.
    Cage didn’t respond, merely letting the silence fall around them for a moment and enjoying the warmth of Gabriel’s body next to his. It had been a long time since he’d shared a bed with another man, even if that bed was on the hard ground beneath a creaky wagon. He was determined to let himself enjoy it.
    Gabriel shifted next to him, edging just that much closer as he brought his hand up to cover Cage’s. Cage felt his breath catch, and his heart beat faster as Gabriel’s fingertips caressed the back of his hand.
    “This is an unexpected consequence of my latest indiscretion,” Gabriel told him in a whisper.
    Cage swallowed with difficulty, not quite understanding. He recognized the tone of Gabriel’s voice though, low and intimate. It hit him hard, stirring a confusing mixture of emotions. On one hand he was thrilled. But they only had until St. Louis to enjoy each other’s company, and even that short amount of time was to be had in irons, chained to a wagon under armed guard. Pleasures in life were fleeting, though. Cage knew that all too well.
    “I know what you’re thinking,” Gabriel asserted.
    Cage shook his head.
    “You’re thinking ‘why couldn’t I have met this charming Englishman before I got myself arrested’,” Gabriel told him wryly.
    Cage laughed, but he didn’t give Gabriel the satisfaction of knowing he was basically right.
    “Perhaps not,” Gabriel said when Cage didn’t nod. “Perhaps you’re thinking something more along the lines of what I’m thinking.”
    Cage blinked at him in the darkness, wishing he could make out more of Gabriel’s features. He could just barely see the outline of one prominent cheekbone and his well-defined jaw, see the mischievous quirk to his lips when he smiled. His black eyes, though, were in shadow.
    Cage licked his lips and gave a small, questioning jerk of his chin.
    Gabriel edged closer, their noses touching as he spoke. “I was thinking I don’t do poignant goodbyes,” he answered, just before pressing his lips gently to Cage’s.
    Cage made a small sound of approval and Gabriel pressed closer, kissing him soundly. When he ended it, he moved back only far enough to be able to speak again. Cage worked his fingers under the silk vest Gabriel wore and held him there.
    “I know you don’t know me from Adam’s cat, Cage, but I refuse to let them take you back East for a trial you’ll never win,” Gabriel said determinedly.
    Cage’s lips parted in confusion and he shook his head. He wasn’t sure what it was that had struck