Gabe

“Shh, girl. I’ll throw you the ball in a minute.” I shake my hands out and pace the length of my living room. Luna sits near me, her eyes and head following my every move.

She’s an expert on picking up on how I feel.

I barely slept a wink last night, couldn’t get out of bed for my morning walk, and almost didn’t make it to the gym later. I’ve been home for hours now, but I can’t relax for the life of me.

Poor Luna keeps following me. How can she stand it?

I can’t stand myself much right now.

I’ve begged this woman to come to dinner with me, and I finally get her to say yes and now I’m losing my shit.

Work is the reason why I needed to have dinner with her in the first place. Now, I’m not so sure. A part of me wants this to be a date. But the other part of me knows that’s wrong. I need her for information on this case and falsely seducing her isn’t right. Besides, I’ve no interest in a relationship right now. None whatsoever.

So why can’t I shake the feeling this dinner is more of a date? And why can’t I get this woman out of my head? My feelings seem to grow every time I see her, pissing me off further.

I clench my fists, wishing I had a punching bag here. I miss the one from home and don’t feel like going back to the gym.

Dinner is in a couple hours, and my nerves grow stronger as the time ticks by. I’ll need to keep my feelings in check and keep this dinner strictly professional.

I don’t know what Alicia’s even thinking. I know she wants to know the reason for this dinner, which leaves me in a tough spot. She deserves to know, but I’ll end up blowing my cover. And she deserves to know this isn’t a date. But when I try to explain that, it doesn’t seem to work.

Fuck, I’m confused. I pinch the bridge of my nose and sit on the edge of the bed. Luna hops up next to me, and I rub under her chin as my mind races.

What would be the harm in having someone to have fun with? I’m staying here for a while longer, and it would be nice to spend the time with someone other than my co-workers. Joe keeps himself busy, and my partner, Anne, has her boyfriend in tow. They must be a fairly new couple because as soon as she’s off duty, he never leaves her side, their hands all over each other.

I’m afraid to let Alicia close. Last time I let a woman get in my heart, it didn’t work out so well. She found out the truth about my past and ran for the hills. She didn’t deserve to get involved in my shit anyways. I doubt Alicia would get my heart, but it’s not wise to get involved.

My heart was left broken, and I vowed I’d never fall in love again. It’s not fair to me nor is it fair to her. My life is too complicated and so is my job.

Usually, I’m happy with the fuck buddies and the one-night stands. But lately, things seem…I don’t know, stale almost. I’m tired of the different women scene. But I’m not ready for a girlfriend, either.

God, my head is fucked up. I wish for once I could get through a whole day without thinking about my past. Just one day.

I focus on Luna as she rolls onto her back, wanting a belly rub. I chuckle as her leg goes crazy with my scratches, her long tongue hanging out the side of her mouth.

If only I were so easily pleased…

I lie down next to her, cuddling her close. At least she shows me some love and affection. My eyes drift shut, the lack of sleep from last night catching up to me.

* * *

I wake suddenly, my body jolting upright. I glance at the clock on the nightstand. Shit! It’s six-thirty! I’m fucking late!

I rip my clothes off as I run to the shower. I brush my teeth and shower as fast as I can. Thank God I shaved earlier or I’d be even more late.

I dress with record speed, having chosen a nice but casual outfit of dark jeans, a fitted long-sleeved shirt, and a leather jacket. While Luna is out doing her business, I shoot a quick text to Alicia that I’m on my way and dump some kibble into her dog bowl.

I’m out the door a few minutes later, my rental truck cold and uninviting. Fuck this weather. Light snow flurries fall around me, and I pull my beanie hat tighter over my ears. I need warm sunny beaches.

The GPS shows Alicia lives about ten minutes away on the other side of town, and I make it there in five. The streets are dark and empty, no snow having stuck to them yet. Is there a blizzard coming that has everyone hiding in their houses? I tune the radio to a local news station, hoping to hear the latest weather forecast. No such luck.

I pull onto the street, finding the cute small house tucked at the end of the street. Parking behind Alicia’s car, I hop out and make my way to the steps. There are two other cars here, and I try to remember if Alicia said she lived with anyone. I just assumed she didn’t.

I ring the doorbell and wait. Her loud laugh floats through the door, and I can’t help the smile that takes over my face. Her laugh is infectious and warm, and I could listen to it all day.

The door swings open and there she stands, looking more gorgeous than ever. Her curls are tame and silky, framing her perfectly shaped face. She wears a tight black dress with a sweater over the top, and I just want to run my fingers up those legs and find out what she has on underneath.

“Hi,” Alicia says softly, and I focus on her face, her green eyes drawing me in.

My stomach shifts, and I know I’m in trouble.

Deep, fucking trouble.

“Hi.” I manage before stuffing my hands in my pockets. I shift uncomfortably.

What’s wrong with me? My confidence disappeared into thin air.

“Want to come in?”

I nod, and she steps aside.

I hear voices coming from the back of the house and freeze.

She must sense it because she grabs my hand and pulls me into the dark living room. We bump into each other, and my heart picks up speed. She smells divine, and I want to bury my nose in her curls and drink in her scent until I’m drunk off it.

She turns and giggles, a nervous energy buzzing between us. “Sorry, I didn’t want the piranhas to see you. They kept harassing me to bring you in, but I said no. I figured that would be too weird and—” she rambles on in a whisper, and I put my finger on her lips to quiet her.

Alicia looks up at me in surprise and raises her eyebrows.

“Who are you hiding me from?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

“My mom and my aunt.” She makes a slash at her throat while shaking her beautiful curls. “We’ll never escape.” Darting in front of me, she grabs my hand again and her jacket and purse from the chair with her other free hand. I follow behind, sneaking out of the front door like two teenagers slipping off to make out somewhere.

Hmm, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.

Alicia lets go of my hand and slides her jacket on, digging a hat out of the side pocket. She glides it down over her curls and throws me a sexy smile. My cock twitches, and I swallow over the lump that suddenly appears in my throat.

“Ready?” Alicia hums and continues walking to my truck.

I hurry ahead of her and open her door, offering my hand to help her in. My eyes shift down to her long sexy legs, the black lace stockings making my mouth water.

I picture wrapping them around my waist as my fingers glide over the soft skin. My cock hardens as my fantasy takes over, and I look away before shutting the door. I walk slowly around the truck, gulping down air.

Picture an old woman naked, quick!

I pull my beanie off and run my hands through my hair, sucking down the cold air. Once in the truck, I start the engine and sneak a glance at Alicia, her fingers flying over the screen of her phone.

“Ahem.” I clear my throat.

She looks up. “Mm?” The phone disappears in her purse, and a ping of jealousy rushes through me.

Cool it.

“I was thinking of driving into downtown Buffalo and trying out a new restaurant that just opened.”

Alicia nods. “The Italian place? I’ve heard it’s good.”

I nod and take off, tuning to a local station playing the top hits.

We make small talk as we discuss the movies and TV shows we both like. I enjoy listening to her, my nerves melting away as her voice soothes me. We arrive at the restaurant just as she’s finishing telling me about the new Netflix show she’s currently binging.

Our dinner goes smooth, our conversation light and easy. It’s as if we’ve known each other for a long time, like old pals. Dessert arrives, and we share a second bottle of wine and a huge slice of chocolate mousse cake. I feed her spoonfuls and laugh when I smear it on her face, which gets me my own face full of cake.

It’s been one of the best nights of my life, and I haven’t been able to bring up the case yet. I don’t want to ruin this good night.

As I finish paying the bill with the waiter, Alicia’s phone dances on the table. She looks down and then glances at me.

“I need to take this.” She grabs her phone and hurries in the direction of the bathroom.

A few minutes later, she’s back, her face red.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

She shakes her head, the light mood from earlier gone. “It’s nothing. Thanks for the wonderful evening. I hate to end the date like this, but I need to head home. Something’s come up.”

Her eyes dart away and my heart free falls into my stomach. I stand and offer her my arm.

“Let’s get you home then.”

The car ride home is quiet. It’s driving me insane.

We had an amazing night, full of laughter, and now this. Who in the hell called her? Why such a sudden mood change? If anything, it pisses me off. Guess I should make good use of the time.

“How long have you been working at the salon?”

“Just a couple months. Why?”

I shrug. “Just curious. What about at the adoption center?”

“About the same.”

I nod. Interesting. She hasn’t been there long. I wonder why the change. “What were you doing before?”

She crosses her arms. “What’s with all the questions, Gabe?”

Shrugging my shoulders, I glance at her from the corner of my eye. “Making conversation, is all.”

“I’ve questions for you, too, you know,” she teases. Her arms are still crossed, but her face tells me differently. Her lip is curled in as she fights to hold in her smile.

I don’t say anything as I drive, and she continues.

“So, tell me, Gabe, why are you looking around at the shelter to adopt? A single man looking to adopt? Or are you married? What’s your deal?”

Shit.

“It’s complicated.”

Alicia rolls her eyes and looks out the window. “Complicated, my ass. More like lies on top of lies.” Her words come out in a half whisper.

“What? I’m not lying to you. It is complicated. Very fucking complicated.” I pull into the driveway and kill the lights. She unbuckles quickly, her hand already fumbling to open the door. “Wait, Alicia, please.”

She whirls back around. “What?”

Women. Damn them and their dramatics.

“I’m sorry about whatever happened earlier on the phone. I wasn’t trying to annoy you with the questions. Dinner was a great time, and it sucks we had to end the night already, but I understand shit happens.”

Her eyes soften, and she bites her lip. After a few moments, she drops her hands into her lap. “I’m sorry, too. You didn’t deserve my attitude. It’s just my mom…” Her voice quivers and a few tears roll down her cheeks.

My heart lurches, and I reach over, pulling her into me. I hate seeing women cry. It breaks my heart to know she’s hurting and I can’t fix it. Just like I couldn’t fix my mom. I hated seeing her cry, hated seeing her so afraid of people in our own family.

Alicia pulls back slowly, but my grip on her tightens. I don’t want to let her go. Her sweet breath glides over my face, and I drink in her scent again, not able to get enough.

She blinks a few times, and my eyes fall to her lips. A mouth I so desperately want to taste.

Without another thought, I crash my lips to hers, and my mind goes blank. All I want is more.

More, more, more.

Her taste, her touch, she’s intoxicating and I can’t get enough.

We kiss and kiss as if we’ve been starved for affection for years.

It’s frantic and wild and crazy, and for fuck’s sake, I can’t get enough.

The need to claim her, to make her mine is so strong, it’s overwhelming.

All my thoughts turn possessive, and I ache to be inside her.

“Gabe,” she whispers as I trail hot kisses down her throat, her own hands digging their way under my shirt and over my washboard stomach. She gasps when her fingers feel the ridges, and I moan as my cock presses against my pants.

“Come inside,” she whispers, grabbing at my chest while I nip her neck.

I lean back and stare at her face, her lips swollen and her cheeks flushed. Fuck, she’s beautiful.

“My mom and aunt left. The house is empty.” Her eyes search mine as she waits for an answer. Of course, every bone in my body wants to come inside. But I don’t want her to regret this in the morning. Whatever happened earlier needs her attention.

“What about your phone call from earlier?” I ask as I clench my fists. The need for me to take her onto my lap burns fierce inside me.

“It can wait,” she whispers, but she doesn’t seem so sure.

I run my hand along her cheek and brush my thumb along her plump lips. “Only if you’re sure.”

She nods and scrambles out of the truck, making a beeline for the door. I follow behind, my eyes hazy with lust as we hurry inside.