Desperate (A Contemporary Romance)

by Katerina Winters

  Gabriel nodded remembering her coming home the first day of work depressed. Supposedly the assistant manager was pissed he got passed over for the promotion. Her first few days at work were steeped in passive aggressive attitude and snide remarks. Gabriel actually felt bad for her, the initial excitement about the new job was quickly replaced by a touch of sadness and dread. Though as she relaxed back in his chair while using the other matching chair to prop up her feet, she didn't look so defeated today.

  "Well, this morning one of the girls called in sick, so it was just me and Kevin during the morning rush. After a while we were able to talk with each other normally with no animosity," Gabriel could hear the relief in her voice as she scratched behind Bishop's ears. "I think once he heard my story of woe and misfortune he felt sorry for me and stopped resenting me, he even took me over to his house after work."

  That caught his attention completely. When she first told him about this Kevin guy, Gabriel just assumed it was some college kid that was acting pissy. He never figured she would make friends with this mystery guy and invite her to his house no less. Calmly Gabriel continued to look at his papers, while his mind questioned his subconscious as to why the fact that she went over some dude's house highly agitated him.

  "His sister, who he lives with, is a hairstylist. So I pretty much got a free haircut."

  The building anger stopped at the explanation. The agitation still remained over the unanswered questions involving the "Kevin" guy, but the unexplained anger subsided at the full explanation. Not trusting himself to look up he continued to focus on the draft in front of him.

  "I am starting to seriously doubt your judgment on safety." One minute she was sleeping in parking lots, taking jobs at strip clubs, and now going to strangers' houses, it was infuriating. Was he the only one looking after her safety?

  "Aww if I get murdered behind the work dumpsters will you seek justice for my death?" Salene teased as she fiddled with the clasp to her necklace.

  This time, Gabriel did give her his full attention. Not saying anything he simply gave her a serious stare

  Nervously she stopped fiddling with her necklace and sat straight in her chair.

  "I was just joking," she whispered softly. "If it will make you feel any better you can come by sometime this week during the morning to see him for yourself. You will see that I am not working with the killer or anything."

  "It's your life, not mine." Highlighting the last paragraph he needed, ignoring her frustrated groan.

  "I swear I do not understand you, Breslin. Most of the time you hate me and for a brief second you will do something bordering on sweet but before I can enjoy it," she snapped her fingers. "Poof. You are back to Captain Evil again."

  Turning to grab the paper he printed off behind him Gabriel hid the smirk at her nickname. Captain Evil was a new one.

  Leaning her elbows on his desk she pulled the necklace around so that she could look at the clasp while she toyed with it.

  "You know I never asked, what kind of lawyer are you?"

  The question caught him off guard. Large honey brown eyes gave him a curious stare when he looked up. "I am a corporate lawyer, I mostly deal with transactional agreements, negotiating deals, and other stuff."

  "Oh wow," the surprise on her face was genuine which made him wonder what the hell did she initially think he did. She most likely thought he got paid to shoot the breeze and golf all day or any other scenario that fit in with her spoiled rich boy profile she made.

  The ding of his phone alerted him of the text. Glancing at his phone Gabriel smiled largely at the received text.

  You are such a dick, thanks for the stolen flowers--Tobias.

  Frustrated with the necklace clasp Salene dropped it, the chain did not seem to be long enough for her to get a good look at what she was doing.

  "Oh that reminds me," she gave him a coy smile that immediately made him wary. "We never talked about our game plan for dating."

  He went very still at her words, carefully he asked. "Excuse me?"

  "You know," she adverted her gaze from his serious one. "When you want to bring ladies over, and I am here."

  A wave of annoyance hit him again. Turning back to his computer he began to type up an email only giving her half of his attention. Actually, he hadn't really dated anyone since Amber left. There were a couple of one night stands, but he would hardly call that dating. Channeling his annoyance at the subject through his fingers, his typing picked up speed. The thought of dating actually disgusted him if he was being honest. Being a good judge of character was something Gabriel prided himself in. Growing up with a serial dater of a father Gabriel knew exactly what kind of woman he did not want and what mistakes to avoid by watching his dad. When he proposed to Amber, he was so fucking sure she was the one. Sweet, bubbly, gorgeous, and willing to let him take the lead. He could not have been more wrong. Like Odysseus, he was lured in by Amber's sweet song of lies. Gabriel was not keen on going back out into the world of witches disguised as nymphs.

  "I was thinking you could tell people I am your sister."

  If he had been drinking anything, he would have surely choked. Turning back straight he sat back in his chair and gave her bewildered look.

  "Who in the hell would believe that?" He laughed as the scenario played itself in his head. "We look nothing alike."

  "Oh come on it would work," she defended her theory. "Perception is reality and besides, you know there is such a thing as half siblings." Smiling deviously, she reached across the desk and cupped his hand. "Brother dear."

  It was like being electrocuted, white-hot heat coursed through his hand at her touch and at her words, too hot to stand. Snatching his hand away he nearly hit the wall behind him as the chair rolled back.

  "Fuck no," he shook his head trying to get her words and her touch out. "That sounds like some damn porno."

  At that, her pretty round face scrunched up with disgust and laughter. "What! No, it would only be a porno if we were having sex."

  Her words were the equivalent of a gong going off in the room. The very declaration of sex between them out loud sucked all the air from the room. Every nerve ending in his body went on high alert as he looked back at her. Laughing nervously, a tight constrained laugh, she picked the necklace back up in her fingers and began to nervously pick at it as she tried to continue.

  "Well… I… I mean you know, what I mean…I was just thinking that telling your dates I was.…" Her words faded away as she became nervous by his obvious lack of response.

  Not able to take it anymore he got up.

  The abrupt move made her jump. Bishop who was curled up on the floor, at her feet merely raised one eyebrow.

  "Stand up and turn around," he ordered, his voice came out a little rougher than he intended.

  "What…" Ignoring her wide-eyed confusion he grabbed her by each elbow and pulled her up until she was standing right in front of him. Turning her around he pushed her soft curls over her shoulders.

  "Gabriel I can…" Brushing his hand against her neck, he pulled the silver chain around until he could see the clasp.

  Quietly his fingers worked at the tangled chain as the rest of his body focused on the woman inches in front of him. The fresh, feminine scent wafted gently in the air around him as they stood silently. From his height behind her, Gabriel could easily see the swell of her breast over her shoulders. Unclasping the clasp, he pulled at the chain, his gaze dipped dangerously low as he watched the chain and pendant ascend through the valley of her breast through the discrete opening of her polo shirt. Holding the necklace by each end he held it out before her, caging her in his arms.

  The soft “thank you” did nothing to quell the heat that was escalating within him. Handing over the jewelry he stepped back. How the fuck did he keep getting himself into the situations with her, it was killing him? From straddling her on his kitchen floor, seeing her nipples harden next to him as he drove, and experiencing the most tortuously intimate pat-
down in his truck. This pattern had to stop.

  Turning around Salene gave him a searching look as if she was looking for what to say. Losing his patience with each second, he just wanted her out of his office before something happened—before he made something happen. About to say something snarky to piss her off, she spoke first.

  "I know we have nothing but differences between us," he focused on the wall beyond her head, anything but those sweet caramel eyes. "But I really do want to thank you for everything you have done for me."

  It was like his body was hit by a sudden fever. Walking back around to his desk he sat down giving himself a barrier between himself and the woman.

  "Yes well hopefully you will be gone soon, now that you have a job. Just make sure you don't get fired again."

  Like so many times before he watched the brief flash of hurt pass through her eyes before being masked with resignation. Nodding curtly, she left him alone with Bishop at her heels. Leaning back in his chair he let his head fall back. These moments between them had to stop, there was no way he could allow himself to do anything with Salene. They were like night and day. She hated him and he… well, he hated that she hated him. It enraged him to know how little she thought of him, to think that her and Amber must have laughed at his expense.

  Despite all his reasoning’s to despise the woman under his roof, Gabriel could not figure out why it seemed to bother him when he saw the pain he caused her with his barbs.

  The sooner she was out, the better.

  Chapter 10

  Salene was in the back room mixing the new strawberry mix flavor for the new punch drinks being offered when Kevin walked in.

  "Hey girl um, there is some fine ass guy up front asking for his promised managerial perk of free coffee." Kevin smiled as he gripped the top of the door frame, stretching out his long body.

  Kevin was tall like a basketball player with impossibly large shoulders to match. Covered in tattoos on his dark brown skin his tall muscled up body looked like it belonged to a brawler of some sort. It was funny actually to watch customer’s reactions to Kevin. Their location was located in a pretty wealthy and more importantly Caucasian neighborhood, so when Kevin stepped up to greet them, their faces of shock were comical at best. But the humor did not stop there Kevin had a secret weapon that completely disarmed their parochial customers—he had a smile that could break hearts. With that smile, he could have the most straight of laced customers stammering over their orders.

  Annoyed she put the mix in the fridge. "What the hell?" She whispered back, Kevin simply shrugged.

  Walking out of the back room she did a double take when she saw Gabriel standing at the counter with a mocking grin.

  "I want my free coffee woman." He demanded.

  Rolling her eyes, she fixed him a coffee knowing he would just pester her if she did not. Attaching the lid to the piping hot drink, she went around the counter to give him the cup.

  “Did you really just come for the coffee or did you come to appease your curiosity about Kevin?" She gave him a suspicious look.

  Wrapping his hands practically around hers as he took the warm cup from her grasp, sliding his rough fingers across her own. Salene could not understand this man, at every turn he was vile and rude towards her, but every now and then he would thoroughly confuse her with moments of pure sweetness.

  "Both actually," taking a sip of his black coffee his emerald eyes sparkled wickedly. "I came to check out this guy, so I can ensure nothing will happen to my free coffee perk."

  This was not one of those sweet moments.

  "Besides I feel even more assured you are in capable hands," seeing her brow furrow in confusion he explained. "I heard him say, and I quote that I am a "fine ass guy."

  Damn Kevin's inability to whisper, this was all this man didn't need, more fodder to feed his gigantic ego.

  "The man has impeccable taste."

  Rolling her eyes, Salene could not help but smile. It seemed the moment she smiled he averted his gaze over her head. The odd habit was something she had noticed lately. Was she that despised in his eyes that he could not even stand to see her smile?

  "Okay then," too tired to deal with his hot and cold attitude she turned back to the counter.

  Not bothering to turn around the chimes clanking on the glass entrance signaled his departure. Opening the cash register next to Kevin, Salene took the next customer.

  "So?" Kevin leaned over, nudging her with his elbow.

  Smiling and taking the name of the customer she finished ringing up his order.

  Setting a pastry on the pickup counter near Kevin she whispered. "That was "him."

  "Well, shit." He whispered loudly. Thankfully there were no customers around. "Why didn't you mention the fact that he is sexy as hell?"

  Setting two coffees on the pickup counter she gave Kevin a disgusted look. "Probably because he is an unmitigated jerk."

  Grabbing her by the elbow, he stopped her and pulled her close to whisper in her ear. "Yeah but that does not mean you guys can't have angry sex."

  Beyond appalled Salene was momentarily struck speechless, without any consent on her behalf her mind immediately conjured up the image of sex with Breslin, her whole body immediately grew hot at the thought.

  Annoyed she shook her head. "No! That will never happen."

  That evening after dinner was made and served she turned in early leaving Breslin to his workout session. Sliding under the covers the low jingle of her phone notification alerted her to a text. Assuming it was Kevin with another funny picture Salene was stunned to see it was Amber.

  "Hey girlie sorry I have not been in contact lately, so much drama let's do lunch tomorrow."

  Rereading the text five more times Salene could not process what to feel first. Shock, anger, disbelief or all of the above. Scrolling up Salene could still see her last text dated nearly a month ago now when she first moved in with Breslin. All unanswered and even more unanswered calls. But now she responds, now after all this time Amber now found it convenient to reach out. Deleting the message was the first thought that popped into her head, but Salene could not bring herself to do it. Salene needed answers, she needed to know why her supposed best friend completely went AWOL when she needed her most. Responding back with a location and time, Salene put away the phone she needed to get some sleep because she could already tell tomorrow was going to be hectic.

  ***

  Work seem to dragged by the following day, every few minutes it seemed Salene was checking her watch for the time. When noon finally did roll around Salene could not clock out any faster. Handing the proverbial reigns to Kevin, she quick-stepped it to her car.

  The restaurant she chose was only about five minutes away from her job. Arriving on time Salene waited at the bar, knowing Amber would be late. While she waited, Salene tried to rehearse what she would ask Amber first. Why did she ignore all her calls and texts? What the hell happened between her and Breslin or why didn't she tell her they had separated? There were so many questions she might need to prioritize them. Checking her phone, it was twelve fifteen.

  "Hey, girlie," the familiar high pitch of Amber's singsong voice pulled her attention from her cell phone.

  Just like the last time Salene saw Amber, she looked radiant as usual. Her platinum blonde hair hung bone straight well past her shoulder blades while her bright blue eyes sparkled with carefree freedom. Salene could not help the bitter thought that her eyes might sparkle just as joyously if she didn't have to work either. Returning the hug that Amber initiated Salene followed her onto the outside eating balcony.

  "It is such a beautiful day out let's eat out here." Not waiting for a reply Amber sat at the table near the front.

  Actually, it was little hot out for her tastes, but Salene quietly obliged.

  "Oh my God, I have so much to tell you." Amber spread out her hands as if Salene needed to brace herself for what was about to come.

  The waitress stopped at their table with a smile
ready to take their order.

  "I will have the Cobb salad and a Dr Pepper." Snapping shut the menu with an extra flourish Amber handed it to the waitress.

  The waitress turned to Salene expectantly.

  "I will just have the water." Smiling at the woman, Salene handed her the unopened menu. Looking at Amber's questioning gaze, she answered the unspoken question as the waitress left. "I am not hungry I actually ate earlier."

  That was a half-truth actually, she was hungry, but she did have a granola in the car earlier. Payday was next week, and Salene could hardly wait.

  "Okay so where to even begin," Amber sighed dramatically. "Let me just start it off like this, Gabriel overnight-ed me my divorce papers to my parents' house."

  The reality of Amber's words hit her like a stone falling into a lake. So it was really happening, her and Gabriel's marriage was really over. Apparently, the heavy news had the opposite effect for Amber as she smiled with a Cheshire grin as if she were telling her a bit of juicy gossip.