Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel

by Lea Coll

  He cleared his throat. “Uh, no. That’s not how it works. Voodoo dolls aren’t used for revenge.”

  “They’re not?” My face flushed in embarrassment. I researched things before I came, but local religion wasn’t one.

  “Voodoo Dolls are used for healing and communicating with the dead.”

  “Well, that’s disappointing, isn’t it?” I asked Gabe, smiling innocently at him. I hooked my hand into his elbow and led him outside.

  When we’d stepped onto the sidewalk, Gabe said, “These shops carry souvenirs for tourists. They’re not real anyway.”

  I shrugged. “I feel like an idiot for repeating something that I’d heard in a movie somewhere and assumed it was true.”

  “Ah, but that’s the point of visiting a new place. You learn new things.”

  I was surprised he was so insightful, and I was more surprised I’d had an enjoyable day with him.

  “I’d better get you back to work.”

  I checked my phone. It was twelve. “I thought we were going to your neighborhood so you could introduce me to Omar?”

  “I don’t have time. I work the lunch shift, go home for a couple hours for dinner,” he paused to clear his throat, “and then work again in the evening. You’re still going to come tonight to the bar to work?”

  “We had a deal.” I smiled as we boarded the streetcar and sat next to each other, the entire length of his thigh touching mine.

  “Did you have fun?”

  “I did. Thank you for showing me around.” I’d actually been thinking about going out more, and Hadley had been bugging me to go out with her and the other attorneys in the office.

  When the streetcar came to a stop by my office building, Gabe surprised me by standing with me. “I’ll walk you to your building.”

  That felt very much like a date. “Okay.”

  We walked in silence back to my building where he stopped on the steps. I turned and he was a step below me. “I’ll let you go here.”

  “Thanks again for a great morning.” I kissed his cheek before I could change my mind and jogged up the remaining steps into the building. I didn’t look back, but I felt his eyes on me the whole time.

  Chapter Five

  GABE

  I scrubbed my hand down my face as I reflected on my morning with Taylor later that afternoon at the bar. I didn’t know what I was thinking. We had a great day playing tourists and then she kissed me. Before I could react, she’d walked through the glass doors into her office building and I could still feel her soft lips on my cheek.

  I hadn’t reacted this strongly to a woman since I dated Selena, a woman I met at the bar after I’d gotten out of jail. She had a good job, she drove a nice car, and I had no idea what she saw in me. At first, I was just excited she wanted me—and I fell for her hard. But when she dumped me a few months later she’d said I should have known someone like her could never be serious about me. She had big plans for her future and I had none. She wouldn’t bring home a convict to her parents. It was a good reminder that I wasn’t worthy of someone like that and I made sure never to mention my conviction to any other women. They could look it up if they wanted, but I was never serious enough with anyone else to expect they would.

  “Are you going to work tonight?” Isaac asked.

  I’d been staring out the window at the passersby on the sidewalk instead of making sure everything was stocked for the night rush. “Yeah, sorry. I had a lot on my mind.”

  “Does it start with Taylor?”

  “Fuck, no.”

  “She working tonight?” Isaac used a towel to dry the spots off the glasses before placing them in their positions overhead.

  “She is.” It was too dangerous. I had no idea why I’d taken her to the French Quarter instead of helping her in my neighborhood. I’d had this desire to introduce her to my city when I should have showed her the darker parts of my neighborhood, my life. I should have been giving her reasons to be running away from me. Not pulling her in closer.

  “She’s done great this week. Does she want to work here permanently?” I could feel Isaac’s eyes on me.

  “I doubt it. She has a good job.” She hadn’t complained and she’d worked hard. It hadn’t scared her off like I thought it would.

  “So, what’s going on? Why are you distracted?” He rubbed the countertop down with a rag.

  I didn’t want to tell him I’d taken her to the French Quarter this morning. It was completely out of character for me. I knew he’d see right through me and know I was attracted to her. He already seemed to suspect something was going on.

  “She’s here.” Isaac seemed happy about it.

  I turned to watch Taylor open the door and walk in with her skinny jeans, a flowy tank top, sneakers and her hair up in a messy bun instead of her usual slicked back ponytail. I wanted to pull out the pins and watch her hair drop around her shoulders. I wanted to run my fingers through it and see if it was as soft as it looked. I wanted to pull her tight to my body so I could feel all the curves she was hiding under that flowy top. I wanted to slide my hand down the back of her jeans and cup her ass. Fuck. She looked different than the woman who walked into my bar that first day. This woman could slide under my defenses.

  She made her way to the bar through the crowd, which was light tonight. “Hey, how are you guys?” She looked at both of us with a smile, but her eyes settled on me last.

  I’d definitely fucked up today. She thought there was something between us when there couldn’t be anything. I needed to set her straight.

  But before I could say anything, Isaac threw her a black apron from under the bar. “Sure glad you’re helping us out. I haven’t found another server yet.”

  Her smile was quick. “Of course.”

  When her eyes went to mine, I kept my expression neutral. I didn’t want to encourage her any more than I already had. I ignored the hurt in her eyes and turned to a customer to ask if they wanted a refill. I could feel her eyes on my face before she finally walked away.

  “What was that? She’s doing us a favor and doesn’t even expect to be paid—I think you can say hello like a civilized person.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Leave it, Isaac.” I clenched my teeth, hoping he’d listen.

  “I think you’re way off base with her.” He stepped closer to me so Anna wouldn’t hear as she walked back and forth getting things ready for the night and lowered his voice. “Maybe she could help you with Zach.”

  “Drop it.” I’d never place my trust in a woman again. I trusted my mom to take care of me, to always be there for me, I trusted Selena, but I wasn’t good enough for her. I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. It’s why my relationships with women were few and far between. I never got serious with anyone, especially not someone who worked in law enforcement who had the potential to fuck up things with Zach.

  Isaac shook his head and returned to the other end of the bar.

  I couldn’t stop myself from tracking her ass in those tight jeans as she made her way from table to table talking and smiling. She was sweet, caring, and way too good for me. She seemed to have a knack for taking care of people. I ignored the nagging thought that she would be sympathetic to the situation with Zach. That she wouldn’t report his mother, but I couldn’t take that chance.

  At eleven, she untied her apron, placing it under the bar. “Is it okay if I leave?”

  She’d asked me, but I wasn’t her boss. So like an ass I remained quiet, forcing Isaac to respond.

  “Of course. You’re helping us out.”

  Taylor waited a beat longer, like she was waiting for me to offer to walk her out or say something, but I carefully avoided her gaze by cleaning off the already clean bar top.

  “Well, have a good night.” Taylor smiled at Isaac.

  “See that she gets where she’s going,” Isaac said, nodding in Taylor’s direction as she headed to the door.

  “I’m not a complete asshole,” I grumbled, even though
I wanted to be. I wanted to avoid situations where we’d be alone.

  Isaac tilted his head toward the door.

  I caught up with her on the sidewalk where she was looking uncertainly at the street, probably watching for an Uber. It smelled strongly of rain—the air was heavy and humid.

  “You shouldn’t wait out here by yourself.” I stopped next to her, shoving my hands into my pockets.

  “I’m not by myself. You’re here.” She was annoyed with me and I couldn’t blame her.

  “Has anyone told you you’re incredibly frustrating?” I nudged her shoulder with my arm since she was so much shorter than my six-foot-two.

  “Has anyone told you that you’re incredibly frustrating?”

  “Yeah, actually, all the time.” I chuckled.

  She smiled for a second before the expression slipped off her face. “What happened tonight? After this morning, I thought—”

  “I promised you I’d help out with the community outreach project but that’s it. This morning shouldn’t have happened. We’re too different. You’re a prosecutor and I’m a bartender.”

  She was quiet for a minute as her car pulled up.

  “Thanks for helping this week.” I wanted her to look at me so I could see her expressive blue eyes.

  She sighed. “Yeah, no problem. Do you need me to work again?”

  Was I imagining that she held her breath for my answer? A strand of wavy hair had fallen out of her messy bun and I was close enough that I could reach out and wrap it behind her ear. I wanted to see her shiver at my touch, watch her eyes darken with anticipation. But I didn’t. “That was our deal. We still need to talk to Omar.”

  I pulled the SUV’s rear door open for her. My eyes were drawn to her lower lip, which she’d pulled under her top teeth.

  “When are you going to be honest about what else you want?” Taylor asked.

  I wanted to pull her lip out from under her teeth with my thumb and soothe it with my touch. When she brushed by me to climb into the SUV, I touched her elbow stopping her. “Let me be clear about something.” I waited until she turned slightly toward me. “I’m no good for you.”

  “You keep saying that, but you can’t tell me what I want.” Her cheeks were slightly pink, like she couldn’t believe what she’d said.

  “No, but it’s still true.” I was no good for anyone. I’d been told that all my life by my mom’s lukewarm attention for me and my teachers who’d given up on me instead of taking the time to encourage me. I’d been told again and again I was doing what was expected—I was no good—worthless—I’d never amount to anything. And for a long time, I’d proven those people right.

  “That’s what you tell yourself, but today—”

  I’d shown her a different person, someone I wasn’t. And it was probably a mistake. “I’m not that guy all of the time—hell even most of the time.” I lowered my voice and watched her eyes dilate. I finally gave in to what I wanted to do this morning after she’d kissed my cheek. I cupped her face, tilting it up to me. I lowered my head, and her lips parted in anticipation. I’d never wanted to kiss someone so badly—to know what her lips would feel like. I wanted to crush her body against mine.

  “Lady, you ready to go or what?” The Uber driver asked.

  Taylor startled and pulled back. “Yes, sorry.” Then to me, she said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I nodded and gently closed the door. I should have been relieved we’d been interrupted. I had no business kissing her—making her want me. Making her think I was a good guy. I wasn’t. At the same time, I didn’t want her to leave. The thought of never seeing her again tugged at something inside me and made me uncomfortable in a way I’d never been before.

  Taylor

  My lips tingled with the anticipation of his kiss, which never came.

  I was such an idiot. He didn’t want to want me even though I was positive he did. He was the exact opposite of any guy I’d pursued before and for some reason, it made me want him more. Even though I knew if he allowed himself to get close to me—he’d pull back again.

  But I wanted to explore the hard muscles of his chest, I wanted to trace his tattoos with my fingers, I wanted to feel the warmth of his bare skin, and more than anything, I wanted his lips on mine. If he kissed me, I was sure there’d be nothing gentle or sweet about it. It would be deliberate, hard, claiming. The idea lit a fire in my core. I’d never been with anyone like him before and I knew it would be life-altering. He’d ruin me for any other man, but right now, with my lips still tingling from his breath, I couldn’t care less. I just wanted him.

  Chapter Six

  TAYLOR

  I woke up Monday morning wide awake, remembering Friday night. The first thing I did was sit up in bed and grab my cell off the nightstand, but I didn’t have any messages. I leaned back on my pillow.

  I hadn’t worked at the bar the rest of the weekend so I hadn’t seen Gabe. Was it stupid to hope for him to text? Yes, it was. We hadn’t kissed. We weren’t anything. And it was ridiculous to get excited for a text message or a phone call from a man like Gabe. We were too different, but I couldn’t deny I was drawn to him. A big part of it was who he’d shown me who he could be in the French Quarter—a guy I wasn’t sure he wanted to be.

  As I moved off the bed and gathered my things to take a shower, I wondered if that was the draw. I’d only dated nice guys before—educated and respectful, from wealthy and involved families. I didn’t know Gabe’s history, but I didn’t think he had an intact family that worried about him. He exuded the lone bad boy vibe—whether it was by choice or necessity I didn’t know. I slammed my shampoo down on the ledge of the shower and groaned. Why was this guy getting to me? He’d been an asshole the majority of the time I’d spent with him.

  Later at work, Dean came into my office. “How did your meeting with Isaac Kershaw go?”

  Should I tell him Isaac missed the initial meeting and I was waitressing for him? Probably not. “We talked and he’s going to introduce me to Omar, the owner of the general store. He’s having the majority of the theft issues.”

  “Good. I don’t like the idea that police officers are not taking crime in that area seriously.”

  “Me either.”

  “Keep me updated.” He stood to leave and then paused at the door. “How are you liking New Orleans?”

  Thinking of my visit to the French Quarter with Gabe, I smiled. “It’s been great.”

  He slapped the doorway with his hand. “Good. Glad to hear it.” Then he was gone.

  My phone buzzed with a message.

  Gabe: Want to meet up? We can get coffee and I can introduce you to Omar.

  Taylor: Sure

  Gabe: Ten-thirty?

  Glancing at the clock, I saw that it was only ten A.M., so I had plenty of time to meet him if I took a cab. I quickly typed out a response before gathering my stuff to leave.

  I was a little unsure how he’d react this morning after we’d almost kissed. I was sure he regretted it. He’d probably tell me it was a mistake and that he’d gotten caught up in the moment. I knew I had. Still, something told me this man didn’t get carried away, which made the moment more bittersweet.

  I stepped out of the cab in front of his closed bar. I pulled out my phone to text him I was there, but suddenly he was striding toward me in worn low slung jeans, the ever-present T-shirt stretched tightly over his pecs and biceps, and black boots. “Hello,” I said softly, when he came to a stop in front of me.

  “Good morning.”

  My face heated at the memory of our almost-kiss. It had been several days since, but it was like the moment when we’d almost kissed hadn’t ended. I wanted to reach for him, tangle my fingers in the hair at his neck, and pull him down to me. Would his lips be soft, or hard and demanding? I really hoped he’d be hard and demanding. I wanted to feel alive. I just wanted to feel. I wanted to do something I’d never done before. I wanted to be impulsive.

  I wanted to forget about my family
obligations, even if it was only for a day. I knew without a doubt Gabe would be the perfect one-night stand. He had don’t call me afterward written all over him.

  Then Gabe stepped back from me and the moment was over.

  “I’m sorry about Friday night. I shouldn’t have—”

  “Don’t apologize.” For one of the single hottest moments in my life. I couldn’t even draw in a deep breath, between the humid air and the anticipation of his lips on mine. It was perfection—whether he kissed me or not.

  “I shouldn’t have done that, when you work for me and I’m helping you.”

  I never took my eyes from his. “I work for Isaac.”

  “Still, it’s not right.” His eyes darkened and his muscles tensed.

  “Do you ever do things that aren’t right?” It was like there was a live wire between us sparkling and crackling. I was baiting him. I wanted him to breach the distance and slam his lips down on mine.

  “All the time—just not with someone like you. Someone who deserves better.”

  I cocked my hip, resting my hand on it. “I decide what I deserve.”

  “As tempting as you are, baby, I don’t think it’s a good idea.” He shoved his hands in his pockets like he was restraining himself from touching me, or at least I hoped he was. His eyes, which were so open when he’d first approached me, were veiled.

  When he called me baby instead of princess, warmth spread through my body, and I wanted him to want me as badly as I wanted him. Was that too much to ask? I nodded and looked away to hide the hurt I knew he’d see. I couldn’t let this guy get to me. I knew he’d back off and he didn’t disappoint.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t go there with you.” His voice was full of regret.

  I could have said all I wanted was one night, but I couldn’t take any more rejection today. He’d say I was too good for a one-night stand. Annoyed now, I said, “Can we get started?”

  “Did you want coffee?”