Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel

by Lea Coll

  I stared at his back as he carried the boxes back up to the front. I couldn’t believe it. I’d wanted more responsibility but I’d never seriously considered partnering with Isaac. I’d assumed he’d never go for it. But all I had to do was ask. I assumed the worst in people and maybe it was time to stop doing that.

  I leaned against the wall, pulled out my phone, and quickly scrolled to Taylor’s name to send a message but I wanted to tell her in person. Putting the phone back in my pocket, I walked back to the bar area. “I’m going to see Taylor. Maybe take her to lunch. I’ll be back this afternoon.”

  “Sounds good.”

  I took the streetcar to the business district imagining her sitting at her desk at her work, her hair tucked behind her ear, while she studiously reviewed a file. I knew she’d be sexy and cute. I wanted to see her.

  I stepped off the streetcar wondering if I should have called ahead in case she was busy, but I wanted to surprise her. I stepped off the elevator and the first thing I saw was the large U.S. Attorney’s Office sign mounted over the large glass doors. Everything about the office was intimidating. I’d forgotten that she was a U.S. Attorney, or it wasn’t important when we were alone together. But here, seeing her office, the attorneys walking around in suits carrying files, she was in a different world than me.

  I glanced down at my black T-shirt, worn jeans, and boots, which were so out of place. Would she care that I’d been promoted to bar manager? I hesitated in front of the receptionist’s desk waiting for her to get off the phone. Maybe I should leave and see her later.

  Hanging up the phone, the receptionist smiled. “Can I help you?”

  “Gabe Adler. I’m here to see Taylor Leeds.”

  “Do you have an appointment?” She waited patiently for my answer.

  Maybe surprising her at work was a bad idea. “No, I’m a friend. I wanted to surprise her.”

  She smiled. “Of course. Let me see if she’s available.”

  “Taylor, there’s a man here to see you—Gabe Adler.”

  “Of course,” she said into the receiver before she hung up. Then to me, “Let me take you to her office.” The woman stood and I followed her to the back of the office to an office with a small gold nameplate which read: Taylor Leeds, Asst. U.S. Attorney.

  I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants.

  “Taylor, Mr. Adler.” The woman gestured for me to enter the office and then left.

  “Gabe, what are you doing here?” Taylor rose from her chair smiling.

  I stood in the doorway as Taylor stood, her face surprised but happy to see me. “Hey.”

  “Come in.” She walked around her desk to stand in front of me. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. I came to tell you—” Why was this so hard? Why did I always assume I wasn’t good enough? I cleared my throat and tried again. “I talked to Isaac and asked for a promotion.”

  “You did? That’s awesome. Tell me everything.” She stood in front of me, her face flushed with excitement and she reached for my hands.

  I told her how Isaac offered me a partnership and it sounded like he’d been waiting for me to step up for awhile. I could have had everything I’d ever wanted if I’d just asked. If I expected better from people. If I believed in myself. It sounded so simple now but I’d struggled with my view of myself and everyone else’s expectations for years.

  “That’s amazing, Gabe. I’m so proud of you.” Warmth filled her voice and it washed over me like a balm to my soul as she pulled me in for a hug.

  I loved it. I loved her. I’d never wanted to tell her more but I couldn’t do it at her office. That conversation had to take place in private when I could see her face and touch her. I wouldn’t think about what would happen if she didn’t feel the same way. I was done waiting. It was time to go after what I wanted and I wanted her.

  “We should celebrate.” She pulled back and was quiet for a few seconds like she was considering what we should do but I didn’t care as long as we were together. “You have Zach though, right?”

  “Yeah, I always make dinner for him.”

  “Would he want to go out? Maybe grab a pizza or something?”

  “I’m sure he would.” I’d never taken him anywhere before except the few times he’d shown up at the bar. I worried I was crossing a line. I wasn’t his parent or his mentor. I was just the neighbor. But was I? What I was doing was more like a mentor. I stood straighter. Zach deserved having me in his life, like I deserved him. The same went for Taylor. I just hoped she’d feel the same way once I told her I loved her.

  “Great. I’ll meet you at your place? Do you need to work?”

  “Let me check with Isaac. I’m always off for dinner and it shouldn’t be an issue if I’m a little later than normal.” I’m sure Isaac would understand we wanted to celebrate the news.

  “I wish you didn’t have to work late every night.”

  I knew what she was thinking. She worked days and I worked nights. It was nice when she helped out at the bar in the evenings but that wasn’t fair to her. She couldn’t work two jobs each day. She didn’t need to. But I was a bartender and I’d just taken on more responsibility. I’d be working more hours not less. “Maybe it’s time for Isaac to hire more help.”

  “Definitely. That way he can stop tapping the U.S. Attorney’s Office for waitresses.” She smiled teasingly.

  “That was just me and nobody else but me better be tapping you.”

  She snorted at first but then said quieter, “I’m so glad you offered me the job. Best Job Ever.”

  “It was the best decision I ever made.” I thought back to our first meeting when she offered to waitress in exchange for my help. I rose to the challenge, but there was something else drawing me to her and it wasn’t just her looks. It was her tenacity—her inner goodness that shown through everything. I’d been jaded for so long and she’d gotten to me even on our first meeting.

  Taylor checked the time on her phone. “I’m so sorry I can’t do lunch when you came all the way here, but I have a meeting in a few.” She pulled me in for a hug.

  “That’s okay. I came unannounced.”

  “Congrats. I can’t wait to celebrate tonight.”

  I kissed her lightly. “See you tonight.” As I walked out of her office, I wondered if I was being unrealistic thinking a relationship could work. She was an attorney, a prosecutor, for God’s sake. She never acted like she was too good for me or like she had a ton of money. I felt like her equal when we were together.

  Something about seeing her in her element, her fancy official office, brought everything back into perspective. I’d need to be careful.

  Later that night, I smiled when I saw Zach waiting at the door talking to Taylor. I don’t know what they were talking about but the light on Zach’s face as he listened attentively to whatever she was saying was amazing. I loved that they got along so well.

  “Hey,” I said drawing both of their attention.

  “Oh, hey,” Taylor said sheepishly. “Sorry, I got here a little early.”

  “Never apologize for that. I should have given you a key.”

  Her brows rose at that.

  I didn’t want her waiting around in the hallway. It wasn’t safe. “I should have given Zach a key awhile ago.” That was stupid. I can’t believe I hadn’t. It was just that he lived here. He was used to this lifestyle—the danger on the street. Taylor was different. This wasn’t her life. She wasn’t from here. “I’ll have two keys made tomorrow.”

  “Thanks,” Taylor said softly touching my forearm as I placed my key in the knob and turned.

  She walked inside after a small smile aimed at me.

  “You’re totally whipped,” Zach said, laughing as he followed her inside.

  I wanted to make Taylor happy when I’d never wanted to make anyone else happy. It felt good. “What do you even know about that, huh? Don’t listen to what those idiots say in your school.”

  “I know enough to know she’s got you whi
pped.”

  “Someday you’ll be lucky to be in the same position, kid.” I slapped his shoulder lightly and caught Taylor’s soft expression.

  I’d continue dropping hints that she was it for me. Then it wouldn’t come as a surprise when I told her how I felt.

  “Whatever,” Zach said, but my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Taylor and what a future with her would look like.

  She wouldn’t live here. I’d need a new apartment. But I couldn’t leave Zach. I needed to figure out his situation. We needed to talk to his mother, but first we needed food. I was starving.

  “Did you want to get pizza, Zach?”

  “For real?” His face could only be described as measured excitement, as if he didn’t want to get his hopes up.

  “Do you not like pizza?” Taylor’s crestfallen expression was cute. “We can get something else.”

  “No, I love pizza. It’s just—” He looked at me and I knew. He wasn’t used to going out to eat. His mom didn’t order pizza. He’d probably only eaten it at school.

  “No worries, man. Let’s go,” I said, letting him off the hook. He was proud and didn’t want to admit he was overwhelmed with the suggestion. And I knew what was causing his feelings. I’d always allowed him in my home, I cooked for him, and helped him with his homework, but I’d never truly involved him in my life. I never introduced him to an important woman in my life. He liked it.

  We piled into a cab and headed to a pizza joint nearby that I loved. The evening was technically nothing special. Three people enjoying good pizza. Except it was—the three of us together, happy, talking, and joking. I could become addicted to this. My life had taken on so much more color and depth since Taylor came into it.

  “How are things going with your brother?” I asked once all that was left of our pizza was crumbs.

  She shifted in her seat. “Fine. Why?”

  She seemed uncomfortable and I didn’t know why. “No reason. It’s just you haven’t talked about him since that night he wandered from your family’s home.” And she revealed herself to me. It was when she’d become a person with depth to me. No longer the ice princess I’d thought of in my head. And I wanted to know more about her situation with Caleb. I wanted to know if she intended to return to Maryland.

  Taylor shot a look at Zach. “He’s fine. Thanks for asking.”

  She clearly didn’t want to discuss it in front of Zach which concerned me. Why was that? She didn’t want him to know she had a brother with disabilities? That didn’t make sense. It had to be something else.

  Maybe she didn’t want to discuss his disability with Zach. Maybe she was private about Caleb. I only knew because she’d taken a call from her family in my office, and that bothered me a little now that I thought of it. She didn’t discuss him otherwise.

  I wanted her to know that I would support her just like she supported Zach. “You know if you want to talk about him you can.”

  “I know.” She smiled tightly and didn’t add anything further, so I let it go.

  We went home together and watched a movie in my apartment before I escorted Zach to his empty apartment. I didn’t like leaving him there, but I didn’t have a choice. He was old enough to stay home alone and it was relatively safe. He never mentioned his mom bringing strange men home. If he was scared, he could tell me. I didn’t have the right to keep him at my place.

  My mom never wanted anyone else to know about the fact we accepted government assistance or anything else. And I assumed Zach’s mom was the same. She wouldn’t want anyone in her business. I’d bet my life on it.

  Returning to my apartment, Taylor pulled me down on the couch next to her. “Have I told you that it’s hot you’ve taken Zach under your wing?”

  “I think you’ve mentioned it a time or two,” I teased.

  “It is. So hot.” She ran her fingers over my chest.

  “If I’d known that, I would have used him to get more women.”

  “You wouldn’t have. You’re too good for that. You didn’t even think of yourself as doing good until I came along.”

  “True.” I was uncomfortable with her complimenting me.

  “You’ll get used to it.”

  Her words echoed Isaac’s from earlier. Was my discomfort so obvious? My lack of belief in myself so apparent to everyone else? That couldn’t be good. If I wanted to be a good example for Zach, I needed to believe in myself—to show him how to be a strong confident man. That’s what I wanted for him. To know that others cared for him, believed in him.

  Then Taylor climbed into my lap, grinding down on my cock. I forgot everything but her scent, the warmth of her body against mine, and the slide of her hair against my face. I loved this woman. I didn’t know how long I could be with her and not blurt it out.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  TAYLOR

  At the office, the file I was reviewing blurred in front of me as my mind wandered to Gabe. I felt more for him then I felt for anyone else except for my family. I’d never thought I’d care that much about someone else. I figured I’d be single and enjoy my independence for awhile after I moved here. I hadn’t anticipated meeting Gabe. But was it a good idea to get involved with someone who believed they weren’t good enough?

  I sucked in a breath. Everyone knew people didn’t change but Gabe was different since we’d met. He’d changed or I was seeing the real him—the one who hid behind that chip on his shoulder.

  “Hey, where’ve you been lately? With Gabe?” Hadley asked, plopping into the chair across from me.

  “Yeah.”

  “Do you still feel like this office might be too much for you?”

  “I wanted to make a difference, but we step in after they’ve been victimized.” It was still an important step in the justice system, but I wanted to be more proactive. It was probably why I enjoyed community outreach more.

  “There’s a position open in Maryland if you’re interested. I don’t want to move but it would be perfect for you.” She laid a printout with multiple job openings in front of me.

  “Which department?” I scanned the list.

  She pointed at the Baltimore listing. “They’re creating a new position to handle the federal grant certain cities received to enforce rape kit testing.”

  That sounded interesting.

  Hadley scrolled through her phone and showed me an article. “See?”

  She’d highlighted several sentences: “One-million-dollar federal grant to staff new prosecutors, an investigator, and a victim service advocate to investigate and prosecute cases resulting from belated testing of rape kits.” It was a wonderful cause. It wasn’t much different than what I was doing, but I couldn’t look at child pornography pictures and videos much longer. I was going to lose my mind.

  “Only cities with the worst track records in testing rape kits were awarded grant money.”

  “New Orleans doesn’t have a similar opening?”

  “There’s nothing listed yet. The Baltimore one closes in two weeks if you’re interested. I’d hate to see you go but it looks like a cool job.”

  “It does.” But could I leave Gabe, especially when he needed my help with Zach? Even if Zach wasn’t in the picture, could I walk away? I could be closer to my family, which is what I wanted eventually, but not yet. Not when I just met Gabe.

  Right when I’d fallen in love with this city, with Gabe. Fuck, I’d fallen in love with Gabe. When had that happened?

  Feeling the panic rising, I changed the subject. “What we need to do is plan the block party like we promised. Did you still want to go to the neighborhood this afternoon and talk to the business owners?”

  “Sure.”

  Hadley’s forehead wrinkled at my abrupt change of subject, but I didn’t want to discuss why I wasn’t keen to move away from Gabe. I’d just discovered my feelings for him and I wasn’t ready to talk about them.

  “And you are still handling the band?”

  “Yup.”

  “Okay, contact
the band and see if they’re available the first Friday of each month. We could do a different band each month if they’re not available. Let me know how it goes and we can talk about it tonight.”

  “Okay.” Hadley walked out but left the job opening list on my desk.

  I needed time alone. I needed to think. I’d fallen for Gabe—the bad boy, the bartender with a chip on his shoulder. How did I let that happen? My phone buzzed.

  Gabe: You stopping by tonight for dinner?

  I had ever since the night Zach came to the bar upset. It had become a comfortable routine—warm and cozy. But was I playing house? Was I taking this thing with Gabe too seriously?

  All I knew was that I was content—I was happy, and I wanted more of that.

  Taylor: Of course.

  I moved the job listing to the side of my desk. It was something to consider and I had a little bit of time to think about it. I needed to focus on the block party and getting Zach past his sixteenth birthday. Then I’d worry about myself.

  That afternoon, Hadley and I headed over to Gabe’s neighborhood. I didn’t tell him we were coming. I wanted to surprise him. We talked to all of the shop owners. There were several new shops that had opened since the first time Gabe took me around. Everyone was on board with our ideas. They all agreed to handing out free samples and possibly adding theme nights to First Fridays if people were interested.

  “That went well,” I said, feeling like we’d accomplished something.

  “You’re trying to increase traffic to their businesses and it cost them next to nothing. Of course, they’re on board. This is probably above and beyond our outreach responsibilities,” Hadley said.

  “But it’s so worth it.” It was fun and the whole reason I wanted to work for the DOJ—helping others. I felt fulfilled in a way I never did at my actual job. We’d come to a stop in front of Gabe’s bar.

  Hadley took a deep breath, and said, “I know I said I didn’t want to move away from New Orleans, but it might be a good idea for me.”