Dangerous Grounds

by Shelli Stevens

  She glanced down at the mocha and then took a tentative sip. She winced and swallowed the lukewarm liquid. Gabe was also an extraordinary liar. The mocha tasted like crap. She’d burned the shot again. That still seemed to be the one thing she couldn’t seem to get right.

  She dumped the beverage down the sink and then proceeded to wash the mug, thinking about a couple of things. One, she would not be making drinks for customers any time soon. And, two, she had an orgasm to repay.

  “It’s a nonfat, tall, and, a, umm, double—wait, decaf latté. To go.” Madison called out to Sarah as she shoved the customer’s payment into the till.

  Sarah laughed as she went to work creating the drink. “Just remember the system. Once you learn the system it’ll get easier.”

  Madison shook her head, relieved that their morning rush seemed to by dying down. It was Wednesday. They’d had three somewhat successful days. She’d calculated a minimum of three hundred drinks needing to be sold a day to keep the shop up and running. So far they were averaging about two hundred. But the espresso was good—when Sarah made it—and word of mouth seemed to be spreading fast.

  She’d also allowed enough money in the bank and on her credit card to ensure that they had some leeway for a year or so.

  Sarah handed the customer his drink, and after he left the shop, they were once again alone.

  “Are you going to kill me?” Madison asked Sarah with a wince. “I know this has got to be way more chaotic than you expected.”

  “This is fine, Madison, don’t worry about it.” Sarah went to the sink to wash her hands. “Trust me, I’ve seen and done much worse.”

  “I promise I’ll hire someone else on soon.” Madison knew she would’ve been toast if she didn’t have Sarah. The perky, curly-haired blonde had saved her butt. “Take a break, Sarah. Lord knows you’ve earned it.”

  “Thanks.” Sarah tossed the towel she’d dried her hands on back onto the counter. “I’m going to run over to the grocery store deli and grab something to eat.”

  “You can help yourself to any of the baked goods we sell, if you want,” Madison offered.

  “I would.” Sarah grinned. “But if it’s not deep-fried, I’m not craving it. And now that you know my vice, I’ll be back in a few.”

  Madison laughed and watched her leave the shop. How did the girl keep in such good shape and eat such crap? She had to be one of those women who ran three miles every morning.

  She helped herself to a bagel and pulled out one of the packets of cream cheese. She’d just finished slicing the bagel when the door chimed.

  A thought hit her. She would have to make the drinks. Damn, what a way to lose a new customer.

  “Hello,” she called out and then glanced up. “What can I—oh. It’s just you.” Her tone lost all trace of friendliness as the chaotic emotions from Sunday resurfaced.

  Obviously Gabe was working, because he was dressed in his police uniform. Gun, badge, tight pants and all. And, Lord, if he didn’t look good in it.

  “Don’t you have some bad guys to chase or something?” she queried with false innocence. “Or if this is your break, shouldn’t you be at the local donut shop?”

  “Out to draw blood this morning, aren’t we, Maddie?”

  And he still insisted on calling her Maddie. She forced a smile. She might be trying to get him into bed, but that didn’t mean she had to forgive him for Sunday night.

  “Can I get you anything, Gabe?”

  His eyes darkened, and she realized she’d said the same thing to him on Sunday. And then look what it had led to.

  “I want to apologize,” he admitted after a moment. “Again.”

  “All right.” She gave a slight nod and then her smile widened. “Let me make you a mocha.”

  She saw the flicker of panic in his eyes and reveled in it as she started to prepare the shot for his drink.

  “I thought you had some other girl working with you,” he asked, an obvious attempt to sound casual. “Someone else who was making the drinks?”

  “Oh, yeah.” She gestured out the door. “She’s on her lunch and just ran to get food. But you seemed to like mine on Sunday, should there be a problem with today?”

  She’d meant her statement to have a double meaning, and he must have noticed it because he didn’t answer. Instead his eyes dropped to her breasts, which were covered by a white shirt and black apron.

  “Well, I sure as hell liked your outfit better on Sunday.” His voice had dropped an octave as he took a step closer to the counter.

  She raised an eyebrow as she added chocolate syrup and then the grated chocolate to the drink. “I’m impressed. I thought I might have scared you off after what happened.”

  “You kicked me out.”

  “You deserved it.” She handed him the mocha. “I made it to go. I’m sure you have a route to be patrolling or something.”

  He took the mocha, glancing at it with a tight smile, and then reached for his wallet. “How much do I owe you?”

  “It’s on the house.”

  “Maddie—Madison,” he corrected himself. “I just wanted to make sure there weren’t any bad feelings about Sunday. I mean, I don’t want this to affect my relationship with you and your family.”

  “Oh, it won’t.” She put on her most saccharine smile. “I have no problem with having you—my brother’s best friend—give me an orgasm. Even if you seem to. And I have no plans to tell my family about it either. So, look at that, we’re fine.”

  He seemed skeptical by her response. “So all is forgiven and forgotten?”

  “Yes and no. Yes, you’re forgiven.” Madison stepped out from behind the counter and took the few remaining steps that separated them. She whispered against his ear, “And, no, nothing’s forgotten.”

  Her hand crept down his body and squeezed with just enough pressure between his legs.

  “Maddie.” He groaned.

  “I see, or feel, that I missed out on quite a bit Sunday.” She stepped back and smiled. “You are nowhere near being forgotten. We have a lot to do before I file you away as a memory.”

  “You have got to be the most forward woman I’ve ever met.” He laughed, this time with real amusement. “And I’ve met some. How late are you open?”

  Madison walked back behind the counter, making sure her hips swayed in a provocative manner. “Six. You’d better head out now, Officer Martinez.”

  “Hold up—I didn’t come just to apologize, Maddie.” He shook his head, as if to clear it. “On Sunday I forgot to warn you about a robber who’s been hitting local espresso stands and shops—”

  “Oh, yeah, the Coffee Robber or something?” She shrugged. “Yeah, Sarah said something about him. I’m not worried.”

  “The Espresso Bandit. I’m just asking you to be vigilant, Maddie,” he warned and started walking backwards toward the door, his gaze never leaving hers. “You’re not going to close alone tonight, are you?”

  “I think Sarah is staying. But we’ll see how it goes.” She waved her hand toward him. “Anyway, go on now, Gabe. God knows you should have some real emergency by now to respond to.”

  “This isn’t over, Maddie.”

  She smiled, her eyes offering another invitation. “You’re right. It isn’t.”

  “I meant this discussion about what’s going on with us.” He reached the door and his hand paused on the handle. “If I can, I’ll drop in later tonight when you close. We need more time to talk.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that.” She grabbed her purse and pulled a key out. “I had a spare made for you. Let yourself in since I’ll probably be in the back counting down the tills.”

  She set the key in his hand and folded his fingers around it. “See you tonight.”

  “I said if I can. I’m not promising—”

  “I’ll see you tonight.” Her smile widened.

  Sarah pulled open the door at that moment, carrying her lunch from the grocery store deli. She glanced at Gabe’s mocha, and th
en to Madison in surprise.

  Madison grinned and waved goodbye to Gabe. “Enjoy your mocha.”

  Gabe sighed and walked out the door.

  After he left, Sarah carried her food behind the counter and sat on the stool.

  “He was pretty cute. But I’m surprised you’d risk serving a cop one of your mochas.” Sarah grinned as she pulled out a plastic bag full of greasy-smelling potato wedges. “How did it come out?”

  “I’m sure it tastes awful,” Madison admitted, watching as his squad car pulled out of the parking lot. “But trust me, he deserved it. I know him.”

  “Ah.” Sarah gave her a sideways glance and teased, “Know him as in the biblical sense?”

  Madison snapped her focus back to Sarah. “Not yet, but ask me again in a few days.”

  Gabe took a drink of his lemonade, cringing as the Mariners gave up another run to the Yankees.

  “Ouch, this is hard to watch.” Eric stood walking into Gabe’s kitchen. “Do you have anything to drink besides lemonade?”

  “There’s Coke in the fridge or bottled water.”

  Eric had shown up at his apartment wanting to watch the game and catch up. And although Gabe had planned to go see Madison tonight, it would have to wait. Besides, he was pretty close to reaching this week’s quota for temptation.

  Eric reappeared with a Coke in his hand. “Lannie and I set a date. It’s going to be the last Saturday in August.”

  “I’ll mark it on my calendar.” The televised game broke for a commercial, and his thoughts went back to Maddie. He wondered if he should be feeling guiltier, especially with Eric sitting right next to him.

  As if he somehow knew Gabe was thinking about his sister, Eric brought her up.

  “So I checked out Madison’s shop today. Not bad,” he stated. “I’m pretty proud of my little sister, opening her own business and all. I think she saw Mom do it and wanted to try her hand at it.”

  “Right,” Gabe replied, thinking about the upscale fashion boutique Lillian Phillips owned. “Why coffee though?”

  “I believe she said she fell in love with the charm of cappuccinos in Italy or something.” Eric shrugged. “I’m not sure. She sure does drink enough of the stuff.”

  That didn’t mean she knew how to make one. Gabe winced as he recalled the mocha from Sunday and the one this afternoon. Today’s mocha had gotten dumped into the trash bin just outside her shop. He’d been discreet enough so that she hadn’t noticed—well, he hoped she hadn’t noticed.

  “I worry about her, though,” Eric admitted. “I’ve been watching the news a lot. The past month there’s been a series of robberies at coffee places. I think they’re calling him the Espresso Bandit. Have you heard of him?”

  Gabe turned his gaze away from the game that had come back on. “He was the first thing we discussed during briefing this morning. Why?”

  “Well, I just heard one of his victims died this afternoon. It was all over the news.”

  Tension coiled through Gabe’s neck and spread down his body. He’d known the Bandit had shot someone in a robbery last week, but last he’d heard, the victim was still in critical condition.

  “Does your sister watch the news?”

  “Does Madison watch the news?” Eric laughed, as if it were a hilarious question. “Try Desperate Housewives and Oprah.”

  Gabe stood, a sudden premonition tingling at the back of his neck. He pulled her business card from his wallet and grabbed the phone, punching in the digits.

  After seven rings, she still hadn’t answered. He hung up and glanced at the clock. Five after six. It was possible that she’d pre-closed the store and had gotten out right at six. Definitely possible, but it didn’t seem too likely.

  Eric gave him a hard look. “We should go down there and make sure she’s okay.”

  “I’ll grab my keys.”

  Gabe told himself he was overreacting as they made the drive over. He’d discussed the Espresso Bandit with her this afternoon. Of course she would be taking precautions.

  Chapter Three

  “No, no,” Madison waved her hand at Sarah. “Go ahead and go home. Don’t even worry about it. Shoot, you’ve already worked a twelve-hour day.”

  “Well, since I’m going to school to be a nurse, I might as well get used to it.” Sarah laughed as she pulled her jacket on and then hesitated. “Are you sure, Madison? I feel kinda bad leaving you here all alone.”

  “I’ve just got a few things left to do,” Madison promised. “I’ll be outta here in ten minutes. Go. Turn off the lights on your way out.”

  “All right, I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t forget to lock the door behind me.”

  Madison watched her go and then smiled. Good. She would be all by herself when Gabe dropped by. She wouldn’t fail in seducing him tonight. She refused to.

  But first things first. She went to the front door and locked it, giving it a tug to make sure she’d secured it. Then she emptied both of the garbage cans up front and carried the two bags to the back door. She slipped outside and then hesitated. It sure was creepy back here. During the day it wasn’t so bad, but at night…

  Don’t be so paranoid. You’ll be back in less than a minute. She hurried around to the side of building where the Dumpsters were.

  It was already getting dark, and the shadows had her heart pounding. She hurled the bags over the edge of the Dumpster and then sprinted back to her shop.

  Madison slipped inside the backroom and froze, hearing a sound come from the front of the shop. There was someone inside. She started to turn and run out the back door again, then stopped. You idiot, it’s only Gabe.

  Although he might’ve shown some manners and announced his presence, saving her from getting the snot scared out of her.

  Well, revenge could be sweet. Madison grinned as she began to strip off all her clothes. When she got down to her bikini panties and matching bra, she crept into the front room. Let him say no to this.

  She hesitated a second, that rational voice in her head bringing up the Madison, what if it isn’t Gabe? factor. She shrugged it off as she spotted him facing away from her near the cash register.

  Tiptoeing right up behind him she grabbed his ass and whispered in his ear, “Hey there, sexy.”

  She realized right away that it wasn’t Gabe by the butt. She’d given Gabe’s a thorough inspection, and this one was way too soft and fleshy. If that wasn’t enough, the man turned around and glared at her with furious blue eyes.

  Oh, God. She should have listened to the voice in her head. Madison screamed and executed a quick twist in an attempt to get to the back door.

  He caught her and slammed her against the counter.

  “Where in the hell did you come from?” he demanded in disbelief, not seeming to expect a response. His eyes dropped and she groaned as he looked her up and down. “Were you expecting me, darling?”

  Her face crinkled in disgust. God, why had she thought that it would be a good idea to run out here like an attendee at a streaking party?

  “This is my store,” she replied, trying to keep her voice calm and authoritative. “And I’d suggest you get out before I call the police.”

  The gun he pressed against her temple had her blinking in disbelief. Gun? He was going to threaten her with a freaking gun?

  “In case you haven’t figured it out, darling,” he muttered. “I’m robbing you.”

  Robbery? In her first week in business? Her anger level shot up a notch.

  Damn. This must be the guy who Gabe had warned her about. This can’t be happening. Fury spread throughout her body. Not to me. She pushed the gun off her temple and glared at him.

  “Oh, no you’re not. Pick another business, asshole.” Had she just said that?

  She had. And the gun that slapped across her face, sending her sprawling to the floor, seemed a good reminder.

  Tears sprang to her eyes from the fierce pain. It caused a throbbing heat to spread from her jaw all the way down her neck.
/>   Madison’s original burst of adrenaline died. God, that had been a stupid thing to do. Panic and fear clawed at her belly.

  “Okay,” she whispered. “What do you want?”

  “Get up.” He grabbed her by the elbow, jerking her to her feet. “Open the register.”

  “There’s nothing in it.” Her fingers fumbled with the key. The register sprang open and displayed an empty drawer. “All the money is in the safe and the deposit bag is in the back.”

  He jerked her away from the register and toward the back room.

  Madison’s blood pounded so hard from fear, she was sure he could hear it. When they reached the back, he forced her onto her knees beside the safe and she went to work opening it. Her fingers trembled as she spun the dial.

  The safe swung open and the man started grabbing fistfuls of cash, stuffing them into his bag. Then he dumped the till money, all ready for the next day, in as well.

  It’s just money, she told herself. He’ll be gone in a minute, and then it’ll just be missing money.

  She glanced up at him to see what the holdup was. The holdup. She almost let out a hysterical giggle at her own silent joke. He stared down at her with those same cold blue eyes.

  “Turn around and lie down on your stomach.”

  She blinked at him, a new terror seizing her. “Why—”

  “Just do it!”

  She turned around and slid forward on her stomach. The tiled floor rubbed like ice against her naked skin and she started to shiver. Oh God. He was going to tie her up. Or rape her. Or…kill her. She heard him take the safety off.

  “Sorry, honey. Wrong place, wrong time.”

  Madison went numb and closed her eyes, beginning to pray.

  “Madison!”

  Is this what almost dying does to you? Makes you hear voices?

  “Son of a bitch!”

  She opened her eyes as the man behind her cursed. He grabbed her purse off the desk and bolted out the back door.

  The next second Gabe came running into the backroom, a gun in his hand.

  “Gabe?” She pulled herself off the ground. “He ran out the back door!”