Dangerous Grounds

by Shelli Stevens

  “They didn’t waste much time, did they?” she muttered, sinking down onto the couch.

  “It’s a big story. The Espresso Bandit is terrifying the coffee community.”

  “Yeah, that’s what the reporter just said. Pretty much those exact words.” She tilted her head and sighed. “Well, at least I’m getting some free advertising.”

  “Way to look at the positive, Maddie.” His lips curved into a slight smile. “Just sit back and try to relax. Turn the channel to something more cheerful. I’ll bring you your breakfast.”

  He went back into the kitchen, poured a mug full of coffee and put cream cheese on the bagel, and went back to the living room.

  “Breakfast,” he stated unnecessarily.

  “Oh…is this from a coffee pot?” She wrinkled her nose at the mug. “I should have told you. I pretty much just drink espresso, but thanks. I’ll take the bagel though.”

  The phrase high maintenance flitted through Gabe’s mind and he shook his head.

  “Coffee snob. I’m going to shower. Be ready by the time I’m out.”

  He left her alone with the bagel and crappy coffee.

  Madison popped the last bit of breakfast into her mouth, eyed the coffee with regret, and went back to her room to change.

  She pulled on a pair of jeans and a black cashmere sweater, and began searching for her socks. After a few minutes she sighed. Damn, she must have forgotten to pack any.

  Her glance landed on the discarded pair from last night. It wasn’t totally gross to put them on again. People did it all the time. Didn’t they?

  She debated for a moment before coming up with plan B. As she passed the bathroom, she could hear Gabe still in the shower. Of course he wouldn’t mind if she borrowed a pair of his socks.

  Madison ducked into his room and hurried over to the dresser. Sock drawer. Which one would it be? There was just one way to find out. She pulled open the top drawer.

  “Hmm.” She lifted up a pair of green plaid boxers and dropped them right back in the drawer. There was one mystery solved. Gabe was a boxers man.

  The second drawer she hit the jackpot. At least ten pairs of blindingly white socks lay waiting. She picked up a pair and unrolled it from its perfect ball.

  “Yikes.” Her fingers ran along the length of the sock and she found herself wondering if that whole foot and penis comparison was true. If it was, she was a very lucky girl. Or would be if he ever gave in.

  She started to shut the drawer when her eyes caught a glint of silver buried under all the white. What was this? She reached in and pulled out the cold metal.

  Well, well, well. Officer Martinez kept a pair of handcuffs in the bedroom, did he? Hmm. And here she’d thought he didn’t have a kinky side.

  These might come in handy. She grabbed the cuffs, stuffed them under her sweater and shut the drawer. She heard the shower turn off and bolted out of his room back into hers.

  Her suitcase still lay open, so she threw the cuffs in and zipped it up. She had just pulled on Gabe’s socks when he appeared in the doorway.

  “Hi. I’m borrowing a pair of your…” she trailed off as her eyes ran down his nude—well, almost nude—body.

  The towel around his waist was an inadequate fit and left little to the imagination. Madison’s hand drifted over the sock covering her foot and she made the mental comparison again. She stifled a groan.

  “Your socks,” she managed to croak out. “I forgot mine.”

  His glance fell to her foot and he raised an eyebrow.

  “They look a little big.”

  “Yes, I thought so, too.”

  “I just wanted to make sure you were ready. Let me throw on some clothes and we can head out.”

  She watched him leave, staring at his fabulous ass. It looked like granite under that towel. How could she ever have mistaken that robber’s butt for Gabe’s? She shivered as disgust swept over her.

  Best not to go there now. She’d have enough of the Bandit issue when they got to the station. She pulled on a pair of black boots with a three-inch heel, sprayed on some perfume, and went to wait in the living room.

  While Gabe finished dressing, she studied the photographs on the wall. She’d seen more photos around the house, but these were blown up to almost poster size, great black and white scenic shots. One was of a ferry on Puget Sound with the mountains in the background, another of the Seattle skyline. And the last one was of a lady, who seemed to be in her early fifties, admiring the tulip fields.

  The last photo drew her attention the most. The photographer had captured the spirit of this woman. She looked strong, satisfied, and at the same time resigned. The picture had been taken by someone who loved her very much.

  “You ready?” he asked as he slipped a jacket on. He followed her gaze to the wall.

  “What a wonderful picture. Do you know who she is?”

  Gabe opened the front door and gestured for her to leave the house before him.

  She brushed past him, wondering if he would just ignore her question. It wasn’t until they were underway to the station that he answered her.

  “The woman in the photo was my aunt.”

  “Your aunt?” She really shouldn’t have been surprised. When she brought up the image of the photo in her head again, the resemblance between the woman and Gabe was obvious.

  “How long were you with your boyfriend?”

  “Huh?” She blinked. Wow, talk about left field.

  Gabe had wanted to change the subject from his aunt. With the growing curiosity about her former relationship, the question had just slipped out. “You said you were looking for rebound sex, right? How long were you with the guy?”

  “Oh. A couple of years. We met in college down in Oregon. Since I moved back here, we’d been doing the long distance thing.”

  A couple of years? Gabe’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Her tone had all but dismissed his question. She sure didn’t sound like she was hurting over the breakup.

  “What was the problem?” Pushing, Gabe, you’re pushing.

  “What wasn’t the problem is more like it.” Madison laughed. “I guess we just weren’t the right fit. I can’t say I’m all too upset that it’s over, but still, I need a buffer between Bradley and my next big relationship.”

  A buffer? He’d be the buffer? Gabe tried not to feel insulted as he steered the car onto the freeway. He took a deep breath and her perfume, something spicy and sensual, tantalized him.

  “Why, what are you thinking?” Her hand drifted onto his lap and slid toward the crotch of his jeans. “Are you changing your mind?”

  “No.” He pushed her hand off his lap, even though he wanted to open his pants and let her go at it. “What about before Bradley? Were there many?”

  “Many?” She gave him a quizzical look. “Men? Women? Mechanical bulls?”

  Gabe smiled. “All of the above.”

  “Ah.” She went quiet for a moment.

  Was she counting? Gabe’s jaw tightened and he pushed back the jealousy. She’s not mine. She’s not even sleeping in my bed. I have no right to be jealous. Hell, I don’t even have the right to be asking her this.

  “No,” she interrupted his thoughts. “There haven’t been many. There’ve been a few, but not enough to qualify as many.”

  He could tell himself it didn’t matter all he wanted, but the relief that swept through him proved otherwise.

  “I mean there was Sam in high school. I lost my virginity to him,” she explained. “And then there was Franco in Italy. God. Some of the things Franco taught me in bed—”

  “Shit, Maddie. Enough,” Gabe snapped. He didn’t want to know another damn thing about Franco or Sam. Especially Franco, who sounded like some kind of Fabio-wannabe.

  “Well,” she shot him an annoyed glance. “You’re the one who asked me. It’s not like I’m asking about your love ’em and leave ’em list. I know we’re short on time.”

  He glared at her as they pulled up in fron
t of the station; traffic had been light and they’d made good time. “We’re here. Are you ready for this?”

  She looked out the windshield and her body tensed. She shrugged, but he could tell she was nervous.

  “You’ll be fine.” He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “All right, Maddie, let’s go.”

  Chapter Six

  Gabe was waiting for her when she finished. She came out of the room looking tired and stressed. When her head lifted and she spotted him, her expression lightened.

  “How was it?”

  She shrugged and glanced back in the room where the sketch artist stood speaking with the police chief.

  “The sketch she did looked almost identical to the guy I saw last night.” She folded her arms across her waist and took a deep breath. “It’s a little creepy. But I’m glad they have an image to get out there now.”

  “You did great.”

  And she had. She hadn’t even asked him to come in the room with her. He reached into his pocket for his keys. “What do you want to do today?”

  Madison gave him a surprised look. “Don’t you have to work?”

  “I’m off.”

  “You didn’t have to take me down here on your day off,” she protested. “You should be getting drunk or playing computer games. You know, guy stuff.”

  “Have you ever seen me play video games?” He gave her a skeptical glance. “Besides, I’m taking care of you right now, Maddie. That means you’re stuck with me.”

  Her cheeks turned pink and she glanced around as if to see if someone else may have heard.

  “I’d sure like to stop by my shop and put up a sign. Would you mind?”

  “Let’s go. I need to get something to eat afterwards.”

  “How can you already be hungry? We just ate breakfast.”

  “You just ate breakfast,” he replied. “I didn’t eat anything.”

  “And you jumped on my ass for trying to skip it?” she demanded as she climbed into the car.

  Gabe held back a groan. He had a fantastic view of her ass while it disappeared into his vehicle. Jumping it sounded pretty good to him right now.

  He climbed in on his side, and then drove them out of the parking lot. She turned to him and he awaited a reprimand for his own hypocrisy about breakfast.

  “Gabe.” She sounded more vulnerable than accusing, and he knew she was dropping the breakfast subject. “They’ll catch this guy, right?”

  “Most likely. These guys don’t stay on the run for very long.” He didn’t add that he hoped it would be soon. Because the longer the guy stayed out there, the more time he had to locate Maddie. Even if they had a sketch of the Espresso Bandit, they would still need her to identify him if he was caught. When he was caught, he corrected himself.

  Her hands clenched in her lap. “I hope so.”

  The sound of a cell phone ringing broke the silence, and Madison dug in her purse to find it.

  She answered, and Gabe listened to her side of the conversation. Whoever it was must have seen the news and gotten pretty upset. Madison tried to reassure them she was fine and she glanced up at him and mouthed the word Mom to him. He nodded.

  “Today?” She sighed. “I don’t know. We’ve been out all day. I think we’re both kind of tired.”

  He raised an eyebrow at her in a silent question.

  She covered the phone with her hand and hissed, “They want us to come to lunch today at one.”

  “Tell them we’ll go.”

  “Are you sure?” Her brows knitted into a frown.

  “Yes.”

  Madison removed her hand and accepted the invitation, then clicked off her phone.

  “That’s sweet of you, Gabe.”

  He gave her a quick glance, surprised when her hand closed over his forearm.

  She stared at him through lowered lashes, her voice sincere when she spoke. “I don’t know if I’ve thanked you for taking this—or me—on. It means a lot to me.” She tightened her grip. “And I’m not saying this just because I’m trying to convince you to go to bed with me. You make me feel safe, Gabe, and I’m not sure I would have with anyone else.”

  Warmth rushed through him at her words, and he hated himself for it. He didn’t want to be put on a damn pedestal. Sure, he thought he could protect her. But what if he couldn’t?

  No, he told himself. He couldn’t afford to think that way. She’d be safe with him. She would. Nothing would happen to Madison Phillips while she was under his protection. Nothing. Unfortunately, that included sex.

  Madison could see her mother watching out the window for them when they pulled up to the house a little while later.

  Before they had even parked, Lillian Phillips came running down the driveway to meet them. She threw her arms around Madison and dragged her into a tight embrace.

  “My poor little girl.” Her mom pushed away a bit so she could look at her through watery eyes. “I just had to hold you, to know that you’re alive and okay. And your face…look at that bruise!”

  “I’m fine, Mom,” Madison protested even as her own eyes filled with tears.

  Lillian released her and reached for Gabe, drawing him into a tight hug.

  “Gabriel, how can I ever thank you enough. You saved my daughter’s life.” She kissed each of his cheeks and heaved an unsteady sigh. “Bless you.”

  Gabe’s face turned just the tiniest bit red, and he seemed uncomfortable with her mother’s praise.

  “Eric was with me,” he replied. “I can’t take all the credit. We were just fortunate to have gotten there in time.”

  It wasn’t the best thing to say, because Lillian’s shoulders shook and fat tears again ran down her cheeks.

  “But the point is he did, Mom,” Madison reminded her and drew her mother gently away from Gabe, offering him an apologetic smile.

  “Yes, yes. I’m sorry I’m so emotional.” Lillian brushed her fingers over her eyes to wipe away any lingering tears. “Your father is inside, Madison. He’s been so worried about you as well.”

  “Maybe we should go in and reassure him,” Gabe suggested, taking her mother’s arm and turning her toward the house.

  “Oh, yes, good idea. Thank you, Gabriel. You’re such a wonderful young man.”

  Madison rolled her eyes, not bothering to point out that Gabe was thirty years old. She followed behind the two and wondered if her dad would be as much of a mess as her mother was.

  Thank God he seemed to have it together a little more. He gave her a quick hug, a pat on the back, and turned to offer Gabe a drink. But then, that was her dad. Always the businessman.

  She followed her mother into the kitchen.

  “We ordered Spaghetti Bolognese from that little Italian restaurant down the road,” her mother said. “It should be here soon. Do you want a glass of wine?”

  “I don’t drink,” Madison reminded her.

  Her mother wrung her hands in front of her and chewed on her lip. “Yes, I know. I just thought with the circumstances you might want…”

  “To drown out my fear with alcohol?” Her lips twisted with sarcasm. “I’ll pass. Do you have any diet soda?”

  “Please, Madison. You know that stuff is terrible for you. I have Perrier, if you’d like.”

  “That’d be fine.” She took the bottle from her mother a moment later, after having declined a glass to put it in.

  “Oh, Madison. That bruise looks awful.” Her mother reached out and gently touched her cheek. “You should let me take you down to Cheryl at Nordstrom’s. She can get you some makeup and show you how to cover it so it’s less noticeable.”

  “I don’t need any extra makeup.” Madison sighed and shook her head. “It will be gone in a few days, Mom.”

  “Well, let me know if you change your mind. I’ll treat, of course.” Her mother gave her a searching look. “So…you’re staying with Gabriel?”

  “Yes,” Madison replied and took a quick sip. “Is that a problem?”

  “No, of course not,”
her mother rushed to say and smiled. “You know, I couldn’t have asked for anyone better. I think Gabriel is a fine boy. Just fine.”

  Gabe followed Robert Phillips into the sitting room and took a seat in a high-backed antique chair.

  “You’re sure I can’t get you some vodka with that, Gabe?” Robert asked, gesturing toward the tomato juice that he’d just given him.

  “I’m sure. But thank you, sir.”

  “All right.” Robert nodded. “That’s one thing I’ve always admired about you, Gabe. You take your health seriously. I used to love watching you and Eric at those Friday night football games. You both carried that team.”

  “Now there’s a flashback,” Gabe admitted with a smile. He wondered if Mr. Phillips had been disappointed when Eric hadn’t gone on to pursue college football or beyond. Robert Phillips was a supportive, dedicated man who worked hard to provide for his family.

  “I hear my daughter’s moved in with you.”

  And he was also very direct.

  “That’s right, Mr. Phillips.” Gabe met his shrewd gaze. “Eric asked if I would watch over her until we apprehend the Espresso Bandit.”

  “And I agree with Eric’s judgment. You’re more than qualified to make sure that nothing happens to Maddie.”

  Interesting. Daddy can get away with calling her Maddie, but she makes a stink when I do it.

  “No, I’m not worried about your capabilities,” Robert went on as he paced in front of the panel window that overlooked a view of the city. “I know you realize how much I love my daughter and would be devastated if anything were to happen to her.”

  “Of course,” Gabe agreed, sensing the message underneath the words.

  “Madison’s a bit fragile right now. You may have heard that Bradley broke up with her not long ago. With this new threat to her safety, I’m sure she’s feeling quite vulnerable.”

  Gabe nodded, but wondered how well this man knew his daughter. Vulnerable wasn’t a term he would use to describe her. Maybe two days ago…but since then he’d seen a solid strength in Madison Phillips that had his respect for her growing.