Torpedo

by Joanna Blake

  I was about to defend myself again when I got stuck on the last thing mom said.

  "What do you mean you don't see her with anyone?"

  "I mean she doesn't have a lot of friends. Let alone boyfriends."

  For some reason, I knew in my gut it was true. Tabby didn't seem like she had fallback. And she didn't read to me like a woman who was getting her needs met either.

  Which gave me an opening.

  Still, I didn't think my mom was paying attention to which young person dated who.

  "Mom. How would you know that?"

  "I see things. And I have a very reliable grapevine."

  I snorted. But I was still thinking about what she said. I was pretty sure Tabby didn't have a boyfriend. I could just feel it.

  Good.

  Not that it would have stopped me from trying to steal her away from him. Every second that had ticked by since she walked down those stairs had made me more determined. All was fair in love and war. And I had her at my beck and call until I was on my feet again...

  I smiled to myself, suddenly not hating the chair all that much.

  "I never said anything bad about her mom. I'm not like that."

  She smiled and patted my arm.

  "I know you're not. But I'm glad to hear it."

  She picked up her menu and I leaned back, deep in thought. Not surprisingly, I was following Tabitha with my eyes as she moved around the bar. I was thinking about the way the guys had talked about her back in high school.

  Thats when I saw it.

  She was bending over to clear a table near the bar when Pete stuck his hand out and slid it over her ass. I felt rage boil up inside me. If looks could kill, in that moment Pete would have been a pile of ash.

  I was halfway to my feet before a searing hot pain tore through my leg. I sat down and grimaced, holding my leg with both hands. Damn it! I'd been so angry I'd forgotten.

  "Argh-"

  I watched as Tabby spun around and said something to him that made Pete turn red and all his friends laugh. Good. I hoped she said he had a small wiener.

  Which, I knew from being on the team with him, that he did.

  Compared to mine anyway.

  My mother was staring at my leg where I still gripped it. I let go and exhaled. The pain was receding. I hadn't made it worse.

  "What in the world-"

  "It's fine mom. I'll- I'll be right back."

  I pushed away from the table and rolled across the room to the bar. Pete was still talking about Tabby, calling her a 'fine piece of ass' and saying how he liked to give it to her 'back in the day'. I knocked my chair right into his legs.

  "Hey! Watch it!" He looked surprised to see me. "Jesus Gabe, I thought you were someone else."

  "Keep your God damn hands off Tabitha."

  "What?"

  "Don't touch her again."

  He thought I was joking. He nudged his friend in the side. "You can't fault me for wanting to get a squeeze in. Those are some juicy-"

  "I mean it Pete. Don't touch her."

  He shook his head as a knowing look came into his eyes. "Hey man, if you're fucking her, more power to you."

  I just glared at him until the smile faded from his face. I was losing a friend over a girl but I didn't care. The way they were acting was disgusting.

  "Jesus man, lighten up. She's a boner factory."

  I snarled, even though I had thought the same exact thing twenty minutes ago. I was about to get into a bar fight. I forced myself to cool off a little.

  "Let the girl work. She's just doing her job. Show some respect."

  "Yeah man, okay."

  They were quiet as I rolled away. I didn't go back to the table. I wanted to see her. I had to see if she was okay.

  I wheeled myself into the service hall past the bathrooms.

  I felt a rush I hadn't felt in a while. Like I was on a mission.

  And damn it, I was.

  Tabby

  "Oh yeah, didn't you hit that back in high school?"

  Their words were echoing in my brain as I carried the tray of dirty plates to the back. I could still hearing them laughing. Feel that guy's hand on my body.

  No, not a guy. He was a pig.

  It was just a reminder that people around here seemed to think I was up for grabs. That they could take what they wanted, when they wanted. I patted the pepper spray in my pocket.

  I was safe. It was just a pinch. It wasn't like he'd jumped me in a back alley. Though I had been cornered a few times over the years and narrowly escaped assault. I told myself it wasn't just me. It was any woman who worked around alcohol that had to fend off unwanted advances.

  But still, it hurt.

  The worst part was how I felt. Vulnerable somehow. He'd taken a chink out of my armor with that move. I felt so exposed out there in the bar. Like I was naked and everyone else was wearing clothes.

  I said something unladylike under my breath, taking a moment to try and pull myself together.

  This was the last damn thing I needed.

  First, Gabe was back. The one guy I'd thought about back in high school was being thrown in my face. Now this. There was a reason I didn't get to go out with a good guy like Gabe.

  All the nice guys thought I was a whore.

  Oh no, here come the waterworks.

  I was about to break my no crying at work rule.

  "Tabitha?"

  I spun around and there he was. The last person I wanted to see me cry. Gabe was here, at Garrity's. He looked so handsome tonight it took my breath away for a second.

  I stared at him, not knowing what to say.

  "I didn't know you worked here."

  I nodded dumbly, hoping he couldn't see the tears in my eyes. The hallway was dark. Maybe he wouldn't notice.

  "Hey, are you alright?"

  I blinked, realizing I must look worse than I thought. The thought of Gabe feeling sorry for me was more than I could take. Deep down, I wanted him to like me dammit.

  Not pity me.

  I exhaled sharply. Now that I'd admitted to myself that my crush was still hanging around, I wanted to squash it immediately. Having feelings for Gabe- even just residual ones from my schoolgirl crush a million years ago- well, it was just asking for trouble.

  More than trouble. Pain. I didn't think I could handle more heartbreak. I might crack and not be able to put myself back together again.

  Be strong. Stay focused. Keep your distance.

  "I'm fine. Can I get you something?"

  He was watching me closely.

  "I just wanted to say hi."

  I nodded, forcing myself to smile. It wasn't a big smile, but I prayed it looked natural. It felt all wrong.

  "I think you're in my section. So I'll be coming by in a few minutes."

  Dammit. Now he knew I'd seen him come in. In fact, I had been busy trying not to stare at Gabe when the jerks at the bar manhandled me.

  Gabe looked so handsome tonight. He'd shaved and put on a dinner jacket and tie. I swallowed, reminding myself that he wasn't interested in me. Not like that. Even if he was being nice.

  All he'd ever wanted was sex. He'd been a horny teenager and thought I would be down to screw. Just a roll in the hay in the backseat of his car. That was it. And even that was a million years ago.

  I wondered if I'd have the strength to say no if he asked me again.

  "TJ you're orders up!"

  I jumped at the sound of Sal's voice coming from the kitchen. One of my few friends, the short order cook was an older guy. He had two daughters a few years older than me, part of the reason I think he looked out for me.

  He always walked me to my car at the end of the night, which I appreciated.

  And he'd just once again saved my ass, because I had been staring at Gabe for three minutes, not saying a damn word.

  Idiot.

  "I have to get that."

  Gabe nodded slowly.

  "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

  I gave him an odd
look. "I'm coming right out to take your order."

  He didn't smile.

  "I know."

  What did he mean he would talk to me tomorrow? The question whirled through my mind as I hustled through my work. I realized he was still watching me as the night wore on.

  It was late by the time I got home and I still didn't understand what the hell he meant. One thing was for sure though.

  He'd meant something.

  I was falling asleep as it hit me. Gabe meant that he wanted to really talk to me. Not like a waitress. Maybe even not like an aid. That's what he meant.

  I curled up in my bed, holding my pillow against me.

  Why did the thought of talking to Gabe scare the living daylights out of me?

  Gabe

  "Do you want to get some air?"

  She nodded.

  "Good. We can talk then too."

  She stiffened up and I smiled. I didn't care if Tabby wanted to act like nothing had happened last night. Or was happening between us. She could try and hide, but I wasn't going to let her.

  I was not fooled by the tough act anymore.

  Last night, when I'd seen her in that hallway... something had changed. I hated seeing her hurt. And she was hurt by those jerks, even though she was good at hiding it.

  She was good at hiding everything.

  But last night, I had seen her.

  For the first damn time, I'd actually seen her.

  I'd watched her working her fanny off, doing her job, barely talking to anyone. She didn't stick around or flirt with the customers like most waitresses. She kept her head down, just doing her best.

  And yet, she attracted attention anyway.

  Every man in the place had his eyes on her. I could tell what most of them were thinking too. I cringed, wondering what it must be like to get hit on by everyone, all the time.

  I always thought women liked attention from guys. But what Tabitha went through on a daily basis... just because of the way she looked... well, it fucking pissed me off.

  Especially after one of those cretins had laid hands on her.

  I wondered how many times that had happened to her. Probably more times than she could count. I started to understand why she'd turned me down on the beach all those years ago.

  She'd thought I was one of them. Just out to score. To get a chance to brag to my friends that I'd had a piece of her.

  Well, I wasn't like them and I would prove it to her. Yeah, I wanted to touch her. So bad it hurt. But I wanted to protect her too.

  And when I touched her, she wouldn't have that hunted look in her eyes. No, I'd take my time. I'd wait until she was sweet and soft and willing in my arms.

  I grit my teeth and wheeled myself out the back.

  "Don't you want a jacket?"

  I shook my head, and grabbed the scarf and hat she tossed at me. I grinned as she tugged on her jacket. She looked so cute today, with her soft curls and button nose. I could tell she was trying to downplay her curves with yet another oversized shirt, but it wasn't working.

  I'd like to see her in something pretty. Feminine. Something soft that I could rub up against. I grinned at her and winked.

  "I give off heat like a furnace, babe."

  She gave me a look as she shut the door behind me, following me down the path to the sidewalk. She caught the handles to the chair and held on. I was about to protest when I realized I could smell her when she was this close. I took a deep breath. She smelled like cookies.

  "You don't have to do that."

  She clucked her tongue.

  "Just on hills. The breaks on these chairs are notoriously bad."

  I twisted my neck to look up at her. She looked good from this angle. Hell, the woman looked good from all angles. I couldn't wait to try a few of them out.

  "No shit?"

  She nodded.

  "Yeah, it's bad. Once you are rolling you can really pick up speed. Promise me you'll be careful."

  She frowned at me, utterly serious. She looked worried. I felt a warm flush spread through me.

  Tabby was worried about me.

  She did like me. I knew I wasn't imagining it.

  "I will."

  We didn't talk the rest of the way to the water. It was only a few blocks but in the chair, it felt much longer. A few of our neighbors waved and I realized I didn't feel self-conscious about the chair for the first time.

  How could I with this gorgeous woman with me?

  I pictured us taking the same walk, but hand in hand. I would pull her into my arms and steal a kiss whenever I wanted to. She'd sigh and smile and curl into my chest.

  Then we'd go home and cook together. Or shower. And make the bed bounce.

  Hell, I had a feeling we would break the bed.

  I decided I'd buy extra mattresses if that was what it took. That would be a small price to pay for having Tabby in my life.

  I just had to get her on board with sticking around once I was out of the chair.

  She pushed me down to the bottom of the hill and up the slight incline to the edge of the parking lot. The sand started there, so I was stuck in the parking lot. But the air was clean and salty and there was a low fence for Tabitha to perch that juicy butt of hers on.

  "Take a load off Tabby."

  She shrugged and sat on the edge of the wooden fence. She stared out at the water. I stared at her.

  It was... nice.

  Finally I took a deep breath and dove in.

  "They won't bother you again."

  "What?"

  "Those idiots last night at Garrity's."

  She was looking at me now, not the waves. The look on her face was heartbreaking. She was surprised enough to let her guard down and I could see it all- every bit of pain those jerks had caused her.

  Then she looked away and the shutters closed again.

  "I don't need your help."

  I stared at her. She did need me dammit. She was just going to have to come to terms with it.

  "Tabby... don't be like that."

  She refused to look at me, crossing her arms over her chest.

  "Why bother? Both of us will be out of this stupid town soon enough. It's better not to make waves."

  "I wanted to beat the hell out of them."

  She looked at me with her eyebrows raised. I could tell she didn't believe me.

  "I thought those guys were your buddies. You were always eating with them at school."

  I grinned at her. I felt like the sun had just come out.

  "You noticed who I ate lunch with?"

  She blushed furiously and stood up.

  "We should go back."

  I caught her hand and squeezed it.

  "I noticed where you sat too."

  "Gabe- don't."

  Her voice was soft and pleading. If I hadn't been in the damn chair I would have kissed her then and there. As it was, I was going to need to spell it out for her.

  "Come here."

  Her eyes were wide as I tugged her closer.

  "What?"

  "You know what."

  She was being difficult. To hell with it. I yanked her hand and she stumbled into me, landing on my lap. I held her firmly as she tried to extricate herself.

  If I didn't know she liked me, I wouldn't have done it. I didn't want to harass the girl. But I knew she felt the same way. She wanted me back.

  And I was tired of waiting.

  So I lied.

  "Gabe!"

  "Don't move- you're hurting me!"

  She froze immediately, her eyes searching my face.

  "Are you alright?"

  I smiled at her stupidly, overwhelmed by the feeling of her in my arms. She was so petite. And soft. And squishy.

  In a ridiculously delicious way.

  "No."

  "If you aren't alright, why are you smiling?"

  I just smiled at her some more.

  "This is nice."

  "What is nice? I'm crushing you!"

  I nodded.

/>   "That's the nice part."

  She rolled her eyes.

  "Okay Gabe, this is silly. I'm your nurse, remember?"

  I rested my chin on her shoulder.

  "Do you really want to get up?"

  She hesitated and I had my answer.

  I let my hands slide up her back to her face and turned her head just so. Then I swooped in, kissing her hard. She let out a startled squeak but didn't move.

  After a second, she started kissing me back.

  Hmmm... delicious. Tabitha's lips were soft, her breath sweet. Her skin felt like silk under my hands. I tasted her with my tongue, just a little bit and was rewarded when she sighed again.

  I was breathing heavily when we stopped a few minutes later.

  She looked startled and confused. I smiled at her.

  "I've been wanting to do that since the eighth grade."

  "You have?"

  "You know I have."

  She blinked and I kissed her again. This time she didn't relax. She was stiff in my arms. I leaned back to look at her and she jumped up like a jack in the box. I reached for her hand but she wouldn't look at me.

  "Hey, don't go."

  "We need to- get back. It's almost time for your meds and-"

  "I don't want any pain meds."

  She glanced at me, pushing her hair back where I'd messed it up. She looked fucking gorgeous standing there with her cheeks pink and her lips bruised from my kisses.

  "You know, kissing releases endorphins. Nature's pain medicine."

  She shot me a startled look. She probably thought I was a dumb jock. But I'd been looking things up online all week.

  Especially things that might be good arguments for getting her into bed with me.

  Endorphins, man. Got to love them.

  "See? You healed me."

  She rolled her eyes but she was smiling.

  "Come on, let's go."

  I was grinning as I rolled myself back up the hill to my mom's house. Tabby held on the whole time, but I used my arms too. I needed the work out.

  I was feeling pent up, and the day had just started.

  I pulled my scarf into my lap to cover the bulge there. It didn't work. I shrugged. My cock was just too big.

  I was surprised she hadn't said something when she was on my lap. I'd done my best not to poke her with the beast, but it was kind of hard to ignore.