Jennifer looked on, moved to tears as she saw the men bonding with Gabe over their military service. She realized that she did not know anything about him and perhaps dismissing him as a player had not been fair. He seemed embarrassed by the attention but also appeared genuinely impressed with the former soldiers around him.
Gabe sat back down, moved but also nervous. Jesus, she thinks I’m an attention hound and this probably just confirmed it. He warily glanced next to him, unsure of what her reaction was going to be. “I’m sorry, Jennifer. I didn’t come here to be the center of attent—”
“That was really nice,” she said softly, glancing at the tables now filled with men smiling as they began conversing among themselves about their military careers. Her eyes swept back to his as she said, “I know you didn’t plan that.”
He was surprised to see her smiling shyly at him. God, she’s so beautiful. Before he could say anything, Ross called out to her and he watched her walk over to her brother. She bent down to roll his sleeves up his arms to keep them out of the syrup, laughing as she kissed the top of his head. On her way back to their table, she stopped casually among the residents. Assisting one, picking up the dropped napkin of another, refilling coffee cups. He rubbed his hand over his heart, feeling it ache.
The breakfast ended and the residents all rose, taking their own plates to the industrial-sized dishwasher in the kitchen. Gabe watched as they moved with a purpose, each seeming to be glad to have that purpose. Ross grabbed a bucket of soapy water that Henry handed to him and began wiping down the tables. As Jennifer bustled by, Gabe snagged her and whispered, “What should I do?”
Looking confused for a moment, she replied, “Nothing. You helped cook breakfast so you can just rela—” She was interrupted by the sound of a bucket of soapy water hitting the floor and a surprised Ross standing in a puddle. Sighing, she began to walk over when Gabe stopped her.
“You keep doing what you were doing. I’ll take care of him,” he said.
She watched from the kitchen door as Gabe deftly lifted Ross out of the puddle and sat him on a dry table. He took the mop out of Cora’s hands and began to clean the floor. Within a few minutes, the floor was clean and the tables were wiped off. She heard Ross’ laughter and he and Gabe chatted over spilled water.
Jennifer jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Cora standing right beside her.
“Seen a lot in my days. Seen a lot of good and my share of not so good,” Cora commented as she held Jennifer’s eyes. “But I know the difference between fake and real. And I’m telling you that that young man out there is real. Not saying he ain’t had his fair share of problems or mistakes. But girl, that man is real.”
“I know,” she replied in a whisper. “But is it fair to have him around Ross to only take a chance on him leaving?”
“Honey, there’s no guarantees in life. You know that. Ross has already known loss and he’s gonna know more before his life is over. You’re not doing him any favors by trying to shelter him from that. And he needs to know some good men in his life.” Jennifer’s eyes quickly found Cora’s but before she could retort, Cora continued. “And I’m talking about more than just us old geezers around here. Good men all of them too, but Ross needs more.”
Jennifer turned back to see the glow on her brother’s face as he peered up at Gabe.
“And darling girl? You need more too. So do both of you a favor and take a chance.” With that, Cora gave her shoulder a squeeze and walked back into the kitchen.
By that time, the dining area was scrubbed and Gabe had removed Ross’ wet shoes and socks. “Come on, buddy, let’s go find you something dry,” he said while bending down low. Ross scrambled onto Gabe’s back and they walked over to Jennifer.
“Did you see that?” Ross began enthusiastically.
Laughing, Jennifer replied, “Yes, I did. Are you sure you didn’t make that mess just so someone would help you?”
“No,” he protested loudly but could not stop the grin.
She reached her arms up to him, saying, “Let’s go. I’ll get you cleaned up and we can let Mr. Malloy get back to his Saturday.”
Gabe lifted one eyebrow, saying, “Trying to get rid of me so soon? I’ve got him. Just show me the way.”
Jennifer nodded, secretly not wanting him to leave, and proceeded up the stairs. Halfway up, she turned suddenly, a look of concern on her face. “I’m sorry. Here I am letting you carry him and we live up several flights. Let me have him for a bit.”
Gabe, towering over her, frowned down at her. “Seriously? Babe, I carried packs heavier than him all day long in the desert. Think I can handle a child.”
“Oh,” she mumbled. “Just thought I would help.”
With Ross still on his back, he leaned down as though to whisper, “The day I have a woman, any woman but especially one as tiny as you, carry a load for me is the day I give up my man-card.”
Ross giggled as he asked, “What’s a man-card?”
Rolling her eyes, she turned and continued up the stairs. “Men,” she grumbled.
Gabe grinned to himself as he watched her move ahead of him. Many of her blonde curls had escaped the chopstick holding them and falling down her back. Then his eyes dropped lower. Hell, that was a mistake. Instantly his dick reacted, making the rest of the climb uncomfortable. Focusing on something besides his hard-on, he quickly scanned the interior of her building. It was old, but he was pleased to see that it was well-lit. The first two floors seemed to have been renovated and he knew that those were the studio apartments for the elderly residents.
As they entered their apartment, Gabe set Ross down then tried to discretely adjust himself, hoping to hide his hard-on. Ross ran back to his room and Jennifer turned around looking nervous.
Sweeping her hands around, she said, “It’s not much, but it’s home.”
His eyes scanned the room quickly taking everything in. The room had new paint, with some family pictures hanging on the walls. The wooden floors were old and scarred but like the rest of the space, it was scrubbed clean. A small sofa and bean-bag provided the only seating in the room and faced a wall with an older TV on a stand. Bright blue curtains hung on the window, matching the blue pillows on the sofa.
As his eyes moved, he saw the tiny kitchen. It was furnished with a small refrigerator, small stove, and very little counter space. More blue curtains hung at the small window over the sink and over the window that was next to the dinette set.
His eyes went back to hers and he could see the doubt filling them. Taking the two steps that it took to place himself right in front of her, he smiled as he lifted his hand to cup her face. “It’s nice, babe. You’ve made a really nice home here for yourself and Ross.” Just as he leaned over and noticed that she was rising on her toes to meet his lips, they were interrupted.
“Gabe, come see my room,” Ross called out.
Gabe sighed as he touched his forehead to hers, then felt her step away.
“Coming buddy,” he called as he turned and followed the voice down the short hallway. The end of the hall led into a tiny bathroom that he could see. Glancing to the left, he saw a small bedroom with a twin-sized bed covered in a floral print. No way that closet can be hers, but then Ross popped out of the room on the right and grabbed his hand pulling him in.
“See? This is my room. It’s kind of junky, but sis only makes me clean it on Saturdays and I haven’t done it yet. But I will,” he promised looking up at Gabe, smiling. Leaning in, he whispered, “I don’t really mind, but she gets cranky if she can’t find something. I told her to just ask me and then she won’t have to waste time looking. I really want a dog, but we don’t have room here. One day when I grow up and get big like you, I’m gonna get a dog.”
“Makes sense to me, bud. But your sister works real hard, so maybe it’s best to keep things picked up.”
The room had a few sports posters on the walls and navy curtains with footballs and baseballs printed on them
adorned the windows. A matching bedspread was sloppily tossed on the bed showing an attempt at making the room seem neater. Probably didn’t fool his sister, Gabe thought with a smile. Some toys and books were scattered on the floor, but there was not much floor for a boy to play on. With a small chest of drawers and a bookshelf nightstand, the small room gave Gabe little space to move. He felt her presence behind him before she spoke.
“Ross, it’s Saturday. Why don’t you go ahead and get your room picked up so that Mr. Malloy won’t think that you live in a zoo.”
“But I don’t want to miss Mr. Malloy. What if he leaves before I get to come out?”
Her voice carried authority, but sweet with love. Gabe turned to see her standing in the doorway, still looking uncertain. Wanting to take that look away, he walked over and touched her face. Calling over his shoulder, he said, “Buddy, I’ll be out here talking with your sister. I’ll still be here when you get finished.”
Ross, suddenly filled with a purpose, began hurriedly putting things away. Gabe laughed as he followed Jennifer out of the room. Taking a closer look into the bedroom across the hall, he knew that she had chosen the smaller room for herself. Barely bigger than a closet, he wondered how she managed. Most women I know have walk-in closets filled with clothes that are bigger than her room. As he rubbed his chest again, he realized once more, but then she’s not like any woman I’ve known before.
They moved to the sofa where she sat on one end and noticed how much space he took as he sat on the other. A giggle escaped causing him to look over quizzically.
“I’m sorry. I’m just not used to having such a large man in here on my small furniture.”
“Oh, and what size of man are you used to having?” he asked, only half joking.
She tucked an escaped curl behind her ear as she blushed, saying, “No men, large or small, actually.”
He could not help but swell with caveman pride at hearing that. He placed his arm on the back of the sofa, bringing his hand close enough to touch her curls. Soft. So fuckin’ soft.
“I want to thank you,” she said.
“For what?” he asked, surprise on his face.
“For breakfast. For helping. For greeting the men downstairs and allowing them to reminisce about their military days. I know that meant a lot to them.” She paused, looking around before her eyes found his again. “Especially for talking to Ross. He hasn’t had many men to be around other than the men downstairs.”
“He’s a great kid, Jennifer. Don’t thank me for any of that. Not when you do it every day,” he said honestly. His eyes landed on a picture on the end table of a family of four. He recognized a resemblance.
She turned to see what he was looking at and answered his unspoken question. “That’s my parents. They were Peace Corps. Ross was born when I was sixteen. Their last assignment was overseas of course, but that wasn’t where they were killed. They had come back to visit and raise more money here in the states when their car slid on some ice and was hit by another truck. Killed instantly, so I was told.”
The silence in the room was deafening. Gabe wanted to say words of comfort, but they seemed inadequate.
“I’m so lucky that Ross wasn’t with them. He had come over here to visit when we got the news. So…I petitioned the court, became his guardian and it’s been us two for the past year.”
“I’m sorry, Jennifer. So sorry.” He looked around at the tiny apartment, barely big enough for her much less a growing boy.
“I’m really lucky to have this place,” she commented as though she could read his mind. “I live here virtually rent free since I work with the center downstairs. That allows me to save a lot of money for Ross.”
“Your parents didn’t have…um…” Gabe stumbled uncharacteristically over his words.
“Insurance?” she said for him. Shaking her head, she said, “Not much. Enough to pay the funeral expenses, but Peace Corps employees don’t make a lot of money.” Smiling at him she shrugged. “But we don’t need much. I gave him my bedroom since I knew he would need more room and we live pretty simply. I know he misses them, but he’s adapted really well. And the folks downstairs have all adopted him,” she said laughing. “Sometimes I think he gets into more mischief with them around!”
Gabe’s fingers continued to move through her silky curls as he watched her face as she described her brother. His mind wandered momentarily to his childhood with his twin Vinny. They had been raised by loving parents in an upper-middle-class neighborhood. Not spoiled, but definitely given more than what they needed.
“I suppose it seems pathetic to some,” she said defensively, “But to us, it’s home.”
Using the hand tangled in her curls to pull her over gently until his lips were just a whisper away from hers, he said, “Baby, what you do and what you’ve done…perfect. Just perfect.”
With that he lowered his lips to hers. The kiss started slow, just the moving of lips as they molded to each other. Then with a single moan from her mouth, he pulled her closer as his tongue slid in, tasting the sweet syrup from earlier. Like nectar, he couldn’t resist. He wrapped his arms around her tiny form, dwarfing her in the process.
In just a few seconds with his tongue tangling with hers, she melted into him. All else slipped away as she allowed herself to be swept away in a rush of passion. Her breasts felt heavy as her womb clenched. She knew she was becoming wet and she squirmed slightly to ease the ache.
“Sis, I’m finished,” came the call as Ross bounded into the room. “Eew,” he exclaimed. “Are you kissing my sister?” he asked in surprise.
The two jumped apart as Jennifer was mortified to think that she lost herself in Gabe’s embrace with Ross in the next room. Jesus, I was practically dry-humping him. Her blush rose across her face, but before she could think of a response Ross jumped in again.
Plopping down on the coffee table right in front of the couple, he said to Gabe, “I thought about kissing Chrissy, and I was just going to give her a little kiss. Not like the big kiss you were giving my sister. But then when I tried, she moved away from me and looked like she was going to yell. So I didn’t kiss her after all.”
Laughter erupted from Gabe as he watched Jennifer cover her face with her hands in embarrassment. “Well, Buddy, I think it’s a good thing that you stopped. Remember, a man never forces himself on a woman. When Chrissy wants you to kiss her, she’ll let you know.”
“Oh,” Ross replied, his sharp mind working. “So that means that sis wanted you to kiss her?”
Jennifer’s head shot up as she glared at Gabe, quietly admonishing, “Will you please not talk about kissing to my little brother? He’s only eight.”
Giving the back of her neck a little squeeze, he replied laughing. “Baby, a man’s never too young to know about women. And are you going to deny wanting to kiss me?”
Her eyes bugged out of her head as she turned to Ross, seeing the question in his eyes as well. Sighing, she agreed, “Yes, Ross. I did want to be kissed, so Mr. Malloy was not doing anything wrong at all.”
Gabe stood, pulling her up with him. “I’m gonna head out now. Got a date to get ready for,” he said with a smirk. Looking down at Ross he said, “Buddy, I’m taking your sister out on a date tonight. Is that all right with you?”
Ross smiled up at the giant in front of him holding his sister’s hand. “Yeah. Can I come too?”
Before Gabe could answer, she jumped in. “Not tonight, Ross. Cora and Henry are going to watch you.”
Ross face fell until she added that they were taking him out for ice-cream. “Cool,” he said. “But can I come some other time?”
Jennifer saw hope written all over his face. I can’t promise what I don’t know. What if there’s not another time.
Gabe saw it the instant it hit her face. Doubt. Fear. Uncertainty. Giving her hand a gentle squeeze until she looked up at him, “Absolutely, buddy. There’ll be lots of next times and on some of them, we’ll all go.”
Her huge
blue eyes widened as she stared up at him. He wanted nothing more than to kiss the worry out of them but knew there would be time for that later. Walking to the door, he gave her a quick, chaste kiss then stood and nodded to Ross. “Later, Buddy.”
Ross called out his goodbye, then ran to his room. “I’ll be back to pick you up about six,” he said. Jennifer leaned in and Gabe took the invite to kiss her once again. This time, less chastely. The trip down the stairs had his dick just as hard as it had been going up the stairs. Damn. Time for a cold shower.
CHAPTER 7
Gabe stepped into his apartment and halted immediately. The space that seemed so comfortable when he left this morning now seemed huge. All this for one person, he thought ruefully. Looking around he realized that Jennifer’s entire apartment could fit in the space of this living room and dining room. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his phone making a call.
“Bro? You home? Need some advice. See you in a few.”
Within a few minutes, Vinny and Jobe walked through the door. “Hope you don’t mind if I crash? I was down in your gym when you called,” Jobe said. “But if it’s private, then I’ll head down to Vin’s apartment.”
Gabe looked over at the two men, one a brother, and both brothers-in-arms. “Nah, it’s all good,” he said. “But I need advice.”
“On what? I know it’s not about girls,” Jobe quipped. The silence in the room reverberated among the men. With eyes raised, he said, “Seriously? You asking us about woman advice? What gives? You make a date with two at the same time and need us to take one off your hands?”
Giving his friend a death glare, he could hardly call him out. A few weeks ago that would have been exactly why he called them.
Vinny watched him carefully. “Something tells me this is about the woman you’ve been chasing for the past few weeks. You finally caught her and don’t know what to do with a real woman?”
Gabe nodded, “Yeah, something like that.”
A whistle erupted from Jobe’s lips. “Well, I’ll be damned. It’s about time the great Gabe fell. I was beginning to think that Shane, Matt, and BJ found all the good women.”
Gabe: The Alvarez Security Series Page 8