I want this, he thought. Every day. Every night. In my place. In my bed. In my heart. Turning her so that she faced him, he wanted to see her eyes. Crystal clear. Blue. Shining. With tears?
“Baby, what’s wrong?” he asked, his thumb wiping the single tear that slid out. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, no,” she said. “I just…never.”
“Never what, beautiful?”
“I never thought I would have…this.”
Gabe leaned up, piled the pillows against the small headboard then lay back pulling her up onto his lap. “What? What did you not think you would have?”
“This. You. Everything.” Seeing his concerned face, she added, “I’m not making much sense am I?” Taking a deep, shuttering breath, she said, “I knew being a social worker was going to be a lot of work for little pay. But I wanted it. And when I focused on elder care and housing, I felt like I had found my calling.” She looked around the tiny room, smiling as her mind wandered.
Gabe gave her a gentle squeeze to pull her back into the present.
Her eyes sought his and she blushed as she said, “I had a couple of boyfriends, nothing serious,” she rushed to say when she saw the tight look on his face. “But I figured that it didn’t matter if I had a little apartment surrounded by older people. I had friends and I was happy. Then when mom and dad were killed, everything changed in a flash. It was hard to grieve when I had Ross who was just turning seven years old.
“I gave up most things for him, and gladly did it. I wouldn’t trade him for anything, but I…assumed that I also gave up on love. I mean who’d want a woman with an eight-year-old brother. I was okay with that until you. And now you’re giving me something that I didn’t think I could have.”
Looking into his strong face with his massive arms around her, she said, “I love you, Gabe Malloy.”
Sliding his hand up to cup her face, he whispered, “Oh baby. You have no idea what you’ve brought into my life. Smiles that could light up a room. A heart so big that it takes in all others. You care, you give, you work to make things happen. You make so many lives better just by being who you are. And when you shine that light on me? Fuck baby. I’ve never known anything like it.”
He leaned in and kissed her lips. Soft. Gentle. A barely there whisper of a kiss. He leaned back and held her eyes again. “And Ross? Baby, providing for the two of you will be my mission. I think I’ve searched for a mission since I got out of the Special Forces and I’ve found it with you and that sweet boy.”
He leaned in and kissed her again. This time cupping both cheeks with his hands, pulling her close. Breathing her in. Living her essence.
Sliding down in the bed, he said, “I’ve got my alarm set. You go to sleep here and I’ll leave before Ross gets up.”
“Honey, you can’t possibly be comfortable on this tiny bed,” she fretted.
“Baby, with you in my arms, I’ll sleep better than in years,” he promised.
And he did. No nightmares. Only dreams of a future.
CHAPTER 10
The morning of the picnic dawned bright and clear. Before Jennifer and Ross headed over to Gabe’s place earlier, she tried to prepare Ross for the shock of seeing the large apartment, but he was all-boy when he went in. Warned to be on his best behavior, he stood at the entrance and just stared around at the open space. Watching him bounce on the balls of his feet, she knew that he was itching to take a flying run and jump onto the large L-shaped sofa.
“This is all yours? You don’t have to share it with anyone? Does Mr. Vinny live here with you? Can you see the whole world from these windows?”
Gabe laughed and tried to answer the rapid-fire questions.
Jennifer stood, feeling awkward knowing that the questions would become more complicated as Ross took it all in.
Gabe glanced over at her, knowing that she was trying to figure out a way to explain to Ross how one person could live in so much space and they shared such a small place. Their parents were Peace Corps. Ross has probably never seen anything like this.
Before he could think of anything to say, Ross bounced again and said, “Jennybenny, I gotta go pee.”
“Ross, you just went and you know how to say it,” she said patiently.
“But I gotta go again. To the men’s room,” he pleaded politely.
“I got it babe,” Gabe said, deftly walking with Ross toward the guest bathroom.
She walked into the kitchen with her picnic basket and began adding the things to it that Gabe had bought. She expected the beer and wine but noticed that he had included some PBJ sandwiches for Ross.
“Hey darlin’,” she heard a voice behind her. Whirling around, she narrowed her eyes. “Vinny, I swear you could sneak up on anyone.”
Laughing, he kissed her forehead. “Where’s our brothers?”
Sighing, she nodded toward the back. “Ross claimed he had to go to the bathroom but I’m sure it was just a ploy to see how big this place really is.”
“You okay, honey?” Vinny asked.
She smiled up at the face that was almost as handsome as his brother’s. Even as identical twins, she could tell them apart. “I think I’m going to be faced with the ‘why can’t we have a place like this’ questions by the end of the day. My parents lived very frugally when they were overseas and well, he’s never seen a place like this.”
“Vinny!” came the yell from the back as Ross took a leap up and Vinny caught him. “This place is huge. The bathroom’s bigger than sis’ room,” he exclaimed.
She rolled her eyes at Gabe as he gave her a sympathetic look.
The temperature that day was going to be rising and eventually be pleasant enough for shirts without jackets. Something that Ross did not understand.
“Ross, get your jacket now. Even if you take it off later, you’ll need it when we first go.”
“I don’t know where it is,” he lied.
“Don’t tell me that. You brought it in with you,” she said as she placed the salad and baked beans into the picnic basket that she was packing.
Vinny smirked at Gabe, who was waiting patiently on Jennifer and Ross. He leaned his hip casually against the breakfast bar, his legs crossed at the bottom. He caught his brother’s grin and smiled back.
Ross came back into the room, his jacket in his hand. “Hey,” he said as he looked at Gabe and Vinny. “They don’t have to wear jackets. Why do I?”
Jennifer popped her head out of the kitchen and glared at him. “Well, Gabe was just going to get his jacket and since Vinny forgot his, Gabe will get one for Vinny to wear also.”
Gabe, without batting an eye, pushed off of the counter and walked to the hall closet pulling down two sweatshirt jackets. Tossing one to Vinny, he grinned at Vinny’s incredulous look.
“How’d I get pulled into your little domestic drama?” he quipped.
“Shut up and put the jacket on,” Gabe ordered.
Ross watched carefully and then pulled his jacket on too.
Gabe gave him a high-five and said, “Ready to go, buddy?”
With a whoop from Ross, Gabe laughed and said, “Go on with Vinny and get the football in the Jeep. Let me grab the food from your sister and we’ll be right down.”
She started to pick up the basket when Gabe’s arms came from behind and his hands rested on the counter, pinning her in. He leaned down and nuzzled her ear, whispering, “Thanks for coming today.” Giving her a kiss that was fast, hard and wet, he pulled back and linked his fingers with hers and grabbing the basket with his other hand. “Let’s go before I’m tempted to have Vinny take Ross and we just stay in bed.”
Locking the door, she said, “Thank you for getting your jacket. I know a giant like you doesn’t need a jacket but—”
“You don’t have to thank me, babe. We’re in this together. Whatever you need, whatever Ross needs, that’s what you’ll get.”
Smiling up at him, she gave his hand a squeeze as they headed to the Jeep.
*
“Hear good things about you,” Tony said, shaking her hand. “Both your job and the way you’re raising your brother. It’s good to finally meet the woman who brought one of my big men down.”
Glancing down at Ross standing next to her holding her hand, she smiled as he looked up at the wall of men. Vinny came from behind and swooped him up on his shoulders saying, “Come on, little man. We’ve got some footballs to toss.”
Jennifer gasped at the thought of eight-year-old Ross trying to play with the large men. “Honey,” she said, turning quickly to look at Gabe. “He’s too—”
“He’s fine, babe. Let him play,” he said softly.
Her worried eyes sought his. “But I don’t want him to get in your way either. You can’t play the way you want to if you’re having to worry about not stepping on him.”
“Let it go, sweetheart. It’s all good. We’ll be fine. He’ll be fine.” With a reassuring pat on her ass and a quick kiss, he ran off to join the others.
The picnic was the first time that she got to meet some of the other women from Gabe’s friend group. Shane’s wife, Annie, a local veterinarian, was sitting with Lily, one of Gabe’s co-workers and Matt’s wife. BJ’s wife, Suzanne, worked in the clinic with Annie. And much to Jennifer’s surprise, she saw Sherrie there.
The two women hugged and Sherrie explained that Suzanne begged her to come and get out of her apartment. Months earlier, Sherrie and Suzanne had been kidnaped by the same gang and while BJ rescued his fiancé, Tony went in to save Sherrie. Since then, she and Suzanne had become friends as well.
Annie and Suzanne were both pregnant, the latter with twins. The other women insisted that they sit while they began to set out the food. Jennifer realized how much she missed the conversations and fun with women her own age. As much as I love Cora and the other women at the center, this is really nice. Chatting, gossiping, laughing. Talking about babies. Her eyes glanced over at the football game, checking on Ross and seeking out Gabe. Babies. I wonder if Gabe would want to someday have babies?
“Don’t worry about Ross,” Annie piped up seeing Jennifer glancing at the game. “They’ll take good care of him.”
“Oh, I know he’s in good hands. Gabe is great with him.”
“Have you had him long?” Suzanne asked. “That is if you don’t mind me asking.”
“Oh, not at all,” Jennifer admitted. “My parents were Peace Corps and had been overseas for a couple of years; I was already out of college. About a year ago they were stateside visiting and were killed in a car accident. I became Ross’ legal guardian and we’ve done all right. I live at the elder housing center where a big part of my job takes place when I’m not in the office and so I save a lot on rent. Plus he has about twenty grandparents every day checking on him.”
“Well, he certainly is a lucky little boy to have a sister like you,” Lily quietly stated.
“Oh, I’m the lucky one,” Jennifer admitted. Looking over at the game again, she confessed, “But being a woman, there is so much I don’t know how to teach him. I can teach him how to be a good person but what about how to be a good man?” Throwing her hand up as she pointed to the game she continued, “How can I teach him how to play football?”
Lily quickly stood and gave her a hug, saying, “Oh honey. You’re doing marvelously. And what you can’t teach him, you’ve now given him a band of brothers that will help him.”
After a while, Tony and Jobe began manning the grills. As Jennifer sat quietly for a few moments, she noticed how Sherrie watched the grills with lowered eyes as though she did not want anyone to see her. Jobe? She has a thing for Jobe? As Jennifer continued to watch, she noticed that Tony would occasionally look over at Sherri and then look away quickly when she raised her head. Tony? It’s Tony that has her attention. And it appears she has his as well. Hmm, looks like a coffee date with Sherri is overdue. Before she could consider her friends anymore, the other ladies called for the food items and she jumped up to get her basket.
After a few minutes, the men ambled over from their game. She turned to see Ross piggyback riding with Gabe. A smile played on her lips as she saw the grin on Ross’ dirty face. As he was set down, she started to grab a wet cloth to wash his face off, but he jerked away, looking up at Gabe.
Gabe quickly said, “Come on buddy,” and headed off to the outdoor water faucet. The two of them splashed their faces and washed their hands. As the strolled back to the table, she overheard Gabe say, “We gotta be clean for the ladies. They spent time fixing the food and we want to be presentable, right Little Man?”
Ross grinned then looked at Vinny, who had sat down with his plate almost full.
“Vinny,” Ross called out. “You gotta go wash up. It’s for the ladies.”
The laughter from the group burst forward as Vinny humbly headed off to wash his hands as well. Gabe leaned over and kissed Jennifer lightly on the lips before sitting next to her. With Ross tucked between the large men, she saw the joy on his face. Well, maybe ‘hero worship’ was a better word.
The food was quickly consumed and the friends sat around talking and laughing for a while until the setting sun made the air chilly. With goodbyes all around, Gabe helped Ross and Jennifer into his Jeep and he took them home.
As they entered her apartment, she immediately ran the bath water for Ross ignoring his grumbling. Once he was in, she walked back to the living area and saw that Gabe had put away the picnic basket.
“Thanks, honey,” she said, walking straight up and wrapping her arms around his waist. He kissed the top of her head and then tugged her over to the sofa, seating her on his lap.
“You do a helluva lot, babe. I don’t want you to wear yourself out.”
“It’s not bad,” she said defensively. “Most of the work around here is done by Cora and Henry.”
“That’s not all I’m talking about. There’s Ross as well.”
“Ross isn’t a burden at all.” She sat quietly for a moment, thinking of her brother. Turning her big blue eyes on Gabe, she asked, “Do you think he’s…all right?”
Quirking an eyebrow, he looked perplexed by her question.
“I mean, as a little boy?”
“Babe, you’re just going to have to come out and ask what’s on your mind, ’cause I’m not following.”
“Today at the park, I watched him with you all. I can give him a lot, but I’m…well, how do I teach him to be a good man?” she asked, concern filling her pained expression.
“Jennifer, a man learns a lot about being a good man by being around a good woman. My mom was the best there was and my brother and I learned as much from her as we did our dad.”
“Yes, but you also had a dad.”
“True, but you’ve got men in your life that can help him become the kind of man you want him to become.”
“But—”
“Don’t start with that, baby,” he warned. “You and me are together. I’m not leaving and I promise to protect the two of you and help him learn how to be a good man.”
“That’s a lot to take on,” she advised.
“What? You don’t think I’m up for the job?” he said, jokingly lifting his crotch into her hips.
“Oh, I think you’re more than up for the job,” she giggled. Grabbing his face, she pulled him in for a kiss, plunging her tongue into his mouth knowing that he would take over immediately. And she wasn’t disappoi
nted.
With her body tucked into his, he took ownership of the kiss angling for better access. Her sweetness filled his senses while his dick pressed painfully against his jeans.
“Jenny,” came the call from the bathroom.
She jerked away from the kiss, first a moan and then a sigh escaping her lips. She stood on shaky legs and walked to the bathroom door. Using her special knock, he called for her to enter.
Once he was ready for bed, he ran out to say goodnight to Gabe, who picked him up in a bear hug. “Thanks for teaching me how to play football,” Ross said.
“No problem, buddy. We’ll have lots of time to learn more,” Gabe promised.
Ross started to run to his bedroom, when he stopped and turned toward Jennifer. “You know sis? Gabe says you’re doing a good job with me. I just wanted to say that I think so too.” He ran over to throw his arms around her as she knelt to embrace him.
With tears in her eyes, she looked over Ross’ shoulder at Gabe smiling down on the two of them.
A few minutes later as she walked him to the door, she looked up and asked, “Did you tell Ross to say that to me?”
“Honest to God, babe, I didn’t. He did that all on his own.” Giving her a goodbye kiss, he reminded her, “Told you. A good man needs a good woman, no matter what age.” With that he headed down the stairs.
An hour later Jennifer called Cora. “Hey, the restaurant just called. It seems that an event overbooked and they have a lot of food that was prepared that will just go to waste, including some meat and vegetables. I’m going to head over to pick it up. Will you keep an eye on Ross? He’s already asleep and I shouldn’t be long.”
“Sure,” Cora agreed. “I’ll be right across the hall.”
*
Pulling her old truck into the alley, she parked near the kitchen door. Hopping out she tried to open the door to let Carlos know she was there. The door was locked, so she tried knocking. No answer. Damn, I’ll have to walk around to the front and go in that way. Looking down at her clothes, she regretted the sloppy sweatpants and zip-up hoodie that she was wearing. Oh, what does it matter who sees me and what they think?
Gabe: The Alvarez Security Series Page 13