I approached him. “Gabe, are those for me?” I asked, my voice quivering with joy.
“You came.” He turned toward me. His eyes lit up, and a smile spread across his face as he embraced me. “I thought—”
“I’m here. I’m always here,” I said.
He pulled away but kept his hands wrapped around me. “The thought of us breaking up was too much to bear. I hate to think of you being around dangerous people, but your loyalty to your friends is a noble trait. If you promise to keep me in the loop and close by, then I believe I can help you to help them in the right way.”
“I promise.”
“No secrets. That goes for me too. I won’t aid your father in spying on you ever again. I promise.”
We held onto each other and looked deep into each other’s eyes, standing off to the side as people walked by. They were all in a hurry to get somewhere. All I wanted was to stay in Gabe’s arms.
He embraced me again. Stroking my back, he said, “I’m so glad we’re okay. The more time went by, the more I was scared you wouldn’t come. I thought you were trying to protect me from getting involved with your questionable friends. I was going to pick apart all these roses before I knew for sure you weren’t coming.” His smile thinned into a line.
I looked down. There were several petals clustered by his feet. “Can I have the flowers?”
“Oh, of course. If I could pull myself away from you, I could give them to you.” He chuckled, breaking into a grin. “Here’s what’s left. I’m sorry I did that. I had to come up with some system to determine if you were coming. Even though I could wait forever, my ego wouldn’t let that happen. I love you, but I do have some pride.”
“I understand. They are lovely.” They smelled fantastic.
“Not half as lovely as you.” He kissed me. The sensation of his tongue pulling me deeper into his mouth allowed all my doubts about him handling my messy life to disappear. For a moment, it was as if we were the only two people on the bridge. All I could hear was his heart beating with mine. All I could smell was his sandalwood cologne. All I could taste was him.
Chapter 40
Fiona
Ishuffled ahead in line to buy a card to ride the subway. Four women were ahead of me, and all the machines had people in front of them. I sighed, wishing I was next. The thick air went into my lungs like molasses as I breathed. The humidity of the summer day caused my jeans to cling to my sweaty legs.
I rolled my neck, trying to loosen my tight muscles. I managed only to aggravate them, and I cringed. After a night of tossing and turning, I had awoken to a stiff neck. My heavy eyelids fluttered, straining to stay open given the combination of lack of sleep, lack of caffeine, and the unbearable heat.
The whooshing sound mixed with the squealing of an approaching train became louder and perked me up. I looked at the number on display outside of the train and saw that it wasn’t the one I needed to board. Mine would be next. I moved ahead in line. The PA announcement that the train was leaving the station was accompanied by the sound of people’s dress shoes clicking on the concrete floor. A young man’s tennis shoes pounded the stairs by me. He ran past me, causing a slight warm breeze. It offered no relief to the hot, muggy air of the underground platform. Men in business suits and women in dresses came down the stairs in large groups. I yawned, still not fully awake.
As I moved ahead again, a soft, angelic voice accompanied by the sound of violin strings grew louder. The musicians stood just a few feet away. The violinist leaned into the movement of his bow, creating a high-pitched quivering sound, as each note seemed to dissolve into one another. Watching him made my heart ache because I longed to play my violin once more. I took a deep breath. After I got my cast off that afternoon, I would get to do that.
The line moved, and I stepped forward. Only one more person stood in front of me. I swayed slightly from side to side, in rhythm with the long notes of the strings. My heavy eyelids nearly closed. Her soprano voice was so… I closed my eyes for a second… Hauntingly beautiful. I kept them shut.
Maybe I’ll rest for a second.
Like the last song on an album, the music faded out until there was silence. My head nodded. I drifted asleep until I bumped into the woman ahead of me.
Opening my eyes and regaining my balance, I mumbled, “Sorry.”
The short old lady looked at me with furrowed eyebrows for a second, shook her head, and went back to staring at the screen. She probably thought I was drunk, because I slurred my speech due to sleep deprivation. Even though I felt like a zombie, barely able to move, I was going to that doctor’s appointment to get the damn cast off.
The man began to play a new tune. Luckily, it didn’t sound like a lullaby. The woman kept standing there, fixated on the screen but not selecting any of the options.
“Come on, lady,” I said, loudly enough for her to hear.
She turned around. “I’m sorry, but I’ve never been here,” she said in a thick accent that I couldn’t place. She looked up at me with puppy-dog eyes that seemed about to burst. She held her cross necklace between her thumb and forefinger, swaying it back and forth.
My need to keep moving to avoid drifting off to sleep again surpassed any compassion I had for her. The machine next to me opened up, and I stepped over. Touching my selection on the screen, I said, “Damn tourist.”
“Ignore her. I’ll help you.” A man narrowed his eyes at me and stepped up to assist her.
I rolled my eyes and got my card from the machine. Avoiding eye contact, I passed them.
After I got on the train, I held onto a pole with my one good arm. As the train took off, guilt for snapping at the stranger washed over me. I felt super guilty—overly so. She was just trying to figure out the subway system. And that look she gave me was as if I’d stabbed her in the chest with a knife. As I remembered her eyes welling up with tears, mine became moist from regret. Hold it together, woman! She survived. In fact, she probably had gotten over it. I should too. I blamed my overly emotional demeanor on lack of sleep.
According to the doctor, my arm had healed perfectly. When I tried to pay the receptionist my co-pay, my hands were shaky. Pulling my credit card out of my wallet seemed too fine of a motor skill for my trembling hands. It took three tries to get it out.
“Are you all right, dear?” she asked, taking my card and steadying it with her grip.
“Yeah, I skipped breakfast. Probably shouldn’t have.”
“Here.” She gave me a box of raisins from her purse. “You like them?”
I nodded and took the box. “Thanks.”
She handed me my card back with a receipt. I signed the sloppiest signature possible due to my quivering hand.
On the way home, I held onto the poles in the train with both hands and stood. Wow! That’s more like it. No more hanging on by one hand. The train took off, and I didn’t sway as much as before. I smiled ear to ear, enjoying the use of both hands.
∞ ∞ ∞
I had the rest of the afternoon off of work, so when I got home, I thought I’d finally play the violin. I put one of my favorite pieces of music on the stand. The Irish jig was a bit bold for my first piece after not playing for over four weeks, but I would try.
I picked up my violin case and opened it. “Hello, old friend.”
I took the bow and held it. So far, so good. The sandwich I ate must have helped my shaky nerves from earlier. I set the bow on my lap and held the violin by its neck. I brought the butt of the instrument up to my neck and rested the violin on my collarbone. My jaw held it in place.
I took a deep breath and began to play. It was like riding a bike—it all came back. The music began with an upbeat, cheery tempo. The bow glided across the strings perfectly. Oh, how I missed this. In my mind, I had Celtic Crescendo playing with me, producing a rich sound. Then the tune became scratchy. I stopped. Ugh, that’s not right. Concerned, I creased my forehead. I started again picking up where I left off. For a while, the sound I produced wa
s back on track. Then my fingers on the bow lost their placement, causing more off notes. I put the violin on my lap and held the quivering bow up.
Damn, that’s not good. Maybe I cut too far back on the coffee.
I brewed some. When it was done, I poured a cup of the dark roast. The aroma of strong coffee wafted up to my nose, and I smiled. Relief was on its way. I fixed myself a small cup. I poured the vitamin supplement Daisy had given me into the mug, but I realized it was my last packet.
Later on, I tried to complete the song again. That time, I nearly did. It made me think it was caffeine withdrawal causing my lack of playing ability, or maybe lack of caffeine with the vitamins. If I had just one more cup, I bet I could do it. I could play like I used to, all the way to the end.
I had to finish that song, because I was a perfectionist when it came to my music. Desperate for more vitamins, I called Daisy. I would have gone to the store and bought more, but I didn’t know where she got them, and they came in a plain white packet.
Daisy answered, “Hey, girl.”
“Hey, I need to know where I can buy some more of those vitamins you gave me,” I asked, pacing.
“Oh, can you hold on a sec?”
“Sure.” I sat in the kitchen and tapped my fingers on the table, drumming them from my forefinger to my pinky.
“Actually, I have some more I can give you if you want them.”
“That’s too much trouble.” My foot bounced up and down while my toes clung to the carpet. “I just need to know what brand it is or where you got it, and I’ll go get some more.”
“I’ll meet you at the corner diner in an hour. I have plenty to share.”
“Thanks. See ya then.” I hung up.
∞ ∞ ∞
When I left the diner with my new supply, I ran into the derelict’s cart. Items spilled out as he stopped.
Son of a bitch, why won’t this guy go away?
“You went back for more,” he said, scooping up the things on the ground.
Okay, I can’t resist engaging anymore. “What are you doing, stalking me?”
“Do you feel that line between need and want blurring?” he asked, dumping his belongings back into the cart.
“What are you talking about?” I threw my hands up in the air as the heat from my flushed face increased. “You’re crazy, and if you don’t stop harassing me, I’m calling the cops.”
“You do know.” His icy blue eyes locked with mine as he grabbed my arm. “You had to get more, didn’t you?” He tightened his dirty hands around my newly healed forearm.
Wincing, I stared at my arm, which was turning red. “Get off.” As soon as he released his grip slightly, I yanked it away. “It’s just vitamins, you idiot. It’s not whatever fresh hell you’re on.”
He smirked. “Is that what they’re telling you?”
“Enough, this conversation is over.” I sprinted home, eager to get away.
I ran all the way up the stairs and into my apartment. Locking the door behind me, I puffed my cheeks out like a blowfish and exhaled.
I leaned on the door, gripping my purse strap, trying to absorb what just happened. It can’t be, can it? I refused to believe Daisy would get me addicted to some illegal drug. That guy is clearly unstable. I’d be a fool to listen to him.
Screw him. Daisy is my friend. I walked to the kitchen. I’m having more coffee with this supplement, and I’ll feel better.
I brewed more coffee, planning to have just one more cup. I looked through some sheet music to practice, a nice distraction from thinking about the encounter with the crazy man. I found several that I loved.
The percolating of the coffee interrupted my thoughts. I took one of the packets from my purse and emptied it into the cup. Just a little more.
Chapter 41
Amber, earlier
Gabe and I walked to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge. After we stepped onto the walkway, he held my hand. My heartbeat escalated from his touch. I looked over at him, and we made eye contact. At the same time, our smiles grew wider.
“Do you have time to go back to my place?” he asked as he raised his eyebrows.
“Absolutely. I have the day off.”
“Perfect.” We reached the sidewalk, and he raised his arm to hail a cab. One stopped by us. “We can get out of this heat and into air conditioning and privacy,” he said before opening the door for me. I got in, and Gabe followed. He gave the driver his address. As we pulled away, he said, “I do have some news to give you.”
“You do?” I asked scooting closer to him, reaching for his hand.
He took mine and gently held it. Looking deep into my eyes, he said, “My transfer to the Brooklyn firehouse has been accepted. I’m going to be working there in the fall. And I’m thinking of finding a place in Brooklyn.” He paused as if waiting for my reaction.
I held eye contact and sighed. “I see.” Right now, it was convenient to get together because we both lived in Manhattan. Even though Brooklyn was close, it would be less convenient.
“I will always be there for you, Amber. You know that, right?”
I nodded. Living farther away from each other wouldn’t be that bad.
“Good”—he gave me a faint smile, but it quickly faded—“because there’s something else. I’ll be working the day tour.” He frowned.
I did the same, probably for the same reason. We were going to be on opposite shifts.
“You know I’ll always be there for you, right?” I said.
His frown turned into a grin right before he kissed me.
∞ ∞ ∞
We entered his apartment. He went inside first, and I followed. Within seconds, he turned on his heels and faced me. I froze, looking deep into his soft, warm gaze. He reached behind me and shut the door with his palm. His eyes changed into a territorial, primal stare. They radiated pure passion as I took my hair down. After locking the door, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his embrace. He sank his tongue into my mouth. The wet sensation drew me deeper into him. A wave of warmth flooded over me as his tongue swirled deeper and deeper. I gripped his tight buttocks, wanting us to go further into each other. He cradled the back of my neck as his tongue escaped my mouth and traveled down my neck. I moaned and arched my back. His hands cupped my breasts softly. His thumbs found my hard nipples and rubbed them, making them even harder.
He put his hand down my pants, and his fingers hovered in between my thighs, right on the verge of making contact with my pulsating clit. He crushed his mouth on top of mine. Pulling my tongue deeper into his mouth, I yearned for more. I needed his touch to do more than just linger. I needed his fingers to nudge me there, touch me there, and enter me there. My body screamed for him to stroke me. The deeper his tongue went into my mouth, which was melting into his, the more I craved from him. My hands found his belt and loosened it. His hands joined mine, and he shed his pants and underwear in one swift motion. I licked my lips, stroking his long, hard cock with my hands. Gabe moaned. He unbuttoned my pants and dropped them onto the ground, along with my panties. He grabbed my butt with one hand, and with his other hand, he guided mine away from him. I wrapped my leg up around his behind. Instantly, our bodies made contact in the most intimate sexual way. I inhaled as he thrust only the tip into me. His forehead touched mine. He backed away so he could look at me, and a grin spread across his face. With pleading eyes, I begged for more. He shoved it in deeper. I moaned louder, burying my head in the crook of his neck. His sandalwood scent made my body greedy for even more. Each thrust caused a new wave of pleasure to ripple throughout my body. He would take me to the brink, but wouldn’t give in to my pleas for him to go deeper. Finally, he would bring me to new heights of ecstasy. My hips rose to meet his thrusts.
Our tempo increased as our bodies were on the verge of surrendering to one another. Gabe kissed me again. His huge cock went all the way in, and I throbbed, taking it all. A tingling wave of pleasure rippled throughout my body as we collided for a final time
. Gabe gave himself to me—all of him—as I surrounded everything in me to him. As the wave of ecstasy faded, we stood, still intertwined with each other. Gabe guided my leg down. Then he sighed deeply as he fluttered his eyes open.
“I love making love to you.” His heart pounded against my heaving bosom.
“Oh, Gabe, you know just what to do,” I whispered in his ear.
“Ditto.” He released his tight embrace and took my hand. “Let’s go to the bedroom and recover.”
“Sounds perfect.”
He gathered up the pile of clothes and led us there. We fell asleep in each other’s arms, completely exhausted.
When I awoke, the clock on his nightstand showed four in the afternoon. Gabe looked so peaceful as he slept. His naked, chiseled body still glistened from the sweat of our bodies becoming one. I smiled. Every inch of him was mine.
As I watched him resting, I ran my fingers through my hair, pushing it away from my eyes. Groggy from our nap, what I really needed to wake up was a shower—and to be able to freshen up completely, I needed my shower and my beauty products in my own bathroom. I had to go back to my apartment. I didn’t want to leave a note, so I gently nudged him.
“Amber, you’re awake,” he mumbled.
I kissed him. “Now you are too. I’m going to go back to my place and shower.”
“You could shower here.” His eyes were soft, and the gaze that drifted over my entire body suggested that we’d be doing more than just getting clean.
“Yes, but I’d rather change clothes at my place.”
“Is that an invitation?”
I smiled. “If you want it to be, it is.” He ran his fingers down my back. I giggled. “That tickles.”
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