Gabriel (Guardian Defenders Book 1)

by Kris Michaels

  She sighed, dropped her head, and rolled her neck, trying to work the kinks out. This week needed to be over about two days ago. If she could stop the advancement of time and the events of the week, she would do so in a heartbeat. They'd lost a patient today. A blood clot. A simple damn thing, but it was silent and deadly, and like with every patient they couldn't save, she felt like it was her fault, even though nothing anyone could have done would have changed the fact that Mrs. Westman had died. There were no symptoms. The woman was recovering from a badly broken leg. She fell off a horse while riding with friends. She was doing fine—until she wasn't.

  Her husband was sitting with her when it happened. He witnessed her struggle, the gasp of her last breath. He'd pushed the call button and ran to the door, yelling for help. After that, he became a statue. He didn't cry. He didn't yell at the doctors or at the nurses, demanding answers. He sat down in the corner and watched as they tried to save her. When it was over, and Doc G pronounced her dead, her husband stood and quietly left the room. That, him leaving, shredded the caretaker inside her. She wanted to be able to comfort him. To make sure he had family or somewhere he could find shelter. According to Mrs. Westman, they'd been married for twenty years. His wife hadn't been on the ward long, a day. Not long enough for her to find out about children or family. She shouldn't be this emotionally connected, but that was who she was.

  Her emotions were ragged; her body was exhausted, and she wanted, no needed, not to be herself tonight. She needed an escape, conversation not related to her work.

  “Well if it isn't my favorite taste tester. What are we in the mood for tonight?” Saul's white towel landed in front of her, and he wiped the bar down as he waited.

  “I don't care, but whatever it is, make it strong. Really, really strong.”

  Saul leaned forward, his forearms resting against the mahogany bar. “Well, we've learned you don't like beer or fruity drinks.”

  Anna scrunched up her nose. “Yeah. Sorry.”

  “No, hey, we have an infinite array of cocktails I can construct. You look tired. Bad day?”

  Anna nodded. “Bad week.” The way nurses were dropping like flies, it was a wonder the hospital still had enough staff. Damn flu this year was horrid. It was a miracle she still had tomorrow off.

  “Well, let's try something on the sour end of the spectrum tonight.” Saul pulled down a bottle from the top shelf and started mixing. Anna traced his action, not really registering when someone sat down next to her. Well, hell she knew someone took the chair, but she didn't want a conversation about work. Here, in this bar, if small talk was going to happen, the conversation would almost certainly rotate around the hospital.

  “Here you go.” Saul pushed the squat tumbler toward her, and she looked at it suspiciously. She really didn't like the taste of alcohol but needed to find something she could tolerate when she went out with her friends. Saul had made it his mission in life to find that substance. So far, no luck.

  “What is it?” She lifted it and sniffed the light caramel looking concoction.

  “Amaretto Sour.”

  She took a sip and shuddered in revulsion as the cloying taste coated her tongue.

  “Another swing and a miss. You are going to give me a complex, you know that, right? Want to try something else?”

  She shook her head, her cheeks puckered in distaste, but she’d hand it to Saul, it was strong. Finally able to speak, she waved him away. “No, thank you. You made it for me, I'll finish it.” Besides, how many taste buds could she have left? She eyeballed the squat glass. How many gulps were in that thing? Two, maybe three. She could hold her breath. Probably.

  “Better luck next time, slugger. What can I get for you? I promise my drinks are better than what she's letting on.” Saul turned to the person to her right, still laughing at her reaction. The bar curved in a U shape out into the room and she was just close enough to the end that she'd have to look over her shoulder to see whoever Saul was addressing. She didn't. On purpose.

  “Single Malt. Neat.” She knew the man attached to that deep rumble. She slowly turned her head and then smiled. “Mr. Gabriel. What brings you to the local watering hole?” She lifted her horrid, cloying drink and saluted him before she tossed the contents of the tumbler down her throat. Her eyes clenched tight as she swallowed. A whole-body shudder ran through her, almost vibrating her off the stool. A large, warm hand landed at her elbow, steadying her.

  “I believe it could be the same reason you are here. A rough week.” He dropped a fifty-dollar bill on the bar when Saul pushed his drink toward him. “For me, and the lady.”

  Saul sent her a quick glance. The old guy was protective of his regulars. “Mr. Gabriel and I have met. I'll have another one of those.”

  Saul's eyebrows lifted to his hairline. “Are you sure?”

  “Really?” Gabriel's rumbled laughter underscored his question.

  Anna snickered and pushed the glass toward Saul. “Yeah, now that you have destroyed my ability to taste, the second one should be better, right?”

  “I really don't think that's how it works.” Gabriel didn't conceal his amusement. He lifted his glass and sipped the brown liquid while smiling at her.

  “Did you find the orderly?” Her curiosity about the man had driven her insane the past four days. She’d done a double take at every male in scrubs at the hospital. Several were close in physical characteristics, but…

  “We interviewed everyone from housekeeping to residents. No one assigned another orderly to your floor.” He leaned forward and stared at the woodgrain of the bar.

  “So it could have been him.” The whisper fell from her lips.

  Gabriel nodded.

  “Damn it. I should have done something.”

  “Stop beating yourself up. Whoever it was didn’t hurt her. We have a cop on her door now and we’ll keep him there until she’s released. Besides, you’re not psychic, you had no idea what Jackie’s attacker looked like. You couldn’t have known.” He gave her a half smile that didn’t quite make it to his eyes.

  “True, but if it was him?”

  “If it was him, I’m just as much to blame as you. I saw him walk down the hall when I was on a phone call. Nothing seemed out of place. We would both be guilty of nonaction.”

  “Well, shit.”

  “Succinct and to the point as always, Ms. Harriger.”

  “Anna.”

  He nodded. “So we agree to forgive ourselves for being human?”

  “Just this once.” She lifted her drink, crossed her eyes and made puckered fish lips at the tumbler. His laughter filled the space between them.

  Anna noticed every movement. The man was coiled strength, solid muscle, and drop-dead gorgeous. He'd draped his suit coat over his leg that he’d propped on the barstool rung and was rolling up his crisp white shirt sleeves. The red silk tie around his neck hung loose, and the top button was undone, revealing the base of his neck. Anna dropped her eyes to the way his body filled out those expensive clothes.

  Saul appeared in front of them. “Another?” He nodded at Gabriel who accepted the offer.

  Saul turned. “How about a club soda, hun?”

  “As long as it isn't sour.” She shivered again, and both men laughed.

  She turned fully in her seat, facing her new barstool neighbor. “So I guess your rough week and mine is the reason you’re here?”

  He nodded and fingered the napkin under his tumbler. “That and I'm being recalled to D.C.”

  “What does that mean for Jackie?”

  He met her gaze. “The Denver PD are still investigating. I've given them all the information I have, but I'm needed elsewhere.” He lifted his drink and swallowed half in one pull. As he lowered the tumbler, he glanced at her. “I hope to come straight back.” Lifting his shoulder in a shrug, he indicated he doubted it would happen.

  Saul returned with a club soda and Gabriel's change. She drew the tall glass toward her. She shook her head and sighed, “That r
eally stinks. That guy needs to be stopped.”

  “True.” Gabriel nodded and glanced at her again. “So now you know why I'm drowning my sorrows, why are you here?”

  “Oh, Lordy, where do you want me to start?”

  “The beginning is always a good place.” Gabriel grabbed a handful of bar mix from the bowl between them and popped some into his mouth.

  Anna laughed at Gabriel's impression of the senator from Colorado. He nailed the man's mannerisms. “Oh, my God! You cannot be serious.”

  “Absolutely serious. He then did an about-face and ran straight into the door that his assistant had closed. Broke his nose.” He slapped his hand against the bar top. “Splat.”

  She gasped. “No, you mean the bandage... that wasn't? The news said he’d gotten it in a sparring match!”

  “Yeah, he went one round with a slab of wood and lost. The man does not have a brain in his head.”

  “I hate to break up the conversation... but...” Saul stood before them and motioned toward the interior of the bar, which was empty.

  “Oh, crap! What time is it?” She lifted her wrist and glanced at her watch. “Holy moly, we've been talking for hours.”

  Gabriel chuckled and stood. The action sent her good mood crashing through the floor. Damn it, why couldn't she find a man like this one who lived in Denver?

  “Saul, thank you for everything.” Gabriel put a twenty on the bar and slid his jacket on. Anna stood and pulled her purse off the bar. She looked up at him and smiled. It wasn't a real smile, because she wasn't happy about the night ending.

  “Bye, Saul, see you next time.”

  Saul shook his head. “Never going to give up, are you?”

  “Nah, I know there has to be a drink out there I can enjoy.”

  “I'm game if you are, hun.” He picked up the twenty and saluted Gabriel with it as he whistled his way to the other end of the bar and two men who were talking in the shadows.

  “I'm sorry I monopolized your time tonight.” She drew the strap of her purse over her shoulder and gazed up at him.

  “I'm not. I enjoyed our time.” He took her elbow and directed her toward the door.

  “So did I. I don't usually...”

  His hand moved to the small of her back and stayed there. The warmth bled through the light cotton of her scrubs and radiated quickly through her entire body.

  “Usually?” He whispered in her ear as he leaned forward and opened the door.

  A shiver shot through her like a lightning bolt. Oh, sweet heavens, the way her body reacted to his, she could get addicted to the feeling. Clearing her throat, she finished her thought, “I don't usually... um... come to bars, and you know...”

  “Visit?” He stopped on the sidewalk and turned to face her.

  “Yeah, let’s go with that.” Goodness she was presumptuous, wasn't she? He hadn't asked her back to his hotel. So, the sexual attraction was one-sided. She blew out a huff of air, expanding her cheeks and making a whooshing sound. Deflated. Yup. That was how she felt.

  She motioned down the street. Her car was parked at the hospital, so she needed to backtrack. “Well, I'm this way. Thank you for a lovely evening.” She extended her hand to him.

  He stepped toward her and took her hand in his, but he didn't shake it. Instead, he turned it up and lightly ran his index finger over her palm and up her wrist. Her entire body shuddered from the raw sexuality of his touch.

  “Perhaps we could extend the evening?” Gabriel's eyes moved from where his finger was ghosting against her flesh to her eyes.

  She gulped. Yep. She heard it, and so did he. A big ol' gulp as loud as a cough during a Sunday sermon when the preacher pauses for air.

  He smiled at her. “Afraid?”

  She shook her head. “No.” Afraid? No, more like excited, needy, wet, ready, hungry, aching for sex, but afraid? Nope, that emotion wasn't in the ballpark.

  “I'd really like this to be more than one night, but I'm leaving in...” He glanced at his watch and shook his head. “...seven hours.”

  She squared her shoulders. “I'll take what I can get.”

  “How about I give you all you can take.” Gabriel stepped closer and wrapped her in his arms. Sweet heavens, he completely consumed her in his hold.

  “I can take a lot. You might not be able to keep up. Are we doing this at my place or yours?” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “My hotel is right there.” He nodded across the street.

  “Your place it is.”

  He dropped his lips to hers. The first brush was sweet, tender, caressing. She lifted her hands to his hair and grabbed two fists full, holding his head still. She didn't want sweet. She didn't want gentle. She wanted what she knew this man possessed. She wanted his strength, his power, and yes, his aggression. She wanted to remember this small expanse of time with someone completely out of her league. She'd never have another like him. Against his lips, she murmured. “You've got limited time, cowboy. Don't waste it.”

  He growled deep in his chest and crushed her against his hard body. Make that hardening body. As he assumed control of their kiss, she rolled her hips against what was shaping up to be an impressive erection. She chased his tongue with hers, dueling to explore as he delved into her. They broke apart as suddenly as they'd fused together, both panting for air. Gabriel's hand cupped her neck. His thumb wiped across her bottom lip. She could see the desire in his eyes. She recognized the want, the need. She never tried to hide anything and was certain her eyes reflected the same emotions.

  “Come.” The demand was a mere second out of his mouth before he spun, grabbed her hand, and stalked across the vacant street.

  Anna smiled as she trotted along with his faster gait. She had done that. She turned this suave, tightly-wound, gorgeous man into a muscle-bound ball of need. The thought was heady and dangerous. She didn't care. She was an adult, and so was he, and they wanted each other, if only for one night.

  Remembering the trip across the street, through the foyer and up the elevator to the luxury suite he had a key for, would be impossible because she saw nothing except him. He pushed the door closed behind them and stripped off his jacket.

  Anna smiled and dropped her purse. Her hands flew to the bottom of her scrubs top and tugged it off. His shirt came off in a similar pull, leaving his red silk tie loosely hanging around his bare chest. Sweet Mercy, he was spectacular.

  “Fuck, you're beautiful.” He stalked closer as she kicked off her shoes.

  “And you are gorgeous, but too many clothes, cowboy.” She pushed down her pants and kicked out of the cotton, wearing only her bra and panties.

  He stopped, toed off his shoes and socks, dropped his slacks, and shucked off his boxers.

  “Oh, my God.” Anna's hands froze behind her. Her bra clasp forgotten. She swallowed hard again. He was a Greek god. His muscles moved under his olive complexion with mesmerizing fluidity. Her eyes dropped lower. That impressive cock she'd felt? It was at full mast now. Big, thick and heavy. She licked her suddenly dry lips.

  “Too many clothes.” Gabriel crossed his arms across his chest; his biceps bulged, and his pecs bounced at the movement. She shook off her paralysis and unhooked her bra, letting it drop. She glanced around and started walking backward toward the bedroom. Gabriel moved toward her as she retreated. She laughed, spun, and sprinted to the bedroom.

  Within three steps, he had her. He swung her up, dropping them both onto the king-sized bed. She pushed him down and straddled him.

  “You're still wearing clothes.”

  She glanced down at the lace and cotton panties before she looked at him. “If that's a problem for you, you make it go away.” She leaned down to kiss him.

  Their lips found each other at the exact time his hands found her hips and the waistband of her underwear. It took him two seconds to rip the material from her body. She laughed into their kiss.

  He rolled her and pinned her under him. “You liked that.” He spoke as he worked
his lips down her neck.

  “Hell, yeah.” She moaned as his hand found her breast. Sensation overwhelmed her. The feel of him over her, his scent, his lips, the rasp of his chest hair against her skin, his hands as they traveled over her body, the silky hair she clenched in her fists... all of it immersed her in a swirling pool of nothing but Gabriel.

  She didn't know where to focus, what to feel first, but his mouth... God, his mouth. He licked, kissed, and sucked his way from her neck to her collarbone, then to her breasts. His hand worked between them, and his fingers split her sex. She damn near came unglued when he found and rubbed her clit. She'd never had a man do that before, never had a partner who cared about her arousal as much as his own.

  As his fingers rubbed her core, his hips moved, sensual thrusts of his cock against where her thigh and hip joined. It was all too much and not nearly enough.

  “For the love of God, tell me you have condoms.” Tugging at his hair, she was able to stop his mouth from feasting on her body. She wouldn't have unprotected sex. Not with the AIDs epidemic. No matter how much she wanted someone, she cared for herself more than that.

  Gabriel groaned, and she deflated. Damn it, of course, he didn't have condoms. Hell, she'd propositioned him... basically.

  “I have two in my wallet, but I have a feeling that isn't going to be enough.” Gabriel dropped down for a quick kiss before he literally bounded out of bed and headed to where they'd tossed their clothes.

  “Thank goodness.” She breathed the response and lifted on her elbows to watch him in the other room. Damn, he was beautiful. No one would ever believe this. This wasn't her life. She wasn't the kind of person who 'hooked-up.' A smile split her face as he turned and lifted two gold squares and headed back to her.

  “Now, where were we?” He tossed one of the squares on the hotel's version of a bedside table and dropped down onto the bed, fitting himself between her legs.