Gabe: The Alvarez Security Series (13 page)

“So where are we going?” she asked, twisting her head up to look at him.

“We’re there,” he announced, smiling down at her expression.

She turned in the direction that he was facing, but all she could see was a horse carriage in front of her.

“Mr. Malloy?” the carriage driver called, as he stepped down with his hand out. “Your ride awaits.”

She gasped in surprise, turning quickly to look up at Gabe again. “A carriage ride? Really? Oh my God, I’ve never done this,” she squealed in excitement. Bouncing up and down, she could barely contain herself as Gabe escorted her over.

He laughed as he assisted her up into the leather seat, thinking at that moment he could see the resemblance between her and Ross.

They settled in the comfortable seats and the driver handed them a blanket. “It’s a chilly night so wrap up,” he advised. Gabe gladly draped the woolen blanket over their legs, tucking it in tightly around her. Throwing his arm around her once again he pulled her close. The carriage began its journey around the downtown area, including the large park by the river running through town.

He looked at her, seeing her sparkling eyes as she took in their surroundings. Her smile was infectious as she looked up at him and he felt the piercing in his heart once again.

“Gabe, I’ve never done this before. This is amazing!” she said, leaning into him.

“I couldn’t agree more. Never wanted to do this until today,” he admitted.

She whirled around looking at his face. “Never? You’ve never…”

Seeing where her thoughts had taken, he said, “No, baby. I’ve never done this. Ever. You’re the first.” He watched as her smile came back and felt her settle into him once more.

After a little while, he leaned down and set a basket onto their laps. Opening it, he pulled out a bottle of wine, two glasses, and some chocolate covered strawberries.

“Oh my goodness,” she exclaimed, taking the glasses while he poured. Sipping the delicious wine, she leaned back and he held out a strawberry to her. Biting into the chocolate juiciness, she moaned in delight.

He watched her mouth surround the strawberry, eyes closed in ecstasy, the little moan escaping.
Fuck, I could come right now
. Shifting in the seat to try to accommodate his erection, he hoped she had not noticed.

A small trickle of juice lingered on her lips and he leaned over capturing it with his mouth. She tasted of wine and sweetness, eliciting a moan from himself. He slid his tongue inside as he set his empty wine glass on the seat and cupped her face in his large hand. Taking the kiss deeper, he became lost in the feel of her mouth, her taste, her body pressed next to his.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on as though she would drown if she let go. He angled his head so that the kiss became more demanding, invading her senses. Pulling him closer, she let go and let him in.
No more doubts. No more caution.

He felt the change in her as she gave herself over to him and he reveled in the knowledge that this amazing woman was giving him all she had. Pulling back, he leaned his forehead against hers. He looked into her crystal blue eyes staring into his. Answering her unspoken question, he said, “The carriage has stopped baby.” Catching her surprised look toward the driver, he laughed, “It’s okay. I’m sure he’s used to this.”

They thanked him as Gabe turned and lifted her completely out of the carriage, holding her pressed tightly to his front before slowly letting her down. Turning, he tipped the driver and then took Jennifer’s hand as he led her down the street. Ushering her inside a small family owned Italian restaurant, they were shown to a corner table near the back.

She quickly pulled off her gloves, scarf, and hat then shook out her curls. Gabe stood behind her assisting with her coat, before handing them to the hostess. Her cheeks were pink and eyes sparkled in the candlelight. He helped her to her seat and then sat at a right angle next to her.

They ordered and sipped the wine while waiting for their food. Comfortable with each other’s company, the conversation flowed. He regaled her with tales of growing up with a twin.

Laughing at the stories of how they switched places in school sometimes to confuse their teachers, she asked, “So are you two really that identical?”

“We were then. Now, he’s got his hair a little longer and sometimes grows a beard.”

“Hmm, a beard? Maybe I’m out with the wrong twin,” she joked.

Growling, he found himself thinking of her with anyone else but himself and did not like the idea at all.

“So you two never changed places for a date?” she prompted.

At this, Gabe blushed.

“Oh my, I think I finally made the big man blush,” she exclaimed. “Did you two really change places?”

Rubbing the back of his hand over his neck, he looked at her amused expression. Sighing, he admitted, “Yeah. When we were younger. I…well…I…sort of…hooked up with two women for the same night. He stepped in and met up with one of them. Jesus, this is embarrassing.”

Throwing her head back in laughter, she said, “So if you make a date with me and with someone else at the same time, I could end up with Vinny?”

He leaned over and gently pulled her to him with his hand on the back of her neck. “First of all, baby. You will never be going out with my brother. Second of all, as far as I’m concerned, there is no other woman but you.”

Her laughter died down as she peered into his eyes. “Gabe—”

“No, babe. Don’t even say it. You are the best woman I have ever met and I’m willing to take this as far as it will go.” Seeing her eyes widen, he continued, “And don’t start goin’ inside of your head thinking of all the reasons we won’t work. Take it one day at a time, baby. Just one day at a time.”

With that, he leaned in to kiss her once again, taking her mind off of everything other than his lips on hers.

With his lips a whisper away from hers, he said, “You with me, Jennifer?”

“Yeah. I’m with you,” she said just as softly.

The food arrived and they once again settled into easy conversation. “So tell me about your place,” he said.

“Well, you’ve seen how we operate. It’s a bare-bones operation, but we make it work. My job with the city is to work on programs for the elderly. I started out just driving around checking on them, but they often end up with no one to care for them and many lose their housing. I received a grant and with the help of Senator Reno and his wife, who’s amazing at fund-raising and we had enough to open the center. It provides very low rent studio apartments for qualified seniors. We offer one meal a day, free of charge to the residents. We also have the open hall for movies, social gatherings, things like that.”

Gabe watched her face as she talked and he found himself rubbing his chest again.
So fuckin’ gorgeous. Outside of his close circle of friends and brothers-in-arms, she was the best person he had ever met.

“I just hope we can keep going,” she said. Seeing his question, she continued, “The area is slowly being renovated and some of the buildings have been bought. I know they’re cheap…well, cheap if you have several million to buy and renovate. I’ve heard that there’s someone who’s wanting to buy our building, and that would turn all the residents out. But so far, I’m holding on and I’ll fight anyone who tries to take this away from them.”

Seeing the passion in her eyes, he found himself wanting all that passion turned his way.
Buying the building out from under her? I’ll have Lily and BJ check to see what they can find out.

The meal finished too quickly and he knew he needed to get her back to Ross. Standing, he assisted as she slipped into her coat and with fingers laced they walked outside. The night sky was clear and filled with stars. The wind had died down, leaving the early spring chill not as biting as earlier.

As they drove to her building, he parked outside. Turning to each other, they both began talking at once. Laughing, he said, “Ladies first.”

“I just wanted to thank you. Gabe, I haven’t had so much fun in a really long time.”

Fun. That’s what Jobe said to give her.
Smiling, he said, “I’m glad. Babe, I hope it is the first of many, many days and nights of fun.”

“One day at a time, right?” she said softly.

“Yeah, baby. One day at a time.”

He walked her inside and up to her apartment. Slipping inside as Cora hugged them both before going into her apartment, Jennifer walked down the hall to check on Ross. Coming back into the living room, she said, “He’s sleeping.”

“He’s a great little boy,” Gabe said truthfully.

“I know. I just hope that…well, that I can do right by him.” Seeing his lifted eyebrow, she continued, “I’m not a man.”

At that, he chuckled. “I think I got that part figured out, sweetheart.”

Giggling, she said, “I mean, I worry about when he gets older.”

“You’re doing great. You’re giving him love and those men downstairs will give him attention and wisdom.” Stepping right up to her, he pulled her in close reveling in the feel of her body next to his. “And now you’ve got me. And with me, comes Vinny and my friends.” Leaning down, he kissed her, sweet and soft. Full of promise. Full of hope. “I’ve got you covered.” With that, he took the kiss deeper before gently pushing her back to arm’s length.

“I want all of you. But we’re gonna take this at your speed, at your pace. Goodnight, baby. I’ll call you tomorrow,” he promised.

With that, he walked out after making sure she locked her door.

She went into the bathroom and pulled off her clothes, taking a quick, warm shower. Drying off, she looked into the mirror and for the first time in a long time saw a woman looking back with a relaxed smile on her face.
He put that there. He gave me that.
Was it only this morning that he stood in the kitchen making pancakes?

Crawling into bed, she fell into a peaceful sleep with a smile on her lips.

Across town, Gabe walked into his large apartment, noting his security system.
Hers is shit. Worse than shit, because it’s nonexistent.
Vowing to talk to Tony on Monday, he planned on asking if a security system could be placed in her building. Taking a shower, he thought of her sweet body pressed close to his.
Soon baby. I hope you’re in my bed soon. But only when you’re ready.

T
he next week
found Jennifer at work, smiling as she went through her day. Sybil and Roy surrounded her at lunch clambering for information.

“Give it up, girl,” Sybil said. “You’ve had a goofy grin on your face all week.”

Roy looked up from texting his wife and said, “Yeah, it’s getting on Sybil’s nerves.”

Sybil punched him in the arm and said, “Ignore him. I just want to know who he is.”

“Who?” Jennifer asked.

“The man who’s the reason you’re grinning like you are,” she retorted.

“Okay, okay. I have met someone and he’s everything I thought I would never have.”

“Oh girl. Why did you think you’d never find that someone special?” Sybil asked.

Looking at her two co-workers, she shrugged. “I live and work with older people. I don’t go to bars or parties. After work, I’m with Ross. I’m not complaining,” she added quickly, “But let’s face it, there just isn’t a lot of time to meet a man.”

“Well…,” Sybil prompted.

“He’s huge. A former Special Forces Sergeant and is now working for a security company.”

At that, Roy’s attention was sparked. “Security?”

“Yeah, I think it’s called Alvarez Security Agency.”

Roy whistled. “I’ve heard of them. High priced but supposedly the best. Impressive, girl.”

The lunch discussion was tabled as their boss’ secretary popped in to tell them that there was a meeting being called.

“Jeez, can’t Chip let us know ahead of time he wants to meet?” Jennifer grumbled, packing up her sandwich.

At the meeting, Chip asked about the possible loss of funding for the elder care building, drawing the ire of Jennifer.

“This is so ridiculous. We have a five-year lease and are only two years into it. This shouldn’t even be an item for us to be worried about.”

“Well, it appears that the state is looking at the budget and ways to cut back. And if someone comes along and makes an offer on the building that brings in much-needed cash, they may pull the grant funds.”

“Well, I’ll just start going back to the State Capitol once again,” she groused. “I can’t do my job properly for having to keep the sharks at bay.”

“From a practical standpoint, the owner of the building can take it back any time a payment isn’t made, so if your money dries up, be prepared to vacate the building.”

“What’ll we do if that happens?” she asked, fear in her voice for the first time.

“That’s your job and your problem,” came the sharp retort. “Now moving on.”

The meeting droned on for another thirty minutes, but Jennifer did not hear anything that was being said. Her mind raced with ideas to keep the real estate moguls out of her business and out of her building.

Walking back to her desk, Roy and Sybil noticed her determination. “What are you going to do?” Roy asked.

Smiling, Jennifer said, “I’ve got a couple of ideas.”

“Plan on sharing?” he asked.

She patted his arm. “Not yet. Let me work on them first and see what I can do.”

That afternoon, she made a call to one of the reporters for the Richland Times that had done an article on the overworked-understaffed Department of Social Services a few years ago. “Frank? Jennifer Lambert here. Got some time for me? Sure, I can meet you. Tomorrow morning sounds good.”

Smiling, she hung up her phone. “Nothing like a little public support to keep things in line,” she chirped.

*