Vinny: Alvarez Security Series (27 page)

“And the second thing?”

“You’d better take her to meet mom and dad, ’cause when Jennifer tells them all about her, which will probably happen tonight, mom’ll skin you alive if you don’t let her check her out!”

Vinny laughed as he agreed, gaining the attention of the two women. Annalissa stared at the picture of male beauty standing at the back of the room. Gabe, leaning against the doorframe, his large arms crossed in front of his chest with one tree-trunk leg crossed in front of the other. His dark-blond hair neatly trimmed, eyes sparkling as they looked at his wife. And next to him, identical in most ways, Vinny. He stood with his jean-clad, muscular legs apart, his hands on his trim hips. His dark navy shirt that stretched deliciously across his chest and arms. And his face…square jaw with a hint of stubble that tickled when he went down on her. Perfect lips that teased and tormented hers. And the same sparkling eyes as Gabe’s…only his were staring right at her.

“I could stare at him all day,” Jennifer said, startling Annalissa out of her musing.

Quickly looking over at Jennifer, realizing she was referring to Gabe, she had to giggle. “Yeah, me too. With Vinny, that is,” Annalissa clarified.

The two men, in unison, stalked over. “You ready to go home, babe?” Gabe asked his wife, taking her in his arms.

Vinny looked down at Annalissa, opening his arms and loving that she walked right in. Wrapping her in his embrace, he kissed the top of her head.

As the four of them walked out of the center, Jennifer looked up at Vinny. “Um, you know that your mom is going to have a fit if you don’t take Annalissa there soon.”

“I was thinking of rectifying that situation this Sunday,” he answered.

“And just when were you going to tell me that?” Annalissa asked, glaring up at him, while secretly thrilled that he was planning on taking her to meet his parents.

“Hey, I work on a strictly need-to-know basis,” he joked, earning a poke in the ribs.

“Well, I wanted to invite all of you to Third Street Bar tomorrow night. Some friends and I are playing there,” Annalissa added.

“Oh, we’d love to,” said Jennifer, already planning on asking some of their friends, while Gabe nodded.

Vinny, frowning at the thought of her playing with her neighbor, looked down at her. “And just when were you going to let me in on that little tidbit?” he growled.

Smiling up at him, she batted her eyes, saying, “Oh, didn’t I mention? You’re on a strictly need-to-know basis!”

Patting her ass, he said, “Let’s go before I’m tempted to do more than just give you a swat.”

The four headed out of the building, Gabe’s laughter ringing in their ears.

*

The bar was
crowded by the time the group of friends gathered. Vinny had gotten there early, presumably for securing a table large enough for them and for keeping an eye on Annalissa. He hated to admit that he might be jealous, but he intended to keep an eye on Les as well.

The waitress took their orders as Shane, Annie, Matt, Lily, Tony, Sherrie, BJ, Suzanne, Gabe, Jennifer, and Jobe, along with his date, found their seats.

The women included Jobe’s date in their conversations, but she was as quiet as all of his other dates.

Jennifer leaned over to Sherrie, asking, “What’s up with her? Every time Jobe brings someone along they look as though they would jump at the slightest noise.”

Sherrie discretely whispered back, “I’ve asked Tony, but he says that Jobe just looks for someone who is…forgettable.”

“Forgettable?”

“Yeah. You know. Not loud or boisterous. Not in-your-face. Just someone simple who will go out and then not be a pain if you don’t call again.”

Lily leaned over hearing their conversation, and said, “Jobe’s a total sweetie. I wish he would find someone more… substantial.”

“Tony says that Jobe had someone once. Back when they were overseas. I have no idea what happened, but ever since they’ve been here he just goes for someone who’s kind of blank. That’s all Tony will say right before telling me to stay out of his men’s love lives!” Sherrie giggled.

“Well, I think he needs a woman with backbone. You know? A real tiger. Someone who’ll not only stand up to him, but take care of him as well.”

The women’s conversation was interrupted by the musicians moving to the stage. They watched excitedly as Annalissa, wearing a hunter-green sleeveless dress with a short, flared skirt, sat in a chair pulling Easnadh onto her lap.

Lester took center stage introducing their song before putting the fiddle to his chin. Another young man played the drums and the fourth member played another fiddle. The quick Irish jig tempo immediately had the audience tapping their feet or clapping to the rhythm.

Vinny could not take his eyes off of Annalissa. Her eyes closed, she moved her fingers over the strings eliciting the most delightful sounds. The quartet’s instruments blended perfectly, each complimenting each other. Les moved excitedly around the front of the small stage, dancing a bit while fiddling.

The expression on Annalissa’s face was enchanting. Moving to the music, her body rocked gently back and forth as her fingers made it all look so easy. A delicate smile played upon her lips. Even without the long gown and theatrical makeup of a symphonic performance, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her beauty was simplistic. His eyes roamed over her outfit and as his dick began to press uncomfortably against his jean zipper, he found himself cursing her short skirt and scoop-neck bodice.

As they neared the end of the jig, her eyes opened and immediately found his. Locking on her gaze, all others in the room fell away leaving only the two of them bound by the swirling tones. Realizing he was holding his breath, he gulped air as the last chord was played.

The audience went wild and Les introduced the musicians. When Annalissa’s name was called, her friends’ table cheered the loudest. She blushed, never having had a group of people there to see her. Looking at Vinny, she could not believe that the most gorgeous man in the room was there for her.

Their next song was a slow ballad, showcasing her harp skills. As the haunting melody floated over the quiet bar, Vinny felt it in his soul. He closed his eyes for a moment, going back in time. A time of sand and dust. A time of war and destruction. He saw the woman playing her instrument, her sound much different from what was playing now, but her passion the same. Then, suddenly, the vision of her broken body and bloody harp filled eyes and he jerked them open, searching for the scene in front of him.

But all he saw were his friends, their eyes on him—the brothers-in-arms knowing exactly where his mind had taken him. His gaze moved to the stage, seeing Annalissa there. Calm. Serene. Letting the music flow from her fingertips to his heart. Soothing his soul.

Sucking in a deep breath, he slowed his breathing, his eyes never leaving her. She was looking at him, a questioning expression on her face. Giving her a smile and a wink, he leaned back in his seat to enjoy the rest of the performance.

*

As the musicians
stepped off of the stage, they were flooded with admirers. Les eagerly encouraged the women who had moved forward, but to Vinny’s ire there were men moving toward Annalissa. With his height, he could see her anxious expression and began nudging people out of the way to get to her.

As her eyes met his, her smile lit up her face.
Fuckin’ beautiful,
he thought. Putting his large hands around her small waist, he lifted her easily from the stage and set her on the floor directly in front of him. Their gazes held as he leaned down to touch his forehead to hers.

“Baby, that was amazing. I could listen to you forever.”

“I hope so,” she whispered against his lips.

Before he could kiss her, she was shoved from the crowd behind and his arms instinctively wrapped around her, protecting her as he growled. “Let’s get you back to the table before we’re crushed.”

“Vinny, wait,” she protested. “I can’t leave Easnadh up there.”

He lifted her back up on the stage and watched over her as she quickly secured her harp. Carrying it with her, she allowed him to take the case and then offer his hand to assist her down. Moving to their large table, the group slid chairs around to accommodate her and her instrument.

The group enthusiastically congratulated her on her performance and then settled in to enjoy each other’s company. Vinny, with his arm around her, could not remember feeling so content. As he eyes moved from her beautiful face to some of the women hanging around the bar that used to be the type he banged, he gave himself a mental kick in the ass.

“Hey Lissa,” Lester called from behind. “We just wanted to say goodbye and thank you for playing with the guys tonight.”

Annalissa and Vinny turned at the same time, seeing Lester with his arm around a pretty red-head and Vinny saw the way they looked at each other.
Thank fuck he has a girlfriend.

Annalissa stood, hugging first the girl and then Les. Vinny accommodated by shaking Les’ hand as well.

“You got any more concerts planned?” Les asked. “I like to mark ’em on my calendar so I know when you might play with us.”

Just as Annalissa was about to answer, Vinny interrupted, “She’ll let you know if she’s available.”

Les held Vinny’s stare for a moment before nodding and walking away with his girlfriend.

Annalissa turned, sharply saying, “That was rude. Why did you answer him that way?”

The men at the table shared a knowing glance and looked at their friend with sympathy. He was right to suspect everyone that inquired about her travels, but they knew she was not going to like it.

“Don’t be getting your panties in a bunch, babe,” he quipped. “No reason for anyone to know when and where you travel.”

“My panties in a bu—”

A kiss interrupted her mini-tirade. Hot, wet, and completely served its purpose. When he raised his head up, her eyes were hooded and her lips were kiss-swollen. Vinny shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his dick swelling at a painful angle in his jeans. She glanced down and grinned.

“Serves you right,” she muttered with a smile.

The evening continued with good friends enjoying each other’s company. As the group began to disperse for the night, Annalissa realized how long it had been since she had had so much fun with a group of friends. Not since her college days, when her father’s reach did not interfere with some of her nights out with friends, had she been so relaxed. Shane, Matt, BJ and their wives had left, all needing to get back to their babysitters, leaving just Tony’s crew. Jobe and his date left soon after, she looking bored and he looking like he wished he were somewhere else with someone else.

Vinny moved to the bar to settle the tab when he was accosted by two women. He could not remember their names, but remembered them vaguely as a past trio-fuck.
Goddammit!
The thought of who he used to be before Annalissa made him ashamed, and the fear that she would see them made him turn to throw down his credit card on the bar. “Settle up quickly, please,” he barked to the bartender.

The two women slid up to either side of him, hawk-like expressions on their faces. “It’s been a dull crowd, Vinny,” one purred, circling his bicep with her fingers, nails like talons. He glanced down at her long, dyed-blonde hair and a body that he used to go for—all tits and ass. And most of that showing in a too-low top and too-short skirt.

“You up for another romp, handsome? Like last time, we can all have a good time,” the other said, a carbon copy of the first.

“Not interested ladies—”

“He’s off the market,” came a voice from behind. Soft, but strong. He closed his eyes for a moment, a smile touching his lips. It hit him as sure as a punch to the gut.
She doesn’t see the fuck-up I was, even with all this staring her in the face. What the hell did I do to deserve something this good? No pouting, no screaming, no making me feel guilty. Just…pure goodness.

He turned quickly, wrapping his arms around Annalissa, but noted her uncertain expression.
Her words had been strong, but she’s got fuckin’ doubts in her eyes.