Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(8)

He leaned casually against the wall, watching me, and I gave him a head to toe once over. His mousy brown hair, which was normally combed back perfectly into place, was slightly mussed. He hadn’t completely gotten out of his professional attire yet; he’d been burning the midnight oil. A new merger with a steel company had been occupying most of his time over the past several weeks. His suit jacket was probably draped over the back of his chair in his office, but what he still wore, he wore extremely well. The top two buttons on his mauve oxford were undone and a plain white T-shirt peeked out from underneath. His French cuffs were folded up revealing his toned forearms, lightly bronzed from afternoons spent on the golf course. And his tie had been tugged loose, reminding me that even when he was trying to unwind, he was still a professional.

“Good,” I said through a sigh and smiled.

“Good?” he asked, furrowing his brow. “Doesn’t sound that way to me. Wanna tell me about it over a glass of wine?”

“Em, you’re speaking my language.” I sat down on an upholstered bench and zipped out of my boots.

“Go get changed into something more comfortable and meet me in the family room.”

“An offer I can’t refuse. I’ll be right back.” I stood up and kissed his cheek.

He wrapped his arm low around my waist and pulled me to him. “I adore you, woman. Hurry up.” He winked then smacked my butt.

I laughed and trotted up the winding staircase off in the hallway. I was already halfway undressed by the time I walked into the bedroom and quickly changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top. Barefoot and slightly chilled from sweat drying on my skin, I walked into the Tuscan-inspired kitchen to find my Gabe pouring two glasses of wine.

I walked up behind him and ran my hand over his backside. “What do you have for me?”

He leaned his head back and grabbed me at the nape of my neck, pulling me into a kiss. He spoke against my lips. “That’s a loaded question.” He chuckled and released his grip then pushed the cork into the bottle. “More than you can imagine but tonight a white Burgundy. I think you’ll like it. I had it at lunch the other day and hunted down a bottle for you.”

“That was really sweet of you.” I smiled and picked up the bottle and read the label. “Chablis?”

“It’s chardonnay. I know you normally go for pinot grigio but I think you’ll really like this.” I took my glass off the counter, and he grabbed his. “Follow me,” he said, pecking my cheek.

He led me to his oversized, leather sofa, and we sank down into the cushions. I bent my legs up and curled into his chest. As he put his arm around me, I put my hand over his heart. He felt like home.

I took a sip of my wine. It was bright, crisp and citrusy. “Yum.”

“See. I knew you’d like it.” His voice lit with satisfaction. “So, what happened today?”

“Oh, I guess it wasn’t anything major. I’m probably making a mountain out of a molehill.”

“Then why was that little crease forming between your eyes when you were taking off your boots? You only do that when something is truly getting to you.”

I sipped my wine again. “Okay, you know the guy we’ve been watching this week?”

“The banker guy…Arthur?”

“Avery.” I smiled.

“That’s right, Avery. What about him?”

“He met someone in the park today, and I let him walk off unattended.”

He placed his glass down on the coffee table. “Out in a public place? You’re not supposed to do that.”

“I know, but he insisted he go meet this person by himself. Vance acted like it was no big deal, so even though I knew it wasn’t right, I felt like I had to let him.”

“I’m not surprised about Vance. I can just tell he’s not a firm believer in following rules. He’s a ticking time bomb.”

I frowned. “Don’t go there, please. He’s really good too, we just have different philosophies.”

“Yeah, different something all right.” He snorted.

“Gabe,” I sighed. “I thought we agreed to put that behind us.”

“I’m sorry. I won’t poke the sleeping dragon.”

“Thank you.” I smiled. “So, I’ve been worrying about what could have happened.”

He took a deep breath. “Okay, you ready to hear my two cents.”

“Yes. I’m listening.”

“I love and support you, but your job is dangerous and you have to follow the rules. You cannot compromise. I’ve made little compromises over the years that have led to huge mistakes. Rules are there to keep you and those around you safe. Things could have turned out differently today and I can understand why you’re bothered.”

His heart beat faster under my fingers. “I know. You’re absolutely right.” I shook my head. “So what should I do? Because you know I’m going to stew over this all night long. I can’t go back in time and do it over.”

He cleared his throat. “Really think about what happened today and what made you go against your gut. Then prepare yourself for what you would do differently if the same thing happens again. Next time do the right thing. Follow the rules.”

“That’s good advice.” I took a drink then leaned across his body to put my glass on the end table next to him. When I repositioned myself, I sat up on my legs. “How’s the merger going with the steel company?”