Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(9)

“It’s going. I think I’m going to have to go to Pittsburgh and have a meeting soon. Lots of details to get in line and just when I think I have one issue checked off, another two pop up. Status quo.”

“Do you need to go back to your office and finish up? I don’t want you to feel like you have to keep me company if you have work to do.” I pulled my hair loose from my ponytail and rubbed the tension from my scalp.

Gabe loved my hair down and he moaned his approval. “Keep you company? Like you’re a visitor here? Work is an obligation and a burden. You, my darling, are what I need.” He shot me a mischievous look.

I laid my legs across his lap and rested my weight back on my hands. His gazed roved and lazily appraised me. “What’s that look mean?” I giggled.

“You know what it means,” he said, grinning crookedly.

And I did.

He edged closer to me and cushioned me in his embrace. I got lost in his kiss, his sweat, and everything him. The worries of my day briefly melted away.



. . .



Gabe and I lay on the couch, oozing satisfaction, and I rested my head against his smooth chest as he ran his fingers through my hair. I listened to the even rhythm of his heart.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Gabe asked.

I hummed. “I was just thinking about a conversation I had tonight.”

“With who?”

“Avery. Somehow he got me talking about what happened in college.”

“He did? You never talk about it. How’d he manage that? It was a year before you even mentioned it me.”

“I know. But he’s such a nice guy, Gabe. You’d really like him. He’s so smart and humble. He asked how I became a bodyguard and—I don’t know—I just told him.” I shrugged.

“All of it?”

“Well, most of it. And after I told him about how my parents reacted that night he gave me this speech about making mistakes and forgiveness. Everything that’s happened has just got me thinking.”

“Well, thinking is always good.” He kissed my forehead and moaned softly. “I’m sorry, baby, do you mind if we continue this conversation tomorrow and head upstairs? I have an early morning.”

I glanced over at the large, antique clock on his wall. It was close to midnight. “Geez, how did it get so late?”

“We got carried away.” He chuckled.

“I guess we did. Let’s head up. I have an early morning too.” I slinked off his body and held out my hand to help him off the couch.

Upstairs in the bedroom, as I attempted to drift off to sleep, the familiar uneasy feeling from earlier returned. My brief period of peace floated away, and I began the analysis of my day. At some point, I fell asleep.

When I awoke the next morning, Gabe’s side of the bed was empty. Sleeping next to him had done enough to untie some of the knots in my stomach over what had happened in the park. I dressed in running gear and pulled my hair into a ponytail.

I found Gabe in the kitchen sitting at the table already having his coffee and jelly-smeared toast. I poured myself a cup of liquid fuel.

“Morning, baby,” he said, focusing on his phone.

“Morning. You’re all dressed and ready. When did you get up?”

His eyes stayed on his screen. “Too early. Something popped in my head around five and I had to send an email to my dad before it was gone.”

“You’re always working, aren’t you? Even in your sleep.” I sipped my coffee, and its warmth coated my throat and soothed my muscles. I walked over to where he sat, and he raised his head to meet my kiss.

“Always. Running a company isn’t easy.” He put his phone down and gave me his signature look again. “Going for a run?”

“Yeah, you going to be here when I get back?”

“Should be. I have some stuff to finish in my office before I leave.”

“All right. I’ll be back in about thirty minutes.” I took another drink of my coffee and set my mug down on the table. As I turned to leave, he caught my hand and tugged me toward him.

“Be careful out there.” He winked.

“Always.” I leaned down and kissed him once more then headed out with my ear buds and phone in hand.

I ran my normal course around Gabe’s neighborhood: a series of winding roads, cul de sacs, and hills. It always got my blood pumping and got me ready for my day. Physical fitness is a must, and I work my body hard to keep it at the top of its game.

By the time I got back to the house, I headed straight into the shower. After getting dressed and appropriate primping, I had a few minutes to spare before Vance was set to pick me up.

“Gabe,” I began outside of his office door, but a horn honked out in the driveway and cut me off. “Shoot, Vance is already here. I should be off at a normal time. Want to go out to dinner tonight or something?”

He met me in the hallway and breathed a smile when he saw me. “When you look like that I might take the or something.” He twitched his brow, and I giggled as he pulled me into his body. “How about Nada? I’ll make reservations.”

“Emm, Mexican sounds good,” I said, looking up at him. “You think you can get us in on this short of notice? It is Friday night.”

“I know a guy,” he said with a confident grin.