Dangerous Grounds (7 page)

She gave a soft groan and Gabe’s gaze rose to her face. She still slept.

He could feel the hot moisture against his finger and he pulled his hand away. He curled two fingers around the edge of her panties, tugging them to the side so he could look at her.

Christ, she looked enticing. All smooth, plump, and pink. He used his other hand to part her lips, groaning as he spotted the slight hint of moisture shimmering between her folds, her pink clit resting inside like a priceless pearl just begging to be sucked.

“Gabe?” she murmured, her voice sleepy and disoriented.

He jerked back.
God, if he didn’t look like the biggest pervert right now
. She stared at him in confusion, then sat up and started to reach for him.

“Oh, God!” Her eyes darted to the blinds and she groaned, lurching off the bed. “What time is it? I have to open the shop! And you choose now to get horny?”

“Easy, Maddie.” Gabe’s gaze moved to her full breasts pushing against the thin tank top. He shifted the blanket over his erection. “I don’t think you should plan on going into work today. We’ve got to go to the station and work with the sketch artist.”

“Are you kidding me?” She turned from her action of opening her suitcase to glare at him. “This is my fourth day in business. It would be economic suicide to not keep regular hours my first week. That’s the easiest way to piss off a customer. They’ll think my shop is flaky—”

“Maddie,” Gabe raised a hand to stop her continued tirade. “They’ll understand. Just assume they saw the story on the news last night—”

“The news?” The shirt in her hand fell limp against her side. “You think this’ll make the news?”

Gabe sighed, reluctant to tell her she’d already made the news. “Reporters listen to the police scanners for any hint of a story. And the Espresso Bandit is not your typical robber; he’s consistent in assaulting his victims. The one before you died. And, shit, he tried to kill you last night. He’ll be the top story, Maddie.”

Madison sank down onto the floor and dropped her head into her hands. “I’ve got to call Sarah and tell her not to come in. Maybe I should put up a sign or something.”

“Eric called her last night.” He got out of the bed—his arousal, for the most part, subsided under his flannel pajama pants—and walked toward her. “We found her number on your desk. She was upset, but glad to hear you’re okay. Eric told her to take the day off.”

She gave him a despondent look—which made him feel like an ass—but he needed to stay focused.

After a moment she sighed and looked away. “I guess there’s not much else to do. Do you mind if I shower before we go down to the station?”

“Go for it.” He walked past her into the hallway. “I’ll set out a towel and make you something to eat for breakfast.”

“I don’t need anything…” She sighed as he cast a warning glance over his shoulder. “Fine. I’m good with Cocoa Puffs if you’ve got them.”

Gabe fought the urge to roll his eyes. “No. I don’t have them. Damn, you women and your chocolate. Go get your shower.”

Madison smiled as she walked past him and into the bathroom.

When she entered the kitchen twenty minutes later, she plopped herself down at the table with a sigh, her hair still wet and her skin all dewy looking.

He glanced away from her exposed skin down the rest of her body. “That’s my bathrobe you’re wearing, you realize that?”

“Is it?” Her eyes widened with mock innocence. She stood and reached for the belt tied around her waist. “I can give it back and we can finish what you started this morning.”

“Never mind.” He turned his back on her before she could drop the robe from her body. When she laughed, his jaw clenched. She was enjoying this a little too much. “Your bagel is ready. Do you like cream cheese?”

“Love it. You’ll crack sooner or later, Gabe.” He heard her pad off into the living room. “But for now I’ll just watch some television.”

He grunted in response and then bolted after her.

“Maddie, wait!”

But he was too late. She already stared in shock at the television set and the image of her shop being displayed.

He’d decided to check out the morning news while she was in the shower. Sure enough the media had been running the recent Espresso Bandit burglary as one of their top stories. All the local stations had sent a camera out to her shop at some point to broadcast live. It was another reason he didn’t want her to go into work today. He just wished he’d remembered to turn off the news before she saw it.

“They didn’t waste much time, did they?” she muttered, sinking down onto the couch.

“It’s a big story. The Espresso Bandit is terrifying the coffee community.”

“Yeah, that’s what the reporter just said. Pretty much those exact words.” She tilted her head and sighed. “Well, at least I’m getting some free advertising.”

“Way to look at the positive, Maddie.” His lips curved into a slight smile. “Just sit back and try to relax. Turn the channel to something more cheerful. I’ll bring you your breakfast.”

He went back into the kitchen, poured a mug full of coffee and put cream cheese on the bagel, and went back to the living room.

“Breakfast,” he stated unnecessarily.

“Oh…is this from a coffee pot?” She wrinkled her nose at the mug. “I should have told you. I pretty much just drink espresso, but thanks. I’ll take the bagel though.”

The phrase
high maintenance
flitted through Gabe’s mind and he shook his head.

“Coffee snob. I’m going to shower. Be ready by the time I’m out.”

He left her alone with the bagel and crappy coffee.

Madison popped the last bit of breakfast into her mouth, eyed the coffee with regret, and went back to her room to change.

She pulled on a pair of jeans and a black cashmere sweater, and began searching for her socks. After a few minutes she sighed. Damn, she must have forgotten to pack any.

Her glance landed on the discarded pair from last night. It wasn’t totally gross to put them on again. People did it all the time. Didn’t they?

She debated for a moment before coming up with plan B. As she passed the bathroom, she could hear Gabe still in the shower. Of course he wouldn’t mind if she borrowed a pair of his socks.

Madison ducked into his room and hurried over to the dresser. Sock drawer. Which one would it be? There was just one way to find out. She pulled open the top drawer.

“Hmm.” She lifted up a pair of green plaid boxers and dropped them right back in the drawer. There was one mystery solved. Gabe was a boxers man.

The second drawer she hit the jackpot. At least ten pairs of blindingly white socks lay waiting. She picked up a pair and unrolled it from its perfect ball.

“
Yikes.
” Her fingers ran along the length of the sock and she found herself wondering if that whole foot and penis comparison was true. If it was, she was a very lucky girl. Or would be if he ever gave in.

She started to shut the drawer when her eyes caught a glint of silver buried under all the white. What was this? She reached in and pulled out the cold metal.

Well, well, well. Officer Martinez kept a pair of handcuffs in the bedroom, did he? Hmm. And here she’d thought he didn’t have a kinky side.

These might come in handy. She grabbed the cuffs, stuffed them under her sweater and shut the drawer. She heard the shower turn off and bolted out of his room back into hers.

Her suitcase still lay open, so she threw the cuffs in and zipped it up. She had just pulled on Gabe’s socks when he appeared in the doorway.

“Hi. I’m borrowing a pair of your…” she trailed off as her eyes ran down his nude—well, almost nude—body.

The towel around his waist was an inadequate fit and left little to the imagination. Madison’s hand drifted over the sock covering her foot and she made the mental comparison again. She stifled a groan.

“Your socks,” she managed to croak out. “I forgot mine.”

His glance fell to her foot and he raised an eyebrow.

“They look a little big.”

“Yes, I thought so, too.”

“I just wanted to make sure you were ready. Let me throw on some clothes and we can head out.”

She watched him leave, staring at his fabulous ass. It looked like granite under that towel. How could she ever have mistaken that robber’s butt for Gabe’s? She shivered as disgust swept over her.

Best not to go there now. She’d have enough of the Bandit issue when they got to the station. She pulled on a pair of black boots with a three-inch heel, sprayed on some perfume, and went to wait in the living room.

While Gabe finished dressing, she studied the photographs on the wall. She’d seen more photos around the house, but these were blown up to almost poster size, great black and white scenic shots. One was of a ferry on Puget Sound with the mountains in the background, another of the Seattle skyline. And the last one was of a lady, who seemed to be in her early fifties, admiring the tulip fields.

The last photo drew her attention the most. The photographer had captured the spirit of this woman. She looked strong, satisfied, and at the same time resigned. The picture had been taken by someone who loved her very much.

“You ready?” he asked as he slipped a jacket on. He followed her gaze to the wall.

“What a wonderful picture. Do you know who she is?”

Gabe opened the front door and gestured for her to leave the house before him.

She brushed past him, wondering if he would just ignore her question. It wasn’t until they were underway to the station that he answered her.

“The woman in the photo was my aunt.”

“Your aunt?” She really shouldn’t have been surprised. When she brought up the image of the photo in her head again, the resemblance between the woman and Gabe was obvious.

“How long were you with your boyfriend?”

“Huh?” She blinked. Wow, talk about left field.

Gabe had wanted to change the subject from his aunt. With the growing curiosity about her former relationship, the question had just slipped out. “You said you were looking for rebound sex, right? How long were you with the guy?”

“Oh. A couple of years. We met in college down in Oregon. Since I moved back here, we’d been doing the long distance thing.”

A couple of years? Gabe’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Her tone had all but dismissed his question. She sure didn’t sound like she was hurting over the breakup.

“What was the problem?” Pushing, Gabe, you’re pushing.

“What
wasn’t
the problem is more like it.” Madison laughed. “I guess we just weren’t the right fit. I can’t say I’m all too upset that it’s over, but still, I need a buffer between Bradley and my next big relationship.”

A buffer? He’d be the buffer? Gabe tried not to feel insulted as he steered the car onto the freeway. He took a deep breath and her perfume, something spicy and sensual, tantalized him.

“Why, what are you thinking?” Her hand drifted onto his lap and slid toward the crotch of his jeans. “Are you changing your mind?”

“No.” He pushed her hand off his lap, even though he wanted to open his pants and let her go at it. “What about before Bradley? Were there many?”

“Many?” She gave him a quizzical look. “Men? Women? Mechanical bulls?”

Gabe smiled. “All of the above.”

“Ah.” She went quiet for a moment.

Was she counting? Gabe’s jaw tightened and he pushed back the jealousy.
She’s not mine. She’s not even sleeping in my bed. I have no right to be jealous. Hell, I don’t even have the right to be asking her this.

“No,” she interrupted his thoughts. “There haven’t been many. There’ve been a few, but not enough to qualify as many.”

He could tell himself it didn’t matter all he wanted, but the relief that swept through him proved otherwise.

“I mean there was Sam in high school. I lost my virginity to him,” she explained. “And then there was Franco in Italy. God. Some of the things Franco taught me in bed—”

“Shit, Maddie. Enough,” Gabe snapped. He didn’t want to know another damn thing about Franco or Sam. Especially Franco, who sounded like some kind of Fabio-wannabe.

“Well,” she shot him an annoyed glance. “You’re the one who asked me. It’s not like I’m asking about your love ’em and leave ’em list. I know we’re short on time.”

He glared at her as they pulled up in front of the station; traffic had been light and they’d made good time. “We’re here. Are you ready for this?”

She looked out the windshield and her body tensed. She shrugged, but he could tell she was nervous.

“You’ll be fine.” He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “All right, Maddie, let’s go.”

Chapter Six

Gabe was waiting for her when she finished. She came out of the room looking tired and stressed. When her head lifted and she spotted him, her expression lightened.

“How was it?”

She shrugged and glanced back in the room where the sketch artist stood speaking with the police chief.

“The sketch she did looked almost identical to the guy I saw last night.” She folded her arms across her waist and took a deep breath. “It’s a little creepy. But I’m glad they have an image to get out there now.”

“You did great.”

And she had. She hadn’t even asked him to come in the room with her. He reached into his pocket for his keys. “What do you want to do today?”

Madison gave him a surprised look. “Don’t you have to work?”

“I’m off.”

“You didn’t have to take me down here on your day off,” she protested. “You should be getting drunk or playing computer games. You know, guy stuff.”

“Have you ever seen me play video games?” He gave her a skeptical glance. “Besides, I’m taking care of you right now, Maddie. That means you’re stuck with me.”

Her cheeks turned pink and she glanced around as if to see if someone else may have heard.

“I’d sure like to stop by my shop and put up a sign. Would you mind?”

“Let’s go. I need to get something to eat afterwards.”

“How can you already be hungry? We just ate breakfast.”

“You just ate breakfast,” he replied. “I didn’t eat anything.”