Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

“No, you are. You are special and you have no idea.”

Her words were potent. She saw me differently than anyone else ever had. It was addicting to be told you’re worthwhile after hearing you’re nothing for so long. “I’m starting to get an idea.”

“Good,” she said softly. “Want to go to bed?”

That’s what I thought I wanted. “I just want to hold you.”

She smiled brighter. “I’d like that.”

It made me remember the first night she worked for me in the bar and how her smile lit her from within. Now that she directed that smile on me, it heated my cold spaces. I wasn’t embarrassed by my meager apartment. I hadn’t felt self-conscious or less than from the moment she walked in the door tonight. Instead I felt accepted, supported, and loved. Was that what this was? Love? No, it was too soon.

I wouldn’t scare her off by telling her what I was feeling, especially when she might not feel the same way. She was probably used to being with men who were wealthier and better educated than me. It was possible I was a diversion for her—one she wouldn’t need forever. She’d get tired of me eventually. It was only a matter of time.

I pushed those thoughts aside, picking out sweats and a T-shirt for her to wear. I left her in my bedroom to get dressed while I brushed my teeth. When I was done, I lay in my bed waiting for her to take her turn in the bathroom. When she came out, she smiled shyly, and crawled into bed, until she was cuddled up to my side. When had I ever cuddled with a woman? Never. But I pulled her close, enjoying the warmth of her body, her breath on my chest, the tickle of her hair on my shoulder.

“Thank you.”

“For what?” she asked, tilting her head back to see me.

“For everything—coming tonight, being understanding and open-minded, and not judging me or Zach.”

“Of course. I want to know you and be a part of your life.”

I squeezed her tighter to me and kissed her forehead. The question was, for how long?

Chapter Nineteen

TAYLOR

Sitting at my desk at work on Monday morning I couldn’t stop replaying the weekend. Gabe stayed overnight at my apartment last night. I suspected he’d worked so much overtime that Isaac gave him the weekend off.

I’d left him this morning with a chaste kiss to his lips before he’d pulled me down on top of him and pulled my suit back off. I touched my lips, which still tingled from his kisses. It was a great way to start my morning. I wanted him in my bed every morning, which was ridiculous. Sex with Gabe had been amazing, but the moments we’d spent together cuddling, watching movies, and cooking with Zach had been even better. I couldn’t stop smiling.

“Wow! I take it the apology went well,” Hadley said plopping into the guest chair across from my desk.

“Yes.” I closed the file I was supposed to reviewing.

Hadley studied me closely for a few seconds. “You’re practically glowing. I told you make-up sex is the best.”

When Gabe and I had sex it was hot, but also sweet and intimate. How could I explain that to someone else? That whenever we were together it was more. That it was special. Did I even want to tell her?

“When do I get to meet him?” Hadley picked a piece of lint off her black suit pants.

“We need to plan the block party. We’ll need to talk to the business owners and see what they envision for the party, hire a band, get banners to hang over the street as an advertisement.”

She snapped her fingers. “I have a band that would be perfect for this.” She scrolled through her phone. “Let me handle it.”

“Gladly. I wouldn’t know where to start hiring a band.”

“On it. Anything else?” She stood ready to go back to her office. She probably wanted to get started.

It was hard to think of anything but Gabe’s hands on my body, his mouth on my nipples, and his cock in my—

“Seriously? Are you even paying attention?” Hadley asked.

“Sorry, what were you saying?”

“Is there anything else we need to plan for the block party?”

“I can’t think of anything right now.” My mind hadn’t focused all morning.

She pointed at me. “You’re not leaving me alone with Preston this week at happy hour. So bring your man with you if you have to.”

“He works on Fridays usually. Why don’t we go to his bar? We can talk to some of the business owners and grab a drink after.”

“I like it. That’s a good excuse to get out of happy hour.” Hadley smiled.

I lowered my voice. “As long as you don’t tell Preston where we’re going.”

“No. Definitely not. I’ll leave you to your daydreaming.” She paused at the doorway. “Let me know if Gabe has a hot friend or brother.” She winked and was gone.

He didn’t. He didn’t seem to have any friends except for Isaac and Zach. I guess that wasn’t cause for concern. I barely had any friends either. We were both coming out of our shells and trying new things in this relationship.

My phone buzzed. I smiled when I saw Gabe on the screen. Opening the screen, I read: How’s your day?

That was surprising. I never thought Gabe would be the kind of guy who asked how my day was. Of course, I hadn’t thought he was the type to take teenagers under his wing and cook for them. The more I got to know him the more I was intrigued by him.

Taylor: Not getting much done, honestly.

Gabe: what’s distracting you babe?

Thoughts of this weekend. His body. His mouth. Taylor: You obviously.

Gabe: I like that.

I couldn’t stop smiling. After he’d left my bed Friday night, I didn’t think we’d be here. That I’d have the most amazing weekend with him. That we’d be flirting via text message at work.

Gabe: