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

I followed suit and stood. Initially, I was worried Lizzie was so angry and defensive, but she’d calmed when Taylor offered help. Hopefully, Taylor could give her some more options so she felt like she had choices. That she didn’t need Zach to quit school and go to work.

Lizzie nodded but again didn’t let us know what she was thinking, and I couldn’t read her. I thought she was annoyed we were there and she didn’t want us involved, but she’d agreed to meet with Taylor again. We’d have to see if she cooperated with that. If not, I guess I’d have my answer and we’d have to come up with another angle to help Zach.

“It was nice meeting you, Lizzie. Here’s my card if you need me for anything.”

Lizzie accepted the card and I nodded at her. I didn’t offer my hand again. I knew she wouldn’t take it.

We walked across the hall to my apartment and shut the door.

“What did you think?”

Taylor sat on the couch and sighed. “I don’t know what to think. She seemed willing to let me help her fill out paperwork to obtain assistance, but she could have been going along until we left.”

“And has no intention of talking to us again.” I moved across the room to sit next to her on the couch.

“Exactly.”

“So, we’re not any closer to solving this than we were before.”

“We have more information. We know she works as a waitress. She’s illiterate and that she claims to be working to put food on the table.”

“Food Zach never sees.” Taylor was right but I was angry and frustrated with Lizzie that Zach was the one suffering.

“She appears to be sincere—distrustful but sincere.”

“If you say so.”

“I know what you’re thinking. That I lived this charmed life and don’t understand Lizzie or Zach or where they’re coming from. But I’ve fought for Caleb all of my life. I defended him when he was bullied by other children at school or misunderstood by other parents at parties. I saw my mom fight for every service he got—services that you would think he’d be entitled to, but when he was young no one understood autism. I know what it’s like to fight for something.”

I cupped her head in my hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that you couldn’t understand Lizzie’s life.” I smiled, tugging on her hair. “I can see you with pigtails defending your brother.” She was tough. She fought for what she believed in. She stood up for the people she loved. I just hoped she’d always stand up for me and be on my side. “Thank you for being there today. You handled her better than I could.”

“Did she remind you of your mother?”

“Yeah, I couldn’t stop thinking about how my mother would have reacted. What she would have done or said. It was tough to read her answers or body language.”

“I’m glad I could be there. Thanks for insisting on it.”

I chuckled. “It wouldn’t have gone well if you weren’t there. I don’t think she would have talked to me or told me she was illiterate. I got the impression she doesn’t tell many people that.”

“I have a way with people, apparently. The prickly ones always like me.”

I pinched her side playfully. “Hey, I’m not prickly.”

“No, you’re just grumpy.” She tilted her head back to look at me, a playful smile on her face, and I couldn’t stop the words from coming out of my mouth.

“I love you.”

She startled in my arms. “What did you say?” she asked softly.

Fuck it. I was going to tell her how I felt whether she was ready or not. “I love you.”

“You do?” She shifted so she was facing me on the couch her hand on my shoulder.

“Yeah, I have for awhile. Since that night you stayed at my apartment with Zach.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

I wanted to ask why she wasn’t responding to my declaration, but I was too afraid of her answer. Or afraid that she’d say nothing at all and I’d know that she didn’t feel the same way. That I was alone in this. “I wanted to wait until you were ready, but then it just came out.”

Instead of responding, her mouth sought mine and she threw her leg over mine straddling me. I allowed her to kiss me for a minute before pulling away. “Do you feel the same way?” Then I held my breath for her answer.

A sweet smile overtook her face. “I love you, too.”

“You do?” I really hadn’t expected her to feel the depth of emotion I felt for her. Maybe it was my lack of confidence coming through. I hadn’t loved myself, so how could anyone else love me? If I thought I wasn’t worthy of her, certainly she felt the same.

“I love you.” Then she kissed me. “And I want to be with you.” Kissing me again, she said, “I’m so happy.” Then softer, “I didn’t realize my feelings at first.” Then she bit her lip. “No, it wasn’t that. You were so hot and cold in the beginning I was afraid to let myself fall, so I held myself back, and I fell without realizing it—without knowing it was happening. I love you, Gabe. So much.”

She was killing me. “I wasn’t ready to meet anyone until you.” Now that she was in my arms, staring into my eyes, I couldn’t imagine ever being with anyone else. She was perfect.

She pulled her shirt over her head, continuing to grind over me.

I popped her bra open, baring her beautiful tits. “Fuck, you’re so beautiful. Just perfect.” Then I sucked her nipple into my mouth until it was a hard tip, and then moved to the other.

I wanted to take this to the bedroom where I could lay her out on my bed, but Taylor had other ideas. She slid off me and between my legs onto her knees. Eyes on me, she slowly unbuckled my belt. I lifted my hips so she