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

we were going to my apartment, but he pulled in front of the curb of a similar-looking house in my neighborhood. “What’s this?”

“You’ll see.”

The home was similar to mine, with white siding, tall black shutters, a porch at the entrance, and a balcony on each floor. “Is this the apartment building you’re considering?”

A small smile played on his lips, but he didn’t answer me.

“What are you up to?”

He grabbed my hand as he came around the car, pulled me into his side, and kissed my lips. “I’ll never get tired of this.” His thumb traced my lips. “Come on. I want to show you.”

His excitement was palpable. He unlocked the front door and we entered the foyer. But it was different than my building. The front door emptied into the foyer and as I walked down the long hallway, I passed a living room, a dining room, a kitchen. Long narrow steps went upstairs. “This isn’t an apartment.”

“No, it’s not.”

I turned, still holding his hand to see the corners of his mouth tipped up. “What is this?”

“It’s mine.” He pulled me into his body. “I bought it.”

“You bought a house?” He’d said he was making plans to move forward in his life but to see the evidence of that was overwhelming.

He picked up a packet of papers from the countertop and tilted them to me so I could see. “And I signed the papers for the bar. I’m part-owner.”

“That’s amazing.” I couldn’t even express how proud I was of him. Everything he’d always wanted but never reached for was in his hands. “You have everything you’ve ever wanted.”

He dropped the papers back onto the counter, pulling me flush against his body. “Not everything.”

“Oh? What don’t you have?”

“I don’t have you.”

“Don’t you?” I tilted my head, a playful smile on my lips.

His lips descended to mine as he kissed each corner of my mouth, his hands in my hair. “Are you mine, Taylor?” Instead of waiting for an answer, he was kissing me and my hands wrapped around his neck.

My mind screamed Yes as my body showed him my every thought and desire. I wanted him. I wanted this life.

“Well?” he asked finally, pulling back slightly to see my face.

My hand felt my lips which felt swollen from his kisses. “Yes.”

“Thank fuck.” Then he lifted me so my legs wrapped around his waist. He carried me up the long narrow steps to the second floor. He walked into the last bedroom at the back of the house allowing me to slide slowly down his body, so I felt every hard inch of him. “I was prepared to work forever to get you back.”

The words settled over me, providing comfort. I was hesitant to take this next step with him, but he was making a concrete effort to make a better life for himself and he was determined to make things work with us too. I could trust him. I could trust us.

My hands rested on his forearms as I took in the room around me. One large king bed, open windows covered the entire back of the house, fluttering the sheer gauzy curtains, and opened to a large balcony. “This place is beautiful.”

“I knew you’d want a large balcony.”

“But this place is yours.”

“I’d love for you to move in, eventually.” His face was uncertain.

My mouth dropped open slightly in surprise. He was so confident in his feelings for me—in our relationship. He’d chosen my neighborhood. It was on the streetcar line to my work. It was safe and—

“This neighborhood reminds you of home and I want that for you. I want you to feel comfortable here. I want you to call this place home—here with me.” He gestured at the open and airy room.

“What about Zach? You won’t be able to see him as much.” It wouldn’t be the same as living next door to him.

“Family services is working on getting them better housing and that’s one of the reasons I got a car. Lizzie agreed to allow me to mentor him so I can pick up him several times a week and hang out with him.”

“That’s amazing.” Everything Gabe had done in the few weeks I’d been gone was impressive.

“Not as amazing as having you here in my home.”

“I think it’s time to christen this bed, don’t you?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” He smirked. He took his time undressing me, laying me down on his brand new bed, and reacquainting himself with my body. He took his time loving me, caring for me, until I knew coming back to him was the best move I’d ever made.

Epilogue

GABE

We spent the next few weeks decorating my new home, and Taylor spent almost every night there. Even though she wasn’t officially living with me I knew it was a matter of time. I was ecstatic she took me back after my colossal fuck up. I didn’t deserve her—not really. I’d spend each day proving that I was worthy of her—and her love.

I never admitted to Taylor that I still felt unworthy of her. It had nothing to do with self-confidence at this point or even putting myself down. I just felt so fortunate to be with her—that she loved me—that I ran into her in the alley that first day. Lucky she didn’t tell me to fuck off and walk away.

“Are you ready for the block party?” Taylor asked, humming with excitement as she shot off texts to Hadley.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“I’m so glad you’re not working tonight.”

“You’re the star of the party. I want to support you.” I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Lately, I’d worked fewer hours managing the bar. We’d trained two more bartenders so we could handle the management of the bar and paperwork side of the business. That meant fewer late hours. Isaac and I alternated evenings managing the bar.

“Thanks, babe.” She kissed my lips quickly. “Come on, let’s go. Hadley wants us there early to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

“Don’t worry.