Dangerous Grounds (2 page)

And now she was back in Seattle. He hadn’t even seen her in about six years. Six years ago she’d just been Eric’s little sister. Six years ago she hadn’t had those breasts. Now she looked and acted like every man’s wet dream.

He shook his head. No way was he going to her espresso shop this weekend. It was clear she was offering more than just coffee. He might as well tear up the card now.

The sliding door opened and Eric stepped out.

“What’s going on?” Eric came to stand next to him on the balcony. “I saw you catching up with Madison.”

“Yeah.” Gabe forced a smile. Were his thoughts written all over his face? The dirty ones running rampant in his head about Maddie? The ones Eric would probably be happy to knock him out over if he knew about them? “I guess she doesn’t like to be called Maddie anymore.”

Eric laughed and took a swig of his beer. “No, she doesn’t. My little sister has grown into a sophisticated lady.”

Hmm, and it seemed the sophisticated lady was trying to seduce a cop. Wouldn’t be the first time. But it couldn’t happen with Maddie. No matter how fuckable she looked, she was still Eric’s little sister. He could fantasize all he wanted, but the erection stopped there.

“Are you glad to be back?” he asked, trying to clear his thoughts. “I hear Iraq is a bitch.”

Eric shook his head and his smile fell. “It was intense. I haven’t decided whether I’ll re-enlist next year.”

“You don’t have to. Four years as an officer in the Army looks pretty good when you’re running for Senate.”

“That isn’t why I joined.” Eric gave him a pointed look.

“I know.” Gabe thrust his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Sorry. That was uncalled for.”

“It’s cool.” Eric paused. “Hey, I’m going to propose to Lannie tonight after the party. I’d like you to be my best man in our wedding.”

“Congratulations. I’d be honored.”

He wasn’t at all surprised at Eric’s news. Eric was the type who wanted to settle down and have kids. To be a loving husband and father, and buy a mansion in Bellevue. Then become a state senator, just like his grandpa had been.

Eric wanted everything that Gabe didn’t.

“Thanks…what about you, Gabe? Anyone special on the sideline?”

“God, no.” Gabe gave a humorless smile. “Just the occasional fuck here and there.”

Eric winced. “It doesn’t have to be like that. Maybe if you—”

“No, it does.” He sighed. “I’m not trying to be a dick, Eric. But you know me. You know my past, and what I’ve been through. And you know that’s exactly what it has to be like for me.”

Eric stayed silent for a moment, then answered with a quiet, “I’m going to have to disagree. I think you need to stop blaming yourself for something that wasn’t your fault. You’ll meet someone someday, and it’ll all change.”

“I doubt it,” Gabe replied. “Now enough already. This is your day of celebration. You don’t want to spend your second day back in America arguing about my shitty dating life.” He headed toward the door. “I’m hungry. Didn’t you say your parents were serving some kind of fancy dinner?”

“Salmon with lemon caper sauce.” Eric followed him inside.

“What the hell is a caper?”

“I think it’s some kind of vegetable. But it sounds damn good. You don’t want to know the kind of stuff I was eating in Iraq.”

“You’re right.” Gabe laughed, knowing the tension had passed. “I don’t want to know.”

Madison finished arranging the ceramic mugs on a shelf and stood back to admire her work. Besides running a standard espresso shop, she also planned to sell local artwork and pottery. She loved the idea of supporting local artists and having something besides espresso to offer.

She glanced around the shop. It was clean, stocked, and ready for the grand opening tomorrow morning. Everything looked amazing, if she did say so herself.

The shiny black tiles of the floor contrasted with the walls, which were painted a soft jade green. The marble countertops were lined with coffee accessories, along with tulip-filled vases.

And she loved the tables. French-café-inspired, they were glass with black rimming. The chairs had heart-shaped backs, with the same black steel construction as the tables, and soft leather seats.

The leather couch and matching chairs had been a great investment, encouraging those who wanted to linger, perhaps read a book or a magazine, and maybe even buy a second mocha.

Now all I have to do is draw in business.
That shouldn’t be too hard—she’d arranged to have a dollar-off coupon run in the
Seattle Times
with an announcement of her grand opening.

Madison glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, an Art Deco antique that she’d paid way too much for but looked fabulous in her shop.

Her heart sank and she lowered her gaze. Seven already. She’d stayed all day yesterday and too long today as it was. Gabe wasn’t going to show, she might as well admit it.

What a disappointment, because she’d made a point of looking ultra-sexy today. Low-rise jeans showed off her tiny pink thong, if she happened to bend over, and a clingy black T-shirt that read
They’re Real
hugged her breasts.

Okay, maybe it was a little on the flirty or suggestive side. But she really wanted this to happen with Gabe. So the word discretion was just going to have to be eliminated from her vocabulary.

She moved toward the door and yelped when a figure stepped up to the glass. Her shoulders relaxed. It was just Gabe. Her stomach dipped with nerves as she realized what that meant. Gabe was actually here. He’d shown up.

He gave a light tap on the window and gestured for her to unlock the door.

Nice, Madison, stare at him through a locked door and look like an idiot.
She fumbled with the lock on the door and swung it inward.

“Hey there.” She smiled, glancing up at him from under her lashes. “I didn’t think you were going to show this weekend. Welcome to my little coffee shop.”

Gabe seemed to hesitate before he stepped across the threshold. “This is a nice part of Seattle for you to set up business in.” He glanced around. “It looks great. How did you afford it?”

“Part loan, part parents,” Madison replied, a bit breathless. He looked even better tonight than he had on Friday. He was such a jeans and T-shirt guy, she decided as he walked past her. And his ass was just as nice as she’d assumed it would be. Yes, seducing him would be all too enjoyable.

“I picked the location because it’s more residential, meaning more parking. I want my customers to linger. Plus, I’m in the same plaza as a day spa. I know that’ll be good for business.” She took in a rapid, nervous breath. “I can’t tell you how many times I get done having a facial and all I want is a latté.”

Gabe gave her an
I’ll take your word on it
expression and settled down in one of the chairs at a table.

“Have you hired on any employees?”

Madison sat across from him. “Sarah. She’s been a barista with Starbucks for three years. I offered her a five-dollar raise if she quit and came to work for me. She’s in college and could seriously use the extra cash, so of course she took it. She’s a goddess at making espresso drinks.”

“Along with you, right?”

“No, umm, not so much.” She waved her hand through the air in dismissal. “Until yesterday I’d never made a latté in my life. Hell, I could barely make a pot of coffee.”

He blinked, seeming stunned by the news. “You don’t know how to make espresso? And you’re opening your own business?”

“Will you please give me some credit, Gabe?” She rolled her eyes. “I’ve downed a ton of the stuff.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“No. Look, I worked at that café in Italy for a year. I saw them doing it—I just never did it myself.” She gave an impatient sigh and stood. “I know what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong. The people I’m leasing the espresso equipment from gave me lessons and I’ll make coffee when I need to. But that’s why I hired Sarah. She’s my barista. I’m just managing things and working the cash register for now.”

“Yeah…”

“There’s money in coffee, Gabe. The latté I charge almost three dollars for only costs me forty-five cents. Cup included.” She leaned over him and whispered, “Trust me. I know exactly what I’m doing.”

His eyes met hers and she caught her breath. It looked like coffee was the last thing on his mind. His gaze dropped to her breasts, which were at his eye level, and her nipples tightened in anticipation.

“Nice.”

Her pulse raced as heat shot straight between her legs. Was he talking about her breasts? But his comment sounded amused.

Madison looked down at her chest and flushed. Of course. How could she have forgotten what her shirt said? So maybe it wasn’t the breasts he’d been checking out. Bummer.

She jerked back and hurried around the counter to the espresso equipment. “You left the party early on Friday night. Did you hear that Eric and Lannie got engaged?”

“Yeah.” His gaze followed her. “Eric told me earlier in the night he was planning on popping the question. Do they have a date yet?”

“Are you kidding?” Madison started preparing his mocha. “By the end of the night she’d picked a date, a caterer, and a location.”

“Hmm. I guess she wasn’t too surprised by the proposal either.”

“Yeah, not so much. I’m sure she’s already picked out the names of their future children.” Madison grated a bit of a chocolate bar on top of the drink and carried it out to him. “Lannie asked me to be a bridesmaid. I think it’s a pity position just because I’m Eric’s sister. God knows she has enough friends.”

“I’m the best man.” Gabe stared down at the drink that she’d placed in front of him. “Is this coffee?”

“It’s a mocha. And I know you said you don’t like coffee, but it’s good. I promise. Just try it.”

He picked up the wide mug and brought it to his mouth. His lips pursed as his blew on the steaming liquid.

Madison’s gaze focused on those lips and she held back a groan.
Just think, soon those lips could be all over my body.

He took a sip and then swallowed. His expression remained the same. Then he raised his gaze to her questioning stare and gave a brief smile.

“Um, I like what you did with the fresh chocolate on top.”

“Thanks. I’m a chocolate activist.”

Time to get him thinking about something besides coffee. Madison walked back toward the counter, making sure her elbow nudged the straws so they tumbled onto the floor.

“Oops, I swear I am so clumsy sometimes.” She bent over slowly and smiled as she felt her jeans pull downward with the motion. If she was correct—and from the sudden coolness on her bare skin she knew she was—her thong would be quite visible right now.

She picked up the straws, trying to figure out if his silence meant he was checking her out. She glanced over her shoulder to where he was sitting. Bingo. His eyes were focused very intently on her ass. They immediately shifted when he realized she had turned to look at him.

“It’s good, huh?” she asked and turned her attention back to the straws. “Your mocha.”

“It’s…pretty damn good.”

Madison clutched the straws in her hand and deposited them in the garbage.

She came back and sat beside him. He glanced everywhere but at her. His mocha, the door, the wall full of ceramic mugs.

“Gabe?”

His gaze turned to her, almost with reluctance.

“Can I get you anything else? Are you hungry? Do you want some biscotti? Maybe a bagel?” She ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “Or how about a blowjob?”

Chapter Two

Gabe bit back a groan. Thank God his lower body was hidden under the table, so that Madison couldn’t see the way his cock jumped to immediate attention.

“I don’t drink,” he answered.

Her laugh turned husky. “I don’t sell alcohol.”

He knew he shouldn’t have come today. He had every intention of
not
coming this weekend. But then he’d had a reason to come and he’d searched his house like an idiot trying to find that business card she’d handed him. For the life of him, he couldn’t remember that reason now.

And, God, was he going to pay for it.
Just leave. Say no, and leave
. Or he could just pretend she hadn’t said that last bit.

“Bagel.”

She looked surprised, almost offended. “A…bagel?”

Maddie narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. “Okay, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not being subtle here, Gabe. What’s the problem?”

Damn, she was aggressive. The blatant invitation made him grow harder. His hands itched to pull her onto his lap and rip the
They’re Real
shirt off her full breasts and feel for himself. But that wasn’t going to happen. He’d tempted fate enough by coming here, and damn it, he had to get out while he still could.

“I appreciate your directness, Maddie.” He tried an apologetic smile, but his words were obviously not what she wanted to hear. “And I’d hoped to save you some embarrassment by not answering your question.”

“So you won’t consider having sex with me?” she demanded, standing and walking toward the door.

“That’s not it,” he answered in a tight voice, watching as her breasts jiggled with each movement. “A man would have to be an idiot to not want to have sex with you.”

“All right, and we both know you’re not an idiot. So, what’s the problem?” She reached the door and flipped off the light switch, making the room dark except for the neon glow from the grocery store sign across the street.

Ah, shit, what was she up to now?
He sighed, trying to keep his frustration at bay. “Look, Maddie, of course I want to have sex with you. You’re a desirable woman. But I’m not going to do it. It’s just not worth the trouble it’ll create.”

“That’s so sweet. You sure know how to charm a woman. Good thing I’m a guarantee.” She gave him a brief smile. “Is this about my brother?”

He hesitated. “Maddie, listen—”

“Let me save us both some time here.” She crossed her arms over her stomach, grabbed the edge of her shirt, and pulled it over her head.

His mind went blank as he stared at her pale breasts covered by pink satin. Her nipples were already hard and distended against the fabric. Christ, she was beautiful.