Evanesce (The Darkness #2) (9 page)

Frowning, she stomped towards her main office, slamming the door so hard the frames on the walls shook. “Stupid grin. Stupid sexy smell. Stupid asshat man,” she muttered to herself as she rounded her large oak desk and flopped down into her leather chair. There was a mountain of paperwork to catch up on since taking full control of the family ranch. Her father had believed in running the ship single-handedly, never accepting outside help unless absolutely necessary. The only reason Nora knew anything about ranching was from the moments she stole observing him. She had become an expert at eavesdropping on conversations between the few ranch hands her father had employed. Now that he was gone and the power was in her hands, things were going to be run a hell of a lot differently.

“Starting with hiring an accountant,” she huffed, tossing the paperwork aside. She’d never had a head for numbers, being in the thick of the action getting her hands dirty was what she preferred. Nora believed being a leader meant being seen, not just being heard. A leader gained respect by showing respect, tyranny had the potential to turn into hate or rebellion; neither was an outcome she was looking for. Jacobs’ Ranch was going to return to its former glory—back in the days when her Grandfather was in charge.

Her father, Benedict Jacobs was a self-righteous bastard. He treated his family like employees and his employees like scum. When the time came that her Grandfather could no longer care for himself, he shipped him off to the nearest old age home and took full control of the ranch. A fact that surely would have had her sweet Grandmother spinning in her grave.

Pushing those memories aside, her thoughts returned once again to Gabe and their conversation a few days earlier. Admitting that their town was under attack from some very sick, dangerous individuals was not an easy feat. Norton Springs had a very low crime rate, this sudden spike in murders, missing women and infants was almost hard to believe. But the facts were staring them in face, this was happening right in their backyard, whether she wanted to believe it or not. Try as she might, Nora couldn’t fathom the devastating hole a missing child would leave. Gabe had been shocked by the updates, he was aware of the general situation, but not how it had escalated in such a short time. He left not long after they filled him in to follow-up with Theo and the authorities on any progress in the case. The smoldering look he sent her before heading out the door spoke volumes. What they had started in the foyer wasn’t finished, whether she wanted to admit it or not.

Her office door opened and Theo sauntered in, Gabe on his heels. Gabe’s eyes shot straight to hers, drinking her in. Nora could feel the heat of his gaze from across the room like a blaze, searing over every part of her body. Theo tossed her a grin and strolled in, lowering himself into one of two unoccupied chairs in front of her desk. Crossing his ankle over his knee, he looked between the two of them and let out a low whistle.

“Shall I just close my eyes and you two can just jump each other? I don’t want to see, but I’m not opposed to hearing a little early morning sexy time,” Theo’s teasing voice had Nora gritting her teeth.

“Shut up, you idiot,” she told him, ignoring Gabe’s chuckle. “There will be no sex. For anyone,” she added. A hurt expression crossed Theo’s face.

“Let’s not get carried away,” he said, pointing at himself with his thumbs. “This guy can’t make that promise.” He winked at her as she rolled her eyes.

Gabe patted him on the shoulder as he walked forward, heading straight for Nora. Panicked, she started to rise, but he was too quick for her and placed a hand on each of the arm rests of her chair—effectively caging her in. Leaning down, he placed a small kiss on her lips, swiping his tongue lightly across them. “Good morning, baby. Mmm, missed your taste.” Straightening up, he stuck his hands in his pockets, pleased with himself.

Shoving aside the spark of electricity she felt from his simple touch, Nora took a deep breath. “Can you keep your…parts to yourself, please?” Averting her eyes from the noticeable bulge in his jeans, she looked at Theo.

“What are you two doing in here? I know I’m not paying you to just sit around Theo.” She tilted her head in Gabe’s direction, “And I’m positive he’s not on my payroll.”

Gabe grabbed her chin and forced her to meet his dark intense stare. “I don’t need payment for what I’m going to give you, Nora.” Swatting his hand away, Nora stood and walked to the door. She needed distance from him and she needed it fast. Her resolve was crumbling around her and it wouldn’t be long before she caved and her panties betrayed her and jumped into his eager hands.

“Alright, you two, unless you have something to tell me—get out. I have real work to do.” She opened the door and shooed them out with her hand. Theo faked a cough and looked at Gabe.

“Well actually, sweet cheeks—there is something we need to discuss,” Theo informed her. “With everything that’s going on around here in town and that fact that you
still,
” he looked at her pointedly, “Haven’t installed a security system, we’ve decided that—” Nora knew where he was headed and cut him off.

“No. Absolutely not. You’re not moving in here, Theo. I’ve got the ranch hands and Bobby can stay over a couple nights a week if need be. There is no reason for you to move in here just to keep an eye on me,” she argued.

Theo smiled at her. “I totally agree with you.” Nora smiled, satisfied that she shut down his ridiculous plan so easily. “Good, so then—” she began, but stopped when Theo held up a hand.

“
I’m
not going to move in, how awkward would that be when I want to bring a lady friend home,” Theo laughed. “Gabe, on the other hand, well he doesn’t have that problem. He’s more of a repellent for the ladies, it only makes sense for him to move in and make sure you’re safe.”

Nora gaped at him, shocked at his words. “No. No no no, and in case didn’t hear me—NO.” It would be a cold day in the heart of Hell before she agreed to let the infuriating man move in. Not. Happening.

Gabe chuckled. Watching Nora get riled up was such a turn-on. She was beautiful already, but with her cheeks flushed with temper and her chest rising up and down, she was intoxicating. His restraint snapping, he strode towards her. Scooping her up and over his shoulder, he carried her out of the office, Theo’s booming laughter sounding behind them. They needed to have it out once and for all. Ignoring her protests and her fists beating furiously on his back while her feet kicked the air like she was riding a bike, he carried her to his truck and dumped her unceremoniously into the passenger seat. Leaning in, he kissed the tip of her nose while he reached around and snapped her seatbelt into place snugly. “We’re going for a ride, baby.” Without waiting for a reply, he shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side, whistling.

Fuming, Nora started to unbuckle and simultaneously reached for the door handle. Gabe was too quick for her and was in his seat and had her hands trapped in his before she could blink. “Nora. Please. Just take a drive with me. One drive, that’s all I’m asking for.”

Slumping down in her seat, Nora admitted defeat. The part of her that was screaming to say yes to Gabe won and she relented. One drive couldn’t hurt anything, after all. Hearing his excuses might actually prove to be quite amusing and watching him squirm wasn’t something she could pass up—no matter how dangerous the consequences could be.

“Fine. I’ll give you thirty minutes to say whatever it is you have to say, but no more than that. I have to be back at the ranch to oversee the crane work on the west barn.” Nora tried to sound stern.

Chuckling, Gabe started the truck and pulled out onto the main road. “Sure, baby. Whatever you say.”

Less than ten minutes later, Gabe rolled the truck to a stop at Teeside Pier. The pier was not the largest in Texas, it was rather small. With a boat style restaurant that ran along the dock to the looming, white lighthouse—it was a beautiful, quaint place that both Nora and Gabe had always loved. Walking along the dock when they were younger was one of their favorite pastimes, sharing their dreams for the future and quietly falling in love. The memories the pier held were bittersweet.

Climbing out of the truck, Gabe walked around to Nora’s side and helped her hop down to the ground. Touching the soft skin that peeked out from the space between her tank and tiny shorts, Gabe smiled at the tiny shudder that went through Nora. Wanting her to get used to the feel of his hands on her again, he let his hand linger a few minutes longer until she slid out of his grasp.

Nora paced a few feet away, wrapping her arms around herself. While she loved the pier, being there dragged up feelings she was fighting like hell to ignore.

“You got me here, so what is it you wanted to say?” Nora cut straight to the point, not wanting to prolong being around him longer than she had to. Taking her hand, Gabe led her farther down the dock towards the lighthouse.

“Every memory I have of this place has you in it, Nora. Hell, every memory I have of my childhood—you’re the star. I know I fucked up badly, but I need you to understand that I never meant to hurt you. I would rather cut off my own arm than see you in any pain. You’re everything to me. You always have been.” Gabe stepped forward into her space and looked deep into her eyes, searching for an answer.

“You didn’t just hurt me, Gabe. You damn well near destroyed me. You completely cut me out without so much as a second thought or a fucking text message. You could have been dead and I…” Her voice cracked, betraying her emotions. Gabe pulled her into his arms and cradled her head on his chest.

“I know. I know, Nora.” Their heart beat together in a slow rhythm, one following the other. Being back in Gabe’s arms felt so right. Looking up into his dark eyes, her breathing quickened as her gaze settled on his mouth. His face was a combination of angles and shadows as the sun rose higher in the sky over the water. Against her better judgement, Nora traced his lips with her fingertips, remembering how soft they felt against her own.

Gabe inhaled sharply, relishing the feel of Nora’s hands on him once again. He was getting through to her. Calling on the strength of ten men, he grasped her knuckles and placed a small kiss on them, turning to walk with her once again. He needed to get things out if they were going to have a shot at regaining what they had lost.

“I left for me. It was never about you, Nora. I had to tear my own heart out to get in the truck that day. I didn’t tell you…not because I was a coward, but because I knew one look in your blue eyes would have me staying.” He held up a hand as Nora started to protest. “Taking you with me was not an option. You had the ranch and your father to contend with, and I did things…things I didn’t want you involved in.”

Nora rolled her eyes. If there was anything so completely fucking ridiculous, it was the “
I did it for you, not me,”
excuse. “Fine, Gabe. Let’s say you leaving without a word to me was the best thing for me…let’s just pretend I buy that for a second. What stopped you from communicating with me after you left?”

Gabe sighed. Removing his hat, he pushed his hands through his hair. He knew this conversation with Nora wasn’t going to be an easy one, but damn, the woman was stubborn when she was riled.

“I kept in contact. I had updates on you from Theo, my parents, Quinn. There isn’t much that happened that I wasn’t aware of,” he told her.

Nora bristled. “Oh, so you spied on me from afar. That’s perfect, just perfect.” Throwing her hands in the air, she stomped away a few feet. “You could know what was happening in
my
life, but I was kept in the dark. Theo is a dead man,” she threatened, pointing a finger at Gabe.

Gabe stared at her, not saying a word. She was captivating and alluring. A stubborn, fascinating woman who was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. He watched her stomp around for a few more minutes, ranting and occasionally pausing to shoot him another glare or point at him for no reason. Her ass was wiggling around in her tiny shorts and her breasts bounced lightly with each exaggerated step she took. Even when she was angry she was irresistible. Feeling his jeans get uncomfortably tighter, he made a subtle adjustment and then intervened to stop Nora’s tirade.

“Yes. Yes, you’re right. It was a douche thing I did, but I had to know you were safe, Nora. I love you. Only you, it’s always been you for me. Tell me, tell me you still love me too,” he pleaded. Gabe watched the battle play out in Nora’s eyes, she wanted to say the words, but something was holding her back.

“I—I can’t. I can’t do this.” She took a few steps back, preparing to run.

Grabbing her hand, Gabe spun her until she collided with his chest. Raising her blue eyes to his, her breathing immediately quickened as her pulse took off in a furious pace at the contact. Her body molded to his and she could feel the curve of every muscle, the hard wall offering safety while promising delicious pleasure. He was made for her, no matter how hard she fought to deny her attraction to him, her pussy betrayed her every time. Her emotions were running on high from their argument, every sense was alive with the feel of him near her. The heat radiating from between her legs threatened to burn her from the inside out if she didn’t find some kind of release—fast.

Gabe knew her submission was his when he felt Nora’s body go lax against him. Gripping her jaw in a firm hold, he swooped down and claimed her lips. Claimed what was his and his only. Nora might try to run, she might try to protest that they had any kind of future ahead of them, but when it came to this—there was no denying their connection.

“Baby, I’m not going to wait to taste you. I need that pussy, I can smell you and it’s sexy as all fuck,” he whispered the words in a slow drawl, pausing to nip at her earlobe. Hearing her sharp intake of breath and small moan, he grinned, backing her up until she hit the concrete wall. The water sloshed against the edges, a calm sensation that did nothing to ease the fire within him. Circling his hands around Nora’s waist, he lifted her high onto the ledge, her feet dangling down the side. Chuckling at her look of bewilderment, he shot her a cocky grin.