Love in Disguise

by Lyssa Cole

  The dinner.

  The phone call from Aunt Mel.

  Gabe and the fucking amazing sex.

  Shit. We had sex.

  Dirty, mind-blowing sex in my childhood bed of all places.

  I sit up and rub my aching head. I’m regretting the bottles of wine we shared.

  Before getting out of bed, I check my phone. There are a couple of messages and missed calls. I sort through them, one from Ruby and two from Aunt Mel. None from Gabe.

  My heart sinks, and I shake my head. What did I expect?

  It’s the first time I’ve had sex on a whim. Hot, crazy, animal sex at that. I don’t usually orgasm more than once, mainly from my own doing, never mind so many times I lost count.

  Honestly, I think I could fall in love with the sex alone.

  I brush my curls out of my face and shuffle to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, I strip my clothes and pee while the water warms up. Once in, the hot water pelts my head, running down my body. I close my eyes and stand there, the water turning lukewarm before I decide to wash myself.

  Facing my day is the last thing I want to do. Instead, I’d rather hide in my bed under the covers. Mom’ll be sad I never made it last night, but I’m sure she’ll understand. She tells me to do things for myself all the time.

  On the other hand, I ditched my sick mother to get laid with a man I hardly know. Disgust rolls through me. What was I thinking? I shut the shower off and wrap a towel around me while grabbing another for my hair.

  Time to face my shit head-on. After dressing, I head downstairs for coffee and food and put in a call to my aunt. She doesn’t answer, so I leave a message.

  I suck down my coffee and toast and quickly dress for the cold I know awaits me. Hopefully my car starts up good this morning; it often gives me trouble in this bitter weather. Rushing outside, I start it, letting out a sigh of relief, and hurry back inside.

  My eyes catch a sticky note on the entry table I didn’t see before.

  Alicia—

  Went to grab coffee and muffins.

  Brb.

  Gabe

  Shit. Do I wait?

  How long ago did he leave?

  I grab my phone from my pocket and check the time. It’s just shy of nine, so I decide to wait. I hurry back outside and turn my car off. My mom needs me, and she should come first, but I can’t leave when he’s coming back.

  Fuck.

  My phone buzzes, and I see Aunt Mel’s face pop onto the screen. Rushing back inside the warm house, I hit accept.

  “Hey,” I breathe, hoping she doesn’t have bad news.

  “A? You okay? I was worried about you.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry. I had a bit too much to drink last night and didn’t make it to the hospital. How is she?”

  “It’s okay, hon. She’s resting now. Has a nice full bag of IV fluids and should be feeling better soon.”

  My heart thrums in my chest. “What happened?”

  “She fainted on her way up to bed. Thank God I’d been in the kitchen, cleaning up. I was getting ready to lock up and go when I heard a crash in the hall upstairs. She landed on her arm when she fell, spraining her wrist.”

  I close my eyes in pain. Oh, hell. This disease is sucking the life out of her, and we can’t do anything but watch it happen. Pain rolls through me, my belly flipping as a wave of nausea takes me.

  “A, you there?”

  “Yeah, I’m here.” I sit on the couch and take deep breaths, hoping it will pass. “I’m…fuck, I don’t know. It’s so hard watching her wither away under the clutches of this disease. I can’t stand it.”

  Aunt Mel sighs. “I know, hon. It’s not easy, that’s for sure. I’m here for you, every step of the way, okay? Take your time getting here today. She needs rest and fluids and she’ll be as okay. I’m going to head home for a shower and some sleep. Want to meet here later for lunch, say around one or two?”

  “All right, see you then. Thanks, Auntie. I’d be lost without you.”

  “You would, wouldn’t you?” She chuckles, and the front door opens after a soft knock. “Bye, A. Love you.”

  “Bye, love you too.”

  Gabe stands in the entryway, his presence tall and demanding. He looks sexy as fuck in his tight jeans and leather jacket. Heat runs down my core. I’m ready for a repeat of last night already.

  “Morning. Coffee? Muffin?” He holds up the bag and tray, a playful smile on his lips. Gabe walks over to me, placing the delicious smelling coffee and muffins on the end table. He sits next to me on the couch and pulls me into his lap.

  I laugh in surprise as I wrap my legs around his waist. I nuzzle into his neck and breathe in his skin.

  Mmmm, he smells so fucking delicious.

  “I thought you were gone,” I whisper against his neck. He wraps his arms around my waist and snakes his hands up my back.

  “You can’t get rid of me that easy.” His voice rumbles, and I shiver.

  I’m so turned on I’m ready to hump his leg.

  “I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.”

  “Oh, it can be a good thing but also a very bad thing.” His mouth trails hot kisses along my neck, and I lean my head to the side, opening my skin to him. Gabe rakes his teeth over my sensitive spots, and I moan as I begin to rock my hips against his lap.

  “You’re a frisky little spitfire, aren’t you?” He pulls my head back so I have to meet his gaze. His eyes are hooded and dark and turn me on even more. “So ready for me.” He moves his hands to my front, pushing them up under my blouse to cup my breasts.

  I grip his shoulders and arch my back, pushing my breasts into his hands. Within seconds, my shirt is off, my bra next, and his lips find my nipples, his expert tongue bringing them to attention.

  Fuck, he’s hot. So fucking hot.

  My hands quickly push his jacket off and lift his shirt over his head. His gorgeous torso is on display in front of me, and I can’t help but admire the ink that snakes over his chest and onto his arms, which are both covered in sleeves of tattoos. Gorgeous designs and patterns flow together in one, and I can’t help but run my fingers over all of the lines.

  Gabe’s abs are well-defined, their bumps and ridges perfectly toned. I’m lost in his body, a beautiful work of art I can’t get enough of.

  Without warning, Gabe flips me onto my back and whips my pants and panties off in one quick sweep. He kneels above me, his chest glistening, his expression telling me he wants to eat me whole.

  He pushes his own pants down, his boxers sliding over his ass. His cock bounces up, fully hard and swollen. I lick my lips at the thought of taking him in my mouth.

  Gabe grabs my waist, lifting my ass off the couch as he leans down and brings my pussy to his mouth. I cry out when he latches onto my clit. It’s the hottest fucking thing ever, and I can’t help the animalistic sounds that pour from my mouth.

  Oh, fuck, fuck, I’m going to cum soon.

  “Gabe, oh fuck, fuck!” I scream when he licks my entire seam, his tongue running over my back entrance. Holy shit, I’m going to explode.

  My orgasm rips through me, and my legs shake as the waves of pleasure run through me. Within seconds, Gabe has slid a condom on and pushes himself into me, my pussy clenching around his cock.

  He lifts me up and flips himself into a sitting position on the couch.

  I love how he tosses me around like I weigh nothing.

  I straddle him and ride his cock, moving up and down his shaft, over and over again. My breasts bounce in front of him, and he rubs his face all over them.

  This sex…

  This mind-blowing sex…

  Oh, fuck.

  I’m tainted forever now.

  Claimed as his.

  It’ll never be better than this. Oh, hell no.

  His name escapes my lips over and over as I fall into him.

  I’m lost…in him, in us, in this.

  I spot Aunt Mel sitting in the corner of the hospital cafeteria. Making
my way over, my stomach growls in anticipation of eating. One muffin was not enough for all the, err…umm…exercise I’ve been doing.

  “Hi, Auntie.” I lean over and kiss Aunt Mel’s cheek.

  “Hey, hon. See Mom yet?”

  I nod and sit across from her. “I came about an hour ago. She’s still sleeping, but I curled up next to her and read some poetry.”

  Aunt Mel smiles as she reaches across and squeezes my hand. “You’re amazing, A, you know that? A sweet daughter that your mom deserves. You deserve each other.” Her eyes water, and she looks away, her lip quivering.

  Tears spring in my eyes. “You’re amazing, too. You’re a second mom to me. And I’ll forever be grateful for everything you’ve done for Mom and me.”

  After I saw my dad with my mom’s best friend, Mallory, we stayed at Ruby’s house until my dad left. My mom refused to see him, and Ruby’s parents, Elaine and Paul, kept us out of the radar until things quieted down.

  Mel had gone to school with my mom since they were in kindergarten. But then, in tenth grade, Mel had to move, and they stayed friends through letters. That’s when my mom grew closer to Mallory. They remained friends through college and through the early part of my parents’ marriage.

  Mallory turned cold after a while, her own marriage having grown sour. She turned on my mom and destroyed their friendship. A few years later, Mallory seduced my dad, and our lives were destroyed.

  Thankfully, Mel had been back for a while before the shit blew up, and she’s an unbelievable support. She was introduced to me as Aunt Mel, and I’ve never seen her differently.

  “Oh, A, you don’t have to thank me. You two saved me. I moved back here a complete and utter mess, and your mom took me in under her wings, and you were a beam of light I loved as my own.”

  Now we both have tears slipping down our cheeks. I stand and lean down to hug her, pulling her tight. She’ll always be a mother to me, blood or not.

  Chapter 13

  Gabe

  The cold tile floor is dirty and unappealing.

  I can’t tear my eyes away from it as I pace back and forth while our suspect gets questioned.

  My boss, Blake, is pissed at me, my red-hot temper getting me in trouble again.

  I clench my fists, trying to calm myself.

  Open, close, open, close.

  Joe and Anne took over the questioning.

  I couldn’t stand the fucking smug look on the asshole’s face.

  It’s the first real suspect we’ve brought in for questioning, and it’s looking like a dead end.

  A dead fucking end. I blow out a breath and grit my teeth.

  I park my ass on the seat outside the room and lean down on my knees, hanging my head between them. It feels as if a ton of bricks sit on my back.

  This case.

  The shit back home.

  I’ve been stuck on both and it’s pissing me the fuck off.

  I stare at the floor and try to clear my head.

  Alicia.

  Her glowing face pops into view. She keeps away the bad, distracts me from the dark.

  I ache to see her. Feel her. Taste her.

  The door opens, and I jump to my feet, caught off guard. Joe and Anne file out, our boss trailing behind them. “Meeting. Now,” Blake’s deep voice snaps.

  Shit. Here we go.

  We enter a conference room and sit around the table. Joe darts me a look, and I know shit is about to hit the fan.

  “What in the hell was that, Manley?” Blake stands, clenching the back of a chair.

  “Look, I’m sorry. I lost my temper, and I shouldn’t have. I’ve got a lot on my plate, and shit, I don’t know, I fucked up and I’m sorry.” Damn, that sounded weak, but why make up some bullshit? The truth is I do have a lot going on, and I lost it.

  “That’s not an excuse, Manley. You know it. You know what this job entails, and you know you have to keep your shit at home separate.” Blake crosses his arms and glares at me. “I’m disappointed in you, Manley. Your head is usually always in the game. Get it back there. Immediately.”

  “All right, boss. It won’t happen again.”

  “It better not. Now, back to business. This goon isn’t going to give us what we need. But he knows shit. I’m sure of it. He’s locked up tight. Whoever is running this thing is good, real good. In the meantime, four more girls were taken, including one more from that shelter. We need to find out what’s going on now. I want you three cracking this case even if it takes you day and night.”

  I groan inwardly as Blake continues.

  “My boss is breathing down my neck, and we need to wrap this shit up sooner rather than later, especially since more girls have gone missing. He’s ready to ring my fucking neck.”

  I exchange glances with Joe and Anne.

  Crunch time, guys.

  Damn. I’ve got my work cut out for me.

  Hours later, I push the townhouse door open, Luna ready and waiting to greet me.

  “Hey, girl.” I rub her ears, her tail hitting the floor with speed. I hook her leash up and take her for a quick walk to do her business, hoping she’s fast. Exhaustion pulls at me, and I don’t think I’ll be able to stand up much longer.

  After hours of brainstorming, clue gathering, coffee, and pizza, we managed to make little headway on the case while draining all of our energy. Blake said we can have the morning off as long as we’re back there at noon, ready for a day of intense planning.

  I’m grateful I can sleep in and can’t wait for a shower and bed.

  Luna finishes, and we’re back inside. I feed her and get her some fresh water before heading upstairs.

  Turning the shower on, I strip my clothes and my eyes droop, fatigue gnawing at me. I hope I don’t fall asleep standing up.

  Ten minutes later, I’m washed and in bed, Luna curling up beside me. I scroll through my phone and notice several missed calls from my cousin.

  Sitting up straighter, I hit the send button and wait for him to answer. His voicemail picks up, and I hang up without leaving a message. There’s no message from him, but he must’ve called at least ten times.

  Something is wrong. I know it.

  I try to call Andrew again and again with no luck. I call my aunt Maria, but hers goes straight to voicemail.

  What the fuck is going on?

  I lie back, tossing my phone next to me. A nagging feeling settles deep in my stomach. Staring at the ceiling, my mind races.

  My aunt, uncle, and cousins are in danger. My gut’s screaming at me, and it’s usually spot-on. I’ve had a keen sense on this shit and when no one answers their phone, I can’t help but assume the worst.

  My aunt Maria and uncle Dave have been living under the radar since my parents were killed. It’s a sad way to live. My cousin Ava is sheltered, always in fear. Andrew teeters on the edge of good and evil, and I hope he manages to fight the evil off once and for all.

  Uncle Lenny is the ring leader in all of my family’s problems. And my brothers, Mason and Damon, love to be his minions.

  I squeeze my eyes shut. I don’t want to rehash my family. They run through my head on repeat enough.

  My mind drifts to Alicia. I haven’t heard from her in a week, not since our hot breakfast sex. We both said we’d call each other and neither one has yet to reach out.

  A part of me is dying to call her. Every possessive bone in my body screams at me daily. But the other part says not to. Why drag out the inevitable?

  There’s still so much we don’t know about each other, but I can’t help feeling like she’s a long lost friend I’ve been looking for my whole life. Our dinner was one of the best nights I’ve had and all we did was eat and talk.

  And while the sex is utterly delicious, I would’ve still had a good time. Her presence alone is enough for me. Plain and simple.

  She’s a distraction. A good distraction.

  A fucking edible distraction.

  And while I know the last thing I need right now is distract
ion, goddamn, do I want it more than anything.

  Alicia

  “I’ve started therapy sessions,” Maddie announces over speaker phone.

  “Really? That’s great. How is it?”

  “Hard,” Maddie breathes, and my heart clenches.

  Her life was forever changed when her mother died and her father pimped her out to his disgusting clients. She ran away from home, hiding in Buffalo where we met. I couldn’t not help her and be a friend. Maddie was so lost and sad, and also so young. But she met Jax. They took off to Italy and live happily.

  “It’s like reliving it all over again.”

  “I know, Mads. That’s how we heal. Need to face it head-on.”

  “Jax says that, too. I’m so thankful for him. Without him, I’d be, I don’t know, honestly.”

  “He’s a keeper. And how’s baby Jax?”

  “He’s amazing. Such a good baby. I can’t wait for you to meet him.” Maddie coos at her son.

  “Jax must be smitten to have a son named after him.”

  “Oh, he loves it. He’s in heaven. We’ll probably call him JJ, for short, which is just as cute.”

  I laugh. “It is. I went to school with a cute boy named JJ. Dimples and freckles, I had such a crush on him.”

  Maddie chuckles. “What about you? Holding up okay?”

  “All right, I guess. As good as I can be. The salon is annoying. The schedule is weird. Some days there are full schedules of clients for us and then, other days, absolutely nothing. It’s a weird vibe around there.”

  “You’re so talented, A. I wish you didn’t have to give up your business. How’s your mom doing?”

  “She has her good and bad days. My aunt and I pretty much take care of her round the clock. Her body is too weak to do much of anything. It’s breaking my heart.” Tears spring to my eyes, on the brim of spilling over.

  “Oh, hon. I’m so sorry. I’m here for you however you need me. Want me to fly out there? Maybe Jax and I can take a trip soon. JJ will be five months soon and should handle the flight okay.”

  “Maddie, no. I couldn’t ask that of you. You need to worry about your baby and your family. I’ll be okay.”