Dangerous Grounds

by Shelli Stevens

The morning flew by. There were times they were so busy the line formed out the door. Of course the constant media presence was probably most of the draw. But if it brought in new customers, Madison wasn’t about to complain.

  After lunch, the rush started to diminish. Madison went into the back to rest her feet and eat some food. As she munched on celery and hummus, she stared at the envelope that sat on her desk. The same envelope Gabe had left with her two days ago. He’d left so fast that he hadn’t taken it with him. Then again, maybe he hadn’t intended to.

  She’d glanced inside, seen the photos, and closed it again. Then spent the next hour in another crying episode.

  Madison set down a stick of celery and picked up the envelope again. She pulled the eight-by-ten photos out and started gingerly flipping through them.

  The one that caught her attention was the photo of herself. It was the same one Gabe had taken at the beach on Whidbey. A beautiful black and white shot, close enough to see the whimsical expression on her face and the blur of mountains behind her.

  Just looking at the photo made her feel warm inside. Not only was it an excellent photograph, but the image evoked memories of how happy she’d been that day.

  Madison put the rest of the photos back in the envelope, but kept the image of herself out. She set it on the shelf above her desk. Jeez, he had talent. If he forgave her, she’d really push him to display his work in her shop.

  She picked up her coffee and took another sip before returning to the front of the store. Her gaze went straight to the man facing away from her in a police uniform. Her pulse quickened, and she grabbed onto the counter to steady herself.

  “Brian!” Sarah ran past her and went to wrap her arms around the man.

  It wasn’t Gabe. Madison experienced such crushing disappointment that it became hard to breathe.

  Of course it wasn’t Gabe. She’d pretty much told Gabe to go to hell. Why would he be in her store?

  “Madison?” Sarah came hurrying back to where Madison gripped the counter. “I’m going to take my lunch now.”

  “Have fun,” Madison called, but Sarah was already halfway out the door. She glanced around the shop—empty except for a couple of customers who were working on laptops and drinking coffee.

  Madison knew if she stayed stagnant, her mind would go back to Gabe, and her brain was already fried with too many painful memories.

  Tomorrow. Tomorrow she’d make things right.

  She headed back to the espresso counter, deciding it wouldn’t hurt to practice making drinks.

  Madison got ready for the rehearsal dinner with care. She wanted to look good. Damn good. When she laid her heart on the table and begged for forgiveness, she wanted to look good doing it.

  She hadn’t been able to shake the slight depression that had taken hold lately. Her shop was up and running, and raking in a ton of money. But even with the success of her business, she wasn’t happy. There was one thing missing in her life. Or better yet, one person.

  She slipped a little black dress over lacy black lingerie, and her thoughts reluctantly touched back on her encounter with Gabe last Sunday.

  How had she ever thought she could use him for just a casual fling, as a way to cleanse her dating palate? She’d been ridiculously naïve on that one.

  Her thoughts turned to some of the things he’d said after he made love to her on the patio. About her expectations for a knight in shining armor. He’d really hit a nerve. Because that’s exactly what she had expected of him.

  Which was totally unrealistic for the average man of flesh and blood. Her life wasn’t some medieval romance novel. And even if it had been, she probably would’ve ended up dying of the plague. Now that was reality.

  Her talk with Eric had also helped her realize how off her reasoning had been.

  Tonight. Tonight things would be made right. Her pulse raced with sudden nerves as she put on a pair of long silver earrings.

  She went to find her shoes and winced. Now there was one area where she wouldn’t be making any fashion statements. Her right foot was still in a cast, so she’d been wearing flats or flip-flops all week on the left one. After scowling at her choices, she finally decided on the sequined black flip-flop again.

  She glanced at her watch and swore softly. Well, damn it. She was already running late. Rushing her makeup, she grabbed her purse and hurried out the door as fast as her wounded foot would allow her to.

  “You’re late, Madison,” Eric called from the front of the room as she rushed down the aisle.

  The wedding had been booked in an old, elegant hotel. The ballroom turned into an enchanting location for the wedding.

  All the bridesmaids and groomsmen were lined up to run through the ceremony. She averted her gaze from Gabe, too nervous to even look, though she could see him out of her peripheral vision. Everyone stared at her as she made her way down the aisle.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled and hurried to take her spot. Or at least what she assumed to be her spot since it was the only gap in the lineup.

  The pastor cleared his throat and went on explaining what would happen next in the ceremony.

  Madison’s gaze lifted to the man across from her. Her match in the lineup, likely. She had no idea who he was, but he blatantly leered at her and the expression in his eyes went beyond flirting.

  She turned away from him and looked around at the line of men and women. Oh God. Now wonder she was attracting so much attention. While everyone else was dressed in jeans and even sweatpants, she had decked herself out to the hilt.

  Oh, why hadn’t she taken the word rehearsal a little more literally?

  Her posture slumped a bit and she did her best to appear invisible. She finally looked over at Gabe and saw the look of disapproval directed at her. Great, and obviously she was off to a good start with him too.

  They’d have time to talk during the dinner. She turned away from his censuring gaze and listened to the pastor.

  An hour later they were done with the long and drawn out rehearsal, and had caravanned over to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

  Her parents had rented out the entire restaurant, which included an expensive buffet of food, along with an open bar to please everyone.

  Since the wedding party consisted of sixteen people—not including the bride and groom—the atmosphere in the room had grown fairly rowdy.

  Madison sat at a table fiddling with an uneaten piece of shrimp, and stared at Gabe across the room. She’d finally gotten the nerve to approach him earlier, but Christy had sat beside him. They’d been inseparable the rest of the night. He hadn’t even tried to speak to her once.

  Her head felt heavy, her throat tight, and tears were just barely held at bay.

  And what did you expect? For him to beg you for a second chance? Again? You’re the one who needs to apologize, Madison, not him.

  But still, he’d certainly moved on fast enough. Maybe he wasn’t in love with her. Men in love didn’t go off and flirt with other women.

  She watched as Christy placed a hand on his arm and said something into his ear. He smiled down at her and leaned down to reply.

  Suddenly nauseous, Madison stood, needing to go outside and get some air.

  “Hey, sexy, I brought you a drink.”

  Madison glanced up to see the groomsman she’d been partnered up with. Lannie’s cousin, apparently.

  “I don’t drink,” she replied automatically. Her gaze once again found Gabe, and she watched as Christy slipped an arm around his waist and urged him onto the small dance floor.

  “On second thought, give it to me,” she muttered and snatched the frothy pink drink from him. She downed half of it in one swallow.

  “Not bad for a girl who doesn’t drink.” The man gave her an admiring glance.

  She offered him a bland smile. What was his name again? Oh, yes, John. What a creep.

  “Hey, aren’t you the chick who killed the Espresso Bandit by throwing him down a flight of stairs?” he asked suddenly. />
  Madison downed the rest of the drink and handed him the empty glass. Choosing not to answer, she instead asked, “Could you get me another one?”

  John gave a long whistle. “Damn, that was hot. You bet I’ll get you another. Hang on a second, sexy, and I’ll be right back.”

  Just another Ivy League asshole. She shook her head as he disappeared. Madison ran a hand over her forehead and realized the alcohol had already hit her. Maybe that second drink wasn’t such a good idea. Her tolerance level had always been low, but after a drunken night in Italy that had her dancing naked on a bar, she'd sworn off alcohol for good.

  “Madison, darling.” Her parents were suddenly standing in front of her. “We’re going to head out now and leave the partying to you younger ones.”

  Madison frowned. She’d forgotten they were even here. It was a good thing they were leaving. The last thing they needed was to see their respectable daughter get trashed at the rehearsal dinner.

  “All right, have a good night.”

  Then they were gone and John returned with her second drink. By the time she finished it, things were starting to look up.

  She still couldn’t stand to see Gabe and Christy getting cozy in the corner, but had grown a little more numb and relaxed by now.

  “Hey, sexy, let’s dance.” John grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the floor.

  She thought about protesting, but decided it would take too much energy. She pulled back slightly and proceeded to dance, but more with herself than with him.

  They were playing the disco standard “I Will Survive”, and suddenly she knew it must be meant for her. This song was her theme song. So she started to sing it. Loudly.

  She didn’t notice when John disappeared from her side, just kept spinning on her good foot and shouting the words at the top of her lungs.

  Suddenly an arm wrapped around her waist. She was jerked to a stop and pulled up against a hard body.

  “Hey, wait a minute,” she grumbled and opened her eyes to see Gabe scowling down at her. “Oh, hello.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Are you drunk, Maddie?” Gabe frowned. Hadn’t she told him before that she never drank?

  “Hmm. I couldn’t tell you for sure. I’ve had two pink things, and I certainly feel more relaxed. But would I classify myself as drunk? Well, maybe, but—”

  “I thought you didn’t drink.” He sighed, pulling her more firmly against him as she lost her balance. It felt good to have her in his arms, even if it was only because she was drunk.

  “Oh, I don’t drink,” she protested. “I just had a couple of pink things.”

  “Don’t you think that maybe you should stop with the alcohol?”

  “Not really. Because I’ve noticed that the more I drink, the less I feel.” She laughed and threw her arms in the air with delight. “And you don’t know how great it is to not feel.”

  “Christ, Maddie,” he growled against her ear, his arms tightening around her waist to keep her upright. “You’re making a spectacle of yourself. Try to remember that you’re at your brother’s rehearsal dinner.”

  Her face flushed red, and he could tell he’d embarrassed and hurt her. “Oh, don’t be so damn uptight.” She pushed at him until he finally had to let her go or risk even more of a scene. “Go find Christy. I’m sure she’s missing you right now.”

  He didn’t give a damn about Christy. He wanted to drag Maddie out of the restaurant and back to his place. Take her to bed and make love to her until they both couldn’t see straight. Not that she’d ever let him that close to her again.

  He watched her walk away from him, or limp, to be more accurate. His frown deepened as he saw the man who’d been plying her with drinks approach her again.

  “Gabe.” Christy appeared beside him. “I was wondering where you’d gone off to. Aren’t you sweet to check up on Eric’s sister? You’re such a nice guy.”

  Gabe cast her a sideways glance. He couldn’t do it anymore—lead this woman on. Really he’d only engaged in the flirting to act as a balm to his wounded ego, and maybe make Madison jealous. Unfortunately, it hadn’t done either. And, worst of all, it was completely unfair to Christy.

  His gaze once again found Maddie and John. They were sitting at a table and she had another drink in her hand. With the wedding in a little over twelve hours, she couldn’t afford to get drunk enough to have a hangover. But maybe it was already too late for that.

  “Do you want to dance, Gabe?” Christy asked, and gave him a thoughtful smile. “Or maybe…we could get out of here and find someplace more private.”

  Gabe’s attention again returned to Christy. A month ago, he would have been all over her invitation. She was sexy and sweet, and charming enough to tempt any man.

  “I’m sorry, Christy.” Gabe took her hand and gave it a small squeeze. “I haven’t been very up-front with you. There’s kind of someone else—”

  “Madison.” She sighed and looked away. “Oh, don’t look so surprised. I don’t usually hit on taken men, but when I asked her if you two were together at dinner a couple of weeks ago, she said you weren’t. I thought I’d give it a try. Lannie thought we’d be great together.”

  Gabe shifted awkwardly and started to say something.

  “But honestly, you’re not really my type anyway,” Christy went on quickly with an overly bright smile. “I was just trying to make Lannie happy. She’s forever harping on me to get myself a man.”

  “I think it’s a requirement of friends to harp,” he replied and turned again to look at Maddie, but she’d disappeared. “If you’ll excuse me.”

  “Of course,” she murmured and stepped away.

  Gabe pushed his way through the intoxicated wedding party, looking around for any sign of Maddie. But she had disappeared, along with any trace of John. He ran out the side exit to see if they might’ve stepped outside, and that’s when he saw her.

  John was in the process of urging her to get into the passenger seat of his car, which he’d pulled up to the curb.

  By the time he reached them, Maddie had sat in the bucket seat of the sports car.

  “What are you doing?” Gabe demanded, grabbing the door before John could shut it and lock her inside.

  “She’s a little tired, so I’m taking her home.” John had the decency to flush.

  “My ass, you are. I seriously doubt you’ve got her best interests in mind right now.”

  “Excuse me? I don’t see how this is any of your concern.” John’s nostrils flared. “She’s obviously going with me willingly.”

  “Yeah, because you got her drunk,” Gabe snapped with disgust, reaching down to pull Maddie from the car.

  “What’s going on?” She blinked at him, so out of it that she didn’t even seem to realize what had happened.

  “Hey, back off, man.” John made a move to block him. “She wants to go with me.”

  “Yeah? Then ask her again tomorrow when she’s sober. If she still wants to go home with you, then she will.” He swung Maddie up into his arms, and she giggled as if it were the funniest thing ever. “It’s pretty pathetic when you have to get a woman drunk so she’ll go home with you.”

  “Yeah? Well, who asked you anyway?”

  John got into his tiny sports car, slammed the door, and sped off.

  Satisfied that the other man had left, Gabe adjusted his grip on Maddie, making his way back toward his car. She seemed to pick that moment to have a flash of clarity.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I’m taking you home,” he responded curtly.

  “Home?” She began to struggle. “I’m not going home, I’m having fun. Put me down!”

  Gabe tightened his grip and ignored her protests, instead managing to get her buckled into the passenger seat of his car.

  “In case you’ve forgotten, Maddie, we’re scheduled to be in a wedding in the morning.”

  “But that’s not until tomorrow! It’s Friday night, Gabe.” She frowned even as she la
id her head against the seat and closed her eyes.

  “You’ll thank me in the morning for getting you safely home and in your own bed.”

  “You’re not taking me to my apartment, are you?” she asked, her eyes snapping open.

  “That’s where I planned on heading—”

  “No! Please, don’t take me back there. I don’t ever want to go back there.” Her body went limp and her eyes closed again. “We’re gonna sell it…”

  “All right, Maddie. I won’t take you there. Where do you want me to take you, to your parents?”

  She stayed silent for a moment and he wondered if she was trying to decide. But then too much time went by. He glanced over and sighed. She had fallen asleep. Damn. The last thing he wanted to do was carry her into her parents’ house drunk. They’d be appalled.

  Which left only one option. He did a U-turn at the next light and headed back toward the freeway. It looked like she would be staying with him tonight after all.

  Gabe managed to open the door to his house and carry Maddie inside. She was completely out, her head thrown back over his arm and her body a dead weight in his grasp.

  He kicked the door closed behind him and carried her to his spare bedroom. After laying her down on the bed, he pulled off her one shoe, and then removed the rest of her clothing. The lingerie she had on underneath made him pause.

  It was the same bra and panty set that he’d seen hanging in her bathroom that first time he went to her apartment.

  “Maddie,” he murmured, sitting on the edge of the bed and stroking a piece of hair off her face. “Why can’t I think straight when you’re near me?”

  “Mmm.” She groaned and muttered, “I can’t stop thinking about it. I killed him. I killed a man.”

  Gabe drew back, not realizing she’d woken up. Her eyes were still closed, and she might’ve been talking to herself in her sleep. Or in her drunken state. His gut twisted with sympathy.

  “It was you or him, Maddie,” he murmured, trying to soothe her. “You had no choice. You’ve got to stop thinking about it.”

  She sat up and crawled forward until she was beside him, then dropped her head on his thigh and lay back down.