Reckless Devotion (Book One)

by Jennifer Domenico

  Did I like him? No. Like isn’t a strong enough word. “Yeah. So far.”

  “Are you playing it cool or are you just not that excited?”

  “I don’t get excited, Sara. You know this.”

  “Yeah, but can you throw a girl a bone and give me a little more reaction?”

  “Are you checking for him?”

  “No. I already talked to him.”

  Don’t ask. Don’t ask. Don’t ask. “And?” Dammit.

  “Uh huh. I asked you first.”

  Sighing, I run my fingers through my hair. “Fine. I liked him. He’s very handsome and…” The guy is sex personified, but I can’t tell his sister that. “There was chemistry.”

  “Chemistry? Okay, I can handle that answer. You’re looking forward to Saturday then?”

  More than I can even describe. “Yeah.”

  She laughs. “Okay, guess that’s all I’m getting out of you.”

  “You’re his baby sister, right?”

  “Right.”

  “I’m just protecting you. I’m sure there are things you don’t really want to know about him.”

  “Ah, good point. No play by plays for me later?”

  “Definitely not.”

  “Fair enough. Not information I want or need about Gabriel.”

  “I didn’t think so.”

  “So, do you want to know what he said about you?”

  “If you want to tell me.”

  “He said he liked you.”

  Liked? “Okay.”

  “But he’s like you, all cynical and too cool for school.”

  “Too cool for school? How old are you exactly?”

  She laughs. “You know what I mean. He won’t admit it, but I know he’s into you. I could just tell from the tone of his voice.”

  Probably shouldn’t tell her the part where he asked me to come back to his apartment and fuck him all day. “Well, that’s nice, I suppose.”

  “Yeah, it’s nice. Anyway, I can’t wait to witness it in person on Saturday since I’m dealing with two of the most tight-lipped people I’ve ever met.”

  “Maybe he’s protecting you too. Again, you’re the baby sister.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  I glance up as Danielle’s last client leaves. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m about to get my hair done.”

  “Okay. See you tomorrow.”

  Hanging up, I toss my phone in my bag, and go back to my magazine, but a moment later, Danielle walks over.

  “I’m ready for you.”

  “Great.”

  Standing, I follow her to her station, set my bag down, and sit in the chair by the sink.

  “What’s with the drop in?” she asks. “Something going on?”

  As she tilts me back and starts the water, I nod. “I met my kryptonite today.”

  “Ooh, do tell.”

  I go through it all as she drags shampoo through my hair, massaging my scalp as she does. When I get to the part where he asked me to go back to his apartment, she walks in front of me with her hands on her hips.

  “Eww.”

  “What?” I lift my head to meet her eyes, sitting up with the towel she put around my wet hair.

  “What a pig. He just met you and he’s already trying to get you in bed?”

  “Um, yeah. That’s pretty normal. It happens to me all the time.”

  She narrows her eyes. “Men ask you to go to bed with them ten minutes after meeting you?”

  “Yeah. I know you’ve been married for a while, but these days, a lot of men are upfront about what they want. It didn’t freak me out at all.”

  “Okay, clearly, I’m out of the loop on this. Tim didn’t even make a move for three dates other than a peck on the cheek.”

  “That was almost ten years ago, Dani.”

  “True. I’ll move past that. Get in the other chair.” I stand and move over to her station. “Then what happened?”

  “I told him no, of course, but I’m not gonna lie, I wanted to.”

  “Is that normal too?”

  “No, not at all. I very rarely want to give in this soon. If he wasn’t Sara’s brother, I think I’d be at his apartment right now all over that.”

  She cracks a smile, shaking her head. “Eww.”

  “Stop with that. I use protection.”

  “That’s not the eww part. If he falls into bed that quickly with you, he does it all the time.”

  Sighing, I lean back in the chair. “So do I, Dani.”

  “No, you don’t. You just talk a big game, but you’re pretty selective.”

  “I’m not selective, I just don’t have good choices. You should’ve seen this guy though. He could make a virgin throw her panties at him.”

  She laughs. “That’s hilarious. So what now?”

  “Now, I just try to get through Saturday night with him, but I’m pretty sure by Sunday morning, the deed will be done.”

  “Or you can exert some self-control, you know. In fact, that could be fun. Just let all that tension between the two of you build up for a while.”

  “Not a bad idea.” Just an impossible one. As she starts my blow out, rolling her brush through my hair in long strokes, I think about the idea of not giving in to the attraction between us. I could play hard to get, drag it out a little. He’s obviously used to getting women to bend at his will, so that’s exactly why I shouldn’t. A little discomfort for me might be worth watching him squirm too.

  Danielle finishes then starts going through it with a flat iron. “Your hair is so pretty, Mia. It’s getting long.”

  “Thanks, and yeah, it is. How are my ends?”

  She lifts a chunk of hair, studying it. “Good. You still using that serum I gave you?”

  “Yeah. How do you think I should wear it for the holiday party on Saturday? Up or down?”

  “Hmm. What kind of dress?”

  “It’s cocktail. Black. Halter style.”

  “Cleavage?”

  “Of course. That’s my best feature.”

  “If you say so. You have a few to pick from.”

  I laugh softly. “Thanks.”

  “I say wear it down then. Maybe put some big curls in it to give it a soft wavy look.”

  “I can do that. You still won’t put some low lights in it?”

  “And ruin this virgin hair? No way. This shade of brown looks like it came out of a bottle, but you were born with it. Why mess with that?”

  I shrug. “Just to be different.”

  “Not needed. You’re beautiful just like you are.”

  “Thanks, sis.”

  “Anytime.” She swings me around so I’m facing the mirror. “Good?”

  I run my fingers through my now smooth, super straight hair, wishing I had gotten this done before I met Gabriel. “Perfect.”

  “Great. Did it help to talk?”

  “Yeah, actually. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Let me know how Saturday goes.”

  “I will.”

  After leaving my sister’s place, I drive back to mine, still consumed with thoughts of Gabriel. His face. His voice. That body. All that swagger. It’ll be a long week waiting to see him again. Until then, I wonder if I’ll be able to stop imagining what his lips would feel like on mine. So far, it’s not looking good.

  ON FRIDAY, I’M sitting at my desk, staring out the window, when my phone buzzes. It feels like my stomach does a backflip when I see Gabriel’s number on the screen. I take a deep breath, then answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Mia.”

  “Hi, Gabriel. How are you?”

  “Good, but I have a problem.”

  Oh God. Please don’t cancel. “What’s that?”

  “You never texted me your address.”

  A smile spreads across my lips. “Ah. I forgot. Would you like it now?”

  “How else will I pick you up tomorrow?”

  “Good point.” I rattle it off and he repeats it back to me. “You got it.
”

  “How has your week been?” he asks.

  “Good. You?”

  “Busy. Adjusting to life in the U.S. again. Apparently living in France has made me uncomfortably European for my American peers.”

  I laugh softly. “Yeah? What do you do?”

  “Corporate banking. I’m a finance officer.”

  “Nice. What happened?”

  “Nothing specific. Just trying to shake off French custom and acclimate to life here. It’s busier here, even in Phoenix. After having two hour lunches with wine for three years, it’s an adjustment.”

  “I bet. New York would’ve been culture shock.”

  “Right? I’m American, but I don’t feel like I am these days. I’ll get used to it again though. It’s only been a few weeks.”

  “Definitely.”

  We’re silent for a moment before he speaks again. “Can I be honest?”

  “Yep.”

  “It’s good to be back, and… well… you’re exactly the kind of woman I’ve missed while I was away.”

  “What kind of woman is that?”

  “Independent. Fierce. Assertive. You make your own rules.”

  “Not what you’ve been used to?”

  “No. Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow at six?”

  “You will.”

  “Bye.”

  My eyes shift up just as Sara arrives for lunch. “Bye, Gabriel.”

  Sara grins as I end the call. “Gabriel, huh?”

  “Yeah, he was just calling to get my address for tomorrow.”

  “Was he nice to you on the phone?”

  “Yeah. Why wouldn’t he be?” I grab my handbag from my drawer, slinging it over my shoulder.

  “Just making sure. Where we going today?”

  “Salad. I need to fit into my dress tomorrow.”

  She laughs. “Salad sounds good.”

  As we walk downstairs, she nudges my arm. “Still excited?”

  “I am. You?”

  “Yeah. I think it’ll be fun.”

  As my thoughts linger to what will likely happen after the party, I nod. “I think so too.”

  ON SATURDAY NIGHT, I check my reflection one more time, straightening my tie after waiting all day for this moment. I literally cannot wait to see Mia’s face again, to hear that sexy rasp in her voice, to watch her walk. What I really can’t wait for is getting underneath whatever she’s wearing. I can’t let on that it’s been well over a month since my last hook-up. I didn’t really want to come back when I did, but now that I’m here, I’m glad. Maybe it was time for a fresh start. To finally put all that shit that happened in Paris behind me. Gazing in the mirror, I study the reflection before me. My lowest moment as a man is far behind me now. I hope.

  ARRIVING AT MIA’S place, I pull into the driveway, checking out the stone townhouse in front of me. I hope she took me seriously over coffee, but for now, I need to pace myself with her until I know I can trust her, until I know for sure that everything between us stays that way. Just the thought of her, her body, her face, that mouth, makes me want to do very bad things to that beautiful woman, but I need to hold back. Demonstrate some restraint. Even I am capable of that.

  Stepping out of the car, I straighten my jacket noticing the slight chill in the air, walk up to her door, and rap softly. A moment later, the door opens and she’s standing before me looking even better than she did the first time. Her hair, the color of milk chocolate, falls in soft waves around her face and over her shoulders. The dress she’s wearing is out of this world—tight, sexy, showing just enough to be provocative without being too much. She has a gold chain around her neck with a diamond studded M hanging from it. When my eyes meet hers again, she smiles softly.

  “Hi, Gabriel.”

  Swallowing hard, I clear my throat. “Mia. You look…” My lips pull into a smile. “Good enough to eat.”

  She smiles back. “That was my goal.”

  “Nailed it. Shall we go?”

  “Yeah.” She steps out, closing and locking the door behind her.

  “You live here alone?” I open the passenger door for her.

  “I do.”

  “It seems big for one person.”

  “It’s not too big, but it was a good deal. I bought it when prices were low.”

  “Good investment.”

  “Hope so.”

  After getting in the driver’s side, I glance at her again. She seems nervous which makes me smile that I’m getting to her a little. I’m not the only one affected by our chemistry.

  “Anything interesting I should know about tonight?

  She shakes her head slowly. “No. It’s just a normal work party. There might be some interest in you since you’re Sara’s brother and my date. I kind of have a reputation for keeping my personal life really private.”

  “A trait we share.”

  She shifts in her seat. “Yeah.”

  “You seem nervous tonight. You okay?”

  “I’m not nervous. I just don’t really like socializing with coworkers. Like I said, I like to keep a clear line between the two, but it’s expected we go. It’s like, you don’t have to, but your absence will be noted.”

  “Got it. Well, I promise not to embarrass you. I can’t tell any of your secrets, because I don’t know them yet.”

  “Or ever.”

  “Don’t say that. You might be spilling them out before you know it.”

  “Unlikely.”

  “Yes, but not impossible.” As we come to a stoplight, I lean across the seat and run my finger under her chin. “Maybe I have the key to unlock the part of you that stays hidden.”

  As she gazes into my eyes, a slow smirk spreads across her lips. “You don’t.”

  I want to kiss her so badly right now. I want to show her that she’s wrong, leaving her and her smart mouth speechless. “We’ll see, Mia. You could be wrong. I know you’re not used to a man that isn’t intimidated by you, but you just found one. I’ll chip away at you until I see what you’re hiding on the inside. Until you’re just a pile of dick-whipped goo at my feet.”

  A smile tugs at her lips. “The light is green.”

  Turning my head forward, I start to drive again. She didn’t even flinch.

  “I thought you didn’t want me to fall for you,” she says after a minute.

  “I don’t.”

  “So then why do you want to get inside me so badly? Wouldn’t it be better for both of us if we just keep it superficial? We’ll fuck each other until we get bored, then you’ll go your way, and I’ll go mine. Why all the talk about breaking me down?”

  She’s got me there. “Honestly, superficial usually works for me, but there’s just something so sexy about your guarded detachment that makes me want to find out why. How did you get like this? Why don’t you fall all over me like everyone else does? What is the secret you keep locked away?”

  “You’re gonna be disappointed, Gabriel. I don’t have any major secrets. Good upbringing. No tragic past.”

  “But yet, you hold back.”

  “So do you.”

  “I have my reasons.”

  “So do I.”

  “I know, Mia. That’s what we’re talking about.”

  She pats my leg, leans across the seat, and drags her tongue across my cheek. “Turn left at the light.”

  Her words barely register as I recover from that sexy move but kick in just before I miss the directions. Turning left, I pull into the parking lot of her employer then find a parking space. I start to open my door, but she stops me by putting her hand on my arm.

  “Do us both a favor, Gabriel, and don’t try to get to know me. I won’t let you.”

  GETTING OUT OF the car, I start to walk inside, stopping when I feel Gabriel’s hand on my wrist. He swings me around until our chests are pressed together. When I look up into his eyes, I feel my defenses soften, starting to slip away. I want to fight it, but it feels impossible.

  His hand slips to the back of my neck unde
r my hair as he holds my gaze, and everything feels like it’s moving in slow motion. Is he going to kiss me?

  “You smell good,” he whispers as his hand slides away. “Ready to go inside?”

  That’s it? “Uh, sure.”

  While my mind still lingers on the interlude we just had outside, we walk inside and enter the large meeting room that’s been transformed into a ballroom for the evening. He takes my hand, and I let him, noticing all the eyes on me. My face lights up when I see Sara and Jamie. We walk over to them and after I hug Sara, she throws her arms around her brother’s neck. He swings her around in a circle as she laughs, and it makes me smile seeing her so happy.

  Jamie extends his hand. “Hi. I’m Jamie. You must be Mia.”

  “I am.” I shake his hand. “This is Sara’s brother, Gabriel.”

  “I figured.”

  Sara turns around with her mouth open. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Jamie. I just got excited. You met Mia?”

  “I did.”

  “This is my big brother, Gabriel. Gabriel, my friend, Jamie.”

  I notice as Jamie’s eyebrow raises, and I don’t think he liked being called her friend. He’s handsome, and I totally dig his hipster vibe. Gabriel shakes his hand and slides his arm around my waist, surprising me with the intimate gesture, but I allow it. It would be really awkward if I didn’t.

  “We have drinks over at the bar behind you,” Sara explains, pointing past her brother.

  “Would you like a drink, Mia?” Gabriel asks.

  “Yes, please.”

  He nods. “Jamie, why don’t you come with? Let the girls chat.”

  Jamie starts to speak as if he was planning to decline but quickly decides for the better and walks off with Gabriel. Once they’re out of earshot, Sara grabs my arm.

  “Oh my God, Mia, you look so hot tonight.”

  “Thanks,” I smile. “You look fantastic too.”

  “Yeah? I really like this dress.”

  “You should. It’s so flattering.” Glancing behind me, I continue. “Jamie’s super cute, but did you see his face when you introduced him as your friend?”

  “No. What happened?”

  “He seemed bummed. Are you not feeling it?”

  “No, I am. He’s really sweet, and I like him a lot. I think I just got flustered when Gabriel walked up. He’s always been really protective, and maybe I thought if I said friend, it wouldn’t push any of his buttons.”