Grounds for Seduction (Seattle Steam) Read online

The buttery tortilla combined with the rich egg yolk had her moaning her appreciation.

  “You like?” Gabe’s eyes darkened as he watched her mouth.

  “I really, really like.” She’d noticed his reaction but continued to eat. After she’d polished off most of it, she laid down her fork. “You know what else I like?”

  He took a seat next to her. “I can guess.”

  She raised an eyebrow and leaned back in her chair. In the mood to shock him a little, she murmured, “I like to be on top.”

  Gabe forced a laugh as the image of her riding him floated through his head. “I guessed wrong.”

  She was so damn sexy with her hair falling around her face and partially covering one of her eyes. Eyes that twinkled a challenge to him. She lifted a finger to her mouth and licked it clean of any trace of yolk.

  “I like a lot of things.” Her voice grew breathy. “Aren’t you at all curious to discover them?”

  Hell, yes. God, he wanted her. He wanted her on the table. On the couch. On the bathroom rug.

  “Some things are better left unknown, Maddie.” He kept his voice neutral.

  “Why is it so taboo to sleep with your friend’s sister?” she asked. “I’m not unfamiliar with your sexual habits, Gabe. You’re not the type to decline strings-free sex…”

  He stood. “Maddie—”

  “Unless you’re not attracted to me.” Doubt flickered in her eyes, and she stood, moving to stand right in front of him. “I mean, if that’s the case then—”

  “How could I not be attracted to you?” He grabbed her hand and pressed it against his hardening cock. “Do you feel what you do to me? Are you happy now? Is that what you wanted?”

  “Yes.” Her gaze flicked up to meet his with fierce determination. “This is exactly what I want.”

  He closed his fingers around her wrist and pried her hand away, already regretting his decision to have a hands-on demonstration.

  “You know where your room is, Maddie. Go to bed.” He set her aside. “It’s almost midnight, and we’ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

  “Are you kidding me?” She threw her hands in the air. “And they call women teases. You’re sending me to bed fully aroused, do you realize that?”

  “What do you want me to do?” he demanded in frustration. “Like it or not, there is a rule, an unspoken rule between friends. And I respect your brother too much to have sex with you.”

  “Don’t think of me as Eric’s sister.” She groaned and pressed her body against his. She took his hand and placed it between her legs.

  Through the thin layer of her pants, he could feel her heat and the hint of dampness. He groaned, knowing he couldn’t take her the way he wanted to.

  She made the decision for him and shoved his hand away from her. “Fine. I’ll go to bed.”

  Disappointment stabbed through him, even when he knew it should be relief.

  “But take this memory with you.” She stepped forward and lowered her voice. “I am going to be lying in your spare bed touching myself. Think about me rubbing my hot, swollen, wet—”

  “Madison!”

  She gave his erection a pointed glance.

  “Sleep well, Gabe,” she murmured, and turned to go to her room. It was all he could do not to follow.

  An hour later, she lay in bed wide awake and frustrated. Despite her declaration to accomplish her own orgasm, she was far from it.

  Imagining it was Gabe touching her didn’t help, because her soft finger couldn’t compare to his thick, calloused ones.

  Madison knew she had it bad when she couldn’t even bring her own release. She wanted him so much that it became almost a physical pain.

  She squeezed her eyes shut and rolled over onto her side, curling her legs up toward her chest, and willing the ache between her legs to disappear.

  It took almost another hour before she slipped into a light sleep, and instead of being comforted, she found herself reliving the robbery. Except this time, the robber pulled the trigger.

  She jerked upright with a cry, dragging the sheets around her. A moment later, her door burst open, and Gabe’s silhouette filled the doorway.

  “Maddie?” He shut the door and came over to the bed. “What’s wrong? I heard you cry out.”

  She turned her head away before he could see the shine of tears in her eyes. The dream had been too real.

  “Did you dream about him?” Gabe asked, his voice soft. “It’s all right. It’s normal. I haven’t seen you break down once yet.”

  “I’m not the type to break down,” she mumbled. She urged herself to regain control and not lose it. But the back of her throat burned from choking back the tears, and soon she stopped fighting.

  The tears ran down her cheeks, and she kept her face averted, trying to hide them.

  “Maddie…” He pulled her unresisting body into his arms, sliding back against the bedpost to support them. She buried her head against his chest.

  “It’s just sexual tension combined with the post-traumatic stress.” She tried to laugh, and it came out choked. “Nothing to worry about. It’d all go away if you’d just have sex with me.”

  “You don’t need to make it a joke,” he murmured. “It’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.”

  Wasn’t it? She hated that she was crying on Gabe’s shoulder. He was always so controlled and seemed so kept together. And now, in between pathetic attempts to seduce him, she sat here bawling her eyes out on his chest. His naked chest. Hmm. She hadn’t noticed that before.

  She blinked the last of her tears away and became quite aware of the rapid pounding of Gabe’s heart.

  Maybe he wasn’t as controlled as he’d have her believe.

  She kept her head against his chest. “You’re not immune to me, Gabe.”

  His hand that had been stroking her hair stilled, and then resumed its comforting movements.

  “I never said I was.”

  “Then why—”

  “Just sleep,” he interrupted, his voice gentle. “I’ll stay here with you, if you’d like. But only to sleep.”

  Madison considered her options. Having Gabe in bed with her would be a major temptation to attempt to seduce him again. It’d be better just to send him back to his own bed. But then the thought of being alone and the possibility of more nightmares made it an obvious choice.

  “I’d like you to stay, and I promise not to touch you. Tonight. Deal?”

  He gave a soft laugh and maneuvered them so that they were lying down next to each other.

  “Deal.”

  Chapter Five

  Gabe woke with Madison’s head resting on his chest. His arm lay curled around her back in a protective gesture. The light that slipped through the blinds hinted that his alarm would soon be going off, although there wasn’t a clock in this room to confirm it.

  He moved his hand in a gentle caress over her exposed shoulder, loving the silky texture that invited him to keep exploring her body. He smoothed his hands to her tousled hair and down her back. A soft moan emerged from her mouth, and his body hardened at the sexy sound.

  Damn it. He shouldn’t find her this desirable. Her hair was a mess. She snored. She’d even done that lip-smacking thing a couple times during the night. And he’d never been so turned on in his life. It had to be her choice of nightgown. Well, not a nightgown really. Just a tank top and white cotton panties.

  “No…don’t want pee’ut buttuh…” she mumbled and rolled off him onto her back, nearly pushing him off the bed.

  Gabe turned to his side, propping his head up with his hand as he stared down at her. He wondered if she faked being asleep, but then she did that lip-smacking thing again. Her legs moved around on the bed, before falling open a little.

  Don’t look.

  It took everything he had not to.

  “Gabe?” she murmured, her voice sleepy and disoriented.

  “Oh God!” Her eyes darted to the blinds, and she groaned, lurching off the bed. “
What time is it? I have to open the shop!”

  “Easy, Maddie.” Gabe’s gaze moved to her full breasts pushing against the thin tank top. He shifted the blanket over his erection. “I don’t think you should plan on going into work today. We’ve got to go to the station and work with the sketch artist.”

  “Are you kidding me?” She turned from opening her suitcase to glare at him. “This is my fourth day in business. It would be economic suicide to not keep regular hours my first week. That’s the easiest way to piss off a customer. They’ll think my shop is flaky—”

  “Maddie,” Gabe raised a hand to stop her continued tirade. “They’ll understand. Just assume they saw the story on the news last night—”

  “The news?” The shirt in her hand fell limp against her side. “You think this’ll make the news?”

  Gabe sighed, reluctant to tell her she’d already made the news. “Reporters listen to the police scanners for any hint of a story. And the Espresso Bandit is not your typical robber. He’s consistent in assaulting his victims. The one before you was blinded. And, shit, he tried to kill you last night. He’ll be the top story, Maddie.”

  Madison sank down onto the floor and dropped her head into her hands. “I’ve got to call Sarah and tell her not to come in. Maybe I should put up a sign or something.”

  “Eric called her last night.” He got out of the bed—his arousal, for the most part, subsided under his flannel pajama pants—and walked toward her. “We found her number on your desk. She was upset but glad to hear you’re okay. Eric told her to take the day off.”

  She gave him a despondent look—which made him feel like an ass—but he needed to stay focused.

  After a moment, she sighed. “I guess there’s not much else to do. Do you mind if I shower before we go down to the station?”

  “Go for it. I’ll set out a towel and make you something to eat.”

  “I don’t need anything…” She sighed as he cast a warning glance over his shoulder. “Fine. I’m good with Cocoa Puffs if you’ve got them.”

  Gabe fought the urge to roll his eyes. “No. I don’t have them. Damn, you women and your chocolate. Go get your shower.”

  Madison smiled as she walked past him and into the bathroom.

  When she entered the kitchen twenty minutes later, she plopped herself down at the table with a sigh, her hair still wet and her skin all dewy looking.

  He glanced away from her exposed skin down the rest of her body. “That’s my bathrobe you’re wearing, you realize that?”

  “Is it?” Her eyes widened with mock innocence. She stood and reached for the belt tied around her waist. “I can give it back, and we can finish what you started this morning.”

  “Never mind.” He turned his back on her before she could drop the robe from her body. When she laughed, his jaw clenched. She was enjoying this a little too much. “Your bagel is ready. Do you like cream cheese?”

  “Love it. You’ll crack sooner or later, Gabe.” He heard her pad off into the living room. “But for now, I’ll just watch some television.”

  He grunted in response and then bolted after her.

  “Maddie, wait!”

  But he was too late. She already stared in shock at the television set and the image of her shop being displayed.

  He’d decided to check out the morning news while she was in the shower. Sure enough, the media had been running the recent Espresso Bandit burglary as one of their top stories. All the local stations had sent cameras out to her shop at some point to broadcast live. It was another reason he didn’t want her to go into work today. He just wished he’d remembered to turn off the news before she saw it.

  “They didn’t waste much time, did they?” she muttered, sinking down onto the couch.

  “It’s a big story. The Espresso Bandit is terrifying the community. Especially anyone with an espresso shop or stand.”

  “Yeah, that’s what the reporter just said. Pretty much those exact words.” She tilted her head and sighed. “Well, at least I’m getting some free advertising.”

  “Way to look at the positive.” His lips curved into a slight smile. “Just sit back and try to relax. Turn the channel to something more cheerful. I’ll bring you your breakfast.”

  He went back into the kitchen, poured a mug full of coffee, put cream cheese on the bagel, and went back to the living room.

  “Breakfast,” he stated unnecessarily.

  “Oh…is this from a coffee pot?” She wrinkled her nose at the mug. “I should have told you. I pretty much just drink espresso, but I’ll take the bagel, though, thanks.”

  The phrase “high maintenance” flitted through Gabe’s mind, and he shook his head.

  “Coffee snob. I’m going to shower. Be ready by the time I’m out.”

  He left her alone with the bagel and crappy coffee.

  Madison popped the last bite of breakfast into her mouth, eyed the coffee with regret, and went back to her room to change.

  She pulled on a pair of jeans and a black cashmere sweater and began searching for her socks. After a few minutes, she sighed. Damn, she must have forgotten to pack any.

  Her glance landed on the discarded pair from last night. It wasn’t totally gross to put them on again. People did it all the time. Didn’t they?

  She debated for a moment before coming up with plan B. As she passed the bathroom, she could hear Gabe still in the shower. Of course he wouldn’t mind if she borrowed a pair of his socks.

  Madison ducked into his room and hurried over to the dresser. Sock drawer. Which one would it be? There was just one way to find out. She pulled open the top drawer.

  “Hmm.” She lifted up a pair of green plaid boxers and dropped them right back in the drawer. There was one mystery solved. Gabe was a boxers man.

  She hit the jackpot on the second drawer. At least ten pairs of blindingly white socks lay waiting. She picked up a pair and unrolled it from its perfect ball.

  “Yikes.” Her fingers ran along the length of the sock, and she found herself wondering if that whole foot-and-penis comparison was true. If it was, she was a very lucky girl. Or would be if he ever gave in.

  She started to shut the drawer when her eyes caught a glint of silver buried under all the white. What was this? She reached in and pulled out the cold metal.

  Well, well, well. Officer Martinez kept a pair of handcuffs in the bedroom, did he? Hmm. And here she’d thought he didn’t have a kinky side.

  These might come in handy. She grabbed the cuffs, stuffed them under her sweater, and shut the drawer. When the shower turned off, she bolted out of his room back into hers.

  Her suitcase still lay open, so she threw the cuffs in and zipped it up. She had just pulled on Gabe’s socks when he appeared in the doorway.

  “Hi. I’m borrowing a pair of your…” she trailed off as her gaze ran down his nude—well, almost nude—body.

  The towel around his waist was an inadequate fit and left little to the imagination. Madison’s hand drifted over the sock covering her foot and made the mental comparison again. She stifled a groan.

  “Your socks,” she managed to croak out. “I forgot mine.”

  His glance fell to her foot, and he raised an eyebrow.

  “They look a little big.”

  “Yes, I thought so, too.”

  “I just wanted to make sure you were ready. Let me throw on some clothes and we can head out.”

  She watched him leave, staring at his fabulous ass. It looked like granite under that towel. How could she ever have mistaken that robber’s butt for Gabe’s? She shivered as disgust swept over her.

  Best not to go there now. She’d have enough of the Bandit issue when they got to the station. She pulled on a pair of black boots with a three-inch heel, sprayed on some perfume, and went to wait in the living room.

  While Gabe finished dressing, she studied the photographs on the wall. She’d seen more photos, but these were blown up to almost poster size, great black and white scenic shots.
One was of a ferry on Puget Sound with the mountains in the background, another of the Seattle skyline. And the last one was of a lady, who seemed to be in her early fifties, admiring the tulip fields.

  The last photo drew her attention the most. The photographer had captured the spirit of this woman. Strong, satisfied, and at the same time resigned. The picture had been taken by someone who loved her very much.

  “You ready?” he asked as he slipped a jacket on. He followed her gaze to the wall.

  “What a wonderful picture. Do you know who she is?”

  Gabe opened the front door and gestured for her to leave before him.

  She brushed past him, wondering if he would just ignore her question. It wasn’t until they were on their way to the station that he answered her.

  “The woman in the photo was my aunt.”

  “Your aunt?” She really shouldn’t have been surprised. When she brought up the image of the photo in her head again, the resemblance between the woman and Gabe was obvious.

  “How long were you with your boyfriend?”

  “Huh?” Wow, talk about left field.

  Gabe had wanted to change the subject. With the growing curiosity about her former relationship, the question had just slipped out. “You said you were looking for rebound sex, right? How long were you with the guy?”

  “Oh. A couple of years. We met in college down in Oregon. Since I moved back here, we’d been doing the long-distance thing.”

  A couple of years? Gabe’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Her tone had all but dismissed his question. She sure didn’t sound like she was hurting over the breakup.

  “What was the problem?” Pushing, Gabe, you’re pushing.

  “What wasn’t the problem is more like it.” Madison laughed. “I guess we just weren’t the right fit. I can’t say I’m too upset that it’s over, but still, I need a buffer between Bradley and my next big relationship.”

  A buffer? He’d be the buffer? Gabe tried not to feel insulted as he steered the car onto the freeway. He took a deep breath, and her perfume, sensual and expensive-smelling, tantalized him.

  “Why, what are you thinking?” She slid her hand onto his lap and toward the crotch of his jeans. “Are you changing your mind?”