Gabrielle popped another pretzel goldfish in her mouth. Her other hand held the remote for the television. She kept pushing the button to change the channel. Why did she bother? There was nothing on Sunday afternoon except baseball and football. She tried one more time. At last, something different, an old movie. Granted she’d already seen it several times, but she wanted something mindless.
The phone buzzed and vibrated in her rear pocket. After pulling it out she glanced at the readout before answering. She didn’t recognize it, but it could be someone from church. If she didn’t answer and it was someone from the church, that would be rude.
Stop the debate game and answer already. You know you’re going to.
Growling at her conscience, she pushed the answer button. “Hello?”
“Where are you? Are you okay?”
“Theo? I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” Well she had been until the tension in his voice reached through the phone sending shivers up and down her arms. She heard him release a long breath.
“Just my over active imagination, I guess.”
Now she knew something was up. Things bothered him, and could cause sudden mood changes in the man, but they were always rooted in reality. “Try again. Your imagination is usually reserved for the plates you send out. What’s up?”
He didn’t answer right away. The complete silence on the line made her wonder if the connection had been lost. “You still there?”
“Yeah. I, uh, had a minor run in with your last chef. It made me remember how he left, and I just wanted to make sure he hadn’t gone to the restaurant and bothered you.”
“Nope, I’m upstairs vegging out,” she said, trying to sound unaffected. Unfortunately, the topic set every nerve in her body on alert. She stood and walked to the window. Looking downward toward the parking area she checked for Jason’s car. It wasn’t there. “I haven’t seen him.”
“Good. Would you do me a favor?”
“Sure.” What could she possibly do for him? The man never asked for help.
“Don’t answer if he comes around. He looked ready for--”
“Aw crap.”
“Gabrielle? What is it?”
Damn, she’d said it out loud. “Nothing. I just,” what smarty pants? “I just hit record instead of off on the remote. I’m fine. Enjoy your afternoon.”
“You won’t let him in if he comes over,” she heard him say before she could hit the end button.
“Promise. I have no desire to talk to Jason. Bye.”
She flipped the phone closed as the back door buzzer sounded. For a few seconds she debated whether to answer or not. She could pretend she wasn’t home. Then again, he knew her car and had parked right next to it.
“Who is it?” she said into the intercom still stalling.
“It’s Kevin, Gabrielle. Let me in,” he demanded.
Not on your life, she thought. “I’ll be right down.”
Gabrielle slipped the phone in her pocket, grabbed her keys and headed out of the apartment. Walking to the stairway she glanced at Theo’s door. She would definitely feel more comfortable if he were in the building.
Since when do you need a man to back you up? You’re no wimp.
Really, what was she thinking? She could handle Kevin. She’d kicked his butt out hadn’t she? Feeling stronger with that reminder she went down the stairs. She knew he stood behind the door leading to the apartments. Instead of opening that door, she detoured through the door leading to the kitchen. She stroked her hand along the gleaming stainless counter top as she walked through. It appeared Theo had put in extra time cleaning last night. She wondered if he’d done so to work off frustration after their kiss. She knew she’d sure been frustrated when he told her to go.
Men, they were either too darned honorable or, she glanced at the door, or didn’t know what the word meant. At least she only had to deal with them one at a time.
Renewed energy flowed through her as she walked to the kitchen door. She unlocked it, pulled it open and stepped out on the stoop. He whirled around to face her. “What are you doing here, Kevin?”
“I came to check on you. I was concerned.”
The man was such a turd. “Check on me? I’m not your responsibility. The fire was days ago. We’ve already fixed everything and opened back up. There’s no reason for concern.”
“I should have been here to protect you.”
Gabrielle’s eyes widened at the ridiculous statement. “For one thing, I don’t need or want your protection. Second, you couldn’t have done anything to stop this from happening anyway, and third, you gave up the right to worry about me when you slept with that girl and got her pregnant while we were still married.”
Kevin shook his head as if listening to a precocious child. “Don’t be like that, Gabrielle. You know I still--”
“Don’t!” She screamed holding up her hands. Her eyes widened again as she took a step back from him. Theo couldn’t be right. As if thinking his name worked magic, he appeared around the corner.
His gaze was lethal.
Kevin must have noticed her attention drawn behind him. He turned. “This doesn’t concern you. It’s between me and my wife.”
Gabrielle did not want Theo to get tangled up in her mess. “Then you’d better go talk to your wife,” she said, pulling Kevin’s attention back to her. “If you’re smart you’ll stay away from here.”
His eyes turned mean. “Why? Are you going to have your boyfriend chase me away? Do you know he’s got a record, Gabrielle? He’s an ex-con. A piece of trash looking for an easy woman.”
Shocked by the hateful words, Gabrielle slapped him. “Get off my property now. And don’t come back.”
Kevin’s hand rubbed the cheek now marred by her hand print. He looked at her with hate, not love in his eyes. “You little--”
“The lady told you to leave. Do it. Now,” Theo said, pushing past him on the stairs to stand beside Gabrielle.
She didn’t need him to defend her, but it felt good to have someone to back her up. Pulling her phone from her pocket, she opened it. “If you’re not gone in the next sixty seconds I’m calling the police and having you arrested.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
Gabrielle’s eyes narrowed. She started pushing numbers on the phone.
“You’ll regret this, Gabrielle,” Kevin said, back peddling to his car. “You’ll regret it.”
She stood her ground, staring at him until his car disappeared around the corner. Her shaking knees wanted to give out. She locked them instead hoping she appeared strong and unaffected. Appear being the operative word. Inside she was a mess. Her stomach churned. Her heart raced. Her eyes stung with tears. Then Theo’s arm caught her around the waist. The angry tears spilled over her lashes. She ducked her head unable to face him. But he had other ideas. He pulled her into his arms, rubbing his hand up and down her back.
“I can’t believe I ever loved that man, ever even liked him,” she said against his shirt. Tipping her head back, she met his gaze. “I’m so sorry for what he said. I wouldn’t blame you if you walked away from here and never looked back. I’m so ashamed.”
Unable to hold his silent gaze she bowed her head and tried to push out of his arms. He didn’t loosen his hold.
“There is nothing for you to apologize for or be ashamed of.”
It didn’t help. More tears filled her eyes. She gave up trying to pull away and leaned into him. When he pulled her closer Gabrielle almost sighed. Why were men with compassion so hard to find?
He’s right here, Gabrielle.
Her inner voice almost made her laugh in the middle of crying. Then she thought about it for a moment. Her tears slowed and her body warmed. She pulled a tissue from her jeans pocket and wiped her eyes and nose. He still held on. She released a long breath.
“Better?” his deep voice asked, sounding warm and comforting.
“Yes,” Gabrielle answered, but didn’t move away. And Theo didn’t try to make her. Storing up a little more of his warmth and strength Kevin’s last words came back to her. She leaned back so she could see Theo’s face when she spoke. “What do you think he meant? Was that just misplaced jealousy talking, or was he really threatening me?”
She watched that eyebrow rise high over his left eye.
“From what you said about him wanting your restaurant and my observations when he’s around, I would say both.”
“Do you really think he started the fire? How would that make sense if he wants the restaurant?”
“It doesn’t. It also doesn’t make sense because he doesn’t want you physically hurt. Jason on the other hand would have no problem with that. He’s probably still smarting from a woman besting him.”
A small smile pulled at Gabrielle’s lips despite the discussion. “I did, didn’t I.”
“Yes, as you told me that day, you had it under control. I just added a little intimidation factor.”
“I do suppose you are a bit more intimidating than me, but that’s not the topic up for discussion. We, rather I need to figure out if Kevin and Jason are working together to try and take the restaurant. With Jason causing you trouble about the same time as Kevin showed up here I think it’s quite possible. I should tell the detective in charge of the investigation.”
“Yes, you should.”
“Okay, well,” she said realizing his arms were still around her and her body was getting warmer, not cooling off, she knew she should move away. “I guess I should let you get on with your day.”
She tried to step back and break his hold, but he wouldn’t let her. Now that they were done talking business, she couldn’t meet his gaze.
“ Gabrielle, look at me.”
It took more strength than facing Kevin, but she forced herself to look Theo in the eye. No matter what he said, she would not crumble. She was stronger than that.
“He’s wrong, Gabrielle. I would never disrespect you the way he said.”
“I know.” And she did. Everything about this man screamed respect. Which only made Kevin’s insults worse and her more embarrassed. Again, she tried to step out of his hold because she wanted more, but after his reaction to last night’s kiss it was obvious he didn’t.
“If I were honest, I’d admit I’m tempted.”
What? Her gaze whipped back to his. She couldn’t have heard right. When he tipped his head to meet her gaze she saw a smoldering fire in his eyes.
Could just be the sun.
The corner of her mouth turned up in a lopsided grin with the thought. His eyes got hotter. “Really?”
Theo grinned and cocked that eyebrow again. “If you couldn’t tell after that kiss last night, I guess I am rusty.”
“No,” she said in a rush. A blush blooming on her pretty face. “No, but your reaction afterward made me think maybe I was imagining things.”
Theo couldn’t resist stroking the back of his fingers over her cheek. “My reaction had nothing to do with you and everything to do with why I should leave before I make the same mistake again.” He started to step away. She wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Why was it a mistake?”
“I’ve got too many ghosts,” he said, still staring into her eyes. “It wasn’t just prison that kept me celibate these past years.”
She pulled her gaze away. Her hold on him loosened. “You still love your wife.”
He should let her believe she was right. It would be so easy. It would make continuing to live and work here much easier. But it would be a lie. Still holding her to him with one arm, he pulled her chin back so she met his gaze again. “Yes, I’ll always love Lea. She . . . made me see things in a different way than I ever imagined. But loving her is not the reason. I’m not sure I could explain it or even understand it all myself.”
“Maybe I could help.”
He couldn’t bring himself to dismiss her totally. “Maybe, but I don’t think you’re ready for a relationship any more than I am right now. You’re still smarting from him,” he said, nodding his head in the direction Kevin left from.
“I am n--”
Theo placed a finger over her lips stopping her denial. “If you weren’t, he wouldn’t be able to hurt you so deeply. And he does. It’s evident every time you’re around him.”
She reached up and pulled his finger from her lips. “It’s been over a year. Believe me, I’m over him.”
Still holding her hand, he laced his fingers with hers. He still wore his wedding band. It’d nearly killed him to take it off in prison. When he got his personal belongings back it was the only thing he cared about. Looking at it as he brought their joined hands to his lips he realized the loss didn’t hurt as much. He kissed the back of Gabrielle’s hand and smiled at her.
“It’s not the length of time, it’s the depth of the hurt. I don’t know why,” he shook his head as she started to speak. “I don’t need to know why. I do know he hurt you down to your soul.”
She bowed her head. The self-protective stance told Theo he was more right than he had hoped. But it was okay. Her pain would help him keep his distance. One thing he didn’t want to do was hurt her in any way. She’d taken a chance on him. He wasn’t going to make her regret that decision if he could help it. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to let that worthless excuse for a man hurt her any more either. More than he’d wanted anything in a very long time Theo wanted to see this woman truly happy again.
Unable to totally deny himself, he pressed his lips to the top of her head. He inhaled deeply and had a peachy scent fill his senses. It made him smile. Which meant he really needed to put some distance between them.
“I have to go somewhere, but I need you to promise me something first.”
“What?”
“Gabrielle, look at me, please.” Fully expecting her to turn a sarcastic stare on him because he’d touched such a sore spot, he was unprepared for the quiet, open, gaze she offered. He forced himself to resist the desire to pull her close again. That would only cause trouble for them both. “Go back upstairs and lock the door. Or better yet, go visit your father. Running into Jason earlier and seeing Kevin’s anger just now, I’m worried about leaving you here alone.”