Gabe: The Alvarez Security Series by Andrea Michelle, Maryann Jordan, Shannon Brandee Eversoll Read Free Book Online

one,” he cackled. Turning back to her he asked, “You ready, Miss Jennifer?”
    Nodding to Carlos, she started taking the food bags from his hands and turned to walk back to her truck. And slammed straight into a brick wall. Or rather a human wall. Of muscle. Named Gabe. Jesus, he’s big. Probably big everywhere. Feeling the blush creep up her face again, she chastised herself. Get over it girl. That hunk isn’t for you and you certainly aren’t for him.
    Seeing her stumble again, Gabe reached out his arms and deftly steadied her by the shoulders. “Seems like you keep wanting to land on your ass, when I’m around,” he joked, as he noticed the flash of interest in her eyes.
    She peered up at his face, noting the dark shadow of his beard stubble on his jaw. His eyes were an unusual shade of green with flecks of gold that caught the lights coming from the open kitchen door. “You never did answer my questions,” she said, trying to get her thoughts back on track.
    “It’s simple. I looked up your truck registration from the tags because I wanted to meet you.”
    She stared numbly as she turned and looked at his face, her mind trying to process both pieces of information. “You…you looked up…my…” Her confused look turned angry as she placed the bags in the back of the truck and then stalked over to poke her finger in his chest. “You looked up my tags? Is that even legal?” her voice rising with each word.
    He threw his head back in laughter feeling her tiny finger poking him. “Yes,” he replied looking back down at her angelic face. “It’s public record. Anyone can look it up,” he explained gently as though speaking to a child. He saw her eyes narrow with concentration, then fly open wide as she processed the rest of what he had said.
    “What do you mean you came here to meet me?” she asked incredulously. This man hangs out with movie stars. Or women in bars that look like they could be in movies. Well, playing the trashy slut in a movie. What the hell does he want with me?
    Gabe, mesmerized by her blue eyes, could see the questions flying through her mind. He slowly reached out his hand and cupped her face, feeling her cold cheek pressing against his hand. “I wanted to meet you.” Seeing her about to retort, he continued, “I work for a security company and was on duty providing security services for the event. And yes, that included making sure that Ms. Morgenstern was safe. I was on my much-needed break when I saw you out here.”
    Jennifer felt his callous thumb rub over her frozen cheek and couldn’t help but slightly move her head toward the warmth. For an instant, she allowed herself to forget that she was there to pick up food for the center, or that she was only a city social worker not a socialite, or that Ross wasn’t home waiting… Ross! Shit! Jerking back suddenly, she turned and tossed a few more bags into the back of the truck shouting her goodbyes to Carlos as he went back inside.
    “Wait,” Gabe moved forward stealthily, taking her arm and gently turning her back around to him. “What’s the hurry? I’d like to help.”
    “Help?” she asked, confusion marring her perfect face.
    Nodding toward her truck, he said, “Yeah. With the food. With whatever you’re doing.” Seeing the doubt in her eyes, he hurried to keep talking. As long as she’s not walking away from me, I’ve got a chance. “Look, I know we didn’t meet under the best circumstances. In fact, it was pretty fucked up,” he admitted shaking his head at how the scene must have looked to her. And then he thought of the scene outside of the bar and he visibly cringed.
    Taking a deep breath, he rose to his full height and moved back a step, putting his hand out toward her. “Good evening, Miss. I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Gabriel Malloy. I work for Alvarez Security Agency and I would very much like to make your acquaintance.”
    A giggle erupted from her perfect lips and she could not help