Undeniable Attraction Read online

  This was not a conversation I’d ever pictured myself having with Ivy. She’s an amazing woman, but I didn’t even know her outside of work. It didn’t take a genius to see how innocent she was and I don’t mean sexually, the look in her eyes when she arrived earlier was anything but innocent, I mean she was just pure, as if she’d never had a bad thought in her life. She was a genuinely nice person. If she asked you how you are, it’s because she actually cares, not because it’s a general greeting. I’m also pretty sure she didn’t have a selfish bone in her body.

  As much as my dick wanted me to, I couldn’t pollute her with my fuckedupness. I rubbed my temples as I closed my eyes, trying to soothe the intense ache building between them. I couldn’t deal with this right now. “What did you hope would happen when you told me about these feelings, Ivy? I’m not in a good place right now, you of all people know that. I have nothing to offer you, or anyone.”

  Her eyes soften as she responded. “I know that’s how you see yourself, but I don’t. I never have. You are an amazing man, Gabe. You are kind, generous and caring. Although you don’t let many people see that side of you.”

  “Don’t waste your time trying to convince me I'm something that I'm not,” I scoffed.

  She came closer until she was standing in the space between my legs. I looked up into her beautiful eyes. There were so many things I’d never noticed about her before, like her amazing eyes. I could see every emotion she was feeling shining through them, like windows to her soul. They were bright blue, like the ocean on a hot summer day.

  Her tiny hands came up and cupped my face in her palms. “I won’t. I came here today to tell you that I’m not going to give up on you, even though you’ve given up on yourself. Say goodbye to the meek little push over I used to be, I’m going to be in your face every day from here on out. And you will finally see me.”

  Before I could respond she leant down and kissed me softly, her tongue swiping across my bottom lip just before she pulled away. Damn it was hot. Then she strutted out of my room, and left me sitting on my bed with one of the most painful hard-ons I had ever experienced.

  On my god, oh my god, oh my GOD! I couldn’t believe I had just done that. I literally ran out of his house like a crazy person. Resting my head on the steering wheel of my car, I took a deep steadying breath. I did what I had to do. If I wanted a chance with Gabe, I had to step up and show him I could be what he needed. It was time to do this shit. He’d had time to grieve his relationship with Sloan, now it was my time.

  I pulled out of his drive and headed into the office. I’d been putting off potential clients for too long. Gabe was going to lose his business if he didn’t get a grip.

  I had been falling in love with him more and more each day since I met him three years ago. He never let on that he cared about his clients, but I knew he did. I had seen him turn down cases that would have brought in big money, solely because he knew the potential client was a no-good rotten scumbag.

  Gabe has scruples. That’s rare in the private investigation industry. It would be so easy for him to drag out some cases to make more money, but he never did. He got in, and got the job done. I admired his work ethic, although he could be called a workaholic. The more time I spent with him, even though it was only in a professional capacity, the more I saw through the tough guy exterior he put on, to the genuine caring man beneath.

  Unfortunately, I clearly wasn’t his type. When I met Sloan for the first time and saw the way he looked at her, my heart died a little. She was so strong and full of life, exuding confidence. She was everything I wasn’t. We’re around the same height, but that’s where the similarities ended. Where I have long blonde hair, manicured nails and wear business suits all day, she had shorter dark hair, and a punk look about her. Plus she’s covered in tattoos and has a mouth that would put a sailor to shame. How could I compete with that? She was so edgy and cool, and me, yeah, not so much.

  Pulling into my regular park, I went in and opened up the office. I checked the new messages and called back the clients who had been waiting for Gabe to get back to them about their respective cases. I made up some random excuse about him coming down with a terrible virus. They all believed me, luckily, since I've never been a good liar.

  The best thing about this office was the coffee machine. It was tiny, but it was the best thing ever. Gabe bought it after I mentioned how awesome they were. It’s a Nespresso Pixie. And after the morning I had, I went for the strongest pod I could find.

  I could feel the tension leaving my body as I took my first sip of the glorious caffeine.

  I wasn’t fussy about my women; I loved them all. I’d been with more women than I could count. I always knew I’d find a woman to start a life with eventually. But I was happy sampling as many as I could until that happened. Then I met Sloan. To the outside world she came off as rough and bitchy, but I could see through that to the beautiful strong woman she really was. She had a troubled past, no, troubled wasn’t the word, more like horrific. What she went through, it would have broken most, but not Sloan, she came out the other side stronger than ever. It just made me love her even more.

  I was trying to ease her into the idea of a relationship, but she wouldn’t have it. Then out of nowhere, she goes and falls in love with some little pretty-boy douchebag and left me shattered and alone. I know it’s not fair of me to be so hard on Dex, I mean I know he’s a good guy and all, but he stole my woman damn it!

  Being honest with myself wasn’t something I was good at; otherwise I would have accepted long ago that Sloan would never see me as more than a good time. But I loved her; I had to at least try to win her over. I gave it my best shot, and it wasn’t enough.

  Maybe it was meant to be this way. She’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her. Sloan wasn’t big on smiles, that is until he came along. I think he helped her deal with her demons. She didn’t even know I knew about her past until I blurted it out in a final ditch effort to show her I was right for her. I knew she wouldn’t be happy about my snooping, but I’m a PI, it’s what I do.

  Ivy was right about a few things though, I couldn’t keep this up. Just because Sloan rejected me didn’t mean I could spend the rest of my life as a hopeless drunk. Running my hands through my hair, I looked over to the clock on the wall and saw that it was past noon. I’d been brooding ever since Ivy left this morning.

  And Ivy! What the fuck am I supposed to do about her? I admit this whole new take control attitude thing she had going on was pretty hot. Just because I’ve sworn off women doesn’t mean my dick has. And Ivy is too good for a quick fuck. She’s a good girl with a beautiful heart. It didn’t take me long to see that in her. Whenever she helps me with cases, she invests herself fully. She really puts her heart and soul into it.

  I had no idea she had feelings for me. I mean, why would she? I don’t understand. She should be with a guy that works a normal nine to five job, who’d be home for dinner every night and would have standard old vanilla sex three times a week, not with someone like me. My hours vary from week to week, I usually eat take out and I don’t think I’ve ever had vanilla sex. Not even when I lost my virginity.

  I lost my virginity to my tenth grade English teacher. It was quick, but it was hot. She bent over her desk in a super short black mini skirt and pretty much told me to have at it. So, naturally, I did. What fifteen-year-old boy would say no to an offer like that? A gay one maybe, but I’m pretty sure even a gay guy would have been questioning his sexuality at what she was offering.

  After that, she let me screw her; a couple of times a week until I finished high school and moved away. I didn’t really need her. I had plenty of willing girls my own age that I took full advantage of. But seriously, fucking a sexy as hell older woman who was strictly off limits, was hot. Thus began my life as a so-called manwhore, and I’ve never looked back.

  Someone as devious as me didn’t deserve someone as wholesome as Ivy. She’s too good for me on every level. Where her skin is smooth an
d unblemished, mine is taut with muscle and covered in tattoos. She’s logical and responsible; I’m irrational and impulsive. She’s simple and pure; I’m screwed up and jaded.

  Even though she is suddenly showing this other side of herself, I refuse to bring her down to my level. She might think she wants me, or even loves me, but it’s impossible for an angel like Ivy to be with a hellion like me. I could never forgive myself if I tainted someone so pure.

  I spent the rest of Friday and the weekend cleaning my brothel of a house. I got rid of every trace of alcohol I could find. Clearly, drinking copious amounts of booze was fucking with my thought process. All weekend I thought about Ivy and her little visit Friday morning. Maybe it was just because I hadn’t been laid in a couple of months.

  Maybe swearing off women all together wasn’t the right way to go about this. My dick still has needs after all and I’m not big on jacking myself off. There’s always been a willing body around to scratch my itch, so blue balls had never been a problem for me.

  It was late Sunday afternoon when I decided that going to a bar to pick up some random chick was my best bet at killing these constant thoughts of Ivy. I don’t think even Sloan consumed my mind as much as Ivy was right now, and I hadn’t even fucked her.

  I had a quick shower, threw on a pair of jeans and a black button-down shirt. Running my hands through my hair a few times I was ready to go. I rolled up the sleeves on my shirt on my way out the door. Tonight, I’m getting laid.

  I was in the mood for something new, something different, so I went to a new bar that just opened up a couple of months ago. There was a line-up at the door but I got straight in; what can I say; I know a lot of people. The bar, Grimm’s, is owned by a friend of a friend, so all I had to do was make a phone call.

  I took a stool at the bar and surveyed the area. It was kind of swanky. The lighting was dark except for here at the bar. Green lights shone from beneath the glass top, casting an eerie glow over everyone in the immediate area. The bar was a large rectangle, slightly towards the front of the room, with the bartenders serving from within it. It divided the dance floor from a quieter lounging area. It didn’t have the chilled out atmosphere my regular haunt, Freddie’s, did. But, that’s why I was here; I wanted something different.

  It didn’t take long for a tall, skinny redhead to start making her move on me, but I wasn’t interested. I wanted different, not twiggy. I liked my women to have something to hold onto. I’d be too scared that I’d break a girl like that. I bought her a drink and sent her on her way. Just because I didn’t want to fuck her didn’t mean I had to be a prick about it. I liked to let em’ down gently.

  A few minutes later, a brunette with short curly hair and massive jugs sidled up to me and started up a conversation. She was nice to look at but I was pretty sure her tits would bust if I bent her over the hood of my car and fucked her the way I was planning to fuck tonight’s lucky lady. Next!

  I spotted a blonde around the other side of the bar watching me, her face was hidden but I could see she was pretty. She had a rockin’ body wrapped in a tight red dress that stopped just below her nice round arse cheeks. I had a sudden urge to bite it. She had long, thick, blonde hair that hung dead straight halfway down her back. Some of it was over her shoulder, covering my view of her face.

  I moved to a stool a little further around the bar to get a better look. My dick was telling me she was the one. He was at half-mast already. Then she turned fully in my direction. Oh, come on! You have got to be shittin’ me! The only chick in the place to stir my dick, and it was fucking Ivy.

  What the fuck was she doing in a place like this, and dressed like that! She’s just asking for some horny little punk to come put his hands all over her. Fuck! I ran my hands through my hair, shaking my head; this was not my problem. My dick, unfortunately, thought otherwise. He was now rock solid and making me wish I’d worn underwear so there was a barrier between him and my zipper.

  I’d come here to find a random chick to let off some steam and forget about Ivy, not to eye fuck her. Kicking the bar stool next to me I glanced back up to get one last look, but she was gone. I looked around but couldn’t see her. I shouldn’t feel disappointed, but I did.

  I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to find anyone I wanted to fuck tonight, except Ivy. And that was not going to happen. I got to my feet and turned to leave but I didn’t get far.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “Why did I listen to you, Tessa? I look ridiculous. Please, let’s just get out of here before he sees me,” I whined to my cousin.

  “You look hot, Ivy. What happened to the new and improved, confident Ivy? We came here to have a good time and flaunt what our mama’s gave us. Just pretend he’s not here.”

  Bloody Tessa and her bright ideas. It’ll be fun she said, you’ll love the attention she said. Yeah well, I wasn’t having fun and I wasn’t loving the attention. Call me crazy, but having a bunch of drunken horny men pawing at me was not my idea of a good night out. And to make matters worse, he showed up, as if I wasn’t embarrassed enough.

  I had to practically yell to be heard over the music. It was so loud in here; I could feel the beat of the music pulsing through my body. “I want to go, Tessa, I don’t want him to see me dressed like this. I look like a two-dollar hooker. Not to mention the attention I’m getting is not the kind I –”

  Oh shit, someone was grabbing my arse. So far, tonight I’d had skeezy men touching my arm, or my thigh, but not my arse. I wanted to run away screaming. But I stood my ground. Tessa’s eyes had gone wide as she stared at the creep bringing his body up behind me. I could feel his hard length pressed against my lower back.

  His hot breath brushed against my ear before he spoke. “Hey baby, wanna fuck?”

  I bet he thought he sounded real smooth, but my skin crawled with repulsion. I’m not comfortable with being touched so intimately by random strangers. But, what did I expect, wearing such a slutty outfit? I felt the bile rising in my throat; I swallowed it back down and stepped out of his hold. I mustered all the strength I had and pulled my hand back, ready to slap the vile pig.

  Before I realised what was happening, a fist was flying past my face and directly into his jaw. What the hell, I thought as I stumbled back in surprise. Suddenly, Gabe was towering over the sad excuse of a man and yelling in his face “Who the fuck do you think you are? Don’t you ever touch her again, you filthy piece of shit! You hear me?”

  He kicked him in the ribs as the guy nodded and shuffled backwards on his hands, then climbed to his feet. He dusted himself off and glared at Gabe, as the other patrons at the bar turned their attention to our little scene. Turning his back he looked at us over his shoulder, a sneer covering his face, then took off.

  I was going into shock, my hands were shaking and my breathing had sped up. I tried to slow it, but the air in here was too thick. I had to get out of here before I passed out.

  Two large hands cupped my cheeks and Gabe’s face came into view. I had to blink a few times to bring him into focus.

  “Ivy, can you hear me? Ivy?” he was saying.

  I blinked a few more times, and then nodded. His hands slipped from my face, down my neck and shoulders to my waist. He pulled my body closer to his and then pushed through the crowd towards the exit. I went willingly; I wanted to get out of there. And I wanted to be wrapped up in his arms.

  The crisp night air hit my face and I inhaled deeply. It felt good on my clammy skin. Gabe had let go of my waist and was pacing back and forth in front of me, running his hands through his thick hair. God, why did he have to be so good looking? It wasn’t fair, how’s a girl supposed to think straight looking at that? His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his tattooed forearms. His muscles were tensed, making the thick leather cuff around his wrist look like it was about to snap in half.

  Gabe was somewhat taller than me, not that that’s hard, but even in my five-inch heels he still towered above me. He’s at least a good foot taller than my tiny 5’
1”. I stared up into his dark brown eyes, they were so dark they were nearly black. All his features are dark. His skin is olive all year round. His hair is dark brown too; it’s cut shorter at the sides and longer on the top. My fingers itched to run through it.

  I think he wanted to go back in there and find that guy. He was mad. Like, really mad, but I couldn’t tell if it was with me or the pig in the bar. I went to step towards him, but the glare he shot my way stopped me in my tracks. Well, that answered that. It’s me he was mad with.

  “What the fuck are you wearing, Ivy? You may as well have a neon sign above your head saying Fuck Me,” he gritted.

  His words hurt. I knew how I looked tonight, and I didn’t like it. That didn’t make his words any easier to swallow. But he wasn’t done yet.

  “Honestly, what are you thinking? Do you want some slimeball to drag you off into the alley and rape you? Fuck, Ivy, what if I wasn’t here tonight? You think that guy would have taken no for an answer?”

  “I had it under control,” I spat back.

  “You’re kidding me right? You call that under control? I saw the look in his eyes, Ivy, it’s a look I’ve seen before; he wasn’t going to back down.”

  I stomped my foot and crossed my arms across my chest. Yep, like a two year old. He wasn’t listening to me. Sure, that guy had creeped me out more than I’d ever been before but I was in a crowded bar, what could he have done with all those people around?

  Gabe looked down to my feet, “Did you just stomp your foot at me?”

  I couldn’t stop the pout that took over my lips. “Yes! And I did have it under control. I was about to slap him before you showed up with your knight in shining armour routine. I wasn’t alone with him, there were people everywhere, what could he have done?”

  His brows pulled in and a frown covered his handsome features. “You really think he couldn’t have hurt you because there were people around?”