Jacob's Ladder: Gabe (Jacob's Ladder #1)

“Whoa, whoa, I didn’t say that,” I protested.

“You didn’t have to. I can hear it in your voice.” Even though he was all the way in Mexico, I could picture the shit-eating grin on AJ’s face. All the married Runaway Train guys were on Eli and me to settle down.

“You do realize we sound like two chicks on the phone right now, don’t you?”

With a chuckle, AJ replied, “I couldn’t give a shit less. I want to hear more about this Rae.”

I could have found a million ways to describe her, but I merely replied, “She’s my muse.”

“Oh yeah, you’re in deep.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Then why are you calling me?”

In a rambling mess, I said, “We just burned up the brownies when I was going down on her on the kitchen counter and now I need a replacement dessert for her son’s school bake sale tomorrow so she doesn’t hate me for distracting her with sex!”

Silence came from the other end of the phone. “Did you just say something about burned brownies?”

“Yeah, we were baking together…among other things.”

“Yep, you’ve fallen big time.”

“AJ, could you please cut the shit.”

“I will after one more thing. You said she has a kid.”

“Yeah. Lincoln’s nine—well, he likes to be called Linc.” I was rambling again.

“You don’t do kids.”

I scowled at the phone. “I’m aware of that.”

“Then what the hell are you doing baking with a woman who has a kid?”

“I made a deal with Linc to give him a guitar if he would get his mom to hang out with me.” Feeling like an old gossiping woman, I filled AJ in on everything that had transpired with the Jeep and the songwriting inspiration.

“I seriously do not have words right now, man.”

“I doubt that.”

“Okay, I have plenty but let me just ask you this: are you wanting to get the cannoli just to make it up to this Rae chick, or do you also want them so her kid will like you too?”

“What kind of question is that? This isn’t about the kid—it’s about Rae. If she stays pissed at me, my songwriting will get shot to hell again.”

“I’m not buying it. You could have thrown some cash at Rae to help the situation, but instead, you’re going to drive all the way to Atlanta tonight to pick up some desserts that are sure to be wildly popular at the bake sale, which in turn will make not only Rae but also Linc look good, not to mention that saving his mom’s ass will make you look good in his eyes.”

I remained silent for a few moments, processing what AJ had said. Surely he had to be out in left field with what he’d said about me wanting to impress Linc. This wasn’t about him at all; it was about staying on Rae’s good side. The only thing AJ was right about when it came to me and Linc was the fact that I didn’t do kids. “You’re full of shit, man,” I finally muttered.

“You keep telling yourself that. The truth is, you like the kid.”

“I never said I didn’t. You’re the one saying I’m trying to impress him, which I’m not.”

“And just like the kid told you it would mean more to go out of your way for the breakfast, you’re going out of your way for him.”

I growled in frustration. “Fine. I want the kid to like me, okay? And not just because I’m giving him a guitar as part of this hair-brained plan of ours.”

“There. Now was that so hard to admit?” AJ teased.

“Be glad you’re in Mexico right now, or I’d be kicking your ass.”

“Ha! Bring it on.”

“So, you’ve got my back?”

“As long as you’re aware that these cannoli are going to cost you a fucking fortune.”

With a laugh, I replied, “I don’t care.”

“Fine. I’ll call Duke and tell him to start an emergency batch. They should be done by the time you make the trip from Bumblefuck to Atlanta.”

Duke Martinelli was AJ’s father-in-law. When he had retired from the NFL, he’d opened an Italian restaurant in the heart of Atlanta and named it Mama Sofia’s, after his mother. “Tell Duke I’ll owe him big time.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll let you make it up to him,” AJ joked.

“Whatever, man.”

“All right, I’m hanging up and calling him.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it. I owe you, too.”

“The only way I want to be repaid is for things to work out with you and this girl.”

Rolling my eyes, I protested, “But you don’t even know her. She could be a real bitch or a gold digger.”

“I know what you’ve told me, and from that, I know she’s someone worth pursuing—someone like my Mia.”

I jerked a hand through my hair. “She could be. I just don’t know.”

“Then find out.”

“Okay, I’ll try.”

“Talk to you later, man. Thanks.”

“Yeah, later.”





Long after Gabe left, my feet remained frozen to the kitchen floor. I would have been a complete statue of myself if I didn’t continue running my fingers over my swollen lips. Each time I did, I closed my eyes and thought of Gabe’s mouth on mine…his hands on my body…his tongue inside me. Just as I would flush with desire, mortification would once again crash over me.

As Aunt Sadie would say, I’d just behaved like a brazen hussy. I mean, how else would one classify my behavior? I’d allowed a man I’d known for less than a week to go down on me in my family’s kitchen. Sure, he was a talented songwriter known around the world who called me his songwriting muse, but he was still a stranger to me.

While I’d been an avid watcher of Sex and the City back in the day, I’d only managed to live vicariously through their liberated sexual escapades. The five men I’d slept with in my life had all been within the confines of either a relationship or long dating period. Well, there was that one-night stand with a Falcons player, but I was only twenty at the time. I had certainly matured and become much wiser since then.

“What the hell?” Kennedy demanded.

Coming out of my stupor, I whirled around to face my sisters. Kennedy’s wide gaze ricocheted around the room. “What happened?”

“Uh, I burned Linc’s brownies.”

Kennedy cocked her head at me. “Yes, I can smell that, but did a tornado blow through here as well?” She motioned to the floor where Gabe had swept the leftover ingredients and bowls to the floors before hoisting me up on the countertop.

“Gabe… He…” I pinched my eyes shut.

Ellie appeared at my side. “Did Gabe hurt you?”

My eyes flew open as I wildly shook my head. “No, no, no! It was nothing like that.”

“Then what was it?” Kennedy asked.

“I thought my vagina caught on fire, but it was the brownies burning,” I said absently.

Kennedy and Ellie exchanged a look. “Do we slap her or try to get some alcohol in her?” Kennedy asked.

With a scowl, I replied, “You don’t need to slap me.”

“Considering the state you’re in and the way you’re talking, that’s still debatable,” Kennedy said.

“While I don’t need slapping, I could use a drink.”

Ellie nodded. “Kennedy, grab the tequila from the pantry.”

“I’m on it.”

Steering me over to the table, Ellie said, “I think you need to sit down.”