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

“Which part?”

“The part about the women who just want to fuck me.” Gabe threw a glance at me. “They only want me because I’m Gabe Renard of Jacob’s Ladder, or they want me for my money, but you”—he gave me an earnest smile—“you want me for me.”

“Yes, I do,” I replied softly.

“And that right there is worth turning away every stray piece of ass who throws herself at me.” Taking one of his hands off the wheel, he reached out for mine. “I don’t want to destroy what’s between us before it even has a chance.”

I dropped my gaze from Gabe’s eyes to his outstretched hand. Nibbling on my lip, I weighed his words along with the sincerity with which he had spoken them. Deep down, I knew nothing he had just said really soothed my fears of his infidelity. The fear of being cheated on and abandoned was deeply rooted in my childhood, and nothing that had happened in my adulthood had managed to lessen it.

“Don’t take your past out on me,” Gabe murmured.

Sucking in a breath, I replied, “How did you know I was thinking about that?”

“Because I know you, and I know your past. I can understand why you don’t want to trust me.”

I shook my head at him. “I want to trust you. It’s just hard.”

“Then just promise me you’ll try.”

I slipped my hand into his. “Okay, I’ll try.”

Gabe turned his head to smile at me. “Good.” After bringing my hand to his lips, he kissed my knuckles. As his breath fanned against my skin, I battled the annoying romantic in me that wanted to swoon at the gesture.

After dropping my hand, Gabe motioned to a sign above us. “There’s our exit.”

“I can’t believe we’re already here.”

“Me either. The drive from Jake’s farm usually feels like it takes forever, and it was even longer this time.”

“It’s totally cheesy, but I’m going to say it anyway: I guess it was the company this time.”

Gabe grinned. “I totally agree with that one.”

Once we exited off the interstate, Gabe made a turn onto a side street then we pulled into the parking deck of a high-rise office building. It was exactly the kind of place I expected to house a recording studio.

“Are you sure they won’t mind that you brought me along?” I asked as he eased the Jeep into a parking space.

“I don’t give a shit if they do.”

“But this is important to you and your band.”

Gabe turned to stare intently at me. “You’re important to me.”

Slowly, I shook my head back and forth. “Once again, is this real life?”

With a laugh, Gabe replied, “What do you mean?”

“I mean, am I really in the car with a handsome and famous musician who considers me his muse? Things like this just don’t happen to girls from Hayesville. Surely I’m going to wake up to find this has just been a dream.”

“You think I’m handsome?” Gabe asked, batting his eyelashes teasingly.

Holding my finger and thumb slightly apart, I answered, “Just a little.” When he playfully swatted my hand down, I added, “Okay, okay, I think you’re very, very handsome.”

“Damn straight. And sexy?”

“Very sexy.”

“And well-hung?”

I cocked my head at him. “Sadly, I can’t answer that one.”

“You could take my word for it.”

“I think it’s better if I get firsthand knowledge before commenting on that.”

Gabe leaned across the console. “What does firsthand knowledge entail?”

“Hmm, I think both visual and physical contact would be necessary for me to do a thorough investigation.”

“I see. I’d be happy to oblige.”

Grinning, I said, “I’m sure you would.”

Just as Gabe dipped his head to kiss me, his phone dinged. When he glanced at it, he took my hand. “Come on, we gotta hurry. Eli is asking where we are.”

“Great. Not only am I going to be crashing your session with the label, I’m also the reason you’re late,” I protested as Gabe dragged me over to the elevators.

“Once again, I don’t give a shit.”

“You’ve really got to work on your professional attitude.”

Gabe laughed as he punched the up button. “Trust me, the minute they hear the songs I’ve brought them, they’ll forget all about me being a little late.”

“And bringing some random chick.”

“You’re not a random chick to me. You’re Reagan Hart, miracle muse.”

I grinned at his summation. “Let’s just see if the record execs think the same thing.”

The elevator dinged on our floor, and we stepped out into the lobby.

A beautiful blonde practically leapt at us. “There you are. We thought you might be stuck in traffic since the Falcons are playing today.”

“Sorry. It took a little longer to pack up and get here than I thought.” Gabe glanced over at me. “I’d like to introduce you to someone. Abby, this is Reagan Hart.”

When Abby turned away from her brother to focus her curious gaze, I could see the questions rolling in her blue eyes. Since my name didn’t seem completely foreign to her, I assumed Gabe had mentioned me, but from the extreme surprise on her face, I didn’t think she’d expected to see me in person. After recovering from what I imagined was intense shock at my presence, Abby extended her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Reagan.”

“Actually, it’s Rae, but thank you. It’s very nice to meet you, too. Gabe has told me a lot about you.”

“Oh he has?”

“Yes.”

Abby grinned while eyeing her brother. “I hope it was all good.”

I laughed. “Yes. It was all very complimentary.”

“Phew, that’s a load off my mind. I’ve heard very good things about you as well. Gabe told us how wonderful you’ve been for him creatively.”

“Although I still don’t quite understand his process, I’m really glad I could help.”

Motioning with his hand, Gabe said, “We better go. From his text, Eli’s inside keeping the execs company, and God knows what he’s saying to them left to his own devices.”

I followed Abby and Gabe through the lobby’s heavy oak door, and a long hallway stretched out in front of us with different rooms on the left side. When I peered inside, I could see a small sound booth in each one. “This is where a lot of voiceover work is done,” Gabe explained.

“This is amazing,” I murmured. Even though I wanted to play it cool like I hung around recording studios every day, I was sure the mesmerized look on my face told the truth.

Gabe opened the door to a large office. When we walked inside, I saw three men and a woman sitting around a glass-top table. At our appearance, they rose from their chairs, and it took less than a second for me to spot Eli. As he strode over to us, it was like looking straight at Gabe.

“Glad to see you could finally bless us with your presence, bro,” Eli said teasingly.

“Why don’t you get off my dick?” Gabe shot back with a grin.

While the two of them hugged, I oh so eloquently remarked, “Wow, you two really are twins.”

“Didn’t Gabe tell you we’re identical?” Eli asked.

“He mentioned it.” I shook my head. “But it’s not the same as seeing the two of you side by side.”