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

I smacked his hand away. “You’re detoxing, remember?”

Chuckling, Gabe shook his head. “I have a feeling I can’t be rehabilitated. I’m an addict.”

“You’re going to have to try harder. Now come on, let’s go get something to eat. I’m starving.”

As we started onto the elevator, I asked, “Do you really think we’ll have to wait over an hour to eat?”

“Normally we would, but while you were in the shower, I pulled a few strings to get us a reservation.”

“You mean you used your VIP status to worm your way in?”

“Pretty much.”

With a smile, I replied, “Normally, I would find that type of elitist stuff disgusting, but considering how hungry I am, I’ll make an exception this time.”

Grinning, Gabe said, “I’m glad to hear it.”

As we started into the elevator, I asked, “Where are you taking me?”

“Nikolai’s Roof.”

“That sounds interesting. Is it Russian?”

“Both Russian and French.”

“Really? Hmm, I’ve never had Russian food before.” As we started our descent down to the ground floor, I gave Gabe a sheepish grin. “If I’m honest, the only French food I’ve had is what Kennedy has cooked for us.”

“You don’t need to feel embarrassed that you don’t have a distinguished food palate. Even when I was in Moscow for a few days, I didn’t eat Russian food.”

“You didn’t?”

Gabe shook his head. “Nope. While Eli was trying all the local cuisine, I was living off McDonald’s and chicken.”

I laughed. “Then why did you pick a restaurant that serves Russian food?”

“You forget that it also serves French food.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“The main reason I chose it is because of the gorgeous views of the skyline, and they have a hell of a wine list.”

The elevator doors dinged open, and Gabe and I stepped out into the lobby of his building. “An impressive wine list? Does that mean you have plans to ply me with alcohol to get me back home early and into your bed?”

Gabe waggled his brows at me. “Maybe.”

“I’ll make sure to sip slowly then.”

He laughed. “Wait until you taste some—you’ll be draining it in no time.”

“We’ll see about that.”

When we walked outside into the setting sun, I expected to go over to Gabe’s car. Instead, he motioned to a black Mercedes under the building’s awning.

“You ordered a car for us?”

Gabe nodded. “I want to be able to drink without having to worry about getting behind the wheel.” He then winked at me. “Not to mention it makes tonight a little more romantic, right?”

Okay, he had me there. I’d never been driven around in a chauffeured car before—and no, the limo Ryan and his friends had rented for junior prom didn’t count. I’d lost my virginity that night in a cheap motel outside of Chattanooga. At the time, I thought it was terribly romantic. Later, I realized how cheesy it had actually been.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Gabe asked as the chauffer held open the door.

“Nothing. Why?”

“You got this sad look on your face.”

With a wry smile, I replied, “I’m sorry. An unpleasant memory from the past hit me.”

Cupping my cheek, Gabe said, “No more bad memories. Tonight is all about us and the present.”

I nodded. “Yes, it is.” I then ducked down inside the Mercedes. After sliding across the leather seats, Gabe dropped down beside me. I snuggled up beside him as we then made our way through the crowded streets of Atlanta.

When we pulled up outside the Hilton, I shot Gabe a look. “You just happened to pick a romantic restaurant within a hotel?”

Gabe chuckled. “Are you insinuating I planned dinner around having easy sex access?”

“That’s exactly what I’m insinuating.”

He held up his hand. “I swear, it had nothing to with sex and everything to do with the French food and the views.”

“Just remember, there’s no sex until we get back to your penthouse. Tonight is about romance.”

After saluting me, Gabe said, “Yes, ma’am.”

As I stared at the jaw-dropping handsomeness before me outfitted in the most scrumptious suit porn, I hoped I would exercise the same self-control I’d asked of him. Don’t drool, Rae. Don’t.





While I would have preferred keeping Rae all to myself in my penthouse, I had to admit that I was enjoying the hell out of our date. There was something to be said for getting dressed up and going to a nice dinner. After a three-course meal with dessert and copious amounts of wine, we then headed down the elevator.

Closing her eyes in bliss, Rae leaned against the back of the elevator car. “Oh my God, I’m so stuffed.”

“I second that.”

Her eyes opened to smile at me. “This has been such a wonderfully romantic night.”

“I would argue that the night is still young.”

With a giggle, Rae replied, “It’s almost nine o’clock. That’s like midnight back home.”

“I had something else in mind for us to do.”

As we stepped off the elevator and into the hotel lobby, Rae eyed me suspiciously. “It doesn’t involve getting a room here, does it?”

I laughed. “Would you give me a little credit on the sex-fiend front?”

Her face softened. “Okay. My apologies.”

When we walked outside into the chilly night air, I motioned to the horse-drawn carriage among the taxis and Uber drivers. “Would a carriage ride be considered romantic or cheesy?”

“It would be romantically cheesy.” Rae winked. “And I would love it.”

“Then your carriage awaits, Cinderella.” Holding out my hand, I helped her into the carriage. After Rae was seated, I climbed in beside her.

“Is this something else you arranged while I was getting ready?” Rae asked as the carriage lurched forward.

“Yes. I sure did.”

With a teasing smile, Rae asked, “What would have happened if I’d turned my nose up at the idea?”

“I would have pretended not to have anything to do with it while secretly paying the driver through my Apple wallet.”

“I see,” Rae replied with a laugh.

I winked at her. “But I had it on good authority that you would probably like it.”

Rae’s brows creased. “Good authority?”

“I texted Kennedy and Ellie to get their opinion.”

“Then I’ll have to make sure I thank them as well.” After leaning her head against my shoulder, a happy sigh escaped Rae’s lips. “Thank you for a truly beautiful date night.”

“I did do pretty well on short notice, didn’t I?”

She grinned up at me. “Yes, Mr. Egomaniac, you did.”

“In all seriousness, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed yourself. I can’t remember the last time I had such an easy and relaxed night in the city. I’ve loved every minute, Rae.” It had been so long since I’d wanted to put so much effort into one night. When did I become so shallow and . . . easy? Once again, she had brought something out in me that had been somewhat suppressed. Defeated.

Rae’s happy expression faded slightly. “While tonight is so very magical, I’m already dreading tomorrow when my carriage turns back into a pumpkin.”

“What are you talking about?”