Page 51 of Bold Encounter
Abe then served Beaujolais with the meal.The red wine was refreshing, paired with the savory flavors of the dish.Abe shared his special ingredient, powder from the ground leaves of the sassafras tree.Genevieve could get used to eating like that.
On her late-night schedule as a performer, she didn't often make time for cooking.And even when she did, the simple meals she prepared didn't compare to Abe's gourmet delights.
Drinking, eating, and listening to music, Genevieve cherished every moment together.After midnight, she had nestled next to Abe and drifted into a tranquil sleep.
Stretching her arm out, she realized the bed was empty.The sheets beside her were cool but held the lingering scent of Abe's skin.She heard movement in the kitchen and smelled the rich aroma of coffee brewing.
She slipped into her robe and padded barefoot toward the kitchen, where she found Abe standing at the counter, fully dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt.He was utterly drool-worthy.
He moved carefully, favoring his left shoulder only slightly as he reached for mugs from the cabinet.
"Good morning, beautiful," Abe said when he saw her.He immediately put down his coffee to pull her into his arms.
Genevieve melted against him, loving the way he held her close."How are you feeling?"she said, searching his face for any sign of pain.
"I'm good," he said with a sensual smile."You're with me."He pressed a kiss to her forehead."And the shoulder's fine.Just a little stiff, nothing that won't work itself out."
She wasn't entirely convinced, since he took two ibuprofen tablets with his coffee.But she sensed his intention was to reassure her.The last thing she wanted was for him to feel like he had to hide his pain from her.
"You don't have to pretend you're fine if you're not," she said."I won't think less of you for being human."
Abe's smile was warm and genuine."I know.But I really am okay, honey.Yesterday, the incident was alarming because of what it represented, not because of the injury caused."
He poured her a cup of coffee, adding cream and sugar the way she liked it without having to ask.The simple gesture of knowing her preferences was special.
They ate at his kitchen table, and Genevieve was drawn to sit in the chair next to his rather than across from him.She needed the physical connection to reinforce the emotional intimacy she'd experienced.
Throughout breakfast, Abe found excuses to touch.His fingers brushed hers as he passed the cream.Her hand rested on his thigh as she listened to him talk about his plans for the day.
"Gabriel wants to meet this morning," Abe said before taking another sip of his coffee."Weston worked late into the evening and wants to share what he's discovered so far."
"What has Gabriel learned from him?"
"He wouldn't say over the phone—just that we should meet as soon as possible."Abe's expression grew more serious."It's time to turn the tables on ourfriendJason."
Genevieve felt a flicker of unease but pushed it aside.Whatever the investigation revealed would be helpful.And she was all for gaining an advantage over her stalker, as he was too aggressive for comfort.No doubt her relationship with Abe was a challenge to Jason's ego.
As if reading her thoughts, Abe reached over and lifted her chin with his fingers, bringing her face up to meet his gaze."Whatever happens next," he said, "I want you to know that last night changed everything for me."
Then Abe gave her a sexy kiss, foretelling a promising future.Her heart filled with joy.
Genevieve took his hand."I love you…so much."
Abe kissed her palm, lingering in a tantalizing way."I love you…more than you can possibly know."
*****
Their peaceful morning was shattered when Abe's phone vibrated against the table.He glanced at the caller ID and immediately straightened.
"Gabriel," he said, then put the phone on speaker."I'll be there in a little while."
"We need you here now."Gabriel's voice conveyed urgency."Weston's findings about Jason's financial backing were more significant than we anticipated."
Genevieve stiffened at the tension in Gabriel's voice.She watched Abe's face transform as he processed the implications."How much more significant?"
"The kind of discovery that will involve federal agencies, because of connections to organized crime," Gabriel said."Jason isn't just some rogue music executive with deep pockets.It appears that he has been laundering money, and his connections reach into the New Orleans crime scene."
The coffee mug slipped in Genevieve's nerveless fingers, clattering against the table and splashing coffee across the surface.Criminal organization.Federal agencies.She felt out of her depth.
