Protect Me (26 page)

“Well, I am not worried about Trent. I am worried about you. If he gives you shit about it then he can kiss that bar goodbye.” Ryan shifted in his seat.

Yep, that was not where she wanted that to go. Damn her and her big ass mouth. She needed friendlier conversation. “So, where are we headed after this?”

“Well, what kind of shopping did you want to do? Clothes, paintings, home goods. You name it and we are there.” He reached over and grabbed her hand.

The muscles in her stomach tightened shooting heat down into the apex of her thighs. She squeezed her legs together in an effort to relieve the tension but the strain only made it worse.

“Lingerie,” She choked out. “I want to go lingerie shopping.” Yes that should buy them some time.

He eyed her questionably, “Is this lingerie for me?”

“Well ultimately yes, though I will be the one wearing it, unless that’s your thing, then by all means.”

“Well, we do have this tendency to match you know.” He laughed.

“Yes that we do. Ok, so lingerie shopping for matching teddies. It’s a date.” She couldn’t help but giggle.

The two sat and chatted as they ate their breakfast, light conversation was never hard between the two of them. As Ryan took care of the bill she slipped away to the restroom to check her phone. She had one message from Trish.

Trish: I need you to stall for a few more hours dear. The flight has been delayed.

Abbi: Flight? Who all is coming to this BBQ?

Trish: Can’t tell you.  It’s on a need to know basis my dear. Your mission is to stall. I need you to stay gone until at least three p.m.

Abbi: Ok, I think I can handle that.

She checked her phone, it was almost eleven. Piece of cake, a few more hours wouldn’t be hard to do. She washed her hands and then returned to the lobby to meet Ryan.

“Ok beautiful, let’s go get you some fancy underoos.” He draped his arm around her shoulder and led her out to the truck.

*****

They had been at the lingerie store for what seemed like hours, but checking his phone he realized it had only been forty five minutes. He had made sure they had a private dressing area in the back so that she could show him her selections, but for some reason she seemed to be stalling, nervous even. He wasn’t sure if it was her lack of confidence in coming out in front of other people in skimpy lingerie or if she was still nervous around him. As the room attendant brought a handful of other selections towards Abbi’s room, Ryan made his way over to the curtain.

“Babe, is everything going ok in there?”

“Uhh, yeah. I will be out in a few. Why don’t you go see if there is anything you like.”

He chuckled before heading towards the main area in the front of the store. Rows of hangers lined each wall and on each one hung scraps of fabric, some with the nipple area cut out, some with other holes. Sure it was sexy, but he would prefer for her to just go naked. He loved seeing her body. Every curve, every scar, the small birthmark that sat just below her left breast on her rib cage, and the many tattoos that scattered all over her body. It was like traveling a treasure map, they just popped up everywhere. That was all he needed, just her in the flesh. Finding his way to the corner of the store he saw a rack containing bathing suits. Now this was something a little more necessary.

He thumbed through the hangers grabbing a black two piece bikini. It was a little too revealing for her to wear out to the beach, but for it was perfect for her to parade around their pool in. He grabbed the hanger in her size and made his way back to the dressing area.

“Ok babe, I need to know if you think this makes my hips look big.” He had wrapped the bikini top as best he could around his large chest as he held the bottoms up to the front of his shorts.

“Ha! No Honey, that looks great on you.” She laughed stepping out into the open area.

He had to catch his breath. She was wearing a skin tight gray teddy, with pink and white ruffles trimming the bottom and the bust line. The pink patent leather stilettos that the attendant had found made her legs run for days. He couldn’t help but stare at Abbi, as the attendant excused herself back up front.

“You look. Wow. Babe you’re gorgeous.” There was no hiding the erection beginning to stand out from his shorts.

The blush spread across her face. “Thanks and I must say, you look dashing yourself.”

Realizing he was still wearing the bathing suit he stripped the pieces off before setting them down on the chair in her small room. His hands found her waist as he pushed her back past the curtain hanging at the opening. His lips found hers with desperation. His tongue sliding into her mouth tasting her tongue as he pulled back sucking at her bottom lip.

“I think we should get you home and unwrap you. You’re like a present with a big shiny bow that I’m not allowed to touch until Christmas morning.” He kissed down her neck as he felt her body go tense beneath him.

“No, not yet. Besides I gotta try on the bathing suit you picked out.” She smiled up at him. “But I can tell this outfit is a keeper.”

“Ok, but don’t take too long. I am missing you like crazy out here.”

“Ok I won’t. I promise.”

He wasn’t sure what was going on but for some reason Abbi was acting funny today. She kept checking her phone every few minutes and then stepping to the restroom every chance she could get, which he was sure was just another excuse to check her phone. And there had never been a time before that she had turned down the chance to go home and spend some time alone. He didn’t know if it were all the stuff going on at work or if he had done something to make her uncomfortable. He hoped like hell it was just the situations at work. On queue his phone began to ring, he reached into his pocket as he noticed Jace’s name on the screen.

“Dixon.”

“Hey boss man, ok so I pulled a few strings. So far I believe Trent is dealing with Jose Hernandez. I don’t know what you know about him, but he’s a high up, a dealer, and I’m talking guns, drugs, and sex. Right now he is under FBI surveillance, so he’s untouchable. He’s been known to invest in nightclubs and other businesses as a front to push drugs out into the streets.”

“Shit.” Ryan ran his hand through his hair. This wasn’t what he wanted to hear. “How credible is this source?”

“Well, let’s just say that I helped out some people with some pretty sketchy shit going on, and I called in a favor. You don’t need details, but they are credible.”

“Ten four. Well, see what else you can find out and keep me posted. You don’t think this is a situation that can be bought out do you?”

“No, for these guys it’s all about power. Calling the shots and showing intimidation. They could care less about the money. It’s all about street cred.”

“Ok, well, just let me know if you find anything else out. Thanks for taking time over your weekend. I’ll make sure you get overtime on your next check.” Ryan laughed.

“Yeah, I won’t hold my breath. See ya later boss… Well, talk to you later.” Jace stumbled over his last words before hanging up the phone.

Was it just him or was everyone acting weird today? Maybe it was something in the air. As he returned his phone to his pocket a fully dressed Abbi came back out towards him carrying all of her selections.

“Ahh, no more fashion show?” He pouted.

“I figured I would save that for a little later.” She said handing her choices over to the attendant.

As they made their way up to the counter Abbi went to reach for her wallet.

“What do you need that for?” Ryan laughed handing the attendant his credit card.

“I was just kidding when I said you should spend your money on me. Besides it’s your...” He could tell she had caught herself before finishing the sentence.

“It’s my what?” He looked down at her smirking.

“Your presents, for later. Remember Christmas presents. Well it came a little early this year.” She plastered a beaming smile on her face.

“That will be $3,584 sir.” The attendant said smiling up at Ryan.

“Holy shit, for some little scraps of fabric.” She gasped. He laughed thinking that they weren’t too far off from the same page.

He leaned down and planted a kiss on her lips. “You’re worth every penny baby.” Hell if it made her happy he didn’t care what he was buying or how much he was spending. He would buy the whole store in a heartbeat if it made her happy.

“Thank you, Ryan.”

The remainder of the afternoon consisted of a wild goose chase around town. The first three market stores didn’t carry lactose free anything. Three hours later they were heading out from the health food market with three containers, strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate. He didn’t want to come back out because he didn’t get the right kind. He knew for Trish to have asked him to run errands for her, it had to be something important. As they made their way back home he could see Abbi’s anticipation growing stronger.

“Babe, are you sure you’re good? You seem a little antsy today?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She said as she looked out the window.

“Ok. But you know you can tell me anything right. Anything at all.”

“Yes babe I know that. I promise there is nothing going on. Just a bit more tired than normal.”

He didn’t push it any further. If there was something she wanted to bring up she would in her time. For now he just wanted to get home before the ice cream melted in the back of his truck. Pulling up to the house, he could feel the tension in the truck, so thick you could cut it with a knife. He pulled the truck up in the garage before hopping out to open Abbi’s door. The look on her face was almost a grimace. What the hell was going on? He grabbed the bags and ice cream from the back and they made their way towards the door leading inside. Not more than five steps in towards the stairs leading to their room, Abbi finally spoke.

“Babe, could you grab me a bottle of water from the kitchen please.” She smiled innocently.

“Sure.” He made his way towards the kitchen.

Just as he rounded the door all hell broke loose.

“SURPRISE!” A number of people came jumping out of every possible place, the cabinets, the pantry, behind the bar top.

The bags in his hands went flying along with the ice cream, one of the containers smacking down just at his feet, splattering the chocolate liquid all around the floor of the kitchen. Laughter erupted throughout the room at the look on his face.

“Holy hell. How did you?”

“That would be mine and Trish’s doings.” Abbi came up beside him wrapping her arms around his waist, leaning up kissing him. “Happy birthday baby.”

“Thank you.” He said looking into her eyes before turning back to the group that was now milling about the kitchen.

Trish was now wiping up the kamikaze ice cream as Abbi took the bags from his hands. A line of people had formed, giving him hugs and birthday wishes. It wasn’t until the last two people stepped up that his heart grew two sizes bigger.

“Mom! Dad?” He was shocked; he spoke with them regularly on the phone but hadn’t seen them in almost two years.

“Happy birthday, son.” His dad said slapping him on the back.

“Happy birthday Honey.” His mom wiped the tears from her eyes. “We were thrilled when Trish called to invite us out. And we were so excited to get a chance to meet Abbi. I know you two haven’t been dating long and we didn’t want to rush the whole “meeting the folks” thing.” She sniffled as tears began to fall again.

“Ah, Mom. Please don’t cry. It’s just a birthday.” He said taking her into a big hug. “Hey I want you two to meet somebody.” He searched around the room before finding Abbi standing off to the corner next to Judy. “Abbi, come and meet my parents.” He motioned for her to come over.

Walking up he grabbed her around the waist before introducing her to his parents. They were a hugging kind of family, so they both immediately wrapped their arms around her.

“Oh, thank goodness he found you.” His mom choked out.  

The two of them stepped back smiling at them both. “Mom, Dad. This is Abbi, my girlfriend. Abbi these are my parent’s William and Janet Dixon.”

“It’s so nice to meet you both. I just told Ryan the other day that he should invite you out so that I could meet you.” She pulled against Ryan’s waist as she smiled up at him. “This was a great surprise Trish.”

“Oh and Trish here’s your fancy lactose free ice cream. I didn’t know you were allergic to dairy.” Ryan reached out handing her the prized ice cream.

“Hell, I’m not allergic to anything. I just knew it would be a pain in the ass to find.” She winked before taking it to the freezer.

Once the party had been moved outside towards the pool and outdoor kitchen, it rolled into full swing. These girls had gone all out. Caterers had brought in an array of barbeque foods, hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, and chicken along with potato salad, baked beans, and pasta salad. All of his favorites, one of the many good things about growing up in the South was the food. He watched content from the cabana as Abbi swam in the pool with Aaron’s two kids.

 It looked so natural. She laughed and joked with them as they crawled all over her. For a moment he envisioned Abbi pregnant with his child, her stomach growing large against her small frame. At that moment, there was no doubt in his mind that this was the woman that he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with. It wasn’t something that he could jump into. He wanted her to know that it was for all the right reasons. He would make damn sure that he did this all the right ways. His father’s voice snapped him from his day dream.

“So son, how’s business going? Did you get that little situation with Abbi’s boss taken care of?” He lowered his voice as he leaned in towards Ryan.

“Not completely but we are working on it. The bastard is going to pay for what he is getting himself and the girls into.”

“Well, the offer still stands. I still have some pretty important connections up at the Pentagon. If I need to call in a favor you just let me know.” He settled back over into his chair. “So, I can understand why you have never brought a girl home to meet your folks. You picked the cream of the crop with that one. Abbi’s great.” His gaze turned toward her holding one of the kids in the pool.