Design for Love ((Women of Landry's Landing and The Fabrizio men) Read online

  Design

  For

  Love

  By

  Shelli

  Quinn

  London and Gabe

  Chapter One

  London shoved her long slender fingers through his dark silky hair as he devoured her mouth with his. Not even the cool wall against her bare back could diminish the heated desire she felt for the man buried deep inside her. She gasped and moaned as his powerful thrusts slammed into her mercilessly. And she was enjoying every second of it. His mouth left her lips to trail wet kisses across her jaw down to the curve of her neck where he drew in a soft patch of her skin sucking at it until she squirmed beneath him.

  She lifted her legs and wrapped them tightly around his waist locking her ankles at the base of his back. He grunted and growled as he continued to pump into her causing her back to rub roughly against the wall as she slid up and down his steel hardened cock. The slight pain was an erotic pleasure as hot sensual waves of mind blowing ecstasy course through her sweat-soaked body.

  She closed her eyes in delight at the way he was making her feel. They were emotions in which she could not explain, but she didn’t care because he was touching the very soul of her with every stroke of his shaft. Her heart raced wildly each time her name passed his lips as it echoed off the wall behind her. London, London she heard it getting louder and louder.

  “London. London, girl wake up!” Asia said tapping London on the shoulder as she tried to wake her.

  London slowly sat up from where she’d been lying on the couch as she returned to reality after being pulled from her erotic fantasy world. “What in the hell do you want Asia?” London demanded through tightly clenched teeth.

  “Damn girl that must have been some dream the way you were panting and moaning. Let me guess it was about Gabe?” Asia said teasingly as she grinned down at London.

  “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just choke you to death right now.” London said glaring at Asia.

  “I can give you several one is because you love me.” She said as London snorted. “Two is because I’m your sister.” London narrowed her eyes as she continued to glare at Asia. “Three is because you’d be bored without me, and four is because I made your favorite dessert to cheer you up.” She said with a smile.

  “Who said that I needed cheering up, I am just fine.” London said avoiding her gaze.

  “Really because lately you don’t seem fine, you’ve been walking around here looking and acting crazy. Gabe has been walking around here snapping at everybody. The two of you really need to have some toe curling, baby scream my name kind of sex.” Asia suggested.

  “Just how in the hell am I supposed to do that when he keeps avoiding me or when he only spends time with me if other people are around?” London demanded in frustration.

  “Well it sounds like to me that you need a plan.” Asia replied with a devilish smirk.

  London Kramer-Landry has always worked hard to prove that she deserved to be one of the Landry sisters, since she wasn’t born a Landry. She would always be grateful that they welcomed her into their family, took care of her and even gave her their name. She loved her sisters, and she knew that they loved her as well.

  Yes, it was true that at times she wanted to strangle them for some of the crazy-ass crap they did but there was no one better to have on your side than the Landry sisters if things went sideways. Hers sisters were the definition of ride or die chicks, because not only would they fight to defend their family, but they were crazy as hell.

  London glanced up at Asia just realizing that she was still standing there watching her. She rolled her eyes at Asia. “Are you just going to stand there and gape at me all day or do you want something?”

  Asia smiled at London. “Well actually I do need a small favor if you aren’t busy.”

  “What kind of favor do you need this time?” London asked as she gazed at her through narrowed eyes.

  “I need you to help out in the café tonight. Another one of the waitresses called in sick, and we’re a little short staffed with so many people out with the flu.” Asia said with a smile.

  “Fine, what shift do you need me to cover?” She asked.

  “Thank you so much I just need you to help cover the dinner crowd as soon as it dies down you can leave.” Asia said.

  “No problem, now will you please go away?” London said as laid her head back against the couch.

  “Okay, thanks again, I owe you one.” Asia said as she turned for the door.

  “One girl please you owe me way more than one heifer.” London yelled as Asia walked out the door.

  London raised her head and sat there staring at the closed door a long while after Asia left her alone. She thought about how the lives of the Landry women had changed since meeting the Fabrizio brothers.

  Indy her oldest sister was now happily married to Gio Fabrizio, and they were expecting their first child, which was due to be born in a couple of months. And every day for them seemed to be a taste of paradise.

  Asia was overjoyed to have Luc Fabrizio as her husband. She'd gotten past the fact that she’d been forced into marriage. Now after being married for several months she was building a lasting meaningful life with Luc. And they’d be moving into their new home very soon and hopefully starting a family of their own.

  Unfortunately, it seemed that as the last Landry woman, she wouldn’t be getting her Fabrizio man. No matter how good she was at designing an outstanding clothing line when it came to Gabe, she just didn’t have a design for love.

  Just thinking about Gabe and the way he acted towards her sometimes made her so angry. She knew that they could be good together if he’d give them a chance. London fell sideways onto the sofa not wanting to think about her happy sisters or her own pathetic love life.

  Before London could close her eyes her cell phone rang. “Damn, it is hard as hell to get any sleep around this place.” She returned to an upright position and grabbed her phone off the coffee table in front of her. “Hello.”

  She listened to the person on the other end. “Oh hi Toni, how’s it going?” She said with a smile.

  Her back was towards the door, so she didn’t notice when Gabe came through it. He didn’t want to interrupt her, so he stood quietly as he listened to her conversation.

  “No I told you that I’m not coming back there, that’s why I asked you to pack my things and when everything is all packed let me know, and I’ll call a moving company to bring them here.” London said to the person on the other end of the phone. She listened for a moment before speaking once again.

  “No I told you that I don’t think that it’s a good idea for you to come here just yet.” She said staying quiet for a minute before adding.

  “You know why, look, I’m not going to argue with you about this the answer is no, one day soon just not now.” She replied to the caller.

  “Yeah I know but something tells me you’ll get over it. Now go pack my stuff and don’t forget anything if I have to come to New York, I’m not going to be happy. And make sure you don’t trash my loft. Yes, it's safe for you to stay there, just don’t have any parties.” London said. “Okay, I have to go remember don’t give anyone my address here, yeah whatever I love you too, Toni. Bye I’ll talk to you again soon.”

  Gabe darted back into the kitchen so that she wouldn't realize that he’d been eavesdropping on her conversation. His heart dropped to his stomach. He couldn’t believe that she really did have a boyfriend, and his name was Toni, and she’d told him that she loved him. She had just been playing him all those times she
'd been flirting with him. She didn’t want a relationship with him because she already had somebody.

  Well, she wasn’t the only one who could have someone in their life. He'd show her that he could have someone as well.

  London wanted to play games with him then he’d play too. However, she might not like the outcome of this particular game. Gabe grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took a long drink, before walking into the living room.

  “Good morning, London.” Gabe said with a strained smile.

  London glanced up at him as she rose from the couch. “What’s so good about it?” She asked as she went into the kitchen.

  “Is there something wrong?” He asked as he followed her into the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of juice as she glanced at him once again.

  “You mean besides the fact that I was up most of the night working on the new line for designs by London and didn’t get much sleep. And now Asia wants me to fill in for one of her sick waitresses.” She said as she drained the glass and slammed it on the counter.

  “Really, what shift does she need you to cover for her?” He asked as the wheels began to turn in his head.

  “It’s the dinner shift. Why do you want to work it for me?” She asked sarcastically.

  “Uh, no I have plans, but I was going to suggest that you get some sleep before your shift begins. You wouldn’t want to have any accidents while you’re waiting on customers tonight.” He said with a smile.

  London narrowed her eyes at him. “What in the hell are you smiling about?” She asked as she walked past him and out of the kitchen.

  “Yeah, I think you should get some sleep because with the mood you’re in that would definitely not be good for business.” Gabe said as he followed her from the kitchen.

  She stopped mid-stride on her way to her room, turning around slowly to face him. “Gabe do you think that you can do me a favor?”

  “Sure London what do you want me to do?” Gabe asked. She moved to stand a few feet in front of him, as she pasted a fake half smile on her face.

  “I want you to… go straight to hell, you jackass.” She said through tightly clenched teeth before turning to stalk away and into her room slamming the door with way too much force.

  London showed up at the café that evening, just as she’d said she would grabbing an apron she put it on and got to work. Asia was happy for her help and again promised that she would make it up to her.

  “Oh, I know you will.” London said sarcastically.

  “No one likes a smarty pants.” Asia said.

  “You should know.” London replied teasingly.

  “Girl, will you just get to work. We can do this later.” Asia said pushing her towards the dining room.

  The dinner shift was half over when Gabe showed up with a date on his arm taking a seat at a table that he knew was in London’s area. London narrowed her gaze at him then took a deep breath and forced a smile to her face. The woman on his arm was kind of cute with her bleached blond hair and skinny shapeless figure. She looked like one of those dates whom you don’t take home to momma.

  “Good evening welcome to Landing’s Landing café, would either of you like to hear the specials for tonight?” London asked as she avoided Gabe’s gaze.

  “Good evening, London, I’d like you to meet Barbara.” Gabe said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his light-brown eyes.

  “Would you two like time to look at the menu or do you know what you’d like to order?” London asked ignoring his greeting.

  “I’d like time to look at the menu if you don’t mind.” The woman said smiling brightly.

  “No problem, I’ll be back for your order shortly.” London said still avoiding Gabe’s gaze as she walked away. When she entered the kitchen, she was so not happy. “I really hate that man.” She told Asia angrily.

  “Okay, what man are you talking about?” Asia asked.

  “Gabe, who else would be talking about, he’s out there right now with his date.” London said through clenched teeth.

  “He’s what?” Asia asked loudly.

  “You heard me. He is out in the dining room with his date.” London replied not too happy.

  “Oh no, the hell he didn’t, girl do you want me to go out there and hit him in the head with one of my iron skillets?” Asia asked as she reached for her heaviest skillet.

  “No, that won’t help anything, but of course, it would be nice to see him laid out on the floor. No, no, you’d better not.” London said as she considered her offer.

  “Are you sure because girl you just say the word, and I’ll go out there and knock his dumb ass out with this skillet.” Asia said with a frown.

  “I have a better idea you know those two cute construction workers that eat here every night?” London asked.

  “You mean the ones that are always flirting with you?” Asia asked.

  “Yep, one of them is still out there I think I’ll have a little fun of my own he wants to play games well game on butthead.” London said with a smirk as she headed back out to the dining room. She stopped by the table where the construction worker was sitting.

  “Hey, would you like for me to bring you some dessert?” She asked him as she leaned in slightly.

  “You can if you’ll share it with me?” He said with a smile as he gazed up at her.

  “I will if you can wait until I’m done filling in this shift for Asia.” She said smiling down at him.

  “For you London I’d wait as long as you’d like me to.” The man said smiling sweetly.

  “Okay, then I’ll be done in just a few minutes I have one more table to take care of. Uh, what was your name again?” London asked.

  “It’s Justin and I’ll be right here when you’re done.” He said.

  London smiled as she walked off and back towards Gabe’s table who’d been watching her the entire time as she flirted with Justin.

  “So have you guys decided what you’d like to order?” London asked with a smile as Gabe narrowed his gaze at her.

  “I’ll have one of the house specials it doesn’t matter which one they’re all good so pick one for me.” Gabe said looking up at her.

  “Well can you recommend something that has no calories, but at the same time is filling?” Barbara asked.

  London and Gabe both gazed at her with a dumb founded expression. London arched an eyebrow at the woman who seemed to be more of a bimbo then she’d first thought.

  “So, let me get this straight you want me to bring you something that’s filling with no calories?” London asked.

  “Yes thank you, it’s so hard to keep this figure I have to be careful what I eat. Do you know what I mean?” Barbara said with a smile.

  “Oh, I think I know what you mean sweetie, it can’t be easy keeping a figure that resembles a mop handle.” London said as she glanced at Gabe and shook her head in disbelief at him for bringing this air head here.

  “Okay, so that’s one special for Gabe and a glass of water for Barbie. I’ll be back shortly.” London said as she turned to walk away.

  “That’s Barbara.” The woman said.

  “Of course it is, sorry.” London said over her shoulder as she made her way to the kitchen.

  When she walked in Asia looked up at her. “So how is it going?” She asked.

  “Oh it’s just great, Gabe is an idiot, and his date is an air head."” She said with a slight smile.

  “What did they do?” Asia asked placing a hand on her shapely hip.

  “Well for starters Gabe said for me to bring him anything because he likes everything on the menu. And that bubble head date of his asked me to bring her something filling with no calories.”

  “What in the hell, does she think this is some tofu bar or something? So what are we supposed to serve that self-proclaimed health nut?” Asia asked London with a deep-set frown on her face.

  “Girl, I told Barbie that I’d bring her a glass of water.” London replied with a grin.

  “Barb
ie, who in the hell names their kid Barbie?”Asia asked not expecting an answer as she laughed about this whole mess.

  While they were both laughing, the rest of the family came in through the backdoor of the kitchen.

  “Don’t tell me we’re missing all the fun, what’s so funny you two?” Indy asked as she sat her very pregnant self down at the prep counter.

  “Yeah if the two of you were having a party you could have called us.” Gigi said taking a seat beside Indy as she held little Dante in her arms.

  “We were just talking about Gabe’s date.” Asia said with a frown.

  “His what?” They all yelled in unison including his three brothers, who'd also just arrived.

  “Ya’ll heard Asia, she said Gabe’s date, he’s out there in the dining room right now with Becky.” London said with irritation.

  “Becky, I thought you said her name was Barbie?” Asia asked in confusion.

  “Who cares what the hell her name is? What I want to know is what the hell Gabe was thinking to bring her here?” Gigi said.

  “I don’t know but how about we go out there and ask him.” Indy said as she stood.

  “Oh no you don’t gattino. You aren’t supposed to get upset, and you know it.” Gio said as he took his wife by the arm gently.

  “Who’s upset? I’m not upset. I may be a little irritated, but I’m not upset.” Indy said as she looked at her husband.

  “Uh huh, and keeping you away from Gabe and his date will ensure that you don’t become upset now sit back down and behave, please.” Gio said sweetly.

  “You had better be glad that I really love you because if anyone else was to talk to me like that they’d be picking up their teeth right now.” Indy said as she gazed at Gio’s smiling face.

  “I did say please, didn’t I?” He replied as he kissed her on the forehead.

  “Yes you did and that’s the second reason you still have all your teeth tiger.” Indy said with a smirk.

  “Indy, if you’re done giving your poor husband a hard time. What should we do about this Gabe situation?” Asia asked.