One look at the three men before her and their very stern expressions in their eyes and she knew she was busted. She knew her expression changed, her body tensed up, and they would know that she was hiding the circumstances of her broken wrist. But would they push for answers?
“I guess it’s a secret, huh? Well however you broke it at least it’s healed now, right?” Dante said as if he were taking over the conversation. Now Charlie looked pissed off at Dante. He probably wanted his brother to push for answers. These men got answers to anything they asked. They were that intimidating and that sexy and lethal. A woman would be putty in their hands, but not her. No way was she falling for it. She took a deep breath and regained the attitude she worked so hard to acquire as a front.
“Right. It’s healed, but I’m pretty tired. The night was long,” she replied, and deep down inside she knew it was a lie. She wondered if she would ever heal as she took another bite full of dessert.
They stared at her. They surrounded her and every part of her body was completely aware and aroused. She needed sleep and she needed to get her head screwed back on tight.
“Well I’d better get home, it’s getting late,” Lori said as she gathered up the bag.
“You have off on Sunday right?” Trevor asked.
“Yes, I do, why?”
“If you don’t have any plans, there’s going to be a street fair near our friend’s restaurant. I thought you might like to go, a date?” he added but then looked surprised by his own words. It was so weird to watch. One minute these guys were so confident and dominant and the next they seemed unsure of themselves. It made her belly tighten and a feeling of empathy fill her. She was feeling stupid and giddy over it.
“Maybe, can I let you know?”
“Why a maybe, what is there to think about?”
“Well I guess it’s whether your brother Charlie fixes my muffler tomorrow or not?” she teased him as she walked around toward the driver side. Charlie hopped down off the hood of the car.
“Do you need it in the morning?”
“No, I won’t need it until 4:00 p.m. when I have to leave for work.
“In that case we’ll drive you home and you can leave your car here. I’ll get it to you by late morning or I’ll drive you to work myself.” He told her. Dante placed his hands on her shoulders and whispered into her ear.
“He knows what he’s doing. He’s pretty damn good at it.”
She agreed as Dante took her hand and led her to their truck.
She stared at the passenger side door and the height to get up into the truck.
“Um, there’s no way I can get up there. Not in this stupid uniform.” But before she could turn, Dante lifted her into the air and placed her onto the seat. He then covered her knee with his hand.
“Scoot on over, darling, Trevor is coming, too.” Charlie jumped into the driver side. She was pressed against him as his two brothers moved into the cab, too.
As they drove the short distance to her parents’ house, she noticed the large shotgun up on the rack, the Marine Corps sign, and a rather clean truck.
“I’m impressed. I thought it would be a mess in here. Don’t you guys take this truck to work?”
Charlie kept looking straight ahead.
“We like it neat. You never know who we might offer a ride to,” Trevor whispered then placed his hand on her knee. She knew his words had hidden meaning. They sure did make her heart react.
Finally they were at her parents’ house and once again Dante helped her down. As he lowered her to her feet, he remained holding her.
“We’ll take things slow, Lori. Just give it a chance.” He kissed her softly before releasing her.
As she wondered what he meant and began to move, Trevor stopped her. He leaned down from the seat above, placed his fingers under her chin and looked into her eyes.
“You’re very beautiful.” Then he kissed her ever so softly.
She kissed him back and then he released her and smiled. “See you tomorrow.”
“Good night,” she replied, and as she headed toward her front porch, she caught a glimpse of Charlie’s facial expression before the beaming headlights blocked her view. Her chest tightened.
Why does he always look so heated?
Chapter 9
“Now listen to me, old man, things are going to get worse around here if you don’t ease your hold on this land. You better keep this between you and I or your old lady is gonna get hurt next. Do you understand?” the stranger told Tom Cantrell over the telephone. It was the middle of the night and he looked toward Lynn knowing that nothing was worth her getting hurt over.
“I understand that. Now tell me what you want.”
“When someone comes along interested in buying some land, you better be more willing to negotiate. If not then things could get worse.”
The stranger hung up the phone.
Tom heard the click, feeling sick and angry. He had somewhat of an idea who was responsible for the fire and other events, but he couldn’t be one hundred percent sure because two other building companies had approached him in the past two weeks. One of them he was actually considering working with because they were going to build nice, affordable homes that would build up the community. The other one wanted the land to build some kind of condominiums and factory of something. That wasn’t even an option. Tom figured he would wait and see what took place next. He wanted to keep Lynn and his neighbors out of harm’s way. This land was too beautiful to destroy with condos and business buildings. Tom needed to think things through, but ultimately his wife was his top priority and nothing was worth her getting hurt over.
* * * *
Lori got up earlier than usual to go for her jog. She couldn’t sleep at all last night as she kept thinking about Dante, Trevor, and Charlie. They were so handsome and strong. She hated to admit it but she actually liked it when Charlie grabbed her, pulling her into a hug to look up at the stars. She loved how sexy Trevor appeared as he asked for a taste, too, then pulled her into his arms to kiss her. And of course there was Dante. Damn, that man was big and quiet, but when he wanted something, he just took it. She liked all three of them and it just felt so crazy. She didn’t need this kind of thing right now. She wanted to stay focused on going to school, establishing a life and career. This whole ménage thing could be a mistake. She didn’t know them really and they seemed so angry all the time and untrusting. She didn’t need that. What if they were violent like Derrick? They did like grabbing her and sort of restraining her when they kissed her.
Lori felt her pussy clench and a bit of arousal fill her. She liked that, so who was she kidding? But then again, what did she know? Maybe her sister had that kind of relationship with Derrick. He was a big man and very strong. He could have easily broken her or Maggie in two like a toothpick. So could Dante, Trevor, and Charlie. Plus they were Special Forces. Goddamn, I can’t do this. I can’t take that kind of chance times three. Three huge-ass men, older men who would dominate, control, and perhaps hit me.
She recalled the conversation she had with Michelle at the barbeque a few weeks back and how Charlie, Dante, and Trevor were into one-night stands. Noncommittal ways seemed to be their thing. They didn’t act like that last night. In fact, the way things ended with Trevor and Dante made it sound like there was more to come. Lori wondered if she really needed the hassle, and every time she asked herself that question the word yes came to mind. As much as she wanted her first time to be meaningful, romantic, and involving someone she loved who also loved her, a part of her couldn’t wait to just get it over with.
For Christ’s sake, I’m twenty-one years old! Sex for the first time would definitely be considered memorable. But they’re so much older and experienced. It wouldn’t mean as much to them as it would to me. I can’t do it.
She thought about Charlie. He was an older man, attractive, sexy, kind of nice when he wasn’t bossing everyone around and never mind the effect his kisses had on her. Maybe he was ju
st playing some kind of game that she just wasn’t experienced enough to know about? Maybe that was all he wanted from her? A one-night stand, sex, a roll in the hay, all the different ways to describe meaningless sex she’d ever heard in any movie she’d ever seen. Add in his two brothers and perhaps it was their version of a fantasy come true. Once they had their fill of her, they’d get rid of her and move on to the next stupid, naive woman to screw around with. God, that gets my blood boiling.
She wanted more, so much more than that when it came down to something so personal, so intimate. She wouldn’t just throw it away, toss it off as something minor, a nuisance. She had waited this long and there was no need to screw it all up now. She didn’t need heartache on top of all the other emotions she held deep inside. As attracted as she was to Dante, Charlie, and Trevor, she would need to be one hundred percent sure that she was at least in love with them before sharing such an intimate part of herself.
As she returned from her morning run, she saw the lights on in the detached garage near Charlie’s house. He and his brothers lived in their own little place across the way from their parents’ house. Lori figured he had started working on her car already so she ran inside her house to make some coffee and an egg sandwich to drop off to him. It was the least she could do.
She ran the sandwich and coffee to Charlie real quick, which he appreciated, then headed back home. As Lori walked into the kitchen, Maggie was sitting there waiting for her.
“Where’s your car?”
“Charlie has it, he’s fixing the muffler. He said it was so loud that everyone knew when I was coming and going.” Lori poured herself a cup of coffee.
“Honey, if you think the muffler is what’s keeping him up, then you’re more naive than you look.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Come on, Lori, he’s a good-looking man and is very attracted to you. So are his brothers Trevor and Dante. You can’t see that?”
“So what if they are? I don’t know them. I don’t even know anything about relationships with one man, never mind three.”
“Bullshit you don’t like them. You just made him a damn egg sandwich and coffee and ran it over to him. You gave him a ride home last night and are letting him work on your car. You were with all three of them last night. Come on!”
“He won’t let me give him any money. Last night they were together and they live together so when I drove Charlie home, Trevor and Dante were there, too.”
“He doesn’t want your money, sis. He wants your body and so do Trevor and Dante.”
“Maggie Marie Shay, I won’t have that kind of talk in my house. Your father and your son might hear you…lower your voice,” Diana added as she joined the conversation. Maggie laughed and Lori was embarrassed.
“So are you gonna go on a date with Charlie?” Diana asked her daughter.
“I don’t know, Mom. It’s not what you think.”
“You mean the ménage thing? Honey, please, that’s been going on around these parts for years. Sure, when your father and I arrived from New York we were a bit taken aback by it. But we’ve learned through observation how intense and committed those people are to one another. There are nearly just as many traditional relationships around here as there are ménages.”
“Oh God, I don’t believe you’ve accepted this thing so easily. We just arrived and I’m not sure I can digest the idea fully of its existence, never mind contemplate trying it.”
“Honey, it isn’t something to take lightly. Falling in love takes a little time and you need to be sure that Charlie, Dante, and Trevor are the ones for you.”
“I cannot believe this conversation. It’s not even normal. Three men, Mom? Come on, you can honestly sit there and condone a relationship like this for me? I don’t know if I’m ready for any kind of intimate relationship, never mind one like this,” Lori said as she leaned against the kitchen counter.
“Ready for this? You’re more than ready, Lori, you’re gonna burst!”
“Damn it, Maggie, stop it. This is serious. You know what, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Lori turned her back toward her sister.
Diana walked over to Lori and placed her hand on her shoulder to turn her around.
“Honey, I know I haven’t really been physically there for you girls for the past five years, but I’ve always hoped and prayed you’d stay safe and continue to be good girls. I know there are a lot of temptations out there. You’re young, attractive, and you should be proud that you’ve saved yourself for this long,” Diana was saying.
“Way too long,” Maggie added, laughing.
“Maggie!” Diana warned her daughter to quit it.
“I’m not going to lie, Lori. I’m actually glad you waited, and as scared as you might be and as much as your sister teases you about it, when the right time comes, you’ll know it. You’ll be so much in love that you’re going to want to give every single inch of you to that person to show them how much you love them. If he’s the right person, he’s going to love you and respect you even more for waiting. Now if it turns out that Dante, Charlie, and Trevor are the ones, then it will be even more special because you’ll have three men to love you and care for you.” Diana hugged her daughter.
Lori never felt more confused in her life.
* * * *
By lunchtime Charlie had Lori’s car all fixed and parked it by the barn.
“Hey, where have you been? We start at 7:00 a.m. remember?” his cousin Freddie teased him as he walked toward the door. Then Matt, Dante, Trevor, and Jasper came over as well.
“I had something I needed to take care of,” Charlie told them as he started putting on his tool belt.
“What are you doing driving Lori’s car? She the one who gave you a ride home last night?” Matt asked as he winked at his brother.
“Leave it alone, Matt. I told her I’d fix that loud muffler of hers, and I didn’t think it was a good idea for her to go home alone after that guy at the bar harassed her last night.”
“Oh how neighborly of you, cousin,” Jasper teased as he picked up some more wood and headed toward the inside of the barn.
“Hey, brother, I think it’s great you finally made a move. She’s a rare find let me tell ya, and not going to stay single for long. You should have heard the guys talking about her last night. I know you, you would have been pissed,” Matt told his brother as they began hammering away at the plywood. Jasper was using the nail gun and working quickly.
“Who was talking about her?” Charlie asked, not worried about how jealous he sounded.
“Too many to tell ya, man. So when are you two going out on a date?” Matt asked and Charlie didn’t answer him.
“You do know that Lori is definitely the kind of woman you have to date, and take her nice places, restaurants, romantic picnics?” Matt teased.
“No shit, Matt, what the hell do you think I am, stupid? I’m older than you and a lot more experienced, so don’t start your shit with me. Besides, I’m not the only one involved here.” Charlie looked at Trevor and Dante. They stared at Matt. Matt’s eyes widened.
“The three of you? Holy shit,” he said. Then they went back to work.
Charlie thought about the conversation he’d had with his brothers last night. They made a decision together. Lori would belong to them. They would start working on a relationship sooner rather than later and hopefully without a fight from Lori.
They continued to work through the afternoon finishing up the exterior of the house and began working on the interior. It was nearly 4:00 p.m. and Lori was just emerging from her parents’ house. Matt and Charlie were outside the barn carrying some long pieces of Sheetrock.
Charlie watched Lori as she kissed Ben good-bye and he pulled Lori back toward him for a hug as well. The scene brought a smile to Charlie’s face, which Matt saw immediately.
“Why don’t we lean this piece against the wall here. Then I’ll get Jasper to start measuring and cutting?” Matt as
ked as they placed the Sheetrock against the outside of the barn.
Lori looked over and saw Charlie and Matt as they grabbed some bottles of water. Charlie was perspiring, wearing no shirt and some loose-fitting blue jeans.
Lori looked right at him then lowered her eyes. She seemed embarrassed to stare at his body and he wondered why. Most women tried to get his shirt off of him. Charlie turned toward her and caught her staring at him.
“Hey, kid, your car is all fixed.” He walked over toward the car meeting Lori by the driver side.
“I know, I saw you pull up earlier and was surprised how quiet she was. Thanks a lot, Charlie, I mean it.”
“No problem, I told you don’t worry about it. You heading to work?”
“Doesn’t the uniform give it away?” she asked and he bit the inside of his cheek. He hated the fucking uniform except when she was with him and his brothers.
“So, how about going out with Dante, Trevor, and I tomorrow? We know a great place about thirty minutes out of town. Our friends own it.”
She seemed hesitant and then looked toward her front porch where her mom stood and waved. Charlie waved back.
“Come on, it will be fun.”
“Okay. I have to go. Maybe I’ll see you later.”
“Be safe,” he said.
“I don’t know about any of you guys but I was thinking that happy hour and some barbeque wings at Carl’s might be the place to go after work today,” Matt teased.
“Oh yeah, some nice cold beers, a gorgeous blonde bartender to talk to. I’m there, man,” Freddie added.
“Well good for you guys. I’m going home, taking a shower, and getting to bed early. I’ve been up since 4:00 a.m,” Charlie yelled back then glanced at Lori who shook her head and chuckled as she got into the car.
The American Soldier Collection 4: Their Blue-Collar Girl (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 10
