The American Soldier Collection 4: Their Blue-Collar Girl (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “Trevor and Dante have their degrees in engineering and architectural design, too. When I got out of the service a few years back, I looked into working in the city for a bit, but things didn’t work out well. I liked being around home more.”

  “And what about you, Dante?” Lori asked.

  “The three of us like taking on smaller projects now. We built our house together,” he said.

  “That is amazing. Your parents must be very proud of all three of you.”

  Trevor took her hand and brought it up to his lips. He kissed her knuckles.

  “I missed you,” he whispered and she blushed as she shyly looked down.

  They all continued to walk and look around. Charlie and his brothers paused a moment to observe a group of young soldiers in uniform enjoying the festivities. They were flirting with some girls and having a good time.

  “They look like babies,” Trevor said rather somberly.

  “They sure do,” Dante added.

  “They won’t look like that when they return home,” Charlie added.

  “No, they sure won’t,” Dante said.

  “You sound like if you could tell them to not become soldiers you would,” Lori stated.

  “It’s not all glory and excitement like the way it’s portrayed on television or in the movies.”

  “It sure the hell isn’t,” Trevor whispered.

  “You saw a lot of bad things while you guys were serving, huh?” Lori asked.

  Dante took her hand and stared down into her eyes.

  “Things we’d never talk about.”

  “Things you’d never understand,” Charlie stated. She looked at him then continued to walk along. When she spoke, they all listened.

  “Sometimes events happen in life that are out of our control. If a person can get over the shock of it all, believe that it was truly out of their control, then maybe, just maybe, they can move on, continue living again, and hopefully survive. It sounds like you guys did that,” she told them softly as she continued to look straight ahead. Charlie stopped her by holding her arm and moving her next to a building they were passing. They were in a less crowded area of the fair and no one seemed to notice them by the building.

  Lori looked up at Charlie who stood a good six inches above her. He still held her arm, then placed his free hand against her cheek.

  “How do you know how we feel?” he asked her rather angrily.

  “Maybe I get it. What’s the big deal?”

  He pressed her body snugly against the building. His brothers flanked her on either side.

  Trevor touched her cheek and tilted her chin up toward him.

  “You’re too young, too innocent to get it.”

  She shook her head, making him release her chin.

  “I’m not a kid like you keep calling me, Charlie. You don’t know everything.”

  “I know that you get under my skin.”

  “And mine,” Trevor added.

  “Mine, too,” Dante said, and then Charlie kissed her.

  That kiss grew hot and heavy quickly.

  She felt Charlie’s hands move against her thigh and under her skirt. She knew they were in a little side alley and that Dante and Trevor blocked any onlooker’s view, but it made her feel scared, yet entirely too turned on to analyze at the moment. Instead her complete attention was on Charlie’s hands exploring her body as he made love to her mouth. She attempted to touch him back, letting her hands explore the ridges of hard muscle on his arms, his chest and then she felt his fingers against her panties. She pulled from his mouth. He pressed his body harder against hers. His breathing was just as rapid. She felt the thick finger press against her pussy despite the cotton panties she wore.

  “Charlie.”

  “You’re wet.” He licked her neck and kissed her skin. She grabbed onto his shoulders, embarrassed by his observation. Surely they would know she was inexperienced and exactly what she was trying to prove she wasn’t—a kid.

  She pressed her hands against his chest.

  “There are people around. Please stop.”

  She locked gazes with him. His eyes were dark and sexy. The vein by the side of his temple and eyes pulsated. She felt his thumb brush back and forth over her clit. She wanted to move, to squirm against his touch, to make him increase the pressure.

  “Not here, not now, but later.” He kissed her softly, slowly pulled his hands from under her skirt, and fixed the material.

  She swallowed hard as all three men stared at her, appearing stunned and hungry.

  “Take my hand. We’ll walk the fair a little longer then head to Casper’s. You’ll like it there.” Dante took her hand and led her out of the alley. She glanced over her shoulder at Trevor and Charlie. Charlie was running his fingers through his hair. She could see Trevor trying to calm him down and she wondered why he was so upset.

  “I’m fine,” he said, and Trevor turned back toward her and Dante. He smiled then nibbled his bottom lip as he stared at her backside. Dante pulled her over toward a group of vendors selling different items, but all she wanted to do was feel Charlie’s hands on her. She wanted to feel the three of them touching her at once. That realization scared her as much as Charlie’s show of aggression as he appeared angry and about to hit the building.

  * * * *

  Lori was having a good time at the fair. They walked past an older woman whose table contained handmade jewelry. That’s where the most precious bracelet caught Lori’s eye. It was gold with little tiny angel charms scattered between hanging half moons and stars. It was simple, elegant, and Lori wanted to buy it. She flipped the tag over and saw the price. Forty dollars. Her mouth dropped as the old lady helped others around them but kept an eye on Lori.

  “I am the designer, my dear, and I believe that each piece I make is for someone special. That bracelet calls to you. It is dainty, ladylike, and beautiful as you are.”

  Lori said no thank you and began to walk away. Years on the run taught her to be wary of everyone. There was always some trick or a scam and it upset her to think that she liked the bracelet and the lady could see that and only cared about selling it. Lori felt that she really didn’t need the bracelet. She just liked it and wanted it. She wasn’t in any financial position to splurge like that. Saving would get her that college degree she wanted so badly.

  * * * *

  “Hey, Lori, you looked like you really wanted that bracelet. What’s wrong?” Charlie asked her as he held her hand to stop her, but she pulled him along with her. She put a smile on her face pretending that it was no big deal. She didn’t fool him, though. Something was on her mind.

  “I didn’t like it that much really. Plus there are so many other booths and tables around. Maybe I’ll find something else. Look over there, snow cones. Do you like those?” she asked, instantly changing the subject. Charlie noted how good Lori was at that. He would make her see that she could trust him and didn’t have to hide anything from him, especially her feelings.

  “Are you kidding me? Who doesn’t!” Dante said as they went over to the snow cone vendor and bought four.

  An hour later the four of them headed over toward their friend Casper’s place. It was a really nice bar and restaurant. Her mom mentioned that she and Dad knew the owners and had dined there every so often.

  “This must be Lori,” some tall man with a crew cut said as he reached out to shake her hand.

  “I’m John Luke. I’m friends with your parents. They told my brothers and our wife that you and your sister were living with them. Welcome to Casper’s.”

  She smiled, shook his hand, and hoped that her parents hadn’t told them everything about her and Maggie.

  Before long, the brothers came out along with their wife Eve. This was Lori’s first real up-close observation of a ménage relationship until about thirty minutes later when a bunch of other rowdy cowboys came storming through the door. There was a loud “oorah” and then cheers and backslaps. Lori couldn’t help but laugh at the way the m
en teased one another or how absolutely huge and macho they all were. She learned quickly that a few of the men were involved in ménage relationships and that Charlie, Trevor, and Dante hardly hung out here.

  She felt the arm go around her waist. Then Dante was there smiling at her.

  “Hey, take a look around at all the pictures. There are a bunch on the wall of John Luke and his brothers as well as their sons. You’ll meet Gia and Marianna in a bit. Gia is engaged to Gunner, Garret, and Wes. You just met them and their fathers who own the place. Marianna is engaged to Jax and Jameson. Both of them are really nice.”

  “Okay. I’ll look around.” She headed toward the ladies’ room first.

  She absolutely loved the place. There were so many pictures of real-life soldiers, brothers, and friends posted everywhere. As she looked at some of the pictures of Charlie, Dante, and Trevor before they were in the service and out of high school, she noticed how young they were and how very handsome. She looked at more pictures and then one that looked like it was at Casper’s. It didn’t seem like it was from too long ago, and as she looked closer, she could see the difference in the men.

  They looked drawn out, beyond exhausted and emotionless. Her emotions were caught in her throat as she realized this was a picture upon them returning from war. They almost appeared robotic or just hard, stiff, and angry. She glanced toward them now as they spoke with some friends.

  They looked a bit better. But she could still see the blank stares Charlie, Trevor, and Dante had in their eyes when they watched her or when they first met.

  A mix of emotions went through her mind. She feared that these men had experienced things that made them close up their hearts and remain distant. Those weren’t the type of men she wanted to be with. They would be cold to her. They would never truly open up to her and would probably make excuses when she asked them to. But haven’t I been doing the same thing? I avoid any conversations about the past, about my broken wrist, and about how I killed another human being.

  She felt like crying and forced herself to move on to the other pictures. She wouldn’t make them feel uncomfortable or ruin the date they were on. Perhaps staying away from them would be best after today.

  “Lori?”

  Lori turned around to see Eve, John Luke’s wife, standing there. She smiled softly and appeared very motherly.

  “Your mom and dad told me so much about you, Maggie, and Ben. I was so happy to hear that you got home safely.”

  Lori must have appeared surprised because Eve looked around then whispered to her. “Don’t worry, my husbands and I wouldn’t say a word. I just want you to know that you’re welcome here any time you’d like to stop by. I’ve been trying to get your mom to come shopping with me in Houston but she’s kind of adamant about it.”

  “I’m sure she would love that. I mean, now that my sister and I are around to help in the house.”

  Eve smiled.

  “I will call her next week and set something up.”

  “Excuse me, Eve, could I steal Lori from you?” Dante asked, and Eve smiled.

  “Of course, Dante. So nice to see you, Trevor, and Charlie here. You should come in more often. And bring Lori, too.” Eve winked then walked away.

  Lori looked up into Dante’s hazel eyes. She absorbed the way his dress shirt sat snug against his chest. She knew from seeing him doing construction work that he had a great chest. It was filled with muscles, and he even had a series of tattoos. She wondered what meaning that had for him considering how much getting tattoos hurt. But then she reminded herself that after today, it may be best to keep her distance.

  “Come on, Trevor grabbed a table in the back. We can have some privacy and enjoy one another’s company,” Dante said. That was when she noticed that Charlie wasn’t there.

  As they headed into the other room with Dante’s hand against her lower back, she noticed the many people in the dining area and how some stared at them and smiled.

  “Where’s Charlie?” she asked.

  “He got a phone call. He’ll be back,” Trevor said as she sat down next to him. Dante took the chair beside her, leaving room for Charlie.

  They were looking over the menu when she felt Trevor’s hand smooth over her knee. She jerked a moment then turned to look at him. She couldn’t help but to remember the sunken look on his face in the picture and the lines of age or stress that now shown near his eyes. He didn’t look as spent, but she could still see the sadness. She nibbled her bottom lip.

  “See anything you like?” He squeezed her knee.

  She tried not to be so affected by him, but it was hard.

  “Let her look at the menu, Trevor,” Dante whispered then nudged her arm.

  “Do you know what you want, Dante?” she asked, trying to steer clear of Trevor’s megaflirtatious techniques.

  Dante leaned closer. “Yeah, sweetheart, but you’re not on this menu.”

  Oh God.

  She felt her pussy leak. Thank goodness the waitress returned with the drinks Garret had sent over from the bar.

  Dante and Trevor raised the two beers and Garret waved back.

  “Is a beer okay?” Trevor asked.

  “Sure. I like beer.”

  “A woman after my own heart,” Trevor stated, and then Charlie returned.

  She felt that jolt of happiness at seeing him again. It was then that she realized she did care for these three men together as much as individually. The more her heart, her body, and mind reacted to them and to her emotions, the more confused she got.

  * * * *

  They waited for their food to arrive and talked about the apartment her father had them building.

  “So, you’re sure about moving out there alone?” Dante asked her.

  “I wasn’t expecting that when Maggie, Ben, and I arrived home. I’m kind of looking forward to having my own place.”

  “How come Maggie and Ben wouldn’t take it? There’s going to be two bedrooms in there?” Dante asked.

  “She didn’t want to. She likes being back home with my mom and dad nearby. I guess she feels safer.”

  Dante looked at Charlie, who now leaned back in his chair and played with the rim of his beer bottle.

  “Being in your own place is quite the responsibility. You know with everything going on around the area lately, it might be better to hold off on moving in there.”

  “I can handle it, Charlie. I’ll lock all the doors before I go to bed at night.” Dante watched Charlie and Lori staring at one another and he didn’t want them arguing again. Charlie was so stubborn and bossy. They were used to it, but Lori was tough and independent. He decided to change the subject.

  “So did you register completely for college yet?” he asked her, knowing how determined she was to achieve her college degree.

  “Yes I did, and I signed up for some online courses, too. Thanks to busy nights at the bar I pretty much have the first semester paid for. I’ve asked the other bartenders to call me first if they need a night covered. Even if they need a day covered, I’ll do it. College is expensive.” Lori took a sip from her mug of beer. The waitress brought it over when she brought over the round of beer bottles from the bar.

  “It sure is but once you have a college degree, no one can ever take that away from you. So you think you’ll stay working at Carl’s for a while?” Charlie asked, and she knew he didn’t like her working there. That had become obvious.

  Lori folded her hands on her lap then locked gazes with Charlie.

  “Charlie, I have no choice. Bartending brings in good money. I can’t hold off going to college. I’ve waited so long for this.”

  “I realize that, I do, it’s just that damn uniform, the guys talking about you. That night when the drunk guy came over to you at the table, what if we weren’t there, or what if he followed you out to your car?” He reached across the table for her hand. She raised one up and placed her hand into his. He had such big hands and her hand felt so delicate and feminine in his. Trevor placed hi
s hand on her knee under the table and Dante placed his arm over her chair and she felt his fingers on her shoulder.

  “We don’t like it,” Trevor said.

  “We could help you find something better. We know a lot of people,” Dante replied.

  She shook her head. “I’ve worked at worse places than Carl’s, guys. I’ve always taken the extra precautions. Didn’t you see me with Gus? I asked him to walk me to my car that night because of that guy. I can take care of myself. I have no choice. Sure, my parents could probably help me out a little but why should they? You know I’ve been taking care of myself, Maggie, and Ben. They’ve been my responsibility. Everything I’ve earned has gone into keeping the three of us safe, fed, clothed, the basics. Now we’re all back home where we belong and I can start to focus on myself a little. For me to achieve this on my own will be more than just a college degree. It will mean that all the sacrifices I’ve had to make over the years, all the steps backward, all the putting my family before me, will mean something even more.”

  “My God, Charlie, can you just imagine how I’ll feel when I walk up to the dean of the college and receive my degree?” she asked, looking away from him as if imagining the moment. It was obvious she was determined to achieve that goal.

  “You’ll do it, Lori, I know you’ll do it and if you need any help with your classes, you just let me know.” He squeezed her hand. Trevor and Dante nodded their heads in agreement as the waitress brought over their food.

  They ate and talked about the area and about Mr. Cantrell. Dinner was great and soon they were sitting back waiting for coffee and dessert.

  “So Tom wants to talk to us about partnering up?” Dante asked.

  “Yeah, he has some concerns. I think some business guy stopped by his place pushing for him to sell. He looked pissed off when I left this afternoon.”

  “I hope we’re wrong about the dead animals being left behind,” Dante said.

  “What do you mean? You think someone is trying to get Mr. Cantrell to sell his property by threatening him?” Lori asked.