“So what do you think?” Jack asked them, but his eyes were on Carina.
Carina looked at Antonia. “We may come back. We’ll see,” she said, surprising Antonia.
She wondered why Carina had said that and then looked at Jack and saw his eyes squint as if he were upset at her comment.
“Didn’t you like the workout?” Jack asked her.
“It was fine. I’ll probably come back if Antonia does.” Carina looked at her. It was as if she didn’t want to converse with Jack or be overly friendly. Antonia knew exactly what she was doing. She had been guilty of the same thing. She looked at Jack and Damon.
“I think we’ll be back. We’ve set our goals and are in this together,” Antonia stated and gave Carina a nudge.
Carina smirked and then stood up. “We should go.”
Just that second the doors to the other gym opened and a group of men began to head out. Antonia spotted Fox immediately, and he was carrying a long leather sheath in black. He wasn’t smiling or conversing with the other men when his eyes landed on her.
Jack walked over to Milton, and Damon placed his hand against her lower back as she began to retreat. He pressed up against her, and Carina just stared at Fox, too.
“I’m going to use the ladies’ room real quick,” Carina said to her, and Antonia widened her eyes. She mouthed the word sorry and then hurried out of the room.
Antonia tried not to stare at Fox, noticing how big and tall he was, sort of scary with all those tattoos on his arms. Plus, she knew what that leather sheath held. A long, sharp sword.
“How did it go?” he asked her, looking her body over.
Her nipples hardened, and even her pussy clenched. She looked away from him. “It was okay.”
“She did great.” Damon wrapped his arms around her waist, shocking her. She turned to look over her shoulder, but he was looking eye to eye with Fox.
“Damon,” she whispered and placed her hands over his hands, thinking she would push them away, but instead, when she covered his hands, she felt him lighten his hold.
Fox reached out and gripped her chin gently. He used his thumb to caress over her lowered lip while looking at her cheeks and then into her eyes.
“You look a little flushed. A sign of a good first workout. Proud of you, baby.” He gave her a wink before he released her chin.
She was shocked by his touch, by his words and her body’s reaction to them. He was proud of her? Why did that sentence do a number on her insides?
She glanced at the leather sheath again. “What were you doing in the other room?”
“A special training exercise in sword fighting.”
“You like swords? Use them often?” She pressed away from Damon.
Fox squinted at her and then crossed his arms. He was so damn intimidating, and sexy of course. Why did this bother her so much? She felt a tingling over the scar under her breast. Ray was still controlling her emotions and wreaking havoc and fear into her life, and he wasn’t even here. She exhaled as he went to speak.
“Forget it. It’s none of my business. Well, have a good day.” She went to walk away, and Fox stepped in front of her. She tilted her head way back to look up into his eyes. His arm wrapped around her waist, and he shocked her by pulling her close.
He cupped her cheek with his other hand.
“It’s a hobby and a talent not many soldiers have knowledge of or appreciate. Never be afraid of me, Antonia.” He lowered down and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. When he released them, her entire body felt on fire, and her one thought was how screwed she was because she wondered if letting them into her heart was really possible.
“You ready?” Carina asked, interrupting the moment.
Antonia nodded and then looked back at Fox and Damon. “Talk to you later.”
“You can count on it,” Damon replied, and she looked at Carina and they both headed out of there together.
“Jesus, Fox and Damon were eating you up with their eyes. I can’t believe you let them kiss you. I guess they’re breaking down those walls you put up, huh?” Carina asked, getting into the driver’s seat of her beat-up silver Ford Tempo.
Antonia leaned her head back and exhaled. “Holy shit, they’re too much. There’s no way I can let four men like that into my life. No way I can handle it.”
“I don’t know. You’re pretty lucky with two Special Forces soldiers, a Texas Ranger, and the chief of police.”
Antonia looked at Carina. “What about you? The way I saw it, Jack and Milton couldn’t keep their eyes off of you, and I’ve seen how often Jesse and even Nevin stop into the Filling Station.”
“You know what happened to me. I don’t even know how long I’ll be living in Repose.”
“You know what happened to me, and just like you, my ex could show up any time to take me back.”
They were both quiet. Carina looked at her, and then she made the turn to head toward Repose.
“So you’d consider risking it all, trusting four men and engaging in a relationship that would involve super intimacy and trust like a ménage does?” Carina asked her.
Antonia exhaled as the wind blew against her heated skin from the open window.
“I honestly don’t know, but I can tell you one thing for sure. The sight of them, never mind when one of them is close or touches me, makes me feel like anything is possible and like I would be safe. Am I willing to follow those feelings after all the bad things that happened in my life and the way my boyfriend treated me and scarred me? I just don’t know if I can give them that kind of trust.”
“That’s exactly how I feel, Antonia. I can see myself liking Jack, Milton, Jesse, and Nevin, but Jack’s a cop like Steven and Collin are. Milton was in the military and owns that dojo with other friends in the military, so you know he’s capable of so much. Then there’s Nevin and Jesse. Jesse’s sweet as can be and a total flirt with those adorable dimples and all. Nevin looks at me like he can tell I was assaulted, and why would men so perfect, so well-rounded, want to be with a woman who was abused and raped? I don’t even know if I can let a man hold me, never mind kiss me or be intimate. Now times that by four and, Jesus, I think I’d have a panic attack.”
Antonia snorted. “I understand, believe me I do. The thing is this town, Repose, is so different than any other place I’ve ever been. When I first got here, the idea of having guardians and that men protected women and there were rules to ensure safety put me on edge to say the least. I was trying to hide away, get over what had happened to me and just breathe with the intention of hiding deeper. But I’ve seen other women in these relationships. Hell, look what Jagger, Finnian, Zeke, and Aero did for Brooklyn. Look at how much they love her and protect her and care for her. Why can’t we have that, too? Why can’t we finally find happiness, feelings of safety and security once and for all? Why are we the ones lacking in confidence, waiting in the shadows for our exes to come back into our lives and take away any hope or happiness of a future? I don’t want to live my life in fear.”
“I hear what you’re saying, and I want that all, too, but I can’t let go of that fear. I can’t stop reliving that night or unpack my bags that are all set and ready to go if I have to leave in a hurry because Steven found me.”
Antonia was silent a moment. She thought about that and how personally she didn’t have bags packed but knew if she caught wind of Ray heading this way she would take off, too.
“Did you ever consider talking to the chief and telling him about your ex and those fears?”
“Have you?” she countered.
“I‘ve implied little things but haven’t indicated the severity of my fears that he could come looking.”
“Then don’t ask me to do that. I don’t want a soul to know what happened to me. I trusted you enough to tell you, Antonia. Please don’t break that trust. You’re the only one who knows, and I want it to stay that way.”
She nodded and gave Carina a smile.
“I promise to. If you p
romise to tell me if Steven or Collin show up in town. I won’t let you take off alone. I’ll help you any way I can.”
“Ditto,” Carina said, and then they both smiled as Carina turned up the volume on the radio, letting a Blake Shelton song chime through the speakers as they both began singing along.
Those uneasy feelings filled her heart, but the joy of making a close friend like Carina, as well as taking baby steps in trusting the Cortland men, eased the fear just a little. Maybe things could work out for her and Carina in the end.
* * * *
“I think she’s in some pain. She’s walking funny, wearing flats, and Ledger said she was leaving early,” Gino told Fox.
“Hey, guys, what’s up?” Zeke and Aero showed up and took the seats next to Fox and Gino. They all shook hands hello.
“Nothing much, how about you guys?” Gino asked them.
Both men were smiling as Ledger placed two bottles of Bud down on the bar for them. They gave a wave and said thanks then looked at Fox and Gino.
“Just hanging out. Thought we would keep an eye on Brooklyn and then help her close at the end of the night,” Zeke told them and then took a slug from his beer.
“How is everything going between her and your brothers? Heard she moved in finally,” Gino said, but Fox had never been much of a talker.
His eyes remained on Antonia as she moved slowly around the place, looking tired. He was also thinking about work and how one of his contacts called and said he had some information for them about Chino. He lived a few towns over. The information he had was just a beginning of a possible location to Charro. He was pulling together a timeline. Perhaps in a few days or a week or so, he would hear from him again. His gut clenched with anger. He really wanted to capture Charro and kill the bastard. Then all this shit would be behind them.
“It’s going great. Although Brooklyn has been busy trying to plan a little surprise birthday party for Antonia here on Sunday. She has the whole thing planned out to get her to come here and help her with setting up for a big breakfast Monday morning,” Aero explained.
Fox was a little surprised that Brooklyn hadn’t told the chief or invited them. Just then Brooklyn came up behind Zeke and maneuvered under his arm. He smiled wide, pulled her close, and kissed her. Then she went to Aero, and he did the same thing.
“I’ll take that kind of greeting any time, baby,” Aero teased and then turned her around in his arms and kept her pressed against his front. She chuckled.
Brooklyn locked gazes with Gino and then glanced at Fox. It seemed to Fox that Brooklyn wasn’t too trusting of them. She was very protective of Antonia, and Fox couldn’t fault her for that. She was also pretty damn independent as well as successful with the business. She was likable and helped out anyone in need so she was okay in his book.
“I’m glad that the two of you are here,” she said to Fox and Gino.
“Is that so?” Gino asked and took a slug form his bottle of beer.
Brooklyn looked around them. “I don’t know if you and your brothers are interested or if you have plans, but this Sunday is Antonia’s birthday, and I’m planning a little surprise party for her. It’s mostly staff and a few friends, nothing too big or she’ll have my head, but I thought it would be nice if you guys came. Especially being her guardians and all.”
“We should be able to make it. I’ll talk to Cesar and Damon,” Gino told her, and she smiled.
“Great, be here by three. I’m going to get her here for four. Dominick and a bunch of the staff will be setting things up and cooking for a barbecue and drinks out back.”
She turned toward the right and then scooted away from Aero.
“I need to go. Antonia is leaving early, and I want to be sure to go over a few things with her.
Fox stopped Brooklyn from leaving by touching her hand. She looked at him again with that uncertain expression.
“What’s wrong? Is she feeling okay?” Fox asked.
She gave a small smile. “I think all the running and then the kickboxing classes she’s taking are hitting some muscles she’s not used to feeling. She hasn’t been sleeping well either but should be okay. I’ll see you Sunday, and remember it’s a surprise.” She gave her men a wink before she took off.
Aero and Zeke smiled.
“So you were invited. She just hadn’t seen any of you and just started planning this two days ago. Nothing like last minute,” Aero said to them.
A little while later Fox spotted Antonia leaving.
“We’re going to head out and make sure Antonia gets home okay,” Gino told them as he paid their bill and stood up.
“Hey, just a heads-up, from one friend to another. I think Antonia is having a hard time sleeping for other reasons. Maybe take it a little slower easing into her life.”
Fox squinted his eyes at Zeke.
“Like you took your time easing into Brooklyn’s?” he replied. Zeke nodded.
“She’s got legitimate fears, and Brooklyn seems to be worried that Antonia might decide to leave Repose.”
“What? Why would she do that?”
Aero shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t know, and Brooklyn isn’t budging with information. It could just be a fear she has, but keep that in mind.”
“Will do. Thanks for the heads-up,” Gino told them, and they all shook hands before Fox and Gino walked away.
“What do you think?” Gino asked Fox as they headed into the parking lot, noticing that Antonia’s car was gone already.
“I don’t know. Maybe Brooklyn is just concerned.”
“Well, we should make sure that she wants to stay here in town. Maybe going too slow isn’t exactly the right thing to do,” Fox stated.
* * * *
Antonia had slipped off her shoes and then untucked her short blouse from the skirt she wore when she heard the knock on her front door.
She gasped and wondered who it was, feeling that panicked sensation until she heard the voice.
“Antonia, it’s Gino and Fox.”
She closed her eyes and sighed in relief and then felt that anxious feeling in her gut. Why were they here? What did they want?
She unlocked the door and then opened it. “Hi, what’s going on?”
Gino smiled, and Fox stared at her from behind him, looking her over.
“Are you going to invite us in? We came to check on you,” Fox said.
She stepped aside, and the men passed her, seemingly taller than usual with her wearing no shoes at all.
She closed the door and then looked at both men. Her heart raced at the sight of them. They were so attractive, wearing their dark jeans and their tight shirts that showed off their muscles, and they smelled incredible, too.
She walked toward the kitchen, trying to hide the aches and pains in her thighs and back.
“Can I get you something to drink? Water?” she asked, but before she could get around the counter, Gino took her hand and stopped her.
“Are you feeling okay? You seemed to be moving a little slowly at work.”
She gave a small smile. “Oh, I’m fine, just a little sore.”
“From the kickboxing class or running?” Gino asked.
“Both. I’ve been pushing it.”
“Any particular reason why?” Fox asked her. She looked at him and felt as though he was questioning her for some other reason. She didn’t know why.
“It’s all new to me. I think Carina and I are going to need massages,” she said as Gino led her into the living room.
“Have you tried doing any stretches? We could show you a few that would help with the aches.” Fox got down onto the floor and looked at her. “Come on.”
Gino sat on the arm of the couch.
“I’m not really dressed for it,” she told him.
“No worries. Come on,” Fox said
She shrugged and got down on the floor, being sure that her skirt didn’t lift too high as he showed her some leg stretches.
She was trying to do one where she
had to lift up using her stomach muscles, but her chest was so sore and her arms, too, that she fell onto her back flat and exhaled.
“God, I’m so out of shape and achy.”
“You look in perfect shape to me baby,” Gino teased, and she felt her cheeks warm. Then Fox rolled next to her and wrapped an arm over her waist as he lifted above her.
He licked his lower lip, and she stared up into his dark eyes, wondering if he would kiss her and then hoping he did.
“Ah hell, baby.” He lowered down and kissed her. She felt him pull her close as he instantly rolled to his back, taking her with him. She straddled his hips as he continued to kiss her, drawing out a moan as his hand roamed over her ass to her thigh.
He was so big and hard. His muscles were pressed against her very oversensitive breasts, and she could feel his erection against her mound as she straddled his waist. When she felt the second set of hands on her shoulders, kneading her achy muscles, she pulled from his lips.
“Oh, God.”
“Easy, darling. Let us take care of you,” Gino said and pressed a kiss to the top of her head as he continued to massage her muscles.
It felt incredible as the chills ran through her body, and she parted her lips and moaned again.
“Damn, you’re a sight,” Fox said as he caressed her jaw and her neck in such a possessive way she should have been fearful instead of turned on.
“You sure are tense, Antonia. You need to stretch more before and after your runs and the classes. We’ll tell Damon to make sure that you do them.”
“I’m okay, Gino, really.” She then looked down at Fox, who ran his large hand up her arm to under her hair and pulled her down for another kiss.
She couldn’t believe how turned on she felt. Fox and Gino were so rugged, older, and experienced. She sensed Gino moving to the left and then Fox rolled her to her back and continued to kiss her. He was pressed between her legs, and the moment she felt his large, warm hand caress up her thigh under her skirt she panicked. He must have sensed her need to slow things down, as he took his time releasing her lips, keeping his palm in place on her hip under her dress, and then he kissed along her jaw to her throat. She tilted her head back.
The Battlefield Series 2: Scars Run Deep (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 8
