The American Soldier Collection 2: Mastering the Art of Love (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  Opening the yogurt, she sat back and tried to relax her aching muscles. She had had a lot of deliveries today after school this morning. But one delivery stood out from the others. The one to X-Caliber Enterprises. She gulped down the spoonful of yogurt, instantly feeling her belly tighten. This was not a good dinner by far. She finished it off in no time at all then sat back and thought about how hungry she still was. The cold air penetrated through the thin blanket and she leaned back, closing her eyes wishing she were someplace different.

  Instantly she saw herself between two men. Jax and Jameson. She knew it was them as she tried her hardest to make the images stop. This was happening to her all day today. Every time she had a moment to think or to close her eyes to rest, she saw them. One was kissing her shoulder and the other cupped her face between his hands. She could practically feel the warm breath against her lips. She could tell even with eyes closed that both men were big, much bigger than her, and strong, too.

  The images in her mind would switch. One moment it would be Jax, and his dominant stare held her in place. He was a man of power and control. His clothing, his clean-cut face, and firm mouth and jaw spoke volumes. He was a man not to reckon with and a man who got what he wanted. So why was she so turned on by that? Men with money and power were evil and manipulative. They would never take a woman like her in her current position seriously. Then she thought about Jameson. Oh God, was he so damn sexy, too. Either man could stop traffic. She was on the receiving end of some vicious eye daggers when she left their office. Every woman in the place stared at her with hatred. She swallowed hard. Jameson seemed so sad the other night. Yet today, he looked different. He seemed determined or something. She was attracted to him, too. That was what made her panic. They of course came right out and said they were interested in her. Yeah, great, just what she needed, two wealthy men who liked to play games and who wanted to play with her at the same time.

  She gasped as a small bit of cream dripped from her pussy. She placed her hand over her belly as her mouth gaped open. Did she just react like that? She slowly pressed her fingers past the waist of her pants to her panties. As she felt the dampness, her breasts perked up and her nipples hardened. She closed her eyes, and Jax and Jameson filled her thoughts. She felt her swollen clit. It felt hot and sticky. She was shocked and then came the annoyance. She pulled her hand from her pants and stood up abruptly tossing the blanket onto the couch.

  She wasn’t going to jerk off just because two hot sexy men wanted to have sex with her together. She wasn’t interested in that or in them. Men were pigs. She learned that. She wouldn’t play their games no matter how good their lines were or how hot and excited they made her feel.

  She pulled clean clothes from the one small dresser in her tiny bedroom. Tossing the stuff onto the bed as she looked for her extra-heavy hoodie sweatshirt, she couldn’t stop the sensations running through her body or mind.

  She felt needy. She was lonely and annoyed with her life. Mariana knew that she was attracted to the two brothers. Today in their office she practically moaned at the way Jax stared down into her eyes. She shivered at the darkness of his blue eyes. Jameson’s matched his, but Jameson looked ready to cause anarchy or be wild. That thrilled her inside.

  “Stop it. Stop thinking about them and making them into something you can’t have,” she stated aloud as she held her head and tried desperately to stop their images from appearing.

  She grabbed her clothes and headed to the shower realizing that she no longer felt cold but entirely too hot for a woman standing in a fifty-degree apartment all alone.

  Stay away from the Spaulding brothers. They’ll hurt you worse than Gavan did.

  * * * *

  The rest of the week seemed to have flown by. She was pleasantly surprised to receive a package at work when she signed out for the night.

  “Who is it from?” she asked Al, her boss. He wasn’t exactly a friendly guy, but he paid on time.

  “Some guy dropped it off. That’s all I know.”

  She waved good night then headed out of the office. She was curious as to what it would be. She never received any packages, or mail, at her apartment. It wouldn’t be there when she arrived anyway. People stole constantly. She didn’t even use the mailbox at the apartment complex for that reason. Instead she kept a box at the courier’s office and only because Al let her have it for five dollars a month. But she usually only got bills. She felt anxious about the box. Maybe it was a mistake? Who would send her something? She couldn’t wait to see as her curiosity had the best of her. She had never meant anything to anyone before. At least not enough to send her a special box at work. She released an annoyed sigh. Why am I getting teary-eyed? It’s just a damn box and probably a mistake.

  Sitting down on the bench outside the office, she began to open the box. Inside was a note then something covered in purple paper.

  She opened the note and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was from Freda Mulsberry. She welcomed her to the business and told her she may have an assignment. She followed with instructions including meeting her tonight at Sassy’s. That was a top-of-the-line dress store uptown. The sound of a cell phone ringing made her jump. She realized instantly that it was coming from under the purple paper. She undid the paper and saw a very high-tech cell phone. That was a luxury she could never afford. She assumed she was to answer it and immediately took the call.

  “Hello?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Hello, Mariana. So wonderful to hear your voice. So I see you got off at the time Al said you would and that you received my package. Very good. Now I need you to walk outside. My driver, Benny, will take you to meet me at Sassy’s. Time is of the essence,” she said.

  “Okay,” Mariana hesitantly replied then heard the phone click.

  Her driver, Benny, is here for me? Excitement, reservations, and other motions filled her.

  She gathered the box and paper, tossing it into the garbage nearby. She took the phone, wanting to be sure to give it to Benny or to Freda when she saw them. She thought about tossing out the note from Freda, but something made her hold on to it. For some strange reason she felt like her life was about to seriously change.

  She walked out of the building with butterflies in her belly and her backpack slung over her shoulder. Sure enough, there was a black stretch limo. Before she even made it out of the building and to the sidewalk, an older gentleman got out from the driver’s side and immediately welcomed her.

  “Miss Sparketta, I’m Benny, your driver.”

  “Hi, Benny,” she replied, feeling completely awkward. Especially since some workers began to exit the building and saw her now.

  “Shall we?” Benny said then opened the back door to the limo. She stepped inside and her mouth gaped open.

  The car was huge and luxurious. There were fancy crystal bottles of liquor, an ice bucket, and multiple types of crystal glasses.

  Benny got into the driver’s seat and spoke to her from the rearview mirror.

  “If you’re hungry, Miss, there are some small sandwiches in the refrigerator and some bottles of water or soda.”

  “Oh, thank you,” she replied, and he began to pull away from the curb and head into traffic. Her belly was in knots. She was nervous, excited, but also starving, and once again, she hadn’t had time to stop at the grocery store. She located the small refrigerator that was hidden behind the matching black trim she thought was part of the fancy cabinetry.

  The assortment of sandwiches was amazing. She chose one along with a bottle of water and chowed it down quickly, knowing that Sassy’s was only a few blocks away. Just as she finished up, easing the ache in her belly somewhat, they arrived. The limo pulled into an underground parking garage she didn’t know existed. When they parked, Benny got out and led her through the garage to an elevator.

  “Just take the second door on the right. Mrs. Mulsberry is waiting.”

  “Thank you for the ride,” she said, and Benny smiled then tipped his hat at
her before heading back to the limo.

  As she made her way to the door, she had some reservations. She was taking a chance here. She didn’t know any of these people. Was she becoming so desperate for a better life that she was taking such a risk like this? What if Freda wasn’t legit? What if she operated a prostitution business or something? As the panic set in, the door opened and she immediately recognized the man.

  “Good evening, Mariana. Mrs. Mulsberry is waiting.”

  Her bodyguard escorted Mariana into another room and then the back room to Sassy’s. There stood Freda, wearing a velvet jumpsuit in black and sipping champagne with a very beautiful woman in a red dress.

  “There she is,” Freda said, and she walked over, grabbed Mariana’s hand, and hugged her.

  “Isn’t she beautiful, Margarete?”

  “My God, she’s stunning,” the woman said as she looked Mariana over.

  “I’m wearing skinny jeans and a sweatshirt,” Mariana replied to their comments, as she felt really awkward.

  “Nonsense. I’ve seen you dressed up before. You’re gorgeous and it’s natural beauty. Now, meet Margarete. She is the owner of Sassy’s.”

  Mariana was in shock. Freda must be loaded.

  “So Mariana, you’ve attended some of these art events before. You know how the attendees dress and conduct themselves. I don’t believe you will have a problem with that at all,” Freda said then smiled.

  “No, ma’am. In fact, I’ve often dreamed of attending the events as a guest and having ample time to view the art and really see some famous originals close up.”

  “Well, you are going to get your chance. I know you’re going to do fabulous and Margarete is going to help you look the part,” Freda stated and Margarete smiled. Mariana clasped her hands and took a deep breath as she anticipated what would happen next. Margarete and Freda went back and forth about colors that would suit Mariana and certain styles. They weren’t quite arguing but it did seem as though the women knew one another well.

  But as the evening went on, she came to realize that Margarete and Freda were actually friends and she designed many of Freda’s gowns she wore to fancy events. They went through the clothing, everything from undergarments to hair accessories and products.

  She felt incredibly spoiled and completely uncomfortable. Especially as Freda told her she was taking this home. Her apartment was bad, and if anyone saw her bringing anything inside, their curiosity would bring trouble her way. But how could she explain this to Freda?

  * * * *

  Freda was enjoying this time with Mariana. She was such a sweet and quiet young woman, and she adored her immediately. But something seemed to be bothering the woman. She became awfully quiet.

  “Margarete, could you give Mariana and I a few moments alone please?”

  Margarete smiled as she touched Mariana’s shoulder before leaving the room.

  “Sweetheart, is something wrong?”

  The poor woman looked ready to cry.

  “I can’t accept these things from you, Freda. I can’t pay you back and I don’t have a place to keep them.”

  “Nonsense. You don’t have to pay me back. It’s all part of working for me. I enjoy this and especially when I know how much it is appreciated. You can’t go out and start buying the wrong outfits. I have a reputation to keep and an image to stand by.”

  “You don’t understand. I do appreciate all of this. I can’t even begin to imagine how this is going to work.”

  “But?”

  “But, my apartment...” Mariana lowered her eyes to her hands. She was shaking, the poor girl.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “I live in a really shitty neighborhood. If I walk in with anything I’ll be targeted. It’s bad there, Freda, but it’s all I can afford.”

  Freda was immediately concerned and upset. How could this beautiful young woman live in such a dangerous place? She couldn’t tell her to move in with her. Mariana was different. She was a fighter. She did things on her own. She needed to tread carefully here.

  “Listen, I’ll hold these items at my place. On Saturday, you have your first assignment.”

  “What?”

  “Yes, you’re going to need one of these dresses Margarete picked out for you and, well, since I am actually attending the same event, I need my beautician there and assistant. So, I will have Benny pick you up at your apartment at three tomorrow. You’ll get ready at my place and I will have everything there for you.”

  “You really don’t have to do that.”

  Freda covered Mariana’s hand with her own.

  “I want to. You’ll learn quickly that I only do what I want to, not what others want me to do. Now, give Benny your address and he will pick you up.”

  Marianna shook her head.

  “I can meet you at your place tomorrow. There’s something I need to do first.”

  Freda wasn’t sure if Mariana was lying or not. She would have Alvin follow her to ensure her safety.

  “Okay, dear. Benny will give you my home address.”

  Mariana said “thank you” as Margarete reentered the room holding a gorgeous black cocktail dress with sequin overlay. It was stunning, and Marianna would look incredible.

  “Oh God, that is amazing,” Mariana said, and Margarete smiled. “This dress, you will wear to Rothesburgh Gallery tomorrow night.”

  “Rothesburgh Gallery?” Mariana gasped as she stood up, took the gown from Margarete, and placed it against her. Freda could hear the excitement in her voice. Mariana loved the arts and she would be the perfect escort for Liam Michaels III.

  “You will look amazing in that, Mariana. So meet me by three o’clock tomorrow and we will go over all the details of your assignment and what will be needed of you.”

  “It sounds so mysterious. I can’t believe that I’m going to the Rothesburgh,” Mariana said as she turned to look at Freda. Freda smiled.

  “It will be a great evening and your date for the night is practically royalty.”

  Mariana’s eyes widened as Freda grabbed her purse and asked Margarete to have everything delivered tomorrow morning by noontime.

  “Wait, you can’t tell me something like that and then not say a name,” Mariana said as she gently handed the dress over to Margarete. Margarete laughed.

  “She shouldn’t even have said so much already. I think Freda is as excited as you seem, Mariana.”

  Mariana blushed and Freda put on her coat.

  “Margarete is correct. Escorts shouldn’t know whom they are escorting until the night of. However, in this case, you may need to brush up on your knowledge of Scottish artists.”

  Mariana smiled. “A Scot, huh? Very interesting.”

  “You’ll see. We’ll go over everything tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Freda. I’m nervous and excited.”

  “You’ll be perfect, and after tomorrow night, I’m certain you will be giving up that courier job and serving at parties. You’re going to be quite busy.”

  Freda waved good-bye as Alvin opened the door for her.

  “Oh, Alvin, will you give Mariana a ride home?” Freda asked then left before Mariana could reject the offer. She was worried about her and where she resided. How could the poor young woman live in a place where people stole so blatantly? She sighed in annoyance.

  “Are you okay, Freda?” Alvin asked as he opened the door to the limo with Benny standing there.

  “Just worried about Mariana. I want you to give me an update on her living arrangements tomorrow, okay?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Freda stepped into the backseat as Alvin leaned down to speak with her. They locked gazes and she knew he had something on his mind. He was a great man and he always kept her safe.

  “She is quite lovely. Not just a project, I hope.”

  She smiled.

  “Not a project. She’s special and I have two specific men in mind that need a woman like her in their lives.”

  Alvin sh
ook his head and chuckled.

  “Since when did you become a matchmaker?”

  She folded her hands on her lap and stared up into Alvin’s big blue eyes.

  “Since I witnessed their first meeting and saw the immediate attraction between her and these two men.”

  “And how do the two men feel about this?”

  “They haven’t a clue nor does Mariana. You’ll see, Alvin. These three are meant to be together. They just need to get through some of the walls they’ve built up over the years. I love a challenge,” she said, and he smiled.

  “Yes you do, Freda. Good night.”

  He closed the door, and Freda left for home with Benny driving. She thought about Mariana and how lovely of a woman she truly was. Now, she needed to find out about Mariana and what type of past she was hiding.

  Chapter 5

  Jax was on the phone with Spider. He was a fellow Marine and now worked for their company as a main investigator whenever Jax or Jameson needed him. Aside from that he was the director of operations for their security firm, X-Caliber.

  He was trying to process all the information as he spoke with Spider and looked over the e-mail and documents he forwarded to Jax.

  “Son of a bitch. This is a lot to digest,” Jax stated.

  “It’s a lot to have found out about in a matter of days. But it’s important to see the signs that this asshole wants to fuck with you.”

  “Spider, I’m not too worried about Clover Masters. He may have some political contacts but that doesn’t mean shit to us commandoes. He wants to try stealing from my brother and I, then we’ll take care of it.”

  “He’s got these people in place. The word is someone is working on the inside to duplicate Jameson’s new ideas. Which is telling me that this snitch is close to both of you.”

  “I don’t know who it could be. Jameson rarely works with staff at headquarters.”