“I don’t need all of that, Travis. I’m on a budget,” she whispered to him, holding on to his arm.
“I’ve got this covered. Your place will look great.” He asked for a few more shrubs, and Dee looked frustrated.
Hunter watched her, and at first, he found her reaction to Travis taking over kind of humorous, but then he saw how upset Dee was getting, and he couldn’t understand why.
Once they were loaded up, Sunny drove them all to Dee’s house, but on the way there, she was quiet.
“Dee, trust me, everything will look great when we’re all done,” Travis told her from the back seat.
“I wish you hadn’t done that. I told you I couldn’t afford all the extras. I was fine with what I budgeted out,” she snapped at him then crossed her arms and looked out the window.
Hunter looked at Travis.
“I told you not to worry about the extras. I’ll cover it. My treat. You’re always helping us out and volunteering. It’s the least we can do.”
“Don’t tell me that. I volunteer to help because I like helping those in need. I don’t appreciate you pushing your way into my business.”
Sunny pulled the truck into her driveway. Hunter got out and offered her a hand, but she didn’t take it. She was definitely fired up.
She stomped toward the back of the truck, and Travis looked as though he was going to push when Marino gave him a warning look.
They all helped bring out the flowers and shrubs, but Dee only organized the stuff she’d purchased.
“This will look great over there next to those perennials you bought. They won’t get too big and overwhelm them,” Travis offered.
“No. I like the way I set this up. I told you I didn’t need the others.” She stormed off toward the side of the house, her ass wiggling in those damn short shorts she wore, and the worn-out camouflage T-shirt she’d turned into a tank top by cutting the sleeves was practically see-through. She wore a black sports bra underneath it.
Travis looked at Sunny. “I really fucking pissed her off.”
“Fix it. There’s obviously more to her anger,” Sunny told him, and Travis watched as she came back with a wheelbarrow, shovels, and rakes.
“I would have helped you with that,” Hunter told her.
“I said I didn’t need your help. I planned on doing this myself. Sunny offered the truck to make things easier, and I appreciate that. But you all don’t need to stay here.” She reached for the shovel and started heading toward the first set of bushes where she needed to dig.
Travis stopped her by placing his hand on the top of the shovel handle and looking down at her.
“I pissed you off. How? By wanting to help you and pay for the extras I picked out?”
“Yes. I don’t want to owe you, or anyone else, anything.”
“Dee, you don’t owe me anything for any of it. I wanted to do it.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want anything from you or anyone else. I don’t want to owe you things. Eventually you’ll throw it in my face and ask for something in return.”
She went to walk away, but he grabbed her upper arm.
He felt insulted and angry at her accusation.
“The fuck I will. You don’t owe me shit, and if you think I would throw this in your face later and try to use you, then you don’t know me at all.”
He saw her eyes fill up with tears. She looked away from him and then took the shovel and started digging. Something was up with her. He wanted answers.
* * * *
She didn’t talk to them. She was trying her hardest to wrap her brain around Travis paying for extra material to make her house look beautiful. They had each told her they would take things slowly, but what he did, what they were doing, was not her idea of going slow.
She focused on the plantings and working side by side with the men. Together, they finished the landscaping quickly. It was obvious they knew what they were doing.
She brushed off her gloves and removed them then wiped her forearm across her brow. It was hot, and the men had taken off their shirts, killing her resolve to not drool and let them completely take over her life.
“I have cold water, iced tea, and even beers. What would you guys prefer?” she asked.
They were standing back admiring their work as Marino got the garden hose and began to water the plants and flowers they’d planted.
“We’ll start off with waters. Save the beers for dinner tonight,” Sunny told her.
“Excuse me?” she asked, not knowing what he meant.
Sunny held her gaze. “You can make us dinner, and that will make up for Travis buying the extra stuff and pissing you off so much you didn’t talk to us today. Then it’s over. We’re even, and you don’t owe anything to anyone.”
Sunny walked toward the truck, and she glanced at Travis, who still looked pissed off and hurt. She felt bad.
She walked into her house after taking off her shoes outside the door so she wouldn’t bring in any dirt. She lowered her head and took a few unsteady breaths. The tears were right there, ready to fall. She was so damn frustrated. Why was she letting the past rule her future? Raven and Ghost weren’t here. They weren’t looking for her.
She tried to believe her own thoughts, but it was useless. Just thinking their names put her on edge. She had no right getting involved with Hunter, Travis, Marino, and Sunny. No right at all.
She grabbed five water bottles and headed outside, passing them out. Hunter and Marino were sitting under the tree in the shade, and Travis and Sunny sat in two of the chairs there, leaving one empty for her.
The guilty feeling she had was killing her, and she really wanted to be honest with these men. She’d known them for almost a year, and she wasn’t handling things right at all out of fear.
“Thank you for helping me. It would have taken me days on my own,” she said, and they mumbled responses. They all seemed distant.
She took a sip of the water bottle then looked at Travis.
“Travis, I’m sorry if I insulted you. It wasn’t my intention.”
“I was just compelled to help you and take care of you.”
“I’m not used to that. Where I come from, when someone does something for you, they want something in return, especially men.” She felt her chest tighten. She took a seat in the chair and took another sip of water.
“It’s not like that here in Pearl or with men like us. You should know that by now,” Travis snapped at her.
She looked at him and sat forward in her seat.
“I felt like you were trying to take over my decisions and my life. I get a bit defensive with stuff like that, okay?” She then stood up, but so did Travis.
He took her hand and pulled her closer. “Who the hell hurt you and took advantage of your kindness?”
“Who didn’t would be easier to answer,” she said to him.
“Where did you live before?” Sunny asked.
She looked away from them.
Travis clenched her chin between his fingers. “We want to get to know you. We want to tell you more about each of us, but if you block us out, then we can’t make this work.”
“I don’t know if this can work.”
“Why is that?” Travis asked.
“It’s complicated.”
“What the fuck isn’t?” Marino chimed in.
“I don’t want to get into details. The place I was last wasn’t a healthy environment. I needed to get out quickly and disappear. When I came to Pearl, it was supposed to be temporary. Just a stopping spot until I figured out where to hide, where to go next and just live my life.”
“You said hide. Are you in some kind of trouble?” Travis asked, and now the others stood up.
“Dee?” Sunny said her name, questioning her in that demanding tone.
“It’s been a year. Maybe not so much anymore.” She stepped away from Travis and looked at the small house and the now beautiful landscaping.
“If there’s a possibility that
you’re in some kind of trouble, then you need to tell us,” Sunny said to her. She turned around to look at him. At them.
She wanted so much, including wiping out the past and just focusing on herself and the future. But the aching pain in her gut and worry about her father was getting under her skin big time. She was worried about him, despite him not really supporting her disappearance, although Sally and Michy had helped her and told her that her father wanted her to have the extra money so she could get far. He loved her, but his hands were tied.
“Dee?” Hunter said.
The tears filled her eyes.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t get into it. I can’t talk about it with the four of you. I won’t involve you in it. It’s not your responsibility.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Everything and anything that involves you and affects you involves us,” Sunny told her. Now he seemed angry.
“I take care of myself, Sunny.”
“Not anymore. Now you have us,” Hunter told her.
She shook her head and looked away.
“If we’re going to do dinner, I’ll need to shower and change first and grab some things.”
They were silent, and then the others stood up, prepared to leave.
The sight of all four of them standing in front of her looking so stern and commanding did a number to her body and her mind.
“How is six thirty?” she asked.
“We’ll be back at six thirty,” Sunny told her.
“Can we bring anything?” Travis asked.
She gave him a soft smile. “I’ll take care of everything.”
* * * *
“What the fuck are we going to do? Sit here and just let her basically tell us to mind our own business when she could be in some kind of trouble?” Travis asked as he sat at the kitchen table. Sunny, Hunter and Marino stood in their kitchen preparing to leave for Dee’s house. They had a couple of beers and were banging their heads against the walls, trying to figure out what had gone down and why she wasn’t confiding in them.
“We can’t push her. It’s obvious she has trust issues. But there are rules that need to be followed. A call to Wyatt may be necessary,” Hunter told him.
“Wyatt is the sheriff, and maybe he can convince her to talk, but I’d rather she confide in us first. If the situation warrants Wyatt’s involvement, then so be it. If we’re making an official claim to her, then it’s a no-brainer. She will submit to us and tell us what she’s running from,” Sunny said to them, and they all agreed.
“But if a man hurt her, I mean if something bad went down, then maybe pushing her too hard, demanding her to submit to our authority, control, and care for her may send her running from us too,” Travis said, and they all got very quiet.
He knew that her reaction to him today was somehow justified if she’d just explained her fear of owing someone something. Hopefully tonight they would get more answers and also get to know Dee even better.
* * * *
Dee hurried to finish setting the table. She was down fifteen minutes after speaking with Cynthia as she shopped for dinner. She knew they all liked chicken so she opted for Captain Morgan’s spiced rum chicken, a favorite of hers and one she’d made back home for a large crowd as her contribution meal.
With thoughts of home came waves of nausea as her gut clenched. She had to make time to call her father tomorrow or, at the very least, Sally and Michy.
She felt so damn nervous she was shaking as she covered the chicken so it wouldn’t get cold and also the side dishes of baked potatoes and sweet potatoes because she didn’t know what they each preferred. She also had salad and string beans. She grabbed the small little dishes to put some dipping oil into them then sprinkled some seasoning. As she sliced the bread into thin slices to dip, the doorbell rang. She jumped and then wiped her hands on the short apron she wore and tried to untie it. She wore a pretty, deep blue sundress that was strapless and showed off her tan. It was light and perfect for such a warm summer night.
As she tried unsuccessfully to untie her apron, she called out that the door was open.
When it opened, Sunny entered, along with Marino, both carrying bottles of wine. Travis and Hunter followed with a bouquet of yellow flowers and a case of beer.
“It smells amazing in here,” Marino told her.
“It looks amazing in here,” Sunny said, staring at her then pulling her into his arms and kissing her hello. He ran his hands along her back.
“I can’t untie the apron. I think I knotted it,” she told him as she looked way up into his eyes. That was when she realized she hadn’t put on her heels.
Hunter moved around her after setting down the beer. He kissed her bare shoulder as he helped to untie the apron.
“You smell delicious,” Hunter said and kissed her shoulder again then trailed kisses along her neck.
The others placed things down onto the counter, and then Hunter undid the apron and removed it. Travis pulled her in front of him, holding her hands outstretched and complimenting the dress.
“Beautiful.” He kissed her softly on the lips.
She felt flush from their greetings and began to ramble.
“I was just cutting some bread for dipping in the oil. Let me grab my heels, and then I’ll get you some drinks.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ve got it covered,” Marino said as the men put the beer in her refrigerator and started opening up cans.
“Forget the heels. Be comfortable,” Sunny told her, but it sounded like an order. She swallowed hard.
“Corkscrew?” Sunny asked, and she pointed to the drawer.
“Red or white?” he asked.
“Red please, and thank you. How did you know I like wine?”
“It’s what you always ask for first when we’re all out at parties,” Travis told her. She smiled.
“Everything looks and smells wonderful, but you forgot something important,” Marino told her.
“I did? What?” She looked around at the table then around the room.
Marino snagged her around the waist, pulling her close. “You forgot my hello kiss.”
She felt the instant butterflies as her heart began to pound.
She tried standing up on tiptoes but couldn’t reach him.
“I really need my heels around you guys,” she said.
He lifted her up and set her down on the island in the kitchen. As she gripped his forearms, he pressed between her legs, pulled her close, and kissed her.
He smelled so good and felt even better as she ran her hands along his arms and shoulders. As the kiss grew deeper, she felt him press harder against her then run his hands along her thighs and under her dress.
She needed to slow things down, but her body wanted, needed, so much more. When a finger curled around her thong panties and began to pull downward, she knew she had to stop him.
She pulled back and caught her breath.
“I think we should have a drink,” she said, and he licked his lower lip and continued to caress her thighs.
“I’m thirsty for something sweet,” he told her.
She gripped his hands.
“It feels so good to touch you,” Marino confessed.
She panicked but held his gaze and fought with what she should do and how far she could go with them.
“I need slow, remember?”
“I’m trying to change your mind,” he replied, and Travis, Hunter, and Sunny chuckled.
Marino passed her the glass of wine. He lifted his beer can. “To new beginnings,” he said and they clinked drinks then the others joined them with theirs.
As she tried to ease off the counter, Marino lifted her with one arm and set her down. His obvious strength and ability both turned her on and made her fearful. He carried a knife just like Ghost and Raven did.
The thought made her cover her belly with her hand and catch her breath.
She smoothed down her skirt then took another sip of wine as the men devoured the bread and dippi
ng oil. They complimented her cooking as she set out the chicken and side dishes and told her who liked sweet potatoes and who liked regular.
“My God, Dee, this is delicious. Where did you learn how to cook?” Travis asked her.
She wiped her mouth then took a sip of wine. “I did a lot of cooking for large groups back home. This was one of my favorites.”
“You came from a big family?” Sunny asked her.
“Not a real family. More like a makeshift one. I mean everyone looked out for one another, but only my dad and I were real family.” She felt the tears reach her eyes.
She placed her hand over her belly and tried to ignore the ache.
Then she felt Hunter’s hand cover hers. “Are you feeling okay?”
She looked up and smiled softly as she nodded.
“I want to tell you more about me. I really do, but there’s this feeling I get, and no matter how much I try to tell myself that it’s fear and that I can trust you, I hold back.”
“That’s natural,” Hunter said. “You’ve said you’ve always taken care of yourself. We understand that. We’ve witnessed your independence and strength over the past eleven months or so. You’re strong, you’re smart, and definitely the most beautiful woman we’ve ever met. But we want to be a bigger part of your life.”
“We want to claim you officially as our woman, Dee. You know what that means don’t you?” Sunny asked her.
He was so damn serious. Maybe that was part of what held her back. The rules. More rules to follow and orders and demands. Why couldn’t she just live her life and be free from the control? She knew this was different here in Pearl, and with Sunny and the others, but she was so scared.
“Dee, you understand?” Hunter pushed.
She nodded.
“No secrets. No holding back. I would need to hand over a lot of control to each of you and accept that you would always care for me and provide for me and be here for me.”
“That interests you, doesn’t it? You’re interested in us in that way too?” Travis asked.
She raised her hands up as if praying, covered her mouth, and exhaled slowly.
“I’ve never been in a serious relationship with a man. The first and only time I’ve been kissed, it was forced on me and wasn’t a pleasant experience.”
Gang of Broken Hearts Page 7
