“We won’t,” Gunny said.
“We promise,” Garrett added and then they shook hands before heading out of the dojo.
* * * *
“I really don’t want to go there today. I’m tired from the event,” Gia said as she put on a pair of hip-hugger jeans and a camisole with a sheer blouse overlay.
“Come on, Gia. Everyone is going to be there. We don’t have to stay late. We have work tomorrow,” Sammy said.
“I know you like Shane. He and his brothers are going to be there right?”
“Yes, please come with me. I need you. Plus Helena and Kaleigh may be going, too.”
“Fine, but I’m only staying for a little while. I don’t even like the games that are on today. I’m sure the bar is going to be showing the football games.”
“They sure are. It will be fun,” Sammy said then hung up.
Gia went back into the bathroom, sprayed a little perfume on her wrists, then checked her makeup. She wasn’t much on makeup. Light shadow, a bit of clear mascara, and some lip gloss. She couldn’t help but wonder if she would see Gunny, Wes, and Garrett there. She felt that nervous sensation, but then there was something else. Ever since Gunny kissed her and Garrett kissed her knuckles during the ride home from the game Saturday, she couldn’t stop thinking about them or about Wes showing affection next. He had given her a kiss hello at the fundraiser, which totally surprised her. But that hour ride home with Gunner and Garret caused some major changes in her thinking. For one, she accepted that she was attracted to the men, including Wes. They didn’t need to know that yet. It was like walking on egg shells and she feared the next step. The more Garret and Gunner talked to her about their lives, the more she liked them and thought that they were nice guys. They had even tried to talk her into dinner with the three of them that night, but she turned them down. She needed to put on the brakes. The three of them were around her constantly and she felt like she could get used to it.
She finished up, grabbed her purse and keys, and headed out.
* * * *
New York City
“Did you find out anything?” Antonio asked Franco.
“No, sir. Not yet. Just as we think we’ve tracked her down, it turns out to be the wrong person.”
“You tried running her name through motor vehicles?”
“Yes, if she owns a car or is driving one, it may be registered under another name.”
“Like who? She had no family. She never mentioned any family that I can think of. Did you question that little friend of hers? Celia Vye? She still works at the advertising firm. They were kind of close.”
“She’s not talking and I didn’t know how much pressure you wanted me to apply, considering that you recently got out of jail for assault charges.”
“I don’t give a shit how you get the information. Just get it and if you think she’ll go to the cops then you know what to do.”
“Yes, sir. I’m on it.”
Franco walked out of the office and Antonio looked out the window at the skyline. It took some schmoozing and a bit of muscle to get back into the swing of business again. He’d lost some of his more legitimate dealers because of his jail sentence, but he didn’t snitch anyone out. He served the full time for the charges and he was stronger because of it. While in jail and unable to wear his designer suits and get recognized for the superior being he was, he had learned that he desperately needed closure. He needed Gia in his life or at least to see her one more time before he disposed of her. That choice was ultimately hers. Although, it seemed his partner Valdere had become somewhat obsessed with her. Her picture hung on his walls. The perfume she wore, the clothes she wore, everything was set up in the penthouse for their woman to live. It was as if Valdere had to have her because she had gotten away and disappeared. Valdere spoke about sharing her, but Antonio had other intentions. This could play in his favor after all. But certainly, she wouldn’t come freely. She would need convincing, threatening, or whatever else. He hoped that Franco got some info on her whereabouts. That way, if she was able to form friendships, they could use those friendships to threaten her with. She belonged to him after all. She was destined to be his woman. It would be him to decide if she would be with Valdere, not Valdere. He missed her sweet body, her submissive personality, and the way she gained everyone’s attention around her. That was the kind of woman he deserved to have by his side in business and pleasure. Not some whore who spread her legs to get on top. He wanted Gia and he would have her.
* * * *
Houston
Gia was laughing at something Wes said about Garrett. His hand was on her hip and she didn’t mind one bit. Since she arrived at Casper’s, Garret, Gunner, and Wes were being very attentive and they were making her feel more and more comfortable. At one particular moment, Garrett leaned in close to her and whispered a compliment, saying he liked her outfit. As he adjusted his body in the seat, she noticed him cringe a moment.
“Are you in pain?” She asked him and his expression changed. He seemed angry. Either it was because she noticed that he was in pain or because it upset him. She wasn’t sure, but as he turned away from her, shifting his body slightly as if trying to avoid her questioning, she reached over and covered his hand. She gave it a squeeze and when he turned to look at her he seemed shocked.
As the night went on, Wes and Gunner took positions next to her or even behind her as they all conversed with their friends. Any opportunity to share her space or give her a smile or wink was taken advantage of. She didn’t mind one bit and started to give them shy little smiles in return. Nor did she mind the small featherlike kisses Wes placed on her shoulder and neck as they engaged in conversation with Garrett. She was not only getting used to their public displays of affection, but knew their intentions. They basically wanted every man around to know that she was taken. It warmed her heart and somehow made the anxiety and fear of them hurting her slowly disappear. The more they talked and the more she got to know them, the more comfortable she felt with the idea of moving forward and taking this chance with them. They were good men. And earlier she’d had the opportunity to meet their mother who was a total kick-ass-and-take-names-later woman. She was tough and the sons adored her. It was sweet to see. She wondered if the way a man treated his mom showed a lot about him. The fact that she was thinking along those lines only slightly scared her. The attraction she felt was strong. She caught herself gazing at them individually or together and imagining their large, masculine hands touching her, caressing her skin intimately. Despite their size and all those muscles and special abilities commandoes must have, she believed their touch would be gentle, passionate, and detrimental to her sanity, which was growing weak.
Just as she could tell when they were getting jealous of another man talking with her or even flirting a bit, she felt the same annoyance as women tried to converse with them at Casper’s. She wanted to say that they were hers and to get away. That, thought, she needed time to digest. That was when their mom approached and Gia had an opportunity to view them from Eve’s perspective.
The men dressed well, too. They reminded her of those calendar pictures of military men with just camo pants on and their bare, muscular chests showing. They had bodies defined from hard work, from training, and it made them stand out.
Duke and Shane came over. They started talking to her about the dojo and then their eyes locked on something behind her as she replied to them. In the corner of her eye she saw Wes.
Wes moved to the side to help with something in the kitchen and Garrett took his place, moving in beside her. She felt the palm of his hand run across her belly to her hip. His hold was possessive yet gentle.
She tilted her head up toward him as Duke and Shane began talking with Kaleigh.
“I know what you’re doing,” she whispered as he held her gaze. His fingers gently stroked her camisole and moved under the hem to touch her skin. It singed her and she gasped.
“I’m glad you do. Do you think it’s w
orking?” he asked. She glanced around them and the crowd of friends and caught sight of Sammy talking with Shane. She winked at her and Gia smiled.
“I need to use the ladies’ room,” she said then pulled slowly from his embrace. He let his hands caress along her jeans and damn it, the expression on his face was damn sexy. Her body reacted more and more to his tactics. Wes had a more straightforward, flirtatious attitude and Gunny, as everyone in his family called him, was very forward. He was the type of man that, when he wanted something, he took it. It was sexy as well, but Garrett still seemed like he was holding back. Maybe he was like her and had been hurt before.
She felt her cheeks flush and she headed to the ladies’ room. On her way out she saw Garrett looking at some photos on the wall.
“What are you looking at?” she asked him.
He took her hand and squeezed it as he used his other hand to point to the array of pictures.
“That was me after basic.”
She looked closer and she could see how young he appeared.
“You look so young. Was it hard?” she asked as she turned back toward him.
He stared at her a moment.
“It was hard, but I took to it immediately. I enjoyed pushing myself to the limit. Just like Gunny and Wes, I became part of the elite commando force.”
He pulled her along with him toward the other end of the hallway that said “private.”
“I can show you some more pictures,” he whispered then took out a key and unlocked the door. They entered and he turned on the light. It was an office.
She looked around the room and could see the pictures.
“A commando, huh? That’s really dangerous right?” she asked, and her voice hitched in her throat as he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her gaze with a very serious one. He walked her backward as she held on to his forearms.
“Very dangerous. But I enjoyed it.”
Her back hit the wall and she knew he was going to kiss her. Surprisingly she wasn’t afraid but hungry. She wanted to taste his kiss and she got her wish as he moved one hand off her waist and above her shoulder to the wall behind her. He used his thumb to trace her lower lip.
“You’re special, Gia. I love being with you and talking to you. I’m not exactly a friendly person you know.”
“You? Not friendly? As I recall you were pretty friendly that night I first came into Casper’s. You didn’t even joke about my club soda drink.”
He smiled, those dimples peeked at her, and her heart soared.
He ran a finger along her cheek and pressed his body firmly against hers. She felt his hard muscles and his cock against her belly. Her pussy wept with need, suddenly feeling so swollen, and it was sensational.
“You broke my heart when you didn’t come back to visit.”
She took a deep breath and released it.
“I’m kind of quiet and like to keep to myself, too.”
“Not anymore,” he said then leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips.
She relished in the moment of their first kiss. Smooth, deep, and sexy, he explored her mouth while his hands roamed her body.
She was hesitant to reciprocate as he deepened the kiss then turned her so that he was pressed against the wall. She wondered if he sensed her hesitation and was giving her the power to control how far this went, but then his arm wrapped around her waist tightly as he held her head, devouring her moans. She ran her hands up along his muscular arms then down to his trim waist. She felt his large hand slide across her ass then squeeze her cheek as he pulled her closer. Then she felt the second set of hands and she gasped.
“It’s me, Gia. Don’t be scared.” Wes massaged her shoulders as Garrett eased up his hold to allow Wes to explore her body, too. She felt the heat of Wes’s chest against her shoulder blades and his firm, hard thighs against her ass. He was tall. They both were. But when he moved the palm of his hand under her camisole and touched her skin, she pulled from Garrett’s mouth.
“Oh God, Wes, please, this is too much.”
Wes took her mouth with his and devoured her words. Being wedged between them like this was overwhelming and then came the flashbacks. Antonio and Valdere. Both men pressing against her, trying to remove her clothing.
She pulled from Wes’s lips and pressed her hands hard against Garrett. She managed to part from them and stepped back, nearly tripping as she covered her mouth.
“Gia, what’s wrong?” Garrett asked and it was Wes who pulled her into his arms. He held her and she tried to steady her breathing.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I totally panicked.”
“Why, baby? Did you think we would go too far or hurt you?” Wes asked.
She pulled back and tried to hide the fear and tears in her eyes, but by both men’s facial expressions, they could tell she was scared.
“I need to go. I told you that I needed things to go slow. It’s my fault. I thought I was ready.” She bolted for the door just as it opened. There stood Gunny. He was wearing his uniform and he looked concerned as he absorbed her expression then looked at his brothers.
“What’s wrong?” He stepped forward and closed the door. “What the hell happened? What did you two do?”
She placed her hand against Gunny’s chest.
“They didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just me. I thought I was okay. I just need to go. Bye,” she said then exited the room.
She said good-bye to Sammy and her friends and headed out. As the night air hit her skin, she felt how truly hot and turned-on she still was. She was enjoying their embrace, their kisses, and oh Lord, their touch. She wanted their hands everywhere, yet the flashback ruined it all. Fucking Antonio. Even now, he rules my world and maintains the power to control me and keep me from happiness.
* * * *
After a business meeting, Gia returned to her office to find a rose sitting on her desk. She glanced around and saw the note. Picking it up as she placed her portfolio case onto the desk, she opened it.
“You are amazing. I look forward to the trip to Dallas.”
There was no signature, but she knew who it was from. A funny feeling filled her belly. Damn Jeffrey and his sexist attitude. Hadn’t she told him straight out that she wasn’t interested in him?
She threw the note down.
“I’m guessing that the rose isn’t from one of the McCallister men,” Sammy said as she entered the office and closed the door. Gia crossed her arms in front of her chest. Thoughts of the men had invaded her sleep, or lack of sleep. She hadn’t returned any of their calls yet but planned to at lunchtime. She was leaving early to pack for the trip. A business trip to Dallas to seal this deal. Three days tops and then she would be back here. She really didn’t want to go, but Robert was insistent that he needed her there and that the owner of the company, Mr. Bradshaw, wanted to personally meet the artist.
“I haven’t spoken to them yet.”
“You mean since you stormed out of there? What the hell happened?”
Gia explained and Sammy fanned herself.
“You lucky woman. The three McCallister men want you and you take off like they are ogres.”
“It wasn’t like that. I had a bad relationship back in New York. I guess I’m not over the hurt.”
“Well, get over it with them. They adore you and I mean like the real thing.”
Gia looked at her funny. “You think so?”
“I know so. I wish I had three men who looked at me the way those guys look at you. They want to devour you and wrap you up in their arms. I mean, Wes and Garrett made it quite obvious that you belong to them now. They had those big muscular arms wrapped around you for most of the night. Well, until your sexy, hot make-out session in the back office. Damn girl, that sounded so hot. You pressed up against two hot bodies. Shit. I so need men like that in my life.” Sammy leaned against the desk and picked up the note.
“You had Shane and his brothers drooling over you.”
“Asshole sent
this to you?” Sammy stated as she stood up. Sammy looked worried.
“I told him that I’m not interested. If I see him and he says something to me, I’ll make it loud and clear.”
“Gia, he’s a slimeball. I can’t believe he sent you this. You should tell Robert.”
“Tell him what? That Jeffrey sent me a rose and a note that says he’s looking forward to the Dallas trip with me? Really, that’s a concern?”
“Gia, I work in personnel and hear about everything. He was accused of sexual assault by Mary Hayworth. The police came by and he was being charged and then over the weekend those charges were suddenly dropped by Mary. I know he harassed her and threatened her.”
“Shit. Well I don’t think I have much to go on with this.”
“You better watch yourself on that trip. I wouldn’t put it past that fucker to try something.”
“I will. Damn, I don’t even want to go on this trip.”
The buzzer on her desk sounded.
She answered it. “Oh. Okay, send him in.” She hung up the phone. “A Ranger is here to see me.”
Sammy smiled.
“See, they want you and they want to make things right.”
Gia gave Sammy the note and she placed it into her pocket. Since Gia was leaving anyway, she gathered her things. Sammy headed out, closing the door behind her. As Gia gathered her things, she realized how much she really wasn’t looking forward to this business trip. There was a knock at her door.
“Come in.”
She thought it would be Gunny, but instead Jeffrey stood there. She had been bent over the side of her desk and was reaching for the bag.
The American Soldier Collection: Escape from Obsession (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 8
