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She stared at the passenger side door and the height to get up into the truck.

“Um, there’s no way I can get up there. Not in this stupid uniform.” But before she could turn, Dante lifted her into the air and placed her onto the seat. He then covered her knee with his hand.

“Scoot on over, darling, Trevor is coming, too.” Charlie jumped into the driver side. She was pressed against him as his two brothers moved into the cab, too.

As they drove the short distance to her parents’ house, she noticed the large shotgun up on the rack, the Marine Corps sign, and a rather clean truck.

“I’m impressed. I thought it would be a mess in here. Don’t you guys take this truck to work?”

Charlie kept looking straight ahead.

“We like it neat. You never know who we might offer a ride to,” Trevor whispered then placed his hand on her knee. She knew his words had hidden meaning. They sure did make her heart react.

Finally they were at her parents’ house and once again Dante helped her down. As he lowered her to her feet, he remained holding her.

“We’ll take things slow, Lori. Just give it a chance.” He kissed her softly before releasing her.

As she wondered what he meant and began to move, Trevor stopped her. He leaned down from the seat above, placed his fingers under her chin and looked into her eyes.

“You’re very beautiful.” Then he kissed her ever so softly.

She kissed him back and then he released her and smiled. “See you tomorrow.”

“Good night,” she replied, and as she headed toward her front porch, she caught a glimpse of Charlie’s facial expression before the beaming headlights blocked her view. Her chest tightened.

Why does he always look so heated?

Chapter 9

“Now listen to me, old man, things are going to get worse around here if you don’t ease your hold on this land. You better keep this between you and I or your old lady is gonna get hurt next. Do you understand?” the stranger told Tom Cantrell over the telephone. It was the middle of the night and he looked toward Lynn knowing that nothing was worth her getting hurt over.

“I understand that. Now tell me what you want.”

“When someone comes along interested in buying some land, you better be more willing to negotiate. If not then things could get worse.”

The stranger hung up the phone.

Tom heard the click, feeling sick and angry. He had somewhat of an idea who was responsible for the fire and other events, but he couldn’t be one hundred percent sure because two other building companies had approached him in the past two weeks. One of them he was actually considering working with because they were going to build nice, affordable homes that would build up the community. The other one wanted the land to build some kind of condominiums and factory of something. That wasn’t even an option. Tom figured he would wait and see what took place next. He wanted to keep Lynn and his neighbors out of harm’s way. This land was too beautiful to destroy with condos and business buildings. Tom needed to think things through, but ultimately his wife was his top priority and nothing was worth her getting hurt over.

* * * *

Lori got up earlier than usual to go for her jog. She couldn’t sleep at all last night as she kept thinking about Dante, Trevor, and Charlie. They were so handsome and strong. She hated to admit it but she actually liked it when Charlie grabbed her, pulling her into a hug to look up at the stars. She loved how sexy Trevor appeared as he asked for a taste, too, then pulled her into his arms to kiss her. And of course there was Dante. Damn, that man was big and quiet, but when he wanted something, he just took it. She liked all three of them and it just felt so crazy. She didn’t need this kind of thing right now. She wanted to stay focused on going to school, establishing a life and career. This whole ménage thing could be a mistake. She didn’t know them really and they seemed so angry all the time and untrusting. She didn’t need that. What if they were violent like Derrick? They did like grabbing her and sort of restraining her when they kissed her.

Lori felt her pussy clench and a bit of arousal fill her. She liked that, so who was she kidding? But then again, what did she know? Maybe her sister had that kind of relationship with Derrick. He was a big man and very strong. He could have easily broken her or Maggie in two like a toothpick. So could Dante, Trevor, and Charlie. Plus they were Special Forces. Goddamn, I can’t do this. I can’t take that kind of chance times three. Three huge-ass men, older men who would dominate, control, and perhaps hit me.

She recalled the conversation she had with Michelle at the barbeque a few weeks back and how Charlie, Dante, and Trevor were into one-night stands. Noncommittal ways seemed to be their thing. They didn’t act like that last night. In fact, the way things ended with Trevor and Dante made it sound like there was more to come. Lori wondered if she really needed the hassle, and every time she asked herself that question the word yes came to mind. As much as she wanted her first time to be meaningful, romantic, and involving someone she loved who also loved her, a part of her couldn’t wait to just get it over with.

For Christ’s sake, I’m twenty-one years old! Sex for the first time would definitely be considered memorable. But they’re so much older and experienced. It wouldn’t mean as much to them as it would to me. I can’t do it.

She thought about Charlie. He was an older man, attractive, sexy, kind of nice when he wasn’t bossing everyone around and never mind the effect his kisses had on her. Maybe he was ju

st playing some kind of game that she just wasn’t experienced enough to know about? Maybe that was all he wanted from her? A one-night stand, sex, a roll in the hay, all the different ways to describe meaningless sex she’d ever heard in any movie she’d ever seen. Add in his two brothers and perhaps it was their version of a fantasy come true. Once they had their fill of her, they’d get rid of her and move on to the next stupid, naive woman to screw around with. God, that gets my blood boiling.

She wanted more, so much more than that when it came down to something so personal, so intimate. She wouldn’t just throw it away, toss it off as something minor, a nuisance. She had waited this long and there was no need to screw it all up now. She didn’t need heartache on top of all the other emotions she held deep inside. As attracted as she was to Dante, Charlie, and Trevor, she would need to be one hundred percent sure that she was at least in love with them before sharing such an intimate part of herself.

As she returned from her morning run, she saw the lights on in the detached garage near Charlie’s house. He and his brothers lived in their own little place across the way from their parents’ house. Lori figured he had started working on her car already so she ran inside her house to make some coffee and an egg sandwich to drop off to him. It was the least she could do.

She ran the sandwich and coffee to Charlie real quick, which he appreciated, then headed back home. As Lori walked into the kitchen, Maggie was sitting there waiting for her.