Page 1 of Claiming Tessa
D iego and his friend Gavin pulled up to the airport and parked.
“How the hell did we get roped into this?” Diego asked over the top of the vehicle as they both got out.
Gavin snorted. “Because that bastard Jared knows what buttons to push with us.”
“We’ve known the guy for over three years, and I didn’t know his sister was old enough to travel.”
“He doesn’t talk a lot about his personal life.” He sighed as they approached the terminal.
Diego opened the door to the airport terminal and waited until Gavin walked through. “None of us are big talkers.”
Diego could remember meeting Jared and several other men at the gym where they worked out. Although they all came from different lifestyles and occupations, they clicked from the very beginning.
“I have to admit Jared is one of the best men I’ve ever known.”
Gavin nodded. “Along with the others. We’re lucky to have them in our lives.”
“Just don’t tell them that,” Diego joked.
Their friend Jared was a wealthy property owner in town, while they owned their own construction business. The other four guys were a lawyer, a cop, a banker, and the last owned a bar.
He and Gavin enjoyed ménage à trois relationships. The others tended to lean toward the BDSM lifestyle. Diego often thought their unusual sexuality was what made them good friends because they didn’t judge each other.
They stopped and looked up at the screens.
“Gate A-5.” Gavin spotted it first.
The two talked about their business while they dodged bodies and suitcases, until Diego halted. “Let’s stop here. We can see the gate where she comes out.”
Gavin looked around. “What does she look like again?”
“Blonde hair and blue eyes is all Jared said.”
Gavin grunted. “Wow, that’s going to help.”
“Well, Jared told me he gave her a description of us, so she’ll find us.” Diego chuckled. He looked around. His eyes widened before he elbowed Gavin to get his attention. “Fuck, look at that.”
Gavin grunted and grabbed his stomach. “What?”
They both watched as a beautiful woman walked their way.
“Holy fuck,” Gavin burst out. “Is that her?”
Diego licked his lips. “She’s blonde, but we’re too far away to see her eyes. She’s tall like Jared, though.”
Gavin gave a low whistle. “Hell, the woman looks as tall as us in those four-inch heels.”
“Look at the way she walks. Every guy turns his head to follow her,” Diego commented. “The closer she gets, the more I notice fake body parts, like her breasts and lips.”
Gavin laughed. “Yeah, but she’s still gorgeous.”
Diego looked down when someone cleared their throat in front of them. “What, kid?” he asked, but turned his attention back to the woman.
The girl scowled. He heard her say something, but the woman was getting closer, and he didn’t want to miss anything.
Gavin turned toward him and laughed. “Look at her hands.”
Diego did and then snorted. “Fuck ... it’s a guy.”
“Yup. She’s beautiful, but we don’t do guys.”
Diego laughed.
Gavin looked around. “What did the girl want?”
Diego shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“I thought I heard her say ‘Jared.’”
Diego jolted. “Fuck, that was her.”
They both looked around frantically. The woman had been so small it was hard to find her in the crowd.
“Wait, I think I saw her,” Diego exclaimed and took off in that direction. They finally caught up with her as she was hailing a taxi.
“Hey! Excuse me, are you Tessa?”
She glanced at them and then turned away. “Yeah, but you’re busy. I can take care of myself.”
Diego sighed. “I’m sorry. Please let us give you a ride.”
She turned fully to them. “Listen, I know you’re doing a favor for my brother, but I’ll just say I couldn’t see you.”
Gavin grabbed the big duffle bag she had by her feet while Diego grasped her upper arm.
“No, we fucked up,” Gavin said as he walked on the other side of her. “I hope you can accept our apology.”
She shrugged. “It’s no big deal.”
“I’m Diego, and the other guy is Gavin.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.
Gavin unlocked the truck and set the bag in the back while Diego helped her into the back seat.
After sliding into the passenger seat of the truck, he turned and studied her.
Her head barely reached their shoulders.
She was wearing drab tan pants and a baggy shirt so he couldn’t tell the shape of her at all.
Her hair was blonde, and she’d put it up into a messy bun.
The visible dark circles under her beautiful eyes and the paleness of her skin got his attention.
Her brother had told them she had been in Egypt on an archaeology dig for a university during the last year.
He didn’t know anything about archaeology except what he’d seen on television. But it looked rough. The woman in the vehicle with them didn’t look tough enough for a grueling job, and for over a year.
“You look tired.”
She turned her head to look at him and smiled. “I am. I can’t wait to find a hotel and crash for a few days.”
Diego’s brows pinched together. “I thought we were taking you to your mother’s house?”
She shook her head. “You guys are dropping me there, but I’ll only be there long enough to grab some clothes.”
Gavin pulled out of the parking lot. “Why can’t you stay there? At your mother’s?”
She snorted. “It’s a long story, and it would bore you guys.”
Diego didn’t like the sound of this. “Why don’t you stay with Jared, then?”
She shrugged. “The last thing he needs is his sister underfoot.”
Gavin glanced at her in the mirror. “I don’t think he’s going to like that. He seems pretty protective of you.”
She snorted in disbelief. “I really doubt that. He’ll be fine.”
Diego watched her check out. Her eyes went blank as she leaned against the window and closed them.
His interest in her story grew much like his attraction to her.
You might see a teenager like that because she’s so small when you first look at her.
But after spending a few minutes with her, he saw the intelligence in her eyes and her strength.
The woman was exhausted but still pushed herself to get where she needed to go and didn’t stand around whining about it.
He looked over at Gavin and saw the same curiosity, attraction, and worry. He’d just have to wait to find out what was going on.