Page 11 of Lieutenant

I wonder if Brown Eyes is gay and lusting after Green Eyes.

“Thanks,” I say. Then I proceed to move my desk, too, to match how they arranged theirs, and I sit and focus on my textbook.

Or, I pretend to.

As I listen to them resume their discussion about cooking, of all things, I give thanks. It sounds like they’re both single, probably dorm roommates, and Brown Eyes is going to teach Green Eyes how to prepare a Greek dish tonight, one that I can cook in my sleep.

I finally make my move a few minutes later. Greek food is something I can cook thehellout of, fortunately, and I offer to let them come cook at my house tonight, I’ll provide the kitchen and groceries, and all they have to do is scare Kendall off.

Thankfully, they accept.

It’s not until the end of the class when I actually learn their names. I’m even more convinced by Carter’s mannerisms that he’s former military, even though he hasn’t specifically said that. It’s painfully obvious Owen is already smitten with me, which is adorable and not exactly a bad thing.

But it’s Carter I’m really drawn to. He wears a dark air of danger—and I know that sounds stupid, but it’shim.

Sure, I suppose if Carter turns out to be gay or something, I’d definitely love to give Owen a chance. I might have turned nineteen just last week, but it’s not my first rodeo. I’ve had a couple of boyfriends besides Kendall.

I’m positive one of the reasons I’m having trouble getting rid of Kendall isn’t his love of me so much as it’s his love of my money.

Carter strikes me as exactly the kind of guy I need to scare Kendall off for good.

As I head to my next class, I’m finally feeling relaxed about the confrontation with Kendall that I’m certain is coming tonight.

I also didn’t realize until much later that my world had literally shifted on its axis, setting me on my course for the future.

* * * *

I almost feel sorry for Kendall when he shows up and Carter handles him.

Almost.

I can tell Owen isn’t great with physical confrontations, but he’s doing a fantastic job standing there behind Carter and looking downright imposing.

Owen’s also big enough for me to hide behind while Carter damn near breaks Kendall’s arm in the door when the dumbass tries to force his way inside.

At least tonight I don’t sense the resentment I thought I spotted in Carter’s expression earlier. Tonight, when I hug Carter after Kendall’s departure, Carter returns my strong hug with one of his own that lasts even longer than I hoped it might.

It leaves me feeling gooey all over.

This man is a warrior. I mean, I know now, from our conversations, that my earlier guess about him being former military was correct.

But then when I hug Owen…

Sigh. Perfection.

Thank god Daddy and Momma never scrolled through my Kindle. It’s full of e-books featuring a heroine with two—or more—guys who are strong enough to take care of her and keep her safe.

This would be a ready-made dream come true, with the two of them.

When we sit down together to eat dinner at my tiny IKEA table that only seats four—the men are my first real guests, because Daddy and Momma have been up in Tallahassee—it feels perfect then, too.

Being friends with them feels comfortable in a way nothing has ever felt before. Carter is twenty-eight, almost ten years older than me. Owen’s only two years older than me.

Doesn’t matter. Not to me.

After dinner, once the kitchen is cleaned up and we’ve returned to the living room, as we continue discussing politics it strikes me that Carter is a far deeper man than most people likely realize. He’s got a way of grasping the larger picture you don’t usually see in someone so new to the jungle that is Florida politics.

While I’m studying Owen, an idea comes to mind.