by Dakota Dawn
“You two are no fun.” Gaven was motioned over by Trent.
She grinned and looked up at Lunn. “Thanks for the heads-up.”
Lunn tilted his head. “I hate to see a newbie to our circle lose money. Especially the sweet ones.”
The look in Lunn’s eyes shot desire through her pelvis. Being so close to him and Gaven was going to be hard on her in a deliciously painful way. Her need for them was growing every day. How much longer before they realized it? Would they be happy or sad when they found out?
She felt Lunn nudge her and realized it was her turn. Moving forward, she picked up her darts and threw one. Damn, it hit the outermost ring. Throw number two stuck in the corkboard that the dartboard was attached to. Another two feet over and she would have stuck the dart in the wall. She looked at Lunn and mouthed “sorry.” Concentrating hard, she threw her third dart. It landed right next to her first one. She was glad she hadn’t added to the holes in the corkboard that time. Lunn stepped up and threw a dart. His landed one ring closer to the center than hers. His second and third darts landed two rings away from the center.
After they stepped aside, Lunn whispered in her ear, “Not bad. At least we hit the board most of the time.”
That was about all they did for the rest of the game. But Lunn didn’t seem to mind, and that freed her up to just enjoy the game and the people.
She went over to Branda, who was standing by the table getting a drink. “I like your tattoo. That flowering vine looks sweet traveling up your arm.”
Rain came over. “See. That’s what I told her. She’s still a little nervous about what people will think about her tat. I told her it’s not what other people think, but it’s what she thinks that matters.”
Branda held out her arm. “You don’t think it’s too much?”
She shook her head. “No, I love the color and detail. It looks so real.”
Branda’s face lit up. “I think it looks real, too. Rain talked me into it. I’m glad she did.”
Looking up, she saw Gaven and Lunn watching her. Heat rushed to her cheeks. Hide your feelings, girl.
Branda drew her attention away from Gaven and Lunn. “We need to get together and talk about the party that’s being thrown here in two weeks. I’m doing some cookie arrangements for it. Do you work tomorrow night?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll come by at about seven, and we can talk shop. How does that sound?” Branda asked.
She thought she caught a gleam in Branda’s eyes, but she wasn’t sure. “That sounds fine. I’ll be here.”
Trent’s voice carried over to them. “Girls, stop gibber-gabbering. It’s your turn.”
Rain scrunched up her face. “All right, already. What’s the hurry? You needing a beating?”
Trent’s eyes heated up. “I’ll take a beating from you any day, my love.”
Rain looked at her watch. “Let’s hurry this game up. We only have two more hours before we have to pick the baby up.”
She glanced at Trent and asked, “How old is the baby?”
A grin slashed across his face. “He’s eight months old. My mom and dad have him right now.”
Rain came back and pushed Lunn in the direction of the dartboard. “Right now being the operative words. Let’s get this game over. I feel a strong need to leave.”
She had to hold back a laugh as she quickly threw a dart and almost missed the board. A few rounds later, Gaven and Trent did a victory dance after they won the game. Troy paid up and then warned Gaven he’d win next time.
Trent took a last sip of his soda then took Rain’s hand and kissed it. He scanned them all then said, “It’s been fun, but now it’s time for us to go have some personal fun.”
Troy and Trey took Branda’s hands in each of theirs and made their excuses as well. Once they were all gone, Gaven turned to her. “That was nice of you to tell Branda you liked her tattoo. It covers a scar that has bad memories.”
“Oh. Well if that’s the case, I’m glad I went with my gut and complimented her tattoo. Nobody should feel self-conscious about their body.” The artist had done a fabulous job. She hadn’t seen any scar tissue at all.
Lunn stepped in front of her, and to her surprise he pulled her into his arms. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his hard body pressed against hers. Katarina wished the moment would never have to end.
He leaned back and looked down into her eyes. “Thanks for being my partner tonight.”
A shiver shot down her spine. His voice was as sexy as his hard body. “It was my pleasure.”
Gaven tugged on Lunn’s arm, and he let her go. She missed his heat immediately. Gaven draped his arm over her shoulders and pulled her in close to his side. The pulse in her clit started pounding. Damn, it felt just as good to be pressed against him as it did to be flush up against Lunn’s warm body. Sandwiched between them would be even better.
Gaven’s words brought reality crashing down. “She works for me, so keep your distance.” He squeezed her for a second then released her. “Thanks for helping out tonight. I’ll let you get back at it.”
Her heart dropped to her stomach. Squaring her shoulders, she said, “Glad I could help out. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.” At her words, she thought she saw his eyes darken with a flash of desire. But when she looked away then looked back, there was no desire in his eyes. It was most likely just wishful thinking on her part. Love was rough.
As she passed by one of the larger windows, a spike of fear shot through her chest. She swallowed hard and looked out into the parking lot. Shit, did she just see a shadow move?
The bartender called to her, “Hey, Katarina. Can you help me out for a sec?”
“On my way.” She looked back outside and noted how the wind blew, casting a plant’s moving shadow over a car. After blowing out a nervous breath, she went back to work. Her fear was totally unfounded. No one was watching her.
* * * *
Rage boiled in his blood. From his view in the parking lot, he had seen her face light up as she’d played a game of darts with the group of people. Some he knew, and some he didn’t. The only person that needed to make her happy was him. Flower’s lovely body was made just for him. He clenched his fists as he remembered Gaven and Lunn touching her. Releasing the breath he’d been holding, he cocked his head to the side as he realized they might not know she was taken.
Soon he would have to teach her a lesson, though. No one touched her but him. When she walked over to the bartender, he slinked from behind the plant he’d been using as camouflage and went to his car. As he slid into the vehicle, a little fur ball bounded into his lap.
“One day I’ll have her trained as well as you, Rosie. She will jump into my arms everyday when I come home from work. My favorite meal will be ready and on the table waiting for me to eat it up. I’ll give you a few bites, but not many. I don’t want you to get sick. What do you think about that?”
The little dog barked excitedly.
A gravelly laugh came from his throat as he petted the dog some more. “One day soon she will be ours. She’s too loyal to me to fall for either of those men. She just let them touch her tonight because she’s not a rude person. No, she’s not. Besides, I’m more handsome, don’t you think?”
The dog barked again and was rewarded with a doggie biscuit.
A loud ring had the man growling. “Hello,” he said sharply.
“We need you to come to work. The party will arrive in one hour,” his boss stated.
He scowled. “I’ll be there.” If the money wasn’t so good, he wouldn’t go, but taking care of a woman wasn’t going to be free.
He looked through the windows of the pub. Flower was helping a waitress clean up a large table. He’d planned on following her home. Women needed men to make them feel safe. Soon he’d have to stir things up so she could see how much she needed him. With a disgruntled sigh, he started the engine and drove away. The only thing that kept him going was the
knowledge that she’d soon be his.
* * * *
Katarina looked around her apartment parking lot nervously. What was wrong with her? Getting out of her car, she hurried to her door. Living alone for the first time in her life must be making her mind go wild. She briefly wondered how long it would take for her to feel comfortable on her own.
A noise behind her had her spinning around. She blew out a breath of relief and waved when she spotted her four-foot-ten-inch-tall, unibrowed neighbor from across the street. The lady was sweet, but she liked to talk a little too much. Mostly about her turtle, Sam. She was tired and sent out a prayer of thanks when the woman just waved back and entered her apartment.
A scream deep in the complex had her dropping her keys. Her heart tried valiantly to pound its way out of her chest. She reached down to retrieve her keys, never stopping the scanning motion of her eyes. A squeal escaped her throat when she touched something soft and warm. Fuck!
Looking down, she saw a fluffy white cat. It bumped its head against her hand and purred. Relief washed over her. As she petted the cat, she heard an angry shout. “You stupid motherfucker. You scare my girl again and you’ll be the one peeing your pants.”
“Well, now we know why that woman screamed. I wasn’t really scared. How about you?” she asked the cat. The cat purred, and she felt a crazy sense of peace envelope her. “Who do you belong to?”
Mesmerizing blue eyes stared into hers. The pretty Persian kitty didn’t have a collar. Was it homeless? It wasn’t dirty, but it was a little lean. It probably belonged to a neighbor.
She grabbed her keys and petted the cat one more time. As she unlocked the door, the cat brushed against her leg and meowed pitifully. Looking down into its eyes, she gasped when she thought she saw stars appear in the dark pupils of its blue eyes. For a second she wondered if it was magical, and then she quickly pushed the thought aside. So far she’d never met another magical being. They seemed to be few in number. The cat rubbed its head against her leg and looked up at her with big, begging eyes. Minus the stars.
She pushed her door open and the white fur ball waltzed in like it owned the place. A peek around the complex proved that no one was rushing over to get the cat. After closing and locking the door behind her, she smiled when the cat jumped on the couch and circled a few times then settled down to take a nap. A pet could be just the thing she needed. She’d ask around later to make sure no one was looking for the pretty kitty.
Chapter Six
Katarina watched through her window as Branda walked into the pub with Rain by her side. Was Rain in business with her? She looked at the baby Rain had riding on her hip. No doubt about who his father was. He was sure to break as many hearts as his dad and uncles.
Branda stopped at the bar and said something to Doug. He quickly got two glasses of tea and handed them to her.
Putting her paperwork aside, she walked out of her office to meet them.
Branda smiled invitingly. “There you are. I ordered some snacks to eat after we talk about the upcoming party.” Branda turned and touched the baby’s hand. He quickly grabbed her finger and started touching her ring. “Have you met little Lando Cortino?”
“No, but I’m glad to. He’s such a cute baby.” Katarina reached out and touched his soft cheek. He giggled then blew a big spit bubble as he waved his chubby arms.
Branda laughed and then looked pointedly at Rain. “I think you’re going to have your hands full with this one.”
Rain dropped her gaze to Branda’s abdomen then looked up and raised a brow. “Soon you are going to have your hands full with your own little bubble blower.”
Katarina’s brows shot up. “Are you pregnant?”
“Yes. We just found out today.” Excitement made Branda’s voice high and had her eyes twinkling.
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks, we’re all thrilled. The babies are going to be close enough in age to explore the world together, or at least our backyards. Let’s go sit down. Lando gets heavy in no time at all,” Branda declared as she looked for a table.
They all moved to a round table and had a seat. Rain held Lando in her lap. He immediately stood up on her legs. Her hands gripped his waist a little tighter right before he started bouncing. A grin crept up and crossed Katarina’s face. She loved babies.
Branda got straight to business. “The party is still on the seventeenth at 5:00 pm, correct?”
“Yes.”
The brunette looked over her shoulder then turned back to Katarina. “Good. Now that business time is over, let’s talk about you and Gaven and Lunn.”
Katarina sputtered unintelligibly then looked over her own shoulder. Cora, one of the evening waitresses, was coming to their table with a drink, cheddar spuds, and stuffed mushrooms. She placed the drink in front of Katarina and the food in the middle of the table, along with four plates.
Katarina pulled herself together. “Thanks, Cora.”
“No prob. Let me know if you need anything else.” She moved on to the next table, and Katarina wished she could go with her.
Heat throbbed through Katarina’s cheeks. “Gaven’s my boss.”
Rain gave a bite of food to the baby. “So. We saw how you looked at Gaven and Lunn.” She nodded knowingly then said, “Love struck.”
Branda nibbled on a mushroom. “Love struck sounds about right, Rain.” She looked at Katarina and then the food. “Go ahead, have some. You know how good they are.”
She puffed out a breath then scooped up a mushroom and ate it. If these two had noticed her unquenchable love for her guys, had Lunn or Gaven also seen it? God, she hoped not. “It’s not what you think.”
Rain grinned and raised a brow with flourish. “Oh, yes it is.”
“Don’t try to change our minds,” Branda countered. “Actions speak louder than words, you know. To top it all off, they seem interested in you as well.”
Unable to help herself, she asked, “Did they say that?”
“No, but they didn’t have to. You held their attention all through the game, and Gaven talks about how good you are all the time,” Branda replied with a knowing nod.
Rain wiped the baby’s mouth then said, “If you want to get Gaven over his rule of not dating his employees, then you are going to have to start acting a lot bolder. Both of them can’t resist a bold lover who knows what she wants.”
Katarina’s lips twisted nervously. “Let’s say you two were right. How would I act bolder?”
Branda was quick to answer. “Rub up against them every chance you get. Show your cleavage to them often. Don’t act scared. That will turn them away from you. Even if you don’t have much experience, act like you do.”
Rain leaned in and said, “Whisper in their ears whenever possible. Make sure your lips graze the shell of their ear. That is sure to get their attention.”
Branda tapped her fingers on the table. “If you are on the pill, take it in front of them. That will let them know you’re safe to have sex with. I know they are big into using condoms, which keeps them clean. Safe sex is always the best sex. Be bold, and always remember that they can’t read your mind.”
Her mind was overflowing with thoughts of how she could do some of what they said. Needing time alone, she said, “Thanks for the help. I’ll think about what you’ve both said. Now I better get back to work. Have a good evening. I’ll see you soon, Branda.”
Both women said their good-byes as a distracted Katarina walked back to her office. Could she pull off what they suggested?
* * * *
That night when Katarina walked up to her apartment, fear gripped her heart. The door was ajar. With a shaky hand she pushed the door open. Tears welled in her eyes. All of her stuff was scattered everywhere. Not again. She had to be the unluckiest person in town.
Where was the fluffy cat? “Here kitty, kitty. Are you here?” Her heart sank when the cat didn’t come. Although she’d only been around the cat for a short time, she felt a bizarre connection
to it. Had the robber taken him? She hoped not.
Backing away from the door, she pulled out her phone and called the police and gave them her location. Looking around, she noted several creepy shadows. Needing to hear a comforting voice, she told the 911 operator that she needed to make another call. After convincing the woman she was all right, she dialed Gaven’s number.
“Hello.”
The sound of his voice made her feel safer, but it also reminded her of how much she loved him. Too bad he didn’t seem to love her in return, unless Branda and Rain were correct. Maybe he did have feelings for her. “Hi, Gaven. It’s Katarina. I was just calling because…” She stopped talking for a moment when she heard a siren. “Wow! That was quick. The police are almost here. I was just calling because the last time my place was broken into you told me to call if—”
Gaven didn’t let her continue. “Your place was broken into again?”
“Yes. When I came home tonight, the door was ajar, and when I peeked in I saw my stuff scattered everywhere. Hey, the police are approaching. I better let you go. I’ll be in tomorrow.” She hung up and told the police officers what had happened then stood outside as they instructed. She hoped she hadn’t been wrong in calling Gaven. Even though he’d told her to call, that didn’t mean he’d meant it.
While the officers were investigating, she called her dad to fill him in on the possible robbery. She didn’t want to make the call, but she knew he would be super mad if she waited until tomorrow to tell him. His reaction was just as bad as she thought it would be. As he ranted and demanded she return home, she rubbed her forehead and closed her eyes wearily. Exhaustion was setting in by the time she got him calmed down and reassured him she was all right.
After hanging up, she tiredly opened her eyes. She needed a place to stay. A slight movement caught her attention. Did that shadow just move? Instinctively she stepped back. The shadow moved again. That creeped her out even more. Her pulse started pounding as she took another step back then another. One more step and she backed into a solid body. A scream erupted from her throat, and she tried to run. Strong arms locked her in a heated embrace. She tried to twist out of the steel bands that bound her. No way am I going to let him take me. Raising her foot, she prepared to stomp his toes.