Zach leaned back in his chair with a big grin. “Nothing is going to ruin the mood. Everything with Cassie is going to be great.”
* * * *
“How do you like your steak, Cassie?”
Cassie reclined on the lounge chair beside the pool and Jacuzzi. Zach looked very at home grilling their steaks in the fancy, outdoor kitchen. Zach had explained that he and Chase had just finished building the house and had spoiled themselves a little with some “boy’s toys.” They certainly had. The living room was decked out with butter-soft leather couches and an enormous flat-screen TV with surround sound. One end of the room had a piano, a drum set, and a couple of guitars littering the carpet. Her tour of their home had also included their office, where the toys continued. Each man had his own dark oak desk with a giant leather chair and state-of-the-art computer equipment and another large flat-screen on the wall. The boys liked their comforts, apparently.
“Medium rare, Zach. And might I say, it is a fine sight watching a handsome man cook for me. I could get used to this.”
“Might not want to get too used to it. Grilling is about all Chase and I can do when it comes to food. We were hoping you could cook, honestly.”
Zach laughed, and Cassie’s body began to hum at the rich sound. He looked so yummy standing there in his worn blue jeans that hugged that very fine ass and a red T-shirt that stretched across his broad chest and biceps. Yep, that man had some guns on him. For the first time in her life, Cassie could see why women appreciated a man that did physical labor for a living. She would bet that Zach didn’t get that body by spending hours in a gym.
“Will Chase be back by dinner?”
“Yeah, he should be. He needed to head down to the stables to check on a horse that should foal any day now.”
“You didn’t go with him?”
“Chase and I don’t go everywhere with each other, Cassie, although it might look otherwise to you since we started courting you. Actually, Chase is much better with the horses that are foaling. Almost like that horse whispering guy. He has a real soft touch with them. I, on the other hand, am the designated asshole on our construction sites, and no one accuses me of whispering.” Zach grinned and showed Cassie those gorgeous dimples she loved so much. Hmmm, she would have to get a taste of those later.
“The designated asshole? I’m afraid to ask, but what is that?”
“The designated asshole is the guy that yells if someone needs yelled at, rips someone a new asshole if they need a new one ripped, and generally terrorizes those that might want to screw around instead of working. Sort of like good cop, bad cop, angel. But Chase is bad cop, and I am even badder cop.” Zach’s eyes twinkled, and Cassie wondered if he was serious.
“Really, you yell at people? You seem like a pretty calm guy to me.” Cassie really couldn’t imagine Zach pissed off at all.
“Nope, actually Chase yells. I get silent and cold. I have been told that is even scarier. Learned to do that in the military.”
“I heard you were in the Navy. Were you overseas?”
“Yep, I did two tours in Afghanistan. I was a Navy SEAL.” Zach looked away a little embarrassed.
“Oh my god, you mean like the SEALs that got Bin Laden, SEALs?”
Zach really did look embarrassed now. “Yeah. I did covert missions for four years over there. Don’t ask me about them, I would have to kill you if I told you.”
Cassie looked startled at that and then busted out laughing as she saw Zach was grinning ear to ear. “What a kidder! I actually would like to hear about your missions, Zach. Was it dangerous?”
Zach was quiet a minute and seemed far off. Then just as suddenly, he turned back to her with an intense stare. “I don’t really talk about it much, angel. It’s in the past, and that’s where it needs to stay,” Zach said quietly, but firmly.
Cassie could tell that she wasn’t going to hear heroic tales from the Middle East from Zach. She could see that it was a serious subject for him. Perhaps, one day, Zach would feel comfortable enough to talk to her about it. It explained his intensity and the aura of power that he radiated. That she was so attracted to a man that screamed “alpha” was completely unforeseen. Perhaps it was okay since his dominance was tempered with Chase’s playful, romantic nature. Maybe she could get Chase to sing her a romantic song.
Zach definitely put out the “I am completely in charge” vibe, and she found herself responding to it. It surprised her. She had always been the one in charge in her past relationships, not counting Danny. And she would not think about Danny tonight. She was determined to move beyond her past. It had defined her long enough. “Well, then let’s change the subject. So, you two are courting me, are you? I don’t think I have ever been courted before. Not sure what I am supposed to do.” Cassie giggled at Zach’s eye roll when she mentioned courting.
“You don’t have to do anything except sit back and let Chase and I take care of your every little need.”
“All my needs, Zach?”
“Every single one. In fact, let’s take care of one now.”
And with that, Zach stalked toward her like the predator he was. He crawled up the lounge chair, and Cassie couldn’t help but try to back up. He looked scary handsome and more than a little dangerous. Dangerous to her libido. Dangerous to her independence.
Zach was having none of that. He caught her by the ankle and tugged her toward him. “Nope, Cassie. You are about to get kissed. I’ve been thinking about this since Friday night.”
Zach tugged Cassie into his arms and pushed her back on the lounge chair. She sucked in a breath as he leaned in and gently took her lips with his own. She had been thinking about this, too, since Friday night. She opened to him without hesitation, and he sucked her tongue into his mouth. God, he tasted good—just a hint of beer and something spicy she couldn’t identify.
Zach lifted his head briefly to angle his kiss, and Cassie’s heart beat faster as she caught the carnal need and lust in his eyes. He wasn’t bothering to hide how he felt, and she knew without a doubt that Zach wanted her. And, God, did she want him badly, too. Her nipples had peaked against her lacy bra and were begging for Zach’s fingers and tongue.
Her pussy was weeping with need and felt so empty. Her body remembered Zach’s mastery of it and wanted more. Zach’s kiss deepened, and Cassie ran her hands up his muscled back to his broad shoulders. She just couldn’t resist running her fingers through his dark hair, and as she did, his lips traveled across her cheek to her ear, then down her jaw and neck to the swell of her breasts. His tongue snaked out and ran under her blouse to the edging of her bra. Cassie’s head fell back as his tongue was oh-so-close to her nipples. They hardened to painful points as they begged for Zach’s tongue to swirl across them, suck at them. She whimpered a little, and Zach’s mouth closed over hers again, plundering her hot depths over and over again with his tongue.
Need swirled through her, and she could hear her ragged breath when Zach raised his head and rubbed his stubbly cheek on her smooth one. Her body jolted in reaction to his maleness, and she couldn’t help her hips lifting toward his and felt his hard length against her. She felt him slowly lifting away with a groan he didn’t bother to hide. She opened her eyes to see his wry smile.
“We better slow down or dinner is going to burn. But let’s hold this thought for after dinner.”
Zach pulled her up next to him, and she smiled at him as he looked at her through heavy-lidded eyes that spoke of his need.
“All right, Zach, but those steaks better be damn good.”
Chapter 6
Zach propped his feet up on the coffee table as Cassie snuggled a little closer to him on the couch. Dinner had been great, and Cassie had seemed very appreciative of the steaks, corn on the cob, garlic bread, and chocolate brownies—courtesy of the neighborhood bakery. Chase had turned on the Sunday night football game and had Cassie’s feet in his lap, giving them a massage. He could see Cassie’s eyes close. Chase had found a particularly se
nsitive spot on her arch.
“Like that, baby? I can rub these cute little feet all night if you want.”
“Oh man, that feels so good. I wear heels all week at school and my feet get so sore. Your hands are magic.”
“You have no idea, sweetheart.” Chase waggled his eyebrows suggestively and made Cassie laugh.
“Keep it up, Chase. Cassie is melting in a little puddle on my lap. I think you found a couple of sensitive spots on her that we need to catalog for the future.”
Cassie giggled, and Zach smiled. He loved to hear his girl laugh, so he was surprised when Cassie pulled her feet from Chase and sat up on the couch with a serious look on her face. She had been quiet since they finished dinner.
“Guys, I need to talk to you about something. It’s important, or I wouldn’t bring it up. If we are going to be in a relationship, there is something you need to know.”
Zach gave Chase a worried look. He picked up the remote and turned off the TV so they could give Cassie their undivided attention. He saw Cassie steady herself and take a deep breath. Whatever it was she wanted to say, it didn’t look too easy for her.
“I need to tell you what brought me to this town. Why I left Chicago and came here.”
They thought she had come to town for a change from city life. Was there something else?
“I came to town because I got fired from my job.”
Zach gave Cassie a gentle look and stroked her hand.
“That’s okay, Cassie. No one cares that you got fired.” Chase looked at Zach in relief, but Zach knew there was more to this. He didn’t feel relief yet. His instincts from his SEAL days were telling him this story was far from over, and none too pleasant. He saw Cassie tighten her lips as if she was about to say something really unpleasant. He braced himself for words he didn’t want to hear.
“I got fired because of my stalker.” Cassie’s eyes darted back and forth between the brothers as he saw she was waiting for them to react.
What the fuck?
Chase hopped up from the couch and looked ready to do battle.
“Sit down, Chase. Let Cassie finish.” He hoped he sounded a hell of a lot more calm than he felt. If someone had hurt Cassie…well, he didn’t want to think about what he might have to do. Primitive instinct was washing through him to protect his woman, and he had to tamp it down so she could finish her story. He gripped her hand and looked deep into her stormy-blue eyes. He had never seen them look this gray before, as if her thoughts were making them cold, too.
“First, he isn’t stalking me anymore, so you can sit down, Chase.” Cassie looked pointedly at Chase, who had taken up pacing back and forth in the living room. Chase paused and took a deep breath as if to calm himself down.
“My stalker is in jail and, hopefully, will stay there for the next five years, although I am told he will probably only serve two if he has good behavior. His name is Danny Trent. I met him at the accounting firm where I worked. I was an accountant in Chicago and he was our IT consultant. He was always in and out of the office, and I thought I knew him well. He seemed like a pretty nice guy. He was always flirting with me and eventually asked me out. We went to a movie and had dinner, and honestly, something seemed off about the guy. Kind of creepy, you know. There was a table of guys next to us, and he kept saying that they were coming on to me. They never said a word to me, and I don’t think they even looked my way. I think they were into each other, if you know what I mean. He dropped me at my house, I kissed him good night, and he started talking about us going away for the weekend and meeting his family. And it wasn’t so much what he was saying as the way he said it. He was so determined. I ducked into the house not realizing that my life was not going to be the same again. Ever.”
He gave Chase a look, and they each sat close and held her, letting her find the words. She finally spoke again.
“I wouldn’t go out with Danny again. He kept calling, and I kept turning him down. He sent flowers, dropped gifts off at the office and my apartment building, and hung out wherever I was. It was creepy, but at that time, not scary, more of a nuisance than anything. Most of my friends made jokes about it calling him my Not So Secret Admirer or Cassie’s Fan Club of One, stuff like that. Only Jillian seemed to really see him for what he was. She’s like that, you know. She can see to a person’s soul in less than a minute.”
Zach hated to ask this next question, but he had to. “And what was Danny Trent, Cassie?”
Cassie looked up at him with the most heartbroken eyes he had ever seen and whispered softly, “He was evil. Pure evil.”
* * * *
Cassie knew she needed to get her emotions under control, but telling the story brought so many feelings back that she thought she had conquered. She had started the evening with the idea she would never tell them about Danny. Now she knew that if they were going to have a relationship, she needed them to know her story. These men were worth walking through hell just one more time. She needed to bury the past once and for all.
“I thought Danny would eventually lose interest, but instead, things escalated. He began to harass my friends for information about me. He called all day and all night. I had to change my phone number several times. Jillian and I moved twice, but he always seemed to find me, and he would be even more agitated when he did.
“He broke into my apartment and took personal items, lingerie, books, CDs, perfume, stuff like that. One day, he broke in and had masturbated on my bed with my panties. The police couldn’t arrest him because they had no proof it was him, just my say-so. My calls were being recorded, I had a restraining order, but he kept escalating and getting sicker every day.” Cassie’s voice shook as she remembered the horrible afternoon she had come home and found her bed and privacy violated.
“Shhh, Cassie. Chase and I are here for you. We aren’t going to let anything happen to you ever again.” Zach and Chase were running their hands up and down her back and arms, trying to soothe her, but Cassie knew the worst was yet to come.
“I was constantly scared, and Jillian wouldn’t let me go anywhere by myself, and the police agreed. Danny seemed unhinged and capable of anything. I wasn’t sleeping or eating, and Jillian was a wreck too. We moved again, and things seemed fine for a while. We had moved in the middle of the night, and the apartment we rented was in Jillian’s brother’s name. We thought we had gotten away this time. But…but…” Cassie paused, taking a deep breath as she remembered the horrific sight that had greeted her and Jillian when they got home from work one day.
Zach and Chase continued to stroke and pet her and tried to speak soothing words. How could she describe such ugliness to them?
“Jillian had picked me up from work, and we came home and found…found…” Cassie tried to take several deep breaths. She had to get the rest of the story out.
“Danny had broken into our apartment and killed my dog, Dillon—snapped his neck. Dillon was a gift from Jillian when we moved to the new apartment, sort of a fresh start kind of thing. I have always loved dogs and hadn’t had one for a few years. Dillon was just a puppy. That asshole killed my baby!”
Cassie threw herself at Zach’s solid chest and sobbed. She sobbed for the loss of Dillon, for the loss of her innocence that day. She had found out then that evil lived in this world, and no one was immune from it. Evil wore many faces. Some of them were handsome, but that didn’t make them less dangerous.
* * * *
Chase looked at Zach in horror. He couldn’t believe what Cassie was telling them. That something like this had happened to her wanted to make him howl in frustration that he wasn’t there to protect her. He knew that Zach felt the same. They would protect this woman with their lives. She had already been through too much.
Chase held Cassie as she purged tears that he thought had probably been a long time coming. She tried to be strong, but this was a horror that no one should face alone. Thank God, her friend Jillian had been there.
As Cassie calmed down, Chase handed her a
tissue and pulled her on his lap, stroking her hair.
“The police arrested Danny, but he got out on bail a few hours later. However, they were supposed to call me if he made bail, but there was a clerical snafu, and the paperwork didn’t get where it should have. I didn’t know he got out. I was out alone since I thought he was in jail. He found me in the parking garage of the mall.”
Chase held Cassie tighter, afraid to hear what had happened when this asshole had found her.
“He was so angry and was yelling at me about disobeying him and disrespecting him. To this day, I really don’t know what he was talking about. Anyway, he grabbed my hair and pushed me down to my knees. He said he wanted me to beg and beg loudly so that everyone would know who I belonged to. When I wouldn’t beg, he started to slap and punch me, kick me while he held my hair tightly.”
Cassie paused, and Chase felt sick as he saw how pale her face was and how gray her eyes had become.
“Luckily, there were police patrolling the mall parking garage. They came upon the scene by accident, but they caught him in the act this time. They arrested him, and he didn’t get bail that time. The next eight months were a blur of statements, lawyers, pre-trial motions, the actual trial, and the sentencing. When it was over, Danny Trent was sentenced to five years for assault, stalking, and cruelty to animals. My asshole employers decided that the publicity from the trial was bad for business. So once the trial was over, they fired me. And here I am…I just wanted you guys to know that I come with baggage. This started two years ago, and I haven’t been on a date since that night with Danny Trent.”
Cassie looked at each of them in turn as she stroked their cheeks. Chase tried to be calm but felt the rage hot inside him that anyone would dare hurt their woman. Yeah, that’s right, he said it. Their woman. He wouldn’t let the past, hers or theirs, stand in the way of happiness.
He just wanted ten minutes with this Danny Trent guy. He wanted to heal the hurt that Cassie had experienced. He wanted to erase the horror.
Valentine, Laura - Plenty to Come [Plenty, FL] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 6