by Marla Monroe
Tessa shook her head as if shaking off a spell and started to get up again. This time Zander let her move, and his arm dropped away from her waist.
“I really should get back. Thanks for lunch. It was really nice.” It sounded so blasé, but she really didn’t know what else to say.
“It was our pleasure.” Zander stood up as well.
When she started to walk off, he captured her wrist and pulled her back toward him. She was so startled that she didn’t even try to pull her arm free of his light grip. Instead, she found herself surrounded by him and Tag, cocooned between the two men like a child wrapped in a blanket.
“Before I walk you back,” Zander began, “we need to talk about tomorrow night.”
“What? What about tomorrow night?” Tessa was afraid of what they were going to say.
“We want to take you out, Tessa. How about we pick you up about six thirty? Will that give you time to wind down and relax some after work?” Zander asked.
“I–I really don’t think it’s a good idea for us to see each other. I’m really not interested in dating anyone at all right now.” She stared at his chest because it was easier than looking into those amazing blue eyes of his. They seemed to be able to see inside of her and figure out what she was thinking.
“Baby girl, it’s a very good idea. We’ll take good care of you. Just give it a chance. We’d never force you into anything you don’t want, Tessa. I’d hoped you would know that by now,” Tag said, his voice rough as if some emotion was clogging his throat.
She looked up over her shoulder at him. “But if you set your mind to it, I’ve no doubt you could make me want it bad enough to relent. That’s what scares me, Tag.”
Zander leaned his head down so that their foreheads met. “That was honest, kitten. Thank you. I promise we won’t push you too far. But we will push. We want you, Tessa. Not just for one night, or even one month. We want you as ours. Running isn’t going to solve anything, so don’t even think about it. You’re under our skin and in our blood.” He brushed his lips across hers before leaning back.
“My turn, baby.” Tag turned her around to face him. His eyes held a promise that she wouldn’t get off as lightly with him.
When he pressed his lips against hers, she couldn’t stop the shiver that traveled down her spine. The warmth in her blood that had started with Zander’s kiss heated up as Tag took possession of her mouth. Tessa’s pussy softened before growing wet in anticipation. He swept his tongue inside the moment she relented and opened her mouth to his. Just as soon as it started, he pulled away, panting as heavily as she was. It was as if he only wanted to secure her capitulation in opening to his kiss but wouldn’t push her by taking her deeper into the kiss. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed or maybe even pissed about it.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Tessa. Zander’s going to walk you back while I take care of this.” Tag backed away then turned to start gathering up their leftovers.
“Ready?” Zander asked, holding out his hand.
She wasn’t sure if she was or not. So much was going on behind that word that she was almost afraid to take his hand. When she placed hers into his clasp, he squeezed it softly and led her back through the park and to the front door of Heavy Trinkets. When he gave her a chaste hug and pushed her gently through the door, Tessa realized she hadn’t exactly told them no on going out with them the next night. She had to give it to them. They were smooth.
She barely had time to think about them or the impending Saturday night date until after she got off of work that afternoon. It seemed like someone had opened a floodgate, and the store stayed busy the rest of her shift.
On the walk back home, Tessa went back over lunch in the park and realized how much she’d actually enjoyed it. They’d been on their best behavior, and the meal had been delicious and much more filling than just the sandwich and banana would have been. It had stayed with her all afternoon, and even now she wasn’t nearly as hungry as she usually was on her walk home.
By the time she made it to her apartment, Tessa had talked herself into giving in to the date. It hadn’t really taken all that much to convince herself to go. She liked both men—a lot. Since spending even the small amount of time around them that she’d allowed them, Tessa had begun to feel lonely. She wanted more than what she had now. What harm could it be to go out just once with them? Maybe they’d realize how incompatible they really were and back off.
She gave a very unladylike snort at that frivolous thought. They were convinced that they could talk her into submitting to them. It would take her proving that she wasn’t going to take that kind of treatment before they got the message. She wasn’t going to play their games and really wasn’t looking to get serious.
Tessa had a dream deep in her heart that she rarely allowed herself to think about because she was scared she’d jinx it. In her perfect world, Keifer would decide not to reenlist when his next tour was up and want to settle down near her. They could even share a small house or apartment together until he found someone he was interested in. She missed him far more than she had admitted to the guys. She wanted a family again, and the only person she trusted to be her family was her brother.
When she finally laid down that night, for once, Tessa had no trouble falling asleep, and if she dreamed, she didn’t know it.
Chapter Four
Saturday proved to be just as busy as Friday had been. Tessa felt as if she’d run a marathon and had the aching feet to prove it. By the time she left Heavy Trinkets, it was nearly four, almost an hour later than normal. For once she didn’t have the spare energy to hurry home when she really needed to. At least by being so busy she hadn’t worried herself crazy about her date that night.
The walk home went by fast as well. She worried that she’d be late getting ready and stepped up her pace despite how tired she was. Later, as she was pulling off her work clothes, it dawned on her that she didn’t really remember the walk home, which meant she hadn’t been paying close enough attention to her surroundings. That was a very dangerous thing when walking alone in that part of town. She vowed to be more aware from now on and not let anything else take precedence over her safety. The fact that it wasn’t something she normally did only hammered home just how much the two men affected her that she became distracted when her safety was at stake.
A quick shower later, Tessa dried off and worried over her lack of dressy clothes.
Hell. Who am I kidding? Forget dressy, I just wish I had something other than faded jeans and T-shirts.
She had a few sweaters that weren’t as worn looking as the shirts, but it was too hot to wear them. Maybe she should have used a little of her savings to update her wardrobe. She huffed out a breath in disgust. It was too late now. Even if she’d given in and decided to go shopping, she really hadn’t had time.
Tessa had a little make up, but she rarely wore it. Tonight, though, she decided to add a little bit to make up for her decidedly not dressy outfit. She had no idea where they would go, but she hoped it would be the diner or maybe a bar and grill. That, she thought, she could handle without feeling completely self-conscious over her outfit. Having never been one to fuss over clothes, purses, or hairstyles, Tessa wasn’t sure if she’d be able to pick out something stylish or not.
Face it, Tessa. You’re not a girly girl and will never win any beauty or fashion contest. They’ll take one look at you tonight and realize just how big of a mistake they were making. I won’t have to push them away. After tonight, I’ll probably never see them again.
When she felt that she’d done the best she could with her appearance, Tessa poured a glass of iced tea and plopped down in the only chair she had outside of the one barstool where she ate her meals. According to the clock on the stove in the kitchen, she had a good forty minutes until they arrived to pick her up. If she didn’t find some way to distract herself, she’d chew her nails off and add ragged fingernails to the list of marks against her appearance.
One of the perks of working at Heavy Trinkets was the discount she received on the merchandise. Most of it she wasn’t the least bit interested in other than some of Kelly’s jewelry and the collection of erotic romance books they kept in stock. She now had a nice collection that she often found herself rereading. Tessa picked up the one she was reading now off of the plastic box she used as a makeshift end table. It was a new release from Heather Rainier and was proving to be hard to put down.
To her surprise, she lost herself in the book instead of worrying about the night ahead. When she heard someone knocking on her door, it took her a second to remember where she was and what she was doing.
Tessa shoved a bookmark in the book and set it back on the plastic bin before she jumped up and nearly ran to the door. How long had they been knocking? She prayed she’d heard them the first time. Without checking to see who it was, she unlocked the deadbolts and flung open the door. Both men stood right outside wearing nice jeans and new-looking T-shirts. Tag’s shirt was a warm maroon that complimented his tanned skin and black hair. Zander’s black shirt fit him perfectly, both in size and style. He looked like a huge bouncer or enforcer of some kind with all those bulging muscles and the bald head.
“Um, hi,” she managed to get out.
“Do you always open your door without checking first to see who it is?” Tag asked, a frown marring his face.
“Not usually. I was expecting you, so I just assumed,” she said, feeling like a naughty child. “I shouldn’t have done it, I know.”
“Nope. Don’t do it again. You’re not living in the best of neighborhoods, baby.” Tag leaned against the doorjamb.
“Are you ready to head out, kitten?” Zander asked.
“Um, yeah. Where are we going?” she asked as she grabbed her purse off the hook by the door.
“We thought we’d take you to Sidewinders. We can eat and talk there. They’ve usually got a good band on the weekends, and their barbeque is about the best you can get in this area.” Zander stepped back when she walked out and closed and locked the door behind her.
He smiled at her when she turned around. “You look real nice, Tessa.”
“She smells even better, Zander. Good enough to—lick.” Tag gave her a very intense smile that had her pussy growing moist and they hadn’t even gotten away from her apartment yet.
I’m in so much trouble.
“That she does,” Zander said with a chuckle. “We’re parked right over there, kitten.”
Zander took an elbow while Tag took advantage of placing a hand at the small of her back, his pinky running lightly along the thin strip of skin he uncovered between her jeans and shirt. To say it sent chills up and down her spine was putting it mildly. Her entire body lit up with heat while tiny thrills sang along her back.
They led her to a big black truck with shiny chrome rims. It was high enough that Zander had to help her climb up. Once inside, she had to scoot over to sit closer to Tag, who was driving, so that Zander would have room to sit on the other side of her. As large as the cab of the truck was, there didn’t seem to be much room at all when both men were in it. They not only took up space, but they seemed to suck all the air out of the cab. Breathing became a struggle as both men’s thick-as-tree-trunk thighs pressed intimately against hers. Sure, they all had on clothes, but damn!
“Sidewinders also has hamburgers and steaks, Tessa. There should be something you’ll like there to eat. They also have Diet Coke if you don’t want beer. They don’t serve anything harder than beer, though.” Zander laid his arm along the back of the seat so that his fingers trailed along her shoulder.
“It all sounds great. I’m not picky,” she said.
Tag backed out of the parking spot in front of her apartment then pulled out onto the street. The next thing she knew, he’d dropped one hand to her knee and squeezed it lightly. One of them touching and paying attention to her was a challenge, but both of them at one time proved to be impossible to handle. Tessa felt as if her heart would explode as fast as it raced in her chest.
“How was work today?” Zander asked.
“Busy. I’m not sure what is going on, but you would think it was the week before Christmas or something,” she said.
“Funny,” Zander said. “I’ve had the same thing going on at the shop. What about business at your place, Tag?”
“Mmm maybe a little busier but not a lot. Wouldn’t expect it to be since bikes tend to be a little more specialized. Things usually gear up the end of winter or the first of spring and then again right before a big rally or run.” Tag expertly maneuvered the big truck into a parking spot right across the street from Sidewinders.
Zander swung her out of the truck so that when he slowly let her down, she had to slide down his body. When her feet hit the ground, it was all she could do to regain her balance. There was no way she could miss the impressive bulge that teased her as she slid down his torso. By the way her face burned, she was sure she was red as an apple.
Tag walked around to where she and Zander were standing and the three of them walked across the street to the bar. Even before Tag pulled the door open, the deep bass beat of whatever was playing inside reverberated in her chest. It had been a very long time since she’d actually been in a bar as a patron and not as a waitress. It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust so that she could see in the dim interior.
“Zander, keep a grip on her. I don’t want to lose her in this crowd,” Tag shouted to be heard over the music.
“I’ve got her. Find us a place to sit,” Zander shouted back.
Tessa struggled to keep up with the men as they wove their way through the crowd. Even with Zander holding tightly to her hand, she was nearly pulled from his grip twice by the constantly moving crowd. If they had a dance floor, it was either full or people didn’t bother using it because they were dancing everywhere.
Finally, just when Tessa thought her arm was going to end up jerked out of its socket, Tag located a round table with four chairs. They had her sit in the middle while they slid in close on either side. She couldn’t complain since they would have to shout as it was to be heard and between them, no one would bother her. Zander gave the fourth chair to another table where there were people standing around it talking.
Almost before they’d settled in, a waitress appeared in front of them. “What can I get you guys?”
“Know what you want, Tessa, or do you want a menu?” Zander asked her.
“Just get me whatever you guys are getting except a smaller size and a Diet Coke.” She wasn’t sure what that would end up being, but she was too nervous to think about food right then.
“We’ll all three have the barbeque ribs, fries, and baked beans. She wants a Diet Coke and we’ll take Bud on tap,” Zander told her. The waitress nodded and hurried off.
“There’s no way I can eat all of that, Zander.” Tessa was appalled at how much she’d end up wasting.
“Don’t worry, baby girl. Between Zander and I, we’ll eat any leftovers you have.” Tag told her with a grin.
She just smiled and shook her head. It wasn’t worth arguing with him when she had to shout to be heard. She looked over toward the dance floor and the small stage against the wall. There were instruments set up, but the band must have been on break since there was no one there. The loud music was coming from the jukebox in the opposite corner next to the bathrooms. She was happy to see where they were for later. If they stayed any length of time, she would need them.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been here on a weekend night,” Tag yelled in her ear. “It didn’t used to be this busy or this loud.”
She smiled and yelled back, “It’s going to make talking a little hard.”
He nodded with a frown then looked like he was going to say something else, but the waitress returned with their drinks. Once she’d left again, he leaned in again.
“We’ll have to talk later. We’ll eat and maybe dance then head somewhere else to talk after a while
,” he said.
Zander leaned over next. “I guess he’s figured out this wasn’t a good idea.”
She couldn’t stop the smile. “Yeah. He said we’d eat and go somewhere else later to talk.”
“We don’t usually come here on the weekends,” he said.
“Where do you go if not here?” she asked then almost cringed. She knew where they spent their weekends.
“Golden Shackles,” Zander said with a smile. “We didn’t figure you wanted to go there until you got to know us a little better. I’m thinking we’d have done better to have gone ahead and gone. At least we would have had a place to talk without all this noise.”
“I’m not interested in your club, Zander.” She wanted to be sure he understood that from the beginning. She’d thought she’d made it clear she wasn’t into the entire scene already.
“Let’s dance while we wait on our meal,” he said instead of answering.
Before she could protest, Zander was standing and pulling her to her feet. He shouted at Tag that they were dancing and to watch the table. She saw Tag give her that half smile of his that said any number of things. She didn’t have time to worry about what it meant this time as Zander hauled her through the growing crowd to the dance floor.
Just as they arrived, the song changed to a slower ballad and Zander pulled her into his arms. The feel of his body against hers, his muscular arms holding her tightly didn’t do much to calm her already awakened libido. The press of his thick cock to her lower belly left no doubt that he appreciated the closeness as well. Tessa’s body responded in fashion. Her nipples hardened to tender points that only grew more sensitive pressed to his hard chest. The juncture between her thighs grew moist, letting her know that despite her brain being against a relationship with the two men, her body was all over the possibilities.