by Melody Anne
Right now, the only woman he wanted to take anywhere was Chloe, and he didn’t see her jumping up and down with joy at the thought of being lost at sea with him. But there was something about being on the water with no chance of anyone interrupting a couple that made it that much more appealing. Why did he want this woman all to himself so much?
The brothers climbed on board, and Nick pulled out some beers he had chilling in the fridge. They sat down and enjoyed the view of the gently lapping water.
“How’s therapy going?” Maverick asked.
He inwardly winced. It had been going pretty great the night before. “It’s moving a lot slower than I would like, but I’m able to be on my feet quite a bit longer before the ache sets in. Chloe thinks I’ll be golden in a few more weeks if I don’t try to ‘push it,’ as she says,” he explained with a laugh.
There really wasn’t a joke when it came to his injuries, but he had to laugh it off or he got angry. Nick didn’t like being immobile, even partially so. Thinking of that brought to mind yesterday’s visit from Paul. Should he share his legal complications with his brothers? He was reluctant to do so, but he didn’t understand why.
“Listen to the hot therapist, for sure,” Coop told him with a grin.
“You have a wife. You don’t need to be looking at Chloe,” he warned his brother.
That had both Maverick and Cooper laughing at him. He should have kept his mouth shut. He was far too easy to read at the moment.
“Now you know what you put us through every time you flirt with our wives,” Coop said before slapping him on the back. Nick had to smile.
“Okay, it might be a bit annoying, but Chloe and I aren’t exactly in a relationship,” he said.
“Seems like that might be something you want to change,” Mav pointed out.
“No, I have too much going on right now.” He sighed before he looked at his brothers. They waited, knowing him well enough to understand he needed to form his thoughts before he spoke.
Then he told them about the visit from the attorney. Their eyes narrowed as he went through the charges pending against him. He didn’t know why he’d hesitated to tell them. Of course they were going to have his back. Why had there been a small percentage of his brain that had worried they might believe the worst? If he told them he’d even wondered about their loyalty, they’d be pissed enough to kick his ass right off the boat for a cold bath in the seawater.
“We’ll get through this, no problem,” Mav said. “I have some well-connected contacts. I’m going to make a few calls.”
“Whoever is out to get you will learn quickly not to mess with one of the Armstrongs,” Cooper added.
“I’m not worried about it,” Nick told them. “I’m just a little pissed that someone would lie like this. I wanted to put the crash behind me, and the accusations make everything―the accident, the death of my team, my injuries―surface once more. Anyone who knows me knows there’s no way I would put my crew in danger.” His words rose in volume as he slammed his fist down on the table in front of him.
“Of course you wouldn’t,” Mav quickly agreed.
“When you have what we have, we’re bound to make enemies. You can’t let it bring you down,” Cooper pointed out.
“Have you ever been accused of something that could land you in prison?” Nick asked.
“No. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened someday,” Cooper said in all seriousness.
“We’ll get through this, bro. Coop and I are going to be at your side every step of the way,” Mav said again as he clapped his shoulder.
“I know and I appreciate it.” He sighed before looking down. “I have to tell Mom and Uncle Sherman. I’m really not looking forward to that conversation.”
“You can’t put it off too long. If you do, they’re going to be furious with you,” Coop warned.
“I know, I know. I just found out yesterday. I’ve barely even had time to process it yet,” Nick told him.
“We’ll go to them together,” Mav said.
“Thanks. I’m glad I didn’t wait to tell you,” he said. They both nodded. “However, I don’t want to discuss it any further today. I just want to enjoy a nice barbecue visiting with my family,” Nick insisted.
Mav laughed. “I think I can smell food all the way down here. The ladies must be cooking.” Nick appreciated the instant change in subject.
“Then we’d better get our butts up there. If we’re sneaky enough, we can get our fill before anyone else arrives.”
“Are you expecting more company?” Coop asked.
“With the way your wives cook, the entire island might show up,” Nick warned.
“Before we go anywhere, you have some serious explaining to do,” Mav said.
“What more do I need to explain?” Nick was confused.
“You’re avoiding talking about the hot PT, and it’s obvious there are some serious sparks going on between you two,” he said.
“Not that you can see anything in your marriage-induced love coma, but it would be none of your business if anything were going on,” Nick told him.
“That means there’s definitely something to tell,” Coop said with a laugh.
Nick glared at them both. Had he been this annoying when they’d begun to fall for a woman? That thought stopped him in his tracks. Was he actually falling for Chloe, or was it just about sex and the chase? He wasn’t really sure.
“Nothing at all to tell,” Nick said with a grumble.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever see the day,” Coop said, looking at Nick as if studying him beneath a microscope.
“I’m gonna kick both your asses if you don’t shut up,” Nick threatened.
“Dang, I think you’re protesting far too much,” Coop said.
“She’s hot, obviously,” Nick told them. Maybe that would shut his brothers up. But his words only made the gleam in their eyes brighten.
“Maybe Mom will be getting another wedding soon,” Mav said with a chuckle. His brother ducked just in time to avoid the flying beer bottle aimed at his head. That only made Mav laugh harder.
Nick needed to see Chloe again, but he wasn’t going to admit that, especially now. He was way too confused. He didn’t like it.
“Let’s find food,” he muttered.
His brothers laughed, but they relented. Then all of them walked back up to the house. Nick was moving much better than he had when Chloe had first arrived, but still not at peak performance. His brothers were slowing their usual pace so he wouldn’t strain himself keeping up. He didn’t say anything, but he appreciated what they were doing. Nick didn’t like to feel weak, and he didn’t like to ask people to modify their normal routines for him. All the brothers felt the same way. It was a matter of pride, and if the Armstrong men knew about anything, it was pride. They had it in spades.
They reached the house laughing as Mav entertained them with a tale of his last boxing adventure. The moment they stepped through the back door and entered the kitchen, though, their talking stopped and their stomachs instantly growled. The women were cooking, and it smelled delicious.
Mav walked over to Lindsey and wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands cupping her burgeoning stomach. “It’s smells good, Sugar.”
“Flattery is going to get you everywhere,” she told him with a beaming smile. She turned around and leaned forward to kiss him before she frowned. “My stomach really is getting huge,” she pouted.
“You are the most beautiful pregnant woman on the planet. No other holds a candle to you,” he assured her. His words brightened her face immensely.
Nick glanced over at Chloe and noticed the yearning in her eyes as she watched the couple hold one another. He was willing to do that for her, so he didn’t understand why she wouldn’t accept it. As if she could feel his eyes on her, she turned and the pink in her cheeks deepened. He smiled at her as he winked.
She turned away, and he suddenly felt the need to chase her. Maybe the fun was only just be
ginning. She’d been a challenge from day one. Why should that stop just because they’d already made it to bed together? He couldn’t see a reason.
“Okay, you’re making me want to do naughty things with my husband with all this kissing and sweet talk,” Stormy said as she sidled up to Cooper and gave him a sweet kiss. He reached down and squeezed her ass, making her squeal as she swatted at him.
“And you’re all making me want to vomit,” Nick told them.
“If you don’t like the show, then you’re free to leave,” Mav said with a wink.
“It’s my house, ass,” Nick said, but his eyes went to Chloe again. He wouldn’t mind walking over to her and taking her into his arms, showing his brothers how a real man kissed the woman he desired.
As if she could read his thoughts, she looked away, suddenly finding the hem of her shirt fascinating. He took that as encouragement. She was more affected by him than she would ever admit. It was taking an immense amount of control to hold himself back.
Something had switched in Nick’s brain that he didn’t quite understand yet. He’d always been afraid to settle down with only one woman, but when he looked at Chloe he couldn’t imagine not having her around. Was his family still enough? Or did he need a relationship with a woman like his brothers did? He wasn’t sure anymore.
“You boys are completely hopeless,” Lindsey told them. “But that’s why we adore you so dang much. But if you don’t leave us alone . . .”
Mav and Coop muttered, but they released their wives and Coop grabbed Nick’s arm, suggesting they go watch the game.
Nick said, “My beer is gone. I need another. Anyone else?” The brothers followed Nick to his den, but he was no longer in a visiting mood. His head was too filled with conflicting thoughts.
In the middle of his brothers’ arguing about the Mariners game, he got up and left. The last couple of days had just been too much for him. It soon had to get better, he assured himself.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Chloe desperately wanted to leave the kitchen, but she was at least grateful the women had kicked the men out. She was standing there feeling not only like a fifth wheel, but missing those times with her brother when they had laughed like this. In addition, seeing the close relationship between Nick’s brothers and their wives was sending an extra pang through her heart.
She’d always assumed she’d grow up, get away from her family, and maybe start her own―do it the right way. She wouldn’t marry a controlling man, wouldn’t be with someone who didn’t allow her to make her own choices. But as life had gotten away from her, more time passed. She was now twenty-eight and focused on her career.
She didn’t have the time or the inclination to find Mr. Right. And if she were looking, Nick Armstrong wouldn’t be that man. He was so . . . so . . . hell, she couldn’t think of the word. It wasn’t that he was controlling exactly. He was definitely confident, but he didn’t try to do it only his way. He respected her during therapy sessions. Sure, he teased her a lot and flirted like the devil, but he listened to what she was saying.
And in the bedroom―oh, holy hell, in the bedroom―the man was certainly in charge in there. But that she didn’t mind. It wasn’t as if she had a lot of experience to compare him to, but the man had made her feel things she hadn’t even known were possible before being with him.
That had scared her far too much. She hadn’t had time to process last night yet, and now she was surrounded by his family, and her mind was whirling. She needed to go for a run, go down to the ocean, do anything other than sit in the room with two happily married women who were practically glowing in their wedded bliss.
“We want a tell-all, Chloe,” Stormy said as she continued throwing ingredients together. Chloe had no idea what the two women were cooking, but the men had been correct. The house smelled better than it ever had before.
“What do you mean?” she asked. She knew to be on guard, but she didn’t know what they were going to throw at her.
“We’re not going to allow you to play coy. We love these Armstrong men, but we also know they can be a real pain in the ass. I wanted to throttle Maverick as much as I wanted to throw him down on a bed and have my wicked way with him,” Lindsey said with a chuckle. “Obviously the wicked way route was the one I took,” she added as she rubbed her round belly.
Chloe blushed again. “Nothing is going on between us,” she said. Her flaming cheeks were giving her away, though, and by the ladies’ looks, they knew she was lying.
“You’ve been here for a bit over two weeks, right?” Stormy said, throwing her off track. Chloe tried to find hidden meaning but couldn’t, so she decided to answer honestly.
“Yes, almost three weeks, working on his knee,” she said, to remind the women she was a professional.
“And you’re sleeping here?” Lindsey questioned, though she obviously knew the answer.
Her cheeks most likely matched the red towel Stormy was drying her hands on. Chloe abhorred how easily her face could be read. If she didn’t prepare carefully before telling a fib, there was no chance of her getting away with it. Since she and Nick had just warmed the sheets the night before, and Chloe hadn’t known his family was coming over, she wasn’t at all prepared. These women were going to eat her alive.
In Chloe’s field, she worked with a lot of men. She didn’t easily make girlfriends, except for Dakota, who was really more of a sister than a friend. She wasn’t used to the gossip circle, and she was becoming more and more uncomfortable by the second.
“I should go and check on the equipment for our session later,” Chloe said, thinking of any excuse to get away.
“Not a chance, woman. It’s more than clear you’re trying to hide something from us. We are masters at getting information,” Stormy told her with a wicked smile.
“Well . . . um . . .” She stopped trying to find another reason to get away and slumped onto the stool. She’d offer to help the women, but her hands were trembling so badly, she was more likely to cut off a finger than prepare food.
“You’ve been here for nearly three weeks, and you’re going to tell us nothing at all is going on?” Stormy pushed. Chloe’s cheeks stayed heated. “With all the sexual energy flashing between you and Nick, I don’t buy it for a moment.”
“He could barely keep his eyes off you while we were standing here. That’s not like Nick at all. He has always been a flirt, but he’s also known to lose attention with the opposite sex pretty dang quickly. I didn’t see any of that today. He looked as if he were about to devour you right in front of us,” Lindsey told her.
“Yeah, I was getting all hot and bothered just being in the room with the two of you,” Stormy added as she fanned her face.
It was more than obvious that she’d better talk or they were going to continue grilling her. She shifted on her seat, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, but also feeling the need to share with someone. Her mouth opened before she could think twice about it.
“Some things might have happened-very recently,” she said. The girls grinned at her. “But it’s not going to continue. I’m a professional and I’m only here to get him back into top shape so he can get on with his career. I’ll be gone within the month and we won’t ever see each other again.”
She felt conviction in her words, even if she did feel a pinch of regret at saying them. She wasn’t exactly sure how she felt about never seeing Nick again. He wasn’t who she’d originally thought him to be, but that was only because she didn’t know a lot about him. She enjoyed his company, and really enjoyed his touch. But it was so wrong. She had to remember that. Until she knew for sure whether he was guilty of killing her brother, any sympathy or love she felt toward the man was a betrayal of Patrick.
Even as she had those thoughts, though, she looked at his sisters-in-law and wondered how bad a man he could be, how bad the entire family could be, when they inspired such loyalty. The two brothers were married to what seemed to be intelligent, kind, beautiful women. Could they
be as evil as she’d been told they were and still have such sweet wives? It was beginning to not make any sense at all.
“You totally want him, don’t you?” Stormy said, her attention fully focused on Chloe. “Don’t worry, I won’t go and tell him. Just be honest with me,” she coerced.
“We promise what happens in the girl circle stays in the girl circle,” Lindsey said, holding up her hand as if she were under oath. Chloe let out a sigh and couldn’t help but smile at the two women as they waited for her response.
“It might have been the best sexual experience I’ve ever had,” she admitted, much to the glee of the two women who smiled huge grins. “But he also drives me insane. He’s bossy, and cocky, and flirts nonstop while I’m trying to do my job. If my body would learn to listen to my brain, I wouldn’t be in such a mess right now.”
Stormy and Lindsey laughed, and Chloe sent them a stern look, which only made them laugh that much harder.
“Okay, okay, sorry, but you’ve only just met our husbands,” Lindsey said in between giggles. “Trust me, that attitude runs through all the Armstrong men. But underneath all their chest-puffing lay truly amazing men who would rather die than let someone they love get hurt.”
Her words sent a pang through Chloe’s chest. If what she was saying was true, then there was no way Nick could be responsible for the crash that had taken her brother’s life. But did Stormy and Lindsey know Nick as well as they were professing to?
“What’s wrong?” Lindsey asked, stepping up to her and taking her hand before Chloe knew what she was doing. “We’re just giving you a hard time and maybe a little bit of advice. I will tell you that Mav was there for me in my darkest hours. His brothers were right by his side. I would trust those men with this baby I’m carrying, with my own life, with the lives of all the people I love. The boys are a pain in the butt sometimes, but they have hearts the size of Texas. If you’re afraid of being hurt, don’t be. Nick is a lot of talk and no real bite.”
Chloe felt tears come to her eyes, and she shook her head, hoping to send them away. What Lindsey was telling her was straight from the heart. She knew the woman wasn’t lying. It was just that Chloe’s entire world felt like it was crashing around her. If she didn’t have her beliefs, then what was she to do? Was it her family who was wrong? She just didn’t know.