“Hell yeah. We’d all do it. Heard she was quite a hot woman, and loud.”
They laughed.
“No wonder his roommates looked so sour today,” Big John said.
“So what about this thing at Channing’s? What time is it?” Tiny asked.
“Not sure. We’ll hit the store and then head home, shower, and go over,” Reeves said to them.
“Who else is going?” Tiny asked.
* * * *
Reeves wondered the same thing. Last weekend, on both Friday and Saturday night, they’d headed into town to the Filling Station and he hoped to see Sam, but she never showed up. Although the men didn’t say they were looking, each of them seemed to be thinking exactly what he was. Was Sam hiding out and staying clear of them because of the night Reeves and her had made out? He hoped not. She was young and pretty mysterious. None of them knew where she lived or what she did for a living or much at all. The fact that she was at the bus station and wound up being the person to help find Bo had been a miracle. Cadenville was forty-five minutes from Repose. Did she live there? he wondered. In fact, since kissing her, hell, making out big time, he’d thought of her a lot. That wasn’t like him at all. He didn’t do commitments. Neither did his team, and they preferred it that way in case they needed to leave for a mission. However, their positions were pretty permanent here as trainers, so the likelihood of having to leave for a mission was slim. Plus, Tiny, Big John, and Flint were pretty damn intimidating men, and they were hard core, looked pissed off, and ready to kill at all times. Not exactly approachable men.
“I wonder who else will be there,” Tiny said.
“If you mean any women, then more than likely the regulars. Bo is still recovering, so is Mercy, and well, if the commanders come, then Cherokee will and maybe Laci and Kendra. Plus those other friends of Talia’s who have been sniffing around lately,” Big John said.
“You mean Thylane, Merica, and Brazille? They seem okay,” Reeves stated.
“They are on the prowl, for what I don’t know, but I’m not biting,” Big John stated.
Tiny laughed. “Me either.”
Reeves wondered why not. Were they interested in Sam after all, considering how secretive she was? It was strange, but for some reason, he hoped that he saw her again tonight so they could talk about that kiss and how he would love to do a little exploring. He didn’t want to get his hopes up. She wasn’t like other women. That was for sure. In fact, he was pretty sure he scared her, and she was the first woman he’d ever scared away. That just wasn’t acceptable. Now he hoped she did show up. He would confront her and hopefully get another shot at getting to know her better.
* * * *
Bo stood by the counter arranging slices of cheese on one platter while Cherokee arranged veggies on another platter. The men were already gathered in the living room watching a football game on the seventy-two-inch television screen. The men had a very large house, which was definitely geared more toward a bachelor pad, but Bo had her space and loved it. She was slowly incorporating feminine touches in the home.
“I love what you did with the kitchen, adding the valances to the windows. They’re so elegant,” Mercy said to Bo.
“Oh, thank you. That was a bit of a change for the guys. They walked in and were shocked. I really only bought them when I was bored in bed and recovering and online shopping. I walked around each room, except of course their living room, and added some feminine touches. Nothing too much. This is all so new.”
Bo passed the finished platter to Talia, who took it into the other room, along with Cherokee, who brought in the vegetable platter.
They heard the cheers as Laci and Kendra arrived along with Thylane. Bo and Mercy walked to the doorway to greet them with kisses hello, and then they were opening up bottles of wine.
“Are Merica, Brazille, and Sam coming, too?” Kendra asked.
“I think so,” Kendra whispered to her.
“Does Sam know that Reeves and his team are here?”
“Nope. I didn’t know who Channing invited but figured it was the regular crowd, so I’m sure she’ll figure it out.”
“Yikes. This could be a potential situation,” Talia said.
“Why?” Bo asked.
“You know that they kissed, right?” Talia asked her.
“Oh yeah, I know, and it was nothing. She had too much to drink. It happened so no big deal,” Bo said.
“It may be a big deal. I heard that Reeves and even Big John went to the Filling Station Friday and Saturday night. They didn’t let any women flirt with them either and kept looking around,” Talia told them.
“So it was probably coincidental,” Bo said.
“No way. Not Big John and Reeves. Those men and their team are psycho crazy. I mean look at them. Who the hell in their right mind wouldn’t be intimidated? I heard that they’re some of the loudest, meanest instructors, too. Worse than drill sergeants,” Kendra added.
Bo shrugged her shoulders. “Anything can happen. As long as they aren’t aggressive, or try to be, maybe she’ll like them,” Bo said.
“I think she has a boyfriend or had one until recently.” Kendra took a sip of her wine.
“Really? But she seems single,” Bo said.
“I don’t know. I mean she did stop the situation with Reeves from going further by answering her phone and saying it was her ex-boyfriend,” Kendra said.
“Maybe she lied and just said that because she freaked out?” Talia asked.
The doorbell rang, and through the glass opening, they could see it was Merica and Brazille, as well as Leather, Stone, Walker, and Quantico, some new weaponry leaders. Channing answered the door, and as he greeted them and everyone else did, too, he held the door open.
“Sam just pulled up,” he told her, and Bo smiled then caught sight of Reeves, Flint, Tiny, and Big John bringing their attention toward the doorway.
Reeves was standing next to Spartan and John talking when Sam arrived, looking adorable and ready for some football with the opposing team’s jersey on.
“Oh, man! Get her outta here,” Hans yelled, and the others made comments and laughed.
Sam twirled around, her NY GIANTS tight-fitting jersey tied in the back, and in the front, it lifted slightly, enough to reveal her belly, the belly ring, and her tight hip-hugger jeans. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail.
“Go Giants!” She fist-pumped.
“Get rid of her. She’s bad luck,” Bubba said, but then he kissed her cheek hello.
She stood up on tiptoes, greeting each of the men, who shook their heads at her. Bo watched when Big John approached and placed his hand on her hip.
“Sam.”
“What’s up?” she said, and when he bent lower to kiss her cheek, she immediately stepped back. Tiny approached next then Flint, but Reeves waited. Bo realized that Sam looked way intimidated but handled it.
“Good to see you, Sam.” Reeves placed his hand on her hip and kissed her cheek. He whispered something to her, and she shook her head and walked toward Bo and the ladies.
Bo hugged her, and she hugged Bo back.
“How are you, Bo? Feeling okay?” she asked.
“I’m doing great. Sorry I didn’t know they were coming.”
“Why are you sorry? It’s fine.” Sam then greeted the other women. They took seats around the other tables and stood by the bar in the room where Kendra was mixing drinks.
Bo figured everything was just fine so she stood by Sam, and they all started talking.
* * * *
Sam hadn’t expected the reaction she felt at seeing Reeves, never mind Big John, Flint, and Tiny. They obviously knew she’d made out with Reeves, and she hoped they didn’t start pushing for something to happen between all of them and her. Though the thought aroused her, she had a game plan. She needed the next few months to pay off the five thousand, then start selling off her furniture and things, save up money, and leave town.
“So I hear that Brooklyn from the
Filling Station is hiring. She needs more bartenders,” Thylane told them.
“Seriously?” Sam asked.
“Yes, why, are you looking for work? You know how to bartend?” she asked.
“Actually I do know how to bartend. Been doing that for a while now in between taking classes for school. I was considering moving in a few months.”
“Really? Like closer to Repose?” Bo asked, sounding excited.
“To Repose?” Cherokee asked, seemingly as excited.
“I was thinking about it, but I have some things I need to handle first. So what do you know about the days and hours, Thylane, anything?”
“Heard a couple of weeknights and Fridays, Saturdays now that they’re putting up the tent with heaters for the winter. That way the outdoor area is expanded.”
“That is so cool. Brooklyn always comes up with awesome ideas,” Mercy said to them.
“So are you going to check it out?” Cherokee asked Sam.
“I might. Maybe I’ll drive by on Monday and go see her and ask about the positions.”
‘“The bartenders make really good money I heard. But what about your commute home? It could mean some late nights,” Mercy said.
“I can handle that fine. It takes me thirty minutes to get home now from the other place where I work, and eventually, if all goes well, I hope to be moving closer. I’m just throwing around the idea right now though.”
“Well, we all would love it if you were living closer.” Bo smiled. Sam smiled, too, and then the conversation continued about the upcoming fundraiser event and needing volunteers.
A while later, when the guys were grilling and the TV outside was on, the Giants scored a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys, and Sam cheered. Hans gave her a mean look, and she chuckled. “Sorry, Hans.”
“Yeah, sure you are.” He then took a slug from his beer.
Talia smirked.
“You got guts wearing that jersey here. You know these guys love Dallas and the Texans.”
“Well, I love the Giants. Went to New York a few years back and had a great time, saw a game, and hung out with NY Giant fans, and it was addicting I guess.”
“So that’s why you like them, huh?” Reeves asked, coming up behind her.
She swallowed hard, and Talia excused herself.
“I’m going to make another drink. Want one, Sam?”
“No thank you. I’m good.”
Reeves slid his hand along Sam’s waist as he moved in front of her. She stared way up at him. Wearing these tennis sneakers, she sure felt short in comparison. They just stared at one another, and he eyed over her body and then her lips.
“What’s new?” he asked her.
“Nothing.” She looked away from him. She saw Big John watching them, and she looked away from him, as well. She took a sip of her drink, the last swallow. “How about you? Anything new? Are you getting ready for the fundraising event?”
“Actually we are. You going to attend?”
“I think I’m volunteering. I need to check with Bo and Cherokee,” she said.
“She’s competing,” Talia said as she passed by.
Sam gave her arm a light tap. “I am not. You said you were going to.”
“Me?” Talia asked and pointed to her chest.
“Yes, you. Don’t even try to get out of it now. You were talking so much trash the other day.”
“That was to impress those three hot guys at the bar.”
Sam chuckled. “Well, it worked.”
“Tell me about it. They want to go out this week.”
“Well, you ran your mouth.”
“I’m out of shape. Have you seen the obstacle course?” Talia asked, and then Thor and Bubba chimed in that the training sessions for civilians interested in competing was Monday and Tuesday this week.
“We should do it. Come on. All of us,” Talia said and walked closer to Thylane, Merica, Brazille, Laci, and Kendra.
“I don’t know. I think you need to be super strong,” Laci said to them.
“It’s for fun and for a good cause. Who cares if we come in last as a team?” Talia stated.
“We could help you all out with the hard stuff,” Quantico said, and Sam looked at him as he eyed her over.
Reeves placed his hand on her hip and gave it a tap. “We could all help you ladies out. We know the obstacle course, and with a little training, you could complete it.”
They laughed.
“Complete it, huh?” Sam asked.
He looked at her and licked his lower lip. “It’s hard, and I don’t know how strong and athletic you are. It’s a different type of work out.”
So maybe he thought she was weak, but just because she wasn’t all buff and muscular didn’t make her weak.
“I’m in if anyone else is going to try.” She stepped away from him.
She noticed Kendra staring at Quantico, one of the new guys. Quantico eyed her over.
“We should set a time to meet you ladies tomorrow,” Quantico said.
Sam looked away from Reeves, who seemed to look triumphant in getting her to come and maybe hit on her again.
She looked at Quantico. “You’re new around here, right? Do you know the obstacle course well enough?”
“Honey, it won’t be a problem. My team and I know all that is needed to know in order to train you.” He winked.
“Well then, I guess we’ll meet you and your team tomorrow morning.”
“Ten good?” Big John chimed in.
She looked at Kendra and the others.
“Why not?” Kendra said and then took a sip of her drink. Sam excused herself to go use the ladies room.
When she finished up and headed down the hallway, she saw Reeves leaning against the wall talking on his cell phone. At first she thought maybe he waited to corner her and talk, but then she heard him ending the call with a “yes, sir,” and she knew it was official. She went to pass, but he pressed his palm to the wall, blocking her path. She looked up at him.
“Flirting with other men is not going to make me forget about you and that kiss we shared.”
She was shocked at his forwardness. “I wasn’t flirting with anyone, and for the record, you should forget about that kiss. It was a mistake. I drank too much.”
He stared at her and at her lips and then moved in front of her.
“You trying to tell me you felt nothing?” he asked her, so seriously, and for some stupid reason, she couldn’t lie or think quickly enough. He was so attractive with that dark hair, the well-trimmed beard, and those damn dark green eyes. She inhaled his cologne and then straightened her shoulders and stared up at him.
“It shouldn’t have happened, Reeves.”
“Don’t,” he said and stepped closer, placing his hand on her hip, and she tightened up. He lowered slightly to look her in the eyes. “You enjoyed it. I did, too. So much so that I want to do it again. I want to get to know you, Sam.”
She shook her head and looked away. “No. I can’t.”
“Why not?” he asked and stroked her hip, his fingers grazing against her skin.
She heated up, felt aroused, and it shocked her. She took a deep breath and exhaled. She needed to be calm here.
“Okay, listen. I’m not in any position right now to date, and I certainly don’t want you thinking that my behavior that night indicates the kind of woman I am. It happened. It was nice, but it was a mistake.”
“Nice? A mistake?” he asked, eyes narrowed, and she swallowed hard.
She didn’t want to insult him. She reached out, and it was a mistake as her hand touched his forearm. He pressed closer.
“It wasn’t a mistake. What are you afraid of? We both liked it. The attraction is there.”
“Reeves, I’m involved with someone,” she lied. She had to. She was feeling too attracted to the man and too interested in feeling his lips against hers again. His lips parted. Then he released her and stepped back. She was half disappointed that he didn’t make a dick move and
tell her that he didn’t care and push for her to cheat on a boyfriend and make this easier. Instead, he stepped back, retreated, and he nodded.
She felt like shit. Her heart ached, her gut clenched, and she walked past him. As she rounded the corner, she glanced back, and he ran his fingers through his hair as if he were truly disappointed. Maybe he did actually like her and want to get to know her. Then she thought about Vinny. He seemed the same way at first. Sincere, caring, affectionate, and then things changed. Control, manipulation, threats, jealousy, pain. It was better this way. It had to be.
Chapter Two
“Holy crap this is hard,” Talia said, and Kendra exhaled, bent over and holding her hands to her knees.
“Holy shit you aren’t kidding. Where are the others?” Kendra asked just as Laci and Thylane came over the hill and toward the wall climb.
“Sam is way ahead of us I think,” Talia said.
“Hey, do you see Sam from up there?” Kendra asked.
Laci sat on the top of the wall-climbing station.
“She’s nowhere to be seen. She was moving so fast.” Laci grabbed the rope and started coming down the other side of the climbing wall.
“I’m going to catch up to her.”
“You just want to impress Quantico,” Talia teased.
“Did you not see the man’s ass in those camo pants?” Kendra asked, and Talia laughed as they jogged along. There were a bunch of other people around testing their skills and getting some pointers from soldiers who volunteered.
Kendra continued running, leaving Talia with some soldiers teaching her how to balance on the rolling tree logs. Yeah, she was not going to do that.
“Hey, where do you think you’re going?”
Kendra stopped at the sound of the deep commanding voice. She locked gazes with Quantico, who stood there with his arms crossed in front of his chest with a few men and women doing push-ups in front of him.
“No skipping obstacles. Get down and give me twenty,” he ordered.
“What?” she asked.
“You heard him. Do it!” Stone chimed in from behind her, making her gasp and jump.
Sons Of Justice 4: Her Beast of Burden (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 2