“I wasn’t skipping obstacles. I didn’t know where it started.” She back-stepped, feeling totally intimidated by these men.
“Then let me show you.” Stone grabbed her by her elbow and guided her toward the rolling logs. People were falling off onto dirty cushioned things, and she was shocked at how nervous she was. When she glanced back at Stone, huge, muscular, with a hardcore expression, and—hoy shit—older than her by at least ten plus years, she paused.
“Don’t be scared.” He then guided her to the ladder, grabbed her hips, and climbed up with her, pressed against her body, and holy shit, she felt so hot the cool air did nothing to relieve it. A hard, camo-covered body pressed up against her much smaller feminine frame and, Jesus, she was on fire.
“I don’t know about this,” she said to him.
Now Leather and Walker were there. “She looks scared, like maybe she was all talk yesterday at Channing’s,” Leather called out.
They started to egg her on, and stupid her, she bought into it.
She pushed Stone’s hands away. “I got this.”
They stepped up to the small starting area. Each log was separated by plenty of space that when, not if, a person fell, they wouldn’t chance colliding with anyone. The space was narrow, and not quite enough room for two people to stand, but somehow Stone pressed close to her, towering behind her, and making her feel both aroused and nervous.
He remained in place, and she went to balance with her hands out, trying to determine if the log would move a lot as soon as she took the first step or if it would move slowly. She looked to the left where someone else took their first step, and the log moved at what appeared to be a slow pace, but she wasn’t sure. She decided to just go for it, and if she fell, oh well. She felt him grab her hips.
“Nice and easy. Focus on walking and moving with the rotation. If you lose focus, you’ll fall.”
She exhaled, feeling how hard she was shaking and it had very little to do with the log turning and a lot to do with the feel of the man’s large hands on her hips.
“Come on, tough girl, let’s see what you got,” Walker called out to her.
She looked ahead and watched how the other people were doing it and falling and then how one of the soldiers did it and moved quickly.
“You can let go,” she said and then started to move when she felt his hand slide along her hip and ass. She nearly lost her balance. He chuckled, and she ground her teeth and stared straight ahead and moved along the log. The faster she moved, the faster the log turned, and she realized too late that she shouldn’t have walked so quickly. As she started coming toward the middle, they were calling out to her, encouraging her, and she stared straight ahead at Walker.
“You got this. Holy shit, woman, move that sexy ass. Come on!” he yelled, shocking her, and she ran.
She nearly lost her footing right at the end and tumbled into Walker. He gripped her tightly, wrapped his one arm around her waist as he held on to the ladder, and she gasped and gripped him, hugging him so she wouldn’t fall.
“Oh God!”
“Well, look at that. You did it. Maybe next time you won’t try avoiding something that scares you.” It sounded like he was reprimanding her as if she was a child.
She went to pull back, and he slid his hand along her lower back to her ass.
“Good job, Kendra,” Leather said, joining them and offering her a hand, but she didn’t take it.
She climbed down and had to press against Leather to move away from the ladder. The four men eyed her over.
“Next is rope jumping,” Stone said, and she quickly got away from the four soldiers and headed down the path. A glance over her shoulder and she saw that Stone and Quantico followed.
They thought they were being slick, flirting and touching her. She was used to men like them and used to handling them, too. They didn’t know who they were dealing with. No one really knew her capabilities or who she really was. No one.
* * * *
Tiny watched Sam navigate the obstacle course with experience and ease. Then she got to monkey bars that were set at different distances, making it difficult to maneuver, and it required both strength and endurance. She was short, about five feet five maybe, and didn’t have very long arms or muscular ones. She was feminine, thin, but well endowed. He stepped closer as she stared at the obstacle and watched numerous people attempt to swing across.
“How are you going to approach it?” he asked her.
She turned to look up at him. Her hazel-green eyes locked onto his, and her top dipped down slightly, showing off a glimpse of cleavage.
“Grab on and swing side to side, reaching to grab the next bar, and don’t lose that rhythm. If you do, hang on and regain it,” Tiny told her.
She went to step forward and realized that she needed to jump. Tiny gripped her hips before she fell off the ledge. She gasped and turned to look at him, and he couldn’t believe the attraction he felt to her. It was immediate, and she felt it, too.
“I got this,” she told him with fire in her eyes and cheeks a nice shade of pink. She felt it, too. Damn, she was a good-looking young woman. Young, vibrant, and with a bit of attitude.
“Move it!” Reeves yelled out to her, surprising her by appearing on the other side.
She turned to look at Tiny. He gave her a wink and released her. With determination in her eyes, she faced forward and took off, swinging from one bar to the next, her breasts bouncing, her ass moving side to side, and then she missed the bar and fell flat onto her back three bars before the end. He jumped down onto the cushioned surface and ran toward her. Reeves did, too, climbing over the ridge and onto the cushioned area. She slammed her fist down as she tried to get up, but the cushions were soft for a reason so no one got hurt. He loomed over her, blocking the sun from her eyes. He reached down, offering her a hand, but the little stubborn thing wouldn’t grab his hand. She struggled to get up, exhausting herself, and then she rolled to her belly, stuck her ass up in the air, and used her knees to get up.
Both he and Reeves stared in appreciation. The sight of her sexy round ass in the tight spandex pants caused his next move. He bent down, wrapped one arm around her waist, and hauled her up.
“Oh.” She gasped and went to turn around, and he held her by her hips. She was wedged between him and Reeves, both towering over the sweet, young sex symbol.
“You’ll get it the next time,” Tiny said to her, holding her gaze.
“Yes, I will.” She then swallowed hard. He winked and then squeezed her by her hips as he and Reeves escorted her off the cushioned area as other people attempted the monkey bars next.
* * * *
Sam leaned against the wood frame of the next obstacle. She was off to the side and not only trying to recover from falling off the bars but from the sensations and attraction she felt for both Reeves and Tiny when she’d been stuck between them. Hard, thick, muscular bodies, encased in camo pants, tight black T-shirts, and such charisma, she felt speechless and shocked to her core by the attraction. She did her best to ignore that attraction. She did, but these emotions she was feeling were so different. They were instant, and she had them for all four men. Then came the deal she’d made with herself to not get involved with any men. Not for a while at least and until she had her act together and was out of that negative environment. She needed to work tonight at Cotton John’s, but on the way back to Cadenville today, she would stop into the Filling Station to talk with Brooklyn.
Cherokee had Spartan set up an appointment for her. It was another reason she loved this town. People legitimately cared. Her friends were trustworthy, though she still held back. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. She was suddenly wishing she could let her guard down and explore these feelings she had for Reeves, Tiny, Flint, and Big John, but, Jesus, were they intimidating. With their appearances and sizes, she couldn’t help but be concerned that they could physically hurt her, never mind mentally.
They were the largest men she�
�d ever come in contact with. Big John alone scared her, made her heart race. The need to lower her eyes and be submissive was instant. Yet, she didn’t feel like he would do her harm, or use that intimidation against her, but her insecurities were raw. Her gut instincts screwy and unreliable, all because of Vinny and her family. They weren’t much of a family, and she knew she needed to get away from them and soon.
She rubbed her back, feeling some scratches there from landing on her back as her shirt lifted. If she did this competition in a few days, she needed to dress accordingly to not get scratched up.
“Hey, are you hurt?” Big John appeared, his deep, hard voice making her jump, and she tightened up and shook her head, pushed her shirt back down, and stood up straighter. It was like despite not being military, she immediately felt the affects of his tone, his command and got right into attention. The thought both scared her and aroused her. She was losing her ability to fight this attraction. She should sneak out of here. This wasn’t good at all.
She went to turn, and he stepped in her way, placed his palm against the wood, and stared down into her eyes. He was fierce with that beard and his wild hairstyle, a Mohawk pulled back into a pony and the sides shaved. He glared at her.
“Turn around,” he ordered, actually ordered her to. She almost did, just like that, but then stopped herself.
“I’m fine.”
“I’ll be the judge of that. You tend to fudge the truth.” He turned her by her hip.
She looked at him over her shoulder. “What is that supposed to mean?”
He started pushing her shirt up with one hand and used his other hand to stroke her skin.
“Exactly what I said.” He stepped closer.
She could feel the heat of his body, the bulk of him this close. She closed her eyes. It felt good, and she felt safe. How crazy was that? She wasn’t safe. Hadn’t been safe, or felt safe, in years.
“You’re scratched up back here. When you’re all done with the course, I’ll get some ointment and fix this up.” He stroked her hip and eased his palm along her belly. When he pulled her back against his chest and then pressed his lips to her neck, she tilted sideways, giving him better access to her.
“You’re tough, strong willed, and have a determination in your eyes when you start something. I like that.” He kissed her neck, and between that and the heat of his palm sliding along her belly, she felt sedated, aroused.
“You’re strong and beautiful, and so feminine. Damn, baby, I could wrap you up with one arm.” He squeezed her to him with one arm as he suckled against her neck. She snapped out of her daze, the spell he put her under, and exhaled, annoyed that she needed to lie. Did she?
“Big John.”
“No. No bullshit excuses. You feel good. You like it, me holding you and being close. You want the others to, as well, so why lie and say you’re involved with someone?” He kissed her neck again.
“It’s complicated.”
“What isn’t?” he asked her, and she thought about that. All her life she’d done complicated, but she didn’t need to get involved with four men and add to her burdens of complicated.
“Big John, let me go please.”
“But it feels good.”
He squeezed her to him then started to release her, but instead, he turned her around, lifted her up so he wouldn’t have to bend, and pressed her up against the wooden wall. She straddled his hips, and he pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her. That beard, his strong, rock-solid arms, and the feel of his hard, extra large body against her smaller frame aroused her, and she kissed him back. His hand gripped her hair and head, and he rocked his hips, and she moaned into his mouth.
His other hand slid up her thigh, squeezing as if he was checking out her leg muscles. She was in great shape but had thin arms that were toned but not muscular like other women who worked out constantly. She just got hers naturally from working and lifting things. When he released her lips and trailed his mouth along her neck and collar, he shocked her by hugging her to him. She held on to him, loving the feeling of security his embrace gave her.
“Goddamn, woman, you are lethal,” he said, panting.
She caught her breath and squeezed him, whispering into his ear. “We shouldn’t have done that, Big John.”
“The fuck we shouldn’t have. We both wanted to.” He eased back, looking into her eyes. He held her neck and shoulder, his thumb stroking her jaw, and the realization of just how damn big the man was, including his hands, made her shiver. He squinted.
“I would never use my size, my strength, or capabilities against you to hurt you, only to protect you.”
Tears filled her eyes. It was instant, and she gulped, felt her nose clog up, and looked away.
“Fuck.” He hugged her. She hugged him back, finding solace in his arms.
“I know that look. Either you are hurting, scared of someone, maybe someone hurt you and you don’t trust, or you’ve got trouble attached to you. That’s why you lied to Reeves about being involved with someone.”
She exhaled. “It’s complicated.”
“Still a lie.”
“Let me down please.”
He licked his lower lip and held her by her ass cheeks. Slowly he eased her down as he stepped back, but only far enough for her to stand. He gripped her hips when she went to move.
“I don’t like liars,” he said to her, and she felt like shit. She worried her bottom lip.
“I can’t do this right now. I just can’t entertain some sort of fling.”
He squinted. “Fling? Seriously? Do I look like the kind of fucking guy who would take the time to talk calmly, rationally, with a woman I was attracted to? I’m hardcore, baby. I’m older, more experienced, and when I want something, I usually just take it.” He eased his hand up under her hair and gave it a gentle yank. He lowered down to look her in the eyes. “With you, it’s all different.”
She gulped. “It’s bad timing.”
“Doesn’t have to be bad. Perhaps it’s actually good timing.”
She shook her head. He was relentless.
She leaned back against the wall, and he adjusted his stance, keeping one hand on her shoulder and the other on her hip.
“You’re so damn beautiful.”
“You’re so damn big. Jesus, I can’t stop shaking.”
He stroked her ribs with his fingertips as his palm eased down to hold her hip. “Don’t be scared of me or my size. Things are going to change quickly. No more lies. No denying these feelings. After the course, we’ll grab something to eat, spend some time together, you and me and the team.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“You will.” He gave her hip a shake.
Then he whispered, pressing his lips closer to her, “You will because you want to, because you feel the attraction, and you feel good in these arms.” He then lowered his mouth closer to hers.
It was an instant decision. Turn away or accept. Staring at those intense eyes and feeling so protective, how strong he was, she closed her eyes and tilted up as he pressed his lips to hers.
* * * *
The last thing Reeves expected to see as he, Flint, and Tiny rounded the back corner of the rope-swinging obstacle was Big John kissing Sam and her accepting it.
“What course is this one?” Tiny asked, arms crossed.
Sam gripped Big John’s waist, and Big John eased his mouth from hers. He glanced at them and then back at Sam, who looked shocked. Big John cupped her cheek.
“We’re just confirming plans for lunch after the course is complete.”
“Won’t the guy she’s involved with be upset?” Reeves asked.
“There is no guy.” Big John took her hand and brought her closer to the team. She slid her other hand down her thigh.
“You lied to me?” Reeves asked, feeling insulted. He had been hurt, and it shocked him when she said she was involved with someone.
“I didn’t mean to lie, Reeves. I didn’t know what to do. You came
on so strong, and I have a lot going on in my life right now. I was telling John that it’s bad timing.”
“Not bad timing. Perfect timing. We’re good listeners and can help ease your mind and maybe assist with any conflicts you’re going through.” Big John released her hand and looked her over.
“They were all hurt and disappointed when you lied. They’ll be some making up to do,” he said in what seemed to be both a teasing and serious tone, and she widened her eyes at John.
“Trust is earned,” Reeves said and walked away. He wasn’t sure what kind of woman Sam was, and he wondered what game she was playing. He was on guard, and he would keep his distance, not let his heart get into this so quickly. Maybe she wasn’t who he originally felt she was.
* * * *
An hour later, as Flint watched Sam try to sneak away and around the corner of the building near the parking area, he maneuvered around the front and caught up to her. Just as she rounded the corner, looking over her shoulder, he cleared his throat.
“Oh God!” she exclaimed, covering her chest with her hand and then stepping back. “You scared me.” She tilted her head back to look up at him, and her cheeks turned a nice shade of pink.
“Where ya sneaking off to?” he asked, looking down at her.
She pushed a loose strand of hair from her ponytail away from her face.
“I’m not sneaking off. I’m heading to my car to grab my bag to freshen up.” She looked away from him.
He reached out and took her hand into his as he stepped closer, closing the space between them.
“I thought we discussed lying,” he said firmly, squinting at her. He was getting concerned over her need to lie, and the only reason why a person did that was to hide shit. What was she lying about or trying not to reveal? Was she still seeing someone?
“I’m not—”
He raised one of his eyebrows, and she stopped talking.
She exhaled.
He inhaled her shampoo. The expression on her face surprised him. He expected something other than tears. His gut clenched. He remained holding her hand to his chest and then cupped her cheek and tilted her head up toward him.
Sons Of Justice 4: Her Beast of Burden (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 3