* * * *
Ace couldn’t remember the last time he drank so much or laughed so much. Venetia and her cousin had the group of them cracking up, telling stories and jokes about their childhood. He learned that she had four brothers, lived in New York, and had a photography company she was trying to build.
As the music played and some friends joined them, the ladies started dancing, singing, and talking about clubs they had been to and crazy times they nearly got arrested. He couldn’t help but keep a hand on her waist as they all enjoyed the party. His brother Zane remained on her other side, and Titan looked like his serious self, just absorbing everything he could.
When the conversation died down and started breaking into tiny groups, he pulled her back so she would lay her head against his chest. At first she hesitated, but then she eased back and sighed.
“I can’t believe we drank this much,” she said, and he chuckled.
“You drank a lot. We slowed down hours ago,” Zane told her.
“Well, I kind of needed this tonight. Work was hell all week, and the guys I worked for were jerks. Well, one of them was anyway.”
“What happened?” Zane asked.
She turned around to face them. “Not even worth the conversation. So tell me about the training you do. Is it like hand-to-hand combat and working with explosive devices or what?”
Ace kept his arms around her waist as she faced him. He couldn’t help but rest his hands on her lower back, nearly to her ass. He would love to stroke her so badly, maybe explore the tattoo she had inch by inch with his mouth.
He licked his lower lip and held her gaze.
“We train all aspects of combat fighting and preparation.” He pulled her closer. Her lips parted, and she pressed her palms against his chest.
“It’s hard stuff. Sometimes we teach basic training, other times ground fighting, weapons fighting, and the art of being very quiet while eliminating the enemy before they eliminate you.” Zane reached out to stroke her chin, but as he spoke, he ran a finger along her throat to her chin, tilting it toward him.
His brother Zane inched closer as though he might steal a kiss, but Venetia turned away.
“How long have you guys been in the military?” she asked them.
“Seventeen years for Ace and me,” Titan told her.
“Twelve for me,” Zane said.
“Do you only do training, or are you active duty and can get called into missions and things?”
“We’re considered active duty, but our days of doing missions are long gone. We prefer to train soldiers and prepare them for what’s out there. We take it very seriously and have dedicated the last several years to this,” Ace explained.
“That’s impressive. So you know a lot of self-defense things, too?”
“You interested in learning anything? We can teach you.” Zane reached out to caress her arm. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles. “You’re very competitive. I’m sure if we fooled around a bit, we would wind up on the mat. A real good wrestling match with you eventually pinned beneath me.”
She stared at his lips, and Ace felt his cock instantly harden. What the fuck was Zane doing?
“I think I’m going to grab some water so I can walk down the road to the apartment.”
“Down the road?” Ace asked her, reluctantly releasing her so she could put some space between them. She was either very shy, or she was intimidated by them.
“I’m staying in the apartment above the extra garage down the road from the main house. I live thirty-five minutes from here, so I didn’t want to have to drive back. Plus, I’m joining Cena and her boyfriends on their boat for the day.”
They all heard Cena laughing and scolding Brian as he placed her over his shoulder and called out good night to everyone.
She laughed.
“We’ll walk you back when you’re ready to go,” Ace told her.
“I don’t think so.” She went to step away but lost her footing. Titan, Ace, and Zane reached for her. She froze in place, and Ace gave her a wink.
“I think my brothers and I would like to get to know you better. Maybe as we walk you to the apartment, we can make plans to meet up tomorrow on the water?” Ace asked her.
She looked at him and then his brothers. He couldn’t believe how turned on he was having Venetia between them like this with all three of them touching her.
“You’re going tomorrow, too?” she asked.
“Now we are,” Titan said firmly, and Ace hid his smile. It was obvious that even hard-ass Titan was attracted to Venetia. There was no way they were leaving here tonight without making plans to see her again. Hell, maybe even steal a kiss.
“Come on, we’ll grab our stuff and yours then walk you,” Zane said, and then he walked away to grab her beach bag and towel then a bag they had brought with towels and changes of clothes.
Ace took her hand and squeezed it as they began to head out of the party. There were only a few more people left, and Brian said they were staying in the guest rooms in their house. As they made their way past Randal, he looked at Venetia.
“Venetia, I was going to walk you home. Look, more tequila.” He raised the bottle, and she laughed.
“I think I had enough.”
He looked at Ace, Titan, and Zane. “So I guess sharing a bed with you tonight is out of the question,” he said, slurring his speech.
“Yeah, buddy. It’s never going to happen,” Titan said to him.
“I’m going to dream about you tonight, and tomorrow we’ll be together, sweet Venetia.” He lost his balance, but one of his friends caught him and started laughing.
Ace moved her along and couldn’t help the jealous yet protective feeling he had. Would that guy have hit on Vin and walked her back if they weren’t there? What if they hadn’t come here tonight? They’d come close to ducking out on the party. He wasn’t going to take this situation for granted. Venetia seemed different. He liked her. He liked being around her, and she made his brothers smile, even Titan. Now, as they walked her from the backyard and along the path through the darkness, he couldn’t help but wonder if his other brothers would like her, too.
As soon as he thought that, he felt conflicted. Garvan, Roman, and especially Apollo were caught up in the businesses and making more money than any of them could ever spend. He understood why they worked so hard. Hell, he Titan, and Zane could retire, but they loved training soldiers. They felt compelled to send men into combat well prepared and wanted to continue to do their part. It was in their blood.
They heard a noise coming from the right behind some bushes, and Venetia gripped his hand and snuggled close. Ace held her against his side.
“I’ve got you.”
“It’s probably a raccoon or something.” Zane took position on her other side. Titan walked behind them.
When she pulled slightly away to look at Titan, Ace couldn’t believe what she did. She reached her hand out to him.
“Come closer in case it’s some kind of rabid animal. You could get bitten or hurt,” she said to him.
Ace stopped, and Titan took her hand and pulled her close. He towered over Venetia, and suddenly she looked a bit intimidated at his brother’s height and size.
Titan cupped her cheeks. She grabbed onto his forearms and parted her lips.
“It’s the rabid animal that would need the protecting, not me.” He pressed his lips to hers.
Ace was shocked at his brother’s move, but it validated exactly what he was feeling. He glanced at Zane, who looked just as surprised, and Ace couldn’t help but feel as though this was the beginning of something wonderful.
Then it all changed.
* * * *
Venetia hadn’t expected the overwhelming attraction she felt for Titan, Ace, and Zane, and when she worried about him getting bitten by some rabid animal, she just reacted without thinking. Without considering how that show of care might look. These men were a bit older, definitely hard-core soldi
ers, and they were drop-dead gorgeous, in a totally masculine, kick-ass, Terminator way. They were different than other men she met yet also familiar to her because of her brothers and their military backgrounds. What the hell was she thinking gazing up into Titan’s eyes like some love-sick teenager with a crush on the older man? Then his lips touched hers, and all thoughts ceased until Roman, Garvan, and, surprisingly, Apollo popped into her head. What were the chances of meeting six men within a week that made her want to be kissed again?
As he deepened the kiss, she felt on alert, scared, and this was totally not like her to let some strange man kiss her, and while his brothers watched. Her mind went from zero to a hundred in two seconds as Conan entered her mind, along with the fear she had that he wasn’t finished with her yet.
She pushed away from Titan and stepped back.
“Oh, God. Jesus, I’m sorry. I…I shouldn’t have let that happen. I…”
Titan reached for her hand and pulled her closer. She shook her head. “No, Titan, we shouldn’t have done that. I don’t even know you guys, I mean you. I don’t know you.”
“We want to change that. The three of us do,” Zane said to her. She was surprised but happy and then scared again. She shook her head.
“Not a good idea. I’m not interested in dating right now. I don’t want to date anyone. I can’t really do that right now, and it doesn’t matter that I find you guys very attractive. It’s just that, well, I can’t get involved with anyone, and that’s all I’m saying. So, good night, have a safe ride home. Nice meeting you and enjoy tomorrow.”
She turned to walk away, and Ace wouldn’t let her. He pulled her close and placed his hands on her shoulders. Looking down into her eyes, he smiled.
“Slow down and breathe.”
She was surprised by his calmness and that beautiful damn smile of his. That light scruff along his cheeks and chin was hiding dimples. Freaking dimples. Jesus.
She took a few breaths.
“Okay, we like you, and you like us. We can go slow and see what happens.”
“Nothing can happen. I’m not ready to get involved with anyone, and three men the size of you? Well, that is just too intimidating to comprehend, never mind consider.”
“So our sizes scare you?” Zane asked.
She nodded. He reached out and caressed her arm as he held her gaze.
“These arms, these muscles and capabilities, can protect you, not do you harm. I guarantee safety in my arms and in my brothers’ arms.”
She looked at his muscles and inhaled his cologne mixed with tropical coconut tanning lotion. Was that some form of aphrodisiac? It could be if the hardness of her nipples was any indication.
She licked her lips.
“Keep looking at me like that, baby, and I’m going to kiss you next.”
“Zane.” She lowered her head.
They were all quiet, and when she looked up and gazed into his eyes, she couldn’t help but want him to kiss her, too. He must have read her mind because Zane cupped her cheek, ran his palm under her head and neck, then swooped down and kissed her.
Holy shit, I just creamed myself.
She ran her palms up his pectoral muscles, and he lifted her up and began carrying her down the road. She straddled his hips and kissed him back, running her fingers through his hair. Her body bounced slightly, adding to her arousal as he climbed the stairs to the apartment above the garage.
“It’s opened. Are you out of your mind leaving this door open? Anyone could be in here waiting for you,” Titan reprimanded, bringing her back to the current situation.
She held on to Zane shoulders as he held her as though she were light as a feather and carried her into the apartment. He walked her to the bedroom and lowered her down to the bed. His thigh was between her legs, and she grabbed onto his forearms.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.”
He lowered down to suckle against her skin by her neck and then her shoulder. She realized that her blouse was lower, revealing more breast and skin than she intended. Behind him, Titan and Ace watched them.
“You’re in charge, Venetia. Do we stay, or do we go?” Titan asked her.
Zane lifted up and slowly pushed her top up so he could lick her belly, the belly ring, and then along her tattoo. She held on to his head.
“I can’t have sex with you. I won’t do that. It’s been so long, and I’m not ready for that.”
Ace and Titan sat down on either side of the bed.
Ace reached out and caressed the hair from her cheek. “Sounds like some guy hurt you.”
She nodded.
“We’re not him,” Titan said.
“I don’t know that. I don’t know the three of you.”
“But you’re attracted to us? To all three of us?” Zane asked her.
She looked up at him hovering above her. “I’m probably stupid for saying this but yes. Somehow I am.”
Zane smiled. “Then we don’t stay the night. We take our time getting to know you, so you can get to know us.”
“Starting tomorrow on the boat trip and the beach party,” Ace said to her.
Titan leaned closer and used his palm to caress her belly and then up toward her breast. He slowly ran a thumb over her nipple, bringing it to full attention. “Well, maybe not leave quite yet and do a little exploring first.”
She felt her heart racing, and damn it, her pussy clenched with desire. She would love to have sex with them. To take a chance and just let this happen, but then she thought of Conan and his capabilities and threats. There was so much to learn about these men and so much to explain to them so they would understand. But would they understand, or would they see her as trouble not worth taking a shot on? As he eased closer to her lips, her body made the decision for her as her mind tried to rationalize how wrong this really was. Then his lips pressed against hers, and nothing else seemed to matter but absorbing every touch, every sensation that Zane, Titan, and Ace caused inside of her. She just prayed it didn’t turn into a disaster.
Chapter 5
“You guys got home late last night. What are you doing up this early?” Garvan asked Titan while Ace made the coffee.
“We were at a party,” Zane said.
“Yeah and it was a good time,” Ace added and looked at Titan and Zane.
Garvan picked up on it and glanced at Apollo, who was looking at something on his laptop. Roman was scrambling some eggs preparing to make a batch.
“Should I take out an additional plate or two?” Apollo asked without looking up from the laptop.
“No,” Titan said, and Garvan picked up on his tone.
“You came in around three this morning. Why are you up at seven?” Garvan asked, pushing for answers.
“We have plans for the day. Remember, we’re using the boat,” Ace told him.
“The yacht?” Apollo asked.
“The small one. We’re just meeting up with some friends, doing a little tubing, and then docking by the island for a barbecue and party,” Ace explained.
“Must have been some party to bring you in at three. You guys hardly ever go out, and when you do, you’re in early. So who is she?” Apollo asked.
“Who?” Ace replied, grabbing a cup of coffee.
“The woman you three must have met and hooked up with,” Apollo continued.
“Well, if you really want to know, we met a really nice woman. She’s a bit younger than us, gorgeous and smart,” Ace told him.
“Funny, sexy as damn hell,” Zane said.
“Shy and classy,” Titan added.
Garvan looked at Apollo and Roman.
“We met someone, too,” Garvan told them, and now Ace, Titan, and Zane looked at them wide eyed.
“The same woman, or do you mean you hooked up with some woman, Apollo? Which, by the way, that chick Clarette is a pain in the ass. How the fuck does she know where we live?” Zane asked.
“What do you mean? She came here?” Apollo replied, with a scowl on his face.
> “Sure as shit did, and she tried to push her way inside, and I told her to take a hike. She started flirting with me and touching my arm. I told her I had my girlfriend upstairs and to get lost,” Titan said to him.
Apollo ran his fingers through his hair.
“Jesus, I don’t understand this woman. I’ve told her I’m not interested,” Apollo stated.
“Well, look what she did to Vin. The woman is obsessed with you and the shit she has caused. Vin won’t even talk to us or take on the job we offered,” Roman added.
“Vin?” Titan asked, and Garvan explained about the photographer and how professional and sexy she was with red hair and green eyes and how Apollo had pissed her off.
“Holy fucking shit.” Ace leaned back against the counter. A quick glance at him, Titan, and Zane, and Garvan felt instantly concerned.
“What’s wrong?”
Ace looked at Titan and Zane. “It’s her. It has to be.”
“Who?” Apollo asked.
“Yeah, who?” Roman repeated.
“The woman we met is a photographer, a redhead with green eyes, who is sexy, beautiful, classy, young, and her nickname, which only family and friends call her, is Vin, short for Venetia,” Ace told them.
“Holy crap, that’s her. That’s our Vin,” Garvan said to them.
“You have a picture of her, Apollo. It’s with the brochure material and the video she created. Pull it up,” Garvan said to his brother, and Apollo typed on the keys and then turned the screen toward his brothers.
Titan whistled. “That’s our Vin. It’s her. How the hell did this happen?”
“Do you think it’s a setup? A scam of some sort?” Apollo asked.
“Hell no, she came recommended by Lisa’s friend, and she did an awesome job. The attraction was immediate, but she wasn’t biting. I think she had a bad relationship,” Roman told them.
“Yeah, we got that out of her last night at her place,” Ace replied.
A Six-Pack & a Shot at Love [Love on the Rocks 1] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 6