Boy had that been an awkward night, trying not to hurt the woman who went into a fit of rage when they declined her calmly and told her to leave, only for them to have to call the police to document the incident to get her to leave or they would press charges. It was an event Cesar had been pretty pissed off about but apparently knew the woman was crazy. The whole breaking into their temporary home at the time turned into a gossip session for everyone. By the time they got their positions with Sons of Justice and their residence ready for them to move into on the campground, the stories were ten fold, and they gained reputations that weren’t even who they really were. Thank God for the security gates or the woman would have gotten to them in their new residence, as well.
“What a surprise this is. Did you know I was going to be here, Rusty?” She slid her fingers up his hair. He reached up and pulled her hand down and then quickly released it.
“Cool it, Cindy,” he stated firmly.
She pouted and then slid her hand to the back of his chair and tried to push up against his back, pressing her boobs against him. He leaned closer to the bar and then turned in his seat. He had a scowl on his face, and Pisces, who sat right next to him, glared at her. She then slid her hand to Pisces’s arm and squeezed his forearm muscles. She licked her lips.
“You have got such sexy hard bodies. I bet women are intimidated by all those muscles and capabilities. I’m not.” She leaned closer like she would kiss Pisces, but Pisces pressed a hand to her shoulder.
“Cindy, take a hike. Go stalk some other men. We aren’t interested.”
She pushed her long blonde hair over her shoulder and then bent slightly to show off her small cleavage. “Where are Finlin and Stack? Are they on a mission?” She pulled her bottom teeth between her lips and then gave a sexy gaze, but it didn’t come off sexy to Rusty. It was freaky.
“Take a hike, Cindy. We mean it. We’ll press charges this time if you keep this shit up. Hell, we’ll have Cesar submit the order of protection.”
She gave an angry expression and then turned to the right, and her mouth gaped open and then tightened. “Who’s the slut hitting on my man?”
Pisces and Rusty turned around to see what Cindy was looking at. Rusty felt his chest tighten and excitement fill his core. Stack had Thylane smiling and laughing, cornered by a wall and the bar. His hand was on her hip, and her friends Merica and Brazille were there, too, and talking to two other men.
“I’ll slap that bitch silly.” Cindy headed toward them.
Pisces and Rusty stood up, but Cindy pushed her way through the crowd, and a situation blew up before they could even stop her.
* * * *
Stack was thrilled that Thylane was right here next to him, letting him touch her, flirt with her, and just talk. She was so fucking sweet his tooth ached. And her body? Holy shit, the woman was hot, especially in the tight low-riding jeans she wore with heeled low boots, and the slim-fitting burgundy top she wore accentuated her breasts but was conservative and classy. She wasn’t pulling back even when he reached for her necklace that was twisted and reset it against her cleavage.
She held his gaze with those gorgeous green eyes of hers, and he couldn’t believe his body’s reaction.
“How is your friend Kendra doing?” he asked her.
“She’s doing good. She’s a tough one and will be fine in no time.”
“I’m sure her men are taking good care of her. I saw Stone at training at camp this morning. He couldn’t seem to wait to get back to her.” He really absorbed her beauty.
She had pretty, straight, dark brown hair that shimmered in the light, full, round breasts that pushed out from the top she wore but didn’t over accentuate her cleavage, which was definitely deep. She appeared to be lean, more than likely from the kickboxing and martial arts he heard she engaged in for exercise. He only knew that because one of their buddies, who was a deputy in town, worked out at the same place. As someone walked by them, he pressed closer, put his hand on her hip, and could sense how her ass pushed out in the back of her jeans, but he took advantage of caressing her skin that was slightly exposed on her waist. He inhaled, never feeling so instantly attracted to a woman as he did with Thylane. It was almost intimidating actually because he had years of experience with women, and he knew she was different.
He kind of battled with himself over the effect she had on him and how he paused in his actions and his words of flirtation, as if worried about her reaction. It was stupid. He was experienced and older. It got to him, and in trying to act so unaffected by her beauty and her scent, he pushed to be macho, and it cost him.
When she pulled back slightly as he tried whispering into her ear and taking a chance at kissing her cheek, he realized she really was shy, sweet, and had an effect on him.
“So you work a lot of hours at your dad’s promotional company?” he asked her then took a sip from his mug of beer.
The scent of her shampoo filled his nostrils, and he inhaled. He was fucking nervous. She made him, of all people, a soldier, trained killer, a guy who had at least a hundred pounds plus on her, nervous. There was something so different about her. Stack didn’t know what it was. Even he felt different. Hell, he’d screwed enough women over the years to know that Thylane was not typical. He felt it, and he hesitated several times flirting with her and getting close, but she smelled so good, and the way other men looked at her, wanting her, just seemed to make her more enticing to him. It was wild because he didn’t date or do commitments.
They were here in Repose for a short period of time, but already it seemed the ways of the town were starting to interest him. He swallowed hard and watched her mouth, her lips as she spoke. Stack was in tune to her every word, expression, scent, and all of it, all of her, pleased him.
“Full time, but it leaves me with free time to do other things, so it’s good.”
“Like what?” he asked, and she shyly looked away. So she had a secret hobby? Interesting.
“Tell me, or is it a secret?” he teased her, reached up, and stroked her jaw. Her eyes widened, and she retreated but only as far as to the wall right behind her. She suddenly looked trapped, submissive and beautiful. He was not the teasing type at all. Nor one to engage in deep conversation with a woman he wanted to get into bed.
He was so damn attracted to Thylane it was crazy. This was a complete first for him, and thinking of getting her into bed made him feel like a dick. He had a choice to make. Be friendly and remain just friends or risk pissing off a whole lot of people just to get this woman in his arms and under him. Again the thought bothered him. She was more than that. More than sex. She was someone who could become important. The thought scared him, actually scared him, and he must have looked serious suddenly, as she placed her hand on his forearm.
“Are you okay?” she whispered.
He stared at her lips, absorbed her kind, genuinely caring tone. Holy fuck, he liked her. A fucking lot. He’d let down his guard. Was weak in front of her. This wasn’t like Stack at all. He was badass, brutal, a fucking warrior. He pulled his shit together fast.
“Oh, yeah, I’m good. I was zoning out.” He stared down into those gorgeous deep green eyes she had. Sexy, full lips, thin, yet shapely body. Her breasts and ass were perfection, and he towered over her, could wrap her up with one arm and whisk her off to his house, fuck, to his bed. He reached out and stroked her jaw. Her eyes widened.
“I was lost in these eyes. You’re so damn beautiful.”
She gulped, and in that moment, he wanted Thylane. Wanted to possess her in every way. To hold her close. To get lost in her eyes, watch them while he thrust into her pussy, making her call out his name as she came.
“How dare you!”
The screeching sound of a female voice brought everyone’s attention behind him. He saw Cindy as he released Thylane’s cheek and turned, only for Cindy to push at Thylane’s chest and send her back against the wall.
“Hey.” He grabbed Cindy’s hand and yanked her back.
“What the hell are you doing here and making a scene?” he demanded to know.
“Who is she, Stack? How could you cheat on us? I’ve been here for you and your brothers, the team, and this is what you do to me?”
“Cut it out, Cindy.” Rusty joined in, and so did Pisces. One look at Thylane as Merica and Brazille stood by her and Stack knew this was going to screw up his chances with a woman like Thylane.
“There is no us. Never has been and never will be. You need help, Cindy. Now get the hell out of here,” Stack said to her.
“What? How could you lie? You like this little slut? After all the nights we spent together in your bed, with you calling out my name as all of you made love to me together?” Cindy yelled for everyone within earshot to hear.
“Oh my God. Nice, Stack,” Thylane said, and she and her friends started to step to the side.
Stack reached out for Thylane. “It isn’t true, Thylane. She’s a crazy woman and making it up.”
“Making it up? How could you?” Cindy screamed and shoved Thylane away from Stack.
Thylane shoved back. “Don’t push me. I don’t know what is going on, so leave me alone.”
Thylane started to walk away, and Cindy turned to smirk at Stack and place her hands on his chest. Merica was right there and heard and saw Cindy. “I won’t let anyone near the four of you ever. You’re going to be mine, no matter what. Stop fighting it, Stack.”
“You’re sick. We’re going to press charges this time, Cindy. Enough is enough,” Stack said firmly, shoved her hands away, and went to follow Thylane.
As he got closer to her, he saw three men, guys he knew from town, were talking to her, and he got pissed off. He was jealous, and it was another indication that Thylane wasn’t just a woman he wanted in his bed. She was more than that. Holy fucking shit.
“Go take a hike,” he stated firmly to the three men. One of them placed Thylane behind him, and his friend or brother pulled her close in a protective stance as if Stack could hurt her.
“No, buddy, you need to settle down and take care of your woman over there. Leave it be,” he said, and Stack squinted at him.
“She isn’t my woman. It would be in your best interest to step aside,” Stack said.
“Stack.” Tiny appeared, along with Pisces. They moved in front of him, and he stared straight at Thylane, who looked scared and held on to the cowboy’s arm while her friends then joined her. He exhaled. He’d fucked up. He scared her, and that bitch Cindy had pulled her bullshit. He went to move.
“Don’t,” Pisces stated firmly.
One look at his brother-in-arms and he knew he needed to pull back. It hurt. In that moment as he stared at Thylane and realized he wanted her and now she was scared of him. Distrusting of him and, of course, his team. The realization had him turning around, growling deep and low while heading to the bar.
“What the hell is going on with that woman?” Big John handed him a beer. Tiny was there, too, with his arms crossed, a scowl on his face.
“The fuck if we know. She’s a psycho stalker,” Pisces stated, joining them by the bar as Rusty ordered beers.
A quick glance around and Cindy wasn’t in sight.
“Where did that woman go?” he asked.
“Tobias was right there and saw and heard the whole situation. He’ll take care of it.” Rusty then stared at Stack.
“Thylane looked upset,” he said, and Big John looked at Stack.
“Listen, Thylane is a good friend of Sam’s and definitely not exactly your type. Any of you,” Big John stated.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Pisces asked before Stack could.
Stack just stared at Big John. He knew what he was saying. What he was getting at. Stack and the team were players. They were out for a good time, no strings attached, and everyone who heard about women breaking into their house thought that it was multiple women, not just one psycho woman, Cindy. They’d allowed that reputation and rumor to grow. They were mean, distant, never took women seriously or for anything more than to ease their needs in bed. They were Marines, and work, missions, danger came first and foremost. None of them took any woman seriously or wanted a commitment.
So why was that thought pissing him off right now? Why was he embarrassed by this reputation, and why did he care what Thylane would think of him and the team? Why was he looking back toward the three fucking cowboys hitting on Thylane, buying her drinks and keeping her close? When she glanced back over toward him, he was shocked, but his expression was flat and angry, causing her to look away. He fucking liked her.
So much so that he wasn’t listening to a fucking word Big John was saying. Not until it got quiet. To hide him being caught thinking about Thylane, the scent of her shampoo, her skin, the gentleness of her voice, he guzzled down a bit more beer than a normal sip as he held Big John’s gaze.
“We get your message loud and clear.” He looked away.
“I sure the fuck hope so. You scared Thylane tonight.” Big John and Tiny headed back over to their team and woman, Sam.
He watched them as they pulled Sam close and kissed her, and she slid her hands up Big John’s chest and stared at him with love, adoration, and awe. He also saw the pride each of the men had on their faces holding her between them and touching her, caressing her hair, and just showing off that they were one unit, one team, one family.
He was jealous, envious, and angry. Never, in all the years he’d served as a soldier, had he ever wanted a woman, a family to come home to. His family was his team. His brothers-in-arms. No woman would come between them and the bond they all shared. As he thought that, Thylane popped into his head. Holy fucking shit. He wanted her. These fucking guys, their friends were turning Stack and his team into pussies. Into regular men, not machines, not monster killers, fighters, warriors, but fucking pansies.
“Who are those fucking guys talking to Thylane?” Rusty asked Pisces.
“I’ve seen them around. One is a state trooper I think,” Pisces said.
“You looked like you were making some progress, Stack. What the hell were you thinking hitting on a woman like Thylane?” Rusty asked him.
Stack looked at Rusty. He needed to pretend it was nothing. His team didn’t seem interested in Thylane except out of responsibility as friends with her friends’ men. “You need to ask? Look at her body. At those eyes. She’s hot.” He then finished the pint of beer and threw some bills down onto the bar.
“I’m going to head out.”
“Head out? It’s too early. What the fuck is really going on? And don’t try to play this off like flirting with Thylane was just to get laid,” Pisces stated firmly.
“What the fuck Pisces?” Rusty stated. Now Rusty was getting pissed at Pisces. Could Rusty be attracted to Thylane too?
“If I just wanted to take her to bed, then I would have her in my bed right now.”
Pisces chuckled.
“You’re so full of shit,” Pisces stated.
“She isn’t like that at all. You’re playing with fucking fire. You heard Big John. Just fucking cool it,” Rusty said, and Stack turned around and walked away.
* * * *
“What the hell was that all about with Stack?” Brazille asked Thylane.
Thylane excused herself from the conversation with the three McCullen brothers. It was hard to concentrate on their stories when her eyes kept darting back to Stack and his team. She noticed Finlin wasn’t there, and she wondered if he were on assignment. She didn’t know why she even thought twice about any of the four men. It was obvious by that Cindy woman that those men were players. Hell, she knew their reputations and saw them in action. How hardcore they were. Daredevils, wise-asses at parties, and definitely wild, untamed soldiers. She’d heard about their crazy missions and had even seen them come back from one with cuts on their faces and hardened expressions. From Stack to Pisces then Rusty and, of course, the most intense of the team, Finlin, she didn’t need to know military to know that these m
en were fierce and lethal.
It scared her, but aroused her. Perhaps her friend’s newfound ménage relationships had an effect on her subconscious. Stack and his team were not the commitment types and surely were not the right men to lose her virginity to and to trust with her heart and her body. They scared her, despite how much she enjoyed her conversation with Stack and having him close. She looked at Brazille and exhaled.
“We were just talking when that woman showed up and started ranting,” Thylane said.
“You were doing more than talking. He had his hand on your hip, was whispering to you, and you were both talking, smiling, and getting along great,” Merica said.
Thylane rolled her eyes and exhaled.
“Yeah, well, obviously I’m not good at picking out players. He seemed so nice.”
“You like him, and you like his buddies, too.” Brazille took a sip from her drink.
“No, definitely not his buddies. It was just a conversation. Nothing would have come of it because of their reputations.”
“You said their reputations. So you do like all of them?” Merica teased and winked.
Thylane shook her head. “I was talking to him. You know I don’t date.”
“You hardly talk to any guys, at least for as long as you were talking to Stack,” Merica said.
“He is very good looking. And so big and thick, like some linebacker, too. The four of them are fierce and not really talkative at all. You seem to bring it out in them,” Brazille stated and winked.
“Could be something brewing,” Merica stated.
“Definitely not. We’ve all heard about the women who break into their house to jump them in bed,” Brazille stated.
“What?” Thylane asked.
“Now you did it. She’ll be scared shitless of them,” Merica said and then chuckled.
“It’s not true. It was one woman from what Talia told me,” Brazille added.
Sons of Justice 6: A Painter Walks into an Irish Pub (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 4