Monroe, Marla - Long, Lonely Nights [The Protectors 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Marla Monroe

  “I didn’t think you would need me for that,” Tina said.

  “You’re not going to leave me to go to some strange man’s motel by myself are you?”

  “You’ll be with Logan. And Riley isn’t a strange man. They’ve both helped us.”

  “I still don’t want to go to his place alone,” Jenna complained.

  “Okay, okay. I’ll go. I still don’t think it will do any good with Logan. I’m telling you he doesn’t see me like that. I was someone who needed help, and he helped me. Same as he is helping you.”

  “Humor me and then I’ll leave you alone if he doesn’t ask you out or at least come over to see you.”

  “Fine.” Tina rolled her eyes.

  They shopped for several hours before finding the perfect outfits. Jenna chose a pale pink baby doll dress that looked adorable on her. It set off her long blond hair. She bought pink pumps that matched and weren’t too high for dancing. Not that anything was too tall for her to dance in. It amazed Tina how she could walk in them much less dance in some of the heels she wore.

  Tina chose a princes cut that gave her even more curves than she already had. It made her waist seam slimmer and her legs longer. The sky blue color complimented her eyes. She chose a pair of low heels that she hoped wouldn’t trip her up. All in all, she hadn’t had too bad a day. If she hadn’t disliked shopping so much, she would have said she actually had fun.

  Both of them returned to the house by six and divided their bounty. They showered and dressed, deciding to eat a light dinner at a sandwich shop downtown before heading to the club. By nine, they were waiting in line for their turn to go inside. They hadn’t gotten passes this time, but it wasn’t long before they made it inside. Once inside they were swallowed up in the crowd and music.

  They held onto each other to keep from getting separated. The throb of the base stamped out a tempo inside Tina’s chest. It threatened to explode within her.

  Jenna laughed and raised her hands over her head to indicate she wanted to hit the dance floor. It was fine with Tina. She doubted they could find a table to sit at anyway. The place was packed. They kept close to each other as they slipped through the crowd to the edge of the dance floor.

  They started to dance together, but were soon part of a larger group of maybe five, three men and two other women. Several times someone tried to cut in and pull the women out, but the guys mostly kept them safe as long as they said no. After the third dance, Jenna grabbed Tina’s hand and motioned that she wanted something to drink. Talking was pretty much impossible in the den. They held onto each other and made their way towards the bar.

  Tina ordered a strawberry daiquiri, and Jenna had a margarita. They stood by the bar and drank, then one of the men got off his bar stool, picked Tina up, and put her on the stool.

  “There you go. If you want down, just ask me and I’ll get you down.”

  He growled at one of the men next to Tina and the man got off the stool. Their prince charming set Jenna on that stool.

  “Thanks,” they said together.

  “Pretty ladies shouldn’t have to stand at the bar,” he said. “My name’s Randy.”

  They introduced themselves. They talked with Randy until they finished their drinks. He helped them down from the stools, and then danced with them the rest of the night. He didn’t make advances and wasn’t pushy. They had a ball. Finally, around one in the morning, they agreed it was time to call it a night. Randy insisted on seeing them to their car and made sure no one bothered them.

  “He was really nice,” Tina commented.

  “Wonder why he doesn’t have a steady girlfriend?” Jenna said.

  “He’s too nice. I mean neither one of us was overly attracted to him, were we?”

  “No, I guess not. I wish I liked him,” Jenna said.

  “Can’t make yourself like someone you don’t though.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Jenna agreed.

  “Believe me, I wish you could,” Tina said thinking about Logan.

  “So, how are you feeling?”

  “I’m okay. I’m going to be sore tomorrow, though. I haven’t done that much dancing in over a year,” Tina said laughing.

  “Me either. I don’t go out much without you. Just wasn’t as much fun,” Jenna said.

  “I’m sorry I was such as stick in the mud.”

  “Hey, I don’t blame you. I would have been scared out of my wits too.”

  When they arrived at the house, both Logan and Riley stepped off the porch and walked over to the car as they got out.

  “Where in the hell have you two been?” Logan demanded.

  “We went out. Why?” Tina asked.

  “It’s nearly two in the fucking morning,” he said.

  “So…we’re grown. We can go out and stay out all night if we want to,” Tina argued.

  “Not when we didn’t know what had happened to you.”

  “Chill,” Jenna said. “What’s going on?”

  “Todd was over here earlier looking for you,” Riley said.

  “Todd? Why?” Jenna blanched.

  “When you didn’t show back up after awhile, we started wondering if he had found you.”

  “Well, he didn’t. Besides, knowing you two, you probably read him the riot act. He won’t even say my name again out loud.”

  “Well, if he can still talk he won’t,” Riley said with a smile.

  “Riley broke his nose. I don’t know about his jaw,” Logan said.

  “You knew there was nothing to worry about then. He wouldn’t have come after us after that. I can’t believe you broke his nose.” Tina shook her head.

  “You didn’t come back at eleven or midnight. Then it was one,” Logan said.

  “Look,” Tina said. “We are grown and can take care of ourselves. When we couldn’t, we didn’t take chances and accepted help when we needed it.”

  Riley leaned in to Jenna, who backed away.

  “You’ve been drinking,” he said.

  “I had one drink and that was at ten-thirty,” Jenna said. “Neither one of us had more than our limit. Not that it’s any of your business.”

  “Come on, Tina. Let’s go. I want a shower,” Jenna turned and walked towards the door.

  Tina followed, but Logan reached out and snagged her wrist. He turned her around.

  “Are you sure you are okay? Wasn’t it too soon to go out dancing with your stitches?” he asked.

  “I checked with the doctor when he pulled my stitches out. He said I could do anything I wanted to do.”

  Logan let go of her, and she caught up with Jenna to unlock the door. She and Jenna looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  “Why were they waiting up for us?” Jenna asked.

  “It’s like being back in high school and living in your parents’ house,” Tina agreed.

  They couldn’t stop laughing and ended up collapsing on the couch until they could get hold of themselves. Finally, they settled down and went upstairs to shower and go to bed.

  Tina thought about Logan while she was in the shower. She missed him. The one time she had curled up with him had been heaven. She wanted that again. She checked her wound which was fine. She had a bright pink scar. He worried for nothing. Why was he worried anyway? She didn’t think he cared. Maybe he did after all. She smiled.

  * * * *

  “They went out dancing. I can’t believe they did that after everything that has happened,” Logan said.

  Riley laughed. “They’re women. They don’t think logically. They wanted to have fun, so they went out.”

  Logan ran a hand over his head. “I guess I can see it in Tina, because her threat is gone, but Jenna? Todd is still out there looking for her, and she acted like it was no big deal.”

  “Neither one of them needs to go out like they were dressed. There is no telling how many men put the moves on them,” Riley agreed.

  “They were with one guy for sure. I could smell him on Tina. He wears some kin
d of fancy cologne.”

  “Knowing them, they stuck together, so I’m sure they both danced with him,” Riley said with a sigh.

  “Think he’ll show up here one day?” Logan asked.

  “Probably,” Riley answered.

  “Hell, I’m not going to be able to watch her with another man, Riley. She belongs to me.”

  Riley looked at him like he’d grown a third head. “Do what?”

  “She belongs to me.”

  “You know you sound like that asshole who we just put in jail.” Riley stared at Logan.

  “I guess I know how he felt then, only I won’t hurt her.” Logan swallowed. “I’m not letting her go if I can help it. There has to be some way to tone it down.”

  “You can’t change who you are, man. You know it. I know it. We’ve been this way our entire lives. I know I wouldn’t hurt a woman, but I’m rough. Some women just aren’t made to be handled that way. Hell, Jenna bruises if you look at her wrong.”

  “So does Tina. She has the lightest rose-colored skin I’ve ever seen,” Logan said.

  “Jenna’s is a pale alabaster.”

  “Man, you sound like a poet over there.”

  “Fuck you.”

  Logan sighed. “So, what am I going to do, Riley? I can’t stand by while she dates other men. I can’t have her. What in the hell am I supposed to do?”

  “You can move,” Riley offered.

  “Not an option. It would drive me crazy wondering if she’s okay or not. I’m staying. I’ll have to deal with it. I can at least make sure that whoever she ends up with treats her right.”

  “You’re asking to be tortured now?” Riley asked. “Maybe all you need is a night out on the town yourself. We’ve been stuck here babysitting for the last few weeks. Maybe we should have gone out tonight, too.”

  Logan shrugged. “Maybe you’re right.”

  “Let’s pick up Morgan tomorrow,” he looked at his watch, “make that tonight and head over to that biker bar. Bound to be something there for anything that ales you.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be picking up any tail right now, Riley. I’ll go along with you guys, but I’m not buying.” Logan shook his head.

  “You don’t have to buy, just dance and have some fun. You can even get drunk off your ass. I’ll drive.”

  “I’m not sure I trust you with my drunk self. I remember one particular bar where one of the guys woke up with a pierced dick that he hadn’t had when he left the base that night.”

  “Yeah, well he was an asshole. Who subsequently got a lot of pussy with that pierced peter of his. Who knew it would cause such a sensation with the ladies?”

  “Nope, don’t want one,” Logan reiterated when Riley looked at him.

  They went inside to find Morgan passed out on the couch with his feet hanging off the edge.

  “Good,” Riley said. “I get the guest room.”

  “There are two of them. He could have had the other one.”

  “Guess he didn’t make it that far,” Riley commented.

  One eye popped open and Morgan said, “I was hanging around in case you needed help. You’re women folk back safe and sound?”

  “They are not my women folk,” Logan said.

  “Or mine,” Riley added.

  “Yeah, right. You act like mother hens.” He swung his legs off the couch, stood up, and stretched. “I’m going for a real bed. Talk to you guys later.”

  He walked off, and they heard the door to one of the rooms shut.

  “I’m calling it a night, too,” Logan said. “Talk to you in the morning.

  He left Riley standing in the middle of the living room.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Logan peeled off his clothes and stepped into the shower. The water was lukewarm at best. Cold would probably have been better since he had a freaking boner. That damn dress she’d had on went straight to his balls when he saw her get out of the car. It fit her perfectly, leaving nothing to the imagination. It hugged her curves and accented her pert breasts. He was sure she had on garters and stockings. Had anyone had their hands on her ass as they danced? The thought burned through him. He didn’t need to imagine anyone touching her but him, or he would likely kill the first one she brought to the house or had picked her up.

  Instead, he thought about unzipping that pale blue dress and slipping it off her shoulders. He would hang it over the back of a chair to keep from ruining it. Then he would unhook her bra and take it off for her, dropping it to the floor at their feet. He wouldn’t be able to stand not touching her perfect breasts. He would mound them with his hands and flick her pointed nipples with his fingers. They would pebble for him.

  He found his hand gliding up and over the head of his cock as he imagined licking her nipples over and over until she moaned. Then, he would go to his knees and pull her panties down until she could step out of them. She would be soaked by now, dripping with her sweet honey. His hand began sliding faster up and down his thick shaft. His other hand found his balls and massaged them.

  He would separate her lips and hold them back so his tongue could reach inside to scoop out some of that delectable dessert. He would push one finger in to test her readiness. She would be hot and tight. He would add another finger and began pumping them even as he pumped his cock with his hand. Faster and faster he would work his fingers. She would moan as he groaned until she began tightening around him. He would pump faster until she screamed, and he shouted out as he came, shooting across the shower stall.

  He brought himself down and leaned his head against the shower wall until he could catch his breath. There was no doubt in his mind anymore that he was in love with Tina. But what could he do about it?

  Late that morning, Logan woke. He had slept till nearly noon. He cursed. He hadn’t planned to sleep that late. He dressed in faded jeans and an old army T-shirt. Riley and Morgan soon joined him in the kitchen once they smelled the coffee.

  “Man, I might tease you about your coffee, but I’m sure as hell glad you are so picky about it. This stuff rocks,” Morgan said.

  Riley grunted and raised the cup to his lips.

  Logan was thinking about what to fix for breakfast when someone knocked on the back door. He went to the sliding glass door and nearly groaned out loud. Tina and Jenna stood outside with bowls in their hands.

  He hollered out, “Heads up. Women in the house.”

  He unlocked the sliding glass door, opening it for them to come in.

  “What can we do for you today?” he asked.

  “We want a favor, so we came prepared to cook pancakes for you,” Tina said indicating their bowls. “I didn’t have enough bacon for all of you, so I hope you have some.”

  “Yeah, I’ll donate the bacon if you’re frying up the flap jacks,” Morgan said.

  “Hey, it’s my bacon,” Logan complained.

  “So?” Riley said.

  They led the way to the kitchen. The girls began getting out supplies to cook. Logan pulled bacon out of the freezer and popped it into the microwave to thaw.

  “Should be ready to cook in about ten minutes,” he said. “So what is the favor?”

  Jenna looked up from what she was doing. “I need my car back now, so I was hoping one of you would take me to get it after breakfast.”

  Before anyone could say anything, Riley said, “I’ll take you. It’s at my place.”

  “Oh, well thanks, but I can’t ride on the back of your motorcycle. I’ll fall off.”

  “You can take my truck,” Logan offered.

  “Thanks, but she’ll ride on the back of the bike. She can do it.”

  “Riley, maybe you should take Logan’s truck. She’s obviously not comfortable riding the bike,” Tina said.

  Riley shrugged. “The only way to find out is for her to try it.”

  “Okay! I’ll try it. But, it is your shirt if I get sick on it.”

  Riley laughed and walked out of the kitchen with the others.

  * * * *

/>   “Well, that went over rather well,” Tina said.

  “Except that I have to ride on the bike with Riley. I did not want to end up with him.”

  “Why not?”

  “He makes me nervous. You heard Logan last night. He broke Todd’s nose and maybe his jaw.”

  “He isn’t going to hurt you, Jenna. He would never hurt a woman.”

  “I guess.”

  “No guessing needed. I know. Those three men in there are the gentlest men around women there are,” Tina admonished.

  “I’ll be alone with him though and he’s so… I don’t know, male.”

  “Isn’t that what you want in a man, for him to be male?” Tina asked with a smile.

  “Oh shut up. You know what I mean. It’s overwhelming.”

  “Yet you want me to take a chance on Logan.”

  “You two belong together. I can see it. He isn’t as tough as Riley,” Jenna said.

  “Come on, you two. How long till time to eat?” Morgan walked into the room and poured another cup of coffee.

  “We’re waiting on the bacon to thaw. It only has a few more minutes,” Jenna said.

  “Can’t wait. Last home cooked meal I had was back in the Army,” he said.

  “You call that a home cooked meal?” Tina asked.

  “It was my home away from home.” Morgan leaned over Jenna to sniff at the microwave.

  Riley walked in.

  “Back off, Morgan,” he said.

  Morgan held his hands up and backed off. He gave Riley an odd look.

  “No problem man. Just sniffing the bacon.” He backed away with his cup of coffee then disappeared into the living room.

  “Riley,” Tina said. “What was that all about?”

  Riley didn’t say anything. He turned around and walked out.

  “See, he acts like he owns me.”

  “Don’t worry about it. He’s just worried about you is all.”

  “He has a funny way of showing it.” Jenna took out the bacon when the microwave dinged.

  Tina sighed. He did act odd around Jenna lately. Not any odder than Logan acted around her. She knew why Logan acted like he did. So why was Riley behaving so strangely?

  “Bacon looks ready. Want to start the pancakes now?” Jenna asked.