“This is so exciting. I can’t believe how well Dale is doing, too. Three interceptions and two touchdowns,” Deanna said as Julia began to cry. It wasn’t long before she had to move from the stands and go to the car to calm Julia and give her a bottle where it was quiet.
The final play of the game was quite exciting as Dale caught another interception then ran forty yards for another touchdown, entering the end zone as the game ended.
“That was fantastic. My God, I can’t believe how awesome Dale looks,” Teddy said to Jim.
“He’s been working so hard. It’s quite an achievement to be playing a starting position as a freshman,” Jim added.
“I thought he looked awesome. Do me a favor and tell him I said good job, okay?”
“Wait, aren’t you going to come with us to the celebration party?” Teddy asked as he adjusted his pants and the ankle holster he wore. Even though he and Jim were off duty, they still carried. But then again, so did a lot of people living in Texas.
“They planned a party? What if they lost?”
“Bite your tongue,” someone yelled to her and she glanced at the stranger and Jim and Teddy chuckled.
“Come on, Cuz, we’ll explain on the way over to the school,” Teddy told her and they headed down from the bleachers.
* * * *
Gia was a nervous wreck as she pulled her car into the parking lot at Casper’s. She knew damn well that both Garrett and Wes would be there. Most of the players and their parents joined the party sponsored by the McCallister family. She was pleasantly surprised to see an outdoor area behind Casper’s set up for all the players. She walked in with Teddy since Deanna and Jim took Julia home to rest. As they made their way through the crowd to get to Dale, she caught sight of Wes talking with Garrett. Both of them happened to turn and look at her and she paused where she was. Boy, were these men lethal. She couldn’t move, she could hardly breathe. All she could do was think about making a run for the door. But strong arms wrapped around her from behind and she gasped as two of the seniors she had helped study for their math exams carried her toward the other players.
Wes and Garrett looked pissed off until the boys set her down near Dale. They had parted the crowd so she could congratulate him.
“Thanks for the help with the math, Gia. My parents are so happy. I thought I might miss today’s opening game,” one told her and then the others added similar remarks and thank-yous. The coaches heard and gave her smiles and then Dale hugged her.
“You’re the best.”
“Like a big sister right? And cool, too?” she teased him.
“Big sister sounds cool,” he replied and she laughed.
“You were amazing out there. All of you were,” she told him and his friends.
“Will you be at all our games, Gia?” one of them asked. As the boys joked, making fun of him, she realized that he might have a bit of a crush on her.
“I’ll try to,” she said then they started joking around with one another as the waitresses brought platters of appetizers and sandwiches out to them. Gia stepped back and turned to look for Teddy, but instead was greeted by a hand on her waist and a tall, very appealing Wes McCallister.
“Do I get a congratulations, too, Gia?” he asked in a very flirtatious manner. She was a bit shell shocked feeling the warmth of his hand on her waist and the close proximity of his body to hers. Muscles, muscles, and more muscles, the way Wes had them, should be illegal. Gia’s cheeks warmed at his teasing, and surprisingly, she didn’t pull away from him. On the contrary, the scent of his cologne, the magnitude of his size and charisma seemed to wrap around her.
“Congratulations, Coach McCallister,” she said, tilting her head way back to look up at him. She realized he was way over six feet tall and with her only wearing a pair of white tennis shoes, she felt like a shrimp in comparison.
His eyes seemed to darken at her response and then he guided her toward the sidewall and out of the crowd of parents and kids.
“Coach McCallister? No way, darling. You call me Wes.”
He held her gaze and boy did this man pack a hell of a punch. She could hardly find her voice and every damn nerve ending in her body roared to absorb as much of him as she could, because her sensible pessimistic side was itching to make her run far, far away.
“That was a fantastic game, Wes.” She heard the deep voice and felt the even larger presence behind her. A quick turn and she nearly smacked into the tower of muscle wearing a navy-blue button-down shirt. Her eyes absorbed it all very quickly. Holster, gun, handcuffs, and a military stance and gold star on his shirt. Her eyes moved up his body to his shoulders and face and she gulped, stepping backward right into Wes, who placed his hands on her hips and his chest against her back.
If she could fan herself without making a scene she would. Her breath hitched and she forced herself to remain still instead of bolt for the nearest exit. Holy shit.
She was greeted with a very serious, yet teasing expression as her eyes locked gazes on the gold star with the words Texas Ranger and then an absolutely fine-looking cowboy. He wasn’t traditional good-looking. No, uh uh, no way. In fact, he was not what she would call gorgeous, but he was a hard-looking man. He reeked of power, control, and authority and would still have those assets even without the badge.
“Hey, Gunny, thanks. This is Gia.” Wes introduced them and she said a quick hello then placed her hands on Wes’s to remove them from her waist. When she did, she felt the immediate loss of his hold and the warmth of his very large hands. She was far from average in her size and height. Petite was more like it and standing here between these two Goliaths made her body shake and her palms sweaty.
“The name is Gunner, but my friends and family call me Gunny, darling,” he said then offered his hand. She froze in place. She couldn’t touch his hand, shake his hand, or whatever. She just knew that she would feel an even greater attraction than she already did. She needed to vacate the area quickly.
“Hi, Gunner. Nice to meet you. If you’ll please excuse me, I need to find my cousin,” she began to say when she noticed Teddy with a concerned expression and then Garrett standing next to him. Both men approached and she avoided Teddy’s gaze.
“Hey, Gia, so nice to see you again. I didn’t know you were cousins with Teddy,” Garrett said as he approached and she immediately stepped away from the three McCallister brothers and closer to Teddy. Teddy seemed to understand her move as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her to him.
“You sure did a great job with the players, Gia. The coaches are very happy that all their starters could play today,” Garrett said as he appeared to sense her uneasiness.
She felt a lot more comfortable with Teddy so close, but the darn Texas Ranger looked at her as if he were examining her. He was older. Way older than her and probably the oldest of the three brothers. With the three brothers standing around her, the testosterone was threatening to kill her resolve. My God, it should be illegal to have three brothers look so damn sexy.
“Well, I’m glad I could help. They’re a great bunch of young men. That was an exciting game to watch,” Gia added and Teddy released his hold.
“Do you want to grab a table and have a beer?” he asked her.
“Whatever you want to do. I can only stay for a little while.”
Teddy took her hand. “You have to have lunch at least.”
“Take the table over there in the corner where the coaches are,” Wes told them and Teddy smiled then walked Gia over toward it.
* * * *
“My God, that is one gorgeous yet very timid young woman,” Gunny whispered to his brothers as he watched her walk toward the table with Teddy. She had a sexy little figure on her. He couldn’t take his eyes off her face. He had seen her long brown hair from across the way and watched as Wes tried to make a friendly move. She had been about to bolt when he joined the group. His curiosity was getting the better of him.
“I think I’ll stay and have lunch. I’m only working a
nother hour. I’ll just call in now and let them know,” he told his brothers and they smiled.
“We told you she’s beautiful and sweet. The players adore her,” Wes said, sounding proud.
“Half of them have a crush on her,” Garrett replied in annoyance. Gunny looked at Garrett. He was serious all the time and never showed interest in any woman. Now he knew why Gia snagged his attention and brought him out of his shell.
The woman was attractive and had something about her that instantly made her likable. He had his doubts that she could be the one for him and his brothers. A woman with such appeal could be on the prowl and playing the shy game. Not to be narcissistic, but Gunny knew that he and his brothers were sought after by many women in town. But none of them snagged their attention like Gia. When Gunny had a chance he would definitely find out more about her from Teddy.
* * * *
Gia was laughing along with the coaches. Everyone was getting ready to leave, and as she said good-bye and headed to her car, Garrett stopped her before she passed the bar area.
“Are you coming back tonight with your friends?” he asked, sounding hopeful. His adorable dimples were really pronounced with his firm, muscular facial structure. He appeared carved from stone and she couldn’t help that silly “schoolgirl butterflies in the belly” feeling that hit her.
She rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans as she looked around them and noticed Wes and Gunny leaning against the corner of the bar. They were talking to a few of the coaches, but Gunny kept glancing at her. All three brothers were very intimidating in size and personality. She felt so timid right now. She had to get out of there.
“I don’t think so. I’ve got some cleaning to do and few errands to run.”
He appeared disappointed then crossed his arms in front of his muscular chest, which allowed her to see more of the tattoos on his arm when she broke his gaze.
It was too much and he was so attractive she felt herself giggle from the intensity and the game he was playing. Garrett smiled only slightly, which seemed to be more than what she had witnessed so far.
“Listen, I don’t date. I rarely even talk to women,” he began to say and this time she crossed her arms and gave him the same sideways, sassy look he had given her.
“I find that hard to believe, Garrett.”
“Why is that?” he asked with a slight bit of attitude. She held the smile inside. That comment seemed to get to him.
“You work at the busiest bar around town, you’re a very attractive guy and have those perfect dimples. I doubt that you don’t date.”
He stepped closer and whispered near her ear, “You think my dimples are perfect?”
Holy crap did I just cream myself? From his words? His tone of voice alone? God, I must be more horny than I wanted to admit.
She felt her cheeks blush as she uncrossed her arms and stepped away.
“I’m not interested.” She opened the door and headed outside. She could sense Garrett behind her, and as she glanced over her shoulder, he was smirking and his hands were in his pants pockets. Damn, he is too cute.
She hit the unlock on her car.
“Gia, wait a minute.” She paused and turned to look at him. Again, she noticed that slight limp in his walk, but quickly focused on his face. No matter what body part she did focus on, her body had the same reaction. Hunger.
She leaned against the car and he stood right in front of her, looking down at her.
“I didn’t mean to tease you or come on too strong.”
“It’s okay. Forget about it.”
“I don’t want to forget about it. I was wondering if you’d like to go out sometime? Maybe for lunch or dinner or something?”
She felt her entire body tighten in both excitement and anxiety. She started to reject his offer and began to stutter.
He placed his fingertips under her chin and she froze. As he tilted her chin up so that he could look into her eyes she went completely still.
He slightly nibbled his bottom lip as he stared at her mouth. She could almost imagine him kissing her and how gentle or full his exploration might be. Those beautiful, yet fierce dark eyes, a family trait, held her gaze. His thumb brushed along her chin.
“You’re a very beautiful woman, and I would like to get to know you better. What do you think?”
She swallowed hard. She felt caught between wanting to take a chance, hoping for happiness or at least pleasantness for a while, but then came the uncertainty, the fear, and the pain she never wanted to have again.
“I–I don’t date.” She turned her face and his fingers released her chin. He crossed his arms again and stared at her.
“I should get going.”
“I don’t date either. You’re the first woman I’ve asked out since college,” he admitted and she locked gazes with him.
He moved to the side of her and leaned against her car beside her. She glanced at him and the way he relaxed as if he was giving her time to think about his statement.
She felt bad. He was nice, he was good-looking, but so were his brothers, and men around this town shared women. She couldn’t even see herself in a relationship with one man right now, never mind more. And that was if his brothers were even interested in her. Oh lordy, what the hell am I thinking? Ménage relationships? Dating again? They’re big men. What if they got angry and hit me? She felt her belly drop with fear.
“Don’t overthink this. I have an idea. Why not come back tonight and then again some more times and we’ll get to be friends first? Maybe then you’ll see that I’ve got no bad intentions. I swear to you. Believe me, my mom would have my ass on a platter,” he stated jokingly and stood up straight again. She did the same and looked up at him as he waited.
“I’ll see, Garrett. I’m really busy with work and other stuff. I do like Casper’s. It’s very nice and your dads are great, too.” He smiled.
“They like you as well. Come back tonight. I’d love to see you here,” he said and she shook her head at his persistence and his charming personality. Opening her car door, she looked back at him.
“I’ll see. No promises though. I have a lot to do today,” she said and he raised his hands up as if saying no problem.
“Bye, Garrett.”
“Bye, Gia. See ya later.” He winked then stepped back as she got into her car.
Those crazy high-schoolgirl butterflies began to flutter up a storm. She was toast. With a man as good-looking as Garrett, any woman would be. But she had been hurt so badly before, even the most charming, handsome, and legitimately perfect man couldn’t be trusted.
Remember the pain, Gia. Never forget the pain.
Chapter 5
The weekend passed and Gia was working out in the dojo Wednesday night after work.
“Come on, Gia, one more round and then we’ll call it a night,” Lee, her sensei, said. A few other guys, all law enforcement officers, were there as well as Helena. She was a homicide detective in Houston PD.
“Show him what you got, honey. You’re doing awesome,” Helena said and Lee began. They were working on counterattack moves. Things to do when someone attacked from behind. As Lee moved in behind her, she sprung to the right and counter jabbed him. He moved out of the way and had her start again.
“This time, act as if you do not know I am there. Let me attack and then I want to see you get out of the hold.”
“Okay.” She got back into position. She felt the anxiety of this move. It was one she had so much difficulty with because of Antonio and how he had attacked her that night. It was unexpected and meant to cause her great fear. He was successful.
Lee took his time, and just as the anxiety heightened in wonder of when she would feel his touch, he struck.
As she felt Lee’s arms wrap around her and then his leg come in front of her legs, she began to struggle. Flashes of Antonio’s assault filtered through her mind as they often did whenever Sensei Lee wanted to make her practice this move. It was her weakness. He knew this. Helena an
d the others knew it, too.
“Come on, Gia. You can do it. Focus on the moves,” Helena called out.
“Forget about that asshole and do it,” Shane said next. He worked with Teddy and Jim.
She was trying her hardest, but the flashbacks of the attack were strong tonight. The feeling of being trapped between Valdere and Antonio that night overpowered her ability to think and defend herself. She hadn’t been sleeping too well either.
Lee got her on the ground and she knew she was done. She cried out, but she couldn’t fight him off.
Lee was straddling her waist as he held her arms above her head and stared into her face. With her body exposed like this, her T-shirt lifted up, exposing her belly. She felt the fear of being weak.
She closed her eyes and tried to will away the images, but Antonio was there. He was mocking her, touching her, and forcefully restraining her. Valdere was unzipping her dress, touching her skin, preparing to pull off the rest of her clothing.
“You must overcome those fears, Gia. You’ve come so far. He can’t hurt you,” Lee said, interrupting her thoughts and forcing her to come back to the present. She opened her eyes. She felt the tears within them as she held his gaze. There was disappointment but also sympathy. He knew only part of the story. She had failed to tell him or anyone else about Valdere and his intentions. But after telling Lee about Antonio and his control, Lee had offered to help her. They were silent and she nodded her head to him and he nodded back then released her arms and jumped up in one motion to his feet. He stepped aside as the others bowed to him before he walked off the mats.
She hadn’t even remembered who was standing there. She sat up and there was a hand reaching out to her. She locked gazes with Shane as she took his hand.
“Don’t give up. You’ve come very far in such a short time. Lee will help you get through this,” Shane said and smiled.
He was a very nice guy. Just a few years older than her, he worked in SWAT for the Houston PD and he was very nice looking. His tough exterior initially threw her for a loop and she had actually thought he was an asshole. But, soon she realized that it was a cover. He just didn’t like to seem weak or destructible. Just like her, he had a moment of weakness that nearly cost him his life and his team’s. Part of his recovery was the martial arts class and the intense form of training Lee offered to law enforcement individuals. Lee of course allowed Gia to be part of it because of Teddy.
The American Soldier Collection: Escape from Obsession (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 5