Bethany smiled at her. “Don’t shed a tear for me, Lacey. That was years ago, and I’ve worked very hard to get out of that. I put myself through school and worked so many different jobs, it’s crazy. I don’t like to think about that life. I take each day one at a time. I think that’s why I was so pissed off at my boss these last several weeks. I have been working so hard, making decent money, living in a decent place, and he started stealing my ideas, ideas that were landing him big money with other firms and kudos with the bosses and the board.”
“But you stood up for yourself and confronted him on it. It worked out well, from what you said,” Suzette said to her.
The waitress came over, and they stopped talking a moment as they gave their lunch orders.
“It did, but at the same time, it brought back my past.”
“How so?” Suzette asked.
“There’s this guy, he’s the one in charge, of not only the new advertising campaign, but he also apparently owns stock in the company I work for. He owns more than Ross’s father, so technically he’s my boss in a lot of ways.”
“So, who is this guy?” Lacey asked.
“His name is Cristano Chicatiro, and he’s a relative of my ex-boyfriend, the one who put me in the hospital.”
“Oh shit.” Lacey leaned back.
“Jesus, Bethany, what did he say to you the other night? I mean, will he tell this ex of yours where you are? Are you in danger?” Suzette asked.
Bethany swallowed hard. “I don’t think so. I mean, it’s been years. My ex wound up behind bars, and, well, Cristano actually paid all the medical bills and made sure that I survived. He wasn’t very happy with his cousin at the time. I think he and the family, although not completely on the up-and-up, felt bad for what happened to me. They knew I was struggling to survive when I met Curran. They trusted me, knew I was a good person, and that Curran was a controlling, paranoid psycho who probably did things I don’t even want to know about.”
“But you don’t know if this Curran guy and Cristano are close, and if Cristano tells Curran where you are and then Curran shows up, then what?”
“I don’t think he will, Lacey. I think, from what I heard years ago, Cristano cut ties with Curran. He was pissed off that he hurt me like that. I should have died.”
“I’m not sure taking this position is the best thing for you,” Suzette said to her.
“But I need to.”
“Why?” Lacey asked.
“It’s hard to explain. No matter how hard I work, no matter what money I make, there will always be this fear, this anxiety inside of me that I could wind up on the streets again. The fear of having no money, no food, and being all alone again scares me. I wouldn’t survive a second run. I wouldn’t.” Her eyes filled up with tears. Suzette covered her arm, and Lacey held her gaze.
“Honey, we would never let that happen to you.”
“I appreciate that, but I’ve always survived on my own.”
“I think this all is affecting your decision to get involved with Chancellor, Riley, and Collin. They represent everything that you’re afraid of and all that you desire. Plus there are three of them. I know it’s hard to trust a man after someone betrayed you and nearly killed you when all you did was love them. I know that feeling, but then you meet these men and you feel this attraction, this desire, the sensation that you’re beautiful and special in their eyes. It becomes a battle within yourself to trust or to go on lonely, scared, surviving.
“I was there, Bethany. I lived it, too, and learning to trust my heart, my gut, and by giving a little at a time to Junior, Louie, and Stone, I learned that not every man was like Jeb and Tye. That a woman like me, who made some stupid mistakes, and lacked self-confidence, which could have gotten me killed, was strong enough, smart enough, and touched enough by three men to take the chance. Follow your heart, Bethany.”
“And be honest with them. I think if you let them know what your fears are, they would take things slow,” Suzette added.
Bethany took a deep breath and released it.
“I’ve known the two of you for years and never shared what happened to me. What makes you think I can tell three men I’ve only met so recently?”
Suzette smiled.
“Because, with kisses as hot as the ones you said they gave you, you won’t be able to resist the power of true love. You’ll learn to trust them so quickly it will scare the heck out of you yet inspire you to give all of yourself as they give you all of them.”
“I don’t think men like that, never mind relationships like that, exist,” Bethany said.
“Oh, they exist, darling. We’re part of such relationships, and you will be, too. I think the Cummings men are not going to accept your denials of an attraction so easily.” Suzette smiled.
“Why do you think that?” Bethany asked.
“Because about five minutes after we got here, the chief of police’s patrol truck pulled up, and Riley just walked through the front door and is sitting at the counter, keeping an eye on you.”
Bethany’s eyes widened and she went to turn when Lacey stopped her.
“Don’t turn to look. Just pretend you don’t even know that he’s there watching.”
“Oh God, I don’t want to talk to him. It’s easier if I don’t see them.”
Suzette chuckled. “Oh man, you have it bad. You’ve caught the attention of three very intriguing men who each have unique reputations for many reasons. Your chances of avoiding them are pretty damn slim.”
“You mean because Chancellor is so wealthy and well known for his business achievements, money, and power?” she asked.
“Yes, and he is sought after by every single, and not so single, woman around,” Lacey added.
“Wonderful. I see that trust will be a huge issue.”
Suzette smiled. “Don’t forget about the other two. Chief Cummings is a big dude, and he is badass when it comes to fighting crime and keeping Wellington safe and secure. Everyone knows not to piss that man off or all hell will break loose.”
“Great, Suzette, so he has the potential for violence and could use me as a punching bag,” Bethany replied with a sarcastic tone.
“No, of course not. Just because he doesn’t take any shit and keeps a safe, orderly town does not mean he would lay a hand on you. He’s a real man. Mark my words.”
“And Collin is just as intense and just as intimidating. He’s a mountain man, with that wild, sexy, bad-ass demeanor that cries out for a woman to tame him and get him under control, or under her,” Lacey said, and she and Suzette giggled just as the waitress bought over their salads.
Bethany felt her cheeks heat, and she took a sip of her sweet tea. “How the hell am I supposed to eat now?”
“Oh, I would eat up. You may just need that fuel for energy when the chief tells us he’s bringing you home so he can talk to you.”
“Suzette, what makes you think that?” she asked, all concerned, yet curious if that was his plan. She couldn’t help the enticing, aroused feeling she had. How did these men do this to her? How did they make getting to know them, taking a chance, more powerful than her fears from the past and trusting a man not to hurt her physically and emotionally?
“We know a thing or two about domineering, protective, possessive men who set their sights on a woman and then don’t ease up until they’re sure she belongs to them entirely,” Lacey said.
“Oh, Jesus, what do I do?”
“You follow your heart, and you take a chance. If they hurt you, or they make you feel unsafe, then we get our men on their asses and all is fine,” Suzette told her, and Lacey chuckled.
Bethany felt anxious and unsure as she picked at her grilled chicken and vegetables until stalling the lunch longer ended with phone calls from Suzette’s and Lacey’s boyfriends.
* * * *
Riley sat patiently at the counter, talking to a few of the locals. He stretched his fingers out over the counter and felt the tightness in his chest and the uneasy feeling, wondering how Be
thany might react to him, but then he heard the chairs scrape along the floor and then Lacey and Suzette stood up. They were talking on the cell phones and seemed to be ready to leave.
He stood up and walked over to them to say hello, his eyes never leaving Bethany’s as he swept over her outfit and felt his cock harden within his jeans. She looked good, damn good in her tight jeans, calf-high brown boots, a snug brown knit sweater, and her hair cascading along her shoulders and back.
“Good afternoon, ladies.”
“Hi, Chief.” Suzette said as she covered the mouthpiece on her phone. “I have to go.”
“I need to, too. The guys are back already,” Lacey said, and he watched Bethany.
“I should go so you can drop me off at home.”
“I can take you if they have to leave.”
Before Bethany could try and get out of it, her friends thanked him, gave her kisses and hugs good-bye, and hurried out the door. If he didn’t know any better, he would think Lacey and Suzette were all for Bethany hooking up with him and his brothers. He hid his smile and watched as Bethany played with her iced tea.
“It’s not a problem.”
“You don’t mind?” She stood up and started to put her jacket on.
“Why would I mind, darling?” he asked as he placed his hand against her lower back and guided her out of the restaurant. People waved good-bye and gave them smiles. They would be the talk of Wellington in no time at all.
He held the door open, and they went out into the sunny, cool temperatures. Water dripped from the gutters along the buildings, and the roadways were a sloppy mess, as the several inches of snow that had fallen last night couldn’t stick around longer. These fluctuating temperatures were so weird this time of year.
“I can’t believe it’s so warm out.” She pulled off her jacket and rolled it over her arm.
“I wouldn’t have believed we had blizzard-like conditions just last night looking at the weather today.”
She chuckled. “Yeah, who would have thought that would happen? Are you sure you don’t mind dropping me off at home?”
“Bethany, I said I would. Why would it be a problem?” he asked as he walked her toward his patrol truck.
“Well, because of what Chancellor did and our conversation this morning.”
He stopped her by the open door. He placed one hand on the doorframe and the other on the inside of the cab, caging her in as he looked down into her gorgeous green eyes.
“My brother doesn’t think sometimes before he does shit. He can be an ass, but really, he was just trying to make you happy and to know that you would be okay and not stressed over losing your Jeep.”
She stared up into his eyes. “He brought me a brand-new, fully loaded Jeep worth over sixty thousand dollars, and I just met him. That is not normal or rational behavior.”
He reached out and cupped her cheek then ran his thumb along her chin as he tilted her face up toward him.
“Maybe you made him feel irrational and he just leaped before looking.”
“So this is my fault?” she asked, her voice cracking.
“I think you should give him another chance and see where this leads because, from my perspective, I’m just not willing to let it go and ignore this hold you have on me, Bethany.”
“Hold?” she asked, his lips close to hers.
He could smell her perfume and her appealing shampoo, and her femininity was too hard to resist.
He let his eyes roam over her lips then back into her eyes. She didn’t turn away. She didn’t try pushing him back.
“This hold.” He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her softly.
When she didn’t pull away, he stepped closer, drew her body against his as he wrapped his arm around her waist, and ran his fingers under her hair, controlling her head as he devoured her moans. He had to remind himself that they were right on the main street and by his patrol truck, so he eased his lips from hers and then pulled her against his chest.
“Jesus, woman, you’re lethal.”
“Me?” she asked, her warm breath against his chest.
He pulled back and cupped her cheeks, tilting her head up toward him.
“Yes you.” He stared at her. She looked so young, so gorgeous, that his heart hammered.
“Let’s get you home and maybe you can invite me inside and we can talk some more.” He helped her up into the seat, and then he closed the truck door and hurried around the back. He looked around, wondering how many people had seen him kiss Bethany, but then he realized he really didn’t care. She was going to be his woman and his brothers’, so spread the word. Bethany Rigallo was taken.
* * * *
“Do you have any other plans for the rest of the day?” he asked her.
She kept her hands clasped on her lap as she rode in his patrol truck. She was feeling giddy, aroused, and even more confused now that Riley had kissed her like that in town. She couldn’t help but to be attracted to the man. He was big, muscular, sexy in uniform, and being in his truck, listening to the radio chatter, even had a way of enticing her toward the man and his law enforcement profession. But he had big muscles, a chiseled jaw, stern expressions, and a hardness about him that put her insecure self on full alert
She felt a little sick to her stomach. She was so confused.
“Not really. I planned on making something for dinner, looking over notes for work tomorrow, and then heading to bed early. I have to leave earlier than usual.”
“How are you getting into work?” he asked.
“My neighbor is giving me a ride. He works in the firehouse five blocks from my office building.”
“You don’t mean Troy Sparta?” he asked, and seemed angry as he gripped the steering wheel tighter and gave her an odd expression with his eyes squinted before he quickly looked back at the road.
“Yes. Do you know Troy?” she asked as he pulled the truck along the last turn before the long dirt road leading to her cabin.
“Yeah,” he said, sounding annoyed.
She couldn’t help but to think he seemed jealous. Really? Her gut tightened again. Should that scare her, make her feel as though he could be like Curran? Or should she be turned on, aroused by his instant jealousy and possessiveness? Was it real, an act, a game for him and his brothers? How would she know the difference? She was so inexperienced. Her one lover had broken her heart and her body, nearly killing her. How the hell could she handle three men, let alone three like Collin, Riley, and Chancellor?
As he pulled the truck into her driveway, she saw that the new Jeep was gone. She sighed, for some reason feeling guilty about giving Chancellor a hard time. Perhaps Suzette and Lacey were right and first impressions didn’t always go so well. Plus, even Riley said his brother had made a mistake. She wasn’t sure as she opened the door.
Before she could attempt to get down from the truck, Riley was there to grab her by her waist and slowly set her feet down. She held on to his forearms, as he didn’t let go, and she absorbed his serious expression as well as the older features indicating he had some years on her. She wondered how many, but immediately realized that didn’t matter to her. She was fearful for plenty of other good reasons, but an age difference wasn’t one of them.
She lowered her eyes, and he eased back, taking her hand as he closed the door and then headed toward her front door with her. He released her hand for her to get out her keys and unlock her front door. As they came inside, they both wiped their feet on the front mat.
“Wow, this is really nice.” He complimented her as she headed to the kitchen to wash her hands. He followed.
“Thank you. It’s small but perfect for just me.”
“You’ve lived alone a long time?” he asked and her chest tightened. She didn’t quite answer him fast enough.
“Years.” She turned away. He didn’t seem to have missed her hesitation or the way she responded because, as she tried walking by him, he took her hand and pulled her close. He cupped her cheek.
; “Are you okay?” he asked. She nodded.
She went to move, but he held her in place.
“You don’t stand still very long, do ya?” he asked and wrapped an arm around her waist while he kept his other hand against her cheek. She held on to his forearms.
“I guess you make me nervous.”
“Why is that?”
“A lot of reasons.”
“Such as?” he pushed.
His eyes held hers, and she absorbed their color, the depth of green, as well as the lines of definition and experience in his face, especially the crow’s feet by his eyes. His face was still tan, indicating that, even in the winter, he spent a lot of time outdoors.
“Don’t be scared of me, Bethany. I would never hurt you.” He lowered his mouth to hers. She turned as his lips were about to touch hers, and instead, he kissed the corner of her mouth.
“What scares you about me, about my brothers?” he asked as he laid gentle kisses against her jaw, her cheek, and her neck.
She couldn’t help but to tilt her head back and allow him better access to her skin. It felt so good, so stimulating and nice. She squeezed his muscles on his arms, surprised by the rock solidness of them, which made him only more appealing.
“Lots of things.”
“Like?”
“Your size, your abilities, you experience.”
He kissed her jaw again. “Those are all good things, baby. In these strong arms, you’ll always be safe and protected. My experience can bring you great pleasure and satisfy you more than any other man you’ve been with.”
She shivered from his forwardness and audacity, but she also felt aroused by it, intrigued, because she had a feeling the chief of police could rock any woman’s world in bed. That thought made her feel jealous, and she was shocked as she spoke.
“You sound pretty confident, like a man trying to impress.”
“Oh no, baby, no need to try. I’m a sure thing. Let me show you a little sample.” She wasn’t expecting his quick move or how he manipulated the conversation, but the next thing she knew, he had her cradled in his arms then on his lap on her couch. His lips pressed hers, exploring her fully.
Crossroads 5: Show Me What Love Is (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 7