“Let’s begin,” he stated, and they went to the positions and began the warm up.
* * * *
“So, she was a no-show all week. I’m telling you that you scared her,” Max said to Ford. They stood outside of the kickboxing class watching Essie working out along with Precious, who Max was happy to see back in the dojo again. When class ended, they stood there waiting for Essie and Precious to come out. When they did, she stopped short and then looked away from them.
Precious locked gazes with them.
“Hey, how are you guys?” Precious asked, and Max stepped toward her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “The question is how you are? I can’t believe you’re here. Are you sure you’re supposed to be doing this yet?” he asked with concern.
“You sound like Magnum and his brothers. Believe me—I could have been here weeks ago.”
“Happy to have a partner in there, Essie?” Ford asked her, holding her gaze.
“Like you, I’m happy she’s feeling better and back to training,” Essie replied, and then bent down to put her towel in her bag, and Max couldn’t help but to eye over the deep cleavage of her breasts. Outside of the gym she wore modest clothing, and nothing too revealing, but in here she was dressed like most women who did intense training. Light amount of clothes because they sweated a lot and needed to stay cool.
“Well, we’re headed out to the café. I guess we’ll catch you here tomorrow,” Precious said, and Max nodded his head but looked at Essie. Before he could say anything, Ford spoke to her.
“Hey, Precious, maybe you could convince Essie to take my self-defense training class. She hasn’t shown up yet, and I think it would be a great work out for her,” Ford stated and stared at Essie. Precious chuckled.
“I think if Essie wanted to go do it, she would. Right, Essie?” Precious asked.
“I like this class. I’m comfortable with this class.”
“Maybe when I get the boyfriends’ approvals that I’m good to go for every class, we can do that one together,” Precious suggested to Essie. Max noticed Essie looked unsure, in fact, her eyes widened and then she looked down and away.
“Anyway, we’re headed out. Have a good day, guys.”
“You, too,” Max said, and when Essie passed by, Ford gave her a smile, but she looked away.
“Jesus, she is super shy,” Ford said.
“You’re being aggressive. I think you intimidate her.”
“Hell, Max, we intimidate everyone, but I’m going to keep talking to her and break her down. It may take months, but she’ll come around.”
Max chuckled.
“Maybe she’s just not attracted to us like we are to her. Ever think that’s the case?”
“No fucking way. I can tell she’s attracted to us. I think she’s really shy.”
“Or there’s more to it than that. She declines dates all the time.”
“What the fuck? Someone asked her out?” Ford asked loudly. Max raised his eyebrows up at him, and Ford lowered his voice.
“When the fuck did you hear this?”
“I’ve been hearing it. A few different guys have been talking. She’s really sweet, very quiet, but won’t date.”
“Maybe she’s involved with someone else.”
“Maybe. But I wouldn’t keep pushing her. Let it be,” Max said, and Ford nodded his head. His brother looked depressed.
* * * *
“Okay, I’ve been gone for two months. What gives? You still won’t go out on a date with any of the Stames brothers?” Precious asked as they sat at an outside table at the café down the block.
“No. Of course not. Why would you even ask me that?”
“Essie, they like you, and you like them.”
“I can’t. You know why.”
“I understand the fears, but that was back in New York. It’s over,” Precious said, and Essie looked away. She should probably tell Precious the truth so she would understand and help her to keep the Stames brothers from bothering her.
“Shit. It isn’t over, is it?” Precious asked, figuring it out.
The tears burned Essie’s eyes.
“Awe, honey, why didn’t you tell me the whole story?”
“I was embarrassed. It’s so crazy and stupid and unfair. I can’t even live a normal life. I have to look over my shoulder, not let my defenses down.”
“He’s looking for you? This guy that was stalking you and attacked you?” Precious asked, raising her voice slightly and leaning over the table more.
“It’s so bad, Precious, because the police never found him or could prove he was the one who attacked me and put me in the hospital, or that it was him who broke into my apartment and my car. Precious…” She swallowed hard before continuing. She trusted Precious and felt like she was a friend she could trust. Revealing everything out loud with Precious somehow made her feel nervous and worried that she could be making a huge mistake.
Precious touched her hand.
“What is it? Tell me. I won’t tell a soul unless there’s need to, like, this man shows up and you don’t inform anyone, then I would have to tell to help protect you.”
“I don’t know if he will or not. He did so many things to ruin my life. To make me scared of all men, and especially military men. He broke into my apartment, left a knife in my pillow, a clear threat that he intends to do me further harm. Hell, kill me.”
“The police and detectives couldn’t charge him or get fingerprints off anything?”
“Oh, they did, and they also found…they found cameras.”
“Cameras?” Precious asked and squinted. Essie couldn’t even say the words as she pulled her light sweatshirt tighter and swallowed hard.
“Oh, Jesus, he was spying on you?”
Essie nodded her head. Precious covered her mouth and then shook her head.
“Jesus, this guy is sick.”
“And a soldier. A wild, crazy, delusional soldier.”
“You didn’t date him or anything?”
“No! I spoke to him a few times at one of the bars and clubs my friends and I hung out at, but there was no attraction to him. Thank God,” Essie said and ran her hand along her coffee cup. “If I had, I would be dead right now, there’s no doubt in my mind.”
Precious sighed. “Maybe we should talk to my men, to Magnum and Cobra.”
“Oh God no.” She shook her head “No, Precious, and definitely not them. Cobra and his brothers will think the worst of me. They’ll assume I did something to bring this on, like most men, like the law enforcement officers back home assumed. They didn’t want to believe a good-looking soldier would just pick a young woman like me to stalk. They kept giving me the third degree and I was the victim. They were insisting that I slept with him or led him on in some way and I didn’t. It was frustrating and unfair.”
“That sure as shit is unfair. What the hell?”
Essie wiped the tear from her eyes before it fell. She looked at Precious.
“I can’t tell anyone. I just need to keep training and to be prepared in case somehow, someway he finds me.”
“I don’t like it. There’s too much to worry about. You live alone, you work late sometimes, and you don’t even have any training but the boxing.”
“I would like to do more, but I’m scared. I used to be more confident, but the attack, being in the hospital for weeks and having this guy stalking me destroyed that confidence. I feel like I can’t even follow my gut instincts.”
“But you did follow those gut instincts and knew he wasn’t right, and that you didn’t want to get to know him.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong. I met him with friends, and we all talked, and I declined giving him my number or meeting up with him. Most guys take the not interested hint. This guy didn’t. He took it to the extreme and the next thing I know, I have this guy showing up wherever I am. I wouldn’t even accept a date with any guy I met out of fear he could turn out to be like this guy, or that worse could happen.”
; “So, you still feel that way now, even with men like the Stames brothers?”
“They’re military like Blade is. They’re big, like him, and capable like him, and there are four of them.”
“Five I think. A cousin or something lives with them, but he’s always on a mission. In fact, he came back recently, and they’ll all be getting together at Carlyle’s. I was going to ask you to come along. Maybe if you felt a little more comfortable with them, you could take that self-defense class. It would be an asset, and maybe help with that self-confidence issue.”
“I couldn’t do that. It’s too intimidating, and I don’t know how I’ll react.”
“Honey, women who have been raped have taken that class, and it’s done wonders for their self-confidence.”
Essie thought about that. She hadn’t been raped. She was beaten and stalked, and it all scared her.
“I would take it with you, but that’s going to take some time before my men let me. They’re so protective.”
“Of course they are. They almost lost you, and I don’t blame them one bit.”
“Come out with us tonight and see if you feel a bit more comfortable with them on a friend level. It’s foolish to not take a class that can truly help you in so many ways just because the instructors intimidate you, or that you are attracted to them but fear getting involved with any man.”
She looked at Precious and felt her heart racing.
“You have seen Ford in action, right? Flirting?” she asked. Precious chuckled.
“I have only seen him do that with you. In fact, I didn’t even think those men date. You’ll be safe with my men and me. I’ll even have a talk with Magnum and be sure him, Cavanaugh, myself, or Carlyle are nearby at all times if that makes you feel safer.”
“I don’t mean to seem hysterical.”
“Honey, you were victimized. It could have been worse, and this guy is still out there. Hysterical? Hell, you are brave and strong, and I’m amazed that you held this in and haven’t told a soul. I think that maybe you’re pushing the wrong people away when maybe you need to surround yourself with exactly what you fear the most. Capable, trustworthy, loyal soldiers.”
Essie thought about that a moment, and as she looked away she spotted Slayer, and he spotted her. Her heart began to race at the sight of him. Black T-shirt, blue jeans, and wearing those cowboy boots sticking out from the bottom of his jeans. “Wow. Who is he?” Precious asked, and Essie turned back toward her, feeling her cheeks warm.
“A good friend of my landlord’s. We just met the other night,” Essie quickly told her as Slayer approached.
“Hi,” he said to her.
“Hi,” she replied. They held one another’s gazes. Slayer didn’t move to introduce himself to Precious and Precious chuckled.
“I’m Essie’s friend Precious, and you are?” she asked, reaching her hand out.
Slayer shook her hand and quickly released it. “Slayer. Nice to meet you.”
“Would you like to join us? I was getting ready to head out, but Essie is planning on lingering longer,” Precious told him, and Essie gave her a look. She smirked and winked.
“Let me go grab a coffee and then I’ll come back over. Nice meeting you, Precious,” he said, gave a nod all straight-faced, and headed into the café.
“Why did you do that? Now he’ll come talk to me.”
“Because you looked like you do when I catch you staring at the Stames brothers. He is very good looking. Older, has that badass, don’t fuck with me vibe thing going on strong. No wonder you’re shaking,” she said to her.
Essie looked at her hands and knew it wasn’t the coffee.
“Exactly. He’s a soldier. An active one.”
“Yummy,” Precious replied.
Essie harrumphed. “You’re a negative influence.”
“I think I’m a positive influence. We were just discussing you moving on and making friends. Just because you have coffee or a few drinks at a bar with a bunch of guys doesn’t mean you’re bound to them. It means you’re making friends and getting comfortable. Make a new friend. Although, by the way he looked at you, I think you are already friends.” She winked, and just then, Slayer came out with a coffee.
“Well, I am going to not be a third wheel.”
“No, stay a few minutes at least. Just in case the conversation doesn’t flow.”
Precious exhaled as Slayer joined them and sat down right next to Essie. He looked her over.
“You go to a gym or something?”
“The dojo down the block.” He nodded but something changed in his eyes.
“So, how did you two meet?” Precious asked, and Slayer explained. Then he and Essie talked about the chicken and Helen. They were focused on one another, and so Precious stood up.
“I need to go, but you two continue your conversation. I’ll see you later, right?” Precious asked but gave her a firm look.
“Yes,” she replied, and Precious smiled. “Nice meeting you, Slayer. See you around.” Precious left, and Essie looked at Slayer, who didn’t follow Precious with his eyes at all, which was a compliment. His focus was on her, and she started to feel a bit self-conscious sitting there in her workout clothes. The tank top showed more cleavage than she was used to showing off, and it was warm out. She didn’t want to take off the light jacket.
“What type of classes do you take there?” he asked her.
“Kickboxing.”
He raised one of his eyebrows up at her.
“What? You don’t believe me?”
“Honey, the other night you jumped into my arms at the first sign of trouble, remember?” he teased her and her cheeks flushed. She lowered her eyes and he reached out and took her hand. She quickly looked up and locked gazes with him.
“Not that I minded one bit at all,” he said, and she pulled her hand away from his and placed her hands on her lap.
“Are you always this shy?” he asked her. She looked up at him.
“I…I just like to keep to myself, that’s all.”
“I’m like that. I prefer to be alone most of the time,” he whispered, holding her gaze.
“I’m used to it,” she told him.
“No family?”
“I have an aunt and uncle who live not too far from here.”
“Parents?”
“Back in New York, and you?”
“Helen, cousins, aunt and uncle, and I don’t really talk to my parents.”
“Why not?”
He stared at her.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t ask that.”
“Well, not unless you’re willing to share more details about your life with me?” he challenged, and she felt nervous, but then saw his smirk.
She grinned. “So, what are you doing in town?”
“I needed to stop into the post office and then hit the hardware store before heading home. How about you?”
“Well, I’m running back home, cleaning up the apartment, making something small to eat because Precious and her boyfriends are insisting that I go out with them tonight.”
“You don’t sound too thrilled.”
“I just don’t like being at bars or clubs.”
“I don’t either. My friends are insisting I go out, too. Maybe we should ditch them all, and you and I can hang out?” he asked, and then looked surprised by his question. For such a hard, intimidating-looking man, he suddenly looked shell-shocked. “I didn’t mean to say that. I was just speaking my mind. The alone thing, right?”
She smiled softly.
“It’s better that way,” she told him, and he squinted at her.
“You’ve been hurt by an old boyfriend or something?” he asked, shocking her. She swallowed hard.
“Shit. I can’t believe I just asked that, too. Essie, I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure as shit different around you. To be fucking honest, this is the most I have spoken to any woman, even ones I’ve slept with.”
Her lips parted, and she leaned back in her ch
air. His words both made her feel excited and jealous. She needed to end this conversation.
“Well, I’m sorry, I guess.”
He chuckled.
“It’s me that’s sorry. I’m going to get going. Maybe we’ll bump into one another again?” he asked.
“Maybe,” she said, and he stood up. She did, too, and pulled on her backpack. He eyed her over.
“You sure you don’t need a ride back to your place?” he asked.
“I’m going to say no thank you.”
He squinted at her. “That because of the comment about sleeping with women and doing less talking?” he asked, and she felt his eyes sweep over her body. Her breasts tingled, and her pussy actually throbbed.
She laughed. She couldn’t help it.
“Bye, Slayer,” she said, smirking.
He shook his head and walked away. She felt that giddy, silly feeling in her core. She thought about Ford and his brothers. They made her react in similar ways. Maybe Precious had a point. Maybe she could be friends first and then see where things led? Maybe.
An hour later, after Essie showered, dressed, and headed to work, she sat at her desk thinking about the café, and about seeing Max and Ford at the dojo. She went from feeling intimidated to curious, and then even guilty. She liked Slayer, but she also liked Max and Ford and found Cobra and Turbo attractive but scary. Now those two were big men and badass.
She heard the knock on her door and looked up to see Stewart, a coworker, standing there. He was six feet tall with wide shoulders, and not what she would expect from someone working at an insurance agency.
“Hi, Stewart, what’s up?” she asked.
“Oh, just checking in and seeing what you’re doing tonight. A bunch of people are going to Carlyle’s,” he said with his arms crossed in front of his chest, leaning against the doorframe. She thought he was a really nice guy and was always friendly. He didn’t really flirt with her but did invite her out with friends knowing she was new to town.
She smiled.
“I’m actually heading there tonight too with friends of mine.” He squinted at her.
It Takes Special Forces [Love on the Rocks 9] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 5