Escape From Obsession (11 page)

Just as she could tell when they were getting jealous of another man talking with her or even flirting a bit, she felt the same annoyance as women tried to converse with them at Casper’s. She wanted to say that they were hers and to get away. That, thought, she needed time to digest. That was when their mom approached and Gia had an opportunity to view them from Eve’s perspective.

The men dressed well, too. They reminded her of those calendar pictures of military men with just camo pants on and their bare, muscular chests showing. They had bodies defined from hard work, from training, and it made them stand out.

Duke and Shane came over. They started talking to her about the dojo and then their eyes locked on something behind her as she replied to them. In the corner of her eye she saw Wes.

Wes moved to the side to help with something in the kitchen and Garrett took his place, moving in beside her. She felt the palm of his hand run across her belly to her hip. His hold was possessive yet gentle.

She tilted her head up toward him as Duke and Shane began talking with Kaleigh.

“I know what you’re doing,” she whispered as he held her gaze. His fingers gently stroked her camisole and moved under the hem to touch her skin. It singed her and she gasped.

“I’m glad you do. Do you think it’s working?” he asked. She glanced around them and the crowd of friends and caught sight of Sammy talking with Shane. She winked at her and Gia smiled.

“I need to use the ladies’ room,” she said then pulled slowly from his embrace. He let his hands caress along her jeans and damn it, the expression on his face was damn sexy. Her body reacted more and more to his tactics. Wes had a more straightforward, flirtatious attitude and Gunny, as everyone in his family called him, was very forward. He was the type of man that, when he wanted something, he took it. It was sexy as well, but Garrett still seemed like he was holding back. Maybe he was like her and had been hurt before.

She felt her cheeks flush and she headed to the ladies’ room. On her way out she saw Garrett looking at some photos on the wall.

“What are you looking at?” she asked him.

He took her hand and squeezed it as he used his other hand to point to the array of pictures.

“That was me after basic.”

She looked closer and she could see how young he appeared.

“You look so young. Was it hard?” she asked as she turned back toward him.

He stared at her a moment.

“It was hard, but I took to it immediately. I enjoyed pushing myself to the limit. Just like Gunny and Wes, I became part of the elite commando force.”

He pulled her along with him toward the other end of the hallway that said “private.”

“I can show you some more pictures,” he whispered then took out a key and unlocked the door. They entered and he turned on the light. It was an office.

She looked around the room and could see the pictures.

“A commando, huh? That’s really dangerous right?” she asked, and her voice hitched in her throat as he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her gaze with a very serious one. He walked her backward as she held on to his forearms.

“Very dangerous. But I enjoyed it.”

Her back hit the wall and she knew he was going to kiss her. Surprisingly she wasn’t afraid but hungry. She wanted to taste his kiss and she got her wish as he moved one hand off her waist and above her shoulder to the wall behind her. He used his thumb to trace her lower lip.

“You’re special, Gia. I love being with you and talking to you. I’m not exactly a friendly person you know.”

“You? Not friendly? As I recall you were pretty friendly that night I first came into Casper’s. You didn’t even joke about my club soda drink.”

He smiled, those dimples peeked at her, and her heart soared.

He ran a finger along her cheek and pressed his body firmly against hers. She felt his hard muscles and his cock against her belly. Her pussy wept with need, suddenly feeling so swollen, and it was sensational.

“You broke my heart when you didn’t come back to visit.”

She took a deep breath and released it.

“I’m kind of quiet and like to keep to myself, too.”

“Not anymore,” he said then leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips.

She relished in the moment of their first kiss. Smooth, deep, and sexy, he explored her mouth while his hands roamed her body.

She was hesitant to reciprocate as he deepened the kiss then turned her so that he was pressed against the wall. She wondered if he sensed her hesitation and was giving her the power to control how far this went, but then his arm wrapped around her waist tightly as he held her head, devouring her moans. She ran her hands up along his muscular arms then down to his trim waist. She felt his large hand slide across her ass then squeeze her cheek as he pulled her closer. Then she felt the second set of hands and she gasped.

“It’s me, Gia. Don’t be scared.” Wes massaged her shoulders as Garrett eased up his hold to allow Wes to explore her body, too. She felt the heat of Wes’s chest against her shoulder blades and his firm, hard thighs against her ass. He was tall. They both were. But when he moved the palm of his hand under her camisole and touched her skin, she pulled from Garrett’s mouth.

“Oh God, Wes, please, this is too much.”

Wes took her mouth with his and devoured her words. Being wedged between them like this was overwhelming and then came the flashbacks. Antonio and Valdere. Both men pressing against her, trying to remove her clothing.

She pulled from Wes’s lips and pressed her hands hard against Garrett. She managed to part from them and stepped back, nearly tripping as she covered her mouth.

“Gia, what’s wrong?” Garrett asked and it was Wes who pulled her into his arms. He held her and she tried to steady her breathing.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I totally panicked.”

“Why, baby? Did you think we would go too far or hurt you?” Wes asked.

She pulled back and tried to hide the fear and tears in her eyes, but by both men’s facial expressions, they could tell she was scared.

“I need to go. I told you that I needed things to go slow. It’s my fault. I thought I was ready.” She bolted for the door just as it opened. There stood Gunny. He was wearing his uniform and he looked concerned as he absorbed her expression then looked at his brothers.

“What’s wrong?” He stepped forward and closed the door. “What the hell happened? What did you two do?”

She placed her hand against Gunny’s chest.

“They didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just me. I thought I was okay. I just need to go. Bye,” she said then exited the room.

She said good-bye to Sammy and her friends and headed out. As the night air hit her skin, she felt how truly hot and turned-on she still was. She was enjoying their embrace, their kisses, and oh Lord, their touch. She wanted their hands everywhere, yet the flashback ruined it all.
Fucking Antonio. Even now, he rules my world and maintains the power to control me and keep me from happiness.

* * * *

After a business meeting, Gia returned to her office to find a rose sitting on her desk. She glanced around and saw the note. Picking it up as she placed her portfolio case onto the desk, she opened it.

“You are amazing. I look forward to the trip to Dallas.”

There was no signature, but she knew who it was from. A funny feeling filled her belly. Damn Jeffrey and his sexist attitude. Hadn’t she told him straight out that she wasn’t interested in him?

She threw the note down.

“I’m guessing that the rose isn’t from one of the McCallister men,” Sammy said as she entered the office and closed the door. Gia crossed her arms in front of her chest. Thoughts of the men had invaded her sleep, or lack of sleep. She hadn’t returned any of their calls yet but planned to at lunchtime. She was leaving early to pack for the trip. A business trip to Dallas to seal this deal. Three days tops and then she would be back here. She really didn’t want to go, but Robert was insistent that he needed her there and that the owner of the company, Mr. Bradshaw, wanted to personally meet the artist.

“I haven’t spoken to them yet.”

“You mean since you stormed out of there? What the hell happened?”

Gia explained and Sammy fanned herself.

“You lucky woman. The three McCallister men want you and you take off like they are ogres.”

“It wasn’t like that. I had a bad relationship back in New York. I guess I’m not over the hurt.”

“Well, get over it with them. They adore you and I mean like the real thing.”

Gia looked at her funny. “You think so?”

“I know so. I wish I had three men who looked at me the way those guys look at you. They want to devour you and wrap you up in their arms. I mean, Wes and Garrett made it quite obvious that you belong to them now. They had those big muscular arms wrapped around you for most of the night. Well, until your sexy, hot make-out session in the back office. Damn girl, that sounded so hot. You pressed up against two hot bodies. Shit. I so need men like that in my life.” Sammy leaned against the desk and picked up the note.

“You had Shane and his brothers drooling over you.”

“Asshole sent this to you?” Sammy stated as she stood up. Sammy looked worried.

“I told him that I’m not interested. If I see him and he says something to me, I’ll make it loud and clear.”

“Gia, he’s a slimeball. I can’t believe he sent you this. You should tell Robert.”

“Tell him what? That Jeffrey sent me a rose and a note that says he’s looking forward to the Dallas trip with me? Really, that’s a concern?”

“Gia, I work in personnel and hear about everything. He was accused of sexual assault by Mary Hayworth. The police came by and he was being charged and then over the weekend those charges were suddenly dropped by Mary. I know he harassed her and threatened her.”

“Shit. Well I don’t think I have much to go on with this.”

“You better watch yourself on that trip. I wouldn’t put it past that fucker to try something.”

“I will. Damn, I don’t even want to go on this trip.”

The buzzer on her desk sounded.

She answered it. “Oh. Okay, send him in.” She hung up the phone. “A Ranger is here to see me.”

Sammy smiled.

“See, they want you and they want to make things right.”

Gia gave Sammy the note and she placed it into her pocket. Since Gia was leaving anyway, she gathered her things. Sammy headed out, closing the door behind her. As Gia gathered her things, she realized how much she really wasn’t looking forward to this business trip. There was a knock at her door.

“Come in.”

She thought it would be Gunny, but instead Jeffrey stood there. She had been bent over the side of her desk and was reaching for the bag.

“I have good timing,” he said and she quickly looked up.

“Oh, is there something you need, Jeffrey?” she asked, trying to sound unaffected by the moron. He was persistent.

He glanced at her, looking her body over as he leaned against the door.

“Got my rose.”

“Yeah, you shouldn’t have left it. I’m not interested. I told you that weeks ago.” She placed her stuff on the desk.

“Maybe you’ll change your mind.”

“Excuse me, is this Gia Giselli’s office?”

Gia wished she had a camera as Jeffrey looked way up toward Gunny. He was wearing his gun and badge, making it quite obvious he was a Ranger.

“See you in Dallas,” Jeffrey said then exited the room.

“Hi, what are you doing here?” she asked as she came around the desk to greet him.

Gunny had his Stetson in his hands and was stroking the material. She couldn’t help but imagine those hands on her. Damn, she was a glutton for punishment.

He glanced around her room and saw the rose.

“Who was that?”

Just some asshole.
“A coworker.”

“What did he mean about seeing you in Dallas?”

“Oh, unfortunately, I have to take a business trip. I’m leaving tomorrow morning early. Three days. I so do not want to go, but the boss is insistent.”

“You have to go?” he asked and she nodded her head.

“I was just getting ready to leave early. I need to pack.”

“Well then I have great timing. Can we do lunch?”

She nibbled her bottom lip. He stepped closer to her and placed his hand against her cheek.

“Nice and slow, baby. We’ll work it out,” he whispered and she didn’t know why, but she hugged him. He held her tight and she immediately felt safe and secure. No worries about Dallas, no concerns over Jeffrey, she just wanted to spend some time with Gunny before she headed home to pack.

“Just let me grab my bags.” She went to pull away, but he held her close, leaned down, and kissed her softly on the lips.

“I missed you, darling. You didn’t return any of our calls.”

“I missed you, too. I’m sorry. I was in meetings all morning and now you know why. A trip to Dallas to seal the deal.”