Dixie Lynn Dwyer (3 page)

“Hey, gorgeous, you’re up bright and early. We didn’t get out of the club until after four,” Carl stated.

She looked at him. Her eyes absorbed the sight of the tight blue T-shirt and ripples of muscles, his relaxed-fit, dark blue jeans, and scuffed-up cowboy boots. He was a gorgeous one.

“What do you want?” she found herself asking with an attitude. He raised his eyebrows at her, and his facial expression changed from shocked to relaxed in an instant. She almost missed it.

“I’m meeting Susanna here along with Monte and Richie.” He looked her over from head to toe. He was just as intimidating and macho as his brother. She felt her cheeks warm as she lowered her head.

“Oh. Okay,” she replied then started walking toward the house.

“Got any plans today?” he asked her.

“No.”

“It’s going to be nice out. Richie and I are going to head into town later for lunch. Do you want to tag along?”

She opened the front door, but he placed his palm against it to stop her from opening the second door.

He was inches from her back. She closed her eyes and imagined him touching her, holding her, until she felt his hand on her hip. She jumped then turned her head to the side to look at him.

He stared down at her with those big dark brown eyes of his.

“What do you say, Juliet? Join us for lunch?”

“I can’t. I’ve got things to do before work tonight.”

“You just said you didn’t have plans.”

“I forgot.”

He reached up and touched her chin. Her breathing hitched as she remained staring up into his eyes.
Oh God, he’s so good looking. He smells so good, too.

She swallowed hard.

His thumb caressed her skin, and she held his gaze.

“Baby, you’re so pretty and sweet. Come out with us. Tell me yes.”

She was about to respond when the door flew open and Susanna stood there.

“Hey, I thought I heard voices out here. Come on in, Carl.” Juliet quickly headed by Susanna. She owed her one for that interruption. She headed upstairs and straight into the shower. She wasn’t coming out of her room until Carl left.

* * * *

Carl sat by the table along with Richie, Monte, Susanna, Ava, and Paula. He kept glancing up toward the hallway, hoping that Juliet would come down soon. It was getting late, and he really wanted her to join them for lunch. He had to tell Richie about what happened outside earlier. It seemed to Carl that Juliet was getting more timid instead of more comfortable around him and his brother. They needed to know why.

“So, I think that this is a great idea. I like the fact that Carl and Richie will alternate walking the floor each night. Their military backgrounds and experiences make them an asset to your security team, Susanna,” Monte stated. Susanna smiled.

“I’m am certain that this will be a great idea. Let’s start it tonight. You’ve got your people set up in the surveillance room upstairs, correct?” Susanna asked.

“Yes. Joe and Rex have it covered.”

“Great, then I think we’re all set. Thanks, everyone.” Susanna smiled.

Carl watched as Juliet entered the room. She was wearing a royal-blue sweater and slim-fitting black pants. She looked gorgeous as usual. He licked his bottom lip as he inhaled the scent of her perfume while his eyes roamed over the swells of her large breasts. She was stunning, and the sweater brought out the blue in her eyes. She had her long red hair flowing down in curls around her shoulders and down her back.

She avoided eye contact completely, and Carl glanced at Richie, who was still staring at Juliet.

“Well, we’ve got plans for lunch, so I’ll see you all tonight,” Susanna said as Monte wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her out of the room while he whispered in her ear. Susanna giggled as she waved good-bye.

Carl saw Juliet watching them. She looked so sad and serious.

“I’ve got to go, too. I’ll see you tonight. It will be fun having you two on the floor keeping security tight,” Paula stated as she waved good-bye and squeezed Juliet’s shoulders.

“Hey, I’ll see you later.”

Juliet nodded her head.

“What is she talking about?” Juliet asked Ava instead of Carl and Richie, who still sat there at the island watching her.

“Oh, Carl and Richie are going to be working downstairs from now on. Monte thinks with the larger crowds and more strange faces coming around that we need better security.” Ava rose from her seat.

“I thought that was why Clyde walked the floor. He has an extensive military background.”

“So do we, honey.” Richie rose from his chair. He leaned against the island and stared at her.

“Well, I need to take care of a few things. I have some calls to make for this weekend’s events, and, Juliet, it looks like I’m going to need you taking care of the private tables only on Saturday night. The regular crew should be able to handle the main bar. I’ve got the whole section booked for a private group.”

“Oh, okay.” Juliet took a sip from the bottle of water she held. Ava waved good-bye and left Juliet alone with Carl and Richie.

“So, are you ready to go to lunch?” Richie asked, and Carl was surprised. He hadn’t had the chance to tell him what happened earlier.

“Lunch? No,” Juliet stated then began to walk out of the room. Richie touched her hand to stop her, and she paused. Carl watched as Juliet stiffened up until Richie wrapped his other arm around her waist and pressed his body against hers. He leaned down and whispered against her neck.

“Please come to lunch with us. I saw you looking at the refrigerator. I know you’re hungry.”

Her head rolled back against his shoulder, and then she abruptly pulled forward as if she hadn’t been consciously aware of her move.

“I can’t.”

“Sure you can. Everyone else left to do his or her own thing. Let us take you to lunch. We promise to have you back in time to get ready for work.” Carl walked toward her. His brother remained behind her, and now Carl stood in front of her. He reached out and touched her hair, letting the silky strands of red slide between his fingers.

“Come on. I’m not taking no for an answer.” Carl took her hand, and together they led her from the house.

* * * *

They sat at a small table toward the middle of the diner. Juliet was trying hard to stop her hands from shaking. At multiple points during the ride here and to the table, both Carl and Richie made a point of touching her, caressing her back or keeping a hand on her as they escorted her. It was unnerving, and she was exasperated at the attraction she felt to both men.

They stared at her now as she looked over the menu, deciding on a Cobb salad with grilled chicken over it.

They placed their orders, and the waitress smiled at Juliet as she took the menus from them.

“I have to compliment your hair, honey. It is absolutely gorgeous.”

Juliet smiled. “Thank you.”

“Sure thing. You’re adorable,” she added, and Juliet smiled. She had been called adorable for most of her life just because she was petite and had small features.

She felt Richie’s hand on her thigh. She tensed up and looked at him, holding his gaze as he leaned closer.

“You are beautiful, adorable I guess, too, but from where I’m sitting, I’d say sexy covers it.” He gave her thigh a squeeze then caressed it.

She reached down and touched his hand as he held her gaze. When she lifted her hand to remove it, he squinted at her, and she felt the intensity of that look he gave her.

“I’m not going to hurt you, honey. Don’t be so scared. I know you feel it. I can hear your heart racing from here.” He looked away from her to take a sip of his seltzer.

“We’re looking forward to being downstairs at Dixie Chix. We can keep a better eye on you. Make sure you stay out of trouble,” Carl added.

“Please don’t do this to me,” she whispered as she lowered her head and clasped her hands together on her lap. Both men reached under the table and covered her hands.

She jerked at their move then looked back and forth between them. Richie looked very serious as usual. Both men were very big men. They were tall with large, wide shoulders. Richie’s facial features looked chiseled and intense, while Carl appeared more relaxed. But right now they both showed that same intensity.

“Juliet, we’ve been patient, but you see, we can’t wait anymore,” Richie began to say, and she felt that panicky feeling inside. Both men squeezed her hand as they moved their chairs closer to hers.

“What he means to say is that watching other men flirt with you, touch your hair, and want you is making us crazy with jealousy. We like you, and we know that you like us, too.”

“I do like you, but I don’t date. I don’t want to be in a relationship with a man or men.” She felt her cheeks flush.

“Is that what scares you? Are you afraid of a ménage relationship? You worried about what people might say?” Carl asked her.

“Please don’t do this. If you’re going to try and pressure me, then I’m leaving. Right now.” She went to move, but Richie placed a hand on the back of her chair. She glanced around the room. They seemed to have grabbed a few people’s attention. She didn’t want that attention.

“I won’t leave. Let go of the chair, Richie.”

“I have your food ready for y’all,” the waitress interrupted and began to place the food down in front of them.

Juliet moved the food around with her fork. She watched as Carl and Richie began to eat their lunch. She stared at each man’s hands. They were large and muscular, including their fingers, which were long and thick. They were so much larger than hers. She liked how they felt on her skin, and she would be lying to herself if she didn’t admit how attracted to them she was. But she was also too scared to get close to them. She had guilt left in her heart over Danny’s death. She was the reason he died. She had caused it. Juliet just couldn’t take that kind of chance again. Carl and Richie were military men. They were strong, resourceful, and everything she could ever want in a man, or in this case, men, to start a serious relationship with. But inside, that guilt nagged her. So did the feeling that she would never be safe until the monster that haunted her dreams was dead. She just couldn’t get over it.

* * * *

After lunch, Juliet tried to get them to take her home, but Richie wouldn’t have it. She was scared. He knew that, and it concerned him. It had his inquisitive mind reeling for explanations and the investigator in him urging to interrogate her, but he wouldn’t. He knew she needed time, convincing, seducing in a sense. Whatever her fears were, he and his brother wanted to conquer those for her or at least help her to destroy them.

He watched as she stood near the big tree. She was leaning back as Carl was showing her how he could skip rocks across the lake. Juliet was a stunning woman. Her long red hair cascaded down her back. He watched as she reached up to push her bangs aside, and her large blue eyes looked stunning. She wore very little makeup during the day. At night she wore a bit more but not overkill. Her lips looked pink and full right now, and he had watched her applying lip gloss as they had walked from the Delite Café and Diner.

Her hands were tiny and feminine. Her nails were painted strawberry red, and she watched Carl trying his hardest to make the rock skip.

Richie moved closer to her. “You look so beautiful standing here.”

She turned her head up toward him. He closed the space between them, and she attempted to slide away from the tree and his grasp, but he was too quick. In a second, he had her pinned to the tee, his arms wrapped around her waist as he hoisted her up against his body. He wedged his thigh between her legs and used his other hand to cup her cheek.

Her breath quickened, and he stared at her lips.

“I can’t not taste you, Juliet. You’re just too appealing.” He began to lower his mouth when he felt her fingers grip his upper body.

“Please, Richie. I don’t want to start something I can’t finish.”

“Why can’t you finish it? Is there someone else?” he asked, and she lowered her eyes. It would kill him and surely his brother, too, if there turned out to be another man.

“Answer me,” he demanded, giving her body a little squeeze as he hoisted her higher.

“There’s isn’t anyone else.”

He didn’t wait for her to continue to deny the feelings she had. He covered her mouth with his. He kissed her thoroughly. He enjoyed the taste of her, the way she clung tighter to him, and when she moaned, he squeezed her against him. She was so petite, tiny, and fragile compared to him, yet she was all woman and filled with curves in all the right places.

He felt her begin to pull away, but he kissed her more deeply before he released her lips slowly. He kissed along her jaw and down to her neck.

“Oh God, Richie, please slow down.”

“You taste so good, Juliet. I’ve wanted you for so long, baby.” He licked across her throat then kissed and nibbled as he pressed the palm of his hand against her ass. She must have felt his erection, because suddenly she gripped him harder to stop him.