The American Soldier Collection: Escape from Obsession (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  She was hesitant to respond but then noticed that he was one of the men in the picture.

  “That’s awesome. Are these your friends?” she asked.

  “My brothers. We went back two more times after that. Always met up in the same spot on our returns. Thank God we all got back safely,” he said and she sensed the relief in his voice, which was amazing considering it had been so many years ago that the war had happened.

  “I’m sure it was a relief to get there and to see your brothers. Do you get to see them often now?” she asked.

  He smiled and his eyes, somewhat familiar for some strange reason, held hers.

  “I get to see them all the time. We own this place, along with our sons. The name is John Luke.” He offered his hand. She of course shook his hand and smiled.

  “Gia Marie.”

  “You’re not from the South, are ya, darling?”

  “New York actually. I moved out here six months ago.”

  “I’ve never seen you here before with Sammy and the girls.”

  Gia looked over her shoulder to where Sammy and the others were.

  “Yeah, well, they’ve been trying to get me to come here for a while. I guess I’m still trying to get used to Houston. I don’t like crowds really.”

  “I get that way sometimes, too. Saturdays are a bit less rowdy. Not so many business people looking to let off some steam from their offices,” he said then winked.

  She smiled and then she saw that attractive bartender approach and she wondered if Garrett was Luke’s son.

  John followed her line of sight as he turned and Garrett joined them. She noticed a slight limp in Garrett’s walk, but she didn’t stare. He smiled at her as he looked her over. She pulled the small jacket tighter, despite the fact that she suddenly felt very overheated.

  “Here’s one of my sons. Garrett, meet Gia Marie. She’s from New York,” Luke said as he gave them some space.

  “We met at the bar,” he replied and she smiled.

  She watched him closely and there was definitely an attraction. She was about to excuse herself when she felt Sammy’s hand on her shoulder, turning her.

  “Excuse me, guys, I need a moment,” Sammy said and Gia wondered what was up. Sammy bent slightly to whisper into Gia’s ear. “I sat in something and I need your jacket to wrap around my waist.”

  “Oh, of course,” Gia said then removed her jacket and handed it to Sammy.

  “Thank you,” Sammy said then waved and walked away.

  When she turned back toward John Luke and Garrett, only Garrett was standing there and he was looking her arms over. She knew she was defined from her martial arts training, but she didn’t like to show off.

  “So, how long have you been living in Houston?”

  “Six months,” she said then swallowed hard. She felt a bit of anxiety speaking with him. She didn’t want him to think she was interested or flirting, but he did seem so nice. Plus considering how crowded it was, he wasn’t trying to invade her space and take advantage. But, he held her gaze and she found herself staring just as intently into his eyes as well.

  She started to look at the pictures again and began to walk farther along the hallway. She didn’t like being alone with a man and especially one she didn’t know.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here before.”

  She turned to look at him and he was staring at her as if he were trying to read her mind. She felt his masculinity and something told her that this man was not a man to be trifled with. It was something beyond his big muscles and had something to do with the darkness of his eyes and an almost sad, lonely expression.

  “This is my first time here. It’s nice. Your dad said he and your brothers and his brothers own the place.”

  Garrett chuckled. “Yeah, he likes to talk.”

  “Well, I’m certain that’s a plus considering that he owns a bar and restaurant. People like to go places where staff and owners are friendly, not rude,” she added just as a few rowdy guys walked by and nearly bumped her. Garrett placed himself in front of her, taking the brunt of the bump but hardly losing his balance.

  “Hey, sorry, Garrett, I didn’t mean to bump into you,” one of the guys said then looked from Garrett to her.

  “Not a problem, just be careful,” he replied then turned back to look at Gia.

  Some kind of exchange went back and forth between the guy and Garrett, but she didn’t know what it was about. Gia turned to look for her friends and of course Sammy and Kaleigh were staring right at her and whispering because Gia was talking with the gorgeous bartender.

  “I’m on break, can I get you a drink or something to eat?” he asked her. She was hungry and the girls were supposed be getting a table in the other room.

  “Uhm, I was supposed to get a table with my friends.”

  “Let’s go see what they’re going to do,” he said and walked with her toward Sammy and Kaleigh.

  As they approached, Gia noticed that her jacket was draped over the chair and not wrapped around Sammy’s waist. Before she could say something the girls were answering Garrett’s question about eating and getting a table.

  “I totally forgot to put our name down on the waitlist. It should die down in there soon right, Garrett?” Sammy asked. Gia was starving, having missed lunch and only grabbed an apple during the meeting.

  “Lucky for you, Sammy, I kind of have connections. Come on. How many are you?” he asked.

  “Just five of us. The others ate already,” Sammy said.

  As they headed toward the other room with Garrett leading them, Gia gave her friends a look. They fanned themselves and stared at Garrett’s ass as he walked.

  She had to admit he had a great ass. Firm, round, and dipped in at the sides indicating that his thighs were more than likely just as muscular and solid.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” another older gentleman asked as Garrett spoke to him. The man looked at Gia and her friends. “Take table seven. You should all fit, but it may be a bit tight in the right side.”

  Garrett led them back. The girls immediately took seats around the table and then Gia was last to get in on the right side. She wound up wedged against the wall on one side with Garrett on the other. Gia thought she was feeling palpitations from being so close to the man, but her friends winked knowingly and giggled.

  Make an excuse to leave. Get out of here now.

  Gia was feeling a bit panicked. The scent of his cologne, the way it felt to have such a large, male body so close to her, was scary. Sure she’d been next to plenty of men, but this felt different. She prayed that she didn’t have a panic attack.

  “The wings are great here,” he whispered to her as the girls ordered more drinks as one of the waitresses came over.

  Gia stared at the menu.

  “I kind of like salads,” she replied in a whisper and felt his arm brush against hers.

  “They’re all good, darling,” he said and she could feel her body shaking. She tried to just calm her breathing and get through this situation.

  They all ordered except for Garrett. She felt her cheeks warm and heat flashes cascade her body as his thigh pressed against hers.

  “I thought you said you were on break and wanted to grab a bite?” she asked him as her friends talked amongst one another.

  He held her gaze and she could really appreciate his adorable dimples and mysterious eyes. He wasn’t a pretty boy, he was tough as nails.

  He shyly looked across the way and then back at her with his lower lip between his bottom teeth. He gave her an expression that nearly knocked her socks off.

  “I have to get back to work in a few minutes. I just wanted to be sure to meet you properly, instead of across the bar.”

  She swallowed hard.

  “Well, it was nice meeting you, Garrett,” she replied, feeling a bit of relief.

  “Gia?” He said her name so softly, she slowly turned to look up at him. He was a very tall man and definitely cramped in this tight spac
e.

  “I hope to see you again here at Casper’s.”

  “Oh she’ll be here tomorrow night with us. It’s girls’ night out,” Sammy chimed in and the others added their comments as Gia shook her head and stared at her lap. When she looked back up into Garrett’s eyes, he appeared different.

  “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He began to stand up and her friends waved good-bye, saying that they would see him tomorrow night.

  She watched him walk away and then looked at her friends.

  “You lucky girl,” Kaleigh teased and Sammy and her friends made some noises.

  “What are you talking about?” Gia asked.

  “You just caught the interest of the hottest eligible bachelor in Houston,” Sammy said.

  “You go, New York,” the others teased.

  Gia shook her head. “I did not catch anyone. He was just being friendly.” Gia then took a sip of her seltzer that the waitress had brought over.

  “Honey, he doesn’t talk to anyone he doesn’t want to talk to. He’s respectful and nice to patrons, but he never accepts any invitations from the ladies, if y’ know what I mean,” Kaleigh said.

  “I can vouch for that info. I’ve known Garrett since high school. He was always kind of shy and good-looking. After he returned from the military and serving in the Middle East, he was a changed man. Even his dads think so,” Sammy whispered.

  Gia thought about that a moment. It was understandable and she wondered if he sustained an injury while there.

  “Is that why he has a bit of a limp? Was he injured in the war?” Kaleigh asked before Gia could.

  “Oh, God yeah. It was bad. I don’t know all the details, but my dad said Garrett nearly died.”

  Gia felt her chest tighten at the thought. And then the waitress brought over some wings.

  “Compliments of the bar,” she said then placed the platter of delicious-smelling hot wings with very green, crisp celery in the center of the table. Gia looked up toward the bar and so did her friends as they waved a thank-you. Garrett continued to look at her, holding Gia’s gaze. She smiled and he nodded his head as she wondered if maybe there was a way to put some of the pain behind her. But just as quickly that feeling of dreadful fear made her entire body tighten up.

  No way. Not now. Now ever.

  Chapter 2

  The baby was crying and Deanna was trying to calm her down.

  “She’s being so colicky. Dale wasn’t like this,” she complained and Gia smiled.

  “It will get better. Didn’t the doctor tell you that at her last visit?” Gia asked.

  Her cousin Teddy and his best friend Jim’s wife was so sweet and nurturing. The three of them made a great couple. Their son, Dale, who was fourteen, going on fifteen, played football for the local high school. Julia had been a bit of a surprise, but a good surprise, because Deanna had a difficult time getting pregnant with Dale.

  “I appreciate you going to pick up Dale. Jim said he’s working late tonight at the headquarters and Teddy is conducting an investigation with his partner and they need to do some surveillance. I swear, things get crazy around here when both my men are working.”

  “Well, they’re good men and they love you. I know I might not be sitting here right now if it weren’t for Teddy’s help.”

  Deanna smiled.

  “Honey, he thinks of you like a sister. He’d do anything for you and so would Jim. So did you do anything last night after work?” Deanna asked and Gia smiled. Deanna was always asking if Gia had met anyone or if she accepted invites from her friends to go out to bars and clubs. Gia had the feeling that Deanna missed that time of her life.

  “Actually, Sammy and Kaleigh got me to go out after work to a place called Casper’s.”

  “Oh my God, I love that place. I haven’t been there since the baby was born. Teddy knows the owners and their sons. They were all in the Marine Corp you know.”

  “Yes, I saw all the pictures there last night and met John Luke. He was very nice.”

  “Well, I’m proud of you for going out. I know it was probably a huge step. Did you feel okay about it afterward?”

  She thought about that a moment. Deanna, Jim, and Teddy knew about what happened to her back in New York. They knew she was untrusting and that she didn’t like being exposed in any way.

  “I guess I survived it.”

  “You’re a very beautiful woman, Gia. The kind of woman that both men and women take notice of in a crowd. That’s not a bad thing, but you’re going to have to learn to accept it someday. It doesn’t mean you have to get involved in a relationship any time soon.”

  “Oh, there’s no chance of that, believe me. I nearly had a panic attack last night when I met a few cowboys. It still never ceases to amaze me how handsome a lot of men are here in Houston. I mean it’s like something is in the water.”

  Deanna chuckled. “Yeah, I’m glad I wrangled me two of them. Maybe you’ll meet a few and settle down here, too,” Deanna said in her Texas accent. Gia continued to get a kick out of the twang in certain words.

  “Are you kidding me? I can’t even sit next to an attractive guy, never mind more than one. I think I would pass out.”

  “You don’t know that. Maybe it will just take the right guys.” Just then baby Julia began crying again. Poor Deanna, she had just settled the baby down and it didn’t last long.

  “I’ll go pick up Dale.”

  * * * *

  Gia knew that Dale was going to be surprised that she was at his school to pick him up. He loved her sports car, a Mercedes convertible SLS Roadster. It was silver with black-tinted windows. She treated herself after landing the great advertising job and selling some of her own artwork to get from New York to Texas. As she pulled up to the high school, she was impressed with the cleanliness and curbside appeal of the landscaping and campus. It was a very large school. She could see all the football signs and banners wishing good luck to a championship season. She knew football was big in Texas and she was glad she enjoyed watching it. As a NY Giants fan, she knew how to take the ups and downs of football teams. But high school? High school was something extra special. These kids were young, energetic, and all thought they were going to play college ball and ultimately become pros. Dale was one of them. She looked forward to seeing him play his first game next Saturday against a big rival team.

  She parked the car behind a few other parked cars and a sign that said “drop off and pick up.”

  She fixed her skirt and then looked into the rearview mirror as she waited for Dale to come out. His mom said she would see a group of the boys from the team leave the building together.

  With sunglasses on and the music playing kind of loud, she wanted to pull off the cool older cousin. She thought about her own years in high school. To think about the decisions she made, the lack of parental supervision and guidance she received, made her wonder how she hadn’t wound up in trouble sooner. In her desire to succeed after college, she had taken the wrong route with Antonio and it nearly cost her everything. Swallowing hard, she gulped the lump of emotion and guilt in her throat. That was then and this was now. She was young, she had started over, and this was her chance for a future of happiness and success not fear. She had the car, was making the good salary, and she determined to survive whatever life threw at her. She hummed along to the music, ultimately eliminating any negative thoughts and simply just allowed the music to fill her.

  She waited in the car until she looked at the clock and saw other kids heading out but not Dale. She got out of the car and saw a group of boys from the football team. They were wearing matching shirts with football helmets on them.

  “Excuse me, are you guys on the varsity football team?” she asked and they looked a little shell-shocked except for one tall, kind of cute boy.

  “We are, darling. Can I help you?” he asked, sounding all cocky and she had to hide her chuckle.

  “Sure can, cowboy, if you know Dale. I’m waiting on him.” She leaned
against the car. The kid looked shocked and then she saw Dale approaching with some guy following from the building. The man was dressed in jeans and a collared football shirt. He was big, he was tall, and he didn’t look too happy.

  “Gia,” Dale said as he pushed through the crowd of boys.

  “Dale, you know her?” the one guy asked.

  “Oh, yeah,” Dale said and Gia again hid her smile. Her cousin wanted these guys to think that she was his girl. How cute was that?

  “Is that your coach?” she asked him and immediately the other guys took off to the parking lot.

  “Dale, I told you that I wanted to speak to you a minute.”

  “Oh, sorry, coach. I didn’t want to keep my ride waiting,” Dale said then moved to the side.

  Gia had to do a double-take. Dale’s coach was a sexy guy, with tattoos on his right arm, a great smile, and dark eyes. What was it with the men she was meeting lately? They had such intense eyes.

  “Who is this? Where’s your mom or dads?” he asked.

  “This is my ride,” Dale said and she gave him a look.

  Gia removed her sunglasses and tossed them into the car on the driver’s side.

  “I’m Gia, his cousin. Is there a problem?” She knew she sounded as though she was on the defensive, but she wasn’t certain if it was in defense of Dale or if it was of her instant attraction to yet another strange man.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m Wes McCallister. I’m the assistant head coach for the varsity football team. Are Deanna and the baby okay?” he asked and he sounded concerned.

  “Oh yes. Baby Julia is just a bit colicky today and Jim and Teddy are working late. Can I help you with something?”

  He stared at her a moment, almost as if he were speechless. Dale cleared his throat and laughed behind her.

  “Um, well, I’m not sure if he spoke to his parents, but his grades are coming down a bit. We take education very seriously here and Dale is also a great athlete. We need him on the team, but he has to maintain a certain average.”