Crossroads: Leap of Faith [Siren APP Exclusive] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “I’ve never seen her before, have you?” Miles asked.

  Nikko shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

  “She’s our type, don’t you think?” he asked, and Nikko swallowed hard. His entire body knew that she was their type. Attractive in a sophisticated way, long natural chocolate locks, sexy body, big breasts, curves in all the right places, and sweet, almost shy. She was blushing even now as those guys checked her out and said hello to her.

  She dressed conservatively and didn’t show off her assets to every stranger. He liked that. Respected that. He wondered if she was experienced. They would both love a woman who wasn’t experienced, who might even be submissive to an extent but tough and independent, classy, and totally unknowing to ménage.

  He hadn’t been with a woman in over a year. He and Miles hadn’t shared a woman in even longer and none that were remotely close to this woman’s beauty. He couldn’t believe how his mind was moving in fast-forward. Just one look and his eyes were glued to her.

  As he thought about making a move, the blonde grabbed the brunette’s arm and pulled her away from the crowd.

  Big Guns and Jay Bird walked over to Miles and Nikko.

  “Hey, what’s going on? Still nursing the same beers?” Jay Bird teased as he ordered another round for them.

  “Taking our time, that’s all,” Miles said as Nikko noticed the blonde and the brunette heading toward them.

  “Hi, fellas, can we squeeze in here to order a couple of drinks?” the blonde asked, and of course Big Jay moved right out of the way while asking what they were having. Now up close, both he and Miles could get a good look at the brunette. She shyly turned away, but one glimpse in her eyes and he was instantly mesmerized. They weren’t quite green or brown, more like a kind of hazel with emerald specks. Stunning.

  “Suzette? Holy crap, how are you, honey?” Big Guns asked as the brunette smiled wide and accepted the bear hug from Big Guns. He twirled her around and then stepped back to look at her. She was petite, too, even with the high heels, and in great shape. Nikko could see the definition in her arms.

  “Oh my God, Leonard, how are you?” she asked.

  “Leonard?” Jay Bird asked as he laughed. Big Guns gave him a dirty look.

  “I’m doing well, honey. How are you? What the heck are you doing here?” he asked.

  “She came to meet me,” the blonde said, and then the guy who Nikko had thought looked like a jerk came up behind her. He wrapped his arm around the blonde’s waist and pulled her back against him.

  He whispered into her ear, and the blonde looked scared. Nikko also noticed how the brunette, Suzette, he thought Big Guns had called her, reacted.

  “We were just saying hello to some old friends. She’s good, Jeb.”

  The guy, Jeb, stared at Suzette. He looked her body over. “You call me if you need anything,” he said and then lifted the blonde up, turned her around, and headed back toward the other guys.

  “What was that about?” Big Guns asked.

  Suzette rolled her eyes.

  “He’s very protective of her, I guess,” Suzette said.

  “Is she okay with him?” Nikko found himself asking as he still looked over at Jeb. He was whispering into the blonde’s ear and holding her wrist tightly against her chest from behind her. She looked to be in pain, but she smiled as their friends started talking.

  “That’s a loaded question,” Suzette replied, and Nikko locked gazes with her. She looked from him to Miles, and Nikko felt his heart rate increase.

  “This is Nikko and his brother Miles. Guys, meet Suzette. An old friend of the family’s,” Jay Bird said.

  Nikko reached his hand out to shake hers. When their hands touched, he realized just how delicate and petite she was compared to him, and an immediate attraction hit him. She must have realized the same thing, and been intimidated, because she quickly pulled her hand back. When Miles shook her hand, she shyly lowered her eyes and pulled her hand away. Maybe she was pretending? Lots of women did that, especially if they wanted to come across as less experienced.

  “So, you still working in social services, or are you running the place now?” Big Guns asked as he handed her a glass of white wine from the bartender.

  “Hey, Suzette.” The bartender waved, and she waved back and smiled. She took the drink from Big Guns, and Nikko wondered how she knew the bartender. They hung out at Crossroads all the time. It was like a second home when the team wasn’t working. They were all single and obsessed with their jobs. Crossroads was their relaxation place.

  “Are you kidding me? No one is as wonderful as Ned. He is amazing and still in charge of it all. I wouldn’t want his job.”

  “Why not? You would totally be able to handle it.”

  She seemed to blush at Big Guns’ words.

  “I like where I’m at and what I’m doing. I don’t want to give that up.”

  Nikko watched her gaze leave the wine glass and then linger on him again. He held her gaze until his brother spoke.

  “Want to sit down and join us?” Miles asked, pulling out the stool for her to take a seat. She looked back around toward the crowd where her friends were.

  “I should really go check on Lacey. She begged me to come here tonight.”

  “Sit with us for a while. You can always hang out with your friends,” Miles stated, and she looked at Big Guns.

  “These guys don’t bite. They’re the good guys, honey,” he said as if he knew something about her that the rest of them didn’t. Nikko saw the change of expression in her eyes and her cheeks turn a shade of red before she nodded at him and then took the seat right next to Nikko.

  The scent of her perfume and the sight of her gorgeous legs as she crossed them when she sat hit him straight in the chest.

  * * * *

  Suzette didn’t know why the two big men made her feel so nervous and self-conscious. She was usually so unaffected by such types. But then again, she was petite, and these particular men, Big Guns included, were extra large and very tall. Nikko’s muscles looked about to rip the material of his shirtsleeve, they were so big and defined. His thighs were huge, too, and right now, one was brushing against her thigh as he reached for his new beer. The guys were teasing him about needing a nipple for it. Obviously he wasn’t in the mood for drinks, just like she wasn’t.

  Miles leaned closer, and now she was right between the two men. They smelled so good, and their presence caused an instant feeling of safety around her. How odd. She hadn’t needed anyone to make her feel safe. After her fucked-up childhood and her sister’s situation, her life mottos consisted of “shit or get off the pot,” and “do it yourself, ’cause no one is going to do it for you.”

  “So what exactly do you do for social services?” Miles asked her.

  “I’m a social worker, but I pretty much help wherever I’m needed.”

  “Don’t let her fool you. She’s a gem. Her specialty is helping victims of domestic violence and abuse. She’s saved a lot of women and their children,” Big Guns informed them and then winked at Suzette. Miles and Nikko both squinted their eyes at her, and she turned to look at Big Guns.

  “It’s my job, Big Guns. Just like yours is to help save hostages, place yourselves in harm’s way to protect, and serve the public.”

  “That’s right. Team Venom!” he cheered. The guys around them lifted their beer bottles.

  “Team Venom!” they yelled out together.

  She smiled at their expressions and show of camaraderie.

  “Team Venom? You actually have a name for your team?” she asked.

  Nikko leaned closer to her. “We sure do. We came up with it together.”

  She was caught up in staring at his firm lips, the muscles along his jaw, and the brilliant dark brown, almost black of his eyes. The man was definitely a force to reckon with. She could tell.

  He looked her lips over and then lower. Despite the fact that she wasn’t wearing a low-cut dress, she felt her nipples harden and
then her pussy react to his perusal. It was so unusual.

  “Do you always wear nice outfits like this to work?” he asked. He brushed his thumb along her shoulder, right where her skin peeked out.

  “I had court today,” she replied, transfixed on his eyes as he held her gaze.

  “Suzette?” She heard her name and turned to look ahead.

  “Sonya! Oh my God.” Suzette got down off the stool and went to place her glass onto the bar, but Miles took it from her and winked. Her belly tightened and her nipples hardened again. Now both men were giving her a reaction she never had to any man before.

  “I thought that was you. Hi, Big Guns,” Sonya stated with a look over her shoulder toward Big Guns as she hugged Suzette hello.

  Suzette heard a muffled “hello” from Big Guns and knew that he still had it bad for Sonya. Poor guy. He just didn’t have enough nerve to ask her out.

  “What are you doing here? You never go out to bars,” Sonya asked.

  “Oh come on, it hasn’t been that long since we hung out at Charlie’s,” Suzette replied. She didn’t want the guys to think she was a hermit or lame or something.

  “Oh God, Charlie’s. I remember that night.”

  “Do you really?” Suzette asked and then winked.

  “Can I buy you a drink, Sonya?” Big Guns asked, and Sonya smiled.

  “Sure thing. Thank you,” Sonya said, and then she joined the conversation. Before long they were talking about the lake beach party next weekend and some of the guys meeting up to hang out on their boats.

  “We’re going, too,” Jay Bird chimed in as a few of their friends came over with some other women. A few of them were dressed rather sexy for the bar scene, but as the night continued they practically attacked some of Team Venom. Suzette realized that both Miles and Nikko were hitting on her, and Jay Bird and Big Guns were hitting on Sonya.

  Nikko was very quiet, just adding a few comments here and there, but he kept moving his thigh so that it would touch her thigh or her hip. Every time he made contact she felt a small bit of arousal and attraction. Then Miles began to touch her or gently bump her arm as he made a comment, and the same thing happened. How the hell could she be attracted to two guys at once? A quick glance around the place and anyone could see the mixed relationships. She never thought about sharing. She was honestly too scared to even date one man and take a chance, never mind two.

  The more Nikko and Miles talked to her about their life and everyday activities, like their jobs, she felt more and more comfortable. They really seemed to be nice guys. But she didn’t date. She worked a lot. Her sister’s death was her motivation to try to save other women before it was too late. She could have even taken a different job that paid more and didn’t involve so much sadness, but this was her calling. Besides, she had her niece and nephew to watch over and their future to assist them with. That meant putting her own wants and desires on hold for a while.

  Suzette felt the hand on her knee and looked up to see Miles smiling at her.

  “If you don’t have any plans tomorrow, we’re going to be at the town fundraising carnival.”

  She swallowed hard as she absorbed the warmth and the size of his hand. It was big and could easily cover her entire thigh. While he caressed his thumb back and forth over her exposed skin on her knee, she nearly lost focus of his question. Quickly, she recovered.

  “Are you on duty or volunteering?” she asked.

  “Volunteering. We’ll be helping out by the grills,” Miles told her.

  “You know, cooking up the burgers and dogs,” Nikko added. She felt his fingers stroking under her hair behind her neck.

  The fact that two men were flirting with her and touching her so softly at the same time was unnerving. Plus, she was so caught up in the moment and the attraction she felt, it took a few seconds to realize what was happening here. Her pussy felt different. Their touch aroused her, made it throb and then release some cream. She was getting completely aroused by this. Then reality kicked in, and she nearly stumbled off the chair.

  Sonya grabbed a hold of her arm. “Oh my God, Suzette, are you okay?”

  Suzette smoothed out her dress and then looked back toward the stool, avoiding Nikko’s and Miles’s stares. She felt her cheeks burn as her own cream dripped between her thighs. This was so not normal.

  “Yes, oh, fine. I just must have gotten my heel caught on the rung of the stool. Thank God I didn’t fall.” She felt the hand gently touch her arm. Turning and looking up, her head tilted back nearly to her shoulders, she locked gazes with Nikko.

  She swallowed hard. His expression firm, and all too knowing of his effect on her, he held her gaze. Miles was very close to her, too.

  “Are you okay?” Miles asked. She nodded her head and then reached for her purse. She looked at her wrist and saw the time.

  “Oh God, I really need to get going.”

  “Are you sure? It’s only eleven,” Big Guns said. He seemed disappointed. She felt guilty, but her fear, the concern over her out-of-control reaction to two men was more powerful.

  She looked at him, swallowed, and then looked back at both Nikko and Miles, who were way too intimidating and sexy for her to handle. So she did what she thought was best.

  “I have to get home to the kids. They’re only four. It’s late.”

  She quickly turned toward Sonya once she noticed both Nikko’s and Miles’s eyes widened. That little lie should keep them at bay. That was exactly what she needed to gain control of the situation and the attraction running through her system.

  “Bye, Sonya. I guess I’ll see you at the party next week on the boat.”

  “I’ll pick you up at your place. I’ll call you during the week to set it all up.” She winked, understanding exactly what Suzette was up to. When she looked at Big Guns, he seemed to know she was running, and she felt guilty. So what that she was letting these two big guys think that she had kids?

  She basically was their parent. She held custody of them, but Aunt Marilyn was retired and had a house with four bedrooms and a big backyard. Suzette had a two-bedroom condo across the street from the lake and worked crazy hours.

  “We’ll walk you out,” Miles said. She hadn’t expected that as her chest tightened and he gently placed his hand on her elbow and guided her from the bar. A quick glance over her shoulder and she saw Nikko as well as Sonya smirking and Big Guns looking serious. He’d probably call her on Monday.

  * * * *

  Miles wasn’t sure why he said he would walk Suzette out, especially after hearing that she had two kids. He hadn’t expected that. But truth was, he really didn’t care. He was attracted to Suzette and so was his brother. He wanted to get to know her and hopefully get her to commit to showing up at the fundraiser tomorrow. She was definitely shy.

  As they walked out of the bar, people waved at him and said hello. As he held the door open for her, she stopped and looked up at him and then Nikko.

  “You don’t need to walk me out. It was nice meeting you both. Good night,” she said and then started to proceed out toward the walkway.

  “It’s kind of dark out there. We don’t mind one bit,” Miles told her, and she shrugged her shoulders and continued to walk. Watching her ass sway so casually aroused him. Usually after fifteen minutes of talking to a woman he had them asking him to go back to their place or, at minimum, had a make-out session. Suzette was definitely not like most women. She didn’t even seem to care that he and Nikko were SWAT. What woman out there wasn’t attracted to a guy in SWAT?

  She stopped beside a very conservative, beat-up, black car. The thing didn’t even look like it would start up. He squinted his eyes as he placed his hands on his hips.

  She turned toward them.

  “Well, thanks again.”

  “Will we see you tomorrow, at the carnival?” Nikko asked in a stern voice. Even Miles looked at him, surprised at his abrupt tone. Suzette swallowed hard. She opened her door and set her hand on it, placing herself behind it as i
f for protection. That move didn’t feel right to Miles. Was she intimidated by them? He sure didn’t want her to be fearful.

  “Listen, we’d both love to see you again. If you can’t make tomorrow, maybe we could get in touch with you and do dinner sometime?”

  Her cheeks turned a shade of red. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, and he nearly groaned at the sight.

  Looking between both of them, she hesitated and then spoke.

  “Listen, I don’t date. I don’t really have the time for relationships, and I don’t do one-night stands. There are plenty of single women in Crossroads right now that I’m sure would love to get to know you two.” She started to get into her car, but Nikko stepped forward and stopped the door from closing.

  She paused and raised her eyebrows at Nikko, and Miles was shocked at how sexy she looked and how instantly aroused he was. He hoped that Nikko wasn’t going to do something to upset her.

  Nikko stared down into Suzette’s eyes as he placed his one hand on the door right next to her hand.

  “Call me fucking crazy, but I’m not interested in any of those other women that are in there. I enjoyed meeting you, Suzette, and so did Miles. I know that you enjoyed it, too. I also know that we don’t know one another, and I’m hoping to rectify that. Please, just stop by tomorrow. Bring the kids. There are rides, giveaways, and a lot of cool stuff. Maybe we can do lunch then, casually, so you can get to know us.”

  She took a deep breath and looked from Nikko to Miles. Miles smiled.

  “Friends first?” he asked.

  She chuckled.

  “Okay, I’ll see if the kids are up for it. But no promises. I really don’t have much of a social life. I’m on call all the time and I’m swamped at work.”

  “We’re on call all the time, too. We understand. See you tomorrow then,” Nikko stated as she climbed into her car, and he closed the door.

  When the engine hesitated to start, they were both concerned.

  “I don’t like the way that sounds,” Nikko said.