What Love Feels Like Read online

  “I like them all, too, and I hope it works out, by it’s just how I am. I need back up plans, something to fall back on in case things don’t go as planned. You know?” she asked, and then took off the towel. She fixed her blouse but obviously didn’t know he could see through it.

  “Sounds like you’re running away from something, or maybe avoiding it,” he said. She looked away. He heard her stomach grumble. “Did you eat?”

  “I’m fine,” she replied, and he got more concerned over her. She didn’t seem to have an ounce of fat on her.

  “You don’t have one of those eating disorders, do you? Or think you’re fat so you starve yourself?” he snapped at her, and then shook his head. She was too fucking young.

  She chuckled, and it surprised him. “I thought you were the silent, brooding type. Figured it was okay to accept the long ride, but I guess not.”

  “Silent, brooding type?” he asked.

  She looked at him. “You are the least friendly of your brothers.”

  “Maybe I’m the one keeping a clear head, and they can’t do that with you.”

  Now she squinted at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You know what it means. Don’t play games or pretend you aren’t aware.”

  “You lost me there.”

  “They like you, can’t keep their eyes off of you, and they’re interested, that’s what I mean.”

  She turned away and was silent.

  “Well?” he pushed, now wondering if she felt for his brothers what they felt for her. He couldn’t admit that he wanted to know, too.

  “I like Cherry Hill. Everyone is so friendly and nice, but I don’t think I’ll be living there much longer. There were several job opportunities in Coldsberry, maybe even further north,” she said.

  “So, I just tell you my brothers, three older, seasoned, very good men, may have an interest in you, and your response is that you may be leaving?” he asked her.

  “I don’t want any trouble. I’m used to being alone, fending for myself, and I want to keep it that way.”

  He didn’t say a word a moment, then it hit him. “Someone break your heart or something?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing like that. I’m just dealing with the hand I was dealt, and surviving.”

  He felt like the woman might have gone through some serious hard times, and he couldn’t imagine what kind. She was twenty-three. What could she have experienced?

  He saw the brake lights ahead, and he slowed down. “What’s this?” he asked as the rain was slowing down again, but it would start down pouring soon enough.

  “Oh no, it’s a family,” Jade said as he pulled up behind the vehicle. They could see a man and woman trying to change a tire. Two small kids were out of the car, too. “They have their hands full.”

  “Let’s see if they need help.” They got out of the truck and immediately Jade walked over to the woman and the baby she held.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “Oh, thank you so much for stopping. The lug nuts are locked, maybe rusted in place,” the man said. Colby got down to try and help him out. Jade stood there talking to the mom, and he could hear the conversation. The family was traveling toward Coldsberry hoping to find work. The husband had lost his job, and they were going to stay with family they hadn’t seen in years. As Colby undid the rusted lug nuts, putting a bit more strength into the turn, he noticed how thin the man was, and how his face was sunken in.

  “We’ve been traveling for weeks now and hoping to things work out with my cousin. If not, though, there’s a shelter in that town. Maybe it won’t be full,” the woman said.

  “I saw it today, looks really nice,” Jade said. “There’s also a Goodwill store. Some things cost very little, others are free.”

  “Really? Oh God, that would be great to get the kids things that fit. They grow so fast and eat so much,” she said to Jade.

  “I’m sure they are. It’s tough on the road, living meal to meal. Why don’t you take this? You sound like you could use it and your babies, too. Get them something in their tummies and yours and your husband’s so you can get work and get things going again,” Jade said.

  Colby looked over slightly as the rain began to pick up a little, and he saw her give the woman some money. He also heard her talk about being on the streets, living meal to meal, as if she experienced what they did. His gut clenched a little further.

  “I got it,” he said to the guy, really noticing now the circles under his eyes. “What kind of work you looking for in Coldsberry?” he asked the man. The more he talked to him, the more he was compelled to help, too. “When you get settled in town, after grabbing some food for you and the family, stop by Fred’s. It’s right next to the bus stop. Tell him I sent you in.”

  “Oh God, really? Really?” the man asked and shook his hand, smiling from ear to ear.

  “You’ll be just fine. It’s a great town and good people there.”

  “Thanks so much. I didn’t want to be a burden to this cousin I don’t even know, you know what I mean? Men need to provide for their family. Be the man and support them.”

  “You will. You will,” Colby said to him.

  The rain started picking up again as they fixed the tire and got everything back into place. The woman hugged Jade good-bye, and she wished them luck as they headed toward Coldsberry. Colby walked with Jade back to the truck and opened her door for her. When she went to get up, he stopped her, placing his hand on her hip. “You okay?” he asked her, and he could see the emotion in her eyes.

  “I couldn’t imagine being so down and out, with not enough money to feed my kids or get them clothes. It’s one thing to trek it alone, but with a family?” She shook her head and looked away.

  He reached up and cradled her cheek and chin. “You sound like you know what they’re going through.” He held her gaze, and she tried looking away, but he stepped closer. He had her pressed against the truck. Their gazes locked, her eyes welled up, and he knew, just knew, that she in fact did know what they were going through. That she might have been homeless or unable to get food, to eat, to wear clothing. Then he thought about how she went to the thrift shop and the Goodwill store, and she knew about the family shelter, too. He thought about the conversation with his parents and how she needed money, was struggling and also needed to stay undetected so they paid her cash. She just gave money to a complete stranger and her family, because she knew what they were going through.

  He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her, because he couldn’t resist the attraction. Couldn’t fight the desire going through his body, his heart, at her selfless act, her possible bad experiences, and being alone, hungry, scared. She was fighting to survive, to live each day, and none of them knew that. They only thought how beautiful, sexy, and sweet she was. This was why she declined offers of dates. She was surviving. Maybe she was still in bad financial state, and she was possibly running from someone trying to hurt her.

  He pulled her into his arms as the rain covered them, but she was kissing him back. He lifted her up onto the seat and ran his palms along her toned, thin legs. She was so light and feminine. A protective, possessive sensation filled his heart. When he slowly released her lips, her blouse was slightly open, and he eased his palm up her ribs and stroked her nipple. She gasped and pulled back. He pulled her forward by her jeans.

  “Don’t be skittish, you feel it, too. I don’t know where you came from, darling, but my little brother was right. You’re special.”

  Jade didn’t know what happened, but holy God, that was one hell of a kiss. Colby was a big man. Kind of had a look like a lumberjack or something with that beard, firm expression, big muscles, dark jeans, and plain shirt rolled up to his forearms. He lifted her up like she was light as a feather, and his one hand could cover most of her ass. He was sexy, dangerous looking, and older, by a lot of years. If she had to guess she would think ten or more. She couldn’t believe that he kissed her. She felt the same attraction
to him as she had for Seren, and even Shane and Quincy, who were pretty damn hard and untrusting looking, as well. Didn’t she just say something about not making things complicated? As they drove back to Cherry Hill, she couldn’t stop thinking about him and what they shared. This wasn’t a good idea at all.

  “You’re being so quiet. Talk to me, sweetie. Tell me what’s going on in your head,” he said to her.

  She turned slightly. “Why did you kiss me? You know we shouldn’t have. Nothing can come of this.”

  He glanced at her, all serious, yet also sort of cocky. “Now darling, something is coming from this whether we’re all ready for it to happen or not.”

  “We?” she asked.

  “Damn straight we. My brothers all like you, a lot, and want to get to know you. I think you feel it, too, and want to get to know all of us.”

  “No,” she said and crossed her arms in front of her chest, leaning back.

  She gasped when she felt his large, warm palm on her upper thigh. He gave it a squeeze as he chuckled. “No?”

  She shook her head. He stroked her thigh, and damn it, her pussy ached, and that was a first for her. “I’m not going to be another notch in your belts. I have plans, things that need accomplishing, and I have to do them alone.”

  “Why do you need to do them alone?” he pushed.

  “Don’t, Colby. Please, just forget about tonight, about what happened.”

  He shook his head and moved his hand back to the steering wheel as he exhaled. She felt the loss of his touch immediately.

  “I’ve tasted your lips, held you in my arms, and I liked it way too much to just forget about it. You’re scared, but you’ll learn not to be around me, around my brothers and the family. It will be just fine, Jade.”

  “No, no, it won’t be just fine. I need to be alone. If you push me, then I’ll have to leave. I’ll quit the job and head someplace else.” She couldn’t trust anyone enough to divulge what happened to her. To share what her family was like, or how she was forced to run away and even live on the streets. To starve more often than not. No, it was easier to just hide and not befriend anyone. Surely she couldn’t start a relationship. She loved it here. What had she done? How did she let this happen? Would she have to leave? Her heart ached just thinking that. Knowing she didn’t want to leave Cherry Hill. It felt incredible being in Colby’s arms, and she loved how he kissed her, how he was older, sexy, and masculine. That both frightened her and aroused her.

  She was going to screw this all up. How could she think she could have a life when her family was still out there looking for her to force her to marry a man like Coleman Mathews in a business deal? What parents did things like that?

  She turned away from him and looked out the window. They would be in Cherry Hill soon enough, and this whole screwed up night would be behind her.

  Seren was worried. Jade hadn’t shown up at home yet, and his mom said she left the shop early today. Shawna didn’t know where she was, and Harper said she wasn’t working tonight. He stopped into Finnerty’s, and they hadn’t seen her come back to the apartment. It was late now, close to eight in the evening, and the rain was coming down heavily. Thunder rumbled, lightning erupted around him as he sat in his truck by the entrance to her apartment and Finnerty’s.

  When he saw the black pick-up truck pull up, he knew it was Colby. What he hadn’t expected was Jade to step out and head to the stairs.

  He turned off the truck and ran out. “Hey, are you okay? I was looking for you and no one knew where you were,” he said to her.

  Colby got out, too, and she was trying to cover her head with one bag and climb up the stairs. “I’m fine. I went to Coldsberry for something.”

  “I saw her and gave her a ride when she missed the bus.”

  “Hey, everything okay?” John asked, opening the front door to the bar.

  “Yes, John, thank you. See you tomorrow,” she said and started running up the flight of stairs.

  Seren locked gazes with Colby, and he knew something went down. They followed her to the apartment, and she looked like she might not let them in, but thunder struck and lightning crashed, and she jumped. “Come in, come in, quick,” she said.

  They got into the small apartment and shook off the rain on their clothing. She was shivering and looked so petite and a little scared. “What are you doing here, Seren?” she asked.

  He placed his hands on his hips. “I was looking for you. When I didn’t find you at the shop or here at the apartment, I asked Shawna where you were and she didn’t know. Harper didn’t either,” he added.

  “You called Harper? Went to see Shawna, too?” she asked.

  “I was worried.”

  “Why? I’m fine, and I can take care of myself.”

  “Don’t know about that. What’s this about missing a bus?” he asked and looked at Colby.

  “I was in town dropping off the order to Fred when I saw Jade by a store and then running to make a bus, but she missed it. It was pouring out, so I offered her a ride.”

  “It took you that long to get back here?” Seren asked.

  “We helped some people on the side of the road,” Colby said, and he and Jade locked gazes. She shivered.

  “You’re soaked through. Should go put on something warm,” Seren said.

  “I will as soon as you leave.” She went toward the door, and Seren took her hand. She froze in place.

  He closed the space between them, sliding his arm around her waist. “I was worried about you.” He cupped her cheek and glanced at Colby, then back at her. “I’m glad my brother was looking out for you.”

  “I was fine.”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t know that. I was waiting out here for a long time, hoping that something didn’t happen to you or that you were hurt or—”

  “Seren, stop.” She went to push him away, but he pulled her back.

  “I’m not going to stop. I care about you. My brothers do, too. We want to get to know you better. I’m glad that Colby was with you, watching over you,” he said to her, and she looked up at Colby, who now stepped closer.

  He reached out and caressed her hair, held it at her shoulders. “I was glad I was there and not some other man or men.”

  “Colby, what happened before—”

  “Is going to happen again.” Colby cupped her cheek pulled her close and kissed her. Seren’s jaw dropped, but then such happiness filled his heart. Between Colby, Shane, and Quincy, Seren figured Colby would be the last one on board willing to take a chance on romance.

  As Colby released her lips, she slowly opened her eyes. “Now, darling, kiss my brother. He’s been waiting a long time,” Colby said.

  Seren pulled her close before she could change her mind, and he kissed her. When she started kissing him back, and Colby joined in, suckling against her neck, making her moan, Seren’s happiness went up another notch. Then Seren cupped one of her full breasts, and she pulled back, but Colby kept close and held her by her hips.

  “Easy, darling. Nice and easy,” Colby whispered, then kissed her neck.

  Her lips parted and were full and moist from them kissing her. Seren licked his lower lip and cupped her cheek. “Better than I dreamed it would be. A lot better,” he told her and stroked her lower lip with his thumb. What he hadn’t expected was for a tear to fall from her eye. He squinted. Colby slid forward to look at her, and she swallowed softly.

  Colby slid his hand under her hair and head and tilted her face up toward him. “Who is he? What did he do to you? And is he still trying to find you?”