Healing Hearts 6: To Love Again Read online

  “You are stunning. When they screw things up, you come see me.”

  Miller cleared his throat. “Never happen.” He then looked at her and eyed her over as if he were truly upset at her outfit. She shyly looked down, and Rocky talked to Houston about the evening so far and how the day shift had gone. He was like the manager. She got that uneasy feeling in her gut again as she thought about their fears and how Houston lied to her. She thought about Miller’s control issues and how quiet Eagan was, but he was still holding her hand. They passed her a drink from the bar, but not before Houston made sure that her head was okay and that a mixed drink wouldn’t bother her.

  She thought that was sweet for him to remember what she’d said a week ago at Corporal’s. Thinking about that as they stood by the bar and waited for the table to be ready, she thought about how much more comfortable she would be if one of her friends were around, but then some other guys came over to talk to the men and say hello, their eyes landing on her, their curiosity about her obvious. Eagan wrapped his arm around her waist and squeezed her to him.

  He kissed her neck and whispered into her ear, “These guys are walking up to us, just so they can talk to you and get a closer look.” He squeezed her tighter.

  She turned in his arms and placed her palm against his cheek. “No they aren’t. I’m here with you anyway.”

  He squinted and then lowered his mouth to hers. When he released her lips, he loosened his hold.

  “It’s so crowded.” She took a sip of her rum and cranberry drink.

  “It usually is, even on a Sunday night in season,” Houston said to her.

  Miller stared at her. “Corporal’s gets crowded right?”

  “Yes, it is all the time, but I guess I’m used to the crowd and the same people for the most part.”

  “Well, no more of that. You aren’t going there alone or without one of us,” Miller said and then looked away. He was suddenly in a pissed-off mood.

  Before she could react to him, Rocky told Houston that the table was ready, and Houston took her hand and led her through the crowd along with his brothers. When they got to the more private table in the back corner, which still had a good view of the tiki bar and other people, Miller placed his hand on her waist. She turned to look up at him, his eyes going to her breasts, and he pulled her against him. She was shocked by his move. He was breathing hard through his nostrils.

  “I hate crowds. Hate other men looking at you.”

  “Miller.” She reached up, and he shook his head. He stared at her eyes and then her lips before kissing her breathless, right there by the table. She could hear the hoots and hollers, and when he released her lips, he looked content, like he’d gotten the reaction he wanted, but she felt insulted. Like she was on display, and that wasn’t the kind of woman she was. Emma was quiet. She minded her own business, and she wasn’t a toy to show off

  “Let’s sit.”

  Houston held out a seat for her to take, and she was trying to simmer down her annoyance with him. Miller was so difficult to figure out. When they did sit, she stared at him and exhaled. She watched as he stared at her, and Houston put his arm over her chair.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, and she looked away from Houston and back at Miller.

  “Are you okay now? Got that out of your system?” she asked him.

  He narrowed his eyes at her. “What do you mean?” Miller asked.

  “The whole put me on display and then make sure everyone knows we’re here together routine you just did? Do you feel better doing that?”

  Eagan cleared his throat. Miller just stared at her, and he went to speak, but Eagan sat forward and cleared his throat, locked gazes with his brother, and something was exchanged. Miller looked away. Houston stroked her shoulder.

  “Today was a lot of fun. Any chance we can see you this week? Maybe after work, have dinner together?” Houston asked her.

  She smiled at him. “I think we can work it out.”

  “Great. I can have Bailey set things up. Look over your schedule at the Royal Sunset and see what works.” Miller texted something into his cell phone.

  “Wait, you’ll what? Have Baily make arrangements?” She exhaled and then looked away and tried to rationalize this. He seriously hadn’t just said that to her.

  “No need for Bailey when we’re all right here and can confirm. What works best for you this week?” Houston asked.

  She gave Miller a look and then smiled at Houston. “I’m pretty flexible, but Mondays and Wednesdays I take a cardio kick-boxing class at the Y.”

  “What time do you get out?” Miller asked.

  “Nine.”

  “In the evening? Since when?” he asked.

  “Since before the abduction. I wanted to get back into it, and this upcoming week is perfect. As I mentioned I’ve been having a hard time gaining an appetite and working out always helps with that, but also helps me stay fit.”

  “Nonsense. You aren’t coming out to a dark parking lot all alone.”

  “Who said I would be alone?”

  “Who would you be with?”

  “The instructor, Jimmy, walks me and two other women out.”

  “Oh really?” he asked, and he was getting angry.

  “That’s nice of him. He should make sure you ladies are okay coming out alone at night,” Houston said, and now he gave Miller a dirty look.

  Again, she was thinking that Miller was overly protective. She wasn’t sure about this, but then they were telling her about the food and what was really good, and before long they were eating, drinking, and making plans. Then she stood up to use the lady’s room.

  * * * *

  Miller stared through the crowd, and his brothers wouldn’t let him follow to make sure she was okay.

  “What the hell is wrong with you? I’ve never seen you like this, Miller,” Houston said.

  Miller glanced at him. “Like what?” He kept looking, but he could no longer see which way she’d gone.

  “You’re acting like an asshole. She’ll think you’re some stalker or something,” Houston said to him.

  He narrowed his eyes at Houston.

  “He’s right. You’re scaring her. Showing her off like a trophy and possession. This was the first date, and it’s been perfect. She trusted us with a lot today,” Eagan added and then took a slug of beer and looked through the crowd.

  “You’re looking for her, too. You feel what I’m feeling. She’s gorgeous, sweet as could be, and timid. Anyone could prey on that,” Miller stated.

  “Well, you should think about that and how you’re acting. She is beautiful and sexy, and men single her out, but it doesn’t mean she is going to cheat on us or play games. She hasn’t been with a man in four years. No sex, no kissing, nothing. She took a chance on us tonight, so cut it the fuck out and get a grip,” Houston warned him.

  * * * *

  Emma was walking back to the table when one of the women who had been trying to grab Miller’s attention stopped her. “Who are you?” she asked with an attitude.

  “Excuse me?”

  The three other women looked her over, too, and she wished her friends were there as backup. These women were trouble. She shook her head and went to walk by when the woman grabbed her arm. Emma yanked it free, feeling the woman’s nails scratch her skin.

  “You aren’t Miller’s type or Houston’s. They like real women, not little girls, virgins who lay there and just moan.”

  Emma’s mouth gaped open, and the other women chuckled.

  “Head on out, little girl. Those men will eat you alive and spit you out when they’re done.”

  “Why don’t you mind your business,” Emma replied, but she felt sick to her stomach, worried that they could be using her or not really see her as a commitment but rather a good time and their feelings were based on lust. After all Miller was treating her like a possession, and Eagan kept looking at his cell phone now that they were back on land, and Houston was just content, more than likely bec
ause of the oral sex they had on the boat. She wasn’t used to this. She didn’t do confrontations. She hated conflict and danger and anything negative, and now she was feeling negative.

  “Mind your own business and don’t talk to me again,” Emma said and went to walk by when the woman gave her a shove.

  Emma bumped into two guys, friends of Eagan’s from earlier, and her hip hit the table hard. She gasped, felt the tears in her eyes, and the two men yelled at the women. The one guy pressed up against her in a protective shield as he told off the women. They carried on, and Emma wanted the floor to eat her up.

  “I’m okay.”

  “You’re not. You’re hurt. Those fucking sluts were bothering you. They’re jealous, that’s all.”

  She gave a small nod. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Hank, grab Eagan and the others. They should know better than to let you walk around here by yourself. These women hound those guys to pick them for the night.”

  Her eyes widened, and tears filled them. She shoved away from them and hurried out through the crowd. She caught the women watching and smirking. They’d won, and she was a fool. She pushed her way through and pulled out her cell phone, but she didn’t want to call one of her friends. How embarrassing would that be? She stood by the side of the building, a small crowd of people not far, when she got angry. She should have told those women off, maybe decked that tall blonde or something. How dare they say those things to her?

  What type of women had Miller, Eagan, and Houston hooked up with? She thought Houston said he hadn’t dated since Maggie. Was that a lie? What about Miller? She knew nothing about his track record with women, just what she was assuming, and none of it was good. Eagan? What about him? There she was letting them have their wicked way on the boat, on their first date. They would think she was easy. Hell, like these other women they obviously passed around. Holy hell. She was getting fired up when she felt the hand on her shoulder, screamed, and then decked Miller in the chin.

  “What the hell?” he exclaimed, and Houston and Eagan were there looking angry.

  “What are you doing out here and all alone?” Eagan asked.

  Now he was being controlling. As he stepped closer, she pointed at him and Houston and Miller to stay where they were.

  “Stay back, you…you…male whores,” she said, not really knowing what to say. They just stared at her.

  “I had to come out here because I was verbally and then physically attacked by the sluts you guys engaged in last week, so don’t talk to me about anything and don’t bother me. I’m calling an Uber for a ride home.” She turned around and pulled out her cell phone, but Houston took it from her hands and wrapped his arms around her body.

  “What the hell are you talking about? What sluts did we engage in?”

  “Who verbally assaulted you?” Eagan asked.

  “I get it, Houston, okay? I get why you brought me here. Why Miller is acting so possessive and crazy and Eagan is looking at his cell phone and no longer paying attention to me. I get it all.” She shoved out of his arms and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  “I’m not ignoring you. I got a work text that came in,” Eagan said.

  “I don’t know what crazy ideas are going through your head about why we brought you here—“

  “To show me off as this night’s special. As the woman you three plan on screwing to piss off that line of whores at the bar that verbally attacked me and shoved me into a table. I’m not that kind of woman. I took a chance on you three tonight, and this is what I—”

  “They said something to you and shoved you?” Miller yelled.

  “You two take care of this, right fucking now,” Eagan said and took her hand and started walking.

  She tried pulling it free, but he was strong and determined. She glanced back over her shoulder, and Houston and Miller were gone.

  Eagan brought her to his truck and unlocked the door. “Get in, I’ll help you.”

  “No. I’m getting a ride from someone else.”

  He was clenching his teeth. She could see his cheeks cave in. “Can you please let me explain what is obviously a misunderstanding? I’ll drive you home.”

  She stared up at him, and he opened the door, and when she turned, he lifted her up and placed her onto the seat. She fixed her dress. He closed the door and came around to the driver’s side. She stared straight ahead then realized that Houston had her cell phone.

  “Houston took my phone.”

  He started the engine and then took off out of the parking lot. “He’ll give it to you when he gets to your place.”

  “To my place? Oh no you don’t. You three are not going to pull those seasoned playboy ways on me. You can fool me once, but that’s it.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  “Seasoned playboy ways? Is that a dig about our ages and how young you are compared to us?” he asked calmly.

  She looked at him, taking in that handsome face, all those muscles, and how quiet and sexy he was. He didn’t have to do much to make a woman spread her legs.

  “Why are you looking at me like I’ve done something terrible?” he asked. She exhaled and didn’t say a word.

  “I was getting text messages from my commander. I wasn’t ignoring you.”

  She thought about that a moment. It could be true. “Fine.” Now he exhaled.

  “Now, in regards to my brothers, there are two things you need to know. One, Miller is a control freak. He always has to be in charge. However, I have never seen him so instantly infatuated with any woman in my life. He likes you, and his own insecurities are obviously getting in the way of him acting normal around you. Don’t hold it against him. He would never hurt you.”

  “Those women in there—”

  “Are jealous sluts my brothers and I would never give the time of day to. They hang around there and they wish one of us would entertain them even for a blow job, but it never happened. They lie.”

  “They were very convincing and aggressive.” She wondered if what he was saying was true. She rubbed her hip that had hit the table. He looked down and then back to the road. He pulled into the parking lot at her condominium complex. He turned off the engine and started to get out.

  “I’ll walk myself up.”

  “No you won’t. This isn’t over. They deserve to give their side of the situation. It’s all just a misunderstanding. Plus, I want to take a look at that hip. You got hurt.”

  “No, I didn’t. I’m fine.”

  “Don’t lie to me. I don’t like liars.”

  “Neither do I.” She opened the door, not waiting for him, and nearly slipped from the high truck. He got there and cursed under his breath.

  “Are you always so stubborn and have such a temper on you?”

  “Apparently your brothers and you bring it out in me.” She stepped away from him. He stayed close, placing his palm at her back as they got into the building, and then she saw the lights on another vehicle and knew it was Miller’s BMW.

  “Wait for them,” he said firmly, and she waited, but she kept her back toward the door.

  When they entered, she slid the security card and the elevator opened. They all got in. They were silent until they got to her condo door and she unlocked it.

  “Well, goodnight.”

  “Not so fast.” Eagan gave her a firm expression. They all walked into her condo. She turned on some lights and then pulled the necklaces off from around her neck, tossed them onto the coffee table in the middle of the living room, and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  “Okay, so what is your side here? I’m tired, and Monday’s come quickly,” she snapped.

  Houston looked at Miller and motioned with his hand to go first, but then Houston crossed his arms in front of his chest and gave her the stare-down. How had this situation turned into them being angry with her?

  “For starters, I apologize for acting so bossy and possessive. I will try my hardest to work on that when it comes to you.”

&n
bsp; She nodded.

  “However, you owe my brothers and me an apology, too.”

  She uncrossed her arms and stared at him. “Are you out of your mind? Why would I owe you an apology?”

  “For making an assumption,” Houston stated.

  She stared at him then at Miller, and Eagan sat on the arm of her sofa right next to her.

  “You assumed the worse about us, just because some jealous women made comments and told you lies that you believed instead of asking us straight out. That is unacceptable, Emma,” Miller told her in such a commanding, bossy way she actually felt guilty.

  “I…they told me that you have women all the time and that I was tonight’s special, and then you would toss me to the side like all the others.”

  “And you believed them?” Houston asked.

  “I tried walking away and ignoring them. You can ask your two buddies, Eagan. They were there. They protected me after the woman shoved me into the table.”

  “You let them put their hands on you?” Eagan asked.

  “Oh brother, please stop twisting this around. This is why I have avoided dating.”

  “Your own insecurities obviously, and we will be dealing with those momentarily. Tell me, Emma, did our time on the boat today mean nothing to you but a means to ease some aches?” Miller asked.

  Her mouth gaped open. “What? Oh my God, no. How could you ask that or think the worse of—“

  She stopped short. Hadn’t she jumped to conclusions about them? Hadn’t she taken the words of some jealous women who had been giving her daggers since she showed up at Gordon’s?

  She covered her face with her hands and growled.

  “I can’t handle this. I don’t do well with confrontations. I’m a quiet, laidback person. I like peace and tranquility, candles, and soft music in the background, not loud crazy music and women throwing themselves at men and vice versa. I never liked that, and I’m sorry. I—”

  Eagan pulled her into his arms and gave a soft smile.

  “We were at fault, as well. We shouldn’t have left you unattended. We should give you the space you need to process things.” He caressed her hair and then twirled a strand around his finger.