Constructing Love Read online

  “Jesus mom, why don’t you harass my brothers about this? They’re the ones who are in their thirties.”

  Her mom laughed. “I’m no trying to rush you. I’m encouraging you to take this chance. You like them that much and that instantly, and they sound like they like you a lot, too.”

  “The attraction isn’t the problem. It’s the worry about how long it might last. If I do this, take a chance, there is no turning back.”

  “Of course not, but didn’t Maximus, I believe you said, tell you they were too old for games, that they know what they want and that’s you? Which, by the way, sounds incredible.”

  “Oh, it was pretty incredible. Him and Tatum, the sheriff, are the oldest, and I don’t even know how old they are.”

  “Are they your brothers age or closer to your father’s age?”

  “Mom! Seriously Dad’s age?”

  “Hey, older men can be quite appealing to young women, and especially military types. There’s just something so commanding and in charge about them.”

  “Yikes. No, not Dad’s age, but probably like the boys or a little older.”

  “Hmm, your brothers are going to be interesting to handle during this. When should you tell them?”

  “Not now when I’m not sure if I’m going to pursue this.”

  Her mom chuckled. “You’ll pursue this, and the five of them. I’ve never heard you sound so confused, so happy, and so indecisive ever,” her mom teased.

  Madeline was quiet as she nibbled her bottom lip.

  “Your dad kind of had that effect on me. I didn’t know if I wanted to jump him and kiss him, or smack him and give him a hard time just because I didn’t want him to know how much he affected me and turned me on.”

  Now Madeline laughed. She then growled. “God, I don’t know what to do.”

  “Think about it like his. If Bentley never happened, would you give the men a chance?”

  “Mom, if Bentley didn’t happen, I wouldn’t be on the phone with you right now and I would probably be in bed with them.”

  “Well, there ya go. Bentley isn’t involved. Bentley doesn’t matter or exist anymore. He was a life lesson to learn from. You handled it and he no longer matters. Your happiness does. The last year in a half has been about reinventing you. About getting past the weakness and the feelings of frustration and vulnerability, and discovering that strong, independent, well trained woman that was submerged for a while. You are a Marine’s daughter. No man, or men, can change that, or can change who you are ever again. Been there, done that, got the scars to show, but you learned from it. That’s what’s so important. Give them a chance, Madeline. Maybe they might surprise you and be exactly the men to appreciate who you are, and to stand by you no mater what.”

  “We’ll see. I still have a lot to think about. Tell Dad I love him, and I’m glad he’s back safe and sound, but don’t tell him about the guys, okay.”

  “You know it’s impossible to keep any secrets from your dad. He even knew that Cortland called you the other night, and that you talked a bit and things were doing well.”

  “Yeah, he was pushy and wanted to meet me here for dinner, and oh, check out my place.”

  Mary Ann chuckled. “Well, he’s had it bad for you for years.”

  “I think he’s more in love with Dad and the brothers and obsessed with being part of the family.”

  “That’s true, and your brother Kurt can’t really stand Cortland.”

  “Gordon and Milano are okay with him, too, so really only Vincenzo, Kurt, and Luciano are on my side when it comes to Cortland. Doesn’t matter anyway. Cortland had no influence on changing my mind.”

  “About dinner with him?”

  “Nope, and right after I got off the phone with him is when I had that wild make out session with the Lantern brothers.”

  Mary Ann laughed. “Well, there ya go, another indicator.”

  “We’ll see. Talk to you soon, Mom.”

  “Okay, baby, love you, Maddy and stay strong and remember you get what you want and stay in control of your heart.”

  “Kind of hard to do when they affect me so deeply.”

  “You’ll be fine.”

  Madeline ended the call and felt a lot better after talking to her mom. She really didn’t have anyone to discuss these things with. She did get a call from Carissa this morning asking if she was okay and telling her how shocked she was that the Lantern men were hitting on her. At first she felt a little insulted, like she suddenly fell into the slut category or just another woman they hit on, but then Carissa went on to say none of them ever go out like that together, and none of them have ever shown such possessiveness and possession of a woman. She told her that she knew it would take someone special to snag the sheriff’s attention and heart, never mind his brothers. That got her asking a few questions that Carissa was more than willing to share.

  Madeline found out that the place she was going to today to check out their training programs and gym was a huge place that also housed a military gun range, obstacle course, and training center. Half of it was dedicated to the public, and certain days anyone could use the military part of the facility. Madeline was signed up for a kickboxing and Jujitsu class, and then would go for a run around the indoor or outdoor track, depending on the temperature. Carissa then went on to say that Maximus was a lead instructor at the military part of the facility. She wasn’t surprised. The man was lethal, and definitely capable of a lot.

  She couldn’t help but wonder if she would see him there. The more she thought about each of the men, the more she realized how attracted she was to them. But five? She exhaled and took another sip of her bottle of water then glanced at her cell phone to see the time. She had thirty-five minutes. It was time to get ready. As she did, she thought about them and their similarities as well as the differences she picked up on. Maximus, Tatum, and Hagan were definitely the more serious of the brothers. They were all assertive, but those three were fierce, commanding, and expected an instant response. They were bulky in sizes, had lots of muscles and even tattoos, plus dark hair and beards, and deep green eyes.

  Hunter and Jedda were a bit more approachable, flirty and all personality to go with those muscles and good looks. They didn’t come across as rugged, but definitely were capable. There was no doubt in her mind that they were demanding and expected a response when they gave an order. They had lighter brown hair, and light scruff along their cheeks. All those muscles on the five of them, their six feet five plus frames, the attitudes, and the way they gave her their full attention at Mulligan’s was enough to make her feel like passing out. How the hell could she handle men like that? Again came the memories of Bentley’s strike, and how badly he hurt her and broke her heart when he cheated on her.

  She had to take her time. She just had to.

  Hagan spotted the midnight blue BMW on his way out of the training facility after his workout and the shower he took. He turned around looking for Madeline, and when he didn’t see her, he headed into the section of the building for the general public. He hadn’t stopped thinking about her, that kiss, and the feel of her in his arms. Or the fact that she affected all of them in the same way and they discussed that they definitely wanted her as their woman, but that she was scared and maybe hurt by a man before. He could understand a broken heart and taking that risk. She had a right to be concerned, and especially that she’d never considered a ménage like they had all considered. Just no woman came along that interested all of them, and at the same time. She was perfect in every way. Including her beauty, her brains, and definitely her body.

  He saw the crowd of men and a couple of women by the windows to the jujitsu room. “Oh shit, that was sweet,” one of the guys said. He was a retired Green Beret and now worked as a state trooper.

  “What’s going on?” Hagan asked.

  “Oh, hey, Hagan, how’s it going?” They shook hands and he looked into the room. He had to do a doubletake.

  “This woman, the brunette i
s whipping Keego’s ass. It’s crazy. The guys say she’s new in town.”

  He watched and sure enough that was Madeline in there. Hagan took out his cell phone and recorded her. He had to show his brothers her moves. Just as Keego swept her feet out from underneath her, she fell back into a roll, hopped up with no hands, and then squatted down and swung her leg, taking his feet out from underneath him. She then came up over him and went to do a throat punch, but hit the mat by his neck. Everyone cheered and Keego raised his palms up in defeat. Madeline popped up, then reached down to help Keego up and he shook his head and placed his arm around her waist and said something to the onlookers. They all smiled and cheered.

  Hagan made his way to the entrance to the room as a few men and Keego spoke with Madeline as she drank down a bottle of water. They were completely impressed with her performance and were also flirting with her. That pissed him off.

  “Hey, show off,” Hagan said through the doorway. The guys all looked, two of them gave him a nod, but Madeline smiled wide.

  “Hagan, What’s up?” she asked.

  He walked into the room and Keego shook his hand. “Well I was heading out and saw this crowd forming and caught sight of you and Keego. You looked great.”

  “Great? She gave me a run for my money,” Keego said and gave her a little tap. “I want to see you back here Wednesday evening for the 7:00 p.m. class, got it?” Keego said.

  “We’ll see. I still have that other guy’s class to try. Charlie,” she added and grabbed her bag.

  “Not going to happen. First of all, his class isn’t hard enough for you, and secondly, he just wants to ask you out.”

  “So do we,” one of the other guys in the room who had been working out there said, and his two buddies nodded and smiled.

  Hagan walked closer and took her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss. “Not going to happen.”

  “Well there ya go. Let’s go grab the schedule so you can figure out what will work. Come on,” Keego said.

  As they walked, Hagan kept his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him. He was relieved. The last thing he wanted was for her to push him away or act like there was nothing between them. They talked some more and then Keego shook Hagan’s hand then Madeline’s before they headed out.

  “Today your first time here?” Hagan asked.

  “Yes, and I love it. That was so awesome, and I really needed that workout. I was afraid that there wouldn’t be a good place around town, then I found out about this place. There’s even an obstacle course and some specialized training groups. Keego said you have to pre-qualify for those though.”

  “Well, baby, by the way you looked sparring with Keego, I’d say you’d be fine. Your dad and brothers teach you those moves?”

  “Some of them, but mostly the gyms I attended and dojo. Love training and it helps with stress. So, what are you doing here?”

  “I work out here too, all of us do, and Maximus works here. He runs the shooting range and training program for military, and also the hand to hand combat training sessions for military.”

  “Oh.” She wiped her brow.

  “You want to go check it out? I can get you in for a tour?”

  “Really?”

  Hagan pulled her close, and then cupped her cheek and jaw. “For you, baby, definitely.” He softly kissed her lips. She didn’t pull back, but instead kissed him right back. He ran his palm along her ass in the baggy martial arts pants and she pulled back.

  “I’m all sweaty.”

  “I don’t mind. In fact, I bet getting all sweaty with you would be fun.” He flirted and winked.

  She gave his chest a light slap. “Nice one,” she said and stepped back. “I need to go shower really quick. They have an awesome set up in there.”

  “Oh yeah and a sauna, too.”

  “Next time. I’m hot enough.”

  “Not going to argue with that.” He gazed over her body.

  “Hagan with the flirty lines today,” she teased.

  “You bring it out in me,” he told her and gave her ass a tap as she started to walk to the women’s locker room.

  “I’ll wait for you.”

  “Okay,” she said, and he watched her disappear into the locker room. He took a seat by the bench to wait and then sent the video of her sparring to his brothers and informed Maximus that they would be visiting him shortly. He loved their responses, and especially how instantly Madeline was bringing them even closer together.

  Madeline was so impressed with the facility, that when Hagan got her into the military personnel side of the center, she was in awe of it all. There were huge obstacle courses, mock warfare training with bullets, the sounds of explosions and timed shooting courses. There were various rooms with hand to hand combat training going on, military style warfare, and just so much action and chaos that she was in shock. Hagan pulled her closer to him as about a dozen guys exited the obstacle course area laughing and carrying on. They spotted her in her short shorts and tank top and eyed her over. Hagan pulled her past them with a few nods of his head hello and she heard their comments about her body and her eyes, then of course her ass. Typical soldiers. Hagan, however, made sure he placed his hand over her ass as he guided her, sending the message that she was his. What she hadn’t expected when they came around the corner was the angry expression on his face.

  “Hagan?” she questioned, then reached up and caressed his beard and jaw.

  “Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have to be exposed to dicks like that.”

  “Hagan, I’m fine. Believe me, I am used to guys saying stuff like that or acting all pompous and flirty.”

  He hugged her tighter. “Not with me around. Under normal circumstances I would have said something, but you aren’t even supposed to be in here.”

  “I saw some people around who looked like civilians.”

  “Well trained and retired, not nonmilitary.”

  He was so serious as he looked around and then back at her, and for some reason this idea of sneaking around with him, and with military people around made her feel aroused. She ran her palms up his chest. “We should hurry up and get to Maximus then before we get caught doing something really bad.”

  He squinted. “Really bad?”

  “Yes.”

  He squeezed her ass and held her gaze. “Maximus’s office is down this way. Come on.” He pulled her along with him.

  Her heart began to race with anticipation. So much for taking time. Well, at least she was with one of them and not all of the brothers, then she might feel panicked. As they got to the office, she saw a room with glass that you could look into and there was Maximus. He saw her and Hagan, squinted, and then said something to a guy next to him, but Hagan pulled her into the office. He grabbed her, lifted her up, and pressed her against the wall and began kissing her. She kissed him right back, could feel his thick hard cock against her mound as her shorts rode against her pussy. She moaned into his mouth and he slid his palm up under her tank top and pressed it to her neck. When he released her lips, he shoved her sports bra and tank top to her neck and began to suckle on her breast.

  “Hagan,” she hissed.

  He released her breast. “Shhh, baby. Fuck, you got me there,” he said and went back to suckling on her breast and nipped hard. She in return ran her hands through his hair. He released her breast. “Put your arms up behind you. Now,” he ordered, and holy shit, she gasped, widened her eyes, and felt her pussy cream.