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Dante added.
“You’ll always be provided for and never left to feel uncared for or unappreciated,” Charlie said as he held her gaze. When she chuckled and shook her head, he felt insulted. Did she not think them capable of such devotion?
“I hate to tell you guys this, but even if the three of you tried your hardest, we’re all human. We’re all individuals. One of you is liable to upset me or insult me. Perhaps one more than the others.” She looked straight at Charlie. Dante and Trevor chuckled. Charlie didn’t find her comment amusing at all.
“Charlie, we butt heads because we’re a lot alike. I care for each of you individually right now, but yet, together as a unit. It’s weird, but I think I understand what you mean about providing where one might be lacking. But no one is perfect, as I said. You don’t need to be. Hell knows, I’m not. I have so much going on in my life right now and it would be a relief to know I have the three of you to lean on if I need you. So if that’s what makes this relationship begin to work and head in the right direction, then I’m in. I can use all the support I can get.”
Trevor reached over and took Lori’s hand and squeezed it.
“You’ve got all three of us.”
“Which leads me to my other question. Will I be enough woman for the three of you?” She swallowed hard. They stared at her.
“You are perfect in every way,” Dante told her.
“You’ve already proven that you can love three men and give them all your heart,” Charlie stated.
“Sweetheart, with tits and ass like yours, we’ll be happy men for the rest of our lives.”
“Trevor!” Lori, Charlie, and Dante yelled, and Dante threw his napkin at Trevor’s head.
Trevor smiled then winked at Lori.
They all laughed, but Charlie stared at her in appreciation for the woman she was. He knew she was the one and it made him happy and scared the hell out of him.
She smiled as Charlie watched her and was amazed at her maturity. They sure were lucky, so why was he feeling on edge still and why was that instinctual little tug in his gut holding his undivided attention?
Chapter 16
The stranger watched her as she worked the bar. No one really flirted with her anymore. They knew she was taken. Not by one man, but surprisingly three. It disgusted the stranger and he thought about changing his plans. But as he spoke to the man that hired him to harass the Cantrells, Lori’s role seemed to become more important. Plus, he told the stranger that her life really didn’t matter, just as long as the Henleys pulled from the deal.
“I think if you start sending the Henleys some threats then hint toward hurting Lori, we might get what we’re after. In fact, maybe giving the woman a bit of a fright, might be a smart move,” Jerry Connor had proposed. But the stranger didn’t think that would work too well. Lori was always surrounded by friends or relatives of her three lovers. The only time she was alone was when she jogged in the early-morning hours.
She did have a big heart and offered regulars a ride home if they had too much to drink. He could try that angle. Set a trap and if she didn’t fall for it, whoever did would be his temporary prize to hold him over. That other bartender was kind of sexy. She flaunted her tits, though small, left and right to get the guys’ attention. She would do.
There was that kid of her sister’s, too. Perhaps doing something to him, or having him deliver a message after the stranger got close enough would do.
He smiled to himself and continued to watch Lori. She sure did have a great body. Why would any man want to share her? If she were his woman, he’d kill anyone who even came sniffing around her. He chuckled. When she’s my woman, she’ll be too busy pleasing me. No one else will ever matter and they’ll never lay a hand on her again.
* * * *
Lori had been working her third double this week. The guys weren’t too happy about it, but Sunday was only forty-eight hours away. She wiped down the bar and noticed the one guy in the corner who watched her like a hawk all night. He was seated under one of the fake palms so she couldn’t quite see his face fully, but she knew he was there. He kind of gave her the creeps, but she never walked out to her car alone at night, so she wasn’t worried.
The bar was hopping and didn’t look like it would clear out any time soon.
She looked toward Sylvia, her fellow barmaid.
“Is it me or does this bar get busier every Friday?”
“It’s not you, it’s the season. Plus there’s a big rodeo show going on at Brukner’s. They’ll be more and more cowboys next weekend here,” Sylvia informed her.
“Well, I hope they tip well. I have to save every penny I make for college. I register tomorrow morning.”
“That’s great. I’ve been taking a few courses here and there. I need to split what I save for rent. So does Jenny. She’s been looking for a new apartment, too.”
“Well I’ll keep my ears open.” Lori went back to focusing on the new group of guys who just arrived. She was getting used to seeing men in Stetsons with Wrangler jeans and large belt buckles that showed off their bull-riding abilities.
“Hey, darlin’, you have got to be the sexiest little bartender I ever laid eyes on. What’s your name, girl?” one cowboy asked, and she was taken aback by his forwardness as much as his good looks. She swallowed hard.
