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She jerked out of her upsetting thoughts to feel Coast’s fingers brush her arm. She locked gazes with his green eyes.
“You okay?”
She forced her “life is good” smile.
“Sure thing, Coast. Are you going to make a sandwich or just watch Red and I eat lunch?”
He held her gaze and eased back. She didn’t care for the intense stare he held her with. It was as if he could read minds. But, worst of all, was the attraction she felt to the man, or should she say men? Memphis, despite the big, bulging muscles, the cowboy hat, and attitude, did something to her deep inside. Orlando? Hell, he was a complete flirt with a very upbeat, energetic attitude. She couldn’t fault that. She could use some of his extra energy to continue painting three more ceilings in the house. Her shoulders and arms were already sore.
He didn’t respond. He just reached for a roll and began to make his sandwich. Coast did the same, and then they took seats across from her and Red. Orlando sat on the other side of Red in silence.
Cass couldn’t help but feel the uneasiness. She didn’t want to get involved with anyone. She was better off alone, just trying to survive in this life. A life that changed so much and left her wondering where she belonged and who she really was. All because of men like these guys. Retired American soldiers. Warriors, survivors, and men who had the capabilities to break down the defenses of all women, including her.
She ate in silence as the men spoke about the changes they were making to the house and what else might be needed while she forced up her defenses. A wall of steel needed to remain in place. When she let her defenses down, that was when the unexpected happened.
* * * *
“What are you thinking?” Orlando asked Memphis as they finished cleaning up the mess of wires on the floor. Cassidy was painting her bedroom.
Memphis looked toward the doorway. “What do you mean?”
“Come on, you know damn well what I mean. Something is up with Cassidy. I think Red knows and is helping her out.”
Memphis looked at him as if he were strange, yet he had been thinking the same thing. He wondered if she’d gotten into some trouble or even lost what she had. She was in the Corps. She did have a job at the VA hospital in Houston. Maybe she’d gotten laid off.
He replied to Orlando, saying what he was thinking. Memphis placed his hands on his hips.
“She got on the defensive when Coast asked her about not having furniture or items from her old place. She said she didn’t have time to take much. Sounds like she left in a hurry, don’t you think?”
“I thought the same thing, but she isn’t budging with any information.”
Memphis wiped his brow. “It sure is hot in here.”
“We need to check on the order for the AC unit for the window. She’ll suffocate in this place,” Orlando said.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry,” Cassidy stated, walking from her bedroom with a paintbrush in hand. She had a smudge of paint on her cheek and one on her chest.
Memphis stopped her as Orlando stepped closer.
“You got a little messy this time, Cass,” Memphis whispered.
He reached up and pressed his thumb gently against the paint on her cheek. Cassidy stood there in silence. She stared up into his eyes, and her hazel ones sparkled.
“And one here,” Orlando added, coming up next to her and stroking a finger along her upper chest by the collarbone, which held a drip of paint. She didn’t move. Only her eyes went from Memphis’s to Orlando’s.
Memphis licked his lip. Cassidy cupped the paintbrush before more paint dripped on the floor.
“Oh God, I need to wash this off.”
She hurried out of there, and Memphis absorbed the feelings he felt. He glanced at Orlando.
“Was it me, or did you get completely turned on by touching her like that, together?” Orlando asked.
Memphis didn’t respond. He was too busy analyzing the intensity of the attraction he felt, the way it doubled with Orlando there and how hard his dick was right now.
He glanced toward Cassidy who washed the paintbrush in the kitchen sink then dabbed a paper towel with water and rubbed it against her cheek. Orlando walked closer.
“Here, you’re missing it,” he said.
