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Exhaustion and peace overtook her as she blinked again and again, catching glimpses of Memphis’s tattoo while Coast stroked his fingers along the tattoo on her hip. She hadn’t thought they had noticed it. But apparently, Coast liked it a lot.
She lay there sedated, amazed at how she felt and how incredible making love to five men could be, until she couldn’t remain awake any longer.
* * * *
“She didn’t see me, right, Cash? She couldn’t see you helping me?” Stryker asked his brother as Cash helped him to his room.
“No, brother, she looked pretty damn exhausted.” Cash chuckled low.
Stryker just kept trying to breathe through the pain as he and Cash walked into the bedroom.
“Just let me rest for a while. I’ll be okay.”
“She packs a hell of a punch, doesn’t she, Stryker?” Cash asked as he stepped back and put his hands in his pockets.
Stryker fell to his back and exhaled. He was perspiring. He’d overdone it.
“You’re not kidding,” he said and then looked at his brother. “Take care of her, Cash. All of you.”
His brother raised his eyebrows up at him. “You’re in this with us too. She’s going to be all of ours to share and take care of.”
“I can’t do as much as you guys can. I’m not strong enough to protect her. To pick her up and cradle her in my arms, to carry her to bed and make love to her.”
“Stop it, Stryker. It worked out just fine. That’s why this kind of relationship is perfect for our team. We all have our weaknesses. But where one of us lacks, another excels. We can take care of her together. You’ll see.” Cash smiled.
“She may not stay. You know that, right? You know that whatever is going on from her life in Houston could scare her enough to leave us?”
Cash got all serious. “We all know that could be her way of thinking. It’s our job to prove to her that we can protect her and keep her safe. She can be free from whatever is in her past. We can talk to Dad too. Maybe get the lowdown and his support.”
“While you’re at it, ask him about her wounds and what went down. I want to know.”
“I think we all do. And I think we all underestimated just how strong and amazing of a woman Cassidy is. I’ll let you rest.”
“Wake me when she wakes so I can see her before she leaves.”
“Who said anything about leaving?” Cash then smiled wide. “Don’t you worry, little brother. The team and I will keep her really busy for the rest of the day.” Cash rubbed his hands together and left the room.
Stryker stared at the ceiling in his room. When he breathed in, he could smell Cassidy’s shampoo. He sniffed deeper and then pulled his forearm to his nose and inhaled. It smelled like her. He loved that smell.
He thought about today and how everything had happened so quickly. He wanted to be more. He wanted to get better, stronger, and enjoy life with Cassidy.
He would have to prove it to her. He’d have to prove it to everyone that he could walk just fine and do just about anything he had before. His muscles and bones were just weak. His brother and his team were going to prove to Cassidy that she could count on them and trust them. He needed to prove it to her too. He wouldn’t be the weakest link. He wanted to be her man. He wanted her to feel protected and cared for in his arms. He didn’t want to pass her to one of the others to make her feel that way when she was scared or wanted to feel protected. He had to fight for her, to prove to her that he was capable of being her everything.
He smiled as his mind began to plan and his heart filled with joy. Cassidy was exactly the kind of woman he needed in his life and what the others needed in their lives. She was worth the aches and pains. She was worth everything.
He took a deep breath and pushed himself up. He would take a shower then join the others. He wasn’t weak. He was determined. As Cassidy had reminded him, he was a Marine and always would be.
Chapter 9
Red was sitting at the bar in Casper’s having a beer with John Luke when Gunner arrived.
“Afternoon, gentleman,” Gunner said as he took off his Stetson and placed it on the bar seat. He was on duty, wearing his Texas Ranger badge and his gun and handcuffs as he shook their hands hello.
“You on a lunch break?” John Luke asked his son.
“I could eat,” Gunner said and winked at Garrett.
John Luke chuckled. “I’ll go ask Jasper to whip you up a burger.”
