Quadruplets Make Six

“You…you mean he could come after me?” Her eyes searched wildly between us, and she looked so scared I just wanted to wrap her up in my arms and keep her safe. Fuck, what was that?

“We can keep you safe, Rose. We can just take turns watching you. It’s our job.” Nate touched her shoulder gently, and added the last bit so he wouldn’t come off so creepy.

“I…okay then.” I watched her throat bob with her nervous swallow.

Alex led the way. “Come on, well get you home safe, Rose.”

Chapter Eight: Rose

I left one bubble of sweltering heat and entered another. A double one. See, it wasn’t fair for people—men, specifically, to just walk around looking like…like them.

I thought Alex was enough, with his dapper aura and fucking perfect jawline. Then came Max and Nate. Like…I didn’t have any more comparisons left for that night. I was exhausted.

Max had muscles worthy of any magazine, and the face to match. A soft face with a heart shaped jaw and full pink, kissable lips. His hair was deliciously dark and wavy, and his eyes a bright blue I could just fly away in. And then Nate was just a teddy bear. But with muscles and bright gray eyes, different from Alex in their own way. He was bigger and a few inches shorter than them both; I mean I was a little afraid of being crushed.

Well, I was getting ahead of myself. They were just taking me home, right? I just kept thinking that they didn’t all have to take me home, yet they all volunteered so quickly. We were walking out to the parking lot and I had my own little entourage. I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t bring myself to. If I thought I was nervous around Alex, I hadn’t seen anything yet.

“You look like fucking Sherlock Holmes, man.” Nate teased Alex. I couldn’t help but giggle. The way they interacted, it was obvious they were close friends.

“Up your ass, man.” Alex opened my door and laughed.

Just before I got in the back, Nate leaned over the top of the car on the opposite side. “No thanks, I only do that to my women.” He looked right at me and winked, and I swear I had to stop my jaw from dropping.

I just got in the car and tried to contain myself when Nate climbed in to the small space next to me. I felt the heat radiate off him, and then he reached over me, and I stifled a gasp.

“Buckle up, doll.” He handed me my seatbelt and I did so.

His voice had this permanent tone to it, like he was never completely serious. It was kind of nice, and in complete contrast to Alex.

“Where do you live?” Alex glanced in the rearview mirror at me.

“Just go to that old building two blocks from the crime scene.” I answered.

I felt a shift in the mood, and Max even glanced at me.

“Are you okay going home there?” Max asked.

“Yeah. I’ll be fine. It’s just weird. I had only ever seen that ugly yellow tape in movies. I mean I see cops all the time at work, but this is a little much. This isn’t a robbery or a car accident. This is a freaking murder. Sorry, I’m rambling.” I murmured.

I felt my entire face heat at the sound of their chuckles, but it really didn’t seem like they were laughing at me. I wrung my fingers together nervously and twisted my lip.

“That’s okay. It’s a little cute.” Nate untwisted my fingers and then rested his hand on my knee. It was a heavy, hot, and large hand and I stared at it for a good while before I could manage to glance at him. His gaze was hot and his smirk permanent.

I looked away and realized what was really going on. But still, I kept thinking there was no way.

“That’s what Alex said,” I said mostly to myself, but they all heard. Great.

“So, are the scrubs part of some role play or are you a nurse or something?” Nate asked me, with his hand still on my leg. He didn’t plan on moving it any time soon.

“I’m an ER nurse.”

“Sounds intense.” Alex made a sharp turn and I wondered where the hell he got his license. It shifted me farther in the seat, closer to Nate. I guess I didn’t mind. He smelled like fresh laundry and a shower.

“Sometimes. Only when we get a bunch of cops in there. Or firefighters. Any of those types really.” I cleared my throat.

“That’s understandable. Do you like it though?” Max asked. It sounded like they actually wanted to get to know me.

“I do. I love my job. Most people don’t get to say that so I’m grateful. Um, do you guys like your jobs?” I swallowed back more nerves. Sure, it was intimidating but I was comfortable around them, in this odd and interesting way.