“What?” Caroline asked and looked at Shelby.
“You and I need to get back to work. Come on,” Kenneth said to Shelby and went to take her hand but she pulled away. Kenneth guided her from the office and Hunter wondered if Shelby would let down her guard with them soon, too.
The moment they were outside and in the parking lot, Hunter pulled Caroline into an embrace. Her arms remained by her side and his brothers stepped closer.
“Wrap your arms around me, darling. Feel how safe you are with me and my brothers surrounding you,” he said to her and then he felt her arms. She was so petite and sexy. He felt such anger at the asshole who hurt her. That the guy used his size, his profession against such a petite little thing like Caroline. How could a man strike a woman? How could anyone want to hurt someone as sweet and beautiful as Caroline?
She tightened up and he knew one of his brothers must have touched her. He slowly released her and looked down into her eyes.
“Let’s grab some lunch.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You should eat, especially since you passed out earlier. We’ll grab some ice teas and sandwiches and sit in the park,” York said.
“You like it there, and it’s relaxing,” C.J. added.
They walked to Rita’s to get some food to go. Hunter hoped that Caroline let down her guard even more. He didn’t want to leave her, not for even a little while, but it would take some time for her to learn to trust them, and he was willing to go real slow because he knew Caroline would belong to him and his brothers one day real soon.
Chapter 6
Caroline was laughing at something C.J. said. He was so funny. She had to admit that in the last three weeks she had seen a side of him that she really liked. He hid it well, a caring, compassionate flirt because he was always trying to be that serious, hard deputy, especially in public. Here they all were, enjoying a night out at Spencer’s along with some of their friends. They had a nice dinner together, her, C.J., York, and Hunter. She was also getting used to them touching her, caressing her skin, and even pressing kisses to her cheek, her neck, or her hand. None of them had yet kissed her on the lips, and she realized that she wanted them to. Caroline had tried talking to Shelby about it and about her feelings growing stronger for York, C.J., and Hunter, but Shelby was in her own state of denial about the Pace men. They had yet to get Shelby to go out with them or spend alone time together. Caroline had a feeling that her sister liked the men, too, but for some reason that she didn’t share with Caroline she held back and remained frigid toward them.
When large warm hands landed on her shoulders from behind, she stiffened, but then she felt the warm breath against her ear and the large body press against her back.
“Sorry, baby, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you,” York said to her and she tilted her head up toward him. She wrapped her arms around his midsection and hugged him tight. He chuckled, and the rumbling in his chest tickled her ears. When she felt his hand glide along her back and then go a little lower, she felt aroused, needy, and she wished she could feel his hands everywhere.
“Why don’t we take a walk outside and get some fresh air. It’s loud in here,” he said to her. She nodded and he slid his hand along her hip and took her hand. She placed her other hand against his forearm as he cleared a path through the crowded bar. She looked for Hunter and C.J. and caught their eyes. Both of them winked and looked her over and she blushed and lowered her eyes then hugged York’s arm.
Once they were outside, they saw a few other groups of people and then he led her around the corner where no one stood.
He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her waist. She placed her hands on his chest and tilted her head up to look at him.
He took a deep breath and then exhaled.
“It was crowded in there.”
“It’s a fun place.”
“Are you having fun?” he asked, and she nodded her head.
He stared down into her eyes and then reached up with one hand and caressed her jaw. She tightened up but only slightly as the thought of how big and capable he was made her scared. He could hurt her. She swallowed hard.
“God, baby, please don’t look at me like that. Like I could hurt you, damage this sexy petite body, or bring you harm. Please,” he whispered. She felt badly. They were so patient with her. Each of them took their time and they didn’t t
ry to force a kiss on her or to be intimate. She was more comfortable and she did want to explore more with them.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to. It just comes naturally, the fear, the memories.”
“You feel more comfortable with us now than you did several weeks ago, right?” he asked.
“I do. I really do,” she said and caressed her palms up and down his chest. He tightened this time and she looked at him with concern.
“I care about you. I want to make you happy,” he said and leaned closer, lower, and kissed her forehead. “I want so much for you, and so do C.J. and Hunter, too,” he said and kissed her cheek on one side. She closed her eyes and tilted her head up toward him.
“I want you as close as possible at all times, and it’s making me crazy that I can’t have you yet.” He pressed his lips to hers as his words sunk in and shocked her. His kiss felt so good and so right that she kissed him back until she felt the next set of hands on her.
York released her lips and smiled. “Sweet Caroline, you’re more than I ever could have hoped you’d be.”