“We’re here, Grace.”
He touched her cheek and then lightly gripped her chin.
“You look exhausted. As soon as we get you settled in, you can lie down for a bit, while I go over some things with my brothers.”
“Brothers?” she asked, her voice barely audible, because she felt so weak and Sandman was strikingly handsome. The feel of his fingertips below her chin sent tiny chills through her body. I must be exhausted. He’s just doing his job and protecting me.
He took her hand then stepped down out of the helicopter first. He grabbed her by her waist and hoisted her out of the helicopter and against his chest. She was stunned as she held on to his shoulders and stared down into his eyes.
“I got you. No worries now, darling.”
His bold Texas accent added a zinger of a punch to her feminine parts. He had to notice as he smiled softly, but that sweetness in his smile didn’t reach his eyes. No, his eyes appeared darker and glazed over with desire.
He placed her feet down on the ground as he took her hand and led her toward the house. A quick glance over her shoulder and the pilot was preparing to leave the machine. Her thoughts were right. He was staying, too. Could the helicopter belong to Sandman and his brothers? He did say brothers. Did that mean there was another one or more lurking around? She again felt her belly tighten and anticipation skitter along her nerves.
“Duke is probably getting dinner ready. At least my brother should be doing that.”
“How many brothers do you have?” she asked.
He smiled at her as they climbed the large porch steps. There was a wide wraparound deck with a dark wood front porch with scattered hunter green trimming to match the hunter green shutters that decorated the windows of the house. Large brown barrels stood on either side of the front door welcoming guests, filled with vibrant red, white, and green flowers
There were dark-stained wooden rocking chairs and a matching wooden bench swing on the front porch, inviting visitors to take a seat and relax a while.
“Two,” he replied as he opened the front door. She glanced at the setting on the porch and the four rockers as well as a rocking bench. It looked relaxing. That was a feeling she didn’t think she would have again anytime soon.
* * * *
Duke turned around and felt his entire body react to the gorgeous brunette his brother was protecting. She was a knockout, with an exceptional body, but why was she wearing a Houston police uniform?
“This is my brother Duke. Duke, meet Grace Thompson.”
She reached her dainty hand out toward him and tilted her head way back to lock gazes with him. His cock hardened in his jeans. It was instant, and something like that never happened to him before. She was in awe of his size. He could tell as her eyes turned the size of saucers. They were a stunning green and hazel color combined.
“Pleasure to meet you, Grace.”
He noticed immediately how her body swayed and she appeared as if she might faint. Quickly he wrapped an arm around her waist and she laid her head against his ribs. She sure was petite.
“Grace, are you okay?” Sandman asked as he moved her hair from her cheek.
“What’s going on?” Big Jay entered the house with a scowl on his face the moment he saw Grace against Duke’s chest.
“I feel so dizzy,” she whispered. Duke immediately lifted her up into his arms and carried her toward the living room. He gently set her down on the sofa and she kept a hand over her belly and one over her eyes.
“I’m so sorry. This is embarrassing.”
Sandman moved Duke out of the way and sat next to her on the couch. Duke watched as Sandman caressed her cheek. He had never seen his hard-ass brother react to a woman in such a way, never mind another human being. Sandman kept to himself and submerged himself in each job he did. Something was different here.
“Tell me what you’re feeling, darling,” Sandman whispered.
My brother is whispering? What the hell is up with you, man?
Duke walked out of the room to go grab a glass of water for Grace. When he returned, Sandman was staring down into her eyes.
“So you haven’t eaten anything all day? No wonder you’re so weak a
nd pale. It’s a good thing that Duke cooked up some dinner for us. How about I help you sit up and you take a sip of water.”
She slowly nodded her head then locked gazes with Duke. Hot damn, the woman had the facial expressions of a natural seductress. Duke adjusted his stance as he found himself kneeling down beside her on the couch and Sandman.