Escape from Obsession (The American Soldier Collection 1)

“Six months,” she said then swallowed hard. She felt a bit of anxiety speaking with him. She didn’t want him to think she was interested or flirting, but he did seem so nice. Plus considering how crowded it was, he wasn’t trying to invade her space and take advantage. But, he held her gaze and she found herself staring just as intently into his eyes as well.

She started to look at the pictures again and began to walk farther along the hallway. She didn’t like being alone with a man and especially one she didn’t know.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here before.”

She turned to look at him and he was staring at her as if he were trying to read her mind. She felt his masculinity and something told her that this man was not a man to be trifled with. It was something beyond his big muscles and had something to do with the darkness of his eyes and an almost sad, lonely expression.

“This is my first time here. It’s nice. Your dad said he and your brothers and his brothers own the place.”

Garrett chuckled. “Yeah, he likes to talk.”

“Well, I’m certain that’s a plus considering that he owns a bar and restaurant. People like to go places where staff and owners are friendly, not rude,” she added just as a few rowdy guys walked by and nearly bumped her. Garrett placed himself in front of her, taking the brunt of the bump but hardly losing his balance.

“Hey, sorry, Garrett, I didn’t mean to bump into you,” one of the guys said then looked from Garrett to her.

“Not a problem, just be careful,” he replied then turned back to look at Gia.

Some kind of exchange went back and forth between the guy and Garrett, but she didn’t know what it was about. Gia turned to look for her friends and of course Sammy and Kaleigh were staring right at her and whispering because Gia was talking with the gorgeous bartender.

“I’m on break, can I get you a drink or something to eat?” he asked her. She was hungry and the girls were supposed be getting a table in the other room.

“Uhm, I was supposed to get a table with my friends.”

“Let’s go see what they’re going to do,” he said and walked with her toward Sammy and Kaleigh.

As they approached, Gia noticed that her jacket was draped over the chair and not wrapped around Sammy’s waist. Before she could say something the girls were answering Garrett’s question about eating and getting a table.

“I totally forgot to put our name down on the waitlist. It should die down in there soon right, Garrett?” Sammy asked. Gia was starving, having missed lunch and only grabbed an apple during the meeting.

“Lucky for you, Sammy, I kind of have connections. Come on. How many are you?” he asked.

“Just five of us. The others ate already,” Sammy said.

As they headed toward the other room with Garrett leading them, Gia gave her friends a look. They fanned themselves and stared at Garrett’s ass as he walked.

She had to admit he had a great ass. Firm, round, and dipped in at the sides indicating that his thighs were more than likely just as muscular and solid.

“Hey, what’s going on?” another older gentleman asked as Garrett spoke to him. The man looked at Gia and her friends. “Take table seven. You should all fit, but it may be a bit tight in the right side.”

Garrett led them back. The girls immediately took seats around the table and then Gia was last to get in on the right side. She wound up wedged against the wall on one side with Garrett on the other. Gia thought she was feeling palpitations from being so close to the man, but her friends winked knowingly and giggled.

Make an excuse to leave. Get out of here now.

Gia was feeling a bit panicked. The scent of his cologne, the way it felt to have such a large, male body so close to her, was scary. Sure she’d been next to plenty of men, but this felt different. She prayed that she didn’t have a panic attack.

“The wings are great here,” he whispered to her as the girls ordered more drinks as one of the waitresses came over.

Gia stared at the menu.

“I kind of like salads,” she replied in a whisper and felt his arm brush against hers.

“They’re all good, darling,” he said and she could feel her body shaking. She tried to just calm her breathing and get through this situation.

They all ordered except for Garrett. She felt her cheeks warm and heat flashes cascade her body as his thigh pressed against hers.

“I thought you said you were on break and wanted to grab a bite?” she asked him as her friends talked amongst one another.

He held her gaze and she could really appreciate his adorable dimples and mysterious eyes. He wasn’t a pretty boy, he was tough as nails.