Escape from Obsession (The American Soldier Collection 1)

“Thanks. Robert seems very happy with the way things went.”

He chuckled.

“Very happy? Shit, darling, he is hung up on you big-time. He thinks you’re the next best thing to sliced bread.” He looked at her body and made it obvious that he was being flirtatious. “You are the whole package. Beauty, sophistication, class, talent. With the right backing you could be CEO of this company one day,” he said as if he had the power to get her there. He actually had the nerve to move closer and touch her hand. She immediately pulled it away and chuckled. He didn’t seem to take that reaction too kindly, as a flash of anger crossed his expression. She knew that look. She had been on the receiving end of such expressions from Antonio many times in the past.

“Listen, don’t waste your time with me. I’m not interested and definitely not in being CEO of any agency. I like what I do and that’s it.” The elevator doors opened and they exited to the garage.

The security guy was standing in the booth talking on the phone as she made her way to her sports car. There was also a black van parked there and it looked like the guys were working on the security cameras. They were a good distance from where she was parked.

“That’s a nice ride, Gia. Pretty fucking hot, just like you.” He stared at her as he clicked the button on his car. She heard the noise and looked to the right down the first row and a red Porsche lit up.

“You and I have a lot in common, Gia. Why don’t you join me for a drink? We can talk and get to know one another better.”

“Not interested,” she replied then opened her car door. He was next to her in a flash, holding on to her door as he whispered next to her ear. She couldn’t move or her legs would hit the metal of the doorframe.

“I like you, Gia. You interest me and I always get what I want. You’ll see.” He turned and walked to his car as she got into her own.

She couldn’t help the feeling of fear that gripped her insides. Kaleigh was right. Jeffrey was an asshole. She waited for his red sports car to exit the parking garage. He was a pompous jerk. How dare he corner her against her car door like that? The way he whispered in her ear and threatened her gave her the chills. She thought about telling someone and then she changed her mind. She didn’t want Teddy or even the girls to panic or worry. He was trying to see if he could intimidate her. She knew his type all too well. But ultimately, his move, his demeanor reminded her of Antonio. This was just another indication that men couldn’t be trusted. Keep them at a distance and she wouldn’t have to deal with shit like this. She started her car and exited the building, prepared to pick Dale up from school and help him study for his math test.

Men are dangerous. Men cause pain.

Chapter 4

The high school band was playing an upbeat tune as the home team took the field with gusto and excitement. Wes was running alongside the players and his fellow coaches, loving the feeling he had at being here on the same field he once played on in high school. The crowd was huge, as opening day always was. All decked out in brown-and-orange jerseys, the fans wore the same colors in support of the Houston Bulls.

A quick glance toward the crowd behind where his players sat and he could see many a proud parent and lots of community support. This game would indicate the type of season the Bulls would have, and he was feeling pretty darn enthusiastic and confident.

The young group of men gathered around and began to warm up as their opponents, the Red Devils, did the same on the other end of the field. They were soon all called off the field as the principal of the school and head of the athletic department gave short speeches and welcomed the beginning of another great season of football. Wes glanced at Davie Myers, standing with crutches, his ankle sprained during a scrimmage yesterday. The boy was pissed off and spitting vinegar every chance he got. Wes couldn’t blame him for being upset and missing the field on opening day. But, the team medics said it was just a bad sprain and he should be able to play by next weekend’s Friday night game.

They all stood for the national anthem, showing respect for their country and the flag waving up high above the announcer’s box. As Wes scanned through the crowds, force of habit after a good number of years in the military, he caught sight of Dale Warner’s parents, Jim and Teddy along with their wife Deanna. She was holding baby Julia and rocking her. Then he saw Gia and nearly made a noise. She looked gorgeous as usual as the sunlight reflected off her chestnut, not totally brown hair. It cascaded down her shoulders over the V-neck orange T-shirt she wore along with a pair of slim-fitting jeans. She wore dark sunglasses and even from across the distance she stood out as stunning. His cock hardened in his jeans as he licked his lips and felt excited about seeing her. Damn, he never had such an instant attraction over a woman, particularly one he didn’t even know. The past week, he kept finding an excuse to go outside with the players, Dale especially, just to catch a glimpse of Gia. He had heard the young men tal

king about her to Dale and the poor kid finally admitted that she was his cousin. He found out that Gia was only twenty-four and worked in advertising in the city of Houston.

The music stopped and everyone cheered as the anthem ended and he was still saluting like a good soldier did. He looked at her, wishing she would look his way before he paid attention to the game instead of the lethal attraction in the stands.

She wasn’t stuck up or full of herself despite her natural beauty and that fancy sports car she drove. During the week after she apparently tutored half the football team at the Warners’ house and all the players did fantastic on their tests, she sent Dale’s father Teddy in with a platter of homemade cookies and brownies. As he ate a few and thought that perhaps Deanna made them, the players told Dale to thank his hot cousin for making them the cookies and helping them to get their best grades ever in math.

He smiled at the thought then focused on the game. If he had any good luck at all, Wes would see Gia after the game at Casper’s and she could celebrate the Bulls’ first victory.

* * * *

Gia loved football. She especially enjoyed this game and all the enthusiasm and community support for both teams. As she watched the Bulls defeat the Red Devils, she also had the opportunity to watch Wes. The man looked like a football player himself and she had learned from Dale and his teammates that their assistant head coach loved to work out in the gym. It just so happened to be right next door to where her dojo was. She smiled to herself. The boys all seemed so impressed with Wes. They had a lot of respect and adoration for him. She heard that he played ball at the high school and after graduation had a full scholarship to Texas Tech. He was part of a military education program and attended the military academy before serving several years in Iraq. He was offered a teaching job at the high school in technology and then the position as assistant head coach.

“This is so exciting. I can’t believe how well Dale is doing, too. Three interceptions and two touchdowns,” Deanna said as Julia began to cry. It wasn’t long before she had to move from the stands and go to the car to calm Julia and give her a bottle where it was quiet.

The final play of the game was quite exciting as Dale caught another interception then ran forty yards for another touchdown, entering the end zone as the game ended.

“That was fantastic. My God, I can’t believe how awesome Dale looks,” Teddy said to Jim.

“He’s been working so hard. It’s quite an achievement to be playing a starting position as a freshman,” Jim added.

“I thought he looked awesome. Do me a favor and tell him I said good job, okay?”

“Wait, aren’t you going to come with us to the celebration party?” Teddy asked as he adjusted his pants and the ankle holster he wore. Even though he and Jim were off duty, they still carried. But then again, so did a lot of people living in Texas.

“They planned a party? What if they lost?”

“Bite your tongue,” someone yelled to her and she glanced at the stranger and Jim and Teddy chuckled.