Their Masquerade (The American Soldier Collection 6)

“How would you know what Michael would have wanted? He’s not here now, is he? Axel and the others are just protective of me.” She felt her temper rising. This little lunch date wasn’t exactly going well. Having Axel and the others here made her feel on edge. She was snapping at Randy and subconsciously trying to push him away because Axel and Quentin had her head spinning in confusion.

“Let’s finish up, and then take a walk,” he suggested.

She nodded her head and Debbi brought over their salads. By the time they finished, conversation steered toward her decision of leaving Texas or staying. By the time lunch was over and they exited the café, Randy was guiding her down the sidewalk with a hand against her lower back, and keeping close contact with her. She heard his phone buzz numerous times, and finally when they walked near the side street and where he was parked, he stopped her.

His hand went to her waist and his other hand cupped her cheek.

He was looking down into her eyes, and his expression unnerved her.

“I really missed you. I’m hoping that we could get to know one another better. Maybe I can be a reason to stick around Texas.”

“There’s other reasons to leave. It’s not the same.”

He looked like he was about to kiss her, and suddenly she didn’t really want him to.

“What other reasons?” he asked with a bit of attitude. She tried turning away, but he grasped her face a little snugger. It surprised her.

“Is it because of them?”

“Who?”

“I’m not stupid. I can tell that they want you. Their big brother act is bullshit. They all want you, but none of them are man enough, whole enough, to give you what you deserve.” She tried to step back, but his arm snaked around her waist and he pulled her closer.

“Don’t fall for it. You deserve better. Michael wouldn’t have wanted you to be their little fuck toy.”

“That’s enough,” she stated firmly and shoved from his embrace. His phone was beeping again, as he began to react to her shoving away from him.

“Answer it. Our lunch date is over anyway.”

“Mariah, this isn’t over. Listen to me. I’m only trying to save you from making a mistake. Your brother would be angry.”

“Then I guess you didn’t know Michael at all.” She turned to walk away and he reached for her hand to stop her. She nearly stumbled.

“Hey, let go of her.” Axel raised his voice and was between her and Randy in a second flat.

“I wasn’t going to hurt her. She stumbled,” Randy said and Mariah just looked at him uncertain exactly what had happened. He didn’t want her to walk away from him. He seemed agitated and unlike the Randy she remembered.

“I’m fine, Axel.”

“What’s going on?” Deacon asked as Quentin approached, too. Axel was stepping toward Randy.

“Axel, please. Nothing happened.” She grabbed on to his arm, and pressed herself in front of him.

“I’m going, Mariah. I need to get back to work. I’ll call you about what time I’ll be picking you up tomorrow.”

He walked away, but not without having to go around Quentin and Deacon. Axel grabbed her shoulders and then caressed her arms. He moved his hands up to her cheeks and held them between his palms. “Are you okay? Did he try something?”

She was so frustrated right now. She was angry at Randy’s comments, but also annoyed that he could see she was attracted to the guys. She shoved Axel’s hands from her face and stepped back.

“Stay away from me. Just keep your distance.” She turned around and started walking down the sidewalk. She realized that she really didn’t have a ride back to the house. Randy was going to drop her off on his way back to work. She should call someone for a ride. As she pulled out her phone, she gasped. Her face turned red, and her body tightened in frustration. The first person who came to mind was Quentin and the then the others. Any of them. They would be there for her. She reached out to them for support. Fuck me!

“Mariah?” She felt the hands on her shoulders just as she heard her name whispered. She jerked around to see Deacon. Quiet, calm Deacon, and his beautiful hazel eyes. He was six feet three and gorgeous with dark hair, dark eyes, and even dark eyebrows that made his hazel eyes stand out. He was the calmest of the troop.

“I can tell that you’re upset.”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Deacon.”

“How are you getting home?” he asked as the others walked closer. Quentin had his arms crossed in front of his chest and he looked pissed. Axel just stared at her. Even that made her nipples tight and hard.