Love a Woman Right (The American Soldier Collection 17)

“Are they really interested in Lois? Is Ghost, too? Will they hurt her?” she asked Beck and felt Jace’s fingers smooth down her thighs and out from under her skirt.

“Baby, our cousins are good men. They know what a commitment in a ménage relationship means.”

“They know what the responsibility of claiming guardianship means, too. Lois will be well taken care of.”

“Do they know about what happened to her? Did you tell them all of it?” she asked.

Jace looked at Beck. “No. It isn’t our place to tell them what happened to her. When she’s ready and she feels like she trusts them, then she should be the one to tell them,” Beck said.

“What if she can’t? She’s so scared to let them close. She thinks she can’t be intimate.”

“They’ll help her through it. They’ll take their time. She needs to be honest with them and let them know her fears,” Jace said.

“They seem to be working through the whole touching thing. They’re using every opportunity to caress her hips, touch her skin, and be close to her. We just saw them in the kitchen. They’ll work it out and she’ll get more comfortable with them. You’ll see,” Beck said to her.

“I’m worried,” she whispered and felt the tears hit her eyes.

“Worried about what?” Sparrow asked, joining them on the porch. He leaned down and kissed her lips and she smiled at him.

“I want her to have this. I want her safe and sound and well cared for and loved. They can’t make demands of her and be aggressive,” she said with concern.

“They’re her guardians. They staked claim to Lois. They won’t hurt her. You’ll see. Plus, think of it this way—Ford is the sheriff. It’s his responsibility to make sure every woman is protected and cared for. He’ll make sure your sister is safe because she’ll be his,” Sparrow said and she snuggled against Beck and closed her eyes to relish in this time with her men. She prayed that Lois could find peace and safety in the arms of Laverty, Ford, Ghost, and Evan. Her sister deserved happiness and ultimately to be loved and cherished to feel special.

* * * *

“Oh, my God, the whole place smells like cookies!” Lois exclaimed as she finished cleaning up and then put down the apron she wore. She felt an arm come around her waist and then Laverty inhaled against her hair.

“You smell like cookies, too. Pretty delicious,” he said and kissed her neck.

She grabbed on to his arms and was shocked by his move but also by her reaction. She eased back against him and looked right at Ford and Evan.

Both of them stood still and waited to see her response. She couldn’t help but to feel like they were giving her time to adjust. Laverty continued to inhale against her neck and kiss her softly. He gently turned her in his arms to face him.

“Nice and slow. Don’t be scared, baby. Please, don’t be scared,” he whispered and then took his time cupping her cheeks as he stared down into her eyes. Laverty and his hazel eyes, his firm expression, towered over her. He was so big and filled with muscles. She could feel the dips and ridges against her breasts and belly. He pressed closer and now she felt the island against her back as he inched his lips closer. She should stop him before he kissed her and the panic set in.

“Stay still, beauty. I’ve waited all night to taste your lips,” he said, shocking her as his lips touched hers.

It was soft, sweet, and then sensual all in one. His firm lips took their time pressing closer and then, as she didn’t push him away, he deepened the kiss and pressed his tongue between her lips. She moaned into his mouth and felt his solid body press against her front. She shivered from their difference in size and then the thought of this Green Beret’s capabilities.

He must have sensed her need to stop, as he slowly released her lips and then didn’t give her the opportunity to deny what happened, to question it or to say a word. Instead, Laverty pulled her against his chest and held her tight.

“We’ll go real slow for you, Lois. As slow as you need.”

* * * *

It was hard to not pull Lois into his arms next, but Ford knew she needed time. Someone had hurt her badly. It didn’t take years of experience in law enforcement to realize that. There seemed to be more to the story. They’d heard about Kenny’s dad and friend breaking into the apartment and attacking them. They knew that Valentina shot and killed the two men in order to save her nephew and sister. Obviously Lois showed signs of being abused. It really pissed Ford off to know a man, a soldier no less, took his anger out on a beautiful young woman like Lois and that she still suffered from the psychological effects.

He watched her now, as she shyly went to join her sister and the others on the porch, Laverty holding her hand all the while. Ford caught sight of Sparrow, Jace, Ridge, Beck, and Valentina looking at their joined hands. Sparrow nodded like he approved, but Valentina looked concerned.

“All finished?” Valentina asked.

“For tonight. I think I’m going to have to come up with a better plan to make so many. That is, if they actually sell at the farm,” Lois said and then reached back to massage her neck. Ford took the opportunity to press up behind her and massage her shoulders.

“Let me,” he whispered. He felt her tighten up, but then Laverty brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed them.

“I think you’ll be fine and will sell out quickly. They’re so good,” Laverty told her.

“You also mentioned making a few different kinds of cookies. I think that will be great, too. People will try the chocolate chip and then want to try the others,” Evan said.