Hotter Than Ever (Out of Uniform 9)

“It was nice of Dylan and Aidan to treat us to dinner tonight.”

Claire knew it took a lot out of her father to say that, and a lot more for him to actually say their names instead of “your men”.

She had to admit, “her men” might have actually done it. Officially won Ron McKinley over.

Then again, when you made reservations at the best steakhouse in the city for a man who loved steaks more than life itself, you had a solid chance for success.

She picked up her menu and scanned the unending amount of meat options. “What do you think I should order, the eight-ounce peppercorn or the—”

“You really love them, don’t you?”

Her head swung up. “What?”

Ron reached for his beer, took a big gulp, then set the glass down on the rustic wood tabletop. The entire restaurant had a cookhouse-type feel to it, masculine to the core, with animal heads mounted to the wall and country music coming out of the speakers.

“You love them,” he repeated. “Dylan. And Aidan.”

“Yes. I do.”

Her father shifted in discomfort. “Those boys adore you.”

She smiled. “I know.”

He harrumphed. “Still don’t get how it’s ever going to work, Claire-Bear.”

“We’ll make it work,” she said simply.

“It’s not that easy.”

“Yes, it is. I know it doesn’t make sense to you, but it works, Daddy. It really does. And I truly hope that in time you’ll be able to accept it, and them.”

Ron paused for a moment, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “Well, they do know their football. It might be nice to get their advice next season about my fantasy lineup.”

Claire burst out laughing. “Oh, Dad, I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.” He sounded choked up as he said the words.

Their heart-to-heart was interrupted by the arrival of their waiter, a burly man with a buzz cut and a goatee. “Excuse me, but the rest of your party has arrived.”

Claire glanced over her shoulder in confusion. Her jaw dropped when she spotted Dylan and Aidan advancing on their table.

With her mother sandwiched between them.

Her father looked equally stunned. “Nora?” he exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

Claire’s mother tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear, looking hesitant. “Claire’s…um, Claire’s friends arranged for me to fly in.” Nora suddenly smiled. “I flew in a Coast Guard helicopter. It was very exciting.”

Claire noticed that Aidan and Dylan were fighting grins. She also noticed that her father looked extremely nervous as he rose from his chair and walked around the table toward her mom.

“You’re here,” he said gruffly. “What does that mean, sweetheart?”

Nora shrugged. “Well, right now it means we’re all going to sit down and have a nice dinner.”

“And afterwards?” Ron pressed.

“Afterwards, we go home.”

Claire had never seen such an enormous smile overtake her father’s face.

From a discreet distance, the waiter cleared his throat, then glanced at Claire’s dad. “Will your friends be staying?” he asked expectantly.

“They’re not our friends,” Ron said curtly.

Claire froze.

But her dad wasn’t finished. “This is my wife,” he informed the waiter. “And these are my daughter’s boyfriends.”

“I can’t believe you guys did that,” Claire declared as the three of them walked into the apartment later that night.

Her parents had already left to make the long drive north, but not before Claire’s mom had hugged not only Claire goodbye, but Dylan and Aidan too. And her father had actually shaken their hands. She was still in disbelief over it.

“We figured your dad needed a little push,” Dylan said with a grin. “He was taking his sweet-ass time winning your mom back.”

She dropped her purse on the couch, then took Dylan’s face between her hands and kissed him deeply. A second later, she gave Aidan the same loving reward.

“I love you guys so much,” she murmured.

She hadn’t thought it was possible to love one man this much, let alone two, and yet her heart was so full it was about to overflow.

“We love you too, sweetheart,” Aidan told her.

“So damn much,” Dylan added. His green eyes gleamed with sinful promise. “With that said, you have a ten-second head start before we chase you down, strip you naked, and have our way with you.”

“Try to make it to the bed in time,” Aidan advised. “Because we’re going to be f**king you wherever we catch you. Against the wall, on the floor, the kitchen counter…choose wisely, baby.”

She coyly fluttered her eyelashes. “But what if I’m not in the mood?”

Their faces took on pained expressions.

“Are you seriously not in the mood?” Dylan demanded.

She shrugged.

They both went quiet for a moment, and then Aidan flashed that dimpled grin she loved oh-so much.

“Then I guess we’ll just have to f**k each other until you come to your senses.”

Claire threw her head back and laughed. “Well, at least you’re honest. But luckily for you, I’m more than in the mood. In fact, I’m so in the mood I’m going to come the instant you put your hands on me.” She slanted her head. “I have exactly ten seconds before you have your way with me, huh?”