Claim Me Hard (Bridgewater County 2)

Finally, when there was a lull in the lunch business, she ended up back at our table. Sally and Violet had gone, and so had Cara and her men. Wiping her hands on her apron, she gave us a wry smile then bit her lip. “Everyone’s gone now, so…um. Look, we don’t have to go through with this date—”

“Oh no, you’re not backing out on us now,” Cole said, holding up his hand.

I kicked him under the table but at least this time Hannah didn’t seem too spooked by his possessive tone. In fact, she acted like she hadn’t heard him at all. “I’m sure everyone is right, and you’re real nice guys. But the fact of the matter is, I’m not looking for a relationship with one man, let alone two.”

“You might not be looking, but it found you,” I said.

Her laughter was soft and sweet. “I appreciate it, I really do. But I don’t think one night is going to change my mind. We can all just save ourselves a little time.”

That right there—it sounded like a challenge. I met Cole’s gaze and knew he was thinking the same thing. If she gave us one night, we’d make sure she’d be begging for more.

Cole leaned forward, but this time he didn’t try to grab her hand. Maybe he was catching on, after all. “Look, darlin’, this won’t be a one-night stand. You belong with us—in our bed and in our lives. Give us one night to show you that. If you want out after that, we’ll let you go.”

Her lips had parted when he mentioned our bed. Holy hell, I was hard as a rock. Her mind might be telling her otherwise, but she wanted it. Us. Her nipples were hard. They were at eye level and that damn uniform did nothing to hide them. Hannah wanted it—us—and I couldn’t wait to give it to her. But I wouldn’t force her. Waiting for her response was killing me.

Finally, she gave in with a sigh. “All right. One night. But no promises after that.”

I grinned at her. “Fair enough. We’ll pick you up at seven and take you to the Barking Dog—it’s not fancy, but we like it.”

She straightened a bit. “You don’t have to come to my place. I can meet you there.”

Cole was trying to smother a laugh and failing. I smiled up at her. “As a cop, I admire what you’re doing. You shouldn’t tell strange men where you live. But as a Bridgewater resident, I’ve got to tell you…it’s pointless. Everyone knows that the new waitress lives upstairs. Besides, we’re gentlemen and we’ll pick you up at your door.”

She let out a sigh of resignation. “Okay, fine. I’ll see you at seven.”

We watched her walk away, that perfect little ass swaying beneath the uniform’s skirt. I couldn’t wait to get her out of that damned dress and into our bed. Tonight. We had one shot to blow her mind and let her see how good this could be.

Right. No pressure.

CHAPTER FOUR

HANNAH

This was a mistake. I knew it was a bad idea when I’d said yes—when I’d been coaxed by half the town to go out with Cole and Declan—but as soon as I opened the door and found my two very hot dates standing on my doorstep, I couldn’t bring myself to care. Maybe it was the fact that I hadn’t been the object of so much flattering male attention for years…if ever.

They stood side-by-side on the small landing at the top of the stairs. They both wore button up shirts and jeans, but that was where the similarities ended. Declan was a few inches taller than Cole, but leaner. Cole’s broad shoulders would knock his friend off the landing if he turned a bit. Declan’s russet hair was a little damp, as if he’d just gotten out of the shower, and that had my mind veering in the wrong direction. They held their hats in their hands and their eyes, well, their eyes were focused square on me. They liked what they saw and let it show in their heated gazes.

I was in trouble here and I hadn’t even said hello.

Was it the fact that I was smack dab in the middle of a man dry spell or was it these men in particular who had this effect on me? When Declan took my elbow and led me down the steps, even opened the door for me and lifted me up into the cab of Cole’s truck, the rational part of my brain that had been telling me what a terrible idea this was all afternoon went completely silent.

Instead, my senses seemed to be in charge. And god, were they in heaven. I tried to focus on where they were taking me but I couldn’t stop fixating on the feel of their thighs pressed against mine. They were all warmth and strength beneath those faded jeans and it took all of my willpower not to shift so I was pressing against them even harder. Maybe reach a hand out and feel one of those muscular thighs.

What would Declan do if I ran a hand up his leg? Or Cole? He might be driving, but something told me he’d be more than happy to pull over and take me right here and now if given half a chance.

A shiver raced through me.

“Are you cold?” Declan reached out and turned down the AC even as he asked.

“I’m fine.” God, get a grip. One would think this was my first time dating.

Although, to be fair, it was my first time dating in quite a while…and absolutely my first time dating two men at once.

“So, where are we headed?” That was the best my brain could come up with. Holy shit, these guys smelled good. Naturally good, not like one of those metrosexual guys who smelled nice because they were wearing cologne. Or worse, that body spray shit. No, these guys smelled like soap and earth and male.

“The Barking Dog, the local bar,” Declan said.

Right. They’d told me that earlier. I was a doctor and these two men were reducing me to a brainless twit. I clasped my hands together in my lap to keep from fidgeting. Maybe Cole noticed, because he reached down and squeezed mine gently before letting them go. His touch was firm, yet gentle. Warm, but I felt rough callouses. It made me shiver all over again.