Their Blue-Collar Girl (The American Soldier Collection 4)

“Oh how neighborly of you, cousin,” Jasper teased as he picked up some more wood and headed toward the inside of the barn.

“Hey, brother, I think it’s great you finally made a move. She’s a rare find let me tell ya, and not going to stay single for long. You should have heard the guys talking about her last night. I know you, you would have been pissed,” Matt told his brother as they began hammering away at the plywood. Jasper was using the nail gun and working quickly.

“Who was talking about her?” Charlie asked, not worried about how jealous he sounded.

“Too many to tell ya, man. So when are you two going out on a date?” Matt asked and Charlie didn’t answer him.

“You do know that Lori is definitely the kind of woman you have to date, and take her nice places, restaurants, romantic picnics?” Matt teased.

“No shit, Matt, what the hell do you think I am, stupid? I’m older than you and a lot more experienced, so don’t start your shit with me. Besides, I’m not the only one involved here.” Charlie looked at Trevor and Dante. They stared at Matt. Matt’s eyes widened.

“The three of you? Holy shit,” he said. Then they went back to work.

Charlie thought about the conversation he’d had with his brothers last night. They made a decision together. Lori would belong to them. They would start working on a relationship sooner rather than later and hopefully without a fight from Lori.

They continued to work through the afternoon finishing up the exterior of the house and began working on the interior. It was nearly 4:00 p.m. and Lori was just emerging from her parents’ house. Matt and Charlie were outside the barn carrying some long pieces of Sheetrock.

Charlie watched Lori as she kissed Ben good-bye and he pulled Lori back toward him for a hug as well. The scene brought a smile to Charlie’s face, which Matt saw immediately.

“Why don’t we lean this piece against the wall here. Then I’ll get Jasper to start measuring and cutting?” Matt as

ked as they placed the Sheetrock against the outside of the barn.

Lori looked over and saw Charlie and Matt as they grabbed some bottles of water. Charlie was perspiring, wearing no shirt and some loose-fitting blue jeans.

Lori looked right at him then lowered her eyes. She seemed embarrassed to stare at his body and he wondered why. Most women tried to get his shirt off of him. Charlie turned toward her and caught her staring at him.

“Hey, kid, your car is all fixed.” He walked over toward the car meeting Lori by the driver side.

“I know, I saw you pull up earlier and was surprised how quiet she was. Thanks a lot, Charlie, I mean it.”

“No problem, I told you don’t worry about it. You heading to work?”

“Doesn’t the uniform give it away?” she asked and he bit the inside of his cheek. He hated the fucking uniform except when she was with him and his brothers.

“So, how about going out with Dante, Trevor, and I tomorrow? We know a great place about thirty minutes out of town. Our friends own it.”

She seemed hesitant and then looked toward her front porch where her mom stood and waved. Charlie waved back.

“Come on, it will be fun.”

“Okay. I have to go. Maybe I’ll see you later.”

“Be safe,” he said.

“I don’t know about any of you guys but I was thinking that happy hour and some barbeque wings at Carl’s might be the place to go after work today,” Matt teased.

“Oh yeah, some nice cold beers, a gorgeous blonde bartender to talk to. I’m there, man,” Freddie added.

“Well good for you guys. I’m going home, taking a shower, and getting to bed early. I’ve been up since 4:00 a.m,” Charlie yelled back then glanced at Lori who shook her head and chuckled as she got into the car.

The guys continued to try and get Dante, Trevor, and Charlie to join them but it was no use. They wanted to wait until tomorrow to see Lori and he wasn’t sure how he’d handle the jealous feeling he already had about other men watching her and talking about her. He continued to ignore them, then went back to work, and after a while the others gave up.

Chapter 10

He watched her intently as she served the drinks and spoke respectfully to some drunken old-timer who continued to flirt with her. She was sweet and kind despite the disgusting way others around the bar looked at her, undressing her with their eyes. It angered him and that was how he knew she was the one for him. The job itself was never enough. He always craved more, desired more in order to complete him. It was like an addiction. The idea of a beautiful, naive young woman, barely used, refined, desirable and easy to capture made his life complete.

He’d done it so many times, she would be so easy to get to, to capture and take with him when his job here was done. She was the added bonus for staying in this Godforsaken county, the surprise pleasure he’d stumbled upon one very early morning only a few weeks ago. He would take enormous pleasure in having her, and knowing that so many others wanted her as well just made her even more desirable. His body ached for her as he continued to drink his beer and watch the way she worked and socialized. She had an amazing laugh, and an appealing smile. As if her eyes couldn’t get even more mesmerizing, her now naturally tan skin caused them to appear even greener. She would be his. He promised this to himself as he finished the beer and left the bar.