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

“You don’t realize what you do to me, how you affect me. Did you notice the way the sheriff spoke to you, kissed you good-night on the cheek, and put his hand on you? My blood was boiling over that.”

“Yes, Charlie, I felt him do that and I didn’t like it but some men just think they can grab a woman when they want to or make a move if they feel they have a chance. You don’t have to be jealous, Charlie. I’m here with you right now. I’ve been out working all day, a double shift that continued into the night, later than what I expected. I’m here with you because I was worried about the Cantrells and I missed you.”

“You did?”

Lori took Charlie’s hands and wrapped them around her waist, and then she took his face into her hands, staring very seriously into his eyes.

“I’m going to tell you this only once, so listen up. I’m not going to hurt you or your brothers! I’m not a flirt, I don’t like a lot of attention, and the other night when we went out, that was my first real date, Charlie, and it was with three men. A date that I imagined would never take place because of the crazy life I’ve led thus far. I’ve never felt like this before, I’m scared and I’m worried because you, Dante, and Trevor are way more experienced than I am. The three of you are so good looking and sexy. I can’t get you out of my head. I can’t think of anything else but being in your arms and in your company all the time. It’s wild and, God, I’m blabbering.” She lowered her head to his chest as he caressed her back and her hair.

“Lori, I’m sorry for what I said before. I just want to keep you all to myself. I don’t want to share you with anyone else. I want to be with you more than I’ve ever wanted to be with anyone. I’ve made a lot of mistakes because of my own fears. You’ve changed all that. With you I want more. I know you can make Trevor, Dante, and me happy. You already have. I want all of it. I want all of you,” he told her as he kissed her softly.

That kiss grew deeper and Lori knew she needed to tell him why she was afraid. He softly released her lips.

“Charlie, there’s something you need to know…to understand why I’m hesitant.”

“You’ve been hurt before?” he asked before she could tell him. This was so difficult but she knew she had to get it off of her chest.

“No, Charlie, the other night was the first time I ever went out on a date, you and Dante and Trevor are the first men that I’ve ever been this close to…I’m…”

Charlie looked into Lori’s eyes. He could see the worry, he put together what she told him, registered his thoughts, and then it hit him. He was cautious as he spoke, unsure what to think or say.

“Baby, you mean—”

“Our woman’s a virgin.”

Lori was shocked at the sound of Trevor’s voice. She turned and saw him and Dante approaching and they both looked so good, her heart soared with adoration for them.

She lowered her eyes until Trevor and Dante stood next to her and Charlie. Dante placed his fingers under her chin, tilting it up toward him.

“Is this true? Is this why you’ve been holding out on us?”

She loved the way Dante’s voice sounded and she loved his sexy words. She nodded her head.

Dante smiled then leaned down and gave her lips a soft kiss. “Then we’ll be your first and your only,” he whispered.

* * * *

Charlie sighed deeply as he held her tight, shocked by her confession, amazed and strangely enough, almost proud. His whole perception of her was wrong from the start. He had never been so wrong about someone in his life. So close-minded and stuck in anger and sadness like he had been before Lori came along. She was amazing, beautiful, and theirs.

* * * *

Lori was relieved to have told them the truth.

Dante took her hand and pulled her slowly toward him. He placed his hand on her waist and she loved the weight of it against her hip. He towered over her, standing at least six feet three inches. His dark, crew-cut hair looked damp, as if he had just gotten out of the shower. As he pulled her closer, she inhaled, smelling the soap, confirming her thoughts.

“Can I ask you something?” he whispered and she nodded her head. He clasped his hands behind her lower back and she placed her hands against his chest. They locked gazes as he spoke.

“Why did you wait? How did you do it?” Dante asked. “I mean, you were on your own. You didn’t have any parental supervision and things sounded rough for you, Maggie, and Ben.”

She took a deep breath then ran her hands softly up and down the material of his T-shirt. The feel of muscle beneath her fingertips nearly got her to forget his question.

He gave her rear a little squeeze and she immediately refocused.

“I wanted to save myself for the right person. I didn’t want to make a mistake and regret it or perhaps not have enough experience in identifying a sincere enough man to give such a large part of me to.”

“And does it feel right, to be with us?”

She smiled up at him.