She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (The American Soldier Collection 8)
“I’m going to head back to the party.”
“Everyone is either in the pool or the Jacuzzi,” Mace told her.
“Then I guess I’ll join them.”
“We’ll talk later, Ellie, okay,” Hunter stated.
Her expression looked concerned but she gave a small smile and then headed out of the cabana.
Mace smiled at Hunter. “She’s incredible. How the hell did this happen? The two of you in here?” he asked. When Hunter explained about what he overheard and what little he found out, Mace was pissed off.
“We need to talk to Seno and Justice. She could be in danger, and we can’t just ignore this and what you overheard.”
“I know, Mace, but I don’t think she wants us or anyone else to know. She’s scared, and demanding she tell us will only have her pulling away. That’s not something I’m willing to chance. I care about her already.”
Mace held Hunter’s gaze feeling shocked at his profession of ca
re for her and also pleased that Hunter wasn’t running from it.
“Let’s tell the others and see what they think. In the interim, let’s enjoy the progress we’ve made today, and hope that it gets even better. I don’t like the things that you overheard. Weeks in the hospital, an order of protection, text messages from someone, and speaking with a detective don’t sit well with me at all. If she’s in danger, I want to know about it.”
“So do I. Let’s see what Justice and Seno say.”
* * * *
Ellie walked across the pool area some time later along with Donella. She explained to her about the phone call from Detective Ramirez and the latest news. Now even Donella was upset.
She could see Justice and Seno in the pool by the deep end talking to Sam, Vin, Mace, and Hunter. The moment she locked gazes with them and saw their expressions, she knew they were talking about her.
“Oh God, Donella. They’re talking about me. I’m sure Hunter told them about the phone call.”
“Honey, I don’t think that’s why they’re staring. I’d say it has something to do with your sexy body, your belly piercing, and that sexy tattoo of yours that disappears under your tiny green bikini.”
“Oh God. Maybe’s it’s your red bikini?”
“Nope. Don’t let on to their gawking. Let’s sit over there by the little end and just dip our feet in.”
As Ellie sat down on the edge, the heat of the paving stone was burning her but as she reached down to splash water onto the side so she could sit.
“I’ll grab a towel,” Donella said as she walked over to the bags. But before she returned, Justice and Seno joined her, swimming through the water, holding their beer bottles in the air.
She sat with her hands on either side of her trying to act relaxed. But nothing about seeing Seno and Justice bare-chested made her relax. In fact, she could feel herself begin to drool and then she licked her lips.
“Wow, you look gorgeous in green,” Seno told her as he eyed her body over, making every inch of her react as if he touched her. Justice, on the other hand, eased into position beside her and leaned his back against the side of the pool, inches from her thigh.
“Here, this is for you. Link is making me one right now,” Donella told Ellie as she passed her a frozen margarita.
“Oh, tell him I said thank you.” She looked toward Link and he waved.
It was pretty hot outside and she could feel the sweat begin to move down her back.
“It’s so hot,” she stated.
“Come in the pool. It helps,” Justice told her.
She placed the margarita down on the side and then slowly made her way into the pool.
They watched her swimming backward a few feet away from them as she cooled off when suddenly strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. She gasped, and then turned to see Hunter. His thick, hard body pressed against her back and her ass as he swam her back over toward Justice and Seno. When he leaned against the side of the pool, he didn’t release her, but instead kept his palm flat against her belly as if he had every right to hold her so intimately. Justice smiled and then took a slug of beer.