Password to Her Heart (The American Soldier Collection 9)

“Yeah, we’re not going anywhere, Shawna. We’re not leaving you,” Stitch told her.

“We’ve each been where you’re at. The fear of your experience, of not knowing if you were going to live or die, and then wondering how to trust again,” Tex added.

“But we’re a team. One that you’ve become part of, whether you want to acknowledge that right now or not. One team, one unit, one family, and we will be here with you always,” Mercury said.

Lee held her gaze as she looked at him and then the others then backed up toward Tiek. She looked so fragile and petite. Her breasts were wedged up against Tiek’s chest and she held his arms.

“I’m going to need some time. Time to get used to this, time to learn to trust each of you, and time to heal.”

Tiek smiled at her and Lee felt his heart rejoice that at least she wasn’t turning them down flat.

“Good, and while you’re thinking and processing, we’ll be exploring and convincing you that you’re our woman, and we adore you already.” He leaned down and kissed her, and when she reached up to wrap her arms around Tiek’s shoulders and straddle his waist, Lee knew that she was already theirs. They just needed to convince her to let them all inside completely.

Chapter 12

A few nights had passed and Shawna just couldn’t seem to stop the nightmares from happening. She lay in the closet, just like every night after one of the men came in to c

heck on her. She would sneak from the bed and cuddle up in the corner. But today had been an emotional day. Keith had a bad day, and the doctors talked about the possibility of him not making it. She cried, even now, thinking about how lost she would be without him. Instantly she thought about the men. Keith’s team, who were caring for her, telling her they wanted her as their woman. She wasn’t certain how that made her feel.

She never thought about having a relationship with one man, never mind multiple. She knew plenty of couples that did engage in ménage relationships, but she had always been so distrustful, she couldn’t imagine herself in their shoes. Like Tiek, Tex, and Mercury had said, the attraction between the five of them was there. Meeting the way they did was circumstantial, yet she still felt like an obligation. Perhaps over time, as she got to know them more, she would be able to let them make love to her, and she could slowly let them into her heart. But tonight that heart was heavy. She couldn’t stop shaking, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw Cuadrone.

She was exhausted but once again she would have a sleepless night because of her need for independence and to not rely on anyone.

“Shawna?”

She heard a male voice, but the closet door was closed. She knew she was busted, but tried not to panic. If she didn’t respond, whoever it was would tear the house down to find her.

She didn’t have to get up. The door opened and the large shadow appeared.

“Shawna, are you in here again?” Mercury, the man in charge, asked her.

She swallowed hard. “I’m fine. Please just go.”

“Have you been sleeping here every night? I thought you only slept in here the night of the big storm.” He knelt down on the floor. She could hardly make out his face it was so dark. Yet he spoke to her as if he had night vision. He was a Marine. Maybe he had special eyes. Marines were not like other soldiers.

She felt the shiver of awareness fill her gut. Mercury was a sexy, older man. Freud would have a field day with her.

“Come on with me.”

“No. I’m fine here. I’m safe here.”

“You’re safe with me.” He reached for her and started to pull the comforter when she snagged it back.

“I’m fine where I am. Please, Mercury, just leave me.”

“No. You’re scared, probably having nightmares, and you didn’t tell us. I’m upset with you, so move it now,” he demanded.

He was so commanding and lethal. Plus he was big, with lots of muscles and even a tattoo on his arm.

He also didn’t take no for an answer. He squatted down closer, lifted her and her bundle of comforter up into his arms, and carried her out of the closet.

As he placed her on the bed, she began to reprimand him and tell him that she would only head back into the closet when he left, when instead, he tucked her under the covers and joined her.

“What are you doing?” she asked, breath shallow and shaky.

He reached under the sheets, pulled her close so that her back was against his chest, and then fixed the comforter above them. She felt his long, thick cock against her ass, and the powerful muscles in his thighs leaned against her calves and thighs. He was made of pure steel, solid yet warm instead of cold.

“Now close your eyes and sleep. I’ll protect you,” he whispered, wrapping his arm around her midsection before snuggling into the pillow.