“We aren’t interested in her. Don’t be jealous by her flirtation or her comment.”

  “I’m not jealous. We aren’t an item. All we did was kiss.” She looked down took her napkin and placed it on her lap. Both men slid their palms along her thighs and then squeezed her there as they leaned closer and looked at her lips.

  “We’d still be doing that if you’d have let us,” Nash told her, and she felt her cheeks heat up quickly.

  Alex chuckled. “And a bit more exploring for sure,” he whispered just as Molly walked over to take their order.

  She knew she looked shell-shocked. Jesus, these men were so much more experienced and forward about this. In fact she wondered if they even realized how huge of a deal this was for her today. To let down her guard and allow Nash to kiss her and then Alex, too. What was she thinking? She couldn’t handle this. A relationship. Intimacy and with more than one man. She started to feel a bit panicked. She tapped her foot, and it quickly led to bouncing her leg. She tried to breathe through her nose and take easy breaths. She knew they picked up on her anxiety immediately as Nash placed his arm over the back of her chair. “You’re safe. Nothing to fear. Just take nice easy breaths.” She shook her head and then looked to get up. To leave.

  Alex squeezed her hand, brought it to his lips as he held her gaze. “Look at me, sweetheart. Just look at me and listen to my voice. You’re so strong, and very beautiful. I love your eyes, and how they’re such a unique and mesmerizing green. Your lips are full, and kissable, and your laugh. Oh God, your laugh gets to me and makes me smile.”

  She stared at him and felt Nash leaning into her, his strong arm over her shoulder in a protective action along with Alex’s words. “You do?” she asked, and felt her breathing calm.

  “I sure do. I want to hear you laugh more. I want to say something or do something to make you laugh, make you smile, to bring you happiness, sweetheart,” he said and then kissed her knuckles.

  She took a few more breaths and realized she was okay. “Thank you,” she whispered, and a tear fell. He scrunched his eyes, and she wiped it away. He pressed closer and kissed her cheek.

  “Let’s enjoy our first lunch of many, together,” he said, and his words hit her belly, made her feel excited and encouraged about where today may lead with these two men.

  Chapter 2

  “It worked out fine after all then?” Jeremiah asked Maya. They were sitting in his office, having her therapy session.

  “I suppose so, considering that both Nash and Alex had the ability to calm me down. I could have made a fool of myself, I mean a total scene there in the café as I looked to escape.”

  “No, not at Molly’s place. Not anywhere in town really because so many people have panic attacks, or some form of post-traumatic stress. It’s how we all deal with it, process it, and gain back control.”

  “They helped me.” She shook her head. “It was crazy. I feel crazy for even letting down my guard and now thinking I could actually have a relationship with a man. Well…men.” She felt her cheeks warm. Jeremiah chuckled.

  “It’s important to be careful and to take precautions especially when you’ve been hurt before. They sound like they will take their time, and that’s a good thing.”

  “I’m not healed enough though.”

  He smiled softly. “Healed enough?”

  “Yes, I’m not strong enough mentally, definitely not physically, but I might not ever get to the point of feeling that confident even in things like a relationship, or living on my own.”

  “What do you mean living on your own? I thought you were doing okay staying in the cottage.” She didn’t answer. She felt embarrassed.

  “Hey, come on now. We don’t hold anything back here. Don’t be afraid to talk to me so we can work it out,” he said to her.

  She took a deep breath and exhaled. “I can’t stand being alone in the cottage. I hate it.”

  He widened his eyes. “Then we need to find you a new place.”

  “I’m limited on funds.”

  “That won’t be a problem. Not around here. I’m certain we can find something. Maybe Charlie might know or better yet, the sheriff.”

  “You think so?”

  “Definitely. Let’s give him a call and see if there is anything you can look at today.” She nodded, and he pulled out his cell phone. That was Jeremiah. He would do whatever was needed for his clients to feel confident and to get over any fears.

  Thirty minutes later and she was going to see a couple of cottages not too far past town in a pretty area that had several little houses and then two larger ones on a ranch. It was always decorated for the different holiday seasons, and if she wasn’t mistaken, it was close to where Nash and his family lived.

  She followed Sheriff McCabe along the road and thought about how lovely the area was. She liked that there were other small houses and neighbors around but also the big ranch. She saw the large W on the main gates to the big ranch and wondered who owned it. As they pulled along the driveway by the barn and the first house, two older men came out from the barn. She placed her car in park and got out.

  “Afternoon, Sheriff, how are you?” the one older man asked. He was tall, good looking, and had salt-and-pepper hair. Very attractive. The second gentleman was a hair shorter with dark hair, but he wore a cowboy hat.

  He shook the sheriff’s hand hello, and then the sheriff motioned toward Maya. “This is Maya, the young woman I mentioned who is need of a new place to live. I heard from your other brother Scott that you have two available now.”

  “Yes, we sure do. One is over towards our sons’ place, just down the road, and the other is right over here on the other side of the barn. I’m Edward, and this is my other brother Scott, Maya.” She shook Edward’s hand, and he smiled down at her. Scott smiled hello. These men sure were big, and there was something familiar about them. At least in their eyes.

  “Why don’t we go check that one out first because it’s closer to here,” the one man, Edward, suggested. They smiled at her, and she walked with the three men toward the first house.

  When they got inside, she knew something was wrong. “Son of a bitch!” Scott said and sloshed along the carpeting to the kitchen. Sure enough, a pipe had burst and they had water damage.

  “Well, this one is out of the question. Why don’t you, Maya, and the sheriff head down the road to the other cottage. I’ll start getting some help with this mess. I think the men are home,” Edward said, and he looked upset about the situation. She hoped he could work it out and fix it, and that the damage wasn’t too bad.

  “Sure thing. Come on this way, Maya. Sorry about this. We were just in here last week when the last tenant left and headed overseas,” Scott told her. “Well, it’s better that we found this now. You take care of that, and I’ll show Maya the other place. Hopefully no surprises there,” Scott said, and they headed out. She got back into her car, and the sheriff and Scott went in the sheriff’s patrol truck. When they got up the road a ways, she saw the second large house, the wide wraparound deck, and then the smaller house to the right of it that looked like a mini replica of the gorgeous, larger home. She smiled wide, and wondered if the place would be as beautiful inside as it was outside, and if she could afford it.

  As she got out of the car, Scott and the sheriff led the way toward the house. “It’s very private back here, but also very safe. My four sons live in the big house. Two are always around doing different jobs around the ranch and things. The other two are in law enforcement. Anyway, let’s check things out.” Scott unlocked the door, opened it up, and she smiled wide.

  “Oh God, this is so lovely.”

  “My wife, LizAnn, decorated it. She’s really good at this sort of thing. Is on the town committee for decorations and things for the holiday festivities.”

  “Well, I’m impressed. It’s a bit bigger than my last place. How much is the rent?” she asked.

  Scott looked at the sheriff. “I believe over the phone you said $400.00 a month,” the sheriff said to him.

  “Yes, I did,” Scott said, and she had a feeling it was really more than that.

  “I’m starting to look to maybe find another job. If the rent is higher, please let me know and I will figure things out,” she said to Scott. He gave a soft smile.

  “We haven’t rented it for a while, so $400 a month is perfect.”

  She smiled and looked at Kane. “Well, honey, it’s up to you. It’s a new start,” he said to her.

  “It sure is. When can I move in?” she asked Scott.

  “Whenever you like. I will probably run through the place and give it a cleaning.”

  “No need to. I can do that. Maybe tomorrow morning I could come by and clean up, and then I’ll ask some friends to help with my things.”

  “If you need help, my sons are around.”

  “Oh, that’s okay. I’ll manage.” She noticed the sheriff smile. She looked around a little more and then headed outside. Who she hadn’t expected to see were Rhett and Kase Weathersen coming out of the main house right next to the cottage. She gulped down the lump of intimidation and confusion as they came into sight. Cowboy boots, dark jeans, long-sleeve shirts rolled up to their thick, muscular forearms. They paused.

  “What’s going on?” Kase asked.

  “Got a new tenant,” Scott said and then smiled wide. “Maya, meet two of my sons, Rhett and Kase.”

  She looked at Kane who smiled. “It will be just fine,” he said to her as both men came closer. They were just as tall as Nash and Alex, but they looked rougher, untamed, with their shoulder-length hair, hard bodies, she could tell, and fierce expressions.

  “You’re moving in over here?” Kase asked.

  “Uhm, well, it’s the first place the sheriff has shown me today,” she said, now wondering if this was a huge mistake.

  “You men know Maya?” Scott asked.

  “Sure do,” Rhett said and looked her over. She fidgeted from their stares and looked away. “Did something happen at the cottage you were staying at? Are you not safe?” Rhett asked, sounding concerned.

  “She just needs a little change. Let’s leave it at that. Now, Maya, I can get my brothers to help bring your things from the other cottage over tomorrow morning,” the sheriff offered.

  “We got it,” Kase said firmly. She glanced at him. Kase was intimidating in so many ways, and standing beside Rhett, they were such a force she wanted to step back and grab onto Kane, maybe even hide behind him. She couldn’t show her fear of them. She couldn’t. She straightened out her shoulders and her voice cracked slightly, and it was obvious she was intimidated but she spoke up.

  “It’s okay, I can work it out. It isn’t your concern, but thank you anyway,” she said to him.

  Kase looked her over in such a way it affected her. Her breasts felt full, her nipples hardened, and holy God her pussy clenched. This was not happening to her. She couldn’t like him. Like all four wild, older Weathersen men. No way.

  “Guaranteed when Nash and Alex find out what’s going on they’ll help you move in, and we’ll assist. Let’s just let things fall into place,” Rhett said and then looked at his dad.

  “We’ll start taking care of that leaking pipe on the other place.” He dismissed her, or any argument from her against accepting help from them. That put her gut on alert. Both men could be so dominant and bossy that they could attempt to control her. She opened her mouth, but Kane gripped her hand. She looked at him, barely registering the conversation going on with Rhett, Kase, and their father, Scott.

  “Easy. It will be okay,” the sheriff whispered to her. She felt the tears fill her eyes. “I promise,” he said, and she nodded. Accepted Kane’s advice. He was the sheriff of Cherry Hill. He wouldn’t steer her wrong or any woman for that matter. He was extra cautious, extra aware since everything happened to Athena.

  “Okay. I’ll be along shortly,” Scott said, and she watched Rhett and Kase walk toward their truck. This had the makings for a disaster.

  “Moving in?” Alex asked Rhett over the phone.

  “So I gather you were unaware of this little visit this afternoon then.”

  “Obviously, and I’m certain Nash wasn’t aware either.”

  “Well, he should be by now. The sheriff was heading to a call that Nash was on. Maya was heading back home before work tonight.”

  “Well, what did you and Kase think of her? What did you feel?”

  Rhett was hesitant. “She’s a tiny thing, looks a bit thin.”

  “Our concern, as well. She’s so damn beautiful though, and that sweet voice, those unique green eyes just draw you in.”

  “That’s what’s in plain sight, but what about her state of mind? She was scared as a newborn colt. Shaking as she spoke to us. When Kase got firm on helping to move her things from her place, she tried to act confident, but her eyes welled up with tears and her voice cracked. She’s scared of us.”

  “Rightfully so. Think about what she’s gone through. Also, remember what Nash and I shared with her just a day ago. We’re making progress. She needs slow, and you and Kase have to pull back your intensity.”

  “Hey, listen, we aren’t even sure about this whole thing. We don’t even know her.”

  “You know her story. What she has gone through. You know how affected Alex and I were at the scene at her cottage when that fucking asshole attacked her and nearly raped her. A minute longer, Rhett, and—”

  “I know. I know, man, but that wasn’t the case. You all got to her in time.”

  “One question for you, Rhett. When she was in front of you, and you smelled her perfume, heard her voice, and looked into those eyes, did you feel nothing at all?”

  Rhett didn’t answer him immediately. “Kase and I are still working things out. You know we don’t even venture into town, socialize and shit. We don’t like people,” he added, and Nash snorted.

  “No shit.”

  “So how the fuck do you think that Kase and I can let down our guard at all with anyone?”

  “You let it down with us. With family. I’m telling you, she needs us. She needs protection, and she needs to rebuild that confidence she was growing before she was attacked. Think about it, bro. She was assaulted only two years or so ago. Tiny, petite, sweet Maya. It kills me inside to know that. To think of the pain, the fear she went through and still goes through because of it all. All of us have wounds, have scars, and have felt pain in different ways. I want to help her heal. I want her, plain and simple, but I want that with you, Kase, and Nash. Give this a try. Spend time with her. Take things slow and let’s see what happens. Can you do that? Can you two try?”

  “Fuck,” Rhett said on an exhale. “Since you and Nash already know her so well, find out what time we should meet at her place in the morning to help her move.”

  “Great. I’ll text you later.”

  Rhett looked out toward the open land and then toward the little cottage that was identical to their own house. Maya would be living right next door. He would see her on a regular basis. Be able to communicate with her and get to know her. He felt his heart racing, and that uneasy feeling hit his gut. What did a man like him, a thirty-eight-year-old man with scars and a piss-poor attitude, have to offer such a young, gorgeous, sexy woman like Maya? Jesus, what the fuck were Alex and Nash thinking? Rhett and Kase were so past hard and ornery. They would fuck this up for their brothers, guaranteed. He heard the floor to the porch creak. He knew his brother was there.

  “What’s up?” Kase asked, his tone harsh, sharp as could be even in normal conversation. Maya was going to continue to be scared of him, too. Rhett gripped the railing on the porch.