Had it gotten hotter out here? Ignoring the need to pull my blouse away from my overheated skin, I crossed my arms, wishing I’d worn something that wasn’t so form-fitting. I’d put on some weight this past year, and most of my clothes were too tight.
“Hi. I’m Luna’s mom. We haven’t officially met. I’m Caitlyn. Um, thank you for making sure she got back okay. Um, I was watching her through the window, but it’s nice to know she has you and the others looking out for her.” I couldn’t avoid making eye contact any longer, and when I did, all the spit in my mouth dried up and my abdomen spasmed from the raw desire emanating from his blue eyes.
He seemed unfazed that I’d caught him staring at my boobs. Self-conscious, I looked down and realized that with my arms wrapped around my stomach, the pose had pushed the girls up. Straining the thin fabric of my top while showcasing a wide swath of my cleavage.
Dropping my arms, I tugged the hem down and prayed I hadn’t turned the shade of a ripe tomato. I waited until he looked back up, but when he didn’t, I loudly cleared my throat. “I need to get back in there and make sure her aunties haven’t let her eat all the cookies. They’ve been spoiling her since we arrived.”
Before I could make a swift getaway, he said my name. Low and raspy, I swear the vibration created within his chest arced from him to me, setting off thousands of goosebumps all over my flesh.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you. But you have to know how beautiful you are, Caitlyn.”
Smooth, but I wouldn’t let his compliment sway me. No matter how much my body was thrumming from his attention. “Thank you. But I’m not looking for compliments or…anything else.” Putting as much emphasis on my words without sounding too bitchy, I waited a beat before I turned to hightail it back to the lodge.
“Fair enough. But it’s just that when I see beauty, I can’t help but admire it. I’m Victor, by the way.” I should have kept going, but politeness won out as I paused and looked over my shoulder.
Lord help me. I expected another thousand-watt smile, but there was no smile on his face. He wore a smoldering, heated stare zeroed on my lips that I swear telegraphed he wanted to do more than just look.
Like he wanted to kiss me.
Even though we barely knew each other.
Even though he was too young for me. Victor radiated passion and promises kept, and if we didn’t have an audience, Lord help me, I’m pretty sure I’d let him.
But then a niggle of doubt and self-consciousness pulled me from the edge. I was so out of my league with him. This kind of flirting wasn’t like me at all. I’d just sworn off men. Indefinitely. Yet he made me feel and think things I thought long dormant. Damn it, why couldn’t I loosen up and just go with the flow like my sister? I’m sure she had no issues with Kane when their attraction had sparked off each other like this.
Pointing his thumb over his right shoulder, he smiled once more. I almost sighed.Damn, damn, damn.Why’d he have to be even hotter when he smiled?
“Those giants back there, as Luna has tagged them, are my brothers. The largest is Lars, and one reason I live here now. The other two are just visiting briefly; no need to know their names. But if I don’t give them a tour of my new place, they’re going to interrupt us any minute, and I don’t want them to. And I look forward to seeing you later at dinner. And tell Luna to save me a cookie or two, please?” Another devastating smile. And I swear there is a twinkle in Vic’s left eye as he raked his gaze over me, then smoothly turned and sauntered off toward his brothers.
I couldn’t help myself. I watched him walk away, admiring the muscle play under his form-fitting shirt. The globes of his firm ass had me wishing for a fan to wave over my heated face. And his thighs were just as toned, and oh, I’ve never ogled a man like this in my life. Dragging my gaze off Vic, I saw his brothers smiling at me.
Oh, crap.So much for wanting him, and now his brothers, to believe I was immune to his charms.
CHAPTER FIVE
VIC
The evening was warm enough that everyone was in short sleeves, but the fire pit was blazing in deference to the soon to be setting sun. In the mountains, the temperature fell quickly after sunset, so at some point everyone would gather around the fire to tell stories.
West had dragged out the corn hole set he’d built in the wood shop, all proud of his efforts. He and Kane were debating over how to set up the teams. Co-ed or men versus women? Apparently, this group was serious about game nights. I’d witnessed some of it firsthand when board games had been organized with the client-guests when the weather had kept everyone in the lodge’s great room.
All I knew was that I’d be happy no matter what as long as I got to be near Caitlyn. And as if I’d conjured her, she stepped out onto the deck where tables had been set up for dinner. She, Luna, Chassie, and Sami each carried a dish. Lars, Finn, and Vic, who was holding onto a squirming Mateo, his mini-me at just over a year old, were stationed next to the grill. Dylan, Lauren, and Addy were still inside. Only Baz and Zoe were missing, but I’d heard morning sickness was to blame.
Taking in the full scene, it wasn’t a terrible place to be. A year ago, I knew I was ready to leave the service, even if I didn’t have my next steps figured out. Now I felt as if I were home. Even with all the overwhelming domesticity, I believed in the mission of the Triple R Lodge.
We were no longer in service to our country, but to our fellow brothers and sisters who’d put their lives on the line and now needed assistance discovering a new purpose. At first, I wasn’t sure that giving guitar lessons would or could help, but I’d been happily proven wrong. And I’d found something I hadn’t realized I needed.
Making my way over to West and Kane, I took one last glance toward the deck and was rewarded with a blushing Caitlyn. Grinning, I gave her a wink. Then Luna spotted me and shouted, “Hi, Vic!” She waved her hand enthusiastically as her mom shook her head. Tonight, she’d pulled back her hair in a ponytail, but tendrils had escaped, framing her lovely face. My fingers itched to brush them away, tucking them behind her ears.
“Yeah, he’s got it bad,” Kane chuckled.
“Should we tell him not to fight it, or sit back and watch the fun?” West added.
I broke eye contact with Caitlyn, waved back to Luna, then before they could finish the discussion on my love life, I snagged a beer from the ice chest, took a long pull, then answered West’s question. “What if I told you I have a plan?”
“I’d say you work faster than Lars has given you credit for.” Kane took my beer, tipped his head back, and drained it.
“Lars likes to exaggerate. I’m not the womanizer he’s labeled me.”Is that how Caitlyn saw me?If so, I had a bigger uphill climb than I thought.
