Chapter 13
LOLA
Normally, I knew exactly what to wear to a date. And, normally, I would only have to impress one man, and not multiple.
To be fair, I didn’t have to impress them anymore. I had done that the first time they saw me in that elevator, and then a second and third time when I saw them the past two nights. If anything, they had to impress me.
I had seen them in fake police uniforms, half naked, and in loungewear, but never wearing any actual clothes.
After a long time staring into my closet, I decided to wear a dark plum-colored mini dress, with an asymmetrical hemline, and thin straps.
To complete the outfit, I opted for black knee-high boots with a small heel. I loved the combination of a beautiful dress with chunky boots.
I had worn boots with much higher heels every time I saw them, and I just wanted to know what it would be like to stand next to them with my actual height.
They were all six feet plus, and their sizes truly turned me on.
After checking my straightened hair and perfectly applied makeup in the mirror one last time, I took a quick mirror selfie to send it to Willa. We always wanted each other’s approval when we had a special occasion.
She texted me back telling me I looked like the hottest bitch who ever lived, and I replied with kissy face emojis before sliding my phone into my purse.
I decided to drive myself, and that would be my excuse not to drink alcohol. I wanted to be sober for the evening. I trusted myself with alcohol, but on a first date, I had a strict no-alcohol policy just to be able to think clearly until I was back home.
When I got to the apartment building, I sat in my car for a few minutes. I was right on time, but I needed a moment to calm myself down. I was excited to see them again, and while I talked myself into not being nervous, I couldn’t help that from happening. I wouldn’t allow my nerves take over though.
Once I got out of my car, I headed across the small parking lot get to the entrance. The door was wide open, and I went inside to take the elevator upstairs. The ride up was quick, and I felt my heart skip a beat when the doors slid open, giving way to their apartment.
I took a deep breath and stepped out, muttering under my breath, “They’re just men. Extremely handsome, stripper men. No need to be this nervous. No need at all.”
I straightened my back and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, then I reached out to ring their doorbell.
I could hear music playing inside, and their voices mixed with it as I waited for the door to open. Bennett appeared in the doorway, and he smiled at me with that gentle expression of his. “Hello, gorgeous.”
I truly tried my best not to let them get to me too quickly, but I melted right then and there at the way he greeted me. I sucked in my bottom lip and bit it hard to hide a grin from him. I tried to act cool, but I was failing hard. “Hey, you. You look handsome,” I told him, taking in the white bottom up. He had rolled up the sleeves, showing off the tattoos on his forearms.
He smiled and let his eyes move over my body, and I could tell he was pleased with what he saw. “That’s a very pretty dress.”
I thanked him and stepped inside, and when I looked at him again, I had the strong urge to give him a hug. The one he gave me last night felt amazing, and just walking in without giving him an actual greeting seemed wrong.
He must’ve been thinking the same because it was him who pulled me into his arms. I leaned into him and put my arms around him while he rubbed my back gently. “I’m glad to have you here tonight.”
“And I’m happy to be here.”
He gave me one more squeeze before letting go of me, and he placed his hand on my lower back to lead me up the stairs. “Are you hungry?”
“Very.”
“Good. Leo’s an incredible cook. You’ll love everything he made.”
I wasn’t a picky eater, and as long as the food was made with love, I would enjoy it every time. “I’m excited.”
Once we reached the upstairs, the big table with flowers on it was the first thing I noticed. The table was beautifully set, and it was clear that these men had taken this very seriously.
“There she is, looking gorgeous as ever.”
I turned my head and saw Leo standing in the kitchen, grinning at me while he used tongues to turn the steaks in the pan.
“Hey. It smells amazing in here,” I told him, walking over to him to give him a quick hug.
He kept his hands to himself but kissed my cheek. “Sorry, my hands are dirty.”
I stepped back and waved a hand. “Don’t worry. You’re hard at work here. It looks amazing,” I told him, taking in the four pots and pans on the stove.
“And it will taste amazing too. I’ve often told him to open a restaurant because he doesn’t dance even half as well as he cooks,” Watson said, coming upstairs wearing a navy button-up.
Leo was wearing a black one with an apron over it to keep it clean. He rolled his eyes at Watson’s words, then he smiled at me again. “Can’t say he’s wrong.”
“Well, I think you’re a great dancer,” I told him, touching his upper arm.
“Thanks, darling.”
I went back around the kitchen counter to greet Watson with a hug. He held me close to him while rubbing my back, and I smiled up at him after leaning back. “You used to be a lawyer, right?”
“How’d you know?”
I shrugged, trying to look and sound nonchalant, and not like a stalker. “I read about it on your website.”
“So you know quite a bit about us already, huh?” He grinned and patted my hip before letting go and turning toward the table. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Water, please.”
“You drink alcohol though, right?” Watson asked.
“Yes, but not on first dates.”
He pursed his lips to hide a smirk, and he shot a glance over to Leo. “See, even she sees this as a date.”
“Well, isn’t it?” I asked, looking at the three of them.
“It sure is.” Kline walked upstairs, and my eyes were glued on him as he came over to me. He was wearing a black button-up shirt just like Leo, but for some reason, he looked a million times better.
I fought the urge to play favorites with them. I didn’t want to let it go that far, but tonight, Kline truly looked like a god. There was a roughness about him, with that buzzcut hair and beard, but his eyes softened his expression. He was like a big teddy bear. One you just wanted to cuddle and fall asleep on.
“Hello, gorgeous.” He pulled me to him with his hand around my waist, and I had to stand on my tiptoes to reach my arms around his neck.
I hugged him, and his big arms wrapped around me as he held me close.
“Hi,” I said, barely able to make a sound. It wasn’t just him making me feel this way. All four of them in one room was overwhelming, and I found myself feeling a way I never felt before.
I was used to men failing at being interesting enough to keep a conversation going, and then there were these four who could just stand there, looking at me, and I would be mentally satisfied.
“You look beautiful. I hope the others have already told you that,” Kline whispered in my ear.
Shivers ran down my spine. I nodded. “They have.”
“Let her breathe,” Watson said with a chuckle. “You’re squeezing the life out of her.”
Kline let go of me, and I laughed softly as I saw his crooked grin. “It’s okay. That was nice.”
“I bet it was. Here’s your water.” Watson handed me a glass, and I took a sip to get rid of the dryness in my mouth.
Something was happening here. The longer I was around them, the more it felt like a fever dream. How was it possible that I had found these four men who made me feel a certain way, when all my life I had never even once encountered a man who was able to excited me the way they did?
There was never a moment in my life where I thought about wanting to be in a relationship, but that was slowly changing. It just seemed impossible when there wasn’t just one guy I was attracted to.