Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
CHARLI
It’s been a long time since a Friday night felt different from any other night.
In college, it meant the end of a long week of classes and studying and a fun night out with Cara and her boyfriend.
Living out of my car, it meant nothing. Now I sit here in the apartment with time on my hands.
I don’t have to get gas or find a new place to stay the night or go to the gym to shower.
I’m free to do what I want. Maybe I should go out. For a walk. Or to get food.
The knock on the door makes me freeze, but after a second, I realize it must be Teague wanting his jacket. I crack open the door, and he lifts his head from his phone and smiles. Wide and full of warmth, it stops me in my tracks for a second.
Unable to hold back, my lips curl up in response. “Come in. I’ll get your jacket.”
He shakes his head and leans against the doorway. “I’m fine to wait out here.”
The tension eases from my shoulders, and I leave him standing there while I grab it.
“Macklin and I are going out to get dinner, if you want to join us,” he offers as he takes his jacket. “Nothing fancy. A burger and a beer.”
“But you’re my boss. What if someone sees us?”
He shakes his head. “There isn’t a fraternization policy at the company.
Employees go out as friends all the time.
Some date. As long as it’s mutual and consent is given, my employees can do what they want.
” He pauses. “If you’re not comfortable with it, I can stay here and help you unpack or bring you something back? ”
“I want to go out,” I blurt and wince at the eagerness in my voice. “Jeans okay?”
His eyes light up, and he straightens. “Jeans are perfect. Let me change and grab Macklin. Say fifteen minutes?”
I nod. “Sounds good. Thanks.”
As he walks off, I close the door and lean against it, my grin stretching across my face. I’m going out on a Friday night. With them. Two insanely hot men. Not that this is a date or anything. But it’s real, not one of my daydreams.
I hurry over to my suitcase, pull out my favorite pair of jeans, and slip them on.
In the mirror, I turn to the side. These jeans make my butt look good, and my light green sweater pops against the darker color.
Satisfied, I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and refresh my makeup, not that I’m wearing much.
Out of perfume, I spray a little vanilla body spray on my neck and clothes.
When I hear the knock again, I’m waiting by the door with my coat and a small purse.
This time, Macklin is standing on the other side, looking dark and dangerous.
My eyes slide down his body and relish in his size.
In black jeans molded to his muscular thighs and a black leather bomber jacket, he’s intimidating.
As if he could take someone out with one punch. I like it. Makes me feel safe.
“Ready? Teague went to start the car so it will be warm for you,” he says gruffly.
He waits while I lock the door, then motions for me to go first. Turning, I head toward the elevator and hear him mutter something behind me about a long night.
I swivel my head around. “Sorry, did you say something?”
He clears his throat. “No, talking to myself.” In the elevator, he punches the G button. When I raise an eyebrow, he explains that there’s a parking garage under the building. “I’ll text you the code so you can park in there. Should have thought of it yesterday.”
The doors open, and I see Teague sitting in a black SUV, wearing the jacket I returned to him. Macklin opens the back door for me, then hops into the passenger seat.
Teague’s cologne lingers in the small space, and I inhale appreciatively. Add that to the heat blasting from the vents, and I can’t help but smile. “Toasty warm. Thank you.” The sight of him instantly soothes the ache inside me.
Teague nods. “This isn’t Texas. It gets cold here.” He maneuvers the vehicle out of the garage and takes a right. “We’re taking you to the Wolf’s Den. It’s a casual hangout with really great burgers and a bar. We usually go there on Friday nights.”
“I’d only been in Texas a couple of days when I took this job,” I let slip, then continue as if it’s nothing. Hopefully, he won’t ask why I was so quick to take this job. “But I’m definitely not used to the weather. I’m a Southerner. How cold does it get here?”
He exchanges a glance with Macklin, then shrugs. “Not too bad. Lowest is maybe fifteen degrees. But we get a lot of sun, so that helps.”
Fifteen? Brr. I’m going to need a few more clothes. A neon sign depicting a wolf’s head and the name of the restaurant appears, and Teague pulls into the parking lot. The Wolf’s Den is rustic with dark wood siding and a wraparound porch. Based on the number of cars in the parking lot, it’s popular.
I get out, and Macklin frowns. “What?”
He tilts his head toward the SUV. “Next time, wait for Teague or me to get your door.”
Is he serious? I stare up at him, and he raises a challenging eyebrow. I guess he is. “Okaaayy.” Wind slices through my sweater, and I unfold my coat. Before I can do anything else, Macklin takes it and holds it out for me. Tensing, I put it on, then quickly step away.
There’s always this feeling of push-pull with my gift and the scars I carry.
I wish I didn’t have to fear someone’s touch and the vision it could bring on, or worry whether someone’s hand on my back will trigger the past. Because I ache to be normal, to hug and kiss, to go out with friends or on a date. Almost like tonight.
When I round the SUV, Teague leans in. “Everything okay?”
Did I frown or something? “All good. Just hungry.” I can’t help but stare at him. In jeans and a dark grey V-neck cashmere sweater, Teague looks good. Too good. He and Macklin make quite the pair.
Teague narrows his eyes, but after a second, he leads me into the restaurant. Macklin flanks me on the right.
It’s hard to see anything with the two of them surrounding me like bodyguards, but I can’t say I mind.
Not only does it make me feel safe, but who wouldn’t want to walk into a restaurant with two incredibly gorgeous men?
I swear, after tonight, I’m going to have to up my daydream game.
Maybe play this night out as if it’s a date instead of them including me like I’m a pal.
An insanely stunning woman with ice-blond hair and turquoise eyes greets us. She must be every bit 5’11” or 6’ with curves in all the right places. I can’t help but think that’s the kind of woman who should be with them.
“Teague, Macklin.” Her gaze flicks to me, then back to them. “Three for dinner, or will Andros be joining you?”
“Just the three of us, Brita,” Teague replies. “Corner booth, if you have one.”
She checks the tablet in front of her and nods. “Right this way.” Grabbing some menus, she heads toward the dining room, with us following. “Alexander will be with you in a minute.”
Teague tenses. “Is there anywhere else we can sit?”
For some reason, this makes her laugh. “Sorry. We’re pretty packed, and this is the only booth available. Unless you want to sit at that table?” She points to the single empty table in the middle of the room.
“No, we’ll sit here,” Teague replies in an irritated tone. “Thanks, Brita.”
Her lips twitch as she sets the menus down, then she winks at me and leaves.
Teague motions for me to scoot into the center of the large, curved booth, then he takes the outside.
Macklin sits on my other side, across from Teague.
My neck tingles, and I flick a glance at the other tables.
It’s like the coffee shop all over again, but this time there’s also an inordinate number of women staring at the two men beside me.
Me. The girl who never went to prom. Or had a boyfriend. Or felt the least bit sexy. Who couldn’t relax enough the one time I did have sex to enjoy it. Too worried his touch would trigger a vision. Or he would see my back and be repulsed.
I might not be on a date with them, but those women don’t know that, and their envy bolsters my confidence. With a small smile on my lips, I pick up the menu and read the long list of food. Apps. Ten different kinds of burgers. Salads. Chicken fingers. Wings.
Surprisingly, the prices are pretty reasonable, which is a relief. Starting my new job on Monday means I can splurge a little.
Teague leans over. “Anything look good?” His sterling eyes darken, the grey eclipsing the blue as they slip to my glossy lips and linger there for a second before he clears his throat.
“Mm, the cowboy burger with onion rings,” I reply, fighting the urge to lick them. “What about you?”
“The black and blue with a salad,” he tells me before leaning back, his attention solely focused on me.
Flustered, I glance down at the menu and see it’s a burger with blue cheese crumbles; my nose wrinkles.
He laughs when he sees my expression. “Note to self. No blue cheese for Charli.”
“Nope.” I laugh.
His gaze drops to my smile, as if he can’t look away. And when I lick my lips, he inches closer.
Macklin raps on the table, making me jump. Teague swivels his head toward the young man walking toward us. Lanky, with boyish good looks, he suddenly pales, then pivots on his heels, heading back to his seat. Teague turns to Macklin with a satisfied smile.
“Hey, Teague, Macklin,” a deep voice says. “And hello, gorgeous stranger. What’s your name?”
Like the hostess, the server has ice-blond hair, but instead of turquoise, his eyes are gold.
Pure gold. I’ve never seen anything like them.
And he’s every bit as tall and stunning as her.
Brother and sister? If so, what does the rest of the family look like?
Their gene pool must be insane. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen anyone who isn’t good-looking since I got to town.
Fidgeting under his stare, I blush and murmur, “Charli.”
He holds out his hand. “Hello, Charli. I’m Alex. Clan Larsson.”
Teague stills, and Macklin glares at the young man.