Hearts on Fire 6: Healing Sophia(15)

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Sophia finished taking a shower. She applied some special lotion and looked at her new tattoo. She was overwhelmed with emotion every time she stared at the cherry blossom design. Tank had performed a miracle. Seven days, four-hour sessions, a few fibs about her work schedule to the guys, and she’d done it. The additional week letting the tattoo heal had been hell. One look at Gideon and she felt as though she had hurt his feelings. What had they expected? For her to just let them take her to bed and that all would be forgotten from her past? It wasn’t that easy. In fact she felt the last few weeks had definitely been needed. She had learned a lot about ménage relationship from her new friends and gained a better understanding of what a commitment this would be if she decided to accept their advances.

She pulled on the deep blue sundress that zipped up the side over her tattoo and was too snug to wear a bra with. Then she heard the cell phone buzzing.

Quickly she looked at it and saw it was Jeremy. She smiled as she answered the call.

“Hi.”

“Hey, how are you?”

She sat down in the chair that overlooked the deck and the ocean down below.

“Doing very well. Adjusting, working, making some friends.” She heard him inhale and then slowly release a breath.

“Jeremy, is everything okay? Is there an update?” she asked.

“I’m sorry, Sophia, but the feds put a stop on the search for Mateo and Deavan. They seem to be satisfied enough to nail Scaggs and a crew of low-level thieves.”

She felt the tears fill her eyes, and her heart began to race. “Where does that leave you and me?”

“Don’t worry about me. It’s you I want safe. I spoke with Nate and then Lew earlier. Lew said you’re doing well and making some money. He said you can stay there as long as you want and that they wouldn’t want you to leave. Sounds like you’ve become important to them and not just a job.”

She sniffled. She couldn’t help it.

“I don’t know about that. I mean they’re amazing men and they are a lot older and more experienced, but I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to let my guard down, especially not now.”

“I understand that you feel that way, but you’re making a life for yourself. It could very well be that Mateo is out of the country and will remain in hiding for a long time.”

“But there’s always that worry he might come out of hiding and find me. As we both know, Mateo was always steps ahead and always had a plan. Why do you think he was able to botch that raid and disappear?”

“But you can’t live your life that way. What Lew, Andreas, Cerdic, and Gideon want to offer you is special. There’s no need to be alone anymore.”

“I’ll see what happens. When will I see you again?”

“To be honest, some things have changed for me, too. I can’t let this go and allow Mateo, Deavan, and their crew of murderous assholes to get away with this. I’ve called in some help, people I trust, and without getting into any details with you, I think we’re onto the rat, but the corruption runs deep. Keep close to your men. Let them care for you, protect you, and let them into your heart so they can love you. They’ve gone through hell in their lives, their careers, and are survivors, too. It’s probably part of the attraction you all share. Go for it, Sophia. Treasure Town is a very special place.”

“So I won’t see you again?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I have to see four Navy SEALs the size of those guys taking care of you, all mushy and lovey-dovey with you. That has got to be a sight.”

“Nice, Jeremy. I’ll be sure to tell them you said that.”

“Good. Because I promise to deliver the news that Mateo and Deavan have been caught or are dead in person to you. Now take care and I’ll be in touch.”

“Stay safe, Jeremy.”

“Give those men a chance, Sophia.”

She smiled and then disconnected the call.

She looked out toward the sunset. The sun appeared to disappear into the water. She loved it here. She felt comfortable in this town and around the people, her new friends, and with her new job, hell, her new life. Could she stay? Could she let herself go and give in to the desires, the attraction she had to Lew and the others?

Immediately her heart said yes, and her body shivered with anticipation.

She stood up, looked at herself in the mirror, and then headed downstairs. As she came down the stairs, she heard the voices and then saw Andreas leaning on the shelf. They were all there, drinking beers and opening up a bottle of wine.

“What’s going on in here?” she asked, and they all stood up straight and stared at her.

It was crazy, but there seemed to be this imaginary force surrounding them, a line, a connection, and as their eyes roamed over her body and the light, snug-fitting sundress she wore, she felt every part of her react. Her nipples hardened to tiny buds, and she knew they could see it through the thin material of the dress considering she was braless. Her legs shook, her pussy clenched, and she tried to walk deeper into the kitchen in a casual, carefree manner. But her heart pounded furiously, especially as she locked gazes with Cerdic. He licked his lower lip as he took in the sight of her. She turned away. It was too much.

“We need to talk.” Lew stated firmly, his arms crossed in front of his wide, muscular chest, the black shirt he wore stretched to capacity. He looked incredibly handsome and was dressed casually, yet every ounce of her read his expression as dominant, hard, controlling, untrusting, and she gulped.

“Yes, Lew?”

It got so silent she could have heard a pin drop. The sexual charge in the room was choking her resolve to go slowly, to let them take their time touching her, but she was also renewed. She felt a rebirth of sorts just because the tattoo had made Mateo’s branding, possessive mark disappear forever. She wanted to move on. She wanted to trust, to explore these feelings, and to feel more of their touches, caresses, and even their control.

When Lew held her gaze so firmly, and the cream dripped from her cunt, she knew things were not going to go as planned.

“You’ve been lying to us.” Andreas desecrated the silence with that deep, hard tone of his as he took position beside Lew.

She felt guilty initially, but as Cerdic moved in behind her and Gideon too, she felt only aroused.

“Lied?” she asked.

Cerdic placed his hands on her hips, and she gasped, closed her eyes, and relished the feel of such large, manly hands on her hipbones.

She wanted to press her ass back, to feel his much-bigger body encase hers. She wanted to feel safe, comforted, cared for in every way, and she truly believed these men could do that. Even if it were only temporary.

That thought nearly brought tears to her eyes. She was shocked as her focus went to Lew. Cerdic walked her closer to their leader.

“I’m only going to ask you this once. We can’t protect you, watch over you, be what you need if you’re going to lie to us. You haven’t been working extra hours. Gideon stopped by to see you today, and they said you weren’t working. Where have you been going? Why couldn’t you confide in us, trust us, Sophia? We don’t know what more we can do to prove to you that we’re real, we’re staying, we want you in every way.”

She saw the emotion, the anger, the insult in those gorgeous green eyes of his. One glace at Andreas and Gideon and she knew they were insulted and hurt too. But how could she explain why she had been pushing them away and why she needed to do this tattoo on her own and not let them see it? Until now that was.

“Sophia?” Andreas raised his voice, and boy, did her pussy react.

Jesus, why did she think making these men angry would lead to very enjoyable punishments? She could just imagine Lew, Andreas, and even Gideon tossing her over their knee and spanking her ass. Cerdic she wasn’t certain of, but something told her he was filled with surprises.

Cerdic, at that moment, gripped her hips and gave her a light shake. His mouth landed on her shoulder, his lips pressed to her ear.

“Answer him, or they’ll be hell to pay.”

Holy. Freaking. Cow.

This was it. A moment of risk. But after what she had been through, this would hopefully only lead to better things and a real life, not one on the run and in constant fear.

“I’ll need to show you.” She went to step away, but Cerdic gripped her tighter. He ran his hand along her waist and over her belly.

“The truth, Sophia. We care about you so much. We want you in every way, but you can’t keep pushing us away, torturing us. It just isn’t fair.”

She swallowed hard. “Let me show you, Cerdic. Please,” she whispered, and he slowly released her, his touch so effective that the heavy feel of his large hand left remnants of warmth in their path.

She stepped to the right, and they surrounded her. So big and tall, intimidating to think that she was going to let them make love to her. Together, no holding back, no barriers, just letting go and allowing her heart, her desires, to lead the way. Whatever tomorrow brought, so be it. Tonight, she wanted to continue on the path to be healed.

“I’m sorry I lied. I’m sorry I’ve pushed each of you away. That night Lew kissed me and then things got a little wild, I realized what was holding me back from letting you into my heart, into my body.”