“Oh God, he is going to embarrass us tonight.”
* * * *
“Will you calm down? This is what you’ve been waiting for. To find some men of your own you can fall in love with and be a part of,” Serefina told Catalina as they spoke on the phone.
“It’s not the same like this. I met and talked with Don and Cooper first.”
“And you discussed the possibility that their brothers might come around and be interested, too, but that they’re going through some stuff.”
“I don’t want to be a sex toy for them to play with whenever they have the urge to share a woman.”
“Oh, come on. They’re not like that at all. They said their parents are in a ménage relationship. They know how this works. I’m sure they’re just worried because of what happened with Jeremy and his job when Sophia was abducted. He lost a lot. He has to decide what type of job to do now. It’s overwhelming and stressful. Plus, Cody isn’t sure what he’s doing. So there are things to work out. Just take your time and go slow, but follow your heart, Catalina. It will be fine.”
“I believe you’re right, I do, but I’m sort of insecure still. I’ve never had a meaningful relationship. I had sex because it was the next step, and then realized I made a mistake. Intimacy scares me. I’ve spent so much time alone and focusing on work I don’t know how to let go and just have fun and enjoy life.”
“Then all of this is actually good timing. The new job offer, meeting Cooper and Don, and now their brothers, too. It’s meant to be, Catalina. Now is the time to take some chances since you’ve been playing it safe for so long.”
“But I can’t help but think about Paul and college.”
“That’s understandable, but I remember when all that bad shit went down. You didn’t think you could ever trust or love a man again. Now look at you. You’re stronger, more mature, and you’re not afraid to put on the brakes or question integrity. I say be honest with them. Take your time and see what happens tonight.”
Catalina looked in the mirror. She ran her hands down the strapless sundress she wore. It hugged her curves and ended right above her knees. Her legs looked great with the high-heeled sandals, too. Then she heard the doorbell ring.
“I need to go.”
“I heard. Good luck and be safe. If they hurt you, my men will kick their asses.”
Catalina chuckled, and then hurried out of her bedroom and down the small hallway to the living room. Her townhouse had two bedrooms and was perfect for just her.
She took a deep breath and opened the front door. She was shocked to see Cody with Cooper.
“You look gorgeous, baby.” He stepped closer, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her softly on the cheek. She held on to his forearms and smiled.
“Thank you. So do you guys,” she said as he gently released her and stepped back.
“Catalina,” Cody said and reached his hand out to her.
She placed her hand into his. “Cody,” she whispered, and when he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the top of it, she felt the butterflies in her belly. God, he’s so good-looking. They both are.
“This is a nice place,” Cody said as he released her hand and stepped inside. Cooper closed the door and looked around.
“Thank you. I’ve lived here for several years now. It’s a nice complex and only a few blocks from the beach.”
“That’s not a long drive at all,” Cody told her.
“I either bike or run, so I don’t mind at all.”
“You run a lot?” Cody asked her.
“Yes, it’s my favorite form of exercise.”
“Do any marathons or races?” he asked her.
“Actually, a few, but I’m considering a longer one.”
“Really? Is there one coming up around here?” Cody asked.
“There’s some 10K race in another week or so. I think a fundraising event for charity,” Cooper said, adding to the conversation.
“Ten K, huh? Sounds like fun.”
“Do you like to run?” she asked Cody.
“I do, but I haven’t done a race in a while.”
“I’ve been trying to train with some of my friends, but I’m not quite happy with my times.”
“How often do you run?” Cody asked.
“With work, I try to go at least four times a week, but I tend to lose a couple of days when I transition from night shift to day shift. In fact, I need to run tomorrow. I’m up to fourteen miles.”
“Damn, that’s impressive,” Cooper told her, and she smiled.
“So are you all set?” Cooper asked.
“Definitely. How is Don feeling? Is he in a lot of pain?” she asked as they walked out the door and she locked up. Cooper led the way, and Cody followed behind her.
“He’ll be fine. He’s had worse injuries. I think he’s just pissed off at the rookie who caused it,” Cooper told her over his shoulder.
“Well, he should be. What the hell was he thinking, swinging around a Halligan tool like that?”
She gasped as they got to the sidewalk and Cooper stopped short as some kids sped by on bikes, yelling “sorry” as they passed. She felt Cody press up against her as he bumped into her from behind, and he wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Okay, beautiful?” he asked, and as she tilted her head back to look at him, he kissed her bare shoulder. She nodded as her nipples hardened and her heart began to pound.
“All safe now,” Cooper told her.
She turned, and they headed toward the truck together with Cody still keeping a hand on her hip. She loved the scent of his cologne. It smelled familiar, and as they paused by the truck and Cody opened the passenger door, she turned to look at him.
“What cologne is that you’re wearing?” she asked.
Cooper hopped into the truck on the other side. “You mean the one he doused himself in?” he teased.
“You like it?” Cody asked and looked down into her eyes, holding her gaze.
He looked a lot like Don and Cooper, but his dark hair was crew-cut. He wore a thin gold chain, and his lips looked firm but tender.
“I do. It smells familiar.”
“Remind you of someone else?” he asked and pressed closer to her.
He moved her hair off her shoulder and lowered his mouth to her neck, allowing her nostrils to fill with his scent and also feel his masculine touch. She inhaled. “Like Don. You both use the same one?” she whispered, and when he pulled slowly back, his lips were inches from hers. All she had to do was move toward him, but would it be right? Was she playing with fire?
Cody made the decision for her.
“You smell so good, too, Catalina. I wonder how you taste.”
He then pressed his lips softly to hers. She felt his arm go around her waist, and then his lips deepened the kiss before he slowly pulled back. He took an unsteady breath along with her.
“My God, you’re so special. Come on, the others are probably getting impatient to see you.”
She slowly turned, and when she went to step onto the side rail to get into the truck, Cody lifted her up and placed her gently onto the seat with ease. He slid in next to her and smiled at her, then Cooper.
Cooper ran his hand along her thigh and gave it a squeeze.
“All set, baby?”
She nodded and prayed she wasn’t making the biggest mistake of her life.
* * * *
Jeremy watched Catalina take care of Don. In fact, he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off of Catalina since she’d arrived over an hour ago. She was stunning, and all three of his brothers fell into a natural comfort zone with her. When he wasn’t trying so hard to keep his distance, he found himself trying to step closer to her. To rub by her, to inhale her perfume, and to feel the magnetic tug at his body making him want to touch her.
But could he give her what she deserved, what his brothers deserved, or was he so unsure of what he wanted and too obsessed with what he thought he had to be in life? Tonight was bringing him closer to figuring it out but also deeper into wanting the things they had all talked about more than five years ago.
* * * *
“This was so good. Who made the potato salad?” Catalina asked as she took one more forkful. She was pretty hungry, but was relieved to have a home-cooked meal instead of trying to scrape something up at home for just her.
“You can thank Jeremy. He’s a wiz in the kitchen,” Cooper told her.
“Actually, we’re all more than capable of cooking. Our mother and fathers made certain of that,” Don told her, and then he sat back and exhaled.
She could see the perspiration reach his brow. He was tired and trying to stay up and enjoy the evening, but getting stitches could be exhausting. Plus, he was still so angry at the rookie firefighters. It seemed to have taken its toll.
“You should see the things Jeremy has been whipping up in the kitchen lately. I think he found his second calling,” Cody teased, and Jeremy gave him a sideways glance.
“Really? Well. I expect to benefit from this new hobby of yours, bro. You know I have a huge appetite,” Cooper said as he rubbed his belly, but then he looked at Catalina. His eyes roamed over her breasts and then to her lips, and she shyly turned away.
They were too much, each of them flirting every chance they got.
“So, have you decided to apply for that position at the hospital or what, Catalina?” Don asked her, and she could see the strain on his face. He really was fighting the pain he was in. He probably didn’t want his brothers or her to see him weak, but his body had gone through something traumatic. Even though it wasn’t a super-deep cut, he had still needed stitches. She reached over and caressed his hand.