Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here(4)

A moment of awkward silence stretched out between the three of them. Zach joined them next to the table, sliding his hands into his pockets.

“It’s nice to meet both of you.” The lameness of her statement wasn’t lost on her. She actually wondered what she should do next. Better yet, what she wanted them to do next.

“It’s great to meet you.” Zach latched onto her lame statement, buoying her. “We ordered dinner. I wasn’t sure what you’d like, but we have a little bit of everything.”

That explained the table with the multiple silver-lidded plates. As though galvanized by Zach’s words, Logan pulled out a chair for her. The simple, gentlemanly act pinged her heart. She couldn’t recall the last time one of the guys held a door for her, much less pulled out a chair. In all fairness, she wouldn’t have encouraged chivalry, not in the units she commanded, much less from her classmates or other commanders whether they outranked her or not.

“Thank you.” She laid the clutch purse on the side table next to the window. The thin black beaded handbag that carried her identification, some lipstick and six newly purchased condoms. Her belly rippled at the reminder of the condoms. Six seemed like an obnoxious number when she’d counted them out, she’d nearly put three of them back. Glancing from one broad-shouldered man to the other, she wished she’d brought more.

Her lips twitched, and she settled into the chair, letting Logan push the seat in gently. He circled around the table, choosing the seat farthest from her and Zach claimed the chair to her immediate right. Logan’s posture corded with tension as he sat down; the action spoke of an old pain, muscles still stiff and sore. Lingering on the visible scarring, she wondered what type of accident he’d been in.

Zach interrupted her wandering thoughts. “I hope you like steak.” He lifted the domed lids and set them off to the side, revealing three juicy steaks, baked potatoes, steamed vegetables, a salad and a heavy central platter filled with everything from mozzarella sticks to barbecue wings. Her stomach rumbled as she inhaled the heady combination of scents.

Both men paused mid-motion and she grinned, unabashed at her stomach’s noisy cheer. “I’m starving actually. I spent the whole day in a spa being fed a steady diet of cucumber water and carrot sticks.”

“Excellent. About the hungry part.” Zach’s grin grew. “Not the rabbit food.”

“Why all day in a spa?” Logan sat back from the table, as though leaning away from the intimacy of the meal. Despite the distance, he studied her and she wished they’d angled the chairs better so she could enjoy watching both men at the same time. Zach’s easy manner, cheerful California surfer good looks were as compelling as Logan’s darker, edgier countenance.

“Wine, water, beer?” Zach asked before she could answer Logan.

“Beer, actually. If you have it.”

“If we have it.” Zach bounded back to his feet, leaving her alone at the table with Logan. “The mini bar’s fully stocked, we have Bud, Heineken, Corona….”

Watching Logan, her curiosity sheathed the lazy desires coiling around her butterflies, stilling their nervous flutters. “Corona, please. And I was in a spa all day to get ready for my date.”

“With two men you’ve never met before.” It wasn’t quite a judgmental statement, but the barest flicker of uncertainty creased Logan’s face.

They’re as nervous as I am. The thought encouraged her, quieting the last of her nerves.

“Yes. I wanted to feel pretty.” Honesty provided the best defense. An evening predicated on a fantasy deserved it.

“I hope you feel gorgeous because you look it.” Zach rejoined them, setting three open bottles of Corona on the table, hesitating only when he thought to pass the bottle to her. “Did you want a glass?”

“Bottle is fine. It’s colder that way.” She wrapped her fingers around the long neck and sipped. Desire flared in Zach’s eyes as he watched her drink. Lowering the bottle, she fought the urge to lick her lips. “Thank you. It’s been a long time since I had a reason to dress up like this.”

Dress blues didn’t count. She looked great in them. She was all Marine when she wore them. Always a Marine, but tonight she wanted to embrace her inner woman and let her out to play.

Studying the food in front of her, she took the time to spread a napkin over her lap to protect the dress’s fabric. But even as she picked up the knife and fork, Logan’s steady gaze never wavered.

“Why would someone like you sign up for a one-night stand with a pair of total strangers?” No hint of subtlety softened the blunt question.