Page 27 of Triple Protection

"Sorry, Brick. I just... she'd never been on a date, and I've been dying the last few weeks. I didn't think, and I'm sorry." Liam says, clearly in on whatever this secret is.

"It's alright," Brick grumbles, the tips of his ears still red. "I don't blame you. I can't... I can't give her what she needs. I'm just glad someone can." Brick's entire demeanor darkens and his shoulders and gaze fall.

"What is going on?" I start. "What does he mean? I'm your girl?" I ask Brick, whose sullen demeanor changes to suddenly, seeming nervous. It's adorable. This mountain of a man looking nervous. But something about his body language makes me nervous. I don't want to see him hurt, especially if it's because of his aversion to touch.

He looks down at his feet while gathering his thoughts. "I've been a fan of yours since long before we took this job. I just didn't want to tell you and make you uncomfortable when you were already feeling vulnerable about your stalker," he says.

I snort. "You? Big burly, 'scary mother fucker' Brick...is a fan of my account?"

He swallows. "My sister raved about your account one night when we were stationed in Afghanistan. I didn't have a girl back home waiting for me like the rest of the boys. With my sister still in school and my dad working double shifts, I barely had family waiting on me back home. The things we did...the things we saw...my sister would go on and on about your account, so when I finally looked you up, I started following you. When things got too hard, I would look at your pictures and you became the example of what was worth fighting for. Knowing that pretty girls like you were back home, painting their toes or dress shopping... because boys like us were fighting in the desert. It just reminded me that it was worth it."

My heart stills at his words and I stare up and him, completely in shock. I don't know what I expected his secret to be, but that was absolutely the last thing I would have guessed. I am overcome with emotions and my chest shudders trying to contain them all. I imagine a young Brick, on a cot in a tent, alone, scrolling my feed. I think about the dumb shit I posted ten years ago that he would have seen. My heart swells thinking we've been connected all those years ago, that somehow I had been his escape. That I had helped him forget the horrors of war, if only for a little bit.

I pull my hands to my body, walk up to Brick, and lay my forehead against his chest. I want to hold him, to let him know how deeply moved I am by his confession, but I know he doesn’t want to be touched. I begin to cry against his chest.

"Aw, shit," Brick says, wrapping one large arm around my back and the other hand snaking through my hair gently. "I think I broke her."

I look up at him through my tears. "Thank you for telling me. That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me." I sniff.

"You're not weirded out?"

I shake my head and sniff. "Not with you. I trust you." I whisper. I do trust him. I trust all of them. And I've really grown to love having them around all the time.

I look at Liam, who gives me a sheepish smile before looking back up at Brick. "Are you mad?"

"That you were kissing Liam? No, not at all. These men are my brothers. They've each saved my life a time or two. Can I really blame them for wanting to kiss a pretty girl?"

"Even if I'm your girl?" I whisper, shooting him a shy grin. He drags one of his large thumbs across my cheek and held me even tighter.

"Fuck, Babygirl, I love the way you say that." He pauses, his huge shoulders falling again. "But I can't... I can't be that man for you. I can't... give you what you need."

"Why not?" He doesn’t answer. He still holds me close, and I can feel his erection begin to grow and push into my stomach. I've fantasized about Brick, about all three of them, more than I would ever care to admit. But suddenly, with my soft body pressed against the hard muscles of Brick, and Liam's kiss still lingering on my lips, knowing he was just a step behind him, makes me think of other ways I could enjoy them.

I look at Liam, who seems to have been on the same train of thought.

"Sorry I ruined your date man, I'll go camp out on the couch so ya'll can finish it."

"Brick, my man, shut up and kiss her." Brick's jaw slackens in surprise. He looks between me and Liam to me again for reassurance. I smile and nod at him, desperate to feel his lips against mine. For a way for me to show him how much I appreciate him, shit, how much I love him already. My hands are still held tightly, trapped between my breasts and Brick's hard, broad chest. His large hand holds the side of my face and I lean into it, never breaking eye contact. He slowly closes the distance,as if he wants to savor it, as if he wants to memorize it. I close my eyes and he presses his warm, soft lips against mine. They're tentative at first, a question, an invitation. I melt further into him, lost in the feel of Brick.

Vaguely, the sound of my phone vibrating from inside my purse registers in my lust-addled brain. Whoever it is, I'll call them back later. The only people in the world that matter right now are in this house with me.

Brick's lips move against mine in a slow, savoring, peaceful way, until he licks the seam of my lips, asking for permission. I open my mouth for him and he deepens the kiss. The kiss that had started out slow and tentative becomes passionate, needy. He presses his erection into my stomach and I moan. Between my legs is already aching and soaked. Fuck, I want him so badly.

My moan must have unleashed something in both men. Brick groans and deepens the kiss, his hands moving into my hair, messing up the braids, but I can't find it in myself to care.

Suddenly, there is another set of hands on my hips, as Liam presses his front to my back, reminiscent of the driving range. He trails hot, wet, open-mouthed kisses along my neck and shoulder and I shudder. From not having been touched by a man for a decade, to suddenly two men touching, kissing, feeling me is overwhelming. I can't concentrate on any one feeling, so overwhelmed with desire, with passion, with lust.

I had been on the best date of my life with Liam, but I'd been Brick's battlefield crush for years. Part of me feels guilty for kissing Liam, and then Brick, and then having Liam's hands and mouth on me, but the little bit of my brain that's actually functioning says "fuck it". If either boy is upset, they'll have to let me know, because the rest of my body is on board.

Chapter twenty-one

Brick

Brick

Babygirl feels amazing in my arms.

Somehow, over the years, I knew Angela was a fantasy, a pipedream. But I still held out hope for someone like her.