Army Ranger with Benefits (the Men of At-Ease Ranch) Read online

He nodded.

  “So what’s the problem?” His brother’s gaze narrowed. “He didn’t care?”

  “No. I mean, yes. I guess.” He blew out a breath. “I was too busy getting knocked on my ass.”

  Light entered the blue eyes scrutinizing him. “Ah. She made you feel it, did she?”

  And a hell of a lot more than he’d expected, but couldn’t let her know. She wanted Stephan. Which was why he’d mentioned the man the instant he caught his breath. Although, why she’d responded with such an odd look puzzled him. It appeared almost…pained.

  Which made no sense. Must’ve interpreted it wrong. Hell, with all the craziness going through his mind at the time, that had to be it.

  “Nothing wrong with that, bro,” Dom said. “Don’t beat yourself up about it. Emma’s hot. And you’re breathing. Of course, you’re going to feel it.”

  If only it were that simple.

  “It was more than that,” he said with a shake of his head. “It was like…I don’t know…like I was back in high school.”

  There. He said it. He voiced the discontent whispering in his head all damn night.

  His brother sat up and muttered a curse. “What are we talking here? Connie potential?”

  Maybe.

  “I don’t know.” He sucked down the rest of his beer and set the empty bottle on the paver. “That’s why I’m freaked out. I can’t go through that again.” He refused to open himself up like that, especially to a woman who wanted another man.

  Dom shoved a hand through his hair. “Sorry, Vince. I didn’t mean to put you in this position. Maybe I can get the doc to okay more therapy. This way I might be able to shave a few days off your stay.”

  Vince stilled while alarm shot through his chest. “No. Don’t mess with it. Look how far you’ve progressed with just two therapy sessions. You never would’ve been able to get in this hot tub three days ago.”

  “Exactly my point. Imagine my progress if we upped the sessions.”

  “No. Too much strain could set you back. Just leave it as it is. I’ll be fine,” he insisted. No way would he forgive himself if his brother jeopardized progress because of him. No way. If that’s the case, he’d quell any and all feelings for the woman. Blood before lust. “Now that I know the danger, I can safeguard against it. I’ve resisted temptation before. Hell, I’ve done it for nearly a decade and a half.”

  Granted, those women never sent shockwaves of awareness through him with just one touch, but his brother needn’t know.

  Dom closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “Who knows? Maybe you’ve done enough tonight to get the doc to finally ask her out tomorrow.”

  “True,” he said, refusing to label the sinking feeling in his gut, or the tightening in his chest as anything but relief.

  It was also the reason he decided to make a fresh batch of cannoli in the morning and deliver it to Emma at work. That didn’t exactly scream casual, but in that moment, Vince didn’t care.

  Hell, maybe he’d get lucky and Stephan would be around to witness the act. It might even add fuel to the fire. Because when Vince had spotted the guy watching them after that amazing kiss, there was no mistaking the clenched fists, or the envy darkening the man’s eyes.

  Yeah, he definitely needed to visit her at work.

  For Stephan’s sake.

  It had absolutely nothing to do with the long dormant need knotting his gut.

  …

  “So, how long have you been seeing each other?” Stephan asked Emma the next morning.

  Wow. Her butt had barely hit her chair when he’d approached her cubicle. Heck, she hadn’t even had the chance to fill Macy in on her date.

  The unexpected action and question momentarily stole her voice. She glanced at her friend. The smiling woman sat back and regarded her with a lazy grin, clearly comfortable to watch the show.

  “Vince?” She cleared her throat and shrugged, hoping to appear cool. “Oh, we aren’t actually seeing each other. He’s my neighbor’s brother. It’s more of a casual thing.”

  The fact she’d had a great time, that it’d felt more like a real date than a fake one, was all Vince’s fault. He made her feel at ease. Like she could do no wrong, and he was happy to just hang out. The guy had learned more about her in two days than Stephan had learned in six months.

  How was that possible?

  Because he had to, her mind reasoned.

  But he didn’t have to take the time to teach her to bowl. To actually walk her through it. Most men would’ve just told her to do what they did.

  Not Vince. He was perhaps the most patient man she’d ever met. Which didn’t compute because the military men she’d dated had never been good with patience.

  Or maybe she’d dated the wrong men.

  “So you’ve known him a while,” Stephan said, more than interest filling his gaze.

  She nodded. “A long time.” Dom had mentioned his brother early on. “But I didn’t meet him until four days ago.”

  Stephan’s brows rose. “Boy, he didn’t waste much time asking you out.”

  “Some men are like that,” Macy chimed in. “They see what they want and go for it. They don’t need to wait…say six months…or a decade to act.”

  With heat rushing into Emma’s cheeks, she returned the foot-to-the-shin maneuver and ignored Macy’s yelp.

  Stephan glanced from her to Macy, then back. “Well, he seems like a nice guy.”

  “Yeah.” Her friend nodded, a devilish grin on her face. “A nice guy packing mouthwatering cannoli.”

  Emma sucked in a breath. She did not just say that.

  “Good morning, everyone,” Vince said from behind.

  Squeaking, Emma jumped and turned to face him. “Hey…I didn’t see you.”

  “I know.” His gaze softened. “Didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to drop this off.” He set a dish of mouthwatering cannoli on the counter between him and Stephan. Emma pressed a hand to her fluttering stomach to keep the relief inside—and to keep herself from smacking her not-so-funny friend in the arm. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you, so I made these this morning to give me a reason to see you while Dom’s at PT.”

  Real or not, his words put a smile on her face. “Thank you.” She stood. “I had a great time last night.”

  So much so, he’d dominated her dreams.

  Not Stephan.

  Emma tried not to read too much into that. Just like she wouldn’t read too much into the way her heart skipped a beat when his gaze dropped to her lips.

  “Yes, thanks, Vince,” Stephan said, breaking the spell. “I’m assuming we can have some, too.” He held up a cannoli.

  Vince nodded and grinned. “Yes, of course. Help yourself.”

  “That’s all I needed to hear. Make room.” Macy jumped to her feet and reached for one.

  Smiling, he grabbed one and handed it to Emma. “Let me know what you think.”

  “Okay.” Holding his gaze, she took a bite and promptly echoed Macy’s moan as the confection melted in her mouth.

  Stephan stilled and swallowed audibly, while Vince’s gaze darkened to a deep whiskey color that warmed her from within.

  “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted,” she told him before taking another bite.

  Satisfaction eased his mouth into a grin. “I’m kind of partial to your peach pie.”

  “Emma baked you her pie?” Stephan raised both brows and blinked when Vince nodded. “You’re a lucky guy.”

  A few of the nurses drew near, eyeing the goodies.

  “May we have some?” one of them asked.

  “Help yourself.” He stepped aside and grinned at her. “There’s another batch at Dom’s. He threatened to skip PT if I tried to leave the house with both trays.”

  “I don’t blame him,” Macy said, reaching for her third treat. “These are the bomb.”

  “Amen,” one of the nurses said between bites.

  Chuckling, he turned to face her. “I better let you get back
to work.”

  She nodded, trying to stop the blush threatening to invade her cheeks. “Thanks for the cannoli.”

  “My pleasure.” He sent her one of his sexy grins before leaving the office.

  “Mmm…mmm.” Macy sighed. “That man looks just as good walking away.”

  “Amen,” the same nurse said again.

  Emma smiled, and was still smiling two hours later when break time rolled around. She saved her file and stretched back in her chair.

  Her friend grinned. “I can’t believe Stephan came right up to you this morning and flat-out asked you about Vince. Finally, you have movement! You and Vince need to keep it up. It’s working.”

  Yeah, but in both directions.

  How was it possible to be attracted to two men at the same time? Stuff like that only happened in the movies or in a book. Not in real life. Especially not in hers.

  Good thing Vince wasn’t attracted to her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Several hours later, Emma entered her neighbor’s backyard with a strawberry-rhubarb pie. She couldn’t show up at a barbecue without bringing one. Vince had texted the invite to her after lunch, stating they needed to strategize their weekend and suggested doing so by the pool.

  “Hi, Emma,” Dom greeted her with a wave, standing near a patio table already loaded with food. The man wore board shorts and an actual smile.

  Her heart lifted. She hadn’t seen it in a while. She missed the grin.

  It appeared less strained with pain, and for that she was grateful, but she wished he was fully clothed. His beautiful, muscled body was covered in bruises that were turning that ugly yellow-brown. In truth, it was hard to look at him and not cry.

  She inhaled slowly and cleared her hot throat. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better now.” He grinned, reminding her of his brother. “You brought pie.”

  She laughed. “I see how it is. It’s not me you’re happy to see. It’s my pie.”

  “I’m happy to see you,” Vince said, stepping onto the back porch.

  His words and presence sent her heartbeat racing, and she nearly dropped the pie.

  Darn it.

  He, too, wore board shorts, but thankfully, he still had a T-shirt on. The last thing she needed to see was his naked torso.

  It’s probably covered in hair, all covered in hair, she told herself as she headed to the table to set down her pie.

  “Thanks,” she told him, remembering to be polite. “I brought dessert.”

  “You didn’t have to,” he said, stopping next to her. “But something tells me I’ll be glad you did.” She lifted the pie for him to sniff. “Mmm…strawberry-rhubarb. I haven’t had any in years.”

  Dom stepped close and cupped both their shoulders. “Then you’re in for a treat. Peach isn’t her only specialty. All of her pies rock.”

  Between his praise and Vince’s admiring gaze, she wasn’t sure how to react.

  “Whatever you’re cooking smells amazing,” she blurted. “Do you need any help?”

  Vince shook his head. “No. I got it covered. You two sit down. The burgers are almost ready.” He headed to the grill.

  “Grab yourself a drink and take a load off.” Dom motioned to a cooler near the porch. “And while you’re there, can you grab me another beer?”

  She laughed. “A ploy to get what you want.”

  He set a hand over his heart. “You wound me.”

  Grabbing their drinks, she snorted. “Takes more than that to get through your thick skin.” She glanced at the griller a few feet away. “Vince, you want a drink?”

  “Yeah. A beer. You can set it on the table.” He turned to her and smiled. “Thanks.”

  The fluttering in her stomach was strictly due to hunger.

  End of story.

  She placed the drinks on the table and sat down. It felt good to get off her feet.

  Vince carried over a plate of sizzling burgers that smelled so amazing her stomach didn’t flutter—it growled. Loudly.

  She grinned despite the heat in her cheeks. “Think you woke up a beast.”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time.” Dom snickered, reaching for a patty. “My brother inherited our nonna’s cooking prowess. She could make cardboard taste delicious.”

  Vince’s phone rang, cutting off his laugh. He fished it out of his pocket and answered, “Hey, Leo.” After listening a few seconds, he smiled. “Hang on, I’m going to put you on speaker. I’m with Dom and Emma.” He set the phone on the table and tapped it. “Can you hear me?”

  “Yes,” a low, rather sexy voice responded. “Hello, Dom and Emma.”

  Vince grabbed a patty. “I just finished grilling, so we sat down to eat.”

  “Burgers?” Leo asked, voice wistful.

  “Yeah,” Dom said, his mouth full. “They’re delicious. Too bad you’re not here.”

  “Bastard. Enjoy it for me.”

  “I am.”

  They laughed. Emma took a bite of her own burger and nearly moaned. Dom wasn’t kidding about Vince’s cooking.

  “I’m calling to let you know my buddy may have found your friend,” Leo continued, and Dom went still. “He’s going there on Sunday to check in person.”

  Relief eased the stiffness from her neighbor’s shoulders. “Thanks.”

  “Yeah, Leo. Thanks,” Vince said. “That’s good news.”

  “Hopefully, it’s him and he’s okay,” Leo said. “So, how are the burgers?”

  “Amazing,” Emma said between bites. Seriously amazing. Maybe he’d be open to feeding her every day in exchange for pie?

  A groan emanated from the phone. “Vince, I’ve missed your cooking, man. Everyone has.”

  He sat up. “Why? Is my kitchen okay?”

  “Yes. Relax,” Leo said. “Everything’s covered, it’s just that the girls don’t cook like you. Although, Jovy’s pierogi were delicious, and Beth makes a mean pork barbecue.”

  Vince frowned, a flash of envy darkening his gaze. “Jovy made pierogi?”

  Her heart squeezed. Memories of making them with her grandfather flashed through Emma’s mind. Some of her favorite times.

  “Yeah, she did,” Leo replied. “Homemade.”

  Vince shook his head. “She’s been holding out.”

  Dom leaned forward. “That’s okay. We have Emma’s homemade pie.”

  “Yeah.” Vince’s warm, amber gaze met hers. “Strawberry-rhubarb today.”

  Another groan emanated from the phone. “My grandmother makes pie, too, but I haven’t had one in years.”

  “I’d be happy to make one for you if you’re ever in town,” she offered.

  His warm chuckle echoed through the line. “Thanks. I just might take you up on that, seeing as Mother Hen here and the whole damn gang voted for me to drop in and check on Vince and Dom.”

  Vince raised a brow. “Stone wants you to come here? When?”

  “There’s a little lull between jobs right now, so how does Sunday sound?” Leo asked. “I’m hoping I’ll have more concrete news for Dom by then, too.”

  “You’re always welcome here,” her neighbor said, reaching for his beer. “You all are.”

  “Appreciate that. I’ll see you Sunday.”

  Emma leaned toward the phone again. “I’ll have your pie ready.”

  “I appreciate that, too. Thank you,” Leo said. “See you all on Sunday. Enjoy your burgers.”

  A second later, the phone was silent.

  By the time the meal ended, not only was Emma no longer hungry, she would no longer look at a grill the same again. She loved the grill. The grill was her friend, but nothing she’d tasted from her backyard, or anyone else’s, had ever made her moan. Until today.

  “I can’t believe I ate that whole burger,” she said. “The combo of mesquite and Italian flavors was flat-out amazing. I think you just ruined me, Vince.”

  He laughed, a measure of pride lighting his eyes. “Well, thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it, because I’m pretty
sure I’m going to eat all of your pie.” He nodded to his nearly finished second helping of dessert.

  “Think again.” Dom loaded his plate with his third slice. “There’s still two more pieces left and they’re mine.”

  Vince raised a brow. “Don’t bet on it, bro.”

  Smiling, she sipped her wine cooler, more relaxed than she’d been in a long time. The sun was setting, the air was warm but not oppressive, and a soft breeze blew the hair off her face as the solar lights slowly kicked on. A great transition into evening, and it was nice to sit and enjoy it with the brothers, especially at the end of a workweek.

  “Where are you two pretending to date this weekend?” Dom asked, scraping the last of the pie from his plate with a fork. “And don’t even think of siccing Chelsea on me again. I can manage a few damn hours by myself.”

  She hid a smile. “You telling me you didn’t have a good time with your groupie?”

  Dom gave her the stink eye and grumbled into his beer.

  Vince chuckled. “I got the same answer from him last night.”

  “So, where are you two heading tomorrow?” her neighbor asked again, completely ignoring all talk of Chelsea.

  Emma let it drop and shrugged. “I’m not sure. I think Stephan told Vince he likes to jog or hike or something on the weekend.”

  “Yeah.” He nodded. “At Flat Rock Park. But he never said what day or time, so we may not even bump into him. Have you ever jogged or hiked before?”

  Laughter rippled up her throat. “No. Like bowling, I’ve never hiked or jogged, either, although I have been known to sprint from mice.”

  He smiled. “I’ll be sure to keep your path rodent free.”

  They had just settled on a time to meet in the morning when her phone rang. Rubbing a hand on her pant leg, she sent her hosts and apologetic look, and answered. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hi, sweetheart.”

  Her mother’s tone was relaxed, so Emma let herself relax, too. Must just be a social call. Not bad news about her aunt.

  “How was your week?” her mother asked. “Any movement with Stephan?”

  Emma got up and walked out of earshot. “Good, and not really. But he does seem a little more interested in my personal life. Maybe that’s something?”

  “I would say so. Could it be because he saw you kiss your neighbor’s brother at the bowling alley?”