“What is it? What were you going to say?”
Garrett stared at Gunner and Gunner feared that Garrett would allow his past and his insecurities after the war to continue to close off his heart to love. That’s exactly what was happening here. They were all falling in love with Gia. Hell, he knew that he loved her already.
“Last night, after we made love to Gia and fell asleep, I didn’t wake up until this morning.”
Gunner raised his eyebrows at Garret, wondering what the hell he was talking about. Garret released an annoyed sigh then straightened his back and held his brother’s gaze.
“I don’t sleep, Gunny. I’ve had fucking nightmares rocking my nights ever since I came back from Afghanistan. Every fucking night I wake up in a cold sweat forgetting where I am after reliving that day I nearly died. I started thinking that I shouldn’t even be here, on this earth, I mean, when all those other soldiers bit the bullet.”
“Hell, Garrett, why didn’t you talk to Wes and I? Don’t you think we’ve had our share of nightmares and flashbacks? Shit, just a few weeks ago I had one and it was a fucking doozy. It happens, but maybe if you talked about with us, we could help you because Wes and I understand. We did that same kind of intense, heavy shit and we’re fucking lucky to be alive.”
“I guess I felt that if I talked to you two about it then you would think I was weak or maybe acting like a baby.”
“No fucking way. No fucking baby and no fucking average man could handle an inkling of what we went through and had to accomplish on missions as commandoes. Fuck that thinking. You’re not a baby. You’re a soldier and were a damn fucking excellent one.”
Garret smirked then shook his head.
“I’ve been being stupid for a while then. I guess I should have talked to Wes and you.”
“Our doors are always open. Besides, we’ve got some planning to do with Gia. We’re going to have plenty of other nights like last night with her, but in our home, where she’ll always have our protection.”
Garrett glanced at the bed.
“The three of you, Gia, Wes, and you, gave me the peace I needed to sleep the night through without any nightmares or restlessness. I felt at peace. Is that fucking corny or what?” Garrett began to walk away and Gunner stopped him by tapping his arm.
“Hey, that’s not fucking corny. That’s love. That’s knowing and confirming what we have been searching for in life and in our choice of having a ménage relationship and sharing the same woman as our wife. If we all didn’t feel that way then we’d have a problem. This is right. Gia is meant to be ours,” Gunner stated.
“She is ours. There’s no way I would let her go. I can’t now. Life just wouldn’t be the same for me.”
Gunner smiled.
“Me either. Come on, let’s go make some food. I’m starving and I’m sure that Gia and Wes will be, once they’re done taking a shower.”
“We have to help her to heal. I can’t stand to look at her bruises and her hand and think about what could have happened.”
“Me either. We’ll take care of her. She’s family now and we have to make her see how much she means to us.”
“Then maybe I can talk her into going back to bed with me,” Garrett said then smiled.
“Going back to bed?” Gunner questioned.
“Sure, I’ve got some major sleeping hours to make up and now that I have my own personal sex goddess to cuddle with, I’m going to make up for some seriously sleepless nights.”
Gunner laughed as they headed toward the kitchen.
* * * *
Wes pulled Gia into the shower and hugged her to him. She had come to mean so much to him, Garrett, and Gunner in such a short period of time. He eased her back against the tile wall and reached for the shampoo.
“I’ll wash you, baby, so you don’t have to do a thing,” he told her and she closed her eyes as he began to lather up the shampoo. The bubbles cascaded down her shoulders and over her breasts. He itched to take the delicious-looking berry between his teeth and arouse her the way she seemed to like. He would take his time learning what turned Gia on and what made her feel more passionate and desirable.
“You guys are spoiling me. I won’t be able to take care of myself when I’m alone if you keep this up,” she admitted as he watched her nipples pebble and she arched toward his touch.
He applied the conditioner to her hair as he caressed her scalp.
“That’s the point, Gia. We want to take care of you and protect you forever.”
Her eyes shot open and he zeroed in on her bruised cheekbone. She abruptly turned around as if his comment bothered her.