Cassidy stepped away from Orlando and gripped the counter behind her. She looked both scared and turned on, and her breasts pushed forward. She was feeling it too. She was panicking.
“No, Orlando, I’ve got it.”
Orlando looked a bit taken back at her resistance.
But that didn’t stop him from pushing for more.
He pressed his hands against the counter, trapping Cassidy there in front of him and against the sink. He towered over her just like Memphis did. Memphis walked closer too.
“Don’t get all pissed off and push us away. You feel the attraction.”
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She shook her head in denial.
Orlando gave a soft chuckle then clutched Cassidy’s chin.
“Baby, don’t. I know you don’t know me, but I think we can change all that.”
“No, Orlando, we can’t. I’m sorry to inform you that I am not some easy lay for you and your team to fuck around with. I don’t want any trouble. I’m not looking for any relationships. I’m just trying to live my life.”
Memphis crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“You in some kind of trouble?” he asked her.
Her cheeks turned a nice shade of red, and she looked away from him. A sure indication that he’d hit the nail on the head.
Orlando gripped her hips and gave her a squeeze.
“Someone hurt you, or causing you trouble?” he asked.
She grabbed Orlando’s forearms and began to push him away.
“No. I’m not in any trouble. My life is none of your business. The sooner you get that, the better. Now, if this is going to be a routine thing with you guys, then maybe I should reconsider moving in here. Respect my privacy.”
This time when she pushed forward Orlando knew enough to release her. The last thing they wanted was for her to be out of their sights. Memphis had a feeling that she was running from something. It could be minor or not, but he would find out.
“You don’t need to look elsewhere. We get it, Cassidy, and we’re not prying. You interest us. We would like to get to know you,” Orlando told her.
“I’m not looking for friends, for anything with anyone. Just leave me be. Please.” She headed back toward the bedroom.
Orlando ran his fingers through his hair, and Memphis stared at him a moment. No words were exchanged. The silence was enough to know they shared the same thoughts. Cassidy was in some kind of trouble or had been hurt by someone and was maybe even running from that trouble. They needed to talk to Cash, Coast, and Stryker. Hopefully, Red and his big heart wouldn’t get hurt by Cassidy.
All Memphis knew was that the woman interested him in more ways than any other woman had. That was why he wouldn’t just leave this alone. That was why he would pursue her and find out more. For some reason, his gut told him that Cassidy was worth it.
Chapter 5
Cassidy was careful to make the phone call from a burner cell phone she’d picked up at the local Wal-Mart on her way from Houston to Tranquility. She bought several of them just to keep in touch with Lynn and not take a chance that someone might be tracking her cell phone. She got rid of that too.
“You shouldn’t be calling me. What if he or his friends are trying to track the call?” Lynn asked.
“I got it covered. I’ll make it quick. How are you?”
“Me? I’m fine. It’s you we’re worried about.”
“We?”
“Yes, Chris and Jim.” She could sense the change in Lynn’s voice, and immediately, Cass’s gut kicked in.