Drake crossed his arms in front of his wide, thick muscular chest. She could see the chain to his dog tags that were beneath the T-shirt.
“How long are you going for? Why are you going? Who is accompanying you?” Drake asked her. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and looked at Lucas and Mark who seemed to share the same expression of concern right now.
“I’m going with Elvira, a woman we work with in Keanter who supplies storefronts and boutiques like ours with merchandise. She’s part of a nationally broadcasted fashion show they are doing in Dallas and she needs help backstage. I’ll be gone for about five days. Sunday afternoon, I’m returning.”
“Do you have our cell phone numbers, Diane? I think you should take them and call us to check in. You know, make sure that you’re okay,” Mark said, drawing her attention to him. They all pulled out their cell phones and she felt a bit annoyed.
“That’s not necessary.” She hurried up to finish. “I have Hank’s, Paul’s, and Willie’s, plus Wyatt’s, so I think I’ll be fine. But thank you for caring,” she added.
“I still would feel better if you had ours and we had yours. You can never be too prepared,” Mark said and smiled.
“Okay.” She reached into her purse as the waitress came over.
“Hello, gentleman, so nice to see you again. Hi, Diane.” Marty the waitress said hello. She was staring at Drake, and Drake didn’t even look at her.
“I noticed you by the boutique again, Mark, getting something else for me?” Marty asked, as she held the pen between her teeth and stared at him.
Mark squinted his eyes and then leaned back in his chair all suave.
“I think we’re ready to order,” he said, and Diane felt her stomach twist. Marty was a pretty young redhead. She had a nice body, but her personality outside of Francine’s wasn’t very nice. She actually lived in Turbank but Francine was desperate for another waitress and Marty was recommended by a friend of Francine’s.
“We’ll talk later then,” Marty said and then looked at Diane.
“What can I get you?”
“I’ll take the small chicken Caesar salad please and water with lemon.”
“Hmm,” Marty said as she gave Diane the once-over. Diane was feeling pretty uncomfortable. These men were probably sleeping with Marty or whomever else and dressing them in lingerie from Diane’s boutique and it was making her feel sick. Once the orders were taken, she felt the hand on her knee and jumped, turning toward Mark.
“Ignore her. She was just trying to make you jealous. She’s been after us since she started working here last month,” Mark told her.
“Why would I care?” she replied. He raised one eyebrow at her and stared into her eyes.
“Well, you seemed annoyed by her.”
“I don’t like women who throw themselves at men.”
“Neither do we,” Lucas stated, drawing her attention toward him.
“Well, apparently Marty doesn’t know that. But she does know about all the lingerie you buy at our boutique, as I’m sure other women around town and elsewhere do,” she said, and was surprised by her attitude. She was jealous and right now she should be pretending to not care, but she did care. She didn’t want other women touching them, being with them, and eyeing them over like candy. But then again, who was she to say otherwise?
Lucas leaned forward with his hands still under his chin, he stared at her. She focused on the dimple in his chin. God, he’s beautiful. I love his shoulder-length hair, the firm expression on his face. The way his muscles are bulging from his shirt sleeves. Oh God, my breasts feel full and my nipples are hard. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Everyone knows we like the lingerie you’ve picked out for us at the boutique. Haven’t you ever wondered why we buy the ones you pick out? Why they’re in your size?” Drake asked. Lucas didn’t say anything to her. He just stared at her. It was unnerving.
She shook her head. Were they trying to tell her that they were buying them for her?
Mark moved closer. She could feel his masculinity, his darkness, and the aura that made him so frighteningly appealing. He was so mysterious and sexy.
She felt his arm go over the top of her chair. His forearm brushed gently against her shoulders. “You’re shaking,” he whispered.
She swallowed hard, and slowly looked at him.
“I don’t feel comfortable here like this. I don’t know what type of game you’re playing. I’m not interested in hearing about the other women and the lingerie. I’m not. If this is because of the other night, and the fact that you found me, Mark, changing my own tire on the side of the road, then just quit it now. I’m able to handle myself. I don’t need men to take care of me.”
“I have to disagree. I think you do need looking after. Besides, you should know why we brought the lingerie because we’ve been buying the lingerie for you,” Mark said. She whipped her head around to look at him. She was shocked, annoyed, confused.
“What? Why?”