***
The guys were not only strikingly good-looking, they obviously had class. Tanesha could also tell they were all very well to do by looking at how they dressed and their taste in food. After all, she came from a similar background. The guys were all obviously wealthy. She got along particularly well with Tristan, Aaron, and Briana as they were closer to her in age. The others treated her like a little sister.
And Cole gave her pointers whenever she had assignments as he was a lawyer himself. What surprised Tanesha was the fact that none of the guys ever showed any sexual interest in her. She knew they were all attached but that had never stopped guys who saw her from trying to get inside her pants. The guys not being interested in her in that way was actually very refreshing. She enjoyed being with them so much.
The only time the guys had acted weirdly in the two months that she’d known them, had been the day they’d suggested they all go clubbing. They said they were all going to come with their spouses and fiancees so that she could meet them. Tanesha had asked them whether she could also bring a friend so she could at least have someone to dance with but they’d quickly and vehemently changed the plan, saying they were no longer going to bring any women after all.
Tanesha was to come alone as she was going to have all of them at her beck and call that evening. Their vehement reaction to her bringing someone had rather taken Tanesha aback but she realized she actually trusted them so she’d thought nothing of it. That evening, she’d had so much fun she’d pinched herself to see whether it was real.
Somehow Tanesha had grown so close to them that she found herself telling them about her kidnap and how she’d fallen hopelessly in love with one of her kidnappers. She told them that the person, Skull, had liked her too. She’d added that for a fierce Alpha male such as Skull to actually cry in her arms, it showed that he had a soft side and wasn’t all bad. At that, the guys had looked at one another and then tried very hard to stifle their laughter.
Tanesha hadn’t missed it. They however wouldn’t tell her what was so funny when she quizzed them about their reaction. But they’d all told her that from her story, Skull was definitely crazy about her. When with a crushed look she’d told them that there was a very high probability that Skull was dead, they’d quickly advised her to be positive and rather hope she’ll meet Skull again.
Michael had made her consult with his wife Mary, who was a psychologist, for a whole week…for free. And all the sessions had been great. Tanesha couldn’t be happier. Then as if that wasn’t enough, all the guys made it a point to call her every morning…well, except for the gorgeous Shane who usually called her in the evenings. He claimed that since his husband checked up on her in the morning, he would do his in the evening.
And for the two months that she’d known the guys, Tanesha had been able to deal with her misery better. She still cried when she was in bed alone at night, but the pain had become more bearable as she could call and talk to any of the guys whenever she was feeling down. They actually insisted that she did. They were such a lovely bunch and she felt so lucky and privileged to know them. At least her father was now very happy with her genuinely cheerful attitude.
Tanesha heard a sharp rap on her door and knew who was about to enter. “Damn Sis. You look phat!” Her big brother, Leon drawled from the doorway.
Tanesha laughed and stood up to twirl around for Leon, who gave a piercing whistle. “Will you stop with the whistling, Leon?” She glared at her brother, covering her ears with her hands.
But she laughingly allowed him to draw her into his arms and twirl her around her beautiful bedroom. “You look beautiful,” Leon murmured.
“And you, my handsome brother, look absolutely fly in this suit. Where’s Jamal?” Tanesha asked, stepping out of Leon’s arms and reaching for her clutch.
“Right here, Tanny.” Her little brother responded, entering the room. “Oooh, Mama Mia.” He purred making his siblings laugh. “Looking gorgeous, Sis. Dad says it’s time. Come on.”
***
Ty knew he had to breathe…he needed to breathe. His chest hurt for lack of oxygen but he felt as though if he so much as exhaled, Tanesha would disappear. Eventually, common sense and the need to live won and he slowly let out the breath he’d been holding.
“Oh my God, she’s beautiful.” He breathed to himself.
Ty was standing in one of the six doorways of the Blue Room in the White House. The Arrowheads were to be honoured by the president of the United States that morning. His Admiral had surprised him by actually ordering him to invite all the important people in his life. He’d been surprised because his colleagues had been told to invite only a guest each. But then it occurred to Ty that he was obviously being given that privilege because of the dangerous role he’d played in the mission so he’d gone ahead and invited all the people that meant a lot to him.
His dad, step-mum, and siblings were already seated. So were his squad and their partners. There was no way he could receive an honour without his friends present. Even Kayla, Dean’s wife was there with their four-month-old baby. Ty was thrilled to see all his loved ones there to support him but nothing thrilled him more than the sight of Tanesha.
It had been three months. Three months without seeing her, hearing her voice, seeing her beautiful smile, burying himself deep inside her tight warmth. It had been too long. Though the guys had assured him that she was okay…and unfortunately not pregnant, Ty had still been dying to hear it from Tanesha herself. Seeing her right then, with her gorgeous elegant self, Ty couldn’t help but think his imagination hadn’t done Tanesha justice.
She was even more beautiful than he remembered. And that dress… She looked absolutely fabulous. How the fuck was he going to be able to sit through the ceremony without doing something scandalous like ignoring all protocol and just going to her and crushing their lips together? Ty wanted to devour her right there in front of everyone. And the need to do that was so intense it left him trembling.
Shit!