Chapter 293
Theo huffed and dragged her back to him. “Don’t listen to Red,” Theo said. “He’s just mad his mama got some last night and he didn’t.”
The guys broke into laughter.
“Good one, man.” Red waved him the finger. “Let me tell you what your mama did this morning.” He thrust his hips out. “Me.”
Theo laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, she did come home saying she met a little prick.”
Red snapped off a suspender. “I’ll show you a little.”
Francesca was jerked forward through a doorway before the big guy undressed further. Hoots of laughter followed.
“He called you Surfer. I bet his real name isn’t Red, either, right?” she said.
“Some of us have a nickname,” he said, flipping his hair. “You can guess how I got mine.”
She smiled. She could definitely guess with his California look.
A booming voice came from around a corner. “Did I hear someone reference a female in our midst?”
“Chill, Stockholm,” Theo hollered. “She’s not available.”
“Says who? She ain’t seen me yet. Then she’ll be unavailable.”
Francesca laughed. She liked this unseen guy already. Then the man lumbered out. He was a freakin’ giant.
“Francesca, this is Stockholm. He’s a polar bear from Sweden. He’s been here forever.”
Theo looked up at the man. “Dude, I don’t even know your real name.”
The bear chuckled, deep and growly. “Neither does most of the crew.” He shuffled away, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
She couldn’t believe it. She’d never seen a shifter smoke. With such heightened senses, she wouldn’t have thought it possible for anyone to withstand it.
Going through another door, they came into the main living space for the men.
“Hey, Theo,” one of the guys said, then did a double take. “Surfer Boy found himself a princess.”
In less than a heartbeat, six other curious faces stared at her. Being the center of attention was not her favorite place to be. But these were Theo’s friends, and she wanted them to like her. She smiled and waved.
Theo continued to lead her out of the large, open room. “We’ll be back in a second,” he called out.
At a locker, they stopped, and he crammed his stuff inside. He took her face in his hands and kissed her, long and deep. He pulled back, panting. “Don’t let any of the guys rile you up. They are all great and honorable men. We’d give our lives for each other. That being said, if any of them touch you when I’m not looking, haul off and kick them in the balls.” He winked.
They walked out another door to the garage housing the big trucks.
“Wow,” she said. “I didn’t realize how big these things really were.”
Theo opened little cubby holes and spaces all over the truck to show her where they kept things. She had no idea there was so much hidden away.
On the far side of the garage, they came to gym equipment and a few guys—sweaty, sexy, hot, with little clothing on. Oh my freakin’ god. She looked away when her face erupted into flames. At least she was in the right place for that.
“Hey, Theo. Who you got there? Much better looking than your ugly mug.”
A guy spotting a bench presser hefted the bar onto the stand. He came over, wiping his hands on a towel.
“Hey, Griz. This is Francesca. She’s my mate.”
Francesca heard that term but didn’t let it affect her in front of the guys. It kinda ticked her off that Theo assumed he knew who she’d pick. Then again, he was probably showing off for the guys. That didn’t make points in her book.
“Or Marcus’s. She hasn’t decided yet,” Theo added.
Griz shook her hand, his fingers completely engulfing hers. “Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum. A bean counter or adrenaline junkie? Good luck, Miss Francesca.” He winked at her and smiled.
“You know what, Surfer,” Griz said loudly, getting the attention of others in the garage, “I think it’s time for the monthly Shape Up or Ship Out.”
Theo groaned. “Come on, Griz. Don’t do this to me in front of my girl.”
Griz pretended to whisper into Theo’s ear. “I’m helping you out, man. Once she sees this, the bean counter will be adios, baby.”
“Maybe, but what about the other guys here who will be almost naked in front of her?” Theo twirled her against his chest so her nose smashed into his sternum. “She’s only seeing me.”
Whoa, wait a minute. She jerked back and glared at him. “Are you telling me what I can and can’t do?”
A male snickered behind her.
Theo swallowed hard. “No, baby. Not in the slightest. If you want to look at other men, you…you…” he couldn’t say it, “can.”
She laughed. “No, sexy,” she said, “I just want to see you in little more than those hot Speedos you had on earlier.” She bit his earlobe.
His body shuddered. “You’re on, Griz. Bring on all the guys.”