Crazy Girl(42)

“Yes, sir,” the man answered before picking up a two-way radio and calling the guys in the other car, letting them know we would be switching. After a few minutes, we had moved to the other vehicle. I practically flew to the other car to make sure I got the middle seat to avoid any more confrontation.

Once we were on the road, I felt tense. I was still confused as to what exactly we were doing but too scared to ask, given Wren’s behavior, and I was now basically sandwiched between two extremely hot large males. How often did this happen to a woman? It doesn’t. And when it did, of course, it happened to me, the most awkward woman on the face of the planet. But looking on the bright side, I figured it could inspire an idea for a book or, at the very least, part of one. It would also probably make for a good intro to a porn—Backseat Alphas? Not that I was imagining having sex with both of them. Or either of them. Well, yes, Wren, of course. This is what happened when I became nervous. My mind was all over the place. One minute I’m worried about him, the next I’m curious, followed by thinking of porn. Good grief. Glancing forward at his hand where it rested on his thigh, I remembered how those fingers had felt deep inside of me, the night before. See? All over the place. I tightened my legs at the thighs when I felt myself clench at the memory.

Wren nudged me with his arm, causing me to jerk up to meet his stare. “You too warm back here?” he asked. “Your cheeks are red.”

I shook my head. Why did I always think about things like this at the worst times? My face was heated from fantasizing about him. Clearing my throat, I murmured, “I’m fine.”

Wren reached a hand out and squeezed my leg as he leaned over, beckoning me to lean forward as he put his mouth to my ear. “You weren’t doing anything wrong back there,” he whispered. “They should have made sure you got in first, and that I got the best seat.”

I nodded, a little relieved it wasn’t me, and decided not to inquire further as to why he needed the best seat. “I had no idea what was going on,” I offered instead.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude to you. Have you been to George Washington’s birthplace before?”

“Actually, no,” I admitted. How had I lived in Virginia all of my life and not been to George Washington’s birthplace? I started thinking of every trip I’d ever taken in the state when I felt his breath against my neck and sat back. I could feel my cheeks flaming again, and repeated my answer out loud to no one in particular. “Actually, no…no, I, um, I’ve never been to George Washington’s birthplace,” I spluttered.

“It’s a cool place to walk around. Historical and all,” Kegs volunteered. I simply nodded. Wren shook his head and turned back toward the front.

Ten minutes later, we were parked in front of the Welcome Center. I had only noticed one car in addition to ours before, but now there were at least four others, men spreading out everywhere. As soon as we stepped out of the vehicle, a light drizzle started and I huffed to myself. Great. My hair didn’t tolerate moisture well. Two minutes in this kind of weather and I’d look like I stuck my finger in an electrical outlet.

“Hey, guys,” a man with red hair and a wiry beard to match approached. “We just got here about ten minutes ago.”

“We had to switch vehicles,” Wren grunted in explanation as to why we were late. “They put us in the shitty car.”

The red-haired man looked at me and smiled. “I’m Duke,” he introduced himself.

“I’m Hannah.” When we shook hands, I made sure to practice my technique as Wren had taught me the night before. Duke had a friendly smile and brown eyes that had a glint to them. But the thing that stood out most about him was his accent. Duke spoke with a thick Southern drawl that was superior to my own accent, but somehow made me feel at home, like I was among my own. It was inevitable anytime I was around a person with a Southern drawl, my own accent would deepen tenfold. I couldn’t help it.

“Nice to meet you, Hannah,” he stated. Wren and Kegs were already heading toward the entrance of the Welcome Center when Duke and I followed behind them.

“You, too. I have to ask, where are you from?”

“Born and bred in Tennessee.”

I nodded. “I love your accent. I always feel like the person with the most twang in every group. I’ve lived in Virginia my entire life, but my parents were from down south.”

“Well I don’t think your accent has noth’n on mine, hon,” he laughed, a deep rumble I could hear vibrate in his chest that made me smile.

The center was filled with centuries-old relics. Everything from spoons, to tools, to art, all held in clear cases. A large bay window revealed a stunning view of the Potomac River, even though it was overcast and the rain had started to fall heavier.

Standing in front of the window, I gazed at the river, just the sight of it made me feel wistful and nostalgic. Water. I loved it. Lakes, rivers, oceans…it didn’t matter. I loved them all.

“Is this weird I brought you?” Wren surprised me.

“No,” I shook my head a little too adamantly. “I think it’s really cool.” And I did. It was a hell of a date. “I was a little confused about what we were doing at first, but I think I get it now.”

“Yeah?”

“So you’re training these men to protect important people, like ambassadors and whatnot.”