The Long Way Home (Corps Security #6)(54)

He’s beautiful. Tall, blond hair that looks more gray than the blond it was before, and the most stunning eyes. You can tell he smiles often, laugh lines sprinkled around his strong features, and the brightest smile pointed directly at me.

He steps toward me, away from the two men still embracing. His arms open immediately, and I walk into them without hesitation but feel slightly awkward about hugging a man who I’ve never met before. His hug, however, lacks any signs that he’s feeling the same awkwardness. You would think we’ve known each other for years.

He takes a step back, holding me with his hands at my shoulders and studying me intensely.

“I’m Davey,” he says after a moment.

“Olivia,” I respond, not sure what else to do.

“Thank you for bringing him home. A lot of people love this man of yours.”

I glance over at the two men. They aren’t hugging anymore, but you can tell they’re still lost in their moment.

“That guy is mine.” His words continue as if I hadn’t looked away. “One might say, had your guy not done what he did, I would never have him. We wouldn’t have our sweet Stella, either.” I glance back, giving him my attention while he speaks, seeing the admiration in his gaze. “That day changed us all. If this meeting was this emotional, I imagine the storm is just getting started. This will be hard, but you seem like the kind of girl who can weather it.”

“I’m from Boston, of course I can,” I respond with a smirk and nod, trying to add some lightness to the mood. What else do you say? He’s spot-on. It will be one hell of an emotional trip, and some of those emotions might be harder to handle than the rest. We both know I understand what he’s saying. “In all seriousness, Davey, it doesn’t matter how turbulent the sea may get. I’m not leaving my post.”

He smiles, and if anything, he gets more handsome.

“You’re going to fit in just fine.”

“Uh,” I begin, but stop when Zeke’s arm goes around my shoulders.

“Oh, my sweet heavens above. Get out of my way, you big hunk of yummy, and let me get my eyes on this tiny little thing.”

Before I know what’s happening, I’m being spun by the man I can only assume is Sway. He gives me a few extra twirls with my hand held above my head before he stops and dramatically wipes his forehead.

“Tell me I can get my hands on that hair, girly pop.”

“Uh …” I lamely say.

“Goodness me, look at you,” he continues, ignoring my inability to form words, looking behind him at Zeke. “You did good. A fact that doesn’t surprise me, though. All you hunk-a-hunks find equally beautiful women. I tell you what, girly, when you’re blessed with a body like that, you show it off. What are you wearing this big sweater for? This is Georgia.”

“It was cold on the flight?”

“Who’re you asking?”

Zeke, the big goof, at least has the decency to try to cover up his laugh. He doesn’t succeed, but he tries.

“What do you have on under that?” he asks, cocking his hip and appraising me again.

“A shirt.”

He nods, pulls the most fabulous crossbody bag over his head, and hands it to his husband. Before I can so much as blink, my hand is in Sway’s, and I’m rushing to keep up with his steps.

How on earth does he move so well in those tall heels?

Hand in hand, or I guess more like hand dragging hand, he pulls me into the bathroom. I get fluffed, buffed, and stripped of my sweater in no time. When he spins me around to face the bathroom mirror, even in the harsh lighting, I’m amazed. How did he make me look like I hadn’t just been up all night and then traveling for half the day? The dark strands of my hair look like I just spent hours with a hot tool: waves, body, and so much shine. My sweatshirt now tied at my waist, my jeans a stark contrast to the light-green material. I should have thought about what shirt I had on a little better when I answered him. Though how would I have guessed this was what he had in mind. The crop top tee leaves a good two inches of my belly showing where the crop top ends. It’s just a baggy shirt that had been designed like that, but still … it’s a lot more skin than I was showing.

“Sneakers will do but only because they’re Gucci. Girly has good taste, I see.”

“Are you talking about just my shoes or the man?”

He winks. “I think I’m going to like you.”

I give myself one more glance before meeting his dark eyes, matching his smile with one of my own.

“Right back at you.”

“How is he?” Sway asks as I pull my bag back on my shoulder.

“He’s struggling,” I answer after a beat. “I do think he’s doing okay, all things considered. I think he’s scared of hurting them more.”

He nods, humming softly. “He has no idea how much he’s loved. He didn’t back then either. Not one person who he left hasn’t wished for a day with him back in it.” His eyes start to fill with tears, and his jaw starts working as he pulls himself together. “Thank you for bringing him home.”

“I didn’t do anything. All I did was tell him I would be by his side. He did the rest.”

“All you did? Honey pie, no way he would have been able to do it without you. I’ve watched each of these big strong men who he left fall in love over the years. Each one of those hunks as alpha as it comes. Independent, strong willed, okay with being alone, and some of the baddest of bad asses you’ll ever meet. However, when it comes to their women? They’re better with them than without. Just because they’re manly men doesn’t mean they don’t need their person—the one meant for them—before they can become the best version of themselves.”