Free Escape From Obsession by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

another.
    “Of course I like all football. Why do you ask?”
    His brother smiled at her. “A woman after my own heart.”
    She turned back toward the field as the whistle blew, ending the first half of the game.
    They all stood up to stretch out as the opposing team’s band began to get ready to take the field for a halftime show.
    “I love when they do this,” Gia said as she placed her hands on Teddy’s shoulders while he stretched. He leaned back and smiled at her.
    “I know you do. You’ve always loved football, even as a kid.”
    “Really? I bet Gia was a cute kid,” one of Teddy’s friends from the Houston PD said as he looked her over while she stretched.
    Her shirt lifted slightly, revealing her firm abs and hip bones. Was that a tattoo Gunner saw? He didn’t like the way those guys were flirting with her one bit and nor did his brother, and Garrett made a move.
    He took Gia’s hand.
    “Want to go grab a drink real quick at the snack stand?” She glanced at Teddy and he winked at her. She shook her head but smiled up at Garrett, making Gunner think that perhaps they were making progress with her.
    “I’ll go, too. Save our seats, guys,” Gunner said and they headed up the bleachers to the snack stand.
     
    * * * *
     
    Gia felt her heart racing. It was so stupid to feel this way, but every time Garrett, Gunner, or Wes was near her, never mind touching her, she would panic and get all sweaty and nervous. It was beyond just a fear of getting close to anyone. She was starting to feel an attraction to them, which completely freaked her out. There were three of them. Three extra-large, intimidatingly handsome men with looks that made heads turn wherever they went. Like now, as they stood in line at the snack stand and a few women said hello to Gunner and Garrett, and two in particular let their hands slide down their arms. Gia felt a shocking reaction inside.
    Get your hands off them. Oh, God, I’m jealous. How the hell can I be jealous? Am I actually considering this? Am I considering getting to know them better and engaging in this type of relationship after what Antonio tried to force me to do?
    She felt the tears sting her eyes and then she felt Gunner’s hand on her shoulders. Her first instinct was to bolt, or counter move. She didn’t like to be approached from behind. She had issues with being in this position. It was why she avoided crowds and… Mmm, God, he has great hands. They’re so big and strong. He was working her tight muscles and she found herself leaning back against his wide, hard body.
    “You’re all tense, baby,” he whispered next to her ear.
    She closed her eyes a moment as she imagined what he looked like standing behind her. He wore a pair of dark jeans that hung off the hips and cowboy boots. The tight brown Bulls T-shirt stretched across his bulging muscles, making her mouth water. Then she opened her eyes and stared at Garrett’s back. Wide shoulders, crew-cut hair, and he stood with perfect posture. Damn, these men were too good-looking. She would have never thought a man’s posture would be a turn-on for her. When he turned toward her she snapped back to reality.
    “What would you like to have, Gia?” Garrett asked.
    She had to stand up straighter. She was actually leaning back against Gunner. She felt his hands on her waist, too. What the hell am I doing? Oh God, Garrett’s dimples are so sexy.
    He raised his eyebrows at her as if knowing she was staring and she felt her cheeks blush. “Water, just a bottle of water.”
    He turned back to the pimply-faced kid behind the counter who wore the opposing team colors of blue and gold.
    As they took their bottles of water and a basket of fries and headed back she felt Garrett’s hand on her hip as they maneuvered through the crowd. Gunner led the way, giving her the opportunity to check out the man’s superb body. Wide shoulders, trim waist, and he had to be about six feet four inches tall with dark crew-cut hair.