Lace

by Deborah Bladon

  “That works for me,” she chirps. “How did you find out about this smoothie cart?”

  “The manager of the store on Fifth Avenue.” I start to walk back toward the subway stop. “She stopped by my office one day to bring me one.”

  Kate falls in step beside me, bumping her yoga mat against mine. “She knows how to impress the boss. Did it work?”

  I laugh through a nod of my head. “It worked.”

  She sighs softly. “You haven’t said anything about what happened last night, Liv. You met up with Alexander after we left the bar, right?”

  A chill races through me. I should have grabbed a coat before I left my apartment tonight. I’m relying on my off-the-shoulder sweater and my yoga pants to keep me warm. They’re failing miserably.

  “Where did you meet him?”

  I smile, knowing that Kate will understand. “At the tea shop.”

  She laughs. “Our tea shop?”

  I shrug. “It seemed like the perfect place. I wanted a cup of tea and it’s close to home.”

  “It’s also incredibly unromantic,” she points out. “Was he disappointed?”

  We stop to wait for the light to change before we cross the street. “He’s a regular there.”

  “You’re kidding?” She sways in place. “He’s been there before?”

  I return the smile of a man who stops next to us before I look back at Kate. “That’s what he told me.”

  We cross the street in silence as soon as the light changes.

  Once we’re back on the sidewalk, she narrows her eyes. “Did anything worth mentioning happen last night or are you two still playing that game of cat and mouse?”

  “We kissed.”

  She stops mid-step. “You kissed?”

  I move out of the way of a woman pushing a twin stroller. I gaze down at the two little boys as they pass.

  “How was it?” Kate nudges my side with her elbow. “Is he a good kisser?”

  I don’t hesitate because I know she’ll pester me until I tell her. “The best.”

  Her lips curve into a smile. “You deserve the best, Liv.”

  I push her to start walking again. “I want to catch the next train.”

  “Did it go beyond a kiss?”

  I shake my head. “Just a kiss.”

  She stares at me for a minute. “The best love stories always start with a kiss.”

  I glance around, looking at each person as they pass us by. “All love stories start with a kiss. Some end with a broken heart.”

  Her head tilts. “Don’t be a pessimist. You kissed a hot guy. You’re probably going to fuck that hot guy. If you focus too much on the future, you’ll forget to have fun in the present.”

  “That’s written on the side of your smoothie cup, isn’t it?”

  “Not the fucking part, but the rest…” she shrugs her shoulder. “The rest is.”

  I bow my head and laugh. “Thanks for the advice. I’ll be sure to have fun.”

  “That’s all I want.” She starts in the direction of the subway. “I want that and all the details when kissing Alexander turns to more.”

  “That’s not happening.” I raise a finger in the air and wiggle it at her. “What happens in my bedroom stays in my bedroom.”

  She tosses me a look. “Make it happen soon, Olivia. At least one of us should be doing something in our bedroom besides sleeping.”

  ***

  Alexander: I want you to meet someone.

  I sit on the edge of my bed and read the text message he sent me again. He wants me to meet someone.

  I reply in the most obvious way.

  Olivia: Who?

  I slide under the covers, pulling the thick blanket around me. I showered when I got home an hour ago. The chill I felt after yoga class was washed away under a hot stream of water.

  I glance down when my phone chimes.

  Alexander: It’s a surprise.

  Before I can type anything, he’s sent another message.

  Alexander: Tomorrow at six.

  I didn’t think I’d see him tomorrow, so I’m in.

  Olivia: Where?

  I watch the three dots bounce on the screen as he types a reply.

  Alexander: A car will be waiting for you in front of your building.

  Reading the message twice, I rest my head on my pillow.

  Olivia: Fancy or casual?

  His response is instant.

  Alexander: Casual. I’ll see you tomorrow, Olivia. Goodnight.

  I drop my phone on my nightstand and close my eyes.

  I have no idea who Alexander wants me to meet tomorrow, but I hope that the night will end with another kiss and maybe more.

  Chapter 27

  Alexander

  “Is that her? She’s really pretty.” Alvin peers out the window of the restaurant at the beautiful woman getting out of the back seat of a black SUV.

  “That’s her.” Pride swells inside of me.

  Olivia isn’t my girlfriend. We’ve only kissed once. I consider us friends, but I don’t know if she does.

  None of that matters because tonight she’s already garnered the approval of my nephew.

  She glances at her reflection in the large wall of windows. She looks amazing in a pair of dark jeans, a pink blouse and a black blazer.

  It’s casual, but it’s also sophisticated.

  “Here she comes,” Alvin announces as Olivia swings open the door and walks through.

  She spots me immediately. The grin on her face is evidence of that.

  When Alvin rises to his feet from the bench we’ve been sitting on, her gaze drops to him.

  Her smile widens even more.

  I stand and approach her with open arms. I pull her close for a quick embrace. “You look stunning, Olivia.”

  She steps back to look me over. Black slacks, white button-down shirt and a gray blazer. I’m still dressed in the clothes I put on this morning before rehearsal.

  “I’m Alvin.” Alvin needles his way in between us.

  “I’m Olivia. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Alvin crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re Trey Hale’s cousin.”

  Olivia’s eyes slide to my face before she settles her attention squarely on my nephew. “I am.”

  “You’re lucky,” Alvin stretches the words across his tongue.

  “I’m very lucky,” Olivia agrees with a sharp nod of her head.

  “Your table is ready, Mr. Donato.” The hostess approaches us with three menus in her hands. “If you’ll follow me.”

  Alvin takes the lead, Olivia follows and with my hand resting on the small of her back, I fall in step beside her.

  ***

  “You played catch with Trey?” Alvin peers at Olivia across the table. “What’s that like?”

  “Scary.” Olivia laughs. “It was a long time ago. He was just learning how to throw a ball.”

  “I’m learning.” Alvin winds his right arm up as if he’s readying to toss a baseball. “My dad and I play catch when he’s around.”

  “Alvin’s dad drives a truck,” I say to clarify. “He’s on the road a lot, but I heard that he’s coming home the day after tomorrow.”

  “You heard right.” Alvin takes a bite of his chicken burger. “I’ll have three whole days with him. My mom said I get to choose what we do.”

  Olivia smiles softly. “Will playing catch be one of those things?”

  Alvin chews, talking out of the side of his mouth. “Yep.”

  He’s been open with her since we sat down. He ordered what she did, a chicken burger and a garden salad even though he always goes for a cheeseburger and fries when we come here.

  He was quick to explain that his mom is handling parent teacher conferences tonight.

  When Phoebe asked me if I’d watch over him, I happily agreed.

  We spent the first two hours at the rehearsal hall. After introducing Alvin to a few members of the symphony, I sat him down at the piano so we could go over the son
g he wants to play for my sister.

  He’s got a lot of work to do, but he’s committed to practicing before our next lesson.

  “Do you think we could come here again, Alex?” Alvin rubs a finger over the corner of his lip to catch a drop of mayonnaise. “I’ll bring my mom and you can bring Olivia.”

  I raise a brow to question Olivia silently.

  She smiles wide and nods.

  “It’s a date.” I hear the distant chime of my cell in my pocket. “I think that’s your mom, Alvin. It’s time to finish up and get home.”

  ***

  Thirty minutes later, Alvin is holding tightly to Olivia’s hand as we approach his house.

  Once we exited the restaurant, I was prepared to grab a taxi. Alvin wanted to ride the subway.

  Olivia was the deciding vote, so we took the train.

  It was the right call. The string quartet on the platform was good enough to warrant a stop and listen from all three of us.

  I handed the male violinist my card. He’s young, but his talent is immense.

  I’m hoping he’ll follow up with me.

  I can’t offer him anything but free mentorship, but he has a gift. With nurturing it will turn into a career.

  “There you are,” Phoebe calls from the front step of her house. “Did you have fun?”

  “Loads of it.” Alvin drops Olivia’s hand and rushes toward his mom. He stops short of the step even though her arms are outstretched.

  “I missed you.” She sighs, her hands curving to lure him closer.

  “I missed you too,” he whispers. “We’ll hug when I go to bed, okay?”

  “Deal,” she says quietly. “Did you thank Alex and Olivia for taking care of you tonight?”

  He nods several times. “I can take care of myself, mom. We were mostly just hanging out.”

  An eye roll is the response he gets from his mother before she turns her attention to Olivia and me. “Thank you both. I appreciate you hanging out with him.”

  “We had a lot of fun,” Olivia replies with a glance back at me.

  “I’m going to take him inside now.” Phoebe’s hand reaches for the rusted handle of the storm door. “I hope you two enjoy the rest of your night.”

  “We will,” I answer for us both. “I guarantee that we will.”

  Chapter 28

  Olivia

  “Let’s sit and discuss something.”

  “Here?” Alexander’s gaze volleys between my face and the playground we’re standing next to. It’s a block from Phoebe’s house. We passed it on our way to drop off Alvin. “You want to have the discussion here?”

  I nod slowly. “It’s private, quiet. We can sit on the swings and talk.”

  “Or we can go to the bar two blocks over and have a drink and talk,” he counters.

  “Too noisy.” I cover my ear with my hand. “I think this spot is perfect.”

  He surveys the playground. It consists of slides, ladders, a wooden platform, and a half-dozen swings. “If we’re going to talk about going back to my place, I’ll sit wherever the hell you want me to sit.”

  I take the lead, trudging through the sand in my heels until I plop my ass on one of the swing seats.

  I look over to where Alexander’s settled himself next to me. The moon’s light is casting a shadow over his face. The only other light is near the entrance to the playground twenty feet away from us.

  “You’re ready?” he asks, his voice deep and tense.

  I push back and lift my legs in the air, letting the cool air breeze over my neck. “I’m ready.”

  He sits in place; his legs crossed at the ankle as he watches me. “Are you ready to fuck me, Olivia?”

  I swing higher, the air gliding over me. “Yes, but there are some rules.”

  “Rules?” He chuckles. “What’s rule number one?”

  I look down as I coast past him. “Condoms are a must.”

  “Always,” he says without hesitation. “Rule number two?”

  “You can’t tie me up.”

  His eyes catch mine as I pick up my pace. “I won’t need to.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You won’t want to go anywhere once you’re in my bed.”

  I shake my head. “Cocky.”

  “Confident.” He pauses as he watches me float past him. “Rule number three?”

  I slow because this is the most important rule to me. Condoms are vital, but guarding my heart is just as important to me as protecting every other part of my body.

  “I just want to have fun.” I push the toe of my shoe into the sand to slow myself.

  Alexander reaches over to grab the chain of the swing, sending me twisting sideways before I stop abruptly. “You’ll always have fun with me.”

  I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I’m not looking for anything serious.”

  His eyes catch mine. “We’re on the same page, Olivia.”

  I let out a small breath in relief. “Do you have any rules?”

  His hands jump to the collar of my jacket. He tugs me close before he presses his lips to mine.

  The kiss is soft and sensual. His tongue glides over mine in a heated promise of what’s to come.

  “My only rule is that you tell me if it’s ever too much.” He rests his forehead against mine. “Promise me that.”

  I give him a quick kiss on the mouth. “I promise.”

  “Your place or mine?” He reaches for my hand.

  “Your place,” I answer quickly.

  He tugs me to my feet. “We’re not taking the train this time. It would take too damn long and I’m too damn hard.”

  I glance down at the front of his pants. It’s clear that he’s a large man in every sense. “What are we waiting for?”

  He turns to face me, stalling in place. “I need you to know something.”

  My stomach knots instantly. Dread rushes through me. “What?”

  “I would have waited even longer.” He kisses my hand. “You’re worth the wait.”

  “Thank you,” I manage to say as my heart thumps inside my chest.

  Wrapping his arm around my waist, he whispers in my ear, “Let’s go.”

  I suck in a deep breath and take the first step toward a night I know I’ll never forget.

  ***

  His apartment isn’t a reflection of him. It’s cold and sterile. The black leather furniture offsets the white tile floors.

  There are walls of sheer curtains covering floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the skyline of Manhattan.

  Music is softly playing as we enter the space. It’s something classical and grand, like the man who lives here.

  “My fridge is bare,” he confesses as he helps me slip out of my jacket. “I can call down to room service if you want a drink.”

  It’s one of the benefits of living in an apartment inside of a hotel I suppose.

  “I’m not in the mood for a drink.” I place my purse down on a glass coffee table. “How long have you lived here?”

  He slides his jacket off and hangs it next to mine on an ornamental coatrack. “Not long. I rented it once I knew I was coming back to guest conduct.”

  I nod, wanting to ask where his next adventure will take him. I know, from what I’ve read online, that he’s a wandering soul. He’s always on the move.

  He may have roots in New York in the form of his sister and her family, but he’s in demand on all corners of the globe.

  I look over to where a piano is sitting in the corner, surrounded by windows. “Was that an addition that you requested?”

  His gaze follows mine. “It came with the place. I had it tuned the day I moved in. I’ve played it infrequently since.”

  I want to hear him play but I want something else more.

  I’ve never been brazen with men.

  I’ll admit to being vocal in bed. I steal my release before I devote myself to my partner’s pleasure. Tonight is different. I feel uninhibited. I instinctively know that he’ll
accept me as I am. He’ll fulfill any desire I have.

  I sense he’s a considerate, attentive lover.

  “You want to fuck me, Olivia.” He closes the distance between us with heavy, measured steps. “You’re thinking about it now.”

  “I came here for that.” I remind him with a press of my lips to his. “It’s what I want.”

  His hands are on my blouse before I can say anything. He takes his time on each pink pearled button, his fingers grazing every inch of my skin as its exposed.

  “Pink lace.” He growls as he uncovers my bra. “Pretty pink lace.”

  I moan when his fingers slide over my breasts and when he lowers his mouth to my nipple to bite it through the soft lace I hold back a scream.

  “My bed,” he whispers against the skin between my breasts. “Come to my bed.”

  Chapter 29

  Alexander

  We didn’t make it to my bed.

  I couldn’t get her clothes off of her fast enough.

  I unclasped the bra to reveal two luscious tits with high peaked rosy nipples. Perfection.

  Her jeans were next. I yanked them to the floor before I slid off her pink, lace panties and stroked her slick cleft.

  She was wet, needy and the moan that whispered over her lips was too much.

  I pushed her against the wall so I could drop to my knees to taste her cunt.

  That’s not what Olivia wanted.

  She took a few steps to the left to the window, pushing herself against it until her tits and pussy were pressed against the glass.

  No one can see her. I have no fucking idea if she realizes that or not.

  “Taste me?” she tempts me with a wiggle of her ass.

  I unbutton my shirt and slide it off in one quick movement. I fumble with my belt but give up when she parts her legs and I get my first glimpse of the glistening lips of her cunt.

  I’m on my knees, my face pressed against her, my tongue gliding over the smooth skin.

  The taste is addictive. The scent is intoxicating.

  “There,” she purrs when I flick her swollen clit with the tip of my tongue.