Lacey Temptations [Crave 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)
Page 1
Crave 1
Lacey Temptations
Ryan Marks is a hunted man. When sweet and sexy stranger, Lacey Briton, becomes a target because of their explosive chemistry, the gloves come off. He calls in his best friend, detective Parker Ellison, to provide protection.
All Lacey wanted to do was treat herself to a day of indulgence at the new shop in town, Crave. Instead she finds herself whisked away to a secluded cabin by two men claiming that her safety comes above all else.
Parker can see that Lacey is meant for Ryan and refuses to act on his own attraction to the sweet and curvy beauty. But Ryan has other ideas and draws Parker in to teach Lacey the pleasures of a ménage where they find more than chemistry when all three hearts become involved.
Crave. Equal parts naughty, class, and sass, it’s the one place with everything needed to fulfill your desires.
Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre
Length: 67,974 words
LACEY TEMPTATIONS
Crave 1
Amy J. Hawthorn
MENAGE AMOUR
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Amour
LACEY TEMPTATIONS
Copyright © 2013 by Amy J. Hawthorn
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62740-986-5
First E-book Publication: December 2013
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
If you have purchased this copy of Lacey Temptations by Amy J. Hawthorn from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.
Regarding E-book Piracy
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This is Amy J. Hawthorn’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Hawthorn’s right to earn a living from her work.
Amanda Hilton, Publisher
www.SirenPublishing.com
www.BookStrand.com
DEDICATION
For my family. Without you and the crazy world we’ve created, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
About the Author
LACEY TEMPTATIONS
Crave 1
AMY J. HAWTHORN
Copyright © 2013
Chapter 1
“Welcome to the grand opening of Crave, where inhibitions fade and your passions are realized.” A bright smile, a gorgeous face tanned cinnamon, and green eyes greeted her as she stepped inside the larger-than-life boutique. Low and smooth with a subtle Hispanic accent, the salesperson welcomed Lacey. “My name is Marcos. Please don’t hesitate to ask me or my associate Julie if you need any assistance. It would be my greatest pleasure to be of service.” He held the door open wide for her entrance into the luxurious store.
And wow. All the media hype hadn’t given Crave enough praise. Equal parts naughty, class, and sass, it was a sexually deprived, overworked nurse’s dream come true.
On her first day off in almost two weeks, she’d awakened with a purpose. Her mission was to treat herself. Today belonged to her alone and she’d earned this little shopping spree. In the past two months she’d worked her ass off. Thanks to a ruptured appendix for one coworker and a new baby for another, her department had been desperate. She loved working as a nurse, but every girl needed a treat now and then, didn’t they?
After a painful breakup a few months back, she’d thrown herself into overtime, thankful for something to occupy her mind and her time. While both the distraction and the extra money had been welcome, she was now both physically and mentally exhausted.
Determined to enjoy and pamper herself today, she meant business. She’d earned it, damn it.
She’d found herself at the grand opening of the new lingerie store, Crave. More than just a pretty bra and panty store, it was a one of a kind specialty shop that offered plenty of opportunities to spend her hard earned money. The extravagant store was more like three boutiques under one roof.
The center of the store was filled with the latest styles of seductive lingerie in a rainbow of colors. From beautiful nightgowns in the loveliest shades imaginable to the most sinful and sexy underwear, Crave carried it all in the widest variety of sizes she’d ever seen. There was something destined to make each woman feel her sexiest, no matter her shape or size. She could have spent half the day browsing racks of lace, satin, and silk but she forced herself to stop when her arm grew heavy with her choices.
The left wing of the building contained an adult toy and novelty store. Ranging from the expected and fun to the more extreme and outrageous, again, there was something to be found for everyone. Whether they were a shy beginner or the experienced sex kitten, it was all there and tastefully displayed.
A large bookstore specializing in romance and erotica filled the store’s right wing
. Rows and rows of pretty cherry bookshelves filled the space. Her love of books was the one and only vice competing with her love of pretty under-things. Eager to search the shelves, she hurried to try her lingerie on.
She entered the dressing room with two armloads of pretties and a little spring in her step. The extra boost to her spirits alone made the trip worthwhile and the shopping experience was worth every bit of the expense. As she’d made her choices, the staff had measured and catered to her as if she were a pampered princess.
Leaving her door open, she barely managed to set her tote on the oak bench and hang her selections on the hooks without dropping anything. Before turning she released a happy sigh. Soft lighting, dainty furniture, and feminine colors adorned the room.
She couldn’t resist fingering the soft black silk of a bra and panty set as she removed them from the hangers. With no choice but to spend so much time wearing shapeless scrubs at work, sexy underwear was one of the few treats that she allowed herself. If this new line looked and felt half as good as she expected, she’d have to buy a set or two in every available color.
Eager to try them on, she turned to close the door and her gaze collided with the dark chocolate eyes of a tall and striking stranger on the opposite side of the store. Fit and trim, he wore wire-framed glasses that did nothing to hide his appreciation of her lingerie choices. With naughty secrets in his eyes, he relaxed and leaned against a bookshelf. He crossed his arms and settled in as if he had all the time in the world to appreciate the view.
Brown hair so dark, it neared black, fell to broad shoulders in a careless, almost shaggy style. She couldn’t quite tell if it was an expensive cut or a matter of distracted neglect, but her fingers itched to dive in and hold tight.
The glasses said sexy, quiet scholar, but the sharply angled cheekbones and sinfully kissable mouth cried that fallen angels did exist. Her breath caught and her heart skipped a beat when he winked at her.
Embarrassment heated her face as she quickly closed the door and turned to change. Closing her eyes, she leaned her forehead against the wall. Instead of escaping into darkness all she saw was a searing vision of dark chocolate eyes that burned with a command to give into her deepest desires. She released the breath she held and drew a fresh but shaky one in.
Trouble. That man could be nothing but trouble which was the last thing she needed now. She’d sworn off relationships and faced with a specimen that devastating, she knew it would be near impossible for her to resist.
She repeated the new mantra that she’d recently adopted. No men, no drama. She’d given until she had so little of herself left she didn’t know who she was anymore.
So no, she would have to say no, thank you to trouble, no matter how sexy the packaging.
Grateful he could no longer see her reaction, she fanned the blush from her face and took a deep breath. It was time to spend some money. She undressed quickly and tried on the first new set. She held her breath and turned to face the mirror and stared directly into the eyes of a stranger. Plain Jane Lacey was gone and in her place stood a sexy, curvy little nymph. She looked sassy and delightfully fun.
She couldn’t help but wonder where in the world had she’d been hiding as she removed the pretties and put her own clothes back on. It was well past time to find a little of the old fun-loving Lacey, while the more recent workaholic took a hike.
She sighed in contentment as she left the lingerie department and moved on. Finding that perfect fit and color always made her feel so good and it had been too damn long since she’d felt nice.
But first she needed books, loads and loads of books to complete her day.
In the bookstore she found a little slice of heaven as she juggled a stack of books in one arm and her pile of lingerie in the other as she wove her way through the rows of shelves. She was a sucker for good steamy erotic romance and Crave had by far the largest selection she’d ever seen. She’d been sidetracked by more than one pretty cover that she simply had to have.
She finally found the must have book she’d come for and knowing the author, she expected it to be another very hot read filled with steamy sex, a touch of BDSM, and even better, a great story complete with a swoon-worthy happily ever after.
Turning the corner, she couldn’t resist reading the titles of the books piled in her arms. Lost in her own little world as she looked at the beautiful covers, she slammed right into the warmth of a broad chest. Her books and lingerie clattered to the ground and firm hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her against a wall of muscle. Her nose pressed into a crisp, white button-up shirt and a delightfully wicked scent teased her senses. Just a hint of sin, it made her toes curl in delighted appreciation.
“Damn it. I’m sorry. Are you all right?” A deep voice tinged with a touch of gravel purred into her ear. She looked up into a pair of liquid chocolate eyes, sheltered beneath arched brows and wire-rimmed glasses. Heat filled her face and her heart thumped so fiercely it was a wonder no one else heard it. She nearly wilted right there at his feet. It was the same man she’d ogled from the door of the dressing room and now she’d practically knocked him to the ground.
The heat of an awkward shyness warmed her cheeks and clogged her breathing. As usual, when it was the most inconvenient, that despised trait of hers reared its ugly head. She thought she’d outgrown her bashfulness ages ago. Why did it have to resurface now?
“I’m fine, thank you. I wasn’t watching where I was going. I have books on the brain.”
Her rescuer released his careful hold and took a step back. He smiled down at her and her knees weakened and wobbled. That smile was every bit as dangerous as his scent. She was in so far over her head.
“It looks like you read quite a bit. Any recommendations?” His rich voice slid right through her skin and deep into her center, awakening and warming her from the inside out. She looked down and she couldn’t help but appreciate the view as his shirt stretched tight across his shoulders and his pants tightened, molding long, muscled thighs as he knelt at her feet to pick up her spilled books. And panties. Long-fingered, masculine hands tangled in a rainbow of lace and silk. Heat flushed her face and she couldn’t quite tell if the source was embarrassment or something else entirely.
“Uh. What did you say? I’m sorry, but I didn’t hear you.” More to the truth, her circuits were smoking and likely overloaded by the heat he ignited in her.
“That’s all right. I said you look like a woman who knows her books. Do you have any recommendations?” He’d found one topic she knew well.
She settled and hoped he didn’t notice the deep breath she’d taken. She could discuss books with the devil without batting an eyelash. She could handle this man.
“Beware, if you get me started on my favorites, you could be trapped here with me all day. It’s a subject I never tire of. I’ve been known to buy both the print and e-book of the same title to satisfy my book obsession.” He gave her a lopsided grin that made her think he wouldn’t mind listening for as long as she wanted to talk. Her first instinct was to write off his interest as no more than basic friendliness, but even for her inner shy girl that was impossible. He shifted closer and turned his wide shoulders toward her. The focus in those dark eyes pointed squarely at her. Until he noticed the book on the top of the stack.
“Have you read this author before?” he asked about the book she came specifically to buy and wow, did it have a great cover or what? An ivory-skinned woman kneeled in a submissive pose against a dark red background. Her body faced the camera but her face was downcast in submission and she wore nothing except the long dark curls concealing little more than her nipples and a scrap of black lace that bound her wrists in front of her pelvis.
The bronzed cast of his lean and neat fingers contrasted with the pale skin of the model. He held the book in one hand with his thumb grazing the edge of her body. His sweeping touch ran from her shoulder down her side and to her hip. And then back up to her shoulder and back down again stirring images
of those capable looking hands on her own body.
“Yes. Robin Martin is one of my favorite authors. I think I’ve read them all except this one. I’ve been dying to get my hands on it, but have been so busy with work. Have you read any of her books?” Pleasure in discussing her favorite topic overcame the shy violet. Surely, he didn’t read these?
“All of them. Which series is your favorite? I’m partial to the Bindings of Love series.” His favorites were the bondage stories? There had to be a trick somewhere. He was good looking, had a great voice, and he read the same books she did? She couldn’t resist looking to see if devil horns lurked beneath his shaggy hair. There was always a catch. He was probably a serial killer. Either that or he was married. Either one was unacceptable.
She had experience with the sleazy, lying variety and had no desire to go there ever again, no matter how devastatingly sexy he was.
She wondered briefly about discussing this subject with a stranger in public, but really there couldn’t be a safer place, could there? “The Bindings of Love books are my favorite, too. I’m really curious to see how this new twist she’s added to the series is going to affect the characters.”
“Do you mean the ménage aspect? I’m eager to hear how the readers like the addition of a third into the characters’ lives also. But, the author, Robin Martin, is not a she. Robin is a male author.”
“Are you sure? I was certain that the author was a woman. I swear she gets right into our heads and pulls out our secret desires. Only a woman could put our emotions onto a page and make sense of them the way Robin does.”