Lacey Temptations [Crave 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Amy J. Hawthorn

  She remembered the gentle way his large hand cradled her head against his shoulder in the parking lot. There had been no mistaking both the fear and anger he felt over the attempt on her life as he protected her with his own body. Yes, he may be a dominant man, as he’d called it, but she couldn’t believe that he would be any less considerate of her than he’d already been.

  Robert, her ex? The great Dr. Wilton? Whose patients thought he was a god and miracle worker? He wouldn’t have sheltered her beneath his own body. Never would he have put her safety and needs above his own. He was too important a man to risk such harm to himself.

  At least, that’s the way it was written in the book of Dr. Wilton. But not to her and not anymore. It was time to write her own future.

  Ryan’s first thought had been her safety. No, she had only known him a few days, but they had shown her a lot. He’d done nothing but show concern for her wellbeing and had put her comfort above all else. So, no, she hadn’t known him long, but she did know that at his core he was at least a decent human being.

  And after her last relationship? The no-strings-attached, enjoy each other as long as it lasts then part as friends experience held a tremendous amount of appeal for her. Really, what did she have to lose?

  “I don’t know if I’m cut out for kneeling at your feet all day. I know it works for others and that’s fine, but—”

  “No. Only in matters of sex and safety do I want your submission. In those two areas, I’ll demand it. Any other time, you are free to do whatever, whenever. But no matter when or where, when I take the reins, I expect one hundred percent submission.”

  She straightened her spine. Would she ever have this kind of opportunity again? No.

  “Ok, let’s try it. Maybe it will keep my mind off the fact that someone is trying to scare me away from you.” It may have been a sad attempt at a joke, but it was also all too true. Someone wanted her out of the way and they were going to extreme lengths to achieve it. If anything or anyone could distract her, she was betting Ryan could.

  And it was just a short-term agreement, so she didn’t have to risk her heart. She may have made some real progress in healing it, but she wouldn’t lie to herself. She still had some work to do before she was whole.

  “Lacey honey, we have to be real here. Whoever shot you was trying to kill you. Parker and I both agree on this. There was too much malice and premeditation for it to be anything less. This is real. The danger you’re in is real. We can’t make light of it. Come on. Eat up. You’re going to need your strength for later.” The silly wink and lecherous grin he gave her was meant to be funny, but she could tell by the heat firing in his eyes that he was stone cold serious.

  She just couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that someone would intentionally try to kill her. She was a nobody and beyond a college friend or two and her coworkers, she didn’t even have a social life. It was really quite pathetic when she stopped to think about it. But she had to admit that Ryan did have a valid point, and even if she wasn’t completely convinced someone was trying to kill her, she would be stupid not to be careful. What was a few days of hiding compared to losing the rest of her life if she was wrong?

  And spending a few days with Ryan? Really? It was a no-brainer. She just hoped she could keep up with him and provide him with a fraction of the pleasure she was sure she’d be getting from him.

  “If you’d like we can go for an easy hike down to the lake. I know just the place for some peace and quiet.”

  Chapter 11

  Parker was at his wit’s end. In college Ryan had become the brother he’d never had and the strength of their bond had never once wavered. Not being able to find Ryan’s stalker was eating him alive. This was what he did for a living and he could honestly say that he did it damn well, yet he couldn’t take care of his own brother. What kind of piss-poor excuse for a detective did that make him?

  He ran his hand over his head in frustration as the wooded scenery passed by completely unnoticed. On a normal day the drive up to the cabin relaxed him and put him at peace, but not today. The stress was killing him.

  And to make matters worse, he was beginning to think that he had the hots for Lacey. Ryan had made it plain that a relationship wasn’t in the works for the two of them but the dead look in Ryan’s eyes and the flat tone of his voice as he’d explained everything had told Parker that the man’s heart said otherwise.

  Somehow little Lacey had made a lasting impression on the previously untouchable Ryan. And now Parker feared she’d made an impression on him as well. This was ridiculous. The little blonde hadn’t even spoke two words to him but as she’d walked out of the hospital, with her bewitching eyes and an unconsciously sexy little sway to her hips, his cock had stood up and taken notice and his heart had fallen flat at her feet.

  He’d watched over her in the car and tended the wound on her side while Ryan had gone into the store to get supplies for their stay at the cabin. After he’d cleaned and bandaged her he’d sat with her head on his lap and couldn’t resist running his hands through the softness of her hair. He tried telling himself it was only because of the lines of pain and stress that creased her brow, but that was bullshit.

  He hadn’t been able to keep himself from touching her. And somehow, he’d even managed to behave himself. Well, his hands had behaved. His eyes had not. From head to toe they had taken in every detail. Even dressed in baggy scrubs she made such a pretty picture. Curled on her side with her head nestled on his thigh, she was the picture of girl next door beautiful. He had been helpless but to admire it.

  Then to put the icing on the cake he’d been tortured by the sight of her luscious body, not once, but twice in the bathroom at the cabin. And damn, but she was beautiful.

  And what the hell kind of brother did that make him?

  The worthless kind.

  It would kill him but come hell or high water, he would find the person responsible for this nightmare and make sure that Ryan and Lacey were safe. He owed it to both of them.

  Even if it was the last thing he ever did.

  Chapter 12

  Ryan had known exactly what he was talking about when he said he knew where to find peace and quiet. The path to through the forest had been an easy hike and despite the late morning’s bright sunlight, the breeze by the lake was perfect.

  So was the view. He’d spread a thick blanket on a patch of grass atop a small rise that overlooked sparkling blue water. An army of trees and stout mountains stood guard, watching over them from every direction. He sat, handed her a bottle of water and patted the ground next to him.

  “All right, pretty Lacey. Your turn. Spill it.”

  “What do you mean?” She was helpless but to sit where he indicated and soak up the gorgeous scenery.

  “I shared my story with you last night. I want to know more about you.”

  “There’s really not much to tell. I’ve always been the good girl.”

  “So, no wild and crazy college stories?” What he really wanted to know was what had put those shadows behind her pretty eyes, but he suspected she wasn’t ready to trust him with that part of her heart just yet.

  “Nope. I was a good girl.” She wanted to duck her head in embarrassment. Here she was sitting beside a drop dead sexy male who expressed genuine interest in her and she was going to sit here with nothing to say? Could she be any more boring?

  “Nope.” He parroted her. “I don’t believe it, you’re too damn beautiful. You had to have broken at least half a dozen hearts.”

  He was trying to be playful, so why couldn’t she? If he wanted a story from her “wild and crazy college days,” she could give him a story. There was no way her imagination could compare to his, but she could come up with something.

  She couldn’t help but wonder what it was about him that brought out her inner vixen.

  Feigning a reluctant sigh as if she were about to reveal her deepest secret she began her story.

  “Well, there was that one
time with my professor.” She gave him a sly little grin to let him know she was playing. Then she pulled on a serious face to go on with her tale as he stretched out on his side and faced her.

  “Go on, what kind of professor was he?”

  “Well, he was my favorite. Professor Smith was both brilliant and incredibly sexy. He taught English. One day after class I stayed after to talk to him about an assignment I was having trouble with. An oral assignment.” Her confidence grew as she watched Ryan’s reaction. The instant she’d said the word “oral,” she had him right where she wanted him.

  “The professor said I had done a horrible job on the last oral assignment and I begged him to let me make it up. He finally agreed that I could make it up. To him. Orally. I couldn’t let my grades suffer, so I had to do exactly what he instructed. Right?” Though she poured innocent school girl into her tone, she gave him her best sexy eyes to show that in the story she was anything but.

  “So, how did he want you to make it up to him?”

  “He was very firm and held his ground. There was nothing I could do but comply or else I’d get a failing grade. First he told me to go and close the door and lock it so I could practice my oral presentation in private. So, I did. I still remember the soft slap of the door shutting and the quiet snick of the lock turning in the room’s heavy silence. Then, when I walked back he pushed a cup of pencils off the side of the desk. He pushed his chair back and told me to turn around, keep my legs straight, and bend over to pick them up, every single one.”

  “Lacey, what were you wearing?”

  “Why, I was wearing a short skirt, of course. You don’t think he was looking up it, do you?” Hungry, she watched as Ryan’s hand move down to lightly pass a caress over the growing length filling his jeans.

  “Of course not, dear. He wouldn’t dare look at that beautiful ass. What color panties were you wearing?”

  “Just a teeny, tiny pink thong. Nothing special. Next he said that I needed to practice my oral presentation on him. I was confused by the way he worded his request but his tone brooked no argument. He said the consequences would be severe if I didn’t do as he instructed.”

  Ryan’s hand was steadily rubbing up and down the thick length that was making its presence known, loud and proud, in the front of his jeans. It was thrilling to know that her words alone had such a powerful effect on such an attractive and sensual man.

  “Ryan, didn’t you hear me? You’re an English professor. Don’t you think he worded his command strangely?”

  “I suspect he knew what he was saying. What happened next?”

  “He told me to remove my blouse. He didn’t want me to get too warm. I actually thought it was a little cool in the room. My nipples certainly thought so as I removed my bra for him. Then he told me to get on my knees and undo his slacks.”

  “Did you?”

  She changed her voice from innocent school girl to one of an experienced seductress. “Of course, I told you I was a good girl in college and always did what I was told. I knelt at his feet, right there between his legs.”

  “Then what did he say?”

  “Well, he didn’t say anything for a few minutes. He just touched me.”

  “Where did he touch you? How did he touch you?”

  “He took my breasts in his hands and lifted them high. He pushed them together and rubbed his thumbs over my nipples.”

  “Did he use a whisper soft touch or firm and unyielding? Did he grasp your flesh so tightly that you’d feel his touch for days, an imprint that would mark you as his alone forever?”

  Ryan’s demeanor changed from relaxed and indulgent to fiercely aroused and with the change in tide, came a flood of arousal so strong, it stole her breath.

  Suddenly, the mere thought of being with another man, even an imaginary one, while she was here basking in the warm sun with Ryan by her side made her feel untrue. That wouldn’t do at all. She’d taken the leap in committing to Ryan as long as this situation lasted. If she was going to follow through she needed to do so wholeheartedly.

  She bit her lip in hesitancy, then made a character change, mid-story.

  “He—I mean, my English professor, Ryan Marks, held them tightly within his hands. There was no pain, but there was no mistaking that I was his to do whatever he wanted with. I was at your mercy, waiting to comply with whatever you wished from me.” From head to toe she burned from the inside out. Her face heated as that dreaded demon shyness reared its ugly head. But in a short time, Ryan’s power over her was quickly eclipsing that little demon’s. She forced herself to look him in the eye. Her sex melted with the need to please him.

  “Lacey, on your knees. Show me.” Gruff and to the point, the gentleman author was gone. In his place was a man possessed with a raging need to mark his mate. Immediately she realized she had underestimated the impact of changing the story’s fictional character into Ryan’s real one. The laid-back, relax-in-the-sun Ryan was gone and the sensual, intoxicating, and dominant Ryan took his place as he rose to stand in front of her. There was no going back now.

  “Out here, in the open?”

  “Remember you gave me control. On your knees.” She was helpless but to comply. Her mind may still have questions, but her body was listening to him with eager and open ears.

  “Show me, Lacey. Now. Show me. Undo my jeans.” Here was the dominant Ryan standing before her, rigid with dark desire, fierce with need and wanting her. She was humbled and emboldened at the same time.

  With a sly little smile she looked up at the hard set of his jaw. Her hands were sure and steady as they complied with his order even though her nervousness lurked in the background, threatening to rear its ugly head. That ugly little demon hovered near, waiting for any opportunity to ruin her fun but she refused to give it any more power today.

  She was Ryan’s.

  With a warm and firm hand he cupped her jaw. The tip of his thumb wrapped around to rub her bottom lip. And when he looked down at her with that stark desire burning in his eyes she was helpless but to do anything he wished.

  She pulled his erect length out from beneath the denim and with one finger traced a throbbing vein that ran from its thick base to the darker tip. Its angry and imperious head was every bit as compelling as Ryan himself. She licked her lips in anticipation and bit at Ryan’s thumb.

  “Lacey, take off your T-shirt and bra. I want to see those pretty breasts.” What she really wanted to do was lean in and taste more of Ryan. But he wouldn’t have it, only releasing his hold on her jaw when he saw that she would obey and remove her clothes as he’d instructed.

  She complied and tossed her clothes on the blanket. Duel sensations clashed as the warmth of the bright sun caressed her breasts and a cool breeze teased her tight nipples. “There’s my lovely girl. So sweet and sexy. And all mine to do whatever I wish with. Now I want you to cup your breasts and pinch your nipples until they’re hard and throbbing for me. I want them so hard that I could chip ice on them.”

  She tried her best to stare him in the eye as she felt the heavy weight of her breasts in her palms. “Pull and pinch them. Pretend it’s my hungry mouth suckling you, devouring your delicious flesh.” She pinched the soft points and each tug cranked her desire tighter. Her sex ached with hunger and wept with emptiness.

  “Good girl. Now let them go and lick my cock from base to tip.” She didn’t know whether to be disappointed at the loss of sensation on her breasts or thrilled to finally taste Ryan.

  “That’s it, suck the head in and take it as deep as you can.” His words were dark, but his hands gentle, reverent even, as they held her face.

  Rock hard, a touch salty and all male, he filled her mouth with his flavor and her consciousness with his masculine presence.

  She was completely bewitched.

  Chapter 13

  When he’d found the cabin silent and locked, Parker had immediately known where to find them. He and Ryan had spent many an evening on the knoll by the lake drinking beer and
talking shit.

  What he hadn’t expected to find was the sight of Lacey kneeling before Ryan. Though quiet, his friend’s firm voice carried well in the peaceful woods as he told Lacey to remove her top and bra. Parker knew he should backtrack and give the couple privacy, but his feet refused to move.

  He watched as Lacey did as she was told and bared her full breasts to Ryan. He had a prime view of her slender bare back as her hands came up to cup their weight. The outer edges of the rounded swells could be seen from the path where he stood like a jackass with concrete feet.

  He could clearly hear Ryan telling her to pretend his mouth was on her nipples and pinch them. What he wouldn’t give to see that. His friend had always had a way with words, but witnessing Lacey’s submission seemed to be having a greater effect on his own cock than he’d expected. It must have been longer than he’d thought since he’d enjoyed female companionship. Still, there was no doubt that even though Lacey wasn’t his usual type, the sight of her on her knees for Ryan had made him hard as a rock.

  Through the years he’d enjoyed his fair share of women and then some. He was no stranger to sex in unconventional places but the scene playing out in front of him was like flipping the on switch to his need. Instantaneous, bright, and hot, his hunger flared to life. Something about the knowledge that Lacey was a “good girl” and not the type to flaunt her nudity outdoors made it all the more erotic. The combination of Lacey’s innocence and natural beauty was a one-two punch that had knocked both him and Ryan flat on their asses.

  But Ryan met her first.

  And though aloud Ryan stated that his interlude with Lacey was only temporary, his friend’s eyes had said otherwise.