LavenderLaceTrilogy_Bundle
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Marci had a seven-year-old niece she’d never met. Tears flowed down her cheeks at all the things she’d missed in her sister’s life. “You have a daughter?”
“Yes. She’s wonderful, the light of my life. J.D. and I didn’t plan her, but she’s—“
“Wait a minute. J.D.? You two got back together?”
“Two years after the divorce. We’re so happy now, Marci.” Mary sniffed. “You and I have so much to talk about.”
“Yes, we do.”
She looked at Keefe…at the mane of hair she loved to touch, his intense blue eyes that seemed suspiciously moist right now, the lips that thrilled her when they turned up in a smile. He was her rock, her anchor.
The man who made her complete.
Keeping her gaze locked with his, she picked up his hand from her leg and entwined their fingers. “I have someone for you to meet too.” She kissed the back of his hand. “Someone very special.”
Epilogue
Ashlyn shivered when the cold air settled over her. She knew before she turned around to face Llyr that he was leaving her.
His face was solemn when she looked at him. “It’s time, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “I have to go, lass.”
“Can’t you stay a little longer?”
“Ye know I canna do that. I’ve already stayed longer than I should’ve.”
Yes, she knew he couldn’t put off leaving when he was summoned. Every god and goddess left immediately when they were called. She twisted her hands together in front of her. “I’ve gotten used to having you around. You’ve been such a help to me in the store and with the women who’ve come in here. A man’s opinion has meant a lot to some of my customers.”
“I’ve enjoyed helpin’ ye.” A hint of a wicked grin curled his lips. “I’ve enjoyed the private shows ye’ve done of yer frilly things.”
With each new shipment that arrived, Ashlyn had picked out her favorite items and modeled them for Llyr. He’d always shown his appreciation by making love to her over and over until she lay in an exhausted heap.
“When will you come back?”
“I donna know.” He stepped up to her and cradled her face in his hands. “But I will be back, darlin’. I promise ye that.”
His kiss sealed that promise. Ashlyn clung to his waist and kissed him back. It hurt every time he left. This time, it was harder to let him go since he’d been here five weeks. She’d never had him all to herself for such a long period of time. It had thoroughly spoiled her.
Llyr ended their kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “I love ye, Ashlyn.”
He’d never said that to her. Ashlyn had always known he cared for her, but he’d never used the word love. “I love you too,” she said, her voice breaking from the tears she tried not to shed.
He released her and stepped back. She folded her arms across her stomach and watched as he slowly faded from her view. Before he disappeared completely, he blew her a final kiss.
Ashlyn covered her mouth with one hand. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest. She and Llyr couldn’t be together the way mortal couples could. That knowledge didn’t stop her pain.
She heard the tinkling of the bell above the store’s entrance door. She plucked a tissue from the box by the register, wiped her cheeks and blew her nose. Llyr had his duty and so did she. Every woman she helped to feel more attractive about herself, to find love, made Ashlyn happy. She had to concentrate on that and not on how much she’d miss Llyr.
He would be back. He’d made a promise to her, and he’d never broken a promise in five hundred years.
Forcing a smile, she stepped from behind the counter to greet her two thirty-something customers. “Hi, ladies. I’m Ashlyn. Welcome to Lavender Lace.”
The End
About the Author
Lynn LaFleur was born and raised in a small town in Texas close to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Writing has been in her blood since she was eight years old and wrote her first “story” for an English assignment.
As well as writing at every possible moment, Lynn enjoys reading, scrapbooking, photography and learning new things on the computer. She’s a software junky and loves to try out new programs, especially anything to do with graphics.
After living on the West Coast for 21 years, Lynn now lives 17 miles from her hometown in Texas. She’s a romantic at heart and can’t imagine ever writing anything but romances. A full-time writer, she spends her days creating stories of people who find their happily ever after, sometimes with the help of an alien or psychic or vampire.
Lynn welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think
We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at Comments@EllorasCave.com.
Also by Lynn LaFleur
A Cupid’s Work is Never Done
Capsized
Coopers’ Companions 1: Rent-A-Stud
Coopers’ Companions 2: Michelle’s Men
Coopers’ Companions 3: Almost Perfection
Door Prize
Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails I anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction IV anthology
Enchanted Rogues anthology
Happy Birthday, Baby
Holiday Heat anthology
One Night of Pleasure
Premonition
Turning Point with Randi Monroe
Two Men and a Lady anthology
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer ebooks or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com
A Date With Mr. Wonderful
Lynn LaFleur
Second in the Lavender Lace series.
A shopping spree at Lavender Lace, a lingerie store owned by Celtic goddess Ashlyn, thrills Twyla Gardiner, who has trouble finding sexy lingerie to fit her tall, voluptuous body. But who will get to appreciate that lacy red bra and risqué thong?
Twyla’s friends seem determined to set her up with new men every week. When her best friend arranges yet another blind date with a man she swears is Mr. Wonderful, Twyla decides she can’t go through another disappointment. She escapes to a favorite hideaway spa.
Daniel LaFevers is new in the Seattle area and hasn’t had the chance to meet many women. One look at the voluptuous raven-haired beauty sitting in the bar of the locals’ favorite hideaway and Daniel knows he has to get to know her better.
When Twyla invites Daniel to her room for an evening of unforgettable passion, will this be another in a long line of disappointments, or a date with Mr. Wonderful?
An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication
www.ellorascave.com
A Date With Mr. Wonderful
ISBN 9781419926358
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
A Date With Mr. Wonderful Copyright © 2010 Lynn LaFleur
Edited by Raelene Gorlinsky
Cover art by Syneca
Electronic book publication January 2010
The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.
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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.
A Date With Mr. Wonderful
Lynn LaFleur
Chapter One
Twyla Gardiner had to catch herself before she rolled her eyes. She’d heard the same phrases over and over since her divorce four months ago.
You need to get out more.
Don’t sit at home by yourself. That isn’t any fun.
I know the perfect man for you!
I have a cousin who’s coming to visit.
You’ll just love him!
And on and on and on.
Twyla stared out the window at the softly falling mist and tried to tune out her friend Sherry Trahan. She’d have better luck getting a suntan in December.
Picking up her fork, she calmly ate a bite of her crab salad while she waited for Sherry to stop for a breath so she could jump into the conversation.
“Look, Sher, I appreciate your caring about me, but I’m fine. I don’t want another blind date.”
“But he’s perfect for you! He started working at George’s office last week. He’s about six-two with dark brown hair that brushes his collar, piercing green eyes, shoulders like a linebacker, flat tummy and great ass.” Sherry fanned her face. “He is soooo gorgeous!”
Sherry said that about every single man in her husband’s office. George worked at an insurance company that employed hundreds of people. The turnover rate must be high, for Sherry was always discovering new single men who would be “perfect” for Twyla.
At least he was tall. At five-ten, Twyla usually towered over men instead of looking directly into their eyes, especially when she wore high heels.
“What’s the date today, Sherry?”
A confused look crossed Sherry’s face and she hesitated before answering. “October 21st.”
“Do you know when my divorce was final?”
“Sometime in June, I think.”
“June 10th. That’s four months, Sherry. Why would I want to get involved with a guy so soon after getting rid of the louse I married?”
“I’m not saying you have to get serious about him or marry him, just go out with him. He really is wonderful, Twyla. I know you’ll like him if you’ll give him a chance.” Eyes wide and shining with excitement, Sherry reached across the table and clasped Twyla’s wrist. “I know! I’ll have both of you over for dinner. Quiet, calm, no pressure. If you don’t feel any sparks, you don’t have to see him again.”
“Sher—“
“Saturday night. Seven o’clock. I’ll send the kids to my mom’s, or they can spend the night with friends.”
Apparently satisfied that everything was settled, Sherry picked up her fork and dug into her salmon. Twyla could continue to argue, or she could gracefully give in and let Sherry once again introduce her to this wonderful man.
If this guy was so damn wonderful, he shouldn’t be single.
Twyla speared a piece of cucumber in her salad. She knew Sherry was only trying to help. So had all her other friends when they’d introduced her to their friend/ brother/cousin/coworker.
She wasn’t in any hurry to become involved with another man. Sure, it would be nice to date someone who could carry on an intelligent conversation. It would be nice to sit together on her couch and eat popcorn while they watched a movie. It would be really nice to have sex again. She missed that closeness, that sweet slide of skin against skin.
It wouldn’t be worth marrying an idiot just for sex. That’s why vibrators were invented.
Vibrators couldn’t hold her, stroke her skin, touch her hair. They couldn’t wake her with a soft kiss, or cuddle her when she felt bad.
Sherry laid her fork over her empty plate. “The salmon was incredible. How was your salad?”
“Great.” Or it had been until Sherry started talking about Mr. Wonderful. After that, the taste disappeared.
“Do you have time for some shopping or do you have to rush right back to work?”
Twyla should go back to work. She had a desk full of paperwork to wade through. She also had hours of personal leave due her and had worked a lot of overtime lately. Taking the afternoon off to shop sounded like an excellent idea. “My boss didn’t have anything special on her calendar, but something may have come up after I left for lunch. I’ll call her and see if she needs me.”
“I want to check out the new lingerie store on 6th. George’s sister Lydia told me about it. She said the selection is amazing.”
Twyla’s friends, Molly Ross and Marci Bayne, had told her about the lingerie store, but Twyla hadn’t been there yet. Even though both gals had raved about the store, shopping for lingerie was a disappointing chore for Twyla. Her large breasts made finding pretty bras almost impossible. Even buying horribly expensive bras online didn’t work, for they rarely fit her the way they should to be comfortable. She’d found one department store that carried bras in her size, yet they were plain and not the least bit sexy. Twyla would love to wear wisps of satin and lace like so many other women did.
Sherry picked up the ticket from the table. “I’ll take care of the check while you call your boss.”
*
Sherry pointed to a pale lavender bra and panties set in the store window. “Now that would definitely raise George’s blood pressure.” She looked at Twyla and grinned. “I just love raising his blood pressure.”
A twinge of jealousy tightened Twyla’s stomach. She wasn’t ready to get involved with another man. That didn’t mean she couldn’t dream about meeting a guy as great as George. Sherry had lucked out when she’d found him. Kind, considerate, funny, good-looking and Sherry said he was incredible in bed.
Twyla gazed at the rest of the window display. Every hue in the purple palette had to be here. Neither Marci nor Molly had said the store carried only purple lingerie. Since she wasn’t a big fan of that color, she didn’t see where anything in Lavender Lace would interest her. “Is everything in the store purple?”
Sherry laughed. “No, silly. Lydia said there’s every color you can think of.” She wrapped her fingers around Twyla’s wrist. “Come on, let’s check it out.”
Twyla followed Sherry into the store. The first thing Twyla noticed was the comfortable seating area on her left. It contained a loveseat and three chairs…a perfect place for tired husbands or bored boyfriends to sit while their wives or girlfriends shopped. Small tables sat between each chair. So many times while shopping, Twyla would’ve paid someone twenty dollars for a place to sit.
Light and airy, the store was larger than it appeared from outside. The displays were set up by color. Sherry had been right. There was so much more than purple here. Twyla immediately gravitated toward the red display. She’d always loved to wear red panties. She had one red bra in her size that she couldn’t bear to throw away, even though it should’ve gone into the trash months ago since the support was almost nonexistent.
“I see you found your favorite color,” Sherry said, grinning.
Twyla shrugged. “I’m so easy.”
“With your fair skin and black hair, you look gorgeous in red. I look blotchy. I think I’ll check out that lavender set in the window.”
“Okay.”
Twyla picked up a sheer bra with lacy cups. It felt as light as air, and couldn’t be more than a B cup. She sighed. Way too small for her.
“May I help you?”
Turning to her left, Twyla saw a lovely thirty-something blonde with striking blue eyes. Her aqua T-shirt and cream pants showed off her curvy body perfectly. A plain silver name tag above her left breast said Ashlyn. “I love this bra, but it isn’t my size.”
Ashlyn openly gazed at Twyla’s breasts. “Thirty-eight G, right?”
Twyla’s mouth dropped open. “How did you know?”
The blonde smiled. “It’s my job to know. Don’t worry if you don’t find your size on display. This is only a small portion of what I have in stock.” She picked up the bra and checked the tag. “I’m sure I have this in your size. I’ll be right back.”
Two more women walked into the store as Ashlyn headed for the back. She turned around long enough to say she’d be right with them before continuing to the back of the store.
If Ashlyn had this beautiful bra in her size, Twyla would be a very happy camper.
Sherry walked up to her, carrying several pieces of lingerie. “I’m going to try these on. Did you find something?”
“Maybe.” She held up the red bra so Sherry could see it. “The clerk is checking to see if she has this in my size.”
“Ooh, very nice! I know someone who would love to take that off you.”
Twyla frowned. Sherry never missed an opportunity to play matchmaker. “He isn’t going to see it, much less take it off.”
“Now, Twyla, never say never. I promise you, you’ll take one look at him and melt.”
“I do not melt.”
“You will,” Sherry said, her voice smug.
She wandered off toward the dressing rooms before Twyla had a chance to make another comment. It was just as well that she couldn’t pop off to her friend since Ashlyn headed her way, a smile on her face.
“Sorry it took me so long. I’m alone today and it’s been crazy.”
“No help?”
“One clerk, who’s off today. I hope to hire more clerks soon.” Ashlyn held out the red bra to Twyla. “Size thirty-eight G. I brought matching bikini panties in your size too. Or I have a thong to match the bra, if you’d rather have that.”
A thong? With that little piece of fabric that would ride up her butt? “Uh, no. I don’t wear thongs.”
“You should try one. Men love them.”
“I wear what I like, not to impress a guy.”
“That’s good. A woman should always do what’s right for her. But sometimes, we should make our guys happy. Don’t you agree?”
Twyla almost said, “I don’t have a guy,” but stopped herself. She didn’t know this woman, yet she’d almost confided in her. That didn’t make sense. Twyla made friends easily, but she didn’t pour out her life story to a complete stranger.