by Jodi Redford
“Yeah, you’re miles beyond it,” Bram pointed out adamantly. “In another universe, practically.”
Ry couldn’t agree with him more. Lacey returned to Bram and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Ry tried not to let the jealousy eat at him.
“You’re a good friend,” Lacey whispered to Bram before dropping back onto her heels. She glanced over at Ry. “You both are.”
Oh yeah? So how come he didn’t get a goddamn kiss? He sent the obnoxiously grinning Bram a mulish glare as Lacey paced between them.
“But the truth is I can’t keep leaning on you guys to boost my sagging confidence. If I want to reclaim my mojo, I’m going to have to suck it up and…” taking a deep breath, she took several steps back and faced them both, “…jump into the dating pool.”
Ry could feel his heart knocking in an erratic rhythm. Lacey…dating? Someone other than him? He’d barely survived her engagement to Dan. How the fuck would he get through this? Without consciously thinking about it, he turned his stare on Bram. His best friend wore the same panicked look.
Fuck yeah. They were both screwed.
Chapter Three
By the time she finally dragged herself home, Lacey was dead on her feet. She plunked her purse onto the front end table and shrugged from her down-filled jacket. After hanging the garment in the closet, she rolled her shoulders, attempting to work out the kinks. A glass of wine sounded spectacular at the moment. Precisely what she needed to help her relax and wind down for the night.
She slipped off her suede snow boots and left them to dry near the heat register before traipsing into the kitchen. She poured the Pinot noir into her glass and took a sip, her gaze traveling to the stark landscape on the other side of the window. The snow-capped frozen surface of Lake Saint Clair resembled a glittering, crystallized desert. The barrenness of a Michigan winter never failed to depress her and make her long for the summer months, when the lakes were sparkling and sailboats and freighters bobbed in the distant waves.
After she’d broken her engagement to Dan, she’d briefly considered putting her house up for sale and moving south. Somewhere along the Atlantic coast, so she would still have her water views to enjoy. But there’d been the restaurant to consider, along with her family and Ry and Bram.
Especially Ry and Bram. The idea of leaving and only seeing them on occasion had made her stomach cramp to the point she’d felt physically ill whenever she thought about it. Even before they’d purchased the Dockside three years ago, they’d rarely gone longer than a few days between seeing each other. Since then, they’d become inseparable.
So she’d stayed put and muddled through.
Damn it, she was sick of muddling through. It was way past time to start living again. Getting her groove on and having a little fun. And maybe even some sex. She gulped down another sip and nodded. “Yeah, that’s right. I’m going to have sex, damn it. With an actual person.” She drained her glass and topped it off. Her brain was starting to feel fuzzy. Probably she shouldn’t have any more to drink.
That’s something a boring person would think. The taunting whisper in her head was enough to convince her to slurp through a couple large swallows of wine. A warm glow steadily crept through her veins. Tightening her grip on the glass, she swiveled away from the counter and journeyed down the hall to her bedroom. She even put a little sashaying hip action into her walk. More than likely she looked silly and uncoordinated as a one-legged duck, but with no one around to judge, she didn’t give a hairy rat’s behind. She settled her wineglass on the nightstand and shimmied out of her clothes. It was definitely a flannel jammies evening. But as she reached for her favorite pair—the ones with snowboarding kangaroos—the mocking voice floated through her mind again.
I bet Olivia doesn’t wear pajamas that have marsupials on them.
The thought managed to add an extra layer of acid to the wine sloshing around in her stomach. Though she tried to push the doubts away, they started piling up again. She stared at the flannel garment in her hands, her heart growing heavy.
Who was she kidding? She was so far from being sexy, it was ridiculous. Men weren’t interested in women like her—the average girl next door who was passably pretty but nothing to rave about. They wanted the flash and sparkle of someone like Olivia. The type of girl who stopped men in their tracks and caused multi-car pileups every time she crossed a street.
Her mood taking a steep downward slant, Lacey pulled on her pajamas and slumped on the edge of her bed. More than anything, she wished she was more like the woman she portrayed in her secret fantasies. That Lacey was lusty and uninhibited. She had two gorgeous hunks filling her days and nights with indescribable pleasure. They thought she was beautiful. A sex goddess worthy of worship. Fantasy Lacey would do anything and revel in every hedonistic moment.
What would I do if I was her? All the time. Not just in my mind? She picked up her wine and took a fortifying gulp. Would she have the nerve to let go of her fears, even if it meant exposing a side of herself that left her feeling vulnerable? If she were willing to risk it all, what would she do?
With that intriguing question spiraling through her mind, she rushed to the dresser and grabbed her laptop. Too often she did accounting work from the comfort of her bed. No doubt yet another thing that boring people did all the time.
Snipping off that unhelpful thought, she snuggled into the pillows and powered on the laptop. With the screen’s backlight giving her courage in the dark, she opened up a fresh document and formatted it to create a bulleted list. She typed in the number one and stared at the blinking cursor for what seemed an eternity. “Oh for Pete’s sake. How difficult can this be?” Very, apparently.
She closed her eyes, trying to concentrate. Instead, an image of Bram flashed behind her eyelids.
Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean I don’t find you sexy. This time when he said it, he tugged her into his arms and followed up the statement with a brain-frying kiss. Plus he was naked.
Hell, this was her fantasy. If the stud muffin insisted on clothes being optional, who was she to argue?
“Yeah, you love it when I’m nekkid, don’t ya, darlin’?”
She opened her eyes. Fantasy Bram sat next to her, wearing nothing but a grin. She swept her gaze over the velvety bronze skin stretched taut over those acres of rippling muscles before zeroing in on his mouthwateringly erect cock. The rigid shaft thickened at her perusal, jutting toward her in invitation. She licked her lips. “Mm, can you blame me?”
He nodded toward her opened laptop. “Whatcha doin’?”
Her fingers fidgeted on the keyboard. “You’ll think it’s silly.”
“No way.” He scooted closer and nuzzled the side of her neck. “C’mon, you can tell me.”
“I-It’s a list.” She gasped when Bram’s tongue began slowly tracing the shell of her ear.
“For groceries?”
She shook her head, trying to focus. It was damn difficult with the way he was sucking on her earlobe. God, his oral skills were out-of-this-world extraordinary. “Not exactly.”
“Then what kind?” His hand slid beneath the hem of her pajama top and caressed her tummy. Wicked fingers flirted with the elastic waistband of her bottoms.
She bit back a moan. “A…a…” She shivered as Bram’s other hand ghosted up along her rib cage and cupped her breast.
His thumb brushed her nipple. “A what?” he prompted.
It took a moment to remember what they’d been talking about. “A naughty list.” She had no idea where the description came from, but now that it was out there…yeah, it was definitely fitting.
Bram chuckled. “A naughty list? Sounds right up my alley.” He rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, making her arch into him. “So what’s on it?”
“N-nothing yet.”
He made a tsking noise. “And after all the inspiration Ry and I have given you?”
“I guess I’m not as creative as I thought.” That’s because
you’re—
As if he’d sensed the negative voice in her head, Bram scrunched her top upward and latched onto her other nipple. His teeth imprisoned the tender nub, holding it hostage to the voraciousness of his agile tongue.
God, the man knew how to use that particular organ. Okay, he wielded the one farther down south with incredible skill too. He ceased his torment for a second and glanced at her. “Get to work on that list.”
“But—”
“Now, Lace. Or I’ll stop.”
Damn, did he know how to play some hardball. She reached for the laptop again and settled it next to her. “Number one…” She pondered the entry as Bram resumed playing with her nipples. An answer flew to her, so perfect it made her gasp. Okay, the sound might also have something to do with the luscious things Bram was doing with his mouth. “I’d sing ‘Like a Virgin’ at karaoke.”
Bram grunted. “How the hell is that naughty?”
“I’d do it naked.”
A sexy growl rumbled against her damp flesh. “Fuck. Yeah, gotta admit that’s damn hot.”
“Number two.” She chewed her thumbnail, thinking. “I’d…pleasure myself.”
Another chuckle came from Bram. “You already do that, darlin’. A lot, I might add.”
“Nice of you to point that out,” she grumbled. “And for your information, I’m intending to do it this time in front of someone else.” Holy crap. I am? But it was so…naughty. Well, okay. That was pretty much the whole point. “Moving on to number three.”
“How about you let someone tie you up and fuck you? Maybe even throw in a blindfold.”
Her clit tingled at Bram’s suggestion. She’d read about bondage games in a few of the erotic romances she loved. Those scenes never failed to get her juiced up. She ruffled her fingers through Bram’s short spiky hair. “I knew there was a reason I keep you around.”
He stopped his feasting on her breast and slid a smoky look in her direction. “My dirty, brilliant mind isn’t the only reason you keep me around.” He hooked his fingers into the waistband of her pajama bottoms and inched them down. After flinging the rumpled garment aside, he settled between her legs, his broad shoulders bracing her thighs open. His warm breath puffed against her soaked pussy. “Number four?”
“Sex in a public place.”
One of his eyebrows arched. “Bold.”
“Too much?”
“Fuck no. Just right.” His tongue gave a barely there flick across her clit. She squirmed, desperate for more. He moved away, his hazel eyes teasing. “Number five?”
“I’d visit that sex club downtown. The one you think I don’t know you and Ry have gone to.”
His jaw dropped. “How the hell did you find out?”
“I heard you and Ry talking about it once.” She blushed. “I wondered what you would do if I showed up there.”
Those sinful irises darkened. “We both know the answer to that. I’d toss you over my shoulder and carry you into one of the private rooms so I could bury myself deep in your pussy for the rest of the evening.”
She licked her lips. “Next up—anal.”
“Don’t worry, I’d give this sweet ass plenty of devotion too.” As if to verify his statement, Bram ducked his head and traced the crease of her ass with his tongue before rimming her puckered opening.
Her breath lodged in her throat and stars danced in her vision. “I—I was referring to number six. Not that this isn’t nice.”
“Goes double for me, darlin’.” Bram eased a finger into her back passage. “You’d let a man fuck you here?”
“Y-yes. If I felt comfortable enough with him.”
Bram’s stare bored into her. “Would anyone else be there while this guy is balls-deep in your tight ass?”
She knew what he was asking. What he wanted to hear. “Yes,” she said on a whisper.
“Number seven?”
She swallowed, her fingers shaking on the keyboard. More than any of the others, this entry terrified her the most. It was one thing to fantasize about it. Typing it would somehow make it real and force her to spring the closet door on her deepest, darkest fantasy.
“You have to do it, Lace.” Another of Bram’s fingers stroked inside her pussy. It moved in countermotion to its partner. “Type the words and set yourself free.”
Oh God. Could she do it? Admit the one fantasy that’d sustained her for as long as she could remember? Trembling, she stared at the screen on her laptop. Words, just words. It meant nothing when she’d be the only one who ever saw them. She dragged in a deep breath and expelled it slowly. “I’d have a threesome with Ry and Bram.”
“Good girl.” The finger inside her pussy curved against her G-spot and rubbed determinedly. Bram’s mouth closed around her clit and sucked with firm, demanding pulses. He knew exactly what it took to trip her over the edge.
The orgasm crashed into her, making her shudder and gasp. Her pussy and ass milked Bram’s fingers, the quakes rocking her. All the while, Bram continued devouring her. Hungry, lusty groans vibrated against her flesh, telling her he was aroused just as much by his oral love fest as she was. Knowing how much he enjoyed going down on her only heightened her own pleasure.
The climax lasted forever, yet ended too soon. By the time she came to her senses, fantasy Bram had vanished, leaving her limp and sated.
And completely alone.
She always felt sexually satisfied after one of her solo sessions. Tonight was no exception. But this time she felt empty too. Awesome as the fantasy was, it would never be the real thing. She needed to come to grips with that.
Rolling onto her side, she stared at the list she’d created on her laptop. She started to hit the delete button, but the mocking voice paid a return visit to her head.
Goody-goody two shoes. That’s all you’ll ever be.
Gritting her teeth, Lacey hit save. Just to prove that her inner tormenter had her pegged all wrong, she sent a copy of the file to her work email so she could add to the list tomorrow.
“That’s right. Who’s the damn goody-goody now?” A spark of triumph banishing her earlier glumness, she logged off and returned the laptop to her dresser before flicking off the lights. As she climbed back into bed, one certainty flashed through her mind.
Tomorrow would be the first day of a new and naughty Lacey.
Chapter Four
Bram pulled into his parking space outside the Dockside mere seconds before Ry’s Ford F-250 slid to a stop in the adjacent slot. Surprisingly, Lacey wasn’t there yet. Usually she beat them to the clock every morning. Then again, she’d had a rough day yesterday. The reminder of the role Olivia played in it made Bram see red all over again.
He knew part of the reason Olivia had been such an insensitive bitch was because she’d always been jealous of the tight friendship he and Lacey shared. One night when she’d gotten stupid drunk, Olivia had slurred accusations about Lacey lusting after him. God, if only Olivia knew the truth. The only one guilty of a major case of lust was him. For Lacey.
Sometimes he wondered if he hadn’t made a huge mistake agreeing to the pact with Ry about keeping their distance. With the bombshell Lacey dropped yesterday about dating again, this more than qualified as one of those times. How could he stand by and not do everything in his power to convince her to make him one of her eligible candidates?
There’d been more than one occasion when he’d debated the wisdom of him and Ry not just pouring their hearts out to Lacey and letting her decide if she could see herself with one of them. Yeah, it’d kill him if she picked Ry. But eventually one day he’d get over her, right?
Sure, maybe in my next lifetime. Blowing out a heavy breath, he cracked open the door of his Subaru Outback. An arctic blast buffeted the side of the vehicle, making the door rattle in his grip. Concerned the gust might decide to take off with part of his car, he clambered out and slammed the door shut. He reached the Dockside’s entrance just as Ry did. Bram wedged his key in the lock and pushed the door open. He l
et Ry take care of hitting the lights in the main section of the restaurant and went to check things in the kitchen. The astringent smell of disinfectant and industrial-grade floor cleaner announced that the janitorial crew had been through and worked their magic. A note was taped to the cooler door. More than likely the supply list from Kevin, the head chef.
Bram strode to the cooler and grabbed the note. He’d give it to Lacey so she could add the items onto their weekly shopping list.
The reminder of Lacey brought his thoughts spinning back around to her adamancy about dating again. Yeah, wanting to keep her safely out of reach of some faceless dude certainly made him a selfish bastard. She deserved to find her happily ever after.
He wished to hell it would be with him.
His fist tightening on Kevin’s note, Bram stalked toward the office he shared with Ry. The lights were already on and Ry was busy clearing some boxes of ornaments off his desk. Bram tossed the list on top of a stack of unopened mail and stared at the back of Ry’s head. “We can’t let her do it.”
“What choice do we have?”
It came as no surprise to Bram that Ry knew precisely who and what he’d been referring to. When it came to Lacey, they’d always been of the same mind. Well, mostly. “We can damn well tell her how we feel.”
Ry pivoted toward him, his eyes hot and his features haggard. He looked like shit. Probably hadn’t slept an iota last night. That made two of them. Ry slammed his arms over his chest. “Brilliant idea, Colton. I’m sure she’d love having to choose between her two best friends. Assuming she’d want either one of our asses.”
“True, but what if she ends up dating another dickwad like Dan? Are we supposed to stand by and let her get hurt all over again?”
Ry glared at him, obviously pissed by the question. “You damn well know I’d cut off my own arm before letting that happen.”
“There’s an easier, less drastic option than that.”