So this was what abandonment felt like. She thought she’d never used the word in association with Kyle. A physical blow had to hurt less than the gaping wound he’d inflicted. “What about you and me? Am I going to lose my brother’s friendship because you don’t agree with my choice to see Rye?”
“I’m not going anywhere. In fact, when your turn with him is over, I’ll be right there to help you pick up the pieces,” he muttered, then stalked out of the kitchen.
Angry and hurt at the same time, she headed out and almost ran into Monica in the corridor leading to the reception area.
“Is everything okay? I was told some action just took place,” Monica said, frowning.
Lacey heaved a huge sigh. “Thank goodness. If the nosiest person in the metro area missed the commotion, we may be able to end this night with our reputation somewhat intact.”
Monica pressed her lips into a straight line. “I’m gonna let you get away with one shot because I know your brother and your man are working your nerves, but only one,” she finished and then gave a fake smile. “Anyway, I’ll make sure a driver takes Kyle’s drunk ass home, and Rye is wearing a hole through the floor in the lobby. Amanda and I can handle things here for the rest of the night. Go home and take care of your man.”
Lacey looked at her slight, mighty, thoughtful, nosy, wonderful cousin in amazement. Then she reached down and hugged her. “Thank you, Monica,” she said before breaking into a fast walk down the hallway that led to Rye. Hands in his pockets, he paced back and forth. He stood at attention when she came through the door. His chiseled jaw tightened, and his gaze held hers steadily. The sight of him revived all the issues Kyle threw in her face, making questions leap into her mind. Is my brother right? Are you going to hurt me? Am I just one in a long line of waiting females?
She didn’t voice her fears. Instead, she stepped to him and placed her hand above his heart. “Can we please just go home?”
After a subdued return trip and a shared but functional shower, Lacey lay between her luxurious cotton sheets, staring up at the ceiling. For the very first time, there was space between her and Rye in bed.
“I didn’t want it to come to this.” Rye uttered his first words since leaving the party.
“By ‘this,’ do you mean a blowup with Kyle and his childish behavior?”
“Yes, but he’s your brother and you value his opinion.”
“You grew up with him, you were college roommates, and you’ve been friends forever. He knows you better than anyone else does.”
“True, for the most part.”
“He’s seen you doing…things…no one else has. With a lot of people.”
“Women, Lacey. Women, not people,” Rye interjected, his voice dry.
Lacey rolled her eyes. “A lot of women.”
“We all have a past.”
“It’s more likely I’ll be confronted by your past than you will by mine.”
“We’ll just have to deal with it.”
“How are you going to deal with an irate best friend? He thinks you’ve violated some kind of man code I can’t claim to understand.”
“Am I supposed to stay away from you because he’s upset? Fuck no.”
“I don’t want problems between you and him. I’d never forgive myself.”
“Having you away from me is not an option,” Rye said, his voice sure. “Not happening.”
Lacey sighed and turned her head toward him. “Don’t I get a say in the situation?”
“Do you want different from what I’m saying?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I’m not sure how I feel about someone telling me what to do.”
“Is Kyle’s attitude going to come between us?”
Really? He thought her brother was their biggest problem? “Here’s the thing. There isn’t an ‘us.’ We’re just a one-night stand that’s lasted for months. It’s none of Kyle’s business, but he’s right.”
“Damn it. Then it stops right here, right now.”
A wave of panic hit Lacey. Was he ending “it”? She tried to picture herself without him, and the image was unbearable. A hard knot formed in her throat, and her heart pounded as she fought to contain her emotions. The last thing she wanted was for him to see her lose control.
In a move that could only be accomplished by someone with his physical strength, Rye lifted her clear off the bed and arranged her on top of him. Breast to chest, face-to-face. “I need to know you’re going to be with me, waiting when I get home. You won’t let my best friend scare you away.”
A bubble of joy formed in her chest and ballooned until it cushioned her heart, bruised by her runaway emotions. Her brother’s opinion affected her so much because he knew Rye better than anyone Kyle claimed it would never work, but the possibility of her and Rye having something real was almost too much to hope for. “I thought you said it ends.”
Rye ran his finger over her cheek. “The confusion ends. You’ve mentioned it, and Kyle said it tonight. I’m tired of hearing what we have described as something shallow. Hell, your father had less of a problem with us than Kyle does. Lacey Marie Bishop, in case you didn’t know it, we are in a relationship. We are a couple. For lack of a better word, you are my girlfriend.”
A slow smile graced Lacey’s lips as she basked in Rye’s words. She could shout she was so relieved. “Aren’t we a little old for such juvenile terminology?”
“Maybe.” His laugh was husky as he turned them onto their sides, then stroked her hip. “Will you be my girl?”
Lacey’s center flooded with moisture, and her nipples beaded. His words instantly turned her on. “Will you expect me to put out right away?”
“Damn straight,” he growled before claiming her mouth.
Chapter Eleven
Lacey bowed her head as her grandmother said the blessing. Lacey, Lisa, Kyle, nor any of their cousins were allowed to use “Grandma,” so they called her Katie. While Katie’s words flowed like the mighty Mississippi, Lacey asked for understanding after spending the morning in bed over and under Rye instead of in church kneeling at the altar. There was no point in asking forgiveness for the decadent deeds performed, as more than likely they would be repeated. She felt a twinge of guilt for leaving Rye asleep to come here, but it couldn’t be avoided. After last night, she just wasn’t up for more drama.
Katie’s prayer ended, and Lacey opened her eyes, perusing the faces of the guests occupying the lunch table. Lacey glanced over at Kyle. He looked like he could barf with the slightest provocation. Good. It served him right for acting a damn fool at Logan’s birthday party. She’d get her chance to lay into him, but she was patient. Plus she needed all the strength she could muster to survive a confrontation with her mother. They hadn’t talked, but her mother’s jerky movements and lined forehead revealed she knew about Lacey and Rye and wasn’t happy. Oh, a confrontation was coming, no doubt. It was just a matter of clearing the extended family out of the way first. Her mother didn’t like Bishops’ laundry to be aired in public, and if it was, she made sure it wasn’t dirty.
Lacey was relieved by the light conversation accompanying her mother’s Italian-themed meal. Bruschetta, a colorful salad with homemade Italian dressing, flavorful lasagna, succulent lamb chops, a garden-vegetable medley, and garlic bread floated around the table. Lacey’s tiramisu was making its rounds when the doorbell rang. John Bishop excused himself to answer the summons, and to Lacey’s shock, in strutted Rye, her boyfriend she’d left asleep in bed after hours of hot sex. He took the empty seat beside Lacey, and then placed his arm over the back of her chair. He caressed her shoulder, sending shivers of arousal down her spine.
What was he doing here? Several emotions flooded her system: embarrassment for not having invited him, followed by pride because he was there. Amazingly, she was neither anxious nor self-conscious Rye was beside her, his presence and intimate touches boldly proclaiming their new couple status to her entire family.
The flow of conversation didn’t so muc
h stop as it did slow down as eyes widened and jaws dropped. Her facial expression should answer her extended family’s unspoken questions. Yes, she and Rye were “together,” and no, her being with a white man was not up for discussion. No doubt her aunt and cousins would have plenty to say about her crossing the fence, but she didn’t care. Right now her man was her only concern, and he appeared to be his usual laid-back self. If he was bothered by last night’s commotion, her quick getaway today, or her family gawking at him, it was hard to tell. Making himself right at home, he reached for the tiramisu to fill the platinum-rimmed dessert plate she handed him. As he piled on a hefty portion, she sneaked a glance around the table and noticed Katie studying Rye with a curious expression while Lena frowned and pursed her lips.
Couldn’t be good.
“Good afternoon, Rye,” Lena Bishop said in a voice audible over the various conversations taking place around the table. A brittle smile was pasted on her normally animated brown face. “I understand that after years of being a guest in my home, you’ve come to know my daughter in the biblical sense.”
Lacey wished right then and there for the power to disappear. Why the hell did her mother have to say this at Sunday lunch? Not only was her grandmother there, but so was Monica and mother, Maddie, Katie’s brother Nate, and his daughter, Ruth. Ruth’s son Charles and three of his children were sitting at a second table in the corner. Now they all knew her business.
At the head of the table, directly facing her mother, her father’s chestnut face tightened. Lacey couldn’t help but tense too. Beside her, Rye shifted to sit ramrod straight in the plush dining chair. She closed her eyes with relief when he moved his hand to clasp hers in her lap.
“I’m getting to know your adult daughter in every way, Mrs. Bishop, and I appreciate your blessing as we explore our new relationship.”
Rye’s tone, though measured, was still respectful. Just one aggressive word would have been enough to set her mother off. Lacey turned in her seat and placed the heel of her hand on Rye’s hard chest, her first instinct to lend him support, even when the threat came from her mother. Lacey braced for the barrage to spill, but the next sound she heard was her father’s voice.
“Rye, you and Lacey already have our blessing,” her father said, his voice icy and firm. He focused his stern look on Lacey’s mother. “There was no need to bring this to our attention again.”
Her mother’s cheeks and neck flushed a dark red. She dropped her napkin on the table and then pushed her chair back. Apparently she’d decided it was best not to tangle with her husband. “Well, then, ladies. Let’s take care of the kitchen while the guys set up for the football game. Then we’ll join them outside.”
Her mother stood and gathered the crystal glasses nearest her, beginning the cleanup process. Lacey sagged against Rye’s side. The bomb had been defused. For now.
“Wait just a minute,” Katie started. “I need to get this straight. Lacey is having relations with Rye, but didn’t she bring another date here a few weeks ago? The young black man?”
“Katie!” Lacey groaned. She gripped Rye’s thigh and exhaled a long, harsh breath. Fortunately he didn’t flinch away. “Please—”
“You went from not having a man to acting like the coochie ambassador to the United Nations, huh? White, black, whatever; it doesn’t matter. Of your two fellows, I’d go with Rye; he looks like he can take care of things.” She laughed as if she’d told the funniest joke in the world. Her extended family joined in her grandmother’s mirth.
Lacey was livid.
Supportive glances came from Lisa and Monica, but Lacey felt like a fool. Before last night, she and Rye hadn’t discussed their arrangement being exclusive and had made no promises to each other. That fact didn’t make it any easier to meet Rye’s gaze.
“Everybody needs to mind their own business,” Monica piped up. “Including you, Katie.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a little lovin’. She’s not getting any younger, and neither are you. It would do you some good to find a man too,” Katie told Monica. “And you’re not too big to go across my knee.”
“Okay, enough. Everybody out. I’ll clean up while you guys get ready for the game,” Lisa announced.
Lacey couldn’t hide her surprise. Someone should alert the media, because Lisa volunteering to help with kitchen duties was breaking news.
“What?” Lisa worked her neck in a half circle. “I know how to clean up.”
“But we’ve never seen it in action,” Monica said drily.
“Whatever. You all just go on with your game. I’ll be fine. I promise I won’t hurt anything or anybody,” Lisa mumbled and started gathering the fine china.
“I think we should do shirts and skins this time,” Lacey’s cousin Charles said as he headed out the door.
Monica poked him on the shoulder as he passed by her. “There are girls playing, fool.”
He grinned. “I know.”
“We are your cousins,” Monica reminded him.
“Next time bring some friends,” he retorted.
While the rest of the clan headed outside to prepare for their weekly flag football game, Lacey watched as her father motioned for her smug-looking mother to join him. He seemed none too pleased about the commotion at the dinner table, even if it wasn’t all her mother’s doing. Kyle, still a bit green, smirked as he escorted Katie out the door, which only made Lacey madder.
Lisa concentrated on her chore, and Monica mouthed, Are you okay?
Lacey nodded, and then Monica made her way outside to join the others.
When Rye approached, and before she lost her nerve, Lacey grabbed his arm and pulled him down the hallway to her mother’s home office.
“Rye,” she started. “Listen—”
His hard look stopped her short. “Save it, Lacey.”
She frowned at his harsh tone but tried again. “But I wanted to—”
“Now is not the time,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Hear me out.” She rested her hands against his chest, her favorite place to touch him. The steady rhythm of his beating heart comforted her.
“Lacey, stop. I woke up in bed alone, had to crash a lunch where I normally have a standing invitation, only to learn the woman I fucked just this morning brought another man here without telling me.” He paused and sent her a look sharp enough to cut stones. “I had to bite my tongue while your mother made it clear she disapproves of us, even as my best friend acted like he wanted to skewer me. Believe me when I say now is not the time,” he said before turning toward the door.
Her throat constricted, and she felt a wave of shame although she had no reason to. “Where are you going?”
“I have some shorts and a T-shirt in my car. I’m going to change, and we are going to spend the afternoon with your family. Like a goddamn happy couple,” he added before he pushed the door open and stalked down the hallway.
Her heart thumped a mile a minute as she walked more slowly behind his long, curt strides. She paused when she heard Lisa call to her from the dining room. Great. Now she had to put up with her sister’s unsolicited advice. Could she even buy a break today?
Lacey returned to the spacious dining area.
“Is he all right?” Lisa asked, stacking the last of the dishes onto a tray.
“I hope so.”
“Why didn’t you tell him about Malik? I know it’s been a minute since you had a man, but you can’t keep things like going out with someone else from him.”
Lacey ignored her sister’s sarcasm. “Rye doesn’t know I actually went out with him, and I think I should keep it that way. I swear, Malik was no more than a friend I invited for a meal.”
“Yeah, well, Rye wasn’t here to know all that. You need to do whatever it takes to make sure he gets over your little slip and moves on.”
Lacey folded her arms and scrutinized Lisa’s honey-smooth face, so like their mother’s. “And how did you find out about Rye and me?”
�
�Are you serious?” She smirked. “I have my sources. At any rate, you shouldn’t let Mom’s and Kyle’s attitudes come between you and Rye.”
Lacey was surprised by Lisa’s support. They were close, but Lisa—notoriously focused on herself—had never shown this much interest in Lacey’s love life. “You don’t have a problem with Rye and me? Everybody else seems to.”
Lisa placed the tray full of dishes on the table. “Hey, I don’t have to sleep with him, so it doesn’t matter what I think. Or anybody else.”
“You’re right.” Lacey sighed as she headed out the door.
“Lacey?”
“Yes?”
“Do he make you happy?”
“Yes.”
“Then fight for him.”
Touched, Lacey doubled back to hug her sister. As expected, Lisa didn’t exactly return the embrace, but she didn’t bolt either.
“Thanks,” Lacey whispered.
By the time she made it to the backyard, the flag football competition was in full swing and the competition was fierce. Kyle wasn’t on top of his game, but his apparent determination to beat Rye made up for his visible lack of coordination. At first.
What he must not have counted on, however, was Rye’s unquestionable athleticism coupled with an endurance not hindered by a bitch of a hangover. And who could have predicted Monica’s grit? She caught every pass Rye threw her way, and their team won handily. Kyle, the sore loser, walked away with a sneer at Rye and without shaking a single opponent’s hand.
Lacey stood on the sidelines and waited for Rye to bid her parents farewell. She’d made a point to sit as far away from them as possible because she was beyond irritated with her mother. For some reason, her family seemed to forget she was a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions, and she was fed up.
Rye approached, his gym bag draped over his shoulder, sweat dripping from his spiked hair to land on his equally soaked sleeveless jersey. She was grateful he even had on a shirt; the scratches she’d put on his back this morning would have required a lot of explaining. Her gaze fell to the corded muscles of his arms, and she welcomed the flutter of butterflies in her stomach. He was so fine. His tall, lean physique was enough to make her wish they were alone so she could savor every square inch of his masculinity. It was a paradox he could be sweaty and still smell so good, but he did. Man, she had it bad.
Taste of Lacey Page 9