Lace & More (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Tanya Kelly

  Yours,

  Reilly

  Lacey laughed and touched her flaming cheek. He’d included his number at the bottom and she read it again. Not only was he sexy as hell, he had a great sense of humor to boot.

  “I think you might have it just as bad for him,” Kim interrupted.

  “I think I’m having a midlife crisis,” Lacey replied and refolded the note. “Or I’m in the twilight zone. I wake up with a young stud in my bed and I have a date tonight with another man. That’s more action than I’ve had all year.” She chewed her bottom lip as her words sank in. “This is not like me at all. I have no idea who I am anymore.”

  “A woman who goes after what she wants.” Kim gripped Lacey’s shoulders. “A confident, sexy woman who doesn’t follow what society says is right but what she feels is right.”

  “Oh wise one,” Lacey replied with a smile. “What would I do without your sage advice?”

  “If you followed my advice, you would have fucked Reilly silly last night.”

  Lacey snickered at Kim’s naughty words. “I’m trying to find a husband, not a boy toy.”

  “Why can’t he be both?” Kim shrugged her shoulders. “He’s a great guy if you get to know him.”

  “No can do. He doesn’t fit the list. Plus I’m not some pathetic cougar,” she replied vehemently.

  Kim opened her mouth and then shook her head, as if changing her mind on what she was about to say. “Fine. Now get your ass dressed and come downstairs. I’m making breakfast and my hangover cure. We got stuff to do today.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Kim left and Lacey proceeded to brush her hair. Kim was right, of course. She was overly susceptible to what everyone else thought and needed to start making decisions on what she wanted. But no matter what she wanted, Reilly was out of the question.

  She would go out tonight and have a great time with David. From what she recalled, he fit her list to perfection. With renewed determination, she blow-dried her hair till it shone in a cascade of soft waves around her face and then applied a bit of makeup. Lacey never wore much but she needed it around her eyes to hide the dark circles. Once dressed, she found Kim in the kitchen making breakfast. She insisted Lacey eat a nice greasy breakfast and some of her special juice…otherwise known as a strong Caesar.

  “It’s your vegetable serving,” Kim said. Lacey laughed but after she’d eaten and drank most of Kim’s juice…she felt surprisingly better and ready to tackle the day.

  Chapter Two

  Reilly Callaghan sanded the beautiful mahogany wood, his thoughts miles away from the project he was working on. Instead they were occupied by a sexy brunette with a damn fine ass. Not to mention firm, full breasts with delicious pink nipples that begged to be sucked.

  Shit! He had to stop picturing Lacey half naked in the throes of her orgasm or he’d have blue balls. He’d been walking around with a raging hard-on most of the day. Finishing this dining set for his picky client required focus and keeping his customers satisfied was a priority.

  Reilly had opened his own custom furniture company a couple years ago and things had been slow moving the first year as he grew his clientele. However, as he settled into Beechfield and got acquainted with people in town, business flooded in to the point he was having trouble keeping up. Bartending had kept him afloat financially at the beginning plus he’d accrued many customers from working at the busy pub. But it might be time to give it up. It was becoming difficult to work long hours all day and bartend till the wee hours of the morning. He’d also been searching for a storefront location downtown to have his furniture displayed and for sale. He currently worked by demand for pieces based on design and a catalogue of his work, but a store seemed like a fantastic next step to his dream.

  As he sanded the wood to a polished finish, the image of Lacey’s smooth, pale skin and contrasting dark hair flashed in his mind. Last night, he’d noticed her the moment she walked into the pub, smiling and laughing with Kim. She had a beautiful smile with those full, pouty lips. When they’d come up to the bar and ordered a drink, he was even more dazzled by her sparkling green eyes framed by lengthy lashes.

  It had been a while since a woman had fascinated him. He worked at a pub filled every night with beautiful woman but none had captured his attention like Lacey. He watched her walk back to the table with her long shapely legs and pert little ass. While their flirting was subtle, Reilly was certain the sexual chemistry vibrating between them was mutual. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her most of the night except when it started to get packed and he was busy pouring drink after drink. But he sensed her glancing at him throughout the night and every time he looked her way, she quickly averted her gaze.

  At the end of the evening, the other bartender, Kian, offered Kim and Lacey a ride. Reilly threw his rule of never going home with a woman from the bar out the window and accompanied them. There was something about Lacey he couldn’t resist. Kim and Kian had been flirting blatantly all evening.

  The walk to the car was icy in spots and he took Lacey’s arm a couple times to help her and make sure she didn’t slip. The electricity between them was undeniable. When they reached Kim’s house, she invited them in for a drink and they settled in the living room. Lacey sat on the edge of the couch, not saying a word and biting her bottom lip. Kim and Kian excused themselves, leaving Reilly alone with Lacey. He leaned forward and pulled her lip out from her teeth with his thumb.

  “Stop that,” he said. “I’m trying hard to be a gentleman since you had too much to drink. But when you do that, all my good intentions fly out the window.”

  He kept this thumb on her lip and stroked it back and forth. Her eyes sparkled in the dimly lit room and she snaked out her tongue to lick her lips, touching his thumb. Reilly groaned, his cock twitching against the seam of his jeans, imagining his rock-hard length pumping in and out of her delicious mouth.

  Abruptly he stood and raked his hands through his hair. Never had he taken advantage of a woman in an inebriated state and he wasn’t about to start—no matter how much he wanted her. “Come on, time for bed.” He turned back to help her up but she waved his hand away.

  “I–I can’t go to bed with you,” she stammered, a dark blush on her cheeks. “You are not Mr. Right.” Lacey narrowed her eyes at him.

  “Who is Mr. Right?”

  “Mr. Right,” she replied and hiccupped. “Is older and responsible and…um…and…There’s a list but I can’t remember it all right now. He’s not a bartender who probably takes different women home every night.”

  Reilly wanted to correct her misconception about responsibility and bedding multiple women but stayed silent. What was the point? She’d made up her mind and he was frankly sick of the stereotype. He was curious about this list she couldn’t remember.

  “I’m good right here,” she continued. “You can get going. Play with someone your own age. I noticed a few ladies hitting on you tonight so I’m sure you must have something better to do.”

  He leaned in close to her. “You’re pretty high on yourself. I’m suggesting we get you into bed. Alone—to sleep.”

  “Oh.” Lacey’s cheeks turned crimson and Reilly let out a chuckle. She looked darn adorable tipsy and he let her snide comments go. He put out a hand to help her up.

  “I can manage on my own fine,” she said, standing. She proceeded to walk toward the hallway and caught her foot, encased in her sexy, high-heel, come-fuck-me boots. Reilly grabbed her before she fell and held her tight against his chest.

  “Let me help you. I swear, I won’t try anything.”

  Lacey looked up at him, her eyes wide and a frown on her pretty face. “Even though I know you’re not Mr. Right—why do I still want to kiss you—” The soft words halted from her lips and she shook her head from side to side. “Never mind.” She moved to pull away from him but Reilly held her firmly in place and tilted her face upward.

  “You want to kiss me?”

  She tried to twist out of his grasp. “No, I didn�
��t mean that exactly.”

  Reilly backed her up against the wall, lifted her hands above her and nestled his cock between her legs. “Because I really want to kiss you. I want nothing more than to come to your bed and strip all your clothes off. Except those fucking boots. I want them on when you wrap your legs around me while I fuck you. But not before I taste you….everywhere…and make you come over and over again.” Just so she was clear he meant what he said, he thrust his raging hard-on against her.

  Her eyes opened wide and she seemed to stop breathing. Then she gyrated her hips and let out a low moan as his cock rubbed right against her clit.

  “Fuck,” Reilly swore and pulled away. He was like a teenager about to come in his jeans if she moved against him again. “Where is your room?” he demanded, his voice hoarse.

  She pointed to a room down the hall and he picked her up and carried her inside. He laid her down on the bed then removed her boots. She said nothing and stared at him with wide eyes, once again biting her lip. Despite the release his body craved, he tucked her in under the blankets and kissed her hair.

  “Make no mistake. I want you, but not like this. When I fuck you, you will remember every detail.” His fingers traced the outline of her luscious lips.

  He stood up and moved toward to the door, before he changed his mind.

  “Reilly?” Geez, even the sound of his name from her lips was sexy as hell. He turned back around. “Don’t go.”

  She looked small and vulnerable in the bed. He crossed the room in a couple long strides and pushed back the covers to get in bed next to her. As soon as he lay down, she snuggled up to him, her head on his chest and her legs entwined with his. Big mistake coming to bed with her. Reilly’s balls tightened and his cock strained against the zipper of his jeans. He let out a deep breath and stared at the ceiling, trying to think about anything except her delicious scent or her breasts against him. He was a gentleman, he chanted to himself.

  Eventually he nodded off only to wake up some time later spooning her. She was dreaming, he guessed, because she kept fidgeting, moving her ass against him. With a groan, he pulled her closer to try to still her movements. She let out a contented sigh and seemed to head back into a restful sleep. Despite the torture of his hard-on with no release, it was one of the best nights holding Lacey. She molded perfectly against him, like she belonged in his arms.

  But in the light of morning, she couldn’t wait to get rid of him and disappointment filled him. Yes, she’d been inebriated the night before but he’d seen the desire in her eyes. But he’d also heard her loud and clear about not being Mr. Right. Whoever or whatever that was. He guessed it was just a physical attraction fueled by alcohol on her part. She looked completely freaked out in the morning and he couldn’t help teasing her. But when she hugged him, he lost control, and now she occupied his every waking thought. The look on her face when she came was something he wanted to see again.

  He knew he should forget she even existed. His subconscious warned him she was trouble. But he found himself checking his phone again for a missed call or text. Dammit, nothing.

  * * * *

  “Va-va-voom,” Kim said when Lacey walked in the room all ready for her date.

  “Thanks. Not too much?” The restaurant David had suggested was pretty casual so she opted for dark-blue skinny jeans, a black lacy top and short boots that flashed a sliver of ankle.

  “Not at all. You look great. I love the top. Your boobs look huge and your waist so tiny. You’re gonna get some in that outfit.”

  Lacey laughed and waved her hands dismissively. “Stop. It’s just a date.” She grabbed her coat and purse. “What are you up to tonight?”

  “Not much. Work on our website for a bit and then watch a movie.”

  “Just relax. I’ll help you with the website tomorrow.” They had been pretty busy all day, finalizing details for their grand opening in a month. She was excited and wanted everything to be perfect.

  “Don’t worry about me. Go, have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Kim poured more wine in her glass. “Actually, do something I would do.”

  Lacey grinned and grabbed the keys to her car, blowing Kim a kiss on the way out. She needed to start looking for her own place this week. She’d been staying with Kim since she’d arrived and they’d been so busy working to get everything up and running for their business that she never had any time. Plus Kim kept telling her to stay as long as she wanted. But Lacey didn’t want to overstay her welcome. She’d call the realtor first thing Monday.

  Lacey drove to the restaurant, her hands nervously gripping the steering wheel. She tried to envision what David looked like again but dammit—Reilly’s face kept coming to mind. She had to block him from her thoughts. Yes, she was attracted to him but being with a younger man was not an option. Her stomach knotted at the thought and unpleasant memories they evoked.

  She pulled into the restaurant parking lot and flipped down the sun visor to glance in the mirror. Get him out of your mind, girl. She touched up her lip gloss and got out of the car.

  David waited for in the entrance of the restaurant. “Hi, gorgeous.”

  “Hi,” she replied as he enveloped her in a hug. He wore a nice cologne although perhaps a bit too much. She preferred Reilly’s woodsy, masculine scent which was very faint. It was spicy with a hint of sandalwood.

  Sweet Jesus, she was pathetic.

  “How was your day?” he asked, glancing at his watch.

  “Good. Am I late?”

  “Just on time.” He smiled and waved at the hostess indicating they were ready to be seated.

  Lacey stood there fiddling with her scarf trying to think of polite conversation. “How was your day?”

  “Fantastic. Did a bit of skiing and now I get the pleasure of your company,” he replied with a smile. They stood next to each other waiting for the hostess to seat them and conversation lulled awkwardly. She had worn boots with a short heel and was a bit disappointed to discover she was about the same height, if not an inch taller than David. She couldn’t help but compare him to Reilly, much to her annoyance. David was handsome in a business man kind of way. Nicely groomed, dressed business casual, not a hair out of place and freshly shaven. The opposite of Reilly’s low-slung jeans and T-shirt with this five o’clock shadow and messy but sexy hair.

  Next to Reilly’s height and muscled body, she felt petite. Not so with David. However, she reminded herself what a nice guy he was last night. Friendly and attentive, he hadn’t let her pay for a single drink. A gentleman who didn’t talk about fucking her silly. As she recalled Reilly’s words and smoldering gaze, a tingle travelled through her body.

  “I hope you’re hungry,” David interrupted.

  Lacey cleared her throat and averted her eyes, hoping the flush on her face wasn’t as visible as it felt. “I am,” she replied. “I apologize now, David, if I ask questions you already answered last night. Unfortunately, I don’t recall everything we talked about.” She grinned sheepishly. “I may have drank a tad too much last night, which, by the way, I never do.”

  “No problem.” He winked. “What do you remember?”

  “Well, I recall Kim introducing us and we had a lot in common. You work as a…” Her words trailed off as she fought to remember his profession.

  “Financial advisor.”

  “That’s right. I remember it was the financial industry.”

  David filled her in on some of their conversation from the night before. He had been out with friends at the beginning of the evening, however, they’d all left earlier. She also recalled David grumbling about them being married and whipped.

  “You mentioned some of your friends are married. Have you ever been married?” Lacey tried to slip the question innocently into the conversation.

  “Yes but I’ve been divorced for a while now.”

  “How long were you married?”

  “Two years. We were pretty young and it didn’t work out. It was a mutual decision to s
plit.”

  She wanted to ask more but also didn’t want to pry.

  “And you?” he asked.

  “Um, no, never been married.” He raised an eyebrow and she expanded. “I’ve focused a lot on work and not on relationships.”

  Thankfully, the hostess interrupted and brought them to their table and she was saved from having to elaborate on her spinster life.

  Once seated in a quiet corner of the restaurant with a beautiful view of the picturesque village, the waiter brought over the menus and asked if they’d like to something to drink.

  “Would you like some wine?” David inquired.

  “Sure, perhaps just one glass.”

  He scanned the wine list and ordered them each a glass of a nice California merlot. He then opened the menu and told her about his day skiing. Lacey took the time to study him. He looked to be in his early forties. He had nice brown eyes and dark hair. His hands were well manicured versus Reilly’s, whose large hands were rougher, almost as if he worked with them daily which was strange being a bartender. The conversation flowed easily between them with David being a financial advisor and her years working at the bank. They had quite a bit in common. Unlike Reilly who was too young and probably partied it up every weekend at the pub.

  Lacey realized David’s lips had stopped moving and he stared at her expectantly, a smile on his face. She really needed to push Reilly from her thoughts and focus her attention on David. Lacey’s face grew hot and she looked down at the menu, nodding yes, hoping that would indicate she had been listening and not thinking about another man.

  The waiter brought their wine and she took a large sip to wet the dryness in her mouth. The aroma of berries and spices filled her.

  “What do you suggest?” she asked David, scanning the menu but having trouble focusing on anything.

  “Everything I’ve had here is delicious. The salmon is fantastic or if you want something lighter, the salads are great as well.”