Lace & More (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Tanya Kelly

  Lacey swung the covers off and let the cool air wake her up. She had to get up and get mobile. They didn’t open the store until noon on Sundays but still, she needed to shower. She was never drinking again.

  Okay, she said that last time, but this time, she meant it.

  She stood up slowly and stretched. At least she was alone in bed this time. And she’d managed to get undressed. Lacey grabbed her robe and went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Then she headed to the kitchen and downed a glass of water with a couple aspirin and made coffee.

  She noticed a man’s leather jacket as well as men’s shoes at the front door. While she drank a lot last night, she did recall the entire evening and knew Derek had brought them home. He must still be here. She sat on the couch and sipped her coffee remembering the disastrous end to the night.

  They’d been having a good time, well, in truth, Kim was having a good time and Lacey was pretending to have a good time. They danced some more and then the band announced their last song, which happened to be a song that evoked memories of Reilly. It had been playing on the radio the time they’d had naughty sex in his truck. As the lyrics floated over her, a tear slipped from her eye and she wiped it away angrily.

  She excused herself to go to the bathroom but couldn’t stop the tears from coming. Kim followed shortly after.

  “Lace, come out here,” she called from outside the bathroom stall. Lacey had come out with her tear-streaked face and Kim had said nothing. She just hugged her friend tightly which only caused the tears to flow faster.

  “I miss him, Kim,” she cried.

  After a few minutes, Kim grabbed a tissue. “Then why aren’t you with him?” she asked.

  “Because I’m in love with him.” Lacey replied with a wobble in her voice.

  Confusion came over Kim’s face. “I’m pretty sure he’s in love with you, too. What the fuck is the problem?”

  Lacey let out a tiny sob. “He thinks he’s in love with me, but let’s be real. I’m going to turn out just like my mom. Things will be great for a while but he’ll eventually dump me for someone younger. Like Sophie with her perky tits and ass. Then I’ll be alone and old.”

  Kim laughed and Lacey looked at her in shock. “It’s not funny. I’m pouring my heart out here and you laugh.”

  “Sorry,” Kim replied, still smirking. “But it’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You and Reilly are nothing like your mom and the losers she’s dated. “

  “Except the huge age difference,” she muttered. Lacey blew her nose. “Besides, it may seem okay now but in ten years, I’ll be fifty and old and wrinkly and he’ll still be hot and everyone will look at him with pity.”

  “Okay, you are officially having a pity party.” Kim passed her more Kleenex. “Come on, let’s go home and talk about this in the morning when your common sense has returned.”

  Lacey blew her nose again and dabbed at her eyes but the damage from her tears was already done. She looked like shit. When they came out of the bathroom the band was all packed up and gone, except Derek who waited by their table.

  He smiled when they returned and then looked concerned when he saw Lacey. “Everything okay?”

  “She’s fine,” Kim replied. “Just a bad breakup recently.”

  “Can I give you gals a lift home?”

  “That would be great,” Kim said. They paid their tab and got into Derek’s beat up Corolla. Lacey had thanked them both for a good time and gone straight to bed. She’d tossed and turned for a long time and kept picking up her phone. She typed a text to Reilly and then deleted it. After doing it two more times, she finally put the phone in her nightstand. Sleep eventually found her but Reilly was still in her dreams all night.

  “Morning,” Kim said, startling Lacey. “How you feeling this morning?” she asked from the kitchen.

  “Fabulous,” Lacey replied sarcastically.

  Kim chuckled and joined her on the couch with a cup of coffee.

  “How are you this morning?” Lacey asked with a smile.

  “Fabulous.” Kim winked and they both laughed.

  Kim took a drink of her coffee and then fixed Lacey with a stare. “Can we talk?”

  Lacey groaned and put her head down on the armrest of the couch. “Do we have to? I’m embarrassed.”

  “Don’t be,” Kim stated. “I think I put two and two together last night. Your mother had something to say about you and Reilly, didn’t she?”

  Lacey looked up at Kim in astonishment. Sometimes she forgot how well Kim knew her. “Yeah, she did. But she wasn’t wrong.”

  Kim snorted. “She’s almost always wrong. I love your mother but her life is a wreck and I don’t think she’d know what to do with happiness. She certainly doesn’t know what to do with her daughter’s.”

  “Can you even picture Reilly dating your mother?” Kim asked.

  Lacey shuddered at the thought. “I don’t want to.”

  “Seriously, think about it. Can you?”

  Lacey forced herself to think about it. “No, I can’t.”

  “That’s because Reilly is a kind, mature, loving man. He’s not like the losers your mother ends up with which I’m sure is because of her self-esteem issues. Do you have those same issues?”

  “No,” Lacey practically shouted. She hated being compared to her mother. She didn’t ooze self-confidence but it was there. She knew she was an attractive, smart, independent woman with a lot to offer and she’d never date a man who treated her badly, while her mother seemed exclusively attracted to men who treated her like shit.

  “Then why are you acting like her?” Kim asked quietly.

  Lacey didn’t respond. She stared pensively at her coffee cup. Why indeed? Finally she looked up at Kim. “I’m scared.”

  Kim smiled and leaned forward, putting her hand on Lacey’s. “I know you’re scared, Lace. Everything in your life is changing quickly and taking a different path then you mapped out for yourself. But is that bad? Living life to its fullest, loving someone with all your heart. That shit is scary but I’ve never know you to be a coward.”

  Lacey squeezed her friend’s hand. “When did you get this smart?”

  “Must be from the shots last night. Alcohol gives me clarity.”

  Lacey laughed and then groaned. “Don’t make me laugh. Still hurts my poor head.” She looked up at Kim and her smiled faded. “Oh Kim, even if I wanted to fix this, I’ve screwed it up badly. I’m sure Reilly wants nothing to do with me anymore.”

  “I highly doubt it from the way he was looking at you last night. But you won’t know until you try.”

  Lacey chewed on her bottom lip. “He wants kids one day, Kim. I’m too old to have kids, and I don’t want to hold him back from having a family.”

  Kim shook her head, looking frustrated. “Geez, Lacey, you are not too old to have kids. If you don’t want them, that’s another thing. But talk to Reilly about it at least. You two need an honest to goodness heart to heart. Now go.” Kim waved her hand. “I can handle the store today.”

  “I can’t do that to you.”

  “It’s not a request,” Kim declared firmly. “Keep your cell on you and if it gets busy, I’ll call. Now go.”

  Lacey put her coffee cup down and hugged her friend. “I love you. You are the best friend ever.”

  Kim chuckled and hugged her back. “Love you, too, but that’s enough mushiness for me.”

  Lacey laughed as well and let her friend go. “Wish me luck.”

  “You don’t need luck. Just don’t take no for an answer,” Kim replied with a wink.

  * * * *

  Fuck this! Reilly turned off the TV and threw the remote down. He’d been up half the night, unable to sleep. He was sick to death of Lacey filling all his thoughts. Last night he’d been torn between wanting to push her into a bathroom stall and fuck her silly or put his hands around her neck and choke her. Especially after she downed the shot those assholes bought.

  He’d seen them watc
hing her dance and he couldn’t stay any longer, because if he did, he’d end up punching one or both in the face. Reilly kept trying to make sense of their breakup and how things had gone from fantastic to fucked up overnight. He’d been such a fool, pouring out his heart and thinking she felt the same.

  Reilly grabbed his coat and car keys. He might as well go to the shop and try to get some work done. Anything to get his mind off her. He swung the door open and stopped dead. Lacey stood on the front porch, her hand poised to knock.

  They stared at one another for a second. Lacey smiled tentatively.

  “Hi.” Her voice was husky and breathless.

  “I was just leaving,” he said, not returning her smile. He knew he was being a jerk, but if he was ever going to get over her, he couldn’t see her for a while.

  Lacey’s smile crumbled. “Sorry, I was hoping to, um, never mind. Sorry,” she muttered again and turned away. Reilly wanted to call her back. Take her in his arms and drag her in the house but he held on to his anger, shielding his heart.

  She went down the steps and then stopped and turned back around. She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry,” she said again. Lacey lifted her chin and straightened her back. “I’m sorry for a lot of things. I’m sorry I was such a coward and listened to my mother’s bad advice. I’m sorry I held back. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I didn’t pack my things and move in here as soon as you suggested it and most of all, I’m sorry I never told you how much I love you.”

  Reilly stared at her, too stunned to speak.

  “I just wanted to tell you that,” she continued. When he still didn’t respond, she turned and starting walking back to her car, her shoulders slumped.

  “Lacey,” he called when the shock wore off. She stopped and looked back at him, tears brimming in her eyes.

  “Get over here.”

  She hesitated and then walked toward him but stayed down the stairs off the porch. Reilly gestured for her to come in. She walked past him stiffly as he held the door open. He came in behind her and closed the door. They faced each other in silence.

  “Did you mean that?” he asked.

  She nodded and wiped the tear that trickled down her cheek.

  “Then tell me now,” he said softly.

  Another tear slid down her face. “I love you,” she said, so quietly he barely heard her. She cleared her throat. “I love you,” she said louder. “I’m miserable without you. I can’t…”

  Reilly didn’t let her finish. He pulled her hard against him and his lips descended on hers in a crushing kiss. He groaned into her mouth as their tongues met. God, how he’d missed her. He cupped her face in his hands as he devoured her.

  Reluctantly, he pulled away and looked at her, wiping the tears from her face. Lacey smiled. He took off her coat and threw it on the floor and did the same with his.

  “I need you,” was all he said and kissed her again. He knew they should talk. He had so many burning questions about why she’d run from him and was now back, declaring her love. But at that moment, seeing her standing in front of him saying she loved him, he needed her. He needed to feel her body next to his. To bury himself inside her.

  His hands traveled down her back and cupped her buttocks, pressing his erection against her. Lacey whimpered and wrapped her arms around his neck, gently pulling his hair.

  Reilly fumbled with the buttons of her shirt clumsily, his desire too strong. Finally he just ripped the shirt open and yanked it off. He ached for her and had no patience for stupid buttons. She laughed and kissed him. He unhooked her bra and pulled it off as well, adding to the growing pile of clothes. He stared at her bare breasts hungrily and her nipples hardened under his intense gaze.

  “God, I’ve missed these,” he growled and bent his head, flicking his tongue across the sensitive bud. Lacey moaned and arched her back. Sucking a nipple into his mouth, he ran his hand down the front of her jeans until he cupped her mound through the material. He moved to the other nipple and she squirmed and whimpered again.

  “I’m so hard for you, Lace,” he whispered against her skin. He wanted to be inside her. His movements were frantic, almost desperate. Like he was scared he was dreaming and would wake up any second. Reilly unzipped her jeans and pulled them down her hips along with her panties. She held onto his shoulders and lifted one leg at a time as he tore off her boots and jeans. Lacey stood naked in front of him, trembling slightly.

  “You are beautiful,” he said. Reilly trailed his fingers across her nipples and then down her stomach. He slid one finger between her folds and she moaned. “You’re so wet already.”

  He stroked her pussy with one hand and unzipped his own jeans with the other. His hard cock sprang free. Lifting one of her legs around his waist, he pushed her up against the wall and rubbed his erection against her swollen clit.

  “I can’t wait. I need to be inside you.”

  Lacey looked at him through hooded eyes. “I need you, too,” she rasped.

  Reilly grabbed onto the back of her thighs, holding them against his hips and thrust into her, pushing her back against the wall.

  “So tight,” he whispered and kissed her. Lacey squeezed her thighs against his thrusts, gripping his cock. He almost came right then.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and tilted her hips, taking him in deeper. Reilly groaned and pumped his cock harder and faster. God, she was heaven. He didn’t think he’d last much longer. She rubbed her clit against him, her breathing growing louder. Crushing her against the wall, his thrusts grew more urgent, enraptured by her face, he was lost in a haze of lust. After a few more strokes, Lacey threw her head back against the wall.

  He pushed into her deeply, gripping her buttocks and grinding his teeth, trying desperately to hold off his own climax. She bit her bottom lip and her grip on him tightened as she climaxed, tensing around his cock. He couldn’t hold back. Reilly grunted and shot a thick spurt of semen inside her. Both of their muscles strained as they rode waves of pleasure.

  Lacey let out a soft sigh and her head fell limply against his neck. They leaned against the wall, breathing hard.

  “I must be heavy. You can put me down.” She kissed his neck.

  “You’re not heavy and I want to stay buried inside you,” he whispered back. She laughed and cupped his face, her eyes locked on his.

  “I love you,” she said and kissed him.

  Reilly’s heart beat fast in his chest. He carried her to the couch. With a groan, he pulled out of her and sat her on his lap and wrapped the blanket around them.

  “Really? I wasn’t just dreaming that you said that?” he asked and tucked a stray hair behind her hair.

  “No, you heard me. I love you.” She curled into him. Reilly kissed the top of her head as she nestled into his lap. He squeezed his arms around her, intent on never letting her go again. He was lost without her and he didn’t want to ever experience that again.

  “I got scared,” she confessed softly.

  “Of what?” he asked, stroking her back.

  “Everything,” she replied with a laugh. She sat up a bit and looked at him. “I know I keep harping on our age difference, but it’s more than that. It’s my fear of you realizing you don’t want me anymore and breaking my heart.”

  Reilly lifted her chin and locked eyes with her. “I will always want you.”

  “You say that now, but what about ten years from now. When both my tits and ass are facing south?”

  “I hate to tell you this, but I’m not a vampire. I’ll also age and my balls may eventually get pretty droopy as well.”

  Lacey laughed and laid her head on his chest. “I let my mom get into my head. I’ve been in love with you for a while and had been planning on telling you right after the grand opening. But then my mom said you only think you’re in love with me because men always fantasize about older woman…the whole cougar thing. Which I let play right into my insecurities.”

  He stroked her hair. “Honey, I can tell you it has nev
er been a fantasy of mine. You want to know what I fantasize about? About a beautiful woman I can share my life with and that’s you, Lacey. I want to grow old with you. Saggy tits, droopy balls and all.”

  She laughed again and kissed him. Then her eyes grew serious and she stroked his cheek. “What about kids, Reilly. I’m getting too old for a family.”

  He snorted. “Have we time travelled back a couple decades? Since when is almost forty too old for kids? I do want kids, Lacey, but I want you more. Kids or no kids.”

  She squirmed and sat up in his lap until she was straddling him. “Are you sure?”

  He cupped her face in his hands. “Never been more sure of anything.” Reilly kissed her and his cock immediately hardened and jerked against her.

  She let out a giggle. “Oh good, you’re ready to go again.” She moved to get off of him but he held her close.

  “I don’t want to let you go. “

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she insisted.

  “Promise me, Lace. Promise me you won’t put me through that again.”

  “I promise. I won’t ever be such a coward again, Reilly. I love you. Always and forever.” Her eyes shone emerald green, and he could see the love in them.

  Reilly’s lips slanted over hers and he thrust his tongue hungrily into her mouth. She kissed him back, her hand splayed over his chest. Over his heart.

  He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. “I love you, too.” He laid her down on the bed and gazed lovingly at the sight of her, naked and in his bed. Where she belonged. “Let me show you much.”

  Epilogue

  Lacey made her way back to her seat after freshening up in the bathroom. They would be landing soon in Dublin. She didn’t want to look as tired as she felt after months of barely any sleep. As she approached the seat, she noticed the flight attendant bent over talking to Reilly, a flirty smile on her face.

  “She’s beautiful. Looks like her father,” the flight attendant crooned, her eyes all over Reilly instead of their sweet daughter. The cause of their lack of sleep as of late. Lacey cleared her throat as she stood next to them. Reilly caught her eye and smiled. The flight attendant flushed guiltily and stammered an apology.