by Savanna Grey
“I imagine you want to get settled in before dinner. It’s just us tonight. The flood of arrivals starts tomorrow, but we have tonight to enjoy and catch up. I’ve made brownies for desert.”
Dalton groaned with pleasure. “I’ve been looking forward to those all week.”
“If your nice, I might let you eat one. Only if you carry Lacey’s bags up for her. Luke, will you take Jesse’s bags up to her room for her, please?”
“Yes, ma’am. As you command.” He bowed and tipped his hat.
“I could get used to that.” Sara teased.
“Don’t.” Luke flung back over his shoulder as he picked up Jesse’s bags at the front door and carried them upstairs.
“I can get my own bags. Dalton doesn’t have too…” Lacey insisted.
Dalton ignored her as he followed Luke’s lead and took Lacey’s bags up the stairs. “Which one, Pip?”
“The Rose Room.” Sara turned back to Jesse and Lacey. “Dinner’s in an hour. Get yourselves settled and come back down. The wine will be waiting.”
Lacey took a deep break as she trailed behind Dalton up the grand staircase that opened to the entire great room below.
Dalton was juggling bags as he wrestled with the doorknob.
“Here. Let me.” Lacey’s hand brushed his as she reached for the knob. His skin was warm. Her eyes met his as she opened the door and stepped back to let him set the bags down.
He put the bags by the closet and stuffed his hands in his pocket.
“Thanks.” She almost whispered.
They stood staring at each other, neither knowing what to say. Dalton made the first move. He sat down on her bed and patted the comforter, motioning for her to join him.
She hesitated briefly, pausing after her first step, then slowly walked over to the bed.
“Sit down, Lace. We need to talk. We’ve put it off long enough.”
She sat down beside him, her hands clasped in her lap.
“I’ve missed you, Lace. More than you know.” His voice was gruffer, as if it were painful to speak.
“’I’ve missed you, too, Dalton.”
He lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. That was the last thing I wanted to happen. You mean to0 much to me, Lace. I don’t want to lose our friendship. I don’t want to lose you.” He squeezed her hands in his, willing her to listen.
“It’s not that simple for me, Dalton.” She felt like her lungs were squeezing the air out of her chest.
“I understand, but do you think for just this week we could call a truce for Sara’s sake? We’ve got to spend a lot of time together. I don’t want to ruin their big day. I also don’t want to fight with you, Lace. If you want to go back to hating me after the wedding, I’ll understand.”
“I don’t hate you, Dalton. That would make this so much easier if I did.” She muttered. “Okay. Truce. For Sara and Nate. I’m pretty sure I packed my big girl panties in one of those bags.” a slight smile crossed her face.
“There’s a glimpse of my Lacey. I’ve missed her so much.” His thumb ran across her bottom lip before he realized what he’d done. He snatched his hand back and stood up.
“Guess I better get my stuff and settle in. My stomach’s chewing on my backbone, I’m so hungry.”
Pausing at the door, he said “Thanks, Lacey.” Before he closed the door behind him.
She flung herself back on the bed, blowing her bangs out of her face.
Damn the man. Just when she thought she had built a strong wall around her heart, he goes and kicks out a brick without her even realizing it. Jerk.
“It would be so much easier if I hated him.” She said out loud to the empty room.
Chapter Nine
“What exactly is tulle, anyway? It just looks like different colors of netting to me.”
“Lacey, Lacey, Lacey. We have so much to teach you.” Jesse shook her head in disbelief.
“Hey, I can don’t need to know what tulle is. I can do the important stuff like change a flat tire. I’ll bet you can’t change a flat tire.”
“Actually, I can. My daddy made sure all the girls knew how to take care of themselves. You forget, we come from the same place, girly. Just because I paint my nails, doesn’t mean I’m afraid to get them dirty.”
“Touché. Or should I say Tulle.” Jesse and Lacey burst out laughing.
“Now could you please explain what we are supposed to be doing with this stuff, Sara?” Jesse looked completely lost as she held up the royal blue netting.
“You two are hopeless. You’re supposed to wrap it around the candle jar and fasten it with this bow like this.” In one quick tuck and pull, she had it wrapped and donned.
“How many of these do we have to make?” Lacey looked at her doubtfully. “Don’t you have some rice you want us to put in a bag or something easier?”
“Quit your fussing. The sooner we get these made up, the sooner we can get in the pool. We only 300 more to make.” Sara grinned as she cut more ribbon.
Two hours later Lacey surveyed their progress. Her fingers hurt, but they only had two more jars and they’d be done.
“I never want to see another piece of tulle as long as I live.” Lacey stood and stretched.
“Did I forget to mention your dress is made from this stuff?” Sara teased.
“That’s a shame. Maybe I should apologize now for scaring off your guests, because if there is anything remotely close to that netted crap on my dress, I’d rather go naked down the aisle.”
“I’d pay to see that.” Luke sauntered into the great room with a burger in his hand.
“You’ll have to settle for a bikini this afternoon I’m afraid.” She grinned, enjoying herself.
“That’s a start in the right direction.” His mustache twitched when he grinned.
“Are you all going to sit in her all day or join us in the pool?” Nate asked from behind Luke.
“Luke’s trying to get Lacey naked.” Jesse didn’t see Dalton come in behind Nate.
“Not if he wants to keep all his teeth, he isn’t.” His tone was light, but his look was heavy.
“Hey, I’m getting her in a bikini. I’m good with that. We’ll go from there.” He jabbed back at Dalton.
“Done!” Jesse proclaimed as she sat the last jar in the box with the other 299 candle holders. “By God these people better love ‘em.”
Laughter filled the room as Jesse stood with glitter on her face and tulle stuck to her butt.
“Never let it be said that she doesn’t get into her work, whatever task it may be.” Lacey pulled the netting from her shorts.
“Is that it for now, bridezilla? May be take a break?” Jesse teased her friend.
“I suppose.” She turned to her fiancé. “I swear, darling, it’s so difficult to find good help these days.”
He kissed the tip of her nose and pulled her into his body. “I have a few ideas of how I might be of service if you’re interested.” He nibbled her neck.
“Eck. Gross. Take it to your room.” Jesse cried.
“Man, don’t make me hurl my burger.” Luke threatened.
Lacey just smiled. They were the most adorable couple she’d ever seen. Her gaze looked away and landed on Dalton. He was watching her. She smiled, but he didn’t smile back. He turned and walked out of the room.
So much for a truce, I guess, she thought to herself.
“I’m going to head up and change into my suit.” Lacey headed for the stairs.
“Need any help?” Luke wiggled his eyebrows.
“I think you need some ice to help you cool down.” Dalton dropped a handful of ice cubes down the back of Luke’s shorts.
Luke yelped at the frigid cold to his extremities. “You’re a dead man, Gentry.”
“Don’t drip on my floor. Take it outside.” Sara instructed them.
Lacey paused as she stepped out onto the patio, allowing her eyes to adjust to the sunlight.
“Be s
till my heart. I hope you know cpr, Lacey, because that suit is bound to send me into cardiac arrest for sure.” Luke
A volleyball sailed through the air, hitting Luke square on the back of his head, causing him to lose his balance and go under. He shot to the surface sputtering. He swiped the hair out of his eyes and turned in a circle searching for the guilty party.
Dalton was leaning against the side of the pool, each arm stretched out supporting his weight in the water.
“You seriously must have a death wish, buddy.” Luke charged toward Dalton driving under the water and grabbing hold of his legs, successfully pulling him under. A water battle of epic proportions ensued, Dalton twisting and jumping on Luke’s back, Luke diving backwards to throw Dalton off…all while the women, Nate and Beau looked on.
“Should we be worried?” Lacey asked, a little concerned with their aggressiveness.
“Nah. They’re just being their typical selves. Those two never could behave when they get together.” Sara smiled fondly even as Dalton proceeded to dunk Luke once again.
“If you say so.” Sara chose the far side of the pool to sit and dip her legs in the water. She had just finished applying sunscreen when she became aware too late to react that the water wrestling match had moved into her personal space. A wave of water crashed upon her, soaking her from head to toe. In the summer heat, the water felt ice cold.
Her yelp caught both Dalton’s and Luke’s attention, both halting to see if they had injured anyone.
Lips pursed, Lacey stared back at their guilty faces.
“Did we do that?” Luke’s childish tone asked.
Dalton frowned as he walked to the side of the pool, standing directly in front of Lacey.
“You okay?” he whispered, his tone serious.
“I’m fine. Just wet.” She muttered.
A familiar light came into his eyes as his hands settled on each side of Lacey on the cement.
“I seem to recall you enjoying being wet.” The light brightened in his eyes.
She gasped. “Dalton…don’t you…”
Too late. He grasped her waist and pulled her into the water. She was tangled around his body, her arms wrapped around his neck for support. Her added weight shoved him under the water.
When he surfaced, she was laughing. “Serves you right.”
His laughter mingled with hers as he held her in the pool. As their laughter played out, they both became aware of their skin-to-skin contact. Lacey made to untangle from Dalton. He released her, his hands slowly sliding down her waist, down her legs.
Beads of water glistened on their skins and created slippery trails as the droplets slid down their bodies.
Dalton took a blow to the back of his head as a volleyball made contact and bounced off, the moment broken.
“Burgers are ready!” Nate called out to the group.
“You hungry?” Dalton asked Lacey.
“Are you kidding? I’m starving. Your cousin is a slave driver. “she half-joked as they waded to the steps of the pool. She’d never seen anyone more organized than she was, but Sara was a worthy opponent or soul sister one.
Dalton pulled himself out of the pull and extended a hand to Lacey. She’d look childish if she didn’t accept it. With one swift yank, she was out of the pool and up close and personal with his rock-hard abs.
“Sorry.” She mumbled, shivering at the bodily contact.
“Here.” Dalton reached for a towel laying on a lounge chair and wrapped it around Lacey’s shoulders.
“Thanks.” Their eyes held.
“You call this a wedding party?” Sara’s squeal of delight as a large blonde replica in male form spun her around drew Lacey gaze away from Dalton to see what was going on.
“That would be the brothers.” Dalton said, smiling. He turned and walked over to the new additions to their group, reaching out his hand.
“Dan, good to see. How’s the family?”
“Good. They’ll be over in a little while. I guess I don’t have to ask how you are. I see you on the news quite frequently. Living the high life, huh?” He lightly punched his shoulder.
“Yeah. It’s not as fun as it looks when you spend hours upon hours on a bus. Trust me.”
“Russell, Michael. Good to see you guys.” He gave his cousins a quick shoulder man-hug.
“Let’s get this party started, sis. Where’s the brownies. I know there has to be brownies.”
Sara rolled her eyes at her middle brother. “Yes, Russell. There are brownies. On the table with the rest of the food.”
“Yes! That’s what I’m talking about.” Russell made his way to the food table set up by the grill under the shelter of the awning.
“That boy should not be able to walk as many brownies as he has consumed in his lifetime.”
Lacey was adding ice to her drink when she too was lifted off the ground and spun around.
“I cannot believe it. Lacey Swanson back in Wilson’s Hollow. Maybe this time I can convince you to stay, although I guess it’s hard to compete with being part of such an amazing band, huh?” Michael, Sara’s younger brother set her back on her feet.
“Hello, Michael. It’s good to see you again.” Lacey avoided his comment about the band.
“Lacey’s not with the band anymore, Michael. She works for the record label in Nashville now.” Sara chimed in. Lacey bowed her head, wishing she hadn’t brought that little tidbit of information up.
“Is that right? Did my crazy ass cousin finally drive you away?” Michael meant it as a joke.
Lacey choked on her cheeseburger to the point that Michael had to slap her on the back.
“You alright?” He brought her a glass of water.
“Yes.” She croaked, still trying to catch her breath. “Just went down the wrong tube.”
“Michael, how about help me with the grill?” Nate thankfully called him over.
Lacey sat her plate down. She’d lost her appetite. She watched as more people began filing in, mostly family from both sides.
She stretched out in one of the corner loungers sipping on her sweet tea but struggled to keep her eyes open. She must have dozed off, for she came awake to the feeling of something – no, someone- caressing her cheek.
“Darn. I was hoping I’d have to awaken Sleeping Beauty with a kiss.”
She sat up abruptly, her string catching on the back of the chair and untying her swimsuit top. She gasped as she caught her top in the niche of time before she flashed everyone her perky breasts.
“Michael, you startled me. God, um, can you help me out, please before I really embarrass myself?
‘Geez, Lacey, I didn’t me to...well, you know. Here. Turn around. I’ll tie the back strings.”
Dalton watch from the other side of the pool, anger pooling in his gut.
“Don’t do it, man. It was an innocent mishap.” Luke warned.
“Innocent, my ass. He’d love nothing more than to get into her pants.”
“Can you blame him?”
“Not helping.”
“Just saying. He’s a young, single male. She’s a beautiful available female. Nothing wrong with the two of the hooking up.” Luke rationalized.
“If he doesn’t get his hands off her, I’m going to break his fingers.” Dalton grunted, “Family or not. I don’t care.”
He took one step forward and paused when Luke spoke again. “Look. She’s standing up and headed into the house. Let it go. Now’s not the time or the place to make a scene. You know me. I’m all for staking your claim, but don’t ruin this for Sara.”
He looked over at his favorite cousin. He adored her. He would never want to do anything to ruin her memorable day and time with friends and family.
“Okay. I won’t maim him yet.”
“There’s a good boy.” Luke pet his head patronizingly.
“Bite me.” Dalton headed toward the house. He stopped and talked to a few people along the path before entering the back porch that led to the kitchen. Lacey
was there looking sexy and making him senseless.
She had tied the towel sarong-style around her hips, the slit leaving very little to the imagination. Her nipples were pebbled from being wet in the air conditioning, and her hair was slicked back from her face. She looked fresh and sun-kissed.
“Hey, I was just headed upstairs. I’ll get out of your way.” She made to go around Dalton, but he blocked her path.
“Dalton, I can’t get through.” She looked up at his, her brows drawn.
“Oh, honey. You’re getting through loud and clear.” He was now walking toward her, the gleam in his eyes causing her to take a step backwards to each of his steps forward. Four steps in and he had her pinned against the counter.
He was just staring at her with that weird gleam in his eye.
“What are you doing, D?” her voice sounded husky, even to herself.
“It’s not what I am doing that matters. It’s what I want to be doing and who I want to be doing it with.”
His mouth claimed hers eagerly. He pressed her lower back into the counter as his hands roamed up the sides of her ribcage and molded to the shape of her face as he deepened the kiss.
She didn’t respond instantly, but at his touch her tempered desires bloomed to full flame. Her lifted her to sit on the counter, her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him in flush to her.
“Tell me to stop, Lace, and I will, but make it quick. My control is slipping.” His admission gave her a sense of power.
“God, no. Don’t stop. Just stop talking.” She moaned as he spread kisses down her neck, her cleavage, and latched on to her nipple through her bikini top.
“Dalton…” her tone held desperate need.
His mouth returned to hers, their tongues mingling, the smoky flavors of food and the sweet taste of wine mingling together. He gripped her backside tighter with both hands, his urgency growing with the intensity of his kiss.
The slamming of the back door was like a gun shot through the empty kitchen. They sprang apart as if they were the intended victims. Wide-eyed, Lacey stared at Dalton in shock before she shook her head and ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her room.
Luke moseyed into the kitchen with a beer in his hand and caught a flash of red running up the stairs. He found Dalton with both hands leaning on the kitchen counter, his hair mussed and …