by Lynn LaFleur
Walking Sin
Lynn LaFleur
Third in the Men With Tools series.
Dax Coleman has it all—money in the bank, a job he loves, and an address book filled with the names of women who only want a good time. He’s never had a problem charming a woman into his bed. He meets his match when Kelcey Ewing comes to Lanville. A former roommate of his brothers’ girlfriends, Kelcey is as serious as Dax is carefree. He considers it his personal goal to loosen up Kelcey so she has fun, preferably in his bed.
An unforgettable incident in her life has left Kelcey wary and unable to have a normal relationship with a man. She decides she’s destined to be alone, until Dax’s lovemaking wakes up her senses.
Kelcey’s unwilling to risk a broken heart with a man she considers walking sin. It’s up to Dax to prove to Kelcey his love for her is real and will last the rest of his life.
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Walking Sin
ISBN 9781419935169
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Walking Sin Copyright © 2011 Lynn LaFleur
Edited by Raelene Gorlinsky
Cover art by Syneca
Electronic book publication June 2011
The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.
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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.
Walking Sin
Lynn LaFleur
Trademarks Acknowledgement
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Camry: Toyota Motor Co.
Coke: The Coca-Cola Company
Corolla: Toyota Motor Co.
Dallas Cowboys: Dallas Cowboys Football Club, Ltd.
iMac: Apple, Inc.
Kleenex: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Mavericks: Radical Mavericks Management, LLC
Rubbermaid: Rubbermaid, Incorporated
Snickers: Mars, Incorporated
UPS: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
Chapter One
Dax Coleman propped his cue stick on the floor and wrapped both hands around it. He watched while Kelcey Ewing studied the table, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Obviously new at playing pool, she was overlooking a shot he could have easily made. He almost pointed it out to her, but stopped before saying anything. Kelcey hadn’t exactly been friendly toward him. She answered when he spoke to her, but didn’t put out any effort to get closer to him. Alaina—his brother Rye’s girlfriend—told him his reputation as a womanizer turned Kelcey off completely.
The reputation exaggerated the number of women he’d fucked. Yeah, he enjoyed sex. He went out with women who enjoyed sex too. His dates usually consisted of women who wanted nothing more than an orgasm, which had always worked for him. That didn’t mean he didn’t know how to romance a woman.
It wouldn’t be a hardship for him to slowly wear down Kelcey’s resistance. She wasn’t as voluptuous as Alaina, or as make-your-tongue-hang-out sexy as Emma, his brother Griff’s girlfriend. Still, at about five-eight and slim with shoulder-length ash blonde hair and huge blue eyes, Kelcey had been blessed with good looks. Small breasts and narrow hips gave her a gentle sex appeal. She made him think of moonlit nights, gentle kisses and soft caresses instead of fast fucking.
Maybe the moonlit nights and soft caresses would be nice for a change.
Kelcey took a different shot than the one he would’ve taken. Her ball hit the rim several inches from the pocket. Blowing out a heavy breath, she looked at him. “I missed.”
“I noticed.”
Her eyebrows drew together in a frown. “I suppose you’ll run the table now.”
“Maybe.” Unless he was a gentleman and purposely missed a shot, which he should do so Kelcey wouldn’t feel bad. She was still learning how to play pool, unlike Emma who beat him half the time they played.
Dax leaned over the table and lined up his shot. “Eleven in the corner.” The cue ball tapped the eleven, sending it sailing toward the corner pocket. It slid in without even bumping the sides.
“Why can’t I do that?” Kelcey asked.
“You will,” Emma said. She sat in one of the oversized loungers next to Alaina in Rye’s game room. “You just need more practice.” She patted Griff’s thigh. He sat on the chair’s arm next to her. “This is the guy to give you lessons.”
“Excuse me.” Dax straightened before he took his next shot. “Griff isn’t any better than I am.”
“Griff never loses,” Emma said with a smirk. “You can’t say that.”
“I don’t believe this abuse,” Dax muttered.
She grinned at him. Dax fought to keep from grinning back. He and Emma teased each other the way brothers and sisters would. She’d been involved with Griff less than six weeks and it already seemed as if she was one of the family. His parents adored her, partly because she was smart and clever and fun, but mostly because she had brought Griff back from the edge of darkness after he lost his wife. Jana’s death eleven months ago had almost destroyed his brother. Now he laughed the way he used to. Emma’s incredible cooking had helped put on a little of the weight he’d lost. Once again, he enjoyed life.
He was back to being a brother again.
Only two more striped balls plus the eight to sink and Dax would win. He lined up his shot. “Ten in the side.” At the last moment, he pulled back so the cue barely bumped the ten. The ten ball stopped a few inches from the pocket.
He glanced at Emma. She winked at him. She knew he’d missed that shot on purpose.
Kelcey smiled. “Reprieve!” She leaned over the table to line up her shot. “Seven in the side.”
She made it, but missed her next try. Dax had to admit Kelcey got better every time they played. He could easily make the rest of his shots, but decided to give her another chance. Besides, looking at her ass in those tight jeans when she bent over the table made his hormones very happy.
He sank the ten, but missed the thirteen. He stepped back while she lined up her next shot. The faded denim molded to her cheeks and thighs. He imagined tugging down that denim until he could nibble on her ass…
Oh yeah, very happy.
When she missed her next shot, Dax decided it was time to end the game. He sank the thirteen, then the eight.
“Well, piffle.” Kelcey laid her stick on the table. “Losing makes me hungry. I need chocolate.”
“I’ll second that.” Alaina rose from her chair, quickly followed by Emma. “We have tons of miniature Snickers since we didn’t get any trick-or-treaters tonight.”
“I told you I don’t get any out here,” Rye said. “Harvest Fest was on the square today. It’s always held on the Saturday be
fore Halloween. The kids go there and hit up the businesses for candy.”
“I wanted to have some candy on hand just in case.”
“You wanted an excuse to buy Snickers.”
“You know me so well.” She gave him a quick kiss. “We’ll bring some back for y’all.”
As soon as the women left the room, Dax faced Rye. “Did you get it yet?”
“Yeah. I picked it up this morning. Hardy called me as soon as he finished it.”
“It’s hard to believe Hardy is still making jewelry. What is he now, about seventy?”
“At least.” Rye reached behind a section of books in the bookcase and removed a dark blue velvet box. “I told him I wanted it a little different, but similar to the ring he made for Mom when Dad proposed to her.” He opened the box to reveal a two-carat round diamond on a gold band. A spray of smaller diamonds arced along one side of the center stone.
Griff released a long whistle. “Damn, bro, that’s gorgeous. Mom will be jealous. Her diamond isn’t that big.”
“Do you think Alaina will like it?”
“Hell yes, she’ll like it. She’ll probably cry.”
“Crying is okay, as long as they’re happy tears.”
“When are you gonna pop the question?” Dax asked.
“I don’t know. It has to be the right time. Maybe I’ll take her out to dinner at a really nice restaurant and ask her there.”
Voices getting louder signaled the women’s return to the game room. Rye quickly closed the ring box and replaced it in the bookcase.
“I don’t know yet,” Alaina said as she walked into the room.
“Don’t you think you should decide soon?” Emma asked.
Alaina set the bowl of Snickers on the small table between two of the loungers. “I’m open to suggestions.”
“Suggestions for what?” Griff asked.
“A name for the B-and-B. I can’t call it Stevens House forever.”
“She’s rejected every name I’ve suggested,” Rye told his brothers.
“That’s because none of them worked.” She returned to her lounger. Emma took the chair on her left, Kelcey on her right. “Give me a good name and I’ll take it.”
“What about May House?” Kelcey suggested.
Alaina wiggled her mouth back and forth. “I thought about that. Do you think it would be okay?”
“I don’t,” Rye said.
She turned her head toward him. “Why not? It is my last name.”
Forget about the fancy restaurant. This was the perfect time for Rye to propose to Alaina. Dax looked at Rye and nodded. Rye glanced at Griff, who nodded too. A look of panic crossed Rye’s face for a moment, but disappeared when he took a deep breath. Dax doubted if Rye had anything to worry about. Alaina adored his older brother. She wouldn’t possibly say no.
Rye removed the ring box from its hiding place again. “I’m hoping May won’t be your last name for long.” Crossing to her chair, he dropped down to one knee and opened the box. “Will you marry me?”
Alaina’s mouth fell open. She covered it with one hand while tears filled her eyes. An unfamiliar tightness gripped Dax’s chest as his future sister-in-law smiled, touched Rye’s cheek and whispered, “Yes.”
Rye slipped the ring on Alaina’s finger. With tears flowing down her cheeks, she cradled his face in her hands and kissed him tenderly.
Chaos reigned after that, so Dax didn’t have the chance to examine that strange feeling. Emma and Kelcey were crying too when they grabbed Alaina for hugs, then Rye. Griff drew Alaina into his arms for a huge hug. When he released her, Alaina turned to Dax. Smiling, he hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek.
“Welcome to the family, Alaina.”
“Thank you, Dax.”
Emma clapped her hands once. “We need champagne.”
“You’ll have to settle for white wine,” Rye said. “I don’t have any champagne.”
“You’re as bad as Griff. He didn’t have any either until I taught him how to stock his liquor.”
“What else did you teach my brother?” Dax asked, grinning.
A devilish light shone in her eyes. “That’s none of your business.”
Dax laughed. Emma was as good for Griff as Alaina was for Rye. Even though Griff loved Emma, Dax knew it was too soon after Jana’s death for him to think of marriage. Someday, though, Dax wouldn’t be surprised to see a ring on Emma’s finger.
“I’ll get the wine and glasses,” Kelcey said.
Dax fell into step behind her. “I’ll help you.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder, a look in her eyes that clearly said she didn’t want or need his help. He simply winked and kept following her. She’d have to get used to having him around, now that she’d moved in with Alaina and Rye until she found her own place to live. In a small town like Lanville where rentals were scarce, that might take her a while.
“It’s great about Rye and Alaina, isn’t it?” he asked once they were in the kitchen.
“Very. I’m happy for them.”
Dax removed a round tray from the pantry.
“He really loves her. She’s so different from her sister.”
Kelcey took six wineglasses from the cabinet and set them on the tray. “From what I’ve heard, I’d rather not ever meet her.”
“You wouldn’t miss anything. She really did a number on Rye. Her betrayal hurt him for a long time.” Locating the corkscrew in a drawer, he accepted the bottle of chardonnay Kelcey had taken from the refrigerator and opened it. “Are you all settled here?”
“I’ve unpacked, if that’s what you mean by settled.”
“Are you going to sell your house in Dallas?”
“Someday. I’m not in a hurry. My neighbors on both sides of my house offered to watch it for me.”
As Dax splashed the cold wine into the glasses, he realized this was the longest conversation he and Kelcey had had so far. He didn’t know her well yet, but he enjoyed talking to her.
He’d enjoy her in his bed even more.
He hadn’t asked her out yet, but he’d hinted about showing her around the area. Perhaps he should stop hinting and be more direct.
“Now that you’re living in Lanville, I’ll be happy to show you around. I’m a great tour guide.”
That cute little nose of hers lifted an inch. “I’m sure Alaina and Emma can show me whatever I need to know.”
She walked out of the kitchen, leaving him stinging from her rejection. He wasn’t used to a woman rejecting him.
Eyes narrowed in determination, Dax picked up the tray of wineglasses. So she was going to play hard to get. No problem. He enjoyed a challenge.
* * * * *
Kelcey thought of Dax as walking sin. With that tall, buff body, sexy brown eyes and long brown hair, he reminded her of a pillager from many years ago. She imagined him riding into a village on a huge black horse, long hair flying behind him, leading a group of bandits to rob the men and rape the women.
No, that wasn’t true. She couldn’t picture Dax ever hurting a woman. Not like…
Kelcey shook her head to clear it of any bad thoughts. She wouldn’t let anything—or anyone—intrude tonight. One of her best friends had just become engaged to the man she had loved for most of her life. That’s the only thing Kelcey wanted to think about tonight.
She could feel Dax’s presence right behind her as she stepped into the game room. His closeness rattled her. Being triplets only minutes apart in age, Rye and Griff were just as handsome as Dax. They didn’t rattle her. She didn’t like that feeling. She liked being in control. Structure and routine made her happy.
There wasn’t anything routine about Dax Coleman.
Everyone accepted a glass from the tray. Dax raised his wineglass toward Rye and Alaina. “To my brother, who was smart enough to fall in love with a very special lady. We all wish you many years of happiness.”
Crystal clinked together. Kelcey watched the newly engaged couple as she sipped her wi
ne. Rye dropped a tender kiss on Alaina’s temple. She smiled up at him, her eyes shimmering with tears.
A lump formed in Kelcey’s throat at the obvious love between Alaina and Rye. She glanced at Emma in time to see Griff kiss her lips softly. Both couples were so much in love. Kelcey was truly happy for her friends, yet couldn’t help feeling like the ugly stepchild.
Warning—self-pity alert. Snap out of it!
Straightening her spine, Kelcey took another sip of the cold liquid. It didn’t matter that she would never have a man look at her the way Rye and Griff looked at her friends. She’d accepted a long time ago that she would be alone the rest of her life. The few disastrous dates she’d tried had quickly taught her that.
Hate boiled up inside her, no matter how hard she tried to stop it. She’d always hate the men who had ruined her life…and the mother who hadn’t protected her child.
Chapter Two
“When?” Emma asked. She held up her glass so Dax could pour more wine into it.
“When what?” Alaina asked.
“When are y’all getting married? You have to set a date. Not too soon. I want the reception to be in the restaurant.”
“That won’t be finished for months.”
“It’ll be worth the wait. You won’t believe how gorgeous I’ll make everything.”
Dax didn’t doubt that. Emma had offered some great suggestions for the old Victorian that Alaina had purchased to remodel into a bed-and-breakfast. Stevens House had been ready to collapse until Alaina hired Coleman Construction to refurbish it. In one more month, Alaina would have her grand opening. Then everyone in the area would see how the old, dilapidated house had been turned into a mansion.
The restaurant Alaina decided to build would be as beautiful as the B-and-B. She had moments of panic that she’d committed to a restaurant next door to Stevens House, but he had no doubt she’d be magnificent at running both. Especially since Emma would be the chef.