Anne Rainey - Touching Lace (14 page)

Blade sighed. “Yeah, I know. But my body doesn’t agree.”

“There are things you should know about Candice. She’s not really a casual sex sort of woman.”

“I gathered that when I went to Merrick’s office the other day to pick him up for lunch. She went real quiet and blushed a lot the minute she saw me.”

That was putting it mildly. If Blade only knew the half of it. “Uh, yeah, she’s shy all right. Not your usual speed, I’m betting.” Then something else occurred to Lacey. Maybe Blade was just the guy to get Candice to open up a little. “Then again, maybe she’s exactly what you need to get you back among the living.”

That put steel back into Blade’s voice. “I’m plenty lively, dammit.” “Oh really?”

“Yeah, really.”

“Then tell me this, when was the last time you spent more than a single night with a woman?”

She heard him curse a few times. “You know, for someone who hates their family meddling you sure do your fair share of it, baby girl.”

It was her turn to laugh. Blade only called her baby girl when she was getting to him. “You’re just angry that I’m right.”

“You don’t know everything.”

“What’s there to know?” Then it dawned on her. Maybe there was more to the attraction that he wasn’t telling. “Unless there’s another reason you’re so hesitant to get together with Candice. Is there more than mere chemistry here?”

Touching Lace

He muttered something about little sisters who didn’t know what was good for them, forcing Lacey to pry further.

“What is it, Blade? Out with it.” Lacey grew more curious by the second. After all, Blade had never even acted remotely interested in a serious relationship before. Candice must have really done a number on him.

“I don’t know if there’s more to it than chemistry because I’ve not been able to get within ten feet of her.”

She let her silence speak for her. Little sisters did indeed have their ways. “She just seems…different to me. But it’s pointless anyway, because she’s too damn

shy,” Blade muttered.

Lacey was beyond shocked. She’d never in her wildest imaginings known Blade to give up on a woman. She had a sneaky feeling that all he really needed was a little push in the right direction.

“Blade, you could look at this another way.”

“What other way is there? I’m going to have to see Candice and not touch her. That sucks, no matter which way you look at it.”

Lacey laughed. “You’re being too stubborn about this.”

His voice was once again hard and unyielding. “I don’t mess with women like her, Lacey.”

“Women like what?”

“You know what I mean. She’s nice and sweet, and I’m, well, not.” “Are all men so obtuse?” She didn’t bother to let him answer. “Do you really think

Candice can’t get just as dirty as the next girl?”

“Shit. I’d rather not think about it.”

“I’ll just bet. Because every time you do, you have to take a cold shower. Am I right?” She laughed at his groan., “Yeah, well, never mind that. Just think of this. If you don’t get up close and personal with her, that leaves the field open for other guys. Is that what you want?”

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The startled sound he made let Lacey know the thought hadn’t even occurred to him. “Fuck that,” Blade growled.

“Exactly,” Lacey said cheerfully. “So, get a pencil and paper and I’ll give you her phone number then you can call her and ask if she wants to go out.”

“You know her number?”

“Yep. As you already know, she’s a client.” And a good one, Lacey thought with pride. Candice was adamant about staying in shape and keeping her body healthy. She only wished all her clients were so vigilant.

“What’s the number?” he muttered.

Lacey rattled it off, said a bit of this and that then hung up. Blade was on his own now. She’d done what she could. It was time she got back to Nick and his lessons.

Lacey only hoped she could keep Nick from inadvertently mashing her heart to bits.
Touching Lace

Chapter Eight

When Lacey walked into the kitchen her intention was to continue Nick’s lessons, but she came to a screeching halt when she saw him mixing something in a bowl and singing along to a rock song about long-legged women. He was naked above the waist and wore only the jeans he’d had on earlier. He was barefoot. Lacey found the sight wildly sexy.

He was making breakfast. For her. Geez, first he carried her to bed, now he was making breakfast. What would he do next?

Quietly, she moved up behind him, slid her arms around his waist and whispered, “Can I help?”

Nick dropped the spoon and mixing bowl and spun around. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped and stared.

Lacey cocked her head to the side. “What?”

Nick bent low, took her face in his hands and pressed his warm lips against hers. Lacey forgot whatever it was she’d asked him. When he once again towered above her, he was smiling and his eyes were dark with arousal. “You make me crazy, do you know that?”

His arms went around her waist and his hands skimmed over her bottom. “Good crazy or bad crazy?” she managed to get out.

“Good crazy, baby.” He dipped his head again and kissed the side of her neck, suckling at her throat and making her insane with need. His body, hard and chiseled to perfection, pressed up against her.

“Well, that’s good then,” Lacey sighed.

Nick grunted as he continued licking at her jumpy pulse. Lacey let her hands travel the expanse of his naked back, down to his waist and beyond until she was fairly clutching at his jean-clad buttocks. He was so firm and solid under her fingertips. She’d

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gotten to taste and touch just a little bit ago and she was still so impatient to see him in the flesh. No clothes in the way of her perusal this time. If this was all she was to have of him, she was determined to make the most of it.

When Nick arched into her pelvis, she felt the long length of his cock. “I want you. I want you to make love to me, Nick.”

The vibration of his moan fueled her libido. He moved his mouth farther down to her neckline and kissed her oversensitive skin. Lacey wanted to make him understand just how badly she wanted him.

“I want you inside of me,” she begged shamelessly. “Every hard inch of you. Please, Nick.”

Nick lifted his head away and stared at her. She wondered if he could see the raw, uncontrolled desire on her face. She’d used the term “make love”, not “have sex”. She worried now that she’d gone too far.

“I want you, too, Lace.” She lit up with eager delight, thankful he wasn’t bolting. “But, for me this isn’t a one shot deal, baby. I want more than just this once with you. Understood?”

Uh-oh. He was moving too fast, and Lacey so badly wanted to run. She didn’t know how he felt about her. Whether he was just scratching an itch or if there was more behind his statement. She was all too aware of her own feelings, however. She’d gone this far, she may as well put another chunk of her heart on the line.

“What are you saying?” It was imperative he be clear. Lacey needed to know she wasn’t reading too much into his words.

He cupped her face in his hands and held her still. “I’m saying you belong to me after this.” His deep voice was rough with the heat of his emotion. “I’m through watching you with other men. It’s nearly driven me insane. If you have a problem with that, say so now.”

Lacey didn’t know what to say. From the beginning of this odd arrangement, she’d worried she would be the one getting too emotionally involved. That she’d be the one to bear the scars of their encounter. Now she knew Nick was putting his heart on the line,

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too. A tremendous weight lifted away and she wanted to shout to him everything in her heart, but the look in his eyes held her back. He needed her and she needed him. Declarations of love everlasting could wait…just a little while longer.

Instead, Lacey gave him an easy answer. “I don’t have a problem with that.” He’d have to settle for that, Lacey thought stubbornly. After all, there were limits as

to how far a girl would go. She didn’t want to end up a blithering idiot if he chose to walk away.

Nick rewarded her with a smile, his eyes turning hot and wild, as he started backing her towards the kitchen table.

“Ever have sex on a kitchen table, baby?”

“Uh, no.” Lacey turned and looked at the large oval slab of oak. Skeptical, she asked, “Er, is that thing going to hold us?”

“Oh, yeah.”