Love and Lingerie

by Lacey Black

  “Lingerie and hardware really don’t mix,” she says, her lip barely curling upward.

  “Are you kidding? Something sexy from your store and maybe some new rope or bungee straps actually sounds like a good time,” I reply with a wink.

  Her laughter fills the space, and my soul, making it shine like the sun for the first time since she walked away. “Maybe, but I’m thinking you’ll be the one tied to the bed,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my chest and leaning her head against my shoulder.

  “If it means you’re back in my arms, I’d let you tie me up anywhere,” I reply, leaning down and kissing the top of her head. Her shampoo assaults me, reminding me of just how long it’s been since I’ve been this close to her.

  She glances up, her eyes shining with happiness. “I love you too.” Her words make me smile, make my heart do a double backflip in my chest. “But I have a confession to make too.”

  I gaze down at her intoxicating blue eyes and wait.

  “I knew you were bidding against me too. I figured it out when I went to see Mrs. Morton and you were leaving. In fact, both times, you beat me to the punch. You even wined and dined her better than I did.”

  I can’t help but snort. “I’m sorry I went behind your back like that.”

  “Don’t be. I did the exact same thing. I could have asked you, but I didn’t. I’m at fault here too.”

  “Maybe,” I tell her, squeezing her a little tighter in my arms. “I guess this all could have been avoided if we had just communicated a little better, huh?”

  “Oh, I believe we communicated just fine.”

  “Glitter doesn’t count as communication,” I tease, drawing a small laugh from her lips.

  Then, finally, after the longest twenty-one days, my lips are on hers, soft and sure. She tastes like heaven. My heaven. My hands slide to her head, threading into her ponytail, as I devour her mouth with my own. She gives just as good as she gets, using her tongue to pretty much send me straight over the edge of sanity.

  Pulling back, we’re both panting and trying to catch our breath. “Did you really go outside like this?” I ask, glancing down to where her nipples poke through the material.

  She blushes as she glances down. “I wasn’t thinking. As soon as I heard that stupid song, I just flew out the door.”

  “Well, I’m glad it was nearly dark. I’d hate to have to kill someone for seeing what’s mine,” I state, moving my hand to cradle the back of her neck.

  “Yours, huh?”

  “Fuck yes, Sweetheart. For as long as you’ll have me.”

  I kiss the smile off her face, taking my time to memorize the way she feels in my arms and the way her nipples slide against my chest. It takes every ounce of strength I have not to throw her down on the floor and have my wicked way with her. But before I do just that, I remember the door was open and unlocked. All it would take is for one person to waltz inside and see her naked, and I’d be arrested for murder.

  “Come on,” I say, throwing her over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

  “Wait, what? Where are we going?” she gasps, slapping my ass with her hand.

  “Upstairs,” I state, making a quick stop at the door to close and lock it.

  “But…what about all this?” she asks, swinging her hand around to the still empty space.

  “We’ll get to this tomorrow. Besides, we have a doorway to knock out in the morning so your customers can see your addition,” I reply, taking a swat at her ass in return.

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, Sweetheart, tomorrow. We’ve got to get that wall opened up for Monday’s grand opening,” I tell her, flipping off the lights as I head toward the stairs.

  “But…Snuggles!” she hollers.

  “Is already out for her sleepover with Jensen and Max. You don’t have to worry about her,” I say, taking the steps two at a time.

  “I think my lights are still on,” she adds when I reach the top of the landing.

  “Free already stopped by and turned them off. Your purse is safely tucked away in your office.” I set her down, her face red from being upside down.

  I open the door and she starts to take a step inside. “But wait. What about your date tonight?”

  Date?

  “Yeah, your date. Tonight,” she says, confirming I actually said that out loud.

  “The only person I have a date with tonight is you.” I take her in my arms, kicking the door closed behind me.

  “But Felicity said you guys had plans later,” she glances down, avoiding my eyes.

  “I wouldn’t touch that with someone else’s dick, baby. You don’t have to worry about her being here anymore. I fired her for her stunt earlier. She left the store without telling anyone and went fucking shopping in the middle of her workday. The only plans I had for tonight involve you, some groveling, and hopefully, some make-up sex.”

  Her smile is bright as she wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me toward her lips. “I think that can be arranged,” she whispers, gently swiping her lips across mine.

  My hands find their way up the pajama top, her glorious tits filling my hands. I give the nipple with the ring a squeeze, loving the way she gasps in pleasure and wiggles against my erection.

  “Latham?” she whispers, leaning her head to the side and exposing her neck. My tongue immediately finds its way to the delicate spot where her pulse pounds.

  “Yeah?”

  “There’s something I really want to do tonight,” she gasps, reaching down and cupping my dick in her hands.

  “Anything.”

  She glances my way and bats her eyelashes. She gives me a coy smile as she lifts her tank top up and over her head. Then, she leans in, rubbing herself against my shirt and whispers, “Go get some rope.”

  Epilogue

  Harper

  The sun is beating down on me as I flip over to color my back. Snuggles is snoring loudly in her doghouse, while I enjoy a few hours of sun and tunes on this gorgeous Sunday August afternoon. The back door closes and I can hear the heavy footfalls of Latham’s boots on the steps.

  “You’re gonna burn, Sweetheart,” he says, dropping down into the shaded chair beside me.

  “I just flipped over,” I reassure him, moving my sunglasses up a little to take him in.

  Holy hell, this man is total sex.

  He’s shirtless, his hard muscles and new tattoo on full display. He got it a week ago and it’s healed enough it no longer itches. He sits just out of the sun, making sure it doesn’t fade his new, fresh ink. He’s also wearing board shorts and his trusty ol’ work boots, unlaced. I don’t know why, but it’s sexy as fuck, and so totally Latham.

  “Stop ogling me. I feel so violated,” he says, throwing me a cocky smile.

  “I believe you were begging for me to violate you last night. Or was that this morning?” I tease, knowing full well it was both.

  “Umm, I believe it was you who was begging for it. All three times,” he says, winking at me.

  I just smile in return, knowing he’s completely right.

  Latham has all but moved in over the last three weeks. It’s too soon, I’ll be the first to admit, but frankly, I just can’t find the gumption to care. I love him, and I’ve discovered I much prefer having him in my bed at night than anywhere else. Since his apartment is so small, and since Snuggles is as much a part of the relationship as he or I, it’s just natural we’d come here after work every night.

  Together.

  “You may be right,” I tell him, closing me eyes and soaking up the sun. As a redhead, I don’t stay out in the sun too long, but I was craving the vitamin D.

  “What the hell are we listening to?” he asks, taking a drink from his water bottle.

  “Hanson.”

  “Okay, I guess the question I should have asked is why the fuck are we listening to one-hit wonder teeny boppers?”

  “Umm, how in the hell do you know
they were one-hit wonders? This wasn’t even their big song.”

  Latham scratches his stubbled jaw. “What do you want for dinner tonight?”

  I immediately sit up, swinging my legs around and face him. “Why are you changing the subject?”

  “I’m not. I’m ignoring it. That’s different.”

  I get up and walk over to him, straddling his wide hips and the chair. His eyes dilate beneath his sunglasses. I can see the whites of his eyes burning into me. I lean forward and lightly kiss his jaw. “How?”

  “How?” he croaks, adjusting his hips until my pussy is against his hard erection.

  I run my hands down his bare chest, tracing his eight-pack abs, and around his back until my boobs are pressed against him. There’s no doubt he can feel my nipple jewelry through my bikini, especially because my nips are definitely hard. “How do you know who Hanson is, babe?” I whisper, sliding my tongue down his neck, tasting a hint of sweat mixed with his soap.

  “I don’t know,” he grumbles, rolling his hips and driving his cock into the apex of my legs. Dammit, why does he have to be wearing shorts?

  “No?” I nip at his Adam’s apple, dipping my tongue into the dimple below his neck.

  “No.”

  I roll my hips, riding him seductively. My bikini bottom is completely soaked, but I don’t care. It feels too good to care. “You sure?”

  “About?”

  “About Hanson,” I encourage, wiggling just enough as I thrust my boobs in his face.

  “Fuck,” he groans, gripping my hips in his big hands and grinding into me.

  “If you tell me, I’ll fuck you right here in the middle of the backyard.” I won’t but he doesn’t know that.

  Latham grits his teeth and hangs on, letting me continue to squirm against him like a stripper. I reach up and slowly pull down my left bikini cup, exposing my ring. “Fuckshitdammit,” he moans, both in pleasure and in pain.

  “Fine. You win,” he grounds out. I pull off his sunglasses so I can see his eyes. They’re completely on fire with desire, yet hold a hint of pain. My heart gallops in my chest, but nothing prepares me for what he’s about to say. “I used to like Hanson.”

  I gasp, pulling back in total shock. “Latham Douglas, are you…are you a closet boy bander?”

  “No!” he argues, making me bust out laughing.

  “Oh my God, you are! You used to listen to “MMMBop” in high school, didn’t you? Holy shit, I can’t believe this! Latham Douglas listened to Hanson. I can’t wait to tweet this,” I state, trying to swing my leg over his lap to grab my phone, releasing my bikini top as I go.

  “Don’t you fucking think about it,” he says, making a grab for my phone. He’s too slow though. I get it before he can and hold it out of his reach.

  “Give me the phone.”

  “Mmm…no,” I sing, much like the lyrics of the beloved 90’s song. “It’s going in a group text to the whole family.”

  Then he moves, pouncing on me so fast I drop the phone. He tosses me over his shoulder, Snuggles happily barking at our feet, thinking it’s time to play. Something tells me it’s definitely time to play, but not with the dog.

  He slaps me on the ass, most likely leaving a stinging red handprint. “Ouch!”

  “You deserve it,” he says, strutting to the back door.

  “Why?”

  “For making fun of my horrible taste in music in high school. For teasing me with your delicious nipple. For making me so fucking hard I could cut glass with my cock right now.”

  I giggle, reaching down and grabbing two handfuls of his ass. “No one could see us. The fence is high enough,” I argue as the door slams.

  “Snuggles, go lie down,” Latham demands politely, while continuing to carry me to our bedroom. When we get inside, he shuts the door and tosses me on the bed like a sack of potatoes. “What if one of the high school kids down the street was peeking through the fence?” he asks, his eyes blazing with lust, as he toes off his boots.

  “They wouldn’t do that,” I argue.

  “Fuck yes, they would. They’re horny teenagers and you’re fucking hot. They probably sneak peeks of you in your bikini every chance they get and go home to jerk off,” he replies, reaching down and pushing at his shorts. They fall quickly, exposing his very hard, very thick cock, which he takes in his hand and slowly strokes.

  I gasp, but I’m not sure if it’s because of what he said or what he’s doing. “That’s wrong.”

  “I was a horny high school boy myself. I’m not at all off base,” he says, stalking the rest of the way to the bed and slowly climbing on, pulling off my bikini bottoms as he goes. My legs automatically fall open and my breathing comes a little faster.

  “You know, it’s kinda funny,” I say, wrapping my arms around his back and my legs around his waist as he comes down on top of me.

  “What?” he whispers, placing open-mouthed kisses along my jaw and reaching his hand to my bikini top and exposing my breasts.

  “That these were the first set of boobs you got to touch…and they’ll be your last.”

  Latham chuckles. “You’re right.”

  “I know I am,” I tell him, lifting my hips until we’re lined up perfectly.

  Slowly, Latham starts to push inside. “That wasn’t my only first, you know,” he grunts as he fills me completely.

  “First and last of that too,” I confirm, knowing there’s no way in hell I’ll be able to ever give him up.

  He takes my lips with his and whispers, “You know, I might not have been your first, but it’s the last one that matters the most.”

  I tilt my pelvis upward, taking him even deeper. “The only one that matters,” I confirm. His lips are a little more urgent now, and his hips start to speed up. “You know what else matters?”

  He glances at me, uncertain where I’m going in the middle of his forward thrust. Then, he wraps his arms around me and holds me tightly against him. “What?”

  I nuzzle his neck, kissing him in all the right places, and driving him closer and closer to release. “That you’re Hanson’s biggest fan. That totally matters, babe.”

  Laughter spills from his lips as he lightly bares his teeth and sinks them into my shoulder. “I love you. And your sass.”

  “I love you more,” I whisper, right before he thrusts forward, burying himself to the root.

  “Doubtful, Sweetheart. Totally doubtful.”

  I spend the next fifteen minutes showing him just how sassy I can be.

  THE END

  Acknowledgments

  This book wouldn’t be what it is without the amazing team I have in my corner!

  Sara Eirew – Yet another stunning cover photo! I can’t get enough of your photos!

  Melissa Gill – You’ve truly brought this cover to life! Thank you so much!

  Nazarea, Kelly, and the InkSlinger PR team – As always, thank you for your tireless work in promotion! I’m so happy to be part of the InkSlinger family.

  Mike and Karine – You two truly ARE Latham and Harper. Your chemistry bleeds from the photo.

  Kara Hildebrand – You claimed Latham first, but I appreciate you sharing him with the rest of the book world. I can’t thank you enough for helping me with my plot hole and for all the work you do with editing!

  Sandra Shipman – You’re my rockstar! Thank you for all your help!!

  Jo Thompson – You can run, but you can’t hide. I will always find you.

  Karen Hrdlicka – Thank you for helping me polish this book! I’m about 150 words lighter, and I appreciate your help SO much!

  Brenda Wright of Formatting Done Wright – Every book. You’ve formatted every single one. Thank you SO much for all your hard work!

  Holly Collins – As always, thank you for your support and love!

  Lacey’s Ladies – When I need a laugh or help, I know I can count on you! Thank you for always supporting me and being the biggest group of cheerlea
ders out there!

  My husband and two kids – Thank you for eating the occasional quick meal so I could get back to doing what I love! I love you all!

  Every single blogger who helped with the cover reveal or shared the release – THANK YOU!

  And last but not least, the readers - THANK YOU for purchasing this book!

  About the Author

  Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and a chocolate lab. Lacey loves watching NASCAR races, shooting guns, and should only consume one mixed drink because she’s a lightweight.

  Email: laceyblackwrites@gmail.com

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaceyblack

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthLaceyBlack

  Blog: https://laceyblack.wordpress.com