“Some things never changed. I just treated him like he was a Lawson.”
Bailey’s heart sped up at that, but she didn’t want to make too much of it. She glanced up at him. Lucas was staring at her.
“What?”
He smiled, and it was wicked. “Thinking about what I’d like that sweet mouth of yours to do to me next.”
Her palms became damp, and she clenched her thighs together. “When do you plan to have enough privacy?”
He laced their hands together in front of anyone and everyone in the park. “Tomorrow? Is that enough time for you to get a babysitter?” He grimaced. “I want to spend more time with Leo, don’t get me wrong. He even asked me to play with him again. But I’d like alone time with you, and I don’t feel right by trying to have it at your house while’s he’s sleeping.”
Her heart melted. Oh Lord, she’d be a puddle soon.
“Or awake. You know what I mean. I don’t want to do the wrong thing, so I’m looking to you to help me do the right thing by y’all,” he added.
“Tomorrow night is perfect.” Bailey couldn’t contain her grin or the sheer joy that consumed her over the timing. “Leo has plans to spend the night at my parents’ house.”
Lucas’ dark brows rose. “Please tell me you’re not joking.”
She shook her head and he wrapped one arm around her, squeezing her tight and murmuring in her ear, “I’ll be prepared this time.”
Chapter Nine
‡
“Don’t you look nice,” his mother, Dinah, said as he walked to his truck. “Big plans?”
He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
“It’s good to see that smile. We’ve been seeing it more often now that you started working up at the diner.”
“It’s a good job.”
His mother snorted. “You might fool everyone else, Lucas Lawson¸ but not me.”
“I’m not trying to fool you.” He just didn’t want everyone to know his business before he was ready to share it. Although, taking Bailey out to dinner at the nicest restaurant in Jessamine was sure to make a few tongues wag. Hell, Apple would probably put it in the paper, along with the warning, Don’t let this happen to you, ladies…and his image underneath.
“No, I suppose you’re not, but it would be so nice to know for a fact that you’re happy here and not just counting time until you can leave again.”
Lucas took a good look at his mother. She was a beautiful woman, the one his father claimed all the boys had gotten their good looks from. He’d only contributed to the eye color. But it wasn’t just Dinah’s looks that made her beautiful. It was her heart.
Though it was common knowledge, people didn’t talk about how Dinah had met Daniel a year after his first wife died. Or the fact that she’d taken his two toddlers as her own.
No, people didn’t talk about that because there was nothing to it in her eyes. It was just what people did for those they loved.
Hell, he didn’t even know Caleb and Adam were only half-brothers until he was a junior in high school.
“She has a kid,” he blurted.
“That’s not something you’re looking for?” His mother moved to the front porch and sat down in a swing big enough for two. She motioned him over, and, like a good son, he went. He had to because in the not-so-recent past, he’d been anything but good.
When he was little, he and all of his brothers—the ones already born—would try to fit as many of them on it and swing as high as they could before falling out.
“I’m not saying it’s easier to date a woman without kids, but it is less people to think about. If things don’t work out, then we’re the only ones who it effects, but with Bailey…totally different.”
His mother regarded him with thoughtful eyes as he sat down beside her. The chains of the swing groaned as his weight hit, but like all things on the farm, they’d been taken care of, so it didn’t break.
“I’m sure I’m analyzing this way too soon and way too fast.”
She patted his hand. “You always were my forward-thinking child.” Taking a deep breath, she smiled. “There’s nothing wrong with thinking about the future, and in this situation, that’s what you constantly have to think about.
“When I met your father, I was footloose and fancy free. Popular with the guys and had a regular social life. I loved my life, but I took one look at Daniel and fell hard. Then I met his boys—our boys—and I was a goner.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. You boys get that from me—the falling fast and knowing what you want right away, and then going for it,” she said with a laugh, “Daniel was much more reserved. But I didn’t let that stop me.”
“I don’t know if Bailey is the one, but I know that when I’m with her…I don’t want us to end,” he said carefully.
“That’s a very good start.”
His mom squeezed his hand, and he laid his head on her shoulder. She didn’t let go, and he didn’t try to pull away.
“So glad you’re home, Lucas. My heart is whole again.”
*
Bailey changed her outfit three times before settling on a denim skirt and an off-the-shoulder top with tiny flowers printed on it. Pulling on a pair of cowboy boots, she fluffed her hair and checked out her reflection.
One last dab of gloss and she was done. Lucas should like this, she thought. No too dressed up, yet not too dressed down.
Only, she had no idea where he was taking her on a proper date. Her date clothes were slim-pickings at best. Maybe she was wearing the wrong thing.
Maybe she was too old to wear it. After all, this was something she still had left over from pre-Leo years. Yeah, she was pretty darn proud that she could fit into the same skirt she’d worn at nineteen, but she felt like a twenty-three-year-old imposter.
Her doorbell rang. She whirled around, her heart thumping like crazy. He was here. There was no time for her to change again.
She tipped up her chin and walked to the front door. There was no use in being worried about what she was wearing. Besides, in her experience, men liked what a woman wore—or didn’t wear—underneath their clothes.
With a smile, she opened the door and frowned.
She was completely dressed wrong because the sexy man standing in front of her looked nothing like the guy she’d seen at the park yesterday.
His scruff was gone, as were his jeans and t-shirt. In his place stood a man with a clean-shaven face, chiseled cheekbones, and full lips. He wore slacks and a button-down shirt the color of eggplants.
She loved eggplants.
She loved how he looked.
But she hated how ridiculous she would look at his side.
“I can’t go,” she said, panicking.
“Leo didn’t go to his grandparents?” he asked.
Shaking her head, she replied with a mumbled, “No, he went.”
“You’re not feeling well?”
“I’m fine.”
“Have to wash your hair?”
Automatically, she touched her hair. “Already did.”
“You’d like for me to wash your hair?”
She let out a frustrated groan. “I’m not dressed right, okay? I don’t have grown-up clothes.”
He ran his eyes over her, making her hot in all the right places. “You look sexy.”
“So do you, but it’s a grown-up sexy. I look like club-night sexy.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Where are we going for dinner?”
“The Italian place in town. I can’t remember the name but you’ll love it.”
“See—that’s why I can’t go out.”
He shook his head, confusion shining in his eyes. “No, I don’t see.”
“Look—and don’t judge me because I’ve read the books a million times—but right now, we look like Christian Grey and Anastasia Steel went country. Only, he found his suit and she’s still in country-bumpkin mode.”
<
br /> That confused look remained. “I have no idea who you’re talking about.”
“Fifty Shades of Grey?”
“Heard of that.”
“They’re the characters in it.”
He shook his head. “I’ll take your word for it.”
She opened the door wider. “You might as well come inside.”
“Thanks.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek when he moved past her. “I think you look gorgeous.”
“Thanks, but you’ve been in prison for the past five years, so you’re judgment about what’s gorgeous is a little questionable.”
He paused, then turned to her as she closed the door. “Are you saying that I don’t have taste?”
She couldn’t tell if he were truly insulted by her or not. So she went with teasing him back. If she played her cards right, maybe she could convince him to order a pizza, and they could eat it here instead.
“Oh no. I’m not saying that at all.”
Slightly mollified, he smiled.
“Because I’ve tasted you, and you were yummy.”
His blue eyes turned black. “Bailey.”
She pulled her shirt over her head, unfastened her skirt, and stepped out it, leaving her in nothing but a lacy, push-up bra and a pair of boy-cut panties.
And her cowboy boots.
“Do you really think that sexy-as-hell lingerie you’re wearing is going to change my mind about our date?”
Toying with the strap of her bra, she peered up at him through her lashes. “I wouldn’t dream of changing your mind.” The strap slipped off her shoulder.
He stepped closer and slipped the other side down. “Great bra.”
“It has a lot of support.” She jumped up and down a couple of times. “See?”
His eyes followed the movement of her breasts. “I do.”
“Can we stay in tonight?” she asked, tracing the row of buttons all the way down. She slipped her hands up the hem of his shirt and came into contact with hard muscles and warm skin. His stomach contracted.
A glimmer of a smile covered his face. “I like what you’re doing to persuade me, but I’d also like to show you off.”
Her hands froze on his belt. “You what?”
“Show you off.” He caressed her bare shoulder, sending ripples of pleasure down her arm and straight to her core. “Bailey, it’s long past time for you to be treated like a woman, not a hook up.”
Feeling self-conscious, she reached for her bra straps. “That’s really nice of you. I’ll—”
“Ah, hell.” He picked her up, in the way she always wanted, and pinned her against the wall. His blue eyes searched hers. “You’re not a hook up. Got that?”
A delicious shiver ran through her. “Yes.”
“Good.” His mouth slammed into her, the force of his kiss leaving her breathless. He unfastened her bra, pulled it out of the way, and flung it across the room in one smooth motion.
“Holy crap, that was hot,” she panted and reached for him again.
He dug a hand into her hair and rocked the lower half of his body into her, right where she was hot, wet, and needy. She needed him.
Working at his belt buckle again, she loosened it and pushed his pants down. His erection sprung free. “No boxers?”
“Told you I planned on coming prepared.” With a sexy grin, he pulled a condom out of his pocket and held it up to her mouth. “Open it.”
She tore into that thing with her teeth, and managed to roll it down his erection with both hands. Oh God. Finally, Lucas was going to be inside of her.
Panties. Oh crap. She still had her panties on. Wriggling, she tried to take them off, but he simply swatted her hands away, moved the material to one side, and thrust deep.
She cried out, her nails sinking into his skin. Her head fell to his shoulder. He held her there, not moving. She wriggled her hips to get him deeper.
“Don’t move, baby. I’m about to—just don’t move.” He let out a harsh breath. “Don’t move. God, you feel good. So damn good.”
Suddenly, he moved, taking her to the floor so that she straddled him. His hands went to her hips. “Ride me, Bailey. Ride me hard and fast.”
She didn’t have to be asked again. Placing her hands on his chest—a chest that was still fully covered—she began to move. She began to show him how well she could move.
Her head fell back of her own accord, his hands gliding up from her hips to play with her breasts. He pinched her nipples and growled.
She rode him fast and hard, just like he wanted. Just like she needed. She felt him swell inside of her, felt his thumb brush over her clit. Her body tightened and tightened and tightened until she couldn’t take it anymore.
With a moan, she broke apart, bearing down on him. He gave a hoarse shout, thrusting his hips up, over and over. Neither of them stopping until they had wrung out every last drop of pleasure that had been denied to them for so long.
It was the hottest release she’d ever had. But also the sweetest because now his mouth was on hers, kissing her softly. Tenderly. He brushed her hair back and kissed her nose.
Something had changed between them, more than just we’ve seen each other naked and had sex. The air seemed to change. The mood in the room.
He stroked her back, pressing kisses to her head even as he lay flat on his back and panted. “Damn.”
“I feel like we should high five or something for achieving mutual orgasms.” Actually, what she really felt like scared her to death. Plus, it was too soon for her to feel so deeply for him. Except that was her. She’d always jumped headfirst into relationships.
No, that was the old Bailey. Not the responsible one. Still, could she be mad at herself for having sex with Lucas? Could she be mad for thinking of herself for the first time in five years?
“You know this means we’re going steady, right?” he said, pulling her from her thoughts.
“Huh?”
He grinned. “You got your humor. I got mine.”
“We’re deranged.”
“Possibly.”
She propped herself up to look at him. “Pretty hot move to get me all nude while you get to keep your clothes on.”
“Always heard a woman can’t resist a man in a suit.”
“But you’re not wearing a jacket or a tie,” she pointed out.
White teeth flashed as his grin turned cocky. “That’s because women can’t resist me no matter what I’m wearing.”
She rolled her eyes so hard that it almost hurt. “Is this the guy I missed out on knowing because…really, I’d like the other Lucas back. Scruffy beard and all.”
“Can’t blame a man for trying,” he said.
“You get an A plus for effort.”
“Only an A plus?” He flipped her onto her back.
“You are really talented.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I try.”
“You’ve established that fact.”
He leaned down. “I also came prepared to do this a few more times…if you’re up to the challenge.”
She grinned and nipped at his bottom lip. “I didn’t wear my cowgirl boots for nothing.”
Chapter Ten
‡
Bailey had it bad with a capitol L. As in love. Okay, so maybe not love, but it was as close as anything to it she’d ever felt before.
Not that she had much experience with love.
Although she loved her son with her entire heart and would die for him, it wasn’t the same. She loved her parents. But again, not the same.
No, it was a very different kind of love. The kind she might be in had everything to do with the man playing in the river with her son right now. She stayed close by, of course, floating on an oversized chair.
The sun beat down on them. The wind gently blew. The sound of her son’s laughter was music to her ears. It was perfect.
So, so perfect. Just like Lucas.
Sighing, she missed the two of them creeping up behind her. So deep in her perfect
thoughts that it didn’t register at first that she was getting closer and closer to the water.
The float tipped all the way over and in she fell with a loud splash. The water was cold as anything and she shot to the surface, coughing up water as she searched for the person responsible for dumping her.
Lucas and Leo had identical, innocent smiles on their faces.
“You two,” she growled, treading water.
Leo giggled, his life jacket keeping him afloat in the deep water. “It was Superman’s idea!”
Lucas lightly shoved Leo to one side. “Throw me under the bus, why don’t you? We’re supposed to be a team.”
Leo shook his head. “Mommy hates getting her hair wet.”
“Really, Bailey. That’s what you’re teaching the boy?” Lucas cocked his head to one side. “He’s supposed to splash you.”
With a huff at his commentary on her parenting skills, she said, “Then let him splash you and see how you like it. Better yet, you climb up on that float, get all toasty from the sun, feel like you look good for your ma-er…Superman, and then be dunked in freezing water. Talk to me when that happens.” With another dramatic flair, she put her face into her hands.
And gave a sniff.
“Aw Bailey. I didn’t mean to mess up your hair.
“Yeah, Mommy, he didn’t mean it.”
“Gee thanks, kid.”
“I wove her.”
“Can’t blame you there.”
Did Lucas mean that? Did he mean something more than that? She peeked through her hands to see how close they were. Or was he just being nice and agreeing with Leo to appease her?
“But she needs to learn how to take a joke.”
Bailey gasped and lifted her head, finding Lucas right beside her. She scooped up some water and threw it right in his face, then placed her leg behind him and gave his chest one good, hard shove.
He went down like a sack of potatoes. In water. Which meant he could float. But, it was so funny to her to see him flail and the shock in his eyes that she started laughing. Hard. So hard that she could barely catch her breath when he lunged for her and dunked her under the water.
She playfully fought with him, enlisting Leo’s help. The two of them overpowered Lucas and brought him down again. Although, she suspected that Lucas allowed it to happen.
Love So True Page 8
