Run, Lacy, Run [Appledale] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Lee Rose

  “If I get one more harassing phone call from you or I hear of you causing Lacy any trouble, I will file stalking charges against you. I have recorded your phone calls to me and I have no problem making them public,” he warned her as his mom stood by him and nodded in agreement.

  Emma gasped because she knew everyone in the restaurant was listening. She stood up and gave Ryan a bitter look filled with hatred. Then she turned toward Lacy and sneered and said loudly, “Hope you don’t expect too much from him because all he is good for is a quick roll in the hay before he moves on to his next victim. And even that is not worth the headache.”

  The whole restaurant had gotten quiet, lunches forgotten, as they watched the spectacle in front of them unfold. Ally and Lacy gasped at Emma’s cruel remark but Emma stomped off quickly, her heels clicking across the floor, before anyone could say something back to her. With Emma gone, everyone looked at Ryan and Lacy, who stood quietly in shock. Customers sat quietly, waiting to see what came next.

  Lacy stood with her arms folded across her chest, looking at Ryan who looked angry and embarrassed. She wanted to go after Emma for causing such a horrible scene in public but she didn’t want to cause more drama for Ryan or Ally either, so she stayed there. “So that’s Emma? Such a lovely girl,” she said sarcastically, still feeling angry that Emma dared embarrass him publicly like that.

  Everyone laughed, including Ryan. His anger faded away once he knew Lacy wasn’t mad at him. He kissed Lacy’s cheek and said loudly, making sure everyone heard him, “What can I say, babe? Until I met you I had lousy taste.”

  Lacy rolled her eyes but smiled at him and kissed him back. “Sit down, stud, and I’ll get your lunch.”

  Everyone went back to their food, laughing, and Ryan felt his cheeks turn red but he couldn’t think of a snappy comeback, so he sat down meekly. His little darlin’ was an amazing woman and he knew he was falling hard and fast and there was nothing he could do about it.

  Later that night Lacy sat with Ryan and his mom at their house, watching TV. Ally had made a wonderful pot roast dinner and Lacy felt full and relaxed. She loved spending time like this with Ryan and his mom in their home. It made her feel like she belonged in a family, something she hadn’t felt in so long.

  She loved Ryan with all her heart. She finally admitted it to herself. She loved everything about him. His compassion for others, his sense of honor, the way he held her as if she mattered to him. I’ll just have to show him how I feel, she thought to herself, smiling—another seduction forming in her mind. This could get to be a habit, one she liked.

  She yawned and snuggled into his chest. “Sorry.”

  “No problem.” He kissed the top of her head and got up. “I’ll take you home, darlin’. It is getting late.”

  She hugged Ally and thanked her for dinner.

  They drove in quiet companionship to the apartment. Lacy felt relaxed and sleepy. He led her right to the bedroom. He started removing her clothes while she stood there with an amused look. “What are you doing?”

  “You’re tired, so I’m only being a good citizen and being helpful, darlin’,” he answered innocently without stopping what he was doing.

  Lacy gave him an innocent look. “However can I thank you for your kindness, Sheriff?”

  She stood there naked and watched him remove all his clothes. He was breathtakingly sexy and she planned on giving him nothing but pleasure tonight.

  “Lay down.” she ordered when he was naked, pushing him toward the bed playfully. “I suddenly feel wide awake.”

  He lay down and watched her with his hands behind his head, letting her have her fun. After all, he was the one receiving all her attention and he liked that. “Demanding little thing, aren’t you?” he teased, enjoying her enthusiasm.

  She straddled him, feeling his hardness, and leaned down to kiss his neck, his chest, his nipples slowly and lovingly and went down toward his hips. His cock was hard and standing at attention. It glistened with pre-cum and she licked his mushroom tip thoroughly and heard him groan. She took the head into her mouth. He tasted hot and spicy, and she went deeper, as far as she could. He was large and she didn’t have a lot of experience with this, but she wanted to please him. If she couldn’t tell him she loved him out loud, she could show him. She held the base of his cock with her hand and pumped it up and down. She loved the feel of him in her hand, so heavy and warm. With her other hand she massaged his balls and he moaned. She went deeper and sucked hard then she licked him up and down with her tongue. He tasted delicious and she was enjoying herself immensely. She licked his cock up and down some more and felt his body tremble with passion. I must be doing something right, she thought to herself happily.

  “Lacy, baby, that feels so good.” He put his hands in her hair and helped her set the rhythm. His body shivered and he moaned with pleasure. His little darlin’ had an amazing mouth. “Lacy,” he tried warning her when he felt himself coming but she wouldn’t stop until he came and she swallowed everything he gave her.

  She looked at him with a smug smile. Her man looked happy and that made her feel good.

  He flipped her so she lay beneath him with his body covering hers. “Baby, that was amazing. Thank you, darling,” Ryan said with a big grin. He loved the fact that Lacy was such an unselfish lover.

  Ryan nudged her legs wide apart with his thighs and touched Lacy with his hands. She was soaking wet. He put two fingers in her and moved around slowly until he found her G-spot, and she arched up toward him, wanting more. He sucked hard on her erect nipples, nipping them with his teeth, and felt her body tremble with passion.

  “That feels so amazing, Ryan.” She caressed his back up and down with her hands, loving the feel of his warm skin and his hard muscles.

  He grabbed her ass and tilted her up toward him and plunged in to her pussy with one long stroke, hard and fast. She was so wet and ready for him, gripping his cock with her vaginal walls. “Heaven, being inside you is pure heaven.” He groaned, closing his eyes and savoring the feel of her. It was so good that he wished they could stay this way forever.

  Lacy put her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately, pouring all her love into the kiss. She explored his mouth and rubbed her tongue with his. She moaned and licked his lips and kissed his neck and shoulder. She loved the feel of him pumping into her over and over as she matched his pace. He was speeding up and going hard. She squeezed her vaginal muscles, gripping him tightly, milking him. Ryan’s jaw tensed up, holding in his groans. She could feel her orgasm building up, taking over her body and soul. She tried to hold it in so it wouldn’t end so soon, but she was feeling too many different sensations and soon they exploded in a burst of passion.

  Lacy yelled out Ryan’s name as she gave in to her orgasm at the same time he did.

  She felt Ryan spilled his seed inside of her. Ryan hugged her tightly as if he didn’t want to let her go yet.

  He swallowed past the lump in his throat. He finally admitted to himself that he loved this woman more than he ever thought it possible but stayed silent. He wanted to plan a romantic evening to tell her. He said good-bye to his bachelorhood with pleasure.

  Chapter Nine

  Logan and his brother, Gabe, started coming into the diner in the mornings and afternoons and Lacy got to know Gabe. Gabe Wilson looked a lot like his brother, Logan, tall and muscular with the same black hair and dark eyes, but that’s where the similarities ended. He wasn’t as outgoing as Logan was. Logan flirted with all the ladies, including her and Stella. He stopped at every table to say hello, checking in like a busy bee. Gabe sat quietly, observing people and looking serious, hardly ever doing more than nodding his head at people he knew, but Lacy felt reassured by their presence and she liked both of the brothers, different as they were.

  Lacy knew Ryan was taking the possibility of Chico heading this way seriously and he wanted Lacy to feel safe. He kept in contact with Detective Garcia every day, getting updates. She hated feeling scared and w
ished this nightmare would just be over. She wanted to enjoy her new life here without having to look over her shoulder every time she stepped outside.

  Ryan had just finished having lunch with Lacy. “See you tonight, baby. Don’t cook. We’ll go eat at Thorn’s.”

  Lacy teased him, pulling on his tie. “Maybe, or maybe I’m too busy, Sheriff.”

  “Busy with who?” he asked, giving her an intimidating look and trying to hide his smile. He knew she cared deeply for him, maybe even loved him. He felt it without the words being spoken, and hopefully she could also feel it coming from him, too. Once this mess was over, he planned on taking her to a fancy restaurant and proposing. His stomach did somersaults with nervousness at the thought. “Who’s messing with my woman?” He looked around the diner and seeing it almost empty, he gave her a passionate kiss that left her breathless.

  “Wow,” she said fanning herself with a menu. “I was kidding, trying to keep you on your toes. I’m just going to visit the fish at the park but I’ll be ready for tonight.”

  The smile quickly left his face and he turned serious. “Lacy, you can’t go to isolated places like that alone anymore. Not until Chico is found. I’ll take you when I can, but not today.”

  Lacy frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t need a babysitter, Ryan.”

  She was mad that Chico was limiting the things she could do by herself. After a day full of noise and people, she liked going to the park to wind down. It was one of her favorite things to do and Ryan knew that. She had dragged him there and he even admitted to liking the peaceful spot himself.

  “Is there any news I should know about Chico?” she asked, waiting to see what he’d tell her. Whenever she tried to get any information out of Ryan about Chico, he’d tell her there was nothing to worry about. He seemed to think all he needed to do was pat her on the head like a good little girl.

  Logan had told her that Detective Garcia had said he didn’t think Chico was in the city anymore. They had been looking for him for two weeks now without success. Ryan wouldn’t discuss it with her, though. She knew Ryan was more worried than he would admit, but whenever she brought it up, he’d just change the subject and refuse to say anything else. It frustrated her because she wanted him to trust her enough to handle any problems they faced together. She didn’t like being treated like a fragile doll that would fall apart at the first sign of bad news.

  “No, there isn’t. I’m just being cautious. I know you don’t like your activities limited but it has to be this way, Lacy,” he said seriously with his Sheriff face. That meant he expected her to not argue with him. “I can see if Gabe can go with you,” he said, relenting.

  She noticed he didn’t offer Logan’s help and almost smiled. He must still be jealous that Logan had taken her out on a date, no matter how innocent it was.

  “Forget it then, I don’t want to be bothering anyone.” She frowned, still feeling a little angry, but she didn’t want to cause him any more problems than she already had. Chico had a lot to answer for. “See you tonight.”

  * * * *

  Thorn’s was noisy, but she didn’t mind. She liked the country music they played and watching the people dance. Ryan had ordered them both cheeseburgers and onion rings.

  Lacy groaned. “I’ll gain weight if I keep eating this, but it’s so good,” she said, eating an onion ring dipped in ketchup.

  “We’ll work it off at home together, baby.” Ryan winked at her while biting into his burger, making her blush.

  They finished their food and were dancing slowly on the dance floor when Lacy felt someone elbow her hard in the back. She gasped in surprise.

  Lacy turned to see Emma’s sneer but Emma gave them a fake smile. “Oops,” she said, laughing as her partner led her away from them.

  “What a bitch! What did you ever see in her, Ryan?” Lacy muttered arching her back. It was sore.

  Ryan rubbed her back soothingly, wanting to wring Emma’s neck but not wanting to cause a scene. That’s exactly what Emma wanted. “I was a blind idiot. Everyone tried to warn me, but I can be a bit stubborn.”

  Lacy sighed tiredly, no longer wanting to dance. “I’m tired, Ryan. Can we go home now?”

  He took her home, feeling bad that his past mistake with Emma was affecting Lacy. It wasn’t fair.

  Once they got to her apartment, Lacy asked him thoughtfully, “Did you bring Emma here to have sex with?” Lacy hated the idea of it but she had to know.

  Ryan looked into her eyes and answered truthfully. “Never. I came here to sleep after late work nights and that’s all.” He smoothed the hair out of her beautiful face gently. “Forget her. She’s not important. It’s just me and you here and I want to make love to my woman,” he said, bending down to kiss her softly. He took her into the bedroom and made love to her with all the tenderness and love he felt for Lacy. It took her breath away and Lacy could feel the tears silently fall down her cheeks. Ryan loved her. She could feel it with every touch, every whisper, every kiss that he gave her.

  * * * *

  Stella announced that she was pregnant at the diner the next day and she and her husband were so excited to finally be expecting their first child.

  “It was the negligee, huh?” Lacy whispered to Stella, laughing and hugging her joyfully. “Look, here comes Liz. She’s going to take the credit for the negligee.”

  Stella swatted Lacy with the menu playfully and called Liz to come over to where they were to give her the good news. Liz jumped up and down with happiness when Stella told her. She knew how badly Stella wanted a baby. “Oh, Stella, this is a wonderful day. We have to celebrate. How about some pie?” Liz said with a wide grin on her face. Ally agreed and brought out a fresh apple pie still warm from the oven and some ice cream.

  Stella bounced baby names off Lacy and any customer willing to listen. Lacy was excited for her friend, but she also worried that something bad would happen to Stella or Ally because of her.

  Both women were aware of what was going on. Lacy had wanted to be honest with them about the danger she was facing in case Ally didn’t want her working there anymore, but they both said they had faith in Ryan and the Wilson brothers, and Ally wouldn’t let Lacy quit her job.

  Ryan had started spending the nights with her and she loved it but also worried about Ally being alone. Ryan and Ally both assured her that Ally was fine and could out shoot Ryan at any time. Yet the worry kept her awake sometimes or gave her nightmares where Ryan was the one killed by Chico. He was always there to soothe her. Then he would make her forget everything but his touch, and he would hold her throughout the night, making her feel so secure and warm that she was reluctant to get out of bed in the mornings.

  Several times she had almost let the words “I love you” slip out, but she was afraid to ruin things between them. When this was over she’d tell him and take the consequences.

  * * * *

  Ryan watched her from the doorway that night when he came home after his shift. She sat on the couch flipping through a magazine, her hair wet from her recent shower. He knew when he sat next to her she’d smell like vanilla, a scent he had come to love. She looked tired and she had dark circles under her eyes from her nightmares.

  He hated waiting around like a sitting duck for something to happen, too. He’d rather do the hunting than be hunted any day. He felt helpless, but until they found out for sure if Chico was coming this way, it was a waiting game. If Chico was foolish enough to come here, he was going to pay for all the suffering Lacy was going through, the nightmares and the constant worrying she did over everyone but herself. She was amazingly unselfish and compassionate. She was beautiful inside and out, he discovered. He had to remind himself often how lucky he was that she had forgiven his earlier stupidity. He wanted to tell her he was in love with her but felt nervous. He’d never said those words to any other woman. What if he messed it up?

  He sat on the couch next to her playing with her soft, silky hair and kissing her ear and n
eck while she tried to look at her magazine. He inhaled her scent. He smiled, waiting to see how long it would take to distract her from her reading.

  “How about we spend all day in St. Clair tomorrow? They have a fall festival going on and we can sightsee and have dinner, play tourists, maybe shop a little.” He kept giving her kisses on her cheeks and nose and neck while he talked, trying to distract her. “I’ll buy you a pumpkin.” He made it sound like a bribe.

  Lacy smiled and finally put her magazine down on the coffee table, willing to be distracted. “Oh really, and what do I have to do for this pumpkin, Sheriff?” She looked at him innocently through her lashes, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger.

  He was touching her lips softly with his fingers so she nipped him lightly with her teeth and winked at him.

  He laughed out loud. “Oh, I can think of plenty of things you can do, baby.”

  He pulled her tank top off and discovered she had no bra on. “Oh oh, I have a frisky girl on my hands.”

  “What ya gonna do about it, Sheriff?” she said, looking into his sexy green eyes and seeing them shining with passion. Each and every time they made love it only got better and better.

  “Play with my girl, what else?” He removed her panties and felt how wet she was. He laid her down and spread her legs wide, hanging one on the back of the couch, which left her wide open and vulnerable. He stripped his clothes quickly and dove straight for her pussy, licking and sucking on her clit while she moaned with pleasure, tossing her head back and forth in passion.

  “You’re driving me crazy, Ryan. It’s unbearable,” she said, putting her hands in his hair and pulling. “It’s too much.” She had never dreamed it was even possible to feel such an explosive passion and live through it.

  “Hush, darlin’. This is my playtime,” he answered her without stopping, loving the taste of her cream.