“You can and let me know how it goes for you.” She smirked.
“What’s wrong with him anyway? You run away every chance you see him.”
Why didn’t this seem like the easy, breezy throwaway questions they’d engaged in up until now? “Nothing. I’m sure he’s fine.” No, I know he’s fine. Like in the hot kinda fine!
“Don’t you want a little nibble? Just a little?”
Had it! Want more. That was the problem. Lacey could not get that man out of her head. “That’s the kind of talk that leads to addiction, my friend.” There was truth to those musings. Her mother, for one. She liked variety. And spice. And everything in between. Thankfully, one at a time was her mother’s motto. Lacey did not want to follow in those footsteps.
Rico shrugged. “When it’s good for you, why not, I say?”
“Some people can handle it. I can’t.” Heartbreak was not going to come in a six-pack or how many other guys she’d dated and been dumped by over the last decade or so.
“Here, try this. It’s a creamy-white color, but it’s all I got for now.” He sounded as defeated as she felt.
“You ever been in love, Rico?” she asked, keeping the door slightly open so they could talk as she changed again.
“Once.” She heard the catch in his voice. “My everything.”
“What happened?” She slid into the dress and it glided up over her hips to settle there. She gasped. The feel of it practically caressed her as she pulled up the top and it fit like a glove.
“Gone. But I can dream for another one.”
“Oh, Rico,” she said, coming out and giving him a hug.
He clung to her for a moment and then nudged her away. “Let’s see what we have here.” He sniffled once. “Oh! Shut the front door, Lace!”
“I know, right?”
Tugging her to a nearby full-length mirror, he said, “Let’s take a real look. Up on the pedestal.”
The silky fabric molded to all the right curves and loosely fell around her and into a beautiful train. She turned and looked over her shoulder. The low scoop of the back dipped dangerously low.
“L-O-V-E! Love it!” Rico patted her behind. “Nice.”
“Hey.” But she giggled, feeling like a beautiful goddess in the simple, lush creation.
“Hair up with gold, maybe a necklace, in the do. One of those arm bangles, too. Heels. Classic or gladiator-style, hmmm…”
“We can try both out,” she agreed. “Rico, we found the dress!”
He clapped and jumped up and down. “Perfect!”
“But, it doesn’t match your tux.”
Reaching out, he touched her arm. “Don’t you worry, sweetie. I can find the perfect match for you.”
Why was he practically beaming?
“Leave everything to Uncle Rico!”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
What was he up to anyway?
Chapter 8
Adam stood impatiently as King’s tailor painstakingly took his measurements and his assistant jotted down the numbers in a journal.
“Is this really necessary?” The clock ticked and he had no idea if he’d get out of here in time.
“Don’t move,” the older man, with a sort of gray, shaggy hairstyle that left the entire crown of his head bald, mumbled with his mouth full of pins.
Lacey, where are you? Are you here? In the store? So close, yet so far? His heart drummed, each beat heavy and full.
The two employees exchanged short, abbreviated information, leaving Adam clueless.
“Turn,” the older man ordered.
He obeyed, praying cooperation would get him out earlier. “Where’s Rico?” he muttered, ready to confront the man.
“Wedding department. A private fitting.” At least the younger one, possibly an intern, took pity on him, giving him a grimace. “A few more nips and tucks, sir.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
Could a person fall asleep standing up? Or die of boredom?
Just out there, beyond the doors, his fate waited and he was stuck, figuratively, of course.
Lacey Daniels didn’t want anything to do with him. However, he couldn’t get enough of her.
He hadn’t felt this excited about someone, well, ever. It did remind him of how the anticipation of just seeing a priceless work of art bubbled up inside him.
Adam laughed, releasing some of the pent-up emotions.
“Sir, please,” the man scolded him as he held a needle to his inseam.
“Yes, please, do not stick me there.”
The younger man covered his mouth and chuckled.
“You do not take the process seriously and we have to start all over again.”
“No. I’m good.” He’d never be able to wait it out again.
Closing his eyes, Adam pictured Lacey. Images of her at the wedding in the awful peach-colored gown and the gold mask rushed back. More flashed before him. Her in his black silk robe—he’d have to get that back from her. In the wedding dressing room, half exposed to him.
But the feel of her lips on his—so soft, so gentle—swept over him again. A thrill spread from his scalp to his toes. He sucked in a sharp, shaky breath.
She was a rare beauty.
Westbrooke, easy now.
But his mind asked it anyway. Was it the art connoisseur in him that couldn’t get enough of her or the man himself?
***
Lacey grabbed up Rico in a hug. “Thanks. I can’t wait to get my hands on the models tomorrow night.”
“You’ll do Ashley, of course, since you’ve done her a thousand times before on her model shoots.”
“Heather is not adventurous, so you may have to tackle that one. The rest, we can split.”
“Can I do yours?” He fingered a long strand of her hair. “Pretty please?”
“You got it. And you can put the touches on the guys, how’s that?”
“I’m in love with you, girl! Hot hunks in my hot little hands.”
She covered her ears. “No, don’t want to know details.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” But he smiled and shooed her away. “Oh, look, if it isn’t Adam coming from the tailor shop. What a coincidence.”
Her face froze. She did not want to turn around. Raising her eyebrows, she tried to warn Rico. But the man was rushing away. She turned, and you guessed it, straight to Adam. She groaned inwardly.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes, handsome,” Rico said, walking around him in a circle. “I like the cas look on you. Jeans? Denim shirt? Who knew the muscles you’ve been hiding?”
“Thanks, Rico,” he said, shooting her a sexy grin. “Lacey. Your cas look is much better.”
Warmth swept up her neck and into her cheeks. She never blushed. It had to be a record amount since she’d met him. Her scooped purple sweater did not go unnoticed. Nor did her favorite skinny jeans. “Adam.” She shot him a tight grin and snared Rico with a scowl.
He shrugged. “What can I say?”
His unmistakable nudging Adam in her direction proved her theory. “Arranged.”
“Don’t blame him.” Adam rushed to Rico’s defense. “I wanted to see you again.”
“I’m busy.” She landed one last narrowed gaze at both of them and then marched away.
“For how long?” Adam asked, catching up with her.
“Forever.”
He got to the glass doors first, holding one open for her. “That long, huh?”
Why did she want to smile when he looked at her like that? “Give up, Westbrooke,” she warned him.
“Not in my vocabulary. I’m a pursuer of the finest in the world.”
“Did you just call me fine?” She halted on the sidewalk, looking around for a taxi.
“Yes.”
His straightforward answer surprised her, making her jerk to look at him. It also made her heart jump in her throat. “You have a silly grin on your face.”
“I get that way. A little tongue-tied around beautiful things.�
� He winced. “Don’t get me wrong, you’re not a thing.”
“Good to know.” Underneath his exterior, she realized, sat a hidden side, a shy one where he didn’t connect with others all the time. That struck her as odd since he had a large family with so many girl cousins he seemed to engage with. “You did pretty well behind that mask the other night.”
“No one knew who I was. Liberating, don’t you think?”
Lacey nodded, knowing exactly how it felt. Turning down several men who hit on her before meeting him had been freeing and a little exhilarating. “Like a truer you.”
“No accountability.”
He did get it. She shook her head. “I need to go. Family night.” His smile faded. It tugged at her heart.
She refused to cave in. Forgetting the taxi among the noisy traffic, she headed to the nearby bus stop.
“Phew, he dropped it,” she said under her breath when he didn’t pursue her again. A slight pang pinged against her ribs.
A horn blared.
“Hey, lady! Need a ride?” Adam called out from behind the wheel of a convertible. The blue and white car, big as a boat and obviously a classic, bumped to a halt in front of her.
“Shoo!” But she laughed.
The young guy waiting beside her whistled at the sleek, shiny vehicle. “Oh, Mommie!”
“See, he likes it!”
“Seriously, Adam?” She got up and went to the side of the car. “Who owns one of these, anyway?”
“I like antiques. And classics. And beauties. So sue me.” His grin tugged at her in all the right and wrong places.
“Do you…would you like to meet my family?” She’d never invited a guy to meet her precious family. Why now? Why Adam?
“I’d like that.”
She heard his sigh and suppressed a chuckle.
Maybe he wouldn’t be so relieved when he met her protective brood. Hopefully, they’d scare him away! Because, damn, she hadn’t been able to yet.
***
Adam stood beside her on the front step of the two-story, modest home in the affluent neighborhood.
“They’re a little overwhelming at first.”
Was she hiding a smile? “I’m used to quantity. Nearly thirty family members at the house for the holidays.”
“Oh.” Her voice sounded down. “Noise level high, right?”
“Not too bad.”
There—her smile was back and bigger.
From the other side of the door, Adam heard a loud commotion, shrieking, and footsteps running. He backed up a pace, imagining a herd of animals approaching. She laughed, going closer as the door swung open and two little boys launched themselves into her outstretched arms.
“Laaacceeyy!!”
“Are you hugging me? Really? I can’t feel it.” They squeezed tighter and she laughed, loud and long. The boys joined her, giggling and squealing.
He watched in a mixture of awe and delight. Pure joy was written all over Lacey’s face and the little guys’, too.
“Hold on, don’t go taking all the good stuff from me,” a deep male voice rumbled from inside. He came into view, big and silver-haired and barrel-chested. “There’s my little girl!”
Gently, she extracted herself from the boys to be swept up in a big bear hug from the man. He lifted her off the ground. “Poppa!”
“Don’t stay away so long,” he grumbled, kissing her on the cheek and finally setting her down.
“You boys can’t have her all to yourselves.” A beautiful blonde woman joined them and embraced her. “Lacey, honey, it’s so good to see you again.”
“You, too. But it’s only been a week this time.” She chuckled.
“Feels like longer. Who’s this?” Her father eyed him with open curiosity and a raised silver brow.
“Adam Westbrooke, sir.” He held out a hand. The man didn’t hesitate and shook it, long and firm.
“He’s on his own, so, I hope you don’t mind, but I said he could tag along.” Lacey gulped and avoided looking directly at her father.
“Of course,” the woman said, smiling from ear to ear and shepherding them in the house. “Boys, take your sister out back.”
“Mom’s got all your supplies set up already. I want to be a tiger today, Lace. Can you make me look like one?” the older of the two asked.
“No fair. Me first.” The little one grabbed her hand and tugged.
Lacey looked over her shoulder. “Painting faces tonight. You can come watch.” She nodded her head to the back, apparently saving him from being alone with her father and the woman.
“He’ll be fine. Go, have fun. We’ll join you with drinks in a few minutes.” The woman waited until they’d walked toward the rear of the elegantly styled home and then turned to him. “I’m Dolores Daniels, the stepmother. Not wicked.” Her smile widened.
“Gordon Daniels,” Lacey’s father said. “Don’t call me Gordo or we’ll have big problems.”
Adam chuckled. “Wouldn’t think of it, sir. Nice to meet you both.”
“Really? Because I’m shocked to meet you. Lacey never brings her boyfriends home.”
“Ah, I’m not exactly a boyfriend. We just met—”
“Well, you must have made an impression.” Dolores shot her husband a look that could only be called promising. “Ice tea or lemonade, Adam?”
Why did he feel like this was a test? Had Lacey done this on purpose? “Lemonade, please.”
“Oh,” she said, and then patted him on the arm. “Make yourself at home. Gordon, honey, show him around and I’ll meet up with you two with Lacey and the boys.”
“Do you want to see my gun collection?” Gordon’s mouth twitched as he walked beside him through the large rooms.
“I’ll skip that one, if you don’t mind.” At least the guy had a sense of humor. Maybe the rest of the time wouldn’t be as intense now.
“Just so you know it’s there.” He chuckled. “Just kidding. I’m a judge. I see too much of that kind of thing in my court every day.” He halted in the book-lined office.
“Judge Daniels? Your name does ring a bell.”
“You haven’t come before me or I would recall your name. Westbrooke? Of the museum family where that Meagan’s wedding was held?”
“That’s the one. I’m in charge of the estate and museum now that my grandfather isn’t here any longer.”
“The bachelor guy they talk about in the press. No other family?”
“Plenty. They just don’t love art as much as I do.”
He seemed to ponder that for a bit as he directed him to the large glass French doors. But he halted instead, gazing out. “Look at that. She adores them and they her.”
Lacey sat face-to-face with the younger boy, applying the tiger look near his eye. “Painting faces.” They were talking and the older one joined in, hanging on her chair.
“My wife and I couldn’t have kids. Broke both our hearts. Lacey went on a job overseas and met these two little rascals in the streets, begging for money. They led her back to their sick mother.” His voice caught. He coughed. “Lacey called, telling us about the boys, Sonny—the youngest—and Teddy. She knew we were perfect for them. Long story short—after a year, we adopted them.”
Adam got choked up. “She did that? Brought you together?” Wonder rushed through him.
“She told me I was the best dad in the world for adopting and raising her after her mother took off. And she wanted these little guys to have me for their dad, too. To know what a good man was.”
“Damn, Judge. You’re going to make me tear up here.”
He laughed, easing the emotion-filled air. “I’m big and tall—nobody expects that softer side of me.”
Somehow, Adam figured there was more to it than just that.
“You’re a smart guy, Westbrooke. Lacey comes across as fancy-free, jetting around the world for her job. There’s more she hides than reveals. I’m just letting you know: she deserves someone special. Someone who will appreciate who she is deep down
.” He turned now, facing him head on. “Understand?”
The air crackled with silence and anticipation. Or was that Adam’s nerves? The man’s stare didn’t waver or flinch. “You don’t want her hurt.”
He nodded abruptly. Judge Daniels went to the door, opened it, and then joined his children, greeting them with a big, boisterous welcome.
Adam stood back, watching Mrs. Daniels bring out the tray of drinks. The interaction, warm and close-knit, charged through him.
The charming, delectable Lacey Daniels hid her heart from most everyone but these four, dear people. Maybe, once in a while, her two friends, too.
Adam, single and free, could not be what she needed.
She knew it. Why couldn’t he get it?
He did not belong in her life.
Chapter 9
Lacey missed him. Three days dragged by since he’d dropped her off at her apartment door and gave her a gentle peck on the cheek.
“Brush-off,” she muttered now at the final dress rehearsal for the charity event. That’s what you wanted, right? To scare him away. She waited for the next model to come to the makeup table.
Why did it bother her so much? It wasn’t like she’d known him a long time or even dated him. Hey, they traded a few funny quips and a near disaster when he’d caught her in his room.
She groaned. In nothing but his bathrobe!
“Lace, you all right?” Heather asked, coming to her in a long slip with her beautiful brunette hair loosely wrapped in pink rollers. She blinked behind her big glasses.
“Tired.” She didn’t mean just from the last few days of helping at the tryouts and assisting Rico and his team.
“This will be all over after tomorrow night.” She plopped down in the chair. “Go for it. Tame. Wild. Have at it.”
“What? You usually know what you want. Down to every detail.” Gently, she removed the oversized glasses and set them on the table. “What gives?”
“I have no idea what I want anymore.” A well of uncertainty flashed in her eyes.
“Let’s just say it has to do with a man,” Ashley chimed in, dragging a chair close and sitting down.
“Ash, why did you have to go and bring that up?” Heather shot her a glare.
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