Galen nodded. “Who is she? Who is the woman who has you acting besotted even if you claim you aren’t?”
Eli shifted in his chair. Galen wasn’t going to like what he was about to say, but he didn’t care. It was what it was, and Stacey was an adult. “The woman is Stacey. Stacey Carlson.”
“Eli Steele?” Dee sputtered as if she’d been drinking.
“Yes.”
“Hold up, Stace. Time out. Are you saying you’re involved with one of those Steeles? One of those guys who you know don’t have a serious bone in their bodies? Who don’t know the meaning of commitment? One of those ‘Bad News’ Steeles?”
“Yes. That’s what I’m saying.”
“But why, when you know he doesn’t mean you any good?”
“Because like I said, I’m no longer looking at life through rose-colored glasses. So far, Eli has given me just what I want.”
“Which is?”
“Fun without any expectations. No emotional entanglements. And now he wants to sweeten the pot.”
“In what way?” Dee asked in a voice that said she was almost afraid to.
“He wants to give me a Steele for Christmas.”
“A what?” Dee asked confused.
She then took the next ten minutes to go into details about Eli’s outlandish offer. It would not have taken that long if Dee hadn’t interrupted her every few minutes asking questions. And she still had more.
“So the two of you will only be married a year?” Dee asked as if weighing her answers.
“Yes.”
“And he’ll pay you one hundred thousand dollars, throw in ownership of your shop—free and clear—as well as let you keep any gifts you acquire during the lifetime of the marriage?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn’t say…I’m asking since I’m dying of curiosity. Is he any good in bed?”
Dee’s question triggered memories that ignited Stacey’s brain. Hot, potent, mind-blowing memories, especially of the one that morning in her office as well as the time here tonight. She was convinced he had heated passion flowing through every vein in his body. The man’s fingers and tongue should be outlawed and his male anatomy should be considered a highly dangerous weapon.
“Yes, he’s good,” she answered honestly. “In fact, if he was any better I’d probably be dead.”
Dee giggled. “Well, you certainly answered my question, so when do you want me to fly in for the wedding?”
Stacey blinked. “There will not be a wedding.”
“Why not? A Steele for Christmas sounds pretty darn good to me. And you have to admit he’s offering a pretty good package deal. Good-looking man. Great sex. Nice piece of change. You get to own your shop. And you get a wedding ring on your finger for a year. You know what my granny used to say. ‘A woman should change her name even if it’s for one day.’ A divorcée sounds a heck of a lot better than a spinster in my book.”
Stacey nibbled on her bottom lip. She hadn’t considered things that way.
“And you can bring him to my parents’ anniversary party and be telling the truth when you say that he’s your fiancé. I can just imagine the look on Gail’s face when she realizes that she got the frog and you got the prince.”
Stacey burst out laughing. Dee certainly had a way with words.
“Do you know what I would do if I were you?” Dee asked her.
Stacey was almost afraid to ask. “No, what would you do?”
“I would give Eli Steele the best year of his life and make doubly sure that while doing so I’m getting the best year of mine.”
“Your pacing is giving me a crook in my neck, Galen,” Eli said, staring across the room at his brother.
Eli rubbed that same neck while wondering why he was still there. He should have left to go home long ago. He had to go to work in the morning while Galen didn’t. His brother worked from home, right in his garage, creating those million-dollar video games. Usually this was his most relaxing time of the year, when all the games Galen had worked hard on all year hit the stores in time for the holidays.
“Better a sore neck than a kicked ass,” Galen said, glaring. “Because that’s what Cohen will do when he finds out that you’ve been involved with Stacey.”
“She’s a grown woman.”
“And you’re a Steele. Cohen knows us well. He knows how the five remaining Steele brothers operate.” Galen then rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “But you have asked Stacey to marry you and that’s a good thing. It will definitely show commitment on your part…even if the whole marriage is a sham.”
“True. The only people who won’t know it’s the real thing is me, you, Stacey and Brittany. I only threw Britt in because I figure you probably tell your wife everything.”
Galen smiled, unashamedly. “True.”
Eli rolled his eyes. “Oh, yeah, and Jared also knows.”
Galen lifted a brow. “Jared knows?”
“Yes. He’s handling the divorce on the back end.”
Galen simply stared at him.
“What?” Eli asked.
“Nothing.”
Eli scowled. “Apparently there is something, Galen, or you wouldn’t be looking at me that way.”
“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” Galen said.
“I’m going to do it if Stacey agrees. It will clinch the presidency for me and get Mom off my back for a while. You can’t do better than that.”
“Yes, you can. You can make it a real marriage.”
Eli looked aghast. “Why would I want to do a thing like that?”
What Eli thought was a silly-looking grin touched Galen’s lips. “I bet by the time the wedding comes around you’ll have figured it out.”
Chapter 16
The next morning, when Stacey got to work, she saw Eli’s car already parked in the reserved space. Evidently, he’d needed to get some work done and had come to the office early, she surmised, cutting off her car’s ignition and getting out of her car.
She glanced at her watch. It wasn’t even quite eight o’clock yet. She hadn’t been able to sleep last night and figured she would get to the shop early and put out the huge Styrofoam candy canes that had arrived late yesterday.
Everyone who’d entered her shop had commented on how festive it was, perfect for the holidays. Only Mr. Jones, who owned the optometrist shop on the second floor, had complained saying he felt she’d put up the Christmas decorations too early since nobody had celebrated Thanksgiving yet.
Her thoughts then shifted back to Eli since they were rarely off him anyway. And he had pretty much admitted the same thing about her. She figured that lust was a powerful thing. It had the ability to make rational people act irrationally.
And last night and this morning she was still thinking irrationally and blamed Dee for it. Her best friend had set her mind in motion and definitely given her a lot of food for thought. And once she’d slept on it, or at least tried to, she had to agree that marrying Eli for just a year wouldn’t be such a bad idea. And considering she would get to own her shop in the end, it was really a smart thing to do.
Eli would not be a hard man for any woman to easily fall in love with but she didn’t have to worry about doing something as foolish as that. She was grateful that although she was a weakling when it came to his body, she would never allow herself to succumb to his seductive powers or persuasive charms. Marriage to him wouldn’t change a thing. She couldn’t get any more attracted to him than she was now and since she would never trust any man with her heart ever again, she knew her limitations.
Stacey’s steps slowed when she entered the building and saw Eli. He was leaning against the door of her shop and it was obvious he was waiting on her. She gave him a thoughtful look as heat suffused her body. She knew why he was there. The look in his eyes said it all.
No matter what her answer would be to his outlandish wedding proposal, they would share this nonetheless. They were too intimately into each other, too physically attracted no
t to. And heaven help her, anticipation was rushing through her bloodstream.
“Good morning, Eli,” she said softly, upon reaching her door.
“Good morning, Stacey.”
She wished the texture of his voice didn’t feel like warm honey all over her skin. “You’re early.”
“Yes,” he said, his green eyes holding hers as he reached out to take the key from her hand. “I was waiting for you.”
Stacey swallowed. There was no reason to ask if there was something in particular that he wanted since the look in his eyes said it all. He planned to engage in some early morning delight. Was this how it would be to be married to him? Would she wake up to the promise of scorching-hot lovemaking?
“You look nice,” he complimented her by saying, while his gaze swept over her. She felt it like an intimate caress.
“Thanks.”
“You smell good, too.”
“Thanks again.”
He opened the door. “After you,” he said.
She didn’t say anything as she walked into her shop and turned off the alarm. She heard the sound of him locking the door and when she reached for the light switch, he said. “Don’t bother.”
He then captured her hand in his as he pulled her around the corner to an area of her shop hidden from view and behind a string of silver bells, overhanging Christmas holly and a cluster of holiday lights.
“Didn’t we do this just last night? This is crazy,” she muttered, but didn’t snatch her hand from his.
“Crazy but needed,” he muttered back. “I couldn’t sleep for thinking of you and wanting this,” he said.
Already he had her backed up against the wall, was pulling up her skirt, pulling down her panties and unzipping his pants. She decided to reach down and offer her assistance and do something else in the process.
Stacey gently shoved him down on the huge ornament storage box and leaned down over him. “You have slow fingers, Eli,” she said, pushing his hand out the way and easing down his zipper. Her face was right there below his waist and the moment she lowered his zipper, the clean, masculine scent of him slid through her nostrils and heated her insides.
She licked her lips while studying the object of perfection that she held in her hand. It was awesome, magnificent, a nice work of art, darn pleasing to the eyes and temptation to her lips. Concentrating on the latter and not able to help herself, she lowered her mouth and took him inside.
Eli just knew he’d died mainly because this had to be how heaven felt. And the thought of his aroused member easing between her lips was just as mind-boggling as easing between her legs. But he would concentrate on this for now as she tortured him, clamping her mouth down on him and driving him crazy.
And when she began tonguing him, he reached out, grabbed a fistful of her hair to hold her mouth in place as she went to work on him. She was right. This was crazy. Madness at its worst but it was also pleasure at its best. And as her mouth moved all over him he knew she intended to drive him insane. She acted as if she was hungry for him. Literally starving. Sensations whipped through him and he thought he would come at any minute. His testicles tightened in anticipation. And in something else as well.
He gritted his teeth and threw his head back. “I’m trying not to come,” he snarled through clenched teeth.
She gently fingered one of his testicles in a way that said don’t hold back, I want you to come. Now.
So he did and forced the scream back down his throat. His pulse throbbed as every pore in his body seemed to open, become shrouded in sensuality. And she drew everything out of him.
“Oh, Stacey.” And while the orgasm was still flowing in his veins, he shifted, pushed her back beneath him onto the box and eased between her legs. And when he had entered her, he whispered, “Lock your legs around me, baby.”
And then he began riding her, pounding into her with reckless abandon. He rocked back and forth as his shaft throbbed to life inside of her. Every nerve in his body tingled and then something within him snapped. And for the first time in his life he felt a woman, actually felt her in a way he’d never felt one before. All the way in his blood.
And then his body jerked in another orgasm when she cried out his name in her own pleasure. And as he continued to pound hard into her satiny flesh, he knew something monumental had taken place just now. But he was in no frame of mind to try and figure out what.
“I’ve made my decision, Eli.”
Barely able to catch his breath, Eli rolled off her. Sunlight coming in through a skylight overhead made him blink. At the same time, an uncomfortable stirring erupted low in his belly. He hadn’t expected a decision from her so soon and that could only mean she was turning down his offer.
His gaze swept over to her face, studied it for a moment. Her eyes were closed and her features had the look of sensual bliss. His lips curled in a satisfied smile knowing he was responsible for that look. “And what is your decision?” he asked huskily, as his gaze shifted to her lips. He was tempted to lean over and taste them again. Hell, why was he so obsessed with her? Why couldn’t he get enough?
She slowly opened her eyes and his met hers. “I will marry you,” she said softly.
He battled for control as his heart did a happy dance. His body jolted in supreme delight. Something inside of him warned him not to question his blessings, but he couldn’t help doing so. “Why did you decide to do it?”
She didn’t say anything for a moment and then she explained, “I’d rather be a divorcée than grow older as an old maid.”
He thought about what she’d said, just what she’d meant. “In other words, it’s better to marry and divorce than not to have married at all?”
“Yes.”
He glanced back up at the skylight. Strangely, it bothered him that though they hadn’t married yet, she was already planning their divorce. Almost counting on it. Irritation swept through his bloodstream at the thought.
Eli checked his watch. “We need to get dressed,” he said, getting to his feet and then helping her up. He reached down and handed her the panties he’d taken off her earlier.
“Thanks.”
Great view, he thought as he watched her lift her skirt to slide them over her hips. Everything about her was luscious.
“So what’s next? Do you still want to make our announcement at Cohen’s going away party this weekend?” she asked.
“Not unless you want to tell Cohen beforehand and not catch him off guard.”
Silence fell between them and he could tell she was considering his suggestion. A low stirring went through his gut at the way she was nibbling on her bottom lip and how her brows seem to arch together whenever her expression turned serious. His gaze then shifted back to her mouth and he felt blood rush through his veins at the illicit memory of what her mouth had done to him a short while ago.
He had a feeling her mouth would be imprinted on that particular body part for life. He then forced the very thought from his mind. No woman could make that kind of an impression on him. That wasn’t possible.
“Either way, he’s going to have a hard time believing it,” she finally said, breaking into his thoughts.
Eli nodded. “Same goes for my family. But we’ll just have to do our best and be convincing.”
She stared at him, all wide-eyed. “And how will we do that?”
He couldn’t help smiling as he reached out and gently brushed the back of his hand against her soft cheek. “Just follow my lead that night, sweetheart.”
Chapter 17
Since she was the hostess, Stacey had arrived at the party site early with Dee in tow. Her best friend had flown in that morning and had shown up on her doorstep at the exact moment Eli was about to leave after having spent the night.
Stacey’s cheeks warmed at the difference just a few days had made. Since deciding to execute their plan to announce their engagement and pending marriage, they had spent more time together than before.
He continued to show up at h
er shop each morning for a hot and titillating quickie, as well as drop by her place in the evening. She had gotten into the routine of expecting his visits and would have dinner prepared. It was during those times that she would get to see another side of Eli, when he would discuss his various cases with her while they shared a meal.
And she would tell him about her life back in Memphis and about her aunt Maggie and how she had helped raise her when her mother had died. If he’d gotten bored with the conversations, he’d never let on.
They had decided that they would live in his place after they married and when she mentioned she would continue to pay for the lease on her own apartment and keep it intact, since she would be returning there in a year’s time, he had agreed with that arrangement.
Now she glanced across Tyson’s living room and smiled when she saw Dee and Cohen standing alone talking. Dee had loved Cohen forever and she had a feeling that Cohen had feelings for Dee, although he’d never admitted such a thing.
Stacey figured he was allowing his belief that he was way too old for Dee get in the way. She thought a ten-year age difference wasn’t a big deal. Besides, Dee always acted more mature than her years. Even Cohen had commented on that very thing numerous times.
She knew Dee was tired of Cohen not making a move and would make her own move soon, which was probably why she was over there offering to fly to Florida to help him settle in. Stacey could only wish her best friend the best of luck with her game plan.
She glanced at her watch and wondered why Eli hadn’t arrived yet. All of his brothers, as well as his parents, were here already. His mother had approached her a few minutes ago to compliment her on how well she’d put the party together. She’d also heard from several people how beautiful the holiday display was in her shop, and she would have to drop by one day and see it.
Stacey took a sip of her wine as she studied Eli’s parents. They were the epitome of a happy couple who had spent over thirty years together, and it was evident that they were still very much in love. And she could understand why. Eden Tyson Steele was a former internationally known model who looked half her age. The woman was simply beautiful and elegant. And Drew Steele was a very handsome man who’d passed those genes on to his six sons.
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