LayersofLace
Page 6
He held out his hand to Morgan and she shook it. I almost expected her to flip him over and stab him, but no, peace. My husband and best friend had made peace! A few tears squeezed out of my eyes, and I was quick to flick them away.
“Apology accepted. We resolved the matter ourselves. And I see how you look at Emily. It’s clear you do care for her. So if you’re a bit overprotective of her, I’m good with that. I’m the same way.” Morgan smiled her tight Gyrfalcon smile. “And Governor, if I ever find out this is some ploy of yours, I will not hesitate to do away with you myself.”
Russell spread his arms. “If true love is a ploy, then you should slay me now.”
This was why I loved them so much! I laughed and hugged them both, squishing us all together.
Russell chuckled. “If your wedding present is a threesome, I happily accept.”
“Pervert.” Morgan wiggled free and nabbed her coffee.
“And I love that about him. Oh, the things I could tell you!” I truly did love that about him. Even more so since I knew he didn’t truly mean it. He was mine now. All mine.
“Don’t want to know.” Morgan took a drink as if that was the end of that.
Onward. Keep smiling. Time for the next big Bob-omb. “So, okay. Let’s just get right into this, because it affects stuff that’s going on today. Since I’m a newlywed, I don’t want to be away from my man. We’ve been up all night talking and working out the details. Russell is going to come home with us and help me pack up my things. I’ll be moving with him to Ohio. I know it’s sudden, but it’ll work out.”
Morgan slowly set her cup down. I could hear the ticking of the bomb. “Wait. You’re leaving school? Moving to another state?”
The best way to deal with her was to be a Vulcan. Talk reason. Avoid making her angry again. I’d just got my bestie back! “I can finish my degree online. It’s only a few more courses. It makes more sense for us, since Russell has a good job. And I’ll pay rent for the next couple of months until you can find another roommate. I wouldn’t leave you out on the street.”
Silence. Along with the death stare. I had to be happy enough for all of us. “Isn’t it exciting?”
“I’m so happy for you.” Morgan was trying, I could tell. She was trying for me. Such a doll!
“This is great news, guys.” Dean stood and shook Russell’s hand. “But the question is, will there be enough closet space at your place for both your wardrobes? I mean, I’ve seen just the suitcase Emily brought with her.”
We all laughed, but hey, this was serious business. I had a giant wardrobe.
“She may have a portion of my closet.” Russell winked at me. Sexy dog.
“Portion!” I snorted and gave him a look. “We’re making the office into a walk-in closet.”
My handsome husband didn’t protest. It made me grin even more.
“I have some news too,” Dean announced.
I whipped my gaze around to him and gasped. “Are you two getting married too?”‘
“Uh, no.” Dean shook his head.
Okay. Too soon for those two, but maybe… “Engaged?”
Russell tugged me to him and gave me a squeeze. I glanced at him and he gave me one of those looks that said, “Don’t scare them off”. I peeked at Morgan, and yup, she was ticking again.
“No, no.” Dean turned to my bestie. “As you all know, I’m in the final year of my biochemistry degree. It’s time to do my internship. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to end up doing some monotonous work in a drug factory. My advisor and I have been discussing options, and we’ve finally come up with the perfect placement for me.”
What the heck was this? It didn’t really feel like the right time to be discussing internships. Was I missing something?
“A mad scientist piecing together discarded human body parts.” Russell laughed in the most demented manner. A little shiver of arousal zipped through me.
Dean chuckled and shook his head. “Something far less Frankenstein-ish.”
Something less thrilling. More fitting for a guy who would fall for Morgan. “Oh! A hydrologist!”
Everyone gave me a weird look. I’d thought it was a good guess. “What? Water is interesting.”
Ignoring my excellent guess, Dean revealed what he’d be doing. “I’ll be helping with quality control at a well-known winery.”
Yup, just as thrilling as hydrology. Maybe a little more so, since it involved alcohol. But again, good for Dean, but uh…moving to Ohio here! Come on. I wanted this settled. I needed to defuse my best friend. She hadn’t even said a word yet.
“So you get to taste-test wine? Yes, that’s absolutely you, old boy.” Russell folded his arms. I smirked as I recognized that jealous twitch of his mustache. “That should be my job.”
“Hey, I like wine,” Dean said, then went into scientist mode. “And there’s far more to it than just taste-testing. A lot of science. It’s really quite fascinating.”
Do not want to hear about it. And still not a peep from Morgan. Enthusiasm was contagious. I would infect her. I had to. It would help her to accept my news. “Okay. Yay! Congratulations. That’s great news!”
“But that’s not all,” Dean continued. “The winery is located in Bloomington.”
My mouth dropped open. No way. Morgan and I lived there. No fucking way!
“Oh my God.” Wait. I had to make sure this was right. “Indiana, right?”
When Dean nodded, I couldn’t contain myself. I cried out at the brilliant coincidence of it all. “Bloomington, Indiana!”
Morgan wouldn’t be wallowing over my leaving when she had a cute guy to occupy her. It couldn’t have worked out better. Dean had given us the best wedding gift ever!
Except Morgan hadn’t said anything yet. She hadn’t even moved. Damn it, girl!
Dean held out a hand to her. “So if you’re in need of a new roommate, I’m looking for a place to live.”
Say yes! I opened my mouth to reply for her, but Russell drew me to him with a firm hold. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “This has got to be her accepting him. You can’t push her.”
My jaw tightened. He was right. But I didn’t know whether Morgan would flip out or not. This was a huge step for her. She wasn’t a risk-taker. She didn’t even like to play Truth or Dare. The girl was more of a Jeopardy! player, and even then she’d never risk it all on a Daily Double.
“I mean, if moving in together is too much for you right now, that’s okay. I understand. We don’t need to rush it.” Dean was running damage control. Good boy. “Whatever you’re comfortable with. I can get my own place. My internship pays, so I don’t have to worry about finances.”
I held my breath.
“Yes. Yes, move in with me.” Morgan took his hand, and Dean pulled her in for a kiss.
I wanted to scream. This couldn’t have worked out better. Not only did I have Russell, but now my bestie had a boy toy of her own. Double dates were going to be so much fun!
Oh! Yes. Dean and Russell were cousins. If Morgan married Dean, we’d officially be family! I couldn’t contain myself any longer.
Breaking out of Russell’s hold, I tackled them and sent us tumbling onto the bed. “This is so awesome! Everything is working out.”
Morgan laughed. No more ticking. Disaster averted.
“Now we can have a celebratory foursome.” Russell smirked with that salacious grin and danced his fingers to his shirt buttons.
“Whoa there!” Dean laughed as he gathered Morgan to him. “I don’t share. Sorry.”
I paid them no mind. My husband was being totally hot. Heat rushed through me. I stood and smacked his arm. “You’re such a horn-dog.”
“And you love it.” Russell leaned in and nibbled at my neck. I couldn’t stop my panting or the moan from escaping. How easily the man could turn me on.
“Maybe I should put a leash on you,” I murmured as I stole a kiss and rubbed myself against him.
Russell straighten
ed, a gleam in his eyes. “Breakfast in an hour, ladies and gentleman. I’ve collected my things and I’ll load them into the car. We’ll meet you two down in the hotel restaurant.”
A whole hour. That might be enough time for what I wanted to do with him.
Grinning, I hugged Morgan once more and followed my gorgeous husband out of the room. The second the door closed, Russell spun around and pinned me against the wall. He kissed me hard, full of promises of what was to come.
“Think you could leash me, hmm?” He nipped my lower lip.
“For a few minutes. Just while I let my mouth have its way with your body.” I air-kissed him and slipped away from his clutches. He didn’t notice that there were half a dozen people in the hall staring at us. I didn’t care either.
I crooked a finger at him.
An hour wasn’t going to be enough.
About Christine Rains
Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not reading or writing, she's going on adventures with her son, watching cheesy monster movies or playing games with friends. Christine is a proud member of the Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. She has several short stories and novellas published in other genres. The hilarious and nerdy Dice and Debauchery series is her first one with Ellora's Cave.
Christine welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Dice and Debauchery 1: Loose Corset
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Layers of Lace
ISBN 9781419994098
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Layers of Lace Copyright © 2015Christine Rains
Edited by Rebecca Hill
Cover design by Allyse Leodra
Cover photography by Shutterstock
Electronic book publication May 2015
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Table of Contents
Blurb
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
About Christine Rains