by Tanya Kelly
Kim laughed and high fived Lacey. But that was Kim, never any judgment. In fact, Lacey knew Kim thought she was somewhat prudish at times. She’d been supportive of the changes Lacey was making.
“Cougar on the prowl…and what a catch.” Kim waved her hand around as if to emphasize the predator and prey she referred to.
Lacey groaned. “Oh God. I’m a cougar.” She buried her hands in her face, mortified.
“Oh stop it,” Kim stood up and grabbed the opened wine bottle from the kitchen. “I’m kidding. You are too young to be a cougar yet. A cheetah maybe, but not a cougar.”
Lacey chuckled as Kim refilled their glasses. “You’re a hot, sexy, single woman. Do what and who you want. If an older guy had gotten his cock sucked or into some younger pussy, he’d be fucking bragging to everyone he knew and not feeling guilty about it.”
Lacey laughed until her gut hurt. “You’re right,” she finally managed when she caught her breath.
“And remember you said you wanted more excitement in your life.” Kim waved her finger at Lacey. “You know I love you even though you live your life like a saint. Or did until recently.” She winked before continuing, “You spent most of your life taking care of your nitwit mother and never once being selfish. Now is the time to be selfish. Live your life the way you want and not the way anyone else thinks you should.”
“My oracle,” Lacey teased but her friend did make perfect sense.
“I don’t give advice often and I’m going to shut up now but that was some good shit so I suggest you take it. Now let’s do a toast.”
“A toast? To what?”
“Let’s toast to you. Putting your needs first, even if they are purely sexual needs.” She laughed and raised her glass, and Lacey joined in the laughter as they clinked glasses.
“Speaking of your nitwit mother…have you heard from her lately?” Kim asked.
“Not since she left on that cruise with Tom or was it Tim?” Lacey shook her head. “I’ve given up learning their names.”
“No point learning them. She never keeps them around long enough.”
Lacey frowned and toyed with the stem of her wineglass. “Tell me about it. She said this one might be husband number five. And he’s younger than me.”
Kim shook her head. “Oh geez. Poor guy. I know you want to strangle your mother most days but I have to say, besides her multiple trips down the aisle, I hope I’m still out there fucking my way through every port at her age.”
“Kim.” Lacey admonished. “You are a sex-crazed woman but I do hope you will one day meet a man who tames you—so please don’t aspire to be like my mother.”
“No taming this shrew,” she added and gulped down the rest of her wine. “Are you going to see Reilly again?”
“No, it was just a one night kind of thing. To check off my bucket list. Check and done. I’m another notch on his bedpost.”
“From what I hear about Reilly and from what I’ve seen when I go to the pub, he’s not a player.” Kim leaned over and set her glass on the table. “Whenever I see him, he looks annoyed at the women who hit on him and Kian was surprised he came home with us that night. Usually, Reilly goes home every night—by himself which is such a waste of good cock, don’t you think?”
Lacey almost spit out her wine as she laughed. “You are so bad.”
“Which makes me so good,” she replied and winked before continuing. “What you’re saying doesn’t add up. He wanted you something fierce and I’m not sure one night is going to scratch that itch.”
Lacey chewed on her bottom lip as she processed Kim’s words. So it didn’t appear Reilly was the playboy bartender she’d labeled him. “It doesn’t make a difference anyway. I don’t plan on seeing him again.”
“You don’t sound enthusiastic about not that.”
“It was the best night of my life. The man is sex on a stick and while I would like nothing more than to keep getting me some...it’s just not a good idea.”
“Why?”
“Duh. He’s too young.”
Kim focused on her empty wineglass, seeming to ponder her response. “Too young as in immature and needs a mother figure or too young because you’re letting baggage from your own mother get in the way?”
Damn Kim. She didn’t beat around the bush. “He’s not immature and in no need of a mother figure. But it’s more than just baggage about my mother. I…I just can’t…I can’t go down that road,” she stammered.
“You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.” Kim stared intently at Lacey.
“What the heck does that mean?”
“You don’t have to marry the guy or even get serious. But Mr. Right Now is always a great way to pass the time while waiting for Mr. Right,” Kim stated. “Regardless, I hope it’s not awkward when we see him tomorrow.”
“What?” Lacey asked, sitting up straighter. “Back up. What are you talking about? See him tomorrow?”
“Did I not tell you?” Kim asked. “Must have slipped my mind but we talked yesterday morning about some of the things we needed to get done at the store and he’s coming by to give us a quote on shelving, cabinets and the seating area we want.”
“What?” Lacey was beyond confused. “He’s a bartender.”
“That’s just a night job while he gets his furniture business off the ground. He builds fucking amazing furniture. Shit, you must have seen some at his place.”
Sweet baby Jesus. Lacey felt stupid. “Callaghan Custom Furniture?”
“That’s it. He has a workshop in town but wants to get a storefront location to display and sell his more popular pieces.”
“Oh crap, Kim. I had no idea.” Lacey banged her forehead with her hand. “I asked him about his gorgeous furniture and he told me the name but I didn’t know he was Callaghan and he didn’t correct me when I said I wanted him to introduce me.”
“Huh. Well, he’s pretty modest about this work,” Kim added.
“And I was kind of a bitch talking to him about coming from Ireland to work at a pub.” Slap, slap, slap against her forehead again.
“You do get uppity sometimes when it comes to people’s professions.” Kim rolled her eyes. “Must still be the bank manager in you.”
“I do not,” Lacey exclaimed. “I just, uh, I…okay, yeah, you’re right. Man, I am such an ass.” She got up and paced the living room. “He’s coming tomorrow?”
Kim nodded.
Lacey stopped her pacing. “Oh, his stuff would be great for our store. Damn!”
Kim laughed and picked up their empty wineglasses to take to the kitchen. “So tomorrow, when we meet with him, you can grovel a bit and get us some good pricing. If I have to, I’ll leave you alone to grovel on your hands and knees if necessary.”
Lacey cheeks flamed at the image but yet, her darn nipples stiffened at the thought of getting on her knees and taking him into her mouth.
“What do you want for supper? We got leftover pasta,” Kim called from the kitchen.
Reilly’s cock, she almost answered. “Leftovers are great,” she replied instead. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter Six
Reilly parked his truck in front of the store and grabbed his bag. The sign read Lace & More. The windows were covered in paper so he couldn’t see inside but a poster advertised the date of the grand opening. He ran his hands through his hair. On one hand he was dying to see Lacey again, especially after she still kept occupying his thoughts twenty-four-seven. One the other hand, he needed to get her out of his head since she’d made it loud and clear she wasn’t interested in more than a one night stand.
He took a deep breath and pulled the front door open. The object of his desires stood in the middle of the store, dressing a display mannequin in a bra and panties. The door chimed when he walked in and Lacey looked up, her green eyes wide. Fuck, she was going to be a hard one to get out of his mind. Black pants hugged her hips and ass and the green sweater made her eyes stand in her beautifu
l face. Her long brown hair was loose and wavy down her back and his hand itched to touch its softness. Her full lips were parted and he watched the movement in her slender throat as she swallowed.
Lacey fidgeted with the panties she was putting on the mannequin. It was an incredibly sexy lingerie set. The bra and panties were all lace in front with three black thin straps at the back for a cage-like look. It was stripper pole sexy. Reilly pictured it on Lacey while she did a lap dance for him and his cock immediately stiffened in his jeans.
Damn! He tried to clear the image from his mind. “Hi,” he finally managed to say.
“Hi,” she replied, a blush turning her cheeks pink. She stood staring at him, her hands still on the mannequin’s crotch where she’d been adjusting the garments.
“Nice merchandise.” Reilly came closer until he was standing directly in front of her. The scent of her shampoo filled his nostrils. Sweet berries. His fingers touched the lace of the bra and her eyes followed his movements. The space between them was charged with electricity. He wanted to groan when she licked her bottom lip. A gesture she did often he’d noticed when she was nervous or excited. Either licked them or chewed them. Both actions made him want to taste her mouth.
Lacey blinked and turned away. She finished up placing the panties on the mannequin. “They are lovely. I do hope they sell good.”
“I’m sure they will,” he agreed. “I like the name by the way. Lace & More. Simple. How did you come up with that?”
“Thanks. It fit perfectly being we sell lingerie and more. We knew we want lace in the name and well, Kim’s last name is Morrison so Lace & More came to us.”
“It’s great.”
She toyed with the thin, silver ring on her finger and gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, I had no idea you built custom furniture. You never said anything. The items in your home are beautiful and I’m sure all your work is amazing. Kim was supposed to be here but she had to run to the city for some things we need for our grand opening. But I can go over what we want with you. I mean if that’s okay…unless you’d rather wait for Kim. That’s fine. I realize…” Lacey words trailed off and her face turned pink once again. “I’m sorry, I babble when I’m nervous.”
“Why are you nervous?” He watched her closely.
“Um, I guess because, um…actually I don’t know why.” She was lying. Reilly could tell by the way she averted her eyes. He took some pleasure in making her nervous. She continued fiddling with the ring on her finger and tapping her foot.
Taking pity on her, he turned the conversation to business. “Kim mentioned shelving, drawers and a sitting area.” Lacey smiled but it wasn’t the same smile he’d seen on her many times yesterday. It was a cool, professional smile.
That’s right. Keep it strictly business. Lacey started explaining the things they wanted and showing Reilly around the store. He took off his coat and put it on a nearby chair. Her gaze went from his arms to his chest and she almost tripped over the electrical cord running in one part of the room. He reached out and steadied her. As soon as he touched her, he didn’t want to let go. Damn. He wanted to pull her against him.
“Thanks. A bit clumsy today,” she croaked. Reilly removed his hands once she was steady on her feet. He pulled out a notepad from the inside pocket of his jacket and a pen and began make notes as she talked, determined to focus on work and not the how badly his body ached for her.
The space wasn’t overly large and they had envisioned a chic store, bright and warm to welcome their customers. They would be selling bras, panties, lingerie, sleepwear and swimwear.
The store had previously been set up as a clothing boutique so they already had a cash register area and fitting rooms. They needed wall shelving to display their goods as well as drawers below to hold the various sizes and colors. They’d also wanted some circular islands around the room.
Lastly, they wanted a cozy sitting area by the change rooms for friends or husbands to sit while someone was in a fitting room. Reilly took notes as she talked and interrupted her to ask questions.
“Did I mention we are in a rush? Our grand opening is scheduled in roughly three weeks. Can this even be done by then?”
“It’s going to be tight but I think I can make it happen.”
“Sorry, we left it so late. We thought we would just order cabinetry that might work but it looked cheap and didn’t fit with our vision. But of course, we need a quote first to see if custom work is in our budget. I know from the things in your home you do quality work and I’m sure shelving and the stuff we want is pretty boring compared to other customers’ needs.” She let out a stilted laugh. “I’m babbling again. Sorry.”
“Work is work, no matter what the customer wants and I’d be happy to help.” Reilly put his notepad down on the table. “I’m just going to take a bunch of measurements of the space and do some quick sketching of the room and a few ideas I have.”
Lacey nodded and went into the backroom. He watched her ass and long legs as she walked away. Once gone from view, he let out a sigh and pulled out his tape measure, intent on getting to work and forgetting about Lacey. She’d made it clear she wasn’t interested in more. But that was easier said than done as he heard her move around in the back.
He took measurements and made notes, jotting down ideas. Once completed, Reilly moved to join her in the backroom. As he rounded the corner, he knocked right into her.
“Oh shit,” Lacey gasped and put her hands up to steady herself. They ended up on his hips. Reilly had done the same and automatically put his hands on her shoulders. She stepped back and looked up at him. They stared at one another. A few loose tendrils of hair had come forward, partly obscuring her eye. His hand itched to tuck it behind her ear.
“I’m sorry,” she said breathlessly. Lacey licked her lips again. “Not for bumping into you. Well, I am sorry for that but mostly I’m sorry about yesterday and what a bitch I was talking about your job bartending and assuming you sleep with a lot of woman. I didn’t mean to be. Sometimes I can be patronizing and have my head up my ass.”
Reilly listened as she babbled again. Her green eyes shone with sincerity. “I accept your apology.”
“It’s just you make assumptions about a young good looking guy who works at a bar. I’ve been there. I see the way women throw themselves at you,” she continued. He wasn’t sure she’d even heard him. “People see what they want to see. And I guess I didn’t think…” her voice trailed off and she closed her mouth abruptly.
“Think what?”
Lacey lowered her eyes and stared at her hands, picking at invisible dirt or something around her fingernails.
“Lacey?” Reilly tilted her head up until their eyes met. “Didn’t think what?”
She frowned and tried to turn away but he kept his grip firm. “I didn’t think you could possibly be interested in me for more than just a one night thing. I figured you were a good looking young man looking for fun night with an older, experienced woman.” She rolled her eyes and smiled weakly. “You got the older part but not the experienced part.”
Reilly cupped her beautiful face in his hands intent on giving her an earful. But he’d rather show her. His lips descended on hers and he took her mouth hungrily, his tongue seeking entry. Lacey moaned and sank into his body, her hands dropping lower to the top of his jeans. He pulled her closer, craving the feel of her soft curves. His hands caressed her face as he kissed her. Everything about her was a trigger for him. Her scent, her lips, her tongue in his mouth. She cupped his ass and pressed herself against the hard length of his cock.
Hell, it was impossible to think straight with Lacey so tight against him. Reilly put some space between them. “You are beautiful and fucking sexy,” he nearly growled. “I don’t take women home after work for a good time as you say. I usually steer clear of stunning yet intoxicated women.” Her face turned crimson at the memory of how inebriated she was that night. “But you walked in and flashed those green eyes at me and I cou
ldn’t help myself. But it’s not something I normally do or who I am Lacey.”
She nodded. “I know that now and I’m sorry.”
“Do you not have any idea how sexy you are? Of your appeal? I watched you, too, and how many men eyed you. Like they wanted to devour you. Me included.” He ran his thumb over her bottom lip.
“I’ve never seen myself that way.” Her voice was soft and he barely heard her. “I’m usually the woman who gets guys because of her brains, not her beauty. Kim is the stunning one.”
Reilly shook his head and had to stop himself from shaking her. She had no idea. Sure, lots of men would like Kim’s blonde hair, blue-eyed, California girl look. But not him, and he knew for a fact many patrons at the bar agreed as they’d undressed her with their eyes. It had driven him nuts. She was curvy in all the right places and oozed sex appeal unknowingly. But her beauty was the striking contrast of her green eyes, dark wavy hair and pale skin. Her full lips and cute button nose were icing on the cake.
“You are sadly mistaken. Don’t get me wrong, I like your brains, too. But it’s wrapped up in a lovely package.” Reilly pulled her close again and kissed her. As soon as their lips made contact and her tongue tentatively touch his lips, he groaned again. His cock hardened even more if it were possible.
Lacey’s hands went up his T-shirt and traveled further up his back, pulling him closer till their bodies were plastered together, her full breasts pressed against his chest and his erection strained against her belly.
Fuck! Reilly wanted nothing more than to strip her naked and bury his cock in her sweet pussy again. Her fingertips explored his back and she moved against him, creating delicious friction against his rock-hard dick. A low growl escaped his throat as he pulled away.
Lacey stared at him with wide eyes, clouded with desire. It was obvious she wanted him as badly as he did her. It took all his control not to devour her lips again. But it wasn’t the right time or place. Reilly wanted more than her body. He touched a silky curl of her hair and watched as it wrapped around his finger. His gaze sought hers, a silent question burning. Did she want more than just sex?
