“Batteries? Should I ask?”
“No, and I think we’ve gotten off track here.” Lacy said as she turned her attention back to the runway.
Jamison stepped up behind her, brushing her hair off her shoulder, she shivered under his touch and he knew what he wanted, her, and not just for tonight. He lowered his head and kissed the nape of her neck. She leaned back against him and her hands reached for his, entwining them as one. He kissed a trail across her shoulder up to her ear. She moaned, releasing his hands. She turned, and he cupped her face. He lowered his head and stroked his tongue over her lips. They trembled, and he reclaimed her lips, crushing her to him. She stilled in is arms and pulled back. Her weary eyes glanced up at him.
“Jamison” She licked her lips and his tongue ached to follow but she pushed back from his grasp.
“Why me?” Her voice was quiet.
“It’s always been you.” He spoke the truth, laying it out there for her.
“But with our past I always lose.” She dropped her head and he lifted her chin, looking into her tear-filled eyes.
“You’ll break my heart, you always do. Your Mother, or someone else will show up and I will be left alone again.” Her head turned, and she wiped the lone tear away with the back of her hand.
“Lacy, look at me.” She hesitated, but slowly turned.
“I can’t fight it anymore. You’re everywhere I look. You haunt my dreams. Please don’t go. I won’t survive if you walk away again.” She stepped forward and the kiss took him by surprise. Filled with emotion, demanding, hungry. He gripped her long hair in his hands and her arms entwined around his neck. He deepened the kiss and backed her up until her legs met the couch. He broke free and trailed kisses across her cheek to her neck.
“I want you, but not unless you’re sure. This won’t be like last time. I want to see you, touch you.”
“Then stop talking.” She giggled as she lifted the sweater over her head. His eyes burned as they traced a line from her beautiful face to the breasts that he ached to touch. She reached for his belt and tugged it free, releasing the button and lowering the zipper. She tugged at the material pulling it over his hips and they fell to the floor. He stepped free and jerked her close.
“I believe you’re overdressed.” He said.
She reached behind, unhooked her bra and it fell, landing on top of his pants. “Now it’s your turn.”
“I would rather help you.” He slipped his fingers into the top of her leggings and slid them over her his. She lifted her legs, pulling them over her feet. He stepped back and reached into the elastic band of her pink thong, snapping it against her hip. “I do believe these are mine.” Her face reddened, and he slid the panties down, dropping to her ankles. He gently eased her down and she stretched out on the couch. Her body was beautiful, he dropped to his knees and his hand slid down her stomach to the mound of her hips.
She patted the couch beside her. “Come here, I made room.”
“Oh, I will. I just want to do something first.” He bent forward. His lips brushed over her nipples, she shivered beneath him and the warmth of her flesh raged through his veins. He kissed a path across her abdomen, over her hip. He slid his hand under her back and pulled her towards him. He cupped her ass, lifted her and buried his tongue deep inside her. She arched forward, pleading, pulling at his hair. Jamison nipped and sucked as she tightened and exploded around him. She screamed out and he sucked until she fell back. He slid his hands up, tugging at her swollen nipples. She wiggled beneath him and he knew she wanted more, and he was ready to give.
“I need you inside me.” She pleaded as he lowered his body over hers. Sheathed he gripped her hips, pulling her closer as he nudged his broad head against her slick entrance. He pressed in, stretching her Sending riveting pleasure coursing through him. He pushed in deeper and she moaned, arching into him.
“More, please.” She commanded as she thrust forward. His eyes saw stars as she rode him hard. He pulled back and she tightened around him. He groaned and thrusts forward. Sending waves of ecstasy through him. Lacy wrapped her legs around him and pulled him in, squeezing around his shaft as he exploded inside her. He shuddered in her arms and dropped down in top of her.
Their breathing was ragged, and her sweet smell surrounded them. He lowered his mouth to hers and sealed their future with a kiss that was both warm, and sweet, yet laced with a flame that lit the path to their bright future.
11
Lacy rolled on her side and reached for the blanket. It was thin, and she was cold. She opened her eyes and sat up. Oh shit. What time was it.
“Hey, come back here.” She wanted to go to that sleepy voice, but she searched the floor for her phone. She grabbed it when footsteps pounded outside the door.
“Hurry. Get up, someone’s here.” Lacy scrambled for her clothes, throwing Jamison’s at him.
“Jamison it’s after eight. What have we done?”
Jamison grabbed her arms and pulled her tight to him. “Relax. We didn’t do anything wrong. Just bad judgement not to set an alarm. I’ll keep everyone out while you get cleaned up.
“Are you kidding I can’t stay here, not now. I’m not dressed, or ready for the crowd that’s coming.”
He opened his mouth when there was a rap on the door. “Jamison? Is that you? I heard your voice. What are you doing?” His Mothers raspy voice filtered through the door.
“I thought she wasn’t supposed to be here unto ten?” Lacy whispered.
Jamison placed his finger to his lips, quieting her. He cleared his throat and buttoned his shirt. “Yes Mother, It’s me. I came in early to get some things set up. Why are you here.”
“Can you open the door, I don’t want to have a conversation with a door between us.”
“I can’t. I’m elbow deep in paint. You wanted some mock pictures of the runway and I’m putting
the finishing touches on them. I’ll be right out.”
“Fine, Hurry up.” His mother beckoned. He knew his time was limited.
“And why are you here. The meetings not for a couple hours.” He shoved his arms in his jacket
and kissed Lacy on the tip of her nose. She stuck out her tongue and tossed him his tie.
“I told you our meeting was at ten, but the announcement will be at nine. So un-lock the door. People are arriving.”
Lacy gasped and looked down at her blue sweater, and black leggings. Not the outfit she had intended on for pitching to the top designers in New York. She ripped her boot off the floor and plopped onto the chair. Anger filled her as his mother once again was able to destroy her dreams before she had a chance to achieve them.
“I’ll be in the boardroom. Be there in the next ten minutes, Son.” Her footsteps faded, and Jamison lifted Lacy up. He kissed her lightly. “I have a plan. We don’t have a lot of time so there’s little room for argument.”
“A plan for what? She won, again. I don’t’ have time to go home and change, and I can’t pitch my ideas looking like this. I don’t even have any make-up or a hair brush. Just let me go. I want to go home.”
“No, I need you here for this. Now I’ll go find Maria. She must have some of the stuff you need in that suitcase she carries. And don’t worry about a change of clothes. I want you to put on the dress.”
Her eyes widened. How? It’s just tacked together in places. And the size is all wrong. Is he crazy?
“I see the doubt in those eyes and it will fit, and work. Now here’s my idea. We are to do the broad cast in the boardroom. I’m going to move it in here. Put the dress on and go stand by the red-carpet drawing. Next to the man proposing. You are going to sell your idea, by being your idea.”
She shook her head, wanting to argue, but she really had no choice. And she wanted a chance to show the designers what she was capable of. “Okay, just send Maria in here, and do it fast. I don’t have much time to pull this off.”
Lacy locked the door behind him and waited for the clicking of the five in
ch stilettoes across the wooden floor.
“Lacy, let me in. Your boy toy said you needed help.” Lacy whipped open the door and pulled her friend in.
“Isn’t that what you had on yesterday?” Lacy nodded and Maria’s eyes popped.
“You never went home. Well good for you. I hope you now see real men beat batteries any day.”
“Maria, I don’t need remarks on my sex life. I need help. Do you have anything in that bag that will make this hair and face look like a million-dollar designer?”
“Oh, Sugar, No one does, but I can make you look drop dead gorgeous.”
They laughed as Maria fixed her hair and touched up her make-up. The noise in the hall got louder. It sounded like the whole town was walking past.
“We need to hurry. Help me get this dress on and be careful.” Lacy lifted her arms up and Maria dropped the smooth silk over her head. It drifted down, and she turned towards the mirror as Maria laced up the back. Her eyes filled with tears as the beads sparkled in the light. She turned, and Maria took her hands, lifting them, twirling her around.
“Oh, Lacy, If I didn’t know this was just a show I would swear it was your big day because right now you look like a beautiful blushing bride.”
“I feel amazing. The dress is light, I can move without restrictions and the train falls in a perfect moon behind me. Maria, they have to love this.”
“They will, now move over to the wall and get in position. I have a feeling it’s almost show time.”
Lacy moved to the corner, standing in front of the proposing man Jamison drew on the wall. Her heart raced as footsteps, and voices got louder.
“I’m going to un lock the door. Get ready and don’t worry. Jamison’s plan is fool proof.”
“Plan? What Plan? Maria?”
“Hush Lacy, you’ll understand soon.” Maria smiled a devious smile and opened the door.
“If you will all follow me I have something I think you will enjoy.” Jamison moved to the side as the TV crew moved in, getting into position at the end of the room. The Mayor, followed by many well-groomed men entered next. Jamison looked over to Lacy who stood in the corner, acknowledging those around her. His eyes met hers and he winked. She put her intentions back to the admirers of her dress. The next to enter were Markus and Davis. The ones who believed they were getting the big contracts. Then representatives from Appleton and Masters, along with his Mother. He stood firm as she stepped in, then she stopped. Her eyes darted from Lacy, to him and her anger was visible, but not to anyone but him.
“Hello gentleman, Mother. Please come in. I think everyone is here so let’s get started.”
“Dear, can I speak to you?” His mother asked.
“Can this wait a moment.” The designers crossed in front of him, heading right for Lacy. He smiled knowing this was what she deserved.
His Mother stepped up close and leaned in towards him. “What is she doing here? I fired her, and don’t remember inviting her here. I’m going to distract those two while you get rid of her.”
“No, Mother. I will not. She is part of today’s announcement. So, sit back and don’t make a scene.”
Jamison stepped up to the front and waved for the crew to set up. “If everyone will follow me I will explain as we go. If you can look over to the far-right hand wall you will see the red carpet. The back wall will have the advertising logos surrounded by models advertising a design from each firm. The wall will be decorated with silk, lace and other wedding attires. Now if I can get you to focus your attention on the left corner. This is a mockup of the interview pod. As you can see it follows the theme of old, new borrowed and blue. What are your thoughts?”
His Mother stepped up and he cringed as she opened her mouth. “I’m sure I can speak for most of us by saying that the drawings are a rough design. One that the marketers, I have chosen, can work.” Jamison stifled a laugh as she moved next to Markus and David. “Now if everyone will follow me we can move into the boardroom and review the contracts, then seal this deal.”
Grayson, the representative from Appleton lifted the train on the dress, asking Lacy a question, completely ignoring his mother’s request to move on. “I like the back wall, and this exquisite dress. I remember it. You were the young lady who won my first contest. I wanted this design then.”
Jamison smiled when Lacy’s face lit up. He was hoping they would remember.
“Lacy, is it? This is exquisite, and the bead work is meticulous. I love how you were able to angle them allowing the light to enhance the blue tint. Jared, what do you think?” asked Grayson.
“I love it. Does it come with the contract? Asked Jared.
“No. The dress is a design owned by Lacy.” Jamison said as he smiled upon the girl of his dreams.
“But I would be open to a discussion.” Lacy exclaimed happily.
“Perfect, let’s work out the deal after this.” Said Grayson as they focused back on the drawings. “I also think the red-carpet will be perfect”
“I agree, this set up is amazing. The man proposing is brilliant. I am going to enjoy working with you, Jamison. Who have you assigned to market these ideas?” Jared, the rep from Master’s asked.
“He hasn’t. I decided to handle that myself.” His mother stated, but the puzzled look on the designer’s face confused her and she tilted her head, glancing up to Jamison.
“I haven’t had a chance to fill my mother in on all the details, but you are looking at one of them. Lacy will take the lead and Maria will assist her.”
“What?” Markus yelled. “I thought I was to lead.”
“Yes, Son. I believe we’re confused. Maybe you should let the group in on your plans.”
“I do to. Mother, I had a meeting with Grayson and Jared last week. I told them that Michaels Marketing had decided to branch out into a design firm. One that I would own and operate. I told them that this project made more sense to come out of my firm. They agreed, and we drew up the contracts.”
Jamison beamed with pride as his mother fumed behind her painted-on smile. “I knew that would be a good fit and the Michaels firm is always looking for new ventures to broaden our horizons. I am glad you two like our ideas.”
He knew she hated spewing out those words. And now for something else that will make her see red, “You can see we have incorporated everything that was traditional with a wedding. But we are missing one aspect. The ring.” He moved over to the corner, in front of Lacy. Her smile lit up her face. He took her hand. “I signed the contract, but it’s not complete. It needs one more signature. I know Maria, and Lacy will give you a killer plan, with designs that will make every bride rush to your stores to purchase their one and only dress. But I also had a few ring designs. I felt that during the show we could advertise the jewelry you endorse also. I chose one myself and would like to show you what I had in mind.”
He positioned Lacy in front of the display and then knelt in front of her. “Now, we can advertise a contest, getting men who plan on proposing an opportunity to do it during the fashion show. If we get enough interest, we can do one an hour. I was thinking they would set up here, surprise the woman with a proposal of their dreams. One that would go just like this.” He took Lacy’s hand in his and looked up into her bright face. “Lacy Henson, I first fell in love with you in high school, and spent many years looking for you, knowing that once I found you I would spend my every living minute making you mine.” He pulled a black leather box out of his [pocket. “This box is from Johnson’s. One of your associated stores. I had this ring ordered. As you can see it is a heart shaped diamond, embedded in a gold lace pattern band. I had them make it from a drawing I did. We can utilize this and market their ability to make a ring out of any design.” He turned back towards Lacy and glanced up into her tear stained eyes.
“That ring is beautiful.” Lacy said.
“Well that’s a good thing since I had it made for you.” He inched forward, kissing the back of her hand. “Lacy Henson, will you agree to
be my wife, marry me, be my partner in this new venture?”
She stood frozen, tears streaming down her face as she swiftly nodded her head.
Jamison slipped the ring on her finger and stood.
“That was a great show, and I think the audience will enjoy it. Now let’s go in the board room and celebrate my sons new venture. Lacy, take that ring off and put it back in the box, I’m sure Jamison will need to get it back to the store.”
Lacy opened her mouth to say something when Jamison kissed her. “Mother, this is her ring, I just proposed. And for all of you that thought it was a show, it wasn’t, it was real, and she said yes.
The group clapped and congratulated them as his Mother stepped forward.
“I’m happy for you son” She pulled him into an emotionless hug. “And welcome to the family, Lacy.” She chocked on the last few words and stepped back. He laughed as he pulled his soon to be wife into his arms. “Are you glad you stayed?”
She slapped his arm and her face lit up as her smile widened. “I’m happy because all my dreams are coming true, thanks to you. My soon to be husband, future partner and love of my life, forever.
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The End
About the Author
Lynda Kaye Frazier spends her days working for a group of Cardiologists doing ultrasounds, then each evening she’s in front of her computer, working on her next story. She grew up in Pennsylvania, but now lives in Arkansas where she enjoys the four seasons without a long, cold winter. She has five children, and four grandchildren She’s an avid reader of anything but horror stories. Other than spending time with her family, her favorite things to do are writing, reading, listening to music, and going to the beach. Surf, sand and a good book-her stress relief.
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