Stringing Me Along (Peach Logic Book 1)

by Savanna Grey

  “Whoa! Man, put that thing away before you hurt someone.” Luke proclaimed as Dalton turned to face him sporting a blatant hardon.

  “You are a definite buzz kill. Right now, I don’t know whether to thank you or punch you.” He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

  “I’m not one to tell people what to do…very often…but if I were you, I’d be hightailing it upstairs right about now.” Luke lifted and pointed his bottle in the direction Lacey had run on in.

  “I’m not so sure that’s the best idea.”

  Luke looked at the front of Dalton’s swimming trucks and back up to his face.

  “Really?”

  “Would you stop looking at my dick?” he pushed off the counter, meaning to leave the kitchen.

  “Look, man. I’m sorry. Obviously, there is something going on here, so what’s preventing you from going after it? Lacey and you have always kind of had this connection. Why not see where it goes?”

  “Oh, it went. Just a little too far. Farther than I can go. That’s why I was going to end it before it went any further.”

  “You’ve lost me, bro.”

  “She told me she loved me.” His tone melancholy.

  “Ohhhhh. I see. She used the “L” word. How awful for you.”

  “It is. You don’t get it. The band is at the top of its game. We are on the round nine months out of the year. This industry isn’t conducive to having a relationship. They never work out. I knew that, but I caved anyway. Now look what’s happened. She left the band. She left me. I would have lost her either way. It was a no- win situation.”

  “Uh huh. So, what was going on in here, then if not something conducive?” Luke’s sarcasm wasn’t missed on Dalton’s ears.

  “Remind me again why I talk to you?” Dalton bumped into Luke’s shoulder as he passed by.

  “Hey, think hard before you throw that kind of gift away. She’s something special. You’re one lucky son-of-a-bitch. Just saying. You aren’t the only guy around that would want that. Michael’s taken notice, that’s for sure. Just saying.” Luke warned.

  Luke nodded, his mouth a thin line. “Noted. Do me a favor, huh? Tell Michael to stay away from Lacey. I’d really hate to have Aunt Pat plan a funeral right after her daughter’s wedding.”

  Chapter Ten

  “Jess, I don’t know about this.” Sara turned around trying to see the back of her dress, or more appropriately to see the lack of the back of her dress.

  “You might as well just go with it, Sara. She won’t take no for an answer. Take it from someone who’s been in that makeover chair. It can get ugly fast.” A hairbrush swished passed Lacey head.

  “Don’t fret, darlin. You’re next.” Jesse promised.

  “Oh, no you don’t. I can dress myself, thank you very much.” Lacey reassured her.

  “Sure, you can if you want to go out looking like you’re on a hamburger run. No. The town isn’t the only thing we will be painting up tonight, little girl, so sit your butt down in this chair right now.”

  “See what I mean? She’s really quite the bully once you get to know her.” Lacey smirked.

  “I do see it now, yes. I wonder if her fans have any idea what a diva she really is?” Sara joined in on the ribbing.

  “Oh, it’s all fun and games until you end up on the cover of some tabloid with no make-up and ugly clothes with a headline that reads “Band Member On the Run”. Trust me. You’ll thank me later.”

  Their fits of giggles continued through the makeover sessions. As much trouble as she gave Jesse about making her dress-up, she did enjoy it. She felt more feminine in the silky clothing and high heels. Her hair was sleek and had been flat-ironed. One side was pulled back away from her face, revealing her slim neckline. Sex appeal as Jess called it.

  The three of them stood in front of the floor length mirror, all smiles. Jesse was the first to speak.

  “We are so going to knock them dead, but we are missing a couple of things.”

  She went over to her suitcase and pulled out a small box. Inside was a tiara and sash. The sash was pearl white with gold lettering that said ‘Bride-To-Be’.

  “We can’t have a bachelorette party without these.” She placed the sash on Sara’s shoulder and situated the tiara. “Perfect. Now we are ready.”

  A knock on the bedroom door and her brother Danny hollering that the limo had arrived signaled to them it was time to go.

  “Ready or not, Full Throttle, here we come.”

  The three women exited the room and stood at the stop of the staircase. Together they descended. All conversation below halted as the room full of men watched.

  “Holy Hell, Jess has been at it again.” Luke was the first to speak.

  “I’m not sure its legal for them to go out looking like that.” Beau commented.

  “My sister definitely shouldn’t be going out two nights before her wedding dressed like that.” Danny was frowning. “My wife better not look like that.”

  “Relax, brother. We won’t do her makeover until we get to the club.” At his open-mouthed response, she kissed his cheek. “Relax and have fun for once in your life. It’s almost my wedding day.” Her smile lit up the room.

  Nate came forward and gently kissed her lips. “You look incredibly beautiful not to mention entirely too sexy. Should I be worried?” he teased.

  “Thank you, and no, of course not. I promise to mostly behave.” She stood on tip-toe and kissed him again.

  “We, on the other hand, are two ladies who have entirely no reason what-so-ever not to misbehave. Isn’t that right, Lacey?” Jesse prompted.

  Dalton hadn’t taken his eyes from her. She’d watched him the entire time she’d descended the staircase.

  “That’s right. No reason at all.” She walked to the coat closet to grab a light wrap to put over her bare shoulders. Even with the warm summer evening, you never knew what it would be like later.

  Dalton had followed. He took the wrap from her and placed it around her shoulders.

  “I’m afraid I have to disagree with your statement back there.” He whispered in her ear. “You left me with a VERY big reason earlier, but we’ll finish that conversation when you return.” He left her standing there, her entire body fizzing with electricity.

  Jesse was beside her a moment later. “Everything good?” her gaze penetrated.

  “Yes, all good. Let’s go paint something.” They laughed together as Sara joined them.

  “We’re off. Keep your phones close, boys…you know, just in case we need bail money.” Jesse blew the room a kiss as the ladies exited.

  Nate looked to Dalton and Beau. “She wasn’t serious, was she? I mean, she wouldn’t, would she? Just how crazy is she?”

  Dalton was still staring at the door. “They’ll be fine…mostly.” He turned to the group of men.

  “It’s time to get our own party started. Scooters awaits. Let’s roll.”

  ******

  “How can you not love all of this female attention? They are after you like a bee to honey. “Russell was in awe of the women flocking to Dalton and Beau.

  “I’m not going to lie. In the beginning, it was cool. Being recognized. People wanting your attention. Having women crawl all over you.” Dalton shared.

  “I’m not hearing anything I don’t like.” Michael joined in.

  “Sure. Sounds like a dream. Most of the time it is, but it also eliminates and privacy. Nothing you do or so isn’t public anymore. People want to be with you because of your status, not who you really are. They don’t know you. They know the brand. It’s all superficial. It’s easy to get caught up in it and lose a sense of reality.”

  “Or lose someone.” Luke added.

  Dalton’s death stare had no effect on him.

  “Maybe, but I’d take it as long as I could get it.” Michael touted.

  “Yeah. That’s what we said. Things change, or at least your attitude and perspective about the situation.” Beau shared his experience.r />
  The conversation steered toward the groom.

  “Here’s to Nate and Sara. The bastard doesn’t deserve her.” Luke raised his beer.

  “You’re never really going to forgive me for falling in love with her, are you?” Nate looked to Luke.

  “Nope. Never. I’m never leaving either, so I’ll be watching to make sure you treat her right along with three other guys.” Sara’s brothers chimed in.

  “You know she’s my world, right?” Nate asked the group. “I’ve been dying these last few months, afraid she’d change her mind. I was ready to carry her off to Vegas just so I could get the ring on her finger and make her mine. I love that woman more than anything.”

  “That’s the only reason you are still breathing.” Luke slapped him hard on the back. “And the fact that she’s just as crazy about you. I’d be a dead man myself if I did anything to her little snookums.”

  The rousing continued well into the night. The conversation circled back to the ladies. After several rounds and three hours later, the men determined they needed to go check-up on their ladies.

  A friend of Luke’s had volunteered to be their designated driver for the night. They piled into the SUV and headed over to the club where the ladies were.

  Music blared overhead and lights flashed in time as the men entered the club. It was dimly lit with purple lights illuminating the walkway through the tables to the bar.

  “This place is packed. Do you think we’ll have any trouble finding them?” Michael asked?

  A crowd of people were gathered around a table as a group of women were shouting, “Chug. Chug. Chug. Chug.”

  Lacey and Jesse were downing shots with a table full of other people, both men and women.

  “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.” Luke stated matter-of-factly. All eyes followed his stare.

  “Holy shit.”

  “I thought you said they wouldn’t get into trouble?” Nate’s tone was accusatory.

  “They don’t appear to be having any trouble whatsoever.” Dalton laughed as he had to admit he was surprised by the scene in front of them.

  “Come on. Somebody’s got to go in. “He took a step forward and paused when no one else moved.

  “Don’t be a bunch of pussies. Seriously?” He looked to Luke and Nate.

  Nate and Luke shared a look and admitted defeat. “Okay, but if she gets pissed because we are here, you made us come.” Nate complained.

  Jesse slammed her shot glass down on the table simultaneously with Lacey.

  “Yes! We won, Jess. We are the fireball queens. Who says I can’t hold my alcohol? Huh?” She made the mistake of standing up too quickly and the room started spinning. She tipped sideways and was caught by two strong hands.

  “Easy there. Looks like y’all are enjoying yourselves so far tonight. Can we convince you to take the party back to the Inn?”

  “Oh, look everybody. It’s Dalton Gentry. I told you I knew him.” Lacey smiled up at Dalton, her dreamy-glazed eyes meeting his. “What are you doing here? This is supposed to be a ladshees only night.” Her words slurred slightly

  “We missed the ladies, so we came to get them.” Nate answered as he gathered Sara to his side.

  “I, for one, am happy to see you.” She welcomed her fiancé with a passionate kiss, which was met with several hoots and hollers from the crowd.

  “Why do you have to get all sappy? Sure, it all starts off good, but it doesn’t stay that way, does it, D? We know that for a fact.”

  Dalton looked to Jesse, frowning.

  “I know. I know. She took my encouragement of painting the town a little too far. Believe it or not, she’s only had four shots.”

  “Why don’t we talk about how much fun you’ve had on the way home, huh? Let’s go.” She stumbled as he tried to lead her out. In frustration, he picked her up and carried her out of the bar.

  Sara’s brother, Danny had been another designated driver. He took Russell and Michael home. Luke thanked his friend and sent him on his way. The rest of them would ride in the limo back to the Inn.

  The seven of them crawled into the limo. Nate sat beside Sara, Jesse beside Luke and Beau while Dalton took the back bench and settled Lacey in his lap. His look was fierce.

  She snuggled up to him, her head laying on his chest. “I miss this.” She murmured clearly enough for him to hear her.

  His grip tightened.

  “You alright back there? Need me to take some weight off your hands?” Luke couldn’t resist.

  “Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to poke a bear?” Sara warned him.

  The returned to the Inn, and Dalton took Lacey inside. She was half asleep.

  “I’m going to carry her up to bed.”

  “D, I’ll follow you up and help her get ready for bed.” Jesse offered.

  “I’ve got it covered, Jess.” He turned to carry her up the stairs.

  “Dalton,” Jesse started to protest, but was cut off at the look of determination on his face.

  She raised her hands in surrender and watched him turn his back to the rest of them as he carried her up to her room.

  Inside her room, he laid her on the bed to remove her shoes. There wasn’t much else to remove, considering she was wearing one of Jesse’s little dresses. He pulled the covers down and picked her up, laying her down gently with her head on the pillow.

  “Dalton.” She was watching him.

  “I like the feel of your hands on me. Touch me.” Her request made his heart skip a beat.

  “Lace, it’s late. You’ve had too much to drink. I can’t.”

  She sat up and practically crawled to the edge of the bed where he stood. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she looked at him with needy eyes.

  “I want you to touch me, Dalton. Don’t you want to? I’m already wet for you. One touch of your hand on my skin and it makes me need you.”

  His cock twitched in his jeans at her words. Who was this women in his arms taking to him like this?

  “Lace, this isn’t you talking. It’s the alcohol. You don’t want to do anything you are going to regret in the morning. Now lay down and sleep it off. You’ll thank me later.”

  “I’m never going to be enough for you, am I?” she sank to the mattress, deflated.

  “Lace, you know that’s not…”

  “Just get out. Please.” She turned away from him and closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  Dalton turned the bedside lamp off and left her room. He closed the door and leaned up against it with his eyes closed.

  “Looks like that didn’t go to well.” Nate said when he spotted Dalton coming down the staircase.

  Luke handed him a whiskey. He donned it in one swallow.

  “I’ve had enough fun for tonight, gang. I’m turning in.”

  The guests all excused themselves, leaving Nate and Sara in the great room.

  She cuddled up next to him on the couch as the clock chimed midnight.

  “One more day, and I get to call you my wife.” Nate kissed her possessively.

  “How about you practice and make me yours tonight?” Sara giggled as Nate chased her to their bedroom.

  Chapter Eleven

  The clinking of champagne glasses filled the country club as family and friends toasted to Nate and Sara during the rehearsal dinner. Lacey took one sip of champagne and set the glass down. She didn’t care if she tasted alcohol again any time soon.

  “What’s the matter, Sweetie? Still feeling a little green?”

  “Ya know, Luke, most of the time I find you adorable, but tonight, not so much.”

  “Now, don’t go breaking my heart. We haven’t even danced yet. May I have this dance?”

  “Only because I like you, and I love this song, so yes.” Lacey stood as Luke pulled her chair out. He held his arm out for her to take and led her onto the dance floor. Several couples were already dancing.

  Luke surprised her with his lithe moves. He could get down with the best
of them. He dipped and turned her, breaking her melancholy mood.

  “That’s more like it.” She smiled up at him, grateful for his understanding.

  Jesse and Beau joined them on the dance floor. They shimmied and shook their way around all four corners of the floor. Sara and Nate were in their own world with the rest of them circling around them.

  “They are perfect for each other, aren’t they?” she said to Luke.

  “Unfortunately, I must admit I was wrong about the guy, and say, yes, they are. I guess fate knows what it’s doing.”

  “Maybe in this case anyway.”

  “I’d say in all cases. Sometimes it just takes us longer to catch up.”

  The music changed and the lights dimmed.

  “Mind if I cut in?” Luke stopped dancing and looked from Dalton back to Lacey.

  “That’s up to the lady to decide.” He looked to Lacey for confirmation.

  She nodded her head in affirmation, and Dalton stepped in.

  His arm circled her waist, pulling her in closely. He intertwined their other hands and began moving slowly across the dance floor. The soft, fluid notes of the love song surrounded them. Neither spoke. They just danced. Her head rested on his chest with his chin rested on top of her head.

  Her hands slipped inside his suit jacket, locking around his back. The feel of his button-down dress shirt was cool to the touch. She could feel the warmth of his body heat through the silk.

  A second slow song followed. They never stopped dancing. He held her even closer than she thought possible while standing. He extended her out into a dip and held her there. Lacey thought he was going to kiss her, but in the end, he did not. He made love to her with his eyes only.

  The song ended. Lacey took a step back and cleared her throat. “That was lovely, Dalton. Thank you.”

  She excused herself and ran off to the ladies’ room. Luckily, it was empty save for her. She supported herself with both hands leaning on the bathroom sink counter. Staring into the mirror, she saw a love-crazed fool looking back at her. She had to stay away from him. It was the only way to get over him, but how did one get over the man you love especially if distance made the heart grow fonder? She was doomed.