Touching Lace (Vaughn)

“Are all men so obtuse?” She didn’t bother to let him answer. “Do you really think Candice can’t get just as dirty as the next girl?”

“Shit. I’d rather not think about it.”

“I’ll just bet. Because every time you do, you have to take a cold shower. Am I right?” She laughed at his groan., “Yeah, well, never mind that. Just think of this. If you don’t get up c

lose and personal with her, that leaves the field open for other guys. Is that what you want?”

The startled sound he made let Lacey know the thought hadn’t even occurred to him. “Fuck that,” Blade growled.

“Exactly,” Lacey said cheerfully. “So, get a pencil and paper and I’ll give you her phone number then you can call her and ask if she wants to go out.”

“You know her number?”

“Yep. As you already know, she’s a client.” And a good one, Lacey thought with pride. Candice was adamant about staying in shape and keeping her body healthy. She only wished all her clients were so vigilant.

“What’s the number?” he muttered.

Lacey rattled it off, said a bit of this and that then hung up. Blade was on his own now. She’d done what she could. It was time she got back to Nick and his lessons.

Lacey only hoped she could keep Nick from inadvertently mashing her heart to bits.

Chapter Eight

When Lacey walked into the kitchen her intention was to continue Nick’s lessons, but she came to a screeching halt when she saw him mixing something in a bowl and singing along to a rock song about long-legged women. He was naked above the waist and wore only the jeans he’d had on earlier. He was barefoot. Lacey found the sight wildly sexy.

He was making breakfast. For her. Geez, first he carried her to bed, now he was making breakfast. What would he do next?

Quietly, she moved up behind him, slid her arms around his waist and whispered, “Can I help?”

Nick dropped the spoon and mixing bowl and spun around. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped and stared.

Lacey cocked her head to the side. “What?”

Nick bent low, took her face in his hands and pressed his warm lips against hers. Lacey forgot whatever it was she’d asked him. When he once again towered above her, he was smiling and his eyes were dark with arousal. “You make me crazy, do you know that?”

His arms went around her waist and his hands skimmed over her bottom. “Good crazy or bad crazy?” she managed to get out.

“Good crazy, baby.” He dipped his head again and kissed the side of her neck, suckling at her throat and making her insane with need. His body, hard and chiseled to perfection, pressed up against her.

“Well, that’s good then,” Lacey sighed.

Nick grunted as he continued licking at her jumpy pulse. Lacey let her hands travel the expanse of his naked back, down to his waist and beyond until she was fairly clutching at his jean-clad buttocks. He was so firm and solid under her fingertips. She’d gotten to taste and touch just a little bit ago and she was still so impatient to see him in the flesh. No clothes in the way of her perusal this time. If this was all she was to have of him, she was determined to make the most of it.

When Nick arched into her pelvis, she felt the long length of his cock. “I want you. I want you to make love to me, Nick.”

The vibration of his moan fueled her libido. He moved his mouth farther down to her neckline and kissed her oversensitive skin. Lacey wanted to make him understand just how badly she wanted him.

“I want you inside of me,” she begged shamelessly. “Every hard inch of you. Please, Nick.”

Nick lifted his head away and stared at her. She wondered if he could see the raw, uncontrolled desire on her face. She’d used the term “make love”, not “have sex”. She worried now that she’d gone too far.

“I want you, too, Lace.” She lit up with eager delight, thankful he wasn’t bolting. “But, for me this isn’t a one shot deal, baby. I want more than just this once with you. Understood?”

Uh-oh. He was moving too fast, and Lacey so badly wanted to run. She didn’t know how he felt about her. Whether he was just scratching an itch or if there was more behind his statement. She was all too aware of her own feelings, however. She’d gone this far, she may as well put another chunk of her heart on the line.

“What are you saying?” It was imperative he be clear. Lacey needed to know she wasn’t reading too much into his words.

He cupped her face in his hands and held her still. “I’m saying you belong to me after this.” His deep voice was rough with the heat of his emotion. “I’m through watching you with other men. It’s nearly driven me insane. If you have a problem with that, say so now.”