Anne Rainey - Touching Lace (11 page)

“Yeah, lesson two. You can tell me all about it in the bedroom.” Lacey tugged on his hand again and smiled up at him. He looked so sweet, so ravenous, as if he were drinking her in with his eyes. It was the ultimate temptation.

“No,” he said, attempting to sound stern. He failed miserably, because Lacey wasn’t buying it.

She was about to push a little more, but he placed his index finger to her lips and murmured, “We need to slow down a little, baby.”

She pouted, but Nick only closed his eyes. Darn it. She was getting nowhere fast. Lacey moved his finger and protested, “I don’t see why. Things are going pretty well

at this pace.”

Nick opened his eyes and stared at the woman before him. She was begging him for sex. What the hell was his problem? Easy. He wanted this to be about more than lessons. Regardless of what he’d told her, he knew if they went into the bedroom, it’d be wham, bam, and she’d be walking right out of his life. No fucking way.

“If we don’t slow down I’m going to come way before you ever get a hint of pleasure. I’ve waited too long for this already.” He watched her gaze flit down his body as if trying to see right through the fabric of his jeans. She was such an inferno of needs and wants right now, and that was as it should be, but Nick wanted more than Lacey’s body. He wanted an emotional intimacy with her and he couldn’t get that if he let her have her way.

Nick touched the tip of her nose and smiled. “First we get to know each other. That’s lesson two. Learning to appreciate the moment.”

Lacey rolled her eyes at him. “I
am appreciating the moment. Besides, we already
know each other.”

“Not in the way of lovers we don’t. We know each other as buddies. That’s not the same thing. Not by a long shot.”

She looked dubious. “Well yeah, that’s sort of what I was trying to do, get to know you as a lover.”

Touching Lace

Nick had no idea restraint could be so difficult. She was just so damned tempting. But he wouldn’t be a substitute for cookies. Right now that’s all it would be for Lacey. A way to drown her problems in a few blissful moments of sensual gratification.

He rubbed his hand over his face, trying to gather his fortitude. “Lacey, I want to spend time with you. I want to touch and cuddle. Ease into the moment, ya know?”

Lacey sighed. “It occurs to me that I am way out of my element with you, Nick. I don’t know what you want from me. Most men are perfectly content keeping it simple. First sex then get to know each other. I seem to be a virgin at real intimacy.” She let out a sigh, as if accepting the inevitable. “You win. What do you suggest?”

Thank you, God! If she had put up even one more protest Nick would have given in
and done things her way. He had a feeling that would be a huge mistake.

“While I desperately want to take you into the bedroom and make love to you all night long, in as many different ways as I can possibly imagine, I think we need to slow down. Just a little.”

Lacey seemed to relax and even grinned.

“It’s a mild, clear night outside. Feel like sitting on the porch with me?” He could see her nervousness still, so he softly added, “No expectations. Just me, you and the stars.”

“Lead the way, Casanova.” She thrust out her hand, appeared pleased when he took it and let him take her to the front porch. Right away Nick felt the connection between them growing stronger. She was more relaxed than he’d ever seen her. This would be nice, he decided. This is what she needed from a man. Not just wild and crazy sex, but a

real bond.

They would cuddle and talk about nothing in particular, and then when the time was right, they’d head back into the house and he would take her to his bed where she belonged.

Anne Rainey

Chapter Six

She was so embarrassed. Lacey couldn’t believe she’d actually fallen asleep. Never had she done something so rude. It was mortifying.

On a happy note, she’d had the best night’s sleep in a long time. But would Nick ever forgive her? The last thing she remembered was sitting on the porch swing with Nick making wishes under the stars. It had been comfortable. Right. Then she woke up in his bed, with her jeans and t-shirt still on, no shoes, tucked under the covers
.
Had Nick actually carried her to bed while she’d snoozed? She couldn’t believe she’d slept through something so wonderful.

“Life is so not fair,” Lacey grumbled as she rolled out of bed, hastily shed her clothes and hopped into Nick’s shower. She wanted to find him and apologize properly for being so terribly rude. With any luck, he’d give her another chance.

Ten minutes later, she stepped out of the shower and dried off using one of his oversized towels. She pressed her nose to the terrycloth and inhaled. Was it her imagination or could she really smell him? She slipped into a pair of jean shorts and a black crop top that she’d left at his place before then left the room. She didn’t bother to fix her hair; it would just have to dry naturally.

Moving down the hallway, she was caught by the sound of snoring. Nick always snored ridiculously loud. She looked toward the couch and there he lay, sprawled out. No shirt, no shoes, nothing but his jeans with the top button undone. Lord have mercy, the man had a fine looking chest and abs.

Tufts of soft, dark hair curled around each nipple and trailed a path downward over a taut stomach, only to disappear into the waistband of his jeans. His jaw was unshaven. If it were possible, he looked even more gorgeous. Sort of rougher around the edges. She had a moment to wonder what he’d look like with a mustache. Hmm, very handsome, probably. The man looked sinful no matter what.

Touching Lace

Lacey tiptoed over to the coffee table directly across from the couch and sat. She touched his jaw. He had such strong, masculine features. She traced one finger down his face to his collarbone and his chest. She had the overpowering urge to lick his nipples.

But her finger had a mind of its own as it continued to travel down his perfect body only to trace the button on his pants. Just as she started to reluctantly pull her hand away, Lacey heard a gravelly voice say, "Don’t stop now, I was just beginning to enjoy myself."

She thrust backward as if burned. "Uh, sorry. I was just, um, well, I was…" What could she say? Uh gee I was just molesting you in your sleep. No biggie.

“I was only trying to wake you.”

“I could really get use to that kind of wake up call.”

He had a lethal glint in his dark fathomless eyes. One she’d never seen before, and it prompted her into action. “Well, now that you’re up, I wanted to tell you how sorry I was for falling asleep on you last night. It was rude and unforgivable.” She started to get up, but his hand snaked out and grabbed her arm, holding her in place.

“You have no idea how up I am,” he growled. “And I never did get my good night kiss. You owe me, Lace, and now I’m collecting.” He pulled her off the table and on top of him then crushed his mouth to hers.

It was a hard, brutal kiss, not at all gentle. Nick was hot and insistent. Something inside of her responded to his primitive demand. She didn’t want it to end. Yet, at the same time, she needed it to stop..

His lips stayed hard against hers, and the feel of him beneath her had her losing reason. Lacey wanted him to take her. She wanted to please him. To do everything he wished and fulfill all his fantasies.

Last night, Nick had relished taking Lacey to bed, tucking her in and letting her dream deeply. This morning, he was beyond ready to get inside her tight body. Now was the time for him to get a taste of what had been out of his reach for far too long.

Anne Rainey

Nick wanted to seduce her into submitting to him. He could, and he knew it. He needed to take the lead. To show her how perfect it could be. How perfect he knew it would be, because everything about Lacey was perfect.

She was what a man desired in a woman. Soft, womanly curves, a sweet innocence that made him want to shelter and protect, and a hot, steamy inner passion just begging to be released. She was so ripe. Nick ached to pluck her from the vine that kept her chained and taste every juicy inch.

Lacey whimpered and went pliant in his arms. It was all the encouragement he needed. If Nick couldn’t have all of her today, right now then he’d at least take a sample. Something that would stick with him, tide him over until he could have it all.

He used his tongue to coax her lips apart, licking at the delicate skin until she finally surrendered. He entered the sweet cavern of her mouth and explored its wet heat. He moved his tongue in a rhythm akin to making love, going slowly in and out, building the pleasure by small measures. Suddenly, Lacey’s delicate hands were in his hair. She grabbed handfuls and pulled him closer still.

Nick took his mouth from hers. “Baby, I want you. I want to be buried inside of you until you scream my name. God, how I’ve fantasized about that.” He shut his eyes for a minute in an effort to gain control before opening them again. “But I’m not sure you’re ready.” When she started to protest, he hushed her by placing his index finger to her lips. “I will give you an appetizer.” No way was he going to leave her wanting.

Nick turned them so she lay against the couch, his body covering hers. He touched his tongue to her lips again, but this time it was just a bare whisper. Even so, Lacey whimpered again. The teasing little sound could be addicting.

He kissed each of her eyelids and trailed his lips along her cheeks, taking his time, drawing out the pleasure. If only it would last forever. Every time she blinked, every time she moved, he wanted her to think only of him and beg him for more.