The Enforcer (11 page)

Jody knocked on the door but no one came. He could hear them yelling inside so he tried the knob. Letting himself in, he looked around and took in the scene from the black leather to the chrome accents that where present throughout the place. Jody walked across the warm red granite floors into the kitchen. The kitchen was as modern as the rest of the place with dark wood cabinets, black granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Jody helped himself to a Molson from the beer fridge.

Yelling over the din, Jody called out, “Hey guys. You know the Blackhawks win this, right?” Amid many groans, Jody found himself ducking popcorn and chips. Vlad, being Vlad, immediately got up to sweep them up. Pushing Vlad back toward the couch, Jody said, “Hey, relax man, I’ll get it.” Vlad was a bit of a neat freak. He even made the guys use coasters on the coffee table … that had a
granite
top. The condensation that pooled at the bottom of a glass or beer bottle drove Vlad batty. Goalies were definitely a different breed.

“Nah, I’ll get it, Chief. Sit down. I need to get the wings out of the oven anyway.” Another reason that Vlad was the perfect host – he cooked. And the man could cook like a pro. He’d make a great wife.

Jody wasn’t much into the replay of the game so he followed Vlad into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. “Want a hand?”

Chuckling, Vlad said, “What? You don’t want to watch the Philly boys lose again?” Most of the other teams tended to not like the Flyers much, but Jody, being an enforcer, liked the way they played the game. The Flyers had a ton of talent, but they also had that rough edge that he always played with. He was happy to be in San Diego, but he’d love to play for them someday. “Nope, I really don’t.”

Vlad set to work chopping up celery and getting out bowls for blue cheese dressing, while he let the wings cool a bit. “So what’s up with you and Lacey? Did you see her today?” Jody told him about the Steven situation, but left out the part about almost getting in her pants on the deck. Best friend or not, he’d keep that to himself.

“She agreed to go to the team skating party with me. And the best part? She can’t skate, so I’m going to be teaching her, starting Wednesday.” Just thinking about getting his hands on her again made him smile.

Jody stayed long enough to beat Vlad in a game of pool and then went home. He sat on his deck, nursing one last Molson while deciding if he should check up on Lace. He wanted to but he didn’t want her to get sick of him too soon. She wasn’t the type that wanted to be smothered. In the end, he had to. Sleep would never come if he didn’t know she was okay.

Jody: Hey Lace, you around?

Lacey: Hi Jody. I’m here, sitting on the deck, listening to the ocean.

Jody: So am I. I just wanted to check in on you. Are you feeling okay after your confrontation with Steven?

Lacey: Yeah, I am. I hope that’s the last I see or hear from him. I’m sorry you got involved.

Jody: I’m not. He needs to know that you’re not alone out here.

Lacey: I guess. I’m just used to taking care of myself, and I don’t plan on changing that Jody.

Jody: I hear you loud and clear. I’m still going to worry about you though. :)

Lacey: Haha. I guess I can’t stop you from doing that.

Jody: No, you can’t. I’ll let you get some sleep. I’m glad you’re feeling okay and I’m glad I was there today.

Lacey: Thanks Jody. Goodnight.

Jody: One more thing …

Lacey: Yes?

Jody: I want you to know that I’ll be thinking about you and me on the deck tonight. You are what men’s dreams are made of Lace.

Lacey: Wow, um, thank you. You weren’t so bad yourself. Those lips of yours …

Jody: Glad you like them. You may use them at any time. Oh wait, I do have one more thing.

Lacey: Yes?

Jody: What’re you wearing? ;)

That question seemed to be the way Jody always ended conversations with her, and it made her laugh. She’d play along.

Lacey: Well, I just got out of the shower so I’m still a little wet. I didn’t want to put on any clothes on, but I do have my robe tied loosely around me. It’s gaping a bit though.

Jody: So, once again, no panties. Great, perfect, that’s all the visual I need. Nite Lace, I gotta go. :)

Lacey: Nite Jody.

She seriously loved Jody’s texts. They made her smile but also made her a little hot at the same time.

After formulating plans on how to seduce Lacey without turning into Mr. Cave Man again, and thinking about how close he had come to getting her naked, he decided to call it a night. But before he could sleep, he’d have to relieve himself of his Lacey inspired hard-on or get a cold shower. Thinking about Lacey won out.

The next morning, Lacey woke up with a smile on her face. Steven was gone forever (she hoped), and Jody was still interested. She wasn’t sure which she was happier about. Okay, she’d have to go with Jody. He was so playful and carefree, but he also had a rough streak that she found alluring. She liked her men a little rough around the edges. No suit and tie guy for her. He was undoubtedly an alpha male.

Throwing back the covers, Lacey got up and did a little happy dance. That was the last night she’d spend sleeping on the floor. Her furniture was due to arrive around noon. No more nights spent tossing and turning. How thankful her back would be. Not living out of a suitcase would be an added bonus too.

Lacey was shocked to see the clock read almost nine. She never slept that late. What a treat; must have been all the drama from the night before. When she hit the sheets last night, she went out like a light. She woke up briefly thinking she was dreaming about Jody, but when she tried to recall it, she couldn’t. Bummer.

After showering and using her Coconut Lime soap, she dressed in some old cut off jean shorts and a white tank top. Lacey went downstairs to grab some breakfast. As soon as she walked into the kitchen, she could smell the roses that Zoe had thrown in the trash can. That would
not
do. Lacey shoved her feet into a pair of flip flops and made her way outside to take the trash out. As soon as she opened the door, she felt the sun on her face. As a breeze blew by bringing the tangy scent of the ocean with it, she opened her arms wide and thought about how lucky she was to live in such a place.

“Why are you standing there holding a trash bag with the door open?” Zoe had just come out of her office to grab a cup of coffee. She sniffed a couple of times and said, “Oh, the roses. Good idea. We surely don’t need any reminders of that nut case.”

“It’s a gorgeous day. Do you have a lot of work to do?” Zoe smiled, taking a sip of her coffee and said, “Nope.”

“You want to go shopping with me after my furniture is delivered? My Maine clothes aren’t going to cut it here. I can’t imagine I’m going to need my thermal underwear or half the sweaters that I have. I should have donated them before I left.” Lacey also thought she might get some new clothes for her ice skating lessons. A girl can never have too many clothes, right? Maybe she’d buy a nice pair of low riding, snug jeans and a form fitting top?
I wonder what Jody’s favorite color is?

“Hello! Snap out of it Lacey.” Zoe knew exactly what (or more accurately, who) Lacey was thinking about. She got a sappy look on her face whenever she thought of/talked about/groped Jody LaGrange. “Absolutely, let’s go shopping. I need some new shoes anyway.”

The moving van was, of course, late. They didn’t show up until 2:30 and Lacey had to admit, she was more than a bit displeased. There was just no such thing as good customer service anymore. Reining in her temper, she went out to the truck to give them instructions of where to put everything.

As soon as she pointed to the stairs and told them that it was up two flights, they informed her that they only dropped it off at the door. “What? How can that be? I’m supposed to carry it up? There is no way I can do that. What kind of company are you?”

“We’re the kind of company that drives a truck from point A to point B. It’s in your contract agreement.” Seeing Lacey’s crestfallen face, they guy said, “Look lady. I’m sorry, but I can’t take it up there. My back’s been acting up, and it’s hard enough for us just to get it off the truck. Beds and dressers are not light furniture. Isn’t there someone you can call to help you?”

Zoe heard them talking and came out. “What’s up Lacey?” Lacey told her about the problem. “Well, just put it by the door and we’ll figure it out.” She figured they could just take it in piece by piece. The bed was mostly apart anyway. It was the massive headboard that would be the main issue.

As Lacey and Zoe stood and let the guys put her furniture by the door, Lacey’s phone beeped with a new text.

Jody: Hey Lace. Just got done practicing with some of the guys. Any interest in some pizza or something?

Lacey: No can do. Zoe and I are trying to move my furniture in.

Jody: Shouldn’t you let the movers do that?

Lacey: Apparently they only drop it at the door. We’ll be fine … I think.

Jody: I know you hate it when I go all “Neanderthal,” but how about you don’t touch it, and Vlad and I come carry it up for you?

Lacey: This one time, I won’t argue, because I honestly don’t know if we could get my headboard up there.

Jody: We’ll be over in about 30 minutes. Just out of curiosity … did you already take some of the furniture up all those stairs?

Lacey: No, why?

Jody: Just wondering if you’re all sweaty … maybe you stripped down to a skimpy tank top to beat the heat?

Lacey: Guess you’ll find out when you get here :)

Jody: Be there in 10 minutes.

Lacey: I thought you said 30.

Jody: That was before I thought about you wearing a skimpy tank top and short shorts.

Lacey: I didn’t say anything about short shorts.

Jody: No? Huh…

With her phone back in her pocket, Lacey turned to Zoe to give her the good news. “We’re saved! Jody and Vlad are coming over to carry my furniture up for us.” Zoe gave her a peculiar look and said, “Vlad’s coming, too?” Lacey tilted her head to the side and frowned at Zoe. “Yeah, why? Is there a problem with Vlad?” Zoe sighed and told her that there was some tension between them. Of the sexual nature and maybe more. Sometimes those ‘no dating clients’ rules seriously sucked. The devil in Zoe said that rules were made to be broken, but her rational part knew better. “I don’t want to talk about it, okay? I know I can’t go there.”

Well, well, well … Zoe’s actually falling for someone?
Zoe was the consummate playgirl. That’s not saying she was easy or had loose morals or anything; she just liked to play the field a bit. She wasn’t (or so she said) the ‘settling down’ type. This could be interesting, indeed, but probably not in a good way. Rules were rules.