Bidding War (14 page)

She opened her eyes, glaring at him. He seemed to be getting too much pleasure out of tormenting her, holding the promise of that elusive orgasm just beyond her reach.

“You know the one with the water gun and the bull’s eye?”

She would get him back for this later. Maybe she’d suck his cock until he was on the verge of coming and then leave him high and dry. She returned his wicked grin. “Just remember, paybacks are a bitch, Stafford.”

He laughed, spraying her in the face with his weapon. “Just remember, I have a weapon, and I’m not afraid to use it, pretty lady.”

She coughed and sputtered, blinking the water out of her eyes as she cursed his name. “I am so going to get you for that, you…” The threat faded away as he zeroed the water in on her clit. She gasped at the sudden blast of sensation. “Oh my God…” There were no words, it was too intense. She shifted, torn between moving closer or further away.

“Don’t move,” he warned.

She opened her eyes and found his gaze locked on her. He looked so dangerous, so intense. It turned her on, big time.

“Do you like the way that feels?” he asked, shifting it slightly so his hand was moving in a circular motion.

“I don’t know,” she whispered, closing her eyes as she leaned her head against the cool tile wall.

“Just get lost in it,” he said. “Nothing else exists, just that sensation of the water pulsing against your clit, taking you higher, closer…”

His words were hypnotic, and she felt herself falling under the power of his erotic spell where suddenly nothing else existed. Just the peak she was climbing, the sensations rioting around in her body, the pounding in her chest, her head, between her legs. Her legs were trembling, her pussy was clenching, and suddenly she was crying out as her whole body started pulsating with the force of her orgasm.

“That’s it,” he whispered. “Just give in to it, baby. Let yourself go. I’ve got you.”

She was vaguely aware of him securing the hand-held unit to the wall as her body began to descend the slope.

He knelt down in front of her, brushing his palm across her cheek. “You think you’re ready to get out?”

Her legs felt weak, shaky. She didn’t trust them to support her weight just yet. “Give me a minute,” she muttered, trying to focus on her erratic breathing.

“Take all the time you need,” he said. “I’m going to grab us a couple of towels. Just give me a second.”

She wasn’t so out of it that she couldn’t appreciate her unobstructed view of his incredible ass as he stepped out of the shower. The man could be an underwear model, gracing the pages of international magazines. Why he chose to waste his days on construction sites was beyond her, but she was glad he did. The thought of thousands of women ogling her man didn’t sit well.
Her man.
She smiled, loving the way that sounded.

He chuckled as he stepped back into the shower with an oversized towel. “What’s that Cheshire Cat grin about, sexy?” He pulled her to her feet before wrapping the towel around her shoulders.

Dare she tell him the truth? “I was just thinking about how happy I am that you’re mine.”

He paused, his lips hovering just above hers and she realized he seemed stunned. Okay, maybe full disclosure wasn’t the best policy. When a full minute passed, she was officially mortified. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”

He held the back of her head as he stared into her eyes. “I just realized that’s all I’ve ever wanted. Jesus, I’ve always hated jealous, possessive women…”

She blanched when she realized he may consider her one of them, based on her comment. “I’m really not like that. I just…”

“Honey, stop.” He pressed a finger to her lips. “Listen to me. I want to be your man. I need you, only you.”

She smiled, relief washing over her, warming her. “I feel the same way.”

Shane woke up the next day, cursing the neon lights on his alarm clock. He didn’t want to get out of bed. He wanted to spend the rest of the day holding Lacy in his arms, making love to her.

The cell phone on his bedside table rang. He answered it quickly, so as not to disturb Lacy. “What’s up, Jay?”

“Hey, I’m at the office. Where the hell are you? I thought we were gonna go and look at that duplex this morning. We’ve got an appointment with the realtor in an hour.”

Shane was rarely late for appointments. Of course, he’d never had such a compelling reason to stay in bed. “Call her and tell her to push it back an hour. I’m just gonna jump in the shower now.”

“You overslept? That doesn’t sound like you.”

He knew he’d have to tell Jason about Lacy sometime, but their relationship had been strained ever since he’d walked in on them in bed together. He didn’t relish the idea of telling him she’d agreed to move in with him. “Listen, man, there’s something you need to know. Lacy’s coming back to work for us.”

There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line before he responded. “Okay, that’s good. We need her. So, you gonna send her over to the triplex today?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan.” Shane hesitated. “There’s something else you need to know.” He glanced at Lacy, who pulled the duvet up to cover her exposed shoulders. He couldn’t tell if she was sleeping, but her eyes were still closed.

“Okay, what is it?”

“I’ve asked Lacy to move in with me, and she agreed.” He waited until the silence became unbearable. “Would you say something, Jay?”

“You want me to congratulate you? Fuck that.”

It took him a minute to realize his brother had disconnected the call. Sighing, he set the phone down on the night table. Jay would get over this. He didn’t have a choice. Lacy was a part of his life now, and he’d just have to keep his feelings for her in check. He was pissed off to know that his own brother might be harboring feelings for his woman, but he knew he couldn’t control the way Jay felt. They would just have to find a way to get past this, and they would. It would just take some time.

“You okay?” Lacy asked, rolling over.

She looked rumpled, sleepy, and breathtakingly beautiful.

He leaned in, kissing her cheek. “I’m good, baby, you?”

She smiled, burying her face in the blanket. “I don’t think incredible would be an overstatement.”

He stroked her hair, pushing it back off her forehead. This was the way he planned to start every day from now on. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered.

“Me too.” She slid closer, burrowing her head under his chin as she wrapped her arm around his waist. “Last night was amazing.”

He’d wanted to make love to her when they got home. But twice in the car, coupled with their interlude in the shower, and he knew she would be too sore to walk today if he didn’t rein it in. “That was Jay,” he said quietly, stroking her bare back.

She tipped her head to look at him. “What did he say?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He wouldn’t let anything or anyone interfere with the happiness they’d found, not even his little brother. “Listen, I told him you are coming back to work for us.”

“How did he feel about that?”

“He’s on board. He knows we need you.” He threaded his fingers through her hair, pulling her head back so he could look her in the eye. “I need you, Lacy.”

She smiled, kissing him. “I’m glad to hear that.” Biting her lip, she asked, “You sure things won’t be weird with Jason?”

He wasn’t going to sugar-coat it for her. He wanted her to be prepared if Jason gave her a hard time when he got her alone, not that he wouldn’t give Jay fair warning. If his brother made things difficult for Lacy, he would return the favor in spades. “He’s pissed that we’re together, but he’ll get over it.”

She shook her head, looking sad. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way. I like your brother, I do, but it’s always been you. I was never interested in him.”

He smiled, pulling her into the protective circle of his arms. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Do we have time for breakfast before we leave?”

He chuckled. “Honey, there are all kinds of perks when you’re sleeping with the boss.”

She slapped his chest, laughing. “Stop! You go and get in the shower while I make breakfast.” She sat up and looked at him over her shoulder. “Assuming you have the staples?”

“Sure. I’m not one of those bachelors who only has beer and expired milk in the fridge. In fact, you make breakfast, and I’ll make dinner for you tonight.”

Her mouth fell open. “You cook, too?”

He laughed at her shocked expression. “I don’t know if I’d go that far, but my buddies call me the grill-master.”

She offered her hand. “You’ve got yourself a deal, Mr. Stafford.”

He clasped her hand, turning it over to kiss it. “I look forward to it, Miss Watson.” He couldn’t wait for the day when he could call her
Mrs. Stafford.

Chapter Twelve

Lacy was cooking bacon in the skillet when Shane came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He smelled clean and spicy, the scent reminding her of their erotic shower last night. She blushed at the memory. “I hope you like omelets?” she asked, setting the crisp strips of bacon on a plate lined with paper towels.

He kissed her neck. “I’m starving, but food’s the last thing on my mind.”

She loved that he couldn’t seem to get enough of her. She felt the same way. Slapping his forearm, she laughed. “You’re going to have to wait until tonight to satisfy that craving. We both have to work today.”

He leaned up against the counter, facing her. “Have you had any staging jobs the past few weeks?”

She nodded as she tended to the cheese omelet in the neighboring skillet. “Yeah, a small new home builder hired me to stage one of his model homes. He has a bigger development he’s working on with three other builders after this, so it could be a lucrative contract for me.”

He frowned. “I hope you’re still going to have time for our projects?”

She smiled, patting his cheek. “I’ll always make time for you, sweetheart.”

He reached into the overhead cabinet to retrieve two plates, setting them on the ornate wood table in the middle of the spacious kitchen. He turned to face her and asked, “Is there anything about this place you’d like to change?”

Shane’s home was beautiful. It was a spacious two-story stone and stucco home set in the midst of a private enclave of similar homes with a ravine running through the large backyards. They backed onto green space, which could be seen from three walkouts facing the rear of the property. The furnishings were decidedly masculine, with lots of leather and dark wood, but she thought it was a perfect reflection of him.

“No, I wouldn’t change a thing. Your home is beautiful, Shane.”

He reached into the cutlery drawer. “I want you to feel at home here, baby. Anything you want to do or change, I’m good with that.” He chuckled. “Except for the man-cave in the basement. That room is off limits.” 

She rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t dream of messing with your man-cave. Seriously, I wouldn’t change a thing. The house is perfect.” She set the omelets on a platter she’d extracted from an overhead cabinet. “It’s a little big for one person though.”

He winked. “Yeah, but now I won’t be living here alone, will I?”

Imagining living in a home like this was hard for her. The house she’d shared with her mother and brother was more like a tiny cottage, and she’d made do with studio apartments ever since. She couldn’t imagine how they would ever utilize all this space. “How many bedrooms do you have?”

“
We
have four bedrooms,” he said carefully, claiming a spot at one end of the large table. “Lace, it’s important to me that you think of this as your home, too. If you don’t think you can do that, we can always sell it and buy a place together.”

Wow, she couldn’t believe he would be willing to sell his home just to make her happy. She’d done some research on the upscale neighborhoods in the area when she moved to the city hoping to establish her business. She knew this small enclave of homes was custom-built by an estate builder not more than three years ago. This was probably his dream home, yet he was willing to sacrifice that for her.