Johnny (Connelly Cousins #2) (2 page)

The now-Stacey liked solitude. She didn’t need people feeling sorry for her. Couldn’t stand their looks of pity or murmurs of sorrow on her behalf. She preferred her self-imposed seclusion, living a life of a different kind of adventure. She had her books - the ones she read; the ones she penned herself. And Stacey – or rather, Stacey’s alter ego Salienne – was
hot.
She was curvy and sexy and decidedly sensual, and her life was built upon the adoration and documentation of interaction with hard-bodied, mischievous hero-types. Through her, Stacey
lived
, even if it was only in her imagination.

In some ways Stacey’s heroes and heroines were more real to her than her family and her neighbors, and their company was undoubtedly preferable. Even her agent had to admit that her reclusive nature added to her mystique as an author, which in turn translated to some large profits. She only gave phone interviews and agreed to web chats, avoiding personal appearances like the plague. Stacey Mallory was a wealthy, successful woman, but she was also a very lonely one.

Only one friend had refused to give up, had refused all attempts to be pushed away. Lina Connelly, now Lina McCullough. The only one who still called and left long, rambling messages about what was going on in her life, as if the old Stacey still existed. Stacey therefore knew all about Lina’s move to the northeast. About Jamie, the handsome exec/part-time prof she dated for a while. About what Johnny and Michael, her overbearing, overprotective big brothers, were up to. And, of course, about Lina’s whirlwind romance and subsequent marriage to a hot, sexy biker.

Stacey couldn’t help but smile. Lina knew her well enough to know that she listened to each and every one of her messages over and over. Knew that Stacey would pick up the phone one of these days and actually talk with her, ask Lina all of the questions burning through her mind. Honestly, Stacey thought, shaking her head while smiling, that girl either had the patience of a saint or the heart of an angel. Maybe both.

And it had happened, just like that. In a moment of weakness, Stacey picked up the phone and the two women chatted like they had never been apart. Even more shocking, Stacey had agreed to get together. She refused to allow Lina to fly out to see her, suggesting instead that she make the trip to Pennsylvania. The truth was, she didn’t want Lina to see her empty, sterile, apartment with its white-walled, black and chrome decor. Or her empty, sterile life, which currently consisted of her sitting in front of her laptop for hours on end, broken up by daily PT sessions with her sadistic therapist (when she managed to go).

Stacey needed to get away from the white walls and deafening silence interrupted only by the light clicking of her nails against the keys. She wanted to hear laughter and feel the warmth of her old friend’s hugs; hang out in a chopper shop and maybe even get a tattoo of her own. The icing on the cake was when Lina told her about her cabin up in the mountains. It sounded like a great way to dislodge the writer’s block that had been plaguing her as of late. A few days with Lina, then a trip to the mountains with her laptop, a few bottles of wine, and hopefully, some inspiration for her next book.

Maybe there really was some of the old Stacey left in her after all.

N
ot until Stacey was settled in first class aboard the cross-country flight did she allow herself to really think about what she was doing. After making the reservations, she’d purposely blocked any further thought on the trip, barring the bare necessities. She was afraid that if she did, her misgivings would gain purchase once again and she’d end up cancelling.

Now that she was actually in the air and there was no backing out, Stacey released the mental tethers and let her thoughts run free. She was going to see Lina again!

She wasn’t sure what to expect. It had been five years, and during that time, she’d shut Lina out along with everyone else. Despite the promising two-hour chat, the actual face time might be riddled with periods of awkward silence or worse.

Stacey took a deep breath and refused to think about that. She wasn’t going to dwell on negative possibilities. If this didn’t go well, then it didn’t, and she’d be no worse off. And if it did, then she would have a real friend again. 

Either way, it would be good to see Lina; she had missed her.

Anticipation built with each passing hour. Real, honest-to-God excitement she hadn’t felt for a long time. And, she thought naughtily, if even half of what Lina told her was true, this visit would provide her with enough source material for her next three novels, at least. Lord knew she needed it. She’d been in an unproductive, depressed slump for the last several weeks, and her agent was not happy.

On Wednesday afternoon, Stacey disembarked from her flight, happy for once to be the first one off the plane. The squeal that greeted her was both familiar and welcome. The moment she’d cleared the secure area, she was completely engulfed by arms and an unruly mass of multi-hued golden hair as a soft cheek pressed close against hers. Stacey had forgotten just how good Lina’s fierce hugs felt, and happily returned the embrace.

Stacey refused to let a single tear fall, but Lina had no such qualms. “Oh, Stacey, I am so glad to see you!” Lina murmured. “I missed you so much.”

That
was why Stacey had given in. Because with Lina there was no sympathy, no pity, no sorrow. Just genuine happiness, and it was contagious. Stacey allowed a little of that much-needed sunshine to seep into her and warm her too-cold heart.

“Lina,” a warm male voice rumbled in amusement as a shadow fell over them. “Let her breathe, baby.”

That voice
, thought Stacey. It was deep and low, a little rough, and instantly conjured images of hot, sweaty sex.

Lina backed off, smiling apologetically and wiping away some of the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. “Sorry, Stace.”

Stacey looked up at the towering source of the shadow and gaped. That body matched the voice down to the tiniest detail. Over six feet of hardened muscle barely concealed by well-worn, snug blue jeans that left little to the imagination (though Stacey had to admit, even
she
would be hard-pressed to imagine something better than that), a white T-shirt stretched across a broad, muscular chest, and a black leather jacket slung casually over one shoulder. Long, shoulder length black hair. Mirrored black shades hiding what Lina had told her were ice-blue eyes. Gleaming white teeth now curved in one of the sexiest male grins she’d ever seen.

A large, work-roughened hand extended out to her. “Nice to meet you, Stacey. I’m Kyle.”

Stacey had to kick-start her brain in order to place her hand in his. His grip was warm and firm, yet surprisingly gentle. Beside her, Lina giggled. “Told you,” she said softly.

“Oh, honey,” Stacey said to her, her expression a mix of awe and amusement. “You weren’t kidding.” Her eyes raked him over from top to bottom once again, and saw the corner of his mouth quirk knowingly. This bad boy knew exactly what kind of effect he had on women.

“I think I just found the cover model for my next piece.”

Words started flowing through Stacey’s mind, exact phrases she would be pounding into her laptop at the first opportunity. Vivid descriptions of her next sexy male character, who looked, sounded, and
smelled
suspiciously like Lina’s husband.

“I’m guessing you don’t write for a cycle mag,” Kyle commented, shooting a sideways glance toward his wife.

“Not exactly,” Stacey chuckled.

“Stacey is Salienne Dulcette, Kyle,” Lina told him quietly, lowering her voice. When his expression didn’t change, she added, “She’s the one who writes the first-editions I read in bed at night.”

Jet black eyebrows rose above the mirrored shades as Lina’s hint registered. Kyle placed one hand on each armrest of her wheelchair and leaned in close. Stacey felt Kyle’s warm breath against her skin and tried to control the palpitations in her chest. This guy was pure, unadulterated, walking sex.

“Then I
really
must thank you, Stacey,” he said softly into her ear. “And tell you Lina is not your only fan in our house.” His breath smelled like mint and something darker, richer. When he pulled away, he punctuated his statement with a wink.

Stacey suppressed the shiver that ran down her spine – the one that had nothing to do with temperature – as Lina gave her a knowing look and waggled an eyebrow. A huge grin made its way across Stacey’s face. Any lingering doubts that she had made a mistake in coming were fading fast. This was going to be a great visit. Not only was there zero awkwardness with Lina, she already had some great inspiration for her next novel.

Kyle grabbed the carry-on from her lap, slinging it over his shoulder as if it weighed nothing, then slipped behind her and guided her chair forward. In any other circumstance, Stacey would have insisted that she was perfectly capable of carrying her own luggage and moving herself. But how often did gorgeous biker demigods actually appear to do so for her? For anyone, really.

Lina took her hand as they headed toward the baggage claim. It felt good to touch another human being again. The warmth spread up her arm and into her chest.

“Don’t tell me he’s a real, old-fashioned gentleman type, too?”

“Yep, afraid so.”

Stacey faked a swoon that even had Kyle chuckling.
He’s a walking wet dream and he knows it
, Stacey thought to herself.
And yet, he only has eyes for Lina
. It was obvious in the way he looked at her, talked to her, quietly commanded her personal space. A brief but unwelcome pang of longing shot through Stacey. Lina was a lucky woman indeed.

With a little help from Kyle (he was every bit as strong as he looked), Stacey was seated comfortably in the front seat of Lina’s Jag, her single suitcase and carry-on slipped into the back. Once her lightweight chair was collapsed and stowed in the trunk, Kyle drove them back to their house.

“Nice car,” Stacey said, appreciating the immaculate detailing and fine leather interior.

“Thanks. Johnny rebuilt it for me as a welcome home surprise.”

“Johnny owns the construction company, right?”

“Right, but he loves working on cars and bikes, too, in his spare time.”

The farther north and west they got from the airport, the more Stacey relaxed. Four-lane highways became two-lane roads; houses and businesses grew fewer and farther between. Stacey’s ears popped a few times as they drove up into the mountains, but she barely noticed. She was too busy looking out the window, drinking in the scenery. Peaks and valleys decorated in full summer splendor, with striations of color provided by active farms and meandering rivers and streams.

“I never knew there were so many shades of green,” she murmured aloud at one point, making Lina laugh.

When they had travelled to the top of the mountain and started their descent down the other side, Lina pointed at the valley spread out below. “That’s Birch Falls.”

“It’s beautiful. No wonder you wanted to move back home.”

Kyle and Lina’s house was a charming, modest rancher on the edge of town. Small and simple, but clearly a
home
, filled with love. With mismatched furnishings, warm colors, and soft lighting, it was nothing like the ultra-modern chrome penthouse apartment she lived in.

After carrying Stacey’s things into the guest room, Kyle offered his apologies, saying he had to get back to the shop. With a goodbye kiss to Lina that left
her
breathless, the two women found themselves alone.

“How do you not just jump him constantly?” Stacey asked in amazement, watching out the window as Kyle mounted his Harley and rode off.

“I pretty much do, actually,” Lina answered quite seriously, causing the two of them to break out in giggles all over again.

To celebrate Stacey’s visit, Lina ordered a pizza with everything (except anchovies, remembering Stacey’s aversion to them), and pulled a cold six pack out of the fridge. “Smithwick’s and a Super Supreme?” Stacey said, accepting the frosty bottle with a smile. “You remembered!”

“Of course I did!”

Whenever one of them was feeling down due to grades, guys, or just life in general, they would close the curtains, put on their pajamas, and pig out on delivery while downing a few drinks and vocally expressing their dissatisfaction at whatever was irking them at that particular moment. Commiseration therapy, Lina used to call it.

Stacey skillfully eased herself out of her chair, and joined Lina on the floor, reveling in the moment. To her, it was nothing short of heaven.

They laughed, and talked, and giggled the evening away as if they were eighteen again. Lina filled in a lot of the details of the last few years, including her after-grad travels and her initial doubts about returning to Birch Falls. Stacey told her about writing, how sometimes the words came so easily and other times, not so much.

Before they knew it, they had devoured the entire pizza and were halfway through their second six pack. By the time Kyle returned, both women were stuffed and nicely buzzed. With a bit of patience, he managed to get them both to bed without too much trouble.

On Thursday, Lina gave Stacey the grand tour of Birch Falls. They started at O’Leary’s diner, where they had a big breakfast and Lina introduced Stacey to her grandfather. Then they visited Amy’s Book Shoppe, which Stacey absolutely loved. As it turned out, Amy had an entire window display dedicated to Salienne Dulcette, declaring herself to be Salienne’s biggest fan. When Lina confided Stacey’s secret identity to Amy over gourmet coffees and fresh pastries, Amy could barely contain her excitement. And when Stacey autographed several dozen books for her to sell, Amy was ecstatic.  

Still feeling rather full from breakfast, they skipped lunch and went to Big Mo’s, the custom chopper shop where Kyle worked as the head cycle guru. Stacey lovingly ran her hands over some of his custom creations. She’d been quite an avid rider at one time, but the accident put an end to all of that. Now, among the smell of leather and gleaming chrome, she swore an oath to herself that if she was ever able to ride again, she would ask Kyle to make her something special. The man was a certified artist, a genius with steel, chrome and beautifully shaded paints.