Touching Lace by Anne Rainey

not appreciate any interference from Blade. According to Merrick, Blade had already called Evan. Anything beyond that was sure to set Lacey’s independent streak off. She considered herself a grown woman, able to take care of her own affairs. But, knowing Blade, he would do as he pleased. Nick couldn’t help but like the way the man’s mind worked. Nick had wanted to be the one to pound Evan into the ground. And yet, if he left it to Blade, Lacey wouldn’t be mad at him, she’d be mad at her brother and Evan would still get pounded. A win-win situation. Besides, Lacey would
    forgive her brother. She always did whenever he pulled his older brother routine. Which was often.
    “The way I hear it, you already called and threatened Evan.”
    “It wasn’t enough. Lacey deserves better. I want Evan to hurt.”
    Nick just shook his head. “Blade, you really are crazy.”
    “Yeah, I’ve been told that a time or two. So, you think I can talk to Lacey or what?” It was his turn to chuckle. Blade wasn’t much for small talk, that much was for
    certain. How could the two of them even be related? Lacey was all breezy sunshine and Blade was a great big thundercloud. Amazing.
    Anne Rainey

    “Sure, I’ll go get her.”
    Nick took the phone with him and went down the hall to the bathroom. He knocked once and called out, “Lacey, your brother is on the phone.”
    She whipped the door open and asked, “Which one?”
    “Blade.”
    He started to hand her the phone when she stopped him with a whispered, “You didn’t tell him about us did you?”
    That definitely wasn’t what he wanted to hear. “Are you ashamed?” His words matched her low tone as he sucked in a breath, not at all sure he wanted to hear her answer.
    Her eyes softened and she reached to touch his cheek with her hand. “Not on your life,” she said. “But you know my family. They’ll drive us nuts with questions and meddling. Well-intentioned meddling, but still… I’d like to keep this just between the two of us. For now.”
    He was beyond pleased that she had added for now . He bent down, placed a quick peck on her cheek then straightened.
    “For now,” he reiterated, and handed her the phone.
    He heard her say hello before he left her to deal with her brother in private. He had a breakfast to fix and a woman to woo.

    She loved him. What was she supposed to do now?
    The thought kept racing through Lacey’s mind from the moment she’d made love to him with her mouth. Like a schoolgirl, she’d retreated to the bathroom. Now, as she watched him happily walking off to do whatever, she knew there was no going back.
    How in the world could she let herself fall in love with her best friend? He was only trying to help her, give her lessons on how to keep a guy from getting bored in bed, and she went and fell in love with the instructor. Not supposed to happen. The biggest reason behind all her failed relationships was that her heart hadn’t been in it. Obviously, since

    Touching Lace
    she’d been keeping it locked up for the one special man who would knock her on her ass. How was she to know the special someone was Nick? What a mess.
    Turning her attention to the phone, Lacey said, “Blade, what’s going on? Is everyone okay?” Though Blade tended to keep odd hours, it was still unlike him to call her so early, and on a Sunday.
    “Everyone’s fine except you. I’ve been trying to track you down.” That meager statement was Blade’s way of saying, “Why aren’t you at home where
    you should be, safely tucked into your own bed?” But she was a grown woman, and Blade needed to get that through his thick skull.
    “So you found me and I’m clearly fine,” she said irritably.
    “Yeah, at Nick’s at six in the morning. He said you spent the night.” She rolled her eyes. “Your point being?”
    Blade laughed, “Don’t get all testy, sis. I was worried, that’s all.” Now that did piss her off. “Worried? You know about Evan, too?” His