Boots and Lace (7 page)

“That’s it?” he asked before he could stop himself.

Lacey faced him, her brows raised. “What do you mean?”

“We just made love.”

She tipped her head. “Yes, and?”

And what? He didn’t know what to say to that, he knew leaving like he was just wasn’t right. There should be more to it than being shown the door. Hell, she wasn’t even showing him the door.

He shook his head. “Never mind.” Without saying another word, he stalked out the door to Lacey’s apartment and slammed the door behind him. He dropped his boots on the landing, slipped into his coveralls and boots and stomped out to his truck, reminding himself he’d been adamant about no strings, and Lacey had been equally vocal on the “no attachment” issue.

Why that bothered him now was beyond him. He should be happy that Lacey didn’t want a commitment out of him. He sure as hell wasn’t ready for one, nor would he ever be after his first wife’s betrayal.

He climbed in behind the wheel of his pickup, shoved the gearshift into reverse and whipped out onto the road, burning a layer of rubber off a perfectly good set of tires.

Everything was well on its way to being right in his world. Footloose, fancy-free and divorced. What more could he ask for?

Damned if he knew why he was so pissed off.

Chapter Four

“What’s with the huge grin?” Audrey cornered Lacey in the storeroom later that evening.

Lacey reached for a case of whiskey, avoiding Audrey’s direct gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her lips quirked as an image of Nick flashed through her mind.

“That.” Audrey jumped in front of her, blocking her path to the whiskey. “Last night you were so down in the mouth I thought you were going to slit your wrists. Tonight, you’ve been smiling like the cat that ate the canary. Not that I’m complaining. At least you’re not scaring the customers.” She propped a fist on her hip. “What gives?”

“Nothing.” Lacey’s grin widened. “Oh, hell, I can’t keep anything from you. I had the best sex ever last night and today.”

Audrey squealed and shoved Lacey backward until she was forced to sit on a stack of boxes. “You’re not getting out of here until you tell me all the details. Don’t leave any of them out.” She crossed her arms. “Who with?”

“Cory…” Lacey ticked off on her finger.

“Our Cory who dances on Ladies’ Night? Is he even old enough to have sex?” Audrey answered for herself. “Oh, yeah, he couldn’t dance at the bar if he wasn’t at least twenty-one.” Her gaze pinned Lacey’s. “Damn, woman, you scored with Cory? I’m impressed.”

Lacey frowned. “I’m not much older than he is. Geez, you make it sound like I’m robbing the cradle.”

“Not at all. I’m envious. If I wasn’t getting some with Jackson…”

“You wouldn’t go for Cory, he works for you.” Lacey raised a second finger. “Then there was Cory’s big brother.” Her face softened, a rush of heat filling her core, moistening her channel. “Nick.” 

“Nick the mechanic?” Audrey pulled her tank top out, flapping it. “He’s hot. Wow, I’m even more impressed. Last night and today?”

“No, the two of them were last night. Today, Kendall showed up at my apartment and we had a little fun…” Lacey shrugged, “…once Ed showed up.”

“You, Ed and Kendall?” Audrey fanned herself. “You’re making me hot just thinking about it.”

“Ed wasn’t alone.” Lacey stood and made to step around Audrey. “Nick was with him. That’s when it got hot.”

“I’m surprised you’re able to walk.” Audrey’s smile flipped. “What happened to no commitment?”

“Ed and Kendall know I’m no threat to their relationship. And I made it clear to Nick and Cory, no strings. Nick was all for it and Cory was just in it for the fun.”

“Are you sure?”

“Oh, yeah.” Lacey had sensed Nick’s reluctance where relationships and commitment were concerned. She wondered what had happened to turn him against love and happily ever after. Had he had a bad marriage like she had?

“Two times with the sexy mechanic in two days…” Audrey shook her head. “Sounds like more than just casual sex to me.”

“
Convenient
sex. Don’t read more into it than that.” Lacey couldn’t move past Audrey without tripping over her. “I bet the customers are yowling for their drinks by now. I should get back to work.”

“Be careful, Lacey.” Audrey caught her arm. “I’d hate to see you hurt again.”

“It’s just sex.”

“The more you see Nick, the harder it will be to walk away.”

“Not this time.” Lacey pulled free of Audrey’s grip and stepped around her. “I won’t make the same mistake twice. He’s just another pretty face and great body. That’s all.”

“Ever considered that not all men are as stupid and duplicitous as your ex?”

“That might be true, but I don’t plan on letting one close enough to test the theory.”

“You could be missing the love of your life, your perfect match, like I found in Jackson.”

The dreamy look in Audrey’s eyes made Lacey want to gag. “I’m not worried. The perfect match for me doesn’t exist.” Lacey left the storeroom with a knot in her gut and feeling the urge to run as far and fast as she could.

Unfortunately, there was a barroom full of thirsty cowboys and she couldn’t leave Audrey in the lurch. Not after all her boss had done for her. So she squared her shoulders and threw herself into the work of waiting tables, flipping bottles and putting on a sassy show for the patrons of the Ugly Stick.

If her gaze strayed toward the entrance a little too often, she chalked it up to sizing up the crowd for future drink orders. She refused to admit she was looking for Nick to step through the door.

After ten o’clock rolled around, she’d given up on Nick. A busy mechanic with a business to run and early morning hours didn’t go out drinking every night of the week.

A stab of disappointment hit Lacey low in the belly.

I won’t call so don’t wait by the phone. I’m not interested in a relationship.
Nick’s words echoed in Lacey’s head. Exactly her sentiments before they’d started.

Now…

“Thinking about me, beautiful?” Warm hands slipped around her waist and pulled her against a wall of hard muscle.

Lacey’s body flushed with the heated memories the voice inspired and she turned with a smile on her face, happier than she should have been. “N— Oh, Cory.”

She tried, but couldn’t keep the smile. It faded with her fleeting burst of happy anticipation.

Cory laughed. “If I was a bettin’ man, I’d bet you were hoping for Nick.” He hugged her. “Sorry, but he didn’t ride with me. He was still working at the garage when I dropped off his dinner an hour ago.”

“Don’t be silly,” Lacey lied. “I’m very happy to see you.” She hooked his elbow with hers and led him to a stool at the bar. “Let me buy you a drink.”

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you after last night.”

“Oh, really?” She’d stopped thinking about Cory as soon as she’d left their apartment early that morning. Nick had been the one to keep her awake into the wee hours. She turned away from the younger McBride.
Don’t go there, Lacey. Remember, no obsessing over a man.

Before she could step behind the safety of the bar, Cory grabbed her hand. “Did you say something?” 

“No, I didn’t.” Her cheeks heated with her second lie of the night. Lacey tugged her arm free of Cory’s grip and slipped behind the bar, keeping her face lowered so telltale signs of her lie weren’t obvious. “What will you have?”

“A shot of whiskey, make it a double.” Cory’s voice sounded deeper, more like his brother Nick’s.

Her hand on the bottle of whiskey, Lacey frowned. “Isn’t that a bit strong for a college—” She glanced up, into Nick McBride’s dark gaze. The whiskey bottle slipped from her fingers.

As soon as it left her hand, Lacey dove to catch it, a graceless save that cost her a broken fingernail and a mini heart attack. “Oh, hi, Nick. When did you get here?”

“Just did.” He’d changed out of the coverall he’d worn earlier that day when he’d stopped by her apartment. Jeans, neatly pressed chambray shirt and cowboy boots made him look almost sexier than when he’d stood naked in front of her. Hell, she’d had a thing for hot cowboys ever since she’d gone to work for Audrey at the Ugly Stick. And this one was
caliente
!

Lacey’s heart hammered against her ribs. “Well, that’s nice.” Her hand shook as she poured a double shot of whiskey and slid it across the counter toward Nick.

When he reached for it, their fingers touched and something like a spark of electricity ignited between them.

Lacey flinched, her gaze shooting up to capture Nick’s. Had he felt it too?

His dark brows drew together, forming a deep V. “Thank you.” He lifted the glass and downed it in one swallow.

“Want another?”

“No, I have to drive home.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I see Mona,” Cory said. “I wanted to ask her about the plans for the Sadie Hawkins dance and fundraiser. I promised I’d put together a kissing booth with some of my buddies from college.”

Lacey heard Cory’s words, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Nick. “That should make a pile of money. What charity will the money go to?”

“Temptations safe house for homeless clowns.” Cory grinned.

Lacey blinked and shook her head and turned to Cory. “Homeless clowns? What are you talking about?”

“Got your attention, didn’t I?” The younger McBride grinned. “It’s for the children’s hospital.” He slapped his brother’s back. “See ya later, bro.”

Nick muttered, “Right. Later.” Then as if surfacing from a trance, he shot a look in his brother’s direction. “Let me know if you need a designated driver to get you home tonight.”

“I’m not drinking.” Cory patted his flat stomach. “Gotta keep up my girlish figure for the kissing booth.” He winked at Lacey. “Maybe we’ll see you tonight after work?”

Images of Lacey naked and Cory fucking her from behind flashed through Nick’s head. He glared at Cory. “I’m sure she’ll be exhausted by then.”

Lacey’s brows rose. “I tend to be a night owl. But I’ll bet Nick has an early morning at the shop, so I won’t trouble you two. I’ll leave my door unlocked if you want to come up and talk or…whatever.”

Cory shrugged. “I might take you up on that. That way old Nick can get some sleep.”

Nick fought back a growl. “Don’t you have classes tomorrow?”

Cory grinned. “Not until noon. See ya later, Lacey.” He waved and took off toward Mona.

“I don’t know how he keeps up his grades staying up all hours,” Nick muttered.

Lacey’s gaze followed Cory, a smile curling her lips.

Nick’s chest tightened. He didn’t own Lacey. He had no say over her influence on his little brother. But damn it, she was older and more experienced. What if Cory fancied himself in love with the gorgeous brunette? She’d already told them she wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship. Cory was young enough to still believe love conquered all. “He’s going to make a good doctor some day,” Nick blurted.

Her brown-eyed gaze swung toward him and away from Cory. “Yes, I believe he will.”

“He has another four or more years of school after he finishes his undergrad degree.”

“That’s a big commitment.”

“Yeah, I hope he stays the course.” Nick’s gaze captured hers. “I wouldn’t want anything to distract him from his studies.”

Lacey planted her fists on her hips. “Are you warning me away from your little brother?”

Nick’s cheeks heated. “No, of course not, I’m just…”

“You don’t want me to hit on Cory, do you?”

“He’s got a lot of school… He needs his sleep…he’s got to focus.” Oh hell. Nick realized he should have kept his mouth shut. Now he’d dug a hole the size of Texas and he couldn’t get out of it without some help.

“Nick, honey, so glad to see you. It’s been a while.” Audrey draped an arm over his shoulders and smiled. “That garage of yours keeping you busy?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Nick turned away from Lacey’s glare.

“I heard about your divorce.” She hugged him. “Nasty bit of business having to sell your spread and split the proceeds.”

“I’m doin’ all right.” His fist closed around the empty shot glass. “Still have the shop.”

“I hear you’re workin’ it.” Audrey clapped a hand to his back. “Care to take this ol’ girl around the dance floor one time?”

“I don’t know. I tend to be all left feet.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

Trish hadn’t wanted to go out dancing since the day they’d gotten married. With him, anyway. From what he’d learned through the grapevine, she’d been cuttin’ a rug in the neighboring county. If he’d known it during the divorce, and that she’d been having an affair, he would have stuck to his guns and kept the ranch. She’d led him to believe it was his fault their marriage didn’t last. He’d given her everything her lawyer demanded, guilt playing a big part of the concessions. He’d even begged her to stay and give their marriage another chance. Not so much because he loved her, but because he hated admitting failure at anything.

Now that the divorce was final and all the dirty laundry had been discovered, he wished he’d taken more time to investigate and ferret out the truth.

Audrey hooked his arm and tugged him out of the chair. “Come on, I think you need this more than I do.”

Nick dared a glance at Lacey.

Her eyes shot daggers at him and he knew he deserved them. “Yeah, I think I do.”

Once out on the floor, and under Audrey’s lead, Nick got his dancin’ legs under him and settled into a smooth Texas Two-Step. “Thanks, Audrey.”

“I shouldn’t speak out of turn, but Lacey is kinda in the same boat as you.”

“How so?”

“Her ex cheated on her and left her high and dry. She’s dead set on never getting hitched again, and who would blame her?”

So Lacey had been dumped as well. “That explains a lot.”

“Yeah, a lot of us have been down the wrong path a time or two. It takes the right person to make us want to try a new one.”

Nick glanced at Lacey, weaving through the tables, balancing a tray full of beer mugs and long-necks. “I’m not in the market for a wife.”

“You may not be, but sometimes the best thing to ever happen to you happens when you least want or expect it. Don’t let it slip through your hands because some stupid woman hurt your pride.”