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“Thanks,” she murmurs. Her cheeks are pink, and I wonder if she knows my dirty thoughts about her. The filthy things I’d love to do to her body.
As soon as she leaves the room, Eric sends me a glare that could freeze hell. He’s been my friend long enough to know exactly what I was thinking when I was around his sister.
“When I was a teenager, I was sleeping in this shithole abandoned parking garage.” He chuckles but the sound isn’t one filled with amusement. I know enough to understand that neither Eric nor his sister had happy childhoods. They were products of a drug-addicted mom who kept churning out more babies.
He continues, “There was this tiny flea-covered kitten there. Every time I tried to feed it or care for it, the mangy thing ran away.”
“What’s your point?” I prod, not liking the idea of where this is going.
“This isn’t the first time she’s come into my life. She does this every year. She comes in and flits about for a few days or a couple of weeks then she’s just gone one day.” His tone holds no anger, only a deep weariness.
His words settle in my gut. I always suspected based on what Lacey has let slip that she’s a runner, a regular escape artist.
“Some people have been too beaten down by life to trust anyone,” he says before pushing to his feet. “Get back to me about the proposal.”
If there’s one thing my friend has forgotten, it’s the fact that I don’t give up and I’m not about to let beautiful Lacey slip through my fingers. No matter what I have to do.
* * *
Scanning the crowd of people milling about, I try to spot the lucky bastard carrying a purple rose.
I’ve always hated black tie events. Then I saw Lacey tonight in her off-the-shoulder dress that hugs every curve and decided that maybe they’re not horrible. Not if I get to see my woman all wrapped up like that.
Normally, she’s wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Both of which have at least a few paint splotches.
I’ve tried to ask her before about what exactly she paints but she gets shy and embarrassed. Even though I know she won’t tell me, I still ask just to see that pretty blush on her face.
Something purple catches my eye and I pause to scan in the direction but it’s just a woman wearing a large purple bow on her outfit. Maybe this guy won’t show at all and the problem will be solved.
I think again about what Eric said in my office. Lacey may have been beaten down by life, but I’ve seen enough of her spunk to know she’s a little warrior. She fought through hell and came out on the other side fireproof.
When I finally see the purple rose, rage rushes through my veins. For the money that Lacey is paying, he should have been here on time.
He starts toward the side entrance of the hotel where the fountain is located.
I step into his path, blocking it. “There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I’m Lacey’s date for the evening.”
I’m not letting another man get anywhere near sweet Lacey. Because she’s mine. She just doesn’t know it yet.
3
LACEY
I swing my legs on the edge of the fountain, feeling the mist against the open-back of my dress. I chose this one on purpose. My shoulders and back are two of my sexiest features, and it shows them off perfectly while minimizing my chunky hips.
Well, that and the dress matches with my favorite heels. The ones that make my legs look longer.
I check my phone for messages again, but there are no notifications from “boyfriend by the hour” or his company.
I hear a rustling and the low rumble of a male voice. I turn, hoping to spot my hired guy. It’s a man. But he’s got a woman on his arm and she’s giggling as he sweeps her into the shadowy corner that’s hidden from view by a large grove of trees.
The sound of their seduction and the chirping of the cicadas on this warm summer night only add to my feeling of loneliness. For a second, I wonder if I’ll ever find someone who can put up with me.
I mean, Ryan does. But I’m pretty sure he’s just being nice because he’s friends with my brother and feels like he has to be.
As the minutes pass, it seems more and more likely that my date isn’t going to make an appearance.
I swallow a lump at the back of my throat, fighting a wave of disappointment. It wasn’t just the date I was looking forward to. It was the chance to have sex. I wanted to lose my virginity tonight.
