Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Crew
Lacey stood abruptly from the couch and began cleaning up our dinner. “Well, it looks like there’s still a lot of work to do. I’ll let you get back to it.”
Fuck, this sexy-ass woman infuriates me.
Every time I get close…
Why was she playing so hard to get?
I’d finish the job I promised, and then I’d ask a kiss for a job well done. As much as I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and have my way with her, I still would always remain respectful. My mother instilled values deep in me from a young age, demanding respect from her only son in the most nurturing way possible.
I’d let her win this battle. It didn’t mean she’d win the war. “Are you headed home soon?”
She shook her head, and her loose curls fell around her beautifully shaped face. “It doesn’t feel right leaving you here all night. I’ll probably do some work, then crash on the couch. There’s a futon bed in one of the massage rooms. Feel free to use it if you decide to catch some sleep.”
“You don’t have to spend the night. I’ll be okay.”
“I don’t know…it doesn’t seem right to me.”
“You want to spend the night with me, admit it,” I teased and tossed her my best flirty grin.
“Don’t you have a lot of work to do?” Lacey worked on dividing up the other meals Camille kindly packed for us.
“Avoid it all you want, but you know it’s the truth.”
She handed me a bag of food. “If you need me, you know where to find me.”
“I sure do.” I took one last look at her and went back to work.
I worked tirelessly until almost seven in the morning, and as the sun rose over the horizon, I tested my work for the final time.
The job was done.
I was used to pulling all-nighters from being in the service, so not sleeping didn’t bother me much. I knew I’d crash hard later.
The only thing on my mind besides a cup of coffee was the gorgeous woman sleeping in the other room. I wouldn’t lie; I checked on her a few times throughout the night and watched her sleep on the couch wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket, her wild curls sticking out in all directions.
I never looked at a woman and felt a magnetic force like I did with her, never felt this all-consuming, crazy, lustful…obsession, almost. Yeah, yeah, I barely knew her, but the feelings were there. Who was I to ignore them?
I quietly snuck out while she slept and ran over to the bakery in town for coffee and muffins. Of course, it wouldn’t be a small town without bumping into someone, and sure enough, Zach was there.
“Morning, Crew. You look tired. Rough night?”
“Saying someone looks tired is the same as saying they look like shit. So thanks, good morning to you too, pal.”
Zach laughed as he patted me on the shoulder. “A little grumpy, hmm? Brings back so many fond memories.” Zach smirked.
“Remind me again why we’re friends?”
“Because I’m a badass, and you can’t get enough.”
Now, it was my turn to laugh out loud. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, boss.”
“Don’t forget we have that meeting today with the landlord about renting the office space.”
I tapped the side of my head. “Do I ever forget? You know I’ll be there.”
“Good, see you then. No distractions now.”
“Distractions? What?”
“Let’s just say small-town news travels fast, and the latest is you’ve been hanging around the spa a lot.”
“This town, man. I was helping her with an electrical problem.”
Zach wiggled his eyebrows. “I’m sure it was electric alright. Watch out, the love bug hits out of nowhere. Particularly in this town.”
“Bye, Zach. See you at the meeting.”
He laughed as he left. Dammit, there was no privacy in this town, none. But did I expect anything else? No.
After grabbing my order, I drove back to the spa and slipped inside, thankful she hadn’t locked me out. But when I went to her office, she was no longer there.
The couch was empty, the blanket folded, like no one slept there. I set the coffee and muffins down, and when I turned around, Lacey stood in the doorway with her arms crossed.
“Good morning. I brought us some breakfast and finished with the electrical work. Everything is good to go.”
“Thank you, but what I’m more concerned about at the moment is you leaving me here sleeping with the door unlocked.”
“I didn’t want to lock myself out. Besides, can you really resist coffee and apple cinnamon muffins?”
“Apple cinnamon? Haven’t had that flavor in a muffin before.”
“Oh, it’s a specialty down at the town bakery. Ruby, the owner, makes the best muffins. Her apple cinnamon ones are to die for.”
Lacey dropped her arms at her side and smiled. She walked over to the couch and sat down. “Okay, I guess you’re forgiven. I can’t be mad at you when you did all this work for me. So thank you. I can’t believe you’ve already finished.”
I took the seat beside her, handed her a coffee, and pointed at the tray. “There’s creamer and sugar. I wasn’t sure how you took your coffee yet.”
She chuckled and busied herself with the cream and sugar. “I love how you say yet . You’re so confident I’ll tell you.”
“Well, why wouldn’t you tell your future husband?”
Lacey dropped the sugar packet in her hand, and sugar flew across the table. Her mouth dropped open, and her eyebrows raised to high heaven. The look on her face was priceless. “What?” she asked between laughter as she cleaned up her mess. “No one said anything about husbands and wives. We haven’t even had our first date!”
“Aha! So you will go on a date with me?” I sipped my coffee and broke off a piece of my muffin.
“Are you asking?”
“I’d ask you every day if you let me.”
“Well since you refused my money, can a date be payment for all your hard work?”
“Actually, I’d rather have something else.”
“There’s something better out there than a date with me?” Lacey smirked.
“Now you’re getting the hang of it,” I teased. “I doubt much tops a date with you, but what I’d like is a kiss.”
Lacey watched me over the rim of her coffee cup. “A kiss? One single kiss?”
“Yep. One single kiss. But no promises if you can’t control yourself.”
Lacey snorted. “Me not control myself? Ha! Look who’s talking.”
“You love every second of this little game between us.” I finished off my muffin and drank more of my coffee.
“Whatever you say. But I’ll agree to a kiss. One kiss.”
“Only one?”
She nodded.
“Okay, your rules. Don’t be upset when it ends.”
“I think I can handle it. I’m a big girl.”
“We’ll see about that.”
And then I leaned in and gave her the best damn kiss of her life.
Or at least the best damn kiss of my life.