“Thought you didn’t want to know. But she’s doing great, fully and completely satiated,” I say teasing him, but it backfires when he tosses a handful of peanuts at me.
Lacey’s smile softens, then she hesitates, swirling the last of her drink. “Speaking of new advancements, I should tell you. I’m moving to Crossroads for a while.”
That catches my attention. “What? Why?”
Her tone shifts, lighter, but I can tell she’s hiding something underneath. “My ex-husband is back in town, and my dad’s estate stuff is still a mess. I need space for Lainey and me. I’ll still run the distillery, but I’ve brought on an interim president until it settles. I can do oversight remotely.”
“Lacey…”
“I’m fine,” she says gently. “Don’t make it into anything it isn’t. I’m not saying goodbye to the distillery, just taking some time to sort through everything else.”
I nod slowly, understanding her.
We linger around a little longer until Nash offers to take over my shift tonight. Bailey and he have been wanting to work a night together, and I’ll admit he does a much better job than I do. I’ve thought about selling him part of my stock in the bar but haven’t had the time to bring up the idea. Lacey promises to keep us stocked and to keep me updated if she needs anything.
By the time I finally close up and drive back home, the sun has dropped low, painting the sky a mosaic of pink, orange and gold.
I step inside the house and instantly freeze when the unbelievably stunning goddess comes into view. Monroe is curled up on the couch, one knee bent, her hair spilling over her shoulder, wearing nothing but black lace clinging to her skin.
My mouth goes dry as she tilts her head, smiling wickedly. “Hey, stranger.”
I lock the door behind me without looking away. “Oh, I’m no fucking stranger, baby, but I’ll play along if that’s what you’re into.”
For a moment, I don’t move. I just stare and admire the woman I get the pleasure of calling mine. Because she is mine, and in case it wasn’t clear last night, I’m about to prove it again.
The gleam of the fireplace flickers across her skin, warm, golden and absolutely sinful.
“Don’t worry, Monty lit the fire for me before he left,” she says, noticing my questioning glance.
I don't answer, just slowly strut toward her, undressing as I do. I toss my jacket on the couch and unbutton my shirt but stop when I see her body go stiff.
“Problem?” I ask, tilting my head, my smile slow and rough.
“Yeah,” she says, her voice already low and dangerous. “You.”
I laugh softly as I watch her stand with unhurried grace, hips swaying as she heads my way. My pulse roars in my ears with each deliberate step she takes, my hands aching to feel her.
“You’ve been tense,” she murmurs, fingertips sliding up my chest, undoing the top buttons of my shirt with maddening slowness. “I thought I’d help.”
“You’re trying to kill me,” I mutter, my voice hoarse and gravelly. I’m so fucking turned on right now it’s fucking insanehow hard my cock is from just the sight of her in that sexy as fuck lingerie and the feel of her fingernails on my skin.
“Hmm,” she hums. “Not yet. I’m going to make you come first.”
Her mouth brushes my jaw, and down my throat, nipping lightly at my collarbone as my hands hover over her hips, aching to grab her, but she catches my wrists, pressing them gently back to my sides.
“Tonight,” she whispers, her gorgeous blue eyes glimmering in the dark, “you don’t get to touch.”
My control shatters with a sharp, helpless groan, but all the woman does is smile like she’s just won a war, and I’m about to surrender when she sinks to her fucking knees.
Heat slams through me as she reaches for me, her long, slim fingers undoing my belt. Slow and deliberate, her gaze never breaks away from mine as my pants slide down my legs. Every brush of her hand feels electric. Every teasing drag of her long nails down my thighs makes my breath catch and my dick throb.
Her palms skim up my thighs as she yanks my boxers down around my ankles. My cock springs forward, so fucking hard and thick, the tip leaking with just her look alone. I’m so close to saying fuck it and reaching for her.
Lustful blue eyes lock on mine like she’s savoring the way I’m unraveling. All for her, all because of her. “Relax, Jase,” she says, her voice like silk. “Let me love you.”
In the next second, her mouth is on me, hot, wet, and devastatingly perfect, drawing a curse from my throat. My head tips back, and I let out a deep groan. “God, Moonshine.”
“Shhh,” she murmurs as she works me with languid, sinful rhythm, her tongue tracing, her lips hollowing, her hands holding me still while she takes all of me.
