Crossroads 2: Lacey's Last Chance (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “Hey, how did everything work out with Stone helping Suzette’s friend with the place she wanted to buy?” Stitch asked Junior.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. He didn’t mention helping out Suzette’s friend,” Junior said, then took the bottle of beer from the bar.

  “What do you mean?” Miles asked Stitch.

  “Lacey, Suzette’s friend, has been looking to buy a building to set up a new antique business. She needed some guidance with plumbing and electrical work needed on a place she found ten minutes from here. She asked me for some help, and of course I recommended Stone.”

  Nikko looked at Miles. Stone was a big guy and not exactly the friendly type.

  “How did that work out?” Nikko asked.

  “Don’t know. That’s why I asked Junior, considering Stone is his brother,” Stitch replied.

  “Lacey? That’s not the knock-out blonde who was with that suit last week? The one whose boyfriend pulled her away from you guys when you were hitting on Suzette?” Junior teased.

  Miles gave him a stern expression. Junior laughed louder.

  “Why would she need my brother’s help when that guy she was with seemed loaded?” Junior asked.

  “That guy is an asshole,” Nikko said in a firm, angry tone.

  “She’s not with him anymore,” Miles said and then looked at his cell phone again. It was nearly nine. They should have been here by now.

  “Waiting for someone?” Junior asked.

  “Lacey and Suzette may be coming here after the fundraising event they attended.”

  They heard some loud voices and laughter as a group of men and some women came into the main room from the back room. It was Lacey’s ex-boyfriend and his buddies. The women they were with looked like hookers.

  “That’s the asshole, right?” Junior asked, then took a slug from his beer bottle.

  “I don’t know why guys like that come here. They work in the city. It’s at least forty minutes from here. Stay at those clubs and bars. Crossroads is more of a local spot, not some yuppie hangout,” Tanner stated in annoyance.

  “Those guys like to show off. I have to keep stock of some high-end liquor because of them. They drink the hard stuff, top shelf, plus some aged brandy I special-order. Don’t really care for them, but they do tip really well,” Stitch said as he washed, then wiped out some beer mugs.

  Miles looked at Nikko, and Nikko was in a dead stare at the group of loud-mouthed businessmen.

  “I hate guys like that. What the hell do women see in them, anyway?”

  “Money,” Junior stated and they all mumbled in agreement.

  “Whoa,” Tanner said aloud and stared past Miles and Nikko.

  They both turned around to see what caught their attention, and there were Suzette, Lacey, and three other women all dressed up in sexy dresses, and every guy in the place was eyeing them over. Nikko felt his stomach knot up and he clenched his fists at his sides. Those guys were looking at his woman like they had every right to do so.

  One of the guys said something to them, but the women ignored them and headed straight toward Miles, Nikko, and their friends.

  Nikko was in a dead stare at Suzette. She looked gorgeous and he prayed that she didn’t blow him and Miles off. He might not have the self-control not to demand asking her why and what went wrong. He had never felt such a lack of confidence. He really loved Suzette.

  Nikko didn’t know what to expect as he took in the sight of Suzette and lost all other thoughts. The black, slim-fitting dress that landed above her knees and hugged her shapely figure made him practically drool with appreciation. He remembered his hands on those thighs, those hips as he held them while making love to Suzette. The dress was low-cut, accentuating her breasts, breasts he and Miles had feasted on, caressed, manipulated, as they loved her for hours upon hours. His heart beat faster. His throat dried up.

  I love you, baby. Please still love me.

  The high heels made her legs look long and sexy. His mouth watered and so did Miles’s.

  “Hi, guys,” Lacey said, and the others said hello, but Nikko and Miles just stared at Suzette. He didn’t know what to do. His brother’s idea of going slow and giving space went out the window as Suzette reached for both their hands and squeezed them to her. Miles leaned down first.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” he said and she kissed him. When she turned to look up at Nikko, he lowered first and kissed her deeply before letting his hand move around her waist to pull her against his chest. She was wedged between him and Miles.

  “Now this is where you belong, gorgeous,” he said, and she hugged them both.

  Nikko sighed deeply in relief. She still loved them. Something had scared her the last few days, and it was their job to find out what and make sure it never happened again.

  * * * *

  Suzette closed her eyes and relished in the feeling of being between Miles and Nikko. She loved them and had missed them so much. She didn’t know why she had kept her distance this week. Scratch that. She knew exactly why. Lacey’s situation made her panic. But now, being here with Nikko and Miles, she felt safe.

  Miles ran his hand along her back. The dress she wore was extra sexy. She was trying to help Lacey feel confident and look extra good tonight in case that asshole Jeb was here. In doing so, she decided she could use a little extra something sexy, too. This dress she wore was completely open down the back, and the front dropped a little lower than she would normally wear, considering she had large breasts. But her friends assured her that she looked classy and stylish. She had gotten loads of compliments at the fundraising dinner.

  “This is one sexy dress you’ve got on, baby. I don’t know how I feel about it,” Miles whispered next to her ear as his fingers traveled from her shoulders down her spine to her ass.

  “I was feeling a little down earlier today. Lacey, the girls, and I went shopping together. Is it too much?” she asked, stepping back and letting them check her out.

  Nikko licked his lips, then cupped her cheek and neck, drawing her closer to him.

  “Nope. It should be real simple to take off later when we’re all alone.” She felt her cheeks warm and her heart hammer in her chest as he drew her closer for a kiss.

  “You aren’t going to keep pushing us away, are you, baby?” Miles asked her, then kissed her neck by her ear as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed his body against the back of her. She could feel his hard erection. She shook her head.

  “I’d leave right this second with you if I could.”

  She saw Nikko’s eyes widen and a small smile reached his lips.

  “And why can’t we leave right now?” he asked, bringing her knuckles to his lips and kissing them.

  She took a deep breath and released it just as the roar of laughter drew their attention toward the other side of the bar. She looked right at Jeb and his friends.

  “Because of that jerk over there. Lacey had to leave her job because of him and the lies he spewed.”

  “What?” Nikko asked.

  “Why would she have to leave her job? Was he harassing her?” Miles asked.

  She quickly explained about the breakup, the picture, and the men at work.

  “Dicks. I can’t stand guys like that,” Nikko told her.

  Miles cupped her cheek. “Wait, baby, is this why you were keeping your distance? Did you think that we could hurt you like that? Maybe cheat on you?”

  She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as she absorbed their shocked expressions. Then, those expressions turned to lustful expressions.

  “We told you that we loved you. We’ve never said that to any woman before,” Miles said, sounding so serious.

  “We never wanted to say it to anyone but you. We’re in this for the long haul. We’re not Jeb. We’re not Michael,” Nikko told her, and the tears stung her eyes. Nikko gently brushed his thumb along her cheekbone.

  “We would never cause you pain. You can trust us, Suzette. Don’t you realize wh
at we shared on the weekend and the depth of this connection is so very special?”

  She nodded her head and smiled through the tears that wanted to fall, but she was able to hold back so she wouldn’t make a scene.

  “I do trust both of you. I love both of you very much. No more reservations. No more comparing you to others. Let’s just see where this leads. I was miserable all week, not seeing both of you,” she said, then hugged Miles as she pulled Nikko’s hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles.

  “Fuck, I want to leave with you right now,” Nikko whispered with his teeth clenched. She chuckled as she ran the palm of her hand against his chest.

  “We’ll be together tonight, but I need to be here for Lacey. She’s one of my best friends.”

  They both smiled. “You’ve got it, sexy. Let’s get a drink and mingle.”

  They moved closer to the bar and Suzette noticed Nikko and Miles’s friends were talking with Lacey and the girls. Lacey was sitting on the bar stool, legs crossed and looking gorgeous, and almost like she was having fun. But then Lacey would glance across the bar, then quickly look away. Jeb was on her mind. She was fearful and trying to act tough. Suzette hoped that Jeb kept his distance.

  “Damn, Suzette, that’s some dress you have on. All you ladies look stunning,” Stitch told them.

  “Thank you, Stitch,” Suzette said with a smile, then felt Miles’s arm wrap around her waist and pull her close. He and Nikko sure were making it clear that the three of them were together. She didn’t mind one bit, at all.

  * * * *

  Lacey smiled at Suzette. Her best friend looked happy and Miles and Nikko seemed like stand-up guys. Their friends were pretty hot, too, and the one guy, Junior, with the dark hair and very sultry eyes, kept looking at her. He didn’t speak too much, but he didn’t remove himself from the conversation, either.

  She felt that fluttering sensation in her gut, but she quickly reminded herself that she didn’t need a man, a fling, another problem in her life. She was at a crossroads. She had sworn off men, for the time being. She had made some major decisions this week to let go of one career and one way of life and try a new one. It was a pretty intense risk. She needed a new start, and to put the past, the old her, behind. She wasn’t going to let any man control her, make her fearful, or manipulate her to do what they wanted. She was in control now, and focusing on the store would be where all her energy and time went.

  But as she looked at Junior and their gazes locked multiple times, she couldn’t help but wonder if he would be her next mistake. When Stone popped into her head, she nearly felt her heart skip a beat. Why did she have to be attracted to two men only days after being hurt so badly by Jeb? Was she a glutton for punishment? Not anymore. She needed to just be nice and polite and ignore any attractions. That would save her from more pain.

  “How did everything work out with Stone? Was he able to help you with the building?” Stitch asked from behind the bar as he mixed a drink for Sonya.

  “Oh, God, yes. He was a lifesaver to get there in fifteen minutes. The realtor was a bit of a hard-ass,” she told him.

  “Stone is good people. He’ll do great work for you. You are hiring him to do the renovations?”

  “Yes. Definitely. Everything is moving so quickly. I hope to close the deal next week on Tuesday, then perhaps begin construction soon after that. It’s been a whirlwind.”

  “I’d say so. You got guts, Lacey. Leaving your career, that posh job you had, and now following your dreams. I wish you the best of luck. You let me know if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, Stitch.”

  “Hey, did you know that Junior here and Stone are brothers?” Stitch asked her. She was shocked.

  “Really?” she asked as she looked Junior over. His brother Stone had a few inches on him in height, but Junior was just as attractive. Maybe a little less intimidating, aside from those sultry eyes.

  “Nice to meet you,” Junior said and reached his hand out for her to shake. She shook his hand, and when their fingers touched, she felt that instant attraction to him. So strange, but once again, she pushed aside those feelings. Men were trouble. They were a distraction and a means to screw things up for her, and right now she needed everything to go perfect. She gave a nice smile and pulled her hand free.

  “So, what type of store are you opening up?” Junior asked her.

  “Antiques and some other things. I’m hoping to be able to offer personal designing for new, upscale homes being built on and around the lake.”

  “You’ve done this kind of work before?” Junior asked, then took a sip from his beer. She couldn’t help but to watch his lips and then his firm, masculine jaw as he swallowed and remained holding her gaze.

  “For fun. For friends. But it’s something I thought I’d like to try while having my own shop. There are so many people moving into the area. The log cabins that are going up are no longer decorated so rustic. People, designers, are incorporating both a modern and more upscale look to the homes. Magazine-ready all the time.” She went on, talking about some of the design ideas, about stainless steel appliances and importing Italian leather furniture and chandeliers from Greece.

  “This really excites you. Your enthusiasm is apparent,” he said, and she smiled. They stared at one another and she knew she needed to put on the breaks. She couldn’t fall for that charm, those gorgeous dark eyes and the muscles. It would lead to trouble, to disaster and to her failure.

  She took a deep breath, then released it. “So, what do you do for a living?” she asked him, then took a sip from her wine glass.

  “I’m part of Team Venom. I’m SWAT with Miles and Nikko.”

  She gulped as her mind imagined him in that damn dark-blue uniform, the guns, the ammo, the gear. Jesus. This was why Suzette got all hot and bothered and she wound up in a ménage over the weekend.

  She felt her cheeks warm and she turned away. She needed to change the subject.

  “So, your brother said something about working construction on the side. It sounded like he has another job. What else does he do?” she asked.

  Junior held her gaze a moment before he answered.

  “He makes furniture. The construction is his main work, though.”

  She was so surprised.

  “Furniture? Like what?” she asked.

  “All different things. He just does it as a hobby. It was something our fathers always did, and out of the three of us, Stone had the creative knack and the hands, I guess.”

  “Wait. Fathers?” she asked and felt her belly tighten.

  Junior took a slug of his beer.

  “Yes. My mom is married to three men. My dad Ray used to make furniture all the time. He and my mom, along with my dad Logan, own a small gift shop and souvenir place near the lake on the strip where all the restaurants are.”

  “What place is that?” she asked him then took a sip of wine.

  “Lake Treasures.”

  “Oh my God, I know that place. They have the coolest stuff there, and the miniature boat houses and, oh man, those small wooden villages they sell as a collection that light up the storefront in the winter during the holidays. I love that place. I started collecting a couple of years ago. Their store is always so crowded.”

  “Yes, it’s crazy in season. My dad and even Stone make those wooden villages and little boats and figurines,” he told her. She was shocked.

  “They’re not open all day in the winter like most of those places. But they always decorate for Christmas.”

  “No. They head out to Florida or travel elsewhere between New Years and March. The winter tourists are more interested in drinking, eating out, and skiing in the mountains.”

  “You’re right about that,” she said, and was still smiling. She thought about the place and about how Stone actually made those small figurines by hand. He was such a big man. Just like Junior was.

  “I can’t believe that your parents own Lake Treasures. It’s funny, but there were these ornate-looki
ng mirrors on the wall. The man who worked there must have been one of your dads. He said that there were only two of their kind. Those are the kinds of things I want to have in my antique store. Beautiful, unique, one-of-a-kind items that truly make a home here on the lake even more special.”

  She thought about that as she looked away from him and around at the patrons in the bar. She felt good right now. Uplifted. It was more than just the wine, it was the conversation. She felt the hand on her knee and shot her head toward Junior, who wasn’t quite smirking but seemed to be trying to read her mind.

  “I lost you there a moment. What were you thinking about?” he asked.

  She had a funny sensation. Here she was talking a mile a minute to this guy she just met, who seemed reserved, yet she felt comfortable with him. She wasn’t going to pour her heart out, but she couldn’t ignore the fact that she was in a positive state of mind.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear as she lowered her eyes.

  “Sorry for what?” he asked, holding her gaze.

  “For carrying on nonstop. I guess I’m just excited about the new business venture.”

  He smiled. “I can tell, and that’s a good thing, to be excited.”

  “In all honesty, I’m nervous, too. There’s a lot to do, and then all the construction. I’m fearing money pit, going broke, and possibly living on the streets. Other than that, yeah, I’m excited,” she said and he laughed.

  He eyed her over slowly with those sexy eyes of his.

  “I have a feeling you’ll be just fine. Keep that friendly attitude and knock-out smile, and you’ll be a success.”

  She felt her cheeks warm and she shyly looked away to take a sip from her glass of wine.

  “Stone is good at what he does. If he gave you an estimate up front, it was probably on the high side to cover the bases. He’s trustworthy, too. You don’t want just anyone messing around with the electrical and plumbing.”

  “Definitely not,” she replied. There was something happening here, a definite attraction to Junior, but also something different. Usually when she met a guy and he flirted, she took at face value, but with Junior, it felt different. She actually felt like she could be friends with someone like him. Who would have thought? Friends with a guy first? That was different, and probably a lot safer for her sanity right now, too.