“Come on.” Lacey leans into her hip; when she does her button gaps in the front, and I’m reminded of how full her chest is. I bet her tits are gorgeous. “You’ve shared your rental car with me, now.” She sucks in air through her teeth. “I’ll share my hotel room with you.” She nods as if convincing herself that sharing a hotel room with me is a good idea, then hands over her credit card to the old innkeeper.
“Doesn’t that make you nervous?” I lean down, lowering my voice. “Sharing a room with a stranger you just met.”
“I know this sounds weird, and I may end up onDatelinefor it.” She takes her card back from the man. “But, something tells me that I can trust you.” She points her red lacquered fingertip at me. “Don’t make me live…or die…to regret those words.”
I let out a laugh, unable to hide my smile. “I’ll do my best.”
Lacey’s lips curl into a smile, and again I’m reminded of how drop-dead gorgeous this woman is. The innkeeper hands me the key and points us in the direction of our room. I carry Lacey’s bag for her, and she sneaks a glance at her phone.
“Any word about the baby?”
“Nothing,” she says. “I know that shouldn’t worry me, but it does. My mom had a rough pregnancy with both of us girls, and I just want Charlie to be okay.” Lacey’s brow furrows, and I realize this is probably why she’s in such a rush to get back to her sister.
“Hey, Lace. It’ll be okay. She’ll be okay. There’ll be a big, fat, screaming baby in her arms in no time.”
“My dad used to call me that.”
“Um, a big, fat screaming baby?”
“No.” She laughs, slapping my arm. “Lace?”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t let anyone else.” I wiggle the old-fashioned brass key into the lock until it clicks. “But for some reason, I don’t mind when you call me that.” I throw the door open, and Lacey walks past me into the darkness. My heart skips a beat when she passes. All of this feels so natural. It almost scares me.
She flicks on the light switch, revealing a room that looks like it hasn’t been decorated since nineteen eighty-six. “Whoa,” I say, dropping our bags and checking out the old television. “Does this thing even work?”
“Does this?” Lacey points at the coin machine at the head of the bed.
“Don’t tell me. That’s not what I think it is.”
Lacey full-on belly laughs. “I thought these were a myth. I’ve never seen a vibrating bed in my life. Do you think it actually works?”
Unable to believe it myself, I head to the side of the bed, reaching into my pocket for a quarter as I do. “Only one way to find out.”
I slip the quarter into the slot. A low hum sounds throughout the room. Then the bed slowly begins jumping up and down.
“Get the hell out of here!” Lacey screams, covering her mouth. “This is unreal.” She gets her phone out and hands it to me. “Take my picture.”
She climbs up on the bed, standing up on her knees with her hands on her hips. The vibrating shakes her breasts, and I can’t pull my eyes away. “Ride ’em, cowboy,” she says, either not noticing or not caring that I’m thrilled at watching her bounce on a vibrating bed.
I take her picture, and right after I do, the bed stops moving, but Lacey keeps laughing. I’d laugh too, but I can’t stop picturing all of the naughty, dirty things I want to do to this woman on that vibrating bed.
CHAPTERFIVE
LACEY
ThankGod I brought a change of clothes—including panties. My mother always taught Charlie and me to bring at least two pair per day on any trip. Dear old mom’s coming through for me even now.
I tie my hair up and take a quick shower, willing myself to relax. It’s just a room, and it’s only for one night. But I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t been thinking about what it would feel like to sleep with him. Yeah, it’s wishful thinking; a man like him surely doesn’t fall for a woman like me. I’m neurotic, regimented, and prefer room service with a view to the outdoors. Still, a girl can dream. Hell, if he’s down for it…
I pull on a tank top and pair of night shorts, and after a deep breath (or five), I head back into the hotel room. Bond’s fussing with the pull-out bed. “We have a slight problem.”
“You’re disappointed it doesn’t vibrate, too?”
“Cute.” He narrows his eyes at me, and the familiarity of his glance causes my panties to instantly flood with wetness. “But, no. The bed is in the way of the legs.” When I look down at the partially unfolded bed, I see what he’s saying. When fully extended, the pull-out hits the end of the bed.
“Eek,” I say. “That deadhead downstairs is a liar.” I cross my arms over my chest and notice that Bond’s glance lands on my full cleavage. Normally, I’d cross my arms quickly for modesty’s sake, but right now, I don’t want to. I like his eyes on me.
“I’ll just sleep on the sofa.” He tucks the bed back into the sofa. “I’m sure it’s more comfortable that way, anyway.”