“Do you know what else I see?”
“Hmm?” Lacey moaned, licking the grease from her lips.
“My future.”
A beautiful smile crossed her face. She placed the unfinished slice into the box and maneuvered herself until she sat on Drew’s lap. “Our future.”
Drew cupped her face. “I love you, Lacey.”
“I love you too.”
He couldn’t wait a minute longer, especially after hearing the words he’d been hoping for. He nudged Lacey from his lap and stood before closing the pizza box and setting it on her dresser. He turned toward Lacey, who was still sitting on the bed, and in her face he saw everything he would ever need. Wrapping her in his arms, he gently laid her on her back and hovered over her. Their gazes locked, and he stared into the prettiest eyes he had ever seen. “I’m never letting you go, Lacey.”
“Good, because I never want you to.”
In a matter of minutes, he stripped her bare and discarded his clothes at record speed. Drew’s heart hammered in his chest. How he longed to hold her in his arms and make love to her. So many nights since their time on the island he’d dreamed of her and how their bodies fit together perfectly. She may not have been his first, but he was positive she would be his last.
Chapter 28
Three days later and the weekend was upon them. Drew had spent time meeting with Pete and going over his new position. He did forgo moving into the corporate apartment Carson Enterprises had rented, since Lacey had talked him into staying with her.
Tonight, Drew was finally going to meet the infamous Grace and Janine. Lacey was all too eager to invite them over to meet her boyfriend. He had heard so much about them that part of him felt they were already his friends too.
When her door buzzed, Lacey rolled on the balls of her feet and placed a quick kiss on Drew’s lips. “Are you ready?”
“You make it sound like I’m going in front of a firing squad.”
She laughed. “You never know with these two.”
Lacey pushed the button to unlock the outer door, and within seconds her door burst open. Two boisterous women bounded in and hugged his girl as though they hadn’t seen her in years rather than days. Drew was thrilled she had great friends like them, friends who acted more like sisters.
Drew approached the trio, taking Lacey’s outstretched hand. “Drew, this is Grace…” She motioned toward a tall brunette and then to the bubbly blonde woman standing next to her. “And this is Janine.”
He shook both their hands, never releasing Lacey’s. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
Grace looked him up and down with appraising brown eyes. “Very nice, Lace.” When Drew cut his gaze toward Lacey, her face had turned a deep shade of crimson, but Drew just smiled.
Janine laughed. “Really, Lacey. It’s no wonder you accosted him on the beach.”
“I didnotaccost him,” Lacey chided. She looked at Drew. “Right?”
“Sure, whatever you say.” He winked and the girls laughed.
“I like you, Drew. Now let’s sit and get to know one another.” Janine sat down on the sofa, tucking her legs beneath her.
Laughter filled the room, and when Grace asked Lacey to get a bottle of wine from the kitchen, she happily obliged.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Grace casually leaned on the arm of the sofa. “Before our girl comes back, Janine and I would like to thank you for what you did for Lacey. She returned from vacation a different person. Not that she wasn’t fabulous beforehand, but standing up to her jackass ex and meeting you has changed her… she’s so much happier.”
Drew nodded. “Believe me, she’s the one who makes me happy. Meeting Lacey was the highlight of my vacation. Granted, I wish the circumstances were different, because she didn’t deserve what Kevin did… no woman does, but her tenacity is a force to be reckoned with.”
Janine beamed. “That’s our girl.”
“Who’s your girl?” Lacey asked, a bottle of cabernet in one hand and a tray of glasses in her other.
“Here, let me help you.” Drew stood, taking the tray from Lacey and setting it on the coffee table before pouring everyone a glass.
“Chivalrous too,” Grace said with her hand over her heart. “Yeah, you can stay.”