“No.” I thought it best to put the cabash on that idea right away. “I’ve decided to leave that part of my life behind.”

“Why?” my brother asked his brow knitted together in confusion. “You’re so good at it, Lace.”

“And you have a contract with Black Cat,” Bryan added.

“I did a lot of thinking about it these past three weeks. That kind of lifestyle is too much of a temptation for an addictive personality like mine. Besides, I realized that being part of a group was what I really loved most about music, and I can get that in other ways. The singing, going solo, that was War’s idea. It’s not really what I want. I’ve decided to go back to school. Study fashion design. I’ve started sketching again.” I shrugged. “It makes me happy.”

Both guys were silent as that blitz of information settled. As Dizzy steered the sedan through the tollbooth, Bryan broke the silence. “Whatever you want to do, Lace, I know you’ll be good at it.”

A surge of emotion clogged my throat. His approval meant that much to me. I gave him a long look that said I-want-to-climb-into-the-back-seat-with-you-and-lick-your-neck. I think he got it because he returned my look and one up’ed me with a sexy smile.

We dropped the rental off and took the shuttle back to the airport. After we checked into the Hyatt Regency inside the terminal, Dizzy suggested we grab a bite to eat together at the steakhouse. I eagerly nodded my agreement. The cafeteria in rehab had been ok, but I was ready for some real food. Dizzy went on ahead to get us a table.

The instant we were alone, Bryan grabbed my arm. His warm calloused fingertips traced a path to my palm that made me shiver. “Eat fast,” he said softly, his piercing grey green eyes glittering intently into mine. “You’re coming to my room after. There are things to be said that can’t wait.”

I nodded mutely; a sudden case of nerves unsettled my empty stomach. I ordered a steak, but was iffy about it now. Bryan and I sat opposite each other at the table. I listened disinterestedly while he and Dizzy went through a list of possible replacements for War. As long as I avoided direct eye contact with Bryan, I was able to continue interacting on a reasonable level. The one time I’d slipped up, the sensual look he had given me had made my entire body tremble with anticipation.

Lucky for me, by the time the food arrived, my nerves were somewhat under control and my appetite had returned. I did an admirable job on the steak and resisted desserts. Right now only one thing was tempting me, anyway.

“Hey, man,” Bryan said to Dizzy when the check finally came, “Lace and I need to talk.”

Dizzy gaze flicked to me. I saw the trepidation in his eyes, and I understood it. I had reservations myself. Not about whether or not to go with Bryan. That was as inevitable as the coming sunrise. No, it was the uncertainty about what might happen afterward that worried me. Surely he would understand though. After all this was Bryan. Not War.

“I’ve got my own keycard,” I told my brother hoping that would reassure him. “I’ll come to our room later.”

“Diz.” Bryan leaned an elbow on the table. “It’s ok. I’ll take good care of her.” His voice was low and deep and I totally got that there was more than just a promise to Dizzy in those words. Imagining just what type of things taking care of me might involve made my mouth dry and my heart rate accelerate.

My brother paid the bill and gave me a hug before I left the table with Bryan. I looked back at him. For a brief moment, I wavered. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

“Lace.” Bryan took my hand and my uncertainty dissolved. I wanted him and he wanted me. The rest was just details.

Holding hands, we made our way to the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, Bryan’s warm hands settled low on my back, right above the curve of my bottom and he slid me close, positioning me in just the right place. Instant hot desire hummed through my veins, and I knew I was lost. He and I were a foregone conclusion that had been on the back burner for years. It was time to turn the heat up to high. I placed my hands on his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin and the staccato rhythm of his heartbeat through the thin material of his button down shirt. I wrapped my arms around his neck and tilted my face up to his. Anticipation flooded my body as his mouth lowered to mine.

33

I watched her lids close, golden lashes fanning over her blushed cheeks. Her surrender made me feel powerful yet humbled at the same time. Her fingers tangling in the hair at the back of my neck turned me on more than I could stand.

“Bry.” She breathed my name like a plea. A plea to take and possess her which was what I had every intention of doing.

I slanted my mouth across hers, plunging my tongue into the loose seam between her sweet lips. A raging fire burned inside of me as soon as I got my first taste. Her mouth was salty from the steak, minty from the Tic Tacs she had handed out after dinner, and hot as fucking hell.

Her moan made me realize my tactical error immediately. Taking her mouth wasn’t going to be enough, and I couldn’t do all the things I wanted to do to her in this elevator. “Lace.” I lifted my head and her dazed eyes fluttered open. Her lips were wet and swollen, and her breath was shallow. A primal surge of satisfaction swept through me. I put my hands on either side of her head and pinned her sexy body between my arms. “Just so we’re clear. You’re mine now. No one’s ever coming between us ever again.”

“Yes, Bry,” she agreed, lids low as she peered back at me. The passion that simmered in her beautiful eyes made me want to rip her clothes off right then, elevator cameras be damned.

Good thing the door slid open at that moment. I went completely cave man, threw her over my shoulder, and stalked to the room.

She giggled.

I fucking loved the sound of it. It’d been too long since I’d heard her laugh. I stopped in front of the door.

“Put me down,” she said sounding all out of breath.

“Hell, fucking no.” I slid the key card out of my front pocket. “I’m the one giving the orders tonight, babe.”

Door opened, I carried her to the king bed and tossed her in the middle, right on top of the beige comforter. She pulled herself up on her elbows, her lips parting watching me as I took off my shirt. While I removed my boots and socks, she sat up and lifted her shirt over her head. “Next time I get to do that,” I told her.

“Ok.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder, lips spreading into a playful smile.

My eyes devoured her. She was by far the sexiest woman I’d ever seen. The creamy slopes of her breasts spilled out of her purple bra, the nipples just barely concealed by the lacy edge. She lowered her head and gave me a flirty come ‘take me’ look. Hell, yeah. I was hard as a rock. I’d never been more ready in my life.

I unbuckled my belt and started to unbutton my jeans but she reached out and covered my hand.

“Let me.” Her voice was husky as she stared up at me. She’d been so young our first time, a little hesitant. Not now. Now she was all woman and she was all mine.

Finally.

I nodded.

Her hair slid forward as she lowered her head and spread apart the button fly on my jeans. I moved things along by pulling my boxers and jeans off together. My breath caught when her soft hand closed around my erection. My dick jumped in her hand.

Fucking hell.

I pulled her up, pushed her back on the bed, and slammed my mouth down on hers with a growl. I wanted to be inside her…now. That voice inside my head that had been telling me to take it slow, I told to shut the fuck up. I was done with preliminaries.

I thrust my tongue deep into her mouth giving it to her a little rough. Apparently she liked that just fine because she started to writhe beneath me. Her jeans needed to come off though. Chest heaving, I drew back, unbuttoned, unzipped, and ripped them down.

I’d been telling myself for years that my memory had exaggerated her perfection. Not so much. She was my every fantasy made real. “Fuck you’re gorgeous.” I framed her face in my hands. “I never stopped loving you. I need you to know that.”

Her fingers ghosted across my lips, settling over my mouth like a soft kiss. “Stop looking so serious. I love you too.” She smiled. “I’ve always loved you.”

I felt the force of her words deep in my soul, the cure to the restlessness that had plagued me since I’d given her up as a teen.

34

I stared at this handsome man watching as his cautious veneer fell away right before my eyes. The love shining out of his eyes was like a bright beacon that I was helpless to resist…not that I had ever wanted to, not really.