by Amy Brent
“You are beautiful Lacey, everything about that… about you was beautiful.”
She quickly dressed the rest of the way, her face red. “You don’t have to say that Rafe. I know this was a bad idea.” She saw him frown and sit up quickly.
“Lacey, why are you running from me. I didn’t just say that to hear myself talk, you know?”
“I have to go; I have to get back to the house.” She scrambled more then, picking up her shoes, and pausing once to glance up at him. She let her eyes linger on him for a second.
“It was beautiful Rafe, you're right. “She smiled at him and left then, before she ran back in there and told him that she loved him.
Rafe
He watched her leave, his confusing only mounting. “Damnit Lacey.” He cursed as he stood doing his best to get redressed. He moved down the stairs quickly, but he heard her leave before he could stop her.
As the days went by he waited, hoping she would reach out to him, but she didn’t. He was staying at the house, knowing her mother was still with her at the townhouse. He had a new contracting job starting on Monday, but he was doubtful he would be able to get her to respond to him before then. It certainly wasn’t for lack of trying. He called her continually, but she wouldn’t respond to him.
Finally, both she and her mother showed up on Sunday night. It had been almost a week since he saw her, but she had been on his mind, consuming him. He was working on his bike, cleaning out the intake when they pulled up. His eyes found her on their own, quickly taking her in. She avoided looking at him altogether as she helped gather her mother’s things instead. He gave in to her and moved to help as well. His body, only inches from her now, making him remember the sweetness of her.
“Rafe, I’m so glad you’re still here I had no idea, did you Lacey?” She smiled and didn’t wait for an answer as she moved to hug him.”
She was lucky she didn’t wait for a response he watched as the red blush filled up Lacey’s face, threatening to give her away.
“I am for now. I have to head home in the morning, I have a new contract starting.” He felt the satisfaction fill him as Lacey’s head snapped up to look at him and take in his words.
“Oh no, that’s too bad it would be nice to have a man around the house.” She gulped, her eyes filling with tears. “It’s time for me to come home, I’ve been imposing on Lacey long enough.”
“Mom you know I love having you there.”
“I know, I know Lacey.”
The three of them carried her things inside, moving and organizing everything she wanted them to. He watched her, wanting to say something… anything to make her realize they needed to talk. But still she avoided him. He watched her as she went upstairs to grab something else, and he followed her. She was in the closet digging around and he was there when she shut the door.
“Really Rafe, you scared me to death.”
“Stop running from me Lacey.”
She started walking again. “I am not running; I just don’t know what we need to talk about Rafe.”
“Really, you don’t think anything that’s happened this week warrants any discussion?”
“What is there to say Rafe?”
“Maybe I have a lot to say...”
“Rafe… Someone is here to see you.” They heard her mother yell for them.
“I’m coming Alice.” He pulled her close, kissing her roughly on the mouth. “I’m not done with this Lacey.”
He moved to the top of the stairs and looked down, a fuming Lacey behind him.
“Who is it Alice?” He moved to start down the stairs.
Alice moved out of the way and a strikingly beautiful brunette smiled up at him. “It’s your wife Rafe.”
Lacey
There had been very few times in her life where Lacey was surprised. This certainly qualified as one of those times. She swallowed hard, the sick feeling in her stomach making it necessary to stop and breath a moment, though she showed no signs of it on her face.
“What are you doing here Rachel?” His voice had changed, and now he spoke with a calmness that was unsettling.
“We need to talk Rafey, please.” She almost pouted and it turned Lacey’s stomach even more.
He didn’t move, and Alice took over the situation. “Lacey, why don’t you and I go start working on dinner and give these two an opportunity to chat hmm.” She smiled and Lacy nodded, moving down the stairs slowly, until she was face to face with Rachel.
“You must be Lacey, Rafe has always had so much to say about you. Things have certainly changed it would seem.” She gave Lacey a smile that was almost evil as she gave Lacey a once over, making the heat rush to her face.
Not to be outdone, she replied. “It's funny Rafe and I talk all the time and he never even mentioned you.” As her point hit home Lacey followed her mother into the kitchen.
They didn’t speak for a long moment, Lacey attacked the chicken they were making with a vengeance, cutting and scoring it. She was lost in her own thoughts, never once trying to address things with her mother.
“So how long Lacey?”
She looked up at her mother frowning. “How long what mom?”
“You and Rafe… how long.” Her mother methodically cut up the potatoes and carrots, never once breaking stride as she worked.
Her mother knew her better than anyone else, she couldn’t lie about it. “I guess that depends on the question your asking mom. How long have I loved him…? Probably for ten years.”
“I see…. How long since you two started… well you know?”
“Mom!” She stopped working long enough to look over at her.
“Lacey, I’m not an idiot… I know you have always loved him, but something changed and its changing you.”
“Recently… I know it’s wrong… I know I should look at him as a brother.”
“Well, it's certainly complicated, but you can’t help who you love dearly.”
“It’s not like it matters mom, not just because he suddenly has a wife he’s never mentioned. We are just so different.”
“Different how Lacey?”
“It doesn’t matter mom; I mean we just are.”
“Lacey you are not a child anymore. You are 20 and know exactly who you are and what you want far more than most 30 year olds. You're successful, and grounded and beautiful.”
“Please mom.” She shoved the chicken into the oven.
“I have all night Lacey.” Alice leaned back on the bar in the kitchen watching her.
“He is…. Perfect... I mean, look at him. There is no room in his life. for someone like me.”
There she said it and it was out in the open.
“Goodness gracious Lacey is this about your weight? Don’t you think it’s time you let that go? Sure, you’re a curvy, beautiful girl. Rafe doesn’t care, if he did, he wouldn’t have taken that step in the first place. Don’t let your insecurities keep you from trying. As for his wife, I don’t know what the deal is with that situation.”
“Yeah, well…” Lacey smiled at her mom. “I love you mom, but I need some time, a trip I think. Will you be ok? Nothing crazy just a few days?”
Alice sighed. “Running won’t help but if it’s what you want I’ll be fine Lacey; some solitude will be good for me too I suppose.”
Lacey heard voices upstairs and felt the ache deep down once more. She tossed her apron on the counter hugging her mother close before she moved into the living room and outside to her waiting car.
Rafe
“I told you to leave me alone, Rachel and I meant it, what the hell are you doing here?”
“I came to see if you have gotten over yourself and are ready to talk about us?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
He was once more reminded of why things had fallen apart. She was a viper, and a hateful one at that. She smiled at him moved in front of him, running her hands up his chest making him sick.
“No Rachel, there is no “us” I told you that when I found yo
u in bed with my friend. I’ve already got the paperwork ready, just sign the damn thing already.”
“Rafe, don’t be ridiculous, what would you do without me. Not to mention there is all the money to think of.”
He hated her, and everything she stood for. Marrying her had been a fool's move and he had regretted it almost instantly. She had painted a picture of a happy home, all the while spending his savings and then borrowing more money from a shark in uptown. Charging it to him of course.”
He was paying it back, but it was taking forever, and what he really wanted to was to be rid of the entire situation.
“I’m paying Louie back Rachel; I don’t have to be married to you to do it.”
“That’s true Rafey, but I take him the money, keeping you safe. If you don’t have me then they will know who got the money in the first place.”
“I don’t care anymore, Rachel, just tell them.” He was serious and he waited, watching the expression on her face change as she finally started to believe him.
“You don’t mean that, Rafe.” She swallowed hard.
“Yes, I do, besides, I never saw any of that money, it was you’re doing not mine. I’m paying it off because somewhere along the twisted path you and I have been on I loved you once.”
“You love me now Rafe, I know you do.” She moved to touch him one more and he grabbed her wrists before she had a chance to take it any further.
“No Rachel, I don’t. Go home.” I love someone else. He felt it but wouldn’t hurt her unnecessarily.
When she was gone, he thought hard about why may happen when she did tell them where he was. She wasn’t lying when she said she was keeping him safe, in fact, she had likely kept him alive. Now, however, he wanted more… and wanted it with someone else. He felt something stir deep down as he thought of Lacey, and the look on her face when Alice said his wife was there. She had been hurt there was no masking that.
Without looking he heard the slam of the front door as she left, followed closely by the squeal of tires as she flew out of the driveway and down the street. It was complicated but he had faith, it would all work itself out, and he would take the next big step… talking to Lacey. He made his way downstairs, carefully glancing around the room until he heard a shuffle from the kitchen. He made his way inside, knowing that regardless of who he would find there… he would face the music.
Alice was sitting at the bar, glass in hand, waiting for him. “Come on in Rafe, come eat with me.”
It was more of a request and less of a question. He moved into the room slowly, waiting for her reaction. Even at 17 he knew better than to push his luck with his step-mother. He settled into the chair across from her.
“I’m sorry Alice, about Rachel. It’s not what you think… not even close.”
“I’m less concerned about Rachel than I am about Lacey, Rafe. How could you let things get out of control?
He sighed loudly. “I don’t know how any of this happened Alice. I never meant to…” He trailed off.
“Well, you did, and now she is as much a mess as you are.” She sipped from her glass looking out the window. “I thought your relationship was more brother and sister, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised by all of this Rafe.”
“Trust me, I am just as surprised as you are. “He glanced around the room. “Where is she anyway?”
“Lacey needs some time Rafe, time to figure out who she is, what she wants or something like that.”
“What do you mean she needs some time, where is she? I have been trying to get her to talk to me for a week and nothing.” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Rafe, I know Lacey more than anyone. She has feelings for you, that much is obvious, but she needs to figure out what she wants and take a break from it. Give her some time.”
He leaned back in his chair in frustration.
As the weekend went on he knew he would have to go home, and start his new contract. It wasn’t far, only a 4-hour drive, but it was far enough to make it hard to leave. Alice walked him out the morning he was leaving and he hugged her tightly, once more thankful that she had been a part of his life.
The days flew by and week after week he couldn’t seem to think about anything else but Lacey. He called Alice who reassured him that Lacey was fine, but it did nothing to comfort him… or to make him feel better about his situation. He wanted her… even now he thought about how beautiful she had been that day.
He glanced down at the work on his table and swore, knowing he was getting nowhere. He had to see her… to find her and set the record straight about so many things. He crumbled the forms in front of him, throwing them into the basket at the end of his desk. Tomorrow was Friday, he would just drive to wherever she was… if Alice would tell him. At least he would know where he stood once and for all.
Lacey
The tears were rolling freely as she sat up thinking about what she would do. There was no secret that she was scared about what life had in store for her, in fact she had spent the last few days doing her best to formulate a plan.
She hated herself for missing him, but she knew she would have to see him sooner or later, and they would talk. She closed her eyes, thinking once more about how he had touched her and loved her. He made her feel special in so many ways that she was missing him more and more each day…. Especially now.
She looked out the long window of the cabin she had been in for three weeks now. Her “couple of days” had quickly become something bigger, and though she could work from home, she knew she would have to go back eventually. She heard the phone vibrating, though she knew it was him again. She would give him credit for being persistent.
Nothing would go the way she wanted to, no matter how many different ways she tried to piece it out, she was always left alone in the end. He was married, and Rachel had been more than passingly pretty. She could have stepped out on a runaway wearing rags. That was who Rafe was married too…that’s who Rafe loved.
Part of her didn’t even want to talk to him, to tell him everything. Instead, she wanted to hide away in this cabin where no one could find her… or hurt her. She moved down the long hall to shower, something that always made her feel better. At least then she could relax a little. She let the heat wash over her and soon wrapped herself in a fluffy white towel which helped drastically.
She walked out of the shower and back down the long hall where she found him.
He was waiting for her, pensive and on edge. She could see it in the way he sat on the edge of the couch, his fingertips tapping the leather of the couch. He glanced up then, seeing her and he stood, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“What are you doing here, Rafe, you scared me to death.” She stood there, folding her arms across her chest.
“I wasn’t trying to scare you Lacey, I could have called you… but you would have to respond to me in order for that to happen.” He watched her, his eyes scanning the length of her.
She felt the heat of a blush rush through her at his words, true as they were. “What do you want Rafe?”
He sighed. “I want to talk to you Lacey, I want to have a conversation that is real and honest. I want to talk to you and not have to worry about you running from me again.”
She moved over to the couch across from him, settling in. Finally, she looked up at him. “Ok Rafe, talk to me then.”
He frowned for a moment, then sat back down into the couch. He let his eyes look her over again. “First of all, are you ok? I mean I can see your alive and well, but it’s been weeks.”
No, I’m not ok. “I’m fine Rafe. I just needed some time away things have been stressful lately at work and stuff.”
“I want to talk to you about Rachel. “He held up a hand as she tried to speak. “For me Lacey, please let me talk.”
She swallowed hard, bracing herself for what was to come. He would tell her everything she didn’t want to hear, and her heart would break even more. She felt her body tense up, and she hung on e
very word.
“Rachel was everything to me for a very long time. She was smart and funny and she made me believe she was going to be there for me no matter what. I trusted her in that.”
“Rafe I can’t.”
“But she had more than just one side to her and there was something ugly there too.” He continued on.
“Stop it Rafe I… I can’t.” She stood then, leaving him there and making her way into the room where she slept, shutting the door behind her.
He was with her in an instant, hugging her close, making her feel protected and safe. Both things she hadn’t felt in a long time. He moved to her chin, lifting it up just enough for his mouth to claim hers, sealing their lips with a deep kiss. She felt the tears in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall, knowing that she would give in to him, and to let him love her even if it was goodbye.
She moved frantically as he kissed her deeper and longer, making quick work of the clothing between them. She wanted to feel all of him against her skin, wanted the heat of him to brandish her. She moved back then, leaning on her elbows her full breasts jutting upward in the air for him to feast on. He suckled on each crested peak hard, bring them both to a full peak, one hand carefully tugging on them and tweaking them between his fingers. He looked at her as he lapped at them flicking his tongue in new circular patterns on them as he freed his now swollen member from his clothes.
She watched, feeling him tease her skin with the velvety smoothness until he pushed her breasts together, and he slid the length of his between the luscious mounds, pumping slowly. Glancing down, she watched as the glistening tip appeared before her and without hesitation she slipped her pink tongue out licking the head momentarily with each stroke.
He groaned, looking down at her and she soon found herself rolled over on her stomach, waiting for his next move. She felt his fingers run down the length of her back, softly and gently caressing her until he pulled up on both legs, bringing her into an all fours position. She felt the heat rush to her face, embarrassed as she sat there exposed to him. She watched him move around behind her, his fingers slipping down until he found the entryway to her womanhood. He slid between her lips, pushing until he moved his hands, causing gasps from her as he moved his hand back and forth causing a tremendous about of pleasure in her body to enjoy.