Covered In Lace

chapter THIRTEEN

Flynn pulled into this driveway after another long day at work and parked his truck, then looked across the lawn toward Lacey's cottage. He saw her and Annie sitting on the back porch. Soon as he stepped from his truck he heard the melodic strains of Lacey's voice and soft, strumming chords of Annie's guitar. He walked over to them and stopped at the bottom of the steps.

Was there anything sexier than two gorgeous women jamming, he wondered? He waited until their song ended and climbed the painted wooden steps. He bent over Lacey and planted a firm kiss on her lips.

“Annie's decided to play with me tonight at O'Sullivan's,” Lacey said. “So, we're practicing.”

Flynn nodded and smiled. “Sounds like a good plan,” he said. “The locals will love that.”





Lacey helped Flynn load her equipment into the back of his pick-up truck; carefully stacking her guitar cases with Annie's. They would be doing acoustic sets at O'Sullivan's, playing hits from their years of working together with Lace, a little bit of Annie's solo material and also Lacey's.

“I love doing small shows like this,” Annie said, climbing into Flynn's truck next to Lacey. “It reminds me of the good old days when I was playing with my band White Rush.”

“I know what you mean,” Lacey said. “Taylor and I did years of playing the small bars and clubs before we had a big enough following to sell out the larger venues. I love the roar that comes from an audience in an arena but there's something to be said for the intimacy you get with an audience in a small club.”

Annie nodded in agreement. “To be that close to your audience and actually see them singing along with you...there's no greater high.”

Flynn parked his truck next to the loading doors behind O'Sullivan's and started carrying in the equipment. Lacey grabbed two guitar cases and followed Flynn inside; depositing them beside the make-shift stage in the pool room. It was early and the dinner crowd still occupied most of the restaurant area. It would be a couple more hours before the typical Saturday night party people made it out. In the meantime, Annie and Lacey would set the stage to their liking and warm up their vocal cords.

Once all their equipment was brought inside, Flynn found a seat at the bar and ordered himself a beer. He watched Emma fill a chilled mug, then slide it across the wooden bar top at him.

“Are you her personal 'roadie' now?” Emma asked.

He knew she meant it to sound like an innocent joke, but Flynn had no trouble catching the sarcastic jab in her tone. Emma was indeed jealous Lacey was now sharing his life...and his bed. It wasn't difficult for him to figure that much out, but he didn't understand why.

Yeah, he had hooked up with Emma a few times; but it typically had more to do with the sex than the conversation and none of their encounters would have classified as being 'dates'. A couple of times the sex hadn't even held off long enough to make it out of the bar; with Emma coaxing him into a back room for a blow job or a quick f*ck.

Honestly, it hadn't taken much coaxing on his part. What guy in their right mind would have turned down a hot, young girl like Emma – especially when she was lifting up her skirt revealing she was naked beneath? Who could have blamed him for bending her over the stacked cases of beer in the cooler room and taking what she was so willing to offer?

She had the body of a full-blown woman and the mind of a girl; which was a lethal combination, making it impossible for her to separate the casual sex aspect of their get-togethers from her need for it to mean something more. By the time Flynn realized Emma was developing feelings for him, it was too late for him to soften the blow when it came time to end it. Playtime for him was over.

He didn't like the awkwardness that hung between them now, but nonetheless, he saw no way around it, either. He had been warned by a few of his friends; not to get involved with a girl so much younger than himself, and now he knew why. Lesson learned; and one he didn't intended to repeat.

He took the mug from the bar top and swallowed a long gulp of the cold beverage. His eyes followed the soft strumming noise he could now hear coming from the pool room. Lacey was sexily perched on the side of a wooden stool, her long, luscious legs were exposed up to her thighs; her feet resting comfortably in her 'lucky cowboy boots' tapped on the stage keeping time. Her blond hair was loosely piled up on her head, revealing the soft curve of her neck to him.

He was contemplating the many ways he could use his tongue on her throat to pleasure her when she looked up and saw him watching from the bar. She playfully blew him a kiss and waved and he returned the gesture before taking another sip of his beer.

God, he loved her. Inside and out; head to toe, and every delicious inch in between. He would no longer question the reasons why she was with him and simply do his best to be thankful she was, and how he was a much better man because of it.

Lacey and Annie performed for two solid hours to a standing room only crowd. By the time they played their last song, O'Sullivan's was getting ready to close. A few stragglers remained in the pool room finishing up their game. Occasionally, letting out a rowdy cat call directed at Lacey or Annie while they watched them dismantling their equipment.

Flynn was talking to some friends by the bar when he heard the commotion in the pool room take on a louder tone. He turned in time to see a local guy by the name of Rudy Quinn starting to get a little too close to Lacey, grabbing for her hips and ass.

Flynn walked to the doorway and stopped. He saw Rudy fill his palm with another handful of Lacey's backside and moved closer.

“You grab her ass again and I'll have to hurt you,” Flynn said.

Silence slowly rolled through the room. The only noise now coming from chairs and stools being moved out of the way on the wooden floor.

“This isn't your business, Beckett,” Rudy said.

“Yeah, it is,” Flynn said. “Touch Lacey again and my fist will hit your face.” He motioned with his eyes at Lacey for her to move away from Rudy. She did, but Rudy reached for her again; his arm sliding around her waist and pulling her tightly to his side.

Rudy narrowed his eyes at Flynn. “You can't lay claim to every piece of ass in this town,” he said. “Besides, this pretty little thing is a city girl; which means she's fair game.”

“Lacey's with me,” Flynn said.

Rudy laughed and pressed his face into Lacey's neck and inhaled loudly; his tongue darting out like a snake for a quick taste. “Is that so?”

The words weren't completely out of Rudy's mouth before Flynn's hand circled his throat; effectively pulling Rudy off Lacey. Annie reached for Lacey's hand and tugged her back toward the stage and Flynn landed a solid punch against Rudy's jaw. Two of Rudy's friends grabbed him and hauled him out, with Rudy kicking and screaming the whole way.

“You may own half the town, Beckett, but you don't own me!” Rudy yelled.

Flynn shook his hand in the air, trying to work the pain out of his knuckles. Emma came up beside him with a towel wrapped around some ice cubes and pressed it to his hand.

“It's bad enough she's got you hauling around her equipment,” Emma said. “But do you have to fight for her, too?”

“Em, you need to let it go,” he said. “I'm with Lacey now and that's not gonna change.”

“Until she gets bored,” Emma said.

Flynn held Emma's gaze with a cold angry glare, then turned away when he felt the warmth of Lacey's fingers curling around his bicep.

“Are you hurt?” Lacey asked.

Flynn put his back to Emma and embraced Lacey; rocking her in his arms.

“I'll be fine,” he said.

“You're welcome for the ice,” Emma said, and stomped back to the bar.

Lacey nuzzled against his chest, both her hands gripped his arms. “You didn't need to do that,” she said.

“There's no way I'm going to allow any man to disrespect you like that,” he said.

“I've been treated much worse in the past, Flynn,” she said. “Sometimes it goes along with the job.”

“That was the past,” he said. “You're with me now, and I won't tolerate it.”

Annie came over to them and threw an arm around Lacey's shoulders. “That guy gave me the creeps,” she said. “I was having a flashback of that freak from Florida.”

“Both of you need to stop worrying,” Lacey said.



Earl gave a loud cheer when he read the sign stating he had entered Massachusetts. The trip north had taken him longer than he had planned. It felt like he'd been gone for months instead of a few days. But he hadn't planned on some of the problems he'd encountered, either.

Ever since Maggie had left him and ratted him out to the police, he'd spent the rest of the trip having to look over his shoulder. He was surprised he hadn't gotten whip-lash from the constant snap of his neck every time he saw blue flashing lights coming up behind him on the highway.

To be on the safe side, he had stolen a different car every few states. Better to blend in, he thought, than stick out with a license plate from a state over a thousand miles away. The last car he jacked had Connecticut plates and Earl felt that would suit him fine for the duration of the trip. Then he'd have to contemplate his return to Florida.

He'd spent so much time plotting his revenge against Annie, he hadn't spent one minute thinking of what he would do afterward and how he would get home. He was sure the cops were hot on his trail and would spot him if he attempted to enter an airport or a bus terminal. But Earl was smarter than that. He knew how to disappear better than anyone he knew.

He lifted the map on the front seat of the car and glanced at it. The Berkshires were very close to the New York border. It seemed logical to him that he could put Annie out of her misery and then drift over the border and lie low there for a while. Hell, if he liked the state, maybe he'd get a job and stay for a while. The winter's would probably suck though, he thought. A Southern boy had no reason to spend a winter up north.

He followed the signs to the Massachusetts Turnpike and headed west. It wouldn't be long now, he thought. The smile lifting his cheeks made him look like the Grinch that stole Christmas. He loved it when a plan came together and this plan would be the sweetest of them all. He set the cruise control on the steering wheel and got comfortable. If his estimates were correct, he'd be in the area of the recording studio in no time at all.

The clock was ticking down for precious little Annie Logan, he thought. He hoped she was enjoying her last few hours of life.





“I have a surprise for you,” Flynn said against the nape of Lacey's neck.

Lacey made a soft humming noise. “I love your surprises,” she said. “They always seem to involve us being naked and in bed.”

Flynn laughed and walked Lacey down the hall to her bedroom; her backside to his chest, his fingers covering her eyes. When he got to the doorway, he dropped his hands.

Lacey glanced around the room and stopped on a bright red bow tied to the center of the brass headboard of her bed. A pair of silver bracelets hung from a chain below the bow. Lacey stepped closer and Flynn followed.

“Are those handcuffs?” she asked.

He looked at her face, trying to read her eyes; uncertain of how she'd react. She loved it when he used the silk scarfs to restrain her in bed, but he wasn't sure she'd appreciate the cuffs.

“I have a friend that does custom metal work,” Flynn said. He watched her stretch across the bed and touch the cuffs.

“You had these made?” she asked.

Flynn nodded. “Specially for you,” he said. He moved beside her and quietly observed her inspect the new restraints. “Those are one-of-a-kind with a special feature I think you'll love.”

Finally her eyes lifted to his and he saw that familiar spark of lust in them. He felt himself relax then and his cock begin to stretch the front of his cargo shorts.

“They look like standard-issue police cuffs to me,” Lacey said. “What's special about them?” She pulled the cuffs off the brass rod of the headboard and sat on the edge of the bed.

He sat next to her and reached for the metal cuffs in her hand. “Would you like to see how they work?” he asked.

She held his gaze for a minute and smiled. “I'm pretty sure I know how they work.”

“These are custom, Lace. They don't work like you think they do.”

“Okay, I'm intrigued,” she said, and held out her wrists for him. “Show me.”

Flynn stood up. “Lay back for me,” he said. “Center of the bed.”

He waited for her to settle against the pillows and crawled up over her; straddling her hips. He reached over her and looped the chain around a brass bar again on the headboard.

“Hands above your head,” he said.

Lacey hesitated. He looked down at her; his large palms rubbing the length of his thighs pressed against the outside of both her hips; effectively holding her in place. She couldn't have rolled away if she'd wanted to.

“Don't you trust me?” he asked, his voice low and even.

“These are metal, Flynn,” she said. “They're not like the silk scarfs we've been using. These are more...”

“More what?” he asked.

“Dangerous.”

Flynn bent forward and rested his weight on his elbows. He rubbed his nose to hers and softly brushed her lips. “You'll never be in danger with me, Lace,” he said. “These cuffs are for play. Submit to me and I'll show you how they work.”

Lacey contemplated his request. There was something about having the cool metal secured around her wrists that had her both frightened and incredibly turned on. A steady pulse had started to pound between her legs. She could feel her arousal seeping out to dampen her panties. She licked her lips and nodded to Flynn.

“Okay,” she finally said.

Flynn sat back on his heels, the full length of his erection tenting his shorts. He looked at her for a long moment.

“Okay what?” he asked.

“I'll do it,” she said.

She saw his pupils flare at hearing her reply and she bit her bottom lip. They had played these games so many times now and each time Flynn became better at it; more focused and confident. The look he got in his eyes alone was nearly enough to make her come.

“You'll do what?”

“I'll submit to you,” she said.

“Completely?”

“Yes. Completely.”

A slow smile formed on Flynn's face, obviously pleased with her response. “Good girl,” he said. “Raise your arms above your head.”

This time she did as he instructed. He took one hand and first brought it to his mouth; sucking two fingers into the heat of it, his tongue swirling around each. Lacey pulled in a sharp breath, her hips attempting to lift off the bed to make a closer connection with his erection. The weight of him stretched across her pelvis holding her in place prevented that from happening.

He removed her fingers from his mouth, making a popping sound, and lifted her arm to the headboard. Her eyes stayed on his, as he opened the cuff, adjusted it around her wrist, then clicked it shut. The snug fit made her moan. He held both her slender forearms together while he attached the second cuff; again Lacey moaned. When he finished, he sat back and released her arms. They fell a few inches before the chain pulled taut against the brass bar, perfectly suspending her wrists above her head. The sudden jerking stop of her arms caused a flash of fear to crease her brow.

This time Flynn was the one to moan. The sight of her secured to the bed like that shook his core; his cock now painfully hard. He'd never seen her look sexier. The glint of the metal sparkled in the sunlight streaming in through the open window.

His eyes raked over her flushed face and throat; her nipples straining against the thin camisole top she wore. His fingers tweaked both hardened peaks and Lacey whimpered; lifting off the bed from the jolt of stimulation.

It was clear she was as turned on by this as he was, and if all went as he hoped, he'd have his friend make another set of cuffs for him. Then he'd be able to secure her legs to the bed, too – spread so very wide for him, and then he'd pleasure her for hours. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, visualizing the many ways he wanted to make her come; hearing her beg for more.

He reached behind his head and pulled off his t-shirt; tossing it to the floor. Her eyes canvassed his tanned chest and her hands flexed in the cuffs. He heard the clink of the metal cuffs against the brass rod, as she tugged against the hold. Denying her of touching him, made him grow another inch. He rolled off the bed and stood beside it, softly skimming his fingers up the warm length of her leg. His hand curled over the top of her thigh and dipped into the heated valley between her legs.

Lacey spread for him; aching for his touch, and the release she knew he could give her. The cool metal hugging her wrists had turned hot; felt impossibly unyielding, and somehow that made her hunger for him all the more intense.

“Flynn, please,” she whispered. “I need you. Inside me.”

His eyes darted up to hers. “So soon? But we've barely begun to play.”

His fingers stopped short of touching her mound, but he could still feel the heat radiating from it. Her loud sigh when he removed his hand from between her legs made him smile. He had thought about blind-folding her, but he was enjoying the feel of her desperate gaze on him too much to cover her beautiful eyes. It was good, so good; every moment needed to be savored.

He undid the button on his shorts and eased the zipper down, unfolding the two flaps of fabric. His large hand reached inside and lifted the heavy weight of his cock; bringing it out into view. Long fingers did their best to circle the girth of the shaft.

“Not fair, Flynn!” Lacey protested. “I want to touch it.”

Flynn slid his shorts down onto this thighs, the hand circling his cock beginning to stroke the hardened flesh. He took two steps closer to her face, his hand never breaking its slow rhythm, pumping back and forth.

“Maybe I'll just stand here and jerk-off; make you watch until I shoot.”

“You wouldn't torture me like that,” she said. She tugged on the restraints again. “Stand closer so I can taste you.”

He inched toward the bed until his thighs were pressed to the side of the mattress, but still not close enough for her to suck him. His hand was still busy working his cock, twisting the foreskin around the head, then pumping down to the base and back up to the tip.

“You keep saying you want to watch,” he said, his voice becoming strained. “Here's your chance.”

Lacey's eyes were glued to his hands, one working the long length, while the other cupped his balls; rolling them around in the palm.

“You are so f*cking sexy right now,” she whispered. “Undo the cuffs so I can help.”

His pace quickened, the head of his cock nearly purple, as it appeared then disappeared in his grip. His face was flushed; eyes focused on hers. He swayed on his feet and then his hand stopped pumping and squeezed his shaft at the base. He looked down at it pulsing in his hand; precome oozing from the slit.

“I could come right now with one more tight stroke,” he said without looking at her. The hand gripping his balls flexed around them; the pad of his thumb rubbing at the center of the sac. His chest rose and fell; his breathing becoming more labored with every passing second he held off the release burning inside him. “F*ck! This feels good,” he said. “But not nearly as good as your mouth or that sweet, hot p-ssy.”

He heard the chain clank against the brass rod again and Lacey's frustrated cry, her legs kicking at the mattress. His eyes lifted to hers. “What do you think, babe?” he asked. “Should I loosen my grip holding back this load, pull off one more stroke, and blast all over your belly?”

“Damn it, Flynn, no! I want to play!”

He tipped his head and smiled. “I thought we were playing.”

His index finger swirled over the engorged tip of his cock and collected a drip of precome, then he lifted the finger and watched it glide down past his knuckle.

“You want a taste?” he asked her.

“Yes! Please, Flynn!”

“You want it bad enough to beg?”

“Jesus, yes! I want it!”

“Then, you'll have to come get it.”

“Unlock me and I will!” she yelled, pulling at the chain repeatedly.

He used the fluid from his finger, painted it around the shaft of his cock for lubrication, and gave himself a slow, tight half stroke. The sensation made his knees buckle.

“F*ck! Baby, I am right on the edge. Should I push myself over?”

“Don't you dare come,” Lacey said.

“I'd love to shoot right down your throat, but I don't think I can wait for you to unlock those cuffs and get your sweet mouth over here.”

“I don't have the God-damned key!”

Flynn smiled at her. “Ah, but you do,” he said. “Question is, can you get the cuffs unlocked before I unload.”

Lacey watched his fingers curl around his thick shaft again and tighten. He pulled off one stroke and groaned loudly; his head fell back over his shoulders.

“How many strokes do you think I'm away from the finish line?” he asked. “One or two? Maybe three, before this game is over.” His fist was resting at the wide root, gently twisting the skin there; his knuckles brushing against the tight sac.

“Flynn, please – tell me what to do!” she said. “Where's the key?”

“Stretch your fingers,” he said. “Feel for the bump.”

Lacey pushed up into a partial sitting position, trying to look at the cuffs over her head. To the side of her, Flynn's fist pumped again on his cock. Another moan passed his lips.

“That's two strokes,” he said. “A third is definitely gonna pull my trigger.”

Lacey's fingers frantically felt the smooth metal, searching for the bump Flynn talked about.

“My balls are aching, Lace,” he said. “You better hurry.”

She turned her wrist and spun the metal cuff and then she felt it; the tiniest little nub of a button, almost hidden in a crease. She pressed it and felt the cuff release. She quickly did the same on the second cuff and unlocked it.

“Baby, you better get your mouth on me fast, because here it comes!”

Lacey skidded on her hands and knees to the edge of the bed. Soon as her lips parted, Flynn was thrusting between them. He managed two strokes against her full lips, grabbed the back of her head and slammed in one last time, erupting in her mouth with a roar that vibrated through her.

He held her tight to his body, rocking her chin to his balls, each blast of his seed feeling like it was shooting from his toes. The final spasm hadn't completely faded when he pulled himself from her mouth.

“Lay back,” he said.

He pushed his shorts to the floor and stepped out of them, then climbed up on the bed and over her. He stroked the hair from her forehead, staring down into the watery pools of blue that were looking up at him in surprise.

“Now you know the secret behind the cuffs,” he whispered.

“You could have given me a demonstration before you attached them to my wrists.”

“I suppose so, but it wouldn't have been as much fun,” he said. “Besides, learning the way you did, it's doubtful you'll ever forget.”

His thumb skimmed across her lips; plump and hot from sucking his cock. The visual of seeing it disappear down her throat had him hardening all over again.

“Did it turn you on watching me jerk-off?”

“I am so wet right now,” she said. Her arms circled his back. “Would you have finished yourself off if I hadn't found the button?”

“Absolutely, but the game wouldn't have been over,” he said. “I can lock and reload so quickly with you.” He sat back on his heels; his cock already stiff and pulsing again between his thighs. “See what I mean.”

Lacey lifted her leg and ran her toes down the length of his chest bone. “Now let's see if you can find my magic button.”

Flynn's hands slid up the outside of her thighs to her hips and pulled down her thong; tossing it to the floor on top of his shorts. “Not only will I find your button, but I'll make you release for me, too. Over and over.”

Lacey hummed her response, watching Flynn's head drop between her thighs.

Two hours later, they were tangled and sweaty in her sheets, watching the daylight turn to dusk, lovingly stroking each other's nakedness.

“Since you like your new cuffs so much, I'll have Jerry make us another set,” he said. “We'll use the new set on your ankles.”

Lacey twisted in the bed and glanced up at the open silver rings hanging from the brass headboard. “That was a very thoughtful gift,” she said. “I like the metal around my wrists more than the silk. It feels...naughtier.”

“I can have him add fur to soften it, if you want.”

“Fur would ruin the whole effect,” she said, and looked at him. “But you already knew I'd say that, didn't you.”

Flynn nodded. His tongue slid into her mouth and swirled with hers. They both moaned.

“I told you, us together could be dangerous.”

“I love your danger,” she said. “It's addictive as hell.”

She felt his erection rubbing against her hip and smiled lazily. “One more time before dinner?” she asked.

“Once more, but this time...I want your ass.”





“How long is this tour?” Flynn asked Lacey.

Lacey scanned through the paperwork for the celebrity charity tour in the file that Annie had left with her to review. This was Annie's gig, not hers, but she felt like she owed it to her, since Annie had so willingly given up her time to help with her album and would do so again once this short tour ended.

“Flynn, I know you don't want me to leave, and I don't want to go either, but Annie needs me with her for this,” she said. “It's the least I can do for her. I'll be gone twelve days – that's less than two weeks.”

“I can count, Lace,” he said.

“Besides, Kenny needs time to mix the tracks we recorded last week,” she said. “By the time I get back, we'll be ready to put the finishing touches on the album.”

Flynn flopped back onto the mattress, his bare feet dangling over the edge and touching the floor. Lacey took the opportunity to climb up over him and straddled his hips. He opened one eye and looked up at her.

“If you fly out to see me next weekend, we'll only be apart for a few days,” she said. She tipped her hips and started a slow grind over his groin.

His hands gripped her hips and stilled her. “And what about security?” he asked.

“What about it?”

“You need a security detail,” he said. “I can't be with you every minute of every day and it isn't safe for you go out on the road without someone watching your back.”

Lacey bent low, her lips grazed his. “You like watching my back, don't you baby.” She could feel his cock beginning to stiffen beneath her.

“I love watching every part of you – not just your back,” he said.

His legs twined with hers and in a flash, he had her pinned beneath him; his large, muscled frame holding her firmly in place.

“Agree to the security, Lace, or I'll be forced to punish you.”

Lacey arched one eyebrow and ran her fingers down the side of his face. “Hmmm, your threat sounds more like a reward to me,” she said. “And since when do you feel forced into spanking me?”

Flynn rolled off the bed and started crossing the room. Lacey came up on her elbows and watched him.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“To get the spanking paddle.”





Two days later, Flynn drove Lacey to the small regional airport on the outskirts of town. Annie had already left, wanting to fly home and spend some time with Michael and her kids before meeting Lacey in Chicago to start the tour. The first charity concert would take place the next night at the Music Hall in downtown Chicago. Six more shows in six different states would follow; ending with a bang in New York City twelve days later.

Lacey had made the arrangements for Flynn to fly down to Columbus, Ohio that weekend. He'd stay with her for two nights at the Four Seasons Hotel, be her backstage guest at the show on Saturday night, and fly back to the Berkshires on Sunday afternoon.

Traveling that far for a short weekend didn't please him. It seemed to be more of a hassle than it would be worth, but he knew he'd miss Lacey too much if he didn't see her at least part way through the tour. But after this tour ended, he knew they'd really need to have a serious talk about her touring schedule.

Sitting around and waiting for her to return home from a tour was not how he saw his life playing out. He'd already been down that road once and it hadn't worked and he didn't much like the idea of repeating that ugly pattern. Sooner than later, they would have to decide if this relationship was one that would take them together into the future or if they'd part ways at the end of the summer and chalk it up to a fun summer fling. If Lacey truly wanted to stay with him, then there would need to be a few fundamental changes made in order for that to happen. Simple as that.

“I'll call you when I get to Chicago,” Lacey said, tightly wrapping her arms around Flynn's broad shoulders.

“You better,” he said, and kissed her.

“Or what? Are you going to spank me again?” she teased.

His large hand swatted her butt cheek and she squealed.

“Easy there, Cowboy! My ass is still sore from the other night,” she said.

Flynn kissed her again and laughed. “You'll have the next few days to recover,” he said.

Lacey hummed softly against his neck. “I can't wait for Friday night,” she said.

“Think you can behave yourself until then?” he asked.

“I'll call you every day,” she said. “Maybe more than once.”

Lacey stepped back from his embrace and blew him a kiss, then turned and made her way to the private jet waiting for her on the tarmac.

Flynn stayed and watched Lacey's jet taxi out onto the active runway and take-off. He didn't like the feeling of being left behind but living on the road was not the life he wanted. He walked to his truck and started the engine. He knew loving Lacey would come with a price – a heavy price, but somehow he needed to figure out how to make it all work without emotionally destroying either of them.

He was pulling a steak off his grill when his cell phone started ringing. Four hours had passed since he said good-bye to Lacey and he imagined she'd probably be checking into her hotel right about now.

“Miss me yet?” she asked him.

“Always,” he said. Just hearing the smooth timbre of her voice relaxed him.

“I'm on my way to rehearsal,” she said. “And you'll be happy to know, my personal security guard is already all over my ass.”

Flynn smiled. Hearing her comment gave him a modest amount of relief, knowing she'd be safe. “As long as he isn't too close to your ass,” Flynn said.

“You're the only man that gets that close,” she said.

“Good to know.”

The week without Lacey was busier than normal for Flynn. Between his property management duties and his call-fireman job, he was kept running from job to job in an endless blur of work. He thought that was probably for the best; leaving him less time to focus on Lacey being away. But he was so exhausted at night when he finally managed to fall into bed, he had missed two of her late night phone calls. His return calls to her on the next mornings had gone straight to her voice mail; which made him even more tense. The last thing he wanted was to play phone-tag with his girlfriend.

“Where've you been?” she asked, when they finally connected.

“Working my ass off,” he said. “Two brush fires, and a bunch of crap breaking down all at once at one of my rental properties.”

“You sound really tired,” she said.

“That's an understatement.”

“You won't be too tired to fly out to see me tomorrow night, will you?”

Flynn sighed loudly. Honestly, getting on a plane and flying to Ohio was about the last thing he felt like doing after the work week he'd had, but he really needed to see Lacey. He rubbed at his face and yawned.

“I'll be there,” he said.

“You don't sound very excited about it,” she said.

“I'm running on zero sleep, babe. I'm cranky and I'm not thrilled with the idea of having to drive over an hour to the airport then get on a plane just to see my girlfriend for a couple of hours and fly back home.”

“If you had let me charter you a flight, you'd only be driving fifteen to twenty minutes to the airport, Flynn,” she said.

“I know, but I'm not the private jet kind of guy, Lace. You know that.”

There were so many things he wanted to say to her but he didn't want to start an argument over the phone. Not when he was this tired and certain he'd say something he'd regret later. Biting his tongue didn't feel good either, but for the moment, it would have to do.

“How have the shows been?” he asked.

“Each one gets better,” she said. “Annie and I have an amazing stage chemistry. We work exceptionally well together.”

“And how's the security detail working out for you?” he asked.

“You mean my shadow?” Lacey teased.

“Shadow has a nice ring to it,” Flynn said. “At least he's doing his job.”

“I miss you being beside me in bed at night,” she said.

“Is that all you miss?”

“No, I miss you being around, having you to talk to, all of it,” she said. “But I notice it more at night when I'm alone in bed.”

“I hope you've been alone in bed,” he teased.

“You're the only man I want, Flynn.”

“I love you Lace,” he said, sighing the words.

“Me too,” she said. “And I can't wait to see you tomorrow night.”