Page 27 of Silver Sanctuary (The Silver Springs #3)

Sixteen

T he weeks since Lacy and Nash got engaged were starting to fly by faster than she ever imagined they could.

She no longer felt eyes lingering on her when she walked down the street in town.

No one made snarky remarks under their breath about her mom, or their history in town.

People were starting to come into the shop.

And of course, one of the guys was always there, watching over her.

Aside from the nightmare she’d had a few nights before, everything was starting to feel…

different. But in the best way possible.

She’d actually tried to get Nash to relieve the guys of their guard duties, but he wouldn’t hear of it.

The team dynamic was becoming more and more clear to her.

Gunner was a tough leader, but fair. And he was grumpy with everyone, except Lily, and Sloane.

Mae clearly got on his nerves, but Lacy knew he’d protect her in a heartbeat if she needed it.

And Gunner was also kind to Lacy, too, even though he was reserved.

There was always an added layer of quiet in the shop on his days.

But when she showed him the best way to arrange a bouquet for Lily, he truly opened up more than she could have ever imagined.

It was really sweet, the questions he asked about which flowers meant things like love, companionship, eternity.

Gage was quiet. And unlike Lily, who would come with Gunner sometimes when she wasn’t working and chat Lacy’s ear off, Sloane didn’t accompany him. Ever. She couldn’t really blame her. After everything that happened… and it was still connected to Lacy., her mother, and the tragedy she caused…

Lacy shoved the thoughts of that wretched woman out of her mind. She’d ruined enough of her life, but there was no more power for her to hold. Not if Lacy was going to make a life in Silver Springs. Not if she was going to allow herself to hope?—

“Do I have something on my face? I knew I shouldn’t have had that slice of pie from Dolly’s before I came over here.” Hawk wiped at his face. “You have a mirror in the office?”

Lacy pinched her brows together in confusion. “You don’t have anything on your face. Why would you think you did?”

“Uh, hello? Earth to Lacy? You were just staring at me for a solid five minutes. I was trying to remember the signs of stroke before panic-calling Nash. He’d tear me to shreds if I let something happen to you while I was here.”

“He can’t blame you if I have a stroke.” She laughed.

Hawk was the class clown. That man would flirt with just about any woman who walked into her shop, and the ones on the sidewalk while she was out doing deliveries.

Oh, and especially the women who sat on the porch of the Silver Springs Ladies’ Home.

He would genuinely blush when they sang his praise.

Maybe it was because they were all in their eighties and nineties, and Hawk couldn’t escape without them each taking a turn to feel his biceps.

Had Lacy made sure her weekly delivery of flowers for the home was always on the day Hawk was with her?

Of course. It was basically the best free entertainment she could ask for.

No way would she take Nash around those piranhas. He was all hers.

“You haven’t heard him lately. My wife , this. My wife , that. You guys aren’t even hitched yet and he’s already so far gone for you. It’s ridiculous.”

Oh, she heard him. Loud and clear. And she loved it. But Lacy wasn’t about to admit that to Hawk.

He took a long gulp of water from his bottle, and Lacy knew she needed to strike. “Maybe there’s something in the water here…” She wiggled her eyebrows and pointed to his bottle, turning back to the vase she was arranging flowers in with an evil laugh as Hawk coughed in the corner.

“Wicked woman, hold your tongue.”

“It’s just a matter of time, Hawk. Your turn will be here before you know it.”

“Nah.” She knew he hadn’t meant for her to see it, but she didn’t miss the way his gaze traveled out the window and down the street.

The door jingled and Lacy forced her shoulders to relax as she raised her eyes off the arrangement in front of her.

“You… out,” Nash barked at Hawk. “I need to speak with my wife. Alone.”

“See?” Hawk laughed. “All right you two, enjoy your talk. ” Hawk closed his laptop and grabbed his bag off the chair before he slapped Nash on the back and made his way out of the shop.

“It’s not time to go get Embrie yet. What are you doing?”

Nash flipped the open sign around and locked the door.

“What’s going on?” Her chest constricted painfully. “Is it something bad? Is Embrie okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” Nash reassured her, still hovering by the door. His eyes darkened as he watched her. She felt the heat of his gaze on every visible inch of her body. “Have you taken your lunch break? ”

Lacy shook her head. “I’ve got deliveries this afternoon. I was going to get a head start on them.”

“I’m starving, Lace. Was hoping you’d help me out.”

“What are you hungry for?”

His eyes narrowed, and her heart rate doubled.

Her fiancé looked like he was about to take a bite out of her.

The air inside her shop went still, but his cologne still managed to make its way to her over the scent of the flowers.

It wrapped its rich tendrils around her body, awakening every nerve ending, sending her spiraling with need.

“You.”

Lacy’s thighs squeezed together, her core blossoming to life with a deep, achy need.

“Nash. I can’t. I’m at work.”

“I don’t see anyone else around. Was hoping we could repeat that kiss behind the counter, and then I could show you what I really wanted to do that afternoon to make you feel better.”

Her body buzzed with desire. She was so fucking attracted to her fiancé.

Lord help her.

“Tell me,” she whispered as he stalked closer. Yes, he was a lion trained right on his prey. And for once in her life, she didn’t feel vulnerable. No, she knew she held all the power with him, and it made her feel like a queen.

“Oh, baby, I don’t know if you’re ready to hear all the thoughts I’ve had about you. You’re so fucking beautiful, Lacy. And you’re all mine.”

“We can’t…” Her breath hitched as his hands worked to untie her apron, lifting it over her head and letting it fall to the ground without a second thought. His fingers skimmed under her shirt, resting against her hip bone.

“I want you, Lacy. I’ve tasted you, been inside you, but if you told me to back away right now and never touch you again, I would. It would fucking kill me, but I would do that, because I’m going to be your husband, and I respect you.”

“No! No… that’s not what I meant. I just…”

“Can I kiss you?”

Her eyes dropped to his lips before she stood on her tiptoes, trying not to laugh at how comical their height difference probably looked, and pressed her lips against his jaw.

“I know you have better aim than that.” Nash laughed.

“I think I need a little help.”

“Mm, can’t let my wife suffer.”

“I’m not your wife, Nash.” She loved the possession that flared in his eyes. The way every fiber of his being nearly snapped with tension every time she said those words.

“Tick tock. It’s just a matter of time, Lace.

I’ll remind you as many times as you need to hear it.

That ring on your finger is real. It’s a promise that one day, when you’re ready, we’ll go make this thing official in the eyes of the government.

Because for me… it’s already real. You’re mine.

” He pressed his lips to hers. Punishing.

Possessive. And when he pulled away, she was left practically begging for more.

Nash picked up her hand and pressed his lips to her ring.

“Forever, Lacy. I want you. So fucking bad, beautiful.”

“Things have been so great between us, Nash.” She panted. “But we… Slow. There are things?—”

“I understand. Everything with Embrie… You want to protect her. So do I.”

“I know you do.” Lacy looped her arms around his neck, jumping so her legs wrapped around his waist. “We can’t do anything out here, though.” She nipped at the skin on his neck just below his ear. “Take me into the office.”

Nash apparently didn’t need to be told twice.

His hands landed on her ass, holding her close to him like she was the most precious treasure in the world.

But there was something about the way he swiftly carried her into the office— setting her down on her desk as he chucked her laptop over to the top of her filing cabinet—told her that her time being treated like a delicate wallflower was almost over.

“Come here,” he growled, his hands sliding around her waist as he moved her closer to the edge. His hands once again slid up under her shirt, palming her belly. “I love that you carried Embrie right here, Lace. I bet you looked incredible.”

She pushed the lie to the back of her mind. It was better that way—safer for Embrie.

“Did I say something wrong?” His question startled her, the sudden realization that he had backed up a step hitting her hard.

“No. No, I’m sorry. I got in my head. I want this, Nash. I want you. I need you to take away this ache you put inside me.”

“Just a taste, Lacy. Just a taste for right now, to stop me from starving. Now…” He stepped closer, his hands landing on her knees and pushing her legs apart so they wrapped around his body. Nash’s fingers traced up her thigh, her skin pebbling in a smoldering trail behind his touch.

The second he sank down onto his knees, her body trembled with need.

“Is this okay, wife?”

Yes. She wanted him so completely. Again, and again, for the rest of her life. For him to touch every inch of her skin—to never let her go. Lacy moved her right leg up to rest on Nash's shoulder, nearly melting at the way his eyes turned molten with desire.

“ My husband said he was hungry. Who am I to stop him?” Her other heel came up and rested on the arm of her office chair.

“Fuck, Lace,” he moaned. “What the fuck am I going to do with you?”

“Oh, I think you know exactly what to do…” Her fingers bunched up the fabric of her skirt as his hands slid up her thighs, finding the lace of her thong and pulling it down, off her hips.

“Lift that fucking perfect ass of yours, baby. These panties are a second away from getting ripped off your body.”

“Nash! Don’t you dare. I love them and can’t afford new ones right now.”

“Fuck that.” Lacy’s breath stuck in her lungs as she felt the fabric tearing.

“We’re engaged now. What’s mine is yours.

If you didn’t pick up enough while you were out shopping with the girls, I’ll just have to buy you a hundred more.

And then I won’t feel bad for ripping every single one off your beautiful body. ”

“No. You don’t owe me?—”

Her gasp filled the office as his finger slid through her center.

“I owe you everything, Lacy. You’re mine to take care of. Now, and forever. I want this; I want you. So be a good girl and spread these pretty little thighs of yours farther apart so I can start my meal.”

Oh god.

Lacy’s fingers landed in Nash’s hair, pushing him closer to the place she wanted to feel him.

Nash chuckled, the vibrations sending shock waves through her body. “I’m not God, baby. But maybe, if I do things right, you’ll see heaven before I’m through with you.”

“Promises, promises,” she panted. Her teasing earned her a slap across the thigh, but the sting didn’t hurt. In fact, it sent pleasure racing through every nerve ending in her body from her toes to her fingertips. “Quit teasing me and give me what I want.”

He pressed a kiss to her thigh before she finally felt him settle where she needed him to be. The first swipe of his tongue, the first circle of her clit, had her bucking off the desk .

“More, Nash,” she begged. And boy did he deliver.

Because as soon as he sucked on her clit, his finger began to massage her entrance.

Slowly, so slowly she thought she might lose her mind, he inched that finger in more and more, until he was able to curve it and hit that sweet spot in her core that made her legs shake.

“Don’t you dare stop,” she panted. Oh fuck.

The pressure was building inside her as he plunged in and out, matching the movement with the pressure of his now-flat tongue against her throbbing bud.

Her orgasm built and built until her legs clamped down on Nash’s head, her fingers gripping onto the desk so tightly she was sure there would be fingernail marks in the wood.

The second she tipped over the edge, there was an explosion of white and ringing in her ears so loud she thought she might never hear anything but her own heartbeat ever again.

“Fuck, Lace. You like that? You just flooded my fingers, baby.”

“Mm.” She ran her fingers through his hair and shoved his head back between her legs. His tongue swirled around her clit as aftershocks racked her blissed-out body. When she was well and truly as wobbly as an overcooked noodle, Lacy pushed his head away from her.

“Well, damn. I don’t think I’ll ever want anything else for lunch now.”

She laughed, closing her eyes and tipping her face up to the ceiling, just so unbelievably happy with her life.