She smiled to herself. She had great, loyal friends, friends she would do anything for, just as they would for her. She thought about Stone and Louie. Heck, even Junior, and he wasn’t even there today. Her belly erupted, feeling as if a thousand tiny butterflies were trying to get free. She honestly had never felt anything like this before. It scared her, that uncertainty, her inability to judge a man’s character accordingly. She rubbed her arms, and flinched at the achiness her bruised arm caused. She couldn’t believe that Jeb showed up here like that today.

  If he did that, acted so mean and destructive, what would stop him from doing something worse to her store? Maybe she should listen to Stone and press charges, maybe get that order of protection as a precaution, but then she thought about two things. One, the fact that Stone, a man she hardly knew, was telling her what to do and she was listening. Would that make him think he had control over her? She didn’t think Stone was like that, manipulative, out to get her in his bed, but that’s how Jeb was.

  Then she thought about the last time she had gotten an order of protection. She thought about the threat her father made against Tye that ultimately got Tye to leave her alone. She had been a mess for months. Her father, despite standing up for her and protecting her, actually blamed her for the problems and for the business partnership failing. That had ultimately shown her no man could love her if her own father couldn’t.

  The tears stung her eyes and her heart ached. No man will ever love me. Not with his heart and soul. Not honestly and truly without a doubt.

  The tear rolled down her cheek and Lacey quickly wiped it away. She needed to get over it and face the facts. She was destined to be alone when it came to intimacy, a man’s love, and an eternal commitment. At least she had great friends and, eventually, a successful business.

  She walked over to the door, put on the alarm, switched off the lights, and headed out, locking the door behind her.

  She stared at the shades blocking the front window. Soon there would be furniture, specialty pieces, and artwork inviting people to come by and browse.

  She inhaled, the warm night air pleasant after inhaling so many paint fumes today. She turned to head down the street to where she had to park her car. Despite several people walking around, she suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise. She shivered, feeling as if someone was watching her. She unlocked her car and glanced around the streets. Her instincts kicked in, warning her to get into the car.

  She did, then started the engine and immediately took off down the street. She didn’t like the feeling she had, but no other cars followed and she shook it off as being overtired and still shaky from the incident with Jeb and, of course, the kiss from Louie.

  “Oh God, what am I going to do about Louie? He’s so good-looking, and so nice and big like his brothers. God, I like them, too. This isn’t good. I shouldn’t meet them for dinner tonight.” She headed home, thinking about cancelling tonight, but her belly growled and she thought about being home alone in her apartment, and it seemed less scary to meet Louie and the others than to chance scaring herself stupid. So she headed home with thoughts of a hot shower, clean clothes, and a fun dinner with friends.

  * * * *

  “Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?” Louie demanded to know as he stood outside of Crossroads with Stone and Junior.

  “I didn’t hear anything over the radio. She pressed charges? You called the police, right?”

  Stone took a deep breath and released it.

  “I explained how it went down on the way over here. She didn’t want to press charges. She thinks it will only enrage Jeb more and make him do something worse when her store is all set up with product. He was a real asshole. Nearly fucked up the new floors when he kicked over the can of paint,” Stone told them.

  “He grabbed her, shoved her against the counter, and touched her. That can’t be taken lightly. Especially when we both know the bruise on her hip we saw a few weeks back was more than likely from him, too,” Louie added, his fists by his side.

  “He could have been abusive the entire time they were dating. That’s serious shit. Did you talk to Lacey about it more?” Junior asked. Stone shook his head.

  “Listen, she’s fearful, reserved, isn’t looking to date anyone right now, and it has to do with this jerk she was with. I figured being friends with her first and letting her get used to us, and us used to her, would be good for all involved. It’s been a long time since we’ve even considered getting romantically involved with another woman. Lacey may not be right for us,” Stone added.

  “How can you say that when all three of us are attracted to her? That hasn’t happened since Eliza,” Louie said.

  “It wasn’t instant with Eliza, Louie. You always thought it was,” Stone replied.

  Louie swallowed hard. “It’s how I want to remember her and our relationship, Stone. Not with any reservations or bad thoughts, just that we loved her, she loved us, and we felt complete.”

  Stone looked away. Times like this killed him, just thinking about the truth, about how Eliza wasn’t the woman Louie and Junior thought she was, and how she cheated on them and was a drunk, and a whore, too. He couldn’t see Lacey being this way but, hell, she had one bad ex-boyfriend harassing her. Did they need the aggravation? What if she still loved or liked Jeb? Where would that leave Stone, Louie, and Junior? Alone, broken-hearted, tricked by another woman who only cared about herself. No thank you.

  “She needs to press charges and get that order of protection. Junior, you should really convince her. Explain about your experience with this stuff and with men like this ex of hers,” Louie told Junior. That was Louie, always trying to keep in charge and in control of everything, as if it all had to be neat and organized. That was another reason why Stone kept the secret about Eliza. It would have sent Louie over the edge, to have been tricked like that.

  “If it comes up, I’ll give her some advice, but I’m not going to waste this first dinner with her making her talk about the dick ex of hers. We need for her to get to know us and for us to get to truly know her. Stone has a point,” Junior stated, and then Stone saw Lacey’s car pull into the parking lot.

  “She’s here,” he said, and all three of them watched as she parked her car.

  Stone felt that instant excitement and anxiousness he got whenever he was going to see Lacey. It made him question the wall of protection he was putting up. Was he dismissing her and automatically assuming the worse about her because of Eliza, or was there really concern in getting involved with her? He wasn’t sure. All thoughts of not getting to know her diminished the moment he saw her walking towards them. She wore a pretty beige skirt that flared above her knees and a pale-cream sleeveless blouse that landed even with the waist of her skirt. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back and over her shoulder nearly to her ass, and his heart raced as he noticed people turning to watch her. She was that stunning, that beautiful, and suddenly Stone realized maybe it was all him. Maybe he wasn’t good enough for a woman like Lacey.

  * * * *

  Junior greeted her first, immediately pulling her into his arms and kissing her cheek hello. She reciprocated and he was relieved.

  “You look beautiful. As always,” he added and she smiled

  “Thank you. You look good, too. How is work?” she asked him.

  “Busy all the time,” he added, then watched Louie touch her hand and bring it to his lips and kiss her knuckles. “Long time no see, gorgeous,” he said and winked. She chuckled.

  “Where are the others?” she asked as Stone looked her over, then leaned down to kiss her cheek.

  “Not sure. Maybe inside,” Stone said.

  “Shall we?” Junior asked as he placed his hand to her lower back. She cringed and stepped forward. He squinted at her and was about to ask if she was okay, but then remembered what Stone had told them about today and her injuries from Jeb. He was pissed off all over again.

  Junior leaned closer and ran his hands along her shoulders, giving then a light squeeze as he whispered into her ear, “Sorry, baby.” She locked gazes with him and immediately he saw the abundance of emotions in her eyes. She appeared ready to cry, but quickly, she plastered a small smile on her face. “I’m fine. No worries.”

  * * * *

  It was a gorgeous night. Stitch had one of the hostesses seat them outside near the outdoor fireplace. She glanced down at her cell phone and felt the instant panicked feeling. Suzette wasn’t coming.

  “Is everything okay?” Junior asked her as he held out her chair and she took a seat. Louie was on one side of her, Junior on the other, and Stone sat across from her. “Oh, yes. It seems that Suzette can’t make it.”

  “Is she feeling alright?” Louie asked.

  Lacey heard her phone beep again. She glanced down. Lacey chuckled.

  “It seems her men have other plans for her this evening.”

  She was happy for Suzette. She had feared dating, and especially anyone in law enforcement, because of Michael. Now she had two men who loved her and adored her.

  “I’m happy for them. Nikko and Miles never really dated, and when they lost their sister, they both took it pretty hard,” Junior told her.

  “Suzette told me. She had a similar experience and never dated. I’m happy for them, too.” she said as the waitress came over with a tray of drinks, a glass of white wine for her and three bottles of Heineken for the guys.

  “These are from Stitch and Doc. They have some appetizers coming out soon, too,” she told them.

  “Tell them thank you for us,” Louie told the waitress.

  Lacey smiled.

  She felt Louie’s hand cover her knee and then he turned toward her.

  “You said that Lacey had a similar experience to Nikko and Miles. What did you mean?” he asked her.

  “Her sister Astella was involved with a police officer. He was abusive and Astella was going to leave him when she finally told Suzette about him, but then Astella got pregnant with twins. Once the babies were born, Michael went back to knocking her around. One night, he killed her. Another SWAT team was in the area and was able to save the twins, Tommy and Lilly. Suzette and her aunt have been taking care of them since. She was reluctant to even date, never mind be interested in a cop.”

  “Sounds like she had a lot of legitimate fears, but she met Nikko and Miles, both law enforcement and both trustworthy, good men who would never hurt her,” Louie said.

  “She’s very lucky to have met them,” Lacey whispered as she looked out towards the water. She felt Louie’s hand squeeze her knee, and then Junior cupped her cheek and tilted her face upward toward him.

  “You don’t have to be scared of us, Lacey. We’re not like Jeb, or like Mike. If you’re willing to take a chance and trust us, we’ll show you how trustworthy we can be.”

  Her eyes welled with tears. How badly she would love to give this a try, but the past taught her that she wasn’t destined for happiness.

  “Happy endings aren’t in my future, Junior. It wouldn’t work out and would cause trouble for our friends and where their loyalties lie.”

  “That’s not true. Why would you believe you don’t deserve a happy ending?” Louie asked.

  “Jeb really did a number on you. I should have knocked that asshole out,” Stone said very seriously.

  She chuckled.

  “Thank you, Stone, but that won’t be necessary.”

  “Why won’t you press charges against him or get a restraining order?” Louie asked her.

  She shook her head.

  “It will only piss him off. Besides, those restraining orders don’t work. Abusers violate them all the time.”

  “It’s still worth getting and documenting his harassment. Has he tried to contact you at home? Maybe waited for you outside of the store?” Junior asked.

  She thought about the sensation she’d had earlier, like someone was watching her, but why would Jeb return after Stone decked him?

  “What is it?” Louie asked.

  “Has he been harassing you?” Stone asked, sitting forward in his seat.

  “No. He hasn’t come to my home. I did feel like someone was watching me when I left the store tonight, but I didn’t see anyone. I was probably still on edge from today.”

  Junior leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “You’re safe with us.”

  She swung her head to look at him.

  “Junior, please don’t say such things.” She lowered her eyes. This time, Louie cupped her chin and tilted it up toward him.

  “Please don’t minimize what we’re all feeling here. We like you. We want to get to know you better. We understand your concerns and fears. If you need to go slow and to be friends first, we can do that.”

  Her chest tightened. Their cologne, their gorgeous looks and big muscles, did a number to her body. She smiled softly.

  “No promises, Louie. Friends first.”

  “You got it.” He leaned forward and kissed her lips. She loved when one of them kissed her. It felt so good and so right. She wondered if Stone would kiss her tonight, too, but then she reminded herself about being cautious and taking things slow.

  “What happened to friends first?” she asked.

  Louie cupped her cheeks. “Your lips are too appealing to not kiss.”

  “You’re too appealing to not want more of you,” Junior added.

  Then the waitress showed up with appetizers, giving her some room to breathe and process what was happening here. Maybe they could actually care about her. Even if just for a little while, maybe it was worth the risk?

  * * * *

  Stone had yet to kiss her. Next time he would have to remember about not sitting so far away from her. The thought aroused him and changed his initial perspective toward liking Lacey. He watched her closely as she interacted with Louie and Junior. She seemed classy and sexy, like she was smart and had a lot of knowledge about all sorts of things. He liked that. He especially liked her smile, how her eyes lit up when she was enthusiastic about something. He wanted to steal kisses like Louie and Junior kept doing, and finally, as the night came to an end and exhaustion was kicking in, he got his chance.

  Stone took Lacey’s hand as they led her to her car. The second he had her by the door, he pulled her into his arms and held her gaze.

  He reached up and caressed her lower lip with his thumb. She held his gaze and appeared timid and shy.

  “Next time, I’m sitting closer to you.” He leaned down and kissed her lips. When he felt her hands grip his arms and then caress him, he deepened that kiss until they were both moaning. When he slowly released her lips, she looked drugged, sedated from his kiss, and it fed his ego and hardened his cock.

  “Baby, you are delicious.”

  She pressed her hands against his chest and laid her forehead there, too.

  “You guys are really making this so damn difficult.”

  “Good,” both Junior and Louie replied, and Stone chuckled as Lacey shot her head up and glared at them.

  “I’d better get going now,” she said, and Stone slowly released her. They watched her get into her car and talked to her about seeing her tomorrow, and off she went.

  “Well, that went a lot better than I hoped,” Louie said, and slapped Stone on the shoulder as he started heading toward their truck.

  “It sure did. I can’t wait to see her again,” Junior added.

  “Stone’s the lucky one to see her first tomorrow. I’ll have to wait until the art gala in the city,” Louie said.

  “I think I’ll stop by to check out the place tomorrow. I’ll have some time between lunch and training,” Junior added.

  “Remember, we promised to go slow,” Stone told them.

  “Yeah, I remember, and I can tell you this much, that is going to be hell. Kissing her can easily turn into an addiction,” Junior said, and Stone and Louie chuckled.

  “Now that’s my kind of addiction,” Junior said, and they all laughed as they got into the truck and headed home.

  Chapter 7

  After receiving some nasty text messages from Jeb and talking to Suzette, Lacey decided to get an order of protection against Jeb. Miles called the Chief of Police, Riley Chancellor, who he knew personally, and everything was taken care of. The only thing she was worried about, besides Jeb’s reaction, of course, was Stone’s. The Chief needed his eyewitness account of the incident in the store and what he had seen and done. That led to them wanting her to press assault charges, but she felt the order of protection would send the message for Jeb to leave her alone. The Chief said he would have the officer inform Jeb that she could get him arrested right now but that she was giving him the opportunity to end the harassment and move on. She could always press charges at a later date, now that it was all documented.

  This was one of the main reasons she loved Wellington. People looked out for one another. The locals who lived here year round were close and didn’t put up with their friends getting into trouble or being harassed. Once some of the nearby store owners found out what happened to her, they were showing up left and right to give her a helping hand, promoting her store or hooking up with their contacts.

  The guy who owned the hardware store was just leaving when Stone came out from the back of the room. He approached with a determined expression on his face right before he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. That kiss got quickly out of control as he pulled her close and devoured her moans. She, in return, ran her hands over his muscles and his waist until they heard the door chime, indicating they had company.

  Stone slowly released her lips but remained holding her. He never took his eyes off of her as he spoke.

  “Afternoon, Junior. It’s lunch time already?”

  She swung around to see Junior in his uniform looking hungry and intense.

  “Looks like I missed lunch and you moved onto dessert without me.” Stone released her to Junior, who pulled her into his arms and cupped her cheek.