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Probably, Lacey agreed reluctantly. She was no hookup expert, but Hunter s kiss
goodbye wasn t perfunctory, dismissive. He kissed her like he d been holding back, like
he regretted going.
After fifteen years in the meat market, Claire was neither romantic nor sentimental.
Did he ask for your number?
Ouch. He didn t even ask for my last name, she admitted.
Don t hold your breath, sweetie. He s smokin hot and a cop to boot. He s probably
got badge bunnies all over him. She looked at her watch. I have to go. Julian
promised to feed Connor while I nurse Lanie so we can get an hour of alone time
tonight. He s picking us up at the bottom of the hill. Want a ride home?
I think I ll stay a while. It s a nice afternoon and the sun porch gets warm this time
of year.
Claire gave her a kiss on the cheek, then stood carefully to avoid jostling the
sleeping infant. Call me tomorrow. Julian says the new partner s a very eligible
bachelor looking to settle down. Perfect for you.
Lacey smiled. Perfect for her. I will. You re sure you don t need help with the
stroller?
It s all downhill from here, Claire said as she headed for the Mercedes SUV
waiting at the bottom of the hill. Nearby the Ultimate game was breaking up, players
and spectators streaming to cars parked on the side streets. Hunter was nowhere to be
seen.
27
Anne Calhoun
Lacey put her sunglasses on and tipped her head back, absorbing the heat of the
late August rays beaming down on her face. Perfect for her. Another partner in a law
firm, another man with a pedigree, the right degrees, the right attitudes, the right
direction in life.
How did she know what was perfect for her? She thought she d had it, for fifteen
years. Then it disappeared in the wreckage of starting over. What was perfection? Did
right last?
Hi.
Her head snapped forward so quickly her oversized sunglasses slid down to the tip
of her nose. Hunter stood before her, bits of grass clinging to the tanned skin stretched
over honed muscles. His dark brown hair was almost black with sweat and while his
eyes were hidden behind his shades, she sensed a hint of pleasure in the softer cast of
his mouth. A t-shirt dangled from one hand.
I didn t think you saw me, she said.
Redheads stand out in a crowd, he said. He sat down beside her and stretched his
legs out into the asphalt path. Like the game?
Very interesting, she said. Your team seemed to play more strategically than the
firefighters.
They don t have a regular team, just got together for this game, he said. Some of
my guys have been playing together since college. Who was with you?
My friend Claire and her children.
The hookup expert? he said.
Before marriage and children, Lacey clarified. He continued to look at her, his
eyes totally hidden behind the sunglasses, but the firm set of his mouth told her he
thought she d crowed over her conquest .
Hunter! I wouldn t& I never& I didn t tell her anything but the most basic facts.
One dark eyebrow rose over the frame of the sunglasses.
If he were going to accuse her of truly tasteless behavior, he d have look her in the
eye and speak the words. Would you mind taking off your sunglasses while we re
talking, please?
Without a word he reached up and removed the glasses. Sheer amusement danced
in his green eyes while the rest of his face was carved from stone.
Oh, you& she said.
You d never talk cheap like that, he said. He settled his shades on top of his head
as he looked out over the park s grassy expanse. The war memorial stood at the top of
the hill, the city s busiest street ran along the bottom, near the Ultimate field. Walking
paths meandered in between trees and overgrown groves of bushes along the sides.
Really? I could be lying. I could have told her everything. Descriptions of
your& anatomy. Techniques.
28
Liberating Lacey
He stretched his arms along the back of the bench, comfortable confidence radiating
from his big body. No way. You blush just thinking about it. You couldn t get the
words out.
She crossed her arms and silently damned her pale skin. You are mistaken.
Put your money where your mouth is, beautiful. Say He fucked me to a screaming
orgasm on the stairs or The last time I came, I scratched the hell out of his shoulders.
The intimation of his last sentence squashed the pleasure rising in her at his
charming-but-inaccurate nickname. Horrified, she looked over his shoulder. He leaned
forward and twisted his torso away from her. Faint crescent-shaped indentations
marred the skin just above his shoulder blades. He sat back, a rueful grin on his face.
I m just glad you didn t have those fake nails.
I am absolutely mortified, she said.
And that s how I know you didn t tell your friend anything.
She reached up hesitantly and touched the marks with one fingertip. I m sorry.
The look in his eyes was sheer heat and promise. I ll sacrifice a little skin to watch
you come under me, beautiful.
He didn t have any trouble talking dirty. The words melted through her, leaving
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