Leather & Lace

Chapter 20

Somewhere in the US..

“They’re all in Shanghai, should we go there?” One guy asked his boss.

“No, we don’t want to start a war with China. Wait until they come back. I want them to pay. My first plan failed but this is going to succeed for sure.” The boss went over the arrangements for the plan and made sure that the men were the best men for the job.

“Okay so you guys know what to do, but what’s my one rule?”

“Don’t hurt the girl,” they all repeated.

“Good. You all are dismissed.” Everyone left and the boss stayed in the room with a promising smile.

Shanghai..

Brett and Shondra were escorted to their room and were able to unpack. Brett could hear Lacey and Eric talking and laughing in the kitchen. Her smile, it was a smile that lit up a whole village. Yet, it wasn’t him that made her laugh. He knew this was going to be a long weekend and was already wishing it was over.

“Sweetheart, let’s go into the kitchen.” He knew what Shondra was trying to do, but he wasn’t ready to see Lacey yet. Especially in another man’s t-shirt. But he knew he had to mustard up the courage to face her. They walked in the kitchen and greeted them again. Shondra went to hug Eric and then surprisingly Lacey.

“It’s so good to see you again, Lacey.” Lacey immediately caught on to her false tone.

“You too, Shondra. I hope all is well.”

“Everything is great. Oh my God, I can’t believe we’re here. This place is beautiful. Isn’t it honey?”

“It is my dear,” Brett agreed. “My dear?” Lacey thought. “What the f**k? b***h looks like a deer. No Lacey, stop it!” She internally yelled at herself. “Clutch your pearls and hold them tight.”

“Well this was Lacey’s idea. She wanted to visit Shanghai and I just booked the trip,” Eric admitted.

“Good choice. I’ve never been to Shanghai,” Shondra said as she looked around the kitchen. This place is perfect and,” she turned to face Lacey. “Thank you for letting us come out here. Brett and I really needed this. As a matter of fact, Brett, you and Eric need to talk. Besides, I get to catch up with Lacey. You know, have some one-on-one girl time.” Lacey knew exactly what Shondra was doing.

“Honey, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Brett pointed out.

“Actually, it’s a great idea. You and Eric should talk,” Lacey agreed. “Shondra, we can go on the patio.”

Shondra was taken by surprise but followed Lacey out to the patio.

They closed the door behind them so the men wouldn’t hear their conversation. The dark sky was covered with grey clouds. The moon occasionally peeked through the clouds before another one covered it.

“Sooo you and Eric?”

“What about me and Eric?”

Shondra leaned into the brick wall. “Are you guys serious?”

“Why is this any of your business?” Lacey speculated. “What do you want from me?”

“I want you to stay away from Brett.”

Lacey grunted. “Oh God, this again? This is getting really old now. I’m with Eric now and I’m happy. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“It feels good to know that, but it doesn’t mean anything when you consume his mind.”

“Consume his mind?”

“Don’t play stupid with me,” Shondra hissed. “I could f**k up everything you’ve worked for, Lacey.” Lacey laughed which made Shondra frowned.

“You think I’m afraid of you?” She walked towards Shondra. “All of your petty threats don't phase me.” As she kept walking towards her, Shondra began to walk backwards and hit the back of the patio. Lacey leaned in. “You really don’t know what I’m capable of and you don’t want to find out.” She had Shondra cornered.

“You bitch.”

Lacey smiled. “Call me another one and -“

Shondra smiled. “Bitch.” Before Shondra knew it, she was pushed over the patio. She felt a hard thud and groaned as a surge of pain soared through her body. She could hear Lacey’s calling for the guys.

“What the hell happened?” Eric asked, panting.

“Idk we were talking and she leaned on the patio and fell over. This piece from the wall was loose.” Lacey glanced over at Shondra as Brett helped her up.

“Are you okay?” Brett asked Shondra.

“I’m fine. My head and back hurts a little.”

“Okay, well let’s go to the hospital to make sure you don’t have a concussion.”

“I think that’s a great idea.” Eric agreed. “I’ll ride with you to take her.”

Lacey hid her smile well. She knew Shondra wasn’t seriously injured, but she had that coming. She wasn’t a violent person, but she also wasn’t a pushover.

“Babe, are you coming?” Eric asked.

“No babe, I’m going to lay down. But give Shondra my love.”

“Okay, I’ll call you with updates.” He kissed her and she could hear Brett’s huff. She looked at Shondra with a worried expression. “I really hope you’re okay.”

They left and Lacey went to call Izzy. It was morning in the US so she knew her best friend was awake.

“Hey Iz,” she said when Izzy answered.

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready for bed?”

Lacey giggled. “I am, but I need to talk to you.”

“Uh oh, what's wrong? I can hear it in your voice.”

Lacey told Izzy what happened between her and Shondra.

“Good for you. This b***h is sneaky and manipulative so be careful.”

“I will, Izzy. I don’t know what came over me.”

“I do. You were defending yourself and you were on the first floor anyway. Worst case scenario, she would be sore or maybe that’s the best, idk. But the point is that you stood up for yourself.”

Lacey huffed. “You’re right.”

“I know I am. But get some rest and enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Lacey smiled and hung up the phone. She replayed what happened tonight and shook her head. This weekend was going bad already. She didn’t know it was what Shondra needed to put her plan in motion. She had a hard time falling asleep. She tossed and turned for over an hour until her body gave in. As she finally drifted off to sleep, she heard a knock on the door. She was alone and checked her phone and saw one missed call. She grabbed a heavy metal object and slowly walked to the door. When she unlocked it, she raised up the object and was about to swing until she saw Brett. He was alone.

“Brett,” Lacey panted as she put her hand to her chest. “Where’s Eric?”

“At the hospital. We need to talk, now!” He slammed the door as he firmly grabbed her arm and walked towards the kitchen. She protested but in typical Brett fashion, he ignored her.

He let go of her arm and suddenly she could feel his angry eyes on her. “What the hell happened? And don’t give me that bullshit you said earlier.”

“I told you what happened!”

Raw anger shot through him. “And that was bullshit. I want the truth Lacey!”

“Fine! I pushed her.”

He blinked several times before repeating what she said. “You-You pushed her?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because she had it coming. She threatened me twice, first at the restaurant and then tonight.” She felt a flash of irritation. “Why are you questioning me?”

“Because Lacey, she could ruin you.”

“Wow, ruin me? Why? Because we slept together?“

“Yes and she knows how I feel about you,” Brett burned with anger.

“Whatever you feel has to stop. I’m with Eric now.” Ouch that was a stab to the chest.

“I can’t help how I feel. Lacey I love you.” Tears fell down her face as she shook with fury.

“No, you can’t say that now. You can’t love me. Please don’t do that.”

“Why? What do you think I’m putting up with Shondra? She wants to expose the fact that we had s*x to everyone. Do you know what that could do to your career? To your reputation? And now you just gave her a reason to do it.”

“Wait a minute! So you stayed with her to protect me?”

“Yes,” he burst out. “I did it because I love you and it kills me that you chose him when you were always my choice!”

“And how did I know that! I wanted you in every way, Brett. I’ve dreamed about you before I met you. But it’s too late now. What we had and what we could’ve had, it’s over.”

“Is it?” When he stepped closer, his strides were slow but measured. Lacey realized what he was doing and began to retreat. Her eyes widened as her anger began to diminish.

“Y-yes,” she staggered.

“Then why are your eyes full of excitement?” He backed her up until she hit the back of the counter top.

“Brett, we can’t do this. I’m with Eric and you’re with Shondra.” He trapped her between his arms and her breath quickened. He knew she still wanted him. He knew Eric was just an excuse for her. A justification, but no matter how many times she tried to justify that she’s in a relationship, she was fighting herself and her feelings for Brett.

He needed her and now that she was trapped in his arms, he wasn’t ready to let her go. “Lacey, Lacey,

Lacey,” he taunted. “He’s not me.”

“You’re right, he’s not you. He’s not married and he’s safe,” she retorted.

Brett's deep chuckle made her body heat up. “You don’t want to play it safe Lacey. Safe is boring to you.”

“Brett, don't do this.”

“Do what? Tell you the truth. You may like him, but you love me.”

“I can’t love you. I’m in a relationship.” Lacey cursed herself for even opening the door for him. f**k! She wanted him more than anything, but she couldn’t admit it to him.

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” He was so close to her that she could feel his shaft against her. His breath kissed her neck.

“You’re a cold man, Brett Newman.”

“And you..,” he dragged one of his hands down her thigh where he could feel the heat from between her thighs. “Are one very hot woman.”

“Brett,” Lacey whispered as she closed her eyes.

“Say it again,” he mumbled.

“Bre-“ he cut her off by crashing his lips against hers. He grabbed her neck and pulled her closer to him before pushing his tongue against her lips. With one hand she reached up with every intention to push him away, but gripped his shirt instead and pulled him closer. Her mind and body betrayed her and now here she was lost in Brett again.

Liquid heat filled her core and she was aching for a release. He trailed his lips down her neck as he lifted her onto the countertop. He removed the T-shirt and smiled as he saw that she had nothing on but some blue thong. He was fully hard now that she was in front of him. He lifted one of her breasts and flicked his tongue over her n****e. He didn’t disappoint her at all. She whimpered in pleasure as she threw her head back. He took his hand and began to play with her core. She was hot and ready and he needed to be inside of her. He couldn’t wait any longer. He kissed her again as he unbuckled his pants and pulled her panties off. He aligned himself and with her nodded approval, he thrusted inside of her. They both groaned as she gripped him. He’s been wanting her for awhile now and never thought it was going to happen again. He grabbed her hips to pull her forward as he kept thrusting deeply in and out of her. He pumped mercilessly, making Lacey squeal as her climax was building. She was in an inescapable position, but she didn’t want to escape. She wanted this moment for so long and now that it’s happening she felt like she was home.

“Yesss, Brett,” grumbled. Her walls were getting tighter and tighter and Brett couldn’t hold back any longer.

His body shuddered as her core began to convulse. They both climaxed at the same time. Brett held her until she was able to get control of herself. Lacey's hair was all over head and her cheeks were flushed. She had the look of satisfaction on her face, but it was short lived when reality came crashing back. The horror expression was now on her face.

“Oh God, what did I do?” She quickly got off of the countertop and gathered her clothes.

“You did exactly what you wanted to do.”

“No, no, no, I-I cheated on Eric. Oh my God!” The realization of what she did made her feel guilty. “f**k, how can I be so stupid.”

“You’re not stupid, Lacey.”

“Damn it,” she yelled before looking at him. Brett saw the anger in her eyes and was now prepared for the consequences. “You, you seduced me! You knew what you were doing this whole time!”

“No, Lacey. You keep fighting your feelings for me. Eric knows how I feel about you, but does he know how you feel about me?”

She suddenly raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. Brett felt the sting of it, but he also realized he took it too far.

“I hate you Brett Newman.” Lacey's eyes were filled with tears as she ran into her room.

“f**k!” Brett yelled as he went into his and Shondra’s room to find her insurance information. Brett never meant to be a selfish person, but he loves Lacey and he knows she loves him. He could feel it. That’s why she reacted the way she did. This is why she’s been trying to avoid him. “Dammit!” He cursed. He continued to look for her insurance information, but stumbled across a pink box. His mouth dropped as he read the box. There’s no way this could be happening right now. He saw that the box was unopened but now he’s wondering what’s going to happen next. Will the doctors be able to confirm if Shondra was pregnant? Part of him hoped not and the part of him hoped that he wasn’t the father. He found her insurance information and walked out the room hoping to see Lacey. Her room door was closed, but he could hear her sniffling. This weekend went from bad to worse.