Leather & Lace

Chapter 17

They all met at the restaurant and even though Brett and Eric haven’t really spoken since the incident, Brett wasn’t looking forward to meeting up with him. He also hasn't spoken to Lacey either. He sent her an email stating that her services were no longer needed. She only replied with a simple, thank you for your time. She even refunded all of the money he spent on this case. When they walked in, Brett held his breath. He knew she was going to be dressed beautifully, she always had great taste, but this dress was something different. She was dressed in a gold satin short sleeved dress that stopped at her mid thighs. It covered her from her neck to her thighs leaving something for him to imagine. Her hair was in a high bun with two strands framing her delicate face. She wore matching gold heels that showed off the bright orange polish on her toes. Brett never had a foot fetish, but he was willing to kiss hers. He wanted to compliment her. He wanted to tell her that she was the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, but he couldn’t.

“Hi Eric, thank you for coming,” Shondra stood and hugged Eric. “Lacey, how are you? I hope this isn’t awkward, you know since you used to be Brett’s lawyer and all.”

Lacey smiled although Brett knew it was fake. “Not at all. It’s nice to see a couple that’s willing to make their marriage work.” Was that a hint of jealousy that Brett heard? He was a little happy about that. Eric pulled her chair for her and sat with her shoulders high and followed behind her.

“Brett,” he nodded. “It’s good to see you.”

“Likewise,” Brett nodded back. He picked up the menu trying to ignore the small conversation Shondra made with Lacey. It was so awkward.

“I can’t believe these two are so quiet,” Shondra laughed. “What is up with you two?”

Lacey noticed the same thing. These two men could hold a good conversation. The silence that was between them made Lacey frown.

“Nothing, just a long day,” Eric answered. Lacey knew that he was lying.

“What about you, babe?” Lacey wanted to throw up at the sound of Shondra calling Brett babe. It made her stomach churn.

“I’m fine,” he answered.

“I’m sure you are after what you did last night.” She winked at him.

“Seriously, Shondra?” Brett huffed with wide eyes.

They had s*x? Lacey questioned herself. God, she hoped it wasn’t true.

“We’re all adults here, right? I don't see the problem with us talking about our s*x lives. I mean we’re married and Eric and Lacey, well I'm sure they’ve had their fun too.”

“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.” Lacey quickly stood from her chair and walked to the restroom.

“I think I need to go as well. We’ll be back,” Shondra kissed Brett’s cheek before disappearing through the same door Lacey went into.

Brett and Eric sat quietly at the table. Neither of them know what to say to each other. Eric huffed before breaking the silence. “Soo, you and Shondra back to get her, huh?”

“It seems that way,” Brett answered while still looking at the menu.

“That’s good. So Lacey isn’t your lawyer anymore?”

That made Brett tense. He inhaled and exhaled a breath. “No, she isn’t. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Eric smirked, “Kinda. Look, I really like her and I know how you feel about her. I want to ask her to officially be my girlfriend.”

Brett suddenly lunged across the table, tackling Eric to the ground. Glass shattered onto the floor, but that didn’t stop him from throwing several punches to Eric’s face.

“Did you hear what I said?” Eric asked Brett, snapping him back to reality. He couldn’t believe that he imagined himself beating Eric up over Lacey.

“Yes, and congratulations,” he said, annoyed. The waiter came and the men ordered two bottles of champagne. God, this is going to be a long night. He told himself.

Meanwhile..

Lacey was washing her hands when Shondra walked into the restroom. Her gut told her that Shondra was up to no good. Shondra walked to the sink and pulled out her makeup.

“I need to touch up for my man.”

She applied the red lipstick perfectly on her lips. Lacey flashed a small smile and looked at herself in the mirror. Satisfied with her look, she headed towards the door.

“Lacey?”

She paused and slowly turned toward Shondra. “Yes?”

“Cut the innocent act. I know you and Brett slept together.” She knew! She knew all of this time. It all makes sense now.

“We did,” Lacey confirmed. “So now what? You’re gonna tell me to stay away from him?”

“Ah, you catch on fast,” Shondra smiled and then her face turned serious and stepped closer to Lacey.

“Brett is my husband and I’m not about to let the DA’s slutty daughter come in between us.”

Lacey arched an eyebrow with a smirk. She wasn’t about to let this plastic blow up doll think she can say what the hell she wants. “Would you like something to drink? You seem to be a little thirsty.”

“You bi-“

“Ah ah,” Lacey put her hand up. “Really? Don’t you think that the word b***h is a little played out? I’ve been called worse in the courtroom. Don’t misconstrue, I may be the DA’s daughter, but I can also be the DA’s daughter that will beat your ass. Don’t come for me unless I send for you, okay barbie?” Lacey really wanted to smash her head against the window, but she kept her composure. She straightened her dress one more time before leaving Shondra in the bathroom. When she returned to the table, she smiled at the men.

“You were in there for a long time,” Eric speculated.

“Yeah,” she shrugged. “You know how us girls are and besides Shondra and I were just having a little chat.” She picked up the menu. “I am starving.”

A few seconds later, Shondra returned, pretending that she’s okay. Brett knew it was more to the story and he was going to ask Shondra as soon as they left. The waiter returned and took their orders. The waiter returned with their food and they all began to eat. Lacey talked with Eric, laughing at his jokes, while Shondra and Brett made small conversations. Brett was so mad at how Eric wrapped his hand around her. She leaned into him and he whispered something in her ear. She smiled at him and he winked at her.

“I actually have something to say,”Eric turned towards Lacey. He cleared his throat. “First off, I want to say that you are so damn beautiful.” Brett silently agreed with him.

“And we’ve been dating for a little while now and the chemistry between us is amazing. I would like to take things further by officially asking you to be my girlfriend.” Lacey’s hand went to her mouth and she looked at everyone at the table. When her eyes landed on Brett, she could see him pleading with her. But then suddenly, Shondra kissed him and he didn’t push her away. Right then and there is when she realized that it was time to move on. A part of her had been saving herself for him, but she couldn’t continue to do that. He was married and unavailable. She turned her attention back to Eric who was waiting for an answer.

“I-I, when we first met, I was hurting. I was not ready to date let alone be in a relationship, but I enjoy the time we spend together. I also like how caring you are. I’m so used to all of these men with a hard exterior, but you were different and I was scared to experience that. Now, I think that I want to try. So, my answer is yes, Eric. I will be your girlfriend.”

Eric leaned in and kissed her. His kiss was soft and gentle as expected but her heart did leap. She felt something and couldn’t decipher if it was guilt or butterflies. Brett’s heart shattered. The woman of his dreams is kissing his old friend. He felt so many things, rage, jealousy, anger, hurt. But he couldn’t react to it. He couldn’t pull her away from him. Shondra had a smile on her face. Her plan is working and now it’s time to move to the next part.

Later that night, Eric and Lacey drove back to his place. He kept one hand on the wheel while kissing Lacey’s other hand. They finally arrived at his place and Lacey was surprised by how big his house was. It was a beautiful red brick house with a two car garage. They entered the house from the garage and her mouth dropped at how his kitchen looked. Everything was organized. The kitchen was opened to the living room. His furniture was navy blue with gray throw pillows. The atmosphere was comfortable, but masculine. He guided her to the couch where they both sat. He just looked at her as if she would disappear if he blinked.

“What?” She blushed. She was going to try and allow herself to be happy. To try and forget about Brett.

“I’m so happy you agreed to be my girlfriend.” He laced the hands together.

“Of course I did. Idk know why I was holding myself back.”

“Yes you do,” Eric responded, catching her off guard. His face was serious, but there was no anger in his eyes. “Remember when we first met and you lied about your name?”

“Yeah,” She answered cautiously.

“I asked you not to lie to me anymore.”

“You did,” she confirmed.

“So why didn’t you tell me about you and Brett?” Lacey didn’t know what to say. She opened her mouth and nothing came out. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I met Brett at a s*x club.”

“Mystical Pleasure?”

“Yeah. I was there because I suspected that my fiancé was cheating on me and he was. But I couldn’t get unless I was a member so Brett told them that I was with him and I signed some paperwork before they let me in.”

“Okay, so then you repaid him by sleeping with him.”

“I didn’t sleep with Brett that night, but I did a week later. I was so hurt about my fiancé. I didn’t want to feel anything and Brett was there. He let me express myself in a way that I didn’t know I needed to. My family has all of these expectations of me and I always followed it. Even to my engagement to Edward. But Brett, he didn’t do that. I was able to make that choice on my own. Without all of the expectations and without judgement if I didn’t do what I was told.”

“Wow, I-I didn’t know that.”

“It’s fine. Brett has been really good to me and I was even willing to date him until he confessed to me that he was married. When he did that, I felt like a hypocrite. I dumped my fiancé because he was cheating and here I am being the other woman.” She scoffed at the irony. “I tried to forget about it and then you came along. I didn’t expect to like you so much. When you introduced me to Brett and Shondra I was stuck. My feelings for him didn’t leave and it was hard to see him and be around him.”

“We could’ve avoided that if I had known. It’s all in the past now and I would like to still move forward with you.”

She smiled at him and stood to sit on his lap. “Well then Eric Samuels, this is the start of us moving forward.” She leaned into him. She could smell his cologne, which was a really good mix. She pressed her lips to his before his to give was in her mouth. She moaned against him as he straddled her over him and his hands found her ass. His lips were on her neck and she began to pant at how gentle his lips felt. She was enjoying this a little too much. She needed to slow down.

“Eric?” She breathed. “Wait.”

“What’s wrong?” He looked up, eyes filled with concern.

“I know this sounds crazy but I'm not ready to go that far yet,” she said feeling guilty.

“Okay, that’s fine. I think we were caught up in the moment. Let’s just watch a movie.” She thought he was going to be pissed and throw Brett in her face, but when he suggested that they just watch a movie, it put her mind at ease.

“A movie is fine,” she smiled.

“Okay, you pick the movie and I will make the popcorn.” Eric went into the kitchen as Lacey tried to figure out what movie they were going to watch. She finally found one and Eric returned with popcorn and sat next to her.

Lacey was enjoying the movie and felt when Eric wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and he kissed her forehead. After an hour into the movie, she noticed that her eyes were getting heavy, so she snuggled into Eric’s warm arms and fell asleep.

Somewhere around town..



“Tsk..tsk..tsk…. You really messed up didn’t you?”

The fear in the man’s eyes as he looked at his boss only made his boss even angrier. “I’m so disappointed in you. You had one job! One f*****g job and you couldn’t even accomplish that. His boss was loading a silver metal gun.

“I didn’t mean to, sir. Please, I'm sorry.”

“Damn right you are and unfortunately, your apology isn’t accepted.”

“No, no, pl-“ The gun went off immediately killing the begging man.

“Clean this s**t and make sure it doesn’t trace back to me,” he ordered his other men.

“Yes, boss.” They immediately began to clean up everywhere and then disposed of the man’s body.