Wrapped in Lace by Prescott Lane Read Free Book Online

forever,” I said quietly. “I pedaled my bike so fast, hoping I hadn’t missed you.”
    “You looked frantic skidding into the driveway.”
    “I was. I had this whole big speech planned, but then I saw you and couldn’t remember a single word. You threw your arms around my neck, and I could feel your tears soaking my shirt.”
    “I didn’t want to go. My mother left me with Grammy and Granddaddy when I was just a baby. I didn’t really even know my mom. Then all of a sudden, she shows back up when I’m thirteen and wants me. My grandparents said I needed to give her a chance. I was so scared to leave here. This was my home.”
    “I hated her for taking you,” I admitted. “But I’m not sure I ever would’ve gotten the courage to kiss you otherwise.” Piper laughed. “I still can’t believe I kissed you, and you hit me.”
    “I didn’t hit you hard.”
    “No, but then you just stormed off. I’ve been confused about women ever since.”
    She bumped my shoulder. “I came back, though.”
    I got lost in her blue eyes for a second, remembering the way her lips felt on mine. “You did. I thought I was brave to give you a little peck on the lips, but then you turned around, walked back, and kissed me like a pro. Damn, I thought my body was going to explode.”
    “I’d dreamed about you kissing me for months. I wasn’t going to leave it at a little peck on the mouth,” she said, looking at her feet. “That’s why I hit you the first time. I was so mad that it took me leaving for you to make a move, then you wimped out.”
    “I didn’t wimp out. It was my first time kissing a girl. Give me a break. I was being respectful—a good guy.”
    “You wimped out,” Piper said. “Besides, it was my first kiss, too.”
    “Well, maybe if you hadn’t hit me I’d have taken it further.” I knew I wouldn’t have then, but I knew I wanted to now. “You always did have a stiff right hook and a mean curveball.”
    “Still do,” Piper said, smiling broadly before her face fell slightly. “Why’d you stop writing to me? I always wondered why you stopped.”
    Ah, hell! Piper might have acted like one of the boys, but she was just as sensitive as every other girl. I couldn’t tell her the real reason I stopped writing to her. It was such a chicken shit thing to do.
    “The day I left, we promised to write once a week, but then you just stopped.”
    “I was a teenage boy. I was stupid and busy with sports and friends. They teased the shit out of me, so I just stopped.” I wasn’t sure if she bought that bullshit or not, but I wanted to change the subject. I didn’t want to think about having hurt her feelings. “So, why’d you move back?”
    “This was always home. My mom and I moved around a lot, and no other place ever felt like home. So, after art school and Grammy’s passing, I thought it was time to come back. My grandparents were there for me, and it’s time to return the favor.”
    “We used to dream about living here. I was going to buy the old Harlow place and run the bar with Rob, and you wanted to. . . . Well, you changed your mind every week.” She laughed, and I swear the stars got a little brighter.
    “My mom and I lived all over, but no place was ever better than right here,” Piper said, looking up at the house.
    “Where’s your mom now?”
    “Still down in Miami. We lived there my last two years of high school.”
    “I can’t picture you in Miami.”
    “I spent most of my time in a strip club. Every woman fits in there.” I felt my jaw clench and swore I probably cracked a tooth. She looked over at me and started laughing, obviously seeing the fire in my eyes. She covered up her mouth, so as not to wake her grandfather. “My mom was a bartender. Strip clubs always paid the best. That’s how I learned to make all those naughty drinks.”
    “But you never?” I knew it was none of my business, but I had to ask. I had to know. I couldn’t imagine Piper stripping. Not