Into the Fire - Leslie Kelly [67]
"I dream about coming home at night to that one special woman," he continued. "Talking about our day, tucking our kids in at night, then giving in to the passion that has sustained our marriage all our lives."
"Watch out, I think I'm gonna barf," Venus muttered in Lacey's ear. She, apparently, had had quite enough of this lecherous creep who'd used every opportunity he could to touch Lacey.
"Oh, me, too," the pipsqueak said. Lacey had dubbed the one in the thick glasses the pipsqueak. He hadn't tried to touch. He seemed happy standing above them, sneaking peeks down her blouse, getting all tongue-tied and drooly whenever Venus looked at him. "I dream of finding a woman just like my mother."
"I think I hear her calling you," Venus mumbled as she took a healthy sip of her strawberry daiquiri.
Lacey bit the inside of her cheek. This was proving to be a waste of time. These men weren't taking her questions seriously—they were trying to pick her up. Not that she'd expected much else, given the reputation of the place. She should really feel guilty for intentionally goading Nate by arranging this evening's research trip.
"Excuse me," a waitress said as she placed a glass of champagne on the table. "The gentleman over there sent this."
Nate. Looking across the room, Lacey met his eyes. He stared at her, ignoring the mountain of synthetic cleavage resting on his table. A half smile played about his gorgeous lips, his gaze conveying tenderness and humor. And need. Lacey's heart skipped a beat.
"He sent this, as well."
She took the napkin the waitress offered. Turning slightly for privacy, she read it. "Careful not to let the little one get too close to the window. It's still light out. If the sun shines through those glasses, he might burn the place down."
She grinned. "Got a pen?"
Venus dug through her bag and came up with one. "From trampoline man, I assume? He's looking quite delish tonight."
Lacey nodded as Venus leaned closer to whisper, "Then again, considering the dregs who've been hitting on us, even your little lackey is looking good by comparison."
Lacey glanced at her friend. Venus was making some serious eye contact … with Raul. When Venus pulled a tube of lipstick out and pursed her lips to apply it, Lacey seriously thought Raul was going to fall out of his chair, he leaned over so far. Then, with a pout, Venus mouthed, "Where's my champagne?"
Lacey snorted with laughter when Raul immediately threw his arm up in the air, beckoning for the waitress. "You're bad."
"Bad's the only way to be," Venus said in a Mae West purr.
Lacey finished writing her note and asked the waitress to give it to Nate. She watched as it was delivered, saw him grin when he read what she'd written. "I think I hear your table groaning from over here under the weight of those things."
He stood, saying something to the women, who suddenly looked very disappointed. Raul stood, as well. They were, quite obviously, on their way over.
Venus noticed, too. Turning to the three men remaining next to their table, she said, "All right, boys, I think that's all for tonight. Be good enough to shove off now, would you?"
The man in the gray suit widened his eyes in surprise. "But I thought we were just getting friendly…"
"Oh, give it up," Lacey interrupted. She felt as uninterested in continuing her story research as Venus. "I see the white mark on your ring finger. Put your wedding band back on and get home to your wife. There might still be time to put your kids to bed together and thrill in your marital passion."
"Well done," Venus murmured with a chuckle.
The man crossed his arms to hide his left hand. Then he and the second main—probably also married—walked away. That left just the guy with the sneaky eyes and the drool-coated lips.
"I'm really single," he offered. He snuck another quick peek down Lacey's blouse.
"Sorry, dear," Venus said with an evil smile. "We're due back at the dominatrix academy in an hour." The man's eyes widened behind the Coke-bottle glasses.
"Can