Nikki Worrell - The Enforcer (NHL Scorpions)

“She agreed to go to the team skating party with me. And the best part? She can’t skate, so I’m going to be teaching her, starting Wednesday.” Just thinking about getting his hands on her again made him smile.

Jody stayed long enough to beat Vlad in a game of pool and then went home. He sat on his deck, nursing one last Molson while deciding if he should check up on Lace. He wanted to but he didn’t want her to get sick of him too soon. She wasn’t the type that wanted to be smothered. In the end, he had to. Sleep would never come if he didn’t know she was okay.

Jody: Hey Lace, you around?

Lacey: Hi Jody. I’m here, sitting on the deck, listening to the ocean.

Jody: So am I. I just wanted to check in on you. Are you feeling okay after your confrontation with Steven?

Lacey: Yeah, I am. I hope that’s the last I see or hear from him. I’m sorry you got involved.

Jody: I’m not. He needs to know that you’re not alone out here.

Lacey: I guess. I’m just used to taking care of myself, and I don’t plan on changing that Jody.

Jody: I hear you loud and clear. I’m still going to worry about you though. :)

Lacey: Haha. I guess I can’t stop you from doing that.

Jody: No, you can’t. I’ll let you get some sleep. I’m glad you’re feeling okay and I’m glad I was there today.

Lacey: Thanks Jody. Goodnight.

Jody: One more thing …

Lacey: Yes?

Jody: I want you to know that I’ll be thinking about you and me on the deck tonight. You are what men’s dreams are made of Lace.

Lacey: Wow, um, thank you. You weren’t so bad yourself. Those lips of yours …

Jody: Glad you like them. You may use them at any time. Oh wait, I do have one more thing.

Lacey: Yes?

Jody: What’re you wearing? ;)

That question seemed to be the way Jody always ended conversations with her, and it made her laugh. She’d play along.

Lacey: Well, I just got out of the shower so I’m still a little wet. I didn’t want to put on any clothes on, but I do have my robe tied loosely around me. It’s gaping a bit though.

Jody: So, once again, no panties. Great, perfect, that’s all the visual I need. Nite Lace, I gotta go. :)

Lacey: Nite Jody.

She seriously loved Jody’s texts. They made her smile but also made her a little hot at the same time.

After formulating plans on how to seduce Lacey without turning into Mr. Cave Man again, and thinking about how close he had come to getting her naked, he decided to call it a night. But before he could sleep, he’d have to relieve himself of his Lacey inspired hard-on or get a cold shower. Thinking about Lacey won out.

The next morning, Lacey woke up with a smile on her face. Steven was gone forever (she hoped), and Jody was still interested. She wasn’t sure which she was happier about. Okay, she’d have to go with Jody. He was so playful and carefree, but he also had a rough streak that she found alluring. She liked her men a little rough around the edges. No suit and tie guy for her. He was undoubtedly an alpha male.

Throwing back the covers, Lacey got up and did a little happy dance. That was the last night she’d spend sleeping on the floor. Her furniture was due to arrive around noon. No more nights spent tossing and turning. How thankful her back would be. Not living out of a suitcase would be an added bonus too.

Lacey was shocked to see the clock read almost nine. She never slept that late. What a treat; must have been all the drama from the night before. When she hit the sheets last night, she went out like a light. She woke up briefly thinking she was dreaming about Jody, but when she tried to recall it, she couldn’t. Bummer.

After showering and using her Coconut Lime soap, she dressed in some old cut off jean shorts and a white tank top. Lacey went downstairs to grab some breakfast. As soon as she walked into the kitchen, she could smell the roses that Zoe had thrown in the trash can. That would not do. Lacey shoved her feet into a pair of flip flops and made her way outside to take the trash out. As soon as she opened the door, she felt the sun on her face. As a breeze blew by bringing the tangy scent of the ocean with it, she opened her arms wide and thought about how lucky she was to live in such a place.

“Why are you standing there holding a trash bag with the door open?” Zoe had just come out of her office to grab a cup of coffee. She sniffed a couple of times and said, “Oh, the roses. Good idea. We surely don’t need any reminders of that nut case.”

“It’s a gorgeous day. Do you have a lot of work to do?” Zoe smiled, taking a sip of her coffee and said, “Nope.”

“You want to go shopping with me after my furniture is delivered? My Maine clothes aren’t going to cut it here. I can’t imagine I’m going to need my thermal underwear or half the sweaters that I have. I should have donated them before I left.” Lacey also thought she might get some new clothes for her ice skating lessons. A girl can never have too many clothes, right? Maybe she’d buy a nice pair of low riding, snug jeans and a form fitting top? I wonder what Jody’s favorite color is?

“Hello! Snap out of it Lacey.” Zoe knew exactly what (or more accurately, who) Lacey was thinking about. She got a sappy look on her face whenever she thought of/talked about/groped Jody LaGrange. “Absolutely, let’s go shopping. I need some new shoes anyway.”

The moving van was, of course, late. They didn’t show up until 2:30 and Lacey had to admit, she was more than a bit displeased. There was just no such thing as good customer service anymore. Reining in her temper, she went out to the truck to give them instructions of where to put everything.

As soon as she pointed to the stairs and told them that it was up two flights, they informed her that they only dropped it off at the door. “What? How can that be? I’m supposed to carry it up? There is no way I can do that. What kind of company are you?”

“We’re the kind of company that drives a truck from point A to point B. It’s in your contract agreement.” Seeing Lacey’s crestfallen face, they guy said, “Look lady. I’m sorry, but I can’t take it up there. My back’s been acting up, and it’s hard enough for us just to get it off the truck. Beds and dressers are not light furniture. Isn’t there someone you can call to help you?”

Zoe heard them talking and came out. “What’s up Lacey?” Lacey told her about the problem. “Well, just put it by the door and we’ll figure it out.” She figured they could just take it in piece by piece. The bed was mostly apart anyway. It was the massive headboard that would be the main issue.

As Lacey and Zoe stood and let the guys put her furniture by the door, Lacey’s phone beeped with a new text.

Jody: Hey Lace. Just got done practicing with some of the guys. Any interest in some pizza or something?

Lacey: No can do. Zoe and I are trying to move my furniture in.

Jody: Shouldn’t you let the movers do that?

Lacey: Apparently they only drop it at the door. We’ll be fine … I think.

Jody: I know you hate it when I go all “Neanderthal,” but how about you don’t touch it, and Vlad and I come carry it up for you?