A Paramedic to Tempt Her - chapter 4

Lacey lined the ingredients up on the counter, very aware that the 1950s retro diner look she’d chosen for the kitchen was the definition of over-the-top design. Mia was right; she’d never been past the front door. No one had.

This was Lacey’s safe space. The place where she let herself be free. Where she didn’t think of consequences. She’d repainted the living room walls six times in the three years she’d lived in this apartment. Right now it was light blue with an ocean mural across the back wall.

Lacey was already ticking through ideas for a bright pink, overly girlie theme that just wouldn’t vacate her mind. Her parents had hated her artistic side. Hated when she brought up art as healing and asked if they’d ever employed an art therapist. Hated everything about her, really.

Maybe that was why she set out to be the exact opposite of them. They were high achievers; she’d flunked out of high school. They were hard workers; she’d been fired from every job in her teens. Failure and Lacey became fairly synonymous.

Pepper started barking, and Lacey let out a deep breath. She’d invited Mia to the one place no one came. No turning back now.

She brushed her hands on the apron she’d put over her red dress and shushed Pepper as she walked to the door.

She opened it, and Mia laughed as she waved at Pepper. “No need for a doorbell with this one around.”

Lacey blew air kisses to Pepper. “She’s perfect.” Then she leaned forward and kissed Mia’s cheek.

“I—”

“Don’t you dare apologize for that, Lacey.” Mia kissed her cheek and then pointed to the apartment. “Do I get to come in?”

“Right. Yes.” She stepped back and tried to get herself in check. That kiss wasn’t thought out, or planned, or anything. And it wasn’t what she really wanted, either. Maybe tonight she’d finally find out how Mia Laury kissed.

“Oh my God.” Mia’s hand was on her chest as she stood in the living room. “Oh my.”

“It’s a lot.” Lacey bunched her hands and wished her dress had pockets she could bury her hands in. “I…um…”

“It is a lot. A lot of beauty. Did you paint this?” Mia walked over to the wall, her arms crossed as she stared at the image. “The brush strokes… I mean, no wonder you were able to bend the metal the other day.”

“Oh. That is not the same. I took some art classes at the community center. I just pick up crafty things fast.”

“Stop downplaying this.” Mia walked over and reached for Lacey’s hands. “This is—” she shook her head “—honestly, I don’t even have words for it. You should be a full-time artist.”

Heat bloomed across her cheeks, and there was no way she could stop the smile. “Never wanted to be an artist. Though the idea of art therapy…” Lacey blew out her breath. That was a dream she didn’t have the time, money or grades for.

Before she could move, Mia pulled her close. “You are gorgeous and so talented.”

Her heart fluttered before racing. “Mia.” Lacey’s gaze fell to the perfect lips. If Mia didn’t kiss her now…

“Yes?” Soft hands ran along her chin.

“Kiss me.”

The words were barely out when Mia’s lips met hers. They were soft and firm and everything Lacey wanted.

Her hands traced Mia’s back as she deepened the kiss. This felt so right. Like everything in her life had led to this moment. It was the fanciful thought her younger self would have had. But she wouldn’t second-guess anything.

Not here with Mia. Not now.

Mia’s mouth opened, her tongue dancing with Lacey’s as the world, its judgments and stress disappeared.

She wasn’t sure how long they stood there. Lacey could have stayed for hours, drinking this woman in. But Mia’s stomach gave a huge growl. Lacey had promised her dinner.

“You are so gorgeous,” Lacey whispered to Mia as she broke the connection. All she wanted was to lead her to her bedroom and see what might happen.

But dinner came first.

“You are also very hungry.” Lacey ran her hand along Mia’s stomach, enjoying the hitch in her breath. “I promised you dinner. And I do my best to keep my promises.”

***

“That was the best dinner ever.” Mia leaned over and placed a kiss on Lacey’s cheek. They’d made the pasta dish together, but luckily it was fairly easy, allowing for lots of little touches.

Which was nice because after that kiss, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to keep her hands fully to herself.

“So, your kitchen is a retro diner, the living room is an ocean waterscape, the bathroom is a jungle. I count two other doors to rooms I haven’t seen. What themes did you pick for those?” This hidden talent was remarkable. Mia could craft just about anything out of frosting. A skill her family had had no idea where she got it.

The “tumbleweed” always came up with something, according to her mom.

But when it came to any other artsy thing, Mia had no ideas and no ability, even if she did have ideas, to bring them to life.

“Well, that one is just a closet.” Lacey pointed toward the door at the end of the hall.

And the other was her bedroom. Sparks flew up Mia’s back as she looked at that door. This whole apartment was Lacey’s sanctuary. But that room. What had she painted for her most private space?

“I don’t suppose the former bakery owner brought any dessert?” Lacey gathered the dishes and headed for the kitchen.

“You saw my empty hands when I walked in.” Mia grabbed the final dishes and followed the beauty into the kitchen.

Pepper pushed against her legs, and Mia held up the empty plate. “We ate it all, girl. Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Lacey reached for a treat, made Pepper sit, then told her to go lie down. “She begs for human food, but her tummy is super delicate.”

It was hard to think of the gentle giant as delicate, but she understood the package not matching the interior. People rarely saw Mia, either. She was part of the Laury unit. The only girl, the one who had trouble finding her way.

Now they joked about how long it would take her to tire of being a paramedic. She wouldn’t…probably. No. She was happy in this choice.

So what if she’d done other things first. It didn’t mean she wasn’t capable of staying put. Right?

As if being open to change was a bad thing.

“I don’t have dessert.” Mia put her hand on Lacey’s lower back, a simple touch, but it grounded her. “We can order some.”

“We could.” Lacey stepped closer. “Or we could make our own.”

There was a hint in her eyes, a tilt of her lips.

Mia closed the distance between them. “Do you have sugar, flour—” She couldn’t contain the giggle as Lacey pinched her side.

“You know I am not talking about actual dessert.” Then Lacey’s lips were on hers, and Mia wrapped her arms around the siren.

“I don’t know that. Chocolate sauce?” She didn’t try to finish the sentence, but she did wink at Lacey.

“Chocolate sauce is very messy in the bedroom.” Her soft words were heavy with desire.

Mia let out a rough sigh. “Bedroom?” Her finger slid down Lacey’s cheek.

“Bedroom.” Lacey brushed her lips against hers again, then grabbed her hand and led her down the hall.

A night with Lacey Broom. There was no better dessert in this world.