Beyond Lace Read online

  Beyond Lace

  A Hard Men of the Rockies Novella

  Mia London

  Hard Men of the Rockies Series

  Red Lace by Kym Roberts

  Tango & Lace by Misty Dietz

  Leather & Lace by Brynley Bush

  Beyond Lace by Mia London

  Blackmail & Lace by Tracy A. Ward

  Titles by Mia London

  Beyond Lace, A Hard Men of the Rockies Novella

  Life To The Max

  Perfect Seduction, Perfect Series #1

  Perfect Surrender, Perfect Series #2

  Wanton Angel **coming soon

  Beyond Lace

  by Mia London

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, event or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright ©2016 Mia London

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher.

  September 2016

  ISBN # 978-0-9905274-6-6 Electronic

  ISBN # 978-0-9905274-7-3 Print

  Publisher: Mia London

  PO Box 93852

  Southlake, TX 76092

  Cover illustrator: www.sweetnspicydesigns.com

  Interior Design by: www.PolgarusStudio.com

  Special Thanks

  Thank you Brynley, Kym, Misty, and Tracy! Collaborating with you awesome, smart, and funny women while making this Hard Men of the Rockies series was amazing!

  Table of Contents

  Prelude

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Sample: Blackmail and Lace by Tracy Ward

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  LETTER TO MY READERS:

  Hello my dear readers,

  I am so excited you chose to read my book. When I was asked to join the Chick Swaggers for this series, I was excited and nervous. Excited to be part of the collaboration, but nervous about living up to any expectations. It turned out to be one of my best decisions.

  The chicks told me about the premise of the series and that “Lace,” in any form or fashion, needed to be part of the title and story.

  Thinking about the story, it hit me. Lace wasn’t a thing; it was a place. From there, the creative energy carried me. Lace is a town outside Fort Collins, Colorado. It is pronounced “lacy” after the family that settled it back in 1867. It is where Blake and Charlie grew up and went to school. Ironically, they didn’t really know each other until college at CSU. And the fireworks between them were undeniable.

  Enjoy this story and the series of cousins coming to Fort Collins to help their sweet, feisty grandmother.

  If you are so inclined, we would all love a review; it tells us more about what you would like to read in the future.

  I appreciate you, and thanks for being loyal to romance!

  Mia

  Prelude

  Blake Strickland shoved his tablet and printouts into his computer bag and grabbed the last of the coffee before heading out the door.

  His condo neighbor, a friendly old woman, strolled down the stairs with her chihuahua tethered by a leash.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Parker.”

  “Oh, good morning, Blake. Off bright and early?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied as he sidled passed.

  “You work too much. You need to find yourself a nice woman and settle down.”

  He forced a smile her way.

  He’d heard that sentiment before . . . from Mrs. Parker, from his mother, from his aunts. He couldn’t make them understand settling down was not his thing. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

  Blake stopped short when a two-inch scratch on the bumper of his European sports car caught his eye. Shit! He paid extra for this secluded parking spot. Well, he would have to deal with it later; there was nothing he could do about it now.

  He pulled away from Park Ridge and merged south onto I-90, heading for downtown Chicago. The radio played some classic rock and roll, not that it mattered. His mind was already on business. That was his modus operandi—think about work before, during, and after work. Occasionally, he could be distracted by a basketball game, a poker night, a few hours with a woman, or writing code for an app. People called him a workaholic. He didn’t care; his devotion to his career had led him to success.

  Two years ago, he sold his first internet company for several million dollars. He was twenty-seven at the time. And Blake wasn’t ashamed to admit he was working tirelessly on his next company. His goal—to grow it to the point where he could sell it for a handsome profit.

  His thoughts were interrupted by a phone call. The screen on his dashboard read Jackson Whiteside, his cousin.

  “Hi, Jack. How’s it goin’?”

  “Hey, Blake. I’m good, man. How’s life in the concrete jungle?”

  “More comfortable than sweating it out in the Middle East digging up old scrolls written by men in white beards, I’m sure.”

  Jack laughed. “At least I don’t sit on my ass staring at a computer screen all day, every day. You hear about grandma?”

  Blake wondered when he’d get the call from one of his cousins. His mom had called him the week prior to tell him that his grandmother, his father’s mother, had suffered a heart attack. Medical reports showed she was fine, but needed time to recuperate.

  “Yeah, I heard. How’s she doing?”

  “She’ll bounce back. I just got to Fort Collins. Ty’s been here for a while now.”

  “How’s he feeling?” Blake couldn’t imagine what the recovery was like from a gunshot wound.

  “Real good. In fact, we just finished up reshingling her roof. Since I’m here, he’ll be heading back to Noble Pass tomorrow. We decided we need to take turns staying with grandma. Give her some company and fix up the house. The exterior looks like shit, and who knows what needs tinkering on the inside. She can’t do it by herself.”

  “Okay,” Blake said, drawing out the word.

  “So, man up. I’ll be here through July, and Knox said he’d come after football camp in August. That means you’re on deck in September.”

  Why the hell did he need to go to Fort Collins? “I thought Mya looked after her.”

  “I’m not discussing Mya.” Jack’s voice hardened.

  “Touchy much?”

  “Rosie’s our blood, our responsibility.”

  “You’re right.”

  “That’s why I’m calling now. Give you time to plan, Mister Big Wig.”

  “Whatever.”

  All the cousins were successful in their own right. They were good men, and Blake’s only regret about them was that they didn’t live closer to each other. Since he didn’t have any siblings, his cousins were like brothers to him.

  “So can you make it?”

  He exhaled. “Yeah, I’ll make it.” But it was the last place on God’s green earth he wanted to be.

  “And leave your monkey suits at home. You’ll need real work clothes. The place needs some TLC.”
r />   “Shit.”

  Jack chuckled over the phone. He loved to antagonize him. “Hang in there, big man. I’ll see you when you get here.” The line disconnected.

  Blake stared at the road ahead. Well, that’s just great. Going back to Fort Collins, Colorado wasn’t his idea of fun. He loved his grandmother, that wasn’t the issue. He’d do anything for her. What he didn’t want was to run into Charlotte Brookfield. Charlie.

  It had been eight years since he saw her last. What a fucking fiasco.

  He cranked the fan on the car’s air conditioner.

  There was a bright side. He’d heard Charlie moved back to Lace after graduation. Her entire family lived in Lace. Chances were good that he could get in and get out without so much as hearing her name. He nodded to no one. Yup. Get in, get out.

  Chapter One

  The summer flew by.

  Blake spoke to Ty and Jack again. He and Knox had traded emails. And in the time it took to defrag a hard drive, September was here.

  He felt a knot in his stomach all morning as he heaved some more t-shirts and toiletries into his duffle bag. Next, he fished out his climbing gear—gloves, slippers, and canteen—from the back of his closet. His flight to Denver would depart at noon. His friend, Damen, would drive him to O’Hare.

  He zipped his bag and dropped it at the front door. He checked his laptop case—tablet, computer, charger, mouse, files, phone charger, pens, and highlighters.

  He sucked in a deep breath. Why was he so jacked up? He shouldn’t give one shit about going to Fort Collins. His grandma needed him, so there was no question—he would go. So why the hell did Charlie invade his thoughts now more than ever?

  Over the past few years, she’d popped into his mind now and again. Nothing serious. Flashbacks of holding her close after sex—her smell intoxicating. Random women would cross his path and remind him of Charlie—the way a svelte brunette sashayed her hips, a woman at the deli who ordered a turkey-cheese sandwich with sliced gherkins inside, or the sweet citrusy scent of a woman’s fragrance. And when she occupied his dreams, he’d wake up hard with her on his mind.

  Nothing really noteworthy. He was so fucking over her, it wasn’t even funny.

  A knock came from his door. Damen. No turning back now.

  When he arrived at the car rental company at Denver International, he decided to upgrade to an SUV. He’d much rather tool around the mountains in an SUV than a practical sedan. Driving off the lot, he lowered the car window and let the fresh air in.

  He inhaled the fresh mountain air and smiled. His first smile in a while.

  Seeing the mountains in the distance got Blake’s heart revving for rock climbing.

  Climbing had been Blake’s love since his diaper days. His dad would take him to spots near Lace, starting with small hills. As he grew, he and his dad would conquer bigger hills and boulders, working their way up to climbing the mountains. By his teen years, Blake would venture out on his own, and life was good.

  Not much rock climbing in Illinois. He grimaced.

  After an hour on the road, he pulled into the drive at Rosie’s house. Jack hadn’t lied. The place needed some repairs. Bushes were overgrown, window screens had tears, and flowerbeds were filled with weeds.

  “Blake!” his grandma called from the front porch. “How are you? I’ve missed you.”

  Blake dropped his duffle bag and swung his arms around the five-one, little dynamo of a grandmother and lifted her off her feet.

  “Hi, Grandma.” He kissed her cheek. “How are you feeling? I’ve missed you, too.”

  She patted his cheek as he set her down.

  “My, how handsome you are.” Then, she flapped her hand at him. “Come. Get your things. Let’s go inside. I want to hear everything.”

  Blake hid his smile. He had nothing to tell.

  Blake followed his grandmother inside and set his bag down at the foot of the steps.

  “Grandma,” he started, “you look good. How are you feeling?”

  “Dear, I’m feeling pretty good.” She took a seat at the kitchen table, and he joined her. “Of course, I have medicine to take now until the day I die.” She rolled her eyes. “And I need to make some minor changes to my routine.”

  “What kind of changes?” He frowned.

  “Well, I need to cut out a lot of red meat and eat more fish. I have supplements that my doctor wants me to take, and I walk several times a week.”

  “Grandma, you were always pretty active.” Plus, she was fun and feisty, always seeing the good in everyone.

  She smiled. “Yes, but even I’ve slowed down the last few years.”

  He nodded.

  “I also need to eat less salt and sugar. Not having salt isn’t so bad, but you know how I love my desserts.” She grinned.

  “Yes, I do.” Blake recalled times when she’d give him and his cousins popsicles during the summer. They’d eat them outside and Grandma always had at least one, too.

  She reached forward and stroked the back of his hand. “You know sweetie, I don’t mind the changes. Life has been good to me. If I can get a few more years, that’s all I can ask. Your grandfather will have to wait.” She chuckled at her own joke.

  He smiled, thankful she had survived the heart attack and could sit there with him now, laughing and joking.

  “So, you have turned into an exceptional businessman, Blake. I am so proud of you. How is your company?” Her eyes twinkled.

  “It’s good. The business is growing. I’d like to get it to the point where I can sell it like last time. We’ll see.” He lifted a shoulder.

  “Is it okay for you to be away this long?”

  “Sure. I brought my computer. I can work from here.” He would never tell her how hard it was to leave.

  “Terrific. I’ll bet you’re excited to see your old friends again. You don’t have to be with me all the time, you know. I want you to make plans, go out, have some fun. Okay?”

  “I will, Grandma.”

  Seeing friends from college. Yes, that would be a good thing. He was anxious to do some rock climbing, too. Those are the things he’d focus on because just being back in Colorado set his nerves on edge.

  His skin prickled thinking about his old girlfriend and knowing how close in proximity they were now.

  Charlie had been the love of his life. His one and only love. They’d met their senior year at Colorado State, and the chemistry had been instantaneous. That quickly grew to love. He’d envisioned a future with her. Then she’d cheated and brought everything to a screeching halt.

  Get in, get out. Get in, get out.

  Chapter Two

  Charlie walked into Catwalk, a local bar, with her good friend, Lori. They have been best friends since the fourth grade and loved to blow off the stress of the day at the local haunts. The crowd seemed like the usual Fort Collins group for a Friday night.

  Lori and Charlie scanned the room for any open tables, and Charlie’s eyes landed on a man sipping a beer with his back to her. He had a familiar frame, but she couldn’t place it. Was he someone who worked with one of her clients?

  “I don’t see a table. Do you?” Not waiting for a response, Lori suggested, “Let’s go to the bar and wait for something to open up.”

  Charlie nodded, then focused her attention back to the stranger. He sat at the far end of the bar and slanted her direction when he called out to the bartender.

  She stumbled for a second.

  That looks like Blake. The thought popped into her head with a suddenness of a bottle rocket. She stared. Her heart pounded in her chest, on the verge of exploding.

  Lori asked her something, but she couldn’t even hear it. “Hey.”

  She glanced at her friend. “What?”

  “What do you want to drink?”

  “Um. A beer.”

  Her attention back on the man, she strained to get a clear view over the horde of people. It was very unlikely Blake. Her imagination was getting the best of her. She watched a
s he ordered another drink from Larry. Even his mannerisms seemed like Blake’s.

  She turned straight ahead. The blood thundered in her ears.

  “Oh shit,” she breathed.

  “What is it?” Lori asked.

  She faced her friend.

  “You alright, sweetie?” Lori asked as she placed a hand on Charlie’s arm. “Your face is sheet-white.”

  “Lori, the man at the other end of the bar, third stool.” She motioned with her head. “Doesn’t that look like Blake?”

  Lori wrinkled her nose and peered in his direction. After several seconds, her eyes went wide. “Holy shit.”

  “Exactly.”

  Charlie had no desire to turn his way, but like a wreck on the side of the highway, she had to. She examined his features again. His profile still just as chiseled and defined and masculine. The scruff on his face made his jawline more pronounced. If it was possible, he’d gotten even more handsome, and sexier.

  As if reading her thoughts, Lori leaned in closer. “He looks even better than he did in college.”

  His jawline appeared stronger, his hair darker, and his shoulders broader. When he smiled at something Larry said, she knew. It was him.

  Christ almighty. What is he doing here?

  His gaze traveled casually down the bar when it met hers. Her heart stopped, and her limbs froze. His mouth gaped. She couldn’t blink, couldn’t think, could hardly do anything but stare. He finally broke away and lifted his beer to drink.

  “Here, sweetie,” Lori called from beside her and set her beer on the counter in front of her.

  Charlie glanced at the bottle like she didn’t know what to do with it.

  “You should go say hi,” Lori spoke in a soft tone.