Page 28 of The Soul of Archer
On a yawn, she nodded. Snuggling closer to him, Alora’s breathing leveled and she was soon asleep. Lance however was still awake. His mind already plotting how to give his Tigress her fantasy. He knew he might need some help but who? Then it hit him. He knew just the person to ask and only hoped he wouldn’t stumble over his own tongue when he brought it up. Taking a few relaxing breaths, he followed Alora into sleep.
***
“You’re thinking pretty hard over there?”
Ian turned as Monica slid up to his side. “This St. James woman is a thorn. Sam is splitting his focus and he’s not ready to do that.”
Monica pursed her lips. “Then she will need to be dealt with. Tell Sam to forget about this little baker and focus on the deal with Los Diablos. I will take care of Ms. St. James.”
“We can’t afford to mess up this deal. A deal like this will pave the way for bigger and better deals. Sam needs to prove his value to me and to the family. If he can’t…”
“Don’t worry about your legacy my sweet. Your legacy is not in danger. I have made sure of that. Trust me.” Monica smiled.
Ian returned her smile. He caught the wicked glint in her black eyes a moment before she had him pinned against the window behind him. When she moved in, Ian reversed their positions and it was Monica who found herself pinned. He shackled her wrists with one hand above her head, while his other ripped open her blouse. “Seems my pet wants to play.”
“I do.”
Ian picked her up and with a sweeping arm, cleared the papers off his desk before slamming Monica onto the desk.
***
Alora sat with Krista and her girlfriends. The ten women were so different yet so alike. It was obvious to anyone watching them that not only was there history, there was love, loyalty and a sense of family. “Kris tells us you own Sassy Explosions over on Lavaca.” Tina asked.
“Yep. When I first moved here from Houston three years ago, I was working out of my home. By the next year I had found the perfect spot and had enough saved that I bought the store front.” Alora replied.
“I bought a cake there for my boss when he retired back in November. I was shocked that you guys could fill the order that quickly so close to Thanksgiving.” Tiffany spoke up. “And your prices are so reasonable. I went to four other bakeries before yours and they all either couldn’t do it in time or charged out the ass to have it on time.”
Alora swallowed her sip of wine. “I did my homework on my competition. I saw what they charged, asked around, and even placed a few orders so I knew what I was dealing with. Then when I opened I made sure that while I was competing with the other bakeries, I didn’t slack on customer service and kept my prices reasonable. Now, for some things, my prices are on par with others. But those are things like specialty wedding cakes and such. I gather your order wasn’t a specialty.?”
“Nope, just a plain marble sheet cake with “Happy Retirement Jack” and a plastic fisherman.” Tiffany laughed.
Alora and the others laughed. She felt eyes on her and turned her head to see Lance watching her. She smiled and sent him a wink. When she faced the ladies, they were all staring at her. “What?”
“Is Lance Archer as hot in bed as he looks?” Jennifer grinned.
“Excuse me?” Alora laughed.
“Forgive my girls. Ever since me and Ethan got back together and married, these ladies keep asking me about the rest of the guys. Despite them being married.” Krista explained.
“Hey, we’re married not dead.” Jenny Messina threw out.
Alora lost it. These ladies cracked her up. Tiffany, Shauna, Jennifer Hill, Jenny, Messina, Crystal, Mindy, Connie, Jenna and Krista. She overheard Danny calling them the hyenas and Ethan telling him to watch out about saying that. “Honestly, you guys really what to know about Lance?”
“Spill!” came nine replies while Krista simply smiled and drank her beer.
“That man is a machine.” Alora admitted.
***
“Hey Lance, you got a sec?” Danny asked.
“Yeah.”
Lance followed Danny inside. When they got to Ethan and Krista’s office, Danny closed the door. “Ethan told me about Alora’s plan. I think it’s a good one. Gage also brought up extra men. I have three guys that can watch the house. These three men I trust almost as much as I trust Ethan. When I came here to run the office, they came with me. We went through the academy together.”
“Danny, if you trust them I’ll take your word on it. We would only need them there in the morning and evening.” Lance said.
“Alright, I can have them ready and in position by tomorrow morning. What time?”
