Wrapped in Lace by Prescott Lane Page B

response came. I groaned, giving my phone a little shake, “Ding, dammit, ding.” But nothing, not a sound. Crap, I went too far. I just ruined my only hope of having a decent visit home, my only hope with Piper. Well, that did it! My dick was now limp. I threw off the covers, cursing. Maybe I should text back and apologize, but that seemed lame. There was no getting around how bad I just screwed up. She obviously thought I was just after sex. The house phone rang, and I went to answer, unsure if Nana was home. “Hello.”
    “Drew, I’m so sorry. My battery died,” Piper said, out of breath.
    “Piper? Where are you?”
    “The grocery store,” she said. “I borrowed Granddaddy’s cell.”
    I laughed out loud. “You were sexting me in the grocery store with your granddaddy right beside you?”
    “I do have a little bad girl in me.” We both laughed. “Let me step away for a second. I didn’t want to leave you hanging.”
    “Are you offering phone sex in the frozen food aisle with your granddaddy steps away?” I asked, laying back down on the bed and hoping that was the reason for the call back.
    “I’m not that bad,” she whispered.
    “I’m glad you called,” I said softly, feeling my dick come back to attention. “Can I see you later?”
    “I was hoping you’d ask.”
    “My family are all going to the bar tonight. They expect me to be there.”
    “The bar’s open on Christmas Eve?” she asked.
    I had thought the same thing, but Dad said it was always one of their busiest nights. Apparently, I wasn’t the only poor soul who needed to unwind after being trapped with family all day. “Yeah, just until eleven. Would you like to come with me?”
    “Hang on a sec,” she said.
    I could hear her talking to her granddad, something about cranberries. I felt my stomach churning, unsure whether she’d want to go to my family’s bar with me. We hadn’t discussed where our relationship was going, and I didn’t know if she was ready to make whatever it was public, especially in front of my family. I couldn’t wait any longer for an answer. “Piper, are you there? Did you hear me?”
    “Yeah, I’m here. Sorry. I’m just not sure when I’ll be done,” she said.
    Damn, that felt like a brush off. First, she’s busy all day. Now, she won’t come out tonight. Should I ask for later in the night, or would that seem like an obvious attempt at a booty call? I hated to give up.
    “Would it be all right if I meet you there?”
    I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to pick her up like a real date, but I’d take what I could get. I just wanted to see her. “Sure.”
    “I’ve got to run,” she said.
    “Ok, I’ll see you tonight then.”
    “Drew?”
    “Yeah?”
    “It’s nice to be wanted.”
    The phone clicked off, and I knew she was gone. I laid on the bed grinning. I did want her and not just her body. I hope she knew that part. I needed to make sure she knew this wasn’t just a sex thing, just a Christmas fling. If she saw my dick right now, she’d definitely think my interest was entirely sexual, but it wasn’t. She didn’t just have my dick’s attention. She had my heart’s attention, too. I knew just what I was going to do, just how I was going to show her.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    PIPER
    I pulled open the heavy door to Landon’s bar and almost gasped, surprised to see what seemed like the whole town here tonight. I half-expected everyone to turn around and call out my name like I was in an old episode of Cheers. Instead, a few people mouthed hi and gave little waves. Landon’s was known for its friendly atmosphere. In fact, the entire Landon family had the same reputation. I took my coat off and hung it on the coat rack by the door, glancing around and hoping Drew was already here. The bistro tables were mostly filled with groups, and the corner booths were filled with couples trying to hide out. I thought about grabbing one of those, but they were all taken. I didn’t see Drew. I