“There,” she finally said a little breathlessly, sitting back and perusing her work. “But now your hair…” Her hands hovered again. “It’s really a mess. Do you mind if I…?”
Did he mind? Not if she was still unconcerned that the monster in his pants was continuing his happy dance.
“Help yourself,” he choked out, leaning forward and down a bit.
It took everything in Vincent not to moan at the next touch of her fingers. He bit his tongue so hard, he might have drawn blood.
Damn.When had anything ever felt this good? He could feel her gentle untangling all the way down his spine to his rucked-up balls.
“Okay.” She finally put him out of a misery he wasn’t sure he wanted to leave, and sat back. “You look…human again.”
Was there appreciation in her eyes?
It was then Vince realized that Lace had never seen him in a civilian get-up, and he gave her his broadest smile. “So, what do you think? Am I as good-looking as a human as I was as a clown, or just…meh?” he asked, blatantly fishing.
Lace laughed. “Don’t even go there, Vince. You are so full of shit. As if you don’t get ogled and told every day that you’re handsome.”
Vincent preened.
Yes, he did get a lot of compliments on his looks, but for some reason it meant a whole lot more, coming from Lace.
“Okay. You got me. But is it okay if I like thatyouthink I’m attractive?”
“Uh, huh,” she agreed. “But only if you don’t let it go to your head,” she warned. “And not to bring you down or anything, butyou have to know that Buck is also pretty damned stunning. I’m assuming all your siblings are.”
Well, that was a buzz kill.
Lumping Vince together with his brothers was something that happened all the time, but he hadn’t liked sharing the limelight with them when he was young, and he didn’t want to share it now.
Vince affected a pout. “Okay. Fine. I get that we all look alike, butIhave the best personality.”
He pulled a goofy face, and got the laugh he wanted, but somehow, it fell flat to him.
Crap.
Vince had worked hard at being the cut-up for many years, back when he’d spent his childhood in Maine, just to stand out from the crowd. And even though he’d outgrown the need toalwaysbe the joker, he’d kept his chops up, and felt himself reverting now; using it as a tool.
He didn’t quite like the feeling.
Lace must have sensed it, as well.
“You know, you don’t have to put on an act for me,” she told him softly. “I enjoy yournormalsense of humor, so no need to add anything extra. And…I’m sorry I teased,” she added with a regretful twist of her mouth. “I see you as an individual, Vince. I promise I do.”
“Thanks.” He heaved a sigh. “I haven’t let the whole sibling rivalry thing bother me for years, and I thought I was over it, but…” Vince gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “I find myself wantingnotto be lumped in with my brothers again these days, especially where you’re concerned.”
Lace patted his arm. “I’ll take that as a compliment, and I’ll raise you another,” she stated cheekily. “If I was asked to pick the best out of a Sothard line-up, I’d choose you, all day long.”
Now, Vincent’s headwasabout to swell.
Lace was telling him, without actually saying the words, that her regard for him went over and above mere “like”.
He’d take that.
“Okay. Now that we’ve put my ego back in place,” he quipped, “I’m going to get rid of these clown clothes.”
Should he get a bit naughty?
Why not?