Down the Aisle Read Free Page A

preference.” Her friend let that sit for a second before delivering the knockout, pounding her fist on the table for dramatic effect. “It’s a requirement.”
    “What is?” Courtney asked, her face a mask of shock.
    Lacey didn’t know whether to give her earmuffs or a cigarette. She weaved on her seat a little, forgot what they’d been talking about, and idly wondered if they served French fries. Pink shots and bubbly were a surprisingly potent mix.
    “Submission.” Again with the Hitchcock drama, and Lacey found herself grinning like a fool.
    Courtney let out a squeak. “Like,” she glanced around and dropped her voice low enough that Lacey had to close one eye and try to lip read. “ Fifty Shades ?”
    Right. Rafe. Kinky. Check. She wondered about those fries again and then reluctantly focused back in on the conversation. It was a pretty juicy bit of gossip.
    “I didn’t read that book,” Cat said, “But I’ve been around him and various girlfriends before—”
    “Me too,” Lacey cut in. “And he never seemed like he’d be into that or anything. He’s just…regular.” Then again, how would she know what he did in bed? She was pretty sure he didn’t know some of the freaky stuff she and Galen did. She paused to wave at the waitress and flag down another round. If she couldn’t have fries, at least maybe she could get one more little drink—
    “Well, well, well,” a low voice whispered in her ear. “I hear you’re getting married, but maybe one last fling with a stranger would be—”
    Her heart stuttered at the feel of a hand on her thigh. Lacey whipped around and popped the handsy stranger right in the gut.
    “Jesus, squirt, what’s up with that?” Galen growled, rubbing his stomach. “I thought you’d be happy to see me, and instead I get one to the bread basket. How’s that for a welcome?”
    Her soon-to-be husband, ex-boxer, and current fox, Galen Thomas, towered over her. She really must have been buzzed if she hadn’t sensed him because she sure as hell sensed him now. Her whole body lit up like a glow stick.
    She stood and leaned into him. “Hi, baby,” she cooed, and then hiccupped.
    He tugged her tighter against him and patted her bottom. “I’m going to kill my sister for this if she got you too drunk to enjoy what I’m going to do to you when we get home,” he murmured, then bent low to take her mouth in a slow, sweet kiss.
    “Oh, for fuck’s sake, can’t we have her for one night?” Cat groaned.
    Galen pulled back with a reluctant sigh. “You’ve had her for hours. And when Shane told me what your plans were, I knew my damsel was in some serious distress, so I came to rescue her. If you don’t like it, you can kiss my—”
    “Take it easy there, buddy.” Shane came up behind them and grinned. “She may be your sister, but she’s my lady now, and I can’t have you cursing at her.”
    Cat waggled her tongue at Galen and then ran up to plaster herself against Shane. “I didn’t know you were here, too. I guess we can let it go, then.”
    Rafe brought up the rear and gave the group as a whole a casual wave. “I’m pretty sure me being here breaks some sort of law,” he said with a crooked grin.
    By now the show was over, so the place had turned into a pretty standard dance club, albeit every so often an oily half-naked guy would walk by. Funny enough, Lacey realized through her cozy, alcohol-induced haze, had Rafe brought his cuffs he would’ve fit right in. At a solid six feet with coal black hair and eyes to match, he looked both sexy and kind of dangerous. She’d never really seen him in that light before, but now with all the talk of him and the spankings and the toys, she imagined some girl would find herself pretty lucky. And judging by the look on Courtney’s face, she was torn between thinking the same thing and the exact opposite.
    Interesting.
    Lacey stepped away from Galen and waved them all to grab some chairs. “They might as well stay,