If Ever

By Gail McFarland

If Ever a young girl fell in love, how long would it last?

If Ever a man was worth the effort, how would a woman make him see her?

If Ever a woman found the man of her dreams, what would she give to hold onto him for a lifetime?

Lacy Olivia Bennett has all of these questions and more, when it comes to sexy Justin McKenna. Tall, dark and handsome were mere words when it came to the man she'd lusted after for more years than she cared to count. Growing up on the edge of his friendship, just out of range of his love hasn't stopped her from wanting and wishing for more and now she is a woman who would willingly do whatever it takes to connect with the man of her dreams - except be taken for one of the guys. The guys get football games, beer, and loud laughter.

Lacey wants hot nights, sweet whispered promises, and forever love, but Justin hasn't got a clue. He's a good guy with good intentions, but that is nowhere near enough. Willing to take what she can get, she's done all she can: dropped sixty pounds, strutted her stuff, made seduction in the workplace into an art form, and always been a friend. And the man is still patting her on the head and inviting her out with the guys. Pushed to the limits of her tolerance and desire, Lacey decides to stake a claim on herself, her body, and her future.

If Ever a woman needed to get her strut on with a man like Justin McKenna, would she take a walk in Lacey's stilettos?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gail McFarland
• Release date: Aug 5, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465983336

Gail McFarland

Gail McFarland was once the girl known for never failing to get an 'A' in Honors English. Today, as proof that the smart can also be sassy, she is the published author of more than 100 short romantic confessions and short stories, numerous ebooks, and ten popular contemporary novels including: SUMMERWIND (BET/Arabesque) THE BEST FOR LAST(BET/Arabesque) WHEN LOVE CALLS (BET/Arabesque) BOUQUET with Roberta Gayle and Anna Laurence (BET/Arabesque) DREAM RUNNER (Genesis Press) DREAM KEEPER (Genesis Press) WAYWARD DREAMS Genesis Press) LADY KILLER (LULU Books) ALL FOR LOVE (CreateSpace Books) DOING BIG THINGS (CreateSpace Books). Best known for her contemporary romantic novels, Ms. McFarland is a contributing member of The GA Peach Authors. Ms. McFarland is also a dedicated wellness/fitness advocate. She is currently an active fitness instructor, health coach, wellness consultant, and community health volunteer. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Ms. McFarland now makes her home and place of literary creation in Atlanta, Georgia.

Book preview

If Ever

Gail McFarland

Copyright 2011 by Gail McFarland

Smashwords Edition

Other Titles by Gail McFarland:

Genesis Press/Indigo:

Dream Runner

Dream Keeper

Wayward Dreams

Lady Leo Press:

If Ever

Can A Sistah Get Some Love (Anthology)

BET/Arabesque:

Summer Wind

The Best For Last

When Love Calls

Bouquet (Mother’s Day Anthology)

LULU Books:

All For Love

Lady Killer

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

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. For information, address: P.O. Box 56782, Atlanta, Georgia 30343.

Author websites:

www.http://fitwryter.tripod.com

www.http://fitwryter.com/books

If Ever

Aww, shake it, sugah, the thick-bodied man called from the depths of his Maxima. Sugah, sugah, sugah!

Yeah, I was sweet, and I always did know how to shake what my Mama gave me. And yes, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I threw back the abundance of my auburn-streaked hair, quickened my step, and let my hips roll dramatically as I crossed the street in front of him – no shame in my game. Another man leaned out of his car window to watch me, and since I was doing the show, I gave him a sassy wink.

Okay, you’re right. I did something else – I cut my eyes and watched him drool.

I did that a lot back in those days, watched men drool while they watched me. I knew the men who watched me so closely probably carried on this way with ‘bout every female they happened to pass, and I knew my act was a cheap thrill for them – but it was a thrill for me, too. Since dropping more than sixty pounds, I was getting a lot of play and a lot of pleasure from the attention my new look was drawing.

I was still smiling when my high-heeled feet reached the other side of the street. I passed two other men in my stroll. Tall and good looking, they were the kind who could easily pick up whatever kind of female they desired, but their eyes made it clear that I was what they desired. I heard their sighs, could almost feel them licking their lips, but Lacey Olivia Bennett was no fool. I kept on stepping. Hot, I heard one of them breathe behind my back.

Yeah, his partner admired, A tight ass and a fat pussy…my kind of woman.

My smile grew. This was so much better than being referred to as The Big-Assed Sister, The Thick Chick, Thunder Woman, or Wide Load. Catching a glimpse of myself in the window as I turned into McKenna LLC, I passed a hand over my flat stomach and settled it on my hip as I walked. The strut I put on when I crossed the lobby stopped traffic.

I was looking good enough to eat and I think the tall iron-muscled Amazon in the belt-length miniskirt was up for a taste. She looked almost hungry enough to try out her best moves on me, but the opening of the elevator doors beat her time. You had to give it to her for determination, though. She stepped on the elevator right behind me, and pressed close when other passengers followed. The doors closed, and I didn’t say a word when a stray hand followed the curve of my behind. It didn’t have to be her; it could have been one of the guys, trying to steal enough of me to dream on. It didn’t bother me much, I understood the need to dream, but I felt the big girl’s greedy eyes follow when I got off on my floor.

Her long fingers gripped the edge of the door and her teeth closed on her upper lip as she watched me. She was still watching when I pushed the door open and strolled into my office. It’s the little things, I whispered to myself. I didn’t want the woman, but it really was little things like the admiration and yearning I saw reflected in the eyes of the men and women around me that made all the dieting and exercise worthwhile.

Almost…

Looking like this, stirring that kind of attention – that was all a part of my dream. That and a special man…

How was lunch?

The deep voice crept up behind me, crawled up to the hot spot between my legs, and made my heart quicken. When I slowed my steps and turned, still working my streetside charm, I let my smile answer for me.

Sexy Justin McKenna grinned and shook his head. "That good, huh? Well, I’m glad you had a good time ‘cause we’ve got a little problem, and you’re the best one to take care of