The plate Winter was holding slipped through her fingers, landing with a thud in the dishwasher. Then she threw herself into his arms, hugging him.
Shade felt uncomfortable since Viper was watching from the table as his wife cried her ‘thank yous’ against his bare shoulder. He finally managed to break free, placing the drinks on the tray.
“No problem,” Shade said, heading for the basement door.
“Shade,” Viper drawled. “I see what you mean about watching your woman in another man’s arms, but for the amount of money you just forked over, I’m thinking of hugging you, too. I was going to break and buy them.”
Shade mock-shuddered. “I’ll pass, brother. Winter’s was enough.” He closed the door on Viper’s ‘fuck you’ gesture, chuckling as Winter smacked Viper on the back of the head for flipping him off. The price of the computers was worth seeing that sight alone.
He carried the tray into the bedroom, setting it down on the table in front of the television. Then he picked up the plate he had prepared for Lily and her drink, placing them in front of her.
“Thanks,” she said briefly, typing something on the computer.
Shade sat and watched the television while eating his own meal. Afterward, he sprawled out, relaxing and enjoying his day off from the factory. If anyone had asked him what his idea of contentment was, it would be having Lily close-by where he could see her whenever he wanted.
“Is the television distracting you?” Shade asked when she gave a frustrated sigh.
“No.”
Shade turned back to the movie, though his concentration was broken when her chair scooted back from the desk.
She stood up, grabbing her plate from the desk. “Do you need anything while I’m upstairs?”
“A beer would be great.”
He frowned when she left the room. Maybe her classes were turning out to be harder than she had anticipated. He would offer to help her, but she seemed to be in a grumpy mood and he didn’t think she would accept his offer.
She came back a few minutes later, empty-handed.
“Where’s my beer?” Shade asked.
“I forgot it.” She was flushed, looking down at her empty hands as if surprised nothing was there.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Lily said, grabbing her pajamas and then disappearing into the bathroom.
Shade frowned at her behavior. Standing up and stretching, he then carried the tray of dirty dishes to the kitchen.
He went through the kitchen door, hearing a moan as he entered. Looking toward the television room, he saw Bliss and Train were fucking on the couch. Lily’s behavior explained, Shade placed his dishes into the sink before going to the fridge to take a beer. Leaving the two to their fuck session, he returned downstairs to the bedroom, turning his movie back on.
Shade was taking a drink of his beer when she returned to the bedroom.
“It’s a little early to go to bed, isn’t it?”
“I have a headache. I guess it’s from staring at the computer screen.”
“Possibly. Will the television disturb you?”
“No.” Lily was about to climb into bed yet stopped, coming to stand in front of him instead.
“You need to let me go. I’m never going to fit into this club.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You know why.” She waved her hand at the beer. “Bliss doesn’t try to hide that you both have shared a relationship. She doesn’t want me here. She belongs here; I don’t.”
“You will.”
“No, Shade, I won’t. You’re only going to hurt everyone involved. I’m never going to adjust to your lifestyle. You’re not a one-woman man.”
“I already am,” Shade said softly.
“Don’t claim I’m the woman for you when you smell like another woman’s perfume.”
“I smell like perfume?” Shade asked, not trying to hide his amusement.
“Yes,” Lily said angrily.
“That’s because Winter hugged me when I told her I would pay for the computers for her school.”
“Well … heck.” Lily paused. “I’m sorry,” she apologized.
“You were awfully harsh to me, don’t you think? I mean, I was nice enough to fix your dinner and bring it to you, and then you forgot my beer. Then you rant at me about other women. I’m beginning to think you’re jealous. I never took you for the jealous type,” Shade said in mock-seriousness.
“I’m not jealous,” Lily snapped.
“I believe you are, and I don’t believe you’re sorry. Do you know how much those computers are going to cost me?” Shade tried to appear affronted.
“I am not jealous, and I apologized.”
“I don’t believe you.” Shade gave her a reproachful look.
“I really am.”
“Prove it.”
“How?”
“Kiss me and make it better.”
“No.” Lily shook her head.
“I knew you didn’t mean your apology,” Shade said, turning back to the television.
“I did—I do,” Lily corrected herself. “But I’m still not going to kiss you.”
“Why? You’ve kissed before, haven’t you?”