Lily hesitated before she asked, “Would you mind getting me a number four green bean pack from the refrigerator?” She felt like such a coward for asking Bliss.
“No problem,” Bliss said, turning to go to the back room to get the item.
“I’ll handle it, Bliss. You two go on up to the club.” Lily watched as Shade walked up to them. The two women left, giving her a sympathetic look.
“Go get the seeds. I’ll wait here,” Shade told her.
Lily almost refused but knew she was being silly. Gaige hadn’t been around for the rest of the afternoon, and she had gone into the room numerous times before without incident.
She went to the room, passing a gloating Georgia who was really beginning to wear on her nerves. She was mildly relieved when she heard Shade tell her she could leave as she passed.
Lily hurried and opened the refrigerator and found the seeds quickly, closing the door and going back to her station. Shade watched as she finished her order while the rest of the workers left for the day. When Lily had completed the order and cleaned her workstation for Monday, she was relieved that the day was finally at an end.
“Go get your bag while I lock up,” Shade ordered.
“But I thought—” Lily protested. She really wanted to go home.
Shade tilted his head to the side in question.
Resigned, Lily gave in. “I’ll go get my bag.” Lily had thought he would let her slide on working out tonight because of the incident; however, she should have known better. The hard man didn’t have an inch of leeway in him. Her conscience argued with her over how he had managed to calm her from a full-fledged panic attack.
Grabbing her bag, she followed Shade to the basement and went to get changed. Shade was warming up on the mat when she returned and Lily sank to the mat to begin stretching. Shade watched her before standing up and turning on the music. He hadn’t turned the music on during their previous workouts, so Lily looked at him in question, yet Shade didn’t say anything, moving her into position to begin her defense training. He worked on her kick for several minutes, becoming irritated when she didn’t connect with him.
Lily began to become distracted; the noise from upstairs was loud. She could tell it was a large group of people from the voices filtering down the steps. She could hear the feminine and male laughter. Lily understood now why Shade had turned on the music to try to disguise the noise from upstairs.
“Pay attention, Lily. If you used more strength, we would have been done ten minutes ago and I would be upstairs drinking a cold beer.”
Probably with one of the women by his side, Lily thought, kicking out sharply and managing to catch Shade on the side of his thigh.
“About fucking time.” Shade smiled at her proudly.
Lily was amazed at herself and contrite at the same time. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, Lily, you didn’t hurt me. Next time a dick like Gaige tries to touch your ass again, try that move.”
Lily grinned back. “Okay.”
“We’re done for the day.”
“Thanks, Sir.” Lily was finding it easier to address him as Sir when they worked out.
Going for her bag, she picked it up before she hesitated for a moment, twisting the handle of the bag in her hand. “Thanks for getting me to go get the seeds. I would have just avoided the room.”
“I know. Lily, let’s work on getting rid of the old fears before adding new ones. You’re completely safe at the factory and here.”
“I know that.”
“Good. I’ll see you Sunday.”
“All right.” Lily left with a spring in her step and a smile at her accomplishment. For the first time, she was beginning to feel herself capable of taking control of her physical well-being.
*
Lily fielded Beth’s concern when she arrived home. Beth was hesitant to leave her that evening, but Lily assured her she was fine. Actually, for the first time, she was looking forward to some time alone.
After Beth and Razer left, Lily showered and put on her pajamas before going downstairs to watch television. A music show was on and Lily found herself dancing around the living room. Penni would often dance with her when the mood struck Lily to dance, which was something she had never done with a boy. She enjoyed dancing when no one was watching, though.
Lily laughed when she finished one song, spinning herself until she was almost dizzy. She didn’t often let herself go. Her personality was always held in check, so when she finally did, she did it wholeheartedly.
She was getting a drink of water when the doorbell rang, and she looked down at herself, seeing her dark blue fleece pajamas.
Going to the door, she looked out the peephole before answering it. Shade stood there, holding two pizza boxes and a six-pack of beer.
Lily just stood there with her mouth open.
“Move, Lily, before I drop the pizza.”
Unlocking the door, Lily took a step back, letting him enter. Shade came in, setting the pizza and beer on the coffee table.