“Michael, will you tell me about your past?”
I sighed. What she wanted to know was about what I’d told her about Viv in the barn. “We were married for three years. In that three years, she slept with more men that I can count, and those are the ones I know about. It took me a while to realize that she was the one with the commitment problem and it had nothing to do with me. I guess I wasn’t enough for her to stay loyal. But I didn’t love her, Lily. I thought I did, but when it all came to a head, I was pissed, but not heartbroken. Although I wanted her out of my life I didn’t wish her dead. That happened in a car crash on the way to see the lawyers about the divorce. Her flavor of the month was driving.”
She tightened her hold on me. “I’m sorry, Michael. You didn’t deserve all that.”
She kissed my chest. “You’re enough for me. I feel burned every time you touch me.”
My erection did a jump at her words, so I thought it would be best to change the direction of the conversation before George got one hell of a view. A view only meant for my eyes.
Three days. That was all it took for her to get under my skin.
I held her close all the way to her apartment building, not wanting to let her go.
She moved away from me and straightened her ponytail, which had gone lopsided during the car ride back to the city. “Michael,” she said so quietly. She turned her head to look out of the window. I watched her gulp and my heart dropped. She turned back to me. “We can’t be close again until I’m free.” She wiped a lone tear away. “It won’t be easy for me, but I have to keep my distance from you.”
I reached out for her and pulled her into my arms. “Lily, it’s okay. I’ll wait for you. Always.”
She sniffled into my chest. “I promise you that you have nothing to worry about. We may share a bed but he won’t touch me.”
“Okay,” I choked out. I pulled away and opened the car door. When I stepped out, Lily followed close behind.
She took a deep breath and met my eyes. “Thank you for today. You have no idea how much I enjoyed being with you and your family. I look forward to doing it again.”
I was actually at a loss for words. I wanted to grab her and take her home with me and to not let David anywhere near her. She started to move away from me and caressed my hand as she passed.
“Goodbye Lily,” I whispered.
I stood outside the car and held onto the door to prevent myself from going after her. I just watched as she walked up the steps and then disappeared through the security doors.
Chapter 23
LILY
When I turned my back on Michael it was hard, very hard, but I forced myself to walk away. With the security door closed behind me, I walked straight through the inner door to the stairs and dropped to the step, my legs refused to hold me up any longer.
My life was a mess. The thought of walking up the stairs to my apartment filled me with dread. I knew David was going to be there, because he’d decided to work from home.
I sighed and climbed to my feet, then started a slow walk up the two flights of stairs with thoughts of Michael crowding in my head. The look on his face when I’d told him we had to keep our distance, had very nearly crushed me.
Today had been amazing and he made me feel so treasured and coveted. Then in the barn…. wow. That was really hot and the first time in my life that I’d orgasmed without anyone being inside me. A part of me was so disappointed when he refused to let me touch him. I’d really wanted to see him and give him the same pleasure that he gave me. I was planning to wrap my mouth around him one of these days. Something that I’d only ever done once or twice before, but never really enjoyed. I certainly never allowed David to come in my mouth, but I wanted that with Michael.
Standing in my apartment, I could hear a commotion coming from the kitchen. I placed my purse and jacket on the chair by the small table in the hall, then glanced at the photograph of my parents sitting on top of the table in a Victorian frame that my father had made years ago. My grandmother made the intricate lace cloth on which it was placed.
It was when I felt so mixed up that I missed being able to cry on my mother’s shoulder. She always knew what to say and do.
With a heavy sigh, I walked further down the hall towards the kitchen and stopped dead in the doorway. Oh god, not again.
David had an apron tied around his waist, but other than that he was completely naked and flashing his ass cheeks. What the hell had gotten into him?
“David?”