All Lily saw was a drunken loser with a trust fund.
"You're right, Shane, and I'm so sorry.” She reached for his hand and pulled it to her breast. She heaved out a nice long breath and dragged his finger across her nipple, willing it to pucker. “It's time I settled down and acted like a proper woman and a good wife."
"You're finally ready?” he asked with a slow grin. “Even after everything? You ran off, heading straight for McKay—"
"Forget him. I already have."
"And it's about damn time. I'd heard he went homo, but I never believed it until tonight."
Lily's smile was tight. “You never know about people these days,” she mumbled. “But I don't want to talk about them, Shane. This is about us, baby, and our future."
"Our future.” He squeezed her breast, causing her to flinch. As usual his technique was off, and his pleasure meant pain for her. But she smiled anyway. In a little while, he'd never have the chance to paw her again. Now, if she could just get him out of his pants.
Duff steered into an empty space and cut the engine. He glanced at his partner, noting Bo's nervous energy and barely contained anger. “Maybe you ought to stay in the car,” he suggested. “I can handle Doherty on my—"
"Maybe, but you don't have to. I'm here to help, Duff, and this isn't just about you. Lily's my friend now, and I'm not backing off this."
Duff was amazed by Bo's courage and loyalty to a woman he barely knew. “You really like her, huh?"
"You know I do. And no matter how much you try and deny it, you like her even more. Whatever she's done, she doesn't deserve to be smacked around by that clown, and I mean to see it never happens again."
Duff swelled with pride. “All right. But don't go off getting trigger happy.” He patted the gun at his hip. “I'll keep the gun at my side unless I need to draw it. No one needs to die tonight—not even that bastard. We clear, Bo?"
"Crystal."
Duff scanned the room doors. “There: 105 is that one.” He moved toward the door with Bo bringing up the rear.
Before he could knock, a loud crash commanded their attention. “Get away from me! Stop! Stop it!"
Lily.
Duff hadn't planned on kicking in the door. Not that he had much of a plan, come to think of it. But before he knew it, he and Bo were wailing on it, using all their force in an attempt to splinter the hinges.
The commotion stopped for a moment.
Then suddenly, “Bo? Duff!” Lily yelled, and Duff heard the unmistakable sound of a fist slamming into soft flesh.
Duff kicked in the door. “Let her go now, or I swear to fucking Christ I'll shoot you dead."
"Fuck all y'all!” Shane Doherty dragged Lily in front of him. She was shaking like a leaf, blood dribbling from her lip down the front of her torn nightshirt. But she wasn't the only one bleeding, Duff noted with admiration. She'd dug scratches beneath Doherty's eye and may have even broken his nose.
"Remember his gun!” she screamed. “It's in the back of his jeans."
"Not anymore.” Shane withdrew the gun and placed it to Lily's head. “See how that works, baby?"
Duff cocked his pistol. “Let her go."
"Or what, cowboy? Didn't we just do this dance? If you were gonna kill me, you woulda did it back at your place."
"Oh, that's rich.” Bo moved forward, showing his hands. “I'm not carrying, Doherty. Just release the lady, and we'll be on our way."
"Ain't no ladies here. But she's not going anywhere with you.” He leered at Duff. “She's mine, remember? Thought you learned that lesson a few years back. Shit, I'm really confused about why you and your gay boy want her back so damn much."
"His gay boy is more man than you could ever be.” Her sudden hysterical laughter sent a charge through the room. “In every way."
"Wh-what?” Shane seemed to forget the two men. “You had sex with him? What the fuck?” He grabbed Lily and spun her, pushing her backward until she was forced to stare into his eyes. “You had sex with both of them?"
"And it was good.” Tears poured down her cheeks. “Oh my God, it was so good. They made me feel things you never have."
Shane's grip slackened enough for Lily to catch her breath. Her next dig was loud and clear. “You don't hold a candle to either of them in any respect, Shane. And a bitch-whore like me oughta know."
Enraged and drunken, Shane cocked his gun hand back to strike her.
Duff advanced on them, heading off the blow before it made contact. He smashed the barrel of his gun across Shane's fist, forcing him to drop his piece. Clutching his hand, Shane fell to his knees. Lily stood by, her eyes wild, rocking on the balls of her feet.
"You're going to leave town tonight, Doherty, and you aren't going to come back.” Duff stepped on the mangled hand, satisfied when a faint crunching sound sent Shane into hysterics.
"You motherfucking, cocksucking bastard,” Shane moaned. “All this trouble over a two-bit whore—"
"Shut up!” Bo commanded. “Not. Another. Word."
Duff pulled him to his feet, releasing him with a shove.
"Shit...I think you broke it!"
"Too bad. So sad. Start walking. Don't look back."
Muffled footsteps caught their attention. “What in the hell?” An older gent with white hair and loose dentures tottered inside. “I don't know what you fellas think you're doing messing up my motel. I'm calling the police."
"Don't bother.” Duff spoke with authority. “They already know we're here. I'm sorry about the door. I'll pay for it.” Handing Bo the gun, he snagged a piece of paper from the bedside table and scrawled his number on it. “Give me a call when you know the damage."
The man accepted the paper with trembling hands. He eyed Bo suspiciously. “We don't allow no violence here, so I'd appreciate it if you'd put the gun away."
Bo nodded. “No problem. I'll put it away as soon as I'm done escorting Mr. Doherty to his car.” He thrust the gun against Shane's lower back, not even allowing him to grab any of his belongings before pushing him outside. The old man shook his head, leaving Duff and Lily alone.
She wouldn't look at him.
Duff went to her, folding her hand in his. “You all right? Did he hurt you?” He cursed himself as soon as the idiotic question left his mouth. Blood congealed on her neck and dried on her swollen lips. Of course the bastard had hurt her.
He gently pulled her body against him, embracing her. She gazed up at him, her breathing ragged, her eyes wide. “Can we go home now?"
He stroked her chin thoughtfully, glancing up at the sound of Bo's footsteps on the threshold. His partner gave him the thumbs-up.
"I think that's a lovely idea. We're all going home."
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Chapter Eight
Duff and Bo hung back as Lily darted into her bedroom. She'd said little during the drive home, other than begging Bo to join her in the backseat, where she'd sobbed on his shoulder.
"Maybe you should go talk to her.” Duff squeezed his partner's hand. “I would probably just make things worse.” He'd started leaning on Bo more and more when it came to anything concerning Lily.
"Right now, the only thing I plan to do is run her a bath. She'll talk when she's ready, Duff."
They moved down the hall and ducked inside the bathroom.
"Something's not right with her,” Duff said, leaning on the sink. “I know she had a rough night—"
"Did you see her neck? The bastard slashed her throat!” Bo bent forward and twisted on the bathtub faucet.
"He nicked her, but I think it was more to scare her than anything else.” Digging his hands in his pockets, Duff contemplated their next move. “I was thinking maybe she shouldn't leave tomorrow. She's still pretty shook up and everything."
Bo tested the water and reached for the bubble bath. “Do you hear me arguing?"
"Arguing about what?” Lily inquired from the doorway.
She was naked. The drying blood crusting on her neck ma
de her look like a victim in a B-grade horror flick. Her bottom lip was swollen but would probably return to normal in a couple of days. Duff noted the ugly reddish purple bruises at her wrists and shoulders from where Doherty had held her down. They would heal rather quickly too, though he suspected her psychological scars might take longer to heal.
"Who's coming in with me?” She walked toward the tub unselfconsciously.
Bo gazed at her appreciatively before moving aside. “There's just enough room for you, I'm afraid."
She swung her hips playfully, a bounce in her walk. Duff couldn't help but stare. He'd forgotten how quickly she overcame adversity. Not much got her down—or kept her there. Dipping her hand into the water, she turned to Bo. “Perfect."
"Anything for the lady."
Duff rolled his eyes. Bo's crush on Lily was amusing at turns, disturbing at others. What was it about her? She'd managed to enrapture an out and proud gay man; he didn't believe Bo would argue that point. He was smitten, damn it, and Duff felt a twinge of jealousy snaking through him.
But was he jealous of Lily? Or Bo?
She sank into the water and leaned back. Holding her breath, she dunked herself and came back up sputtering. “Who's gonna help me wash my hair?"
Duff cursed under his breath.
"Oh come on,” she drawled. “Don't be that way. Duff, you were always so good at it. Get over here and help me out."
He pretended to hesitate, but inside he was anything but annoyed. He loved Lily's hair to the point where it had almost been an obsession. She knew it—damn her—and had asked him to wash it just to get under his skin.
Well, if that was her plan, it backfired. He wanted to touch it, to run his hands through its silken softness. Most of all, he yearned to pull it, wrapping it around his fingers just the way she liked it when—
"Bo, get out that expensive shampoo you order off the computer. If I'm gonna act like a hair guru or somebody, I need the best products."
Bo threw up his hands. “I'm all out. What I do have is that coconut shampoo-conditioner combo with the silk amino acids. It only cost me fifteen bucks, but it works like a charm."
"Is that why your locks are always so bouncy?” Lily teased. “Gee, your hair smells terrific."
She ducked in time to avoid the washcloth Bo lobbed in her direction.
"I'll be right back.” Bo left the bathroom.
Duff went to her, positioning himself behind the claw-foot bathtub. She looked up at him, and her breasts bobbed through the bubbles, begging to be licked.
"I can't believe you didn't fight me on this, Duff. I love when you wash my hair."
"Me too."
"Yeah? Why do you like doing it?"
Dipping his hand into the water, he tugged casually on a lock of her hair. “I just liked doing it for you, I guess. It always made you happy, and I loved doing anything that made you smile."
Her lip quivered. “I'm so sorry—about everything. I know I've said it over and over, and there's really nothing I can do to change the pain I caused you."
"I think I'm finally making peace with it. I spent years being eaten up with anger, and I resented the hell outta you. When you first showed up again, those old feelings came back full force, and I wanted to make you pay for making me feel like that."
"And now?"
Duff kissed her cheek. “Now I wash your hair. After that, I really can't say."
She reached for him with a wet hand, pulling him into a proper kiss that took his breath away. She grinned at him as she always had—looking a lot like a devilish schoolgirl on the verge of being expelled.
"Y'all are some horny somebodies.” Bo stood in the doorway holding the shampoo.
"No need to be jealous.” She hooked a finger at him. “Come on over here, Bo."
He scampered over for his kiss, reminding Duff of a dutiful puppy hoping to be petted. He watched them together, and his heart was suddenly so full. It was almost like...like this was the way it should be.
That's crazy.
Yet no matter how he tried, he could not escape the thought.
"Let me put this under your knees, Duff.” Bo unfolded a towel.
"Sure."
With that out of the way, Duff shook the bottle and fixed her with a menacing stare. “This won't hurt a bit, I promise."
"Make it up to me later, Duff."
"Shit, Lily. I think you made Duff blush.” Bo sat cross-legged in front of the tub. “That's a new one."
"I do not blush.” But he did, and his red face was proof.
Lily lay back, shut her eyes, and waited.
"Our very own Sleeping Beauty,” Bo whispered.
Duff opened the bottle and poured shampoo into his hands. He liked the smell—sort of a mix of coconut, banana, and strawberry. Working slowly, he lathered the shampoo in her hair, starting at the roots and working down. “Bo, hand me the comb. It's on the faucet."
Lily smiled. “Thanks, baby. Detangling is a bitch."
The comb slipped easily through the creamy product as he combed her hair. He set down the comb and dug his hands into her scalp, massaging it in the circular motion she'd taught him.
"You're still so damn good at this,” she mumbled. “Just another in a long line of things, I guess."
"What else is he good at?” Bo asked. “I once allowed him to wax my chest, but I regretted it."
"Honey, if I have to explain to you the many, many ways in which Duff is gifted, the last couple of years have been wasted on you."
"Oh, you mean his dick? Shit, I don't consider that being gifted necessarily. That's just genetics and dumb luck."
Lily rolled her eyes. “You couldn't be more wrong. Trust me—it takes talent to wield a monster like what our Duff is packing. The big ‘uns can be deadly if not used properly. Take it from a woman who knows."
Duff yanked Lily's hair.
"Ouch! What'd you do that for?"
"Because y'all are sitting here talking about me and my cock like I'm not even here. Please. Stop. It."
A look passed between Bo and Lily that sent them both into hysterical laughter.
"How ‘bout we stop talking and start doing?"
Duff, who thought it a splendid idea, dunked Lily's head and reached for a towel.
Lily inhaled a hard breath.
"Am I hurting you?” Duff asked. He lay on his side, entering Lily from behind.
"Yes, but don't stop. You know I don't mind a little pain as long as there's a payoff."
"Hmm.” Bo knelt over them, eyeing the action. “I don't know if this is gonna work. I'd have to put her legs damn near at my shoulders to get at her."
"Then do it,” Duff said wisely, his progress not stopping one inch. “Lily's pretty flexible, ain't ya, sweetheart?"
"Oh, shit.” She groaned as Duff finally worked his cock in to the balls. “Fuck! Don't—don't move. Jesus.” When he'd told her he was going to stretch her ass, he'd certainly meant it. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead into her eyes. It stung. Not as much as having a huge cock in her ass, mind you, but it stung nonetheless.
"Don't move, huh?"
"Uh-huh."
"But what if I want to? What if I absolutely need to move, Lily?"
She rolled her eyes and wished she were lying in a position that left her able to punch him. But if she moved, it would be the same as Duff moving, and she wasn't ready for that.
She lay on her side facing away from Duff. The original plan had been for Bo to enter her from the front. But she already felt stuffed and close to bursting. She wasn't sure how much more she could handle.
"Damn it, Duff!” He'd shifted his hips. The bastard.
"Oh, poor wittle Lily,” Bo singsonged, clearly enjoying himself. “I think I may have a solution, one that might ease Lily's discomfort and make us all happy."
"And what might that be?” Duff flexed inside her.
"Duff, you stay right where you are."
Lily groaned. “Really? You must enjoy watching me be
torn in half!"
"And I'll make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure this brave woman gets off properly."
Duff gritted his teeth. “Much obliged, Bo. Sacrifice away. I don't know how much longer I can hold back."
Bo lifted her trembling thighs and set her foot on his shoulder. He dipped his tongue to her clit, enveloping her in sensation, moving down to taste and titillate before circling back up to suckle the swollen nub.
"Ooh.” She moved forward to meet Bo's mouth and gasped as Duff moved with her, escalating the searing pleasure tearing through her. The movement started a pleasurable chain reaction. Every lick made her wetter. The more excited she became, the wetter she got, shifting her hips against Bo's dexterous tongue. She thrust against Duff, feeling his cock burn and stretch her, setting ablaze an exquisite agony she'd never before experienced.
As the delirious heat spread inside her, she bit her lip to quiet the scream threatening to break free. She couldn't stop it, couldn't silence the sounds of ecstasy demanding release as Duff pumped in and out at full speed—pounding away any doubts she might have had about letting him fuck her ass.
Duff exhaled loudly and mumbled into her hair. “I'm about...done. I don't think—” Growling, he wrapped her hair in his fist, his final powerful thrust jolting her into a climax all her own.
Dazed, she remained on her side, unmoving. Bo leaned up on his elbow and grinned at them, a mischievous glint in his eye.
A sacrifice indeed.
When Lily was sure that each man slept soundly, she slipped out of their bedroom and went inside her own.
Three days. And yet so much had happened she could barely keep the timeline straight.
She would leave later that morning with few regrets...other than having to leave at all.
But it was for the best, wasn't it? She loved Duff and was truly glad he'd found someone to give him everything she hadn't been able to. So she couldn't be the one to make him happy. So what?
Lily was content to heal an old hurt and perhaps make a new friend. She'd made more progress in three days than she ever had in her entire life.
Now it was time to start over. She'd do it with a heavy heart, but she'd do it.
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