by Amie Nichols
“Dream sweet, Lilly flower,” his words are like tiny pins pricking all over my skin. With just that single bit of contact, I feel my body convulse. I’m unable to move as he walks back to the cottage and watch him until he disappears through the door.
I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Still not able to move from my spot, I just sit there staring at the cottage. About 15 minutes later the lights turn off and I picture him lying on the bed. I bet he looks really good in bed, I think to myself, blushing at my thoughts. I finally decide to go to bed, and when I lie down a huge smile grows on my face as I think of Luke.
Chapter 9
There’s something chasing me but I can’t see what. I try with all my might to move my legs but I can’t. The hallway is so dark and seems to go on forever. I’m screaming for help, but no one comes. My breathing is heavy and I’m finally able to move my legs. I feel like they weigh two hundred pounds. I see the whites of eyes and hear strange sounds screaming at me. I can’t make out what they are saying.
I wake up sitting straight up in bed. My heart is pounding and I look around. A rush of relief washes over me. It was just a nightmare, Lilly, I think to myself as I try to calm my breathing. The old woman that was in the shop and that look on her face makes me shiver. I remember the horror in her eyes. Samantha, she thought I was Samantha. Who is she?
Crazy old woman, I try and comfort myself, as I look at the alarm clock. Seven-thirty and the sun is shining through the bay windows of my room. I climb off my new four-poster king size bed and head into the bathroom stretching as I go. After taking care of my morning business, I walk back into my room.
I am starving. My stomach growls and I head for the kitchen. I am only wearing an oversized t-shirt, but it’s ok because I’m the only one home. Miss Finnegan has the day off to see her mother, and Jacob is out for his morning run. He does an hour run every morning, followed by weights at the gym.
I bounce down the stairs humming to myself as my fingers run along the cool banister. As I reach the bottom I hear a very loud crash coming from the kitchen. I take off in a slow jog coming around the corner just as I hear, “Lilly, watch out!” Luke yells just as I feel the sharp pain go through the bottom of my foot. In one swift move Luke lifts me up under my arms and sets me on the counter. Grabbing my foot, he lifts it high to see the cut on the bottom. I swiftly push the hem of my t-shirt between my thighs as my leg goes in the air. I look at him and start to blush as he notices I am not wearing any pants, just some white lacy panties. I feel hot blood trickling down my heel and see drops falling toward the tile floor.
“I’m so sorry, Lilly,” he says cheeks turning rosy. I notice his eyes traveling up my leg to the end of my shirt. “This might hurt,” he stammers as he averts his eyes back down to my foot, and in one rapid move, pulls a shard of glass from my foot.
I place my hand on his shoulder so I don’t topple over and I can feel my belly tighten as I feel his muscles flex under his shirt. I feel a little woozy. I am not sure if it’s from the pain or the fact that he is touching me and I’m half naked. He’s so close I can smell his shampoo mixed with his scent, it’s heaven. I feel like there is an electric current going through me as he looks up into my eyes with a sorry look on his face. “What happened?” I’m finally able to speak.
“The chandelier fell when I was trying to fix some of the loose wiring.” He looks up, then down, and I see all the glass on the floor with the ladder off to the side. He wraps a towel around my foot and disappears out of the kitchen.
I just sit wondering what I should do. I can’t move, and even if I could I am surrounded by glass. Just as I think I should work out some kind of a plan here, he’s back with a first aid kit. Of course, did I really think he was just going to leave me here? He crunches on the glass as he makes his way back to me. The glass is nothing for his thick-soled work boots. There must have been a look of relief on my face because he looks at me with that wicked grin that makes my core tighten.
“Did you think I left you here to bleed to death?” He has amusement in his low sexy voice.
”No!” I exclaim shyly, the words not coming as freely as they did last night sitting in the dark. He cups his hand around my heel again, this time he looks up at me before he lifts my leg. I push the hem of my t-shirt between my thighs again and he lifts my leg to doctor up my cut. I grab his arm to steady myself. His strong jaw is tense, but then his mouth twitches in a smile when I touch him. He glances up at me and gives me a quick wink.
“It’s a superficial cut, you won’t need stitches,” he says and applies some antibiotic cream on it followed by a bandage.
My heart is racing again. I look at his mouth that I’m sure has soft lips. He has such a strong jaw line and is clean-shaven. His hair is shaggy, like when he stepped out the shower he shook it dry. I really want to kiss those lips. What am I thinking? Get it together Lilly. I shake my head trying to calm myself.
He lowers my leg and pats my bare knee, “All better!” He smiles.
My hand is still on his arm and I can’t seem to move it away. I slide my hand to his chest feeling his pounding heart. “You forgot to kiss it.” Oh my god did I just say that?
“I’m sorry,” I whisper suddenly mortified. I remember that day when he left and he kissed my bruised cheek gently telling me it was all better. I feel his warm hands on my knees. He starts to slide them up my thighs and as they reach the hem of my t-shirt I look up. He’s smiling and raises his eyebrows.
“You remembered,” he says, his eyes soft as he starts to lean forward. He moves his hands from my thighs and takes my face in his strong hands.
I feel his soft lips touch mine then his kiss deepens. His tongue pushes my lips open and it enters my mouth. My stomach tightens and I feel something deep down. Pain that is tugging me from deep within and it feels so good. I place my hands around his neck curling my fingers in is hair. I feel him come closer, my legs being pushed apart by his body.
We are startled apart by a loud, “Hmmhem!” Jeffrey is standing at the door clearing his throat to let us know of his presence. Luke pushes away from me and his face goes flush. He lifts me up under my arms and sets me down in a glass free zone. I stand there, my knees weak, as Jeffery walks into the kitchen seeing the glass on the floor.
“What happened?” He barks looking at his son then up at me. He turns his head away from me when he sees that I am half naked, wearing only my t-shirt. I start to back away not able to mutter a word. As I turn the corner out of view, I rest up against the wall of the entrance to the great room. I try to catch my breath and I overhear their conversation.
“Luke you have to be careful with her, she is very inexperienced,” Jeffrey scolds his son. “She’s getting better, but you need to take it slow. She has a very low-self esteem,” he explains sounding protective of me.
“Don’t you think I know that, Dad?” Luke shouts defending himself. “I would never hurt her and you know it”.
“It’s just that she’s got living to do,” his dad says. “I know how you feel about her, and I know you would never hurt her. I guess I just feel a little protective of her right now,” he admits.
“Dad, I am not going to hurt her. All I’ve ever wanted is to be with her, protect her, and love her. You know that, that’s why you sent me away!” Luke shouts at his dad.
I slap my hand over my mouth, and run up the stairs to my room shutting the door. I lie on my bed, burying my head in my pillow, and scream. Scream with joy, with excitement. All he wants is to be with me. I pick up my cell phone to call Emma. I need to talk to someone now. I see that I have a text from her before I am able to call.
From Emma: *Hey something came up. I won’t be over, but I will call you later. Love Ya.*
I dial her number anyway hoping she’ll answer, but it goes straight to voice mail. “Damn!” I say aloud to myself then jump off the bed and head to the bathroom.
After I shower and dress, I pull my hair up in ponytail. I search my closet f
or something to wear, and decide on a short, light blue flared skirt with a white tee.
The kitchen is empty when I walk in. The glass is all cleaned up and the ladder is gone. I walk to the French doors to look outside and there is no one in sight. I shrug wondering where he went when Jeffery walks around the corner of utility room in the back of the kitchen.
I look at him and go flush thinking that he just saw me making out with his son in nothing but a t-shirt. Jeffrey is very handsome also. I know where Luke gets his good looks from. His graying hair makes him look distinguished and his tan skin is very leathery from years of working outside.
“Sorry about the chandelier,” he apologizes as he is grabbing a glass from the cupboard. Now that Jane is gone I have insisted that he comes in the house to take breaks and cool off, and that he is to make himself at home. He was never allowed in the house when Jane was alive. It took him awhile to do this, but now is very comfortable rummaging in the kitchen for snacks and drinks. “You’re like family to me,” I reassured him after the funerals of my father and Jane. “I want you to think of this as your home, too,” I told him.
“Don’t sweat it Jeffery,” I say about the chandelier as he takes a pitcher of sweet tea from the fridge pouring some in the glass. “It was Jane’s Idea to have a chandelier in kitchen,” I scoff at the ridiculous taste my adopted mother had. “I was going to change it to something else anyway,” I reassure him.
He smiles at my comment knowing that I am telling him the truth, and not just saying it to make him feel better. “How’s your foot?” He says taking a drink.
“It’s fine, just a small cut. I think I’ll live,” I giggle as I hop up on the barstool at the end of the kitchen island. I want to ask where Luke is, but I am too embarrassed to.
“He went to the hardware store to get something temporary for the light, until you decide on what you want,” he states as if he read my mind. “So what are you going to do today, Lilly?” He inquires raising one eyebrow.
He has become more concerned with my day-to-day activities since daddy and Jane died. I know he feels like he needs to look after me.
“I’m going to go through some stuff in Dad’s study. I need to see all the properties I own and figure out what I want to sell and what I want to keep,” I shrug. Emma’s dad, Elliott, is still my lawyer and has been after me to get this done. “Mr. Williams has asked to make a list of assets I want to keep,” I explain.
“Well, that my dear, might take you awhile,” Jeffrey expresses as he finishes his tea and puts the glass in the sink. “Ted owned half of Louisiana,” he says and starts walking back to the utility room. “Well, back to work,” he waves and is gone.
I walk into my daddy’s study putting down my PB&J sandwich, which I made for myself with a glass of sweet tea, on the desk. It is so warm and inviting in here. I inhale deeply still able to smell his cologne. I look at the massive mahogany desk, which daddy always sat behind when he was actually home, and over at the matching mahogany file cabinet against the wall. It’s so big with wide drawers. I open the top drawer. It is full of manila folders categorized by Parishes. I pull out the one labeled ‘Vermilion Parish’ first since it is just west of us here in St. Mary’s Parrish.
I turn to walk toward the desk, when the folder slips from my hand and falls to the floor underneath the file cabinet. I get down on my knees to see if I can reach it, but it’s too far. There is not enough room from the floor to the bottom of the cabinet for me to get my arm under there. I stand back up, putting my arms on either side of the wooden monstrosity, and try with all my might to move it. It doesn’t budge, not even a little bit. Then I move up against the wall, and slip my hand behind it thinking if I push it might be easier. I feel cold metal on the back of my arm where it brushes against the wall behind the cabinet. What’s back there? All the walls are wood. I go to the desk and look in the top drawer to find a flashlight. I shine the flashlight behind the cabinet and strain my eyes to see what is behind it. All I can make out is black. As I move the flashlight down, I notice a round silver dial. It’s a safe! I didn’t know daddy had a safe in here. What could be in it? It is about the same size as the file cabinet. It’s so big and it is built into the wall. I have to get this cabinet moved.
Chapter 10
I walk into the kitchen hoping Luke is back to help me move the file cabinet. He’s on the ladder in the kitchen wiring the replacement light. He looks down at me and smiles.
“Hi!” he says sweetly, “You look beautiful.” His eyes look me up and down as he climbs down the ladder.
My stomach does that all too familiar flip, and my heartbeat picks up, “Hi yourself.”
He steps off the ladder and steps in front of me. I can smell the delicious smell of him. I don’t even know what it is about his scent, but it makes my heartbeat quicken. He’s about a foot taller than me and is standing so close to me that I have to look up to see his face. “I’m sorry about earlier, I shouldn’t have been so forward with you,” he says about the kiss. I don’t even know what to say. All I can think about is being in his arms kissing him again.
Without another thought, I put my hands on his sides and stand on my tiptoes so I can reach up placing my lips on his. I move my hands up behind his neck so I can pull his lips harder into mine. He responds by meeting my pull and moving his tongue into my mouth as he grasps my face in his large strong hands. I move my hands down to his shoulders and I can feel the hard muscles beneath his shirt. His kiss deepens more and I can hear a low groan come from his throat. This makes my stomach tighten and I move closer to his body. He wraps one arm around my waist picking me up so we are more level, and puts his other hand flat on my back pressing me into his chest. His tongue invades my mouth with a forceful desire and I respond the same. I feel hot all over again, my whole core on fire. He pulls his lips from mine and rubs my nose with his. All I can do is moan as my lips ache for more. The electrical current racing between us is so intense that I want to rip off all his clothes.
“Well, I guess you feel the same way I do, Lilly flower.” He gives me a half-smile and a raise of his eyebrows.
“It would appear so.” I gasp for air, my feet still off the floor, and I wrap my legs around his waist moving in for another kiss. This time my tongue moves into his mouth first and I can feel him grinning against my lips. I push back from him wondering what is so funny. I look at the smile on his face and whisper, “What?”
“I am just really happy,” he says still grinning. “I wasn’t sure if you would still feel the same way,” he admits. I start to squirm so he knows I want down. He sets me down gently looking wounded that I want out of his arms.
“Well, you would have known if you had contacted me at all,” I say feeling a little betrayed all of the sudden. “I understand why you left, don’t get me wrong, but why did you wait so long to come back?” I don’t know why, I just felt like he would come rush to be by my side.
He grabs my face in his hands kissing my forehead sweetly then kisses each of my eyelids and my cheeks. “I wanted to, believe me. I wanted you to have some time to live your life and didn’t want to mess with your feelings. I wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t be a crutch. Dad wanted me to stay away a year, but I couldn’t stand it another day,” Luke says looking me straight in the eyes. I can see his pain.
“I know you have been on a few dates,” he says to me and I look away. I didn’t want him to know that.
“They didn’t mean anything. Emma set them up,” I defend myself to him but I don’t know why. I had every right to go on as many dates as I wanted. For all I knew, he was married with kids.
“It’s okay. You wouldn’t have done that if I were here. That’s what I wanted, for you to have the chance to experience some life. That’s why I asked Emma to set you up,” he confesses rubbing my cheeks with his thumbs.
“You wanted me to go on dates with other men? You had Emma do that on purpose?” I’m stunned by the admission and step away from his grasp.
/> “What would you have done if I fell in love with one of those men?” I ask stepping back so we are farther apart.
“I don’t know honestly, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I wanted to make sure that you had a chance to see what else is out there,” he says with so much longing. I can hardly keep my distance.
“The nights you were out with those guys, those were the worst nights of my life. You have no idea what I felt like when Emma would call me and tell me that you weren’t interested,” Luke says. This also shocks me. Emma and Luke did a lot of talking that I had no idea about.
I’m so blown away that I just stand there with my mouth agape staring at him.
“I wish you would say something right now.” He takes a step closer to me and I walk around the kitchen island. I take a seat on one of the stools.
“Am I interrupting something?” Jacob walks in the kitchen and looks at the two of us. He must have noticed the stunned look on my face.
“Are you alright Lilly?” Jacob says rushing to my side. “You’re as pale as a ghost.” He looks up at Luke, back at me defensively, then back at Luke ready to defend my honor.
“She’s fine, and yes, you are interrupting!” Luke snaps and I can see him tense up at Jacob’s look.
Jacob stands up straight, his chest puffs out a little in defense.
“She doesn’t look fine,” Jacob retorts looking back at me.
“Look, I know she hired you for protection, but I’m here now and I can protect her,” Luke says stepping toward Jacob.
