Lilly

by Tiya Rayne

  “I’ll tell you what; you have four months until I move to New York to make up your mind. I won’t bother you again about moving, IF,” She says placing her hands on her hips. “You promise me one thing?”

  “And what’s that?”

  “From now until January, you have to do at least one thing out of the norm. It can be a crazy night of partying, skinny dipping in the lake or giving away your V-card. The choice is yours, but you have to do something that Lilly Ann Peters,” She says, saying my name with my southern drawl. “Wouldn’t normally do. Do we have a deal?” She holds her hand out for me to shake. I twirl my pendant between my fingers once more and then shake Alice hands.

  “You got a deal.”

  “Great! Now get going, it’s late and you got further to go than me.” Alice turns and walks towards her car. I inhale deeply and blow it back out. Could I really be as careless as Alice wants after all these years of playing it safe? I guess we will find out.

  I live in a small apartment 25 minutes from work. Most of the drive is back roads and woods. Other than deer running out at you, there is nothing to fear. The good thing about living in a small town is that everybody knows you and your people. So no one will mess with you. I’ve driven this road so often that I barely pay attention to it anymore. That’s why I almost miss him.

  Out of nowhere a guy just appears in the middle of the road. I swerve my car at the last minute going into the other lane then slam on breaks. My car skids on the asphalt and echoes the sound in the night. I come to a complete stop on the shoulder of the wrong side of the road. My heart is beating out of my chest like a drum solo at a rock concert. My eyes are playing tricks on me, surely that wasn’t a man standing in the middle of the road. I look in my rearview mirror and there he is kneeling in the middle of the road with his hand clutching his stomach. Where did he come from? I quickly get out of my car and rush over to him.

  “Excuse me, are you ok?” He looks up into my eyes and smile.

  “Am I in the heavenly realm?” he ask, his voice shaky and out of breath.

  I laugh. “No sir, you’re just in North Carolina.”

  “You look like an angel.” I smile at that. This guy must really be out of it if he thinks I’m an angel. It did make me smooth my hair back into my ponytail.

  “I think you need to go to a hospital.” I look down at his blood soaked shirt. His left hand is over his stomach and blood is spilling from around his hand. I try to stand and he grabs my arm with his right hand.

  “Please Angel, don’t leave me.” His touch is hot, a sign of a fever.

  “You’re not doing too well. Let me call somebody to help.” He shakes his head and his wavy hair swings back and forth across his face.

  “Please, I just need a safe place to rest.” My brain is moving like wheels in mud. This guy is really hurt and he needs help. However, I don’t want to take him to the hospital if he doesn’t want to go. Maybe he had it in with the law, if so; did I really want to put myself in danger by taking him in? My cousin Roy stays in trouble with the law but he was still a good person.

  “Please Angel, I will not hurt you. You have my vow.” I twist my butterfly pendant between my fingers. I can hear Alice voice saying “do something daring, Lilly”. Oh for heaven sake! I throw my hands up in the air. I swear, Alice, if this man kills me I’m coming back to haunt you.

  “Ok Mister, but don’t let me regret this.” I put his arm around my shoulder and help him to his feet. He tries to keep all of his weight off me, but I was only 5’4’’ and any weight is heavy to me. Thankfully, I get him in the car, and fasten him in. He is sleep before I can get back on the road.

  The man woke up long enough for me to get him up the stairs to my apartment and as soon as I lay him on the couch he is back out. I stare down at him, his back flat against the seat cushions on the couch, his long legs are hanging off the arm of the couch. If I had to guess, I say he is somewhere around 6’2’’ or 6’3’’. In the light I can see that his dark wavy hair is the color of charcoal and it hangs down to his shoulders. I push a lock of hair back off his face and he moans at my touch. He is unbelievably handsome and not much older than me, I think. He has a straight aristocratic nose and high cheek bones. He looks nothing like the men I’m used to seeing. The really strange thing is his clothes. He is wearing a white long sleeve shirt with puffy sleeves, like something you would see in a Shakespeare play. His velvet vest is in a rich teal color and snaps all the way up to his neck. His linen pants are tucked into his black leather knee boots. Altogether, his attire looks medieval. Not something you see in the back woods of North Carolina.

  “Mister, I’m gonna have to get you out of your shirt so I can clean that wound, ok?” he mumbles something undecipherable. “I’ll take that as an ok.” I go to my bathroom and gather some gauze, gloves, scissors, alcohol and bandages. With my arms full I carry the supplies back into the living room.

  “I’m going to cut your shirt off. By the way my name is Lilly Ann Peters. I reckon you oughta at least know my name before I go feeling you up.” I know he can’t answer me, but it felt better to talk to him, less creepy anyway.

  I push his vest aside and cut his shirt apart. It fell to his sides exposing his chest and stomach. Holy Cow! His body is amazing. His abs are broken off in six perfect sections. I have to bite my lip to keep from running my hands down his smooth hairless chest. His bottoms sit low on his waist showing off his hip bone. I couldn’t help glancing at that dark hair peeking up from his pants. Obviously, Mr. Mystery Man did not wear underwear.

  “Get it together, Lilly Ann. It’s just a man….. just an extremely handsome and well-built man.” I mutter to myself.

  Thankfully, growing up with hunters, I’m not frightened by blood and gore. I’ve cleaned and mended everything from minor gun-shot wounds from hunting accidents, to stab wounds from bar fights. My family wasn’t quick to go to the hospital. Once, when Uncle Buddy broke his finger racing four wheelers, he let me set it and wrap it. He said he wasn’t paying a doctor for something his niece could do.

  I clean mystery man’s wound with the alcohol and the gauze, after getting all the blood off, the wound doesn’t look so bad. I place the bandage over his wound and went about cleaning up the used gauzes. I notice his body is still warm.

  “You need to take something for that fever.” I hold his head in my hand and lift it so he can swallow two pills and drink some water. As soon as the water is gone, he falls right back into a peaceful sleep. Now is a good time for me to take care of myself.

  After taking a shower I sit down in the chair across from my guest watching the rise and fall of his chest. Soon, the effect of working a double shift catches up with me and I’m out like a light.

  *************

  I feel strong arms lifting me and the jerking of my body as if someone is carrying me. My eyes shoot open and I try to push away from the hard chest that holds me. The arms around me tighten.

  “Careful Angel, I’m just putting you to bed.” It’s mystery man.

  “You’re wounded, you shouldn’t be….”

  “I’m fine.” He says cutting off my concern. “I have you to thank for that.” He places me down on my bed and I sit up on my knees. I scan over his stomach to find his wound, I pull the bandage back and I swear the wound is even smaller than I initially thought.

  “See, tis only a scratch. Thanks to my angel.” He says smiling, and oh boy is it a nice smile. Now that his eyes are open I can see that they are the same onyx color of his hair. It is breathtaking against his golden skin.

  “I’m not an angel. My name’s Lilly.” I say pushing my still wet hair behind my ear. He touches my face with the palm of his hand.

  “To me, Lilly Ann Peters, you are a beautiful angel.” I blush.

  “Wait, how do you know my name?” he smiles once again.

  “Do you always talk to people, that you believe are unconscious?” I smile then realize all I said while he was unconscious; I knew my face was p
robably bright red. I hide my face behind my hands. He pulls my hands away.

  “Do not be ashamed. I am flattered that you find me extremely handsome and well-built.” He says with a sly smile. That doesn’t help my embarrassment. I look away from him, now consciously aware of his close proximity. His scent of wood and musk drifts to my nose. It was a manly scent that sent a shiver through my body and a tightening below my waist that I was not use to.

  “I owe you my life, Lilly. Do not feel ashamed around me.”

  Speaking of,” I say changing this subject before I become permanently stained this red color. “Why were you out in the middle of the road like that?” He runs his hand through his hair and sits down in front of me, still too close for me to concentrate.

  “It’s a long story. One I do not care to repeat to a beautiful maiden such as you.” I blush. He lifts his hand and touches my cheek. “You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen.” I didn’t respond. Instead that annoying tightening increases.

  I’ve never thought much about my virginity. I don’t wear it like a badge of honor, nor do I deny it. It is something that is. Mama once told me love and sex should go hand and hand, and since I never found love I never had sex. So why does my body now react for this complete stranger? It is something about him that plays with the corners of my mind. Like some old memory trying to replay. For a second I see woods and the back of a man’s head, a man with long dark hair. Then the memory is gone. Was my brain trying to tell me something about this mystery man? I know I’ve never seen him before, I would never forget a face like his. However, I am having a hard time shaken this déjà vu from that strange flash of memory. With a mind of its own my body leans towards him. He leans closer to me, so close that our lips are mere inches apart, with one slight move they could touch. I can feel his warm breath brushing against my lips. My tongue darts out and licks my lips in hopes of tasting his scent on my tongue. The movement catches his attention and he pulls away from me suddenly.

  “I think I should be going.” He stands abruptly to his feet as if my bed has grown teeth and bit him. “I’m having a hard time remaining noble towards you. I do not want to dishonor your husband. ”

  I laugh. “My husband?”

  “Yes, where is he? He should not leave you alone at this hour.” He says looking around as if my husband will pop out somewhere.

  “I reckon I’m a few years away from meeting him.” His eyes fall back on me, they scan down at my t-shirt and bare legs. I didn’t plan on him waking up before me when I put on a t-shirt that barely covers my thighs. Thank God I had the right mind to put on a bra and it is one of my newer ones, its red lace shows seductively underneath my white shirt. His eyes linger on my body before finding my eyes again.

  “It is hard to believe you are not married. Have your family not arranged anything yet? I imagine your bride price being rather high.” He rakes his eyes down my body once again before bringing them back up to my face. “Rightfully so.” Is he serious? Imagine my mom setting a price for my hand in marriage; she would get more money selling my beat-up Camry.

  “It doesn’t work that way here.” I knew in some countries those practices are still used, but in America, Thank God, men and women marry for love. Most of the time.

  “Then surely you are being courted?”

  “Nope! I’m as single as a slice of cheese.” He quirks his eyebrow at me and I laugh. “I’m not married or being courted and honestly I’m not in a rush for neither one.”

  “Why?” he asks widening his stance and crossing his arms over his chest. I sit back on my feet and think about that question for only a minute.

  “I’m not ready for it. When you love someone you should give them all of you; all your heart, all your attention and all your time. I’m too busy trying to figure out my life to give it away.” I sigh. “Love deserves more than part of me. So, until I can give it more, I stay away from it.”

  He sits back down on the bed in front of me. “My angel is not only beautiful, but wise.” He places his hand on my knee and the warmth from his touch send butterflies dancing in my stomach. Once again the heat races to my face and I turn from him. His calloused hand cups the side of my face, his thumb making circles over my cheek.

  “Does it upset you that I touch you?” He asks turning my head to look into his eyes. I shake my head no, too breathless for words. What is it about this guy that has my nerves firing off through my body like Fourth of July sparklers? It isn’t like I’ve never been touched by a guy before. I’ve gone parking plenty of times when I was in high school. I’ve even gone as far as second base once or twice, so why am I so sensitive now. Maybe it’s because this guy makes all the others look like Ogre’s, my inner voice says. And she’s right; this guy makes me rethink my entire theory on sex and love. His fingers thread into the hair at the back of my head and he pulls me closer to him.

  “I’m going to kiss you now. I have millions of reasons why I shouldn’t, but cannot, for the life of me, think of any of them right now.” His words are whispered against my lips. I probably should care why he shouldn’t be kissing me. That seems like something a reasonable person would be thinking. However, all I can think of is what those incredible lips would feel like against mine. I don’t know if I responded or not before his lips came down on mine, urgently. His tongue slips across my lips asking to be granted an audience with mine. I open my mouth obliging his request. His kiss is tender but deep, he explores my mouth like it is a cave and he is a speleologist. When his body pushes mine back on to my bed. His hungry kiss slows to gentle pecks. He props his self over me on his hands careful not to put any weight on my body.

  “Lilly.” He moans my name against my neck as he leaves a trail of burning kisses down to my shoulder blade. “Please, tell me to leave.” This is the first. I’ve never had a guy want me to make him leave. If they want nothing else from me, they want sex.

  “If you don’t want to be here…” I start to say with a bit of disappointment. The strangers head pops up and his onyx eyes stares down at me. “Lilly, I promise you, there is nowhere else I want to be right now. But if I stay, I can only give you one day. I have to go back to my home soon, and I will not be able to return. I cannot be the love you speak of. If I were truly a gentleman I would get up from this bed right now and walk away, but I can’t, so please tell me to leave.”

  This shouldn’t be happening. I know nothing about this guy, not even his name. He could be a serial killer or rapist, even though I feel he isn’t, but I want him to stay. Here I am with an amazing man, I can only get one night with him and I’m afraid to take it. Alice is right. I’ve lived my entire life playing it safe, while the world is waiting on me. If I never take any risk I will never leave my sleepy little town. My book of photography will never get done. I am about to miss out on life. Well not anymore. I refuse to live the rest of my life as safe little Lilly. I’m going to be spontaneous. I’m going to be exciting and daring and hell I was even going to New York in February with Alice. And to start it all off, I am going to do something I’ve never done before. I look back at those tar colored eyes that are patiently waiting my decision. Without a word I slide my t-shirt up over my head. His eyes scan my body with a hungry possession.

  “As you wish.” He states with a slight smile, and then begins to kiss me.

  Chapter Four

  Six weeks later

  “No problem, sir. I’ll get you a cup of cof...” My stomach flutters and my hand flies to my mouth, this time I barely make it to the bathroom. I rush to the toilet and let go of all my stomach content, which really was only a handful of crackers. I lean my head against the back of the bathroom stall door. I’ve been vomiting for a week now. I’m pretty sure I’ve lost five pounds. I thought initially I had some kind of stomach bug, but stomach bugs don’t last a week.

  “Hey, Lilly, open up.” Alice calls from the outside of my stall. I moan and stumble to my feet. Alice pushes open the door and hands me a glass of orange juice. “Pa
ulie says go home. Clarissa can take your shift.”

  I moan again. I need this job and the tips or else I’ll be back at Mama’s and Billy Ray’s. “I’ll be fine. I just need to get some medicine.”

  “Lilly Ann, you’ve been sick for a week now, you need to go to the hospital.” I brush pass Alice and walk to the sink.

  “You know I don’t do hospitals.” I say turning on the tap and splashing water on my face. I place my mouth under the running water and swish it around my mouth then spit.

  “Why? Cause Uncle Buddy says they’re a rip off. The only reason you should be sick like this is if something is really wrong, or you’re pregnant. But last time I checked virgins don’t get pregnant.” My heart stops. Oh shit, I can’t breathe. Someone is making these loud noises and I can’t think straight. Could I be pregnant? Can a one night stand with the most beautiful man I’ve ever met lead to this? I mean yeah it was more than one time but could this truly be my punishment. Oh Lord not me! That wheezing noise grows louder. I was about to tell whoever it was to shut-up while I think, but that’s when I realized it is me. I’m having a panic attack.

  “Ok Lilly, you have to calm down and tell me what’s wrong.” I collapse to the bathroom floor and tuck my knees up to my chest.

  “I’m pregnant.” I whisper out. It sounds funny saying it out loud. The virgin who finally has sex after 20 years gets pregnant on the first try. Maybe it was the second or the fifth, it doesn’t matter this wasn’t supposed to happen. I mean, I skipped a period but I figured it was because of the stress from telling Mama about New York. She’s been badgering me about it ever since. This never even crossed my mind. I asked him about protection, but he told me I had nothing to worry about, that he could not get me pregnant. Billy Ray has the same issue so figured I was ok.

  “Lilly, sweetie, I know you’ve lived a sheltered life, but let me teach you about how babies are made.” Alice says kneeling in front of me.