"When you come to your senses you better just hope that I am still available, Luke Hansen, because I am done waiting for you!" She shouts. I had no idea she was this delusional about us. We have texted some since I left Shreveport, but it was always platonic.
My phone rings and I reach for it. I turn back around just as Sidney is standing on the rail of the SUV and is planting a kiss on my lips. It takes me a second to register what is happening. When her tongue enters my mouth I grab her arms pushing her away from me and look into her eyes.
"Did you feel that? That was chemistry baby, you know you felt it. Just one night and I will make you forget all about her." She reaches for the back of my neck pulling me into another kiss.
"No, Sidney, I didn't feel anything." I push her away as she is trying to climb in the truck to straddle my lap. I step out of the truck, her arms in my grasp, and I bend to look in her eyes. "Sidney, please, I don't want to hurt you, but this is not happening, and you just made it so we can't even be friends now."
"Oh really, you came to me, Luke Hansen!" She shouts pushing on my chest. "I think that poor little innocent Lilly didn't see the good thing she had. I think you wanted a real woman, and now guilt is taking over, just like always." She's pointing her finger in my face, and I feel as if I don't even know this woman in front of me. She is not the same girl I used to know.
"Bye, Sidney."
I get back in the truck, shut the door and drive away, seeing her in the rearview mirror as she cries. Shit, how did things get this fucked up? I have to talk to Lilly. I have to let her know I am sorry and that I am coming back. I ring Jacob's phone so he can put her on.
"Jesus Christ, where the fuck are you?" Is how he answers the phone.
"I'm on my way back, let me talk to Lilly."
"Well I wish to fuck I could let you do that, but she's gone and I have no idea where she is."
"What?" I'm instantly angry and ashamed. Here I am hours away, with another girl, and my Lilly is gone.
"She left after you tore her heart out. She has no phone and she has been gone for hours now." Jacob is scared, I can tell by the tone of his voice even through the anger.
"I will be there in a few hours, where have you looked? What is she driving?"
"She took my SUV and we have looked everywhere. Where are you anyway?"
"I'm just leaving Shreveport, Jacob, I fucked up. Oh God, I can't believe she took off."
"Look man, I get it. We all deal with very stressful situations different, but you need to get your ass back here to find your girl and beg forgiveness, because she is hurting. Ask your dad, he probably has bruises. Just hurry, I've got to go. We are checking hotels right now," and with that the line goes dead.
She beat up my dad? It almost brings a smile to my face. My feisty girl, God I love her. Hopefully she still loves me.
Chapter 10
LILLY
When I first left I went straight to the bank to get some money. Luckily, Joe was still there so I didn't need an ID to make a withdrawal. I had decided to go to New Orleans for the night to get a hotel room. I needed to be somewhere that didn't remind me of Luke. I just needed some time alone, and I did not want to be at Cypress Grove being fawned over by Lucy and Jacob.
I didn't want them to worry either, so I stopped at a gas station just outside of New Orleans to phone Jacob. He answered on the first ring.
"Hello?" His voice is frantic and I can tell he is worrying. I should have called sooner. I didn't want him to worry.
"Hey, Jacob, it's me."
"Thank you God, baby girl, you have me going out of my mind right now. Where are you?"
"I'm fine, Jacob, I just need a little time to process."
"Lilly. Where. Are. You?" He is probably tracking my call right now. I want to keep it short so he can't find me. I really need some time alone.
"Jacob, I'm fine and I will call you tomorrow. I just wanted you to know I am okay, but I have to go," and with that I hung up, but not before I heard him shout my name one more time through the phone.
I drive the rest of the way into New Orleans, and stop at a cute little hotel that I had seen a few times on one of Emma and mine's shopping trips.
I book a room using my cash. Before I go up to my room, I go next door to a boutique that Emma and I had been at before. I need clothes, only having the ones on my back. Miss Finnegan and Emma had been on a shopping spree the last couple of days buying clothes, furniture, and stuff to replace what was gone from the fire, but I need some clothes now.
"Miss Sumnor, so glad to see you again." The tall woman behind the counter greets me by name. Only having been here twice, I can't believe she remembered my name. Of course, we had spent a lot of money, and I guess if you work on commission you remember those people.
"I'm sorry, I forgot your name," I tell her sheepishly, very embarrassed that I don't remember. I'm not even sure if I ever knew it. God help me, I will not turn into Jane.
"It's Kate, and don't be sorry. Are you okay, dear?" She says, checking out the cut on my cheek and the bruises. I explain I was in a car accident, which she just nods. "So glad you are all right, you'll want to soak in Epsom salts. That will take the soreness right out of those bruises. What can I help you with today?" She smiles brightly at me. She helps me pick out some jeans, a couple of tops, and some skirts. I also need underwear and find a pair of blue lace panties and bra. It reminds me of the day I bought Luke his truck, and I feel the tears well in my eyes.
"Oh honey, what's wrong?" Kate sees the tears. Grabbing a box of tissues, she guides me to a small bench by the changing rooms.
"Just some boy trouble, I'm fine." I wipe my eyes, not wanting to tell my story to a stranger and pick out a few pairs of bras and panties. Taking my bag of clothes, I stop at the drug store on the corner to get some Epsom salts.
As I soak in the hot tub, it stings at first, but after a few moments I feel the hot water do its job. If only the hot water could take care of my aching heart. All I want is to see Luke right now.
I towel off and put on one of the brand new lingerie gowns I just purchased. I bought it with Luke in mind. It's silk with lots of lace. He loves me in lace, at least he used to. I look in the mirror combing my hair and flinch at the image staring back at me. Not at just the cuts and bruises, but also at my eyes that are red and puffy from all of the crying. Even though the deep cut on my stomach is healing nicely, the silk of the nightgown still feels like sandpaper on it. My body is healing, but my heart is not.
Sitting on the bed in the large suite, I grab the phone off the nightstand, and with hesitation I dial Luke's cell, praying to God he answers. He picks up after one ring and I swear my heart stops.
"Lilly?"
"Yes." I finally answer, surprised that he knew it was me from the strange number.
"Lilly, baby, oh God baby, I'm so sorry. I love you and I am coming to get you. Where are you, baby?" My heart leaps out of my chest as he says the words.
"Luke, I love you too. I'm sorry, too, I know this has been hard on you and I should have never called you a coward." I am shocked when I hear laughter on the other end of the line.
"Oh my beautiful girl, God I love you so much. Where are you baby, I need you to be in my arms right now?" He still has amusement in his voice.
"What is so funny?"
"You are such an angel, that even though I was a complete dickhead to you, you're apologizing to me for calling me out on my shit. That is what is so funny. I can't believe that I have you, and you still want me."
"Of course you have me, you never lost me, and you weren't a complete dickhead."
"Baby, please tell me where you are." He is desperate now and I tell him the name of the hotel and where it's at in New Orleans. "I'll be there soon. I'm close because Jacob traced your call to just outside New Orleans. Call him while you wait for me. Tell him where you are and that I am on my way so the poor guy can go home and get some sleep." God I am so selfish, poor Jacob has been searching for me all da
y. He was already so tired from the last week and I just made it so much worse for him.
After Luke hangs up I call Jacob.
"When I get my hands on you, and I see you are safe, I'm going to kill you," Jacob says into the phone then shouts, "And first thing tomorrow we are getting you a fucking phone!"
"I'm so sorry. I didn't want you to worry that is why I called you earlier. I'm fine and Luke is on his way to get me. You can go home." I tell him, and with a grumble he says fine. I can tell I am still going to get an earful.
Waiting for Luke is torture. As I pace around the room, my heart drops when I hear the faint knock on the door. When I open it, there is my Luke weary and tired, but just as handsome as ever. He wastes no time and picks me up so I am eye level with him then steps into the room, kicking the door shut behind him.
"I'm sorry, Lilly flower," he groans as he takes my lips hard with his. His tongue is in my mouth with fluid expertise. "I love you so much." I feel his erection against me as he moves toward the bed and lays me down gently. He stares at my face and kisses my cheek softly where the gash is. "A kiss to make it better," he smiles down at me before moving to my neck and kissing the tiny scratches there too.
He lifts the hem of my lace nightie and pulls it over my head leaving me naked to him except for my lacy panties. He licks and kisses gently all over my body, making sure his lips touch every last scrape and bruise. I wrap my hands in his soft, brown hair as he moves all over my body.
I begin to tremble as his hands reach my panties, and even though he has been there many times, it feels like the first time right now.
"It's okay baby, I'm here and never leaving you again," he says, reaching into my panties inserting one finger in me.
"So wet," he moans into my neck. He slides his finger up to my clitoris and rubs my sweet spot.
"Luke, please," I beg as he teases me, leaving my bud to slide his finger back in me.
"Patience baby, this is going to be slow. I want to take my time loving you," he whispers taking my lips again. I fight with his shirt to get it off. He helps me, reaching his hand to his back and sliding his shirt off over his head. My hands are on his hard chest, and moving down his abs I feel him quiver under my touch.
His erection is hard and bulging against the zipper of his jeans and I work with fumbling fingers to release him. He sits up on the bed and pushes his jeans down, moving one leg and then the other he throws his jeans to the floor. Next are his boxers, and when he pushes them down he springs free and I gasp.
This puts a smile on his gorgeous face at my reaction to him. I know that I will never in my entire life ever tire of seeing this man.
"You like," he says with a grin. I love the way he always says that when I am caught admiring the view.
I don't answer, I reach up and wrap my hands around the nape of his neck and bring him to me.
We make love for hours, our bodies as one as Luke gently and thoroughly explores my body as if it is the first time he has ever seen or touched it.
I sleep well that night after multiple orgasms and in the safety of Luke's strong arms.
Chapter 11
The next morning we drive back to Cypress Grove, and unlike yesterday I am looking forward to being there. Yesterday I couldn't have imagined ever being there without Luke. Today though, we are driving up the lane with Luke's hand intertwined with mine. Looking at me with the smile I know and love, he pulls our hands up to his mouth kissing my knuckles.
This time I wait as Luke comes around the SUV to open the door for me and helps me down. Although there is still pain in my ribs, I don't notice it as much this time. Luke leads me up the sidewalk, and just before we step on the porch he turns me toward him.
"I'm so sorry, Lilly," he says as we stand in the same spot we were yesterday when he freaked out and left. But this time instead of the words he said before, I am up in his arms as he is carries me into our house. I'm laughing as he struggles with the door, but when he finally gets it open we are met with a large crowd standing in the entry way.
Jimmy, Emma, Jacob, Lucy, Jeffrey, Carley, and Miss Finnegan are all there.
"This is the welcome home you should have had yesterday," he says setting me down. In front of all our friends and family he pulls me into his arms. His hands go to my face, leaning down to my level he kisses my bottom lip. "I swear with all my heart and soul that I will never leave you again." He sucks in my bottom lip again, making me shudder. Then he does something that makes me weak in the knees. Kneeling before me, he takes my hands in his placing them up to his lips.
"Lilly Sumnor, my sweet Lilly flower, it has always been you. I've known since the first day I met you that you would be my wife, the mother of my children, my soul mate. I love you with all that I have and always will. You own my heart and soul. Will you marry me?" He says looking up at me. I gasp, my hands flying over my mouth as he pulls out a ring that's vintage looking and beautiful. The tears start rolling now as I nod my head yes and sob into my hands.
"Yes?" Luke says excited, confirming that my nods mean yes.
"Yes, of course yes!" I squeal, Luke stands placing the ring on my left ring finger, it fits perfectly. The diamond is round cut. Very large actually, and the setting looks really old. I throw my arms around his neck, jumping onto him wrapping my legs around his waist.
He holds me tight against him, kissing my nose before his lips are on mine again. I can feel him smile against my lips before I move my mouth over his, our mouths crashing together in a passionate kiss. I forget the world around me, I run my hands through his hair not letting go of him. He still has me up in his strong arms, I'm all but oblivious to the house full of people staring at us.
"Get a room." I hear Emma laugh, as heat flushes my cheeks bringing me back to the fact that everyone is watching us. I slide down Luke's body as he gently sets me down, his eyes never leaving mine.
"I love you," I whisper before he turns me around to face everyone. He holds my back to him and I can feel his excitement push against my back. He wraps his arms around me to keep me in place so not to give everyone a show. I chuckle to myself.
"See what you do to me, flower," he whispers in my ear. Carley rushes to us to give me a hug. Luke's mother so close seems to take care of his problem. I laugh when he lets me go. "What?" he says looking at me before he walks toward Jimmy.
"Oh I am so happy, you two are so meant to be." She has tears in her eyes as she gives me a warm hug. "I can tell you this now. When Luke was working with his father, he saved every dime he ever made. When he turned 16, he had quite the savings account, but instead of buying a nice car, he bought the cheapest truck he could find." Carley is beaming as she tells me a story of young Luke.
"Well, Sarah had asked him why he didn't buy something nicer. He told her he was saving his money so he could buy you a nice engagement ring someday." Carley's eyes are glossy from tears she is fighting back. Her story is starting to make me teary eyed as well.
"Oh, Carley, you have no idea how glad I am that you are telling me this." I choke as the tears are running freely now.
"I'm not done. This ring," she takes my hand staring down lovingly at the ring on my finger, "it was my mother's, and she gave it to Sarah before she died." Now she is sobbing and I reach out to touch her arm. "Sarah gave it to Luke. She told him that she wanted you to have it someday." She hiccups through the tears. "He always knew that he was going to marry you, Lilly." I take her into my arms hugging my future mother-in-law as tight as I can. We are both crying happy tears holding each other like blubbering idiots. I feel so much love from her and from Sarah. I had no idea.
"Okay, so this is supposed to be a happy occasion, what is with all the tears?" I let go of Carley's embrace to see Jeffrey standing next to us. I suddenly remember how I had treated him yesterday. I look into his solemn eyes, Luke's eyes.
"Jeffrey. . .I'm. . . ." He stops me before I can get the words out.
"I deserved it, Lilly, you were right," he says.
> "No you didn't, I never should have taken it out on you. You have always been there for me, I'm sorry." Jeffrey rubs his chest at where I was hitting him yesterday.
"You know, for a little girl you pack quite the punch." Jeffrey laughs, Carley and I join him. No more words are said about it. We come to an understanding with our eyes. I know nothing is his fault. He always tried to protect me the best way he knew how.
Miss Finnegan has prepared a huge feast for the occasion. She bumbles into the room announcing that dinner is ready. I'm stopped by Jacob before I make it to the dining room. He pulls out a cell phone handing it to me.
"Jacob," I say, wanting to tell him how sorry I was for putting him through hell yesterday.
"I love you, Lilly, but I swear if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I am going to sew a GPS tracker to your ass." I laugh as I picture this, but he doesn't, he's all business. "Now, do we understand?" His eyes are set on mine.
"Yes."
"Okay, now come here." He pulls me into one of his bear hugs squeezing me so tight I almost can't breathe. Just when I'm about to tell him I can't breathe he lets me go kissing my forehead.
"You are going to be the death of me yet, baby girl." He laughs now putting his arm over my shoulder walking us into the dining room to join everyone.
Chapter 12
I find out from Emma that Elliott has been working overtime to keep my name out of the whole Matt Henning mess. With people like Senator Magado now involved, the last thing we need is anyone knowing I had a hand in Matt's confession. With a long trial ahead, he has his work cut out for him.
After everyone leaves it is pretty late. Jacob and Lucy go to the office to work on getting the computer system up. Everything was lost in the fire, so Lucy has her work cut out for her as well. They were talking at dinner about server ' s and binary code, and some other stuff that totally lost me.
Unbreakable 2, The Mystery of Lilly (Cypress Grove Series) Page 5
