Richard had taken Lila in his arms when he heard. ‘I can’t thank you enough, but I think I may have come up with a way. Tell you about it later.’
She laughed, thinking he meant sex. ‘If that’s what you’re offering, I’ll take it.’
He just grinned, and when they were at dinner, he tapped his wine glass for his attention. ‘Hey folks, I have a couple of things I want to say. First off, I’d like to propose a toast to my sister, Cora – Cora Belle, I love you so much, we all do, and I can’t tell you how proud we are that you’re battling your demons and winning. Everyone falls sometimes, but not everyone has the courage to pick themselves up.’
‘Hear, hear!’ Lila said, and they all raised their glasses to the blushing Cora.
‘Thank you,’ she said and smiled gratefully at her brother. A look passed between then, and he gave her a small nod that the others couldn’t decipher. She grinned excitedly.
Richard cleared his throat. ‘And to my Lila…my little warrior woman. To have stood in front of my sister like that, to go up against Judith, who, quite frankly, terrifies four-star generals…Lila, you amaze me. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You might not think it was much because I know you, but to us, to Cora, it proved one thing. You are our family and we, yours.’
It was Lila’s turn to color, and she waved their thanks away. ‘My pleasure, really, it was nothing.’
Richard hadn’t finished. He walked around to Lila and offered her his hand. She took it and stood, slightly confused about what was happening. Next moment, no more confusion.
Richard dropped to one knee, and Lila wobbled. He grinned up at her. ‘Lila, you are the love of my life. I know I’m not worthy of you…yet. But I want to spend my life trying to be. Lila…would you, please marry me?’
Now…Lenox Hill Hospital
‘Okay, two more minutes and then rest. I don’t want you pushing yourself too hard.’ Noah fixed her with a look that meant business. ‘Lila Belle, I mean it.’ He’d picked up Delphine’s nickname for her; it suited her.
Lila grumbled but grinned at him. During the six weeks of her rehabilitation, she and Noah Applebaum had become good friends; their friendship flirtatious and teasing. The doctor was thorough, he pushed her, but lately, as she had improved, she had been eager to push herself…and he was worried that she might hurt herself.
‘Make your mind up, Noah,’ she chided him now, somewhat breathlessly, as she pounded on the treadmill. Her leg movement had improved, the pain diminishing as her muscle tone got better. She had admitted to him that she ached after their sessions but that it was ‘a good ache, rather than a searing ache.’
He admired her commitment, never questioning his methods. ‘Right, now, as you slow, I want you to concentrate on your abdominal muscles, feel for any pain.’ He put his splayed hand on her belly as she ran, trying not to think of her warm skin under his fingers. ‘Move my hand to where you feel the most pain.’
Lila was flushed but seemed to color an even darker scarlet when he touched her. He couldn’t take his eyes off her mouth, her pink, bee-stung lips. She slowed her pace then tentatively moved his hand to where she felt the most pain – her right side. Noah swallowed as he felt the muscles contracting under his skin. ‘The good news is that it’s more than likely a side-stitch from cramping.’
He went to move his hand away, but Lila grabbed it and held it against her belly again. ‘I’m getting better…can you feel?’ Her voice was soft and their gazes held and locked. One beat. Two. He couldn’t help but let his fingers stroke her soft skin and Lila gave a little gasp of pleasure, closing her eyes.
You are a professional…Noah reluctantly took his hand away and went to his notes, willing his erection to go down. God, he wanted her so badly, but she was his patient…and she was engaged to be married.
‘Noah?’
‘Yes?’
‘They’re discharging me on Monday.’
He nodded. ‘I know. That’s good news, right?’
‘Right.’ A silence where they couldn’t take their eyes from each other then Lila gave a small smile.
‘I’ll miss you.’
Oh god. ‘Lila, I will miss you too…but if I don’t get back to Seattle, they’ll get rid of me. You’re doing great, the aftercare service is phenomenal.’ No, no, stop it, stop pretending that the last six weeks with her haven’t been the best of your life, that she isn’t the first person you think of in the morning when you wake, the last at night.
Lila wiped down her arms with a towel and stepped from the treadmill. She went to the door and locked it, pulling down the shade.
‘Richard cheated on me,’ she said, ‘A few times.’
‘He’s a fool.’
She nodded. ‘I’m telling you this because I finally know how he felt when he was with those other women. The love I have for him has changed, become friendly rather than romantic and I believe with all my heart that he wasn’t the one who tried to kill me. But these last six weeks…I can’t get you out of my head, Noah. Every time you touch me, my entire body screams out for you…I hate that I feel this way, and I know what you’re going to say, that it’s not uncommon for patients to get crushes on their doctors. This isn’t that.’
So many thoughts ran through Noah’s head at that moment but instead he went to her and took her face in his hands. ‘I’ve tried so hard to be professional about you,’ he murmured, ‘but you drive me crazy, Lila. I can’t get involved with a patient…but…’
‘You’re going back to Seattle,’ she said, softly, ‘and I’m engaged to Richard. And I truly am not a slut. But right here, right now…’
She didn’t get to finish as Noah pulled her lips to his and kissed her thoroughly, his hands tangling in her hair, his mouth hard against hers. Lila kissed him back, moaning with excitement as he slid his hands under her t-shirt. Soon they were pulling each other’s clothes off, desperate to get at each other. Noah stroked her naked body, marveling over the soft, lush curves of her. ‘If you feel any pain…’
She grinned up at him. ‘Stop being a doctor, Noah…’
He laughed and gathered her to him, kissing her passionately as he lowered her to the floor. He kissed her full breasts, down her stomach and kissed each one of her still bright pink scars. ‘No-one sane would do this to you,’ he murmured as he lifted her leg and buried his face in her sex. Lila moaned softly as he licked and tasted her, as his tongue teased and made her clit harden. As he climbed on her body to kiss her mouth again, she could feel his huge, rock-hard cock against her thigh and reached down to guide it into her. Noah thrust into her, still careful, but she urged him on, wrapping her legs around his waist.
They moved together as if their bodies had always been made for each other, their gazes locked. ‘Noah…,’ she whispered, looking up at him in wonder. Noah felt his heart burst as he saw the love, the tenderness in her eyes. You are all I have ever wanted, he wanted to tell her, but he said nothing.
After they’d come, Noah’s cock shooting deep into her leaving them both shuddering and gasping, they dressed, stopping to kiss every minute. She placed her hand against Noah’s cheek. ‘You’re wonderful,’ she said softly, ‘I will never, ever forget you. You gave me back my life…in so many ways.’
As soon as she had left the room, Noah Applebaum knew he was in big trouble. Not from the hospital – there was no way they could find out unless either of them said anything and he trusted Lila with his life -, not from Richard Carnegie, or his family but from his own heart. They might have had a silent agreement that this was a one-time thing but his emotions right now…
Calm. Breathe. Relish the moment…and let her go…
Then…Upper East Side, Manhattan
Lila looked down at the ring on her finger. At her request, it wasn’t the huge bauble Richard at first had suggested, more a simple, classic solitaire diamond, but it still felt wrong on her hand. It was a symbol of ownership to her mind. At work and college, she had a good excuse not to wear it, but
everywhere else, she had none.
The night he had proposed, Lila had been shocked – and more disconcerted than delighted. Her heart had warmed at his words and the love in his eyes, but the way the rest of his family had looked at her – she had felt obliged to say yes and perform the role of a delighted fiancé.
And the thing was…she loved Richard, with all her heart, she loved him, but something still didn’t fit right. She couldn’t pinpoint it either. They liked the same music, books, their intellect was pretty much on a level, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was waiting around the corner, something that would hit them full-force, that they wouldn’t recover from.
She tried to talk to him about it, but Richard would think she was referring to his infidelity and shut the subject down - pleasantly but with finality.
It was Delphine who noticed she was quieter than normal and the older woman, taking Lila out to lunch in a high-end restaurant in Manhattan, asked her directly.
‘Lila, do you want to marry Richard? No recriminations, just the truth, please.’
Lila sighed. ‘I do, truly, Delphine. It’s just I feel…that we don’t know each well enough yet, and I’m still only twenty-six. I haven’t had time to do my own thing yet, you know?’
Delphine nodded and sipped her wine. ‘Darling, I do know. I made the mistake of marrying before I did my own thing – the first time. Thankfully, Richard Sr. was a completely different man to my first husband; we spend as much time apart as we do together, without recrimination and in perfect trust. I get the best of both worlds with him.’
Lila chewed over her words. ‘I’m not sure Rich would be up for that. And to be honest…it’s the trust part I have a problem with for now.’
She really didn’t want to tell Delphine about Camilla, but she realized, now, that it was a big part of her hesitation. ‘I’ve always had trust issues with men,’ she confided, trying to deflect attention from Richard, ‘so, it’s my problem rather than Rich’s and something I’m working on.’
‘There’s no reason you have to get married soon…take your time, make my son wait.’ Delphine grinned wickedly. ‘I’m sure every bride goes through this. But sometimes, marriage doesn’t have to be a prison, sometimes it’s the open door. Do you know how many more opportunities you’ll have as Richard’s wife?’
Lila paled. ‘Delphine, I do not want his or your money, I’ve always made that clear. I’m not a gold-digger.’
‘Oh, bless you child I know that. Do you think we’d be so welcoming if you were? That damned Camilla was, ugh. Loathsome creature. You are worth a million of her. But let’s be practical; once you’re married, you will be rich too. It just goes with the territory. And don’t immediately assume that’s a bad thing; look what you could do with it. Build better children’s homes, work for charities, or pay for further education in your chosen field.’
Lila’s eyebrows shot up. ‘I had never thought of it that way.’
‘Well, do. Money isn’t evil, people who spend it selfishly are. And you are not one of those people.’
Lila had to admit she felt better after talking to Delphine, but when she went home that night, she found Richard in a foul mood.
‘What’s the matter, baby?’
Richard, his tie pulled down and a heavy glass of scotch in his hand, threw a copy of the National Enquirer at her. ‘Want to tell me about this?’
She picked it up, seeing her own face staring back at her. She frowned then paled as she saw the headline. Beauty hits the jackpot with Billionaire #2.
Oh, fuck…
Now…Upper East Side, Manhattan
‘How do you feel?’
Cora and Delphine exchanged worried glances as Lila looked around the apartment as if she couldn’t remember being here. She’d lived here with Richard for the last year, out of convenience for school more than anything, but she had never felt at home here. Her home was the little house they were building out of the city. It was the one place she really felt she belonged with him because she had put in as much work and as much money as she could afford into it.
She smiled at the other women. ‘I’m fine. A little overwhelmed is all. I guess I’ll just take my case into the bedroom for a minute.’
Cora darted forward before she could grab her bag. ‘Don’t you dare,’ she chided Lila, ‘You need to take it easy.’
Lila sighed but smiled at her. ‘Sorry. Of course.’ She wondered what Cora would think if she knew about the extra-athletic fuck she’d had a few days ago. Lila bit back a grin. Noah Applebaum…I wish I could stop thinking about you.
She loved them both but wanted to be alone – ha, alone. That was a thing of the past; Delphine had arranged twenty-four-hour security for her. No-one could get close.
Delphine fussed around her, making her tea, plumping pillows until Lila begged her to sit down. ‘You’re making me dizzy.’
Delphine sat down as Cora reappeared. ‘I’ve unpacked everything so you don’t need to,’ the young redhead smiled shyly at her.
‘You didn’t need to do that,’ Lila held out her hand to her, ‘but thank you.’
For a few minutes, Lila sipped her tea while the others waited. She grinned at their expectant faces.
‘Guys, relax, please. I’m good.’
Delphine shared another glance with Cora. ‘Sweetheart…do you know what you want to do next?’
Lila nodded. ‘Absolutely. I want to see Richard.’
Then…Upper East Side, Manhattan
Carnegie’s new fiancée, twenty-five year old Lila Tierney, is an up and coming artist studying at the Big Apple’s School of Visual Arts. The couple’s engagement announcement hit the society pages just as it’s been revealed that Carnegie is not the first billionaire to have crossed paths with the raven-haired beauty. Six years ago, billionaire art dealer Carter Delano was rumored to have dated the young artist for a few weeks before breaking things off. Tierney was said to be devastated, but six years later, she’s finally got her rich young man…
‘I honestly don’t know whether to laugh or lose my shit,’ Lila said, tossing the rag aside. ‘That’s so far away from the truth I can’t even tell you.’
Richard was still glowering. ‘But you didn’t ever mention it.’
Lila shrugged. ‘Why would I? Have we ever discussed our exes?’ Except for Camilla, she wanted to add but didn’t want to be spiteful. ‘And I don’t even count Carter as an ex. I was doing a friend a favor by double dating with him and his brother. Carter and I got along as friends but we never even slept together. It was nothing.’ She looked at his angry face. ‘What are you really angry about, Rich? Because I can’t believe it’s over this shit.’
Richard’s body slumped. ‘It’s not…I’m sorry, I’m sorry, baby, forgive me.’ He dropped into a chair. Lila pulled up a chair and sat next to him.
She took his hand. ‘What is it?’
Rich sighed. ‘Judith. She was the one who planted the story about you.’
Lila rolled her eyes. ‘So what? At least she’s staying away from Cora. I can take anything Judith throws at me, I have no skeletons.’
Rich smiled sadly. ‘I’m sorry she’s doing this to you, darling. And I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. I guess I…’
He stopped and shook his head. Lila touched his face. ‘What?’
‘I guess I almost wanted it to be true, that you had some secrets so I could feel some sort of parity. God, I don’t know, I just can’t get past my…indiscretion.’
Lila sat back and sighed. ‘God, Rich…I thought this was done with months ago. Look, it happened, you apologized, I accepted that apology. Let it go.’
She got up, clearly annoyed. Why did he have to keep bringing this up? It was almost like he wanted to feel bad, feel sorry for himself. She went to the kitchen and grabbed a couple of beers from the refrigerator. Closing the door, she looked at the calendar. The wedding was fifteen months away.
Fifteen months. Lila closed her eyes. What’s the matter w
ith you, woman? Why does the thought of being married scare the crap out of you? You love him, don’t you?
I don’t know. Oh god…I don’t know…
Now…Riker’s Island, New York City
Her heart was thumping hard against her ribs as she walked through to the visitors’ room. As she sat down in front of the glass partition, she felt vomit rise in the back of her throat and tried not to gag.
‘Breathe through your mouth, honey, it gets easier to bear,’ said a kind faced woman to her right. Lila smiled weakly then, as the door to the prisoner’s side opened, her stomach dropped.
Rich had aged in the months he’d been incarcerated, his face covered with a thick beard. He sat down and looked at her, placing his hand flat against the glass for moment. Lila tried to smile, put her hand against the glass to mirror him. It was a shock to see him so broken.
He picked up the phone. As she put the receiver to her ear, she heard his shaky breathing.
‘Lila…oh god, Lila…’ He started to sob and her heart fractured. She wanted to put her arms around him and tell him it was okay.
‘I didn’t do this, Lila…I swear on everything I am, that I did not do this.’
‘I know, Rich, I know…don’t you think I know that?’
‘I would never, ever hurt you, my love, never…’
He hadn’t heard her, she realized. ‘Richard. Richard, look at me.’
His sobs became gasps and he looked up, eyes streaming. ‘God, I had forgotten how beautiful you are.’
She ignored the compliment. ‘Richard, listen. I know you didn’t do this. I know with every fiber of my being that you would never hurt me, let alone stab me.’
Rich flinched. ‘God…they showed me pictures, Lila, of you, of your injuries, of how they found you…baby, I’m so sorry.’
Lila shook her head. ‘Don’t think about that. We need to concentrate on getting you out of here.’ She stopped, looked away for a second. ‘Rich…I know you were…with someone else. It’s okay, it really is so don’t keep anything from me. I need to know everything so I can help you.’
His Sweet Torment: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance Page 85
