She undid his belt and unzipped his jeans, freeing his dick. Before he could say anything, her lips clamped around the tip. Even her hot little mouth felt like paradise—a second velvet sheath he could fuck for the rest of his life. She sucked him deeper, applying just the right amount of pressure, using her hand to milk him at the same time. In and out, over and over again. His knees buckled, and he buried his fingers in her long hair.
“Lily…”
She didn’t stop, but attacked him with more vigor, until he hit the back of her throat. Moaning in pleasure, he threw his head back in sweet abandon. She pumped him harder and harder, and Lang caressed her cheek, unable to take his eyes off her. Nothing had turned him on as much as Lily answering the door dressed like that. But seeing her in this position, with his cock sliding in and out of her mouth, the look of triumph on her face, it won the prize.
Then, in a surprise move, she reached around his hips and once again latched onto his ass cheeks, anchoring him to her face, suckling him so hard and fast he couldn’t control himself.
“Lily!”
She took it all, swallowed him like sweet tea. Only after his body stopped convulsing was he able to see straight again and focus. He slowly withdrew from that talented mouth and she wiped the corner of her lips with the back of her hand.
“Lily?” He couldn’t believe it. “You’re so fucking amazing.” He stripped his shirt off, kicked off his boots, and dropped to his knees too. He tipped her chin up, gazing deep into her eyes. “What possessed you?”
“You.”
All the right answers and moves. The more Lily opened up, the deeper in love he fell. He cupped the back of her head and pulled her closer, jamming his tongue between her lips. Brutal instinct took over. Inside her, now. That’s all he could think about. She kissed him with equal obsession, digging her fingernails into the sides of his face. Devil worshiping should be considered a lesser evil than wanting Lang.
He disengaged, half crawling to the spot where he’d dropped his bags. Not the first time Lily had thrown a wrench in his plans, but this time he refused to get too sidetracked. He wanted that diamond hanging around her neck before he pumped her full of semen again.
He stood with the gift box hidden behind his back. “Come to me, Lily.”
She smiled seductively as she slowly climbed to her feet. Once she stood in front of him, elevated enough in the heels to meet his eyes, he presented the box to her.
“What is it?” she asked, her eyes drifting from the gift to him, then back.
“Open to find out.”
She balanced it on her palm, trying to guess the contents. Then she opened it and let out a pleased sigh. “Thank you, Lang. So beautiful…”
He connected the clasp for her. The one-and-a-half-carat diamond solitaire fit perfectly between her breasts, like it was always meant to be there. Wetting his lips, he greedily kissed the spot just below it, on fire with dark sexual desire.
Satisfied half of his plan had been fulfilled, he removed another object from his bag: a silk scarf he intended to tie her to the headboard with. “Sweet Lily,” he murmured, coming at her again.
She eyed the scarf. “What do you plan on doing with that?”
“Securing you to the headboard so I can lick that little pussy so hard and long you’ll go hoarse from screaming.”
She looked stunned and tempted by his threat and darted down the hallway. He pursued, cornering her in the bedroom.
“I want to touch you, Lily.” He trapped her between the wall and his body, his fingers seeking access to her pussy through the opening of her lingerie. So wet. He invaded with three fingers, working her delectable mouth at the same time—drawing that first orgasm out in seconds.
There would be no rest between episodes tonight. He’d take advantage of her greedy little body until she couldn’t breathe. She was his. From her coal-black eyes, her pink little tongue that worked his dick into a mad frenzy, to her break-the-fucking-mold ass, all his.
She rode his hand until he withdrew his fingers, then sampled the taste of her excitement. He wanted inside her now. “Hold up your wrists.”
Wide-eyed, she did as he asked. Lang tied them together, double-knotting so she couldn’t break free. He carried her to the bed, spread her across the mattress, and paused to appreciate what he saw. Sometimes he couldn’t believe how breathtaking she was.
Then he cinched her arms above her head with just enough length on the scarf for her to get comfortable. Complete surrender, he’d accept no less. Her protests to stop kissing and licking would fall on deaf ears tonight. That tight little pussy was going to get drenched with pleasure.
He peeled off his jeans, then positioned himself between her legs. He spread them wider. Two red hearts were sewn at the top of the opening of the teddy. He laughed as he buried his face between her thighs, filling her with his tongue and fingers, targeting her clit relentlessly.
Lick after lick…She moaned and squirmed, fighting against her bonds. Even pleaded for him to stop.
“Not tonight.” He sucked her swollen nub harder.
“Please, Lang…”
He loved to hear her beg, needed to be reminded how much he pleased her. Within minutes she exploded inside his mouth again. And he waged another assault, flipped her over, the tip of his pinky crowned inside her anus. With every tiny stroke she whimpered with pleasure.
“Are you ready for me to fuck you hard?”
“Yes.”
Slick with excitement, she let him nudge her onto her knees. Talk about a million-dollar view. Her heart-shaped ass on full display. He leaned over, cupping her full breasts, feeding her a couple inches of his cock. She clenched around him, and with another agitated thrust he sank deeper.
“More,” she said, turning her head enough so he could taste the edge of her mouth.
“I love you, Lily.” He flexed his hips, fully encased in her wet heat.
After several minutes of hammering in and out, Lang eased up. “Are you okay, baby?”
She nodded.
He embraced her from behind. Whenever they were joined, it was like an out-of-control pendulum. And honestly, he didn’t know how to control it. The relief they both craved hit at the same time—and Lang called her name as he collapsed over her.
After he caught his breath, he untied her hands and pulled her into his arms. She snuggled close, resting her head over his heart. “Nothing feels better than being here with you, Lily. You’ve changed me.”
She gazed up at him, looking sated and sleepy. “I love you.”
Lang took a sharp breath. Weeks ago he would have laughed it off if any other woman spoke those words. Not anymore, because he couldn’t imagine what life would be like without Lily Gallo.
Chapter 31
The following Thursday afternoon, Lily forgot to call Sampson on her way home from school. When her cell rang, she recognized the number immediately—her mother’s rehab hospital.
“Hello?”
“Lily?”
“Mom?”
“Hello, sweetheart.”
She sounded so vibrant compared to the woman she had talked to weeks ago. “How are you?” Lily parked on the side of the road and turned her hazards on.
“Really good. My appetite is back, I’m cooking again, reading, and painting.”
“Painting?”
“Apparently I have a natural eye for landscapes. The therapy is going so well, I have limited phone privileges now and spent a day with your father last week.”
“W-what?”
“On property,” she clarified. “There’s a family picnic every month. Facing my triggers is part of my therapy. And since I don’t have a long history with drug use, the doctor thought it would be beneficial to fast-track that part of my recovery.”
What could she say? Her father had been so absorbed in his own selfish life he’d failed to remember the wedding vows he took. But if he was willing to participate in her rehabilitation and it had a lasting positive effect…
“Did seeing him again help you find some closure?”
“Closure?” She sounded shocked. “Lily, your father has recommitted to me. After I’m released from the hospital, we’re going to couple’s therapy. We’re not making any promises we can’t keep. Day by day. But he’s wearing his wedding ring again, and we write to each other daily.”
Her mother’s words faded from her thoughts for a split second, and she was transported back to the day they both found out her father had a mistress. That bitter moment was forever locked in her heart. Could she find the strength to forgive him? If not for herself, at least for the woman who gave birth to her? Yes. The same way she had learned to accept Lang for who he was. Good or bad, right or wrong—love mattered the most. And she loved her dad, regardless of his bad choices.
“I’m so happy for both of you.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “Don’t worry about me, Mom. Focus on getting better, returning home, and healing your relationship with Dad.”
“Thank you, Lily—you don’t know how much it means to hear you say that.”
“Actually I do. I’ve done some soul-searching of my own lately. Turns out there’s more than one right way to get things done.”
Her mom chuckled. “You mean you’ve strayed away from your father’s rigid philosophy—everything’s black or white?”
“Um, yeah.”
“Care to tell me who’s so gray?”
Lily covered her mouth. Apparently mother’s intuition worked over the phone too. “Lang Anderson. And that’s all I’m going to say, because this conversation is supposed to be about you.”
“Scandinavian?” she asked. “Remind me to tell you about a Norwegian boy I dated in high school.”
Lily laughed so hard her stomach hurt. “Does Dad know about him?”
“Of course not.” She sounded giddy. “Hold on, sweetie. Okay, the director just gave me a one-minute warning. I love you. Thank you for all the lovely, inspirational cards. And Lily?”
“Yes, Mom?”
“Contact you father.”
She didn’t want the call to end. As soon as the line went dead, happy tears rolled down her cheeks. Silly emotional girl. Lately everything seemed to make her misty eyed. It didn’t help that she was in love with Lang and his sweet sisters. She’d never been like that, until now.
When she reached her apartment complex, she parked and grabbed her bags from the backseat. Looking forward to a night at home alone, she fished her keys out of her purse. First thing on the agenda? Thirty minutes on the treadmill, then a hot bath, and a chick flick during dinner.
Lily froze a few feet from her front door—it stood ajar. Instinctively, she walked the few feet to Tina’s apartment and knocked. No answer. And no one was around. She’d gotten off work an hour early. With trepidation she approached her unit and stepped inside the hallway, heart thumping wildly. Adrenaline took over and she rushed down the short hallway to her living room and gasped.
Everything was ransacked—her sofa had been slashed, the filling pulled out in several spots. Her glass dining room tabletop was cracked, chairs turned over. Even her artwork had been pulled off the walls or cut. Hands trembling, she dialed Lang’s cell.
He answered on the third ring. “Good afternoon, beautiful. Off work already?”
She tried to speak with a steady voice. “I’m home now.”
“Lily?”
“I think you should come over. Someone broke into my apartment, and it’s trashed.”
He cursed. “Where are you?”
“In the living room.”
“Get. Out. Of. Your. Apartment. Now.”
“O-okay.” She hurried outside, standing by Tina’s door. “Should I call the police?”
“No. I’ll be there in twenty.”
As promised, his Harley roared into the parking lot within a half hour. He gave it extra gas before he killed the engine. Waiting on the sidewalk, Lily forced a smile as he approached.
“Thank you for coming,” she said apologetically. “I know you had plans tonight.”
“Lily.” He grabbed her hands. “Stop apologizing for something you didn’t do. Where’s Sampson?”
She looked at the ground before she answered. “It slipped my mind—Mom called and I was so excited to talk to her.”
He tsked, but didn’t push the issue after. “Let’s get inside.”
They took inventory in every room. Nothing stolen, but plenty of damage. “Why?” she asked, picking one of the chairs off the floor, then sat down. “Random break-in?”
“No,” Lang said, looking possessed. “I’m afraid my vendetta has spilled over into your life now. Do you regret getting involved with me?” He paced back and forth, then smacked the wall. “Pack a suitcase, baby. You’re moving in with me.”
“What?” No, not under false pretenses. She didn’t want to invade his private space because he felt sorry for her. That step should be taken for one reason only. “I won’t let anyone intimidate me enough to push me out of my home. I have renters insurance for a reason. Sampson posted outside is one thing, living with you another.”
He stalked to her side. “Stop acting foolish. If you think you’re spending another night here, try again. We’re a team, remember? And if it makes you feel better, I was going to ask you to move in soon anyway.”
“Really?” She studied his face for signs of lying. Something she knew he never did, but under extraordinary circumstances, he just might to make her feel better.
“Thought we excised that self-doubt a couple weeks ago.”
“Has nothing to do with that.” She didn’t want to tell him how she really felt. But if she didn’t, she’d get more stressed out than she was now. “I’m a little old-fashioned when it comes to living together, Lang.”
He stared at her, unblinking. “I understand and respect your feelings. You can sleep in the guest room downstairs.”
Instant relief. “Besides, I don’t want to send mixed messages to the girls or set a bad example.”
“Agreed.”
Her eyebrows shot up. She’d never seen him so conciliatory. “Okay, I’ll pack.” She went to her bedroom, stuffed a couple of weeks’ worth of clothing into two suitcases, then emptied her toiletries drawer from the bathroom into a backpack. She returned to the living room. “What about the fridge? All my food will go bad.”
“I’ll send a couple Prospects over to box it up and bring it to my house. Anything else?”
“My keepsakes?”
“Make a detailed list tonight.”
He had answers for everything, almost like he’d done this before. Wait, he probably had. What did he call it? A vendetta? It should scare her enough to make her want to go somewhere safer. But giving up her independence didn’t make her happy. And she did keep a baseball bat by the bed for protection. Her father had taught her how to swing hard. Taking a last look at Lang’s stubborn face reminded her that she’d never win this one. Besides, she trusted him with her life—now she’d get a chance to prove it.
She locked her front door, hoping things worked out for the best.
Less than a mile from where she worked, Lang’s house had a gray brick façade with gorgeous landscaping and mature trees that shielded the front porch from the unforgiving sun. She stepped into the grand entry and Trisha squealed from the kitchen.
“Lily?” She pattered all the way down the hallway and threw her arms around her waist. “Are you eating dinner with us?”
Lang laughed from behind. “Let us get in the door before we play ‘ask a hundred questions.’ ”
Trisha eyed the suitcases he was holding with suspicion. “Is Lily moving in?”
Leigh and Maya tracked down the steps that overlooked the hallway.
“Hi, Lily,” Leigh said.
“So good to see you again.” Lily smiled. “Maya—how are you feeling?”
“Great.”
Lang walked deeper inside, setting the bags down under t
he archway leading into the living room. “Family meeting time,” he said. “Trisha, please tell Rosa to join us.”
“Okay.”
The living room had bay windows facing the street and a marble fireplace. Lily admired the family portraits displayed in a built-in, lighted china cabinet. She’d seen them in a rush before, but now took the time to memorize his parents’ faces. Blond hair and blue eyes ran on both sides of his family—and so did brilliant smiles that instantly reminded her of little Trisha.
“My mommy and daddy,” Trisha said. “That’s my favorite picture.”
Lily turned and smiled warmly at her. “I can see why. You have beautiful curls like your mom.”
Rosa appeared in a floral print apron with a mixing bowl in her hands. “Welcome back, Lily. You’ll be joining us for dinner?”
“Thank you, and yes—I’d love to.”
Everyone gathered on the sectional while Lang stood in front of the big-screen TV. “I invited Lily to stay with us while she has some maintenance done on her apartment,” he told them. “So let’s take a vote. All in favor say aye.”
The girls seemed to be in deep thought for a long minute. Then the ayes sounded. It was unanimous; even Rosa voted in her favor. It lightened Lily’s heart. She’d been welcomed into Lang’s household like she’d been there all along. It reminded her once again why she adored kids and had chosen the profession she had.
“Wait,” Lang said. “I haven’t cast my vote yet.”
Trisha giggled. “You invited her, silly.”
“Yeah,” Leigh added. “Pretty sure we can guess.”
“Am I that much of a pushover, Rosa?”
Rosa shook her head. “Should I share what you said after your first date with Lily?”
Lily enjoyed seeing Lang squirm—or pretending to. But her fate undoubtedly remained in his hands. She leaned forward on the couch. “Do I get a vote?”
“No,” Maya said with a big smile on her face.
“Maya, help me take Lily’s suitcases into the guest room. Leigh, set another place at the table. Trisha, make sure the downstairs bathroom has toilet paper and extra towels.” Lang winked at Lily. “Had you sitting on the edge of your seat, huh?”
Persuasion Page 18
