Keys To Her Heart (Brookfield)

by Lacey Wolfe

  In the kitchen, he opened the fridge and stared at the contents hoping a pizza or something would appear. It didn’t. Instead, just the bread, eggs, and fruit stayed there.

  Maybe he’d order something.

  He opened the drawer that held his take-out menus and started to dig through. Pizza or Chinese? Those were the only places that delivered in town. He could really go for a slice of double pepperoni right now. That settled it; he’d call in a pizza.

  In the living room, he’d just picked up the home phone and started to dial the number, when the sound of footsteps on his front porch stopped him. He hadn’t invited anyone over. The doorbell rang. Cody opened it.

  “Lily.”

  “Hey.” She stood there, rocking back on forth on her feet. “Is this a bad time?”

  “No. Come in.” He stepped back and she entered. She looked tired. “Sit, please.”

  She pulled her red hair over her shoulder and strolled around his living room, staring at him.

  “It’s good to see you.” He went toward her, ready to kiss her.

  As soon as he was within arm’s reach, she wrapped a hand around his neck, pulling herself to him. Her lips were on his, and he could feel the intense need she had.

  Lily wasted no time. She tugged at his shirt, breaking the kiss to bring it over his head. In return, he pulled at her blouse, trying to be careful of the buttons. Lily pushed his hands away, and quickly unbuttoned her shirt, dropping it to the floor. She was back on him, working on the button of his jeans.

  Wow, she was like an animal in heat, and he was her prey. He should stop her and see where this was coming from, but he was a guy, and there was no way he was going to stop this. Lily wanted him just as much as he knew he wanted her. There was no way he could hold back as the urgency to be inside her took over.

  He stepped out of his jeans and gazed at her as she wiggled out of her own pants. Licking her lips, she grabbed hold of his shoulder, slamming her body back into his. She held him tight as her tongue thrust into his mouth, finding his, sucking gently.

  Fuck. He was ready to bury himself deep into her.

  Lily kissed his cheek, moving along his jaw and trailing her lips to his chest, sucking on his nipple. He groaned at the pleasurable sensation. She then kissed lower and lower as she dropped to her knees. Oh God, she was going to take him in her mouth. There was no fucking way he was going to stop her either. It had been way too long since a woman had given him a blowjob. He almost burst thinking about.

  She tugged his boxers down, then wrapped a hand around his length, stroking. He stared at her as she licked her lips and leaned forward, taking just the tip into her warm mouth. That feels so good.

  She took him deeper, her tongue running along the underside. He needed something to hold on to so he could brace himself. The pleasure was so intense; he had to close his eyes. Without thinking if she’d like it or not, he slid his fingers through her hair and helped guide her in the pleasure she was giving. She moaned, sending a vibration through him.

  Cody pulled back from the best damn blow job he’d ever had with a popping sound. “I don’t want this to be over before it begins.”

  He took her hand, bringing her back to her feet. Quickly, he removed the rest of her bra and panties, then roughly pushed her onto the couch.

  Lily laughed. “Come on, give it to me.” She spread her legs open, showing him the wet center.

  Condom. Fuck, I hope one’s in my wallet. Which was in his bedroom. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Hurry.”

  He dashed naked through his house, stopping in front of his nightstand by his bed. Thrusting the drawer open, he grabbed a handful, just in case.

  In the living room, he stopped in his tracks. His cock, which had softened slightly from his run, sprang back to life as Lily lay on the couch, touching herself.

  “Oh, baby. You’re going to make me come.” He tore open a wrapper, watching her fingers as he slid the condom over his erection.

  “Just keeping myself ready for you.”

  He could watch that all day, but the need to get balls deep in her was stronger. He climbed between her thighs, positioning his cock at her opening. As he slid in, staring in to her eyes, something happened. A new feeling took over, something he hadn’t felt before. He leaned forward to kiss her as he thrust deeply, but then three words escaped his mouth.

  “I love you.”

  Chapter Eleven

  That had been one of the best orgasms Lily had ever had. It felt like it had been never ending. Every nerve in her body had been on fire, as wave after wave had flowed through her like water breaking down the damn. Sex just got better and better with Cody.

  Now, the awkward moment was setting in, as they lay curled up on the couch. Cody had told her he loved her. Surely he didn’t love her yet. It had to have been one of those in the heat of the moment things. She wasn’t sure she could handle him loving her at the moment. Maybe he wouldn’t mention it.

  She rubbed her fingers up and down his back, enjoying the closeness and the safe feeling she had with him. He’d made her feel so much better and forget everything for the time being. She’d gotten to be Lily, Rock Star In Bed, instead of Lily, Too Much On Her Plate It’s Gonna Break.

  Cody sat up and pulled a blanket off the back of his couch, draping it over them. She’d expected him take her hand and bring her close to cuddle, but instead he stared at her.

  “So, not that I’m complaining, but what was that all about?” he asked.

  “What do you mean?” It was better to play dumb.

  “You coming in here and without a word us having sex.”

  She pulled the blanket up around her chest, feeling vulnerable. “I needed a good time.” That came out so wrong! “I mean…”

  He smiled. “It was a good time. I agree.”

  “This week had been so tough with my mom, then all this stuff at the school with Gunther, I just needed a way to release my frustration.”

  “I’m here to talk, whenever you need it.”

  Yes, she knew that. He’d told her that several times, but she didn’t want to talk to Cody. She wanted to have fun with him and forget her problems. “I don’t want to bother you with. You’re my—”

  He held his hand up to stop. “Did you not hear what I told you when we started to make love?”

  Oh, she’d heard him all right. She sucked in her bottom lip, hoping like hell she didn’t have to say those words.

  “It was sudden, but I spoke the truth.” He took her hand. “I’m more than stress relief. However, feel free to use me the way you just did anytime. But in return, I want you to tell me what’s bothering you.”

  “I don’t want that, though.”

  He appeared confused. “I guess you and I have two different ideas of what we have between us. I thought we were moving in the direction of a relationship. Not just sex and small chit chat. We’d become each other’s best friend.”

  Her heart beat fast. He was a girl’s dream come true, and he wanted that with her. She wasn’t ready for it, though, but how to tell him without ending what they had. “I need some time.”

  He nodded and licked his sexy lips. “Lily, take the time you need. I’m not going anywhere. My life is simple and ready. Yours isn’t. I’ll wait for you.”

  Wait for her? What man ever did that? “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You didn’t. You’re the woman I want. I knew it from the moment you dropped coffee in my lap. You are it for me.”

  This was too much, too fast. Her chest tightened and she couldn’t breathe. “Slow it down, please.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She reached out, grabbing her shirt from the floor and quickly pulled it on. “I’ve got to go. Brent just got back in town. I need to make sure he can handle mom and Gunther. I need to see if Brent’s getting a place this weekend because Heath is supposed to be coming in for a visit.”

  Cody stood, letting her see his naked body. All sorts of feelings
started going through her again—need, lust, confusion. He dressed then walked out of the room, giving her privacy she assumed. Lily finished getting her clothes on and he returned.

  She went to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging him. This rift between them hurt. She hadn’t expected to get so caught up in him. “If you don’t want to meet Heath this weekend, I understand.”

  His fingers ran up and down her spine. “If you’re ready, I’m ready. I’ll be here, so you let me know.”

  She stared up into his eyes. He was the perfect man. How he wasn’t married, she had no idea. Maybe Cody was right; maybe they did need to talk more. She was curious about his past. Had he ever been married, close to it? She really hadn’t taken the time to get to know him on a deep level, and he’d been doing everything possible to get to know her.

  Perhaps it was time to open her heart and let someone in.

  * * * *

  Cody pushed the cart through the grocery store on Saturday. He’d made a list of things he needed and gotten them all, but he now pushed this metal thing around just because. He didn’t want to go home. Each time he went into that house, his thoughts went to mush about Lily.

  She hadn’t called Thursday night after their time together that afternoon, which he expected. He’d sent her a quick good night text and she’d answered. However Friday, he’d called and just gotten voicemail. He thought she’d call back like she always did, but she hadn’t. Last night, he tossed and turned. He’d jumped the gun telling her he loved her. Fuck, he hadn’t meant to say it. It just happened. It was out there now, and he couldn’t take it back. He certainly hadn’t expected it to mean she was going to end things.

  Had she?

  He hoped she was just busy with her mom and brother. Her ex was there today. So she was most likely sitting around with him and Gunther.

  Cody wanted to be the one sitting there with them. No, he could not get jealous. She’d made it clear there was nothing between her and the ex. He had no reason to suspect otherwise. It was good she and her former husband got along. Gunther needed that.

  Now he had to decide if he was going to call her again, or not.

  “Hey, bro!”

  He turned to see Diane and Alyssa heading toward him. Oh, this day just got better. He loved them, but handling them both at one time—no thanks.

  “What are you both doing here?”

  “We’re having a girls afternoon and just finished getting our toes done.” Alyssa glanced down at her feet. “And it felt so good. I’m at that point it’s hard to reach them. So now I have cute toes again.”

  “It’s cold out. There is a light dusting of snow on the ground and you’re worried about your toes?” He’d never understand women. Why try?

  “Yup.”

  “What are you up to?” Diane asked. “Figured you’d be with your girl.”

  Diane and Alyssa giggled like schoolgirls.

  “She’s busy.”

  “Aw, sorry.” Alyssa rubbed his arm. “You can hang out with us. We’re getting some ice cream and then watching a girly movie.”

  “No thanks.” Ice cream sounded good, but not whatever chick flick they were going to watch. “I’m just going to go home.”

  “Something wrong?” Alyssa said it, but they both stared at him like hawks ready to pounce on their prey.

  “Everything is fine. I gotta go. I’ve got some frozen food in here.”

  Diane waved her hand. “So, go trade it out. Trouble in paradise already?” She glanced at Alyssa. “I told you that girl was flighty.”

  Wait, what? Had they been talking about Lily? A new emotion came in. Defense. “Don’t talk about her. She’s perfect for me.”

  Their eyes widened.

  “Yeah, she’s busy, but I’m the stupid one. That’s why she’d not with me.”

  “What did you do?” Alyssa rubbed her belly.

  There was no way he was going to tell them. What was he thinking? They’d blow up his phone until he told them. “I…I told her I loved her.”

  “Already?” they said together.

  “Yeah. It’s how I feel, though. She’s just not ready.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Then I told her to take as long as she needed, I wasn’t going anywhere. Which I’m not.” Just shut-up now! He’d said too much.

  “Aw, that’s sweet,” Alyssa said with a smile.

  “It was dumb.” Diane rolled her eyes. “Not the telling her you loved her part, but the I’ll wait for you part.”

  “It’s too late now,” Alyssa added.

  Just rub salt in my cut, jeez.

  “What are you going to do?” Alyssa asked.

  He shrugged. “I don’t know.” He knew the next words were a mistake even as they flowed out of his mouth. “What do you two suggest?”

  His sisters smirked. Oh boy, he was in trouble now.

  “If you want our advice, then you have to come watch a movie with us.” Diane had an evil smile.

  “I’ve got these groceries.”

  “Fine, we’ll come to your house. Come on, Alyssa. Let’s get the ice cream. We’ll meet you back at your place, Cody.”

  Oh dear, what had he gotten himself into?

  * * * *

  Lily leaned against the kitchen counter and stared at the text she’d gotten from Cody after she asked him to come for dinner to meet Heath and her mom.

  I can’t. I’m busy.

  That message was unlike him. Was he mad at her for not calling him back yesterday? She hadn’t done it purposely. After work she had to help Brent find a place to stay. For now he was settled in at Honeycreek Bed and Breakfast in one of their cabins up for rental. Then Heath arrived and the chaos started. Her mom had to learn again that she and Heath were no longer together. It had been an emotional day. When she’d gotten in bed that evening, with the intention of calling him and telling him about her day, she’d fallen asleep almost as soon as her head hit the fluffy pillow.

  “Hey.” Heath came over to her in the kitchen, wearing a big grin. “Is the new guy coming?”

  “No.” She set the phone down.

  Heath frowned and tossed his light hair away from his eyes. Cody and him were total opposites in appearances. Cody was muscled up and Heath was lean.

  “You seem down. What’s wrong?” Heath leaned against the counter and crossed his arms.

  “I can’t talk about it with you.” He was her ex; she couldn’t exactly share things about her new guy.

  “Sure you can. We’re friends.”

  Lily picked up the lemon slices and added them to the water. Pushing away from the counter, she went to the pantry and got the sugar.

  “Are you going to put a few mint leaves in there?” Heath asked.

  Lily went back to the pitcher of lemonade she was preparing. “Of course.”

  “Tell me what’s going on. I can see the wheels turning in your head. Next thing you’ll be doing is making muffins or cookies. You bake when you’re upset, and it always starts with a pitcher of your special lemonade.”

  Damn it, he knew her too well. “Maybe I’m just making this since you’re visiting.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Fine, don’t tell me anything, but I’m here to listen.”

  She sighed. “Cody told me he loved me.”

  “And.”

  “And…I think I love him, too, but it’s way too early. It’s only been a few weeks.”

  “Think back to us.” Heath grinned like a sixteen-year-old boy before prom.

  “Seriously. You want to go down memory lane when I just told you I loved someone else.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Just hush. We were so cautious and did everything by the books. We wanted to make sure we built a solid relationship before we even had sex. You and I were always friends and we forced the rest because we thought we had to.”

  He had a point. She and Cody had been wild about each other since the moment she met him. He’d made her feels things she’d never experienced before. It just seemed too early
to be thinking thoughts of love.

  “It’s just so fast. Honestly, I’m not sure I have the time with mom and Gunther.”

  “They’re your excuse, especially with Brent living in town now.”

  “They aren’t excuses.” They needed her. She was responsible for them first, before anything else. Her son and mother deserved it.

  “If you say so.” He started to walk out of the kitchen. “It’s a shame he isn’t coming today. I was looking forward to meeting him.” He paused. “Maybe you should go to him.”

  “He said he was busy.”

  “If he loves you, then he’s never too busy for you.”

  Lily crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. Heath had more meaning in that last line. It was a jab at her.

  Lily groaned and went the pantry, searching out the ingredients to make chocolate chip muffins. Maybe by the time they finished baking, she’d have an idea on what to do. If not, she’d make those homemade doughnuts Gunther really liked.

  Chapter Twelve

  Cody sat on his back porch as the sun was setting Saturday evening. His teeth chattered from the dropping temperatures. A week ago, he’d been here with Lily and there had been no snow on the ground, but man had things changed in a week. At this point, he probably wouldn’t get the grill back out until spring, and he wasn’t sure where things had stood with Lily.

  She’d texted him earlier, apologizing for not returning his call but wanted him to come to dinner. Diane and Alyssa insisted he needed to be unavailable to her. In fact, it was Diane who replied to the Lily’s text because he was having a hard time telling Lily no. His sisters kept his phone from him until they left; followed by instructions on not giving in.

  According to his sisters, if he played hard to get, she’d realize her feelings and come barking up his tree, or something like that. He didn’t feel good about it, though. When she’d left the other day, he told her he still wanted to meet her ex. Telling her he was busy felt like they were taking one giant step back, when he really wanted to make leaps forward.