by Rachel Del
“What do you want to know?”
“Ask her about her childhood!” Nathan interjected, laughing. Lily shot him a look, clearly unimpressed.
Tanner stood silently, working away on dinner, clearly waiting for her to talk.
“Fine,” she said, taking a sip of wine. “Pretty normal for the most part. I was a happy kid, always reading or writing. I have a twin sister who lives in Vegas.”
“What about your parents?”
It was a question that Lily always dreaded. In all this time, she still hadn’t come up with the right words.
“My dad is in Vermont. He went out there to visit my sister while she was away at College and fell in love with it. He works in a bank. And my mom…” she trailed off. “My mom passed away… from breast cancer.”
“Geez, I’m sorry, kid.” Tanner stopped what he was doing and reached across the counter to place his hand on Lily’s.
“It’s okay. It’s been a while now…”
“I always have been good at killing the mood,” Tanner responded.
“It’s fine. It’s kind of hard to bounce back after that,” she said.
“How long have you been married?”
Lily stole a sideways glace at Nathan who remained impassive. “A little over six years.”
“Any kids?”
“One. A two year old named Ben.”
Nathan noticed the way her face lit up when she spoke of him. The same thing had happened in the car when he had come up.
“Right on,” Tanner said. He would keep any further thoughts to himself; like how he didn’t understand why people always got married and had snotty-nosed kids. Didn’t they know that your life is basically over the moment the test shows positive?
“Don’t you want to know anything about me, Tanner?” Nathan questioned, batting his eyelashes.
“No offence, buddy, but she’s probably a hell of a lot more interesting than you.”
By the time dinner was served, Lily was feeling loose and happy; most likely due to the two tall glasses of wine she had consumed. Their last twenty-four hours in Santa Barbara had been all about having fun, but now it was time to get down to business. She needed to seal the deal.
“Tanner.”
Tanner looked up from his plate of food. “Lily.”
“How did you get your start as a writer?”
Nathan smiled to himself. He knew her question was part of the game plan.
“Can you keep a secret?” Tanner asked.
“Of course.”
“I’ve answered that question a million times online, always with the same answer: ‘I worked hard, I wrote every day, I submitted my manuscript to publisher after publisher, and finally someone spotted my potential.”
“That’s not how it went down?” Nathan asked.
Tanner shook his head, and took a long sip of wine. “What no one really knows, is that it was actually a whole lot easier than that. Sure I worked hard, wrote every day… etcetera, etcetera, but finding a publisher was actually the easiest part. My Uncle’s best friend owns Waterhouse.”
“Chase Waters,” Lily whispered.
“That’s right. You know him?”
“I do.” Her shoulders slumped.
“Small world.”
“You could say that.”
“I’ve gone to painstaking lengths to make sure that connection has never been made,” Tanner added. “I would be made a laughing stock.”
“Probably true,” Nathan interjected. Lily shot him a look of warning.
Though it pained her to say so, Lily assured him that his secret wouldn’t leave this room.
“I kind of feel like I have to sign with you guys now.”
Both Nathan and Lily sat taller in their seats.
“But,” Tanner added. “You need to tell me what’s in it for me… besides you keeping my little secret.”
“It’s pretty standard,” Nathan began. “$400k per book. You’ll see half in advance on signing and the other half when you deliver the manuscript.”
“We’ve noticed you have a big following online, so we want to really push e-books as well as hard copies,” Lily added. “And we’ve got to get you writing a blog. Nothing crazy, just a couple short entries a week. Your fans want to feel like they know you; a blog will help you build a positive online presence.”
“$400k is what I was getting at Waterhouse,” Tanner responded, prompting Lily to remember her comment about Tanner being known amongst the industry as being notoriously difficult.
“Yes, but you asked for something new and hip, and Regan & Wiley is definitely that. You’ll see a big difference in your online and shelf presence, that I can promise you,” she said.
Tanner seemed to like what he was hearing, but Lily could tell he was still stuck on the number.
“We can go $415k,” Nathan said, jumping in. “I can assure you that you’re not going to get that elsewhere.”
“Who would be my editor?”
“You’d likely have a small team,” Nathan replied.
“And would that include the two of you?”
“Nothing has been decided yet,” Lily responded.
“Consider this my formal request then,” Tanner said. He lifted his glass to his mouth and emptied his wine glass.
“Does this mean you accept our offer?” Nathan asked.
“It means let’s see how tonight goes and I’ll have an answer for you two before you head back to Vegas.”
“What happens tonight?” Lily asked.
“Ah!” Tanner responded, slapping his hands together. “Tonight… tonight we drink.”
__
After the third round of tequila shots, Lily had resigned herself to the fact that she was going back to Tanner’s that night as a whole different version of herself; that is, drunk. If he needed to see her this way to prove that she knew how to have fun, then so be it, she could play along.
The pumping music and the alcohol had mixed together in a perfect way, leaving Lily feeling more happy and free than she had felt in a long time. And the looks she was getting from what seemed like the hundreds of good-looking men in the club didn’t hurt. She was reminded of what she had long ago forgotten: that she was a young, sexy, desirable woman.
Lily sipped on her drink and, leaning her back against the bar, and stared out across the crowded room, smiling. She felt a hand land lightly on her hip and looked over to see Nathan leaning in towards her ear.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so happy,” he whispered. “Or beautiful.”
Lily tucked her chin to her chest and smiled widely, thinking that Nathan couldn’t have been more right about how she was feeling.
“Let’s dance,” Tanner said suddenly and took Lily’s hand. “You don’t mind if I steal her for a moment, do you Nate?”
She’s not mine to steal, he thought.
“Of course not. I need another drink anyways.” He tried to play it cool, but as he watched them walk away, hand in hand, he could feel the familiar itch of jealousy. It wasn’t the first time he had felt that way with Lily. Every night from the day he met her, he felt sick to his stomach knowing she was going home to someone other than him. And as he watched her move her hips in time with Tanners’ he knew, without a doubt, that there was no going back. He had to tell her how he felt.
He pushed his way through the crowd of sweaty dancers until he stood awkwardly beside them. Tanner lifted his hands, palms out, and backed away.
“Two guys on one girl isn’t my thing,” he said, laughing. “I’ll go get us another round of shots.”
Nathan stared meekly at Lily for a moment until she reached out and pulled him closer, slowly winding her hips to the music. She turned around so her back was to him, and Nathan moved closer until her ass grazed his jeans. It was the closest they had ever been; closer than Nathan could have dreamed they would ever be. They danced together, their bodies moving in tandem.
“You’re a good dancer,” Lily said, spinning o
n her heels to face him. She wrapped her hands around his neck and moved closer to him, their faces so close that Nathan swore he could smell her raspberry lip-gloss.
“I have a good partner.”
They continued to dance that way for what seemed like an hour, their bodies pressed together, and their hands on each other. It was the closest that she had been to another man in months and when she turned her gaze to him, she found he was looking at her too. They both smiled, embarrassed, and Lily ran her tongue along her lips, unexpectedly wondering what it would feel like to kiss him.
“About what I said it in the car yesterday…” she said suddenly. She had to lean in even closer so he could hear her, her breasts pressing firmly against his chest. He responded by tightening his arms around her, enveloping her.
“No, I overreacted, you were right.”
“About what?” Out of her corner of her eye she caught Tanner approaching them, carrying three shot glasses.
“I was hurt, and it was bad—“
“Shots!”
As they pulled away from one another, Nathan’s eyes pleaded with hers, begging for more time. If Tanner had seen anything, he gave them no indication as he handed over the drinks.
“Any more of these and you guys are going to be carrying me home.” She clinked her glass against theirs and downed the shot, cringing as the liquid burned down her throat.
“Now that’s the Lily I wanted to meet this weekend. Nate, have you ever seen her like this?”
Nathan’s eyes bore into hers as a light smile crossed his face. “No. Never.”
Lily could feel the weight behind his words and sense their real meaning. And she knew right then and there that what she had always sensed had been true: Nathan had feelings for her.
Chapter 8
“Night cap?” Tanner asked as he closed the front door behind them. Lily, who had basically stumbled her way from the cab and into the house, had already pulled off her heels, longing for a hot shower.
“I’m in,” Nathan responded. The two men looked over at her.
“I think I’ve had more than enough for one night, but knock yourself out, boys.” She excused herself and retreated to her room to wash up.
She clipped her hair to the top of her head and stepped under the warm shower, sighing heavily. Something about Santa Barbara agreed with her; she was feeling more relaxed than she had in months. As she lathered up her body her thoughts drifted to Nathan. Her mind ran wild thinking about what might have happened if they hadn’t been interrupted out on the dance floor. She had wanted to kiss him, but even now she knew that alcohol or no alcohol she would never have had the nerve to make the first move. And what had he started to tell her before Tanner had returned?
She stepped out of the shower, wrapping a plush, white towel around her, when there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
Nathan appeared around the corner, caught off guard by her being in a towel. Lily could swear she saw him swallow, hard.
“I thought you might’ve fallen asleep from all that tequila,” Nathan said through a smile.
“I thought maybe I could wash it out of me,” she responded, smirking. Her mouth was suddenly dry.
Nathan’s gaze washed over her, taking it all in. How was it possible that she looked so beautiful? With her damp hair clipped off of her long neck, her cheeks flush, a soft sheen of dampness covering her arms and legs she looked impossibly sexy. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch her.
“What’s going on, Nate?” she asked, her head tilted to the side, studying him. It was as though she had been able to hear his thoughts.
“What I was trying to say earlier… well, I owe you an apology,” he began, stepping towards her. “I was a total ass in the car yesterday.”
“I should be the one apologizing to you. It was none of my business.” But even as she said the words she knew she cared much more than she was letting on. She wanted to know about his past. She wanted to know everything.
“Well, you didn’t deserve it. I should never have talked to you that way.”
Lily smiled weakly. “It’s okay, really. You’ve apologized already, and that’s more than a lot of men would have done.”
“I just can’t imagine how you felt. The idea of you thinking badly of me…”
She looked up at him, suddenly aware that she was still in her towel. “I should get dressed, I—“
But Nathan moved towards her, the distance between them quickly shrinking to nothing. He reached out and took her hand, intertwining their fingers. “Lily…”
“Yes…?” Her mouth felt dry and she resisted the urge to lick her lips.
“This could be the worst or the best thing to say right now, but I have to say it…” Nathan stammered. He never imagined he would be so close to her, touching her this way. He never wanted to let go. Lily stared at him, unmoving, waiting.
“Lily I’m falling for you.”
“Nate…” Lily whispered. “I— I’m married.”
“But you told me yourself it’s over.”
“Well, yes, but—“
With an urgency that shocked the both of them Nathan smashed his mouth against hers. She was rigid at first, but as the kiss continued she felt her body soften and ease into his.
Nathan’s hands were in her hair, his body pushing against hers, easing her onto her back.
“What are you doing?” she said, pulling away from him slightly.
“Something I’ve wanted to do since the moment I met you.”
Lily tugged at the bottom of his t-shirt, suddenly desperate to feel his skin against hers. She watched adamantly as he pulled away from her, sliding his shirt over his head in one fluid motion.
He was so beautiful.
She reached up and pulled him back against her, moaning as his lips met hers once more, his tongue stroking hers possessively. His strong hands began to explore her body, his every muscle screaming with desire.
Her hands trembled against him as he freed her from her towel, revealing her pale, freckled breasts. He moved lower on the bed, his lips trailing along her ribcage. Her nipples tightened and began to grow hard.
“Is this really happening?” Lily murmured. She felt Nathan smile against her stomach.
“Definitely.”
Lily marveled at the feeling of his hands on her. They caressed her like so much more than a lover – these hands that were not what she was used to. She pushed the thought of her soon-to-be ex from her mind.
“Take off your pants,” she said in almost whisper. When Nathan got to his feet to do as he was told she felt suddenly cold without his body against hers. Once he removed his pants, she reached out for him, wanting him – all of him – pressed against her.
Nathan climbed on top of her then, hungrily returning his lips to hers.
His tongue slid along her lips, urging her to deepen the kiss, while his hand moved lower down her stomach. Lily could feel her muscles contracting, her skin hot, tight and wet.
When Nathan’s hand trailed through her wisp of pubic hair, a low moan escaped from her mouth and immediately she could feel his arousal, thick and rigid, against her.
Lily tried to think of the last time she had felt the touch of a man like this and came up empty. Truthfully, no one had looked at her the way Nathan was at that very moment.
Her brown eyes met with his baby blues. “I want you inside of me,” she moaned. “Please.”
Nathan rose to his feet and tugged off his boxer briefs, throwing them haphazardly aside. He was pleasantly surprised when Lily stood and urged him to sit on the edge of the bed. He watched as she riffled through her overnight bag and pulled out a purple foil package. He was even more surprised when she tore it open, stepped forward and slowly slid the condom down his erect penis.
Nathan thought he might fall apart just then.
Lily tossed her legs over top of him successfully straddling him. “Please….” she repeated.
Nathan grabbe
d hold of her hips and positioned her over top of him. Slowly, and methodically, he pulled her down, moaning as her body enveloped him. He was thicker around than any man she had been with, and so perfectly formed.
With her hands messing around in his hair, Lily moved on top of him, her sounds of pleasure echoing his. Nathan wrapped his arms around her, allowing his fingers to run the length of her spine.
Lily had never felt anything like this before. Her breasts were crushed against his solid chest, their sweat comingling, and their mouths open and hungry.
In one expert move, Nathan stood, turned, and pressed her back into the plush bed. He thrust into her once again and she emitted a deep moan. Nathan could barely take it. His abs contracted as his hips thrust back and forth.
“Nathan…” Lily moaned as she came, and hearing his name from her mouth, feeling her contract around him, was enough to throw Nathan over the edge. He came with an explosion that began in his toes and moved all the way up through his neck.
Lily shimmied out from under him and lay on the bed beside him, resting her cheek against his damp chest. A small sigh escaped her lips. She was exactly where she wanted to be.
Nathan watched her drift off to sleep curled around him and wondered what would happen now. He tried to imagine it.
They would wake late in the morning, recuperating from their late night. Lily would look up at him, smiling. He’d tell her how amazing last night had been and they’d do it again, slowly this time, though they had all the time in the world. They would lie together for as long as they possibly could, soaking each other in, and then shower together, washing each other with care.
But even as he imagined it he knew that wouldn’t be the case. He could see it so clearly it already hurt. Though on paper she was still married, Nathan believed her when she said it was over, but he was certain that a relationship with her wouldn’t be easy. For one: she had a son. The closest that Nate had ever come to caring for a child was giving his niece and nephews a few bottles here and there when they were babies. He didn’t know a thing about being a stepfather.
Slow down, he told himself. You’ve only just slept with the woman.
