What was he doing begrudging his brother’s happiness? He had to grab a hold of his own before he lost her forever.
He left the reception at a run because when you suddenly realize you want something lasting with someone, you have to be with them as soon as possible. He drove like a maniac to her father’s house, determined to both make the man take Lily back and also hoping she was there to see him come to the rescue. Maybe she hadn’t yet moved to the city. Maybe she’d consider more than a fling.
Her dad answered the door, stone-faced. “Can I help you?”
Suddenly all he wanted was Lily. “Is Lily home?”
“No.”
“Where is she?”
“Why?”
“I need to see her.”
George Spencer crossed his arms and looked down his nose at him. “Why?”
“Because I love her.” He really did, and it took being envious of Vince’s happiness as he got married to really hit home that a wedding could be in his future.
“I disowned her, so move along.”
“Yeah, that was not right. You’d better re-own her or whatever it’s called. You can’t turn your back on your only daughter!” His hands formed fists. “Do you have any idea the pain you caused her?”
“And if I don’t? Would you still want her if she had nothing?”
“Of course I do!”
George raised his brows. “You passed the test.”
Nico bristled. “What test?”
“Will you sign a prenup?”
“What test?” he repeated.
George uncrossed his arms. “Come in.”
Nico stepped inside a two-story foyer with marble flooring, columns, and a huge crystal chandelier overhead.
George went on. “I wanted to see if you had no business, no money, and no chance at Lily’s money, if you’d still want her. That’s why I disowned her.”
“You bastard!” He hauled back his fist and just before he could land a right hook a voice cried out.
“Nico!”
He turned to see Lily standing in the foyer, with a look of utter shock on her face. A pink-shirted, blond, twenty-something guy that reeked of money and husband material stood at her side.
He stalked toward her. “Who the hell is this?”
“I’m Trevor,” the man replied stiffly. Trevor was a couple inches shorter than Nico. He could take him. “And who are you?”
“Nico, what are you doing here?” Lily asked. “And why are you wearing a tux?”
“I’m making sure your dad doesn’t disown you!”
“That’s why we’re here,” Trevor said, puffing out his chest. Like he was the damn knight in shining armor.
“Trevor!” Nico hollered. “Get the hell out of here!” He turned to Lily. “One week after you’re in my bed and you’re hooking up with the man Daddy wants you to marry? What the hell?”
Trevor shoved him. “How dare you talk about Lily like that.” He cocked a fist. “Why, I ought to—”
Nico let loose with a right hook that landed perfectly, knocking Trevor right off his feet. Though it would’ve been more satisfying if it had been her dad.
“Nico!” Lily cried, rushing to Trevor’s side.
“Is this the kind of man you want, Lily?” her dad asked.
“You’re talking to me again?” Lily asked her dad.
“I’m calling the police,” her dad said.
“I still want to marry you, Lily,” Trevor said weakly from the floor.
Nico grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door.
Chapter Eighteen
“What the hell, Nico!” Lily shouted. “You can’t just show up at my dad’s house and beat up on people.”
Nico shoved a hand in his hair. “I meant to punch your dad, but then Trevor was there. He put his hands on me first!”
“Nico.” She shook her head. “Why are you here?”
“Because I needed to fix things. I told your dad he can’t disown you.”
She pressed both hands to her temples. “I can’t deal with this right now. I just flew in, and I’ve been working up to confronting my dad.”
He jabbed a hand in the air. “So you went to Trevor for backup? Why didn’t you call me?”
“I thought you were at your brother’s wedding. You are!” She suddenly realized what the tux meant. “Go back!” She shoved at him, but he didn’t move.
“It’s just the reception. I’m not going anywhere.”
They had a standoff. Nico glared at her, and she glared right back.
And then a cop pulled up, lights flashing. “Go!” Lily urged.
He crossed his arms. The officer approached them.
“Officer,” Nico said with a nod.
“We got a call of a domestic disturbance,” the officer said.
“Inside,” Lily said.
The officer went inside. As soon as the door shut behind him, Lily gave Nico a shove and met hard muscle. “Get out of here and don’t come back! My dad will have a restraining order on you by the time this is done.”
“I want a chance,” he said, stubbornly not leaving. “For us.”
“I can’t be with someone who uses their fists before words,” she said, which was true, but she said it mostly to keep him out of trouble with the police. He had to leave right away. But the look of despair that crossed his features made her waver. “I mean—”
“I understand,” he said quietly. He turned and left.
“Wait!” she called, but he kept going.
And then she was being summoned by her dad and the police. And she had to clear Nico’s name and beg Trevor not to press charges. He agreed if Lily would consider his proposal one more time. Which she promised she would, even if she already knew the answer would be no. And then, finally, it was just her and her dad left at home. Wherever he’d gone. He’d left her and Trevor to hash things out in privacy.
She headed back to the conservatory, where he often liked to relax. She’d had some time to think about things while she stayed at her sister’s place. And as she’d heard more about Missy’s life after her adoptive parents died, she’d realized that what she’d had growing up with her tough-love dad maybe wasn’t the worst thing ever. He’d taught her the value of hard work and forging ahead even when things seemed awful. She could’ve been raised by the selfish Taylor, after all.
She found him sitting in his favorite chair, smoking his pipe and reading The New York Times like it was just another Saturday night.
“I refuse to accept you disowning me," she announced. "I’m your daughter and nothing will ever change that.”
He dropped the paper. “About damn time you came home.”
“So I’m not disowned anymore? You’re speaking to me?”
“That was just a test to see if Nico wanted you with no Spencer money.”
She nearly keeled over in shock. “Are you kidding me? Do you know how devastated I was?”
His brows drew together. “Why would you be devastated? You still had your trust fund.” He looked genuinely puzzled.
“Because we’re family,” she said, not bothering to hide her irritation.
“I know we’re family.”
“Well, you don’t disown family! Especially when you only have one kid!”
“I told you it was a test.”
She threw her hands up. “Now you tell me! You might’ve let me in on it.”
“Well, then it wouldn’t have worked. You’d probably tell Nico, and we’d never know.” He returned to his paper. “Now we know.”
“What do we know, Dad? What did we learn?”
He peered at her over the paper. “We learned he’s low class. I mean, really. Fists?”
“He fought for me, which is more than you ever did."
He went back to his paper and all the years of feeling ignored, of begging for one scrap of affection poured through her in an overwhelming wave of pure white-hot rage. She grabbed the paper and ripped it in two.
"Lily! Wha
t's come over you? Is this Nico's influence?"
"Nico treated me better than anyone ever has. And you know what? I disown you.”
His brows drew together. “You can’t disown me. It doesn’t work that way.”
“I’m done with begging for scraps of affection or your time. I’m tired of being nothing but an annoyance for you. I deserve better than that.”
“Like that low-class greasy mechanic?”
She threw the newspaper shreds in the air. “I’d be lucky to have him!”
She turned and left, wanting nothing more than to see Nico. She had to apologize, had to let him know she wanted to give them a chance too.
She got to her car and realized she didn't know where the wedding reception was. She didn't even know where he lived. She called him and it went to voicemail. She texted him instead. I’m sorry.
His reply was devastatingly short. Don’t be. You deserve Trevor.
It felt like a slap. Was this the life she deserved? A society life? A society marriage? A heartless, soulless existence?
I love you, she texted. Her finger hovered over the send button.
She deleted it.
~ ~ ~
Nico returned to his apartment after the wedding reception completely exhausted and defeated. He'd done his best, standing up to Lily's dad, asking Lily to give them a chance. Yet he'd shown her the kind of man he really was. The kind who used his fists. He'd never be that country club kind of guy she was used to. The kind of person she was, really, deep down.
He stopped short. Lily was sitting on the bottom step of the long wooden staircase that led to his studio apartment.
"You drive a Porsche, yet you live above someone’s garage?" she asked.
"How did you find me?"
"I looked you up online, but you're tough to find because you rent and you only use your cell. So I called one of the other Marinos in Eastman. Your stepmom gave me your address."
Figured. "Why're you here?"
She stood. "Can I come in?"
"I thought you were mad at me."
"Please."
He shook his head. "C'mon." He climbed the stairs and opened the door to his apartment, holding it to let her in. He took in the small space of his apartment, all one room with a small kitchenette. The bathroom was separate. The walls were white and empty of any decoration. The floor had cheap beige carpet. It was a far cry from what Lily was used to.
"I know it’s not much," he said. "I've been saving all my money to buy out Kevin. And I drive a Porsche because I can't run a business restoring and selling classic cars while driving some piece-of-shit car."
She looked around. "Where do you sleep?"
"The sofa pulls out."
She just stood there, quiet and subdued. He figured she was probably sorry she showed up here.
He took off the tux jacket and threw it over the arm of the sofa. "Look, I told you I had nothing to offer you.” He undid the bow tie and cummerbund and tossed them with the jacket. “I’m just a grease monkey who uses his fists." He went to the small refrigerator and pulled off the check he'd stuck there under a magnet.
"It's the full hundred grand," he said, handing it to her. "I earn my own way."
She tucked it into her purse without a word. He could just imagine what she was thinking. That he wasn't a success. That this wasn't the kind of life she'd ever want.
"I like my life," he told her. "I never asked for more. I never wanted more." Until you, he added silently.
She looked at him with those electric blues, and he read pain in those eyes.
"Lily, why’re you here?"
She finally spoke. "I didn’t love that you hurt Trevor, but I loved that you cared enough to fight for me.” She swallowed. “I love you," she said in a soft voice.
He couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. "What?"
She pressed her lips into a flat line and blinked rapidly. "Please don’t make me say it again. I’ve had a rough day. A rough week. A rough li—"
He hauled her close and kissed her as pure relief coursed through him. He pulled back to look in her eyes. "I love you too." He crushed her to him. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too.” She wrapped her arms tight around him, and they just held each other. “Can I stay here for a while?" she whispered. "I'm sort of homeless for a few weeks. I disowned my dad and my apartment's not ready until July first."
He pulled away in shock. "You disowned your dad?"
"Yes,” she said as she peeled off her shirt. "It’s been a rough night and I just want to be with you."
He blinked as she stripped down in record time. A naked Lily made it hard to think, but something was off.
She looked at him. “Why aren’t you getting naked?”
He unbuttoned the top two buttons of his dress shirt. “Are you okay?”
Her lower lip trembled. He pulled her in close and stroked her back. “Hey, it’ll be okay.”
She broke down in tears, and he just held her until she was done. He knew something was off. He’d be extra tender with her tonight.
“Be right back,” he told her. He grabbed a condom from the bathroom, stuck it in his pocket and when he returned to her, she started kissing and biting his neck hard enough to sting, which triggered a primal aggressive side he tried to keep in check. The last time he’d been with her he’d been too rough, taking her against the wall. She’d probably had bruises on her back from the way he pounded against her.
He took over the kiss, sliding his hand into her hair, slowing things down.
She bit his lip. Hard.
He held her by the shoulders a distance away. “You’re getting me revved up,” he warned, “and I don’t want to be like I was last time.”
She slipped out from under his grip, leaned her hot curvy body against him, and squeezed his ass with both hands. “How were you last time?”
His hand came up to her throat, and she threw her head back. “Rough,” he growled as his fingers stroked down her throat. “You deserve tenderness. Especially after what happened with—”
She kissed him aggressively just as her hand shot out straight to his cock. “Fuck me,” she demanded.
That thin line of control broke. His mouth slammed into hers, his tongue thrust deep, his hands stroked her ass as he wedged his leg between hers. Her hands were all over him and her hips rocked against him, stealing all rational thought. He had to have her. He maneuvered her to the wall and pressed his body fully against her soft curves. She gasped, and he remembered her back. He grabbed her and turned her, bending her over and placing her palms against the wall. He couldn’t wait even long enough to strip down, just freed himself, rolled on the condom, and entwined his fingers with hers, pinning her hands against the wall.
“Nico,” she sighed.
His name on her lips was the sweetest invitation. And then she lifted her hips, arching back, demanding he take, and with one fierce thrust he took her.
“Yes,” she hissed out on a long breath.
Nothing had ever felt so right. Her body was hot and tight, clenching around him as he took fiercely, no holding back, and she gave. He wasn’t going to last long. He reached around, slid his fingers between her slick folds, stroking quickly until she cried out, milking him with her release. He grabbed her hips and yanked her back hard against him as he drove deep. She got noisy then, which only spurred him on as he took those final deep thrusts into oblivion. He came with a roar and pumped until he had nothing left, dimly aware she was now moaning softly. He loosened his grip on her hips and stayed like that for a moment, buried deep within her, catching his breath. He pulled out. She sank to her knees, resting her forehead against the wall.
He dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around her from behind. He worried he’d been too rough, but he couldn’t speak yet to apologize.
“Nico,” she said hoarsely.
He tightened his hold on her. “I’ll be gentler next time.”
She lifted her head and said
over her shoulder, “You can take me any way you like.” She turned in his arms. The pain was gone from her eyes. She was flushed pink, eyes shining. “I’m yours.”
She held his gaze, those electric blue eyes reflecting pure acceptance of her place with him.
He pressed his thumb to her plump lower lip in his own primal claim. “You’re mine.”
And with those two simple words, he knew he’d never be able to let her go.
Chapter Nineteen
The nightmares were back. Lily hadn’t had this dream in years. She was being put out in the pile of stuff to be donated to charity, but no one noticed her in the pile of toys and clothes and old appliances. “Don’t throw me away!” she yelled until she was hoarse.
But she always got tossed with the rest of the stuff as her dad walked away. She woke with a start, eyes wide, heart pounding.
“Hey.” Nico pulled her into his arms and stroked her back. “Just a dream.”
“Sorry,” she mumbled. “Didn’t mean to wake you. I haven’t had that dream in a long time.”
She curled into his chest. He was quiet. Maybe he fell back asleep. “I used to have that dream every night for a year when I was ten. I’m being tossed with the pile of unwanted stuff.”
He was still quiet, so she went on. “I know why. My dad donated the Kaitlyn doll I used to sleep with every night because he decided I was too old for it. I saw it being taken away in this pile of stuff, and he wouldn’t let me get it. I guess I always wondered when I would be next.”
She rested her ear right over his heart, eyes wide open, hoping listening to that steady thump would keep her from falling back into the dream. Once the dream had a hold of her, she could have it multiple times a night.
Her eyes gradually closed, trapping her in the nightmare once more. She was running from a giant dump truck scoop. “Don’t throw me away!” She was running and running and running and not getting anywhere. Then she was scooped and dumped back in the pile of unwanted items, screaming to not be thrown away until she was hoarse.
When she woke again, very late on Sunday morning, it was to the delicious scent of coffee. Nico was standing, already dressed in T-shirt and jeans, leaning against the counter in the small kitchen, sipping his coffee.
Rev Me Up Page 17
