40. Lily
Lily
I ’m so different from the woman who landed at LAX.
The past eight days have gone by in a haze of orgasms, ecstasy, and sheer bliss. I’ve lived through so many wonderful adventures, it’s hard to believe I was able to cram it all into such little time.
My grumpy bodyguard turned lover extraordinaire rolls my suitcases towards me.
It’s going to be so hard leaving you, Gage Hollingsworth.
He stops in front of me. “You arrived in this city without any luggage, and now you’re leaving with the contents of half the stores on Rodeo Drive stuffed into these three large suitcases.”
Being the gentleman he is, he suggested I wait inside the airport while he wrestled with all my stuff. I only had to worry about my handbag and carry-on.
“In my defense, someone organized a surprise birthday party for me, and his incredible friends were quite generous.”
He taps the tip of my nose. “They’re your incredible friends, too. ”
“I will miss them.”
“You’ll be back before you know it.”
That’s the plan.
A beat of silence passes between us.
I flash him a lopsided smile. “It went by too quick.”
Gage pulls me into his embrace. “It did,” he says, before dropping a kiss on my forehead. He sighs. “I don’t know if I’m going to be able to fall asleep tonight.”
My eyes meet gorgeous green ones.
Soon, I’ll only see them in my dreams.
Brushing off the melancholy, I play along. “Why’s that?”
He twirls a lock of my hair around his finger. “I won’t be wrapped around a sexy little thing with long black hair and a banging body.”
This man is my kryptonite. “If it’s any consolation, I’ll be in the same boat.”
“You’ll miss being wrapped around a sexy little thing with long black hair and a banging body?”
I burst out laughing.
He chuckles.
“I’ve been thinking…” His words trail.
My laughter fades.
His expression transforms to something… serious.
He’s no longer coming to New York to see me?
He no longer wants me to wear my pretty pink dress just for him?
Is he going to let me down gently?
Might as well rip off the Band-Aid now. “What’s on your mind?”
He holds my gaze for a long uncomfortable beat.
My eyes drop to my feet.
He changed his mind.
My father was right. Gage is done with me .
I’m not good enough ? —
“You expect me to talk to the top of your head?”
My eyes fly up to meet his.
“Better.”
I exhale a long breath.
Nads’s voice rings in my ear. “Mets tes couilles, ma vieille.”
Translation: Find your lady balls, Lily.
I square my shoulders, my gaze locking onto his.
“There isn’t much I can do about the next three weeks. Those business trips are too important?—”
“I understand.” My dread is causing me to trip all over myself.
“Let me finish.”
I pinch my lips.
“When I’m back stateside, I want to see more of you, Lily, and I don’t want to let us living on opposite coasts to be a deterrent.” He caresses my cheek with the back of his hand.
My heart bangs against my chest, beating at an infernal rate.
“I’ll work as often as I can from the StreamTunes New York office, so we’re in the same city.
Also, I’ll fly you to LA when it’s mandatory for me to be here until you start film school.
Your father has more than enough money to cover the flights, but let’s leave him out of this. This is between you and me.”
I’m about to burst from joy.
Since I’m frozen in stupor, he keeps talking.
“It’s not only that I don’t want any other asshole to see you in that pretty pink dress…” His nostrils flare, his lips turning up into a snarl.
And… he’s Mr. Grumpy Pants again.
“I don’t want any other asshole touching you. You’re mine.”
I’m his?
I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out .
He cocks a brow. “Yes? No?”
“Wh—what are you saying?” That comes out as a near whisper.
“Your film school program doesn’t start for another year. That’s a long fucking time to be apart.”
I.
Am.
Dumbfounded.
“This morning wasn’t all talk.”
I can’t find my voice.
“You don’t feel the same way I do? If you’d rather we stop right here…”
Snap out of it, Lily. “No. I mean, yes.” I shake my head, frustrated with myself. “Let me catch my breath.”
“Waiting.”
I laugh.
“Looks like you caught your breath.”
“You’re impossible.”
“I’m still waiting.” He has the audacity to tap his expensive watch.
Oh my God, I’m going to miss him. “I want to see you as often as possible,” I say.
If I didn’t have to go back to New York because my puppet master pays my way in life, I’d stay in your bed forever.
“I love the idea of coming back to LA without involving my father.” I wish I were independent.
“I’m so determined to forge my own way.”
“You will.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to share my plans, but I refrain. I want to do this on my own. It’s time I stood on my own two feet.
The alarm on my phone rings.
Shit.
I rummage for it inside my handbag, and stop the ringing .
I lift my eyes towards him. “I have to check in.”
He growls. “I thought we’d have more time together.”
“We would’ve if someone hadn’t forced me to take a second shower.”
“You say that like you didn’t reap the benefits.”
Oh, I did. Multiple, multiple times. “And now we’re cutting it close. Hence, the alarm.” I flash him my phone before dropping it at the bottom of my bag.
He scowls.
Things got so hot and heavy between us at the hotel, I’m surprised the fire department wasn’t called over.
His hunger for me is exhilarating. It makes me feel beautiful and cherished.
“Since we’re down to the last minute, I better kiss you goodbye,” he says.
Before I can respond, he pulls me to him, cups my face in his strong hands, and crushes his mouth onto mine.
My feet are no longer touching the ground.
Holy hotness.
A few people whistle around us.
I’m floating, so I don’t care if all eyes are on us.
He moans into my mouth.
Needing more, I get on the tip of my toes to match his fervor, tongue stroke for tongue stroke.
How am I going to live for the next three weeks without kissing this man?