Chapter 14 #2
I swallow hard, hating to have to ask this question, but I need to. “Do you think there’s any chance they could be after you because of Blake?”
This was something I started to think about as I sped to her house a couple of hours earlier.
It seems like an interesting coincidence that someone would show up on the night Lily returns to the house.
Lily averts her face and stares out the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the far wall, but it isn’t before I catch a flash of pain there.
She’s schooled her features when she looks back at me. “I wish I knew.”
I nod, even if I want to press her more. “I’m going to talk to my buddy tomorrow. The one you met.”
“Okay.” She looks down at Hank, then back up at me. “Thank you, Chris. Not just for tonight, but for everything. I can’t imagine having anyone else by my side.” She pauses, biting her lip, then rushes on, “I mean, as my attorney.”
As I look at her, my breath hitches in my lungs. In the low, intimate light from the table lamps and the glow of the city lights far below us, and her words still buzzing in my ears, she’s even more stunning.
Not being able to respond the way I want to pains me, but to maintain control over myself and this situation, I say instead, “It’s getting late. Why don’t we head to bed?”
She doesn’t move right away, but finally nods and stands, carefully lifting Hank off her lap and setting him on the couch cushion. “Sorry to disturb you, buddy.” She looks up at me. “Does he sleep with you?”
I frown down at my pet. “Sometimes. Other times, he prefers his alone time. Hank kind of just does whatever he wants around here.”
“As he should,” Lily says with a grin.
With a gruff chuckle, I grab her luggage and show her to the guest room. “I don’t actually think anyone has ever slept in here except a friend of mine when he got too drunk to drive home last New Year’s. But my housekeeper cleans it regularly.”
Lily trails her hand along the comforter as she walks farther into the room before spinning to face me. “This is perfect. Thank you.”
I hitch my thumb in the direction of my bedroom. “I’m right down the hall if you need me.”
“I’m sure I’ll be good, but I’ll let you know if I need anything.”
Her smile falters, and I stand in what’s now her bedroom for the foreseeable future for a second longer than I should. I clear my throat and turn toward the door, even as my body screams at me not to. “Goodnight, Lily.”
Her soft goodnight follows me out the door. I grind my teeth as I turn down the hallway, heading toward my bedroom. The second I’m over the threshold, I close the door softly behind me and lean back on it, scrubbing a hand down my face.
When Hank meows, I drop my hand and find him sitting in the middle of my bed, staring at me, tail twitching.
“Oh, shut up, Hank,” I hiss under my breath. “As if you weren’t being a little slut for her attention all night.”
He meows at me once again as I push off the door and stalk to the bathroom to get ready for bed and not think about the woman sleeping on the other side of the wall.
I’m drinking coffee when I hear footsteps approaching the kitchen. As Lily rounds the corner, I remove my reading glasses and set down my phone where I’m through reading emails I’m behind on. “Good morning.”
Lily stops at my side and picks up the coffee cup I left out for her. “Is this for me?”
Taking a sip of coffee, I nod. She squeezes my bicep in gratitude as she turns away to fill the cup. The heat from her touch spreads across my chest.
“What do you have planned for the day?” I ask as casually as possible.
She smiles over at me. “Just going to the farmers’ market in Nashville with a friend, and then I have some work I need to catch up on. What about you?”
“I have to go into the office for a little while and get some work done. Or my paralegal slash receptionist will strangle me,” I joke, but I’m a little scared Mandi really would if I don’t get my shit together.
With a laugh, Lily notes, “I think I like her already.”
“I’m sure you’ll get to meet her eventually.
” I hesitate about what I need to say next, not wanting to scare her.
“Lily, I need you to be careful today. Please pay attention to your surroundings and try not to be alone. As much as I’m telling myself that guy last night was here for something relating to Blake, I don’t want to take any chances. ”
Her face pales, and her throat muscles flex around her swallow. “That’s been on my mind since you asked me last night. I’m also worried about that.”
The look on her face is a stab to the heart. “If it makes you feel better, I can come with you.”
She recovers slightly and waves her hand dismissively. “No, it’s okay. I’ll be smart about it. Besides, I’ll be in a very public place. Surely, no one would try anything with a bunch of people around. And I’ll call you if anything happens.”
I smile at her offering to call me, as if it’s the most natural thing for her to do. “Thank you. That would make me feel better. And if all else fails, I have some friends who run a security company. We can get you a bodyguard.”
Her laugh sounds strained. “I don’t think that’s necessary yet. But it’s good to know that’s an option.” She still looks a little freaked out. But I’d rather her be safe and vigilant than not have this conversation.
I nod. “Text me when you are done. Before I leave for the office, I’ll get you all set with security. I’ll text you instructions on how to enter and exit the garage. You can continue to park in those guest parking spots that you parked in last night.”
“Can I make dinner tonight? As a thank you?” Her question sounds unsure, as if I would ever turn down a beautiful woman cooking for me.
“Absolutely, send me the grocery list, and I will pick up whatever you need.”
With a nod and a sweet smile, Lily leaves me to get ready for the day. I press my hands to the cool granite and drop my head below my shoulders.
I’m so fucked.