12. Lily
Lily
I blink awake slowly, head foggy from my nap. Garden lights filter through the curtains, casting soft shadows across my bed.
What time is it?
I fumble for my phone on the nightstand.
8:03 PM. I slept for over two hours.
Sitting up, I feel… lighter. Calmer.
Leo’s face flashes through my mind and I flush. The orgasm he gave me, it was… transcendent. Purging.
He was such a gentleman after, walking me back here.
I pad to the window, letting the cool night air clear my head.
My thoughts drift to Alaric, and my stomach clenches. The hurt from our confrontation is still there, but with some distance, I understand better. I can see how he was trying to do the right thing.
He probably wants to maintain boundaries because he thinks it’s best for me. Because I matter to him.
Maybe he’s right. I am vulnerable right now. As much as it stings, transferring to another counselor might be the healthiest choice. I need to apologize for lashing out. He didn’t deserve that.
A strange ache fills my chest at the thought of not seeing him anymore. But I push it aside. This is for the best. I’ll talk to him tomorrow, smooth things over.
Before I can dwell on it any longer, something white catches my eye under the door.
I pick it up. It's a note.
Lily,
I know I’m probably the last person you want to hear from, but please, give me a chance to explain.
There are things I need to tell you, things I should have said earlier today.
Meet me at Nola’s at 9:30. I’ll be at the back corner table.
If you don’t want to hear me out, I understand.
I’ll respect your wishes. Just know that hurting you is the last thing I ever wanted to do.
I hope to see you there.
-Alaric
My heart stumbles as I read it twice more. I check my phone—Nola’s is a cozy bar just ten minutes away. It’s only 8:09. I have time to shower, change, grab a quick bite…
I stare at his elegant handwriting, an unexpected yearning filling my chest.
Yet I wonder… would seeing him be a mistake?
As I start pondering the question, a small voice inside me answers without hesitation.
No.
He deserves a chance to explain. And if I’m honest with myself… I want to see him. I need to.
***
The warmth of Nola’s envelops me as I step inside, escaping the chilly night. Jazz floats through the intimate space of dark wood and soft lighting, glasses clinking beneath lively conversations.
I spot Alaric instantly in a back corner booth, his bourbon-rich scent reaching me even from here. Relief floods his features when our eyes meet, like he wasn’t sure I’d come.
I weave my way over, pulse quickening with each step.
“Lily. Thank you for meeting me.” He stands as I approach, his scent deepening.
“I got your note,” I say, sliding into the booth and shrugging off my coat.
“I was worried you might miss it, not being in your room.” A hint of question colors his tone.
Leo Heat floods my cheeks at the memory. “I was with Mari,” I manage.
Alaric just nods, though something flickers in his eyes.
A server approaches almost immediately, notepad ready. Alaric gestures for me to order first.
“Vodka cranberry, please,” I say, grateful for something to focus on besides the intensity of his gaze.
“Whiskey, neat,” Alaric adds. The server nods and disappears behind the bar, just a few steps away.
I bite back a smile at his drink choice—it suits him. Strong. Straightforward. No pretense.
She returns with our drinks in less than a minute.
“I’m really glad you came,” Alaric says once she’s gone, studying me with those intense green eyes. “After how I handled things earlier…”
I sip my drink, letting tartness cut through tension. “I had time to think too. I may have overreacted.”
Surprise flickers across his face. He exhales, gaze dropping to his hands. “Regardless…” His fingers tighten briefly before he looks up again. “Lily, I… I’m sorry about earlier. The last thing I wanted was to hurt you or make you feel rejected.”
When he meets my eyes again, the raw emotion there steals my breath. “I care about you. So much. That’s why I’m trying to do right by you. You’re vulnerable right now, and I won’t take advantage of that as your counselor.”
My heart clenches. I reach out, covering his hand with mine. “Alaric… I know you wouldn’t. That’s not who you are.” My voice softens. “When you found me that night, when you saved me from my panic… I felt so safe. I only reacted badly because I was scared of losing you.”
His hand turns beneath mine, fingers threading through my own. My body hums at the contact. “You haven’t lost me, Lily. I’m right here. Even with another counselor, I’ll still be here for you. I just want you to heal.”
I study his face—the strong line of his jaw, the warmth in those green eyes. God, he looks good. And that scent of his, so masculine… I want to bury my face in his neck and breathe him in forever.
“I think you’re right about seeing someone else. Professionally.” The words come out breathy as his thumb sweeps across my knuckles, derailing my thoughts.
His face seems relieved. His thumb sweeps across my knuckles and I lose my train of thought. “I’m so glad you said that,” he murmurs, pulling my hand closer to his lips.
We stare at each other, tension crackling between us. My fingers itch to trace his full bottom lip. My foot, clad only in thin tights under my ballet flat, seems to move of its own accord, sliding against his ankle.
His pupils dilate instantly, darkening those forest-green eyes to midnight.
The server’s return breaks the moment. We pull apart reluctantly as she adds a lime to my glass. I take a long sip, welcoming the burn.
Alaric brings his whisky to his lips, his gaze heavy.
The way he watches me over the rim of his glass makes my skin prickle with heat.
That bourbon scent of his has deepened into something dangerously intoxicating, making it hard to focus on anything but him.
My mind spins with images of that mouth on my skin, of those strong hands gripping my waist. I cross my legs, trying to contain the ache building between them, the friction only making it worse.
“So. How do we do this?” My voice comes out husky despite my attempt at composure.
A small, pleased grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Well, we just do what normal friends do. We hang out and talk…” His voice lowers. “Among other things…”
Oh my.
“Is that so?” I bite my lip, leaning toward him. “Care to elaborate?”
His eyes flash dark with hunger, gaze dropping to my mouth. “Oh, I’d love to. In great… detail. Perhaps with a demonstration.”
Who is this Alaric? This sensual, wicked version of my ex counselor has me whimpering, if only in my mind, with want.
“Well,” I drawl, pushing my glass aside, “I’m a keen student. Always eager for some… hands on learning,” I reply, tracing my foot higher up his leg, feeling the rigid muscle of his thigh through his slacks. His breath hitches, and his scent spikes with arousal as I brush against his erection.
My cunt throbs, slick gathering. God, I want to unzip his slacks with my teeth and lick his—
“Lily,” he rasps, sliding a hand under the table to press my foot further against his cock. “If you keep that up, I’m gonna lay you out on this table and eat you like it’s my last meal.”
I whimper, squeezing my thighs together.
Okay. Wow.
“Then maybe,” I manage, breath shaky, “we should find somewhere more private. Immediately.”
He takes one last, slow sip of whisky, his eyes burning into mine. “Let’s get out of here.”
He throws bills on the table and guides me out with a firm hand on my lower back. I can feel his heat through my coat, and I’m already halfway to blowing up.