Chapter 16
Lily woke up feeling warm and weirdly achy.
Opening her eyes, she stared straight at a bare chest. A tattooed, muscular chest.
Shock made her gasp and she tensed.
“Hey, it’s all right,” Harvey whispered in a husky voice. “Sorry. I must have fallen asleep here last night. Don’t be scared.”
“I’m not scared.”
With a finger under her chin, he tilted her head back, staring down at her. “Yeah? You’re not scared?”
“No,” she whispered. “Just surprised.”
“That’s good. I never want you to be scared of me, Lily.”
She licked her lips as she stared up at him. He was always gorgeous, but first thing in the morning . . . he was fucking stunning.
“I really want to kiss you,” he told her. “Tell me now if you don’t want that.”
Her voice was stuck in her throat. Probably a good thing, because she didn’t want to say anything to mess this moment up.
“Good,” he said.
Leaning in, he kissed her lightly, then his tongue ran across her lips. She parted them automatically so he could play and tease. His tongue slid in and then out. She moaned, wanting more.
This was so hot, and she felt her body stir as she pressed herself against him, grasping hold of his shoulders.
She’d never experienced a kiss like this before.
She hadn’t even realized that kissing could be this sexy or as much of a turn-on.
Rick’s kisses were disgusting, filled with saliva, sloppy, and weird.
Don’t think about that right now. You’re going to ruin things.
When he drew back, she found herself leaning in, wanting more. It wasn’t enough.
Maybe it never would be.
An actual whimper escaped her as he moved away.
“Sorry, baby,” he told her with a small grin. “No more.”
No more? Was he for real? That was so mean. What did he mean, no more?
He ran his finger over her mouth. “Now, now, don’t pout. There will always be more, just not right now. You’ll have to wait.”
She got the feeling he was enjoying teasing her.
Asshole.
“That’s not fair.”
He raised his eyebrows. “No? You don’t think you should have to wait?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Well, unfortunately, my darling girl, you do. Good things come to good girls who wait.”
Damn it.
Why did she shiver at him calling her a good girl?
Seriously. What was wrong with her?
Harvey placed a plate of food down in front of her where she sat at the kitchen island.
Smashed avocado on sourdough with a poached egg.
It was her favorite. He was definitely spoiling her. The only problem was that she didn’t think she could eat it.
Her stomach was in knots thinking about what he was planning on doing today.
“Lily? Is something wrong with the food?” he asked.
“I don’t want you to go and see her on your own,” she blurted out.
He raised his eyebrows. “Why is that, baby?”
“I’m just worried about what she might do.”
“I can assure you, she’s not going to do anything to me.”
“Please, Harvey.”
She felt silly begging him like this, but she couldn’t help the feeling churning in her stomach.
One of dread
“I won’t go there alone, okay?”
She glanced up in shock. She hadn’t expected him to give in so easily.
“You look surprised,” he said to her. “But you should know by now that I just want to make you happy.”
Lily nodded. “I know you do.” She was really starting to understand that. Understand how much he would do for her.
Like confronting her mother and Dr. Wallace.
“I’ll get my brother to meet me there, and we’ll both go in together. I’ll get some answers for you, Lily.”
“Tell your brother thank you from me.”
“Probably best not to,” he said as he poured them both coffees. She managed to take a bite of her breakfast.
Yum.
That was delicious.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because he’s dying to meet you and he’ll take that as an invitation.”
“Oh, and you don’t want me to meet him.” Probably because she was a mess right now. She couldn’t blame him for that.
“Not yet. And not for the reasons you’re probably thinking. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with my family. They’re . . . a lot. I don’t want them scaring you.”
She bristled a bit at that.
“I know I come across as a coward. But I’m not so much of a wimp that I can’t handle meeting your family.”
She regretted saying that as soon as the words came out. Because he straightened up and stared down at her, his arms crossed over his chest.
“What did you just call yourself?” His voice was a low growl that made a shiver race up her spine.
She couldn’t deny that that tone of voice turned her on. Even if this wasn’t exactly a sexy conversation.
And the glint in his eyes told her that he was taking this very seriously.
Lily swallowed heavily. “I didn’t call myself anything.”
“Yes, you did. You just called yourself a coward.”
“That was more of a descriptive word.” And it was simply the truth.
“It was an insulting word and you’re in big trouble.”
Big trouble? What did that mean?
“What? What sort of trouble?”
He leaned forward, placing his hands on the countertop where he stood across from her. “The sort of trouble that will end up with you over my knee, getting your butt spanked.”
That wasn’t hot.
It. Was. Not. Hot.
What was wrong with her? Why did the thought of being over his lap, her bottom bare with his hand landing on her cheeks, send her into a tailspin?
“I don’t . . . that’s not . . . what?”
He grinned. “Are you speechless, baby? Just think about it. If it’s something you can’t agree to then I understand. But you’re still in trouble and you’re owed a punishment. If it’s not a spanking, which would be my preference, then it will have to be something else.”
“We’re not . . . I’m not sure you have that right.” She raised her chin.
This was a reminder that she needed to put some boundaries in place. Things were becoming so muddled in her mind. And she was concerned that she was becoming far too attached to him.
“Ahh, Mo bhreáthracht. I’m afraid you’re wrong.”
Lord. He was frustrating at times.
“No, I’m not.”
“You are. But it’s all right. I’m here to teach you.”
“I won’t let anyone control me again.”
To her surprise, the smile wiped off his face, and he gave her a serious look before taking a step back.
Immediately, the room grew colder.
“You are right.” He nodded. “I know I am controlling. I like to be in charge, I won’t deny it.
Especially when it comes to your safety and sex.
However, I never want you to be scared of me.
To see me as anything like your mother. You have my word I will try to keep myself from scaring you further. And that there will be no spankings.”