Chapter 14 - Dean
Dean
“This is an adorable little home.” Lily approached the chilly living room fireplace and rubbed her arms. “I wonder what happened to the owners.”
The red brick house, large enough for a guest room, home office, and exercise room, with plenty of expensive furniture, didn’t match her description. “They weren’t here when the comet hit. That’s my guess.”
I drew the curtains shut as Lily lit candles found in the kitchen. The tiny flames danced and flickered, showing off her perfect cheekbones and deep blue eyes. Her auburn hair changed from a rich copper to a vibrant toffee brown and back again.
She smiled as I busied myself building a fire using the basket of dried wood the owners had left for us. “I want to check the bedroom for clothes while you do that.”
“Enjoy.” The fire built up, chasing out the room’s lingering chill. “Where are you?” I asked before following Lily’s humming to the main bedroom. “Dinner is ready when —”
“How do I look?” Lily smoothed her freshly combed hair before twirling so her dress billowed out.
My mouth failed. I swallowed, trying again. It didn’t work.
“It’s black velvet. A dated style, but who cares? Dean?”
Sleeveless, it showed off her graceful neck and arms. The material clung to her curves, casting me further under her spell. “I think you’re the most exquisite woman I’ve ever met in my life. I don’t deserve to have you in it.”
“That’s ridiculous. Deserve has nothing to do with it, though I’ll take the compliment. I miss feeling pretty.” Lily twirled one last time before leaving the room.
“Wear it tonight.” Or eat naked. “You relax while I find us food.”
“Do you think we could sleep out here?” she asked during our dinner of overripe pears and peanut butter crackers. Her bare feet tapped the tile floor. “It’d be worse than the truck. We should find sleeping bags.”
“We can do better than that. Give me a minute.”
I dragged the closest guest room’s mattress, along with its bedding, through the hallway, dropping it before the glowing fireplace.
“I’d say you planned this if I didn’t know better,” she said, throwing herself into my arms. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
“I’m staying here with you,” I reminded her. “You don’t sleep alone.”
Lily’s eagerness to spend the night inside outweighed my discomfort with sleeping away from our vehicle. Aside from the incident with those four men, our journey had encountered little danger.
She lay down and stretched while I stood over her. I wanted to cover her with my body and bury myself between her legs.
I did neither.
“Is it October yet?” she asked.
“As of yesterday.”
“Come sit. I grant permission since I’m in charge until you drive again.” She patted the space beside her.
I smiled and followed her instructions.
“We’re almost home,” she said.
Only one more day of travel. Lily believed her offered partnership ended at Deer Lake’s town line, while today’s events proved I couldn’t allow that to happen.
“We’re close,” I confirmed, stretching out beside her to stare up at the flat white ceiling.
The roof dulled the rain’s steady patter to the point I almost forgot it existed. The occasional wind gust rattled the old glass windows. Early evening, and the black sky found us tucked away for the night.
“How long do you think this lasts?”
Lily’s question confused me. “What lasts?”
“The weather. The lack of normal.”
I pulled a lock of hair from her cheek and told myself not to kiss her yet. “No idea and forever.”
“Forever? That’s a grim future. Are you still unbothered?”
This again. “I’m reacting the same as you, just not the same way.”
“You’re not scared.”
“I’m terrified.” It’s difficult to explain to anyone, even Lily, who didn’t experience my childhood. “The rules were defined for me, without my ever having a say. I no longer have to follow those rules. I can make my own.”
“Here’s a new rule. Tell me the truth.”
Lily trusted me with her safety, and not much else.
I’d never given her a reason to do otherwise.
She thanked me for rescuing her, but that act didn’t earn me a place in her heart.
Not the way I longed for. “I promised to tell you the truth, and I keep my promises. All of them, even those you wish I didn’t. Is this about last Thanksgiving?”
“Is there another woman?”
I didn’t get it. “Another woman where?”
“Don’t.” Lily’s features tightened as she turned on her side to face me. “You promised honesty, and I want to trust you again. Here’s an opportunity to earn some back. Were you with another woman last Christmas? Did you cheat on her?”
I had prepared to explain my stupid decisions, how I listened to her brother, and let her father’s admonishment go without pushback. How did you explain a lifetime of living under other people’s assumptions? The worst mistake of my life was believing she could never love me back.
“I haven’t dated or been with anyone else. What are you talking about?”
“Ryan’s social media. I saw a picture of you.”
“He sneaks photos of me when he thinks I don’t notice. What of it?” She questioned me once before about Christmas, and what did I say? Don’t forget New Year’s. What an idiotic statement to make. “Oh, shit.”
“I’m right, then.” Her lip drew up into a stiff frown. “At least you’re honest, sort of.”
“No, that’s not it. Was it a party?” I asked and waited for her confirmation.
“That’s Ryan’s girlfriend.” Lily drew back.
“Her name is Lauren. I don’t…Christmas….
It’s not my favorite holiday. Ryan dragged me to one of his parties, and I guess he took a picture.
They met at work. Please say you believe me. ”
“I want to.” Lily lay on her back once more, staring up at the ceiling. She crossed her arms over her chest, letting herself digest this new information.
I struggled to respond.
The miles to Deer Lake counted down, drawing us closer to her home. I could still take her wherever I wanted. But did that path lead to marital bliss? I doubted it.
“Do you want to know the truth?” I gulped in air, preparing to share the embarrassing truth. “I haven’t been with another woman since you. Not one. I haven’t kissed another woman since you, either. Not even a date. How could I after we…after us?”
“Since us?” she whispered.
“Nothing.” I had one genuine friend, a woman I jilted, two dead parents, and a grandfather who forgot I existed. None of those experiences taught me anything about relationships.
“You expect me to believe you were celibate?”
“I hope you believe me when I say there’s been no one else.
In my whole life, I’ve woken up next to only one woman, and that’s you.
Just you. Deeper connections…” Humiliation stirred.
Best to get it over with. “I’ve never even had a roommate.
No friends, except one. No home of my own.
My family died when cancer took my mother.
I had it again for a week with you last year.
I haven’t looked at or thought about another woman since you. That’s the truth.”
“That’s a lot. I want to believe you, Dean, I do.” She huffed, so I expected her to continue.
“I want you to believe me, too,” I said after a momentary silence.
Lily presented me with a challenge and no way to solve it. I enjoyed the chase, but this time I didn’t know where it ended. Killing a man wouldn’t launch her into my arms, and I already kidnapped her once. It might be different if I told her why I left Deer Lake.
But home comforted her, and what sort of man took that away?
“You’re honest with me,” she said in a flat voice I didn’t recognize. “There’s no proof, so this is a conscious decision. I’m choosing to decide. You’re honest.”
Was that a victory or mutual disarmament? “Thank you. Keep asking questions. I’ll tell you if I know.”
“I loved fires as a kid,” she said, pulling a blanket up and over both of us, and snuggling closer to me.
I draped a hand over her hip, not pressing for more despite wanting to. My body ached for her. We’d kissed a few times, but I needed more. I wanted her naked and under me. Screaming my name and demanding I take her.
“So did I. Every kid loves fires.”
“It’ll be a hard winter. Horrible things are coming; I can feel it.”
A large object crashed onto the roof, echoing through the house. The fire crackled and sizzled as heavier winds struck the windows.
“That’s a warning from the heavens,” she said. “And we aren’t ready for it. Growing up, home smothered me. I wanted freedom far away, without so many rules or people watching me. I couldn’t break curfew without half the town noticing. Now all I want to do is get back to it all. What will you do?”
Lily’s rollercoaster thoughts left me woozy by the end. “What will I do about what?”
Her voice sharpened. “After you deliver me to my dad and Ryan. I know the town isn’t home to you. Will you drop me off with a peck on the cheek before you disappear again? What happens this time?”
“My commitment hasn’t changed.”
“Do you intend to stay?”
“Do you want me to?” Staying with her meant living in that awful place, but I wouldn’t be the town’s charity case this time, covering bruises under a long-sleeved shirt or praying classmates didn’t hear my grumbling stomach. A slim comfort.
She scoffed. “I won’t force you.”
I gripped her waist to pull her against me so she felt my hard cock next to her ass. “We aren’t done.”
“I know that.”
“No, you don’t.” I pulled the hair off her cheek and forced her to meet my eyes. “Not yet, but you will. We aren’t close to done, and we never will be. I’m in your tomorrow, and I’m in your day after that.”
“Is that a threat?”
I chuckled, unable to contain my amusement. “That’s another promise. Now, go to sleep and know I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“I’m not tired.”
“Then remove your clothes so I can fuck you. You fall asleep easily when I’m done with you.”
“That’s not true,” she started before lowering her voice. “And my clothes stay on.”
“For now.” I tapped her chin, and her eyes opened. “We both know you’ll give me what I want. You’re lucky I’m taking you home rather than keeping you here. I could do whatever I wanted to you, and who’d stop me?”
Her stubborn chin jutted out. “Me.”
“You couldn’t escape the first time. What makes you think I’d let you get away now?” I smirked as her eyes widened. “Be a good girl and go to sleep.”
“Do you know what I learned about you?”
“I’m the scary man you should always obey?”
“Attacking first is how you protect yourself. I understand that now. Threaten if it helps you feel better. I don’t mind, because you don’t mean any of it.
” She snuggled into her pillow and closed her eyes.
“I will go to sleep, but because I’m tired and not because you boss me around like it’s your favorite hobby.
I don’t follow orders because you demand it.
” Her hand found mine and didn’t let go. “You should do the same.”
She whimpered in her sleep.
“I’m here, sweetheart. You’re safe,” I crooned into her ear.
Lily drifted back to sleep, curling into a ball with her hands tucked up to her chest. I stroked her cheek, twisting her hair around one finger before loosening the strands by her ear.
She worried I’d leave, while I wondered about the opposite. Until this evening, I expected Lily to suggest that I leave town after delivering her to Bill Sutton.
That wouldn’t happen. I rested my head in both palms and smiled. I’d suggested the perfect solution only minutes after impact. She’d protest, but I’d manage that. I warned Ryan before taking her. He couldn’t blame me for it.
Satisfied, I pulled the blanket back, tucking it around her still form, and stood, while she slept on, oblivious. I blew out all but one of the stinking vanilla candles.
The wind picked up as the evening wore on, with heavy gusts and scattered rain. Lily described hurricanes as sucking the air away and blowing it back. Was this what she meant?
Another branch struck the roof, and I froze, waiting, but she didn’t wake up.
I took the candle, shielding it with one hand, and went to work.