23. Thoren
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
thoren
“ H ey mom, where’s Lily?”
“Living room, honey. You go get her, and we will have everything ready in the dining room.” She pats me on the shoulder as she grabs food from the oven.
I find Lily sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the wall. When she turns to me, her eyes are glassy, but her smile is bright. Taking a seat, I pull her onto my lap. “What’s going on, baby?”
“I love your mom,” she breathes into my neck.
“Well, of course you do, she’s the best. Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” she leans back, giving me a soft kiss. I stand, setting her on her feet, and lead her to the dining room. My mom and dad are setting out the rest of the food while Shadow runs around hoping to get scraps that are dropped. I don’t miss the soft smile my mom gives Lily as she takes her seat. Dad comes over to officially greet Lily before sitting next to mom across from us.
“This all looks delicious. Thank you so much for having me over,” Lily says as I dish us both up.
“It’s family dinner, of course you’re invited,” my dad replies around bites of food, completely oblivious to the fact that Lily has gone still beside me. I give her knee a reassuring squeeze and a wink. I know she prefers actions to words, so my parents accepting her into the fold like I told her they would is exactly what she needed.
“River told us the book you’re writing is about him. How in depth into his personal life did you delve? I love your books, but I don’t think I can read about my son’s sexual preferences,” my mom casually throws out.
“Oh Evelyn, what have you done? What if she bases some of the scenes off of her personal life? Now we are going to read about both our sons!”
I glance at the poor girl next to me, her face as red as mine. I don’t even know what to say, or how to take any of this. Lily could use the backup, but fuck, I haven’t read her books so I didn’t even think to ask where her sex scene ideas come from. My cock stirs at the thought of her writing out her sexual fantasies, and now I want to know the answer, too. I know she didn’t ask River about his sex life, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t write about ours.
Just when I think I need to jump in and save her, Lily’s soft voice answers, “You read my books, too, David?”
My dad’s cheeks turn pink as my mom cackles beside him. “I made him read your first book when Thoren first told us about you. He picked up the next ones all on his own.”
“I haven’t even read any yet! I can’t believe you’re reading smut, Dad.”
“It’s spicy romance, thank you. I raised you better than that. How haven’t you read her books yet?” Dad shakes his head at me, disappointment evident in his eyes. “I’m sorry Lily, we tried our best with him.”
“My question was never answered,” mom adds.
Lily takes another bite, buying herself some time. “There is nothing in this book influenced by River’s actual relationships.” She leaves it at that, and I think everyone sees her desire to change the subject.
I don’t miss that she doesn’t mention us, and now I’m dying to read this next book. My hand slips higher up her thigh, drawing circles under the skirt. The resulting shiver up her spine draws a smile to my face as I slowly slide my fingers higher. When they hit the heat of her center, I’m reminded her panties are currently tucked in my pocket.
My blood rushes south as I let my fingers trail through her wet lips just lightly. The slight hitch in her breath has me dying to do more, but all I can focus on is getting a taste of her.
“Is Shadow by your feet?” I ask my parents. When they both look down, I pull my fingers to my mouth and lick them clean, never removing my eyes from Lily. Her pupils are blown wide, and goddamn, I want to taste her sweetness. I love eating pussy, or more specifically, eating her pussy. The way her nails dig into my hair, the breathy little moans she makes, and the delicious juices she coats my beard with are my own version of heaven.
“Yeah, she’s being good like always.” Mom's voice breaks me out of my trance.
“How’s the bathroom coming along?” my dad asks.
“The pipes are finally all replaced. Next is wiring and drywall, then installing the tub, tiles, toilet, and vanity. Jake is making her one right now. Flooring, painting, and lighting all need to be done, too. Lily said I was doing too much, so it’s slow going.”
“I’m free this week. Why didn’t you ask me to help?”
“You’re free every week; it’s called retirement. Please take him,” mom quips.
I didn’t even think of that. My dad helped me a lot with my renovations. He’s always been handy and fixes everything himself. The fact that he is volunteering to help do this for Lily means a lot to me, but doesn’t surprise me one bit. It’s just who he is.
“I can’t ask you to do that, David. But thank you so much for offering.”
“You didn’t ask, sweetheart. Plus, I need something to do while Evelyn is visiting the new friend you made her.”
“What?” Lily asks.
“I’ve been visiting Jana a few times a week,” mom says quietly. She gives me a pointed look and I realize that’s the lady I told her about a month ago. “Your friend Amber’s mom, honey. The one that owns the boutique in town.”
“You’ve been visiting her mom?” Lily’s voice is watery. “Thank you. I have been meaning to go back in and check on her. How’s she doing?”
“Good days and bad days. She’s worried about Amber. I get the sense she’s all alone with Jana in the rehab facility.”
Lily nods along, like she understands that completely, and I sense that she does. I can tell from the look on her face she’s going to go back to that store this week. There’s the saying that you marry your parents, and I always thought it was a little weird. I understand the sentiment that you tend to end up with someone of similar attributes or characteristics because it’s what you know or are used to. Being with Jen, who was nothing like my parents, the saying felt weird. I get it seeing the similarities between Lily and my mom now. I would be lucky to have a wife that is as considerate and tenderhearted as my mom, and Lily is exactly that.
The rest of the dinner conversation stays neutral, talking about our weeks and plenty of stories about my childhood. Hearing Lily’s laughter ring throughout my parents’ house is worth every ounce of embarrassment that I felt.
“I made cookies for dessert,” my mom says. “Do you want to hang out in the living room while I clean up and I’ll meet you in there with the cookies? I can make coffee, too.”
“I want to show Lily my old room first, then we will be back down.” I take her hand, leading her up the stairs. My room isn’t totally the same. My parents have made it a little more ‘guest room’ friendly, but it has all my photos on the wall, and my yearbooks that she might get a kick out of. Mostly, I just want a moment alone with her.
I am so gone for this girl, and it hit me hard this evening. Seeing her interact with my parents, having her here feeling like a part of my family, a part of my future, is giving me all sorts of feelings. The minute I shut the bedroom door, she is pushed up against it. My hand at her throat, holding her in place, stealing the breath from her lungs with my kiss. My lips mold to hers, my other hand gliding up her inner thigh. She gasps when I push two fingers in, allowing me to shove my tongue in her mouth the way I’m about to with her pussy.
I drop to my knees and use the hand that was around her throat to push up her dress. “Look at you glistening for me, baby. You’re soaking my fingers,” I groan out before latching my mouth to her clit. My chest rumbles with satisfaction at the taste of her. “Stay quiet, princess. I finished my dinner like a good boy, and now I’m going to make you flood my mouth with my favorite dessert.”
Lily clenches around my fingers as her head falls back to the door with a light thud. I nip at her clit, making her eyes shoot back down to me, right where I want them. She lifts one leg, throwing it over my shoulder, as her hands spear through my hair, holding my head in place. I love when she gets comfortable and takes what she wants.
My fingers set a ruthless pace, stroking the front wall of her delectable pussy as I alternate between flicks of my tongue and nips on her clit. My cock is painfully hard, and seeing her ride my face is enough to drive me to the brink of orgasm with her. Our chests are rising and falling in sync, her deep blue eyes conveying emotion and vulnerability, sending hot tingles bearing down my spine. Her pussy tightens and spasms around my fingers, and her soft voice pleads my name like a prayer.
Fuuuuuck.
I stroke her through her orgasm as my own barrels through me, making a mess in my pants. When her body slumps against mine, I pull my fingers out and lick them clean. Gently, I lick long, languid strokes up her thighs, all the way back to her sweet pussy. Satisfied I licked up every drop, I pull her dress back down and stand. Her eyes trail down to the wet spot on my jeans.
“Did you..?”
“Come in my pants from just the sight and taste of you coming? Yeah, baby, I did, and I’m not ashamed. You’re so damn sexy, and I would live between your thighs if I could.” I kiss her deep, making her taste herself on my lips. “I’ve got to clean up. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“I didn’t even get to see your room,” she huffs with the cutest little pout.
I grab my senior yearbook off the shelf and hand it to her. “Take this with, and we can look through it together.” Then I slip into the upstairs bathroom to clean myself. Thank god she picked out dark jeans and a large flannel, or this could have been a lot worse. With semi-wet boxers, I make my way down to the laughter of my family.
“He and Jake were inseparable, but the oddest pair,” my dad says as I round the corner into the room.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” My dad deadpans toward me like the answer is obvious.
“You were a scrawny, shy thing, and Jake was a little hellion, getting into fights and beefy by eighth grade. Love you both, but it was always funny to see.” I grab a cookie from the coffee table and scoot in next to Lily, who is flipping through the photos.
“Jokes on you, now I’m the beefy one.”
My parent’s laughter startles me as Lily lightly pats my arm. “You’re very handsome and strong, but Jake the giant is way beefier than you. Also, can we not use the term beefy, it’s weird. Stacked? Ripped? Muscley?”
“Hunky!” my mom adds through her laughter.
“You all are menaces. I’m telling the group chat you said that, mom.” I say, pulling out my phone. Instead of my phone though, I pull out Lily’s. We both put ours in the cup holder of the truck when we got in, and I must have grabbed hers by accident. When I hit the home button, it lights up with a text from an unknown number. I can see the first part of the text causing my skin to heat instantly. My fists clench of their own accord, and I can feel my blood pressure rise.
Lily must feel me stiffen beside her because she looks over, then drops her face to the lit up screen. The way her face pales and her gaze turns apologetic tells me this text isn’t a surprise. My vision tunnels with the realization that she has been getting threats and I haven’t been keeping her safe. I take a steadying breath to not make a scene in front of my parents, but I need to get us out of here.
I deposit the phone back into my pocket, and close the yearbook Lily is holding. “Thank you so much for dinner, mom, it was amazing as always. It’s been a long week, so I think we’re going to head out.”
My mom’s eyes rove between us at the sudden change in conversation. Whatever she sees has her not saying what’s on her mind, as she nods and stands. “I expect you back here soon. Lily, you’re welcome anytime, even without this big guy.”
We all exchange hugs, and as my mom walks Lily to the door with Shadow, my dad holds me back. We’ve had countless talks over the years about how to treat women, love, relationships, and how he knew that my mother was the one. He’s a firm believer that you can fall in love multiple times, but you only have one true love. “Is she the one?”
“I’ve only known her for two months, dad.”
“Time doesn’t matter.”
“Yes. She’s the one.”
He wraps me in a hug, slapping my back. “I knew it. Love that girl hard, son.”
“I will, dad. I’ll see you this week when you come help with the bathroom.” I let him go, plant a kiss on my mom’s head, and follow my girls out the door. Anger and love are swirling around in my gut with equal fervor. I’m beyond pissed about the text on Lily’s phone, but I’m also in awe of the fact that in all the time I spent with Jen, my dad never once asked me if she was the one.
I open Lily’s door and help her in before getting Shadow and myself in Freya. We wave to my parents, who are still standing on the porch, wrapped in each other’s arms. The drive is deadly silent and I can’t take it anymore.
“How long?” I grit out, wrapping my hands tighter around the wheel.
“He texted me Monday. This is the only text since.” Her voice is hoarse, like she’s holding back tears, and I instantly feel like an asshole. I may be mad that he is threatening her, but she’s the one getting threatened on top of all the other shit she is dealing with. My hand finds hers, threading our fingers together.
We ride the rest of the way in silence again, while I revel in this new information. I have so many questions, and I want to know if she’s talked to Kinsley about this. Nothing would make me happier than beating this guy’s ass. I bet River would happily track him down and do the beating for me on his next game series in Phoenix.
Lily seems defeated when we get home, so I head straight upstairs to draw her a bubble bath. I add salts and lavender bubbles, then head downstairs to find her. She’s cuddling with Shadow on the couch, absentmindedly stroking her fur while staring at the wall. I kneel in front of her, grabbing her chin to get those beautiful blues on me.
“I would like to read his texts, then carry you upstairs and put you into the bath I drew for you while we talk about this. Is that okay?”
She nods at me, so I pull her phone back out and hand it to her. With a swipe of her thumb, she pulls up the texts as I take a seat next to her. The first one is a simple ‘drop the lawsuit’ text, but this second one is threatening.
Unknown Number:
Drop the fucking lawsuit, Lily. You’re making a mistake coming after the company, and you’re going to lose. We are going to bury you, is that really what you want? Stop wasting your money and my time.
The balls on this guy. I don’t know what she ever saw in him. I put her phone down to scoop her up, carrying her upstairs to the bathroom. I undress her as all the questions flow through my mind.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, pulling her dress over her head.
“It was just one text at first, and I told Kinsley about it. I thought that would be it, and didn’t want to pull you further into my problems.”
I undo her bra and help her step into the tub, watching her sink down. Grabbing one of her clips from a drawer under the sink, I pile her hair into a ball and clip it in place. Parking myself on the rug outside the tub, I rest my arms on my knees and look at her. “When will you see that you’re not a problem to me, baby, but a choice? I chose to stand by your side through this, and I will continue to do so. What did Kinsley say?”
She skims her fingers through the water before looking at me. “She said to screenshot and send it to her, but she also subpoenaed my phone records so she can see that way, too. I guess him texting me can help in the case, and I’m not supposed to respond.”
“Will you tell me if he contacts you again?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t. I never meant to hurt you.” I lean forward to grab her hand and rub my lips lightly over her knuckles.
“You didn’t hurt me. I can’t say I’m happy that you didn’t tell me, but I can understand it. My only worry is you. I’m beyond upset that he is threatening you, and I need to run out this anger. Stay here and relax. I’ll be back in a bit, okay?” I lean forward, placing a tender kiss on her lips before leaving her to it. Pulling on shorts and a sweater, I grab my running shoes.
I need to call Kinsley and see if there is anything I can do to keep him from her. Would it be too extreme to get her a new number and phone? I can leave the old one open for him to keep digging himself a hole, while keeping her from having to see the threats. I grab my small head lamp from the back seat of my truck and throw it on before hitting the road.
My parents were right, that I was the scrawny, tender kid for most of my life. It was a small town, so I knew mostly everyone, but I wasn’t close with many. People were always trying to change me; comparing me to others and I resented it. Why don’t you try to play sports like your brother? Why don’t you work out more, I’m not into the skinny type. If you did this one thing, maybe more people would like you. Jake was the first one to really see me for who I am until Jen came along. Even then, I think Jen saw parts of me and intended to mold those parts how she saw fit. I allowed myself to bend to her will and let her shape me how she wanted.
Jake and my family are the only people who have never tried to change anything about me. They have always loved me for who I am, not who I could be. I am finally confident in the man that I’ve become and what I have to offer. Lily sees me and I see her. Her family treated her the same way, forcing her onto the paths they wanted for her. People have never loved her for who she is, but who they thought they could make her become.
She didn’t deserve that then, and she doesn’t deserve it now. I want to show her that she is perfect exactly how she is and that after this mess is over, we can build a life together. No one deserves to have a family that makes them feel like they are less than. Her trust issues are justified, especially when you add in a man who lied, cheated on, and manipulated her for years.
I’m no longer the scrawny kid and will fight for what I want - a future with Lily. Tyler has taken enough from her and I won’t let him take any more. I’ll fight tooth and nail to make her see that I am here for her, that together we can have it all, and that once we bury this prick and the entire company, our future will be waiting with open arms.
I’m not sure how long I run for, but my legs are shaking and the house is quiet when I get back. Not wanting to wake up Lily, I shower in the guest bath before crawling into bed with her. Lying there, with the girl of my dreams tucked into my arms, I come to a horrible revelation. I was upset that she didn’t tell me about one text, when I’ve been lying to her about paying for her lawyer. I know I need to come clean, but she can’t afford to keep Kinsley on her own, and I don’t think she will accept my financial help. If she hardly lets me help do little things like work on her bathroom, how will she take knowing I’m spending tens of thousands of dollars on lawyer fees?
It’s a horrible catch twenty-two and I have no idea what to do. I try to sink into the feeling of her next to me, safe and protected, but it doesn’t work. At the first light of the morning sun, I crawl out of bed and do the only other thing that ever seems to clear my head.