“I care, Lily.”
My declaration triggered something in her alcohol soaked brain. “D-Don’t like to me! Do you even k-know what I had to do to g-get here? I begged someone to cover my shift at the bar. Begged. And I’m probably g-gonna lose my j-job now.” It took two tries, but she finally made it to her feet. “Go b-back to your date.”
I curved my hand around her elbow. “Sit down before you fall.”
She batted me away. “J-Just so you know, I’ve got a d-date too. Ch-chaz. You saw him.”
I raised a brow. “You mean Chad?”
Her pretty eyes glazed over. “Is that his name? Whatever. He’s p-probably waiting for me right now.” She tried to scoot around me, but tripped over her own feet. Looping an arm around her waist in time to keep her from sliding to the ground, I eased her back down on the step and knelt in front of her.
“Chad won’t be waiting for you. Not if he knows what’s good for him. And I’m not here with a date. You were supposed to be my date.”
“B-but Lindsey said…”
“She lied. Now, why didn’t you tell me you had to work?”
“I-I don’t know.” She hiccupped, shaking her head. “Embarrassed, I g-guess. You s-sure she lied?”
Mumbling to herself, broken thoughts continued to spill from her lips. Obviously, the girl had zero tolerance for alcohol.
My parents didn’t let me go to parties.
Recalling her confession in the limo, a knot formed in my stomach. Her coming here, that was on me. And if I wouldn’t have found her…If she would’ve gone back to the hotel with Chad…
Pushing the thought aside, I cupped her cheek, tilting her face to mine. Her lids fluttered closed. And I didn’t care that people were all around us. Or that we might get photographed. I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. “Let me take you home, pretty girl.”
Not “let me call you a cab” or “let’s go back to the Mansion.” I wanted to see her place. Find out where she lived. Wake up in a bed that belonged to her. Not some rented space.
Lily blinked at me with trusting eyes as I pulled her to standing. “Can we have s-sex?” she asked in a loud and surprisingly clear voice. So loud that a small cluster of people nearby, fighting off the cold so they could get their nicotine fix, turned to stare.
“Inside voice, baby,” I chuckled as I tried to get her feet moving in the same direction as mine.
“B-but I want to,” she insisted, fisting my shirt for balance as we walked. “Have s-sex with you.”
If she wasn’t so drunk, she’d see the fire in my eyes. The desire. Any other girl, and I’d have her up against the wall in one of the dark alleys between the buildings. But this was Lily. And if she didn’t pass out before we made it to her bed, I’d give her everything she wanted. And more.
***
By the time we made it to the front of the building, Lily got her second wind. I managed to wave down a cab and, ducking inside, I pulled her in after me. As soon as the door closed, she tried to climb on my lap.
The cabbie twisted in his seat, ignoring the girl trying to rip my clothes off. “Where am I going?”
Catching Lily’s hands, I forced her to focus on my words. “I need your address for the driver.”
Giggling, she tried to plant a kiss on my mouth. Or near my mouth.
“Lily,” I said sternly. “Give me your address.”
She thought about it for a minute. “It’s... um…sixty-six-oh-six Maple…Mapleshade Lane.” Pleased with herself, she returned her focus to undressing me and her hand slipped under my shirt.
“Did you get that?” I asked the driver, trying to keep her palm from sliding any higher, or God forbid, any lower.
He nodded, turning the volume up on the radio as he pulled away from the curb. Every few minutes, his eyes drifted to the backseat where I was making a lame attempt to fight Lily off. As the miles ticked by, her desperate attempts intensified.
Fisting her hair, I brought my lips to her ear. “If you don’t stop,” I growled, “I’m going to tie you up.” She groaned, fingers sinking into the tender skin on my stomach. “And I won’t fuck you.”
Whatever drunken haze had overtaken her, the threat made it to her foggy brain. Because she quit squirming and tipped back, blinking at me like I’d just told her there was no Santa Claus.
“Patience, baby.” One chaste kiss and I deposited her on the seat beside me.
Winding her arm around mine, she yawned and rested her head on my shoulder.
I thought she’d passed out, but when we coasted to a stop moments later in front of her apartment complex, she sat up straight. The groping resumed as I wrangle the cash out of my pocket for the fare.
Lily managed to make it out of the cab without face planting, but tripped over her heels a second later on a piece of uneven concrete. Since the rest of the sidewalk was in the same state of disrepair, it was either carry her the rest of the way or risk a broken ankle.
She pulled a face when I crouched. “Climb on my back.”
Propping a hand on her hip, she shook her head dramatically. “I can w-walk.”
“You can barely stand. Now, do what you’re told.”
With a huff, she climbed on board and cinched her legs around my waist. As I struggled to my feet, she stuck one hand in the collar of my t-shirt, scoring her nails across my chest. And then she bit my neck.
“I swear. If you don’t quit, I am going to tie you up.”
Telling her I wouldn’t fuck her was not only a lie, it was a damn lie. It would be a miracle if we made it to her apartment without getting naked in the bushes.
After following her mumbled directions to a small alcove, I stopped in front of the first door, and she slid off my back. My jaw came unhinged when she snatched the key hidden under the welcome mat.
“Why don’t you carry this with you?” I asked, prying the key from her hand and shoving it in the lock. “Anyone could break in.”
Waving her hand dismissively, she stumbled over the step and into the pitch black apartment. “Tess is always l-losing her keys.”
Frozen in my tracks, I let the door slide closed behind me. “Who’s Tess?”
Light flooded the hallway where Lily stood, her skirt in a pool at her feet. “My r-roommate.” Wrinkling her nose, she fumbled with the buttons on her blouse. “She’s at her boyfriends.” Exasperated, she gave up on the little seed pearls and dragged the shirt over her head.
My agitation over the whole Chad debacle had all but disappeared, but something else flared up when I saw Lily in her flimsy pink bra and matching panties. Jealousy. At least I think that’s what it was. Because I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to fuck her against the wall or go back to the club and kill Chad for getting anywhere near her.
Lily’s eyes widened as I closed the gap between us. “You look m-mad.”
Curving a hand around her thigh, I pulled her up so we were face-to-face. “Nope, not mad.” With my mouth on hers, I walked us into the bedroom. Unwinding her arms from my neck when I felt the bedframe against my shins, I let her fall onto the mattress. As I bent to untie the laces on my boots, her fingers dove into my hair and she tugged insistently, guiding me to the apex of her thighs.
My thumb glided over the damp lace covering her sweet pussy. “You want me to taste you, baby?”
She tilted her hips. “Please…”
Dragging her panties off, I tossed them over my shoulder. She gasped when my tongue slid over her tiny bud. Maybe it was the booze lowering her inhibitions, but as she rocked against me, every filthy thought in her head found a voice. And as hot as it was, it was my name spilling from her lips when she flew apart that drove me over the edge.
Dazed and panting, Lily watched as I shed my clothes.
“Come here.” Catching her wrist, I pulled her to her knees. “Now turn around.”
“W-why?”
“I’m going to fuck you from behind.” My hand slid to her ass and I gave her a little smack. “An
d you’re going to like it.”
Snagging her lip between her teeth, she contemplated for a moment before slowly turning her back to me. She jerked when I kissed the back of her neck.
“S-Sorry,” she squeaked. “I’ve never d-done it this way before.”
“Never?” Resisting the urge to fold her in half and plunge inside her, I took my time unclasping her bra. “Do you trust me?” She nodded. “Then put your hands behind your back.” I ran my nose along the shell of her ear when she hesitated. “You can always say no.”
I threw that in in case she had any doubt. The choice was hers. Always.
“Good girl,” I said when she did as I asked. Her breath hitched as I bound her wrists with the strap of her bra. “Still trust me?”
“Yes.”
Cupping the back of her neck, I tipped her forward until her forehead touched the mattress. My eyes stayed locked on her glistening pussy while I slid the condom into place. “God, baby, you’re so fucking wet.” I guided my tip to her entrance, and paused. “Tell me you want me.”
That you want this. All of this.
“I do. I want….”
One thrust and I was buried in her warmth. A current of electricity pulsed beneath my skin. And she owned it. Every sensation belonged to her.
Dipping my fingers between her slick folds, I found the bundle of nerves that would send her flying. “Come, baby.”
And she did. Calling my name, she begged me to take all of her. And in that moment, as I spilled inside her, she stole a piece of me I could never get back. Or I gave it willingly. Either way, something shifted. And I knew I’d never be the same again.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
* * *
Cameron
Rolling over, I threw my arm over my face to block the sun. Lily’s scent lingered on my skin. And on the sheets. In the air. But the bed was empty.
I cracked one eye open and the unfamiliar room swam into focus. Sketches of all sizes adorned the walls. Some in frames, but most were tacked up haphazardly. I sat up, glancing over the cities and faces and streets that only existed in Lily’s imagination. It was like waking up in someone else’s dream.
Rather than trying to figure out why I felt so comfortable here, I let the smell of coffee propel me to my feet. On the desk, amidst the colored pencils and bits of charcoal, sat a steaming mug. I took a sip. Strong and sweet. My favorite.
Dropping onto the chair, I picked up a half finished sketch from the desk. Pausing with the cup halfway to my lips, I examined the portrait. A man, naked from the waist up, with strands of long hair falling over his face. My face. It was perfect. Exactly how I imagined I looked when I was sleeping.
A female voice I didn’t recognize floated from beyond the door. “What are you going to do?”
And then Lily. “I don’t know…shit…” A sob broke free and I jumped up, looking around for my jeans. Before I could get the zipper up, a phone rang. “It’s my mom,” Lily said, panic lacing her tone. “What should I do?”
“You’d better answer it. You know she won’t give up until you do.”
Lily cleared her throat. “H-hello. Hi, M-Mom.”
She must’ve put the phone on speaker because another voice cut in. “Lilian! What’s the matter with you?”
“M-mom, l-let me explain—”
“Don’t you ever think about how your actions will reflect on others?” I cringed as Lily struggled to answer. But her mother was having none of it. “Of course you don’t. Your father’s office has already fielded a dozen phone calls. We’ve stayed out of your business. But this…” She sighed heavily. “Grinding on some musician at a night club.”
“I was just d-dancing.”
“Don’t lie to me! I saw the other pictures as well. The ones from the stadium. Is that what this bohemian lifestyle of yours is all about? Do you follow rock bands around and sleep with any man who’ll have you?’
Enraged, I jerked the door open in time to see Lily fling her phone at the wall. Sliding to her butt, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
Her friend noticed me rooted to my spot, and stepped over the broken pieces of plastic. “I’m Tess. Lily’s roommate.”
“Cameron.”
She smiled tightly. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
Lingering for a moment, she looked down at Lily, then up to me. Concern etched her features. Along with a warning. Or maybe it was a plea. Don’t hurt her. The words were as clear as if she’d spoken them aloud.
Satisfied with my quick nod, Tess disappeared into the room across the hall.
Crouching beside Lily, I smoothed a hand over her hair. “What happened?”
She looked up, last night’s mascara streaking her face. And for a long moment she just stared at me. Then her focus shifted to the newspaper spread out on the floor. It was opened to the society page. To a picture of us at the stadium.
Is Cameron Knight playing a new tune? Caged guitarist spotted getting cozy with Lillian Tennison, socialite daughter of high-profile business magnate Marcus Tennison.
I pulled her against me when fresh tears spilled onto her cheeks. “It’s okay.”
I wasn’t sure why I said it. Because nothing was okay. I’d been so caught up in my own head, I’d never thought about what Lily might be risking by getting involved with me.
Cradling her in my arms, I carried her into her room. Easing her between the sheets, I crawled in behind her and wrapped her in my arms. “I’m sorry, Lily.”
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d apologized to anyone. And that said something about my life. There was no give. Only take.
She turned to face me with a furrowed brow. “W-why? I’m not. Except for last n-night. I knew you were m-mad. I shouldn’t have just shown up like that.”
“I wasn’t mad. I was hurt. I thought you were blowing me off.”
She gave me a watery smile. “I would never blow you off.”
Rolling her onto her back, I looked into her eyes. So blue. An ocean of possibilities. “Lily, I don’t know how to do…this. I don’t want to hurt you. But, shit—I just want to be with you. However we can.”
Her fingertip glided along my bottom lip. “I suppose we can try…”
Pressing my lips to hers, I silenced any conditions or limitations she was about to impose. She’d said yes, and that’s all that mattered for now.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
* * *
Lily
The clerk finished ringing up my purchase. Since this was Saks Fifth Avenue, she didn’t tell me the total, just turned the scanner in my direction. I gulped, flicking my gaze from the screen to her sable eyes. “Um…I thought the dress was on s-sale?”
Her lips flat-lined as she glanced over my messy bun, and freshly scrubbed face. “It is. But I took the liberty of adding the strapless bra you tried on to your purchase.” Shifting her focus to my chest, she raised a brow. “A good foundation is a must, you know.”
She was probably right, but I had just enough on the gift card my father had sent me for my birthday to cover the dress. I’d been saving it to buy something to wear for graduation, but I fell in love with the Monique Lhuillier gown the moment I saw it. And since I needed something to wear to the ballet tonight, I’d decided to treat myself. But the pampering didn’t extend to a one hundred and forty five dollar bra.
“J-Just the dress,” I said, sliding my gift card to her with a smile.
She nodded briskly and, after making the adjustment, she slipped my purchase into a garment bag.
“Lillian?”
Cringing inwardly, I squeezed my eyes shut. Coming here was a mistake. But Cameron had insisted on buying a tux for our date, and this was the only store where I had enough pull to get the alterations done by this evening.
Straightening my spine, I turned with a forced smile. “Hello, Mrs. B-Blackstone.”
My mother’s best friend enveloped me in a hug infused with so much French perfume my eyes watered. After kissing both cheeks, she held
me at arm’s length to look me over. “Aren’t you cute as a bug’s ear. You look just like Abby. Now, come over here and tell me everything you’ve been doing.”
Before I could untangle my tongue, she dragged me over to a settee in the center of the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see all of Men’s Formal Wear, including the door to the dressing room where Cameron was getting fitted.
“You must be so excited about your graduation.” she said, patting the rich, velvet upholstery on the settee.
Smile frozen on my lips, I eased down onto the cushion. Graduation. My debt. I could almost picture my father, looking me over with disappointment from behind the desk in his office. But I still had a couple of months before I’d have to face him. Maybe I’d win the lottery.
“Lillian?”
“Oh…yes. Very excited.”
Luckily, Mrs. Blackstone had known me all my life, and she didn’t expect me to elaborate.
Better to say one sentence perfectly, than stumble through an entire conversation. Less is more, Lillian.
She’d been there the night of my coming out party when my mother had given me that piece of advice.
“Will you continue to work at the Mansion after you graduate?”
My cheeks heated. “I’m n-not sure.”
Something akin to sympathy flashed across her features. “You haven’t had any luck finding a position?”
I shook my head, dropping my gaze to my lap. “N-not yet.”
She sighed. “I dare say that is your mother’s doing, sweetheart.” I blinked at her, and she frowned. “She’s been functioning as the head of the Fine Arts League ever since Whitney ran off with that painter from Spain. They’re going to make the official offer as soon as the party season is over.”
I didn’t know what surprised me more, the fact that she’d admitted that Judge Sinclair’s wife had skipped town with an artist half her age, or my mother’s new position.
“I d-didn’t know that.”
But, of course, it made sense. Everything made sense now.
Rock Star Romance Ultimate: Volume 1 Page 63