by Holly Jaymes
I frowned. “Why would you say that?”
He shrugged. “I’m no Trask Holloway.”
I snorted. “You should be glad for that.”
His brows furrowed, but he didn’t ask what I meant.
When we arrived back, I went to my room and called my father to apologize. He reamed me out, and I took it because I deserved it. I also told him not to hold Wyatt accountable.
“He’s there to look after you, Lily. He wasn’t able to do that. Now he’s going to have to stick tighter. We can’t trust you to follow the guidelines.”
I flopped back on the bed. I wasn’t a child. And yet, I’d proven that I wasn’t trustworthy. I’d dug my own hole.
“Listen, Wyatt will have a day off, and I’ll be there to spend it with you. We can discuss your options. Is there anything you need that I can bring to you?”
“Scones and muffins?”
“Done. I know this is hard, Lily. But you asked for time away. Don’t make it hard for the people who are trying to help you.”
“I get it, dad,” I said tersely, already feeling guilty enough.
“I’ll see you in a couple of days. Stay put.”
I tossed my phone aside and lay on the bed.
“Do you play cards? Checkers?” Wyatt asked, leaning against my door frame. “There’s a closet full of board games. If you’d rather a solitary activity, I found the books.”
I sat up. “I’m sorry I made your job harder.”
He shrugged. “I wouldn’t like being in your position.”
“I play poker.”
His lips twitched up, and his blue eyes sparkled. He was devastatingly handsome. If he wanted, he could have a career as a model. “For money?”
I stood and walked toward the door. “I hope my dad pays you well.”
His eyes widened like he was impressed with my belief in my poker skills.
I passed him and headed toward the living room, resigned to play poker with my handsome bodyguard.
Chapter 6: Bittersweet
Wyatt
I shouldn’t have ever kissed Lily, fake or not. It wasn’t because her father would castrate me either. It was because that one little taste created a craving for more that was driving me crazy. Every time I was around her now, my gaze went to her lips. They were so sweet and soft, and I wanted more. When I wasn’t around her, I could bring up the memory in my mind. The day after I impulsively locked lips with her, I had to jerk off in the shower as I woke up in the middle of a dream of her lips wrapped around my dick.
Two days later, her father came over to give me a day off. I couldn’t get out of that place quick enough. I was so sure he’d be able to tell that I had kissed her and that I wanted to kiss her more. Then I had to consider that she might tell her dad what I’d done. Fortunately, he was all praises and thanks when he showed up.
The first thing I did when I left was to go home and try to get myself reoriented to my life. I took care of household chores and paid my bills. Then I decided to go for a hike to get rid of some of the sexual agitation that had built up following that kiss.
By that evening, I felt like I was on an even keel, which was a good thing because I had made plans to have dinner with my parents. Josh and Allie would be there as well.
I showed up with flowers for my mother. Everyone was already there, gathered in the kitchen.
“Hey there you are,” Josh said, leaning against the island. “So, I hear you’ve taken up with the sheriff’s daughter.”
I arched a brow looking at Allie. “That’s supposed to be a secret.”
My mother’s eyes widened. “It’s true?”
I shook my head. “I’m on an assignment to protect her.” I went to the fridge and pulled out a beer.
“Protect her from what? Is she dangerous?” My mother was still mid-chop of a carrot as she watched me.
“You told them I was watching the sheriff’s daughter, but not why?”
“It’s a secret,” Allie replied.
I laughed. “It is a secret. Really, mom, dad…” I gave Josh a hard look as he liked gossip more than anyone. “Josh.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “On my honor, I won’t say a word.”
“The sheriff’s daughter is Lily Maddox.”
My parents just looked at me, blankly. Josh whistled, and Allie gave him a slight punch.
“What? She’s a model, and my brother Wyatt is a man’s man. There must be some interesting heat going on in that cabin.”
“You’re a pervert sometimes, you know that?” Allie said.
Josh waggled his brows. “That’s why you love me, honey.”
“I think I’m going to hurl,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Who is Lily Maddox?” my father asked.
“The sheriff’s daughter, which is why there is no heat. He’s my boss. And he carries a gun for a living.” I glared at Josh. “She’s also a model. Her mother is Madeline LeCoeur.”
“Oh, I know her. She’s a model.” My mother frowned. “She and the sheriff…?”
“I don’t know the details,” I said before she could ask me. It did seem like an odd combination…a small-town man of law and a model. Then again, I didn’t know much about Sheriff Maddox’s life before he came to Eden Lake.
“Is she nice?” my mother asked, going back to her carrots.
“She’s fine. I think she’s having a hard time being sequestered.”
“So that was her on Regina’s Instagram?” Allie asked.
I nodded.
“And you locking lips with her.” Josh arched a brow. “You sure there’s no heat?”
How the hell did he know about that? It was Regina, probably. “That was to put people off thinking she was who she is.”
“Good thinking,” Josh said with a smirk.
“Leave him alone, Josh,” Allie said. “I don’t know Lily very well at all. She and my sister are pretty close, though. Victoria is talking about flying back to visit. If she does, she can take a little bit of the boredom away for Lily.”
“She’d probably like that,” I said.
My father entered the back door. “Steak is grilled. Who’s hungry?”
We all sat around the table, and I took a moment to appreciate what I had. I had two loving parents who were devoted to each other, a smart-ass brother, and his lovely wife. I couldn’t really ask for more.
“Allie, you’re not trying the wine?” my father asked. His new hobby was learning about wine, and he always enlisted us to taste his new finds when we were over.
Allie looked at Josh, and emotion raced between them.
“Oh?” My mother seemed to be holding her breath.
Josh put his arm around Allie. “You tell them.”
Allie’s smile was as wide as it had been the day that she walked down the aisle to marry my brother. “We’re expecting.”
“Expecting what?” my father asked, deadpan.
“Oh my…” My mother’s eyes filled with happy tears. She stood up and rushed to Allie and Josh. “I knew it. I’m going to be a grandma.”
I stood and pulled Josh up from his chair. “Congratulations.” I gave him a hug and then Allie as well. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”
“Thank you, Wyatt.”
My father got in on the hugs too. Then the questions flew. When was she due? End of May. How was she feeling? Tired. Had they picked out names? And so on.
As happy as I was for Josh and Allie, I couldn’t stop the twinge of sadness that I’d never have that. At least, not like them.
After dinner, Allie, Josh, and my father went up to the attic to look for stored away baby items. I stood on the deck despite the cold, taking in the clear night.
“Are you okay, Wy?” My mother put her hand on my back and rubbed as she came to stand next to me.
“Yeah. Great news about Josh and Allie.”
“It is. The happiest.” For a moment, she stood with me in silence. “You can still have children, too, Wyatt.
Maybe not like this. But there are all sort of scientific options or adoption—”
“It’s okay, mom. I don’t even have a wife, so it’s fine.”
“Or maybe you can father a child. Have you ever had a doctor look at…things again?”
I closed my eyes to gather the strength to talk about this with my mother. It wasn’t an easy topic with anyone, but especially my mother. I mean, how do you talk to your mom about shooting blanks because of an injury in high school?
When the doctor first told me that the injury to my nuts could lead to infertility, my initial concern was about getting off, and not whether I’d be able to make babies. After all, I was eighteen at the time. Being a father wasn’t something in the forefront of my concerns.
Now, over a decade later, I’d resigned that I couldn’t have children the natural way, which severely impacted my relationships with women. I knew women my age wanted the whole shebang; husband, children, dog all in a nice house. Knowing I couldn’t provide all of that, I’d shied away from long term relationships. It wouldn’t be fair to fall in love only to have to dash her dreams.
I decided several years ago, my best option was to wait for a woman who already had children and didn’t want more.
“There’s been no change,” I said to her. It could be true. The last time I jerked off in a cup for analysis was a long time ago after I’d had surgery to try to fix it. It turned out the operation didn’t seem to help. The doctor suggested that it could still turn around and that I should continue to check, but after a while, there was only so much a man’s ego could take. Sure, I could orgasm like the best of them, but there was something emasculating at the idea that I couldn’t procreate. I didn’t want to be reminded of that over and over. So, I just accepted it.
“I’m sorry, Wyatt.”
I put my arm around my mother. “I’m going to be a terrific uncle.”
She smiled up at me. “Yes, you are.” She leaned her head against me. “But don’t give up on the idea of being a father. Because you’d be a terrific one.”
Back in the house, I found Josh and Allie looking at old photographs of us as children.
“I was cuter,” I said as I got another beer and sat in a chair across from them on the couch.
“Only because you were better behaved,” Josh quipped.
“It’s true. You better hope your baby doesn’t have any of his demon DNA,” I said to Allie.
Allie laughed. “I tamed him. I can tame our child.” She stood. “I’m going to help your mom in the kitchen. I think your dad is exasperating her.”
I got the feeling she left, so Josh and I could have some time. It was kind of her.
“So, was this planned or a surprise?” I asked him.
“A little of both. We decided now might be the time and stopped using protection and let nature take over.”
“Will you be getting a house? That condo of yours is nice, but don’t kids need space?”
“Yes. Eventually. One thing at a time.”
I sat back in my chair. “If you want to trade, we can. If you need the space, but don’t want to buy a home yet.” He owned his condo, and it was an excellent place for a bachelor. My house wasn’t huge, but it had more space than his condo, plus I had a yard.
Josh looked at me with brotherly love. “Thanks, man. I think we’re good.”
I nodded and sipped my beer.
“Is this bittersweet for you?” He looked down as he asked. I appreciated that while it was uncomfortable for him, that he cared enough to check-in.
“A little. Mostly sweet. You and Allie deserve the best. I’m really happy for you.”
It occurred to me that Josh’s kids wouldn’t have cousins unless Allie’s sister Victoria had kids. It was stupid, but I felt a little bit like I was letting them down. Our cousins used to show up here every summer. We had grown up like siblings.
“So, tell me about Lily. And I’m not being a pervert.”
I shrugged. “She got herself some bad publicity, and she’s hiding out trying to decide her next step.”
“So, she’s out of the business. That sort of sucks. That douche Trask Holloway comes out looking like a victim, but Allie says he’s the one that tried to grope Lily.”
“How do you know all this?” I asked.
“Victoria is Lily’s friend. Allie and Victoria were on the phone for hours the other night. I heard it all. Women, when they’re gossiping and catty, are pretty entertaining.”
I laughed. Only Josh would get a kick out of that.
“Anyway, according to Victoria, Trask was meeting with Lily to discuss the possibility of her being in his next movie. During the meeting, he put the moves on her.”
“In the photo, she doesn’t look like she’s refusing him,” I said, playing devil’s advocate.
“That photo didn’t make the papers. It’s not as interesting as a photo that looks like Trask and Lily are having a fling.”
“There’s more photos?” I asked, intrigued.
“Of course, there are. Those cameras take a zillion pictures a second.”
I felt a little guilty for believing Lily was an active participant in the interlude. Some of her reactions and statements to me about it suggested she was angry, but I thought that was because of the fallout.
Josh’s eyes narrowed. “How do you not know all this? You’re practically living with her. Hell, you kissed her.”
I pointed my beer bottle at him. “That was just to create a cover. The truth is we don’t talk about why she’s there. Mostly we play poker, which I suggest you don’t do because she’s a hustler.”
Josh laughed. “No, kidding. How much do you owe?”
“Let’s just say I may need an advance on my pay.”
That night, it was nice to sleep in my own bed, but my dreams were filled with Lily and her fantastic mouth. Then Allie showed up and was telling Lily to stay away from me. Josh joined her, telling Lily that I couldn’t give her a family and that I was defective. I woke up with a start, scraping my hands over my face. Dreams could be so fucked up at times.
I made my way to my kitchen to get water and pain reliever, and make coffee. Dark clouds hung low in the sky. They looked heavy. I opened the door and sniffed. It smelled like snow. I hoped it snowed enough to limit travel. It would be nice to not have to worry about Lily and photographers for a few days. Of course, I hoped we didn’t get so much snow that we were stuck. There was only so much poker two people could play before they got bored. The idea of being snowed in with Lily made my dick twitch, which was a very bad thing.
Chapter 7: The Escape
Lily
It was nice to spend a night with my father. We went for a long walk through Pine Rest, made dinner together, watched TV, and played some poker. I beat him too. He never brought up my escape, which I was glad about because I didn’t want a lecture.
We did discuss some of my future plans. I showed him my sketches of clothing designs. “I was thinking of maybe looking into exercise wear.”
“That’s not what you modeled before, is it?”
“No. But I’d like to design something that was comfortable outside of exercise, looked great, lasted, and was practical. You know, it could have a place for a cell phone. Or maybe even embed smart technology. I’ve seen it in shoes.”
“Can you launder smart technology?”
No. Hmm. “Maybe it could be removable. I don’t know. I enjoy it when I’m sketching and would love to see some of this come to reality.”
“There’s a store that sells fabric in town. Maybe I could get you some, and you could start putting something together,” he offered.
For so long, my sketching and ideas were just things I thought about but never acted on. My father’s words now pushed my ideas forward. I had time now to start putting some of them into action.
“Yes. I want to try that.”
We discussed my future, but my father also asked me about Wyatt and if we were getting along.
�
�He’s doing his job, dad.”
My father frowned. “What does that mean?”
“It means he’s doing his job. He’s taking it seriously.”
He nodded and studied me for a moment. “There’s a rumor that he was kissing the woman that was thought to be you at Paradise Java?”
“He thought if he did that, people wouldn’t think it wasn’t me.”
“Did he, now?” He raised his brow, and I got the feeling he didn’t like the idea of Wyatt kissing me.
“He said he was the last person Lily Maddox would be kissing.”
He sat back and frowned. “That’s a weird statement.”
I shrugged. “He made it sound like a small-town guy like him wouldn’t have a chance with someone like me.”
“I’m a small-town guy, and I got your mom. Of course, she wasn’t a model then, but still. Wyatt is a good guy. He’s selling himself short.”
“Are you saying you want him to kiss me.” I was teasing, yet at the same time, I’d have really liked to have kissed him again. I couldn’t look at him and not be reminded of that kiss.
“Hell no. I picked him because I knew I could trust him to keep his hands off of you.”
What if I wanted them on me, I thought but was smart enough not to say.
The next day I found my father at the window looking out over the lake. “A storm is coming.”
I looked out and saw dark clouds. “Will it snow?”
“I think so.” He opened the door and stepped out, inhaling a deep breath. “Yep. Smells like snow.”
I followed him out and inhaled. It smelled like clean mountain air to me. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“We should make sure you have everything you need. Food. Water. Wood. Flashlights. Candles.”
“Are we preparing for a disaster?” I was already sheltering in place. The idea of being snowed in and stuck was even less appealing.
“No, but it’s always good to be prepared in case you get snowed in, or the power goes out.”
Dad went through all the cupboards and checked the woodpile. He found flashlights and candles, putting them on the island between the kitchen and living area.