‘Ah, shut up!’ Mac shouted out with a grin.
‘Flynn, maybe you’d better tell me a bit more about the stalking?’ Violet said with a mischievous gleam in her eye.
‘Hey, I thought you were meant to be on my side!’ Mac said as he hugged Violet.
‘Always.’
Mac dipped his head and kissed her deeply.
‘Guys, focus for a second,’ Flynn said as he rolled his eyes. ‘Come on, you two, there are children present.’
Violet pulled back and gave an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry.’
‘Nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart,’ Mac said before he leant in and kissed her again.
Flynn cleared his throat loudly as a ripple of laughter flowed through the room.
‘As I was trying to say, we all wish you a lifetime of happiness, love and good fortune.’ He looked down and smiled at Lily beside him. ‘We can only hope to find the love of our lives, but you two have done it!’ Flynn’s gaze reluctantly left Lily’s as he continued. ‘Anyway, let’s all raise a glass: to Mac, Violet and Holly, and to the wonderful family they have just become.’
It took Lily a few seconds to remember how to breathe; that look of Flynn’s seemed to say so much, and to her it felt like a declaration to the whole room. Heat flushed her cheeks as she glanced across the room. Jill was giving her a huge grin and a thumbs up and Lily bit back a grin. She turned her head and fell straight into the eyes of Charlotte Somerville. Charlotte stared back at her; she wore a thin smile but Lily caught a look of sadness in her eyes. It was obvious that Charlotte still cared for Flynn, even though, from what Lily had heard, she’d been the one to end their arrangement in the first place.
Lily looked away and tried to put it out of her mind. Today was all about Violet, Mac and Holly, not remorseful ex-partners. With Flynn’s toast finished, the revellers went back to, well, revelling. It wasn’t until an hour or so later when Lily was heading to the kitchen that Charlotte appeared by her side.
‘Can we talk?’
‘Sure,’ Lily said cautiously.
Charlotte’s hand reached out and touched her arm. ‘I just wanted to say that I’m glad Flynn has found happiness. He once said that he didn’t do commitment and yet he has with you.’
Lily looked down at Charlotte’s hand before raising her eyes to the other woman.
‘Thank you, Charlotte.’
Charlotte shook her head. ‘I care about him. I waited for him but he wasn’t ready … but obviously he is now.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Lily said.
‘It’s not your fault – just bad timing along with a hundred other things. I wish you well,’ Charlotte said as she gave a little shrug.
‘Thanks, that’s kind of you.’
‘Not a word most people would use about me,’ Charlotte said with a tight smile as she dropped her gaze. ‘But I hope it works out for you both.’
Lily wasn’t sure but she thought Charlotte’s eyes filled with tears as she turned away and disappeared back into the party.
Chapter 23
Later that evening when the moon hung in the warm summer air, Lily stood with the rest of the wellwishers waiting to wave Violet and Mac goodbye.
‘Now, be a good girl, won’t you?’ Violet said as she hugged Holly tightly. ‘I miss you already.’
‘Come on, Violet. Holly is always good,’ Lily said with a grin. ‘Except when she isn’t.’
‘Aunty Lily, I’m good,’ Holly said with a pout as she looked up.
‘Just teasing, sweetie,’ Lily winked at her niece before glancing at her sister. ‘Go and have a great time. Don’t worry, Holly will be fine.’
‘I know she will, it’s just I’ve never been away from her before.’
Lily gave Violet a quick hug. ‘Stop worrying and we’ll see you in a week. Come on, Mac, get her out of here.’
Mac sauntered over and draped his arm around his bride. ‘So, Flynn, if there’s any problems just—’
Flynn rolled his eyes. ‘Jeez, Mac, you’re only going for a week. I’m sure the Run and the rest of us will be just fine. Seriously, we’ve got this covered, so go and sit on a tropical beach and enjoy yourselves.’
‘Right,’ Mac grinned. ‘Thanks. Let’s go, sweetheart.’
Violet bent down and wrapped Holly in another hug before dropping a kiss on her forehead. ‘We’ll call you tomorrow.’
Mac scooped Holly up and planted a kiss on her cheek. ‘Okay, fairy, you’re in charge until we get back.’
Holly giggled. ‘I can’t be in charge of McKellan’s Run – I’m only seven.’
‘Course you can,’ he said with a smile as he handed her to Flynn. ‘And don’t you let this one boss you around.’
‘As if I could,’ Flynn said as he balanced Holly on his hip, pulling Lily into a hug with his free hand.
After another couple of minutes of happy, weepy goodbyes, mainly from Violet and Sarah, Mac finally managed to get her in the car and drive off. Lily smiled up at Flynn as his fingers drew slow circles against the bare skin of her shoulder. His touch sparked the dormant lust inside her. She’d wanted him all day and now finally she’d be able to act upon it – maybe there was something in this whole delayed gratification thing after all.
Lily left Holly in Sarah’s capable care. Both grandmother and granddaughter were looking forward to spending the next week in each other’s company. It was a win-win situation, with Holly getting spoiled and Sarah being able to do the spoiling.
Most of the guests had drifted off by the time Flynn took Lily’s hand and led her to his ute. She leant against him as they drove away from McKellan’s Run and towards the other side of town.
The falls had been an integral part of the community ever since the town was founded. Landoc Creek snaked its way through the bush and just outside of town it ran over a high rocky face and formed a steady flowing waterfall, which poured into a natural pool before continuing its journey as a fast-moving stream.
But the blessing of the falls was that no matter how hot the summer was or even if the town was caught in a drought, the water still flowed.
Flynn brought the ute to a stop in the small car park from which the falls were a couple of minutes’ walk away. The town had been careful to try to protect the area so, other than a couple of lights around the pool edge itself, the rest of the place was pretty much unchanged. The only concessions that had been made by the council were the car park, a toilet block and a gas barbeque, all tucked away from the natural beauty of the site.
Lily got out of the front cab and stood for a moment, listening to the sound of the falls in the warm darkness. There was something special about this place and she’d always felt a connection to it. Flynn walked around the bonnet and took her hand, a chorus of cicadas sounding as they began to walk.
‘Looks like we’re the only ones here.’
‘Oh yes, the picnickers are all long gone,’ Flynn said. ‘Still feel up to a swim or are you going to chicken out?’
‘Well, that will depend on just how cold the water is,’ Lily answered.
Together they walked down the narrow path, the sound of the rushing water becoming louder with each step. When they reached the falls, one light shone on the cascading waters while the other lit up part of the pool. Along the banks of the falls were scattered rock formations and several clumps of willows and gums. As they reached the water’s edge, the cooler air and water mist blew across Lily’s body.
Lily knelt down and dipped her fingers into the water.
‘Too cold?’ Flynn asked as he leant against one of the willows.
Lily shook her head as she stood up. ‘You don’t think anyone else will turn up?’
‘It’s pretty unlikely at this time of night, but if you want to go, we can.’
Lily reached over and touched his cheek, her fingers trailing down the side of his face.
‘No, I don’t want to go. I want to stay here with you.’
He pulled her into his arms. The kiss was long and sl
ow and made her glow inside. Her tongue sought his and within a heartbeat desire kindled and fired within her. Lily wound her arms around him and pulled him closer. The thought of swimming slipped from her mind. She wanted Flynn – no, she needed him.
‘You burn me up, Lily,’ he murmured against her lips.
She didn’t answer, instead grabbing the hem of his shirt with both hands and pulling it up and over his head. A couple of buttons seemed to pop but she needed to touch his warm skin, craving the smooth muscled planes of his shoulders and defined chest. The necessity to feel his heart beat against hers was overwhelming.
As Flynn’s shirt floated to the ground, he slipped the straps from her shoulders and tugged the bodice of her dress down. Lily’s head fell back as Flynn’s mouth closed over her breast – hot, wet and searing. Her breath caught for a moment as her insides contracted.
‘Flynn.’
‘I’m here, babe, and I swear I’m not going anywhere.’
Her dress slithered down her body and the beaded pale green chiffon pooled at her feet.
‘You’re so beautiful, Lily. I swear I just can’t get enough of you.’
‘I want you, Flynn. I want to feel you against me, wrapped around me … inside me.’ Her fingers ran slowly over his warm skin as the heat inside her began to build.
Flynn sucked in a breath. ‘You’ve got a hell of a way with words, Lily. I thought I’d try to do something romantic – you know, an almost full moon, a hot summer’s night and the falls. But now I can’t think straight. All I know is I want you so much. Hell, I can’t even put it into words.’
Lily’s hand meandered over his chest, the hard muscles of his abdomen, until she cupped his rock-hard erection. Leaning forward, she whispered in his ear. ‘I appreciate the thought. It was a sweet romantic gesture and I promise I’ll give it my full attention … later. But right now, let’s just get naked.’
‘Babe, you don’t have to ask me twice,’ Flynn said, a wolfish grin spreading over his face.
In about two seconds flat Lily found herself standing bare in front of an equally naked Flynn. Lord, he was so hot standing there in moonlight that he almost made her breath stop. His eyes travelled up and down her body and Lily stared back.
The old Lily, the Lily before she fell in love with Flynn, would have tried to hide from his gaze. The moment would have been ruined because of all her self-doubt and never quite feeling comfortable with her own body. But not anymore. She saw the way he looked at her and how it made her feel: wanted, coveted and, for the very first time in her life, beautiful.
She heard the faint crinkle of the foil as Flynn opened a condom packet.
‘Would you like me to …?’
‘That’s something we can explore in greater depth later. Right now, I’m just doing what you asked me to do,’ he breathed raggedly.
‘And what’s that exactly?’ asked Lily, equally breathless.
‘Holding you against me.’
Her breasts brushed against the hard planes of his chest. She felt his hot skin searing hers, his cock straining against her. He bent down and dropped a series of burning kisses along the side of her neck. Lily leant into him and tilted her head to the side to allow him access. Warmth pooled in her belly at the sensation of his lips on her skin.
‘Wrapping myself around you,’ Flynn whispered as his arms encircled her and held her close.
She loved this feeling of being cocooned by his heat, his strength, his essence. Lily wound her arms around his shoulders and kissed him. His hands slid down her body before lifting her up, and instinctively she locked her legs around him.
‘Being inside you,’ he said as he slowly entered her.
Lily closed her eyes as the delicious sensation filled her again and again.
‘Ah, Lily, you turn me upside down.’
She held on tight as they found their natural rhythm, her breath quickening as the fire grew inside her. Lily opened her mouth to reply but the words never materialised, swept away by the reaction that Flynn stirred within her. All she was left with was the fire in his touch, and it consumed her.
***
The Monday morning after the wedding, Lily went through some of the photos she’d taken before the ceremony. She smiled as the image of Violet in her wedding dress flashed up on the screen, turning back to face the camera. The light coming in from the windows gave her an ethereal quality; she was beautiful and the dress looked sublime. The shot was perfect for the website she was developing for the Gilded Lily. She’d been trying to find the perfect name for her business pretty much from when she had the idea of opening, but nothing had seemed right until now. She knew that she’d left the whole naming thing a bit late, but she’d finally commissioned the sign-writer and ordered her business cards.
The repairs and remodelling of the shop were finally finished, so now all she had to do was dress the space and complete the last handful of designs. Lily hoped that she could pull everything together for the opening in just over two weeks.
Flicking through the images on the screen, it occurred to Lily that she could use them not only on the website but in the shop as well. This sweet photo of Holly in her flower girl’s dress skipping through the old rose garden at Mac’s place, for instance. The photos were imbued with a sense of romance, which was just what Lily wanted for her business. She’d have them blown up and mounted in ornate gilt frames. Running with the decision, Lily was downloading some favourite images onto a thumb drive when her phone rang.
‘Hi, Lily – it’s Mandy from the Violet Falls Gazette.’
‘Hi, how are you?’
‘Good. I was just wondering if it would be okay to do another little article on your shop. I know you’re not open yet but, as I said before, I think we could generate a great buzz.’
‘That’d be fantastic,’ Lily said as she perched on the arm of the couch. ‘I’m planning to open in a couple of weeks, so the timing could be great. When did you want to do something?’
‘I know it’s short notice but how about today?’
‘I think I can do that. So, what do you want to do exactly?’
‘Some shots of the inside of the shop would be fantastic as well as a couple of your dresses.’
‘Sure thing.’
‘Great! How about I meet you at the shop in a couple of hours? Is that too soon?’
Lily glanced at her watch. ‘That’s fine – I’ll see you then.’
When Lily parked her car in front of the shop just before eleven o’clock Mandy was already there, waiting in a white van with Violet Falls Gazette in a cursive font along the side.
‘Hi,’ Mandy said as she got out and walked over towards Lily. ‘Thanks for coming at such short notice.’
Lily gave a smile before she turned and unlocked the front door. ‘Not a problem.’
Mandy looked back at the van and motioned forward a young guy with cropped blond hair and a slim-fitting black jacket. ‘This is John, our photographer.’
‘Hi, John.’
‘Hey,’ he said with a curt nod.
Lily pushed open the door and turned on a light. ‘So this is it. Go in, I’ve just got to grab the dresses from the car.’
‘I’ll give you a hand,’ Mandy said as she followed Lily back to the kerb.
‘Thanks.’ Lily opened the passenger door and reached in to grab the pile of garment bags. The large A4-sized prints she’d just picked up of Violet and Holly were sitting on top, so she moved them onto the back seat.
‘Wow, can I have a look?’ Mandy asked.
Lily straightened up and handed the photos over. ‘I took them at the wedding and I’ve decided to use them in the shop.’
‘They’re beautiful – I mean it. And Violet’s dress is just stunning. I’m really bummed that I couldn’t make the wedding, but I saw the dress that night when we all went to the movies before you had finished it. At the time I thought it was gorgeous but now … wow,’ she said again.
Lily felt a little warmth in her chee
ks. ‘Thanks, Mandy, that means a lot.’
‘Could I use that picture of Violet in the article? I mean, do you … would she mind?’
‘That’s fine. Violet already knows that I’ll be using some of the photos I took for promotion. She says she’s fine with it as long as she’s not pulling some weird face or has her mouth stuffed full of food.’
‘Yeah, and I bet if that was the case, she’d still end up looking amazing.’ Mandy handed the photos back and Lily placed them carefully on the back seat.
Lily handed a couple of the garment bags to Mandy before she draped the remaining ones over her arm. ‘Exactly! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad photo of her.’
Just as they walked back into the shop together, John the photographer looked up from his camera.
‘It’s a lovely space – it has good light and a nice feel about it.’
‘Thanks, I think so too,’ Lily said as she unzipped the bag and took out the first dress, an elegant sheath in white silk.
‘Ooh, that’s gorgeous. I love white,’ Mandy said as she came closer. ‘Unfortunately, it doesn’t love me. I always – and I mean always – manage to drop or spill something indelible on it.’
Lily chuckled. ‘Me too. I always gravitate to black – at least that way no one can see the coffee stains. So, where do you want me to put these? I have an antique dressmaker’s dummy – should I put one of the dresses on that?’
‘That’d be good,’ John said. ‘And I think we’ll hang the dresses up there and then have you sit on the old counter. Yeah, that’ll work.’
‘I meant to ask – when will this go into the Gazette?’
‘Wednesday, if all goes to plan. Plus, the article will be online as well. I know we’re only a small paper, but with the website a few of our articles get interest from Bendigo, and even in some cases, Melbourne. So I’m hoping that it will give you some exposure,’ Mandy said with a smile.
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