Noah looked down at her hands working on his cock. ‘So am I, by the looks of it.’ He groaned softly as she moved the tip of his cock up and down her wet sex.
‘Do you like that?’ She whispered, her gaze intense on his. He nodded, his hands on her breasts, his thumbs stroking a rhythm over her nipples. Lila cupped his balls in one hand and gently massaged them. ‘And that?’
‘God, yes…’ Her gentle hands worked his cock until it stood rigid, engorged. She traced a pattern with her fingernail gently on the sensitive tip.
‘That?’
Noah’s answering moan made her smile. She guided him inside of her and began to move, gazing down at this wonderful, gorgeous man. His hands were on her hips then, fingers massaging the soft flesh as she rode him. His cock, so big, so hard, plunged deep into her and she moaned as Noah began to stroke her clit, increasing the pressure as she quickened her pace. God, it had never been this good with Richard, or anyone else. Her body seemed to fit Noah’s perfectly despite the disparity in height between them, his cock fit inside her, stretching her, hitting all the nerve endings in her cunt.
Their movements became frenzied, fucking each other harder and harder until they both shuddered and moaned their orgasms, Noah’s cock pumping thick, hot semen deep inside her. They caught their breaths, laying side-by-side, staring at each other.
Finally, Noah brushed his lips against hers. ‘Lila Tierney…I am crazy in love with you.’
Lila smiled delightedly. ‘You are?’
‘Hell yes.’
She kissed him. ‘Good. Because I’ve been wanting to tell you that for ages. I love you, Doc.’
He gathered her to him, and then slid a hand down to her belly. ‘Family,’ he said simply and she nodded, tears in her eyes.
‘Yes,’ she said softly, ‘family.’
I see you. I see you with him, laughing, loving, fucking.
You whore. You filthy fucking whore.
Whose baby is that? His? I’ll cut that thing out of you, Lila, after I’ve killed you, and send it to him. Here’s your kid, bastard, oh and by the way, Lila is dead, my knife buried deep inside her. This time, you won’t be able to save her, you fuck.
This time my knife will gut the life right out of her.
Soon, Lila, soon.
Lila felt almost giddy, like a schoolgirl getting a date with the best looking boy on the football squad. Noah Applebaum is in love with me, she thought to herself, as she flitted around the bookshop, tidying, repricing books on sale, unpacking new deliveries. It had been a busy morning, a beautiful Washington day outside had brought waves of tourists over on the ferries from the mainland and it seemed that every single one of them had come to the shop. A few locals had said as much, some of them squinting at the newcomers as if they were rabid interlopers. Lila grinned to herself; she loved this little bookshop with its large windows and light wood bookshelves, the airiness of the space, the calm, and the peace. At one end, there was a selection of large, battered couches which patrons could sit and read all day if they wished.
Yeah, if she did move to the city during the week, she would miss this place. Maybe she could work out a new arrangement and she could commute for a couple of days, at least until the baby came. She would be loath to give up on this place entirely.
So deeply engrossed in her thoughts, she didn’t see him standing at the door watching her, a small smile on his face.
‘Hey, Boo.’
Lila looked up startled. Her immediate reaction was joy when she saw her oldest and closest friend standing at the door; then the next minute, she blanched. ‘Charlie…what are you doing here?’
He stood aside to let some patrons out then came to the counter. ‘Got all sorts of answers for that, but the most important one was…god, I missed you.’
Lila froze for a moment then suddenly darted around the counter and threw herself at him. ‘Oh, Charlie, I missed you so much.’
He swept her up and spun her in his arms. ‘Hated every minute without you.’ He put her down and only then seemed to notice her swollen belly. His eyebrows went up.
‘Food baby?
She grinned, flushing furiously. ‘Actual baby. Long, long story.’
Charlie looked stunned. ‘Is this happening or is this a fever dream?’
Her color deepened. ‘Charlie, there’s so much I have to tell you but first…why are you here? Apart from missing me.’
His smile faded and he glanced around at the other patrons – most of who were eavesdropping on the scene. ‘Is there somewhere we can talk privately?’
Lila glanced at the clock. ‘I’m off in an hour…look, there’s a coffeehouse across the road, can you wait?’
Charlie nodded. ‘Okay, in an hour then.’ He looked her up and down. ‘You look radiant, Lila. Oh hey,’ he said suddenly, ‘who’s the father?’
She grinned at his expression. ‘I’ll tell you everything in an hour, I promise.’
An hour and fifteen minutes later, Charlie sat back in his seat, running his hand through his dark hair. ‘The good doctor, hey?’
Lila nodded. ‘I’m crazy about him, Chuckles. He is the person I was meant to be with…you’ll like him, I know it for sure.’
‘Hey, the few times I met him, he seemed like a stand-up guy,’ Charlie agreed, ‘and he helped you recover so I’m always going to owe him one. So when…’ He gestured to her burgeoning belly and Lila flushed again.
‘A few days before Richard died. At our last physiotherapy session.’
Charlie threw back his head and laughed. ‘Wow, Lila…’
She tried to smile. ‘I know, so unlike me and just…I don’t want to call it wrong but it was probably not the appropriate time. But, god, Charlie, I’d just come back from the dead and I wanted him.’
Charlie leaned forward, taking her hand. ‘Hey, hey, I’m not judging you. I say good for you. After all those years with that – ‘
‘Charlie, no. Richard’s dead, let’s not…’ She choked up, tears in her eyes. ‘The reason I left New York was the baby. I knew it had to be Noah’s and that fact alone made me want this baby so much. I had fallen in love with him almost as soon as I met him – not that I told him that.’ She grinned shyly. ‘In fact, when I came here, I told no-one, not even Noah. I didn’t want him to think he was trapped. Lucky for me, he tracked me down.’
‘And now you’re making a go of it?’
‘We’re making our family. That you’re here makes it even more of a family. How did you find me, by the way?’
Charlie frowned. ‘Your letter, remember? You told me you were going back to the place where we met. You probably meant Seattle but I remember I first met you here. The children’s home had brought us here on an outing – you came along later that day with Susanna…remember?
She shook her head. ‘No…god, I don’t.’ She gave a small laugh. ‘Well-remembered, though.’
Charlie grinned. ‘The rest was easy, just asked around at the grocery store, the local medical center. Strange how a cop’s badge will get you the information you need.’
Lila rolled her eyes, laughing. ‘Yes, it’s a mystery. Guess my well-laid plans fell through if it was that easy to find me.’
Charlie’s smile faded. ‘For a cop, yes, and that’s another reason I came. Lila, I have some bad news, shocking news really.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Boo, I think we know who it was who stabbed you.’
Lila began to tremble, her hands shaking and she put her tea cup down. ‘Who?’ Her voice was low, almost a whisper.’
‘Riley.’ He watched her expression go from shock to horror to fear.
‘Oh my god…’ Lila closed her eyes. ‘Oh god, please no.’
Charlie frowned. ‘Lila, is there something you haven’t told me about you and Riley, something you’ve kept from me?’
She shook her head but didn’t look at him. ‘No. God, how do you know?’
He told her about the incident with Tinsley and then what they’d found in Riley’s apartment. �
��As soon as I saw that wall of photographs of you, I knew. He’s obsessed, Lila. Dangerously so, we think.’
‘Then why haven’t you arrested him?’
Charlie looked at with soft, dark eyes. ‘Sweetheart, because we can’t find him. Riley’s missing.’
Lila still felt sick as they drove back to her cottage. Riley…She couldn’t believe it and yet when she thought back to that awful day in the bridal boutique, when she’d opened the curtain and her attacker had driven that knife into her belly over and over…it made a strange kind of sense. Her stabber had been the right size for Riley, certainly, tall and well-built but that didn’t mean anything. Richard, Noah and Charlie were all of a similar height and build as Riley.
But there was another reason it made sense…one that she always looked back on with shame…
…she had cheated on Richard with Riley.
Manhattan
Then
It was after Paris, after they’d travelled around the world backpacking and when Richard had finally gotten his way and treated her to the most luxurious Parisian dream vacation. After that.
They’d gotten back to New York and returned to their everyday lives; Richard running his billion-dollar corporation and Lila back at school and at the bar. Now that school was coming to an end, her schedule was light and she had more time to think and hang out alone.
Which was proving to be a big mistake. She had been triggered by a photograph in a society magazine of Delphine’s.
Camilla Van Der Haas, 27, leaving Butter with her new flame, Eric John Markham, 39. Miss Van Der Hass is the daughter of billionaire property magnate, Regis Van Der Haas and Lavinia Fortuna. Mr Markham is the head of MarkoPharm, the pharmaceutical giant.
There was a photograph of Camilla in a stunning, red silk slip dress, her long tawny hair tumbling down her back, her wide smile open and knowing. Her escort was blandly handsome in a forgettable way but it was Camilla Lila couldn’t take her eyes off. That knowing look. I could have any man I wanted and I know it, it seemed to say. Especially your man, Lila…who do you think you are, you jumped up gold-digger from nowhere?
Lila had made a face at the photograph and threw the magazine down. Fucking bitch. And why had Lila let Richard off so easily? He fucking cheated on me, she told herself.
She was in the bar, cleaning up. It was late and the bar was almost empty of patrons. Saturday night…late.
‘I’ve been watching you clean the same spot for the last ten minutes, with a face that says ‘Imma gonna cut ya bitch’.’
Lila looked up and smiled. ‘Hey, you, I didn’t even see you. When did you get here?’
Riley Kinsayle smiled at her. ‘Like I said, ten minutes.’
Lila chuckled. ‘Man, I’m sorry, what can I get you?’
Riley looked around the otherwise empty bar. ‘You sure? I mean it looks like you’re ready to shut up shop for the night.’
Lila hesitated then went to the door, closing it and sliding the bolt across. ‘Lock-in for two?’
Riley grinned delightedly. ‘Hey, I’m always up for that.’
Lila grabbed a couple of beers and they snagged a table in the middle of the room. Tapping the neck of his bottle to Lila’s, Riley took a swig. ‘So, why the face?’
Lila shrugged. ‘Nothing. Not much…god…it’s just one of Richard’s exes.’
‘Been bothering you?’
Lila gazed at him for a long moment. ‘Riley, if I tell you something…will you promise to keep it to yourself, not even tell Charlie?’
He put his hand over his heart. ‘My word is my bond, Lila.’ He studied her closely. ‘What is it, sweetheart?’
She sighed. ‘Richard cheated on me with one of his exes. Camilla. She’s an Upper East-sider, all designer labels and perfect hair.
Riley cussed. ‘Are you kidding me? Is he an idiot?’
Lila tried to smile. ‘Oh, yes. But I give him credit for telling me straight away, the same day.’
‘You do? I don’t,’ Riley was clearly pissed now. ‘What fucking idiot cheats on you?’
Lila flushed, waving off the compliment. ‘No, I mean, he’s an idiot for sure, but I don’t think it was intentional.’
‘So he tripped and his dick fell into her snatch by mistake?’
The image Riley conjured was so comical that Lila burst out laughing and he grinned. After a moment, Lila stopped laughing. ‘Riley, you always manage to cheer me up.’
‘Maybe cos I’m awesome,’ He waggled his eyebrows at her making her grin, but then he fixed her with a stare. ‘Please tell me you’ve kicked him to the curb.’
Lila shrugged and Riley sighed. ‘Lila…don’t you know that he’s lucky to have you? That any guy would kill for a woman like you?’ He looked down at his hands briefly. ‘I would.’
Lila got up and went to him, hugging him tightly. ‘Thank you, Riley…’
He got up from his chair and wrapped his arms around her. ‘Anytime, beautiful, anytime.’
They stayed like that for a beat too long then Lila pulled away – but looked up at him. For a heartbeat, they stared at each other then Riley dipped his head and kissed her. It was a sweet but firm kiss and Lila responded, her lips against his, her hands flat on his chest. When his fingers slid under her t-shirt, for a second, she thought about stopping him.
But she didn’t…he was here and Richard wasn’t…and she needed to be held and loved by someone good and pure, who would never hurt her…
It seemed only a beat before Riley was pulling her t-shirt from her, his eyes fixed on her full breasts, her stomach. ‘Wow. Oh wow,’ he said softly, ‘you don’t know how long…’
‘Ssh,’ she smiled up at him, ‘No words.’
Riley smiled and then they were pulling at their clothes and tumbling to the floor naked, and Riley was hitching her legs around his hips and thrusting into her.
‘Oh god, Lila…Lila…’
The way he said her name made her feel so special, like Richard had in the beginning, so full of love, and wonder. Riley was a skilled lover, all his attention riveted on her and her pleasure and he made her come, a long, drawn out sigh of an orgasm shuddering through her body. Afterward, they held each other and talked and laughed – easy, casual, and friendly.
Lila tucked her t-shirt into her jeans and then grabbed his hand. ‘Hey, Riley…listen, I had a really good time tonight and I…’
Riley stopped her with a kiss. ‘Just between you and me,’ he said, ‘this night belongs to us even if there are no more nights like it.’
Lila smiled at him fondly and touched his face. ‘You are such a good friend, Riley.’
There was something in his eyes that made her chest hurt, a sadness, a disappointment but he smiled at her. ‘Always, Lila. Always.’
And there hadn’t been another night like that. To Lila’s great relief, Riley’s manner towards her hadn’t changed – he was still the warm, goofy friend to her, still flirted outrageously as if they had never been intimate. When Charlie was there, the three of them acted as they always had, Lila and Riley teasing Charlie about his grumpy manner.
It had been a week before Lila and Richard’s wedding when it happened. Lila was celebrating her last night at the bar and all of her friends were there. Champagne was flowing easily but Lila had notice Riley sticking to soda water all night. Eventually she got him on his own.
‘Why aren’t you drinking, Smiley Riley?’ Lila had been drinking and was a little light-headed. She swayed and he steadied her, smiling.
‘Because I’m a lousy drunk,’ he said softly, ‘and tonight of all nights, I didn’t want to be that guy. The guy that tells you he’s crazy about you and has been for years. The drunk guy you look at sadly and shake your head at and wonder why you invited him. The one who gets drunk and begs you not to marry the rich guy because he, the drunk guy, is in love with you. And look, I went and said all that stuff anyways.’
Lila stared at him and Riley looked away from her gaze, giving a little laugh.
He shook his head. ‘Don’t be, it’s not anything you have to be sorry for. I misjudged my ability to stay…distant.’
Lila stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. ‘You know I love you too, right? Just I’m not…’
‘In love with me. That’s okay, shorty, as long as we’re still friends.’
‘Always,’ she said fiercely, ‘always.’
He’d held her for a long minute then gently pushed her away. ‘Go. Go be happy ever after, Lila, go enjoy the rest of your life.’
Four days later, a man with a knife – possibly Riley - tried to end her life and very nearly succeeded.
San Juan Island, Washington State
Noah frowned as he opened the front door to the cottage. Normally, Lila would be waiting on the front porch for him, would throw herself into his arms. Today, nothing.
‘Anyone home?’ He called, his heartbeat quickening before he heard her voice.
‘In here, baby.’
The living room. He dumped his bag and coat and went in – and stopped. Charlie Sherman stood and held out his hand. ‘Hey, doc.’
Noah blinked. ‘Hey yourself.’ He shook Charlie’s hand and bent to kiss Lila’s cheek. She smiled at him, and he saw strain in her expression.
‘Has something happened?’
He sat down next to her and put his arm around her. Charlie watched them and when Lila just nodded, Charlie picked up the story for her. Noah whistled.
‘So this Riley…he’s missing?’
Charlie nodded. ‘Which is why I’m here. I know Lila wanted space and I was happy to leave her be…but things have changed, escalated. And now I know that you two are together, and that there’s a little one on the way…I felt like it was my duty.’
He trailed off but smiled. Noah felt irked. ‘You know, we have got security in place. You may not see it, but it’s very discreet. We have this.’
His Sweet Torment: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance Page 92