They detoured to the car to drop off their stuff, then headed to the bar and grill for lunch. As they sipped their drinks, relaxing, the sound ringing close-by interrupted them.
"Is that me, or you?” Ryan asked even as he reached for his cell phone.
"Has to be you. I don't have one."
"You're kidding.” He looked up from his phone, pressed a couple of buttons, then slipped it back into his pocket.
"No, I'm not kidding. Aren't you going to answer that?"
"No, it'll take a message and I can get back to him later. How come you don't have a cell phone?"
"Well, the good thing about a cell phone is that you're never out of touch. And the bad thing about a cell phone is that you're never out of touch."
"Ha, ha. You should have one, Lily."
"Oh, I'm not important enough to have one. There's never anyone I need to call that I can't wait until I get home to do so."
"Fine, but you live out in the country, and sometimes you drive into the city. Maybe you have a doctor's appointment and you're stuck in traffic. You can call, tell them you're running late. Besides, you're alone in your car, traveling about. What if your car breaks down and you're stranded? With a cell phone, you can get help. Also, sometimes where we live, the power goes out, and that can mean the phones, too. You should just have one, if only for safety's sake."
Ryan's tone brooked no argument, and Lily bet she could guess their next destination after lunch.
In the end, she decided not to argue the point. She should have a cell phone for safety's sake. Ryan had that right. One of the things she always dreaded was being stuck in the middle of nowhere if the car broke down. This way, she could lock her doors and call the auto club if she needed to. So when they walked into a store called Bell World, she had a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She wasn't certain she needed a cell phone that could connect to the Internet, play hundreds of tunes, or take pictures, but in light of the number of horizons she'd already breached today, she let it go.
She left the mall in an amazingly good mood, if much lighter of pocket, prepared for almost anything.
Except, of course, for their next destination.
Chapter 5
"Close your mouth, darling. You look like a fish."
She could hear the chuckle in his voice, and though she wasn't looking at him, she knew he studied her carefully.
"I think I just heard the sound of another horizon being breeched,” he said, sounding pleased.
"Ryan, I've never been in one of these places before!"
He leaned over, closer to her. “Why are you whispering?"
"Well ... well ... because."
"Okay. I'm sensing culture shock, here. Let's begin with the familiar. Let's begin with the clothing."
Very unusual garments, Lily thought moments later. When she'd seen the sign over the door of the tiny shop in the strip mall, she thought more computers, or video games or other gadgets. Ryan seemed to be a man who loved and appreciated such things. Certainly this store sold videos and gadgets, but Toys for Big Girls and Boys was all about one game, and one game only: Sex.
"Those panties are missing something,” she commented as Ryan held up a tiny hanger he'd taken off the rack.
"Yeah. Great, aren't they?” Ryan grinned and raised his eyebrows in such a way as he held up the crotchless panties that Lilly found herself laughing.
"And they have a matching bra."
"Matching is right. There are holes in these garments, Ryan."
"Like I said, great. What about one of these?” He held up a corset, or what she thought might be a corset, but if she put it on, her breasts would be totally uncovered—and pushed up considerably.
"I don't know..."
"Everything, you said."
"That word is beginning to haunt me."
He showed her the costumes for ‘role playing’ games. She could be a nurse, a French maid, or, good grief, a schoolgirl! She thought he must have been waiting for her shock to reach a certain level, for then he led her over to some of the accessories. She saw massage oil that purported to taste like strawberries, as well as others that boasted ‘tingling’ and ‘heating’ properties. Ryan scooped one of each, letting her know with just a look that they were going to be used very soon.
She didn't need anyone to tell her the purpose of dildos, though she had no idea they would be so life-like, and so large. One was really long, with a head at each end, and her face colored even as she realized it would be used between girlfriends. She frowned when she noticed smaller, cone shaped appliances, pink or purple jelled ones that seemed to be on a stand of some sort. She turned a questioning look to Ryan, then leaned forward and read the package.
"Butt plugs? You mean you put them..."
"Next best thing to having two lovers,” he whispered softly.
Lily was speechless.
Her eyes widened when he led her to the back of the shop. As she realized the type of ‘toys’ in this section, he stood behind her and put his arms around her.
"We won't buy any of these today. But I want you to think about them. I want you to think about whether or not you'd like me to use any of these on you. Or if you'd like to try them out on me. Just think about it for now. I know you need more time to trust me completely."
"I do trust you completely.” The words slipped out, unbidden. Lily had heard things over the years. She hadn't lived in a complete bubble. The letters BDS&M weren't totally foreign to her, though she didn't know a lot and had certainly never experienced anything like it. As recently as this morning she would have sworn the prospect of being blindfolded or manacled, of having Ryan wield a paddle or a strap on any part of her body—however lightly—would be repugnant. But standing in this store, with Ryan tight against her back, the sensation of his hardened, clothing-restricted cock pressing against her, looking at these items, aroused her.
Ryan must have known how she felt. Bending close, he whispered in her ear even as the fingers of one hand slipped under her shirt to pull and squeeze her hardened nipples.
"You turned on?"
Lily found speech beyond her and simply nodded.
"Because you want to use these on me?"
She shook her head, and had to stifle a groan as Ryan tongued her ear.
"You turned on thinking of me using them on you?"
Again she nodded.
"It wouldn't be just play-acting, love. A little bit of pain goes a hell of a long way towards enhancing pleasure. You will be tied. You will be blindfolded. You will have no control, whatsoever. But it won't be without your consent. I will use something on you—probably a paddle to start. But I promise you this. I'll make it safe for you, give you a way so that if you want me to stop, I will. Still game?"
Oh, Lord, she thought, if he said much more she would come right there and then. How could she want this so badly? Maybe, she thought, bondage only aroused her in the abstract. Maybe once she experienced it, she'd change her mind. And if she did, she knew Ryan would stop. She swallowed heavily, and said, clearly, “Yes."
"All right, then. We'll experiment very soon, sweetheart. Give you a tiny taste, see if you like it. Let's buy these oils and leave. There's one more stop I want to make before we go back to your place."
"Okay.” Lily forced her voice to sound stronger.
"And Lily? When we get back to your place, I'm planning to feast on strawberries."
* * * *
Ryan parked on Front Street in downtown Toronto. Shooting Lily a glance, he smiled. She'd been quiet since leaving the sex shop, and he could only hope her thinking centered around the two of them together. As soon as he turned off the car, she roused and looked around.
"Harley-Davidson. Isn't that what your motorcycle is?"
"Yes, ma'am."
He nodded to the man behind the cash register, and with Lily's hand in his, they headed straight over to shelves displaying helmets.
He examined a couple before picking one almost identical
to his own.
"You need a new helmet?"
"No."
He turned and handed it to her. “Try it on."
"Me? Why?"
"Ah ... to see how it fits?"
"But I don't need a motorcycle helmet."
"Yes, you do, as there are helmet laws in this province. Besides, skin versus pavement, pavement wins, so we're not only getting you a helmet but a full set of leathers, too."
"I'm not going to ride your motorcycle."
"Well, I had thought we would look into getting you one of your own, but later. Come on, Lily—"
Lily held up her hand, cutting him off. “Let me guess. It'll be fun. Right?"
"Right."
"Do you promise to just take me around in the yard the first time? Very slowly. Till I get used to it?"
"Sweetheart ... are you scared to ride my Hog?"
"Bet your ass I am. Never been on one of those things in my life. But I'm willing to try if you promise..."
"I promise."
She found the leather pants and jacket he picked out for her to be comfortable, if a little restricting. She knew she'd wear these clothes just for riding, not for lounging in. She found herself admiring the chaps, and thought they would be less difficult to move in. But in the end, she stayed with the one pair of pants and single jacket. The gloves felt a bit awkward, and she couldn't say they facilitated movement, either. But she could see how the outfit would protect her in case of a fall. Ryan had her try on the entire outfit together. She thanked him for snagging a pair of panties out of her La Senza bag before they'd entered the store, and even agreed to his condition—that she hand them back before they returned to the car.
"Who is this space alien?” she asked, as she looked at herself in the store's full-length mirror.
The sales clerk snickered, but continued with Ryan making sure everything fit well.
"My God, what a day,” Lily muttered as she headed back to the change room.
* * * *
"Lily, would you do me a favor, please?"
"Mmm?"
"Lift your skirt to your waist, and spread your legs wide. I want to look at you."
Only a few minutes from home, Ryan voiced that stunning request. The late afternoon sun dappled through the trees onto the winding country road. Barely any traffic traveled here this time of day, because most of the local residents commuted to the city to work, or farmed their own land.
"You want me to expose myself to you?"
"Yes, please."
Lily licked dry lips and considered for just a moment. Then slowly, she raised her skirt, lifting her bottom to pull it out from under her, and did exactly what Ryan had asked.
"Sweet,” he said, then took his right hand from the steering wheel just for a moment, to stroke her lightly once.
"Sweet and wet."
"You've had me wet all day.” Her voice shook with the confession.
"Good. How about we swim first?"
"I'd rather just have you."
She'd never said anything so bold. The words freed her, somehow. Sensing the importance of her declaration, Ryan stroked her once more.
"Oh, you're going to have me. All night long. But I'd really like to get naked and wet with you in the pool, first."
"You want to play with me?"
"There's no one else I'd rather play with."
The next instant, Ryan frowned. Lily followed his line of sight.
"Looks like you have company."
"Oh, my gosh."
Ryan chuckled, watching her scramble to pull her skirt down, only laughing harder when she lightly punched him in the arm.
"It's not funny. That's my son's car. I wonder why he's here?"
"To visit?"
"Well, that would be a first. He hasn't come to see me since I moved out of his father's house, five months ago."
* * * *
Ryan thought about what Lily had just revealed when he brought the car to a stop. They both had their doors opened, but Lily was still seated when her son accosted her.
"Where the hell have you been? I've been waiting here for nearly twenty minutes!"
Lily's face flushed red but not, as Ryan supposed, in indignation at the tone.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I had no idea you planned to visit me today. How are you, honey?"
Guilt creased Lily's face as she reached forward to hug her son, and even more when that effort netted her a stiff response.
"Like you care. You haven't come to visit, or even called since you left the city and ran away to here."
Lily reached forward to brush a stray strand of hair off his face. Ryan tried not to let the petulant tone bother him. John Martin acted like a spoiled child, instead of a man of more than twenty.
"You know I can't really come over to the house to see you or your sister, John. That's Mary's house, now. And I have called, but you're never there. You and Alice are always welcome here. Why don't you come inside and I'll make us some tea, and we can have a nice visit."
"Hell, Mom, it's got to be eighty degrees out. It's too bloody hot for tea."
"Of course, you're right. Sorry. I have some soft drinks that are cold."
Ryan's anger grew. Now, he slammed the driver's door, hard. He regretted it when Lily jumped, then shot him a guilty look.
"Oh, how silly of me. John, I don't think you remember Ryan Kincaid ... from next door. Ryan, this is my son, John."
"Hey."
Ryan nodded in response to the one word greeting. He turned to Lily. “You go ahead inside. I wouldn't mind a cup of tea myself. I'll unload the car."
"You're staying?” John gave him a cross look. “I have some private matters to discuss with my mother. Private family matters."
"You won't even know I'm around,” Ryan's responded. No way in hell he'd leave Lily alone with this little pit viper. “Besides, I promised your mother that I'd be at her service as soon as we got home.” When Lily shot him a wild-eyed look, he continued blandly. “Hooking up her computer, showing her how to work the digital camera, and setting up her cell phone for her."
For the first time, John let his gaze wander to the car. Several parcels covered the back seat. Ryan, however, walked straight to the trunk and opened it.
"Crap, Mom, what the hell did you just do? Blow all your money at the mall? If Grandma finds out, she's going to tear a strip off you for being such a spendthrift."
"Go on inside, honey. I'll be in as soon as I help Ryan unload the car."
"No, you go on.” Ryan's tone gentled as he took in Lily's dejected expression. When she continued to look at him with uncertainty in her eyes, he gave her his best smile. “This will only take me a couple of trips. Go on and visit with your son."
If the little bugger had been his kid, first he'd have gotten a smack for the tone he'd used on his mother. Then he'd have been shown the door out, not the door in. But Lily's children were her business. He intended to do his damnedest not to interfere. A few bouts of sex didn't give him the right to voice an opinion on family. The day may come, but not today. As he gathered the first load to take into the house, he vowed to keep his cool.
It was a resolve doomed to failure.
Chapter 6
Lily felt her cheeks heat. She had never overspent in her life, yet her mother often censured her for it. The woman persisted in accusing her of being foolish, selfish, or a spendthrift. Eloise Robertson Riggs specialized in giving her account of Lily's many flaws in the presence of Lily's children.
Lily felt the joy and excitement of the day evaporate even as she realized that John would likely tell his grandmother about her shopping spree.
Determined to make the best of the situation, she offered her son a seat at the table. “How's your sister?"
"I don't know. Okay, I guess. We don't hang with the same crowd. I think I heard her mention something about wanting to go to Europe in August. Good luck, I say. Unless, of course, Dad isn't tightening the wallet on her. She's his favorite, so she might be a
ble to swing it."
Lily frowned as the familiar sentiment of everyone-always-liked-her-best washed over her. She'd once believed, fervently, that when her son and daughter became adults, they would behave as adults toward each other. In her heart, she'd hoped they'd become friends. But it didn't appear to have happened so far. Lily acknowledged the stray thought that perhaps neither of them had reached adulthood, yet. Tramping down the unkind sentiment, she focused again on John.
"What about you? Any plans for the rest of the summer? Are you still thinking of getting your masters, or are you going to look for a position someplace, now?"
"What the hell is it with everyone, anyway? First Dad and now you. You're both so anxious for me to get working. I thought I made it clear, years ago, that I planned to go as far in my field as I could. With only a B.A. in Social Work, I don't qualify for much more than being a teaching assistant at a university. I want an upscale practice, I want to write some books, maybe have a few lecture tours. To do that, I need my doctorate."
Accustomed to the tone, Lily didn't even take offense, though a headache began to form behind her eyes. “Yes, I know that's what you'd planned. But I didn't know if you'd changed your mind, or not. I didn't know if maybe you and Sheila planned—"
"Sheila's history. I blew her off a couple of months ago. We wanted different things. I'm too young to think about settling down, anyway. I haven't even had a chance to have any fun yet."
"Ah.” Lily surmised that the break-up with his long time girlfriend pained him more than he wanted to admit. John had always been far more sensitive than he'd ever let on. She thought perhaps only she, of all the family, perceived this vulnerability in him.
"And anyway, the courses I'm taking are very intense. You couldn't possibly understand, because you never even went to university. It's damn hard work. I need the summer months to relax and decompress."
Lily fought down the tiny spurt of anger at the dig. “I know you do, John.” She went to the fridge and surveyed the contents. The nagging headache in the back of her head grew. She hoped it wouldn't develop into full-blown pain.
Lily in Bloom Page 4