by Sadie Grubor
"So, Lilli or another woman?" Oscar asked, sitting back and crossing his legs. Dixon scowled.
"I’m not discussing this." I picked up the menu.
"Well, that means Lilli." Dixon laughed. I shot him a look. "Sorry," he shrugged. "All I can tell you is don’t fucking hurt her." His face was serious; his eyes showing that he meant what he said.
"I wouldn’t hurt her, Dixon, not intentionally." I took a deep breath. "I’m pretty sure it won’t happen again."
"It has to," James blurted. I gave him a curious look. "You have to have a kid. Remember?"
I eyeballed James for a few minutes. He was acting strange. The waitress appeared for our drink orders and pulled my attention away from him.
"Did you suck so bad she won’t let you near her again or had it been so long you came in like two minutes?" Dixon laughed after our waitress left for our drinks.
I chuckled and shook my head.
"Look, it happened, but I can already feel the tension coming off of her in waves. I’m pretty sure the next few days will be filled with avoidance." I rolled my neck to release the tension building.
"Have you ever thought about treating her like a wife, or even a girlfriend?" Oscar raised his brow.
"Huh?"
"Jesus, Aidan, you are so clueless when it comes to women!" Dixon laughed out.
"Have you ever taken her on a date, gotten her flowers, shit like that?" James asked over his water glass.
"No, I guess…well, I guess things were just so quick –"
"Look, I’m not trying to promote that you scam on my best friend for sex, so if that’s what this is, I will fuck you up and then fuck you two up for helping him out!" Dixon was in serious mode again.
"I’m not trying to help him –"
"Dixon, I told you, I’m not trying to hurt her, fuck her over, or even use her. Yes, we have an arrangement, but I do care about her. She’s a great person and we’re married, living together, sleeping in the same bed, and not having sex with anyone else. So, what’s wrong with having sex with each other? Especially when we’ll have to eventually discuss having a kid."
"You have to discuss it?" James interrupted. "You told everyone it was already being taken care of," James hissed so low I don’t know if Oscar and Dixon could hear him.
"It is being taken care of, just back off." I quietly growled.
"She’s my best friend and I know her pretty well." Dixon hesitated as he tried to read my face. "I don’t know if I should be telling you this or not."
"Dixon, I honestly don’t want her to think it was a mistake or that she’s a hypocrite."
"A hypocrite?" Dixon growled. "You called her a –"
"No!" I interrupted him. "That’s what she called herself and I don’t want her to think like that."
"Fine," he grumbled. "You need to show her that you care about her, that you want to be with her. Prove to her that you’re not trying to get into her pants because of the arrangement. Understand?
I nodded. "I guess you’re right."
"He’s more than right. Aidan, treat her like a person, not just a sex toy or a sexual frustration outlet. She is more than that. At least I hope she is." Oscar sat back as the waitress placed our drinks on the table.
"She better fucking be." Dixon growled in my direction.
"Of course she’s more than that, but I don’t suppose she realizes." I sat back with everything swimming around in my head. I’d been so focused on the arrangement and my sexual frustration it had been impossible for me to even think about treating her like a friend, a wife, or even a girlfriend. I needed to correct that, because no matter what these three dickheads thought they knew, I felt strongly for Lilli.
As the waitress took our food order, my thoughts from this morning came back to me and realization dawned. ‘I don’t think I can go back to not being with her’, I hadn’t just meant it about sex. It had only been a few months, but I didn’t think I could be without her; without Lilli in my life.
"Aidan?" I glanced quickly at James. "Are you going to order or what?"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lilli
What did I do? Oh God! I am such a weak hypocrite!
I ran unyielding on the treadmill, all while mentally scolding my behavior. My legs were already wobbly, but I needed a way to work out my frustration. Not only did I attack him on the couch last night and then let him take me in bed, I didn’t do one damn thing to stop him this morning. My common sense was mentally beating down my cocky and well satisfied lady part. Hell, my Va-jay-jay was doing back flips.
When my legs couldn’t take anymore, I went back to the bedroom. Aidan should be gone by now, so I didn’t have to worry about an uncomfortable run in.
I climbed into the shower. It still smelled like him. My body became traitorous once again.
"Get a hold of yourself, Lilli!"
Leaning against the tiled wall, the smell intensified under the hot water. It brought back the images of his naked butt this morning, his crooked smile, and those fucking black rim glasses. The glasses! I was going to have to find those and smash them. Curse you sexy, black rimmed glasses!
Yeah, that’s it. Blame the inanimate object for your inability to keep your legs closed.
Once out of the shower, I dried off and got dressed. Grabbing my cell, I called Phoebe and Celia. I was in desperate need of a girl’s night out and hadn’t seen them since before we left for the Island.
Celia was probably asleep so I called Phoebe first.
"What's up, tall, rich and gorgeous?" She greeted.
"Oh...I was just thinking that I have this whole house to myself, indoor pool, movie theater, and no one to share it with," I used my best fake bored tone.
"Give me one hour and I’m there!" She hung up without a goodbye.
Laughing, I sent a text to Celia. 'Once you get your lazy ass up...head over! Be prepared to go out too.' I hit send.
An hour later, Phoebe was shown into the pool room by Mrs. White. Standing from my lounge chair, I walked over to Phoebe's awed face.
"Thank you, Mrs. White," I smiled.
"No problem, child," she returned back from where she came.
"So, right on time as –"
"Holy Shit, Lilli," Phoebe choked out.
"I know, right?" I wrapped my arm in hers and walked toward the Hawaiian themed cabana furniture. "Bet you’re wishing you would’ve taken him up on the deal first, huh?" I nudged her with my elbow.
"Can I move in at least?"
"Definitely," I leaned my head against hers and smiled at the thought of living with Phoebe.
"Celia will be here in an hour or so, I called her on my way." Phoebe sat her things down.
"Good," I lounged back on a couch as Jay arrived with a tray of frosty drinks. I smiled. "Oh, Jay, you didn't have to."
"It's no problem, Mrs. Iverson." He sat out the drinks and a large tray of fruit, cheese, and vegetables.
Phoebe and I lounged and talked for a while about the honeymoon, what was going on with her and Oscar, and the charity ball being arranged. I was going to help Viola. She was looking through honeymoon photos when Celia arrived.
"What's up, bitches?" Celia entered in all her bikini clad glory. Mrs. White was laughing silently next to her.
"God, could you sound any more like Dixon?" Phoebe raised her brow at her.
Celia rolled her eyes.
"She does have a point."
"Shut up and pass me an alcoholic beverage." She plopped down and held her hand out. I laughed and passed her a drink.
With a quick recap of our discussion, Phoebe passed the photos on to Celia.
"So, Lilli, you realize this house if un-fucking-believable, right?" Celia looked at me over unnecessary sunglasses.
I nodded and swallowed a sip of my drink.
"Trust me. I'm still a little freaked out by the size of this place."
"Okay, time to spill the good stuff!" Phoebe bounced in her seat.
"Good stuff?" I choked out.
"Oh shit, there is good stuff! Tell me, tell me!" Phoebe beamed.
"Tell us!" Celia corrected.
"Whatever," Phoebe waved her off.
I put my head back and covered my face.
"I..." I took a deep breath and said almost as quickly as Phoebe could talk. "IhadsexwithAidan."
"You had sex with Aidan?" Phoebe screeched, happily.
"Was he good?" Celia leaned closer. "I bet he is. Irishmen are really passionate."
My head snapped up and I looked at both of them incredulously.
"What?" they both said in unison.
"I'm a hypocrite." Then I launched into my self-loathing explanation.
"Oh, please, Lilli. Who do you think you’re talking to?" Celia removed the unneeded sunglasses.
"Yeah, I mean, come on, Lilli. The sexual chemistry between you two is ridiculous and there was no way you had a fighting chance. Besides, aren't you supposed to have a kid?" Phoebe popped a piece of fruit in her mouth.
"Um...yeah, but I haven't exactly decided on that yet." I was still humbled by their reaction. Gone were my expectations of shocked reactions and possible lectures.
"Are you doing anything to prevent it?" Celia asked quickly with a frozen face of concern.
"Hell yes! I take my pill religiously." I raised my glass in the air. They joined, giggling.
We spent an hour drinking, swimming, and snacking before we dried off and decided to make use of the theater room.
Jay helped us set up our chick flicks to run back to back. He also got us a large bowl of popcorn, candy, bottled water, beer, and ice cream. After our many thanks and invitations for him to stay with us, he finally hurried from the room. We laughed at his scurrying form.
Once the movies were over, we cleaned our mess and moved to my bedroom. We’d agreed to go out to dinner and then Club Vamp.
Watching Phoebe take in the size of my closet, I cringed.
"I've died and gone to heaven." She faked a faint and laid herself on the floor.
"You’re such a freak." Celia glanced down at her on the way to the bathroom.
I walked and stood over her, looking down with my brow raised at her. Her eyes snapped open.
"Lilli, this carpet is amazing. It feels like I'm lying on a cloud. Oh, and we seriously need to shop and fill this baby up." I could see dollar signs dancing in her eyes. My feet already hurt from the thought of all the walking.
"I don't need –"
"Charity Ball," she sang and stood.
I sighed and shook my head. "Let's just get ready for tonight."
We took turns in the shower and then started to dress.
Celia was working on my hair when my cell rang. Phoebe handed it to me with a large smile. I looked at the caller ID. Aidan.
"Hello?" I couldn't hide my nerves, Phoebe and Celia laughed. I glared at them.
"Hey. How's your day?" Why did he have to sound so smooth when I felt so nervous?
"Good." I said with a hard swallow.
"That’s good." I couldn’t see him, but I just knew there was a cocky grin on his face. "Can you tell Rachel not to cook this evening?"
"Uh sure, you going out?" I tried to act nonchalant.
"Well, I was hoping you would accompany me to dinner?"
"Oh, uh…"
"Something wrong?" Now he sounded nervous.
"Well, I um...I kind of already have plans with Celia and Phoebe tonight."
"Lilli," Phoebe hissed.
"Oh, well, then maybe tomorrow night." It was more of a statement rather than a question.
"Sure," I said quickly, though I definitely felt the guilt creeping up inside.
A smack to my arm made me turn. Celia and Phoebe were scowling at me.
"Okay, well...have a good night." He quickly hung up.
"Lillian Sno...Iverson!" Phoebe shrieked. "Did your husband just ask you to go to dinner and you said no?"
I nodded.
"Lilli, call him back and tell him yes. We can make plans for tomorrow night or –"
"No. I need this! I need a girl’s night out. Please?" I gave the best sad face I could. "We made plans for tomorrow night instead."
They both huffed at me, but continued the ritual of getting ready.
Once the three of us were dressed, I glanced over my outfit. A pair of black skinny pants, black leather boots that came to my knee, and a silky, teal, sleeveless blouse with a low, plunging neckline.
After talking with Rachel about tonight and tomorrow night, we grabbed our coats and jumped into our waiting car.
We stopped by a restaurant and then had the car take us to Club Vamp. Knowing Jared, the bouncer, got us right through the door with a few protests from the line waiting.
"Hey ladies!" He smiled largely.
"Hey," we said in unison.
"Good to see you, girl." He patted my back as I entered the club.
Giving our coats to Nadia, the coat check for the night, we said our hellos and headed further inside.
Easing our way to the bar, we got drinks and chatted with Candy and Tara. They were running the bar tonight. Tara grabbed my hand and pulled it toward her face.
"Candy, check this shit out!"
Candy appeared. "Damn girl! That's a ring! It looks like an antique."
"It was his grandmothers."
"Awwww, that’s so sweet." Tara gave me a sappy look.
After an hour at the bar and quite a few drinks later, Celia and I were behind the bar dancing and making drinks. We were having a great time. Phoebe was singing loudly from her seat atop the bar.
The song changed and we headed to the dancing crowd. Celia, as usual, made the crowd part like she was the queen.
Once we made it to the center, Celia, Phoebe and I began dancing with each other, completely letting loose. Suddenly, Celia's face went from surprise to concern. Before I could turn around, two arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me close. I flipped around and came face to face with Demitri.
"Hey you," he grinned. I pulled away and his grin fell. I lifted up my left hand. He leaned in to my ear.
"I forgot about that." He kissed my cheek. "Keep in touch with me, okay?" I gave him a look. "As friends, Lilli – just friends." He squeezed my hand and started to walk away.
That's when I saw him, Aidan. Not just any Aidan, furious Aidan. I moved with determination through the crowd. He moved towards Demitri. I reached him just as Demitri was within arm's length.
"Stop," I stood with my hands pressed to Aidan's chest. His eyes stayed fixed on Demitri, anger and jealousy swirling in them. He was still moving, pushing me backward as I pushed against his chest.
"Aidan!" He wouldn't respond.
"Damn it, Aidan!" Shouting, I jumped up and wrapped myself around him. He quickly caught me. His eyes snapped to my face, I was scowling.
"What the fuck was that about?" He jerked his head toward Demitri.
"That was a friend saying hello. I reminded him I was married." I moved to climb off of him, but Aidan wouldn't let me go.
"Let go of me," I snapped.
"I don't want you being friends with him." He furrowed his brow.
"Sorry, but your agreement doesn't dictate my friends, Aidan." I pushed off of his waist.
Walking away, he caught my arm.
"You're with me now." His hand tightened on my bicep.
"No." Pulling away, hurt washed over his face. "I’m with Celia and Phoebe. You crashed my girl's night, not the other way around."
"Wrong. I've been here for almost two hours. And, what do I see? You on the dance floor with your fuck buddy!" He spat.
"Go to hell!" I growled before stalking away. I understood the worry and jealousy, but he didn’t need to treat me like shit.
I found Celia and Phoebe standing at the bar with nervous expressions.
"What happened?" Celia wrapped her arm around me as I told her what went down.
"Lilli, you have to understand, he is –"
"I get it, Phoebe, but
he has no right to act like I’ve ever done something that goes against our agreement. And he damn sure doesn't get to claim me on the dance floor of a club." After my tirade, I took a deep breath to calm myself. "I'm sorry, Pheeb, I don't mean to take it out on –"
"I know. It's okay. You're right." She hugged me tightly and handed me a drink.
I downed my drink. Celia pulled us back to the dance floor, even with my reluctant attitude.
Two songs later, I was finally getting back into the mood. When Dixon and Oscar appeared next to Celia and Phoebe, I should’ve automatically assumed Aidan wasn't too far behind.
This time when the arms wrapped around my waist, I could feel the difference; the familiar sexual buzz from where his body touched mine, the lust inducing way his cologne wrapped around me, the way my body responded to his presence.
"I'm sorry," he spoke into my ear, "I'm an asshole."
With a scowl on my face, I turned to look at him.
"I think this might be the first time I agree with you." I smirked.
He pulled me closer to him, chest to chest, and started to move us. No other words were said. We danced and drank. Elora and James arrived later.
Elora joined Celia, Phoebe and me on the floor. We were dancing to one of my favorite songs when Phoebe nudged me and motioned her head my right. All four of the guys were staring at us like we were something to eat. Tossing my head back, I laughed.
Phoebe, then, straddled my leg and ground herself against me. Laughing harder, her motive to drive the men crazy was obvious. Glancing at Elora's surprise filled wide eyed expression, Celia wrapped her arms around her waist and began grinding on her.
"Loosen up, Elora!" I wrapped an arm around Phoebe and we danced together. Elora loosened up and started to move with Celia.
Glancing over one more time, all four men were headed for us. Before I could nudge Phoebe to make her aware, she was grabbed up by Oscar and pulled to his chest. His smile was wide and his eyes were dark. I giggled when Dixon picked Celia up over his shoulder and shouted good night to everyone.
"Lor, when did you get so..." James pressed his lips to her mouth.
Aidan's breath warmed my ear before he started to speak.