by AnnChristine
"Lilly, wait what's…" He stopped as if he were suddenly confused and yes, irritated with her.
The rustle of a chair pushed back on the cement patio sent chills down her spine. Was it Jacob or Bentley who followed? She had to know it was Jacob. But Bentley was a smooth operator, and she wouldn't be surprised to have both of them get up to follow. Over the last two years, she'd managed to avoid Bentley and when she'd had classes with him, she'd kept her distance.
"You're a coward, Lilly." She heard Bentley's low hoarse voice behind her. "Didn't think you were afraid of me. Geez, Lilly, what do I have to do? Give me a chance to prove myself to you."
For a minute Lilly wished she was the kind of person who could come up with a quick retort or a funny saying, but she wasn't. She always thought of something to say hours later. Could Bentley be different than my perception of him? Jacob always told her she was stubborn to a fault sometimes.
"Who is that?" Jacob steered her by her elbow and away from Bentley. "You do have a good reason for your rude behavior." His eyes flashed a strange fire and widened as if he was in disbelief. Of course he'd never seen her rudeness, but he'd never seen her around Bentley either. Thank God.
"You're not my mother." Jacob didn't deserve her back talk. Lord knows he's only trying to help me.
"No, but I thought I was someone you could confide in."
His voice was flat and Lilly knew how much she'd hurt him. But she was cold inside, frozen to the bone even though the temperature was near eighty degrees. "Not now, please."
"When?" Jacob asked, stopping her and with his hand on her shoulder turning her around to face him.
"When hell freezes over." Lilly stopped walking. Starting something now, when this was all in her past, was not something Lilly wanted. She didn't like the look on Jacob's face when he registered her last comment. "Look, I'm sorry. But I just don't want to relive history."
"Do I know this guy?"
"Yes and no. I'll enlighten you if you promise me you won't act on what I tell you." Her heart thundered in her chest and sweat beaded on her forehead.
"I'm not promising anything." Jacob's expression was grim.
~ * ~
A few hours later Jacob watched the girl in the bright yellow dress bump, grind and gyrate to the music. His attention shifted to the man who had stopped by to see them at the FroYo place. It had to be Bentley. He ran his fingers through his hair feeling the frustration and impatience from this afternoon mount. If this was Bentley, he didn't appear to be a man to let Lilly get away. To Jacob, he seemed nice enough, polite, considerate--but that could be a façade. He had a strange feeling about the year to come. Perhaps he should consider moving in with Lilly and Amanda.
"Oh, my poor ear drums," Lilly moaned, covering her ears with her hands and closing her eyes. "The music is so loud I can't hear myself think."
"We don't have to stay," Jacob told her, feeling much the same way. He needed to have a long drawn out discussion with Lilly.
"Of course we do. I see the way you've been ogling Ms. yellow tube top." When Lilly smiled the sight was infectious.
"Have not." He could deny this until dooms day, but Lilly was right. Ms. Yellow tube top was a real hottie. He could see himself with her.
"Who's your BFF here? She is definitely a trophy for a one-night stand. Tell me, do you think she would be someone to bring home and meet the mom?" Lilly's eyes twinkled with mischief as well as humor.
"I've only ever brought one woman home to meet the family and that was when my dad was still alive."
"Me?" Lilly mouthed. "I'm the only woman who you have brought home? I don't think I believe you."
Jacob nodded, stirring his drink and changing his focus to different parts of the dance floor. Lilly was right. She had him pegged and could probably pick out his favorite girl for the night. But he had long since grown tired of the women in his life. He had an uncanny knack of picking out completely unsuitable women. He should look for someone who was more like Lilly. Not that Lilly wasn't attractive, she was beautiful and smart. He never picked up on the smart ones. He made a mental note to himself.
"The man from this afternoon is here. Is he stalking you?" Jacob felt the tension ooze through his pores.
"Coincidence. It's a Friday night and there are not very many places to go for a night of dancing and music."
"This is Bentley, the man who tried to rape you." Jacob pointed to the tall dark haired man who was sitting next to a young lady but whose gaze was riveted on Lilly.
"Yes," Lilly slowly looked up from her drink, eyes wide the pain clearly written in them. "Amanda told me he really didn't try to rape me. That he was just clumsy." Lilly shrugged and made a prissy face.
"I'm assuming you don't believe her, and you don't want me to confront the jerk," Jacob said furrowing his brow with determination to make this all right for Lilly before he left her again.
"It has been two years, Jacob. Why remind him?"
"A man like that never forgets."
"What if Amanda is right? She knows him better than most and I think she had a crush on him back then."
"Do you think Amanda is right? That's what is important."
Lilly reached out, placing her hand on Jacob's. "We can't second guess him. He's a creep and if he means to find revenge. Well, I just have to be wary every second. Or I have to move. I'm not willing to do that. Like you said two years ago, it would give him the win. Although I don't know exactly what he would win."
"Most likely your innocence." Jacob stared hard at the man, trying to see inside his soul, an impossible task.
"Let's forget about him. It appears he is leaving."
Jacob squinted at the girl on Bentley's arm. She didn't look all that steady. In fact Bentley was holding her up; her head was bobbing as if she'd had too much to drink.
"Is she okay?" Lilly asked as she watched the couple leave the bar.
"No." This wasn't his business and he didn't want to make Bentley any angrier with Lilly, but he really felt as if he should do something. "I'll be right back, Lilly."
He rose and followed the couple, catching up to them just as they left the premises. Stepping in front of the girl and blocking their progress, "Are you all right, miss?"
She nodded, staring at him with a blank expression. "Don't feel quite--"
"She had too much drink. I'm taking her home," Bentley said.
The girl stumbled into Bentley. "Go home," she slurred.
Jacob really didn't have anywhere to go with this. He doubted Bentley's intentions were good, but the girl did need to go home. Whether she made it there or not, he'd probably never know. He stepped back, allowing the pair to continue, watching and feeling a deep sense of remorse. He couldn't right all the wrongs of the world. All he could do was try to protect Lilly.
"What happened?" Lilly asked as he pulled up a chair and sat down beside her.
"He's taking her home."
"And then what?"
Jacob grimaced, thinking about all of the different scenarios, knowing that one day it could be Lilly. No, Lilly never drank too much. But there were different ways to drug a person.
~ * ~
Sunlight burst though Jacob's window. A moment of vague recollection took place before he realized where he was. He stretched and yawned, swinging his legs around so his feet touched the floor. Seconds later he had his jeans pulled on and the newspaper in hand.
"Lilly! Lilly--look at this." He held out the newspaper. Anger swept through him; frustration as well as curiosity.
"Is this…? This is the girl who left with Bentley last night, isn't it?" Lilly pushed her hair back from her eyes.
"It is and she is not in very good shape. They want anyone with information about her to come forward. She had traces of Rohypnal in her system." He didn't want to tear himself up inside. There was no way he could have known. But at the moment he was even more concerned about Lilly. This guy Bentley had no remorse. If he couldn't have a girl the usual way, both parties co
nsenting, he would use any means available to him.
"Date rape…?" Lilly's eyes widened.
"The bastard."
"Yeah, and no. He didn't use it on me. Besides we don't even know he used it on her. He hasn't been convicted. He could have left her at another bar and someone else might have taken her home.
"And the odds of that? In her condition? God, Lilly you saw her. She could barely stand let alone walk."
"We have to call the information hotline."
~ * ~
One by one Bentley plucked the petals from a daisy.
"She loves me. She loves me not. She loves me. She loves me not…" Bentley threw the ravaged flower to the ground then looked to the dark gray skies above. What the f… do I care if she loves me or not?"
His gut churned and his heart raced.
The frustration inside swirled. Only one thing would quench the misery he felt. His fists clenched as he looked up from the boulder where he sat. On the prowl he rose and strode down the pebble covered trails, searching for a woman--searching for a way to ease the pain. At the moment any woman would do. In time he knew he would convince Lilly to love him. His mind spun with a plan.
Dusting off his jeans and kicking a pebble with his jogging shoes, he picked up his pace. The trail passed beneath him in blur. If anything, his passions grew with the tempo of his strides.
"Hello," he said smoothly with a smile meant to charm. Sweeping his hair back and away from his eyes, he let his gaze sweep up then down the young lady in front of him, taking in every curvaceous inch.
"Hi," the petite blond answered yet she turned from him, ignoring his blatant perusal which was seemingly lost on her--just as it was lost on Lilly. This woman had just become a challenge he wasn't about to ignore.
"Can I buy you a cup of coffee?" he asked.
The blond kept walking, her butt swaying enticingly at him. He cocked his head slightly and squinted his eyes to take in the firm muscles as well as the beautifully rounded hips.
Not as alluring as Lilly's.
"No."
The answer sounded as if it ended with "go to hell."
He didn't want her anyway. He wanted Lilly but he couldn't figure out how to convince her his intentions were good. Even the cute little gal last evening hadn't worked out. He ended up taking her home; yet before they reached her place she was calling a cab to take her somewhere else.
It had been ok by him. He wasn't a one-night stand kind of guy. It was just that he'd seen Lilly twice in one day and his body ached. But it ached for her not, for just anyone.
Chapter Four
Almost April 1, 2011
"Girl friend you are looking just fine. I'd say you are the cat's meow." Lilly's best friend and roommate looked her up then down. A huge smile lit her face. "And I'd say it is about time you did something for yourself.
Lilly had donned a sexy little black dress for this outing-slash-celebration. She'd stashed her ID and lipstick in a sparkling gold clutch. She wore bold jewelry and popped her look with a cute faux leopard print on her stylish high heels. She'd never felt quite so glamorous.
"Thank you. Thank you so much," she grinned, a devilish beat to her heart. She meant to have as much fun as possible tonight. She was going to do some damage and try some drinks she'd never tasted before. A night out on the town was just what the doctor ordered. She grinned back at her friend.
"I ordered us hurricanes to start," Amanda said. "I've never had one and always thought it would be fun to try."
"Good…yum…" From the inside out, Lilly's happiness seemed to grow. She flicked her hair and danced a few steps. "You are looking pretty good yourself. So back at ya, darlin'."
Amanda wore a hot red number, deep v in front and gold jewelry on her wrists and around her neck. She'd let her hair tumble in golden waves, framing her face. The combination made her big blue eyes pop. She licked her lips. "Yumm…"is right on the money."
"Will that be all?" The waiter set their drinks on the table, stepping back he gave them what appeared to be an approving eye before turning to tend to some other customers.
"For now," Amanda said.
Looking around the club, Lilly watched the people. They danced and laughed. You could tell those who just wanted a one night-good-time from those who had lasting relationships. Remembering Bentley, she knew first hand about those one night-good-time men. Tired of that scene, she'd rather just be with her girl friends and those guys who didn't have ulterior motives.
She twirled the stick around in her glass then sipped gingerly, thinking of the time she'd been stuck in Philly during a hurricane. She and Jacob had shared a hurricane--and thought it was pretty funny. She had souvenir a glass on her shelf in the kitchen.
"Um, I'm not much on words tonight." Lilly leaned back and watched a curvaceous redhead grind her hips to the music blaring out from the local band. The girl's partner was tall and very slender. They made a cute couple. Friends had said the same about her and Jacob. Not wanting to dwell on what could never be, she pushed that thought aside.
"I'd rather watch too," Amanda said sipping thoughtfully and munching on her favorite appetizers--potato skins. Even though she said one thing, her fingertips were dancing across the tablecloth and Lilly felt the rocking motion of the table from the beat her shoes were doing on the stand.
Lilly picked one up, seeming to study the potato through squinted eyes. She liked the sounds and the smells of the bar. Music blared from surround sound speakers. Yet she didn't really understand the need many had to act animalistic with the rhythm of the songs.
"Drinks for the ladies?" The waiter looked to the back of the room and a man waved cheerily at them.
"I don't know him." Lilly waved hesitantly back, grimacing at the drinks. "She'd never liked things like this. She didn't want to feel as if she owed the man anything, including her time.
"He said you'd say that. He just thought the two of you were cute. He's leaving, by the way, and he says he truly hopes you will not refuse his offer. No strings attached."
Amanda sipped the drink, scrunching up her nose then rolling her eyes. Her fingers drummed dramatically and they weren't in time with the song. "Umm…"
"What is it?"
"A hurricane," Amanda said, sipping once more before slowly setting the drink on the table.
"You're not going to drink all of that." The statement was as much a question in Lilly's mind. She'd heard about bad things that could happen in a bar to unsuspecting women. They were bright young ladies. They knew better than to do something stupid like this.
"Of course I am. And if you don't drink yours, I will happily imbibe that one too," Amanda said with a laugh. "What are you worried about anyway? The guy is leaving. He wouldn't slip us anything then go away."
"I've just heard…"
"Ok, I get it. You are not supposed to accept drinks from strangers. But he looks absolutely harmless." Amanda looked back to the where the man had been. "See--he's already left."
"Looks can be deceiving," Lilly said with a shrug of her shoulders. She rubbed her neck, trying to ease the tension building there. With each beat of the music her headache grew. She knew better than anyone that a girl could not judge a man by his appearance. One mistake in that department had given her the scare of a lifetime and she never wanted to duplicate that stupidity.