by Jayne Frost
“…how embarrassed we are. What are you thinking? You’re Marcus Tennison’s daughter. You looked like a common slut.” The woman seethed with bitterness. “Do you know your father’s office has already fielded a dozen phone calls? Craig is beside himself. Don’t you ever think about what you’re doing, Lily?” The woman barely took a breath, winding up her tirade. “It’s one thing having a daughter that’s an artist. That alone is enough to ensure that any decent men won’t be asking you out. Now you’re acting like a groupie.”
A groupie.
“I-I wasn’t acting like a g-groupie, Mother.” Lily’s agitation heightened. “C-Cam—my friend invited me to watch his b-band practice. There were ph-photographers there. I—“
“Enough, Lily.” The woman cut her off. “Don’t lie to me. There are pictures online of you in a club. Your friend was holding you up. You looked drunk, Lily. Or high. We let you pursue this pipe dream. We haven’t interfered—”
“Interfered?” Lily nearly choked on the word. “Y-you k-kicked me out! You took my c-car, and I have been w-working two jobs to pay for school. Why? B-because I didn’t apply for a scholarship. Who would believe that a T-Tennison would need help with tuition? You d-don’t pay my bills, Mother. You or Daddy. I don’t n-need to ask p-permission to date someone.”
“Date? My dear, that man is not dating you.”
“You’re right, Mother,” Lily said, coolly. “He’s f-fucking me. Maybe if you t-tried that sometime, D-Daddy wouldn’t be banging M-Marcia.”
“Lillian Rochelle Tennison! How dare—”
Pulling the door open when I heard the loud crash, I saw Lily sitting with her head in her hands, slumped in the hallway. She was wearing the t-shirt I had on last night, and her hair was knotted on top of her head in a messy bun. Her friend stood frozen, looking from Lily to me.
“I’m Tessa, Lily’s roommate.”
“Cameron.” I smiled tightly.
“I’ll leave you two alone…”
I nodded when Tessa looked at me imploringly. It was obvious she cared about Lily. I could see it in our silent exchange. Don’t hurt her. The words were as clear as if she spoke them aloud.
Tessa walked quietly to where Lily’s cell phone was smashed to pieces, kneeling down to pick them up before she disappeared into the room across the hall.
Lily looked up at me, mascara running down her cheeks. Her chin trembled.
“Cameron…I…” Her face contorted, and she looked away.
Stepping to her cautiously, I crouched down and brushed the hair off her face. A copy of the Dallas Morning News was folded at her side, turned to the society page. Right there in black and white was a picture of us wading through the photographers at the stadium yesterday.
Is Cameron Knight playing a new tune? Caged guitarist spotted getting cozy with Lillian Tennison, socialite daughter of high profile business magnate Marcus Tennison, in Arlington.
Scooping her up, I carried her to her room. She curled into a ball with her back to me when I laid her on the bed. I was so wrapped up in my own head, I never thought about what Lily might be risking by getting involved with me. She plunged in, stepped into my world. With no promise of anything more than a few days that I assumed she would be grateful to have.
Her shoulders quaked softly as she wept. Something stronger than my fear of my own frailties gripped me. The mattress dipped as I crawled next to her, wrapping myself around her until I felt her grow still.
“I’m sorry, Lily.”
She turned in my arms, so close our noses were an inch apart.
“W-why?” Her brow furrowed in confusion. “I’m not. Well, except for last n-night.”
Breaking our gaze, she looked down, running her finger back and forth between my collarbone and the hollow of my neck.
“I don’t know w-what I was thinking,” she muttered, “showing up like that. L-letting that stupid bitch get to me.” Looking up, the tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked furiously to keep them at bay. “T-thank you for taking me home. You didn’t have to.”
“Darlin’, of course I took you home. I asked you to go with me.”
“I wanted to, but I couldn’t miss work. I got someone to cover for me, and I jumped into a cab. When Lindsey said that you didn’t want to see me, that you were there with s-someone else, I figured you were probably still mad.” A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Baby, I wasn’t mad.” Brushing the tear away with the pad of my thumb, I kissed her wet cheek. “I was hurt. And I said something stupid.”
“No—” She shook her head, bumping our noses.
“Yeah, I did.” Cutting her off, I slid my hand to the back of her neck, pressing my forehead to hers so that I could look in her eyes. “And I’m sorry. But I didn’t know you were at the club. I would never send you away. I was fucking miserable before you showed up.”
Rolling over with her under me, I watched another tear slide out of the corner of her eye and disappear into her hair.
“Lily, I don’t know how to do…this.” Kissing her cheek, the salt on my lips added to the tension thrumming through me. “I don’t want to hurt you. But, shit—I want to be with you. However. Wherever. Can we try?”
Moving her mouth to mine, she searched out my tongue with hers. I didn’t know whether she was agreeing or silencing me without words. Either way, she didn’t say no. I would take that…for now.
Chapter 17
I’d only worn a tuxedo once. And that was a rental. I opted to buy this one. I wanted to show Lily that I was serious about stepping into her world. Taking her to the ballet or art galleries. Every place. Any place.
I looked down at the guy with the tape measure hanging around his neck. He was crawling between my legs. Tucking. Pinning. Groping.
I swear he was groping.
Lily finally returned with a black zippered bag draped over her arm. Stifling a laugh, she settled into the chair in the sitting room to witness the spectacle.
“Not funny,” I mouthed when the guy made the second pass over my package, smoothing down the front of the slacks.
Lily pursed her lips, trying to keep the lilt of laughter from her voice.
“Mr. Gravis, can you have this delivered to The Mansion before five o’clock?”
Turning to her, a smile lit his chubby face while he continued to work me over.
“Of course, Lily.” Standing, he walked to her side, cocking his head to survey me. “The jacket—it is a perfect fit. A little tuck in the trousers.” He waved his arms through the air in a sweeping gesture. “Voila!”
Looking at Lily like I wasn’t there, he cocked a brow. “A perfect body for the clothes, no?”
Lily’s gaze swept over me. Our eyes locked, and a pink flush crept into her cheeks.
“Yes. He is perfect.”
Mr. Gravis nodded and gratefully—thankfully—departed so I could change. Lily crossed the room, kneeling in front of me. My hand went to her hair.
“Don’t get any ideas.” Looking up, she narrowed her eyes. “You’re full of pins. You’ll be lucky if your balls make it out unscathed.”
Sliding the trousers off my hips, she slapped my leg.
“Cameron—step back.” She shook her head, looking up at me again. “Too much time on the road, buddy. I’m not blowing you in the dressing room at Saks.”
Scampering to her feet, she glided across the dressing room, clipping the trousers on a hanger. I came up behind her, flexing my hips so she could see what she was missing. When my hand found its way under her shirt, I realized it was me that was missing out. As she wiggled her butt, the seam of her jeans grazed the head of my cock through my boxer briefs.
“Later, you sex fiend,” she teased, slipping out of my grasp.
“I see how it is.” I crossed the room and pulled on my jeans, carefully tucking my erection inside. “Now that you’re my girlfriend, all the fun stuff is going to stop. No more limo sex. No more tying you up with your pretty pink bra.”
Her han
d was poised above the black garment bag that held her dress. Her pouty lips turned down in the reflection of the dressing room mirror.
“Don’t tease me, Cameron,” she said softly. “It’s not funny.”
If she thought I was teasing, she was dead wrong. I was terrified. And very serious. Moving the few steps until I was at her back, I slid my arms around her waist.
“I’m not teasing you, darlin’.” Holding her gaze in the mirror, I nuzzled her ear. “Before you get all starry eyed, you should know I haven’t had a girlfriend since the eleventh grade. So I probably suck at it.”
She turned in my arms, the blue of her eyes quieting my every doubt. But her frown remained.
“Try not to hurt me, Cam.” Laying a hand over my heart, she kissed me softly. “Please try.”
Chapter 18
I paced the length of the suite while Dave set up the special dinner I had ordered. The stiff collar of the starched white shirt chaffed my neck. Running a finger between the fabric and my skin, I ignored the feeling of being choked by my own formalwear.
“You look very nice, Cameron.” Dave reached in his pocket for a lighter.
Two tapered candles sat in the center of the small table, with a centerpiece of fresh lilies between them. Looking down at the flowers then up to Dave’s searching gaze, I smiled.
“Thanks, Dave.”
He lit the candles and straightened the dinnerware, the linens, and finally the centerpiece. “We sure are going to miss Lily around here,” he mused. “She was a joy to work with. Such a special girl.”
Stopping in my tracks, I stared at Dave with a blank expression. “Why would you miss Lily? She’s…” In the next room.
After we’d returned from the mall, I had drawn her a bath and slid in behind her, helping her program the new cell phone she bought. The bath and the sex we had in the tub were her concession for not allowing me to buy her the damn phone. She finally chased me out so she could get ready for our date.
Dave didn’t meet my gaze, checking the flame under the chaffing dishes. “Mr. Greg let her go this afternoon. It seems that she was in the papers today. The Mansion does quite a bit of business with the Tennison Foundation. I was under the impression that it was not Mr. Greg’s choice.” He finally looked at me, his eyes serious and troubled. “Still, I was hoping that someone would have the balls to stand up for her.”
Swallowing hard, I sunk into the uncomfortable Louis XIV chair. Fired. Because of me.
“Are you sure?”
Nodding, his expression turned sympathetic. “I take it you were unaware.”
“Hell no, I wasn’t aware.” I pointed to the closed bedroom door. “Is she aware?”
His eyes widened. “Miss Lily is here?”
“Of course she is.” I cocked my head, blinking at him. “You thought this was for someone else?”
Dave turned almost as crimson as the roses I had delivered for Lily prior to our arrival. Four dozen American Beauties in elaborate crystal vases. One dozen for each of the days we spent together.
“It’s not my place to judge,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean to offend.”
“It’s fine, Dave.” Trying to mask my irritation, I walked over and patted him on the shoulder. “Do me a favor. Don’t tell anyone Lily is here. She should be out any minute. I can take things from here.”
He nodded, taking a final inventory of the table.
“Of course. Have a pleasant evening, Cameron.”
Giving me a tight smile, he turned and headed for the door.
I pulled out my phone, tapping Chase’s name to open the text box. My fingers hovered over the keypad. I’d always turned to my brother for advice. Guidance. I hit the button on the side, and the screen went dark.
Not this time.
The knob on the double door to the bedroom turned, and Lily poked her head out.
“I heard the front door close,” she said playfully. “Is the coast clear?”
I slipped the phone into my front pocket. “All clear, darlin’.”
She stepped into the room, the slit on the side of the deep burgundy dress falling open to reveal an expanse of her creamy thigh as she sashayed toward me. The dress was strapless, with just a hint of soft skin spilling over the top of the bodice. Her blond hair was gathered in a loose bun with a few strands falling on her shoulders.
“You like?” She twirled in front of me.
Her smile faded when she looked at me, rooted to my spot.
“I-I really liked the color.” She flushed. “If it’s too much—”
“Baby, you’re beautiful.” Stepping forward, I took her hands, looking in her eyes as I brought them to my lips. “Stunning.”
She smiled. A brilliant smile, shy and full of promise.
Try not to hurt me, Cam. Please try.
I lowered my mouth to hers for one quick taste.
“Dinner’s ready,” I murmured against her lips. “Unless you’d like to have dessert first.” Running my hand over her hip, I groaned. “Please tell me you’re wearing something underneath this dress.”
Pecking my lips, she pulled me toward the table.
“I’ll never tell.” Sinking into the chair, she crossed her legs and let the slit fall open. It stopped just short of the Promised Land. “You’ll have to find out for yourself. Later.”
My gaze was fixed at the top of her thigh. She grabbed my hand when I reached for her, seemingly unable to stop myself. Bringing my fingers to her lips, she gave me a wicked grin and slid her pink tongue over the tip of my index finger.
Later.
Chapter 19
Would you like another glass of wine, baby?” I leaned close to Lily’s ear, running my hand over the curve of her hip as we waited in the theater lobby. She’d kept me at bay, even scooting over to the far end of the seat in the limo when my fingers moved up the slit on her dress.
She looked at the line at the bar and up at the clock above the huge doors to the inner theater.
“One more.” She drained her glass, and she handed it to me. The smile on her face was plastered in place. We stood off to the side of the bustling crowd as she surveyed the room with a series of sidelong glances.
“I’ll be right back.”
She yipped when I leaned in for a kiss and squeezed her ass before I sauntered off. Lily may have been nervous as hell, for whatever reason, but I was relaxed. I caught a few stares, but quickly realized it was from my long hair, not because someone recognized me.
It wasn’t that I was recognized everywhere I went. It was when an overzealous fan crossed the line that things got awkward. Having a random chick pull out her tit and insist I sign it was surreal enough; doing it in front of my mother was downright embarrassing. I’d yet to see how Lily would react, but not bringing it into her world was a relief.
Grabbing the two glasses of wine, I looked around for Lily. I dismissed the small group of six or seven that were standing to my right, until I saw the burgundy of her dress when someone moved to the outside of the group. Her gaze fell on mine, panic written all over her face.
Marching up, I cleared my throat. “Excuse me.”
Several sets of eyes turned to me as I stepped inside the tight circle.
“Here you go, darlin’.” Handing Lily her glass, I dropped my hand to her waist and pulled her to my side.
Every muscle in her body was tense.
“Cameron, I’d like you to m-meet my p-parents.” She motioned at the couple in front of us. “M-Marcus and A-Abigail T-Tennison.”
“Lillian,” her mother admonished, without acknowledging me. “All those speech classes, and you still stutter.”
The guy at her father’s side chuckled. “Sometimes it was kind of cute,” he said, eyeing her over the top of his wine glass. “Not always, though, eh, Lily?”
“Mr. Tennison.” Extending my hand to her father, I kept my gaze on the asshole at his side that hadn’t taken his eyes off my girl. “Cameron Noble.”
Marcus Tennison
had the same piercing blue eyes, the same high cheekbones as his daughter. He was a formidable man, but at the moment, his gaze was soft. Wistful. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Lily. “Mr. Noble.” Turning his attention to me, he squeezed my hand firmly. “My wife, Abigail.”
Her father gave cursory introductions to the other two couples while Lily stood awkwardly, sipping her wine.
“And this is Craig.” Marcus awkwardly patted the guy on the back. “He’s works at the Tennison Foundation.”
Craig. The ex-fiancé. The loser that dumped Lily for dropping out of business school.
“I thought your name was Knight. That’s what the papers said. Aren’t you a part of that rock band?” Craig glanced over me with disdain.
“Knight is my stage name.”
His gaze dropped to my arm that was wrapped around Lily.
“But you can call me Mr. Noble if you’d like.”
He startled at the petite blond that slipped in beside him. She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek before turning to the group and flashing a million dollar smile. The best smile that modern dentistry could buy. It died on her lips when her eyes locked on Lily.
“Lily—it’s nice to see you again.” Moving closer to Craig, she forced the corners of her mouth to bend. “I didn’t think you attended the ballet. Anymore at least.”
“H-hello, A-Amber.” Taking a deep breath, Lily seemed to search for the next word. “I-I…” Giving up, she snapped her mouth shut, taking another sip of her wine. Amber turned to me, her eyes going wide the second recognition dawned. A flush of color started at her collar and worked its way to her cheeks.
“Oh…my,” she breathed. “You’re Cameron. Cameron Knight.”
Hitching a brow at Craig, I gave her a tight smile. “That I am.”
“You’re here…at the ballet.” Amber seemed confused. “With Lily?”
Craig snorted, taking another gulp of wine.
All eyes were on me. Except Lily’s. She stared at the floor, her mouth set in a frown. “I’ve never been to the ballet. But since my girlfriend is such a huge supporter, I figured I might as well get used to taking her,” I said, shifting my gaze to Craig. “I wouldn’t want anybody to accuse me of not appreciating the arts.”