He tightened his embrace and pulled her nearer, nuzzling his face into her hair. "When do you think you'll be going back to Chicago?"
Lily shrugged. "I suppose you'd probably know that better than me."
"Maybe there's a way to keep you here," Brian countered.
Lily looked up at him and he took the opportunity to kiss her, covering her mouth with his and lingering there for a long time. Lily knew she ought to stop, but they'd already crossed the line long ago. Why deny her desire for him? It felt so good to have him close, to feel his hands on her body.
His fingers moved up to her face and traced her features as their kiss spun out, growing more demanding, more passionate with each heartbeat. Lily already knew his taste, the sweet narcotic that was his mouth. A hundred men could kiss her in a dark room, and she could pick out Brian immediately. With him, each kiss was… perfect.
There had been other men in her life, other failed relationships, but when she was with Brian, all those experiences seemed to fade. He'd become something more, a man she wanted to trust. Yet there were still so many things standing between them. Though they'd managed a lovely evening together, tomorrow their careers would be back on a collision course.
Brian pulled her down on top of him and Lily drew the blanket over their heads, wrapping them in a warm cocoon of privacy. He stared up at her, his face barely visible in the firelight that filtered through the blanket. "I'm glad I brought you here," he murmured, his hands skimming over her body.
"And I'm glad I came," she said.
"Not bad for a first date."
Lily giggled. "I've had worse."
Boston was ablaze with light as Brian wove through Saturday night traffic in Back Bay. Lily had curled up against his body, still wrapped in the blanket and quietly dozing. He pulled her closer as he waited at a stoplight, then pressed a soft kiss into her rumpled hair. She smelled of salt air and campfire smoke, a scent more intoxicating than any French perfume.
Brian sighed softly, wondering at the oddly protective feelings he had toward her. Though he'd accepted they were on opposite sides professionally, that didn't affect his feelings for her at all. He'd told the truth when he'd urged her to do what she had to do.
But that certainly didn't mean that he was falling in love with her. No, he was a long way from that particular emotion. Lily was simply the most captivating woman he'd ever met. But like the other women in his life, there would come a time when he'd feel compelled to move on-he just couldn't imagine that time right now.
He pulled away from the traffic light and turned onto Commonwealth Avenue, a few blocks from her hotel. How had this happened? He'd dated other women before, even had a few decent relationships. But nothing had ever felt quite like this. No matter how much time he spent with Lily, whether it was an hour or an entire day, it still didn't seem to be enough. Hell, even if they spent a week locked in a hotel room, Brian suspected he'd still want her more than his next breath.
When he pulled up in front of the hotel, he shut off the ignition, then leaned over and gently touched Lily's face. "Hey, wake up," he whispered.
She opened her eyes, then straightened, staring at him as if she wasn't sure where she was. Then she smiled sleepily. "Are we home?"
"We're at your hotel." He opened his door and handed the keys to the parking valet, then walked around to help Lily out of the car. She slipped her arm around his waist and they walked into the quiet lobby. The staff behind the desk and the maid sweeping the carpet nearby barely paid them notice as they walked to the elevators. Brian was going to leave her there, but then decided to walk her upstairs, hoping for a long kiss good-night.
They stepped into the elevator and Lily leaned back against the wall and watched him. He shifted uneasily, wondering if she was thinking the same thing he was-how easy it would be to walk into her room, drag her to the bed and make love to her all night long.
The elevator doors opened on the third floor and they both stepped out. When they reached her room, Lily handed him her key card.
"I should really go," Brian said.
"You should really stay," Lily countered. She took the key back and opened the door, then grabbed the front of his T-shirt and pulled him inside her room. "Just for a little while."
Though he knew he was playing with fire, Brian didn't care. The heat felt good and he wasn't close enough yet to get burned. He growled softly as he dragged her into his arms and kissed her. The door swung shut behind them and they were completely alone, with nothing standing between them and the bed but space. But this time, he wasn't going to let his desire run rampant. This time, he'd enjoy Lily at his own pace.
She began to tug at his T-shirt then moved up to brush his jacket off his shoulders, but Brian caught her hands and drew them up to his lips, kissing the tips of her fingers. "This is our first date," he teased. "I wouldn't want you to think I'm easy."
A tiny smile curled her lips. "I'd never think you're easy." She let her fingers drift down his chest to his belly. "You're very…" She let them drift lower, "…very…" They came to rest below the waistband of his jeans, "…hard."
Brian chuckled. "You look a little tired. Maybe I should put you to bed?"
"I am a little tired," she agreed.
With that, he reached down and scooped her into his arms. A tiny scream slipped from her lips and she giggled as he carried her through the French doors and into the bedroom. He gently set her down on the bed and she kicked off her sandals. "What do you usually wear to bed?" he asked.
Lily frowned. "Pajamas. They're in the bathroom."
Brian walked into the spacious bathroom and found the pajamas, white silk, hanging from the back of the door. He paused a moment to study the things she had spread on the counter, then picked up a bottle of her perfume and sniffed it. It smelled like sunshine, with a slight hint of citrus. As he left, he glanced over at the huge bathtub and wondered if he ought to suggest a bath-just to help her sleep. But that would have to wait for another night.
When he came out of the bathroom, Lily was sitting on the end of the bed. He tossed her pajamas beside her, then pulled her up to stand in front of him. The buttons down the front of her dress were tiny, but he began to work them open.
"What are you doing?" she murmured, leaning into him and running her fingers through his hair.
"I'm getting you ready for bed," Brian said.
"But I don't want to go to bed. I'm not sleepy."
"You fell asleep in the car on the way back here," he said, focusing on the buttons that fell between her breasts.
"That's not the way this dress comes off," she said. Lily reached down and grabbed the hem and in one smooth motion, drew the dress up and over her head. She stood in front of him in her underwear and for a long moment, Brian forgot to breathe. There was no doubt in his mind that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
He reached out and smoothed his hand along her shoulder, taking the time to memorize the way her skin felt beneath his fingers, enjoying the warmth of her flesh. "You're beautiful," he said.
She watched him as he explored her body with his fingers, testing every soft curve and lean limb until he was satisfied that he knew it all by heart. Brian slipped his arm around her waist and kissed her neck. Lily tipped her head to the side and sighed softly as he moved along her shoulder.
Since that first night in the limo, he'd dreamed about this, about making love to her, taking his time, enjoying the process. But now that he had the opportunity, Brian wasn't sure he wanted to go through with it. Seducing Lily would create more tangles in their already complicated relationship. Having sex just to satisfy a need was all right for a one-night stand. But this had turned into something more, something he couldn't quite define.
Brian's fingers drifted down to the clasp of her bra. He opened it and the lacy fabric fell away, revealing the soft swell of her breasts. A tightly-held breath slipped from his lips as he cupped the warm flesh in his hand. He teased at her nipple with his thumb, bringing it to a hard peak.<
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Lily tipped her head back and smiled, a silent invitation to take more. Brian sat down on the edge of the bed and spanned her waist with his hands. He hooked his fingers beneath her panties and slowly pulled them down, waiting while she stepped out of them.
His lips found a soft spot on her belly. He'd always had an ideal in his head, the perfect female body, a standard set by numerous men's magazines. But that image had shifted to a woman with soft, feminine curves, with tiny imperfections that made her more real. Lily was that woman with her pale ivory skin, soft as silk, almost luminous in a low light of the bedroom, with her slender waist and curvy hips and perfect breasts.
He wanted to have her then, but something held him back. What was it? Fear? Doubt? Insecurity? When he touched Lily, he felt so strong and aware, as if he could rule the world. But he also felt completely vulnerable, as if she could shred his heart with just one look. If he made love to her now, there would be no going back. He'd fall in love with her as sure as the sun would rise in the east.
"What are you thinking?" Lily asked.
Her words startled him and he glanced up at her, suddenly aware that she was completely naked and he was still dressed. "I was thinking about how soft your skin is." He leaned forward and drew a deep breath, his nose right above her belly button. "And how you always smell like flowers." He paused. "And I was thinking about how I wanted to make you feel."
"Make me feel," Lily said.
Brian smiled, then ran his hands along her hips and over her belly. When he moved lower, Lily sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes fluttering closed. He wrapped his arm around her thighs and pulled her toward him, until she stood between his legs.
As he touched her, she shuddered and he sensed the power he held over her. Brian wondered if she understood the power she had over him, if she knew how hard it was for him to deny his desire. His fingers were damp and slid over her sex, slowly at first, teasing at her desire.
Brian looked up at her, at the smile that curved her lips, the expression, the anticipation that made her even more beautiful than she already was. Her pale skin was flushed a rosy pink and her breasts rose and fell as her breathing quickened.
She held on to him, her fingers clutching his shoulders, her back arched. Her breath caught once, and then again, and she murmured his name. But he didn't want to let her go yet. Instead, he gentled his touch, slowed it, knowing that when she finally came, the orgasm would be more explosive.
Her expression turned intense, focused on his touch. Brian knew she was close and he slipped a finger inside of her, into her damp heat. Suddenly, a shudder rocked her body. A ragged moan tore from her throat and she cried out his name, arching toward his touch.
And then, when it was over, Lily collapsed forward, tumbling them both onto the bed. Her body stretched over his and he felt her breathing gradually come back to normal. Lily laughed sleepily, then pushed up, bracing her hands on either side of his head. "I thought you were putting me to bed."
"I just decided you might need to relax a little bit." He grabbed her waist and then rolled her over beneath him, their legs still hanging off the edge of the bed. Brian kissed her, his tongue teasing hers. "I should go," he said.
"Why? Stay."
Brian sighed. "Why?"
She frowned. "I don't know. Because I want you to."
"That's the only reason I could come up with, too. And for now, I don't think that's enough, Lily." Brian pushed up from the bed and grabbed her pajamas. "Come on," he said, dragging her up to her feet. "I'll tuck you in."
Lily stared at him with an astonished expression. "You don't want to spend the night with me?"
"Oh, I want to," Brian said. "You don't know how much I want to."
"Then why are you leaving?"
"I have absolutely no idea," he said. He fumbled with the buttons down the front of her pajamas, then stepped around her and held the top out. Lily grudgingly slipped her arms through the sleeves. Then he grabbed the bottoms and held them out in front of her. "Just trust me. It's better that I leave. It's our first date. We should at least try to follow some of the rules."
"I don't want the bottoms," she said.
Brian folded them neatly before pulling the bedcovers back. "Hop in," he said.
"Did I do something wrong?"
He chuckled softly. "Everything doesn't always have to happen at warp speed, Lily. You need to slow down. Some things are worth waiting for."
"I usually think that's true. But have you forgotten what we did in the limo that night?"
Brian rubbed her arms. "No. That's not something a guy forgets. But we were strangers then, and now we're not. And this was our first date. I don't think we should sleep together on our first date."
"Considering what you just did to me, I think that's a little ridiculous, don't you?" Lily crawled into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. "Kiss me goodnight," she demanded. "And promise you'll call me tomorrow morning."
Brian bent over her bed and brushed his lips over hers. "Sleep tight. And I'll take you to breakfast tomorrow. Then maybe we should go to church. I haven't been to confession for a while. I have plenty of sins to tell. Good sins, not bad."
She reached up and touched his cheek with her fingers. "You're a nice man, Brian Quinn. But you confuse me sometimes."
He kissed her once more, then reached over and turned off the light. As Brian stood in the doorway, he looked at Lily, the light from the living room just enough to see that she was smiling. "I don't know what it is about you, but there's something," he murmured.
As he walked to the door, Brian shook his head. This was definitely a first. It wasn't in his nature to walk away from a beautiful, naked woman, especially one who was willing and able to drive him wild in bed. But he had to trust his instincts on this one and his instincts told him that it wouldn't be wise to fall in love with Lily Gallagher. And making love to her tonight would be just that-making love.
For now, he'd need to be more careful.
The Fourth of July weekend was especially festive in Boston, a city steeped in the American Revolution. Lily had looked forward to the three-day holiday all week, assured by the hotel staff that it was the best celebration in the entire country. She didn't doubt their enthusiasm as flags flew from every house and lined the major city streets. The city was draped in red, white and blue.
Brian had picked her up at noon, and they'd spent the day walking around Back Bay, window-shopping and sightseeing, taking in some of the spots she hadn't yet visited. They'd had lunch outdoors at a restaurant on Commonwealth, then spent time at a comic book store that also sold silly novelties. Brian bought her a hat with a burst of stars coming out of the top and she wore it for the rest of the day.
The crowds grew bigger as the afternoon wore on, but Brian assured her that they would have a perfect spot to watch the fireworks. Lily couldn't believe it though. The Esplanade along the Charles River was packed with people, their blankets spread out to save a tiny bit of real estate for themselves and their families.
Finally, when it was nearly dark, Brian drew her along through the crowd. They were walking away from the river, but Lily decided to trust him since he was the one who knew Boston best. They got to Beacon Street and he pointed to a four-story house that looked like it had stood on that street for a few hundred years, its brick facade softly weathered by time. "That's it," he said.
"What?" Lily asked.
"That's where we're going." Brian grabbed her hand and drew her along. He opened the front door with a key, but when she got inside, she was surprised to find the elegant mansion completely empty. The interior was stuffy and hot, but as he flipped on the lights, she could see what a beautiful place it was. Nearly every room boasted high ceilings and marble fireplaces, beautifully carved moldings and tall, narrow windows.
"Whose house is this?" she asked.
"My brother-in-law Rafe bought it a couple months ago," he said.
"Why is it empty?"
"He and Keely are
going to start to renovate it this summer. They're living in an apartment now."
"Should we be here if they aren't?"
Brian shrugged. "For tonight, the house is ours."
"But it's hot in here," Lily said as she walked along behind him. And though the atmosphere might be romantic, it would be more so with air-conditioning and a little furniture. "Maybe we could open a window?"
"We're not staying inside," Brian said.
They climbed the stairs to the second and then the third floor. And when they finally reached the fourth story, Lily's face was flushed and her spirits a bit wilted. This wasn't exactly what she had in mind for her holiday celebration. But then Brian led her up a narrow stairway and through a door and the entire world opened up. They were on the roof, high enough to see the Charles River and all the people milling about on the Esplanade.
Lily smiled. "This is beautiful," she said. "We'll be able to see everything."
"Yeah, it is," Brian agreed. "Rafe said it would be nice, but I didn't think it would be this nice."
Lily turned to him and threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you." She caught sight of a small table set along the edge of the rooftop deck and she walked over to it. An ice bucket held a bottle of champagne in a puddle of quickly melting ice. Two boxes of old-fashioned sparklers sat next to the champagne. A cooler sat beside the table and Lily bent down and opened it, only to find it filled with food, all of it very elegantly prepared and presented. She pulled out a plate of cheeses and a box of crackers. "Did you do this?"
Brian winced. "If I say no, will you be disappointed? Rafe said he'd put something out for us, but I figured he was talking about a six-pack of beer and a bag of peanuts."
"This was awfully nice of him," Lily said, running her finger along the rim of a crystal champagne flute.
"Rafe is a nice guy. Sometimes I think he feels as if he has to try harder."
"Why is that?" Lily asked.
"He didn't have a very good beginning with the Quinns. And some of my brothers still aren't very comfortable with him. But he married Keely, so he's family now. And he treats her really well, and takes care of my ma, too."
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