Pink Lilies (Beautiful People Book 1)

by Lacee Hightower

  Dinner tonight? I want to take you someplace special.

  I texted back.

  Any place is special with you. I get off at 6. I can be at your house by 7:30.

  My phone dinged again as I started to slip it in my pocket.

  Wear a dress. I’m picking you up.

  The lunch hour crowd lasted for three hours. Two weeks until Thanksgiving, all the holiday parties had already started and we were busier than ever. My shift was coming to an end and I found myself more nervous than ever. What kind of dress was I supposed to wear? Probably being overly paranoid about the entire situation, if Tyler told me to wear a dress, he probably meant something proper. Not a sundress kind of thing.

  As I did nearly every Thursday, I worked until straight up 6:00, so I was just getting home at 6:30. Still unsure what to wear, I jumped in and out of a quick, semi-hot shower and started rubbing lotion on as I went through my closet.

  The plum-colored dress I’d borrowed from Maci to wear to her office party still hung in my closet. I strolled into the bedroom and slipped on the dress. Tyler had something special planned and I hoped this meant the meeting with his father had been good, if that was even a remote possibility. I redid my makeup, adding more eyeliner and mascara than usual, and lined my lips in a neutral shade before filling them in with a dark mauve matte lipstick. I curled my hair with a flat iron and bent over, fluffing it up from the roots. My bangs swept to the side, I finished with light hairspray and put on four-inch, nude-colored, strappy ankle sandals.

  There was a knock at the door. I sprayed a quick mist of Victoria’s Secret perfume and grabbed my handbag.

  “You look absolutely stunning, angel.”

  Tyler was dressed in a black suit with no tie, his shoes also black. His eyes were vibrant and beautiful, beaming at me. His beauty stopped me in my tracks. Looking just like a man off the cover of a romance novel, he pulled the air from me every time I saw him.

  “Wow. You look pretty amazing yourself, Doctor Yates,” I countered, giving him a teasing flutter of my eyelashes.

  He held out a fisted hand, slowly opening it to reveal a set of car keys resting on his palm. My eyes grew wide as I looked at the white car parked in the driveway, obviously new.

  “You got a new car? And you’re letting me drive? Are you sure?”

  He raised an eyebrow and pulled me into his chest. God, he smelled amazing. His cologne and natural scent made me want to lick every inch of his delectable body. I wrapped my arms around his waist, giving his fabulous ass a quick sweep.

  “If you keep doing that, we won’t make our reservation because I’ll have you right here against the front door.” He wasn’t smiling, his eyes graying over just a little as he gazed down at me. I backed away from the hardening behind his pants, reaching for the keys in his palm.

  “The keys are yours to keep, angel. And, yes. I’d like you to drive. It’s your car, after all.”

  He kissed the top of my head. It was all I could do not to burst into tears.

  “Tyler, no. You didn’t have to…”

  He brushed a long finger across my lips and shook his head.

  “Hush. Let’s go. We have reservations.”

  I took his outstretched hand and squeezed. He opened the door as I gazed in awe at the shiny new white E-Class Mercedes.

  “Tyler, I really can’t.”

  “Shhh. You really can, and you will. You can thank me properly later.” My God, I do love you.

  No surprise the car was smooth, the steering next to numb, it begged to be driven hard. Another road trip to West Texas was imminent.

  I pulled into Gemma. The restaurant had been voted Best in DFW the last two years. It was also known to be one of the more difficult reservations to snag.

  “What’s the occasion, Tyler?” I eased into the valet parking lane, an attendant quickly opening my car door.

  We walked hand in hand into the intimate restaurant, Tyler instantly acknowledged by name. Thankful I’d dressed for the occasion, it was stunning. It was small and … splendid. The walls were covered in off-white brick with a blueish gray painted trim. Large light fixtures streamed from wide rope in the center of the quaint dining room. Immediately seated at the reserved table for two in a dim corner, the waiter quickly came over to Tyler to take our drink orders.

  “A bottle of Caymus Cabernet Special Selection, please.”

  “Excellent choice, Dr. Yates.”

  Tyler’s thick lips raised into a small smile.

  “The occasion is you, Alexa.” His voice was soft and provocative. “My beautiful angel. I just want you to know that I love you. Your beauty … it enchants me. And your huge heart. Even your temper … all of you, Alexa. You snagged my heart from the very first day I laid eyes on you, even considering the hot situation.”

  Breathless at his soft words, a lone tear formed in the corner of my eye and spilled down my cheek.

  “I love you, too, Tyler. More than I ever imagined.”

  The waiter returned with our bottle of wine.

  “Do you like olives, angel?”

  “Yes, I do. Very much.”

  “Good. They offer a fried Castelvetrano olive here that has pecans mixed in the batter. They’re absolutely delicious.”

  I smiled as he nodded at the waiter. Something about Tyler seemed different. He was relaxed. At ease. And happy.

  “How did today go? Is it okay for me to ask?” I placed my hand on top of his and rubbed my fingers over his skin.

  His eyes were clear and warm, his stare unnerving. Silent, he reached for the bottle of wine and poured, topping off our wine glasses.

  “Mason is talking again.” What?

  “Oh, Tyler.” My lip trembled as I fought to contain my emotions. I never knew I could have feelings for a family other than my own. Not like this. But, his family was becoming my family now.

  “I’m so happy to hear that.” I swallowed a sob.

  “He was only alert for a few seconds.” Tyler’s voice was hoarse. It saddened me how he labeled his father as he.

  “He apologized to Mason.” Tyler’s lips sealed together as he worked through his sensitiveness. I laced my fingers through his as the waiter returned to take our dinner order. Tyler ordered for the both of us. Good thing I like fish.

  “What about you, baby? Did he apologize to you?” My defenses kicked in, seizing me with fury at the fact he may not have apologized to his oldest son. He’d been left with his own scars, just as Mason had.

  “No. I walked out. I couldn’t stand the sight of him,” he murmured. “But you were absolutely right, angel. As much as I’ll always hate him, it was the right thing to do. For Mason and my mother. That’s all that really matters.”

  I disagreed with his statement. It wasn’t all that mattered. Tyler held value just as his brother did, but I only nodded and reached for one of the olives, tears threatening. He didn’t speak any further about the day and I didn’t ask. The waiter brought the Grilled Striped Bass and Braised Veal Cheeks Tyler had ordered. I broke off a small piece of the flaky fish and tasted it. Perfectly cooked in a sauce of butter and some sort of mixed herbs, it was just as delicious as the olives.

  We ate for a few minutes without speaking. Everything had changed so much in just one day. I looked up and Tyler was watching me. My cheeks reddened as usual, and I dabbed at my lips with the linen napkin.

  “Don’t stop eating, Alexa. You’re beautiful when you eat.”

  I raised the wine and sipped. It was so good.

  “Move in with me, Alexa. Let me take care of you, angel.”

  The waiter returned. “Dessert for the pretty lady?”

  I shook my head. I couldn’t eat another bite. Tyler slid his credit card from his wallet and handed it to the waiter. All the while, his stare still focused on mine. He reached for my hand and kissed my fingers tenderly.

  “Please.”

  This had all happened so fast. Two things crossed my mind—would he get tired of me since he had never
been in a long-term relationship? Or would we stay together? And grow? He’d once told me that he could never offer anyone marriage. I’d never forgotten that comment, but somehow, right at this moment, it all felt good. And just right. Like my feet may never touch the ground again.

  We walked out of the restaurant hand in hand. The white Mercedes—my Mercedes—was pulling up just as we exited. The valet opened my door on the passenger side, and I slid in. The leather was a camel brown. Plush and soft, it smelled so good. As much as I couldn’t wait to take this beauty for a real drive, I was thankful Tyler took the driver’s seat this time so we could talk and I didn’t have to stress over driving in Dallas traffic at night.

  I turned on the radio only to see Octane was the last channel played.

  “Octane? You listen to this station? Tyler Yates the polished professional … best cosmetic surgeon in the country … listening to heavy metal music?” I out and out giggled at the concept. Suddenly, I loved him even more.

  “What did you think I listened to, angel? The Forties Channel?” He winked as he pulled into traffic and headed for his house.

  “I don’t know. I just never took you for this kind of music.” I turned up the volume a little as Sixx A.M. filled the speakers. I couldn’t wait to get this hottie to a concert. Tyler head banging. The thought tickled the complete hell out of me.

  “Thank you, baby. The car is beautiful,” I whispered.

  “Every day, sweetheart. Move in with me and I’ll make sure you have everything you ever wanted.”

  I gazed at him, mystified. This was the same Tyler who I’d sworn was nothing but an egotistical asshole in the beginning. He was nothing like I’d originally thought. My eyes rimmed with tears.

  I was moving in with Tyler Yates.

  The sound of a text on his phone dinged. The traffic was heavy and he pulled the phone from his pocket.

  “Will you check for me, angel? I’m expecting a text from Justin about some club business.”

  I looked at the screen on his iPhone. Justin’s name scrolled across the top. I clicked on the message. Oh God!

  “What? What is it, Alexa?”

  I swallowed as my throat filled with a huge lump.

  “It’s Katherine. She’s been found dead.”

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Alex

  Today it all ends. I have caused suffering for many souls and taken an innocent woman’s life. What hurts the most is that not one of you ever asked me about the scar on my left cheek or the scars in my heart. Didn’t any of you ever wonder how I’d injured my face? Didn’t anyone ever wonder who my parents were? Or if I had any family?

  Now I shall be silent. I can sleep.

  Finally, I can be at peace.

  I can be content.

  ****

  I woke up sweating, overly warm from Tyler’s body coiled around mine. The sound of his calm breathing and hand covering his eyes made me smile. He always slept with a hand over his face. My body sweltering, I stayed still anyway. I didn’t want to wake him just yet. Last night we’d gone by to see Justin after receiving his text. Katherine’s neighbor of many years hadn’t seen her coming or going from her apartment. Management found her resting on her couch with the syringe still in place, her last words written on purple stationary with white flowers around the bottom. Justin had been the last call made on her cell phone, so they called him with the news.

  Katherine had no known relatives.

  She was dead from a heroin overdose, the same way she’d taken my cousin’s life.

  I hated the woman. I’d die hating her. She took my cousin. My sister. Yet, the black cloud chasing me for weeks was gone. The unknowns of why my cousin took her own life were lifted. Tyler had done exactly as he’d promised, mending my broken heart in the only way he could—by proving he wasn’t responsible for Becca’s death. My heart still broke knowing I’d never get to see her face again. Closure felt good, but it would take a long time coming to forgive … and forget.

  I didn’t know if Tyler had anything to do with Katherine’s confession. If he did, he’d take that with him to the grave. Ultimately, it didn’t matter. It was all over. My family could move on. And start to heal.

  I shifted a little and Tyler woke up.

  “You’re awake.” His eyes were still heavy with sleep.

  “I was hot.” I kissed his cheek as he moved upward, resting against a pillow.

  “Why yes, you are hot, angel. You’re also incredibly beautiful first thing in the morning.”

  I leaned over and kissed his damp mouth, nibbling on his bottom lip as his prickly facial hair teased my chin. A deep sensual sound arose from somewhere in his throat and he rolled over on top of me. I reached for his firm butt cheeks.

  “I love your sexy ass,” I whispered.

  “And I love these.” His hands slid up both my breasts.

  “Did you know that the first time I saw you, all I could think of was lowering your scrubs and toe-curling orgasms … even though I thought you were an ass? I called you the orgasm on legs for weeks. Bet you didn’t know that.”

  His grip on my breasts tightened as the guttural groan in his chest took my breath away. He stared down at me, his eyes gray and lustful as he slowly pried my legs apart with his knee.

  “You’re so good for me, Tyler.”

  “Orgasm on legs?” he scoffed, his body weight lowering down on top of me. “I knew you were turned on. I could see it in your eyes, angel. And I was hard as fucking steel for you that day. Just like I am now.”

  His hand strolled down my body, first across my hardening nipples and then over my stomach toward my groin. My libido peaked even more as he pushed his hard, thick morning erection into my belly.

  “I can’t fathom not having you in my life.” Cupping my cheeks between his hands, he crushed my mouth with his, invading me with his tongue. My legs wound around his firm hips as I returned his passion and reached for his erection. He was thick and hard, his tip beaded in moisture.

  “I love you,” he uttered against my neck, kissing my dampened skin as his hands roamed over my thighs, lighting a raging fire inside me.

  “You mean everything to me, Alexa.”

  “Make love to me, Tyler.” I reached for his hair, pulling his amazing lips back down over mine. “Please.”

  His tongue lowered between my lips, rolling over mine with sensual slow licks. He groaned into my mouth and pushed into me slowly, never taking his eyes off mine. I raised my hips to meet him as every delicious inch of his thick shaft filled me, closing my eyes and listening to the desperate sounds coming from the both of us. He kissed me with hard brazen furious kisses, pulling back gently and then lazily pushing back into me again. Slowly. Gently.

  I quickened my pace. Faster. Please.

  “I thought you wanted me to make love to you, Alexa.” He stopped moving, his gaze darkening. “Tell me what you want, baby.” He pushed my legs further apart as he sunk down inside me deeper. Jesus.

  “Tell, me, baby. What do you want me to do?”

  He started moving again. Slowly. Lazily. He was deep … so deep. But I needed more. I reached for his ass and pulled him against me.

  “Please, Tyler. Just do it. Fuck me hard.”

  He growled, reaching for my hips and thrusting more of himself inside me. “Is this what you want?”

  He moved faster, digging at my hips so tightly it ached.

  “Ah,” I bellowed out, my nails sinking into the hard muscle of his ass.

  “My sweet Alexa doesn’t want vanilla this morning, does she?” he whispered.

  I moaned, raising my hips. “No Sir,” I whispered.

  With a brutal groan, he pulled himself from me and flipped me onto my stomach, raising my hips and pushing back inside me from behind. The instant sound of slapping skin made my body tighten as he thrust through my sex again and again with his beautiful long cock.

  The grip on my hips was strong and concentrated as I curled my fingers into the pillow for lever
age, his chest gasping with hard panting breaths as he lay claim to me. Owning me. Declaring what was his.

  “Come, Alexa,” he ordered, his voice gruff and demanding.

  In seconds, my sex crested in climax. I let go of every sense perception I had, his name falling from my lips in silent whimpers as I milked him with my tightened muscles.

  “Angel. Fuck.” He was coming, blistering semen spilling into me as his hard cock jerked with his own release.

  Minutes after coming down from the physical elation of beautiful lovemaking, still silent and snuggling against each other, Tyler rolled over onto his back. I instantly turned onto my side, my stomach rattling with a loud blast of emptiness. Mortified, my cheeks heated and Tyler looked at me closed-lip, his eyebrows arched. Then he grinned and we both rolled with laughter.

  “Guess I need to feed my angel.”

  “Oh, God. How embarrassing,” I whispered.

  Leery about my growling belly, I kissed Tyler’s lips, instantly remembering the first day I’d met him.

  “Baby, do you know what horny mating whales sound like?”

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Alex

  Another breakfast of egg-white omelets with mushrooms, peppers and small chunks of ham, Tyler’s love of high protein meals was something I was going to have to get used to. With all the sex we were having, I probably needed the extra nutrition. I poured two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice and set the kitchen table. He’d been on the phone for the last hour talking to another doctor about possibly moving to Dallas and partnering with him at the second clinic.

  I crept toward his office and stood at the doorway, listening to him talk business. Dressed in black sweat bottoms and no shirt, with happily fucked hair, his bare feet rested on top of the desk as he listened to his phone. He was a different Tyler than he had been when I first met him. He looked happy … and content. I shifted and he looked up, his eyes never leaving mine as he finished up his conversation.

  “Plano is definitely a growing city. The schools are some of the highest ranked in the area. It’s a great place to raise kids.”