Lily gnawed on her bottom lip. “Yes.”
“Not even going to ask. I already know. You’re in his sweats and your clothes are nowhere to be found. So either your clothes are in the bottom of the lake or they’re on the floor of Reese Cooper’s bedroom. Either way, the boy saw you naked.”
“Pajamas please.”
“Was it good?”
“Was what good?”
“Sex with Reese, silly.”
“Molly, you know I’m not that kind of girl.”
“The sleep-with-one-of-the-hottest-guys-in-Braden kind of girl or the kind who doesn’t kiss and tell?”
Lily shook her head exasperated. Finally, she murmured, “The kiss and tell sort.”
Molly opened her drawer. Digging through the rumpled clothes, she pulled out a pair of flannel pajamas with cats printed on them and a t-shirt to match. “Are you going to see him again?”
“Friday night.”
“And you’re all right with being friends with benefits?”
Lily paused. “Reese told me he loves me.”
Molly spun at her. “Really? So it wasn’t a booty call?”
Lily pulled the sweatshirt over her head and instantly regretted it. Cuddling in Reese’s scent was almost as good as being in his arms. Now she felt cold and alone. “Guess not.”
“What’s going to happen when he goes back to Las Vegas?”
Lily wiggled into the t-shirt then untied the drawstring of the sweatpants, shaking them off. She pulled the pajama pants on. “I’m trying not to think about it. I’m going to make the most out of the time I do have with him.” She yanked open the bedroom door and strode down the hallway. Taking a deep breath, she descended the main staircase to the foyer with Molly right behind her. As she hit the bottom step, she locked gazes with her father. “Hi, Daddy.”
Reverend Dixon rose as he glared at her. “Lily, shouldn’t you be at work? Why are you here in pajamas?”
“Molly and I were working on the silent auction until late. I overslept.”
“You’ve never been late for work. I’ve raised you better than that.”
“I’m human, Daddy. There’s a first for everything.”
Molly’s father turned towards her. “Why didn’t I know that Lily was upstairs?”
“We ran into the library. We got back late. And we were up so late, I didn’t have the heart to wake her when I got up to do chores.”
Molly’s dad nodded in understanding.
Reverend Dixon’s glare was still cold as ice. “Well, Lily. Hurry and get ready for work. Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins. Best not happen again.”
“Yes, Dad,” Lily cooed.
“Thank you for the coffee and conversation, Mister Sawyer. I need to get to my parishioners’ visits.” The Reverend nodded his farewell.
Molly’s father rose from the dining room table to see Reverend Dixon to the door.
Molly spun at Lily. “I can’t believe it.”
“Believe what?”
“You just lied to your dad. Have you ever lied before?”
“Of course I have.”
“To your dad?”
Lily pursed her lips tight. It was true. She couldn’t remember the last time she lied to anyone. And she did it so easily. Maybe being with Reese isn’t a good thing. She stomped up the steps to get her things.
Concentrating on work was another near impossible task for Lily. The quick shower she took after Molly dropped her off at her apartment didn’t help clear her mind. Her conscience beat her for her lie. Her lust warred equally as hard, reminding her of the night she spent with Reese. She took a long minute multiple times during the day to revel in her memories. So much for my fantasies. They’re realities now.
The library started to fill with patrons as the school day ended. It was one of Lily’s favorite times of the day. It didn’t matter how busy she was. Once they preschoolers arrived, they would beg her to read them a story. And she would always cave in to their little pleas. It was never one story. It would be three or four. She loved every second of it.
Lily settled on the rainbow speckled carpet of the children’s area, tucking her skirt under her, as the preschoolers sat around her. She opened one of their favorites, seeing their eyes open wide with excitement. She smiled, as a little girl with long blonde curls shuffled to her, her little hands behind her back. “You should find a seat, Lauren, so I can start then story.”
Without a word, Lauren popped her arm from behind her back.
Clasped in her hand was the most beautiful bouquet of white daisies that Lily had ever seen. Lily took them from her, a beaming smile on her lips. “Oh, Lauren, they’re beautiful! Thank you! Tell your mommy thank you too.”
Lauren shook her little head then pointed beyond the bookcases of the children’s section. “They’re not from my mommy. That man over there asked me to give them to you.”
Lily frowned. “What man?”
“Reading the paper at the table under the old clock.”
“All right. Why don’t you take a seat? I’m going to find this man you talked to.” Lily stood, smoothing her skirt. Her frown grew deeper. The library was a safe place. The idea of total strangers speaking to her children disturbed her.
Just as Lauren said, Lily found someone holding a newspaper up in front of their face making it impossible for her to recognize them. “Sir, I’m not sure if it was you who gave the flowers to Lauren—”
The newsprint collapsed in a crinkled pile on the tabletop. Reese sat back in the chair with a cheesy grin. “It was. You don’t like them?”
Lily felt her cheeks grow warm as she gently hugged the bouquet to her heart. “Of course I do. Daisies are my favorite.”
“I knew that. I remembered from high school.”
“Reese, sweetheart, what are you doing here?” she whispered.
“I told you I wasn’t going to wait until Friday night. I can’t. It was hard enough waiting this long to see you. Waiting until Friday to kiss you might kill me.”
Lily’s breath shuddered at the thought of kissing him. She stepped back towards the children’s area. “Kids, I’ll be right back to start the story. I’m going to put my flowers in water, so they don’t wilt. Please sit quietly.” She strode to her office, grabbing Reese’s hand as she passed his table.
Closing the door behind them, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and standing on her tiptoes, enveloped his mouth with hers. She could hear him moan as he held her tight against him. She knew she needed to end the kiss quickly but feeling his tongue tease hers, made it nearly impossible to pull away. Finally, she forced herself to part from him.
“Baby,” he murmured.
“I have to go read to the kids,” she reminded him.
“Who am I to keep Miss Dixon from her adoring fans?”
Lily giggled. Then she sighed. “I lied to my dad.”
“I want to hear all about it.”
“I have to go.”
“Where’s your cell phone?”
“My top desk drawer.”
“Go. I’ll put the flowers in water. Then I’ll make sure we can chat later tonight.”
“There’s a vase in the cabinet.”
“All right.” Reese pressed another kiss to her lips. “Go. Go be awesome, baby.”
Lily gushed at him once more before slipping out the door. She hurried back to the waiting children a little more obvious than she meant to. Nestling in the middle of them, she opened the book and began to read.
The gasps and giggles of the children made Lily smile. She loved this time with them. It made her think of the day she might have her own children. She lifted her eyes to find Reese leaning on the short case watching her read, a sweet smirk on his lips. Her mind wandered for a moment. What would it be like to have a baby…with him? She sighed. A tug on her arm by the little guy nearest to her brought her back to the moment. With a grin, she returned to the book. She caught Reese subtly blow her a kiss goodbye before he disappeared.
It was only a matter of moments later before Reverend Dixon took his place, his stone cold countenance showing a glimmer of pride for his obedient daughter.
Lily offered him a smile before burying herself back into the book. It’s going to be a long couple of days.
Chapter Six
Reese slammed his fist on the exam table as he glared at the tiled ceiling. The wait was impossible even though he knew the receptionist escorted him and Buddy there only five minutes previous. It didn’t matter. He wanted out. Now.
The thought of not seeing Lily twisted his heart into a flesh pretzel. He couldn’t get the night he had with her out of his mind. It wasn’t the sex, even though sleeping with her was mind blowing. It was holding her in his arms, gazing into her deep brown eyes, listening to her softly snore as she slept. Having the only woman he ever loved was a dream he never thought would come true. Being away from her, even for a day, was hell.
How am I ever going to go back to Las Vegas?
He sat up in a huff. “How long do we have to wait? This is ridiculous.”
Buddy glanced at him from the corner of his eye as he tapped away on his cell. “We just got back here. Getting a diva complex are we, Heartbreaker?”
“I do not have a fucking diva complex, Asshole,” Reese growled.
“Whoa. What the hell is wrong with you?” Buddy demanded as he slammed his phone onto the empty chair next to him.
“Nothing. I just don’t look forward to being in excruciating pain all day, so I’d like to get it over with. Not that you have any idea what that would be like.”
Buddy glared at him for a good long moment before whipping his phone off the chair beside him. He hit a couple of buttons then held it to his ear.
“Who are you calling?” Reese demanded.
“Sush.” Buddy waited. “Hey Molly. It’s Buddy. Hey, where’s your bestie?...She’s working? Good. Can you go to the library and call me back? Her boyfriend is being a grade A asshole. I think he’s suffering from Lily withdrawal…Awesome, thanks.” Buddy ended the call with a smirk.
“How do you have Molly’s number?” Reese questioned.
“We’ve slept together. Let’s say we have a, friends with benefits relationship.” He hit the talk button on his phone. “Hey, Molly. That was fast. Is she there?...Good. Put her on.” He handed the phone to Reese. “Talk to your girl please.”
Reese took the phone from him with a growl. Inside his heart was racing. “Hey, Lilybug.”
“Hey you.”
Her voice was soft but the sound of it instantly made Reese melt. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“What are you doing? I mean other than work.”
“I’m working in my office on the baskets for the fair. I need to be in an Elijah-free zone for a while. He’s driving me crazy.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me at all?” The sound of Lily’s laughter made his heart skip a beat.
“Where are you?”
“Waterloo. Physical therapy. I’m going to bet I’ll be sore tonight.”
“I’m sorry. I could try to bring you something after my library meeting tonight.”
“All I actually need is you. You make me smile and forget the pain. You could sneak over after your meeting.” Looking up, he found the physical therapist in the door waiting for him to end the call. “Lily, the therapist is here. I have to go.”
“All right. I’ll be over later after my meeting.”
“All right. I love you, baby.”
He heard her voice grow distant. “Hold on, Elijah. I’ll be right there. I’m on the phone…I know the line isn’t lit up. I’m on Miss Molly’s phone.” There was an exasperated sigh. “I love you too, Reese. Bye.”
Reese ended the call and handed the phone back to Buddy. He felt his cheeks warm as Buddy roared in laughter. He couldn’t remember the last time he blushed but he definitely was now. “Knock it off.”
Buddy curbed himself to a rumbling chuckle. “Feel better?”
Reese noticed the therapist bite back a laugh as she tugged the back of his t-shirt up. He pulled it over his head to make the examination easier. He couldn’t help but grin. “Yeah. Loads.”
“Glad to hear it.” Buddy shook his head. “Never expected to see that.”
“See what?”
“A woman who could break the Heartbreaker. I mean, I’ve always known you had it bad for Lily Dixon. But enough to turn you into Mr. Hyde just because you can’t see her?”
Reese winced as the therapist dug her fingers into his damaged muscles. “I love her. She’s unbelievable. I never thought I could love someone as much as I love her.”
Buddy’s cheesy grin melted into a gentle smile. “No one deserves it more than you, Reese.”
“Thanks,” Reese replied.
The therapist nudged him to his feet. She winked at Buddy. “I’ll bring Mr. Cooper back in a little bit. We have a couple of exercises to go over in the other room.”
Buddy flashed her a thumbs up. “See you in a bit.”
Reese followed the therapist out of the room and down the hall. The morning may have started out rough but it wouldn’t end that way. Snuggling naked with Lily, as he fell asleep would be better than any kind of painkiller.
The larger therapy room was full of equipment from simple bands to heavy weights neatly kept on rack. Reese could feel his muscles tighten and his mouth water. It felt like years since he lifted anything substantial. All he had was some barbells at Buddy’s place to work with. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on that bar and stack it heavy with plates.
He stopped short as the therapist handed him a thick rubber cord.
“Here.”
“Wait. Aren’t I lifting?” Reese objected.
“Not until you’re healed.”
Reese sighed as he took the band. Listening carefully, he did what the therapist instructed. He winced as the torn muscles contracted. As his arm rested, he huffed again. This was going to be a long hard road.
By the time the two friends were sent out the door of the therapy clinic with a band of Reese’s very own to use at home and a tub of therapeutic cream, his shoulder was on fire.
Buddy shot him a crazy grin as they climbed into the truck.
“I’m afraid to ask,” Reese groaned.
“I’m just thinking that I have an entire building of things that can take that pain away,” Buddy replied.
“You mean mask the pain.”
“Mask. Eliminate. If it’s gone for a while is there a difference?”
Reese chuckled. “I guess it’s a start.”
It was difficult for Reese to sit against the plush leather of the truck seat, especially as the vehicle bounced haphazardly down the rural road. Later on, sitting on the bar stool at Buddy’s Bar wasn’t much better. But as he tossed back the last drops in his mug of ice cold brew, things were feeling a whole lot better. By the end of the second beer, he was feeling much better.
Workmen covered in dirt and mud wandered in and out, most of them striking up a conversation with the town celebrity. Even the Sheriff chewed his ear about Braden’s State Championship football team when Buddy and Reese were seniors in high school. Reese had to admit, being home hadn’t been too bad so far. It was actually pretty great.
He was laughing with a couple of farm boys when a voice cut through the conversation. “When were you going to tell me you’d come home, big shot?”
Reese clenched his eyes closed as he sat his third mug on the bar. He could hear the farm boys’ boots scuttle away to the other side of the room. Taking a deep breath, he stood and stared at the older version of himself. “Hey, dad.”
“Finally gonna pay me the money you owe me, boy?”
Reese glanced around the silent bar, seeing all the spooked faces watching them. After the last time the Cooper men faced off, they all must have expected a brawl. Reese shook his head. “I don’t owe you money, Dad.”
“What about the money it took t
o raise you? Clothe you? Feed your scrawny face?”
“I thought that was all part of being my father. And for the record, the Goodwill rejects hardly qualified for clothes and dried macaroni noodles certainly didn’t keep me fed. Aunt Emily and Uncle Mike did a better job raising me than you did and all they were trying to do was keep me out of the system.”
“You ungrateful little prick. I should have worked harder to beat respect into you.”
“Dad, you did nothing but beat me. And drink. And fuck women that weren’t Mom. I can assure you a couple more beatings wouldn’t have done any good.” Reese tugged his wallet out of his back pocket and tossed a twenty on the bar. He forced a smile to Buddy. “I’m going home. I’ll see you there.”
“Take your twenty. The beers are on me,” Buddy growled, his shoulders bowed like a rabid animal prepared strike. His brown eyes were locked on Howard, his lips curled in a snarl.
“Buddy,” Reese protested softy.
“Reese, you’re either putting that twenty in your wallet here or at home. Your choice.”
He shook his head as he pinched the bill between his fingers and tucked it back into his wallet. He waved slightly to the farm boys as he weaved past his dad towards the door.
Howard caught Reese’s bicep as he passed. Despite the years, the old man still had a death grip. “I’m not done with you yet, boy,” he threatened.
Reese pulled free from his grasp as he stared his father down. “Unless you’re ready to build a real relationship, be a real dad to me, then I’m done with you.” He stormed out into the warm sunshine, slamming the glass door of the bar shut behind him.
He didn’t remember much of the walk home. The scene at the bar replayed in his mind. For his entire life, he just wanted a relationship like the other kids had with their dads. Howard couldn’t even bother to go to the state championship football game Braden won. Instead of his dad, Reese posed with his uncle in the celebration photos. Not that Reese minded. Uncle Mike couldn’t have been prouder of him. Still, seeing the other guys with their fathers stung a bit.
A huge yawn escaped his lips as he closed the front door of Buddy’s house. He smiled. A nap would do him good and it would clear his mind of Howard. He climbed into bed, clutching the extra pillow to him. The sweet scent left by Lily made his heart race. It would be only a matter of hours before her head would be lying on this very pillow. He drifted off to sleep with a smile.
The Heartbreaker (Fighting the Odds Book 1) Page 7