Lily laughed, ignoring the twinge in her ribs. "My grandfather would roll over in his grave if we did that. "
"We could buy an island, instead," he said, scratching his head slyly.
"Shut up," she replied, grinning.
He chuckled, then let his smile slide away. "Why didn't you hire some security for yourself?"
She sighed. "I tried. But none of them took me seriously. The police refused to believe that any of the deaths were deliberate, so the guys I tried to use as bodyguards kind of blew me off. "
Matt grimaced. "Didn't the cops give you references or some help?"
She snorted, ignoring the way it made her head throb. "No, of course not. And it's not like you can just look up Rent-A-Bodyguard on the internet and get high quality protection. "
Matt lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. "You don't have to worry anymore. "
She let his concern wash over her, closing her eyes and resting her head on the pillow. She was really grateful he was here. She was so tired, and now she didn't have to try and stay alert…
Several hours later, she startled awake. The room was dark except for a low light near the bathroom. At some point she remembered waking up when a nurse came in and removed the IV line they'd set up to rehydrate her after her ordeal. She'd woken slightly, felt Matt run a hand over her hair, and fallen right back to sleep. What had woken her this time? Did Matt say something?
She turned her head to the right. No, she could still see the dark lump of his body as he slept on the cot someone had brought in for him. It was tucked into the darkest corner of the small room. She squinted at the door, but couldn't really see anything except the rectangular outline of the lit hallway. It was too dark to see anything else clearly. A small rustle from her left made her frown.
"Matt?" she said, voice cracking. She swallowed against the rising panic. She couldn't help it. She was scared.
"No, not your dear Matt. " Roy's voice came out of the dark. "He's not here to rescue you this time, is he?"
Lily squeaked, but couldn't suck in enough air to scream before a man's hand came down over her mouth. She struggled, grabbing her plastic cup and flinging it across the room with a clatter. Her only hope was that they didn't realize Matt was actually in the room with them.
"Shit! Keep her quiet," Roy said, fumbling with something in his hands.
She struggled harder, ignoring the pain in her ribs, and then all hell broke loose. The lights came on as the hand across her face abruptly fell away. As Lily gasped for air, she realized that Matt had the man who'd been holding her down in a headlock. Unfortunately, Roy was still at her side, snarling as he jabbed at her with something. She snatched up the blanket roll she'd had tucked against her side to keep her from rolling over and abusing her ribs and used it as a shield.
Roy snarled as his hand got caught in the cloth. Lily finally managed to suck in a breath and everything sharpened as the much-needed oxygen made it to her brain. Matt yelled and banged the man he was holding against the wall. Hard. Roy extricated his hand and lifted it. Lily rolled away from him, realizing that he was holding a needle and fully intended to jab her with it.
"Lily!" Matt yelled.
"Help," she wheezed, shoving at Roy with her feet.
As if in slow motion, Matt cracked the man's head against the wall one last time and let go. Lily watched the guy's eyes literally roll up in his head as Matt plucked the attacker’s weapon from his hand in one smooth motion.
Nothing really happens the way you expect, does it? she thought to herself as Roy lunged over the bed railing and grabbed her by the hair. There was no way to avoid the needle—she'd already extended her legs and she wasn't strong enough to push off a full-grown man with his combined weight and hatred. She watched the light glint off the tiny, sharp piece of metal and knew that this was it. She was going to die in a few seconds. She'd never get to have Matt's child. Never get to marry him. Never get to tell him just how much she loved him.
The door to the room banged open just as Matt discharged the gun. Roy's face went from manic to confused and his hand suddenly let go of the needle. It dropped harmlessly onto the bed.
Lily sucked in a breath and scrabbled away as fast as she could, shoving herself into the corner of the mattress against the railing. She knew she'd left some of her hair behind from the sting on her scalp, but she needed to get away from him. Roy fell into the bed, face down, blood spattered all over his back like spaghetti.
"Lily, oh God, Lily…" Matt was saying.
Hands grabbed her and she shrieked, fighting them off, but then she realized it was Matt. She almost flung herself onto the floor in her haste to get out of the bed and into his arms.
"Matt, Matt, oh my God, he almost got me," she babbled as he tucked her face in his neck. The floor was like ice against her bare feet.
"Shh, I've got you," he said, hands tightening around her. He was hurting her ribs and her cheek, but she didn't care.
"I don't understand what just happened," she kept saying, over and over.
"It's okay. You're safe," Matt repeated, finally lifting her face to his.
Lily searched his eyes, needing reassurance. His eyes were calm, familiar. He kissed her forehead. "You're okay. "
"You saved me. " Her cheeks were wet, but she didn't remember crying. He kissed her again, and then a sound from near the door had her jerking her head around, her heart giving a hard thump. She relaxed against Matt when she realized it was just Alex. Behind him stood a uniformed officer.
"Matt, Jesus," Alex said, walking slowly into the wreckage of the room. "I'd ask what the hell happened, but Harry and I saw everything. "
"He needs to be restrained," Matt said, nodding to the far side of the room where the man he'd banged into the wall lay slumped on the floor.
"I've got him," the officer said, walking over and crouching down.
Lily watched as he cuffed the man, rolling him over to get at his hands. She shivered, remembering how unpleasant it felt to have something binding her wrists that tightly.
"You okay?" Matt murmured to her, probably sensing her unease.
She tore her gaze away from the man on the floor. "I just—" She broke off and took a shuddering breath. "He's dead. " She carefully did not look at the bed where her cousin's body slumped over the mattress.
"Yeah," Matt said, voice low. "I had no choice. "
"Oh, no, no. No, I'm not upset he's dead," she burst out. "I just can't believe that it's all over. Finally. After all these years. " She looked up at him, needing him to understand. "I am so very grateful you saved me. It just feels very, very weird. "
She felt his shoulders relax. "It’s not real yet," he stated quietly.
Lily finally let herself glance at the bed. Roy's face was strangely unmarred, but his back was a red ruin. She swallowed, hard. "No," she said, turning back to Matt. "It’s not. "
One week later, Lily was thoroughly tired of answering questions. The bruises were already fading and her head felt fine, but her butt was sore from sitting in the hard chairs in the sheriff's office. They were here for at least the fourth time, waiting to sign one last form.
One last form, she grumbled to herself. It's always one last form, and then he pulls three more out of his ass. She shifted her weight, trying to ease the tingling in her hip joint. They'd been here at least three hours today. Harry shuffled the papers on his desk officiously, not meeting their eyes. Next to her, Lily felt Matt tense up.
"That's it. " Matt stood up. "You're just keeping us here because you want to throw your weight around, Harry. I'm done with this, and so is Lily. "
Harry frowned and stood up as well. "You can't just walk out whenever you want to. You shot and killed a man, Matt. "
Lily clenched her fists, suddenly pissed. "He shot Roy to save me, Harry," she said, deliberately not using his title. He already had all the information and forms he needed and now he was just jerking them around. "When we need to testify against the guy Matt knocked out,
we'll testify, but right now, you're just being an ass. "
The sheriff's face went red as her words penetrated. "I can arrest you for that. "
Lily rolled her eyes and stood up. "Go ahead. My lawyer will make mincemeat of you. "He looks like he's going to explode, she thought viciously. Good.
Matt put a hand on her arm. "Let it go, Lily. "
She shook him off. "I'm tired, we've signed everything there is to sign, and he's keeping us here for what? Because he's holding a grudge from high school? That's so ridiculous. "Harry opened his mouth, about to respond, but Lily kept talking. "You realize I'm friends with Betsy, don't you? Who is a good friend of your wife’s?"
Harry looked at her and abruptly sat down. "You can go," he ground out.
Ha. Got you with that one, didn’t I? Lily thought. She grabbed Matt's arm and dragged him to the door. "Hurry, before he changes his damn mind," she hissed when he moved too slowly. He flashed her a smile and opened the door. They walked out into the sunlight. Main Street was bustling with tourists shopping and taking in the small-town ambience.
Matt snorted as she towed him down the sidewalk. "Did you see his face?"
Lily tossed her hair. "Yup. "
"You are totally awesome, my wife-to-be," he said, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow.
"I didn't feel like sitting there all afternoon," she said. "Again. "
He nodded. "I can think of more fun things to do with our day. "
She glanced at him. His hazel eyes twinkled. "Yeah, I'm kind of hungry," she said, just to tweak him. "Isn't there an ice cream place near where we parked?"
His face fell.
She laughed and pulled him along faster. She wanted to get home too. Sooner rather than later. "Come on. I know what you want. "
A half hour later, he had her on the kitchen table, dress pushed up to her hips, ice cream smeared on her bare breasts.
"This isn't exactly what I had in mind," she gasped as his hips nudged her legs further apart. He suckled her right nipple until it stung, then moved to her left. She arched her back, grabbing handfuls of his hair to keep him in place. "Yeah, okay. Whatever. I don't care, just don't stop. "
He backed away as soon as the words left her lips.
"Where are you going?" she protested.
He just smiled rakishly and unbuttoned his jeans. His cock sprang out, red and wet at the tip. Lily licked her lips, eyes zeroing in on where his hands were busy shoving down his pants. He'd already taken his shirt off earlier, and the movement of his arms flexed the muscles in his chest. God, he was gorgeous.
"Okay, stay there. I really like the view," she murmured, shoving her skirt under her and kicking it off. She wriggled out of her top, smearing the ice cream even more. She didn't care. Now they were both naked. As far as she was concerned, that was a good development.
"Touch yourself," he rasped, cock hard and pointing right at her.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Why?"
He ran a finger over his lips. "I want to watch. " He casually reached down and ran his slick finger over the head of his dick.
Jesus, Lily thought, mouth going dry. She slowly slid her hand down until her fingers reached her pussy. She was so wet, she couldn't help sliding right in. The shock of her hand rubbing against her clit was almost too much for her. She gasped, slipping her index finger against the small bundle of nerves again and again, wetting everything. Matt's eyes were dark and heated. He watched her finger herself, while lazily running his hand up and down his cock.
"Stop," he commanded suddenly, just as she was about to go over the edge.
She froze, panting, hand slick and trembling. Matt walked closer, not stopping until his erection nudged her thigh. He was so hot, she shivered.
"Move your hand away, slowly," he said.
She did as he told her, shuddering when her palm brushed her clit. She ached.
"Now what?" she asked, breathy.
He smiled, slow and wicked. "Turn over. "
She frowned at him, but did as he asked. When she was on her stomach, bent over the table, he smacked her ass.
She yelped. "Matt! What are you doing?"
"Wait for it," he said, then smacked her again.
She squirmed as the hard sting sent a delicious warmth through her pussy. "Oh my God," she mumbled. She slid her hand down, desperate to touch herself, but he caught her before she could.
"None of that," he said, smacking her again.
She moaned. "Matt, please. I need—"
"I know what you need," he said, interrupting. He smacked her again, then shockingly, she felt his fingers plunge into her pussy.
She shoved back instinctively, needing more than just his hand, but he quickly withdrew.
"Hold still," he said, rubbing his wet fingers around her anus.
"Oh God," she muttered when his finger dipped inside. "That feels so good. Why does that feel good?"
"Let me in, Lily," Matt commanded. He slid one finger in and circled around the sensitive hole with another. "Relax. "
"How am I supposed to relax when you're doing that?" she managed, just as he slid another finger inside with the first. The burn of muscles stretching felt good. Everything he did to her felt good.
"Can I fuck you here?" he asked, still massaging even as he worked the two fingers in and out of her. He smacked her again and her clit swelled without anything touching it. She bit her lip.
"Yes," she ground out. "Matt, please. "
"I've got you," he said, slipping another finger inside. This one didn't feel quite so good and she went still, trying to decide if she liked him doing this or not. He reached down and rubbed her clit and she nearly came off the table. "Yeah, that's it," he murmured, sliding his fingers in and out.
She groaned. "More. "
He leaned over her and kissed the nape of her neck. "Yeah. " With that, he withdrew his fingers and dipped his cock into her pussy. She shuddered as he slid inside, but before she could enjoy the sensation, he slid right back out.
"Matt, oh my God, you're killing me," she said, frustrated.
"Hang on," he said, and then she felt his cock at her asshole, pushing at the ring of muscles. She froze and he shoved, hard. The head of his erection popped in. Strangely, it didn't hurt, but she felt very weird. Full. Fragile. Matt panted against her hair, his entire body tense against her back. She moved experimentally and he groaned.
"Lily, Jesus. You're so fucking tight. " He eased in further.
Lily felt like she was going to go crazy. He was so big, but she wanted him to move so badly, she couldn't help panting. "Come on, Matt," she said, trying to push back, but she had no leverage in this position.
"Yeah, okay," he said, sounding strained. He drew in a harsh breath, then slid home. She heard herself making high-pitched noises. He drew out and thrust in again. And again. Each time he moved, her muscles loosened up a bit, making it feel even better. More intense, somehow. When he smacked her ass again, her clit throbbed with the heat that spread throughout her entire body. He seemed to sense her desperation because he leaned down and shoved a hand under her hips. His palm landed on her pussy, the broad, warm surface sliding right where she needed it. She gripped the far edge of the table and climaxed, bucking as Matt fucked into her one more time before his hips stuttered and he came too, long and hard.
Several long minutes later she elbowed him gently in the gut and he pried himself off of her. His softened cock had already slipped out. She grunted as she tried to get up off the table, but her muscles protested.
"Here," Matt said, helping her down. Her knees trembled.
"Oh my God," she said, looking down at herself. She was a mess.
Matt laughed. "Shower time. "
She nodded. "I can't believe you spanked me. "
"I can't believe you let me. " He grinned as he led her to the bathroom.
"Yeah, well…" she replied, trailing off. The late afternoon sunlight makes his ass look spectacular, she thought, following him dow
n the hall. She couldn't remember what she had been about to say. He was so damn gorgeous.
"You liked it," he said, opening the door to the bedroom.
She shrugged, not willing to admit it. She never imagined herself as the kind of woman who would like such a thing.
"If it makes you feel better, I'll let you spank me," he offered as they stepped into his enormous shower together.
She stared at him. "Really?"
He turned on the water. It cascaded over his brown hair. Drops sparkled in his eyelashes. Lily thought she'd never seen a more beautiful man in her life.
"Really," he said, turning around.
She looked down at his butt again.
He looked over his shoulder at her. "Go ahead. "
Lily blushed. Instead of spanking him, she grabbed the soap and reached around him. She washed his cock thoroughly, then began to play with his balls. Under her gentle ministrations, he began to harden again. She liked the way he felt down there.
"That should be impossible," Matt said, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "I just fucking came, like, five minutes ago. "
Lily licked her lips, eyeing the red crown of his freshly washed cock. The water made him look especially yummy. She moved to the front of him and went to her knees.
"Oh God, that's incredible," Matt said when she leaned in and took him into her mouth.
I agree, she thought, sucking hard, hands wrapped around his thighs. She licked and sucked until he was groaning and incoherent, then she took the soap and slicked her finger, slipping it near his asshole.
His hips, which had been slowly rocking, stilled. "Lily?"
She stared up at him as she slid her finger into his ass. His eyes went wide, then he groaned. "Holy fuck. "
She added more soap, and then another finger, sliding in and out slowly and deliberately. She let his cock sit in her mouth, occasionally sucking it, sometimes scrubbing her tongue over the underside, but never letting him get too close. She was looking for… There! Her fingers slid right over his prostate. He went rigid above her.
"Lily, oh God, do that again," he panted, hips jerking.
Loving Lily Page 10