LillyThis man kneels for no one. The absurd thought I had about Michaelthat day of the engagement shoot races through my mind. Must be the shock from almost falling that's getting to me. I dismiss it and focus on his long fingers carefully tending to my ankle.I inhale sharply. The dull ache intens
“I was mad when Levi told me, but then he told me about your dad’s death. I want to be pissed at you, but part of me understands. It’s something I would have done after I lost my parents. You still should have told me.”“I don’t really talk about that night,” he says shortly.“But you let me believe
His gaze flicks down to mine, stormy and unreadable. “Yeah, he did. And I watched men like Mark insult him to his face. I never got a chance to do anything about it. Now I can.”Shame sweeps through me. I never knew any of this. Did Levi? Is this what he was talking about on the phone?“I understand
MichaelFor a second, I’m frozen when Lilly kisses me. My hands clutch her waist, but the rest of my body can’t catch up. Until she murmurs, “Kiss me back, asshole.”And so I do. I thrust one hand into her hair and band one arm around her back and pull her against me. And when her lips meet mine aga
“Careful, please.”“I’m trying.” I grit the words out, disoriented by her scent and the swathe of her bare back.“I don’t have a lot of dresses with me. I can’t afford to rip this one.” “I think I can get it down, but not all the way up.”I pull it down, and the dress gapes open and nearly falls to
LillyMichael looks a little shell-shocked as we circulate, and I can’t blame him. My palm is still burning from the feel of his stomach muscles through his dress shirt. Damn, the man has a great body. I shake the thought away.“Come on.” I tug him away from a champagne fountain. “We need to circula
I give him a soft smile. “That’s right. You do.” His eyes go wide, and I want to cheer. At least both of us are unsettled.“How did you meet?” Cataleya almost sounds challenging.“Class,” I say at the same time as Michaelsays, “Orientation.”“For Lilly, it was class,” he amends. “Algebra 101. But fo
My head jerks back in surprise. “Why?” I don’t want Michael interfering in my life more than he already has. Carrying me down the hill was one thing, but my business is something else.“Come on, Lilly. You could really make something of yourself. Let me help.” His words hit part of me that I keep bu