Lily adjusted in her seat and crossed her ankles. Immediately remembering Tony’s instructions, she unwrapped her ankles to gently press her knees together. Her dominant might be loving, but he was also insistent she obey him at all times. Even when he wasn’t present.
She lowered her gaze before anyone could see her admiring her friend’s brother. It’s a funeral, for Christ’s sake. Couldn’t she keep her thoughts clean long enough to mourn her dear friend? She snickered, realizing Nicholas wouldn’t have minded. He’d have done the same thing, along with commenting on the atrocious outfit his aunt was wearing or how the white roses looked silly in the little cherub vase.
The way he used to talk about his boyfriends was hilarious. If his dates wore the wrong color sweater or ate like a pig on safari, he shut them down. There always seemed to be some quirk that turned him off. Every man tried too hard, robbed too much of his time. Lily admired his independence, his ability to walk away and always find acceptance in the next man. She was learning, with the help of Tony, to discover the strength within her, a courage she’d longed to claim and embrace.
She could hear Nicholas’s sweet voice, “I’m a little devil, not a little angel.”
Lily looked up as the tall, dangerously handsome man came closer. Had Nicholas told his brother about their relationship? She knew while Nicholas had lived on her property, he’d kept up correspondence with his brother. A nauseating panic filled her stomach. Did he know who she was? What would she say? Did he know the nature of her friendship with Nicholas? God he’s sexy. The way his long legs moved with a smooth and easy stride spoke of confidence, an awareness he had no one to impress. This was a man who took his sweet time whenever he pleased. A man who made her mouth water and her nipples harden, and he was walking right toward her. He was almost within reach. Lily sat on her hands with her purse resting on her lap.
“Hello.” He extended his large hand. His voice was a deep baritone, much like Tony’s.
The way his emerald gaze skimmed her face made the funny feeling in her stomach ease. She couldn’t look away from the hint of melancholy shimmering in his eyes as his smile rose with his warm greeting. An ache seethed through her. Taken aback by his size and beauty, she had an overwhelming urge to touch him. Is he real?
“Hello,” she managed to say before reaching out to shake his hand. The warmth of his palm made her fingers tingle. Safe.
“May I?” He gestured to the empty seat next to her.
Lily nodded and tried to say, “Of course,” but wasn’t sure if that was what had actually come out of her nervous mouth. She repeated the words, in case she’d looked like the idiot she felt like. “Of course.”
“So, you must be the elusive flower,” he said and leaned back in the folding chair, which was obviously too small for his height.
Lily repositioned the purse on her lap. “I’m sorry?”
“Nick’s Lily Flower. That’s what he called you.” He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. “It is you, isn’t it? Lily Desclose—famous writer, world-renowned educator of religious history? Oh, and subject of all my brother’s letters. I’m Adam Stark.”
She scooted farther back into her chair to get a better view of him. “Yes, I guess I am. I mean, I’m a writer and religious history professor—on leave at the moment. I didn’t know Nicholas wrote letters about me.”
“My brother had quite an imagination, a real eye for beauty.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
She looked over in time to see him peeking back at her from the corner of his intense eyes. “Yes, he did.”
He returned his attention to the guests standing by the coffin. “You’re very beautiful.”
“Like you said, Nicholas had a wonderful imagination,” she said, trying to shrug off the embarrassing compliment. “He was quite lively. I rather enjoyed that about him.”
“You came a long way for this. Where are you staying tonight?”
“I’ll be heading back after the ceremony,” she said. “I’ve already booked a flight.”
“To Baton Rouge?”
“Yes, home.” He unsettled her, made her crazy libido skip up into overdrive, making each word thick and difficult to say. Even breathing became a chore with him sitting so uncomfortably close.
“Would you mind if I came next week to go through Nick’s things?” He cleared his throat, making the masculine column ripple. “I’d like to get things wrapped up as soon as possible.” He leaned back again, stretching his legs out under the chair in front of him.