Gilded Lily(3)

“That would be fine. You can take all the time you need.” She took a breath. “Will your father be coming with you? I know Nicholas wished he could’ve seen him more than he was able to.”

“No, he won’t. I’ll be coming alone.”

“I see.” Lily stood up, needing to create a space between them; she stepped back and brushed the creases from her skirt. “Well, Mr. Stark, I’m glad to have finally met you. I’m truly sorry for your loss and will miss Nicholas terribly.”

“Adam,” he said.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Call me Adam.” The sullen expression on his face turned downright sad. “Mr. Stark sounds so impersonal.”

“Adam, I’ve taken you from your family long enough. I’m going to freshen up and let you get back to your guests.” This time she extended her hand, hoping he wouldn’t be able to see the slight tremble that shivered through it.

He peered up from his relaxed position. “And you’re also as elusive as he said.” He stood before her, revealing his full height. For a moment she wondered how it would feel to rest her cheek against the bulk of his chest, taking in the warmth of the dark lapels of his suit jacket. He took her hand into both of his. She fought the urge to rip her hand away. “If you’ll give me your number, I’ll give you a call next week and let you know when I’ll be coming.”

“That’d be fine.” He continued to cradle her hand between his palms. She could feel the subtle trembling in her fingers begin to ease. She let go and opened her wallet. “Here’s my card.”

He pocketed the card. “Thank you, Ms. Desclose, for taking such an interest in my brother. I know he cared for you very much. He held you in the highest regard.”

“And he was a dear friend who made me laugh and enjoy all aspects of the color blue.”

“Ah yes, the artist,” he said, seemingly amused by the idea of Nicholas being a painter. “Yes, he was,” Lily agreed. “I wish I’d had the chance to see one of his shows here in the city.” The rough skin on his hands grazed the soft pads of her fingertips.

“It was always a sight to behold; his openings, I mean.”

She didn’t want to seem rude by looking down. Instead she slipped her fingers over the scarred strips of flesh on his palm, feeling the contrast between the two textures. Eventually she slipped her hand from his gentle grip. How had his hand been injured?

“Okay,” he said as he began to back away. He speared his long fingers through the bangs tossed across his forehead. “If you change your mind about the red-eye flight, you’re more than welcome to have dinner with me.”

Lily had to stifle the urge to reach over and feel the texture of the silky brown strands. “Oh, that’s very generous of you, but I really must get back. Thank you, though.”

“That’s disappointing. I wish we could’ve spent some time together. To talk about Nick. I wish we could talk more about Nick.” He paused for a long moment and seemed to examine her. “Lily Flower.”

The image of his warm smile lingered as she turned to make her way to the coffin. The appropriate thing to do was to pay her last respects. As the polished wood coffin came closer into view, Lily felt her knees begin to buckle. She wanted to remember her dear friend with his wicked smile and wearing cutoff jean shorts, not like this. She turned before reaching the coffin and headed for the door.



WHAT IN THE hell just happened, Adam thought as he stood watching the most luscious, swaying ass walk away. He should’ve grabbed the soft curve of her waist and held her against him. The last thing he needed was for her to dismiss him when he just got the chance to finally meet her. Putting his foot down, kissing the hell out of her, and spanking her sweet backside were what she deserved for disobeying. Dinner would’ve given him the chance to learn what his brother’s last days were like, allowed him a bit longer to smell the heady floral scent on her skin, listen to that sultry voice. Yes, turning her ass up and reddening it would’ve been perfect.

Wait… The last time he tried that, it had turned out to be one of the most disastrous decisions of his life. The woman he’d met at the bar didn’t play that way. The night ended with an embarrassed silence as she’d gathered her clothes and dressed in the bathroom. There were no calls the next day. Adam knew then not every woman would be into his particular kink. Hell, by that point he wasn’t sure how he felt about it. The only thing for certain was that he needed a woman who could match his needs and not run away. A woman who would not play the part, but need to be submissive to his dominance.