“Let me help you with that.” Adam stood and took the tray. “Where do you want it?”
“On that little table would be fine, thank you.”
When Adam placed the tray on the painted table, Lily stared at him. Her blue eyes softened in the light-cast shadows
Adam sat back down, trying not to openly study at her supple body as she stood looking between him and Tony. She wrung her hands together, finally settling on putting them behind her back.
“I made some sangria,” Lily said. “Let me get you some.” She looked down at the tumblers the guys were holding.
Tony took a sip while Adam swirled the amber liquid against the sides of his glass to let Lily see the men were drinking Scotch.
“Oh, Tony, that stuff tastes awful. Adam, try some of this.” She turned to the table and poured two glasses of sangria. “This tastes so much better than that stale old stuff.”
Adam set the tumbler of Scotch on the floor beside the chair and took the sweet wine from Lily. The slight tremble in her fingertips made him want to pull her down onto his lap and whisper to her that everything would be okay. Instead, he skimmed his fingertip over her knuckles as he took the glass from her hand. She tipped her chin up and tilted her lips into the slightest smile. The sight was a beacon in his darkness. She smiled for him.
Before he could say anything, she scurried over to Tony. With a pat on his leg, she sat down on his lap and snuggled close to his chest. Adam took a drink, all the while wondering what it would be like to be Tony, to have the privilege of friends-with-benefits with such a sexy creature. He wondered what kind of benefits they toyed with. Had Tony made those marks on Lily’s back? Had she begged him to make them? Was there something else going on? In no way did Lily act like an abused girlfriend or someone doing anything against her will.
He stuffed the thought into the back of his mind and focused on the way she swayed her legs as she relaxed, drinking her wine. Every few swings, her long skirt skimmed up, and he caught a glimpse of her creamy pale calf.
“This is really good,” Adam said, trying to distract his thoughts.
Lily fidgeted on Tony’s lap until he placed his hand on her lower back, instantly settling her body. How does he do that?
Adam watched Lily askance as she sipped the dark elixir. He was amazed as he studied her. She giggled, slowly whisking her legs back and forth. He wondered how she could fit the persona of a little girl in such a womanly body. He shifted in his chair, realizing how very badly he yearned for her to be curled up on his lap. The loose sweater she was wearing hung off one smooth shoulder. The billowy white knit teased him when she leaned over. He was appalled to find himself stretching to see what was hiding underneath. Was he a fucking teenager? Goddamn, he sure was acting like one.
TONY LEFT LILY and Adam on the porch to walk around the lawn, lighting the garden torches. He looked back. Adam and Lily were enveloped in the soft glow of the citronella candles. They sat in the chairs, barely speaking. Adam’s lips moved, and Lily politely nodded from time to time. The slight trembles coursing through her body while she’d sat on his lap had told him how nervous she was.
He knew his poppet longed to touch Adam and have him give her the pleasure she craved. The timing was going to be crucial. She wouldn’t welcome him readily unless she was encouraged to do so. Lily had become so accustomed to the feeling of not having a man’s touch without the accompaniment of pain; he feared she wouldn’t be able to find the sensual side of a man again. Or a healthy relationship, for that matter.
Tony knew it was time for her to flee her self-imposed prison and taste the pleasure of everything passionate. He loved her enough to show her that, and besides, if he planned on ever letting her go, he had to prepare her. Seeing as Lily was obviously taken by her new tenant, Tony concluded he would have to test this man to find out if he was going to be the right one to leave her with.
He couldn’t recall her ever feeling like this when he’d brought other men to the house. She’d always make an excuse to leave the room when Tony encouraged her to talk to the man he’d invited over. One look at Lily and the men were begging to be in her company, but she’d suddenly become exhausted and need to go to bed or find a reason to suddenly run an errand. Tony eventually stopped trying and found Renee. Lily had been excited to meet Renee, and Renee had been more than willing to take part in Lily’s lifestyle. Once he explained his obligation to Lily, Renee was eager to participate. The match was perfect. For them.
Tony watched Adam’s sinewy form walk across the lawn. Tony, who was still puffing away on the cigar, motioned for Adam to follow him. “I want to show you something,” Tony said. “Come here.”