Gilded Lily(56)

Lily scooped up a handful of hot water and sluiced it over her shoulders. The image of Adam’s lips curving into a smile made her want to laugh. The last time she’d felt such a giddy need to be free was when Nicholas gave her the outdoor bathtub. The very idea of such a gift had seemed so deliciously decadent. Just like Adam’s handsome smile, his stern and comforting voice—a precious gift.

Was this love? A flutter of nerves deep in a woman’s belly, keeping her wanting to please and afraid to fail? Was this what women who weren’t submissive felt when they lost their hearts to the men who occupied every thought they carried? With Keith, the right thing to do had seemed like love. Lily had known the natural progression of what her life was expected to be. Get the great education. Get the perfect job. Find the right husband. Buy the tidy house. And lastly, have two-point-five kids and grow old, full of regret because the undiscovered secrets had stayed in hidden dreams.

That plan hadn’t worked.

Did it ever?

Then Tony had found her and the right thing to do was tossed on its ass and a new plan was cast. Now, Tony’s subtle lessons were forming a complete puzzle. Life was a set of adventures. One event leading to the next, bringing her ever closer to happiness. Lily ducked under the water, wetting her hair. As she listened to the drip of the faucet from under the surface, she could make out the sound of her own heartbeat. The slow rhythm reminded her that Adam was quickly becoming her happiness. Before her lungs began to burn, she popped out of the water and wiped the droplets from her face.

She slapped her palm against her forehead. “Shit! The ball!”

Renee would be coming this afternoon, and the caterer would be arriving to finalize the menu. Lily sat up in the water, hugging her knees as she smiled. The night was going to be magical. She could feel it.



TONY PULLED UP, parked the car by the stable house, and waited for Adam. He turned down the radio as Adam came out the side door.

“Thanks for picking me up,” Adam said as he slid into the passenger seat. “Lexus; nice ride.”

“Thanks. Renee picked it out. I’m a muscle car kind of guy myself, but she said she wouldn’t be caught dead in my 1970 Barracuda. So, here I am, driving this pussy mobile.”

Both men laughed as the car sped down the gravel driveway behind the stable house.

“Have you seen her today?” Tony asked, hoping Adam hadn’t left her unattended after their night together. Lily had sounded so excited over the phone. He could only imagine her strutting around like a little peacock, so impressed with herself that she couldn’t sit still.

Adam shook his head. “No, there have been people everywhere up there today. I thought I’d give her some space.” He leaned his elbow on the arm rest. “What kind of things go on at this party? I mean, the invitation said nothing. Really, it said less than nothing, only listed date and time and costume.”

Tony peaked a brow with a tilted smile. “It’s a night of sheer debauchery. Anything goes, and anything does, believe me. Poppet said she found a box of letters when she was doing some of the restoration work. Apparently, they told these sordid tales of costume balls that were held on the plantation. She thought it’d be fun to start having them again.”

“Oh.” Tony could see the wheels of Adam’s brain turning. “How many people come to this thing?”

“Usually about twenty people or so. It’s not a very big affair. Poppet likes to keep it intimate.” Tony turned off the lane to the main highway. “Everyone is responsible for themselves. Lily makes sure there are plenty of condoms to go around. Come by the office, and we can run your labs. You can’t be too careful with an event of this type.”

“How does someone get invited?” Adam asked.

“He or she has to possess certain…um…qualities.” Tony hoped he’d piqued Adam’s interest even more.

Adam hesitated, and Tony thought maybe he’d misjudged the big guy. “What kind of qualities?”

“The men, they have to be able to come all night, and the women have to be able to do the same. It’s not as easy as it sounds.”

“How does Lily know her guest list is full of those kinds of people?”

“There’s a screening process throughout the year. These guests have had blood work done, through my office of course, and there are several women and men who have tested the field for us. It’s quite an elaborate process. But it’s worth it in the end.”

Tony looked over at Adam. His hands were rock steady. No hint of nervousness as he casually watched the landscape flashing by. “I understand. I’ve never heard of such a party.”