Her smile didn’t quite reach her sad eyes. “It seems so bare now.”
“I know.” He handed her the mug and plopped down on the sofa. “I sent some of the finished oils to the gallery. I was thinking about having a show.” He took a cautious drink. “What do you think?”
“I think he would’ve liked that.” She sat down on the other end of the couch. “As long as you didn’t send the ones upstairs.” Her gaze was obviously worried as she scanned his expression from over the top of her mug.
“Don’t worry. Those are for my private gallery.”
“Your private gallery?”
“You know, the ones I use to…well…take care of myself.”
“You look at those paintings?”
“Sure, why not? They’re great material.”
She tossed one of the small throw pillows at him. “You’re terrible.”
“What?” he said through a husky laugh. “They are.”
They sat quietly drinking the hot cups of coffee. Then Lily spoke only slightly above a whisper. “I’d like to watch sometime.” She kept her gaze on the large window. “If you wouldn’t mind.”
He watched her, then scooted over to get closer. “I think that can be arranged.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. Here.” She leaned forward toward the coffee table, setting the mug down to pick up the basket. “I made scones. Do you like them?”
“Toss me one. Hell, I’m starving. Make it two.”
They ate their breakfast and laughed while enjoying each other’s relaxed company.
Lily stood up. “Well, I had better get back. It looks like you need to get dressed, and I have weeds galore to take care of.” She held the screen door open before moving forward.
Adam fought the urge to cover his crotch. She had to see the hard-on he was sporting. “I’ll be up later, then.”
Lily looked down. When her pretty gaze roamed back up, she had a smile.
“It’s your fault,” he teased. “Hey, do you have any plans tonight?”
“No, I don’t think so. Why?”
“You and Tony are having dinner here tonight. That okay with you?”
“Sure. Um, okay. Did you check with Tony?”
Adam swallowed the last of the scone and grabbed another one from the basket before taking a step. The flower smell wafted across his nose again, filling his brain with a lusty haze. “Real soon, Lily Flower, you’re going to learn.”
“Learn what?”
Adam gave her a light smack on her backside. “Go. Thanks for breakfast.” He stood in the doorway, eating the scone and watching as she walked down the path until she was no longer in sight. Already missing her, he turned to head inside.
LILY KNEW THE nervous flutter in her belly was making her fuss more than usual on something so silly as what to wear to a simple dinner. Deep in the well of her thoughts, she knew nothing with Tony was ever as easy as a quiet dinner, and Adam made her ravenous for his touch. This simple dinner had her prickly and excited.
Unsure and with trembling hands, she slipped the plastic hangers over until she spotted the red fabric hanging behind several other dresses. When she hung the spaghetti-strapped outfit on the edge of the closet door, she knew it was time.
She slipped the dress over her body and turned in front of the mirror to scrutinize the crimson dress she’d worn last year to the literary awards at the Hyatt in Phoenix. She’d picked out the dress on a whim, during a whirlwind of confidence she wished she could muster tonight. The bustline was a bit too low and the hem a bit too high. Once she finally made it home from the department store, the dress had gotten shuffled to the back of the closet while she’d packed her trusted long-sleeved black number.
This was her moment to wear the red dress.
She rummaged through the second drawer in the tall oak bureau. There it was. She held up the lacy black shawl and wrapped it loosely around her shoulders. At least it helped to cover up some of the cleavage. She wanted to wear a bra but knew Tony wouldn’t approve. It was times like this when Lily wished she had Renee’s perky little breasts instead of her jiggling ones.
She sprayed her neck and wrists with a fresh mist of perfume. There. It’s the best I can do. The bundle of hair gathered at her nape hung in loose waves. The humidity had done a number on it, and she couldn’t seem to get it right.
Why was she so nervous? It’s just Tony and Adam… Dinner. Right? She rustled through the closet, looking for her black sling-back pumps. They felt foreign as she slipped them over the pads of her feet. She should’ve painted her toenails. She pulled off the shoes and went into the bathroom. “Richest Ruby.” Perfect! She sat on the edge of the tub and unscrewed the small glass bottle.