“Thank you,” she whispered as she fussed around in the blankets like a cat finding the perfect position.
Tony watched her for a moment before retreating to the window seat. Seeing the pillow and blanket there for him made him feel like he was going to bed in his second home. Hell, maybe this was his first home. He got comfortable and watched the bed from afar. The thought of having to go back to the office and leave her alone for the day made his stomach ache. Tony knew she’d find things to keep busy, but she’d long to have Nicholas show up for tea. Now he knew he should’ve been able to get away sooner to have seen Nicholas more.
The office had him double booked. The operating schedule was a bitch and a half and the meetings were eating him alive. Coming to Lily’s place was his only vacation time. Seeing Nicholas had always been an added bonus. The bastard had died too soon. The familiar anger bubbled up. Tony quickly buried it in the dark space he kept for all those emotions. Anger. Grief. Love.
SUNSHINE SCATTERED THROUGH the window, making Lily squint to see the lump sleeping on the window seat. She remembered the afternoons when she was younger and staying over for a visit. Summer thunder would crack in the sky, breaking through the tranquil patter of rain on the window. She would sprint down the hall to this very room. Her grandma would welcome her into the bed, where she would burrow under the covers and watch out the window as the lightning flashed against the blackness. She ran her hand over the duvet. In the morning the bright sunshine would shine at the edges of the pink curtains that used to hang over the windows, as if the chaos of the night before never happened. Some nights the thunder still rippled through the silence and the lightning still whipped through darkness, but it wasn’t as scary now. As an adult it felt safe to burrow under the covers in the bed that was now her own. The morning sun rays filled the room just like they had when she was a little girl.
She watched as Tony shifted on the cushioned bench. A tilt of her head blocked the sun enough that she could make out a faint grin on his handsome face.
He tossed the blanket aside and yawned. “What are you doing up?”
“I don’t know. I’m just up.” She crawled out of the mess of covers and padded over to the window seat. “You’re going to be late,” she said and started to fold the wadded-up blanket beside him.
“What time is it?” he asked as he rubbed his eyes and started to sit up.
“It’s eleven o’clock.” She dropped the blanket back onto the bench.
“Come here.” He wrapped his strong arms around her waist and pulled her onto his lap. “I need you to go get the salve from the kitchen.”
“Now?” she protested, feeling the precious time slipping away before he had to leave. “I was hoping you could play with me before you go. I understand if you’re going to be late. I can wait until Wednesday.”
He groaned as she wiggled her hips. The stiff rod under her bottom made her want to rub her ass even harder against the front of his underwear, but she knew better. He hadn’t told her to move, and bringing him any kind of pleasure without his explicit instructions would cause her only heartache. He’d punish her with restriction, and that was the worst punishment of all.
“Not until those have had a few more days to heal,” he said. “You know the rules.” He lifted her off his lap. “It’s been the same for the last three years. Have I ever not protected you? Since the first day I watched you behind that podium in your class, I knew what you needed. I won’t fail you, poppet. Now, go get the salve and bring it back up here. I’m going to get in the shower.”
By the time Lily returned, she could hear the water running. She crept into the bathroom and leaned against the large glass casing of the shower. The steam swirled in frothy mists inside the enclosure.
Lily stood in silence, admiring Tony’s powerful form. His broad shoulders attached to compact biceps and strong forearms. It amazed her how a man built for such power had the ability to be so gentle. He turned and let the water spray over his head as his agile fingers massaged his scalp, rinsing the shampoo from his hair.
Lily’s pussy contracted. She owned a sense of pride at how well he’d trained her body to respond to the thought of pleasure. She quickly cupped her mound and slid her fingers between the swelling lips. The tight knot had already begun to throb, teasing her to tickle it.
“Lily, stop touching yourself.” The sound of Tony’s voice bellowed from inside the steam. “I know you’re there. I can see you.”
She dipped her chin, hoping the minor infraction wouldn’t lead to a restriction. “But how do you know I’m touching myself? Maybe I was just itching my thigh.”