“Thanks.” He took the beer and popcorn from her as Lily returned to her seat at the end of the couch.
She didn’t even stiffen when she heard the can pop that time, even though she couldn’t bring herself to look at him when he lifted the beer to his mouth.
After the movie was over, Shade turned it and the television off while Lily carried the popcorn and empty cans to the kitchen. Shade was already at the door when she returned.
“Lock the door behind me.”
“I will. Thanks for the steaks, Shade.” Lily rose on her toes, brushing his cheek with a soft kiss before stepping back hastily. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Lily.”
Shade closed the door behind him, waiting until he heard the lock click into place before he walked away with his fingers reaching up to touch his cheek.
He had believed he would have to be the one to initiate their first kiss, and his woman had proven him wrong. Hell, things were moving along faster than he had thought possible. By the end of next week, she might even manage to work up the courage to look him in the eyes when they had lunch.
* * *
Shade sat on his bike in the parking lot of Rick’s Pub as the lights inside cut off and the workers exited, casting cautious looks in Shade’s direction. Charles came out last, shutting and locking the doors behind him. When he turned to the parking lot and saw Shade, there wasn’t any surprise in his expression; he merely walked toward the biker. Shade had to give the kid credit, too; he didn’t even flinch from Shade’s hard stare.#p#分页标题#e#
“If you came for that dinner, I’m afraid we’re closed.”
Shade let a wry smile touch his lips. “We both know that’s not why I’m here.”
Charles looked him over. “If you came here to threaten me to stay away from Lily, I won’t. You’re wasting your time. Even if you beat me up, all I have to do is show Lily, and it would turn her against you. There’s no way you can win, Shade.” The little shit smiled at him.
Shade smiled back affably before reaching into his pocket to pull some photographs out and hand them to Charles.
Charles took the photos from him, turning pale, then looked back up at Shade.
Shade leaned forward, taking the photos back, looking at the woman and child in the picture. “Amazing resemblance, isn’t it? I think we both know what Lily would do if she found out you knocked up one of her friends. Miranda may have passed your kid off to the dumbass she married, but we both know it’s yours. Not only would Lily not have anything to do with you, but it would break up Miranda’s marriage, and the gossip would get back to your daddy. I believe her husband is a deacon in the church.” Shade leaned forward, resting his forearm on his knee, his eyes pinning Charles in place.
“What do you want?” Charles asked, his jaw tight.
Shade smiled in satisfaction. “What I want is for you to go back to Lexington. I’ll even give you a couple of weeks home before you have to leave. Just don’t try to see Lily anymore.”
With Charles’s nod of agreement, Shade straightened, starting his motor.
“She won’t ever love you. What makes you think you stand a better chance than me?” Charles looked him over as if he was trash.
Shade gave him his moment. Charles knew he had lost all hope of having Lily, and he sure as fuck was taking it better than Shade would have. He gazed back at the man yet felt no pity.
“The difference between us, Charles, is I would give my right arm for her. You, on the other hand, didn’t take five seconds to put on a fucking condom.” Shade drove off, leaving the speechless man behind.
Chapter 46
“Shade.” Kaley was standing on the stairway, staring at him hungrily.
He paused in his stretching, looking toward the hallway leading to where Lily was getting changed into her workout clothes in the bathroom. “What do you want?”
“Rider said to tell you someone is here to see you.” She shifted her weight to draw attention to her legs which were exposed by her tiny shorts.
“Why didn’t he just call?” Shade asked, putting his T-shirt back on.
“I offered to come get you.” Her eyes were practically licking his tattoos as he covered them up with the shirt.
He went to the steps which led upstairs and as he climbed up, she didn’t move out of the way. Shade was the master of that game. The bitch wasn’t going to manipulate him into playing a game he had no intention of participating in.
“Move, Kaley. Now.”
Her hand reached out to touch his chest but Shade caught it, twisting her wrist until she had to sit down on the steps.