“Don’t you dare,” Beth reprimanded her.
“She won’t,” Shade spoke up from behind them, reaching inside the vehicle to take several of the bags.
Razer followed suit, pulling out a large number for himself. Lily and Beth split up the remaining packages, and then they all carried them up the steps to the house and into the room Shade had put Lily in. They set the bags on the floor in front of the bed, and Shade smiled as Lily looked down at the bags as if she didn’t know how they had gotten there.
“I’ll see you at church in the morning.” Lily hugged and kissed her sister goodbye.
Razer gave her a tight hug. “Goodnight, lil’ sis.”
“Night, Razer.”
The door closed behind them.
“I’m not staying in the basement anymore?”
“No. If someone tries to hurt you again, they’ll have to get past every brother in the house with you up here,” Shade replied grimly.
“I see.” She took a deep breath. “Beth told me at dinner that you paid for all this. I’ll pay you back.”
“No, you won’t, and you won’t take anything back. Quit worrying and go get your shower.”
Lily went to the bathroom, taking a gown, while Shade undressed then lay down on the bed, waiting for her. He was tired, but he didn’t want to go to sleep until Lily was in bed with him.
When she finished, she climbed in bed beside him, pulling the covers up as she gave him a smile.
“What was that for?”
Confusion marred her brow. “What?”
Shade turned off the bedside lamp, checking first to make sure the bathroom light was on with the door left half-open. “That smile you just gave me.”
“I don’t know. I was just happy you were here. I thought you might be sleeping in your room.”
Shade rose on his side, his serious face cast in the shadows of the bedroom. “Lily, the only bed you’ll be in is the one I’m sleeping in.” His finger traced down the fragile line of her cheekbone.
He bent down, kissing her, and when Lily parted her lips his tongue entered her mouth, searching its depths. Her tongue timidly touched his, and he sucked it into his mouth, sliding his own against hers, tempting her to explore the warmth of his mouth.
When her arms slipped around his shoulders, Shade raised his head, breaking off the kiss.
“When I kiss you, it’s like touching perfection.” Shade placed soft kisses on her neck.#p#分页标题#e#
Lily’s arms dropped to her side. “I’m not perfect,” she replied, turning her face away.
“You’re perfect for me,” Shade corrected her.
“Shade…” Lily began hesitantly.
“Not tonight, Lily. Tonight, I want to hold you in my arms, knowing that you’re taking one breath after another. That, when I wake in the morning, your beautiful face will be on the pillow next to mine, and tomorrow night, when I go to bed, you’ll be by my side again. Day after day, night after night.” Shade’s vow expressed how seriously he had taken almost losing her.
Lily’s lips smiled against his throat. “What about when I snore?”
“Angels don’t snore.”
Chapter 58
“What’s going on?” Shade asked, coming up behind Lily. He had seen first Beth then Winter go downstairs, followed by Razer and Viper.
He was glad she was standing and talking with the women in the kitchen. He had been worried about her when she had acted strange as Lucky had come into the diner after church, wanting to leave in a rush. She had worked on her course work in the bedroom upstairs while he had helped the men in the basement. By dinner time, she was fine, his concern for her leaving when the women had started talking about their ‘dream weddings.’ The other brothers had tuned out, but he had listened carefully to Lily’s idea of a dream wedding.
“There was a wedding in December and it was snowing just a little bit. They got married in the backyard of a tiny church. It was beautiful,” Lily had breathed with dreams in her violet eyes for once.
“What kind of dress?” Evie had asked.
“My mother’s. I have it packed away. It’s stunning with long sleeves made of lace, but they’re off the shoulder, and it has a long, lace veil.”
Afterward, Lily and Beth had left to go see Beth and Razer’s house for the first time. They were finally back, and everyone was standing around, talking.
“She told Beth about your shower and then Beth told Winter. Winter’s been wanting to redo the bathroom in Viper’s room. Want to bet he’s going to be shelling out some cold hard cash?” Evie answered.