Chapter Seven
Lily knew he was there but didn’t know how best to approach him. It was as if he knew every part of her already. Whereas, she knew next to nothing about him.
He was cruel and named the “Beast”, and from what she’d read, for good reason. A truly callous man, who treated women like casual flings rather than show them respect.
Was that the type of man she wanted to give her virginity to? To spend the rest of her life being dictated to?
She kept her eyes closed and soaked up the sun. Autumn and winter were fast approaching, and she looked forward to the chance to decorate and immerse herself in the seasonal spirit.
Excitement built inside her thinking of picking out a tree and then searching for the right turkey. Her family wouldn’t be with them for Christmas. They all despised the festive season, preferring the New Year celebrations of drink and partying.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, and Lily knew she couldn’t put it off anymore. She turned in the water and walked to where he stood.
“I was thinking about Christmas.”
“A little premature, don’t you think?”
“I figured as a business man you’d be all over it.”
Lily saw him shrug, and she giggled.
“I’ve got employees to worry about that.”
Yes, she imagined he had an employee to worry about every little detail of his life.
“What’s going to happen about the wedding?” Lily didn’t really care about the wedding. Her ideal marriage would have been to a man she could imagine devoting to, not this man who got off on hurting people, throwing out ultimatums as if he ruled the world.
“Misha is coming tomorrow to talk about it. You and she can organise—”
“I don’t want any part in it. Just get her to organize it.” Lily knew how harsh she sounded but any protective layer she had left needed to be used to her advantage.
“This is your wedding, and you need to have a say, Lily.” He sounded so cross.
Closing her eyes, she moved away and swam. It had been so long since her last bout of freedom in water, and she relished the waves as her arms glided through the water. Her mind was at peace being on her own, no thought of punishment.
Thinking about her wedding, there remained one aspect she wanted to keep to herself—picking out the perfect wedding dress.
“I’ll help with the arrangements of the wedding,” she said.
Wayne nodded, and for some reason, Lily knew he was glad of her decision.
Maybe she’d be able to come to terms about her predicament.
****
A few hours later, after taking a leisurely meal where they discussed more important topics, Lily couldn’t believe how much they had in common. Their political views were the same and they both voted for the same party. They liked similar movies, books, and music.
“You seem surprised?” Wayne chuckled as he drank down another glass of wine. Lily hated the vinegary taste and stuck with juice.
“You like that famous vampire trilogy? Most guys hate the stuff that makes a girl go mushy.” Their conversation turned from books to film.
“What can I say, I must be in touch with my feminine side.”
Lily laughed. “I don’t think anyone would mistake you for being feminine at all.”
She picked up a strawberry and bit into the delicious sweet fruit. “I use to grow these in my garden.”
“Why did you grow and do all that stuff?”
Lily raised an eyebrow at his ridiculous question. “Wayne, you knew my family’s state of affairs. We were broke and anything to keep costs down was paramount in our life.”
“If that is so, why were the rest of them still going to restaurants and ordering fine wine?” That was a revelation to her. She prided herself on keeping the shopping bills down, and they still went out and spent what little remained of the money. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Lily shook her head. “No, it’s true what they were like. It just shocks me to see how brutal they use to be.”
Wayne closed the distance between them, taking the stem out of her hand, and cupped her chin. “You won’t have to worry about them anymore.”
“You’re going to be my white knight?”
“I’ll be anything you need.”
The intimate atmosphere could be cut with a knife. Lily smiled and instinctively kissed his palm. “I need to sleep.”
They’d both showered earlier, and Lily wanted to do nothing more than collapse in the large bed.
“Go and sleep.” Lily didn’t need to be told twice. She picked up her water and left him.
In no time at all, she lay on the large bed surrounded by silk sheets. She wore an old shirt she’d found in his wardrobe.
What seemed like a lifetime, she heard him enter, gather his clothing, and leave again. Lily relaxed and sighed, until seconds later, he walked back in and moved straight for the opposite side of the bed.
“What are you doing?” she asked, sitting up.
“I need to sleep as well.” Her eyes widened as he opened his dressing gown. Lily slapped a hand over her eyes she tried to cover him from sight.
“You’re naked.”
“Lily, drop your hand.”
She shook her head. Behind her hand, her eyes were closed, and they’d remain closed until he either left the room or covered up.
“Why are you hiding?”
“Would you please put some clothes on?” she asked. Her body flushed.
“No.”
“Please.” Lily heard some shuffling, and then his hand was removed her own from her face. Refusing to give in, she kept her eyes closed she turned away, scrambling on the sheets, and trying to move away.
He caught her leg and pulled her back to the edge of the bed. Lily fell, and he grabbed her bringing her against his body. She gasped, shocked, and opened her eyes looking down his body. Wayne stood in front of her naked.
“You’ve never seen a naked man before?”
Lily didn’t bother to answer. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him. Swallowed past the lump in her mouth, she continued to plead with him some more.
“No.” Wayne was firm.
“A gentleman would.”
“I never said I was a gentleman.”
His fingers slid to the hem of her shirt. “You can see me, and now I want to see you.” In one movement, the shirt was up and over her head leaving her exposed to his eyes. She covered her breasts, and he pulled the hands down at her side.
“You’re beautiful, Lily. Never let anyone tell you differently.”
Instead of touching or doing anything, he took her hand and brought her to the bed. Turning out the light, he pulled the silk sheets around them. His arm curved round her waist, spooning.
“See, no problem at all,” he said.
Lily slowly relaxed against his hold and fell asleep. His throbbing erection pressed between the cheeks of her ass.
Strange, she was comfortable sleeping with a man she barely knew, naked in the same bed, but she wasn’t in a house surrounded by her family.