LUCY

 

What was he doing?

Our coworkers were here and Killian always drew eyes. They’d see my hand in his and think the worst.

Or the truth?

“Killian, what do you think you’re doing?”

He tossed me a wolfish grin. “You know. Walking. Leaving. Going out. With you.”

My eyebrows practically shot up to my hairline. He said that loud enough to have everyone within ten feet hear it.

I tried again to free my hand. His clamped harder. Not enough to hurt, but enough to serve as warning.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what, Lucy? Be specific.”

“I work here.”

“Yes. I know.”

“They’ll think that I’m—” I cut off my words. The rest was a trap I set myself.

“They’ll think what, Miss Lucy?”

Killian’s long legs slowed. His beautiful gaze gleamed with mischief. I didn’t want him to say anything else. My eyes widened, practically commanding him not to finish my sentence.

He brought our joined hands to his lips. “What, Miss Lucy?”

No way was I going to say it out loud. I substituted. “That you favor me more than you should.”

“Ah, but I already do. That’s no secret.”

At least four pairs of eyes were burning into my back. His lips brushed against my fingertips. They ached, wanting more. Treacherous hand.

Killian liked games. This was just one of many. Breath coming faster, I needed to be calm. Cool. Unaffected. Fake.

“You’re letting out all the secrets right here. Why?”

“Why not?” Killian kissed my hand again. His smile turned mean as he looked over my head. Without saying a single word, he spurred action. I heard a stampede amidst the rise of empty greetings.

The urge to turn around rode me. I didn’t want to see the speculative stares. I hated them. The nosiness and judgment. The attention.

But if I didn’t then they’d win. They’d know they had me cowed and that I was ashamed.

Lifting my chin, I pivoted on my feet. The lobby was empty except for the security guard and receptionist. He didn’t seem to care about our little show, but the receptionist was different. Her smile welcomed, but her eyes greedily drank me and Killian in.

Anger flared, disrupting the manners I worked so hard to reclaim. Louise had been nothing but pleasant to me. Obviously that meant nothing now because Killian and I were the source of juicy gossip. I shouldn’t have been disappointed, but I was.

Why couldn’t people mind their business? Why did they take so much glee in the circumstances of others? Why did people think they had a right to know anything?

The me of before would’ve stalked over to the desk and said something belligerent. The me of now wanted to do it anyway.

“Easy, Lucy.”

His rich whisper flowed over me, warm and conspiratorial. I could easily believe Killian King knew exactly what I was feeling at this very second.

I didn’t say anything, but waited for him to prove it.

“Small minds gossip. Leave them to their small world and walk out into another one with me.”

Killian created this situation, brought attention to me I didn’t want, but right now he stood by my side. He understood me. That made him my ally.

“Sure. Where to?”

Killian’s lazy grin charmed me, exterminating the rage I carried always—even when I lied to myself and said it didn’t exist.

He walked us out, shoulders back and head up. The weather felt great. Not too hot, not too cold.

“All kinds of places, but let’s start off with ice cream.”

Jorge popped out of the car, opening the door to usher us in. Killian’s strong hands settled around my waist and lifted. He followed, making sure to sit right next to me. I barely had a chance to pull my seatbelt on before Killian took over. Once I was safely secured, he buckled himself in and gave Jorge a destination.

We sat there in silence for several minutes when Killian abruptly said, “You don’t like being the center of attention, do you?”

“No.”

“But you can’t help but draw it.”

“I do not.” The three words lacked heat, but Killian dug anyways.

“You do, Little Lucy. You can’t go through this world without drawing attention. So just accept it and stop boxing yourself up, hmm?”

My boss’s grandson wasn’t supposed to be perceptive. Self-centered, brattish, daring, spoiled—yes.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“It wasn’t about you, Lucy. You know that?” He took my hand back, rubbing a thumb against the palm. “The attention was mine. I’m so untrustworthy that my Grandfather routinely sets watchdogs on me. Everyone knows I’m a fuck up and they wait for more proof. Today will be forgotten.”

“Are you trying to make me feel better?”

Leather creaked as Killian leaned over. “Not even. I’m just making sure you’re not bad company.”

“Because I’ll be boring, right?”

“Now you’re finally getting it.”

The car pulled over, interrupting whatever I might’ve said. Killian unbuckled us both and then lifted me out.

“Jorge, hang tight. We’ll be back in about fifteen.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

Killian put my arm through his and took us to an ice cream truck painted turquoise and coral. Just looking at it made me think of Florida. I’d gone there once or twice, back when I still had my first family. Pigtails, white sand, sunny days, sunnier Mom and Dad.

I hated how things could go bad just like that.

But you have today. Appreciate it.  

All my life lessons seemed to be put to the test lately. Shaking off the melancholy trying to overwhelm me, I put on a cheerful smile. I had to enjoy the moment because the future was one giant ball of uncertainty.

“You’ve been here before?”

“At least once a week during the summer. Years ago.”

We didn’t have to wait long. “I’ll have three scoops of the chocolate chip cookie dough and…what’ll you have, Lucy?”

“One scoop of vanilla.”

Killian looked at me as if I’d throat punched him. “You’re kidding. You have over fifty flavors to choose from and that’s your choice? Why even leave the house if you’re going to order vanilla?”

My face pinked. The counter girl laughed as well as the couple behind us.

Jerk. Sadist. Bully. Devil.

“It’s my choice and I love it. I could eat it all day, every day.”

Killian’s expression changed. “Hmm, really? I might have to see that for myself.” Turning to finish our order, he said, “Vanilla for the lady, but make it an extra-big scoop.”

Standing beside this impossible brat, I knew I’d passed an important test. He liked it when I didn’t back down. Probably because it amused him. Or because it was honest interaction.

Just more proof of how starved of contact he really is. Poor, lonely man.

Taking my cone, I smiled my thanks. Killian eyed me and said, “I expect you to eat every bite, Miss Martin.”

Of course, he would. It was the same thing every time he fed me.

Killian started us on an easy stroll. “Okay, Lucy. I’m giving you a freebie. Ask anything you want and if it’s not too annoying, I’ll answer.”

I passed the test and now I was being rewarded. I couldn’t make the mistake of jumping all over it because Killian would then have another weapon. He had enough. I didn’t need to make it easier for him.

“Geez, thanks.” We walked several steps while I pretended to think. “Very well. How did you get your name?”

“That’s an illogical question. My mother named me. Didn’t yours?”

I pushed at his arm with my shoulder. “You know what I mean. Killian is a different kind of name for people of our background.”

“May I remind you I am a member of the aristocracy?” he sniffed with his nose comically in the air and full-on Austrian accent.

Trying to keep hold of my ice cream cone, I dipped in an awkward curtsy. “Please forgive my memory, my prince. It’s faulty with my colonialism ways.”

Killian waved a languid hand. “You are forgiven as long as you don’t do it again, impertinent American.”

Giggling, I had to admit it was surprising to see this side of Killian. I didn’t peg him as one who could laugh at himself. Especially considering the deep freeze of just an hour ago.

“So?”

“So what?”

Still a brat.

“Never mind then.”

“Oh, Miss Lucy, you give up too quickly. Go on. Ask me again.”

He wanted to play. I had to admit that I did too. A little bit.

“Why ‘Killian’?”

“Why ‘Killian’, what?”

“Who’s being annoying now?”

“So impatient. Look at you. You’ve got vanilla all over your mouth.”

I locked in place as Killian brushed his thumb against my lips. Heat licked at my belly while I watched him suck the remnants into his mouth. That beautiful, sinful mouth. I remembered what he’d done to me with that mouth. What I’d done to him.

“You’re staring, Lucy.”

I looked away, feeling the color creep up my neck, only for him to laugh.

“I didn’t say stop.”

Yeah there was a reason really attractive people got on my nerves. Their whole body was a weapon and they knew it. If Killian had grown up in my neighborhood, he would’ve run it. And I probably would’ve fallen for him, doing whatever he wanted me to.

I definitely would not be standing here living a clean life and eating ice cream. That didn’t sit right with me.

My lip curled. “You’re bossy.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Killian resumed his lazy pace. “I’m not sure why my mother liked my name. It’s not Cuban or Austrian. It’s different and apparently she thought I should have something of my own. My father was still smitten with her so he was willing to give her all the stars in the sky. Probably one of the last times he felt that way. I should be grateful otherwise I’d probably be Hans.”

I didn’t expect that answer. It touched me even while the unspoken saddened. His relationship with his father was nonexistent. His mother gone. His grandfather…troubled.

“What about you? How’d you get the name Lucy?”

“Lucille Ball. My mom liked her, thought she was funny and strong. Liked her more because she married Desi.”

“I should’ve guessed.”

We walked, quiet in our separate thoughts, but joined together through ice cream and commonality.

There was so much that happened in Killian’s short life. Lots of pain. Suffering. It wasn’t fair.

Not for him. Not for me. Not for anyone.

“Lucy.”

“Yes?”

“Mind spending more time with me?”

He asked and that meant everything. Why bother dwelling on the past when it was such a beautiful day? Yesterday already happened. Tomorrow wasn’t here. All we had was now.

My answer was easy.

“I’d love to.”