As promised, he had her in his car, on the way home early Monday morning. They’d had quite the weekend, not leaving the suite once. Tarq had awoken Lily’s sexuality. He’d also touched her heart with his care.
He’d fed her from his own hand, then showed her how sensual food could be. He bathed her, massaged her. He’d even introduced her to his collection of toys, rewarding her curiosity each time she asked to try something.
When the chauffeur pulled into her driveway, she didn’t want to get out. She didn’t want it to end.
Tarq lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“Thank you, Lily. This weekend was one I’ll not forget.”
His statement meant more than she realized. He was immortal. He’d think of her long after she was gone from this world.
A pang wracked his chest, knowing she would move on from him. He felt like there was a beast inside him, trying to claw its way out, to claim her and keep her forever. He did not want to let her go.
“Do you think, I mean, would you like to meet up again?” she asked timidly.
“Ah, Petal. I don’t think it would be wise since we are to have a working relationship. My brother will hit the roof if he finds out. Angelique already wants to kill me.”
“Oh. Yes, of course.”
Her face reddened. He was right. It wasn’t sensible to go around sleeping with her clients.
“Hey, look at me.”
She lifted her face.
“Don’t do that. Do not doubt that I want you. It was wonderful. You gave me more pleasure than anyone I’ve ever been with. I am honored you … ordered me off the menu.”
Lily snorted at his cheesy line. He was letting her down gently. Tarq was a better man than his sister gave him credit for.
“Goodbye, Tarq.”
“Goodbye, Petal.”
Tarq watched Lily exit the car and walk up the driveway. When David started to pull away, Tarq told him to stop until she was safely inside. He wanted her secure, protected. Even if it was from himself.
“Okay. I’m ready.”
David pulled away and Tarq took out his phone. He was in no shape to deal with work, or his siblings.
“Take me to the airport.”
“Yes, sir.”
A week away to clear his head would do him some good.
* * *
Lily keyed into her house, dropping her purse and shoes by the door. She was exhausted and decided to take the day off. She needed to get a certain somebody out of her head.
“It’s about time, Lily,” came a voice from the living room.
Lily screamed and struck a defensive pose, as if she was capable of fighting off the intruder. The female intruder.
Scratch that. Intruders. Plural.
Angelique and Amelia were sitting on her couch.
Angelique laughed. “Okay, Rambo, no need to fight.”
“Suck it, Ange. What are you doing here? And how in the hell did you get in?”
Angelique waved her hand in the air. “Doesn’t matter. We’re here to talk to you about something very, very important. And I need you to promise not to freak.”
“Sorry, can’t promise that. But I can promise not to attack.”
This time Amelia laughed. “You’re funny. I like you, but then again, we have a kinship. Tell me, Lily, do you feel it?”
Lily scowled. “Uh, if this is some sort of sexual-I’m-into-you-can-you-feel-it type of thing, I’m going to have to stop you right there.”
Angelique rolled her eyes. “No. It’s not that. But it might help explain why you so willingly went off with my manwhore brother last night the second I left you alone.”
Lily’s mouth tightened, not liking the reminder Tarq was friendly with the ladies.
“Lily, who are your parents?” Amelia questioned.
“Why do you want to know?”
Lily was immediately suspicious.
“Humor us, please.”
Alright.
“I don’t know my mother. She took off when I was young. I remember a little bit of her, but not much. I was raised by my father, Edward Travelle.”
“What was your mother’s name?”
Butterflies hit her stomach. She never spoke of her mother. Did Amelia think she knew her?
“Beatrice. Beatrice Dubois.”
Amelia looked at Angelique and nodded. She knew Beatrice. She was flighty as a song bird, but definitely immortal.
Angelique smiled at the confirmation. She could keep her friend forever now.
“Oh, Lil, this so exciting! Shit. I’m getting ahead of myself. Okay, tomorrow is your birthday. You’ll be twenty-five. It’s an important birthday for someone of your genetics.”
Oh shit. How could Angelique possibly know?
“Be open-minded, Lily,” Angelique commanded. “Your mother was a siren. That means you are a siren. When you turn twenty-five, you’ll freeze into your immortality, like Amelia did. That’s why she called you ‘sister’ in the club. She recognized your siren blood. Other immortals can’t detect sirens until they have transitioned.”
Lily dropped her ass in the chair across from them, pinching her nose.
“Yeah, I know.”
“What?! What do you mean you know?!” her friend screeched.
“I mean I already know. You think my father would keep it a secret? It’s kind of hard to when you know your kid isn’t going to age out of her twenties. I’d eventually catch on. Besides, he’s not human, either—but don’t ask. He doesn’t like people knowing what he is.”
“Well, shitballs,” Ange slumped. “I feel like you stole my thunder.”
“Yeah, well, I feel like I’ve been blind-sided. Humans aren’t supposed to know.”
“You think I’m human?” Angelique snorted.
“Uh, I did. Until just now. Look, I didn’t recognize Amelia as a siren. I can’t scent it yet. Apparently the ol’ sniffer doesn’t work like that until I’m immortal. So, there you go.”
The three females sat in silence for a good five seconds, before busting out in laughter.
“Oh, my gods. This is awesome, Lily! We can literally be friends forever!”
“Wait, what are you? Occasionally I can tell from how people move or speak. But I didn’t get anything from you.”
“Oh, well the Marcellus family are direct descendants of Peitho. Gods, I can’t wait to tell Tarq.”
Peitho. Tarq. Lily’s stomach rolled. He had the power of persuasion. She was going to be sick.
“Lily,” Amelia spoke, “are you alright?”
Her eyes were burning. She couldn’t tell if she was sad or pissed as hell. She was still mortal. Persuasion would work on her.
“Shit,” Angelique realized what dots Lily was connecting. “Lily, don’t—”
“Do not use your power on me, Ange!”
Angelique raised her palms. “I wasn’t. I swear.”
“I need to be alone.”
Lily’s tone told the other two she was serious. Amelia wanted to comfort Lily, as did Angelique.
“Lil,” Angelique started to speak but Lily cut her off.
“No, not right know, okay? I’m tired. I’m sore. I just found out you’re an immortal. That he is an immortal. Give me a few days, okay?”
“Okay. Fine,” she griped.
Angelique got up and hugged her friend.
“Don’t be upset with Tarq. He wouldn’t use his power on you for something like that. Not that he could.”
“Please don’t.”
Angelique crinkled her nose. “Okay, okay. I’ll leave you alone. Call me soon, got it?”
Lily walked her unexpected visitors to the door and locked it behind them.