Page 72 of The Player Penalty
“Officially? Julian, this is all new to me. You know I’ve never had a boyfriend before.”
“That’s fine. I’ve never had a girlfriend.”
She gapes with disbelief. “Not one? That’s impossible. Look at you. You’re Julian Murphy, the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”
Pride swells in me, not from the flattery because I’ve heard some of it before, but from her sincere opinion. Lily’s compliment is honest and one of the many things I adore about her. She’s earnest, with no pretense or falseness.
“Not one.”
“But all those women,” she hisses out. “Julian, I’m younger than you, not dumber. I know what you were up to.”
I kiss her chin, and a chuckle spills out. The jealous undercurrent is flattering. “You remember what I said about taking all your firsts?”
“This is another one. A boyfriend in an actual relationship.”
I trace along her cheekbones and eyebrows and down the bridge of her nose. “Did you ever consider that I could say the same?”
“The same what?”
“You’re the first person I’ve asked over. No people over means no one to invade my space. You’re the first person I’ve considered a best friend.” Her eyes grow big at that confession, and I wonder if anyone has ever called her that beside me. Probably not. “You’re the first woman I’ve slept next to. The first woman I’ve made love to. The first woman I’ve looked forward to seeing again the very moment you’re out of my sight. You’re the first I’ve been jealous over, to the point of keeping other people away so I can keep you all to myself.”
Lily burrows her head into my shoulder and relaxes her grip on my shirt. “That’s a lot of firsts.”
“I’m not done,” I say, inhaling air before releasing it. “You’re the first woman I’ve even considered having this discussion with. You’re also the first woman I’ve been afraid will say no. The first I’m prepared to beg if you don’t give me an answer soon.”
She moves, twisting herself until she’s straddling my thighs. Her skirt hikes itself up past her hips. Lily feathers soft kisses all over my face, and I smile. “I would never say no, not to you. This is all new, so you’ll need to tell me what we do next.” I laugh, and her lips pucker. “We’ll figure it out together,” she says.
“We will.”
“Do you know why I asked you?”
“To take your virginity?” Her request remains the absolute sexiest thing anyone has ever said to me.
“Yes, that.” Lily leans in so her body covers mine. The citrus and vanilla scent of her shampoo and lotion envelopes us both. I breathe it in. The same scent is on the pillows in my bedroom. “I trusted you enough to ask without being afraid of a reaction. Also, you’re easy on the eyes.” She bites her lip.
“So are you.” My gamble paid off, and I’m not even a little surprised. We’ve been circling each other for weeks and months, getting closer as the dynamics of our relationship changed, and neither of us acknowledging it. Was that from fear or old-fashioned obliviousness? Both, at least on my part. “Be warned; we’ll be subjected to rounds of I-told-you-so the first time we’re caught holding hands. There will be whistles in the garage.” Especially since I’m the one doing the hand-holding. “Probably more.”
“I can handle some garage whistles.” Her eyes bulge. “Oh, no. The garage. My dad. He won’t like this.”
Pete Webb doesn’t concern me. “Relax, and let me deal with him.” What’s one more risk?
“Are you serious?”
I lift a shoulder. “Very. I’ll tell him tomorrow. Honestly, it should be me.” She doesn’t need another round of warnings and concern pushed away from me. Pete Webb loves his daughter, but he would keep her safely cocooned in gauze if the idea ever occurred to him. Besides, I want to be the one taking care of her.
“Julian, he won’t like it. He doesn’t think highly of you.”
“Trust that I’ll handle it.”
“I trust you.”
“Do you know what I want to do now?”
“If your stomach growls, then dinner. Otherwise, go to the bedroom and get clothes off as quickly as possible.”
Both are correct. “Sit here with my arms wrapped around you and your head resting on my shoulder. It feels good.” Lily hums, and my eyes close.
She feels right.
