Page 18 of Courage of the Mountain
Shit. Did she leave me?
I pull out my phone and call her immediately, disappointed but not surprised when it goes to voicemail. “Fuck,” I mutter before grabbing my keys and running outside. My stomach twists in on itself as it sinks to the floor. I did more damage than I thought by answering my phone and leaving her in the kitchen.
Five minutes and several broken traffic laws later, I’m pulling into the parking lot of Between the Covers. Of course, it’s not open today thanks to the break-in last night.
After Lily went to sleep, I called the cops to check the building for signs of forced entry. Whoever busted the pipes had to have left some kind of trace. Unfortunately, both entrances were securely locked, the windows weren’t messed with in any way, and there wasn’t anything unusual to report. Without Lily’s permission or a reason to investigate further, there wasn’t much to do from a legal standpoint until we have more information. But that doesn’t mean I’m not worrying myself fucking sick just thinking about Lily being in there, alone, unprotected.
“Fuck,” I mutter for what feels like the hundredth time this morning.
I cup my hands against the display window, hoping to see inside. I get a glimpse of Lily’s stunning, curvy silhouette as it sways back and forth. She must be knee-deep in the cleanup, and I hate that she started without me. I was going to come up with a plan of attack so she wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed. Instead, I hurt her. The most important person in my life.
I knock on the window before I can think better of it. Lily jumps at the sound, because of course she does. What was I thinking? I hold my hands up in a sign of surrender, praying that she gives me a chance to make it up to her.
When she sees me, Lily takes two steps toward the door before hesitating. Even from here, I can see the battle waging behind those blue eyes of hers.
After what feels like an eternity, Lily trudges toward the front door and unlocks it. She doesn’t look at me; she simply nudges the door open and then turns on her heel.
“Lily, are you okay?”
She nods half-heartedly.
“I’m sorry about this morning,” I offer, hoping to smooth things over. When she deflates even further, I know I missed the mark by a million miles.
“Is that what you came here to tell me? That you regret everything? I kinda got the hint when you left me naked in your kitchen after all the firsts we shared. Or at least, firsts for me. Whatever,” she huffs out. She’s trying to sound tough and distant, but I hear her heart breaking all the same. Jesus, it hurts knowing I did this to her.
“Lily, that’s not it at all,” I’m quick to reply. “I could never regret spending time with you. Can you look at me, sweetheart?”
“Why? So you can lie to my face?” She’s trying so damn hard to lash out at me, but her heart is too pure. I feel the loneliness and insecurity drip from her words, and I want nothing more than to be the one to comfort her.
“No. Just, please. I need to see you.”
Something in my tone must tug at her heart, because she turns and lifts her head, giving me her gorgeous blue eyes. They’re rimmed in red, along with her cute little nose. I made her cry.Fuck, I made her cry.
“I loved every second of being with you,” I tell her. My hands slowly come up to her shoulders, giving her plenty of time to move if she wants. Lily holds her breath, but lets me touch her in this small way. “I’m apologizing for leaving you. I was on autopilot when my phone rang, but that’s no excuse. I didn’teven think about how the situation would feel for you, and I’m a fucking idiot for not staying with you.” Of course, she felt extremely vulnerable after her first intense sexual experience. What the hell was I thinking?
“Really?” she whispers. A spark of hope flickers across her features.
“Yes. I don’t make mistakes twice, and I swear to you, my sweet Lily, that I want to be with you. I’m not going anywhere. Things with Hayden might complicate what we have, but I’m not giving up on us. Please, please believe me.”
Another agonizing eternity later, Lily finally nods. A soft, shy smile spreads across her lips, and I have to lean down and taste it.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her again before pulling her in for another kiss.
We get lost in each other, my hands sliding down her shoulders so I can wrap them around her waist. She breaks the kiss first, panting for air as she collapses into my chest. I tuck her head under my chin and appreciate this moment with my girl. I messed up, but she’s willing to forgive me. I vow never to break her trust again. Lily will always know how much she means to me.
“Well, I have a lot of work to do today,” she says, stepping out of my embrace. I keep her close with a hand on her hip. Lily looks around the store, and I can practically see the thoughts and to-do lists swirling around in her head.
“I’m here too,” I remind her. “And I brought a shop vac to help with the water. I also called about renting a dumpster for the debris. Sullivan, Cutter, and their women are on standby whenever you’re ready to dive in.”
“When did you have time to do all of that?” Lily asks, her voice barely a whisper.
“This morning, while I was out getting breakfast supplies. I knew today was going to be another long, exhausting day, so I tried coming up with a plan to make it easier. You’re not alone, Lily. Never again.”
Her lip quivers, and for a moment, I worry I overstepped. I was only trying to help, but I can see how my actions could be interpreted as controlling. Lily gives me a watery smile and throws her arms around my neck. I wrap her up in the warmest hug, infusing my strength into her.
“Thank you,” she says softly. “I’m… not used to having this level of support. It’s kind of overwhelming. But I feel safer with you here.”
I take my first full breath since realizing Lily left this morning, then relax into her curves as I pull her even closer. “That’s the most important thing, sweetheart. Thank you for letting me in, for letting me love you like this.”
