Page 9 of Lily
Sam chuckled, and she warmed at the low sound. "Is that right, little one?"
Again, the pet name, and again, it had the desired effect of snapping Lily out of whatever pheromone induced stupor she had nearly fallen into. "Don't call me that."
Sam held up his hands but didn't move away from her. He was still in her space but showed no signs of leaving it, nor did he move as to come closer. Lily swallowed hard. She could, if she wanted to, step away and put the space between them that her mind screamed at her to do. But her body? Her body had entirely different demands of its own, and as such, Lily stayed exactly where she was.
"My apologies," he murmured and then jerked his chin toward the phone she held out in front of her. "You're looking for a place?" he asked.
Lily jerked the phone close and tucked it into her pocket. "Maybe."
"Aren't you Ashley Soren's roommate?"
His question broke through the needs of her body, and this time, Lily did step back. Sam frowned at the space that was now between them, but he said nothing.
"Excuse me?"
"Ashley, I mean," he scratched the back of his head and gave her an apologetic smile, "I don't want you to think I'm a stalker, but Ashley, I know her. She's your roommate, isn't she?"
Lily bit her lip. "Well, she was—"
"What do you mean was?"
"She's gone now. Left me a note, but I don't…I don't know where she went, or if she's ever coming home again."
"Ah, that." Sam sucked on his bottom lip. "I don't think she will be back."
"So you've seen her? Is she okay?"
He nodded. "I have, and she's doing just fine. She's moved in with a friend of mine."
Lily's heart soared at the news. She had been trying to reach Ashley all evening, and now Sam was here, telling her that he knew where she was. Maybe she wouldn't have to spend her hard-earned tips on a room tonight after all.
"I tried texting her earlier, but I haven't heard anything from her. I was worried, after her note telling me to reach out if I needed anything."
"I had something to do with that." He winced and went on, "It seems I can't have guests over and be trusted near their technology and swimming pools."
"A swimming pool? But it's winter."
"It's a very nice indoor swimming pool, heated and the whole nine yards. Very nice, or it should be for what I pay for it."
Lily blinked at the casual mention of Sam owning a swimming pool that consisted of "the whole nine yards.” She cleared her throat. "You have an indoor swimming pool?" she asked, desperately trying to keep the note of envy out of her voice when it came to talking about living arrangements, but her voice wavered slightly. It was difficult when she wasn't even sure if she would be sleeping in her own bed for the sake of getting a good night's sleep.
Sam gave her a sheepish look. "I do, but it's been a risky purchase as you can see by Ashley's phone, which is part of the reason I came tonight."
"You came because of Ashley?"
"No, I came because ofyou." The way Sam stressed the word 'you' set Lily's heart racing, but she fought back the giddy reaction and pinned him with a narrow-eyed stare.
"But you don't know me."
He faltered then and cleared his throat. "Well, no, not directly," he said, rocking back on his heels.
"What do you mean?"
Sam looked back at her, a faint smile on his handsome face. "Ashley told me about you."
"Why didn't she come herself?" Lily's fingers tightened on the strap of her backpack. "I mean, instead of sending you all this way," she added quickly, because there was no denying how undeniably drawn she was to Sam. He was not only beautiful, but his energy was calming, grounding and soothing in a way she hadn't realized. Only now was she feeling it, alone in this backroom with him. Her shoulders were slowly lowering, her body becoming less tense. She wasn't sorry Ashley had asked him to look in on her, but the question remained ofwhy?
Why would a man come see a woman whom he had no connection to?
