Page 63 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
“I wanted you to like it,” she whispered, another few tears coming out of her eyes.
CAYDEN STARTED THE shower and took off his own clothes. He picked her up like she was a feather and stepped into the shower, propping her on her feet but holding her close to his chest. For a few minutes he let the cool water run over her body until her skin felt less like a fire and more like a human. He felt like a jackass. How had he let this happen?
She was so spent, he had to help her step out of the shower and dry off her body. Taking her to the bed, he sat her down and found a big shirt of his in her bag. “Wear this,” he said, and she held up her arms while he put the shirt on her and drew back the sheets. He pulled on his boxers and got into bed with her, holding her tightly.
“Lil,” he murmured, “Whatever she said, none of it’s true.”
Lillian burst into a fresh set of tears.
“I’m serious. I don’t even know all the things she said, but they are not true. Do you hear me?” She nodded weakly as she continued crying. He swallowed. She’d broken up with him before because she’d felt like he deserved better. It was stupid. She was the best thing in his life. She had no idea. If Sierra’s horrible rant ruined things... he didn’t even want to think about it. He loved Lillian. With everything he had. He didn’t deserve her. “I love you, Lil. Some nasty person is completely incapable of changing that.”
Lillian made no response, and after a few minutes her body slowly stopped trembling and her breathing evened. He realized she’d fallen asleep. What a fucking night. He held still for a little while, making sure she wasn’t going to wake up, and leaned over to get his phone off the side of the bed.
Katharina, he typed with one hand, I have some bad news.
As usual, she replied immediately. Shit. Tell me.
It’s Sierra.
No.
She somehow found out Lil and I were going to the bar by the hotel tonight. Lil went early. Sierra was saying horrible things. Verbal harassment. Bouncer had to take her out.
Katharina read the message, but he didn’t get a response for a couple of minutes. That bitch, it finally came through. I’ll make sure it never happens again. Let me handle it.
Tell me how I can help, he replied. No one hurts my Lil.
Katharina replied with a slew of profanity. No one will get to my Lily of the Valley.
I think she doesn’t really like that name.
It is my pet name for her. She should love it, Katharina sent. I’m so sorry this has happened to you, too, handsome.
It just got worse than we expected. We’ll figure it out. Cayden felt some sense of relief knowing that Katharina was going to do her best to end this situation. Other than this, how’s your night? Better than ours, I hope.
Actually, I am having a lovely night. Andrew is grilling steak and we are having wine. Is it to grill steak or cook steak? It smells amazing.
Cayden chuckled. I won’t bother you two anymore. Have a fun night.
Yes, we will. Tell my Lillian not to rush here in the morning. The cleaners will be finished by ten thirty or eleven. Be sure she takes care of herself.
Thanks, K. See you tomorrow. He put his phone down and stroked Lillian’s hair back, his eyes locked on her face. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered to her, and gently propped a pillow behind her head to replace his chest as he got out of bed. Slipping his pants and shirt back on, he tiptoed out of the room and went down to the lobby to order room service.
; In half an hour, there was a knock on the door. Lillian was sleeping so deeply she didn’t budge, but Cayden got up and quietly let the guy set the trays on the table. “Thank you,” Cayden whispered, giving him a tip, and closed the door again. He looked at Lillian, passed out and hugging the pillow tightly.
“Lil,” he hummed, scratching her head. “Wake up. I have food for us.”
She moved a little, reaching out to grab Cayden’s hand.
“Come on, sexy. It’s going to get cold.”
Wordlessly, Lillian rolled over and looked at him through swollen, squinted eyes. He smiled. “There she is! Come on. The food is over there.” He pointed at the dishes and pulled her to her feet, helping her to the table.
He hadn’t expected her to eat much, but her appetite was at least a little better than he thought it would’ve been. She never spoke while she ate in small bites, and when he saw that she was nearly done he dared to ask:
“How’re you feeling?”
