my chest pound for a different reason. “Yes. I don’t want to ruin the mood, either.”
Her breath grew shaky. As did her hand when she raised her glass to take a healthy gulp. She stared at me for several heartbeats. Then, visibly shaking it off, she grabbed the remote and aimed it at the screen.
“Lowlights.” Her command activated the lights, dimming the overhead lights and leaving only a set of lowlights running along the floor.
Onscreen, the system had grouped her entertainment into genres and then favorites. She clicked favorites. A long list rolled down the screen.
“These are all your favorites?” I asked skeptically.
“Uh-huh.”
The title she clicked on caught my eye, and another raw memory spiked through me. “The English Patient?”
She glared at me. “It’s a classic.”
“If you want to weep into your martini glass the whole time then fall into a coma from boredom, sure.”
“You’ve seen it?”
My teeth clenched as I toyed with evading. “Yeah, I’ve seen it. It was my mother’s favorite, too.”
Naked, hesitant curiosity lit her eyes. “Was?”
I threw back the remaining bourbon. What the hell... “She died. Fifteen years ago.” Because she fell through the cracks. Over and over again until she hit rock bottom and never rose. I swallowed my bitterness as Lily leaned closer.
“When you were fourteen?”
I jerked out a nod. Silence throbbed between us, then I indicated the screen. “Are we gonna watch this movie or what?”
Her head swiveled to the screen, then back at me. She held out the remote. “The deal was you could help me pick. You’ve vetoed my first choice. Show me what you got.”
I accepted it, allowing my fingers to graze hers. She exhaled sharply.
God, I wanted to feel that puff of breath on my face. Reluctantly, I turned to the screen. Surprisingly, only half of the movies were chick flicks. Top-notch detective movies and psychological thrillers had made the cut.
I frowned as the list kept going. “There are over a hundred here. How can they all be your favorite?”
She stared at me. “Is it too difficult? I can help you out if you want?” I caught a hint of teasing challenge.
I snorted and selected one.
She grimaced. “Uh, no. I love Bruce Lee but not tonight. The sound effects alone will give me a headache.”
I scrolled some more until she laid her hand over mine. “This one,” she breathed.
“Revenge?” It was the original movie with Anthony Quinn, Kevin Costner and Madeleine Stowe. I couldn’t remember the plot line but I’d probably seen it. Movies had been a huge escape for Mom the few times depression released her from its merciless talons. To be honest, they’d been an escape for me, too, because for a blessed stretch of two or three hours, I could stop worrying about her. She’d even summoned a laugh when we watched a comedy.
“Yes. It doesn’t have a high rating but I love it. Unless you want to find something else?”
I tore myself from the past. “This will do.” I hit Play and pointed to her empty glass. “Do you want another?”
She stared wistfully at the martini glass. “No, I better not. I’ll take a soda, though.”
I grabbed a soda for her and bottled water for myself. She broke the tab, curled her lip over the top and drank half the contents, while I forced myself not to stare at her throat.
The movie’s plot became clear within twenty minutes. Sex. Corruption. Forbidden lust. Betrayal.
I settled in and tried to give it my full attention. Lily set the cup of candy between us and stretched out her legs. She ate another marshmallow, then held out a jelly bean to me. I took it, chewed, and steeled myself not to stare at her exposed thighs. Or her flat belly beneath the mesh top. Or the slight mound of her pussy.
Jesus.
A few minutes later she shifted again, turning onto her side to face me as she slid one leg up against the other.
She rested her head on one arm, and started toying with the ends of her short hair.
Hell, something about the way she played with those white-blond tips turned me on beyond comprehension. A moment later her other hand dipped into the candy cup. She didn’t pick one, just rummaged through it, her gaze still fixed on me.
“Are you going to settle down or are you planning on fidgeting through the movie?”
Dark-tipped fingers traced the edge of the cup.
“I still feel...wired,” Lily stated, her voice hardly above a husky whisper.
Alcohol, sugar, unscripted revelations and lust didn’t sit well together. Add the flimsy top and bikini she wore, and it was an explosion waiting to happen.
I grabbed the candy cup and moved it to the other side of my seat. “Maybe you should stop stuffing yourself with sugar, then.”
Her lower lip protruded in a sexy pout, drawing my eyes to the luscious curve.
Lily made a small, muffled sound under her breath. “Caleb.”
God, now she chose to say my name voluntarily. In that damn dirty, cock-stroking voice.
Her free hand dropped onto the space between us, then drew tiny circles on the leather.
“Maybe it’s time to call it a night.” I didn’t mean it. At all.
She dragged her lower lip between her teeth. “No. I...can’t. I’m wound too tight,” she whispered.
“Tell me what you need.” Hell of a time to be the better man, Steele.
She blinked slowly, sultrily, and her hand bunched into a fist. A moment later her gaze swept over my chest, then dropped lower to caress my rigid cock. She took a deep breath. “I’ve decided to accept that pass.”
I stopped breathing. “What?”
Beautifully lusty, gorgeously defiant eyes met mine. “You heard me. You gave me a loophole in your rule. I’m taking it.”
Filthy little fires leaped through my body. “What exactly are we talking about?”
A wickedly saucy smile curved her lips. “You’ll see. Wanna get my Bob?”
Shit. My cock was very ready and extremely capable. I gritted my teeth for a second. “Your little pink toy. You sure?” I rasped.
“I need release and the way I see it, I have two choices. I can let you fuck me or help me some
