Free Lily's List by N. J. Walters Page A

and firm against hers. She murmured her
thanks as she parted her lips. His tongue dipped inside for a brief
second and then it was gone. Strong fingers removed the mask and
Lily had to blink against the brightness even though the room was
lit only by candlelight.
    He sat beside her, his face solemn, his eyes
unreadable in the dim light. Reaching out, she placed her hand
against his jaw. He turned his face inward, placing a kiss in the
center of her palm. “Thank you.” The words were totally inadequate
considering the pleasure he’d just given her, but she didn’t know
what else to say.
    “My pleasure, sweetheart.” He placed his hand
over hers and glanced toward the window. “I’ve got to go or your
neighbors are going to start to wonder about me being here so long.
My truck’s been parked in your driveway for a couple of hours
now.”
    Lily bit her bottom lip. She wanted Carson to
stay, but she didn’t want anyone gossiping about her. She glanced
over at the huge bulge in the front of his jeans. That couldn’t be
comfortable at all. She was being totally self-centered, doing all
the taking and none of the giving. She started to reach for
him.
    He caught her before she could make contact,
wrapping his fingers around her slender wrist. “That’s okay.” He
reached down with his free hand and used his thumb to soothe her
abused mouth. “There’ll be other times.”
    It wasn’t a question but she answered him
anyway. “Yes, there’ll be other times.”
    He gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach
his eyes. “We haven’t tried the whipped cream yet.”
    Her eyes shot over to the nightstand. She’d
forgotten all about that. The white-and-red spray can sat patiently
waiting. Before she could stop herself, Lily yawned. Not a small,
ladylike yawn, but a huge, jaw-cracking one.
    Carson chuckled. “I think I wore you
out.”
    Embarrassment flooded her. “I’m sorry.” He
must think she was totally selfish to let him pleasure her and then
yawn in his face. “I haven’t slept well the past few nights and
. . .” She broke off. There was no excuse that would make
up for this.
    He released her wrist and brushed his thumb
over her cheek. “It’s okay, Lily. We’re not keeping score here. As
long as you enjoyed yourself, that’s all that matters.”
    “I’ve never felt this way in my life.” She
owed him her honesty if nothing else.
    She felt him relax slightly and it was only
then that she realized just how tightly he was wound. “We’ve only
just begun.” On that promise, he stood, grabbed the can of whipped
cream, strolled to the dresser and blew out the candles. “I’ll put
this back in the refrigerator and lock up behind myself.”
    Lily squinted to try to see his expression
better, but it was no use.
    “Sleep well and dream of me.” He was gone
before she could think to reply.
    Sounds floated upstairs. Content, she drifted
in a state somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. She didn’t know
how long it was before he left, but she wasn’t the least bit
concerned about him being in her house. The noises were almost
comforting. She knew the moment he left. The door banged and the
house suddenly felt emptier. His truck started and the lights
briefly shone through her window as he backed out of the driveway.
She strained her ears, listening until she could no longer hear the
engine’s rumble.
    Hugging her pillow tight, she heaved a sigh
and snuggled beneath the covers.

Chapter Seven
     
    “Dream of me,” Lily muttered as she jammed a
daisy into a floral arrangement. The fragile stem snapped and she
gritted her teeth as she removed it. She hadn’t slept well for the
past four nights. She’d awakened Saturday morning after a restless
night of tossing and turning, only to come face-to-face with the
silk mask that was perched on the nightstand.
    Her face heated at the memory.
    As if that wasn’t bad enough, when she’d gone
to the refrigerator to get cream for her coffee, the can of