Free Lily in Bloom by Tammy Andresen Page B

wall.
    Her heart was pounding in her chest and as she struggled but barely moved against him. He opened her lips with his and thrust his tongue into her mouth. She began to feel sick and struggled more desperately and more uselessly. His grip was like a vice and his body a wall. Fear was rising in her to the point she was unable to think.
    Suddenly, his lips were gone, though she was still pressed against the wall by his body.
    “Take your hands off of her.” At the sound of Eric’s voice, Lily’s eyes snapped open. Eric had the Colonel in a headlock. The Colonel’s eyes bulged but unless he let Lily go, he could do nothing to protect himself.
    “I have done nothing. Let go of me,” Kingsley gasped.
    “You’ve done plenty.” Eric’s arm tightened and Kingsley gagged. “Let her go and I will let you go.”
    In one motion, Kingsley freed her and Eric sent Kingsley spinning to the floor. Eric grabbed her hand and began pulling her down the hall, back toward the party.
    “Won’t he follow?” Lily chocked out.
    “Let him try,” Eric said through gritted teeth. He wrapped one arm around her waist and tucked her closer to his side as he moved more quickly down the hall.
    Lily’s eyes stung with tears and a sob bubbled out of her mouth. Eric looked down at her. He swore softly as he reached a hand up and touched her cheek. “We need to find you a place to compose yourself.”
    Just up ahead, a door stood slightly ajar. The couple stepped inside what appeared to be a study. Eric steered her toward a settee and pulled her into his lap as he sat down. He folded his arms around her and as another sob escaped Lily’s lips.
    “I’m sorry I’m always crying around you. I don’t normally, I…” Lily fumbled for an explanation but his body pressed against hers was beginning to distract her.
    “It’s all right, honey. Just sit still for a minute and recover yourself.” He pulled out a handkerchief and she began to dab at her eyes. She rested her head into the crook of his neck and closed her eyes. He smelled so good. His hand was running up and down her back and every nerve began to tingle. She lifted her head up and looked into his eyes.
    “Thank you,” she breathed as she stared at his face. He was so handsome and his lips were so beautiful and so close.
    He smiled at her. “You’re welcome.” He brushed his thumb over her parted lips and she felt her lips tingle and her body getting hot all over.
    “I should be getting back. My brother is looking…” Even as she said this her eyes drifted to his lips again.
    He kissed her slowly and fully. His lips took hers again and again each time with more pressure and passion. Desire rose up inside of her. She was unaware of being laid down on the settee or of being shifted underneath Eric but as his weight settled on her she pushed her body against his, longing to be closer.
    She felt his hand undoing the buttons on the back of her dress as it loosened and he pulled it slowly down, rubbing her breast under her shift. Lily moaned with desire and his lips kissed a trail down her neck and over her collarbone. His lips moved lower and began to kiss her clothed breast as he cupped it. She gasped as her body grew hotter.
    Lily rubbed against him wanting to be closer to him and her hands were tangled in his hair.
    His lips came back up and met hers again, the kiss becoming more intense. His hand had grasped her ankle and started sliding up her leg, only her stockings and pantaloons between them. As his hand reached her thigh she moaned again, lost in the sensation and longing for more. She wanted his hand to keep going but she was unsure to what end.
    Eric's hand, however, stopped and she felt him pull them both up to sitting.
    “I think I should get you back to your family.” Eric kissed her neck a few more times and then placed a small quick kiss on her lips as if he was intending to break contact.
    “Hmm,” Lily said as his lips met hers one more time. She was sure