11th Hour Rose (20 page)

Davy glanced at the wooden countertops, table, benches and sat on one of the straight-backed chairs.

Lilly came to stand in front of him.

He glanced up, opening his mouth to crack a joke, anything to lighten the mood, but stopped short. She gazed down at him with heavy eyes, her face pale, expression stricken. She cupped his face with trembling hands, and he’d swear a veil of tears glassed the surface of her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Davy.”

“Lilly,” he murmured, curling the fingers of his unaffected hand around hers and pressing a kiss to her palm. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I-I can’t help but feel this is all my fault.” Her eyes, so resilient and steadfast held none of the light he so loved and craved. “Tonight you could have been killed because of me.”

“Not because of you, Lilly.
For
you
. I would die for you, love. Gladly.”

“All right, I should have everything here.” Marissa breezed into the room, interrupting Lilly’s words. “Christopher, go play with your blocks while I tend to Uncle Davy.” His sister-in-law carried Claire in one arm and balanced a basket laden with medical supplies in the other. “I’m sorry Craig isn’t home. Babies often decide to come at the most inconvenient times.”

“It’s quite all right,” Davy assured her. He knew Marissa had more than adequate skill with suturing and superficial bullet wounds.

Lilly quickly stepped forward to take Claire from Marissa. A warm smile instantly eclipsed the sadness marring Lilly’s lovely face, and Davy’s heart
melted
. Lilly naturally cradled the six-month-old in her arms, and soon the baby giggled and cooed, grabbing at Lilly’s nose with her chubby fingers.

Without preamble, Marissa pulled out a pair of scissors and cut
Davy’s shirtsleeve off at the shoulder. She then carefully unwrapped the makeshift bandage Lilly had applied and peeled the tattered shirtsleeve from the tender wound.

Davy inhaled sharply as she gently probed the surrounding area with her fingers.

“It appears the bullet passed through. I’d say you were very lucky. Another inch and it would have shattered the bone.” Marissa proceeded to cleanse the wound and then prepared a curved suture needle. “What happened tonight?”

Davy glanced up to Lilly pacing back and forth with the baby. Her expression sobered instantly. She drew a long breath and quickly filled Marissa in on the night’s events.

“How awful! Mr. Brady must have come right after Cadence and I left.” Marissa tied off the sutures and dressed Davy’s arm.

Davy tested the arm. Sore, and the sutures felt tight, but none the worse wear. “I’d wager he was watching, waiting for you to leave so he could call on Lilly.”

Marissa shook her head, replacing the medical supplies in her basket.

“Marissa, I’m home!” Craig’s voice rumbled from the front of the house.

“Papa!” Christopher leapt to his feet and ran to the parlor door, still carrying one of his blocks. “Uncle Davy is here.”

“Is he now?” A moment later Craig appeared and then startled, brow raised in question. He ruffled Christopher’s hair and nudged the boy back toward his toys. Craig’s serious gaze met with Davy’s. “What the hell happened?”

Exhausted and ready to secure a rare moment alone with Lilly, Davy filled his brother in on the most recent developments. He also secured permission for Lilly to stay the night, and then speared Craig with a
get out
glower.

Craig failed to take the hint. “What an awful night,” he said. “Would you care for a drink?”

“No.”

“Darling.” Marissa proved far more astute and stood, resting a hand on her husband’s arm. “I think we should leave these two alone to decompress.” She lifted Claire from Lilly’s arms. “Davy, feel free to stay the night as well.”

Craig, Marissa, and their children finally filed from the room. Davy couldn’t help but smile despite the sting in his arm.

Alone at last, he turned his attention to Lilly. “Come here.” He hoisted himself up and crossed to where she reclined on the wooden bench that reminded him of a church pew. He sank down beside her and gathered her in his arms. “Have I told you today, that I love you?”

“Oh, Davy…” She sniffed and crawled across his lap, hiding her face in the crook of his neck as she wrapped her arms snuggly around him.

“What is this?” he asked gently curling a thick chunk of her hair around his finger, smoothing it between his fingers. “Tears? Lilly, there is no need to cry. Brady can never harm you again.”

“I-it’s not that.” She drew a shuddering breath, tilting her head back to gaze up at him with glistening eyes. “I finally understand.”

Confused, Davy gave his head a slight shake. “Understand what exactly?”

“For as long as I’ve known you, you’ve wanted to keep me, and everyone you love, boxed up in a safe little cage. All this while I believed you an overbearing brute. But tonight, when Brady shot you, I
knew
that fear. I wanted to send you far away to some hidden place where Brady could never hurt you. I would have given anything to take your place and take away your pain.” Tears poured down her face as she gently threaded her fingers through the hair at his nape, sending sweet tingles along his spine. “I love you, Davy.”

Beyond words he hugged her nearer, holding her as she sobbed, feeling closer to her than he ever had anyone before. Such a gem she was. They shared so much in common, and they understood and challenged each other in equal measure. He was indeed blessed.

After a while Lilly grew quiet and Davy relished the feel of her fingers toying with the buttons of his shirt. For the moment he was content simply to hold her. His lips brushed her hair, and he caught the scent of baked apples floating around her red-gold tresses.

He grinned. “You always smell of baked apples.”

She giggled. “I do not.”

“You do.” He sighed. “Much as I love to hold you this way, it has been a long night, and I think you’ll feel much better after a good night’s rest.”

Lilly shifted and scooted off his lap. “Walk with me?” She fixed him with a sweet, sultry gaze and held to his hand in a manner that indicated she wasn’t really asking.

“Of course.” In one swift motion he stood, scooping her up into his arms. He winced as the sutures pulled.

“Oh!” She cried out in surprise and laughed, clamping her arms about his shoulders for balance. “Davy, your arm,” she protested as he strode through the kitchen door.

“Only a flesh wound. You heard Marissa, I was very lucky tonight.”

For half a second Lilly stiffened and then relaxed, resting her head against his shoulder. “Very well then. I could get used to this.”

“Good.” He turned and brushed a quick kiss across her lips. “I’ll carry you up to bed.”

He mounted the stairs and she directed him to the room she’d been using. “Your destination, my lady.” He slid the arm from beneath her knees and lowered her gently to the floor, letting her slide down the length of his body. “Sleep well, love.” He tipped her chin and took her lips in deep goodnight kiss.

He stepped back to leave, but she caught his hand. “Stay,” she murmured, meeting his gaze with big, beautiful, sultry eyes.

He gulped, heat and desire purging any pain or exhaustion from his body. “Lilly,” he rasped, holding firmly to his self-control. “Now is not the time. After everything you’ve been through tonight…”

“Now is the perfect time.” She clasped his hand, tugging him through the door. Her head cocked in a manner so seductive his heart nearly stopped. And those big blue eyes were
so
difficult to ignore.

“Lilly,” he murmured, resisting the overpowering urge to glance at the bed. “Wait. I… you…” Coherent thought escaped him as she closed the distance between them, sliding a hand around the back of his neck drawing him to her. Her parted lips met his and she pulled him deeper into her room.

“Why wait, Davy? We are to be married.” Her long lashes fluttered as she leaned up to brush his lips again. Her fingers lingered seductively at the buttons of his shirt. She tilted her head back, piercing him with her intelligent, all seeing eyes. “Are you afraid to be close to me, David?”

11
^th
Hour Rose

Seventeen

Davy gazed into her huge diamond eyes, unable to deny the glimmer of truth behind her question.

Lilly stood ready and willing before him. The red-gold tresses he found so fascinating tumbled half-hazard from their pins, framing her face and shoulders in glorious disarray. Her bodice lay torn and crooked with the top two buttons missing, revealing the milky smooth skin tapering into the swell of her bosom. She was beautiful, perfect, and completely his.

“I was,” he replied honestly.
But
not
anymore
. Acting on instinct he shut the door behind them. “For the longest time I’ve been terrified of being left alone again.” The eerie dream he’d had of Lilly lying in a coffin drifted through his mind. “That is why I withdrew from you once before.” He brushed his knuckles across her cheek. Lilly’s lids fluttered in response to his touch. “I’ve come to realize it’s all beyond my control. Tonight taught me that.” He circled her waist with his hands, pulling her to him, drinking in her warmth. “One day with you could fill a lifetime. One memory. One night. It is enough, Lilly.
You
are enough.”

Moonlight flowed silvery and luminescent through the large window, illuminating Lilly in stunning relief. His heart hammered in anticipation and blood rushed hot and ready through his veins. He felt as green and innocent as a young boy, but it all felt so right.

For once Lilly fell utterly speechless, searching his face with eyes glittering like prisms. Her lips parted gently and she sighed, the moist heat of her breath rolling over his mouth. She laced her fingers through his hair, pressing her body the full length of his. She pulled him in for a long kiss, an exploration of his mouth… of his love… their very future together…

Davy gave her everything. His essence, even his soul. And she offered all of herself in return.

Lilly broke the kiss, and took both his hands in hers, backing toward the bed.

“Have you been with a man before?” he asked, sitting on the edge of the mattress, smoothing his palms down her hips, urging her to stand between his legs.

She gave a little shrug and pulled the pins from her hair, allowing it to spill enticingly down her shoulders. “Once. Before the war. With Daniel.”

He simply nodded, understanding, and tugged what remained of his shirt over his head. He scarcely noticed the pain in his arm. Hungry for Lilly, and no other, he shifted his attention to the fastenings of her gown.

*              *              *

No judgment lived in Davy’s gaze. Lilly hadn’t expected any, but all the same she’d never confessed the loss of her innocence to anyone. She felt no guilt over the fact she wasn’t a virgin, but the man who would be her husband should know the truth.

Naught but love and desire shown in his eyes. Her love for him deepened.

His nimble fingers danced over the clasps of her dress. Soon the simple gown and chemise slid from Lilly’s shoulders, and she shivered in sensual delight as Davy’s big, calloused hands skimmed down her arms. Heat flared in his striking blue eyes as he leaned in to take the aching tip of her breast in his mouth.

She gasped and tossed her head back, sensual pleasure coursing through her. She grasped thick chunks of his hair in her hands. Slick and wet, his tongue stroked the sensitive flesh of her nipple, driving her to mindless madness. “Oh, yes,” she moaned, hugging him to her.

In response he groaned, curling muscular arms around her. His mouth broke from her breast and he lifted her up, her gown slipping easily to the floor. Davy settled her back against the smooth, cool bed quilt.

He lowered himself down, and she cradled him with her thighs. Together—as one—they sank into the bedding. “Lilly,” he rasped, voice deep and husky. His tenor resonated in every crevice of her being, pure music to her lonely soul.

“More, Davy,” she begged. “Please. I want you.” Never had she felt so close to another human being. It seemed her pounding heart beat in perfect accord with his thrumming pulse.

“You’re trembling.” He rose up over her, running his fingers through the length of her hair spilled across the coverlet.

“I know. I can’t stop it.” Restlessly she ground her hips against his still clothed hips. She was certain even her insides quivered beneath his touch. She ran her hands up his back, memorizing every rippling, work hardened swell. She was not totally innocent to men and love making, but he appeared to be more man than she’d ever imagined. Even so, she did not feel shy. Instead, she craved more and dropped her hands to his trouser fastenings.

Davy groaned, instantly rolling to the side, granting better access to the buttons. She quickly freed him and slid her hands along the velvet length of his erection. Excitement pooled in her belly. He was
huge.
Not that she’d expected anything less being as he was a variable giant. Any worries of his fitting inside her vanished as his fingers danced into her most intimate folds.

“Oh, my god, Lilly.” He shuddered and rolled to his back. She reached for him, wanting nothing more than to give him the same pleasure he gave her, but he blocked her hands. “Hold but a moment,” he said huskily, stripping his trousers away.

Completely and gloriously naked, he rolled on top of her, claiming her lips in an erotic, wet,
delicious
kiss. She never wanted it to end. His bare flesh stretched atop hers, heated and smooth and perfectly muscled. He was beautiful. She was hot for him
everywhere.

Pale moonlight highlighted the handsome angles of his face, illuminating the brilliance of his sapphire eyes. “Are you ready, Lilly?” His muscles clenched and leaped beneath her fingers. His rigid erection pressed against her most intimate place, begging for entrance.

She sucked in a deep breath and held it, opening to him completely. Totally.