Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Cattleman Wins a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (16 page)

Her father was sitting in a hard chair at a gray metal desk. He’d lost weight, and his hair was almost all gray now. He lifted his head when she came in the door. The room was barren and cold. She couldn’t stop the shiver that ran down her body. Slowly she walked to the table and sat across from him.

A trembling hand reached out and covered hers. “Lily, I’ve so wanted to see you.” His gaze took all of her in. “Still as beautiful as ever.” Dark brown eyes like hers searched her face. “Do you hate me?”

“Dad, I don’t know what I feel. I’ve always loved you. I can’t put you and this man they describe on television together. It just doesn’t match in my mind.”

“I’m sorry”—he swept his hand around to encompass the room—“for this and for all the unhappiness I’ve brought into your life.”

“You were a good father. I never suspected anything. My life was idyllic.”

“And now I’ve made a mess of it for you. I understand you’ve been staying with your sister.”

“For a little while. Before that I was with friends.”

“My attorney is working with yours to try and get the money I made legitimately put into an account for you.”

“I don’t need your money. There are people you hurt that need it more. Give it to them.”

“You can’t stay with your sister forever.” He snarled the word
sister
.

“Why do you hate her? She was an innocent pawn, like me, in whatever happened between you and our mother.”

“That woman was a curse to me. The only good thing she did was to give me you.” He held tight to her hand.

“Your trial will probably start next week.”

“Yeah, unless I make a deal with the Feds.”

“What kind of deal?”

“A better prison, maybe fewer years.”

“Are you going to take it?”

“Do you want me to?”

Lily blinked the tears away. “Do what’s best for you. Nothing can put things back the way they were. We both have to go forward in different directions.”

For the first time she could remember, Lily saw tears in her father’s eyes. “Will you write me occasionally? Let me know you’re all right?”

They stared across at each other, separated by more than the desk between them. In her mind, she saw the man who’d been the one constant in her life. She remembered his smile, his gentle touch, a kiss good night. No matter what had happened she couldn’t turn her back on him now.

“I’ll write.”

A flash of relief crossed his face.

Lily stood. “Will they allow me to hug you?”

Her father glanced at the camera in the corner. A burly guard came into the room.

“You can come around the table, Ms. Yannell.” He unfastened the handcuffs but not the leg irons.

Her father stood and held out his arms. Lily stepped into his embrace. She clasped him close. His body was frail and she felt him tremble. They stood silently, holding each other tight.

He tipped her face toward his and kissed each cheek. “Go home. Have a good life, be happy.”

She nodded and stepped back when the guard moved forward. “I’ll be in touch, Daddy.” But she knew she’d be in the courtroom on Monday. She walked to the door and stopped to force a smile and wave before she went out. The attorney had waited.

“Do you need a ride to your hotel?”

“No, thanks. I need to walk.”

As quickly as she could she got out of the jail. Stepping outside, she took a deep breath of fresh air. Her mind was jumbled and her insides ached. She started walking through the streets toward the center of town. Later she never remembered how she crossed the busy streets, what she saw, nothing but putting one foot in front of the other.

It was dusk when she got to her hotel and entered the lobby. A tall, lean man walked toward her. His hands reached out and pulled her tight against him.

“Where have you been? I was so worried. If you hadn’t come in soon I planned to call the police,” Ty said.

She cuddled closer to his warmth. She was so cold. His heart beat steady against her ear.

“Lily, are you all right? They said you left the jail hours ago.”

Leaning back she looked into the face she loved. “Where did you come from, Ty?”

“I flew in from
Montana
. When Brent said you insisted on coming here alone, I decided to follow and be here if you needed me.”

“I always needed you. But you don’t need or want me.” She backed away. “Go back to
Montana
and your memories.”

“Let me take you to dinner. Just let me be with you for now.”

Lily wanted him to stay so much. She didn’t have the strength to fight his offer.

“I need to change.”

“No problem. I’m on the fifth floor. Give me your room number. I’ll pick you up in an hour.”

“Room 712. In an hour.” She left him staring after her and went to the elevator. When the door closed, she leaned against the cool metal wall. She was glad no one else was riding up with her. Her reflection stared back at her. She was pale, thinner, and looked tired.

She hadn’t asked where they were going. Probably to one of the better restaurants. It was a good thing she’d brought one fancy dress with her. She had been going to call a girlfriend of hers and invite her out to dinner at one of their favorite spots. But Ty had arrived before she’d made the call.

After unlocking her door, she went straight to the bed. Lying across the soft mattress, she closed her eyes. Her body had been unusually tired the past few weeks, and this week she’d had morning sickness twice. What was she going to do? Did she tell Ty that in spite of his desire not to be a father, fate had taken a hand, and she was almost certain she was pregnant?

A hard laugh escaped her. Fate had a way of showing how little control you really had. Pushing herself, she got up and went into the bathroom to shower. She wouldn’t say anything to anyone until she knew for sure that her suspicions were right.

* * * *

Ty knocked on her hotel room door. His heart had dropped when she walked into the lobby. He’d been so worried, and then she was there looking beautiful and lost. When he held her in his arms his world felt right side up again. He’d been out of kilter since she’d left, but his stubborn pride had kept him from calling. When he finally got up his nerve, Brent had answered and told him she’d gone to
Philadelphia
.

Her door opened. “You’re right on time. I just have to grab my bag and I’m ready.” She walked across to a small desk and picked up a black satin evening purse. Her dark blue cocktail dress fit snug on her trim figure. At the top, tiny stones sparkled in the light. Her lilac fragrance went straight to his head. She stepped out and shut the door behind her.

“You are looking very handsome tonight, Mr. Terrell.”

Her soft voice purred and slid like hot liquid through his veins. She intoxicated him.

Cupping her elbow, he led her to the elevator. Several couples were already in the car when the door opened. They stood silent as it stopped at each floor until the lobby.

“Brent told me about a quiet restaurant on the other side of town. Did you have a preference?”

“No. Wherever is good with me.” Her warm, honey-colored eyes looked at him and sent his heart rate soaring. The limo he’d ordered slid to the curb.

“For us?”

“Yes.” He opened the door. “Will you join me?”

She smiled and got inside. He got a good look at her sweet derriere, and his cock went straight to attention. When she was settled, he slid into the seat and moved right against her.

“This is a big car. We don’t have to sit so close.”

“I know.” He smiled at her.

“I don’t think you’re Ty Terrell. You’re an alien, and you invaded his body.”

“You’ve found me out.” He took her hand in his. “Tell me what was it that you didn’t like about this Ty fellow?”

“It’s a long list.” Her eyes sparkled back at him.

“We have all evening. But first let’s have a drink of champagne.” He pulled a bottle out of a holder of ice and poured the bubbly liquid into a glass. He handed the glass to her and poured his. “To the demise of this Ty character, and to you and me.”

“Are you going to use his name, or do you have a name?”

He loved that she was going along with his teasing. It might be easier to say what he had to while pretending to be someone else.

“My name is Jeffrey,” Ty said, using his middle name.

She turned her head to the side. “I like that. Does anyone ever call you Jeff?”

“No, only you.” His fingers ran up her arm. Her pupils widened, and he heard the catch in her breath. “Your skin is incredibly soft.”

“Someone else has told me that.”

“Ah, this Ty fellow.”

“Perhaps, and maybe a few others.”

Ty pushed down the flash of jealousy that sparked inside him. “I’m not surprised. You’re a gorgeous woman. I’d like to take your clothes off right here and kiss your whole body.”

“We hardly know each other.”

“Then there’s no time to waste. But first, I will feed you.”

He reached into another cooler and pulled out a bowl of strawberries that had been dipped in chocolate. Taking one, he put it up to her lips. Lily bit into the sweet, tasty combination.

“Hmmm, wonderful.”

She licked her lips. His cock pulsed, demanding attention. Ty pushed a button and curtains closed on the windows. The partition between the driver and them was already shut. He picked up a phone and spoke into it. “Take us for a long drive. I’ll let you know when to head for the restaurant.”

“Won’t that cost you a lot of money?”

“I have the car reserved for the night.” His hand lay on her leg at the short hemline of her skirt. “I think we should become better acquainted before we go to the restaurant.”

Lily set her glass into a nearby holder. Taking hold of his jacket lapels, she pulled him against her. “You are absolutely right.”

She tasted of strawberries and chocolate. He devoured her mouth, tasting, touching, wrapping his tongue around hers. Their bodies strained to be closer. Dipping his hand inside her low bodice, he cupped her soft-as-down breast and ran his thumb across her tight nipple. Her moan sent desire thumping throughout his body. His cock was so hard and needy it strained against the zipper holding it back.

Ty slid her down on the seat and reached under her dress to pull off her bikini panties. When he unzipped his pants, his cock sprang free. All the time he kissed her delectable mouth. Her lush, warm body spread under him. His fingers rubbed across her nub and along her wet folds.

She was ready for him. Her desire had flushed her face pink. Her body rose up to where his hand was touching. He couldn’t wait. It had been too long. He placed his cock at her opening and surged inside her warm, tight, wet pussy. Her inner muscles hugged him and clenched and unclenched as he pounded into her.

Damn, she felt so good. His hunger was fierce. He held back as long as he could, enjoying the taste of her mouth and the tight pussy below caressing his cock. Heat, desire, and love swirled inside his body and heart. All his doubts had gone for good when he saw her again.