Lily's Dream (Unexpected Lover Series) (5 page)

Lily gasped and Andre assured Louis he
did exactly right and not to let anyone in the building unless he had
instructions to do so.

When they reached Lily’s apartment,
Andre said, “It looks like she is stalking you. You were right to be scared.
Until this is resolved, please do what I tell you. Don’t go out alone, I will
take you anywhere you need to go. Will you do this, Lily?”

“Yes, Andre.”

 “Good. If you need me, call on the
house phone but you are perfectly safe if you stay in your apartment. I’ll see
you tomorrow.”

Lily kicked off her shoes and curled up
on the sofa and thought about the events of the evening. She was surprised that
Andre had been jealous. She could understand him not wanting her to dance with Jay
because of the charade they were acting out. But
jealous
? That implied
he actually cared for her…considering their brother and sister relationship,
that didn’t make sense. She decided to go to bed and think about it tomorrow.
It looked like she had Jenny to worry about and the uncertainty of Jenny’s
behavior did frighten her. She would do as Andre asked and be very careful.

Staying in the apartment all day was not
so bad since Lily had asked Molly to come earlier than usual to keep her
company. They had an enjoyable day talking and getting to know each other
better.  Lily asked Molly if she would consider accompanying them to the next
social event she and Andre attended. Molly replied, “I might if there were
dancing. I love to dance. Let me know and I will go with you.”

Lily was absolutely delighted and told
Andre as soon as he appeared that evening. He, too, was pleased and told her,
“It so happens there is a party with dancing this weekend. It is another
charity event so it will probably be crowded but I would love for Molly to
accompany us. Tell her it’s Saturday evening and if she wants, I will style her
hair for the event.”

Saturday evening couldn’t arrive too
soon for Lily who had stayed home all week. She wore one of her creations and
was curious to see what Molly would have on. When Molly arrived, Lily was truly
surprised how beautiful she looked. Molly wore red chiffon with thin straps and
a full skirt. Lily exclaimed, “Oh Molly, you look absolutely gorgeous.  Molly
laughed and said, “It’s just the surprise of seeing me in anything but pants
and tees. It’s old fashioned but I have always liked it. Thank you for the
compliment. You look gorgeous, too.”

A knock on the door signaled the arrival
of Andre who looked from one to the other and declared he would be the envy of
every man there to be escorting two beautiful women.

He styled their hair, added jewelry and
they were eager to leave. Lily stated she was sick of staying in her apartment
all day and Andre knew it was going to be difficult getting her to continue to
do so.

They arrived at the event as the tables
were beginning to fill up and saw Jacqueline who beckoned for them to join her.
She was introduced to Molly and complimented her on her beautiful chiffon
dress.”It looks familiar,” she said. “I always notice clothes and I have seen
that dress before.” Molly just smiled and replied, “Maybe you saw another like
it.” “Maybe,” said Jacqueline doubtfully.

The orchestra had begun playing a slow
love song and Andre asked Lily to dance. While they were on the dance floor,
Molly said, “When do you think they’ll realize they’re in love?” Jacqueline
replied, “I’ve wondered that myself. He is crazy about her, can’t keep his
hands or eyes off her, and everybody realizes it but them.”Molly confided,
“Lily said they made an agreement to act like brother and sister. That was in
the beginning before he knew Lily. It’s up to him to change their relationship.
I know Lily won’t.”

Jacqueline added, “I think Andre was
hurt very badly and his heart has been frozen for years. She is thawing it but
he is fighting his feelings for her. It will be interesting to see what happens.
I really do hope they find happiness together.”

Lily and Andre returned to the table and
they were enjoying their wine when they noticed a tall handsome man with dark
hair and eyes approaching their table. He tapped Molly on the shoulder and she
looked around and exclaimed, “Tony!” jumped up and threw her arms around his
neck. He exclaimed “I thought that looked like you, Molly. I can’t believe it!
We looked everywhere for you but you had just disappeared.” They hugged again
and she asked, “Joanna?” to which he replied, “We divorced five years ago.”

They became aware that everyone at their
table was looking at them in with interest and Molly apologized, “Let me
introduce you to my friends. This is Tony Ramos, a very old and dear friend
whom I haven’t seen in almost ten years. We used to be dancing partners when I
danced professionally. Tony, these are my best friends, Jacqueline, Lily and
Andre. Would you excuse us for a while? We have a lot of catching up to do and
won’t bore you. I’ll return shortly.”

As Molly and Tony walked off, Lily
commented, “Molly never talks about herself. I didn’t know she danced
professionally. I only know her husband was killed in an automobile accident
nine years ago. Apparently she just disappeared after that. I am not surprised
to hear that she was a professional dancer. I have noticed that she is so
graceful in her movements.”

Andre added, “She has lived in the
apartment building for five years and does not seem to have any friends until
Lily came along. I was so glad that she agreed to come out with us tonight but
she did say she wanted to go out when there would be dancing.”

They leaned against the railing, smiling
and talking. “How is the troupe doing?” Molly wanted to know. “It just fell
apart.” Tony responded. “With the lead dancer gone, there was nobody to take
your place. Joanna wanted the spot but she wasn’t up to it. She was too big.
That was one of the causes of our breakup but we just didn’t want the same
things. I wanted children and a family. She refused to ruin her figure and stop
dancing with a pregnancy and didn’t want to take care of a “screaming kid” to
quote her. What happened to you after Franko was killed? Oh, I’m sorry, Molly.
Would you prefer not to talk about it?”

“It’s okay now, Tony. For several years
I was in a deep depression but after a while it begins to be easier and I have
finally overcome the depression and am ready to live again. Tonight is the
first time I have gone out. My friends, particularly Lily, and Andre, have been
wonderful.” “So you don’t have any romantic interest in anyone….I am leading up
to asking you if you would go out with me some time. I am still single. We
could go dancing and just have fun,” Tony suggested hopefully.

Molly put her hand over his on the rail.
“You are the only person I would consider going out with, Tony. We are old
friends. It would be fun.” Tony looked very pleased and suggested they dance.
“I’m very rusty, you know. Ten years of no dancing makes a difference. We both
know that.”

“Let’s give it a try and play it by ear.
You tell me how much you want to do. You’re still a little thing. I could lift
you easily.”

They walked onto the dance floor in the
middle of a fast number and began to dance. They had danced together so many
hours that they could communicate without speaking. They danced a while until Molly
smiled at Tony and he knew she was feeling comfortable enough to try some
special moves. He twirled her around, her red dress flowing up. One of their
moves involved flipping her over his arm. She smiled that she was willing to
try it so over she went with most of the red dress following. She laughed and
straightened her dress muttering “too much skirt” as the audience laughed along
with her. Then she noticed that the dance floor was empty of other dancers. Everyone
had moved off to watch them. Tony asked the orchestra leader for a Latin
number. This was one of their specialties in their dancing days and she just
hoped she could manage with the long skirt. They were able to do many of their
moves, including the slide between Tony’s legs, flip over his back and around
his arm. He held her up above his head with both hands, her dress flowing
around them, twirled then the slow slide down his body. They bowed to
enthusiastic applause and returned to the table.

“Join us, Tony.” She asked. He replied,
“Oh, I have a date over there somewhere. She dances like a stick. Nobody dances
like you, Mol
. Nobody
. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even with that skirt.”

“So did I, Tony.” She took a pen and
paper from her purse and wrote her telephone number on it and handed it to
Tony. He kissed her hand and walked off. Molly was out of breath and commented
that she was really out of shape. “That skirt was a real problem. Normally I
would be wearing a very short skirt as part of a costume. Okay, be honest…..how
many times did you see my red panties?”

Everyone laughed and Andre promptly
said, “Not nearly enough, Molly. Guys like red panties!”

“We’re all speechless, Molly. We had no
idea you could dance like that. It was absolutely fantastic,” Lily said to her
friend. “Yes, it was fantastic. I remembered the dress from a performance I
enjoyed years ago. I loved that red chiffon dress and it stayed in my mind. You
are a very talented dancer,” agreed Jacqueline. “Remember that Tony was a very important
part of the performance. We were always partners in the troupe and I was sorry
to hear that it fell apart after I left,” commented Molly.

“So you and Tony were the lead dancers?”
asked Lily. “Yes,” agreed Molly. “It was very exciting to see him after all
these years. I’m so glad I came out with you tonight.”

Andre and Lily were dancing the last
slow dance before the auction. While they were dancing, Andre reached down and
kissed her tenderly on the lips. A thoughtful look in her eyes reflected her puzzlement
and she commented, “
Brother and sister
remember?” Andre responded, “That
was a brotherly kiss. Too many men are hitting on you. We need to act more like
a couple in love so you can expect me to kiss you.” He drew her close to him so
that their bodies touched and she felt his hardness against her. She wanted
more than a brotherly kiss and wondered if he did, too.

Lily had sensed the rising sexual
tension between them.  She had noticed Andre staring at her mouth and her
breasts. He was constantly touching her. She felt it, too, but was determined
to continue to act like a sister until he made a move. After all, he had told
her he was not interested in a romantic relationship. He had been very emphatic
about it. She realized she could easily fall for him but determined to harden
her heart when there was nothing but hurt ahead. She had never been good at
pretending but this time she was determined. She did enjoy teasing him a
little, though. After all, he said they needed to act more like a couple in love
to keep up the charade.

The auction was about to begin and the
items to be sold were brought out. Lily was transfixed with the beautiful items
being sold and shocked at the large prices being bid. Antiques, paintings,
clothing and jewelry were being auctioned off. She should have donated one of
her dresses. She didn’t realize that clothing was auctioned. There was diamond
jewelry as well as other stones making an amazing collection available. A particularly
beautiful bracelet of gold swirl design filled with diamonds and several large
diamonds evenly spaced around the bracelet was displayed. Lily gasped and said,
“Oh isn’t that beautiful?”

Several people bid on it and the bidding
was quite lively until the price became so high. At this point, Andre raised
his bidding card. Lily looked quickly at him and said, “Don’t buy that. It’s
too expensive.”

Andre ignored her and when the other
bidders dropped out, he had purchased the bracelet. He went up to the table,
paid for the bracelet and brought it back to their table. He handed a black
velvet box to Lily. When she didn’t open it, he took the bracelet out of the
box and slid it onto her wrist. ”I have been thinking about getting a gift for
you and this just looked like it should be on your wrist,” said Andre.

“Thank you, Andre. It is so beautiful
but I’m not sure a brother would buy such an expensive gift for his sister,”
said Lily. Softly Andre reminded her, “Everybody is watching us. Smile and act
pleased, maybe kiss me.” She realized he was right and smiled a big smile and
sighed. “Oh, Andre, it’s so beautiful. Thank you, darling.” Then she leaned
over and kissed him passionately and lengthy. Then she held out her arm for
Molly and Jacqueline to see the bracelet and they both exclaimed over its
beauty. Andre had expected a light kiss instead of an open mouth kiss with her
tongue in his mouth. He was shaken and felt that kiss all the way to his toes.
He realized he had a real problem where Lily was concerned. He wanted her badly
and admitted to himself what he had been denying. He was in love with her.

Everyone agreed they were ready to leave
so they said goodnight to Jacqueline and when their limo arrived, sank into the
soft leather interior with a sigh of pleasure. Lily sighed and said, “It’s
always such a pleasure to sink into these wonderfully comfortable seats after a
night out.”

Molly agreed and added that she enjoyed
this night out so much. “I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed dancing. It was
a major part of my life for so long. I’m so out of shape, though. One more set
would have killed me. And it was so wonderful seeing Tony again. We were
partners for so many years. Thank you for taking me along tonight. I really
enjoyed it.”

Lily assured Molly they enjoyed having
her along and hoped she would accompany them again soon.

Upon arrival at their apartment
building, they all greeted Louis and he reported to Andre that there had been
no unexpected visitors.

The next morning Lily’s phone rang and
to her surprise it was Andre. He asked if she wanted to go to the beach that
afternoon. Of course, Lily was thrilled and they made arrangements for
mid-afternoon.

When Andre came to her door, she opened
it wearing shorts, silk blouse and sandals. He whistled and said, “Nice legs.” Then
he realized that she didn’t have anything else with her. “Is that all you have
to take?” She replied that she had a big bag and he suggested she take it. When
she returned with a big silk embroidered bag, he asked, “Don’t you have a swim
suit or hat?”

“Andre, you know I’ve never been to the
beach so, of course, I don’t have beach stuff. I thought there would be shops
where we could get what I need,” replied Lily.