Gilded Lily Read online

  He turned to the front of the somber-looking room. His dad stood next to the head of Nick’s coffin. The man had been crying all morning, but once the first guest arrived he was as stoic as ever. His usual jolly nature was subdued in light of the situation. One son was dead, and the other had almost been dead on so many occasions. Matter-of-fact, Adam thought as he made his way back to his father’s side. I should’ve been the first to go. His job was a constant hazard, and his adrenaline-junkie attitude had put him in more than one perilous situation.

  Adam fisted and released his scarred hand. The damn thing still got stiff from time to time. He took his rightful place next to his father as Mr. Copeland stepped forward to wish them both his sincerest condolences. All Adam could think about was the time Nick pitched him a fastball in the backyard, and Adam had hit the ball so hard it crashed right through Mr. Copeland’s bedroom window.

  He coughed into his hand, trying to hide his smile. His brother was dead, and Adam wanted to burst out laughing when he remembered Mrs. Copeland came running out of their house in nothing but a pink bathrobe, her tits bouncing all over the place. Nick never seemed to have noticed the way her fat nipples stood like peaks on the tops of two gigantic mountains. Adam pointed at Nick and ran for the back door. They were grounded for a week and had to pay for the window by mowing the Copelands’ lawn for a month. He missed those days, back when things were simple.

  He turned to the set of double doors, wishing Nick’s Lily Flower would walk through again. God, what I wouldn’t give to see her ass wrapped in a pink silk bathrobe.

  * * * *

  The flight home was not as restful as Lily had hoped. Her torturing thoughts bounced between the image of Adam stalking toward her at the wake and that first afternoon Tony had showed up on her doorstep. She tipped her head to watch out the tiny window as the dying sun’s dwindling light painted the sky with brilliant shades of orange and pink.

  Safety—that was the first sensation she remembered when Tony had walked through her front door over three years ago. She’d still been recovering from the book tour. Too exhausted to put on anything other than a pair of sweatpants and a tank top, she’d drown her loneliness in a tub of rocky road. Needless to say, when Tony knocked on her door she wasn’t in the best mood, shape, or state of mind.

  Her foggy brain recalled the dark-haired, mysterious man asking for his book to be signed only weeks before he’d shown up on her porch. When she’d asked him what he’d like inscribed, he said her phone number. Lily was in shock until she noticed Kimberly, a young woman from her Biblical History of Women class. The student introduced the dark stranger as her brother. He was cleanly shaven, every hair perfectly in place, and the black suit he wore was obviously expensive and cut to showcase his broad shoulders. Her hand had trembled as she tried to scribble her number on the page. The whole time she couldn’t help but wonder how a man who looked like this mysterious, muscular model for some ritzy men’s magazine could give a second thought about a chubby woman whose favorite outfit was an old LSU shirt and ratty sweatpants. The thought of a man flirting with her had been a welcome surprise, embarrassing because it happened to be in front of his sister, but welcome all the same.

  The handsome stranger had been interested in her.

  Tony had been more than interested—he would later tell her how mesmerized he’d been by her intelligence and obviously submissive nature. He’d read her books and, without her knowledge, been to several of her classes. Large lecture halls made each student a name, unless they were in the front row, of course. Kimberly had been a star student, with wise insights and enthusiastic participation.

  Lily stretched her legs and yawned.

  Sure, sex would’ve been the quick solution to fill the emptiness, but that wasn’t what Tony had wanted that afternoon. He’d carried a black duffel bag full of exciting tools Lily had only read about or learned about online. Keith, her ex, hadn’t been interested when she’d tried to approach him with books about dominance and submission. He’d reminded her that she needed to focus more on her career and hitting the gym than she did some sick fetish. After that day, the loneliness and doubt took hold. Brushing the truth of her nature aside proved to be the hardest task of her life. To deny herself the pleasure of her nature made for anger, resentment, and eventually calling family and friends to tell them the wedding was off.

  The lecture Tony had attended the afternoon they met at Louisiana State University would be the turning point of her life. Lily hadn’t known the chance meeting with her soon-to-be trainer was going to change the entire course of her destiny.

  Tony Moretti insinuated himself into every aspect of her already hectic schedule. The two manuscripts she’d been working on, teaching classes at the university, and edits from hell had sent her life into a tailspin. Tony had set her life into a different motion. By the end of that first evening he’d calmed her nerves, forced her to take a nap, and made a delicious dinner—in her kitchen, as if he’d lived there forever.

  There was a promise made.

  A promise accepted.

  The bond between a trainer and his submissive had been secured, and Lily had been surprised by her growing ability to slow the cadence of her chaotic life and quickly transform full schedules into a healthy, manageable lifestyle. Within three weeks the schedule Tony had built for their sessions created a sense of excitement and anticipation that Lily hadn’t felt at any point in her life. The first months were a revelation as her mind accepted the reality that her submissive secret was no longer a taboo but a celebrated pleasure with a man who could anticipate her every need and answer all her questions regarding the Dom/sub bond. The relationship was built on trust and obedience, a concept that Keith had never been able to grasp.

  Tony was a man of constants. Every Wednesday was routine, something she could count on. The lessons were simple. Life is meant to be fulfilling in every aspect, never doubt your worth, and love is always possible. Over time, the training became engrained in her mind, and her body relaxed and accepted Tony’s methods. Pleasure was a reward, meant to be earned. Loneliness was a self-imposed punishment, one that Tony was always careful not to use.

  Trying to get comfortable, Lily rolled her head on the back of the seat. Should have packed the travel pillow. The woman sitting in the seat beside her looked over and smiled. Lily returned the courtesy and closed her eyes, letting the vibrations from the engines lull her tired body. The control she’d longed for in her professional and personal life had manifested into success. The tools she still used were put in place by her loving trainer, her friend.

  Her body felt heavy against the seat as sleep started to claim her roaming thoughts. The image of a tall man with coffee-colored hair slipped into her daydream. The way his suit molded to a tight waist, the deep blue fabric pressed, smelling of clean soap and musky cologne. Adam Stark. Her lips silently said the name. His easy presence and confidence had been a balm to the searing pain as she’d sat on the small folding chair, looking at the side of the coffin.

  Lily startled awake as her stomach sank. Nicholas was gone. When she got home he wouldn’t be there, waiting with a bottle of wine and their favorite movie. The Breakfast Club and popcorn had become their ritual when she got home from a lecture tour or a long day in class. Nicholas had answered the ad to rent the stable house over a year and a half ago. In one afternoon his colorful, fun-loving presence burst into her life and made each day an adventure. Tony had adored him too. Nicholas would get as excited as she did on Wednesdays when Tony would come to the house.

  The layover made Lily’s body ache from sitting on the thinly cushioned metal chairs in the terminal. After taking an uncomfortable nap and trying to work out the kinks in her stiff neck, she was finally able to board the plane that would take her home. By the time they landed in Baton Rouge, it was three in the morning. She wearily made her way to the baggage claim as the other eager passengers rushed by to grab their luggage. By the time she reached the escalators, her body was
ready to collapse. Overwhelmed with emotions and physical exhaustion, she held on to the wide rail as the moving stairs carried her down.

  She looked up just in time to step off the last step. The heavy clutch in her chest eased. Tony was standing by the row of plastic chairs. A gentle burst of energy carried her over to where he was waiting.

  “Tony,” she whispered as he encased her in his strong arms and pulled her against his warm chest. The tears that had threatened to fall all day soaked her cheeks. “He was my friend. I feel so empty. He’s not going to be there when I get home. He’s gone, Tony. He’s gone.” She wiped her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

  He took her wet cheeks into his hands. “Poppet, I couldn’t leave you alone the whole night.”

  Lily’s throat tightened. “Where’s Renee? I’ve never known a girlfriend to let her guy stay away from home so much. I’m surprised she hasn’t walked out by now.”

  “She’s at home. She knows your training comes first. Don’t worry about anything. Let’s get you out of here and into bed.”

  His voice sounded reassuring and full of comfort, as it always did. He let her lean on him as he held her close with his arm wrapped around her waist. He took the carry-on bag from her shoulder and walked her to his car.

  “I was going to take a cab,” she said.

  He helped her get settled and shut the door before letting himself in on the driver’s side. “I know, but I’m here to take care of you.”

  Chapter Two

  Tony left Lily next to the bed so he could start the bath water. As he walked through the large, cozy bedroom, he remembered the first time he’d been in her room. Lily had been so nervous that night. The memory of her naked, standing next to the bed brought a smile to his face.

  She was so nervous the first time he gave her any type of instruction. The innocent way her tiny voice asked if she was doing this right or did he like when she did that was his undoing. Know her tender heart had prayed for so long for someone to train her properly brought him to his knees.

  He flicked the light on the bathroom wall. The blush-pink and off-white colors sprang to life, making him feel at home as he sat on the edge of the marble tub and turned the brass knobs. She liked the bath water hot enough to blush her ivory skin. He’d learned that early on. Bath time was one of the things he enjoyed most about their visits. Renee, his girlfriend, had grown to love it too.

  He reentered the bedroom to find Lily leaning against the bedpost, her shoulders slumped in exhaustion. “Sit down on the bed.”

  Without a word, she did as he instructed and sat back on the covers. He knelt to remove her sling-back pumps. As he pressed his thumbs into the arches of her feet, he felt her legs start to bend. She closed her eyes as she tipped her temple against the bedpost. He knew she was tired. Since Nicholas’s death she hadn’t been sleeping well at all. Hell, she’d been a terrible sleeper before she ever got the devastating phone call. The news had only escalated the problem. He’d have to stay tonight so she could get some rest.

  He gently urged, “Lie down.”

  He helped her to recline into the nest of crimson-and-gold pillows as he managed to pull her skirt free and over her ankles. She had done as he’d asked and hadn’t worn panties. The simple command had eased a bit of her anxiety as she’d fumbled through the closet and drawers, trying to find something to wear. Watching her go through the motions was agonizing. Thoughts had raced through his mind. Taking the pain away was out of his control. The immense torment that he was failing her ate away at his core. He was her dominant trainer, here to ease the overwhelming feelings surging inside a heart so tender yet so strong. This would be his balm to soothe her. Letting the grief take a reprieve, the time had come to give her the one gift he had left. Himself.

  The backs of her knees rested against the side of the mattress. His whole body tensed with the feel of her against him. She lay still as he unbuttoned her blouse. Taking a moment to admire her naked body, he pulled in a calming breath. Her breasts were round and plump, hips flared from a soft waistline. His gaze stalked the gentle slope of her stomach that led to the neatly trimmed patch of dark hair covering the lower part of her mound. Not fucking her was torture. Fucking her would be their destruction.

  “Come with me,” he said and took her hand to help her up. The water was almost to the edge of the marble wall by the time they entered the bathroom. “Get in.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured as she sank into the water. “I know you really don’t have time to do this.”

  He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You don’t have to thank me. Have I not always made time for you?”

  She rested her neck on the edge of the tub as Tony took the soap from the metal dish on the small side table and lathered it between his hands. “Yes, you always make time for me, but I know the day’s going to come when you can’t.”

  “Relax.” Tony tried to change the subject. “Just be quiet and rest.”

  The first night he’d bathed her, it had taken him two hours. The way her soft laugh echoed reminded him of that night.

  “What are you laughing at?”

  “Nothing,” she said, and he sluiced the water over her breasts. “I like to watch you.”

  “You like to watch everybody.” He placed the slippery soap back onto the tray. “Roll over.”

  She moved and let the hot water receive her belly, making her wince. Her body melted as the pressure from his fingers massaged the small of her back and down farther over her backside to her thigh. A soft purr rippled from her lungs. He knew that only his hands could take away the pain, force her to relax.

  “I’m sorry Renee couldn’t come this week,” he said as he lathered the soap between his hands. “She had a meeting and wasn’t able to get out of it.”

  “I understand.”

  Tony knew she understood, but he could still hear the disappointment in her voice. “She told me to help you tonight. That you needed a release.” His hand slid over the back of her thigh to rest against the inner slope of the firm flesh. It would only take the slightest slip and his fingertips could slide along the smooth skin of her pussy lips. “Do you?”

  Lily turned her head to meet his stare. God, she truly was beautiful. Sure, she had the perfect hourglass frame. And those tits. But it was her eyes that always got him—as blue as the sun-drenched sky. They were haunting when the light hit them.

  “Tony, you don’t usually—”

  “I know, poppet. I know. But you could use the distraction right now.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Could she see how badly he needed to touch her? Had she seen the pain he felt on that first afternoon he’d given the task to Renee? “Don’t question me, poppet. You’re still my student, and yes, I’m sure,” he said. “Turn over.”

  With soapy hands, Tony massaged her tender shoulders and down her arms, being careful to avoid her flushed breasts and taut nipples. He wanted to make her wait. Lily was right. He didn’t touch her often like this. He instructed Renee on his submissive’s pleasure. Tony didn’t want to confuse the situation between them. It had gotten confusing enough before Nicholas had arrived.

  Lily was Tony’s, and he didn’t want anything to ruin their arrangement. She trusted him, and he’d never do anything to break that trust. Including letting her fall in love with him.

  He handed her the bar of soap. “Now, wash your pussy for me. Slowly. I want to see your fingers.”

  She lifted her hips out of the water so he could see every touch. The soap slipped between her slender fingers, making him think of how they’d wrap around his dick to slide up and down. His cock surged, forcing his balls to tighten and feel unbearable. He rubbed the heel of his palm against the front of his pants. Nothing fazed him. Not a bleed in the operating room. Not an angry patient. Not even Renee when she went on a rant. But this—watching his sub slide her fingers between her plump folds, washing the small nest of curls as he’d instructed—was his undoing. This fucking fazed th
e hell out of him.

  Tony watched as she slipped one finger down the side of the pink folds. He groaned when his cock twitched in his briefs. She withdrew her finger to slide down the other side just the same.

  He shifted on the edge of the tub, his gaze fixated on her working finger. She lathered her hands again and slid two fingers down the middle of the swollen lips. He could feel his underwear dampen as the tip of his cock leaked precum. The swollen head was dying to get inside his beautiful sub. It was getting harder to refuse the urge to plunge into her warm depths.

  She swayed her hips back and forth. He knew she ached to feel the relief her exploring fingers could bring. Three days had passed since he’d allowed her to come. Her supple body writhed with need. He could see it—the flush of her creamy skin, the slight tremble of her belly. All the signs were there.

  “Don’t put your finger inside, poppet. Let me.” He got up and took a towel from the stack on the shelf. “Stand up.” The struggle for patience made his muscles tremble as he took as much care drying her off as he had washing her. He always took his time with her. In any matter, he was patient and careful. A fragile sub needed security and encouragement as much as she needed pleasure.

  Lily followed him into the bedroom. He pulled back the covers from the bed. She dropped the towel and crawled toward the headboard where she found the pillows fluffed and waiting. As she began to turn over and settle in, he took her by the waist and held her to keep her in the position she’d been crawling in.

  “Just like that,” he said.