LillyI stood in the street unsure where to go or what to do. An angry tear rolled down my face, and it was like a floodgate opened. I probably looked just as messy as my two-year-old when she cried.I walked aimlessly, barely seeing where I was going. The streets were busy with people ready for the weekend. There were a few curious glances thrown my way, but I ignored it all. My argument with Chance playing on repeat in my mind.I need a signed contract. I was a contract to him. Nothing more; nothing less. Maybe if I felt nothing for him, I’d be able to evaluate his words rationally. Instead, this hurt like a bitch. There was no chance in hell I could sign that contract. I was protecting him as much as myself. It’d destroy his carefully constructed life if my secret came out. And officially connecting myself to him opened the door to strangers digging into my past.I tilted my head upwards to see that the clouds turned gray. The sky opened and the rain broke through the clouds, match
Lilly“I want your full submission, Lilly.”Chance whispered in my ear, his mouth brushing against it, and his hard body pressing against mine. It all felt like heaven. He trailed kisses down my neck until he gently bit my collarbone, sending shivers down my body.“Tell me you’re mine.” His hot breath lit up my skin.“Yes.” My voice was barely a whisper. His signature cologne invaded all my senses. My fingers pushed through his hair, I pulled on the strands to bring him closer to me. I couldn’t get enough of him.“Tell me you’re mine,” he demanded possessively.I struggled to open my eyes. I never wanted to stop feeling him so close to me.Bang. Bang. Bang.I attempted to move my head to check the noise, but Chance’s mouth took mine into a hard kiss. And everything else faded.Another bang.Chance slowly faded away.“Where are you going?” I needed him to stay.Bang. Bang. Bang.“Lilly.” A loud shout pierced the fog.I struggled to open my eyes; my eyelids were too heavy. Exhaustion to
ChanceLilly and I prepared breakfast together. Every so often, I’d catch her pensive look on me as if she debated whether she could trust me or not.I couldn’t fucking blame her, but I meant what I said. It was her and her girls I wanted in my life. Nothing else mattered. She opened up, a tiny bit, but I wanted more. I’d protect her against anyone and anything. I half debated telling her I knew there was more to the story than her husband’s cheating, but if I pushed too hard and too fast, she’d shut down.I almost lost her. The thought of it had a cold sweat drifting down my back. The idea of life without her stole my fucking breath and turned my blood to ice. I destroyed every goddamn piece of furniture on my floor. It was time to re-decorate anyhow.After I found her safe and sound last night, I expected her to demand I move her to another department and never talk to her again. I’d do it, just to make her happy. Even despite a feeling in my chest that suffocated me every time I th
Lilly“Ready?” he asked with a raised eyebrow, his eyes darting to my weekend bag. “Is that all you’re bringing?”“Do you think it’s too much?” I asked nervously. I felt like I was having a sleepover with a boyfriend and was a total nervous wreck. He asked me out to dinner. Byron and his brother might join us.“No,” he answered. “I can’t believe how light you pack. But that’s ok, whatever we need, we can have it delivered or pick it up.”“Maybe I should…” Chance stopped my question with a kiss on my mouth.“Lock the house and let’s go. I’ve got everything you need,” he murmured against my lips. “It’s time for our first official date.”“Okay,” I smiled happily against his lips and kissed him back.Ten minutes later, we were speeding down the highway in the general direction of his mother’s place.“Do you live close to your mother?” I asked curiously.“Not too close,” he answered and took my hand, our fingers interlocking while his eyes never wavered from the road. “But close enough whe
LillyThe moment we pulled up in front of the restaurant by Capitol Hill, a swarm of paparazzi surrounded the car. It should have been a clue. It wasn’t.“There has to be a celebrity eating here tonight,” I grumbled as a valet opened the door for me but before he could help me up, Chance was out of the car, moving around it to assist me.“Touch her and you’re fired,” he warned and the poor valet faltered. Chance tossed him the keys, then reaching for my hand, Chance helped me out of the car. The moment I stood up, my hands smoothed my dress down.“Thank you.” Flashes from the cameras blinded me and I struggled to figure out which way to look to shield my face.He put a hand to the small of my back and guided me through the crowd of paparazzi and guests waiting to be seated.“Mr. Macklemore, is it true you and Lilly Walker have been in a relationship for years?” I blinked in confusion, stiffening at the question. Instinctively I sought out the reporter who asked the question.“Miss Wal
LillyWe sat in Chance’s library that looked even more enticing at night than during the day. He sipped on his scotch with one arm resting on the back and coming around me.“I had a good time,” I told him, bringing my glass of wine to my lips.“I’m sorry about my ex,” he grumbled.I shook my head. “That’s not on you.” My eyes flitted to his face. My heart twisted into a knot each time I thought about him loving someone so much that he resorted to a contract instead of a normal relationship. “Even with her little drama, I had a great time.”I unzipped the knee high boots and tossed them to the side, then tucked my legs under me, leaning further into him. The atmosphere was easy, relaxed. My gaze flicked toward my iPhone on the coffee table and I picked it up, then scrolled through my messages.Missed message from Grandma and my eldest. Missed call from Noona. More text messages from Noona.I swiped open the first message. Grandma sent pictures from the pool and beach. Sienna did the sa
ChanceI looked down at Lilly to see she’d fallen asleep. Her head rested against my chest, her breathing even and her scent all around me. There was so much more to this woman than I originally thought. A perfect balance of strong and delicate.Sweeping my gaze over her face, I admired her long lashes against her smooth cheekbones and her full lips. Despite all the shitty cards dealt her way by her late husband, she’d remained strong. It was her strength I admired the most, powering through all the ordeals and protecting her girls.Unlike women like my ex-wife who only thought about themselves.The deepest part of me feared she’d want out. It would take a better man than me to let her. But I couldn’t force her to sign the contract. And I certainly wouldn’t be able to force her to marry me. It made no sense, but some people weren’t wired to use others. Lilly wasn’t.But losing her wasn’t an option. I wanted - needed - her to choose me.Choose us.
LillyI woke up alone in Chance’s bed the next morning. Glancing at the clock, eight a.m. stared back at me. I could not remember the last time I slept that late. But then my date had kept me up until the early hours of the morning, running his mouth and hands over every inch of my body.He knew my body better than me.Getting to my feet, I spotted clothes laid out on an armchair, then dressed. I found him in the library, dressed in jeans and a polo shirt. I had never seen him dressed down like this before, and I couldn’t keep my eyes from roaming his body. He looked hot in jeans.“Morning,” I breathed, my cheeks flushed.“Morning, sleeping beauty.” Amusement filled his gaze at seeing me blush. “You looked so beautiful between my sheets, I didn’t want to wake you.”He grabbed my hips and pulled me into him, his mouth finding the sensitive spot behind my ear. Every ounce of me melted into him, relishing in his affection. I had to be a sad case of a woman starved for affection because m