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She hung up, relieved to have company for a night or two. Between second-guessing her unprofessional, uncharacteristic behavior and coping with the trauma of a vicious mugging attempt, she doubted she had managed more than a few hours’ sleep each night in the past week. The thought of going out alone after nightfall drew a shiver down her spine, a clue to how much that attack had affected her. To take her mind off that scare, she would play the moments spent in that dark corner over and over in her head. The mental rewind never failed to chase away the cold fear with a warm rush, similar but less intense to what she experienced that night.
Lily padded over to the front window and closed the drapes, figuring the impact of both memories would fade soon and then disappear. Then life would go back to normal. When that depressed her, she picked up her latest mystery novel, flicked off lights on her way to her bedroom, and propped herself against her white-wicker headboard to read until she fell asleep.
Vickie arrived as Lily finished stuffing the croissants with chicken salad but refused to wait until after lunch to start talking about last weekend. Dropping her overnight bag next to the kitchen chair, she hugged Lily before saying, “Hi, good to see you again, now begin where you left off. He found you on the patio at a vulnerable moment and...”
“Hello to you also,” Lily returned, amused and grateful for Vickie’s way of opening an awkward conversation. “Let’s sit on the patio. It’s too nice to stay indoors.” She carried the plates out the back door off the kitchen and set them on the round wood table she’d picked up at a garage sale. Sitting down across from Vickie, she took a bite before replying, “Disguised as Don Juan, he proved too irresistible for my common sense to refuse, and I admit I don’t regret the encounter. In all honesty, it helped not knowing his identity. Maybe I figured, why not? This way, I wouldn’t have to worry about an awkward surprise meeting later.” She went on to describe how she discovered his identity and then told her about the cloaked mugger.
Putting down her sandwich, Vickie glared at her. “You did not mention an attack to Levi. He would have told me.”
Lily grimaced. She should have told her brother but needed time to get over the scare before dealing with him on her doorstep within a few hours of hearing about it. His overprotective streak had gotten her through the unexpected death of their parents and sensitive teenage years, but she preferred coping with life’s trials on her own, without leaning on others. Besides, it was a random attack that could have happened to anyone in that guy’s path, not a personal affront. Shewouldput it behind her, and soon.
“I’ll tell him,” she assured Vickie. “When I’m sure my voice won’t wobble. Now, do you want to continue glowering at me or hear those details?”
“I’ll settle for the details on both after I remind you how pissed Levi was when you waited over a year to tell us about your problems with John. You admitted you’ve never seen him so mad, and you tend to bottle up when stressed. Okay, now go.” Vickie bit into her croissant, never taking her eyes off Lily as she unloaded.
Lily didn’t want to think about Levi’s wrath when she couldn’t keep silent about John’s infidelity any longer, so she talked about the best part of that night first. “Between you and me, I now understand the excitement of anonymous trysts. I’m not kinky, but, God, Vickie, even the best sex with John can’t compare to those few moments. And he didn’t even...you know, he only...” She reached for her iced tea and downed a long gulp, embarrassed.
Vickie laughed. “You should see how red your face is! And no, not from the sun shining on us. I get it – touching, no intercourse. Did he get you off?”
Lily went hot again but couldn’t hold back from her friend’s prodding. “Like a firecracker. His mouth muffled my mortifying whimpering, something I’veneverdone.”
Sex with John had been great until she’d become aware of his extracurricular activities. After that, she tried but couldn’t relax enough or keep from wondering who he was thinking about when they were together to achieve that heightened pleasure again.
“Then you weren’t with the right guy. Hey, I think it’s great, Lil. Any up close and personal time you can get with a guy, you ought to go for. You’re long overdue. But I have to say, after you shocked me yesterday with what happened, I half expected you to greet me today unnerved or exhibiting signs of delayed remorse, disbelief at your atypical behavior, or making excuses, like calling it a stupid mistake. You’re not a flirt, and there’d been no one since you first met John, right?”
“No, I always thought John was the one and only, and it’s been hard letting that dream go. But I gotta tell you, the way Reed took over in a nonaggressive manner liberated me from all misgivings.” That memory would fade, but, until then, she would savor her impulsive taste of decadence.
“John’s actions crushed your self-esteem, and I’ll bet having a stranger’s attention felt damn good,” Vickie stated. “What about when you found out you let Reed Kincaid, your husband’s friend and partner, in your pants? You’re bound to see him again sometime.”
Trust Vickie to speak with embarrassing bluntness. Heat stole over Lily’s face again, but she answered with straightforward honesty. “I was thrilled someone wantedme, not a stranger. I’d forgotten that simple joy.”
“I’m sorry, Lily. I hope you realize the fault is John’s, not yours.”
Empathy colored her friend’s voice. Vickie, like Levi, meant well and always had her best interests at heart. One of the perks of family. “I do, I only wish it hadn’t taken me so long.”
“Okay, back to that hunk, Reed. Now you have his identity, but did you remember the rumors about the Kincaids’ private parties? The night Levi and I went to Casey’s with you and John, we did our share of speculating.”
“I remember that night, but need I remind you about believing everything you hear? Besides, his sexual proclivities don’t matter. We don’t run in the same circles anymore, which makes it unlikely we’ll see each other again.”You ever need anything, call me.Those simple words kept popping up since Reed whispered them at John’s wake, the first time she’d heard them from a man other than her brother. She figured that explained the comfort they offered during her down moments. Shoving that inane thought aside, Lily said, “Which is good because, as much as I relished every touch and spark, I’m not sure I can handle such intensity again.”
Vickie raised her brows. “I don’t hear you denying his dominance turned you on, but we can move on and discuss this mugger. What happened?”
Recalling her response to Reed’s controlling hold sent tiny ripples of pleasure ghosting across her skin, the same feedback she’d experienced all week. She welcomed the diversion of changing the subject. To hide the lingering unease from that fright, she shifted her gaze to the weed-infested gardens and dandelion-strewn yard before answering.
“He came running from, I assume, the unlit backside of the building, masked and cloaked as a demon, or something spooky. I didn’t see much other than the bat he swung at me.” She flipped Vickie a quick grin. “I ducked fast, the way Levi taught me.”
Vickie frowned instead of returning her smile. “A mugger wielding a bat? Sounds more like a deliberate assault, someone out to hurt someone else.”
Lily shook her head. “Maybe, but doubtful he targeted me. I didn’t keep in touch with anyone around here except Trina while gone, and, other than you two and clients, I’ve only touched base with Delia at the pharmacy since I returned. Besides, no one has a reason to come after me like that, and the police agreed it was likely a random incident. I’ve put it behind me already.”
Vickie cast her a dubious glance that turned decisive as she stood up. “We’re going out tonight and kicking up our heels. Your fall off your saintly pedestal calls for celebrating. I vote for Casey’s.”
Lily jerked and jumped up. “Wait a minute! That’s the club the Kincaids own.”
“Yes, but Reed isn’t aware you’ve discovered his identity, right?”
“I don’t see how, but talk about awkward, if he’s there.” Her pulse went haywire at the possibility of seeing him again, and she wouldn’t mind checking his reception to coming face-to-face with her again, but questioned her own reaction to seeing him. Her acting skills were nil.
“You’ve already proven you can handle yourself. Don’t go all wimpy on me now. Come on. Let’s raid your closet. A shopping trip might be in order before we leave.”
