Probably with one of the women by his side, Lily thought, kicking out sharply and managing to catch Shade on the side of his thigh.
“About fucking time.” Shade smiled at her proudly.
Lily was amazed at herself and contrite at the same time. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, Lily, you didn’t hurt me. Next time a dick like Gaige tries to touch your ass again, try that move.”
Lily grinned back. “Okay.”
“We’re done for the day.”
“Thanks, Sir.” Lily was finding it easier to address him as Sir when they worked out.
Going for her bag, she picked it up before she hesitated for a moment, twisting the handle of the bag in her hand. “Thanks for getting me to go get the seeds. I would have just avoided the room.”
“I know. Lily, let’s work on getting rid of the old fears before adding new ones. You’re completely safe at the factory and here.”
“I know that.”
“Good. I’ll see you Sunday.”
“All right.” Lily left with a spring in her step and a smile at her accomplishment. For the first time, she was beginning to feel herself capable of taking control of her physical well-being.
* * *
Lily fielded Beth’s concern when she arrived home. Beth was hesitant to leave her that evening, but Lily assured her she was fine. Actually, for the first time, she was looking forward to some time alone.
After Beth and Razer left, Lily showered and put on her pajamas before going downstairs to watch television. A music show was on and Lily found herself dancing around the living room. Penni would often dance with her when the mood struck Lily to dance, which was something she had never done with a boy. She enjoyed dancing when no one was watching, though.
Lily laughed when she finished one song, spinning herself until she was almost dizzy. She didn’t often let herself go. Her personality was always held in check, so when she finally did, she did it wholeheartedly.
She was getting a drink of water when the doorbell rang, and she looked down at herself, seeing her dark blue fleece pajamas.
Going to the door, she looked out the peephole before answering it. Shade stood there, holding two pizza boxes and a six-pack of beer.
Lily just stood there with her mouth open.
“Move, Lily, before I drop the pizza.”
Unlocking the door, Lily took a step back, letting him enter. Shade came in, setting the pizza and beer on the coffee table.
“What are you doing here?” Lily asked, closing the door before walking barefoot back to the couch.
“I thought you might be hungry.” The smell coming from the boxes was delicious. Lily’s stomach grumbled. “Go grab us a couple of plates.”
She went into the kitchen, getting the plates and her bottled water.
She sat down on the couch as Shade opened the box, putting two slices on her plate. She immediately took a bite of the warm pizza, loving the taste of the melted cheese on her tongue.
Shade put two slices on his own plate and began devouring his. They ate quietly as Lily put a movie on for them to watch. She stiffened when she heard the beer can open, refusing to look his way. Her hand trembled; however, she tried to act as if it was no big deal.
Shade began to talk about the movie they were watching and the two others in the series.
Lily relaxed back into the cushions, but not before taking another slice of pizza. She was full to the brim when she sat her plate back on the table, engrossed in the movie.
Shade had grabbed himself another piece of pizza and she heard another beer open. She crowded herself closer to the side of the couch, not watching as he drank it.
When he finished, he cleaned the table and put the beer in the fridge before relaxing back on the couch. The movie ended and they argued about what to watch next. Lily was through half of the second movie when she dozed off, her head on the side of the couch.
Feeling herself lifted, she was laid next to Shade as he sprawled out on the couch. She smelled the faint odor of beer on his breath and was amazed that she was letting him this close to her. She was simply too sleepy and full to protest his dispassionate hold.
“Go back to sleep.”
Getting up early and her long day had combined to make her doze heavily with her head on his arm. Her taut body was relaxed. Her bottom was against his thighs and his upper body didn’t touch her. Plus, his closeness didn’t set off any of her inner alarms.
She felt safe. The words played softly through her mind. Had she ever felt safe?
When she woke the next morning, Shade was gone and she was lying on her bed, covered in blankets. Lily sat up, confused as to how he had moved her without waking her. She looked at the bedside clock then hurried to the bathroom to shower and dress.
Beth and Razer weren’t back yet, so she made herself a piece of toast and left a note saying she was going to the church.
Rachel was hard at work when she got there, already going through the boxes in the basement.
“Sorry I’m late,” Lily apologized.
“Don’t worry about it,” Rachel replied. Lily liked Rachel and owed her a debt she would never be able to repay. The night the town deputy had tried to kill her and Winter, Lily had run into the woods to escape. Rachel had found her and taken her into her home that she shared with her three brothers who were very protective of their sister.
“How’s Logan doing?” Lily asked about Rachel’s nephew.
“Growing like a weed. He’s going to be as tall as my brothers.”
Lily moved some boxes around, opening them to discover Christmas decorations. The two women divided the boxes into ones they would keep for the church and those that would be given away in the new store. Stacking the boxes that were for the church’s use into the back room, they continued going through the rest until lunchtime.
“Want to grab a bite to eat? I packed lunch for both of us,” Rachel offered.
“I can eat,” Lily said, laying the bags she was sorting to the side. They went outside to eat in the backyard at one of the picnic tables.
“You go back to school in a few weeks, don’t you?” Rachel asked, handing her a sandwich and bag of chips. They had grabbed sodas from the v
ending machine inside.
“Yes.” Lily opened her sandwich, taking a bite.
“You must be looking forward to it being your last semester.”
“Yes and no. Now that Penni’s graduated, I don’t have many friends. I actually have enough credits that I could take my last classes on the internet.”
“You don’t want to go back to school?” Rachel asked in surprise.
“Not really, but I don’t want to put Beth and Razer out by staying. I know it must be hard having me around all the time,” Lily admitted.
“I don’t believe that. I think she would enjoy having you close to home after you were injured so badly.”
“Maybe, I’ll talk to her about it after I make my mind up.”
“Are you going to the fair tonight?” Lily questioned the pretty redhead. They had gone to school together and knew each other well.
“No, we went last night. Logan rode everything twice. Tonight I have someone flying in from Canada.”
Lily whistled. Rachel was becoming renowned for her use of medicinal herbs and her healing touch. Lily didn’t know if she believed in it, yet she was happy the sick found some comfort.
“It must be wonderful to help so many people,” Lily said.
“It is. My grandmother would be proud I’m using her gift to help others.”
“Your grandmother?”
“She was a full-blooded Cherokee, and she taught me everything, from herbal medicine to how to lay my hands. She was an inspiration to me.”
Lily smiled sadly. “It must be wonderful to have that kind of heritage.”
“It is.” Rachel closed her lunch bag. “Do you ever wonder…? Never mind, I shouldn’t ask. It’s none of my business.”
“If I ever am curious about my past?” Lily asked, her hand going to her forehead. “I don’t have to wonder; I know. About my mother at least.” Lily’s hand began to shake.
“Lily, are you all right?” Lily heard the concern in Rachel’s voice.
“Yes. I was adopted when I was eight,” Lily said. “My adopted parents said my mother was killed and my father didn’t want me, so there’s no need to look, is there?”