Keys To Her Heart (Brookfield) (13 page)

“Boring. Court day usually is. Some days I wished things got a little more interesting around here, aside from the gossip.”

“Yes, but the low crime is what makes Brookfield so attractive as a place to raise a family.” As soon as that statement left her mouth, she wondered if Cody wanted kids. Then she had to think about if she wanted more. She’d always felt her life was complete with just Gunther.

“True. Is your mom okay?”

“Yeah. Today was rough because Brent left.”

“You’ve not really told me what she’s sick with.”

Did she have to tell him? “She’s got Alzheimer’s.”

“Wow.” He was silent a moment. “I don’t know what to say.”

“My day’s been rough, and I don’t want the conversation going down this road. Let’s talk about something happy. That’s what I need from you, Cody.”

“I can do that. How about you guess what I’m wearing?”

She pulled her covers up around her and snuggled in. “Your uniform, only your shirt’s unbuttoned to show off your muscled chest.”

“You’re absolutely right.” He chuckled.

“Good.” And she’d fall sleep imagining that. “What do you think I’m wearing?”

“Oh, you’re in a French maid’s outfit, with those sexy leg things that go around your thighs.”

She joined him in a laugh. “Oh yeah, that’s just what I’m wearing. It’s so comfortable and soft against my skin.”

After she quit giggling, a yawn took over. “I’m exhausted. I wish I could talk longer.”

“Do you have a day off this week?” he asked.

“I am leaving early Thursday, but I’ve got a conference with Gunther’s teacher to get to the bottom of this bully thing.”

“My week’s kinda busy, too. Guess we will hope for this weekend.”

“Definitely. Don’t forget, you’re welcome anytime for lunch at the diner.”

They talked a few more minutes before finally ended the call. Lily lay in bed feeling conflicted. Even with Brent moving to help with mom, her life was still chocked full. She worried she just didn’t have the time Cody deserved. Then she went back to thinking about kids. He’d yet to be married, and as far as she knew, he was childless. If she did end up marrying him, she needed to figure out if she wanted more kids or not. It’s not like she was old, but having a child now, with Gunther so much older, she just wasn’t sure she wanted to go back to diapers and night feedings.

She didn’t have to worry about this now. She’d only just started seeing Cody. For all she knew, he’d get frustrated by her lack of time before long and move on.

* * * *

The next few days went by in a blur. As Lily climbed into her car after her conference with Gunther’s teacher, she felt like giving up. The weight of the world was on her shoulders—or so it seemed. She needed to find away to delegate some of this to others. It was time she finally accepted help and raised her white flag that she couldn’t do it all.

Hopefully things would start to get better for her son. His teacher said he’d been doing better and playing with more kids. It seemed like he was finally beginning to settle in and make friends. In general, he was happier. That she was thankful for.

It was her mom, though, that had her the most worried. The week just wasn’t going well. Even the nurse was frustrated in the evenings when she left. Brent arrived back in town this afternoon. As much as Lily shouldn’t do it, she really needed some time away. Go to a park or something, and just be alone.

She picked up her phone and dialed her brother.

“Hey, Lily. How did the conference go?” He sounded chipper and upbeat for a man who had just left his family.

“Good. The school has really been handling this bully thing well. Luckily the kid’s parents have stepped in and are helping as well.”

“Excellent. You on your way?”

She took a deep breath before she answered. “Would you mind if I just took some time to myself? It’s been a heck of a week.”

“Yeah. Go ahead. I got this, sis.”

She smiled. It was going to be nice having him around. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.”

“Brent, you’re moving away from your wife and kids.”

“I know. We’ll talk about it later, okay? You go enjoy your time and maybe this weekend we’ll share a six pack and go into the woes of life.”

That sounded like a good Saturday evening. “Sounds like a plan. See ya in a bit.”

She set the phone down then started up the car. Raindrops hit the windshield. Crap. There went her quiet time in the park. Surely there was somewhere else she could go that would make her feel better.

* * * *

Cody removed his uniform and found a pair of jeans and a T-shirt to put on. It had been a long day. The one upside of his day was when Bo came by the station to thank him for his help in finding a job. He was going to be one of the night cooks at the Swift Water Café. He still wanted to look into the police academy once he got on his feet, but just knowing he was able to help this kid had made his day. Well, it had been the only good part.

In the kitchen, he opened the fridge and stared at the contents hoping a pizza or something would appear. It didn’t. Instead, just the bread, eggs, and fruit stayed there.

Maybe he’d order something.

He opened the drawer that held his take-out menus and started to dig through. Pizza or Chinese? Those were the only places that delivered in town. He could really go for a slice of double pepperoni right now. That settled it; he’d call in a pizza.

In the living room, he’d just picked up the home phone and started to dial the number, when the sound of footsteps on his front porch stopped him. He hadn’t invited anyone over. The doorbell rang. Cody opened it.

“Lily.”

“Hey.” She stood there, rocking back on forth on her feet. “Is this a bad time?”

“No. Come in.” He stepped back and she entered. She looked tired. “Sit, please.”

She pulled her red hair over her shoulder and strolled around his living room, staring at him.

“It’s good to see you.” He went toward her, ready to kiss her.

As soon as he was within arm’s reach, she wrapped a hand around his neck, pulling herself to him. Her lips were on his, and he could feel the intense need she had.

Lily wasted no time. She tugged at his shirt, breaking the kiss to bring it over his head. In return, he pulled at her blouse, trying to be careful of the buttons. Lily pushed his hands away, and quickly unbuttoned her shirt, dropping it to the floor. She was back on him, working on the button of his jeans.

Wow, she was like an animal in heat, and he was her prey. He should stop her and see where this was coming from, but he was a guy, and there was no way he was going to stop this. Lily wanted him just as much as he knew he wanted her. There was no way he could hold back as the urgency to be inside her took over.

He stepped out of his jeans and gazed at her as she wiggled out of her own pants. Licking her lips, she grabbed hold of his shoulder, slamming her body back into his. She held him tight as her tongue thrust into his mouth, finding his, sucking gently.

Fuck. He was ready to bury himself deep into her.

Lily kissed his cheek, moving along his jaw and trailing her lips to his chest, sucking on his nipple. He groaned at the pleasurable sensation. She then kissed lower and lower as she dropped to her knees. Oh God, she was going to take him in her mouth. There was no fucking way he was going to stop her either. It had been way too long since a woman had given him a blowjob. He almost burst thinking about.

She tugged his boxers down, then wrapped a hand around his length, stroking. He stared at her as she licked her lips and leaned forward, taking just the tip into her warm mouth.
That feels so good.

She took him deeper, her tongue running along the underside. He needed something to hold on to so he could brace himself. The pleasure was so intense; he had to close his eyes. Without thinking if she’d like it or not, he slid his fingers through her hair and helped guide her in the pleasure she was giving. She moaned, sending a vibration through him.

Cody pulled back from the best damn blow job he’d ever had with a popping sound. “I don’t want this to be over before it begins.”

He took her hand, bringing her back to her feet. Quickly, he removed the rest of her bra and panties, then roughly pushed her onto the couch.

Lily laughed. “Come on, give it to me.” She spread her legs open, showing him the wet center.

Condom. Fuck, I hope one’s in my wallet.
Which was in his bedroom. “I’ll be right back.”

“Hurry.”

He dashed naked through his house, stopping in front of his nightstand by his bed. Thrusting the drawer open, he grabbed a handful, just in case.

In the living room, he stopped in his tracks. His cock, which had softened slightly from his run, sprang back to life as Lily lay on the couch, touching herself.

“Oh, baby. You’re going to make me come.” He tore open a wrapper, watching her fingers as he slid the condom over his erection.

“Just keeping myself ready for you.”

He could watch that all day, but the need to get balls deep in her was stronger. He climbed between her thighs, positioning his cock at her opening. As he slid in, staring in to her eyes, something happened. A new feeling took over, something he hadn’t felt before. He leaned forward to kiss her as he thrust deeply, but then three words escaped his mouth.

“I love you.”

Chapter Eleven

That had been one of the best orgasms Lily had ever had. It felt like it had been never ending. Every nerve in her body had been on fire, as wave after wave had flowed through her like water breaking down the damn. Sex just got better and better with Cody.

Now, the awkward moment was setting in, as they lay curled up on the couch. Cody had told her he loved her. Surely he didn’t love her yet. It had to have been one of those in the heat of the moment things. She wasn’t sure she could handle him loving her at the moment. Maybe he wouldn’t mention it.

She rubbed her fingers up and down his back, enjoying the closeness and the safe feeling she had with him. He’d made her feel so much better and forget everything for the time being. She’d gotten to be Lily, Rock Star In Bed, instead of Lily, Too Much On Her Plate It’s Gonna Break.

Cody sat up and pulled a blanket off the back of his couch, draping it over them. She’d expected him take her hand and bring her close to cuddle, but instead he stared at her.

“So, not that I’m complaining, but what was that all about?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” It was better to play dumb.

“You coming in here
and without a word us having sex.”

She pulled the blanket up around her chest, feeling vulnerable.  “I needed a good time.”
That came out so wrong!
“I mean…”

He smiled. “It was a good time. I agree.”

“This week had been so tough with my mom, then all this stuff at the school with Gunther, I just needed a way to release my frustration.”

“I’m here to talk, whenever you need it.”

Yes, she knew that. He’d told her that several times, but she didn’t want to talk to Cody. She wanted to have fun with him and forget her problems. “I don’t want to bother you with. You’re my—”

He held his hand up to stop. “Did you not hear what I told you when we started to make love?”

Oh, she’d heard him all right. She sucked in her bottom lip, hoping like hell she didn’t have to say those words.

“It was sudden, but I spoke the truth.” He took her hand. “I’m more than stress relief. However, feel free to use me the way you just did anytime. But in return, I want you to tell me what’s bothering you.”

“I don’t want that, though.”

He appeared confused. “I guess you and I have two different ideas of what we have between us. I thought we were moving in the direction of a relationship. Not just sex and small chit chat. We’d become each other’s best friend.”

Her heart beat fast. He was a girl’s dream come true, and he wanted that with her. She wasn’t ready for it, though, but how to tell him without ending what they had. “I need some time.”

He nodded and licked his sexy lips. “Lily, take the time you need. I’m not going anywhere. My life is simple and ready. Yours isn’t. I’ll wait for you.”

Wait for her? What man ever did that? “I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t. You’re the woman I want. I knew it from the moment you dropped coffee in my lap. You are it for me.”

This was too much, too fast. Her chest tightened and she couldn’t breathe. “Slow it down, please.”

“I’m sorry.”

She reached out, grabbing her shirt from the floor and quickly pulled it on. “I’ve got to go. Brent just got back in town. I need to make sure he can handle mom and Gunther. I need to see if Brent’s getting a place this weekend because Heath is supposed to be coming in for a visit.”

Cody stood, letting her see his naked body. All sorts of feelings started going through her again—need, lust, confusion. He dressed then walked out of the room, giving her privacy she assumed. Lily finished getting her clothes on and he returned.