Cross My Heart

Thirteen

The next morning, Lacey curled up on the bed in Ty’s old room with Digger by her side. She opened her agenda and phone book and checked in with all of her clients, making sure everyone was happy with the week’s service and nothing had been missed in her absence. Then she called Laura to check on how the employees were handling things. To her relief, all was well but still, a part of her missed being needed. She’d been gone for a while now and the business she’d previously thrown all of her attention and devotion into was running smoothly without her.

With a professional cleaning service airing out and cleaning Ty’s apartment, she had nothing useful to do there, either, at least according to him. And he refused to let her take a walk without him. He was busy with a potential client in his mother’s den while Flo had gone out for the day with Dr. Sanford, her new friend, as he’d been introduced. Lacey grinned because Flo had looked so happy it was contagious.

Antsy, she decided to do some digging on her uncle without Ty’s help. She rummaged through her purse for the number Molly had given her last night. But when she dialed the other woman at work, her secretary said Molly had taken the day off. Lacey tried her at home next.

“Hello?” Molly answered the phone.

“Hi, it’s Lacey.” She pushed herself up against the pillows. “I thought you’d be at work.”

“I wasn’t feeling up to it.”

Lacey frowned. “Are you sick?”

“Sick of everything,” Molly muttered.

“What’s wrong? If it has to do with my uncle, I promise not to pass judgment,” Lacey said, crossing her fingers behind her back. At the very least, she wouldn’t say anything to upset her new friend.

Molly drew a breath so deep, Lacey heard it on the other end of the line. “Last night Hunter accused him of being behind the attempts on your life.”

“I’m sorry.” Lacey shut her eyes, feeling badly for both of them.

“Well, I went to Marc and flat-out asked him.”

Lacey practically flew into a sitting position. “You told him we thought he was after me?”

Molly paused. “If it was true, knowing you suspected him would hardly stop him. Besides, none of you thinks he’s doing his own dirty work, am I right?”

“Probably,” Lilly admitted. “What did he say?” She twisted the phone cord around her finger until it cut off her circulation, then released the tension before rewinding the cord again.

“He said he could understand why you’d all come to that conclusion but it’s not him.”

“And you believed him.”

Molly could hear the question in Lacey’s voice. And she couldn’t blame Lacey for asking. “The thing is, I want to believe him,” she said softly. “I need to believe him. My mother’s been married four other times. The first time to my father and that lasted for about five years, if you include the separation period. The next time I was eight and she made me stay home with a nanny. The next two times, I was at boarding school and then college. Not once did she ever ask me to come home, let alone be a part of the ceremony. This time, she wants me to be a bridesmaid when she marries Marc.” As always when she talked about her mother’s neglect, a lump grew large in her throat and she couldn’t have spoken more even if she’d wanted to.

Which she didn’t. She’d unloaded enough on someone who was practically a stranger. Then again, Lacey didn’t feel like a stranger. Hunter had been right, damn him. Molly liked Lacey after all.

“I get it.” Lacey’s voice traveled through the phone line. “Marc is the first person who’s brought you closer to your mother instead of further away.”

“Exactly,” Molly said, glad the other woman had made the connection. “Hunter knows that and he tries to understand but I can’t deal with him on this subject.”

“But you can deal with me?” Lacey asked incredulously. “How is that when I’m the one whose very existence has everyone in turmoil?”

Molly leaned her head back and laughed, understanding Lilly’s question completely. She shut the top of the washing machine and moved into the kitchen, easing into a chair. “Here’s the thing. If you lived here, I think we could be friends. But I don’t have an emotional connection to you. So I can talk things through and we can disagree and I don’t feel betrayed or hurt. And I can’t expect you to take my side and be disappointed when you don’t.”

Which seemed to happen more and more with Hunter when it came to Marc Dumont.

“Am I making sense or talking nonsense?” Molly asked.

“Making sense.” Lacey chuckled. “I just wish things were different for both you and Hunter.”

Molly smiled. “Thank you for that. So now that we’ve covered my problems, what can I do for you?”

Lacey paused for so long, Molly knew what the subject would be and braced herself.

“Well it’s awkward,” Lacey said at last, confirming Molly’s hunch. “But as you said, we seem to be able to talk to each other. So here goes. I have a couple of questions on the subject of my uncle and the trust fund. I’d like answers if you’re comfortable giving them.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Molly said despite the tension building inside her.

“You know I stand to inherit the trust fund when I turn twenty-seven, right?”

“Actually, I haven’t seen the agreement. I’d only gotten as far as meeting with Marc about the possibility of him claiming the trust. You came back alive before I could look into it.”

“Well, the gist of it is, I inherit on my next birthday which just happens to be in a few weeks. That’s why whoever wants me dead needs to make it happen before my birthday arrives and I claim the trust. After that, it’s a moot point.”

Lacey had diplomatically said whoever wanted her dead and didn’t outright name Marc. Molly appreciated her attempt at being impartial. “What can I do to help?” Molly asked.

“I’d just like to know what Uncle Marc and Paul Dunne’s current relationship is. My understanding is that the two met yesterday not long after we met with Paul at his office. I need to know why. Coincidence? Or are they in cahoots somehow?”

“Hunter asked me the same thing last night and I shut him out.” Molly closed her eyes tight. “I’ll find out,” she promised Lacey.

Because she couldn’t go on hiding from the truth forever.

“You don’t know how much I appreciate it,” Lacey said, gratitude evident in her tone.

Molly swallowed hard. “One more thing?”

“Of course.”

“Tell Hunter that Anna Marie and I had coffee this morning and I asked her about Fred Mercer’s current case and she filled me in completely. I have no connection whatsoever to Fred and no reason for asking but Anna Marie gave up all the details I wanted.”

Based on Hunter’s request, Molly had pumped the older woman for information about a stranger just for the hell of it.

“Tell him if Anna Marie gave up that kind of information to me, she’d have no problem revealing Hunter’s information to her brother.” Molly gripped the receiver hard, knowing that each step she took brought her closer to some kind of revelation that would either clear the man who’d given her the beginning of a family-or destroy her hopes of ever having one.

“Molly?” Lacey asked.

“Yes?”

“You’re the best,” the other woman said. “And I know Hunter feels the same way.”

Molly didn’t know what to say, so she merely said a soft goodbye and hung up the phone.

Her throat hurt from holding back the tears. From knowing that in promising Lacey she’d get the information she needed, Molly had given her more than she’d ever given Hunter. At this point, Molly wouldn’t blame him if he gave up on her. The thought stung. She knew she wasn’t helping her own cause, but right now she didn’t feel as though she could.

TY LET HIS NEWEST CLIENT, an older woman who wanted to find the daughter she’d given up for adoption years ago, out the door. He promised her he’d begin at least a preliminary search now and he’d be in touch as soon as he had any leads. Ty knew he’d have to turn part of the workload over to Frank Mosca until he had time to resume his normal schedule. His life, Lilly’s life, were both on hold until she claimed her trust fund. After that, who knew what would happen next.

Ironically while they were in limbo, they were getting reacquainted. A part of him was overjoyed, another part cautious and wary. Because while they remained here in Hawken’s Cove, they were living Ty’s life. He didn’t know how she felt about the future and with all the turmoil in her life at the moment, it would be unfair of him to ask.

If and when they ever had that kind of conversation, there had to be nothing pulling them together except mutual desire. No trust fund, no death threats, no Alex, he thought, wondering if the other man was really a nonissue or if Lilly’s feelings for the guy would return when she did. He refused to think about that while he had her here with him.

He walked into the bedroom she was using at his mother’s and found her deep in thought, papers spread out around the bed. Digger lifted her lazy head up off the mattress, eyed Ty with a bored stare and laid her head back down again. The dog no longer fawned over Ty as if he was a new and exciting treat. Apparently his newness had worn off. Ty hoped Lilly didn’t get tired of him as quickly.

She wore a white robe she’d bought during their quick trip to Target for basics. In the time she’d been here, he’d learned she loved to lounge in a terry bathrobe, giving him a good view of her long legs. The tie cinched her waist and the deep V in her cleavage drove him mad. Just because he’d grown used to the sight didn’t mean it had stopped affecting him.

Each time he viewed her in that fluffy robe looking soft and ready, he grew hard immediately. His desire for her never ceased to amaze him, along with the deep feelings she dredged up from places inside him he thought long shut off from the rest of the world.

“Hey there,” he said, letting her know he was there.

She glanced up at him and she smiled wide, her pleasure at seeing him obvious. “Hi, yourself. Good meeting?” she asked.

He stepped inside and shut the door behind him. “Actually yes. I’ve got myself a new client.”

She nodded. “Excellent!” Her eyes glittered with excitement, then suddenly dulled without warning. “Wait. You can’t devote yourself to a new case if you’re worried about me all the time. Neither of us planned such a long stay and we certainly didn’t count on having your apartment destroyed all because of me.” She began to gather up her papers in a frenzied state as she continued. “I’m going to go back to New York until my birthday. My uncle won’t follow me there. Now that the fire department has declared the fire arson and not an accident, he must know the police are keeping an eye on him. He’d be a fool to go after me now.”

Ty wasn’t letting her go anywhere, but first he needed to calm her down. “Stop for a minute and listen.” He sat down beside her, then placed a hand over hers, stilling her movements.

Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet his.

“First, the police have our statements but they have no proof your uncle is involved with anything. We’re watching him, but they’re only in the background if something happens again. It’s not the same thing as round-the-clock police surveillance. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

She nodded. “That you don’t think I’m safe back home alone.”

“Correct. Second, we’re in this together. We always have been. Have I given you any reason to think you need to go it alone now?”

“No, but-”

He silenced her by leaning over and placing his lips on hers. He lingered there, savoring the minty taste of toothpaste and Lilly, his body reacting to her nearness, the desire for her building by the minute.

“No buts,” he said, as he pulled back. “Now what did I interrupt when I came in?” he asked, wanting to change the subject.

“Work. Everything’s running smoothly but I was just going over some changes in scheduling for next week and making sure it clicked with the amount of girls I have on hand.” She stacked the papers and put them on the nightstand. “I have other news,” she said, the light returning to her eyes.

“And what would that be?” he asked, glad for any subject that didn’t include her going back to New York.

“I called Molly this morning. We had a long talk and she revealed a few interesting things. First, you and Hunter were right. Anna Marie could have been feeding information to her brother Paul. Probably not as a way to intentionally derail us, though. But it is possible that her brother used her love of gossip to further his own ends. We just don’t know what those are.” She pounded her fist against the mattress in frustration.

Ty thought for a moment. “It could be as a favor to Dumont. There’s really no other reason for Paul Dunne to want to get Hunter out of the way.”

“So all roads lead to Uncle Marc.” Lilly’s sadness filled the room.

“Had you been holding out hope that he’d changed?” Ty asked.

Lilly shrugged, feeling like an embarrassed child caught wishing for a unicorn on her birthday. “I know it’s impossible, it just hurts so much to think someone who is related to me wants me dead.”

“I know.” He held out his arms and she crawled right in, snuggling against him. She needed his understanding.

Except suddenly understanding wasn’t enough. Just being close wasn’t enough. Lilly turned to Ty. “Move to the center of the bed.”

He blinked. “Okay…” He pushed himself to the middle of the bed and slid back against the headboard, shoving the dog out of his spot in the process.

Digger rose, stretched, and jumped off the bed, resettling herself on the floor.

“Now what?” Ty asked. His stare bore into hers, the electricity suddenly crackling in the air around them.

She grinned, unable to help herself. “Take your clothes off.”

He laughed. “We always seem to be in the position of someone wearing too many articles of clothing.”

“I wouldn’t think me asking you to get naked would be a hardship.” She crawled over and began to unbutton the collared shirt he’d chosen for his meeting with the new client.

“It isn’t.” While she worked on the buttons one by one, he reached for the sash of her robe, freeing the knot.

She parted his shirt. He pushed the collar of her robe aside. She bared his sexy chest. He slid the robe down her arms and she shook it off, leaving herself completely bare to his heated gaze.

He sucked in a sharp breath and immediately unbuttoned his pants. She hooked her fingers into the waistband and slid his pants and briefs down and off his legs.

“Now we’re even,” she said.

“Not even close.” He glanced down at his erection and she followed his gaze, her own desire growing at the sight of his.

Because she felt safe with Ty, she also felt daring. “So what are you going to do about it?” she asked him, her words more of a come and get me dare than a question.

“Lie down and I’ll show you.”

Her pulse raced and a heavy thick dampness grew between her thighs. She inched toward the middle of the bed and reclined on her back.

He shook his head. “Flip over.” His voice held a gruff edge.

Her excitement heightened, she did as he asked, stretching out facedown on the bed, her trust in him complete.

He straddled her with his thighs, and leaned forward, then pushed her hair off her neck and kissed her tingling skin.

“Mmm.” She loved the feeling of his lips on her flesh.

He continued to slide his moist mouth over her back while massaging her shoulders with his hands. She shut her eyes and allowed him to take complete control of her body and she wasn’t disappointed. His tongue slid over her skin and cool air caused her to tingle with growing awareness.

As he stretched over her, his member pushed deliciously against her backside and his body pressed hers into the bed beneath her. The effect was an erotic thrust of her pelvis into the mattress, causing a sudden rush of sensation to pulse through her, a throbbing awareness and a need for so much more.

He must have felt the arch of her back and sensed her need because suddenly he eased downwards and slipped his hand beneath her until one finger found her slick opening. She rolled her hips into the mattress, capturing his finger just as it slipped inside of her.

A low groan escaped the back of her throat but now that she had a part of him filling her, she was beyond caring. He began a slow, steady thrust with his hand, each gentle movement bringing her higher and closer to the orgasm that was just out of reach. Finally, everything around her exploded in bright light as she went up and over, into the most spectacular climax she’d ever had-short of having Ty inside her.

As she came back to earth, she became more aware of her surroundings. She rolled over and faced him. “Wow?”

“Was that a question?” He laughed and reached for her.

“No, that was a definite wow.” She grinned and next thing she knew, he’d pulled her on top of him.

He reached for the nightstand. “I stashed a few in here the other day,” he said, pulling out protection and taking care of it quickly.

“Smart thinking.”

He answered with a long, deep kiss, then lifted her hips and thrust himself into her, filling her completely.

She clasped her hands around his face and lowered her lips to his. He began to move inside her, the slow thrusts timed perfectly to bring her closer and closer not just to release, but to him.

His low groan told her he felt the intensity as well and the climb toward her second climax was even stronger and more spectacular than the first. And this time when she came, she wasn’t alone. Everything exploded around her and she felt the moment he joined her for the ride, clasping his arms tight around her back, his hips locked solidly with hers.

Another orgasm hit her, taking her off guard. “I love you, Ty.” Unguarded, the words escaped her lips just as she came back to earth.

The realization struck her hard and she rolled off him, turning away. Beside her, she heard him take care of their protection and she intended to use the time to escape.

They’d never spoken the words, no matter how many times she’d held them deep inside her. She hadn’t known if they were reciprocated, hadn’t known if he missed her, or thought about her, and hadn’t known whether she’d ever see him again, let alone say those words aloud. And then years passed and she’d pushed the emotions away. She’d had to in order to survive.

But she knew now she loved him still. She’d never stopped. Tears began to flow and she started to climb out of bed before he could call her on what she’d said.

Before she could rise, he grabbed her arm. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t go. Don’t run away. Don’t leave without acknowledging what you just said.”

Lacey turned back around and forced herself to meet his gaze. He hadn’t shaved today and his day’s worth of razor stubble added to his sexy air.

“I love you.” She swallowed hard. “You had to know that without my telling you.”

He shook his head. “Some words have to be said. They have to be heard in order to be believed.”

Ty Benson was insecure about how she felt about him? She couldn’t imagine it was true. “You didn’t know?”

“I hoped.”

She blinked in even more surprise. “You did? Why?”

“I’d think that would be obvious.” His heated gaze settled on hers.

Lacey ran her tongue over her dry lips. “Are you going to keep me in suspense?” she asked, her stomach tied up in knots.

“Because I love you, too.” He reached out and pulled her into his arms for a kiss that was as long and hot as the first time.

After they’d made love again, her stomach rumbled, interrupting their cuddling.

“You’re hungry,” he said.

She laughed. “Yeah. And your mother’s going to be back from lunch and the movies soon. We need to get dressed.”

“We’re adults,” he reminded her.

“But we’re in her house.”

He groaned. “I know, I know.”

Lacey grinned. Even when they’d been together the first time in this house, he’d been careful that his mother didn’t walk in on them or find them in a position that would make the older woman uncomfortable. Lacey felt the same way.

“I should shower,” Lacey said, reluctant to get up and leave the warmth and security here in this bed with Ty.

“You start. I’ll fix up the bed and join you. Then we can go out and get a bite to eat.”

“Ty Benson, you’re going to make the bed? Hell must have frozen over,” she said, mocking his messy habits with a joke and a laugh.

He nodded, a sexy grin lifting his lips. “My mother always said the right woman would have me doing backflips to make her happy.”

At his words, a sense of completeness filled Lacey and she refused to let the niggling fears and doubts enter her mind completely. New York, Odd Jobs, her trust fund and her other life would have to be dealt with but she’d waited ten years to be this happy and she was going to enjoy it for the moment.

In another hour, reality could intrude. But not just yet. These last few moments were for her and Ty alone.

She nodded and forced herself to climb out of bed and hit the shower in the hall. She stood under the hot spray and waited for Ty to join her.

LOVE. Well, hell. It wasn’t like he hadn’t known he was in love with her. He’d just never let himself think the words. Did he know she’d always been in love with him? It wasn’t something he’d let himself think about, either, because as he knew, love didn’t solve everything. There was still long distance, the business she lived for, and the life she’d made for herself in New York. So though he floated for the minute, he also knew better than to think life was settled and perfect, either.

He straightened the bed as he imagined only a guy could, with lumps and messy pillows, and figured his mother wouldn’t notice. Then he grabbed his clothes and headed for the bathroom to join Lilly but the ring of his cell phone stopped him cold. He dug into the pocket of his jeans so he could answer, then rushed to pull on his clothes as he spoke to his mother’s date.

Less than a minute later, he stood in the bathroom talking to Lilly who stood naked under the stream of water, her hair soaking wet. “Mom’s in the hospital,” he said, breaking the idyllic afternoon they’d shared.

His heart pounded hard in his chest. Fear raced through him, as it had since he’d hung up on his call with Dr. Andrew Sanford.

Lilly dropped the bar of soap in her hand. “What happened?”

“Dr. Sanford said she was light-headed in the movie theater and next thing he knew, she’d passed out on the floor. He was following the ambulance to the hospital when he called.”

“You need to go. I’ll call a cab and meet you there,” she said.

He raised an eyebrow. “Did you forget someone is just waiting for an opportunity to catch you alone? I called Derek. It’ll take him five minutes to get here. I’ll wait for him outside and as soon as he gets here, I’ll leave. You can finish up and he’ll bring you over.”

She frowned. “Is your mother conscious?” Lilly asked.

He shook his head, unable to answer that one verbally.

“Then get out of here, Ty. I’ll be fine in the five minutes it takes Derek to get here. And I promise to wait for him, okay?”

Ty was torn, but Dr. Sanford had said her vitals weren’t stable-

“Go,” Lilly said, already shutting the water and reaching for the towel.

He nodded, then pushed open the sliding glass shower door and gave her a too-brief kiss before running down the hall and to his car, hoping he’d get to the hospital in time.