Catching Lily (Spring Training Book 2) Page 12

  He scrunched up his nose in distaste. “There’s an excellent way to start the day.”

  “Yeah. And I need to get in the shower and get to the police station too. I want to put an end to this.”

  He set his hand on top of hers. “We will.”

  “There’s not a lot of we in this issue, Dominic. It’s my problem. I brought it. I’ll deal with it. I’m sure you have a thousand things to do today.”

  He lifted a brow. “Are you serious? I’m not leaving you to handle this alone.”

  “His picture is on the line too, Lily,” Ava interjected. “He does have a stake in the issue.”

  “Did you check online yet this morning?” he asked Lily.

  She nodded. “Nothing yet. Which is confusing. But maybe the police are still holding him?”

  “Unlikely. But possible.”

  “All the more reason for me to make an early appearance before they release him.” She shuddered. “Though I fail to understand why they would set him free to do whatever he wants after blackmailing me and then trashing my car.”

  Dominic nodded. “It sucks. But that’s our legal system. Those offenses aren’t bad enough to keep a judge from setting bail. A few threats and a broken windshield don’t give enough indication he means you any real harm. I’m sure he has a lawyer pleading his case right now. And you need one too. I’ll call mine as soon as the office opens and get him on retainer for you.”

  Lily shook her head. “You can’t do that. I can get my own lawyer.”

  “Do you readily know someone?”

  “No. But how hard can it be?”

  “Not hard at all. Because I’m going to handle it.” He squeezed her hand, hoping to relay that she should take his help and stop being so stubborn.

  “Why do you have a lawyer on speed dial?” Ava asked.

  He forced himself to wipe away the growl he felt and smile. “You wouldn’t believe the sort of shit I step in.”

  Lily yanked her hand out of his. “You get into a lot of trouble?”

  He looked at her quizzically before realizing what she thought he meant. “No. I’ve never been in trouble. I’ve never been arrested. I don’t even have a parking ticket to my name. A few speeding tickets are my only brushes with the law. But trouble finds me. Often. I have money. People want some. That’s the world we live in. People I’ve never met have tried to sue me.”

  “Shit.”

  “Yeah. So I have a good lawyer. And now you do too.”

  “Okay.”

  At least she stopped arguing.

  For a moment, he stared at her. He did need to go to the gym for a few hours. Would she be okay? Surely someone wasn’t lying in wait outside to cause her harm. What was the worst that could happen today?

  Those pictures could flood the Internet and make her very pissed.

  He didn’t blame her. Shit like this happened to him often and wouldn’t tarnish his reputation as much as she imagined. Hell, he’d found himself in more than a few compromising situations before Xavier and Lincoln introduced him to BDSM. But for her, it would seem devastating. And he had no way to know for sure what the repercussions might be. If she was worried about her business, he wouldn’t try to convince her it was unfounded.

  “I need to work out for a few hours at some point today. Is Ava going to stay here with you?”

  “Yeah. She’s going with me to the police station.”

  He watched her eyes. “You sure you want to handle that without me?”

  “I’ll be fine.” She patted his arm. “Like I said, it’s my problem. Not yours.”

  He pushed his chair back, hauled her out of hers, and pulled her between his legs. Grasping both her arms, he met her gaze. Her head was hardly above his with her standing and him sitting. “I was in that car with you. It was my idea, in fact. And I should have known better. People follow me. People do not follow you. So, it’s more my fault than yours. I’m not leaving you to patch the problem alone.”

  “Except people weren’t following you that night. People were following me. I need to put an end to this. I’m the one with the threatening texts and broken windshield. Not you.”

  “I don’t want you to fight this alone.”

  She set a hand on his face, the gentle touch making his cock take notice, even though they were in a small debate. “I’m not fighting anything alone. I accepted your lawyer. All I’m going to do is go down to the police station and touch base with the officer in charge.”

  He nodded. Seemed reasonable. “Okay.”

  She seemed startled. “Okay? Just like that?”

  He chuckled. “Can I have a minute alone with you?”

  She licked her lips. “Sure. Of course.” She glanced at Ava. “Be right back.”

  He followed her to her bedroom and shut the door. A second later, he backed her up to the bed, pushed her down, and straddled her body. Grabbing both her wrists in his hands, he hauled them above her head and leaned over her until inches separated their faces. She squirmed beneath him.

  “Dominic,” she whispered, half playfully. “My sister’s in the other room.”

  “And yet you chose to put that tight white tank top on,” he stated.

  She blushed a gorgeous shade of pink. “Still.”

  He smiled. “I’m not going to maul you right now. We have to be places. I just wanted to make something clear.”

  “What’s that?”

  “My dominance doesn’t extend out of the bedroom. It’s sexual in nature. I want you to submit to me so I can make you come so hard your head spins. I don’t expect you to obey me in the rest of your life. In fact, I would prefer you didn’t. The feisty Lily I met that first night is the one that made my dick hard. A woman with a strong mind who can put me in my place when needed but turn it off and submit to me in the bedroom is my dream woman.

  “Now, you meet that criteria, which is why I’m currently wrapped around your finger. If you want to go fight this battle on your own, be my guest. I might occasionally step in with a suggestion or a plan, but you can argue with me all day if it makes you feel better. My cock will just get harder while you make your case, and your body is likely to find itself tied to the bed later that night. Win-win.” He leaned down and kissed her thoroughly before she had a chance to respond.

  Then he jumped off the bed, grabbed his jeans, and hauled them over his hips. “I need to run by my place and change before I can go to the gym. Please call me if you need anything. I’ll text you the number for my lawyer.”

  She sat up on the bed, but looked tongue-tied. Good. He liked that she was a little off kilter.

  He grabbed his shirt, tugged it on, and then found his shoes.

  She watched him dress, intensity in her gaze.

  Then he leaned over her, kissed her again, and tweaked a nipple. “Love this shirt. Wear it again tonight, okay?”

  She nodded.

  “Get in the shower?” He nodded toward her bathroom. “I’ll tell Ava and let myself out. Call me when you know something?”

  “Okay.” She still sat there.

  As he smiled and left the room, he had to admit he felt a bit smug at having tossed so much information at her so fast. She would process it and understand as she showered.

  Damn, she was hot when she was befuddled. He would have to remember that for another day.

  * * *

  “What do you mean?” Lily sat across from the tall blond police officer whose name she now knew was Detective Doug Wright.

  Ava sat next to her, squeezing her hand. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  The officer shook his head. “I’m so sorry.”

  “The man threatened me and damaged my car, and he’s free to roam the city as he pleases. It’s so frustrating.”

  “We didn’t have enough evidence to keep him.” He sat forward. “It’s complicated, but unfortunately, that’s how our legal system works. He got a lawyer and never uttered a word to us.”

  “What am I supposed to do?” Lily’s s
kin crawled with nerves.

  “Stay vigilant. Pay attention to your surroundings. I suggest you get a dating violence injunction.”

  “What is that?” Ava asked.

  “It’s a type of restraining order. In the state of Florida, they’re issued in cases of stalking or property damage. It can be filed today. Do you have a lawyer?”

  “Yes.” Lily nodded, her hand shaking violently as she reached out to take the post-it note from Detective Wright’s hand. Never in her thirty-four years had she been in a situation like this.

  “Call him or her right away and get the ball rolling. The judge will issue the injunction before the end of the day and have papers served to Mr. Vandergriff.”

  “Okay.” In a complete daze, Lily followed Ava out of the police station. She shuddered and glanced around when they stepped outside.

  “You okay?”

  “Not even close.”

  “I’m so sorry. We’ll figure this out.” Ava gave her a side hug. “You have the name and number of the lawyer from Dominic, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, let’s go back to your apartment and call him.”

  Lily slid into the passenger side of Ava’s car, a thousand thoughts running through her mind. Luke had always been a jerk. She felt like a fool for dating him as long as she did. But violence and threats were unexpected. Why the hell would he want her back? He cheated on her every chance he got. She was nothing to him.

  Her thoughts flitted to the issue of her car. She also needed to call the insurance company this morning and then get a rental. Thank God Ava had shown up and was able to drive her around and keep her sane all day. Thank God Stephan had agreed to keep the gallery running in the meantime.

  And then there was Dominic. She had to be crazy for continuing to see him while this was going on. What if Luke got violent and took it out on Dominic? She would never be able to forgive herself.

  When they arrived at her apartment building, she had Ava park in a visitor’s spot in the garage. Her phone buzzed with a text as soon as she got out of the car.

  Ms. Phillips. You have a delivery at the front desk.

  “We have to stop by the lobby,” she told Ava.

  The moment they stepped out of the elevator, Lily’s breath caught. She stopped moving. “Please tell me that isn’t my delivery,” she muttered.

  The doorman lifted his head. “I’m sorry, Ms. Phillips. Don’t know what to tell you. The florist dropped this off with a shrug. I thought it was crazy, but he said he’d delivered weirder things than this before. Is it a big birthday or something?”

  “No.” Lily stared at the arrangement of dead flowers, unable to continue walking forward.

  Ava covered the distance instead. “There’s a card.”

  The doorman looked appalled. “It’s not even your birthday?” he continued to mumble. “I’ve seen stuff like this for a fortieth or fiftieth as a joke, but you aren’t that old. And this isn’t funny.”

  Ave stared at the card for a long time before stuffing it in her pocket and pulling out her phone. She snapped several pictures of the arrangement. “Could you please stuff that behind the desk or something? We don’t want to take it upstairs. I’ll see if the police want it for evidence.”

  “Evidence?” The doorman swallowed, rubbing his hand over his bald head. He was a sweet older man with just a ring of white hair left around the bottom. Lily hated shaking up his day like this. “Was there a crime?”

  “Not sure yet, Mr. Clinger. But I would appreciate it if you didn’t allow my ex-boyfriend to enter the building. You remember him, right? Luke Vandergriff?” She pulled out her phone to show him a picture.

  “Yeah, I remember the guy. He was kinda cocky. Not very polite. Send me that pic, and I’ll let the other doormen know.” His face had gone completely pale.

  “Thank you.”

  Ava grabbed Lily by the elbow and ushered her back into the elevator.

  Lily waited until they were in her apartment, and then she lowered herself onto the sofa and held out her hand. “Let me see it.”

  Ava retrieved the note and handed it to her. “I’m so sorry.”

  You like dead things? Because that’s what’s going to happen to your ballplayer if you don’t heed my advice.

  “Oh my God. This can’t seriously be happening.”

  “And how did he manage to order the flowers and sign the card while he was in police custody this morning?” Ava asked, pacing the room.

  “Maybe he did it yesterday.”

  “True.”

  Lily dropped the card and leaned back to stare at the ceiling for answers. “This is insane.”

  One thing was certain in her mind. She needed to stay away from Dominic. Every time she got near him, she brought trouble. He didn’t deserve it. Would he agree to stay away from her to ensure his safety? Not a chance in hell.

  The man was determined. And every time she was with him, she fell more under his spell. He made her feel things she never thought possible. He also made her forget everything else happening in her life. And that was dangerous. It also scared her to death on so many levels.

  She could lose herself in him and never come up for air. Was she ready for something like that? No.

  For the time being, she needed to convince Dominic to stop seeing her. Even if it meant stretching the truth.

  Chapter Eight

  Lily jerked awake when her phone rang. For a moment, she glanced around her bedroom in confusion before her memory flooded back in. It was nightfall. She’d fallen asleep after meeting with the lawyer, intending on taking a short nap. Thank God Stephan had covered for her at the gallery the entire day.

  She picked up the phone and answered it, leaning back against her pillow. “Hey.” Her voice was gravely.

  “Hey, babe. Were you asleep?”

  “Yeah. Sorry. Dozed off.”

  “I’m sure. You’ve had a rough few days, and I didn’t help that situation out at all.”

  “No.” She squeezed her eyes closed. She needed to end things with him. Now.

  “Did you meet with the lawyer this morning?”

  “Yes. Thank you for the recommendations. I wish you hadn’t paid the retainer though, Dominic. I’ll pay you back.”

  Dominic ignored her comment. “I’m coming to pick you up. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Just wanted to give you the head’s up.”

  “No. Don’t do that.” She bit her lip, knowing this was going to be a challenge.

  “Lily…”

  “I’m exhausted. I spent the day dealing with shit no one should ever have to deal with. I just want to curl up in bed and sleep until tomorrow. Alone.” That was so far from the truth it sounded stupid coming out of her mouth.

  “Lily, I’m not leaving you alone.”

  “Yes, you are. You said yourself that you wouldn’t boss me around outside the bedroom. I’m calling foul. There’s too much on my plate. I need to deal with the police, the lawyer, my damn car, and run interference when the inevitable photos show up on my website.”

  “What are you saying? You don’t want to see me at all?”

  She sighed heavily. “That’s what I’m saying. This thing between us? It’s too intense. Every time we’re together, I lose myself. It’s like I exit my body and become someone else. I’m not sure I like her. It’s scary. And I can’t think about it right now because my world is upside down. I’m exhausted. Wrung out. Scared. Please, let me go.” A tear escaped her eye, and she rubbed it with the back of her hand, glad she had been able to finish her speech before a sob escaped.

  Silence met her. For a moment, she thought they’d gotten disconnected. “This is what you really want?”

  “Yes.”

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Nothing. I swear.” Everything. But I can’t face it right now.

  “Let me come over so we can talk face-to-face.”

  “No. Dominic. No. When you’re in my space, I can’t think.”

/>   “I’m pretty sure you enjoy that feeling.”

  “I do. But it’s too intense. I’m not made to submit like you need. I can’t do it, Dominic. Let me go.”

  “Okay.”

  That’s it? He’s not going to put up a fight?

  “Know one thing.”

  “I know lots of things. Learned them all since I met you,” she whispered, trying to ease the tension.

  He chuckled, but half-heartedly. “Then, I need you to know one more thing. This thing between us isn’t over. I’m going to give you space because you’re asking for it. But I like you. A lot. And I think we have a connection. I know we have a connection.

  “I may be young, but I know my mind. You have my number. And please, keep me in the loop about this ex of yours. I don’t like the idea of you being alone while that fucker is stalking you.”

  “I got a restraining order today.”

  “That’s worth less than the paper it’s printed on, and you know it. Besides, he’s probably extra pissed now that he’s been arrested. Has he texted you today?”

  “No.” She wasn’t about to tell Dominic about the dead flowers and the note. “I’m hoping he’ll leave me alone as long as he doesn’t see me with you. At least long enough for the police to form a case against him.”

  “Lily, if you’re breaking things off with me to protect me…”

  “No.” She cut him off while she scooted farther toward the headboard to sit up and draw her knees to her chest. “Of course not,” she half lied. “This is about me. Even without everything happening with Luke, I’m overwhelmed by the intensity between you and me. I need to think about it. Step back. Let me have that.”

  “Okay, baby. I will. Do me one favor.”

  “What?”

  “Text me updates so I know you’re safe.” His voice was gentle, caring. It tore a chunk of her heart out.

  “Okay.” She lost the fight against the tears. They fell freely down her face, but she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying out loud.

  The line went dead.

  She dropped the phone to the mattress, fell to her side, and cried harder than she had in years. Had she just pushed the best thing that had ever happened to her away? And why?