THREE

7 years later

Lily’s POV

If I’d known that I’d have Carden Blackwood’s face between my thighs in less than two hours, I would’ve been slightly more uncomfortable. As it was, I was able to face Harper, my best friend, without wanting to run

and hide.

It had been seven long years since I disappeared.

I moved to Louisiana, started working as a floral designer at a boutique flower shop.

Had my little Angel, Daphne and began to run my own boutique flower shop.

Life was good, and became better when I ran into Harper two years ago in Chicago.

We established contact again and it was as if I never had a child.

I wasn’t going to let her find out.

And to be on a safe side, I had Daphne stay with my neighbors most days.

Harper, dressed in a pretty blue sundress, took a long pull from her cocktail and leaned into me. “Can you believe it’s finally happening?”

I squeezed her arm and smiled. “I’m so happy for you, Harper. You deserve this.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I’m not sure anyone deserves the monstrosity that is

this wedding, but I’ll take it.”

“You deserve it. It could be even bigger and you’d still deserve it.”

“Even bigger than a two-week-long event planned by my neurotic wedding planner and paid for by my neurotic brother? You do realize that there’s a dance planned, right? A full-on fucking flash mob dance. And a karaoke night. I’m not sure I was thinking clearly when I signed on for all of this.”

I laughed.

“Harper, the dance was your idea!”

“You’re right. It’s all starting to feel a bit much now. People don’t do this. People don’t have weddings like this. Who do I think I am?”

Leaning into her, I squeezed her face in my hands lovingly.

“You’re Harper Blackwood. You’re amazing, and you’re having the wedding you deserve. End of story.”

“You’re right. That it is the end of the story, anyway.” She turned to face me fully and caught my hand in hers.

“I’m so sorry about Everett.”

My stomach tightened and I fought to keep the scowl off my face. Letting go of her, I leaned back in my seat. “Screw Him.”

“I agree. Screw Everett.”

Harper's words brought a rush of mixed emotions swirling inside me. I appreciated her support, but talking about Everett only dredged up painful memories I'd rather forget.

I had dated Everett for almost a year and six months and it was the worse.

"Yeah, screw Everett," I muttered, forcing a smile as I tried to push aside the memories of his toxic behavior.

Harper reached out and squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with concern.

"You know you're better off without him, right? You deserve someone who treats you with respect and kindness."

I nodded,

Deep down, I knew Harper was right. I deserved better than Everett's manipulation and abuse.

But despite how much I wanted to move on, Everett's persistent calls and stalking left me feeling trapped.

I knew I needed to cut ties with him for good, but the fear of his retaliation kept me paralyzed.

“You know you should have told me earlier about him.” Harper reasoned.

“I would have helped.”

I took a long sip of my margarita.

"What was I supposed to say? The man I thought I loved turned out to be a manipulative jerk, at best?"

Harper's expression softened as she reached out to touch my hand.

"Did he at least show any signs of changing? Any remorse for his actions?"

I sighed heavily,

"Why do you think I've been so on edge lately? Everett's constant calls and stalking have made me feel like I'm living in a nightmare."

Harper's eyes filled with anger on my behalf.

"Lily, I'm so sorry. You deserve so much better than that. You deserve to be happy and free from his toxic influence."

I managed a weak smile.

"Thanks, Harper. We can't all attract angels like you."

Harper chuckled.

"Well, I guess I got lucky in that department. But you, my friend, deserve nothing but the best."

Of course.

Jason was kind, handsome, funny, and he’d literally give his life to make Harper happy.

After a while, my best friend attempted to pull me to the sauna but I pulled my best friend into a tight hug and shook my head.

“I love you. I’m fine. I think I’m going to take a nap before the barbeque tonight. It was a long flight and I’m exhausted.”

“You promise you’re okay?”

I smiled but remained silent. I wasn’t okay but I knew I’d be okay.

I was just overthinking what Everett might pop up and do if he found out I was here.

“Fine, fine. Just take your nap. I’ll make sure that we cheer you up tonight.

I frowned and Harper seemed to understand.

“I’ll be there to protect you from my big, bad brothers.” She laughed.

“It’s not like when we were kids, though, Lily. They’ve grown up some.”

I knew they had. I’d just seen an article on Andrew while flipping through a magazine the week before. He was edging his way towards becoming a billionaire and the journalist had captured his stern stare in the photograph they’d printed. It should’ve been a sin how beautiful the triplets were. Too bad they were the worst set of people.

“Oh, come on, Lily. Things are different now. How long has it been since you’ve actually spent any time with them?”

“About seven years, by choice.” I shuddered at the memories and backed away.

“I’ll be there tonight, of course. I’ll be the one with bells on, happy for you.”

“Don’t be late!”

Smiling, I waved goodbye to her and strode towards the front desk.

I hadn’t bothered to check in before meeting Harper at the bar. Despite my personal problems and my funky mood, I was so happy for her. I was eager to spend the next two weeks prepping for the wedding with her and just being with my best friend. We’d been busy in our own lives lately, and I hadn’t seen her enough.

The front desk receptionist greeted me warmly and tapped away at her computer for a moment. She was just about done with me when the phone rang and she had to answer it. I was daydreaming about the bed that I knew would be super fluffy when she gasped and dropped the phone.

“I have to go.” Tears filled her eyes, and she backed away. “Oh, my god. I have to go.”

She fled from the front of the resort, leaving me standing there, staring after her in shock. I felt terrible for her, and terrible for just standing and watching her, but I was also a little shell-shocked.

It took a minute for someone else to help me, and when they did, they seemed as flustered as I was. The older man apologized profusely, despite me telling him that I was fine. Still horrified, the man quickly handed me a key card and a certificate for a free massage while I was at the resort.

Before running away, the woman had mentioned I was to go down the grand stairs and towards the right, but looking at the room number on my key card, I needed to go left.

I took my time moving through the resort, looking around. The grand ceilings, the tall walls of natural stone, the sweeping wood floors, it was all so stunning. The whole resort felt warm and comforting. It was a modern cabin that I never would’ve been able to afford if the entire event wasn’t being paid for by the Blackwood brothers.

I felt small walking through the huge, window-lined hallway that led to the rooms. Everything was so pretty, and the snow on the ground outside made me feel like I was in a winter wonderland. Harper was a very lucky bride. She was going to have the most beautiful wedding, at the most beautiful resort. It was impossible not to feel the smallest smidge of jealousy, but I really was so happy for her.

Finding my room, I stared at the plaque on the double doors in confusion. It read Gaya Suite. I didn’t think I’d gotten a suite. With the triplets paying for everything, I was surprised that I’d gotten anything at all. I half expected my key card to not work as I swiped it, but it did.

Feeling a bud of excitement blossom in my chest, I hoped that things were taking a turn for the better for me. I could hope. It was fine to hope.

Pushing into the suite, I looked around in awe. More of the cathedral ceilings stretched into the entrance, with beautiful hardwood under my feet. Plush rugs led farther into the suite. I could see a massive fireplace glowing with a real fire on the other side of the room, next to a wall of windows that looked out over the tundra behind the resort.

Excitement had me rushing into the back part of the suite, the bedroom. A massive bed looked welcoming, and I couldn’t help but jump on it. Staring up at the ceiling, I breathed out a sigh of relief. Things were going to be okay.

Based solely on the comfort of the bed under me, I knew things were going to be okay.

Plus I remembered I had to call Daphne when I realized that I could hear a shower running from one of the other rooms nearby. How strange.

I wouldn’t think that sound would carry so easily in such a nice resort. I walked towards the sound, wondering how quiet I was going to have to be during my stay. A door off the other side of the bedroom, as tall as two of me, seemed to be the source of the sound.

I grabbed the big handle. Pressing my ear to the door, I frowned as a low grunt filled my senses. Without another thought, I pushed open the door, expecting to see a closet that shared a wall with the adjoining suite. Instead, I found myself standing in a bathroom, across the room from Carden Blackwood.

Carden Blackwood, standing in a steamy shower, one arm braced on the wall, one big hand wrapped around his equally big cock. Fist pumping, he jerked himself off with a slow intensity that instantly flooded my panties with desire. Too much man, too much testosterone, too much cock.

I gasped and turned my back, something that was harder than it should’ve been.

“What are you doing?”

The water turned off, and a low growl filled the bathroom.

“What am I doing? What are you doing?”

I peeked back at him and squeaked when I found him still naked, still standing with his cock in his hand, he should have a towel on by now.

“Oh, my god. What are you doing?”

“You already asked that.” He growled.

“I think it’s pretty fucking obvious what I’m doing. Now do you mind telling me why you’re in my bathroom?”

“Your bathroom? This is my bathroom!”

“Sorry, Cookie, but this is my bathroom. My bathroom and my room. How’d you get in?”

I felt my face go blood red. Was I in his room?

“A key. I got a key from the front desk. It had this room number on it.”

“Someone fucked up.”

I braced myself against the door and nodded. “Seems that way.”

“I’m getting over the shock.” Carden’s smooth voice sounded from right behind me. “And I’m not all that mad about it.”

Stepping back into the room, I hurried to the end of the bed, where my purse was, and glanced back at him. Still naked. “There was a woman with a cat, and I guess that’s what happened. I’ll go.”

“A cat?”

I cast one last long look at the view from the suite and shook my head.

“Never mind. I’m going. This was not how I planned on starting this trip. I’m so sorry to interrupt.”

I groaned to myself when I realized I’d just apologized for absolutely no reason.

I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I grabbed my purse and tried backing away without looking back at Carden.

Shit, It wasn’t easy. He was god striking. They’d always been godlike striking, though. There’d always been something about them that made my blood heat up just a little bit too much.

“It’s good to see you, Cookie. You look good.”

I frowned.

“It’s Lily, always has been.” I moved forward.

“You don’t have to leave.”

My head snapped to face him before I could think twice.

“What?” His crooked grin was so damn panty wetting with that fucking dimple.

“Stay.”

I stared into his face. He was older now; his face was broader and stronger.

Those hazel eyes weren’t as mean as I remembered them in my head. They were warmer, sensual with thick black lashes that I could practically feel brushing my skin. I repeated that same question.

“What?”

Carden smiled. “Stay, Cookie.”