This Love's Not for Sale (23 page)

Exasperated with thinking
about Lilliana and what could’ve been, Tucker swallowed his pride and texted her.

McG:
3:44 PM: What time did you say my appointment was on Wednesday?

Seriously. Fucking. Lame. And Tucker knew it. He rolled his eyes at his stupid attempt at trying to strike up a conversation with Lilliana.

Lilliana: 3:47 PM: 10.

Her message was c
urt and to the point. What else did he expect after the way he had treated her?

McG: 3:49 PM: Can I get in any sooner?
I have a busy schedule this week.

Again, fucking lame.

Lilliana: 3:55 PM: Not sure. You have to call the receptionist desk and ask. Do you need the number?

McG: 3:58 PM: No. I have it. Can you check for me?

Lilliana: 4:01 PM: Yes. BRB.

Tucker sat impatient
ly waiting for her next response. Tomorrow would be good. Now would be better but he knew they closed their offices shortly.

Lilliana: 4:13 PM: The soonest is tomorrow at 3:00 pm. Your hygienist will be Sue Ellen.

Tucker’s heart sank. Had he upset her so badly that she was going to completely blow him off now?

McG: 4:15 PM: Why not you?

Lilliana: 4:16 PM: The sale of my condo back in KS suddenly fell through. :( I have to go back and deal with paperwork pronto. I leave tomorrow afternoon. I’m less than thrilled. Sue Ellen is good. And cute. You two should hit it off.

Tucker wasn’t interested in Sue Ellen, whoever the fuck she was, regardless of whether or not she was cute. Tucker immediately instructed Ariel to look into the sale of Lilliana’s condo to see what the hell was going on. Sales didn’t just
suddenly
fall through. There were usually mitigating factors involved and always a little forewarning.

Adam.
Tucker gritted his teeth thinking about the way he had spoken to Lilliana on the phone and his threat that could be heard in the next room. Tucker suspected he may have had something to do with the loss of the sale and there was no way in heaven or hell he was allowing Lilliana to be in the same state, let alone the same city as Adam.

McG: 4:24 P
M: Thanks, but I don’t need help in the dating dept.

Lilliana: 4:25 PM: No. U don’t. U do just fine on your own. Ciao, pet.

Lilliana’s cold response put Tucker off balance. He shuffled his phone between his hands before typing his response.

McG: You stole my line.

Lilliana: No worries. I won’t be using it ever again. Gotta go home and pack. Goodbye.

Goodbye
. Tucker didn’t like the way the word just hung there on the screen of his phone, mocking and reminding him of how he fucked things up with Lilliana.

Tucker called Ariel into his office to get things settled swiftly.
When all was said and done, there would be no need for Lilliana to make a trip to Kansas – now or ever again.

Lilliana stared at the last message she sent Tucker.
Goodbye.
She hated that word. It was so final, but that’s what she had intended it to be. She wanted Tucker, but she knew he was wrong for her. She had known that all along. From the very first moment she laid eyes on his perfect smile, every fiber in her body warned her against him. But, damn if he wasn’t sex personified. He was even sweet on occasion and tender, just like when he had calmed her nightmare and held her in his arms. His strong body had felt so good pressed against her; his mouth and that delectably, alluring grin of his… and that room with all the mysteriously sexy equipment…

Lilliana bit her bottom lip harshly and the pain brought her back to reality. She had a tendency to romanticize things and she wasn’t going to allow it this time. Tucker hadn’t wanted to introduce her to his brother and it was a rude awakening as to how he really felt about her. Sure, he found her attractive
and wanted to debauch her in his time-out room. So what? Was that all she was good for – a fuck? No, she deserved better than that. And truth be told, she wanted more. How much more, she hadn’t decided, but she wanted more than to just be someone’s jumpoff.

Lilliana packed slowly when she got home.
She dreaded being back in Cloud County because she knew Adam would be sniffing around and making trouble.  She also dreaded her busy morning at work followed by a long flight. Not hungry, Lilliana forced herself to eat a light snack and go to bed early.

Lying in bed, she stared up at the black ceiling thinking about the strange wooden bed that was in Tucker’s
time-out room. She closed her eyes and envisioned herself shackled to the cross at the end, her hands high above her head and bound, and her legs spread wide with her ankles cuffed at each corner. What kinds of things would Tucker do to her? Hurt her? No, she didn’t believe he was that kind of man. Just as sleep was about to find her, the sound of her phone woke her.

McG:
8:38 PM: You left your CDs at my house.

Lilliana: 8:40 PM: U woke me to tell me that?

McG: 8:41 PM: You were sleeping at this hour? What are you – 80?

Lilliana: 8:44 PM: Some days I feel like it. I have a busy day tomorrow or have u forgotten?

McG: 8:45: No. So, do you want me to bring them by?

Lilliana rubbed her eyes. Was Tucker deliberately trying to make things more difficult for her?

Lilliana: 8:46 pm: No. U can drop them off at the office tomorrow when u have your appt. G’night.

McG: 8:47 PM: Lilly…
my pet…

Lilliana sighed and blinked with bafflement as she waited for Tucker’s response. Impatient and tired, she messaged him back.

Lilliana: 8:50 PM: I’m not sexting with u. Not now. Not ever. G’night.

McG: 8:51 PM:
I was just going to tell you that I’ve cancelled your flight to KS and got you a refund. The paperwork for your condo is being overnighted and should be here by early afternoon. I’d be happy to go over the conditions of the sale with you sometime. Let me know if you’re interested in utilizing my expertise in these matters. Free of charge, of course. You’re welcome and goodnight.

Lilliana stared at the message with dazed exasperation. How did Tucker manage it? She supposed it was because of his
infinite knowledge regarding real estate laws and such. Whatever the case may be, Lilliana was grateful for not having to deal with it or Adam.

Her dreams that night were more pleasant than the previous night and she woke early. At work, she managed to rearrange the schedule so that she would be the one to see Tucker’s fine set of molars that late afternoon. 

When lunchtime arrived, she received a message from Tucker and her mouth curved into an unconscious smile thinking about his efforts to help her. He really could be kind.

McG: 12:10 PM: The paperwork on your condo arrived today. IMO, you’re not asking near enough for it so it may be a blessing in disguise that the sale fell through. We should discuss this more in person.

Yes, in person sounded nice, but she didn’t need the temptation. Lilliana moistened her lips nervously as she replied.

Lilliana: 12:12 PM: Why didn’t u have the papers sent to me directly?

McG: 12:13 PM: I took it upon myself to look them over first.

Lilliana: 12:15 PM: Haughty as ever.

McG: 12:16 PM: Correction, Ms. Norris: HOTTY as ever. ;)

Lilliana: 12:17 PM: BTW, thank u for your help with this matter.

McG: 12:19 PM: My motives were somewhat self-interested so no thanks necessary.

Lilliana: 12:22 PM: How so?

McG: 12:23: Do I have to spell it out?

Lilliana: 12:24: Apparently
.

McG: 12:27 PM:
I don’t want you seeing Adam.

Lilliana hesitated, torn by conflicting emotions. Why should Tucker care? Hell, she wasn’t good enough to meet his family, what did it matter if she saw Adam or not?

Lilliana: 12:30 PM: Adam wasn’t the issue at hand and not the reason I was going. My condo was.

McG: 12:32 PM: You’re naïve if you don’t think those two issues are one and the same.

A knot rose in Lilliana’s throat. She sure as shit wasn’t naïve but it never occurred to her that Adam would go to such measures just to see her. The more she thought about it, the more livid she became.

Lilliana: 12:34 PM: Thank u for bringing it to my attention.

Fuck. Adam.

With the last few minutes of Lilliana’s lunch break, she walked outside and dialed Adam’s number. He no sooner answered when she ripped into him.

“You manipulative son-of-a-bitch! What gives you the right to fuck with my life? That money was going to help me keep Margo’s land!”

“
Watch your language, babe,” Adam ground out between his teeth.

His contemptuous tone and use of the dreaded term
babe
sparked fury in Lilliana.

“I swear to Christ, Adam, if you had anything to do with the loss of the sale...”

“You’ll
what?
Cry for mommy and Auntie Margo to come and rescue you like they always did? You’ve got no one now except for me no, so you’d better lower your voice and start showing me some motherfucking respect.”

Lilliana spoke in a tear-smothered voice, “I hate you, Adam, and
I’ll never have you again. N-E-V-E-R. I’d rather be struck down with vaginal leprosy than to be subjected to your lies and bullshit.  Don’t you ever fucking call me again or so help me, I’ll press charges on your ass.”

Lilliana hit the end call button and rigidly held her tears at bay. How could Adam bring up something so cruel like being alone and without the love and support of her family?

Just then Dana came out into the parking lot and placed a hand on Lilliana’s shoulder.

“You okay, hun?” she asked softly.

“No, I’m not. My ex may have just cost me my land,” she sniffed.

“Oh, Lil’, I’m so sorry. What can I do to help?”

There wasn’t anything Dana could do, but her sad eyes and pitiful attempt at a smile warmed Lilliana’s heart. She needed a friend, especially now, and she welcomed Dana’s comfort. Dana wrapped her arms around Lilliana’s shoulders and held her close.

Pulling away, Dana’s eyed lit up. “Do you want me to kick him in the junk for you? Because I will, Lil.”

Lilliana managed a smile and with the determination that was instilled into her, she grimly went about the rest of her day, counting down the minutes until she could see Tucker’s handsome face and sensual smile.

Always punctual,
Tucker showed up five minutes early to his appointment and Lilliana watched as he seated himself in the long dental chair. His self-confidence and ruggedness was deliciously appealing. As usual, he was dressed immaculately in a tailored, dark-grey suit with black oxfords. He made himself comfortable, loosened his tie and unfastened the top button of his shirt, and as he did so, the smell of his tantalizing after-shave wafted past Lilliana’s nose. His naked, sculptured and tattooed body flashed in her mind and her pussy softly whispered its longing for him. She needed to seriously pull herself together because Tucker had an eerie way of reading her body language and no doubt he would sense how turned on she was. Maybe sending Sue Ellen in to deal with him wasn’t such a bad idea after all. 

Lilliana reminded herself about the way he had dismissed her in front of Mason
. She turned to leave before Tucker saw her, but she was so out of sorts, she ran into the edge of the wall, making a loud ruckus. Tucker turned his head and when their eyes met, they exchanged a courteous, simultaneous smile.

“I was hoping I would see you,” Tucker greeted her.

Lilliana cleared her throat and pulled up a chair directly in front of him without saying anything. She flipped on the bright overhead light and slowly reclined his chair back as she studied him. She had a blank look on her face and her mouth was open in awe at his attractiveness even under such harsh lighting. Tucker’s eyes fixed on her expression and the corners of his mouth lifted in an unspoken invitation. 

“Relax and lay back, please,” Lilliana
instructed, trying to remain professional.

A muscle quivered in Tucker’s jaw. “I’m usually the one saying that,” he stated as his right eyebrow went up a fraction.

Lilliana struggled to maintain an even, unconcerned tone to prove to herself and Tucker that she was immune to his sexual innuendos.

“Open wide.
” As soon as the words left her mouth, the unwelcome blush of embarrassment crept onto her cheeks.

“That,
too. But you already know that, don’t you?” Tucker grinned lasciviously.

Lilliana fumbled with a bite block and Tucker seemed to enjoy her struggle to recapture her composure.  As she brought to bite block to his lips, he skimmed his fingers
lightly over her bare forearm. Her eyes darted to his and she pulled her arm away.

“Would you like me to get Sue Ellen to finish this exam?” she threatened, the uncertainty of her statement
making her voice harsher than she had intended.

Tucker’s mouth formed into
a hard, thin line and he regarded her cautiously. Finally opening his mouth, Lilliana slipped the bite block in gently and got right back to business.

“Your gums seem to be healing quite nicely. Are you having any issues with pain?” she asked, poking around inside his mouth
with a dental mirror.

“Nuh-huh” Tucker mumbled.

“Damn, Tuck… your teeth are so beau…” Lilliana snapped her mouth closed when she realized what revealing statement was about to come spilling out.

“Yeth?
You were thaying?” he crookedly smiled.

Lilliana stood abruptly, “Dr. York will be right in.”

Before Lilliana could make her getaway, Tucker reached out and gripped her wrist tightly and yanked her back to him. With his other hand, he pulled out the bite block.

“It seems I’ve forgotten your CD’s. I’ll just have to bring them by your place later.”
The expression in Tucker’s toffee-brown eyes seemed to plead for something inexplicable.

Lilliana pinched her eyebrows together
, “For not wanting anything to do with me, you sure are making a lot of effort to see me.”

A
perplexed look flickered in Tucker’s eyes. “I never said I didn’t want anything to do with you.”

“I won’t be your jumpoff or booty call, Tucker.”

Tucker shook his head and his mouth twisted into a wry smile. Just as he was about to speak, Dr. York entered the room and Lilliana was able to escape whatever wrath Tucker was about to unleash on her.

After her last appointment and as she was leaving, her phone chirped.

McG: 4:35 PM: You never answered me about bringing your CD’s over.

Lilliana sat defiantly not responding back. She drove home, the entire time fighting the urge to call Tucker and tear into him for making her act petulantly and immaturely. She was a woman of 32 years and she found her actions more like that of a teenager
, and it was maddening as hell. Everything about Tucker made her lose all self-control and act illogically. Lilliana reckoned it must be her lack of sex and hormonal overload that was clouding her brain. What else could it be? Love? Lilliana snorted out loud and rolled her eyes. No, it most definitely was
not
love. Lust and love of dick, yes, but love – absolutely, without a doubt, no.

Finally back at home,
Lilliana showered and made dinner. She was glad Tucker hadn’t texted her any further, though on a certain level she had hoped to speak to him one last time. She tried to do some online window shopping to take her mind off of Adam’s horrible actions and Tucker’s chilly sentiments in front of Mason, and she eventually fell asleep on her couch.

Lillia
na felt hot hands on her body, her arms, her face; fingers through her hair; warm, soft lips brushing against her mouth. It was a pleasant dream and one she didn’t want to awaken from just yet.