Authors: Paige Cameron
“Yes, madam, and on the way we’ll stop and get you some tea and crackers.”
Chapter Thirteen
Ty followed her inside the jail. He’d already told her he wanted to meet her father. A guard escorted them down a long hall, stopped, and opened the door. Lily walked in. Ty followed.
Yannell sat at a gray metal table. His graying hair needed a cut. His face was gaunt, but his brown eyes brightened when he saw Lily. When Ty stepped in behind her, Yannell raised his eyebrows.
“Who’s he?” he asked Lily.
“This is Ty Terrell. You know I’ve been staying with his family. Ty has asked me to marry him, and I’ve accepted.”
Yannell frowned. “Isn’t this fast? Are you doing this because you don’t have any money? I—”
She motioned for him to stop. “I’m marrying him because I love him.”
“Still seems fast.” Yannell squinted his eyes at Ty.
Ty sat in the chair next to Lily. “I love her, and I’ll take good care of her.”
Ignoring Ty, Yannell looked at Lily. “Part of my agreement was to have the money from my legitimate business go to you. You will have enough to be independent.” He glared at Ty. “You won’t need to marry anyone.”
“Dad, did you know someone sent some men after me? They kidnapped me and would have killed me, but Ty, the Sheriff, and Ty’s brothers rescued me. Ty and I have been through a lot. We love each other. We’re going to have a baby. I’ll have the family I always dreamed of.”
Tears came into Yannell’s eyes. “I tried to be a good father.”
“You were, except for this. I’ll never understand. You had plenty of money. Why?”
Yannell stared at Lily. Ty watched as the two looked into each other’s eyes. Finally, Yannell shrugged. “I enjoyed the challenges, the power, and the money. But I never wanted to endanger your life. Mr. Rahn told me this morning that the FBI got information out of the men who took you and they have arrested the man who planned it all. He used to be one of my friends, but we’d had a falling out.” Yannell’s expression hardened. “They’ll be going to jail, too, for a long time. You won’t have to worry about them anymore.”
Lily was shocked by his words. “Having a home with my mother and me wasn’t enough? Of course not. She and my sister ran from you in fear. I’ll never understand, and I can’t condone what you did. And your actions put my life in serious danger.”
Yannell’s chained hands reached toward her. “Please don’t hate me. I’m sorry for the hurt I’ve caused you. I never thought about my actions endangering you. I was stupid. Please believe me, I do love you.”
“I know. I love the man who raised me.” She squeezed his hands.
Ty put his arm around her shoulder. Yannell glanced at him.
“Thanks for saving her. I guess I can stop worrying about her welfare.” He gave a harsh laugh. “You must think I should have thought about her safety sooner and quit.”
“What’s happened can’t be undone,” Ty said.
Her father took a deep breath. “Will you keep in touch as you said the other day?”
“I’ll write and send pictures.”
“We’ll get your address on the way out,” Ty added. He motioned to the guard watching through the door. When he came in, Ty asked, “Can you unfasten his wrist chains long enough for her to hug her father?”
“Sure, if I stay in the room.”
“Go ahead.” Ty motioned to him. Lily threw him a grateful smile. Yannell looked at him, surprised.
The guard unfastened the wrist shackles. Yannell held out his arms, and Lily went into them. Ty and the guard waited as the two said their final good-bye.
Eyes blurry with tears, Lily turned to Ty. He put his arm around her. For a second, he felt sorry for the man hunched over, his face pale and his eyes bleak. But he’d chosen his path. Lily was the innocent one hurt by his decisions. He held her close and guided her out of the jail.
He got her into his rental car and went around to the driver’s seat. Lily was bent over crying. Ty pulled her into his arms.
“Cry it out, baby. When you’re ready we’ll go to the hotel and check out and fly to
Texas
. I’m sure Brent, Angie, and the others will be glad to see us.”
She sobbed for several minutes. His heart ached and he wished he knew what was the best thing to say, but maybe just being here was enough.
Finally, she raised her head and gave him a watery smile. “I’m sorry for soaking your shirt.” She patted her hand on the wet spot.
“No problem. My shoulder is always available for you.”
His words brought a faint grin to her face. “I’m ready to leave this town behind.” She sat straight in her seat.
Ty turned on the ignition and headed for the hotel. He noticed she didn’t look back. He took charge. While Lily rested he settled the bill, and called the family. He couldn’t resist telling them the good news. He asked them to be at the airport to greet them. It would be a surprise for Lily. Finally, he checked to be sure the plane was ready and waiting for them.
In less than two hours they were on their way to
Texas
. Lily was weak and washed out from the emotional upheaval As soon as the plane’s light came on to unfasten the seat belts, Ty stood and undid hers.
“There’s a perfectly comfortable bedroom in the back of this plane. I’m going to put you to bed, and you are going to sleep. You need the rest.” He patted her belly. “And so does our son or daughter.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind that I’m pregnant? You’re not just being nice because you don’t have any other recourse?”
“I came to
Philadelphia
to ask you to marry me. To tell you I wanted it all, you, children, the whole works. Remember, I love you. I’m sorry I put you through so much before I came to my senses. I’m just glad you didn’t throw me out.”
Lily grinned. “I didn’t have the heart or the strength to do that.”
He carried her to the back and pushed a door open. Inside was a luxurious suite, bedroom, and bath. Ty placed her on the bed, helped her take off her clothes, and tucked her under the covers.
“I thought you were coming to bed with me?” She reached her arms up toward him.
“I will later. I’m going to talk with the pilot. I’ll be back.” He turned off the lights and went through the lounge area to knock on the door to the cockpit. The pilot and copilot grinned at him as he came inside.
“My fiancée isn’t feeling well. She’s lying down. Buzz us back in the bedroom suite about forty-five minutes before landing time.”
“Sure, Ty, no problem. I noticed she was pale when she came onboard. Anything else you need?” the pilot asked.
“No. Talk with you later.”
Ty walked slowly back to Lily. He could have called on the intercom, but he had wanted to give her a chance to fall asleep. She needed it, and if he’d lain down beside her right then they might have forgotten, at least temporarily, about sleep. He would have. His desire for her had not abated one bit, but he knew she needed his strength right now more than anything else.
She’d curled into a ball under the covers and was fast asleep. Ty undressed and carefully slid into bed beside her. He pulled her into his arms. Her warm body snuggled up to him and she sighed.
“You smell good.”
Her soft breath brushed across his neck, causing his cock to harden. But as she settled and went back to sleep, he relaxed and enjoyed having her in his arms, safe and secure. He couldn’t wait to put the wedding ring on her finger and make her his for sure.
Doing without her this past month and a half had taught him a hard lesson. He grinned to himself. She might be small, but she was strong and determined, and would definitely keep him on his toes.
He must have dozed. He woke to feel small, warm hands roving over his body. “You are living dangerously,” he warned.
“I hope so.” Lily moved her leg along his. “I woke to find a sexy cowboy in bed with me. All mine to play with.” Her hand slid up the inside of his leg and wrapped around his already hard, aching cock.
“Look what I found.” She raised her head and smiled that sweet, dazzling look that made his heart catch.
“What do you plan to do with it?”
Her hand moved slowly up and down his length, while her lips kissed his chest and her tongue rubbed across his nipples.
“I thought I’d start here and work my way down.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me.” Ty lay back and let her kiss and tease his body. Eventually, her warm mouth closed around his dick and a shot of pleasure zinged up his spine. Her tongue licked the top of his cock. It was all he could do not to pull her up and bury himself in her hot pussy. He forced himself to lie still and let her take the lead.
When she cupped his balls and sucked on his dick, he groaned and ran his hands through her soft hair.
“Ah, sweetheart, I want to come inside you. Come here.”
Lily raised her head. “You’re sure you want me to stop the attention I’m giving to this area?”
“For now, yes.” Before she said another word or could move, he had her under him. His legs wrapped around hers and he held her head between his hands and stared into her eyes. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
“I’m positive.”
His mouth covered hers. She opened and his tongue swept inside tasting her, caressing the warm interior.
“I’ll spend the next fifty years making up for the past few months,” he promised. He kissed her neck and the curve of neck and shoulder. Then his hands cupped her breasts, and he rubbed his tongue across each taut nipple. She moaned and moved under him.
Sliding down he kissed her abdomen and nuzzled her mound. Her particular fragrance filled his nostrils, increasing his desire to be inside her. He separated her luscious, pink folds and rubbed his tongue across her clit.
“Fill me, take me,” she groaned.
Ty spread her legs and put his pulsing cock at her pussy opening. “Ready for me, darlin’?”
“Yes.”
He slid into warmth and a snug tightness. It was like coming home. For a second, he held still and gazed at her face. She gave him a slow, loving smile.
“How about we do this easy,” he said as he began to move very slowly deeper inside her. He kept their gazes locked as his cock stroked her inner walls that clasped him close. When he felt the ripples start inside her, he quickened his pace and took them both up into sheer pleasure together.
She held him close even when he tried to move off of her.
“I’m too heavy. Let me roll to the side and hold you.” Reluctantly, she loosened her grip. As soon as he lay beside her, he pulled her against him. “Sleep for a few minutes. We’ll have to get up and dress before long.”
Nuzzling her head under his chin and her leg over his thigh, she closed her eyes and soon was asleep. He lay awake enjoying the feel of her. For the first time in years, he was happy and content.
* * * *
Lily woke to find Ty dressing. His hair was damp. “You showered without me.”
“If we’d showered together the plane would have landed, and we’d still be naked.”
“I suppose you’re right. Do I have time to get cleaned up?”
“Sure. I was getting ready to wake you. You have about forty minutes before we have to be in our seats.”
She got out of bed and started to the bathroom. The heat of Ty’s gaze had her glancing back. “Regretting your decision?”