Still Water (16 page)

"Fuck yeah, I would have. He's not worthy to breathe the air you do." Todd's grin fell, and I watched as his fists tightened again. I wanted to kiss him so badly right then. I leaned in and placed my lips tenderly to his full bottom lip.

"Thank you." I smiled against his lips.

"For what?" His eyes searched my face for an answer.

"For listening… That night when I got home, I couldn't sleep. My dad wasn't home, and I knew he was probably out drinking. Whenever he got really upset, he'd go to a bar and drink himself stupid. He normally never drank, only when something really wounded him. I was sick with worry, the weather was bad, it was well-passed closing time for all the bars… and he still wasn't home. Todd, they pulled his car from the bay. He'd driven off the causeway. His blood alcohol was 0.35. I did that to him, to me. I own it. I know it, and I can't breathe every time I think about it. But today…" I sat up straight, trying to gather my wits. I needed Todd to understand the significance of this. Something inside of me recognized that letting him in like this, showing him this small part of me would let him know he could trust me. I knew he needed that. "…today you helped me, because you're the first person I've told. The first person to hear me repent my sin. I knew I could tell you my real thoughts… that you wouldn't judge me, and I'm so freaking grateful."

"Lily, you have nothing to repent for. How could I judge you? Your father made the choice to drink and get behind the wheel. Sure you guys fought, and I think it's honorable that you own your part in that, but his death falls on him. He was an adult, Lil, and he made the choice. You need to know that. It was
his
choice."

For the first time in over a month, I started to believe it. I began to feel free of blame. "It was his choice." The words were faint, but I realized Todd heard them.

Todd brought his mouth to mine with ease. He kissed me so gently and so profoundly I felt as if I was being consumed. We didn't need any more words; we just needed each other. He kissed me like he knew no other way to breathe. I loved his mouth, and I loved how easily his hands brought me to that ultimate climax. I gave him my body again, but this time it was soft, unhurried, and had me aching for release. He was discovering my body in its entirety. My back to his chest, we rested on our sides, his hips driving gently into me, his hot hands on my breasts, and his lips on my neck, his mouth savoring my skin. I felt treasured. I was captured in all that was Todd, and I didn't think I ever wanted to leave this bed.

T
HE HEAT FROM THE
sun was what woke me. I jumped up when I realized I must have fallen asleep. Todd's blinds were opened just enough to let the midday sun pour in across the sheets of his bed. I glanced at the bedside clock — it was just half past noon. I turned to wake Todd, but startled realizing I was alone. My heart dropped for a moment with self-doubt, but I pushed that sentiment down. I needed to feel more secure — more confident. I quickly dressed and pulled my hair back, checking myself in the mirror before I walked out to the living room to see where he had gone. I seemed decent enough.

I opened the door to his bedroom. "Todd?"

"Yeah, out here." I heard clanging of plates.

I followed his voice into the kitchen. I sucked in a breath as I took in the sight of Todd shirtless in just a pair of low-slung jeans. He was obviously going commando, the dark line of hair that led below the seam of his pants and that defined muscular V had me thinking of our morning together in bed; it made my cheeks heat.

"Damn, you're sexy as hell when you blush. I love that you get flustered so easily." Todd handed me a plate, a deep dimpled smile on his face.

"You're ridiculous and vain." Shaking my head with a small smirk, I looked down at the empty plate. "What's this?"

"I made lunch." He looked at me like I was missing the point.

"You did? That's so cute. You cook?" I laughed as he rubbed the back of his neck, obviously uncomfortable with the compliment. "Awe, look who's flustered now, big boy." I bit my bottom lip to suppress my laughter.

"You're asking for it, little girl." He grabbed my wrist and pulled me against his chest.

"Thought you liked it when I begged for it?" My lips pulled into a flirty smile.

Todd's eyes darkened with lust. "Don't tempt me. I'd fuck you across the kitchen table right now if we didn't have to work tonight, but I'm pretty sure you need to be able to stand later."

I gasped. "Todd, you are—"

"Amazing. Sexy as hell. The best thing you'll ever have. Yeah, I know." He smiled bigger than I'd ever seen him smile, the skin around his eyes creased and his dimples were so pronounced I couldn't believe it. Todd's laughter was hearty and had my heart feeling as if it was smiling. He was so beautiful when he was just being him — being silly, he gave off this sense of lightness, and it washed away all the dark spots in my mind.

"You're—"

"An idiot… yeah, I know," he interrupted again. He grabbed the dishtowel from the sink and started to wind it up.

"Don't you dare… Todd, I'm serious." I held the plate up as a shield. He snapped the towel once in my direction, and I squealed. "Todd… don't," I screeched and tried to run from the kitchen, but ran face first into a human wall. Seth. The snap of the towel on my butt pushed my body against Seth even more, and his intensely spicy scent filled my nostrils.

"We having a Lily sandwich today?" Seth's tone was laced with sarcasm, but I slapped his chest for good measure.

"That's never gonna happen. So don't even think it, you perv." I chuckled.

"That's not funny, asshole." Todd's voice held no humor.

"Sorry, man, I was just kidding. Didn't mean anything by it." Seth was apologetic and took a giant step back, almost making me fall to the ground because his weight was no longer there to hold me up.

"Whoa." I stumbled, and Seth grabbed my arm.

"You got it?" Seth snickered.

"Yes. I'm fine, thank you," I said, a bit indignant.

"What'd you make for lunch?" Seth dropped his hold on my arm and walked past me into the kitchen. He was dressed in slacks, a crisp white shirt, and a deep purple tie.

"Just some soup and grilled cheese. You can make your own damn lunch. This is for Lily and me." Todd's voice was back to its usual steady self, and the tension in the room died

I noticed I was still holding my plate in my hand. My fingers absentmindedly gripping it tight.

"Hey, babe, hand me your plate."

I walked into the kitchen and watched Todd dish me up a yummy looking grilled cheese. The bread was a golden brown — just how I liked it — and the cheese spilled from the edges of the crust making my stomach growl. He pulled a bowl from the top cabinet and filled it with tomato soup. I privately smiled. I loved how domestic this tattooed badass was. It was sort of comical.

Seth cleared his throat breaking my attention away from Todd. Seth's tall frame leaned comfortably against the counter. He was smirking and staring at the both of us. "So, how was your morning?"

Todd glared at him through narrowed eyes. "Fantastic. Yours?" Todd placed the soup and sandwich on the kitchen table that was situated in the far corner, next to a set of sliding glass doors that must lead out to the backyard. The kitchen was large for a condo, but the entire place was on the bigger side.

"I got the job." Seth didn't move his eyes from mine. It was strange. I didn't feel like he was doing it to make me feel uncomfortable. It was like he was trying to figure me out.

"What? The teaching gig? That's so awesome, bro!" Todd's voice smiled.

Seth let his stare drop as he gave Todd a brilliant grin. "I did it, man."

"Hell yeah, you did!" They side hugged each other, and I giggled.

"You guys are adorable, should I give you a minute?" I bit the inside of my cheek in an attempt not to burst out laughing.

"Ha-ha, she's funny. You should keep this little hellcat." Seth walked past me and punched me without real force in the arm.
Hellcat?

"I plan on it." Todd gave me a kiss on the cheek. I felt awkward, public displays of affection were something I needed to get used to. "Let's eat."

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Todd

S
ITTING HERE, WATCHING THIS GIRL
— this girl who I'd spent the morning having the most mind-blowing sex with — I felt lucky as shit. She had finally opened up to me just enough to have me craving more. I wanted every damn piece of this chick. I always thought I'd end up with Liz, but for the first time, I was glad I hadn't because I would have missed out on this — and this was pretty spectacular. I didn't kid myself thinking I was falling in love or some shit like that. I needed to know this girl better; I needed to own every aspect of her, her body, her mind, and eventually, her heart before I willing gave over mine. I've learned my lesson, and I wasn't placing all my chips in just yet. But if I were a betting man… I'd bet all my chips would be in the pot soon enough. I smiled around the soup spoon.

"You look dumb. What's with that fucking grin, bro?" Seth's cocky tone had me laughing. Lily looked up from her plate and giggled.

"Fuck off, dude." I took an enormous bite of my grilled cheese and smiled like an idiot at Seth. He was trying to embarrass me in front of Lily. Shithead. "So have you told your dad yet… that you got the job?"

Seth's smile fell. "Nah, I will later." He glanced down at his plate. "You guys going to make it into the studio today? I'd love to go."

"I'd like that. I have an idea for what I'd like to work on today if we have time. I'd need to shower before work. So maybe no recording today, but we could practice?" Lily's lips spread into a cute as hell smile.

"Sure, what did you have in mind?" I was eager to get her into the studio.

"I want to do a duet with you. Do you know the song "
King and Lionheart"
by Of Monsters and Men?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Hell yes, this is going to be amazing!" Seth's palm slapped the table. Lily jumped, and I laughed. Seth's enthusiasm for music never ceased to amaze me.

"Yes, I love that song. That's the song you want to sing with me?" I couldn't help the grin that spread across my damn mug.

"Yes, I think… I think we'd be good together. Don't you?" Her gaze found mine, and I heard the second meaning behind her question.

"I can't think of anything better." Her full lips pulled into a stunning smile, and I felt my chest fill with something I couldn't place. It felt damn good though.

T
HE RAIN POURED DOWN
onto my windshield, blocking the view of my condo's front door. I'd just gotten back from dropping off Lily so she could get ready for work. The radio played loudly as I sat in my driveway trying to comprehend everything that had happened today. This morning ran through my mind – Lily's soft body against mine, and her crazy copper curls everywhere. My body started to respond to the images, and damn if I could help it. I needed to focus on our studio time. Lily's voice was like clear blue water, and I wanted to listen to her every damn day. Our voices together — it was fucking magic. We planned time for tomorrow to practice our duet and a few of her original songs. I was just about to head inside when my phone vibrated.

I opened the locked screen and noticed I'd missed a text from Elizabeth earlier and I had a new text from Lily. I smiled at my phone. Seeing Lizzie's name didn't cause the pain it used to; instead, my chest filled with the warm feeling from earlier as I opened my phone to read Lily's text. Liz's text could wait.

Lily:
Thank you for today.

I tapped out a quick text back.

Me:
Red, that was all you.

Lily:
I'm pretty sure you were there, too. It takes two to tango you know. =)