He cupped her cheek and brought her attention back to him. “Don’t mistake me for being mean, Lily. I care about you, and I know what a nasty piece of work she can be. I don’t want her in our house spitting her lies.”
Her heart soared in her chest. He cared, and for now, it would be enough. Snuggled down, she closed her eyes with a smile on her face.
Chapter Fifteen
“Sir, there’s a Miss Jones here to see you.” His assistant buzzed him in his office.
Wayne pressed his aching head in his hands and looked at the clock on his wrist. He couldn’t deal with this. With it being so close to Christmas, he had plans with Lily. What on Earth could her sister want?
Since her request a few weeks ago, Lily hadn’t mentioned her since.
“What does she want?”
“She won’t say anything, but she says it has to do with your wife.”
Intrigued by anything to do with his wife, he accepted her inside his office.
Seconds later, Stephanie stood smiling at him. She shut the door, and he stood coming around his desk to greet her.
“What can I do for you, Stephanie?” He noticed her attempt at a sultry smile, and he shivered in revulsion. She really thought she was a real beauty that no man could deny. He found her vain and lacking in every department.
“I wanted to see how the honeymoon went. Lily is pretty secretive, and you’ve been back some time. The rumour mill is circling. You’ve already put a bun in her large oven.”
Wayne stifled the laugh with a cough. He’d ordered Lily to never let her family into his home, but on the laughter, the anger brewed beneath at her cutting remark. Lily was perfect, and her sister wouldn’t spoil her new happiness in anyway.
“Well, that’s her prerogative, and I’m going to go with her wishes. If we had any news, we would tell people together.” Their honeymoon, besides the little argument at the start, had been the best time of his life, and he hoped to repeat it for the rest of his life. Wayne would never allow these people to hurt the woman he loved anymore.
“I suppose it’s not great for her. Being cooped up all day in that country house and not even going somewhere special for her honeymoon. I did tell her over the phone it wasn’t natural to not go away.”
His anger spiked. This spiteful bitch had been on the phone to Lily upsetting her in some way. So the gossip magazines had finally found out about their pride and joy. Sighing, he saw past her fake enquiries for the jealousy it was. Wayne knew Stephanie craved the limelight and to have a meal ticket in a man. He was taken.
Stephanie pulled her coat from her body, and Wayne couldn’t believe the audacity of her. She stood before him, naked.
He turned from her, repulsed.
“Come on. I know Lily can’t be much for a man like you. I’ll do anything you want.” Wayne was further disgusted to see she shaved down below. Seriously? What was wrong with a little pubic hair?
Wayne leaned down and grabbed her coat throwing it at her. “I suggest you get out of my office right now.”
Stephanie didn’t listen, placing the coat on the floor, and walking over to him. His anger rose when she placed her hand over his flaccid cock. If Lily had come into the room, na**d and prepared to do the dirty with him, he’d be as hard as rock. The sister was nothing but repulsion to him.
“I don’t get it. Why aren’t you hard?” She pouted.
Women like her really made him sick. Treating her sister like dirt and then attempting to steal the husband. She had another thing coming. Removing her hand, he gripped her wrist and led her to her coat. He placed it on her shoulders and then escorted her to his door.
“For future reference, if you come here like that again, the cozy little allowance you’ve been living with will be stopped.”
She gasped and spun to glare at him. “Most men would fall at my feet to have a shot at me.”
“I’m not most men.”
“Well, you must be to find my fat sister attractive. Or does the little innocent girl routine really do it for you?”
Wayne knew he should never have allowed her in his office. Growling, he threw her out of his office, glaring until she left. He knew she’d cause trouble for him. He had to wait until she struck first. Wayne wasn’t a stupid man, and Stephanie would elaborate this interlude making it everything it wasn’t.
Whatever happened, whatever Stephanie tried to do, would hurt Lily. She was already insecure about her body and her looks. Shaking his head, he warned his assistant never to allow her anywhere near him before going back into his office.
After what had taken place, he wanted to get home and enjoy the comfort of his wife. Her love and care.
****
Wayne smiled as he closed the door to his home, the decorative garland lighting up his world more than it should. Christmas, who’d have thought he’d look forward to the festive time of the year. This year had come around so fast.
He’d offered to take them both away to sunshine, but Lily was having none of it. Lily told their housekeeper, Mary, she’d be cooking Christmas dinner if Mary wanted to join them. Everyone who knew Lily loved her instantly, and the love he had for her even before he met her was off the charts.
Placing the keys on the hook she’d forced him to put up, he went in search of her. Music was playing in the distance, the soft melody of love songs rather than Christmas carols surprised him, but he also knew how much she loved to listen to music.
In no time at all, he found her, and he stood watching her hang decorations on the tree. From the size of the tree, she balanced on the stairs.
His heart constricted in his throat at the threat of her falling. Frowning, Wayne listened as the words suddenly stopped on the music, but the music continued to play. Lily turned on the stairs, and he watched her open her mouth, and the most beautiful sound came out.
Lily Jones could sing like an angel, and it was natural. He heard the track change and watched as she sang the words. She sounded beautiful and danced on the stairs, propped up to help her with the decorations. The passion and love clear on her face.
How hadn’t he heard this before? Her arm swung out for a long pitched note and goose bumps erupted on his arms.
Talented.
Wayne opened the door, and she stopped immediately, coming down the ladder and running into his arms.
He caught her up and took her face between his palms, kissing her.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He laughed laying kisses over her face.
“Tell you what?” A blush stained her cheeks, and she avoided eye contact.