Night Swimming (26 page)

Karen inspected herself critically, a pleased smile growing on her face. “Yeah, I think I’ll keep it this way— the braids were getting kind of itchy,” she admitted. Her eyes met Lily’s. “You got a nice cut, too, Lily.”

“Thanks. It’s not quite as dramatic a transformation as yours, but they put some of that goop on my head, too. I may have hated it, but my hair thinks differently.”

“They do any other weird stuff to you? The woman who gave me a pedicure went at my feet with a boulder.”

“Yeah.” Lily nodded. The movement made the ends of her newly cut hair brush featherlike against her cheekbones. “They plastered my face with seaweed,” she said with a laugh. “I didn’t know how to tell them that I’m up close and personal with seaweed three hundred and sixty-five days of the year. Then they rubbed my body with salt—at least, that’s what I think it was. Again, I didn’t have the heart to tell them I get plenty of sea salt, too.” She shrugged, grimacing as she did so. “I think some of my hair must have gotten under this smock because it’s all prickly. I’m starving, too. Though I’m probably going to have to
eat
seaweed from now until the party if I want to wear the dress my mother and Fiona Gray picked out for me. What do you say we change and get out of here?”

“Definitely.” Karen allowed herself one last happy glance at the mirror before turning away. “But Lily?”

“Yeah?”

“I had a blast. Thanks.”

Lily grinned back at Karen. “We can both thank Granny May. This was her brainchild.”

Later that evening, Lily went to swim practice. The combined effect of her shopping expedition with Kaye at Fiona Gray’s boutique and her so-called makeover at the day spa had made Lily extremely aware of her body. And thanks to Kaye and Fiona’s choice of evening dress, everyone at Granny May’s party was going to be, too. She hoped she didn’t give her grandmother a heart attack when she walked through her front door.

Swimming a few miles might make all those bulges she was sure she’d seen in the dressing room mirror disappear miraculously.

But Lily had another reason, far more important, to go to the swim practice. Sean might be there.

Her spirits plummeted when Sean wasn’t anywhere on the pool deck, but they recovered somewhat when Hal gave her one of his rib-breaking hugs of welcome.

“Lily.” Hal grinned. “I hoped you’d come. So Sean passed along my message?”

Her heart thudded heavily at the mere mention of Sean’s name. “Sean? No, I haven’t seen him.”

Hal scowled darkly. “Guess I’ll have to beat him up again.”

“You beat Sean up?” she asked.

“Broke him down might be a better way to describe it. Came by yesterday afternoon in a really bad mood, cruising for a fight.”

Lily swallowed. That must have been just after he’d seen her at Norma Jean’s. “Anyway,” Hal continued, “I gave him a workout he won’t forget. He was one hurtin’ puppy by the time he left.”

“I didn’t know you had this sadistic streak in you, Hal.”

“Sean didn’t, either,” he chuckled. “Good thing he thrives on challenges. That’s why he likes us so damn much—”

“I’m not sure he likes me very much at the moment,” she said with a sad smile.

“Sean likes you fine,” Hal said firmly. “You’re one of the few people strong enough to stand up to him. And keep on doing it, Lily—it’s what he needs. Go hop in the lane with Dave. He’s a nice guy, just don’t let him talk you out of swimming hard.”

“Dr. Lily Banyon, welcome to lane eight!” Dave said, as she dropped her fins and pull buoy beside him. “I was getting lonely with Sean gone.”

Me, too.
“Hi, Dave. When’s he due back?” She tried to keep her voice casual.

“Saturday . . . I think that’s what he said.”

Lily pinned a smile to her face. “Then it’s just you and me. By the way, I should warn you, Hal suspects you’re not putting your ‘all’ into his workouts.”

“He’s right. If I did, I wouldn’t have strength left to lift a beer bottle to my lips, which is the only reason to swim.”

“To lift beer bottles?”

“No, to drink what’s
inside
them. And tonight’s not the night to start taking Storey’s workouts too seriously. I’m picking Karen up after practice. We’re going to the Rusted Keel. Want to join us? There’ll be others from the team.”

“Thanks, I’d like that. And since you’ve been kind enough to invite me to tag along, would you like to come to my grandmother’s seventieth birthday?” She struggled not to laugh at the appalled look on Dave’s face. “In addition to a house full of silver-haired grandparents, Karen might come—she’s still undecided.”

“I love old folks, but let me swim on this. Whoops, here comes Hal.” Dave’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Buy you a beer, Dr. Banyon, if you slack off a wee bit on the workout.”

“Sorry, Dave. I have to fit into my party dress.”

The phone was ringing as she opened the apartment door, Karen a step behind. Quickly walking over to it, she picked it up. “Hello?”

“Don’t hang up.”

The sound of Sean’s voice triggered an explosion of happiness within her. Lily spun around from the knowing grin on Karen’s face, who was mouthing, “I told you so!”

“Lily, are you there?”

“Yes,” she answered breathlessly. Her hand clenched the phone, pressing it closer to her ear, wanting him close. “Yes, I’m here. Sean, I’m sorry—I didn’t mean any of the things I said—”

“Ahh, Lily, I’m the one who’s sorry. I really screwed up the other night.” His voice deepened. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you once. I just sat through twelve hours of meetings, and I can’t remember a single word that was said. I’m in serious trouble here, Lily,” the admission a husky caress.

Lily shut her eyes, giddy with happiness. “Me, too,” she said softly. “I miss you.”

“Hot damn,” he whispered in an awed voice.

Laughter tumbled from her lips. “Were you this eloquent at the meetings, Mr. Mayor?”

“Not nearly. So, can I see you tomorrow?”

“Before or after Granny May’s party?”

“Christ, I’d forgotten all about that. I was hoping for a more private reunion. How about before, during, and after? I’ll pick you up. Think of me until then. Sweet dreams, Lily.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“Bye, Karen, have a good time tonight. Say hi to Dave for me,” Lily called, loud enough to be heard through the closed door.

Karen’s door opened a crack and her nose peeked through. “Wait!” she said, sticking her wet head out further. “Let me see. Ooh, Lily, that’s pure dynamite. I almost wish Dave and I were going.”

Lily gave a nervous laugh. “No, believe me, a double feature of
The Invasion of the Body Snatchers
and
It
Came from Outer Space
will be a lot more entertaining.”

“It
will
be cool.” Karen nodded enthusiastically. “It’s so great the community college is running this series. These old films hardly ever get shown on big screens anymore.”

“Well, enjoy yourself. Uh, I’m not sure when I’ll get back.”

Karen’s eyes twinkled. “Me neither. Dave said there’s this blues bar . . .”

“And who knows where that will lead?”

It was Karen’s turn to blush. “Dave’s nice.”

“Yes. I agree. And you’ve got him wrapped around your finger.” Lily smiled, recalling the dazed expression on Dave’s face last night when he got his first glimpse of Karen’s new look. She didn’t think Dave would be watching much of the double feature, as he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off Karen. “Have fun tonight.”

“You, too, Lily, though I’d say in that dress it’s guaranteed. Sean won’t know what hit him.”

“I think that was Kaye’s and Fiona’s intention. I only hope I can pull it off.”

“I wouldn’t worry on that account.”

May Ellen’s party was to begin with cocktails at six P.M., followed by a dinner, which was being catered and served by the staff from Marco’s. Ordinarily, Lily would be drooling with anticipation at the thought of sampling Marco’s delicious creations again. In the dress she was wearing tonight, however, she doubted she would dare accept so much as a carrot stick.

She pulled her dark gray raincoat from her closet, buttoned it, then knotted the belt firmly about her waist. The leering doormen loitering in the lobby weren’t going to get a single peep. She glanced around, certain she was forgetting something, shaking her head when she saw the beaded black clutch.
The things a woman has to keep
track of,
she thought. Drawing a deep breath to steady her nerves, she glanced at the clock for the thousandth time. There were five minutes left before Sean said he’d pick her up. But she was too nervous to wait in the apartment. She’d go downstairs, she decided. Pulling the front door open, she gave a soft gasp of surprise.

Sinfully handsome in an impeccably tailored black tux, Sean stood in her doorway. “Hello, Lily.” He raised his hand and held out a single white rose.

Fingers trembling, they brushed his as she accepted his offering. Throat too constricted with emotion to do more than whisper her thanks, she brought the rose to her face and inhaled its delicate perfume.

Sean stared at the woman who haunted him night and day, mesmerized by her loveliness. During his trip, he’d thought of her constantly, drawing on the myriad memories he possessed. Tonight she seemed different somehow. Something about her subtly altered, which made her features even more alluring.

His eyes swept over that face he knew, yet didn’t, only slowly realizing what had changed.

Lily was wearing makeup.

Not heavy, dulling layers of the stuff, just a touch to accentuate her natural beauty—black mascara framed the dazzling clarity of her eyes, a sweep of shimmery blush accentuated her high, slanting cheekbones, a lick of gloss applied to her lips made her mouth temptingly moist.

When Lily’s eyes lifted slowly, meeting his, Sean saw what was the greatest transformation of all. Her eyes no longer held that touch of cool reserve. Tonight they glowed with a warm joy. His heart pounded in his chest.

“You look exquisite,” he said quietly. “I don’t dare kiss you, as I frankly don’t think I could stop. But after this party, Lily . . .” He let the sentence trail off.

And Lily understood that its ending was hers to finish. “Yes,” she replied, her voice equally quiet. “Yes, after the party.” A sudden fit of nerves assailed her. She reached for the belt of her raincoat and gave it another firm tug.

Sean noticed the raincoat for the first time. He shook his head. “Your grandmother’s in luck. The weather’s held; it’s a beautiful evening.” He gestured to the functional overcoat, totally incongruous with the black evening gown that showed beneath its hem. “You don’t really need to wear that—”

Lily’s soft laugh answered him and a secret smile played over her lips. “Oh, yes, I do.”

Sean didn’t fully comprehend the significance of Lily’s enigmatic smile or her cryptic comment until they stood in May Ellen’s entry hall.

“Let me take your coat,” he offered, moving behind her, his fingers ready to pluck it from her shoulders.

Slowly Lily unknotted the belt and dealt with the buttons. Sean saw her shoulders lift as she took a long, indrawn breath.
No doubt she was steeling herself for a
party dominated by nosy seventy-year-olds,
he thought.

Then Lily stepped out of the coat.

And he stood transfixed. His breath caught, trapped in his throat.

Lily in a black evening dress. A black dress—that should have been something he could handle. But this one, it was black and sparkled as though sewn with a thousand diamonds. Black, sparkling, it was also sheer, a tantalizing veil. Nearly transparent, the evening dress clung to Lily’s elegant, womanly body like the caress of a loving hand. Her back to him, Sean’s eyes traced curves molded by shimmering darkness.

When she turned, his breath escaped in a low hiss— eyes seeing what his besieged brain had failed to grasp.

The dress hung from Lily’s shoulders by the slenderest of straps. That the dress was diabolically designed, sewn with an extra layer of sheer fabric, cleverly concealing the lush outline of her breasts, didn’t stop the truth from exploding in his mind, nearly destroying him.

Lily was braless, braless in that sinful gown, and he knew that all evening long that thought would pound in his fevered mind.

Lily saw Sean’s stunned expression and how his eyes flared, burning bright. She saw his struggle to control his rampant desire and the monumental effort that exacted. What she saw made her heart skip and then race madly, and she offered silent thanks to Kaye and to her grandmother. The dress was a wondrous gift, one that gave Lily the courage to conquer and claim her love.

“Lily, my dear, don’t you look spectacular!”

Lily smiled and kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “Thank you, Granny May, I wasn’t quite sure until a moment ago,” she said, glancing sideways at Sean.

“Really? Let me take a look.” May Ellen, regal in a long-sleeved, lavender gown and a rope of cultured pearls wrapped about her neck, stepped back and inspected her granddaughter from head to toe. “Why ever not? Kaye was right. It’s perfect for you. She has impeccable taste. She would never choose anything remotely unbecoming. And what do you think, Sean?”

Sean’s jaw tightened. The dress was bewitching. A perfect foil for Lily’s incomparable beauty. “I’d say Kaye knew exactly what she was doing.”

“Just so.” May Ellen nodded approvingly. “Not every woman could wear this. Such a lovely figure you have, my dear. Come, let me show you off.”

“Wait, Granny May.” Lily opened her clutch and withdrew a slender, square box. “Happy early birthday,” she said, and pressed her lips to May Ellen’s soft, lined cheek.

“Lily! You shouldn’t have! May I open it?” May Ellen’s hands were already tugging at the simple ratafia bow.

“I hope you like it. I found it in the Seychelles.”

“Oh! It’s lovely!” May Ellen carefully lifted the sea horse into the palm of her hand. It was perfectly preserved, from the elongated, square snout, to the fanned ridges of its dorsal, to the tip of its delicately swirled tail. “Thank you, Lily. Besides your being here tonight, this is the nicest present I could imagine, because it will always remind me of you.” Linking her arm through Lily’s, she said, “Come along, Sean, and help me introduce Lily. She may not remember everyone.”

Lily was soon separated from Sean, brought into the fold of this group or that. But she never lost the sensation of Sean’s eyes watching her with a feral intensity. At dinner, she and Sean were placed next to each other and the tension that sizzled between them became almost unbearable. Though Lily gave every appearance of following the animated conversation around their table, every cell of her being was tuned to the dark, thrilling danger emanating from him.

By midmeal she was dying to leave. Dessert and champagne passed in a haze of toasts, clapping, and smiles, none of which registered. Then her grandmother stood up from her place. And suddenly, as endless as the dinner party had seemed, it was over. Lily glanced across the room where Kaye was seated. Kaye’s smile was knowing as she nodded, and then gave Lily a quick wink.

The message was clear: Lily was free. Kaye would say the necessary politeness when she disappeared.

She rose wordlessly, knowing Sean would follow.

She breathed in the night air, hoping it would clear his head, cool the blood that sizzled as it coursed through him. He walked with his eyes trained on the sensual sway of her hips encased in moon glittery black. His fingers dragged at the bow tie of his tux, loosened it, and pulled it off. Shirt studs and cufflinks dropped onto grass, onto sand, as Lily led him down to the beach. His jacket landed at the foot of a palm tree.

He watched as she bent down to remove her high-heeled sandals. For a moment she was caught in a moon-beam of silvery white, a nymph of pagan beauty.

“Hi,” she said softly as she straightened.

“Hello.” Sean thrust his hands deep into his trouser pockets. They were balled in tight fists to prevent him reaching out and pulling her into his arms. As fiercely aroused as he was, his mood was mercurial. Some primal part of his being resented her ability to bring him to this flashpoint of need so effortlessly.

“That was kind of fun tonight, don’t you think?” Though her voice was low, it carried over the sounds of the gentle surf.

He shrugged, his shoulders shifting beneath his tuxedo shirt.

Lily appeared not to notice his obstinate silence. Letting her sandals drop to the sand, she spoke again, her voice musing. “It’s so beautiful here at night. I’d forgotten how quiet it is. Just the sea and the palm trees stirring. I guess when we were kids we were too loud to notice the quiet.”

She had strayed to the edge of the water, her pale hair a silvered halo about her face. Sean stared, unable to look away, his heart hammering inside his chest. Her lips shimmered faintly as they parted in a smile. “I love the water on nights like this.” As though proving her words, she raised the hem of her dress, exposing the delicate points of bone and sinew of her ankles, and stepped into the gently lapping water.

He swallowed. “What are you doing?”

“Testing the water. It’s cool. Delicious. Like that champagne we were drinking earlier.”

“And how much have you drunk?”

She laughed, a musical note that teased lightly. Balancing on one leg, she raised the other until only the toe of her arched foot trailed through the surf. “Sean, you know exactly how much I’ve drunk. You’ve watched me all night, watched me swallow, seen the way I forced each sip past my throat. Little tiny sips, droplets really, because everything inside me is wound tight from wanting you.”

She stepped back onto the sand and approached him unhurriedly. Her eyes were fixed on his face as she drew near, loving how the moon cast his handsome features in savage relief. Loving him. “You’ve watched me as I watched you.” She stopped a short distance from him. Her hands grasped the fabric of her dress and began gathering it, slowly lifting it higher and higher. “The water’s perfect, Sean. Perfect for a night swim. Come in with me. Come and swim in the night.”

Lily’s invitation had Sean tearing off his shirt. For a second, it floated, parachute-like, before drifting to the sand. In the moonlight, his chest, with its smooth, sculpted planes, heaved with each labored breath. With the same rough speed, his hands moved to the fastening of his trousers, but then Sean stilled.

“Undress for me, Lily,” he commanded softly. “Show me what I’ve dreamed of.”

She smiled, the simple curve of her lips conveying everything she felt for him. Her dress rose.

Sean dropped to his knees before her.

They came together in the sea. Fierce and elemental, wrapped in each other’s arms, he moved, surged inside her in counterpoint to the waves breaking against them, to the water sweeping around them. A gentle, generous plundering, he took everything she gave him. Offering all he had in return. She melted, pouring herself over him, and her cry of joy pierced the night sky. Thrusting deep into her core, he took her with him. As one, they plunged to a fathomless love.

Her limbs still trembling, her body replete, he carried her in his arms, up the silent, deserted beach to the shelter of the palms, where he eased her down upon the soft sand. Lily lay, languorous from his passion, gleaming from the sea. Sean knelt, his arms braced over her, drinking in the sight of her, with a thirst that was unquenchable. Lowering his mouth to her, he tasted ocean warmed by silken flesh. His lips traveled, catching drops of salt, savoring the sweet tang of desire. Dipping his tongue into the shallow indentation of her navel, he pressed a smile against her quivering flesh, at the throaty moan of pleasure he’d wrung from her, and continued his erotic journey.

She felt like liquid, flowing wherever he touched. And Sean touched her everywhere as he loved her with his mouth, as he worshipped her with his hands. When the wet warmth of his tongue probed her core, sampling her essence, she came in a flowing rush of ecstasy, her back arching as the pleasure went on and on, as she wept his name to the stars.

Smooth and fluid he moved over her, his mouth seeking hers. Entwined, their bodies pressed against each other, the contact triggering their desperate wanting anew.