knew that Pierre was gone.
“ Oh that,” I replied in a nonchalant tone. “No, silly, why would I say yes?”
“ I heard he was blackmailing you,” he answered. It was then I knew it was him. He called the INS. But I didn’t ask. I couldn’t and didn’t really want to know for sure.
“ He’s gone now,” I answered. “So, it doesn’t matter anymore. But Jim…” I hesitated.
“ I know, I know…” he interrupted. “Stay away from La Papillion… old story, same song.”
“ He said he’d fire me.”
“ You don’t need to work,” he replied. “I have plenty of money.”
I laughed. “Please Johnny. It won’t kill you to stay away.”
He put both hands on either side of my face and looked hard into my eyes. “I don’t know, it might.” Just then he pressed his lips most gently against mine. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. I was terrified of the feelings that were wildly stirring within me. He let me go and said, “I love you, Lilly. I’m ready to commit to you. You’re all I think about.” He hesitated. “Am I too late?”
“ God help me,” I answered. “But I love you too.” I felt like I was home in his arms. He pulled me close and continued to kiss me until he laid me down beneath him on the couch. I could feel my will power diminishing as he overtook me with his eagerness.
At that moment he pulled back from me. “Lilly, are you ready for this?” I couldn’t speak. My body and mind were no longer communicating. I reached out and touched his cheek. I could feel his breath on my face and I could not move.
“ I love you,” I answered. “Yes, I’m ready.” He put his lips on mine and I had lost all control of what was happening to my body. Then, like the sunsets into the horizon, we were as one.
Chapter 5
BANG!
I woke in the morning feeling like a different person. When I got out of bed, I could smell the bacon and hear the coffee brewing. “Good morning, sleepy head,” a familiar voice whispered in my ear. He leaned over me with his lips almost against my ear.
“ You’re up early,” I answered. He was already up, dressed and cooking breakfast.
“ Too beautiful a day to sleep it away,” he responded. “Eggs?”
I sat up and grabbed my clothes. We had slept on the couch all night. I put them back on and I sat down at the table. He put before me an omelet with bacon and coffee. “I could get used to this.” I smiled. He was so at home in the kitchen. He whistled as he cooked and moved like music.
“ Lilly?” he asked. “Why didn’t you tell me this was your first time?”
A feeling of alarm went through my body. He was so experienced; I was reluctant to reveal such a secret. “I was afraid you might change your mind if you knew.” I could feel my face blushing. “Did I do something wrong?” I began to get concerned. He smiled at me in a comforting way. “How did you know?”
“ Of course I knew .” He grabbed my hands. “I could just tell that you hadn’t done anything like that before. It was a nice change for me.”
“ I’ll bet,” I said sarcastically. “Were you disappointed?”
“ Disappointed?” He pulled me up out of my chair. “I couldn’t be happier.” He pulled me close and let his lips graze mine as I felt myself collapsing in his arms. “I’m so in love with you,” he said as he released me and let me sit back down. He poured me some more coffee. “Still want me to stay away from the restaurant?” He laughed a little.
“ I swear, if you get me fired….”
“ Now, now…” He sat down in front of me. “I’m just playing with you. I’ll stay away.” I smiled and felt like I had gotten my point across.
A little time had passed and I looked at my watch. The unthinkable moment had approached. “I think it’s time we realize that I have to go home.” I finished my eggs and he took my plate away from me.
“ What can I do to make you stay?” He looked over his shoulder from the sink,