Eyeing the big purple dildo resting innocently among the other toys, Lily cocked a brow. A woman must do what she must to get through the day.

Hefting the phallus, she tested its flexibility and girth. Not as grand as Jude’s cock by any means, but it would suffice. Kicking off her heels, she crawled onto the king-sized bed with her prize, hiked her short linen skirt to her waist, and lay on her back.

Spreading her legs, she ran a palm over her bare abdomen to the tiny, neat triangle at the apex of her thighs. She loved the sensual feel of naked skin and springy curls under her fingers, her pussy exposed and ready-underwear being a confining irritant she avoided unless absolutely necessary. Sporting a bare bottom was also her private acknowledgment of the needs she held in ruthless check. Her brand of rebellion, her secret kick.

Moving her hand lower, she skimmed the slick, naked folds, her blood singing with passion she rarely allowed past her barriers except when alone. Here, she could indulge in her fantasies and leave the coldhearted bitch behind.

Dipping a finger into her hot channel, she moaned, working the digit in and out, then spreading the cream all over her pussy. All around her clit, teasing as much as she dared, until her sex dripped and her body ached for release.

Fully prepared, she gripped the base of the dildo in her right hand and nudged the bulbous head between the swollen lips. Pushed inside, bit by bit, until the fake cock was buried in her needy cunt.

“Oh, yes,” she hissed. As she pumped it slowly, a face formed in her mind. A gorgeous face taut with ecstasy and surrounded by long auburn hair, muscles flexing as he drove into her depths, unable to get enough of her. “Jude… God, yes, fuck me.”

And in her fantasy, he did, cock shiny and thick, owning every part of her. Then her lusty daydream shifted and she imagined him doing the same to Tamara tonight, perhaps while Lily watched. Or even joined in the fun…

Helpless against the onslaught of sizzling images, she hurtled over the edge, hips bucking as she cried out. Orgasm slammed her with a series of jolts that fried her nerve endings, spun her out of control.

Gradually, they tapered off and she lay boneless, satisfaction sinking her into the bed. Damn, she’d needed that, and it was good.

But the real thing would far surpass the experience.

With a contented sigh, she removed the dildo and slid off the bed, heading for the bathroom to freshen up. As she stepped inside, it occurred to her that she hadn’t exactly been quiet. Jude might’ve heard, and the idea caused her to flush with rare embarrassment. And longing.

If he had heard, would he comment? Would he even care?

Shaking her head ruefully, she caught sight of herself in the mirror and paused, taking in her appearance. Her small, fine-boned face was pink from exertion, brown eyes large and surrounded by a fringe of dark lashes. Disheveled black hair tumbled in a glossy mess almost to her waist.

She was cynical and practical about her looks-she knew men found her attractive, and her appearance served a purpose. It had always been the best weapon in her possession.

Except for now, when it counted the most.

Why wasn’t she sorry about that?

Because for once, I want to be a woman, not a weapon. I want to forget why I’m here. I want a man to see beneath the surface, and like what he finds.

Then she thought of her father, cold in the ground, never again to know joy or sorrow.

Because of a traitor like Jude St. Laurent.

“Suck it up,” she told her reflection. “That destiny was never meant to be yours.”

Armor firmly in place, she reached for a washcloth and set about wiping away the traces of her weakness.

If only cleansing her soul were so simple.

Three

Jude stood frozen near his bed, listening to the husky cries drifting from the adjoining room.

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered. His cock lifted in appreciation of the extracurricular activity taking place next door, a scant few yards away.

Apparently, Lily was quite affected by her introduction to his household.

With a grunt of frustration, he adjusted his crotch. Hell, he wasn’t twenty-one anymore; if he were, he might be able to coax his semiawake cock to revive. But he’d come such a short time ago, he’d need longer to recover.

The chirping of the cell phone in the front pocket of his jeans stopped his morbid thoughts on aging before they could run rampant. Digging the slim device from his jeans, he found his bed and sat on the edge before answering.

“Hello?”

“Jude, how the hell are you?”

“Dev! It’s good to hear your voice, man.” He smiled. Nobody could sustain an irritable mood around Devon Sinclair or his pistol of a wife. “I’m fine, just bored as shit. Or I was until my new PA started today.”

“Yeah? Do tell, my friend.” He could picture Dev waggling his blond brows.

“I don’t know much about her yet,” he said, hedging some.

“How much do you know? Come on, don’t leave me hanging!”

“Well, her name is Lily Vale. She’s petite and has a killer whiskey voice. Smarter than me, according to her references.”

“Like that would be a stretch,” he joked. “And?”

“She’s… sexually open. By her admission.”

Dev spluttered. “How the fuck did you manage to learn that so fast when she just got there?”

“She walked in on me and one of my models practicing the big six-nine. To say she didn’t take offense to my lifestyle is an understatement.”

His friend burst out laughing. “Jesus, you’re a piece of work. You know Geneva and I simply must meet her, right?”

“Oh, I figured it wouldn’t take you long to get around to that suggestion, considering,” he said, lips curving wickedly.

“How well you know me.” In the background, Jude heard Dev flipping pages. “Crap, we’re booked solid until next Friday. Dinner, followed by giving Lily a quick tour of the gallery, then a nightcap at our place? What do you say?”

“Dinner in public? I don’t know, Dev…” But he wasn’t as adamant about avoiding going out as he’d been in the previous weeks, and Dev seized the opportunity to push the matter.

“You can’t stay indoors forever, shut away like a bat in a belfry. Time to start living again, Jude.”

“I… all right. Yes, let’s do it.” His stomach flopped just from imagining the ordeal.

“Great! You know we’ll be there for you every step of the way. This is going to be fun!”

Jude chuckled, his friend’s enthusiasm overshadowing his nerves. “It will, but I won’t push Lily into a scene she’s not ready for. If she’s the least bit apprehensive-”

“You wound me, buddy. We’ve never forced anyone to play and we won’t start with your Lily. You know me better than that.”

“I do. Sorry.”

“No problem,” he said, good cheer unfazed. “Next Friday, then. Eight o’clock?”

“Perfect. We’ll swing by and pick you two up.”

“ Geneva and I will look forward to it.” His friend hesitated a moment. “So… how is Liam these days?”

His friend’s odd tone gave him pause. Liam played with Dev and Geneva occasionally, same as himself. The couple adored him. They’d even commissioned a nude painting of Liam for their gallery last year, which hung on proud display. But what was this concern? Where was it coming from?

“He’s fine. Same old happy Liam, you know?”

But was he?

“Oh. Well, that’s good.” Dev cleared his throat. “Just wanted to ask after him. Geneva thinks the boy is all that and a bag of chips, so she told me to ask. Give him our best, will you? See you next Friday, then.”

They said good-bye and disconnected. As Jude tucked away his phone, he put the last part of their exchange out of his mind and realized his mood had lightened considerably. Lily’s arrival had helped, and the plans with Devon and Geneva had put him over the top. He looked forward to next Friday-it had been far too long since he’d enjoyed his friends’ company.