Page 15 of Claiming Lily (Claiming 2)

Chapter Eight

Lily

“Remember what we agreed. Let Miller do all the talking. If he set this meeting up in some fucked up attempt to mess with your head, it won’t take long for him to show his true motives. Narcissistic assholes like him just can’t help themselves,” Callum says as we sit at the table in the meeting room.

The Brunel Suite is a small but elegantly furnished room. Low-level units run the length of the wall with coffee, tea, and bottled water placed at one end. We’ve prepared for this meeting as if it’s the real deal, and Callum has set up the laptop, linking it to the projector on the wall.

“Okay. And you won’t leave me alone with him, right?”

“Never. I’ll be right here the whole time, Angel,” he promises, his silver eyes intent on mine.

I thought I’d be more nervous, but Callum’s calming presence and reassuring words have taken most of the fear out of this situation. His faith and trust in me are humbling, as is the desire I see in his eyes every time he looks at me.

And as of ten minutes ago, after his words outside his room, I’m done fighting it. I want him, for however long he’ll have me. I almost don’t care about Miller Cooper anymore. He’s become irrelevant. I just want this meeting to be done so that Callum can make good on his promise to spread me out on his bed—hopefully naked—and kiss me senseless.

“I’ll just quickly run and use the bathroom,” I say, the coffee I drank in my room earlier playing havoc with my bladder.

“I’ll come with you,” Callum says, starting to rise from his chair.

Part of me loves that he’s so protective, but I place a hand on his arm to stall him. “I’m a big girl. I can pee on my own.”

He nods abruptly, obviously not happy about letting me out of his sight for any longer than the two minutes it will take me to empty my bladder.

I hurry from the room, looking around for a sign for the nearest bathroom. I spy one at the far end of the corridor and hurry towards it.

Once I’ve taken care of business, I wash my hands in the sink, run the cold tap, and splash water on my flushed face. I pause to look at my reflection in the mirror, noting my bright eyes and pink cheeks.

I’m standing in a hotel bathroom, my stomach performing loops and my heart beating me to death – not because of the impending meeting with Miller Cooper, but because I’m in love with Callum.

The knowledge settles over me like a comforting blanket on a chilly day. I always thought love was one emotion, but it’s not. It’s a combination of hope, trust, and finding that one true connection. It’s lust, want, and desire beyond anything I could’ve imagined. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

I smile at my reflection, feeling lighter, more carefree. “You’ve got this, Lily. Get this done, and then go claim your man.”

Straightening my spine, I stride from the bathroom… and plow face-first into a man-shaped wall.

I let out a startled squeak as a hand snakes out, grasping my upper arm in a grip that borders on bruising. Regaining my balance, I look up into the cold blue eyes of the one man I didn’t want to be alone with.

“Hello, Lily,” Miller Cooper says, his mouth tipped up in a smug smile. “Thought you were never coming out of there. You really should be more careful, you know, throwing yourself at me like that.”

Throwing myself at him?

My blood catches fire, and I yank my arm from his grip with a snarl, almost toppling backward onto my butt with the force of my movement. “Take your fucking hands off me!”

Miller holds his hands up, palms facing me. “Now, don’t be like that. I just wanted to catch you on your own before the meeting. You don’t want your new boss to miss out on a lucrative deal with Miller Corp, now, do you?”

This poor excuse for a man is unbelievable. “Are you threatening me?”

Miller’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “You damaged my reputation, Lily. You destroyed my marriage. My wife is filing for divorce because of your allegations,” he spits, his watery blue eyes full of vitriol. “Now, if you want your boss to get my business, you’re going to be a good girl and publicly retract your accusations against me. You’re going to tell everyone what really happened between us.”

The nausea I’ve been suppressing threatens to find its escape all over his expensive leather shoes. “What really happened is that you forced me up against a wall and shoved your hand up my skirt! Paint it any way you like, Mr. Cooper, but it doesn’t change the facts. You’re a sexual predator who uses your position to prey on women!”

“What the hell did you expect, sashaying around my office in those tight little skirts and low-cut blouses, practically rubbing my nose in it?” he accuses, his lip curling with disdain as he moves towards me. “There’s only so many times a man can turn a blind eye when it’s offered to him on a plate!”

Offered to him on a plate? Is he fucking crazy? I’d rather sell my left kidney than offer myself to this man. “Nice try, but I’m done being the victim of you and your twisted version of events. Go fuck yourself!” I go to move past him, but his hand snags my wrist. “Let. Me. Go!” I yell loudly, struggling to free myself.

“Take your fucking hands off her!” a voice growls from behind me. I whip my head around, almost sagging in relief as I see Callum standing there, murder in his eyes.

“Ah, Rogen. Good to meet you,” Miller says casually, dropping my wrist and extending a hand towards Callum.

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