Education of Simon Lane Read online

  “I’ve been calling all over to no avail. Shit.”

  “Just try to control Jamie. In less than a month, your ladylove will be officially bound to you, Simon, no pun intended. I’m sure if you put your mind to it, you can control Jamie. If not your mind, then maybe…” Sean’s voiced trailed off, heightening the innuendo.

  “Don’t even joke about something like that. I would sooner see my dick drop off than put it there. Fuck! I don’t want to alienate Mary. That’s the problem. If Parker was available, my hands would be clean.”

  “Mary knows her daughter is a flake. You’ll handle it. I know you can. You just make sure you do whatever is necessary to make sure Lilly isn’t hurt by this. If she is, there will be a line of people a mile long seeking retribution on her behalf. I warned you not to fuck her over when you got together. You didn’t listen.”

  “Don’t threaten me, you son of a bitch. I’m tired of reminding you, Sean, that Lilly is my concern now. Not yours. Unless requested, stay the fuck out of her personal life with me, and mine with her.”

  “Oh Simon, you should see me here, shaking in my chair like I’m having a seizure or something because I’m so scared of your threats. Handle this shit, Simon. Just handle it.”

  Chapter Six

  The thoughts rambling in Simon’s head were his rendition of Murphy’s Law: Whatever could go wrong probably would. Each day brought a new, subtle threat from Jamie. She was bound and determined to create a problem. He’d dodged Jamie, threatened Jamie, and had even considered begging her to just keep her mouth shut—all to no avail. She was out for blood. His blood. The only bright spot in his life was the animated excitement on Lilly’s face as the day of their wedding drew near, and that damn job.

  Simon stood in his master bathroom, gazing at his hardened reflection staring back at him. He could have sworn he could hear Lilly humming happily in her bathroom, oblivious to the potential danger that loomed over them like a rain cloud on a seemingly clear and sunny day. He had spent the last three weeks walking on eggshells and praying to God that the not-so-subtle threats Jamie leveraged against him during the past week were just her way of twisting a knife in his ulcer-ridden guts.

  Tonight was his engagement party.

  In one week, his Lilly would officially be his. He just had to get through tonight and keep Jamie quiet until after the wedding. He figured he stood a fighting chance in the role of husband in lieu of live-in boyfriend and lover. Simon dressed in silence, hoping for the best, but braced for the worst. When he exited the bathroom, he stood inert in the huge bedroom they shared. Lilly, impatient as ever, had already left to greet the handful of guests who had arrived at their home; later they would travel as a group to the hotel downtown where the real celebration was to be held.

  Simon harrumphed at the chastising he would hear from her later. He could care less about being late. If he had his way, there would be no pre-party followed by the extravaganza planned at the Hilton, and definitely no big fancy wedding. Simon had suggested to Lilly they hop a flight to Vegas and elope. She was dead set against the idea. Lilly wanted what was left of her family and handful of friends to be present for the most important event of her life, so he gave up the notion of a quick trip to Vegas.

  What Lilly wanted, Simon was more than happy to give.

  Unfortunately, her wants included Chase Crown Mar.

  Tall, sun-blown, dark and handsome in a good-ol’-boy way, Chase was Simon’s nemesis and the town of Crown Mar, Tennessee’s favorite son. Chase, like Sean, was like a brother to Lilly. And just as Sean fawned over Lilly like the proverbial big brother, Chase did too. More so, because Lilly had been born and raised in the hidden little town of Crown Mar, a place she was proud of, but swore she would never return to.

  It was one hell of a coincidence and quite a shock when Lilly told Simon about her relationship to Chase. He wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing that Sean and Chase's relationship was volatile. They had a long history, bitter enemies and rivals. Chase was the unspoken prince of Crown Mar and Sean reigned over the neighboring stretch of McKenna County. Stranger still, like Simon and Sean, Chase had fallen under the spell of a Rouilard woman too, Lilly and Teresa’s older sister, Cassandra.

  Talk about your small worlds.

  While he loved Sean like a brother, Chase he could do without. Simon had no use for a man who did not put his woman first. Chase had never put anyone first—especially his woman. Cassandra Rouilard’s disappearance was shrouded in mystery, but the consensus was Chase had been to blame. Chase, the jackass, had just plain lost Cassie literally. Her sudden departure—and his accompanying guilt—left the poor bastard a changed man, more hardened and heartless as each year passed.

  Sean, on the other hand was more like Simon. Stuck in a situation that kept Sean from Teresa legally, it didn’t stop him from doing whatever was necessary to keep Teresa by his side.

  Fuck Chase Crown Mar, Simon thought. Feeling sorry for Chase was akin to having sympathy for the devil.

  Music and the faint sounds of laughter drifted up to the second floor of their home. He smiled wearily. Anxiety plagued him, and he took a deep breath as he put on his mask of absolute control and self-assurance, intent on masking what he really felt inside. Simon was scared shitless, like a lost little boy, so close to home but faced with a decision of which road to take.

  Slowly, he made his way down to the pre-party. Simon glanced at his Rolex, noting the time, and cautiously moved deeper into the room. He saw Lilly standing with her sister Teresa. Lilly looked stunning in her simple white strapless Vera Wang dress. Her hair was pulled back off her face and held firmly in a little French twist. Her jewelry was modest and simple.

  As he watched her enjoying herself, he decided that if he had to lie for the rest of his life about that stupid job, he would. To keep her happy, it would be worth it.

  “There you are. I was beginning to worry.” Lilly brushed her lips against his cheek. “You okay, baby?” Lilly arched one eyebrow.

  “I am now. I love you. Tell me you love me today, Lilly?”

  “I love you today, and all is finally right with the world.”

  “Hold me.” He whispered against her lips.

  To his delight, she did.

  Amazingly, hours later, as he stood next to his beloved Lilly amidst hundreds of their friends and business associates, the insecurities that had plagued him had all but dissipated and were now practically non-existent. He smiled at Lilly and marveled at her beauty; again he wanted to pinch himself, or better yet, her.

  Any casual observer would not know that a tiger with very sharp claws lived beneath the virginal exterior Lilly presented to the world. Simon glanced around the ballroom at the many guests in attendance. He expelled a sigh of relief, because he didn’t see Jamie. She was not on the guest list, but Simon knew Jamie would not let the lack of an invitation keep her away. Lovingly, he ran the tips of his fingers along Lilly’s bare arm.

  Simon glanced over Lilly’s shoulder to peruse the growing crowd.

  “Shit.” The expletive rolled out of his mouth in a whisper.

  Lilly turned into the arms of the man that walked up behind her, squealed, and then threw her arms around his neck.

  “Chase.” He uttered the man’s name with such disdain, Simon was sure it was the reason for the cross look Lilly bestowed on him.

  “Simon.” Chase responded just as dryly. Then he appeared to dismiss Simon’s presence completely and focused his attention on Lilly, bending slowly to kiss her cheek.

  “How’s my favorite little girl?” Chase’s voice was teasing and Lilly laughed.

  “She’s not a little girl, Chase.”

  “It’s just a figure of speech, Simon.”

  “It sounds sick Chase, like maybe I’m about to marry a ten year old.”

  “Close to it. Compared to your experience, Lilly’s a babe in the woods.”

  “Guys, please, for God’s sake.” She gave Simon a rueful look, and at
the same time, reached out, took his hand in hers, and squeezed it lovingly. The message she sent was loud and clear.

  Calm the hell down!

  He nodded slightly, his silent response of I’ll try was greeted with a frown. Their own brand of silent communication ended with a kiss to Lilly’s cheek and a sneer meant for Chase’s eyes only.

  “Did you get settled in the guest room okay? I want you to be comfortable, Chase. I’m so happy that you’ll be here the entire week. Teresa and Sean will be here, too. Not with Simon and I. Good thing too; Teresa and I agreed you and Sean together under one roof would be asking for trouble, so they’re staying here at the Hilton. Isn’t it wonderful; we are all going to be together?” Lilly hugged Chase again.

  “What the hell are you talking about Lilly? He’s staying with us?”

  “She can’t invite people to stay at a home that is supposedly hers; she has to get permission from you first?” Chased demanded.

  “Of course not, you asshole, and stay the fuck out of this.”

  “Simon!”

  “Don’t Simon me. This guy hates my guts and you don’t see a problem with him staying with us?”

  Chase laughed. Lilly nudged him, and he sobered quickly.

  Simon gave him a cocky grin. “Well?” Simon asked.

  “I can stay at a hotel, Lilly.” Chase spoke before Lilly had a chance to respond. “I don’t want to be the cause of any more friction between the two of you.”

  “There’s no friction, Chase.” Simon bellowed. Aware they were generating an audience, Simon muttered under his breath, “Shit!”

  “According to Lilly, you’ve been a little tense lately. She thinks you’re getting cold feet.” Chase took a sip of his champagne and waited for Simon’s denial.

  “Chase, you’re out of line.” Lilly’s voice was calm but firm. She looked at Simon adding, “I never said that, Baby. Chase is being an idiot as usual. I made an innocent statement, a generalization about men, and Chase is editorializing. I simply meant that men—some men—are predisposed to become increasingly nervous and anxious as their wedding day looms near.”

  “Exactly, I’m feeling what all guys probably feel.”

  “Scared,” Chase suggested ruefully.

  “I mean it, Chase, cut it out!” Lilly fist slammed into Chase arm.

  “There’s no friction between us, and I do not have cold feet. Lilly knows I want to marry her.” Simon snapped at Chase.

  “Simon, he’s just trying to piss you off, and you’re letting him.”

  “What the hell is your problem, Chase? You want everyone to be as miserable and lonely as you are? Lilly and I are happy. Sorry to disappoint you.”

  “If you say so,” Chase spoke softly. “I see Sean McKenna heading this way. I just ate not too long ago, so I’ll make my exit now; the guy has a way of upsetting my stomach.” He bent his head and kissed Lilly’s cheek in a brotherly fashion. “Little Sis, you know you don’t have to put up with this guy.” Chase flicked a finger toward Simon. “Say the word and I’ll fly you back to Crown Mar.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Simon snarled. He took a step toward Chase, but Lilly diverted him by grabbing his upper arm.

  “You never give up do you, Chase? This is my engagement party…you’re supposed to be happy for me.” She pouted.

  “I know his type, Lilly. He’s going to break your heart.”

  “Simon’s not the same as you are, Chase.”

  Sean McKenna joined the group and stood beside Chase. The two men faced off. “He’s not going to hurt Lilly the way you did Cassie.”

  Everyone was silent for a moment. The name, seldom spoken in the presence of Chase Crown Mar, had been uttered. Leave it to Sean to cut to the heart of the matter.

  Chase recovered quickly. “Stay out of this, Sean. Besides, the verdict is still out on you and Teresa. My money is on her wising up to you, someday.”

  “Fuck you, Chase. Teresa will never leave me, and I might add, she’s not Lilly. Teresa would never stand for your interference with her personal life, and neither will I. Lilly lets you get away with it because, for some asinine reason, she believes there is a decent bone in your body. She’s too kind-hearted to acknowledge that you’re the reason her sister is gone.”

  Chase took a step toward Sean, but Simon halted his progress by throwing the palm of his hand out. Simon turned on Sean.

  “Have you lost your mind?” Simon issued a menacing warning.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Sean sounded surprised by the question. “When did you join Chase’s posse?” Sean stepped back quickly.

  “To hell with Chase,” Simon tossed back, “I’m not going to stand here and listen to you bad mouth Lilly. Leave her out of your squabble, understand?”

  “Perfectly,” he answered, and then he asked Chase, “Where was I?”

  Lilly laughed under her breath. The moves the two men were making were typical. Chase was a fighter and had beaten Sean’s ass for years. Sean, on the other hand, was smart. Words flowed easily from Sean’s mouth; Chase never could match Sean with verbal insults. It had been a while since she had a front row seat to Sean and Chase going at one another. Lilly bit her lips in anticipation of the battle, totally ignoring that half her guests were watching uncomfortably, while the other half were just as intrigued as she was by the scene unfolding.

  “Motherfucker,” Chased nudged Simon’s outstretched hand aside and took another step toward Sean.

  Typical response Lilly thought.

  “Nope, to my knowledge I have never fucked a mother in my life; a bitch or two, but never a mother. As I was saying, Simon feels obligated to put up with your bullshit because of Lilly’s sentimental feelings for you. I don’t play that shit, and Teresa could give a rat’s ass about your big brother routine. Which I might add, you are not. You fucked that opportunity up a long time ago. You’re just a sorry old miserable bastard whose one goal in life is to make those around you just as miserable.” Sean turned his attention to Simon.

  “You’re too nice for your own good when it comes to your woman, Simon.” Sean continued. “You need to put your foot down every once in a while outside the bedroom. You should have told this fucker to get lost the minute you spotted him in the room. Put your foot down with Little Sis, or Lilly will drive you crazy, have you doing shit you didn’t think yourself capable of doing.”

  “Shut up, Sean!” Lilly slugged Sean’s arm.

  “See what I mean?” Sean grimaced.

  “This is exactly what I’m talking about, Lilly. Simon is no different than Sean. He’ll want to own you and tell you what to do,” Chase said.

  “Had you tried it, maybe you’d still have Cassie,” Sean interjected.

  “You can stick the Cassie remarks up your ass, hot shot. I had my chance. I’m man enough to admit I blew it. You, on the other hand, you’re stringing along a good woman. You feel no remorse about it, and you stuff it in the face of your friends like a badge of honor, or a poster lauding that you’re some kind of badass with Teresa in your back fucking pocket. You actually seem proud of it somehow, and you don’t give a shit that you are absolutely responsible for the nasty words said about Teresa in so-called polite company.”

  “Guys —” Simon attempted to interject.

  “Shut up, Simon.” Sean said. Looking at Chase, he added, “Fuck polite company. Unlike you, I’m my own man. I don’t answer to polite society.”

  “I feel sorry for you, Sean. You are pathetic and selfish. I pity your life and I pity the life you’re giving Teresa in the name of love,” Chase stated.

  “I should be like you?”

  “You don’t have the guts to be me. The decision I made, I live with everyday. I made my bed, Sean, and I crawl in it every night and I’m not asking anyone to crawl in it with me. Can you say the same thing, hot shot? Speaking of hot, tell me Sean, how’s Maris… your wife?”

  “Chase, stop!” Lilly cut in. The conversation was getting way too deep.

  �
�I can handle this, Lilly.” Sean reiterated his words with a genuine smile, and then he focused his attention once more on Chase. “Maris is the same psycho bitch she’s always been. And you, Chase, how’s your woman? Oops, how indelicate of me. How would you know how Cassie’s doing? You haven’t seen her since you ran her out of town at your Daddy’s directive. You always were a good ol’ boy. I’ll tell you what I’ll do. Just to prove there’s no hard feelings—you prissy little papa’s boy—I’ll let you have one of my women. Here’s a hint as to which one—she’s not a Rouilard.” Sean laughed.

  “Grow the fuck up, Sean.” Chase’s eyes narrowed.

  “After you, Chase,” Sean countered.

  “Both of you can leave!” Lilly said. “Do something, Simon.”

  “Now wait a minute baby, Sean’s simply defending himself against this asshole.”

  “Fine. Then I’m leaving and to hell with the lot of you. I’ll join Teresa over by the buffet.” She nodded toward her sister and then looked Sean square in the eye. “She’s with your good buddy Parker Crane. They look like they’re having a good time—better than what’s happening here. I wonder what they’re up too.”

  “Where,” Sean whipped around, following Lilly’s gaze. Teresa was eye-catching, as usual, dressed in a ruby-red sequin dress that hugged every generous curve she possessed. Parker placed his hand on Teresa’s shoulder, leaned in, and whispered in her ear. Teresa drew back in laughter.

  “What’s with that guy?” Sean murmured and then stalked off in his woman’s direction.

  “That boy has Attention Deficit Disorder.” Chase shook his head. “I was just gearing up.”

  “Chase please, as usual he was one up on you. When are you going to learn, you’ll never beat Sean when it comes to verbal sparring? He’s worse than Teresa.” Lilly latched onto Chase’s arm. “I should be mad at you, creating a ruckus at my party.”

  “Watch it, Lilly, your dialect is slipping.” Chase and Lilly laughed.

  “I thought you two were going to draw blood,” Simon said.