Erotic Deception by Karen Cote'

miscarriage with a child that wasn’t his had been the lowest point in Jet’s life.
    The coincidence of Lily doing the same thing as Celeste all those years ago wasn’t likely. Especially as he’d had control of the condom the entire time.
    Still, this letdown to himself was strong and hard to forgive. Could he handle another unplanned pregnancy even if the child was his? Would he marry her? It was too reminiscent of his previous scars and the excruciating decisions forced upon him then. Decisions no man should have to regret. At least not like that.
    * * * *
    Lily scrubbed at the small stain with the kitchen towel. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t stand before that perfect specimen of manhood and admit she was only half a woman.
    The bathroom door opened and Lily glanced up to the hard implacability of Jet’s face. His distant and alien facade told her she’d made the right decision.
    He began pulling on the rest of his clothes and it wasn’t until he was fully dressed that he spoke.
    “I’m sorry, Lily. This isn’t your fault. It was a mistake, that’s all.”
    He picked up his gun and finally looked at her, his gaze long and steady.
    “You were engaged to be married, how is it you’re not on the pill?”
    Lily debated on answering and decided to tell the partial truth.
    “Anthony had a vasectomy years ago.”
    It had been a factor in Lily’s acceptance to Anthony’s proposal, as she wouldn’t be depriving him of a family.
    Jet looked away and drew in a deep breath.
    “I’d better sleep in the blazer for the rest of the night.” He seemed uncertain, which Lily could swear rarely happened. “I’ll call you later.”
    He walked out of the room and this time didn’t bother telling her to lock the doors.
     
    The morning sun through the windows didn’t brighten the doom and gloom that greeted Lily. A feeling made worse by her empty driveway.
    Jet had referred to last night as a mistake. After that, he’d scurried out the door as if wild beasts were chasing him. He’d probably made the promise to call her later in hopes she’d be on her way back to the city by then. Hence, his avoidance of her this morning.
    The sense of abandonment came with a thick ache in her throat. Stupidity plagued Lily’s pride, but it paled to the empty pain in her heart. She should’ve known she couldn’t be that casual sex type of gal for the simple release of physical gratification. Emotional ties were mandatory to her self-worth and as futile as it were, she cared for Jet Walker. A lot. Once again, she shied away from the actual L-word.
    She sniffed and ran a hand under her nose before retrieving her phone and sitting on the edge of the bed.
    “Embrace the future,” Lily self-lectured and punched in the number indelibly planted in her memory.
    Fred’s ever efficient secretary answered on the first ring.
    Lily took in deep breath before saying, “Fred Bailer, please.”
    “I’m sorry, but Mr. Bailer is out of the office.”
    “When do you expect him back?” Lily asked.
    “Not for some time. May I ask whose calling?”
    Lily hesitated but she’d never get any answers unless she identified herself.
    “How are you Ms. Marten? It’s Lily Delaney.”
    The silence was so long, Lily thought the woman had hung up on her.
    Finally, “I’m fine. I hope you’re doing well?”
    It wasn’t a warm reception, but it wasn’t quite cold either.
    “Yes, I’m good but I need to speak with Fred.”
    “I’m afraid Mr. Bailer is out of the country at the moment.”
    Taken aback, Lily hadn’t expected that response. “Is there any way to get in touch with him?”
    “He’s on safari,” the older woman replied. “He does check in periodically.”
    What other choice did she have? “Please have him call me when he does.”
    Lily gave her the cell number and hoped the woman passed it along.
    She flung her head back against the pillows.
    Now what? Fred was paramount to her return to Kansas City and she didn’t dare go