Lillie looked at me, her eyes searching mine, as I waited for her to reply to 'my date'. She parted her mouth and hesitated. I took her hand and lightly squeezed it.

"It's okay Lillie, whatever choice you make, I'll live with it." I reassured her, trying not to push her into anything she didn't want to do.

She looked deep in thought as she studied me, scrunching her face as if debating something in her head. I held my breath, my hands restless at my sides. She sighed, her body easing slightly, and softly nodded her head.

"Was that a yes nod?" I asked eagerly.

Lillie shrugged, folding her arms across her breasts. My gaze dropped, catching her sweetheart neckline, revealing a peak of her cleavage. "Yes, Dimitri I can go on a date with you, but it doesn't mean we're back together, I'm still figuring things out." she said thoughtfully.

I tried to hold in my excitement, but I was fucking ecstatic. I leaned forward, wanting to press my lips against hers and swoop her up in my arms. But she placed her hands against my chest and held me back.

I frowned in confusion. Did she not say we could go on a date?

"You agreed to go on a date?!" Sassi shouted. "Lil, you cannot be serious, after all this guy has done."

Lillie didn't look at Sassi speaking, but continued to stare at me. Her demeanor changing through Sassi's words.

Shit!

"Earth to Lil?" Sassi said, waving her hands in front of her.

"Sassi, let me handle this in my own way, please." Lillie said evenly. "I'm okay, I can do this."

Sassi dropped her mouth and was about to say something, but the silent guy walking up to me distracted her.

"Hi, we haven't met, but I heard a lot about you. My name is Trevor, Sassi's boyfriend." Trevor said, extending his hand to me.

I shook it with astonishment. This was the first person on Lillie's side to meet and greet me with a smile.

Sassi stomped over to her boyfriend. "What the freak are you doing?" she said in a huff, grabbing Trevor away.

Trevor rolled his eyes. "Let's leave these two alone Sassi, you just causing another commotion out here babe." he said, this time taking her hand and dragging her back to the guest house. But Sassi was reluctant to leave.

"Lil?" she whined out.

"Good night Sass, see you in the morning." Lillie called out, waving her goodbye.

Sassi walked pouting back to the guest house. Fuck me, if I had a friend like that, I'll go insane.

I shook my head. Finally, it was just us two alone.

I walked up to Lillie, her arms still guarded. I looked into her pretty hazel eyes.

"Do you forgive me?" I asked. Half scared of her answer.

"I don't want to forgive you." She whispered. And turned and moved away to the guest house's door.

The words stung, and I flinched.

I grasped her arm to stop her and took a deep sigh. "I'm sorry Lillie, I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for lying to you, I'm sorry for dragging you into my messy past, I'm sorry for placing you in danger, I'm sorry for hurting you." The words were just pouring out of me.

"And most of all, I'm sorry for leaving you like that. I feel broken knowing that even though I promised to make you happy, I was the one to cause you sadness." I said, my voice faltering.

Lillie turned her head and looked away. My hand still holding her arm, she felt soft and fragile in my hand. I drew her closer, my hand on her cheek. I saw her eyes brimming with tears.

"Please believe me, love. I'll do better for you. Please give me the chance to show you, to explain everything." I said, wiping a tear that escaped with my thumb on her cheek. Lillie breathed in deep and closed her eyes tight. All I wanted to do in this moment was to hold her in my arms and show her how sorry I was.

She opened her eyes, taking me in. "Okay, I'll hear you out. But I don't have to forgive you right now... Not yet." she said.

I gave a nod. "Fair enough." Happy that I was making a breakthrough, and she was giving me a chance. "Are we still on for our date?" I asked, not quite sure.

She breathed in deep. "Yes, we're still on."

I smirked, rubbing the palms of my hands together.

"You have to work for my forgiveness, though." She said, walking backwards towards the guesthouse steps. A small smile hidden behind her serious face.

I stalked forward towards her with my hands clasped behind my back, a wicked grin on my lips. We were face to face now. I studied her face for a moment, every freckle, every beauty spot, her hazel eyes and plump pink lips begging to be bitten. How could I have left this woman? She was fucking beautiful.

Lillie's eyes became soft as I breathed her in. She placed her hands behind her back too, looking shy suddenly. Just the way I liked it.

I wanted to push my luck further. I leaned into her, my face brushing against her delicate cheek.

"Can I come upstairs with you?" I said softly, hot against her ear. I felt her jerk at my words.

But she looked up at me and narrowed her eyes, pouting her sexy lips.

"You wish, Dimitri." She said, biting her bottom lip from smiling. "No, you have to wait."

She turned around and ran up the steps, halfway through opening the front door.

"Wait? How long do I have to wait?" I called out to her.

She stepped inside and turned around facing me. "As long as I feel like it... that's part of your punishment."

I raised an eyebrow. "Sweet Dreams Lillie!" I called out.

I hope I'm in them tonight; I thought teasingly.

And with that, she closed the door.

A million thoughts were running through my head as I walked up the street. Happy and exhilarating thoughts. For the first time in a long time, I was hopeful about the future again. A future I wanted a long time ago, back in my grasp. I possibly had Lillie again in my life. A possibility was more than enough for now, and I didn't plan on fucking it up.

Seeing her again only solidified how much I missed her, how much I longed for her.

I'll work for Lillie's forgiveness, that's what she wants, I'll earn it bit by bit. I'll take it as a challenge. The thought excited me as a thrill ran down my spine.

I want Lillie, and I won't mess up this time. I'll do everything I can to gain her trust and to taste her again!