Written June 17th - July 22nd 08 Part One

Surprise!!

Cane and Lily arrived back at the campus house after their amazing evening by the pool. Lily was about to put the key in the lock when she felt Cane's hands slide up her bare arms to her shoulders, she shivered at his touch and gasped softly when his lips found the nape of her neck. She spun around in his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck. They searched one anothers eyes as Cane dipped his head, his lips seeking hers...

Lily smiled against his lips. She was so unbelievably happy. Lily was now engaged to the man of her dreams. Funny but at that same time Cane was thinking that he was engaged to the woman of his...

Lily pulled back in his embrace to stare up at her future husband. Her hands had moved to rest on his chest her sapphire and diamond ring glinted in the moonlight on her left hand.

"Would you like to enter my now Chloe free home, Mr. Ashby?"

"I could think of nothing I would rather do. Devon must be a happy man."

Lily giggled at the memory. "I believe he startled the customers at Crimson Lights with his shouts of joy."

"I think I know how he may feel. With your decision to concentrate on school and just fill your obligations to your FOJ contract we should hardly ever see Chloe anymore." Cane thought for a moment and then continued, "maybe she will even take the hint and decide to go and work for someone else."

"We can only hope." Lily said as she unlocked the door. She opened it and stepped into the darkened room. "That's strange I thought Dev - " Lily was cut off by a very loud...

"SURPRISE!"

Startled, her gaze found Devon's. He had a very large fake smile plastered to his face as he darted his eyes towards a very brightly dressed Chloe in the corner of the room.

Talking through his teeth he said, "yes, Lily isn't it such a great surprise. Look what the canary - I mean Chloe planned for you. You're not the only who is surprised. I thought you kicked crazy to the curb. Why is she throwing you a surprise party?"

"I - I did and I don't know why she would do something like that."

"I guess we are about to find out." Cane said as the three of them watched Chloe approach...

Chloe did her best to look meek and contrite. "Hi everyone. Happy Birthday, Lily. I - I hope you don't mind but I wanted to do something special for you to make up for my foolishness." Chloe leaned in and hugged Lily awkwardly which Lily did not return.

"Uh... thanks. I think." Cane and Devon just glared at her but said nothing.

Chloe looked down and sighed. "Look, Lily I just want to say that I'm sorry for everything and - "

Lily put up her hand to stop Chloe. "Chloe it wasn't me you assaulted. If I were you and believe me I am glad that I am not, shouldn't you be apologizing to the ones that you did?"

Chloe's eyes flashed but she bit back a retort. She looked up at Cane and Devon and said, "I'm really sorry about what I did to you both."

Funny but Cane and Devon's only response was to grunt. The rest of this conversation would have to wait until later as Lily turned at a tap on her shoulder...

"Oh, my God! Karen, what are you doing here?" Lily asked as she embraced her warmly. It was her Dad who answered.

"Well after you and Cane left, there was a knock on the door and there she stood. And since Chloe had told me what she wanted to do for you earlier today I thought I would bring Karen along."

"Happy Birthday, Lily."

"Thanks Karen. I am so glad that you are back. We all missed you very much." Karen and Lily shared a look of understanding.

"Chloe ran into me at the coffee house." Came Colleen's voice from right behind Lily.

She spun around to find her best friend and immediately was wrapped in her arms. "Oh Colleen, I have missed you so much but I thought you weren't getting back until later this week."

"I caught an earlier flight and I am really glad that I did because I really didn't want to miss your 21st birthday."

Lily looked over her friends shoulder and asked, "Where is Adrian? I would assume after having you back after all this time that he wouldn't want you out of his sight." Lily felt her friend sigh...

Colleen pulled back from their embrace and slid her hands down Lily's arms to clasp her hands. "I have decided to end my relationship with Adrian but I don't want to spoil your day for you so I will tell you about it later."

"Ok."

Just then as Colleen held on to Lily's hands she felt something that wasn't there before she left for China. Her eyes grew large as she looked down at the sparkling ring. "Oh my God, Lily! But you, have to tell us about this!" Colleen exclaimed as she held up Lily's left hand for all to see...

Lily blushed and Cane squeezed her shoulder in support. "Well, Cane asked me to marry him and I said yes."

Everyone offered up their congratulations, all but one that is... as Chloe stood there with a scowl upon her face and hatred in her eyes...

Why Are You Being So Nice?!!

The party continued. Everyone was having a great time, everyone except Chloe. She was in the kitchen pealing the label off of her beer, thinking...

Devon got some music going and the sounds of The Pogues, 'Love You Til The End' began to play. Cane's eyes lit up as he recognized one of his favorite songs. He spun Lily around in his arms and swayed with her while he whispered the lyrics to her in her ear... 'I love you til the end. I love you til the end. All I can say is I'll love you til the end...'

As Lily swayed in his arms, she smiled up at him and said, "this is a great song but I've never heard of it before."

Cane returned her smile and said, "well Miss Winters allow me to introduce you to a fabulous Irish band called The Pogues. I think I am going to enjoy enlightening you to my wide and varied taste in music."

"Well if this song is any indication, I think I am going to enjoy your ummm... taste as well." Lily said as she brought his head close to hers again. She pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth - to anyone else it looked like an innocent kiss but Cane felt her tongue dart out to taste him, to sear him...

Chloe watched everyone enjoying themselves but her eyes never strayed far from Cane and Lily, her guts twisted further as she watched the tender exchange between the two. It should be her...

The song was over and another one came on. Cane pulled Lily to his side by the refreshment table. He grabbed two beers out of the ice and offered her one after he had opened it for her. Cane took a sip and looked around the living room...

"Is it just me or is Chloe's stuff still cluttering up this house?" Cane asked as he spotted several of her items lying about including a couple of those atrocious clowns that she hadn't puked on.

"I had noticed that too."

"Lily could I talk to you for a moment?" Chloe asked. She just hoped this worked...

"I'll be over there if you need me." Cane said as he pressed a kiss to Lily's temple. He didn't even spare Chloe a glance as he went over to talk to Neil and Karen.

Chloe pointed at Lily's ring. "Congratulations by the way. You must be really happy."

"I am. Listen Chloe, this was a really nice gesture and all but you were supposed to be out of this house. You even told me that your apartment was ready. Why haven't you packed up your stuff and moved out?"

"Well, about that. My landlord did some renovations when he repaired the pipes and now he wants to double my rent and I can't afford the place anymore and I haven't had a chance to look for another." Chloe held up her hand to stop Lily from interrupting her. "Please, hear me out. I'll find another place, I promise but I have no where else to go until I do. Could you give me a couple of weeks to do it? I will stay out of yours and Devon's way as much as possible. I know I don't deserve this after what I did but please I'm begging you."

Lily glanced across the room at Devon who gave her a look that seemed to say, 'can you please get crazy out of here?!' Lily sighed. Devon was not going to like what she was about to say.

"Ok, Chloe. You can stay but you have one week not two and I only want to see you at work. And for God's sake stay away from Devon. He's going to be mad enough at me as it is."

"Thanks, Lily."

Chloe walked away and Cane and Devon came over to see what was going on.

"Chloe sure looked happy. Please tell me you didn't do what I think you did."

Lily cringed. "It's only for one more week Devon, I promise."

"Oh, hell no! I'm going to stay at Roxanne's. It's either that or sleep with a baseball bat. You owe me big time Lily."

"I didn't know what else to do. Her landlord is doubling her rent and she can't afford the apartment anymore."

Cane looked at both Lily and Devon. "You guys if I have to I will find that girl an apartment myself. She won't be here for very long."

The next day...

Cane was at Jabot when he spotted Chloe in the hall. "Chloe, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Chloe secretly smiled and said, "sure boss. What is it?"

"How is the apartment search coming?"

"I haven't started yet. I am so busy with Lily's schedule - well I am not sure when I will have time to get to it."

"Well we can't have that now can we? That is why I have cleared your afternoon schedule and," Cane took a folded paper out from under his arm and handed it to her. "Here is a list of apartments in your price range all circled in red felt. I also took the liberty of calling them and setting up viewing appointments for you this afternoon."

Chloe smiled up at him. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

Cane leaned forward to make sure that Chloe missed nothing of what he said. "I'm not being nice to you, Chloe. I want you to stay the hell away from me and I want you out of Lily's house by tonight. She might be nice enough to give you a week but I am not." With that Cane walked away.

Chloe glared after him with her mouth hanging open in disbelief. "Well Mr. Ashby. I wonder who is going to pay for that," she said...

Headed for the Right Career!!

Unfortunately thanks to Cane's help, Chloe found a place right away. A secluded lake side guest house, That was perfect in so many ways...

Lily and Devon couldn't be happier watching her go, they both would thank Cane for helping them get her out of their hair so quickly. They slammed the door at her retreating back and high-fived each other in celebration at having their house back to themselves...

The next day...

Cane was hard at work at Jabot. They were launching a new 'green' cosmetic line and it appeared so was Newman at the same time. But Victor was distracted with his impending nuptials and Cane thought it was to Jabot's advantage that they move on things quickly.

He was headed back to his office when he ran into his mother. "Hey Mum. I'm glad I ran into you actually we should discuss the new products and perhaps moving up the launch date."

Jill looked a little troubled. "Yes we do need to discuss that. Tell me you have been working with Heather Stevens quite a bit lately, right?"

"Yeah, she seems to really know what she is doing and is fitting in quite well at Jabot. Why?"

"Have any of your discussions ventured into personal."

Cane looked very confused now. "Uh, no Mum. I may have gone on a couple of dates with her a long time ago but we keep things pretty professional."

Jill waved her hands. "No, no. I don't mean in a bad way. I was just wondering if she talked about who she was dating or if she was happy."

"No Mum, I would have to say she has never told me anything about that. Why, do you want to know?"

"I went to see Victor at the ranch to catch up and wish him well at the wedding later today when I saw Heather with Victor's son Adam."

"Adam?" Cane's eyes narrowed at the mention of that guy.

"Yes, and with us both launching new products -"

"And Adam being in charge of the Newman launch, you think this could compromise us?"

"I don't know but I do know that I don't want to take that chance..."

At Indigo...

Lily found her father in his office. He was fussing with his tie that for some reason just wouldn't tie right for him today.

"Need a little help?"

Neil caught Lily's eye in the mirror. "Hey sweetheart. Would you mind? I swear with work at Newman, running this club and Karen being back, I just don't have time to get things right anymore."

Lily stood in front of her father and started to redo the knot. "Funny you should say that because I wanted to talk to you about something that could ultimately give you a lot more free time."

Neil looked at her with interest. "You have my attention with that statement. I'm listening."

"Well you know how I have been taking those marketing and management classes at school?"

"Yes."

"And that I only have two semesters left before I graduate with a degree in business management?"

"Yes. Lily what exactly are you getting at?"

Lily let out a sigh as she finished tieing her father's tie. "There," she said. "Perfect," and turned Neil to face the mirror. "Dad, I really like it when I help you out at the club and what with finishing up my FOJ contract and just two classes this summer, I thought... well..." Lily took a deep breath and just said it. "Dad if you'll let me, I want to take over your duties of running the club this summer and maybe when I graduate I would like to run it full time."

Neil starred at his daughter for a long moment. "I see. You know running a place like this is a lot of work. It's a big responsibility. And this place is my escape, I don't know if I could just walk away."

"I'm not asking you to walk away. I will need your expertise and experience. I'm just asking you to step back and give yourself some free time to see where things will go with Karen and to give me a chance to prove to you that I can do this."

"Honey, you don't have to prove that to me. I already believe in you and that you would be more than capable. So ok, lets give it a try."

Lily embraced her father and he returned it with just as much exuberance. "Thank you Dad, you won't regret this..."

Big News, Hot Love!!

Lily found Cane in his office. His assistant was away from her desk, probably on her lunch break. Perfect Lily thought as she knocked softly on his door...

Cane was busy working on some files concerning the new product launch when there was a knock on his door. He didn't look up from his work as he said, "come in," to whom ever was there. It was a soft sound of a throat being cleared that caught his attention. He looked up to find his lady love leaning against his closed office door...

His eyes darkened from hazel to brown as he took in the sight of her. From her glowing smile to the three quarter length jacket that was cinched tightly at her small waste to the achingly high black heels that she wore at her feet.

"Hi." She said softly from her position at the door. Lily had discreetly turned the lock as she stood there. She didn't know what it was but every time she was around Cane she felt herself becoming more and more daring. Like he had truly woke the seductress within her for the first time in her life. And she liked it - no wait she thought, she loved it...

"Guess what?" Lily asked as she stepped away from the door and started to walk slowly towards Cane, her hips swaying seductively as she did.

Cane pushed his chair away from his desk but didn't stand. Instead he leaned back in his chair. His legs falling open in a relaxed pose. His dimples deepened as he continued to watch her and said, "what?"

Lily put her hands on either side of his office chair and said, "you are looking at," she placed her knees on either side of his hips, "the new manger," she settled herself on top of him, "of Indigo's." Lily pressed her lips to Cane's, stroking the inside of his mouth with her tongue, eliciting a groan from him.

Cane cupped her face within his large hands, his touch sending shivers down her spine. He pulled his mouth from hers and looked into her eyes. "And you're here to celebrate. Congratulations, sweetheart. I knew Neil would take to your idea."

"Thank you and thank you for convincing me that I should talk to him in the first place."

"Anything that is going to make you happy makes me happy. So how should we celebrate your new career?"

Lily leaned back a bit further and said, "why don't you untie the belt holding my jacket closed and find out."

Cane skimmed his fingers from her face down over her shoulders and lightly caressing her sensitive breasts on his way to the belt at her waist. Slowly he untied it and parted her jacket. If it were even possible, Lily watched his eyes darken even further as he took in her completely naked form.

He growled in response and pushed her jacket off her shoulders, trapping her arms. Cane picked her up as he stood. Lily slid her legs around his waist and hooked her ankles behind him. His mouth devoured hers with such hunger, he had to have her this instant. Cane removed one of his hands from exploring her body and in one swipe had cleared his desk of everything. Laying her gently upon it, he made quick work of removing his clothes as she watched. Joining her again on the desk his mouth once again sought hers as he filled her body with his, muffling their cries of passion...

Meanwhile...

Chloe had been a busy girl. She had unpacked all of her things and the guest house looked like a cosy place for her to call home. But as she walked down the steps to the basement, it looked like she had stepped into a different world - her secret world...

"When I have you here, I will make you mine. You will have no choice in the matter." She said as she ran her fingers over the chair specially fitted with shackles. Chloe spun in a slow circle, taking in everything of her erotic dungeon. "Soon, very soon," Chloe turned and headed back upstairs the sooner she implemented her plan the sooner her guest would arrive...

The New Guy in Town!!

Lily was loving her new role at Indigo. She went home tired at night but in a good way. Neil still took part in the day to day running of things but he was allowing Lily free reign to make staffing decisions, book new acts and try out new menu ideas. In fact she was conducting interviews today for a new bartender...

Outside of Indigo's...

Chloe saw him coming and yanked him aside as he started to walk by her. "You were supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago so we could go over everything." Chloe hissed at the gorgeous young man. "Chase, you have to make a great first impression on her. It is vital for you to get this job."

"Sorry, Chloe but I got lost. You know it's not easy finding your way around a new city."

"Well you should have thought of that before and given yourself more time to get here. Now, you know what you have to do right?"

Chase looked down at Chloe and said, "you want me to get close to and try and seduce this Lily Winter's right?"

Chloe slid her hand up Chase's arm as she said, "darling there is no trying. You will succeed or I will send you back where you came from. I arranged for your visa to get you here and if you want to get your green card and the exclusive contract for the new Jabot men's line then you will do exactly as I say." Chloe emphasized this with a slightly stinging tap to his cheek.

This may be going against Chase's ethics but he wanted - no needed a new life here in the States and he was willing to do almost anything for it. So if Chloe wanted him to seduce some woman, he would. "Ok. I'll do it."

"That's my boy. Now get in there and if you know what's good for you, you'll be coming back out with that job."

Chase, resolved to do this. He left Chloe at the side of the building and headed for the door...

The interview...

Lily had interviewed half a dozen candidates so far and she had seen only one that had potential. The rest well... she would leave it at that she thought with a sigh. She had two more interviews today and she was hopeful yet that she would find the right person for the job.

She looked up as her next appointment walked in. Lily was rendered momentarily speechless. This man, this - Lily glanced down at her papers, Chase Edwards should be walking the runways of Milan or Paris. Not wanting to sling drinks behind a bar. Lily stood as he approached her. Her hand stretched out to greet him.

"Hello, Chase right?" Lily asked taking in the young man that stood before her. He was tall, not as tall as Cane but pretty close. He had striking features framed with golden coloured hair. His eyes were a light shade of gray almost silver in their clarity. His body dressed in a dark t-shirt and slacks looked fit but not overly muscular.

"That's me. You must be Lily Winter's." He said with a smile just as beautiful as the rest of him. He leaned forward slightly and said, "if I may be so bold as to say your pictures don't do you justice. After you," Chase said gesturing for her to take her seat first.

Lily blushed. "Ummm... thank you. I didn't know they carried Restless Style in... Australia, isn't it?" Lily asked guessing at his familiar accent.

Chase chuckled. "Good guess. We get a little offended when you think we are from New Zealand. To my knowledge they don't carry it there but someone had left a copy in the cab I took from the airport and it passed the time to flip through it."

"My fiance grew up in Australia. You are a long way from home. What brings you to Genoa City?"

"Well this isn't my first trip to the States and I have a friend that moved here recently from L.A. So this time when I came back with a visa to stay and work for a while, they gave me a place to crash. It works out well enough. I know I'm not here for the long hall but I am really good at slinging drinks and charming the customers. I really hope you will give me a shot." He said handing over his resume, which included a vast amount of bar tending and serving experience.

Lily perused his resume and he did indeed have a lot of experience. "Do you have the references that I will require as well?"

"I do," he said handing over another piece of paper containing the names and numbers that Chloe had provided for him from some people in L.A.

"Well if you'll excuse me for a moment, I will go check these out."

"Certainly." Chase was thinking that he was going to enjoy seducing Lily Winters, fiance or not.

Lily was just getting off the phone when Cane came in to meet her. He snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. With a kiss to her temple he said, "so love how is your day going?"

Lily turned and smiled up at him. "Not so promising at first but I believe I just found my new bartender." Lily said with a nod indicating Chase. "He's from Australia as well."

Cane eyed the younger man across the room and chuckled at Lily. "Sweetheart it's not that small of a country - I don't know everyone that lives there."

Lily elbowed him in the ribs. "That is not what I meant, silly. I just thought it was neat and that maybe you could make him feel welcome."

Cane was thoughtful for a moment before he said, "sure. I think that I could manage that. Come on and introduce me."

Chase's eyes had widened ever so slightly. When he spotted Cane Ashby entering the club. Shit, he thought. Shit, shit, shit. What kind of freakishly small world was this. He took a deep breath, he had to play it cool. Chase watched Cane talk to Lily and when he had looked over at him he noted no signs of recognition. He had changed a lot from the little kid who used to try and tag along with his much older brother and his friend, Cane. His name had changed too. He needed this job, this opportunity but at what cost...

Written May 13th - June 8th '08 Part Four

The Trial!!

It was the morning of the hearing. They were to meet in the judges chambers to present their cases and hopefully hear a ruling soon after...

They all arrived at the same time. Victor with his lawyer, Michael Baldwin and his son Adam. Cane was there with Heather Stevens, his mother and Nikki who was still upset at being left out of the meeting the other day. They nodded at one another but didn't partake in small talk. Soon the judge arrived...

"Is council present?"

"Yes, your Honour." Both Heather and Michael replied.

"Then let's begin." And everyone took their seats.

"Council for the defence, please present you case."

Heather stood, she glanced at Adam who blatantly starred back at her, almost trying to unnerve her but Heather was very good at her job and she didn't stumble as she began...

"Your Honour, may I present to you exhibits A though E. Independent lab findings that all came to the same conclusion and that is that Natural Beauty infringed on the copy righted products of Jabot Cosmetics. May I also submit exhibit F, lists and dates of all our patents." Heather passed the judge all of the papers. "We are seeking punitive damages and all legal fees pertaining to this matter. Thank you, your Honour." Heather concluded as she took her seat.

Cane watched for Victor's reaction as he sat across from him at the table. If he didn't see it for himself he might not have believed it but he could have sworn he saw him flex his moustache...

Victor glanced at his son, who was visibly trying not to squirm. Victor believed that he was going to have to teach his youngest son a very valuable lesson when it came to business... that you don't mess with Victor Newman...

"Council for the plaintive, please state your case." The judge said as she gestured towards Michael to begin.

Michael stood and buttoned his suit jacket as he began. "Your Honour, while Miss Stevens presents a thorough case - all with a nice little bow on top. I must dispute her findings with ones of our own. Here are exhibits G through J, independent labs that we hired to run the formulas and we had opposite findings. There is no copy right infringement. We expect this lawsuit to be thrown out of court and we would like compensation in the matter of legal fees and court costs. We would also like written apologies for this ridiculous waist of our time and your Honour's valuable time."

"I see. Well I will be the judge of whose time was waisted Mr. Baldwin but thank you for your concern. I am going to need sometime to go over this evidence. We will take a three hour recess and I will have the bailiff call you in when I am ready. We are adjourned."

Everyone stood at the judges exit. No words were exchanged between the two parties but Nikki did look very smug as she starred at Victor while he dismissed her by turning and leaving the room with Adam and Michael in tow.

Cane and Jill decided to get some lunch while they waited for the judge to call them back in. They invited Heather and Nikki to join them. Heather agreed but Nikki declined stating that she was going to meet David instead but they all agreed to meet back at the court house in a couple of hours to await the judges decision...

Three hours later...

The bailiff told them all to come back into the chambers because the judge had reached her decision. After everyone was seated the judge read her verdict...

"After careful examination of all the evidence presented in this case I have reached a motion for summary judgement. And that is I find in favour of the defendant Jabot Cosmetics and its parent company Chancellor Industries for all punitive damages and legal costs. Thank you and that will be all."

"Thank you your Honour." Heather replied. She turned to accept Jill's thanks for a job well done and Nikki's congratulations.

That sure smile of Cane's slowly spread across his face, he stood and offered his hand to Victor and said, "well Mr. Newman. I hope that we can meet under much more mutually pleasant circumstances another time."

Victor chuckled and ignored Cane's outstretched hand in an obvious diss. Jill observed how her son handled Victor Newman as the exchange continued.

Victor leaned over the table slightly as if to intimidate Cane. Cane merely lowered his hand and waited. "If you think this is over, you have another thing coming. I will appeal and I will have this tied up in litigation for so long that you will never see any of my money for this ridiculous endeavor."

Cane bent his head and nodded slightly. "I see. Well we all know who has a more time to wait don't we? Remember Mr. Newman, I am just beginning. Have a good day." Cane escorted his mother, Nikki and Heather out of the room...

Victor clenched and flexed his left hand as a strange tingling sensation shot up his left arm...

Chloe Begone!!

Lily had been avoiding the campus house for the past few days. She didn't want to chance another unwanted visual but since she had spoken to Devon this morning and he explained his momentary laps in sanity and how it wouldn't happen again Lily felt it was ok to go back. She had to talk to Chloe. Lily had to tell her that she wouldn't be her meal ticket anymore...

Lily knocked on the door, just incase before she opened it. Chloe was coming down the stairs as she entered the campus house.

Chloe stopped at the bottom of the stairs and put her hands on her hips. "Where the hell have you been? I must have called you at least a dozen times and left at least that many messages. Do you not know how to answer your phone or return a call? God, when we are in New York you can not do any of this. I have to be in constant contact with you. You have to be available to me 24/7. You - "

Lily couldn't take it anymore. "CHLOE!" She shouted just to be heard over her bitching. "There isn't going to be any 'we' in New York. I'm not going."

"WHAT?" It was Chloe doing the shouting now. "Do you know something I don't? Did Apex turn you down? There are other agencies. I do have other contacts. I'll get on the phone right away." Chloe said already pulling out her cell.

Lily put out her hand and pulled Chloe's cell away from her ear. "No, Chloe. That's not it. Apex didn't turn me down, I turned them down. I've decided that the jet set life just isn't for me."

Chloe scowled at Lily. "This is because of Cane isn't it? You're going to ruin your career and mine because of a man?" Chloe extended her index finger and started pointing it in Lily's face. "Do you realize how stupid you are being? You are hot right now. This is it, your one chance, your one shot and I'll be damned if you are going to ruin it for either one of us."

Lily had had enough. She grabbed Chloe's jabbing finger she pulled it back and slightly to the side causing Chloe to wince. Lily didn't care, ever since she had decided to continue with school she felt as if a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders and Chloe, well Chloe was the last thing she needed to be finished with and then she was done.

Lily got up close and in Chloe's face just make sure she missed none of what she was about to say. "Chloe, you need to listen to me. I am only going to say this once. My decision whether it has anything to do with Cane or not, is still my decision. I want a career that I can enjoy for the rest of my life not one that is going to last for a couple of years - if that. You need to latch on to someone that is as self centered as you. Who is as career driven as you. Who doesn't give a crap about anyone else - like you. I am not that person nor will I ever be."

Chloe finally pulled her finger free from Lily's grasp. "Well we'll see about this when I have my weekly meeting with Nikki tomorrow."

Lily looked at the sad and pathetic form that was Chloe as she stood before her. She almost felt sorry for her - almost. "Chloe, sweetie." Lily said sarcastically. "Nikki already knows. I am not bowing out of my FOJ contract. I am finishing it and I am finishing school. And now Chloe, now I am finished with you." Lily turned to leave she was meeting her Dad for lunch and she didn't want to be late. As she reached the door she turned and said one more thing to a stunned Chloe still standing there. "Oh and Chloe, I want you out of mine and Devon's house. You have until tomorrow morning to do so. Bye."

With that Lily left and did not look back. If she had she probably wouldn't have been able to control her laughter at the slack-jawed look upon Chloe's face...

21!!

Cane was grinning. He had a plan for tonight. His lady love was twenty-one today and he planned on making it a day that she wouldn't forget. Cane's smile faltered for just a moment because he was nervous too...

Lily felt like everything was getting back on track. She and Cane were connecting on such a pure level. They grew closer everyday. Lily and Devon finally had their house back since Chloe had moved out, conveniently her apartment was ready when Lily had asked her to leave... a coincidence she didn't really want to think about. Lily wanted to concentrate on happy thoughts, today was her birthday and she wanted to share the joy of finally turning twenty-one with her family and with Cane...

Lily had decided she didn't want a big fancy party or anything, she just wanted to have dinner with her father, Devon and Cane. If Colleen had been there then she might have been in more of a party mood but her best friend wasn't but she did get a really sweet phone call from her that morning and she was glad to hear that her friend would be home soon. They were having dinner at her Dad's place at 7:00 pm, Cane was going to pick her up around six...

There was a knock at the door and Lily opened it, giddy with anticipation at seeing the man she loved. There stood Cane leaning against the door jam looking as sexy as sin. He was dressed in a mint green polo shirt and those fabulous grey slacks that fit him perfectly. Lily darted her tongue out and over her lips in anticipation while Cane's eyes tracked its progression...

Cane pulled a beautiful bouquet from behind his back of lilies and orchids, their fragrance filled Lily's senses as she brought them to her nose. She looked up at Cane and smiled.

"Happy Birthday, Lily. You look absolutely stunning." Cane said as his gaze traveled the length of her taking in the simple yet sexy mauve coloured summer dress she wore. He leaned in and kissed her at the corner of her mouth just getting a taste...

"Did you pack what I asked you to?" Cane asked.

"Yes and I think you will be pleasantly surprised." Lily replied mischievously. "Just let me put these in some water and we can go." Lily went and grabbed a vase from under the sink filled it with water and arranged the flowers in it all the while Cane watched her and anticipated the night to come. Lily grabbed the small bag by the door and they left for Neil's...

"To Lily." Neil toasted with a glass of cider.

"To Lily." Devon and Cane echoed. They all had glasses of cider. Out of respect for Neil, it was what Lily had wanted. Their glasses clinked together.

It was a wonderful meal and everyone was getting along beautifully. Neil gave Lily a lovely necklace that had belonged to her mother. He told her that Dru had planned to give it to her on her twenty-first birthday. This brought tears to Lily's eyes as she hugged her Dad in thanks. Devon gave her a stack of cd's that he had burned for her. All her favorite songs and ones that he knew she would like, it had taken him a good week and a half to put them all together for her. Lily saw the effort behind the gift and thanked her brother. She even joked that she may let him borrow them sometime. Cane gave Lily an astrology book that had a lot to do with the Southern Cross in fact it was what was on the cover. Lily smiled at the memory of that day and was glad that Cane had remembered too. Lily opened the cover to see a note inside, it read:

There is much more to come...

Love,

Cane

Lily glanced up and smiled secretly at him. She thanked him for the book with a lingering kiss on his cheek...

Soon it was time for them to go. Lily thanked her father and Devon once more. They said good night and closed the door. Once in the hall Cane pressed the button for the elevator then immediately brought Lily into his arms for a heated kiss. Pulling away slightly as the elevator door opened he said, "Are you ready to see what the rest of the night has in store for you Miss Winters?" Cane asked as he took her by the hand and pulled her into the elevator.

As the doors closed Lily said, "as long as it's with you I'm ready for anything." She said as she stood on the tips of her toes and once again pressed her lips to his...

When they arrived at the mansion the full moon was casting a beautiful glow over everything. Cane did not take Lily inside, instead he took her around the back to where the pool was located. Cane had called ahead and Esther being the dear that she was had put Cane's plan into action...

When they reached the pool Lily gasped at the sight in front of her. Soft glowing lanterns hung from nearby branches and torches were lit at the four corners of the pool. It made the water sparkle...

"Why don't you go get changed into your swim suit and I will do the same." Cane said as he slid his hand down her back and directed her to the pool house.

"Sure." Lily said and that secret smile returned once again. They went to separate rooms where Cane changed into a pair of low slung dark blue board shorts and Lily well... when Cane had asked her to bring a swimsuit along this evening Lily had decided to treat herself to a new one. Ever since that night at Indigo's she had felt like someone more daring had awakened and now was no exception. When she stepped out of the pool house Cane was already waiting and his quick intake of breath echoed in the night air. Lily stood before him in the briefest of bikinis. It was red and all that held it in place were four little bows that she had tied.

Cane's adams apple moved up and down as he swallowed. "You are so beautiful," he said in a ruff whisper.

Lily's confidence continued to grow as she walked toward Cane with a sultry sway to her hips. When she reached him her nipples had already pebbled partly from the night air but mostly from his heated gaze upon her.

Lily's hands found his waist. Her finger tips caressed their way up his chiseled abs and over his defined pecs. They continued their way up and over his shoulders until they twined together in his hair at the back of his head slowly pulling him down to her parted lips...

Cane splayed his hands across her back and groaned at the first taste of her mouth, their tongues dueling as their mouths joined...

Cane broke the kiss first. Breathing heavily and with his forehead pressed to hers he said, "come on lets get in the pool." He walked backwards, his fingers entwined with hers. In the one corner there were steps that went down in the water. Cane continued down them backwards as he guided Lily and watched as she slowly submerged herself in the warm water...

Lily slipped below the surface and came up with water streaming from her hair and droplets clung to her face, the light from the lanterns making them sparkle like diamonds. Cane backed up against the side of the pool taking Lily with him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist luxuriating in the feeling of the water lapping against her sensitive breasts. Cane moved his hands from her waist, his fingers leaving a heated trail as he moved them up to gently cup her aching breasts. He rubbed his thumbs over her tips making Lily bite her bottom lip. She never once looked away from his heated gaze. There was something about the way Cane would catch her eye, he had this way of looking at her, into her that Lily found she could never turn away from.

Cane leaned forward and sucked her bottom lip away from teeth. He soothed the bite mark with his tongue. Once he finished, Cane moved on to nibble at her jaw line then he moved slowly down her neck.

Lily lifted her hands from his body to pull at the four ties holding her suit in place. Cane watched as her suit floated away on the pool surface and there she was wrapped around him wearing nothing. Cane's arousal strained against his shorts. Lily could feel his need pressed against her. She reached down and freed him. Lily grasped his length and stroked him gently. Cane's head fell back and he swallowed hard trying to control his need. But it was Lily's words that pushed him over the edge.

"Cane," she said as he caressed her heated flesh. "I want you inside of me now. Make love to me."

Cane pressed up and into her heated core. He groaned, she moaned as they began to move together as one...

Later...

Wrapped in terry robes they lounged together by the pool. Cane reached over and opened a beautiful bottle of Veuve Clique, a very expensive bottle of Champaign. The pop of the cork echoed in the night. Cane handed her one of the glasses and he raised his own in toast to her...

"Happy Birthday, Lily. You have brought so much to my life. I feel complete for the first time. To your happiness and joy, always. I love you."

"I love you too." Lily said as their glasses clinked. She took a sip of the bubbly liquid, the warmth of the alcohol spreading through out her body.

Cane watched her as he sipped from his own glass. She watched him in return. When she had had enough Cane set both of their glasses aside. His hands shook ever so slightly as he did. When he turned back to look at Lily again he clasped her hands and pulled her up to sit on the edge of the lounge chair. Her breath caught as Cane moved back and dropped to one knee...

He reached into the pocket of his robe and pulled out a familiar black box that he had asked Katherine for again just this morning. Opening it Lily saw the beautiful family heirloom that Kay had sworn one day soon she would wear. Lily touched her shaking fingers to her lips as she starred at Cane...

"Lily, will you marry me?"

Lily said nothing for a moment, she just looked into his eyes. Then she nodded her head and whispered, "yes." She cleared her throat and said louder, "yes, I will marry you."

Cane took the beautiful sapphire surrounded by diamonds out of the box and slipped it on to the third finger of Lily's left hand, it was a perfect fit. "We can have as long an engagement as you want. I don't want to rush you. I just want to show you and the the world just how committed I am to you. I love you, Lily. So very much."

"I love you too." She said as Cane cupped her face in his hands and brought her lips to his in the most tender of kisses. It truly was the best birthday she had ever had.

THE END

Written May 13th - June 8th '08 Part Three

Plans Change!!

"Yeah, Chloe we do need to talk," Adam said as he eyed Heather Stevens across the GCAC.

"Meet me at the club in a half hour." Adam hung up the phone as he headed in Heather's direction. For a smart girl Heather sure was clueless when it came to men, especially men like him...

Meanwhile...

"...he is very much like his father. Did you know that he pretty much came right out and told me he wanted you? I am surprised the guy can walk upright, what with all the ego he is carrying around."

Lily clutched the sheets to her chest and sat up on her elbows. "He did what? Chloe is going to be so disappointed."

"Chloe?" Cane asked with an odd look on his face.

"Yeah," Lily said ruefully. "She was really interested in him. I didn't realize he was such a jerk when I met him, oh well. I was going to talk to him for Chloe but that seems rather pointless now."

"Funny but I would have thought someone like Chloe could talk for herself."

"I know, right. But she told me she didn't stand a chance with him and begged me to talk to him for her. Come to think of it, it was kind of weird."

Cane grunted in agreement. Ideas forming in his head, something was up with Chloe and Adam. He just wasn't sure how it was all connected but if it had anything to do with him and Lily he would figure it out...

Meanwhile...

Chloe found Adam at the bar where he was waiting impatiently for her...

"Oh, thank God! After the day I have had running around I need a drink. Bartender - vodka on the rocks with a twist. So shall we toast to the demise of Cane and Lily?" Chloe asked as she turned to face Adam on the bar stool beside her.

"Well I guess that depends on if you will be successful in your endeavors because I am sorry to say Chloe but you are going to have to do it without me." Adam said as he raised his glass to her in a mock toast.

"What?"

"Listen, Chloe as much as I would find Lily... a very nice distraction - I have found other ways to deal with my problems that has given me very pleasurable and immediate benefits." Adam glanced at his watch again and knew that Heather lay waiting for him in her room upstairs. "I hope your night gets better Chloe, I have a feeling that mine is going to be fantastic. See yeah around sometime." Adam threw some money down and left the bar.

Chloe licked her lips in contemplation, downed her drink and signaled for one more before she headed back to the campus house...

Meanwhile...

Cane had thrown on some boxers and made his way to the kitchen to grab a snack for him and Lily. He had just closed the door to his room and set the tray down on the table when he felt her naked form pressed against his bare back. His eyes darkened and his body filled with a different kind of hunger, the food was forgotten as they fell together on the bed. Cane had a feeling he wasn't making it back to the office today...

At the campus house...

Devon was studying for his upcoming finals when Chloe came in and slammed the door. She stomped over to the couch and sat down beside him...

Devon sighed loudly and closed his text book. "Hey Chloe, I sure am glad that you're back," he said sarcastically.

Unnoticed Chloe said, "oh, thanks Devon. You are so sweet to me."

Devon rolled his eyes and said, "uh, sure."

"You know I do so much for everyone and it just goes unappreciated. I mean look at all that I do for Lily and Jabot and do you think Jill, Nikki or Cane notices? Nope - there is no love for Chloe. I mean -"

"Good God woman what does it take to shut you up?"

Chloe gazed at Devon for a moment. "This." And she pressed her lips to his...

Devon moved to push her away but he stopped instead he increased the pressure of the kiss. They slid to the floor together, lust overtaking them both...
Oh, my Eyes!!

Chloe continued to paw at Devon. Her hands running everywhere over his firm young body. Devon's lips left hers to trail down her throat, which gave her the opportunity to speak once again...

"Oh, Devon. That feels so good. Who would have thought that you would be so good at this. Maybe it's been to long since I've had any -"

Devon stopped what he was doing to her neck and lifted his head to look down at Chloe. "Chloe - shut up!" Devon's mouth once again descended upon hers to make sure she did...

Meanwhile...

After spending the majority of the day in bed, Cane and Lily regretfully got up to get a few things done before the day was completely gone...

"I don't want to leave. If I could stay in this room with you forever, I would be a happy man." Cane said as he gave Lily yet another lingering kiss.

Lily moaned. She took her mouth away from his only to nibble - none to gently on his jaw. This caused Cane to hold on to her even tighter. Lily giggled at his obvious response.

"You saucy minx, you. I think you're going to pay for that later. But I do have to go now, just for a while. I have to go over some papers and talk to my Mum about the upcoming meeting with Victor Newman. So... looking forward to that!"

"Alright. I need to make a stop at the campus house and get a few things. I want to catch up with Devon and I also need to speak with Chloe."

"You do, don't you. Should be interesting. Come on, I'll drop you off on my way into the office." They left the mansion together arm in arm...

Meanwhile...

After finishing another round...in bed Adam and Heather lay side by side, breathing heavily. Heather glanced at the bedside clock and winced.

"I hate to do this but you have to go now. I have some papers to go over for some up coming meetings and well I can't have you here. You're to distracting." Heather said trying to soften her dismissal somewhat.

"Well I am shocked and a little offended." Adam said with mock hurt.

That made Heather smile. "Sorry but I have to get some papers in order, I have a meeting with Victor Newman later this week and I am not one of his favorite people, so I want to make sure all of my 'T's' are crossed and my 'I's' dotted.

"Alright," Adam said as he got dressed. "I'll catch you later, then." Like at that meeting with his father, he thought.

"You bet." Heather replied already distracted by her paperwork...

Later...

Cane had just dropped Lily off at the campus house. She touched her fingers to her lips, still tender from Cane's passionate goodbye. Smiling at the memory, Lily turned her key in the lock and opened the door...

"Hey Devon." Lily skidded to a halt in the open doorway because there sprawled on the floor and half undressed were Devon and Chloe in a passionate embrace. "Oh - oh my God!" Lily turned and closed the door behind her again. She shuddered at the vision now burned into her mind. "Oh, my God, my eyes!" And shuddered again. It would unfortunately take a while to get that image out of her head. Guess Chloe wasn't that interested in Adam after all but her brother, Devon? Lily shuddered once more. Devon and Chloe?...

Time to Change!!

Devon jumped off the floor, sanity slowly returning to him. He shook his head as if to clear it. He pulled his t-shirt back over his head and looked towards the now closed door. Thank you Lily he thought silently.

He rubbed a hand over his face. "What was I thinking." Turning to face a still have dressed Chloe he continued, "Chloe do you mind putting your clothes back on. I'm sorry but this was a big mistake."

Chloe stood up as well leaving her shirt still hanging open, hoping to entice Devon into continuing. "Devon, listen. Why don't we take this upstairs, where there will be no interruptions. Come on, you and I could have a lot of fun together." Chloe said beckoning to him.

Devon pulled further away. "No, Chloe this was a mistake. I have a girlfriend. A girlfriend that I need to go and see right now." Devon grabbed his keys and left.

Chloe ran a hand through her mussed up hair. She was extremely frustrated. "Damn it. I have needs to," she said to the now empty room. What else could go wrong...

Meanwhile...

Cane arrived at Jabot and met up with his mother in her office. "Hey Mum," he said as he closed her office door.

"Sweetheart," Jill said smiling at her son. She shuffled some of the papers she was working on and gestured to Cane to take a seat. "I'm glad you're here, we have a lot to discuss."

"Yes, Mum we do. I want to talk to you about something that I have been thinking about lately but lets get this lawsuit business out of the way first."

"Certainly," Jill replied, her curiosity piqued. "I want you to handle the meeting with Victor tomorrow, just you and Heather. I don't want Nikki to be a part of it."

"Are you sure about that Mum? I mean Nikki isn't going to like that one bit especially since this concerns Jabot directly. She won't like you going over her head like that and I don't want to be put in the middle of your disagreements."

"Nikki is to personally involved in this. She is making this into a fight between her and her ex-husband." Jill clasped her hands together on her desk and looked intently at her son. "Cane you are the future of this company. The future of Chancellor Industries, of Jabot and every other subsidiary that we own. Heck if I had my way Nikki wouldn't even be running Jabot, you would be already."

Cane shifted in his chair. "Now, Mum. As thankful as I am for your praise, you know I am not ready for that kind of responsibility yet - someday soon but not yet. But I suppose you're right about Nikki making this a personal vendetta against her ex. So I will go to the meeting without her."

"Good, I think that is in our best interest and I will inform her of it myself. So what is it that you wanted to talk to me about? Perhaps a certain beautiful young lady?" Jill asked with a smile.

Cane smiled in return. Just mentioning Lily brought that smile to his face. "Yes actually, it is Lily that I wanted to talk to you about. More specifically her contract. Mum, I think we should amend it to allow her to model for other companies. Not in the cosmetic business of course. I think this will give her more exposure and make her a bigger success and what does that for her will do that for Jabot."

"I see. It sounds like you have thought a lot about this. You do know that she has the real potential to become a big star, don't you?"

"Yes Mum, yes I do. I just want what's best for Lily."

"And I hope that you remember to think about what's best for you too. But you have convinced me. I will have Heather amend Lily's contract."

"Thanks Mum. Well I better get going, it's going to be a big day tomorrow. I'll see you later." Cane said as he headed towards the door but he stopped when his mother spoke again.

"Son of mine I want you to remember one more thing. One day all of this will be yours, don't ever forget that. Have a good night." Jill said once again returning to the papers on her desk.
Cane smiled somewhat self consciously and left his mother's office...

Meanwhile...

Lily had been walking around for quite sometime after the rather disturbing scene that she had walked in on. To try and get her mind off of it because after all it was her brothers business and not hers no matter how much she would like to say otherwise. They had made that deal to stay out of each others hair and he had stuck to his end so Lily thought she should stick to hers.

Instead she thought about Cane and how much he meant to her. They were getting closer and closer everyday. She thought about her modeling career and if it was what she wanted, to be jet setting all over the world... And if she were truly honest with herself she would say no, not really. She missed school. Lily wanted to finish and get her degree. If she were truly honest with herself that would be what her mother would want too...

Lily found her steps lighter as she continued on her walk. She would continue with the FOJ campaign and complete school. Lily decided to give her Dad a call and maybe she could get together with him tomorrow and have a good old heart to heart. Heck maybe with this decision she could even get Chloe out of her life and out of her house, once and for all...

Chancellor vs Newman!!

The day shone bright and beautiful. But inside the offices of Victor Newman, a dark cloud was brewing...

Cane and Heather arrived on time for their meeting with the self imposed great one but Victor thought he would toy with them and left them waiting. After all he thought this was a clausal waste of his time and that he would win this trivial lawsuit that his son Adam had thrust upon him hands down...

Cane and Heather were growing impatient. They had arrived on time for this meeting but were left to wait for more than 45 minutes. Victor's secretary threw them a sympathetic glance every once and a while but still they waited. Cane was just about to say to Heather that they should perhaps reschedule instead of waisting their time when Adam Wilson showed up...

Heathers eyes widened slightly at the shock of seeing her bed mate their but said nothing. Cane on the other hand narrowed his at seeing the little weasel.

"Miss Stevens, Mr. Ashby. If you will..." Adam said as he gestured towards the closed doors. He opened one and preceded them inside...

The meeting was about to begin...

"Mr. Newman, good to see you again sir," Cane said as he gripped the mans hand firmly but briefly.

"Mr. Ashby. I see you brought along my favorite former District Attorney, Miss Stevens. I'm glad to see your career is doing so well."

"My career is doing just fine Mr. Newman. I am very happy with my position at Jabot."

"I'll bet you are." Victor replied, eyeing her from across his large desk.

Cane cleared his throat to break some of the tension in the room. "Sir, if you wouldn't mind since we were delayed could we get right down to business?"

"Certainly. You tell me that you are dropping this ridiculous and useless lawsuit and we can all get on with our day."

"I'm sorry sir but it is not that cut and dried. You see we have stacks of reports and lab findings that -"

Victor cut Heather off. "And Miss Stevens we all know how successful you are at fact gathering. Those reports in my opinion are not worth the paper they are printed on. We have reports of our own that say the exact opposite." He said with his hand out towards Adam, who immediately supplied Victor with the files. Victor threw them down in front of Heather on his desk.

Heather once again found herself looking at Adam. He avoided her gaze. So she turned back to Victor and said, "then I guess we will have to let the courts decide since you cannot be reasonable and come to a settlement when the facts are so obviously in our favour." Heather stood.

Victor stood as well no longer acknowledging Heather his gaze swung to Cane. "Your mother has got some nerve sending her wet behind the ears boy here to do a mans job."

Cane had let Heather do the talking thus far because it was a legal matter but this was now an obvious personal attack. He stood up and visibly tensed. Adam smirked but Cane ignored him. "Listen, Mr. Newman. I'll admit that I am new to this business but I'm by no means a wet behind the ears boy as you so eloquently put it. I am learning more and more everyday and I am very good at my job."

"Good eh? Good at a job that you have been doing for what 2 minutes? While I have been doing this for 30 years. You are no match for me boy."

"Oh, I am a match for you sir. And while your power trip is coming to an end, well mine is just beginning. We'll see you in court. Lets go Heather."

A fuming Victor bellowed after their retreating forms, "You will see me in court and you will be the ones that pay."

Adam was closing the door on his way out when he caught sight of Victor flinging the statue on his desk across the room in anger...

Later...

Lily entered Indigo later that night to find the place virtually empty. Her father was seated at a table in the corner working on the books when she approached.

"Quiet night?"

"Hey baby." Her father stood to greet her with a kiss on the cheek which Lily returned.

"It's been a while."

"Yeah, we've both been busy but I will never be to busy to spend time with my baby girl. How is everything going?"

"Great, really great. I have this big New York agency interested in me and I have been doing lots of photo shoots, you know keeping really busy."

"I see. What about school? How are you doing there?"

Lily looked away for a moment. "Ok. I have missed a few classes. But I have decided that is going to change. I went for a long walk yesterday and did a lot of thinking. I've come to the conclusion that modeling isn't really what I want to do for a career. It was something I did to feel closer to Mom and I got caught up in the excitement of it all. So I've decided to concentrate more on school and enjoy the remainder of my contract for the FOJ contest."

Neil reached over and hugged Lily. "I'm so happy to hear that sweetheart. And I think your mother would be really proud of your decision too."

Lily sat back and looked around at the empty club an idea taking shape in her mind. "Hey Daddy, why don't you let me close up for you tonight? I think you could use the break and I want to do this for you."

"Are you sure, sweetheart? I know you know how to do it but you don't have to."

"I want to. Go home and relax for a bit. I'll phone you if I have any questions."

"Ok." Neil said as he gathered up the books and headed to the office to get his jacket. He left the keys for Lily on the table.

When Neil was out of sight a mischievious grin spread across Lily's face as she picked up her cell and placed a call to Cane...

Love in This Club!!

Cane was so happy to hear from Lily. After the day he had, what with having to deal with the stubborn and pig headed Victor Newman, hearing her voice had been very refreshing...

Cane also wanted to tell her about the amendment that was made to her contract. He hoped that she would be happy with the opportunities that that would now allow. Lily had also hinted that there was something that she wanted to tell him. With his curiosity piqued, Cane headed to Indigo to meet up with his lady love...

Lily had sent all of the remaining staff home for the night. She had turned off the neon sign outside to let guests know that they were now closed. She figured she had a few minutes before Cane arrived so she headed to the ladies room to freshen up and to remove... well Cane would be pleasantly surprised...

She came back out and went behind the bar where she poured a cold beer off the tap for Cane and an ice tea for her. Cane arrived just as she finished...

He came strolling into the club in his well fitted denims and black t-shirt, hands deep in his pockets, a slow smile spread across his face at the sight of her. "Hey baby," he said as he leaned across the bar to greet her with a heated kiss. "You look good back there." He said still smiling at her.

Lily struck a pose. "Do I? Maybe I have a future career in bar tending, you never know." Lily said as she handed Cane his beer.

"I don't think so. Before you know it you'll be a high fashion model traveling the world."

This gave Lily the perfect opening to tell Cane about the decision she had made. "Yeah, about that. I've decided to concentrate more on school and just do my contractual obligations for FOJ. I know this sounds sudden but being in New York and away from you and my family just made me realize that I don't think I am cut out for that kind of traveling lifestyle at this time in my life. I want my degree and I will see what happens after that."

Cane started laughing. "You won't believe the irony of this."

"What?"

"I spoke to my mother yesterday and convinced her to amend your contract to allow you to work for other companies."

"Oh really? I'm sorry you went to all that trouble."

Cane put his beer down and reached for her. "It's ok. I'm happy with whatever you decide but the option is there if you change your mind."

Lily wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her small body close to his. "Thank you. That was very sweet of you to do that for me."

Cane cupped her face, his thumb caressed her cheekbone and he looked deeply into her eyes. "Don't you know by now that I would do anything for you?"

"I do." Lily pressed her lips to his ever so briefly. As she pulled back a light shone from her eyes. "Music, we need music."

Cane didn't mind he had a feeling Lily was up to something. He watched her walk back behind the bar and start fiddling with the stereo. Cane once again picked up his beer and took a sip. He wandered over to the piano and sat down on the bench. He caressed the keys with his fingertips eliciting a soft melody...

He looked up when Lily said, "perfect." And the club filled with Usher's latest hit, Love in this Club. Lily looked at Cane as the words of the song registered. His eyes darkened as he watched her approach...

Lily raised her arms up. She gathered her hair on top of her head and let her fingers slide through it allowing it to fall back down. Her hips swayed to the beat as she approached Cane at the piano. He watched her, missing nothing...

He sat back on the bench, his legs open allowing Lily to stand in between them. Their eyes never left one anothers. He placed his hands on her hips, she placed hers on his shoulders. Cane knew what she wanted. His fingers splayed across her buttocks. He squeezed her firm cheeks and lifted her onto the piano before him...

Lily was wearing a cute little mini skirt which had ridden up when she sat upon the ivory keys and from Cane's position on the bench he saw her hidden surprise...Lily had no panties on. Cane's breath caught and he groaned at the sight of her naked flesh...

Cane stood and pressed himself between her open legs. Lily could feel his heat, his arousal. She bit her bottom lip as she looked into his eyes. Cane could wait no more. His mouth descended upon hers, his tongue slid past her parted lips. She met him stroke for stroke...

His hands found her firm breasts, straining under her shirt for his touch. Her hands wrapped around his waist , they slid down to squeeze his hard ass and press him closer to her naked, heated flesh...

Cane reached down to stroke her and found her wet and ready for him. He unbuckled his pants and freed his aching flesh. He thrust into her waiting body and they rocked together to the beat of the music, the piano keys creating their own tune with each frantic thrust. They cried out as they reached their passion together...