Mesmerized by Julia Crane Read Free Book Online Page B

not sure. I know that my mother is much older than my father and she doesn't seem to age much. My father's hair is almost all grey and in their wedding pictures my mother looks exactly the same today as she did on her wedding day."
    "You didn't think to ask her?"
    "Sometimes I feel like I'm the mother in our relationship. My mom gave me a brief overview, and we never talked about it again, other then her warnings of not getting involved with anyone until I could control myself. I've never had to control myself until I met you." Lily blushed. 
    "Really?" Jake reached over to grab her hand. "I like the sound of that."
    Lily sat down on the bed and thought about everything he had said. Was it possible she found someone she could be with? Her head was swimming with all this new information. “So, you aren’t attracted to me like everyone else is?”
    He looked away thoughtful and answered, “There is something about you. I can’t stay away. I have those dreams—dreams where you keep coming to me and then run away. I guess that means I’m susceptible to that part of you.”
    “Does that mean you only want to be with me because of what I am?” She looked down at her hands. 
    “No.” He raised his voice. “That’s definitely not it.” He would have to prove to her that it was more than that, but he wasn’t sure how. 
    He lifted her chin and with their noses almost touching, his lips grazed hers, ever so softly. He whispered her name, “Lily.”
    She wouldn’t let him pull away. She grabbed his shirt and held on. Her breath coming quickly now, she crushed her lips to his. The kiss grew and before they knew it, they were on her bed. His hands on her bare back, hers tangled in his hair. 
    He wanted desperately to keep going, but he knew he had to break it off. “Lily,” he said. “We can’t get carried away.” He pulled back. 
    Sadly, she nodded. “You’re right. I just don't want to stop."
    He lay next to her on the bed and they both tried to catch their breath. 
    "Are you afraid to be with me that way?" Her eyes met his.
    Jake grinned. "Of course not, but we're at school and your roommate could come home at any time. Plus, I'm old-fashioned. I'd like to get to know you better."
    Lily shot up and pulled down her shirt. "I forgot about Hannah. She will be home soon.” She ran her hand through her hair trying to tame it. “Maybe we should go down in the common area. I don't want you to get in trouble for being on the female floor.” 
    "I wish I could stay, but you're right. We don't need any more trouble. I should also check on Ben." 
    "How could I have forgotten about Ben?" Her hand flew to her mouth. She was a horrible person. 
    "I'm going to go to the hospital to visit him. Do you want to go?"
    Lily hesitated and shook her head no. "I don't want to see him right now."
    "I understand." Jake pulled her in for a long kiss before he headed out. 
    ***
    Jake took a taxi to the hospital. He hated hospitals. There was something about the sterile environment that didn't agree with him. It was probably the strong smell of bleach, or seeing so many old people close to death. 
    He walked down the dreary hallway to the reception desk and asked if Ben had been admitted. The woman typed his name into the computer and looked up. "He's in the intensive care unit. Unless you are a relative, you're not allowed to visit."
    "ICU? Does it say why? I thought he just fainted or something?"
    "I'm sorry. I can't give out that information to non-family members."
    Jake thanked her and walked away. He needed to get in there to find out what was going on. Patiently, he waited until the nurse stepped away from the desk and then he slipped in through the double doors. He walked down the hall like he had the right to be there. He stopped when he saw Ben’s name on the door. Quickly glancing around to make sure nobody was watching, he went inside.
    Ben lay on the bed, motionless. He had tubes in his mouth, breathing for him, and a