Page 16 of Impulse (Infinitus Billionaire #1)

Jillian was still trying to find her balance when Lex pulled up outside Noelle Lingerie, a store a few blocks from the Beverly Center. The shops on the street were still closed.

“You do know we have to wait for an hour,”

Jillian said. She’d shopped on this street often enough to know the stores opened at noon on a Sunday.

Lex chuckled.

“Before and after hours are the best times to shop.”

He jumped out of the car and came around to open the door for her. As though she’d just been waiting for them, a tall, skinny brunette with an asymmetrical hair-do opened the main entrance and waved.

“Good morning, Mr. Fitzgerald, Ms. Finnegan,”

she said. Her focus stayed on Jillian.

“It’s nice to finally meet you. I hope you’re feeling better today.”

How the heck did she know her name? Tabloids of course. Jillian cringed, then the rest of the woman’s words registered.

“Yes, I am.”

She glanced at Lex. Had he been forced to tell people she was ill?

“Mona was supposed to bring samples to the house, but I canceled the session because you were otherwise occupied,”

he explained, then smiled at the woman.

“Thanks for coming in early today, Mona.”

Occupied must be the new self-pity fest. Before Jillian could process the idea of the woman coming to the house, Lex ushered her into the store. Preferential treatment must come with living in his world.

She soaked in the ambience and tried to act like she shopped there all the time. Sure, she could splurge with the best of them when it came to sexy lingerie, but there was no way she’d spend a thousand dollars on a Noelle chemise and bikini set. Their lines were sexy and feminine, silk with delicate Chantilly lace and handmade embroideries. Rumor had it that the silk came from an indigenous worm on an island in the West Indies and the local tribe only traded with the Noelle family.

Lex tugged on her hand to get her attention, and Jillian flushed when she met Mona’s expectant eyes. She’d been so engrossed on her surrounding she must have missed their conversation.

“Mona Sinclair is the assistant manager at Noelle and your personal shopper from now on. She’ll find anything you need any time. Mona, this is the woman I adore, my future wife, Jillian Finnegan.”

Jillian’s breath stalled in her chest, eyes flying to his. He was looking at her as though he actually adored her. Did he mean it?

“Then congratulations are in order,”

Mona said, her eyes searching Jillian’s hand for a ring that wasn’t there.

Jillian wanted to punch Lex. Why the hell did he introduce her like that? And without a warning. Luckily, Mona Sinclair was discreet enough not to ask about her ring.

“I hope you’ll come to us for your bridal lingerie, Ms. Finnegan,”

Mona said.

“Noelle Bridal is a favorite with celebrities and royalties. Harrods has been carrying it for the last three years.”

Jillian nodded, still too stunned to find her voice. She tugged at Lex’s hand and gave him a you-are-in-trouble-pal look.

“I have a room ready for you. This way please.”

She led the way to the back of the showroom and pushed open a door. Jillian dragged her feet to create a healthy distance between them and the woman before speaking.

“Why did you do that?”

she asked through clenched teeth.

“Do what?”

Lex frowned, his expression perplexed. As if he really didn’t know what she was talking about.

“What you said to her.”

“Oh. Just speaking the truth,”

he said, not bothering to lower his voice even though they were closer to Mona.

“You are going to be my wife.”

“I know.”

It didn’t mean he had to tell everyone. Then there was the other part.

“And I adore you, Jillian Finnegan,”

Lex added while staring into her eyes. Her breath caught again.

“Don’t ever doubt that.”

Now he’d gone and done it. She was going to turn into a puddle right in the middle of this fancy store and thoroughly humiliate herself. The urge to run and hide so she could analyze what was happening to her followed. She couldn’t be falling for this man. No way. It would be stupid.

Lex lowered his head and whispered.

“How did I do? Would I convince your father?”

Reality stung like an icy shower in the middle of summer. What was he doing to her? She was the improviser here, not him. She plastered a smile on her lips and hoped she was just as convincing.

“You nailed it, but Dad is out of the picture for now,”

she whispered back.

“Just remember to give me a heads-up before you do or say anything.”

“What’s the fun in that?” he asked.

“I don’t like surprises.”

Especially when they put ideas in her head. The thought that he could actually adore her… No, she wasn’t going there. So he’d taken care of her and made love to her, big whoop. He got off on risqué sex in unusual places. Theirs was a work relationship.

“Let’s not keep Ms. Sinclair waiting, boss.”

Jillian caught Mona watching them with an indulgent smile. She probably thought they were exchanging loving glances and whispering in each other’s ear. If only she knew.

Mona led them down a hallway of what looked like changing rooms, but the doors were too far apart and normal looking. Just before they followed her inside one of them, a stunning brunette stepped out of a door to their left, peered at them, and squealed.

“Lex! I thought I heard your voice.”

Completely ignoring Jillian, she ran to Lex, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

A second passed. Then another. Oh for God’s sakes.

Jillian’s hands fisted. She had never considered herself the jealous type, but another woman kissing Lex pissed her off. They had a deal, damn it. No messing around behind the other’s back. Of course, they had also meant no sex during their fake relationship. She’d crossed that out the moment he’d kissed her.

She wanted to yank the woman by her hair and drag her off Lex. No, he was the one who needed a kick in the nuts. Face hot, Jillian took a step away from them, but his hand whipped out and grabbed her wrist. Her eyes flew to his face.

What the hell? His eyes were open, yet he wasn’t pushing the woman off him.

The brunette stepped back and said.

“I’ve always wanted to do that and since you’re getting married…”

She smacked his chest and continued to ignore Jillian.

“How come you never asked me out?”

Lex gave a long-suffering sigh.

“Because you’re not my type, Deedee.”

She laughed.

“Bullshit. I am every man’s type. Ask Cade and Rod. I get a reaction from those two man-whores every time I walk into a room.”

“That’s because you’re always half-naked,”

Lex retorted. He turned as though to introduce Jillian, but Deedee interrupted him.

“Lucien avoids being alone with me. He says I’m irresistible.”

Jillian really didn’t like this woman.

“Aiden is a Brit, and I’m so over foreign men. Rake doesn’t count either. He’s a robot. And Dom...”

She shuddered delicately.

“I’m not sure how he ended up in your little group. Probably blackmailed his way in. He’s so weird and dark.”

Lex chuckled.

“Very inventive as usual, Deedee. Jillian, meet Deidre Noelle, my friend’s bratty little sister and the owner of this.”

He indicated the store with a nod.

Deidre’s mouth dropped.

“Bratty? Sloan surrounds himself with the hottest bachelors in the world and you all treat me like your little sister. A girl must push boundaries to get some play. So far, I’ve been playing it safe. Not anymore.”

She turned and gave Jillian’s outfit a sweeping glance before coming back to her face.

“So you are the Jillian Finnegan,”

she said, her eyes narrowing.

Did everyone in this store know her? Lex must have sent a memo or something. Mona seemed nice. Deidre was too damn free with her kisses.

“Nice to meet you, Deidre,”

Jillian said.

“Why?”

Deidre asked, sounding genuinely curious.

“Why what?”

“Why is it nice to meet me? I’ve never understood why people say that. You know nothing about me. Thanks to Rod I know quite a bit about you. You’re stunning,”

Deidre said.

Jillian had no idea who Rod was, but she recognized the annoyance in Deidre’s voice and cocked her eyebrow.

“Do I need to apologize for that?”

Deidre nodded.

“Damn right you should. Because of you, I’ll be one bachelor short for my summer auction.”

One perfectly shaped eyebrow lifted.

“Unless you’re generous and don’t mind a woman winning Lex for a night.”

“Hell no,”

Jillian said before she could stop herself, and heat suffused her face when Lex chuckled.

Deidre rolled her eyes.

“Jealous girlfriends are so tiresome, but,”

she glanced at Lex and sighed.

“I don’t blame you. He’s a keeper, and there’re piranhas out there masquerading as women.”

She tilted her head as she went back to studying Jillian.

“The pictures didn’t do you justice.”

The damned tabloids again. Jillian could either keep cringing every time someone mentioned them or she could own them.

“Poor lighting and pool shots are never my selling point.”

Deidre’s lips twitched.

“You’re funny. You’re going to need it to deal with him and the rest of the gang. Have you met them?”

“No,”

Jillian said, trying to be polite. She still didn’t like the woman.

“We’re seeing them later today,”

Lex said and glanced at Jillian.

“If you’re up to it.”

“Do you think that’s wise, Lex?”

Deidre said, sounding genuinely worried.

“A few of you together is not so bad, but the whole gang?”

Lex just shook his head.

“I hope we’ll see you tonight, Deedee. Don’t mind her,”

Lex added as he escorted Jillian into the changing room.

“She thrives on being outrageous. Mona, we’re ready.”

He glanced at his watch.

“We have another appointment in an hour.”

But Deidre wasn’t done.

“Jillian, watch out for Rod. His mind is in the gutter twenty-four seven. I’ve seen him work a room, so he won’t care that you belong to Lex.”

“I don’t belong to Lex,”

Jillian protested.

Deidre laughed.

“Oh, sweetie. These guys are collectors, so whether you like it or not, you are his.”

Jillian glanced at Lex. He raised his hands in mock surrender.

“I don’t know where she gets her crazy ideas. Rod would never cross the line, and I don’t collect things.”

Actually, he did. Jillian had noticed the works of art in the penthouse, and Douglas had mentioned his car collection.

Deidre laughed.

“Don’t listen to him, but I’ll give you the heads-up. Rod never behaves because he can’t help himself. He says he’s naturally curious, but I think he gets bored easily. Cade will probably undress you with his eyes because he lets his gorgeous eyes speak for him. Lucien has a thing for blondes, but he’s mine and I have no intention of dying my hair. If you have a sister, keep her away from him or she’ll have to deal with me. I don’t share. Rake doesn’t say much, but he’ll study you when you’re not looking and know everything about you in under a minute. He’s Einstein-smart and so is Lucien, so they tend to have pissing contests, except with computers. Cute. Aiden is charming, but he can be an ass. Then there’s Dom.”

She shuddered.

“Avoid him.”

Jillian wasn’t sure how to react to such revelations.

“Thanks, I think.”

“Don’t think. Watch out. They’re rich and get away with way too much. May I steal your man for a few minutes?”

She didn’t wait for Jillian’s response before hooking her arm through Lex’s and leading him away. Jillian stared after them.

She still didn’t like that woman. Too entitled for her blood.

Mona waited patiently until Jillian focused on her and the room. The decor was simple, classy, and designed to make the guests feel at home—from thick luxurious carpet and plush chairs with a computer tablet to a selection of drinks—Perrier, iced tea, and water. Displayed around the room were the finest of woman’s intimates—bras and panties, corsets, negligee, garter belts, slips, chemises, and more.

It looked more like a showroom than a changing room. The only odd things were the weird gadgets in the ceiling.

“Take a seat, please,”

Mona said and handed her a Noelle bag.

“The special order came in. Enjoy.”

She smiled as though Jillian was in on the joke.

Inside the bag was a white Noelle box. Probably a gift from Lex. Was this the surprise he’d promised her?

“Have you ever used a virtual model before, Ms. Finnegan?”

Mona asked.

Jillian dragged her attention from the present.

“No. And call me Jillian.”

“Okay, Jillian. You use these tablets to select what you want.”

Mona took the seat next to Jillian’s, picked up a tablet, and swept a finger across the surface. The Noelle Lingerie logo filled the screen. With a touch of a button, a holographic image of a virtual woman was projected from the ceiling. It was anatomically correct. The model could be male or female.

“The windows allow you to browse our various lines. Sexy Temptation, Wicked and Wild, Sensual Delight, and of course, our Blissful Bridal line.”

She touched a button and the virtual model held a dildo.

“We also have adult toys and creams. You can browse the designs and colors. Double tap your choices and they’ll appear in the cart. You can also double tap any item to remove it from the cart. By the time you leave the room, I’ll have your order ready to go.”

With a click of a button, the model changed out of a sexy negligee into a bodysuit. She was amazed.

“They should use this in every store.”

“They will one day. Mr. Manos created the holographic machine. He’s good with his hands.”

Her cheeks grew pink, and Jillian wondered who Mr. Manos was.

“Mr. Noelle is the designer.”

Deedee’s brother.

“Of the machine?”

Mona chuckled.

“No, the lingerie. He understands a woman’s body better than most female designers. He knows what empowers us, what’s sexy, or feels naughty.”

Done with her sales pitch, she stood.

“Help yourself to a drink, or if you’d prefer something else, I can get it for you. As your personal shopper, if you need anything, just call me and I’ll bring it to the penthouse or ask Douglas to pick it up. If you are not sure, I can bring samples for you to try on. My card is in the bag.”

Someone pinch me.

“But don’t you need my measurements?”

“Mr. Fitzgerald already sent them. If you’d rather use your holographic image, I can take your measurements.”

Jillian was still trying to wrap her head around Lex knowing her measurements when Mona walked to the wall behind her, opened a drawer, and removed something that looked like a hand-held scanner.

“Stand in the middle of the room, please,”

Mona instructed.

“I’ll take three-dimension pictures to create your hologram.”

By the time she left the room, Jillian had stopped blushing. Her holographic image looked way too much like her mirror reflection. How come she never realized that her hips were that wide? Or that her ass was a tad bigger than she’d thought. Still it was nice to see how the outfits looked on her.

Some of the corsets from the Wicked and Wild line were hot. She wasn’t a bondage and S&M kind of girl, but she was all for women’s empowerment in and out of the bedroom. The door opened while she was checking out some gartered lace panties.

“I like those,” Lex said.

He would.

“Get those in all the colors,”

he added, taking the seat beside her.

Yeah, she could just imagine the bill. She was determined to buy one, or maybe two things, and that was it. Lex had other plans. He kept tapping items and had reasons why she should buy them. Of course he did. They fed his naughty side. By the time they were done, Jillian had the sexiest lingerie she’d ever owned.

“No body stocking,”

he said.

“It covers too much skin.”

She agreed, but she couldn’t help contradicting him.

“I like them. I think I’ll take one.”

He studied the hologram and sighed. “Fine.”

He was such an enabler, until she tried to buy him some sexy underwear.

“We’re done here. Try these on.”

He removed the box from inside the bag Mona had left with Jillian. She didn’t bother to ask him to give her privacy. He’d seen her in nothing and at her worst. There was no point in faking modesty.

So sure it was a peek-a-boo lace set, Jillian was surprised to find a black silk and lace bikini and a matching strapless bra. The silk was soft, the design simple yet sexy, and they fit her perfectly. He did know her size.

“I love them,” she said.

“Me too.”

He removed a smaller box from inside the bag and opened it to reveal a palm-size remote control.

“This has five levels and a twenty-five foot range. What do you think?”

Vibrating panties?

*

Lex studied Jillian’s expression and waited. When he’d ordered the lingerie set, his goal was to spice up things outside the bedroom. The panic in her eyes after he’d told her that he adored her said he had a long way to go to gain her trust. If she said she didn’t want him having that much control over her, he’d give her the remote.

“Are you planning on using it now?”

she asked, sounding worried.

“No. Later. Or not. The fun is not knowing when or where.”

Her eyes lit up.

“You’re so bad.”

He chuckled and pocketed the remote. That was one of the things he adored about her. She was adventurous, just like him. Maybe things between them would turn out right. In the meantime, he planned to win her heart, starting with fixing the mess with her father. Lex stood and offered her his hand.

“Mona has a few papers for you to sign. Then we’re on to the next stop.”

“What papers?”

“Accounts. Yesterday while you were resting, I made a few calls and set up accounts under your name at several stores. All you have to do is sign the papers. Tomorrow, we’ll need to stop by the bank to finalize the main account. What is it?”

he asked when she stopped walking. She was frowning.

“Is this really necessary?”

she said, sounding unsure.

“Yes, Jillian. Everything will be fine. We’ll pull this off.”

“How long before the guy from Japan comes to visit?”

“Three weeks. We’ll be married by then.”

So much had happened in the last two weeks he’d almost forgotten the real reason he’d hired her. Actually, not forgotten. He’d chosen to push it aside as they explored the more pleasurable side of their relationship.

“Come on, let’s get this over with. I have plans for lunch.”

She shot him a suspicious look. “What?”

“You’ll love it. I promise.”

“That’s what I’m worried about,”

she murmured, her eyes going to his pocket where he’d put the remote control.

He grinned. Jillian was signing the final papers inside the front office when Mona looked up and whispered.

“Mr. Manos is here.”

Lex spied Dom standing outside the store like someone about to rob the place. As usual, Dom was dressed in his trademark black clothes—jeans, shirt, and a trench coat, including aviator sunglasses. His shoulder-length hair wasn’t in its usual ponytail.

Most guys would have knocked on the glass door and asked for entrance. Dom expected his presence to speak for itself. The man liked to yank people’s chain and deliberately make them dislike him. Even in college, he’d gone out of his way to be a pain-in-the ass. Good thing Lex saw through the bullshit. The two of them were even tighter than Dom was with Sloan, which said a lot because they’d known each other in high school.

“Excuse me,”

Lex said and went to let Dom in. They clasped hands, bumped shoulders in a manly hug, and stepped back.

“What’s going on?”

Dom scowled.

“I heard you were about to get hitched and had to see the woman before the others. They’ll hate that.”

Lex didn’t buy it. Dom never cared about competing with the other guys in their organization despite his humble beginnings. He’d had a nightmare of a childhood, but had risen above it. First was his stellar career as an “engineer”

with the CIA, and then the proud owner of an oil company. He was the one who’d introduced Douglas to Lex.

“How the hell did you know?”

Lex asked.

“I barely told…”

Lex looked toward the store. “Deidre.”

“She called Sloan. And since I was at his place… So where’s the little lady?”

“Inside.”

Lex glanced at the huge truck parked behind his Rolls.

Dom followed his eyes and smirked.

“Makes that foreign shit look pathetic, doesn’t she?”

Lex chuckled. The man had a sick sense of humor.

“You know what they say about men driving big-ass trucks.”

“Screw you, Fitz,”

Dom said and walked ahead of him. Lex followed, noting the manila envelope tucked under his arm.

“Is that envelope for me?”

“Sloan wants Deidre to sign some papers, but as usual she’s being difficult. Why am I the go-to guy whenever he has to deal with her?”

“She has the others wrapped around her little finger. You, on the other hand, don’t put up with her bullshit.”

Dom grinned.

“Neither do you.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m immune to her charms. I just happened to have grown up surrounded by women and know their little tricks.”

“I didn’t know we had little tricks, Alexander,”

Jillian said, coming to stand beside him.

“Not you, sweetheart.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and anchored her to his side.

“Jillian, I want you to meet Dominic Manos. Dom, Jillian Finnegan.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Manos,”

Jillian said, offering him her hand.

“Dom, please.”

He trapped her hand in his large ones, green eyes narrowing as he studied her.

“Have we met before?”

Jillian smiled, studying his face.

“I don’t think so. I would have remembered.”

Lex squeezed Jillian’s shoulder.

“Most people work really hard to forget crossing Dom’s path, or he makes sure they forget.”

Jillian elbowed him.

“Don’t be mean, Alexander.”

Dom flashed a genuine smile.

“Yes, Alexander. Heel and take this to Deidre while Jillian and I get to know each other.”

Dom still held on to her hand, which bugged the crap out of Lex. He tugged and regained control of Jillian’s hand.

“I don’t think so, my friend. We have other appointments.”

But Jillian dug her heels in when he nudged her forward.

“You designed the holograph they use here,”

she said. Dom nodded, but when he cocked his eyebrows in question, she added.

“Mona mentioned it. It is an amazing instrument. Every store should use them.”

“That’s the plan. The Fearless Finnegans?”

Jillian flushed and the smile left her face. “Maybe.”

“I recall a fair-haired changeling among them, until The Phantom Rider.”

Jillian’s cheeks grew pink.

“Anonymity has its perks.”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

Lex had no idea what they were discussing. He’d never had a reason to be jealous of his friend until today. What the hell were The Fearless Finnegans and The Phantom Rider? Movies she was in and didn’t want anyone to know about? She’d cracked a joke about loving Phantoms, but he’d thought she meant his car.

“We’ll see you tonight, Dom,”

Lex said, eager to leave.

Dom nodded, but he was back to scowling and staring behind Jillian. Lex looked over his shoulder and saw why. Deidre had entered the showroom. Instead of ignoring Dom the way she usually did, she gave him a cheeky smile.

At one time, Lex had thought there was something between them, but then she’d started dating some tennis pro, their pictures hitting the tabloids, including Ron’s. Dom hadn’t seemed to care. He’d continued to bring his one-night stands, two or three at a time, to Sloan’s parties.

“Dom, what a surprise?”

Deidre reached up, pressed a kiss on his cheek, and fluttered her lashes.

“Isn’t this wonderful news? Lex is getting married. Are you here to see me?”

She didn’t wait for him to respond, just slipped her arm around his.

“Let’s go to my office and catch up. You two”—she wagged her finger at Lex and Jillian—“don’t get married while I’m gone. I’ll be back in two weeks, so let’s do lunch, Jillian. I’ve decided we should be friends. Give Rod hell for the story and pictures, Lex. He deserves it.”

Lex shook his head. He’d never understand women. He whisked Jillian away from Noelle and, for the next several stops, learned a little more about her. He’d thought she was just reluctant to buy lingerie because they were intimate apparel, but it turned out she was a frugal shopper, which only made him want to shower her with more things.

She tried on shoes, sighed, and returned them. Lex had the saleslady wrap them all up while Jillian reluctantly signed papers for another account.

One day, she would appreciate the convenience of having access to things without worrying about making it to a store before it closed. He entertained clients often, sometimes more than once a week. Since quite a number of them were from out of town and often brought their wives, Jillian would need to accompany him.

After several more stores, she begged him to stop.

“I’m starving, and my feet hurt.”

He touched the remote in his pocket and grinned. He promised to make lunch very interesting.

“I know this restaurant not far from here—”

“Oh no,”

Jillian said, gripping his wrist so he wouldn’t start the car.

“We’re picking up food from my favorite restaurant, then going to my place to eat, put this stuff away, and rest my feet.”

Even better.

“We can rest together.”

She eyed him suspiciously.

“When are we going to your friend’s house?”

He checked at his watch.

“Five. We have three hours to kill. How do we spend it since you don’t want to shop?”

“We’ll do whatever you want if”—she extended her hand—“you let me drive.”

That was a no-brainer. He didn’t even argue with her. He handed her the car keys and traded places with her. Her eyes widened when he pulled out the remote.

She looked at it and shook her head.

“No, Lex. You can’t use that while I’m driving.”

“Sorry, babe. You don’t decide what I can or cannot do.”

But he placed the remote in the tray between their seats. Teaching her to trust him was going to be fun.

“I swear, one of these days…”

She started the car.

Her favorite restaurant turned out to be a fast food joint. He couldn’t remember the last time he ate burgers and fries, but his mouth watered with anticipation. He reached for his wallet after they placed their order.

“Put that away, Lex. I’m paying,”

she said, handing the cashier the money.

“I thought we agreed—”

“No, we didn’t. You insisted and said it wasn’t negotiable. This is my treat.”

“Really? This?”

He took a handful of fries and shoved them in his mouth. Hmm, they were good. Cripsy. He reached for more.

“When was the last time you had burgers and fries?”

It had been years.

“Last month.”

“Liar.”

“A couple of years. I’d forgotten how good they taste.”

She laughed, the sound filling the car. He’d missed hearing it.

“Want some?”

He fed her as she drove. She was anal about how she ate her fries. One at a time. It wasn’t until she parked outside her apartment that he brought up the question that had been bothering him.

“What is The Fearless Finnegans?”

“Somehow, I knew you’d bring that up. How about we carry all our purchases and food inside, and then we can talk while eating?”

“I’ve finished my fries. We should have bought more.”

He grabbed the bags of food and the two drinks, and had a burger in his hand by the time he reached the door.

“Seriously? You’re eating first instead of taking in my things?”

Jillian asked. She was by the back door of the Phantom.

Lex grinned and took a big bite of the burger.

“Hmm, this is good. Want a bite?”

She shook her head.

“You don’t know what you’re missing.”

He was reaching for more fries when he saw two men step out of a black SUV across from her house. Something about them was off.

“Hey, those are my fries,”

Jillian yelled and abandoned the car.

A bad feeling washed over him when the men looked furtively around and started toward them. The bald-headed guy realized Lex had noticed them and lifted the edge of his jacket to reveal the butt of a gun.

Unaware of what was happening, Jillian snatched the bag of food from his hand and said something he missed.

“Come on. Unlock the door quickly,”

Lex said from the corner of his mouth.

She chuckled.

“You really must be starving.”

“Just do it, Jillian,”

he snapped.

“Watch that tone, mister.”

Instead of opening the door, she pointed the key at him, noticed his expression—which he was sure showed his unease—followed the direction of his gaze, and whimpered.