Always Been You by Lily Miller

Eleven

Olivia

I don’t thinkI’ve ever run that fast. Parker has my hand in his and we are laughing and stumbling through the sand on our way to his car. We stop for kisses along the way, not able to get enough of each other.

“Please tell me that you aren’t planning to go back to work today Livy?”

“Not a chance.” I will text Ellie when we get to the car and ask her for a favor. There are only a couple of hours left in the workday so I’m confident she can handle it. And even if she couldn’t handle it, at this point, I would ask her to close the shop and sell it rather than leave Parker now.

We reach the pavement and Parker slips on his dress shoes. I finally get a good look at him in his navy suit and crisp white dress shirt and think to myself that if I died today, I’d die a happy woman. He looks expensive. The suit is tailored to perfection, fitted in all the right places, and looks like it costs more than my entire wardrobe. This man is the definition of sexy.

“Where did you park?”

“Back at Bloom. I came to find you, but you obviously weren’t there. Ellie told me you went for a break and needed fresh air. I ran to the beach hoping my instincts were right.”

“You really haven’t forgotten a thing about me.” I feel my cheeks warm at the realization. I am amazed that after all these years Parker remembers the little details that make me who I am. He sweeps the tips of his fingers across my forehead, tucking loose strands of my hair behind my ear.

“No, I haven’t, and I probably never will.” He pulls me in close to him and presses a kiss to the top of my head.

“Now let’s go. I need to get you out of these clothes right now.” We race through the streets, his hand in mine, to get to his car, ignoring stares from strangers along the way. We must look like a couple of criminals fleeing the scene of a crime.

Finally, we are at his car. Parker opens the passenger door for me, backing me into the leather seat with his mouth on mine. He breaks the kiss, flashing me a devastatingly handsome smile.

“You are perfect, Livy.”

My heart thunders in my chest. He shuts my door, rounds the front of the car, and gets in the driver’s seat.

We reach the beach house in record speed. We stumble to the door in each other’s arms kissing and touching, our breathing ragged. It takes Parker three attempts to unlock the front door. I’m sure it didn’t help that my lips were basically glued to his.

The door slams shut behind us and Parker pulls me towards him, lifting me by my waist and then turning, pinning me against the door. My ankles lock around him and he pushes his body into mine.

“Kiss me, Parker.”

He has one arm under my bottom and his other hand is pressed against the door by my ear. He kisses me hard with hunger in his eyes and my arms snake around his neck, deepening the kiss. His tongue finds mine and his hand breaks from the wall moving to my jaw. He grasps my jaw in his hand and angles my chin higher, trailing kisses down my neck. The feel of his warm mouth on my neck sends a tingling sensation over my body.

“What are you doing to me, Parker?” I breathe the words into his ear, my body on fire. He nips the side of my jaw then runs his tongue across the mark his teeth leave on my flesh. The warmth of his mouth soothes my skin. Parker breaks the kiss and finds my eyes.

“Exactly what you want me to do. I’m going to make you feel so good Livy.”

I shudder, knowing just what Parker can do to me. I close my eyes, willing him for another kiss and because he knows me so well, he claims my mouth with his.

I reach for the front of his shirt, unbuttoning it one by one, resisting the urge to tear it off his body. I drag it down over his broad shoulders and it falls to the floor. I roam my hands over his hard pecs, loving the feel of his muscles that he seems to have perfected at the gym.

“I love your body, Parker. You are so damn sexy. I will never get enough of it as long as I live.” I’ve wanted someone to make me feel this way for such a long time. The intense desire and need for him courses through my body. It feels like an addiction that I never want to break.

“Take your shirt off,” Parker commands in a voice that should be illegal it’s that sexy. I quickly pull it over my head. This new demanding side of him is turning me on, and I want more of it. Holy Shit.

“Bra. Now,” he demands again, pulling my back just far enough from the door that I can reach the hooks. I unhook the clasp as he pulls the straps away from my shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. His hand palms one breast, his thumb trailing across my nipple before he dips down to take it in his mouth. I run my hand through his hair, gripping it at the base of his neck, trying to relieve the mounting pleasure between my legs.

“God Parker.” The feel of his breath on my skin and his arousal pulsing into my center is intoxicating.

“I want you in my bed now.” His eyes narrow and he looks at me like I am everything he has ever wanted.

He steadies both of his arms under my thighs and carries me to the bedroom. He stops at the foot of the bed and I slither my legs from around him and down his body, so I am standing in front of him. I go up on my toes so I can reach his mouth and I kiss him with force. My hands travel down his abs to his belt buckle and I unfasten it, removing his pants. His hands are by his sides, fisted, fighting to stay in control.

My fingers find the waistband of his briefs and I tug them down to the floor. His erection springs free. I straighten and stare at every inch of skin that is displayed in front of me, feeling my heartbeat race. A sexy grin slips across his lips.

“Do you like what you see?”

“You’re incredible.” There is no other word that comes close to describing him. He has the perfect athletic build, just the way I like it. His muscles are defined, long and lean and powerful. His arms strong and smooth. My eyes narrow on a vein that I can’t help but notice runs down both of his arms from his forearm to his wrist.

“Livy you are so God damn beautiful, I could just stare at you all day.”

I grasp his hard length in my hand, stroking up and down. He closes his eyes and I watch his Adam’s apple move as he swallows hard. I rake my nails with my other hand up his hip, and his jaw tightens as I pump faster.

“Shit Livy, that feels so good.” He brushes the tip of my chin with his thumb. “But you need to stop. It feels too good and I want you.”

He lifts me by my hips and lowers me onto the king size bed. It’s covered with a plush white down comforter, soft blue and white pillows against the headboard. The weight of his body stills on mine. I arch my back, pushing my hips into his as he sucks my bottom lip into his mouth. Sucking and teasing me and chasing it with his tongue. My eyes roll shut.

He leans back and gets to work on my jeans, peeling them from my body, then does the same to my white lace thong. We’re both finally totally bare.

“You are sexy as fuck, Liv.” His eyes run over my body from my knees up to my mouth and he growls, taking my nipple between his lips. He sucks and licks and circles it before moving to the other. The stubble over his jaw tickles my skin.

“God, I’ve missed you,” I say, my hands trailing up his back to his neck. His mouth stays firmly in place, just where I want it. He knows exactly how to drive me out of my mind.

His fingers move down my body before he slides two inside of me, moving them back and forth, slowly pushing them in deeper. Every nerve ending is on fire and I want to feel him inside of me right now. He keeps pushing and his thumb moves in tiny circles.

“I’m almost there, Parker. I’m so close. I want you inside of me,” I beg.

He begins to reach for the nightstand to get a condom when I stop him.

“I’m on the pill, Parker, and I trust you. I want to feel all of you.”

“I trust you too, baby. Only if you’re sure?”

“I’m sure, Parker. Stop talking.”

Parker smirks and flattens his hand against my thigh pushing it open as he places a kiss to the swell of my breast. He’s taking his time teasing me and the anticipation is almost too much. My thighs fall open and he positions himself between my legs, sliding his tip up and down before pushing inside. I pull him in closer by his muscular ass, needing as much of him as I can get. A low moan escapes him. It feels too good like this.

“Are you sure you want this?”

“Please don’t stop. I don’t want you to stop.”

My hips rise to take him in deeper. I wrap my legs around his hips and my hands around his neck. He moans louder, increasing the pace. He moves harder and faster until my entire body trembles with pleasure.

He changes the angle and finds that sweet spot. He moves faster and I know he’s right there with me.

“That’s it, baby. I’ve got you.”

My eyes squeeze shut as I cry out his name and ride out the intense rush that takes over me. He follows me over the edge, his muscles clenching as he releases into me. My name escapes his lips in a low moan. He drops his face into my neck, kissing the sensitive skin behind my ear, that spot he knows I love. We both struggle to catch our breaths.

“You’re all mine, Livy. All mine.”

He kisses my shoulder and lifts his upper body. He hovers over me, holding himself up on his forearms.

We catch our breath and look at one other. The look in his eyes is different now. I can feel the shift between us. I wonder if he feels it too. I’ve only ever felt this way with him, and I know it’s love. I’m falling so fast for this man. I should be nervous and scared, trying to plan my escape. Instead, my heart is bursting in my chest and I know I never want to leave this.

“I love having you in my bed.” He says it softly against my lips.

“I love being in it.”

His eyes turn serious and the corners of his mouth tip up. “Can I just keep you here twenty-four seven? Seriously, Livy. Let’s do it. We can pick up some of your things tomorrow and you can stay here with me.”

I can see myself here with Parker. It’s funny, I am so used to being on my own that I never thought I’d actually consider sharing my life with anyone else. But being here in Parker’s arms makes me feel so safe and protected.

“I think that can be arranged.”

Parker smiles and rolls me over so I’m on top of him now. “Can you tell how happy I am?”

“I can - and I can feel it too.” I giggle and glance down at the situation happening between us. He’s inside of me and still hard as steel.

“You need something to eat! I’m making us dinner.”

“Excuse me. Since when do you cook?”

“Have you already forgotten my Michelin quality breakfast this morning?” He tickles my ribs and I squirm, letting out a high-pitched squeal. Our bodies finally separate and I feel the loss immediately.

“How could I forget? But making breakfast and cooking dinner are two completely different skills.”

“Hey, I’m not just skilled in the bedroom you know. This meal will blow your mind. Come on, I’ll pour you a glass of wine and you can relax while I cook. I’ll let you ogle my body all you want.”

I can’t help the smile that lights up my face. He smiles back, threading his fingers through mine, and presses an open-mouthed kiss against my lips. He breaks the kiss and I give him my best pouty face to let him know I wasn’t ready for it to end.

“If you keep looking at me like that Liv, we are never going anywhere but this bed.” He raises his brow and kisses me slowly. “And I wouldn’t complain, by the way.”

I feel the mattress dip, watching Parker rise from the bed. I follow, throwing one of his t-shirts over my head as he whips on a pair of his joggers and we head to the kitchen.

On the way to the kitchen, I stop and look at a bookcase covered in family photos. There’s a photo of Parker with Liam and Miles on a football field, arms around each other’s shoulders, beaming. There’s another of Parker with his family that looks like it was taken on a vacation. They are standing together on a pier, all smiles. Parker appears to be laughing. They are all so darn good looking. There are some serious good genes in that family. I start to imagine what our kids would look like. I bet they’d be diaper box photo worthy.

Woah, I really need to slow down. What just happened there?

Parker calls me into the kitchen and hands me a glass of wine. He has pancetta chopped into cubes on a cutting board on the counter and a large pot of water waiting to boil on the stove.

“What are you making me?”

“My dad’s famous carbonara. You will love it, it’s delicious.”

“I bet I will. What’s also delicious is you cooking for me in nothing but your joggers.”

He eyes me with a cocky grin. He clearly likes it when I stroke his ego, and I’m more than happy to oblige.

There’s something so insanely hot about a guy in just a slim fitted pair of joggers slung low on his hips with no shirt and bare feet. Especially with a body like Parker’s. I’m enjoying the view. Who could blame me?

“What can I do to help?”

“Nothing babe, I’ve got this.” Parker cracks two eggs into a bowl and adds a little salt and pepper. “What are your plans for the week?”

“It’s going to be another busy one. Besides that, I have yoga Wednesday night with the Ellie and Kate and at some point, I need to make time for my mom.” Just the thought of my mom reminds me of what I will be facing soon. I need to check in with her and make sure she is emotionally ready to see my dad again. The subject of my father hasn’t come up yet with Parker beyond our conversation at the beach and I’m dreading it. I know he must be wondering where my family and I are at with it all.

“How’s your mom doing? I could go with you to see her if you like. It would be nice to see her again. Unless you would prefer I didn’t tag along?”

It’s really sweet of him to offer. Parker and my mother always got along well. She liked him for me, and I know she was disappointed when I called things off with him. On one hand it would be nice to have him with me for moral support, but on the other it feels like it’s too much too soon. I don’t really want to talk about my mom right now, knowing where it will inevitably lead, so I decide to brush over the subject.

“She’s fine. Can I think about it?”

“Of course you can.”

“So work is pretty busy? It seems like you two have done one hell of a job with growing the business. Have you ever considered expanding?” Parker stirs the pancetta that is sizzling in the pan with a wooden spoon.

“We’ve talked about it and it’s something we both are interested in pursuing. We mostly just haven’t found a location that would work. The capital we would need is also a bit of an issue. Well, it’s a major issue.”

“I’d be happy to help you. I have the resources to scout for a location beyond Reed Point. We could look together.”

“That’s a really nice offer but I know you have a lot on your plate right now.” I decide I need to do something to help with dinner, so I begin to set the table. He grabs me by the waist, pulling me into him. His shirtless body wrapped around me is making it really hard to think straight.

“You know I’m being serious. I would do anything to help you.”

“You might have to pinch me. I don’t believe you’re real.”

I’ve always done things on my own because I’ve had to. After my dad left, it fell on me to take care of Kate, and for the most part, my mom too. My dad had built a very successful business, but I was never really able to learn from him. He went to prison the summer before I started college. He was convicted of tax evasion and money laundering, both federal offenses, and sentenced to nine years in prison. He was also convicted of mail and wire fraud, both adding hefty jail time. On top of that he was required to pay a substantial penalty. It was the reason we lost our home.

I opened Bloom with Ellie soon after we graduated college with very little knowledge of how to start a business. It would have been nice to have my father around to guide me, but after what he did to land himself in prison, I wasn’t sure he was the right person to be taking advice from anyway.

Parker plates the pasta, and we sit down together to eat. As promised, it is unreal, and he agrees to give me the recipe. Cooking is something I’ve always enjoyed, and I’ve gotten pretty good at it over the years. It’s cooking for one that I find not too appealing, so more often than not I just order in or pick up something on my way home from work. Sitting at the dining table with Parker, I realize I am already planning out the meals I want to make for him.

After dinner, Parker offers to drive me to my apartment to pick up a few things, including my swimsuit. He isn’t happy when I leave my apartment with just a duffle bag of essentials. I’m sure he would rent a U-Haul in a split second to empty out my apartment if I let him.

We make it back to the beach house and Parker insists I unpack my things, even though I let him know I am happy to live out of my duffle bag. He’s not having it. As soon as my stuff is tucked away in a drawer, we change into our swimsuits, pour two glasses of wine and hop into the hot tub.

It’s a warm, clear evening. The sun hasn’t quite set, and the beach is almost completely empty, giving us our privacy. The house is nestled into the far end of the beach in a small residential area just before the dunes meet the sand. It is far enough away from everything to allow for privacy, but still close enough to the street, with its cute restaurants and coffee shops to make it convenient.

I take a sip of my wine and admire the perfect view from the deck overlooking the ocean. It’s undeniably beautiful, but my favorite view is actually sitting across from me with water running down his chest. His feet are tangled with mine at the bottom of the tub. He has a cheeky grin on his face, so I decide to try and kiss it off.

I move slowly through the steaming water, never taking my eyes off of his. I run my hands up his hard pecs to his neck and place a soft kiss on the edge of his mouth. I straddle his waist as he pulls my slippery body in closer, his two hands cupping my ass. I run my fingertips up his neck towards his jaw and his lips part. He angles his chin and I press a long slow kiss to his lips.

“You’re amazing, Livy.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” His voice is low and sexy, kiss talking in between kisses. Our mouths never leave each other.

I feel his hands move up to the strings of my bikini across my lower back and he gently tugs. He then finds the strings at the back of my neck and he tugs those too, removing my top. His hands move immediately to cup my breasts.

I remember where we are, and I’m flooded with memories. This beach house was our hiding spot when we were kids. It was our special place we would run to be together, just the two of us. We were here when he told me he loved me for the first time. The memory brings a smile to my face. He notices and breaks the kiss.

“Do I make you happy?”

“So happy, Parker,” I say softly and kiss him again.

“I want you back, Liv.” He palms my cheek with his hand.

“I’m already yours.”

We quickly remove his swim trunks and my bikini bottoms, and I straddle his waist again. I sink down on his length and rock back and forth. The water spilling over the edge of the tub. It feels so good. Parker’s gorgeous cocoa eyes have darkened, and his head falls back. I run my nose along the column of his neck and glide my tongue along the sharp edge of his jaw. His lips part and as he moans, I capture the sound in my mouth. His fingers dig into my hips as he lifts me over and over again.

“So good, Liv. Fuck. So good.”

My body stiffens and I can feel Parker swell inside of me. Exhilaration grips me and aftershocks take over. It just keeps on getting better with him. I’m not sure how that is even possible.

He holds me close to his chest, running his fingers up and down my spine. Once our bodies are no longer joined, Parker wraps me in a towel and takes me to bed.

He pulls the covers back and we both drop our towels to the floor and crawl in. He nuzzles me into his side, and I rest my head on his chest. He covers us both to our waists with the down blanket and I listen to his breathing, synching mine to his.

He turns out the lights.

My eyes are heavy, and my body is in a complete state of bliss.

I drift into sleep.