Always Been You by Lily Miller

Twelve

Parker

I wakeup to Livy’s fingertips drawing circles on my chest. She’s propped up on her forearm, her gaze following the pattern she’s drawing around and around. Her thigh is hooked over mine.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

“Hi you.” She continues running her fingers over my skin and I like the way it feels. A lot.

I wish we didn’t have to work today. I can think of a million things I’d rather be doing. All involving Livy.

Yesterday was amazing and I want more of that. It crosses my mind to ask her to take the day off with me, but I have a better idea. A weekend away. Just the two of us. I decide to keep it to myself for now, until I can make plans.

“Did we sleep in?”

“Nope, we are good babe. It’s seven thirty.” I run my hand over her smooth skin watching it pebble under my touch. “I’m sorry I fell asleep on you last night. You were so cozy and warm and the hot tub made me feel so relaxed,” She says, kissing the center of my chest. I roll her over to her side so we can face each other.

“I just want to stay here a little longer with you. I like having you in my arms. I could stay like this forever Livy.”

I realize I can’t keep her in this bed with me forever, but I’m going to drag it out as long as I can. This all feels so right. Like this is where we belong. It feels like we are starting again where we left off. She feels like home.

I link my fingers through hers and kiss each one of her knuckles. I love how small and soft her hands are compared to mine. I can wrap my hand around hers completely. I turn her hand over to kiss the four small freckles on her wrist that I’ve always loved. I first noticed them when we sat together in class back in high school.

“I still can’t believe I fell asleep on you. I haven’t slept that well in years.”

“I’m happy you got a good sleep. I moved you around a few times in the middle of the night to get closer to you and you slept right through it all. You even slept through my attempt at seducing you.”

Livy giggles. “Oh God Parker, I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. It was cute. I love how soundly you slept curled up beside me.”

Sleeping in bed with someone is not something I’m used to. I don’t typically let it get that far. It always feels too intimate and then the waking up part in the morning next to someone you really aren’t interested in, just seems like it would be awkward. With Livy it’s different. I like the intimacy, and the feelings that come with it.

My vibrating phone on the nightstand attempts to interrupts us, but I ignore it. I’m enjoying lying in bed with Livy way too much. I obviously have zero self-restraint when it comes to her and instead of getting out of bed like I know I should, I bring her in closer.

“Do you need to get that?”

“Nope.”

“Are you sure? What if it’s important? It could be work.”

“What could be more important than this right now? I’m not moving. I’m way too comfortable.” I smooth a few loose strands of hair over her ear and lean in to kiss her cheekbone.

She’s silent all of a sudden and I’m not sure why.

“What just happened Livy? Something is on your mind.”

“It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t feel like nothing. Let me in, Liv. What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” Livy has always internalized her thoughts and that scares me. I need her to open up to me if this is ever going to work between us. I need to know what she needs and wants from me.

“It’s just…. Well. What exactly are we, Parker? Are we exclusive?” She’s chewing on her bottom lip and I can tell that she is nervous.

“Well, there’s no way I’m sharing you with anyone else, so we better be. That’s what you want, right?”

“Of course, it is. This all just happened so fast. I mean, five days ago you were only a memory to me. It’s a lot to take in, but I’m happy with you. And for the record, I don’t share either.”

I laugh and kiss her, trying to reassure her that she’s the only one I want. It’s hard to believe that she has chosen me again. That I got that lucky. There’s a small part of me that still worries that she could change her mind like she did the first time. I push those worries away, not wanting to burst this bubble we are in right now.

I press a kiss to her shoulder and reach for my phone to snap a pic and capture the moment. I slide my lock screen to access the camera and hold it up over top of us.

“What are you doing? Are you seriously taking a photo of us right now? You can’t take a picture of me looking like this. I’m sure my hair looks like there is something nesting in it.”

“Do you honestly not know how beautiful you are to wake up to?”

I snap a photo as she buries her head into my neck and then snap another of me kissing the top of her head. The picture shows her profile and her smile pressed into my neck. Her cheeks pink and her slender fingers across my bare chest. She looks beautiful and happy and, in that moment, I know that I’m the reason for her happiness. These will come in handy when I can’t be with her.

“I have an idea, Livy.”

“That sounds dangerous. What is it?”

“I would like to take you on a date. Like, a proper date. Our first date now that we are official.”

“We’ve already had our first date. Do you not remember taking me to that burger shack and then a movie?” Of course I did. I still remember how nervous I was, thinking that I couldn’t believe a girl like her had agreed to go on a date with me.

“I do. But that was before. We need another first date. I want to take you out like you deserve. I want all of Reed Point to know you are mine.”

“You are ridiculous.”

“Is that a yes then?”

“It’s a yes, I would love to go on a second first date with you.” She runs the pads of her fingers up my arm to my shoulder. My body reacts in a shudder and a smile covers my mouth. I’m going to have to get us both out of bed before I do what I really want to do to her and make her come. Over and over again.

My phone vibrates again, and I reluctantly pick it up from where it lays beside me on the bed sheet. There’s a text from my mother inviting me for dinner tonight with the rest of the family. It sounds nice, but I really want to take Livy out.

“Everything okay?” Livy asks.

“Yeah, it’s just my mom. It’s an invite for dinner tonight at the house. She’s having my brothers and sister over.”

“I bet she’s pretty happy to have you around for longer than a weekend. You should go.”

“I’d rather be with you. Besides, it’s date night and I have plans for us.”

“You can’t already have plans for us, Parker. You just decided less than five minutes ago to take me on a date. We can do it Thursday night. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Or… you could come with me tonight to my parents’ place and we could still do our date night on Thursday?”

A look of hesitance crosses her face and she’s pulled her bottom lip under her teeth. It’s her automatic response when she’s nervous, I bet she has no idea she’s even doing it. It’s cute and it drives me crazy. I bring her hand up to my face and place her palm on my cheek. I brush the back of her hand with my knuckles.

“What have you told your family? Do they know about us?”

“My dad does. So do Miles, Liam and Jules. I mean, they know I decided to stay here because of you, but that’s about it. I haven’t talked to my mom yet, but I plan on doing that the next time I speak to her.”

“What did they say? Were they supportive of your decision to stay here because of me?”

“They are. Honestly, they are surprised it took us this long to find our way back to each other.” I take her hand from my face and kiss the tips of her fingers. One at a time. She still looks uncertain.

“How does your dad feel about you working from here? Is he concerned that you’re not in New York?”

“Not at all. I want you to stop worrying. He offered me the beach house for as long as I need. Livy, I don’t want you to worry about my family. I promise they would love to see you tonight. But we don’t need to go. I’m fine telling my mom I have plans.”

“I’ll go. But will you promise to run it by your mother first and make sure it’s okay?”

“Yes baby, I promise.” I can’t help but smile at her, she makes me so damn happy.

I flip her onto her back, my arms braced on either side of her face. Her hair is spread out all around her. She’s looks like a fucking goddess. I center myself between her legs.

“We have to get ready for work. We don’t have time,” Livy says, but she reaches for me, running the tips of her fingers down the back of my neck.

“I can be quick. I will probably embarrass myself with just how quick. I want you so bad, Liv.”

I nudge her legs open with my knee and move my body in between hers. Her lips part and her eyes lock with mine.

“Parker….” Livy brings her hands to my face, dragging her nails through the scruff of my beard. Her beautiful eyes flutter closed, and I’m lost in her. So damn lost.

I’m so far gone for this girl I may never be able to be found.

And nothing could make me happier.

* * *

I takea bite of my caramel apple croissant and wait for the light to turn green. This is probably the best croissant I’ve had in my life. Before saying goodbye, Livy and I stopped at her favorite bakery on our way to Bloom and she convinced me I needed to try one. A coffee shop breakfast was all we had time for after our marathon of morning sex. I’m not complaining.

I press the command button on the steering wheel and ask the system to call my mom. I need to let her know I’m bringing Livy to dinner tonight. I have a feeling I’m going to make her day with this news.

“Hello?”

“Hi Mom, it’s Parker.”

“Hi honey, how are you?”

“I’m good. Do you have a minute?”

“Of course. I’m always available to talk to my boy. It’s good to hear your voice. Your dad and I would love to see you. Can you make dinner tonight?”

“I can. Thanks for the invite mom. I -” She interrupts me before I have a chance to tell her about Livy.

“Oh fantastic. I know it’s short notice, but I was hoping it would work out. This means I will have all of my kids around the dinner table with me tonight. Jules is bringing Alex too.”

“Sounds nice, Mom,” I say, turning right onto First street. “I am actually calling to let you know I will be bringing someone too. I invited Olivia. I hope that’s okay with you.”

“Oh my, Parker, things must be going well for you to be bringing her to dinner. You have no idea how happy this makes me. She is always welcome, you know that.”

“Thanks Mom, and I know. It was important to Livy that I ask. I think she’s feeling a little nervous to see everyone again.” I stop at a red light and take a long sip of my coffee.

“I can understand that. Her life was upside down when we last had her at family gatherings. But you know your father and I will do our best to make her feel at ease. She’s a sweet girl and I think she’s good for you.”

“Thanks Mom.”

“So, I assume things are going well between the two of you?”

“I think I’m making progress. She’s worried about the distance between us. I mean, her living here in Reed Point and me living in New York or Cape May or wherever my job takes me. She owns a business here that she loves, and it’s successful. She hasn’t said it, but I don’t think she would want to leave it. So, we have a huge challenge on our hands and she’s not sure it can work between us. I can’t blame her.”

“Oh Parker. You need to reassure her that it’s all possible. It just means that you’re going to have to put in an extra effort. It’s normal for her to have doubts and insecurities. It won’t be as easy for the two of you as it would for a couple who live in the same city, but you can figure it all out together. Take it one day at a time and be patient with her.”

“Thanks for the advice, Mom.” I grab my sunglasses from below the arm rest, slipping them on so I can see through the searing sunlight.

“I’m always here for you. I love you, Parker.”

“I love you too. See you tonight. Bye Mom.”

I end the call and park my Audi in front of the Godiva store. I want to buy Livy things. I want to spoil her. I think chocolates are a good start. After all, I can’t exactly buy her flowers. I’m assuming Livy hasn’t lost her sweet tooth. She never used to go a day without chocolate of some sort, so I think it’s a safe bet. I browse around the store before deciding on two boxes from their Gold collection and the woman behind the counter wraps them up with a large red bow. I arrange to have them sent to Bloom this afternoon with a note.

I head into the office and say a quick hello to Erin at reception.

“Good morning, Parker.”

“Morning, Erin. How’s your day going?”

“Well, thank you. You know, it’s really nice to see you in the office. And I can tell your father is really happy to have you here.”

“It’s good to be here. Thanks, Erin.”

“Don’t forget you have a meeting with your father and Liam at two o’clock.”

“Got it, I’ll be there.”

I lock myself in my office. I have a lot of work to get done if I’m going to sneak away with Livy for the weekend.

I skim through my emails for anything urgent before calling Jordan. He’s been good about not emailing and texting me too often. He seems to be managing well on his own, which is making this a good trial run for when I leave the NYC hotel permanently. He’s proving he is capable of taking over there.

There’s an email from Nelson wanting to set up a meeting with the architect in three weeks and go over a few design issues before the construction starts. It reminds me that I don’t have a lot of time here with Livy. There’s a pit in my stomach all of a sudden at the thought of leaving. I need to stop thinking about that and get back to work.

I shoot Nelson an email letting him know my arrival date in three weeks and the rest of my morning is spent reviewing the development plans for Cape May. The project is running smoothly and on schedule, thanks in large part to a great team that I know I can count on.

The day flies by. It’s four o’clock and I’ve wrapped up my last conference call. I spent a good part of my day running numbers with my father and now my brain hurts, and my eyes are sore. I’ll put in another hour at the office before I go home to shower and change to pick up Livy.

My phone vibrates on my desk and I check the screen. It’s a text from Livy. I open it immediately, feeling like a giddy high schooler.

OLIVIA: The chocolates are sweet Parker, but not as sweet as you. I’m feeling pretty spoiled. Thank you xx

I text her back right away.

ME: I’m happy you like them. I miss you btw. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock. My mom is excited to see you. xo

I watch the dots on my screen bounce as she’s typing out her response.

OLIVIA: I miss you too ;)

I lean back in my chair, my hands clasped behind my neck. Images of Livy float through my mind: her sweet smile, sexy eyes and tanned olive skin.

I can’t help but smile. I think I might be winning her over.