He pulled me down next to him and wrapped his arms around me. “Here you are. So, since your mom knows, now what? Do you think she will tell everyone else?”
“Oh no, until I tell Mama where we stand, she will keep it to herself. That’s a guarantee.”
“So then, what do we tell people?”
“What do you think we should tell people?”
“Well, you are the one that has a huge decision to make, so I will go along with whatever you decide,” he said. He was obviously trying to be supportive but I knew that this was what he’d been afraid of, why he’d been trying to keep me away.
And then, reality hit. I did have to make a huge decision-do I go back to the life I worked so hard and sacrificed so much of myself for or stay here and start a new life with the man I was desperately in love with? The man that I now know that I would never be able to live without? I had time to think about it. I was going to be here for another eight days, and I wanted a clear head to be able to enjoy this wedding. I looked at him and said, “I will decide soon, I promise. But, for now, can we just forget all of the heavy stuff and just enjoy the wedding together? Enjoy us?”
He smiled at me and said, “Of course we can. Speaking of the wedding, there was something I wanted to ask you.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“Will you be my date tomorrow?” he asked, grinning.
I leaned forward and kissed him. “I’d be honored, Dr. Beckett. We can go to the rehearsal dinner together too, if you want to.”
“As a couple?”
I smiled at him. “Of course. What do you think?”
His face brightened. “I think that I love you, Lilly,” he said and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “I have to admit, I am a little surprised though.”
“Really? About what?” I asked.
“Well, when you first got here you didn’t want us to hang out in public so no one would think we were together, but now that we have slept together…a lot,” he said, making me smile and blush, “you seem okay with everyone knowing about us. I mean, just now, you said you wanted to go the dinner tonight as a couple. Is that what we are?” he asked. I know that I wanted to take a few days to think about everything, the couple thing being one of them. But, now seeing the nervousness and uncertainty in his eyes, I knew I had to give him some kind of an answer.
I put my hand on his cheek, and smiled at him. “Luke, I want a relationship with you. I said I loved you, and I meant it. If you think we should shout it from the rooftops, I’ll do it. I’ll tell the whole world that I am in love with you, and I won’t even bat an eyelash. And nothing-not family, friends, or even distance, if it comes to that, will make me change my mind. You are the man I love, and you always will be, no matter what.”
He smiled at me, his face beaming. “Lilly...I have been waiting sixteen years to hear you say that to me. I love you so, so much,” he said, and then he leaned in and kissed me again. Even though we had kissed a lot during the past several hours, this one felt different. There wasn’t just passion and electricity. It was deep, consuming love. He pulled me down onto the bed, and in one swift move, he was hovering over me. He gently tugged at the sheet covering me, and then I was exposed. He moved his kisses from my lips down past my neck to my naked chest. He trailed his tongue across each breast and then down my torso. This man made my blood sing just from his tongue alone. My hands found his hair as he moved down below my belly button, and between my legs. I started moaning loudly as his tongue explored me. I was writhing beneath him as he drove me wild with his mouth. He was sending me into a sexual tailspin, and all of a sudden I had to have him inside me. I quickly sat up and pushed him on his back. I climbed on top of him where he was aroused and ready for me, and we instantly connected again. Luke was right; we were never going to be able to leave the bedroom.
Somehow, Luke and I made it out of the bed and into the kitchen. After an exhausting night (and morning) of bliss, we both agreed that we needed to shower and then eat. We decided to shower together, which of course led to more sex, but I didn’t mind at all. I decided to make lunch for us, but he insisted that he help me. Luke was a brilliant doctor, but he was a mess in the kitchen, so the only thing I let him do was slice the vegetables. Luckily, after roaming the refrigerator and cabinets, Luke had all the ingredients for me to make chicken club sandwiches, and mustard potato salad. After the potatoes were boiled, cooled, and peeled, Luke was at the cutting board chopping them up for me. I grilled the chicken, chopped it into thin slices, and tossed it in some herbs and spices. As I was getting ready to fry the bacon, I stopped and watched Luke. As he was carefully slicing the vegetables, he had a bright grin on his face. He looked so completely happy. I felt like I could stare at him all day. All of a sudden, I felt a calm wash over me. Being here with him, cooking in his kitchen…it felt easy. It felt right. I was brought back to the present by Luke’s voice. “Hey, you okay?” he asked.
“Oh yeah, sorry, I must have zoned out. Where was I? Yes, cooking bacon,” I said, and he laughed. We continued cooking together, and it was nice to know for sure that we really did fit together in all aspects of our lives.
After we ate, and the dishes were all cleaned and put away, I looked at the clock on the wall. Three o’clock in the afternoon. I groaned. “Luke, I hate so much to say this, but I have to go back to the house.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist. “No, why?”
“Well, there is this little rehearsal dinner that I have to go to tonight. I have to go get ready.”
He grumbled, “Yeah, I know. I just don’t want you to leave yet, I haven’t had enough of you.”
I hugged him and said, “You will see me again in just a few hours. And, I’ll be wearing a tight dress. I might even have something sexy on underneath that tight dress.”
“Ugh, that’s not fair! You can’t wear sexy underwear knowing that I won’t be able to peel them off you tonight,” he pouted.
“Well, no one said that you couldn’t get a sneak peek on the way there,” I teased.
His back straightened. “Okay, I am now intrigued,” he said, a sexy edge in his voice. “Let me get my coat and I’ll take you home.”
“Thanks, Luke.” I said, already sliding into my coat. He grabbed his keys off the hook by the door and we walked out to his car together. Once we were buckled into our seat belts, he turned the key and we began our drive to my house.
Chapter 16
Clearing the Air
“Well, here we are,” I said nervously as Luke pulled into the driveway of the house.
He put his hand to my face and said, “Hey, you all right?”
“Yeah, I guess I’m just a little nervous.” I noticed the amused expression on his face, and I continued. “I know it seems silly, but I’m so freaked out about how my parents are going to react about my spending the night with a guy.”
Smiling, he said, “Lilly, baby, you’re twenty nine years old. I’m sure they know you’ve had sex before.”
I laughed a little. “I know, but remember I was always a responsible and driven teenager. I never did things like this then. Hell, I didn’t do things like this after I left either. Well, except for that one time,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I know it’s silly, but I think I am just more nervous about Daddy. But its okay, I’m sure everything will be cool,” I said, trying to convince myself. I shook my head slightly, and turned to him, smiling. “Well, I’m guess I’m gonna head inside.”
“Good luck, sweetie,” he said. “Is it okay if I kiss you goodbye, or are you worried that your parents will see us making out in my car?” he joked, and I playfully shoved him.
“Very funny. Get over here,” I demanded, and I tugged at his coat and pulled him into a deep kiss. I felt butterflies in my stomach…God this man knew how to kiss. I felt my toes curl up in my shoes. Moaning, he was the first to break the kiss and said, “Okay go, get out, get ready, before I change my mind and take you back home with me,” he quietly growled. The muscles in m
y belly clenched deliciously. “Pick you up at seven?”
“Seven sounds perfect. I’ll see you soon,” I said, giving him one more quick hard kiss. “Don’t be late,” I reminded. I reluctantly opened the car door.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be. Love you,” he said.
I turned to him and whispered “Love you too.” With that I got out of the car and closed the door. I took a deep breath and slowly walked into the house. Daddy was sitting in the living room, watching a football game. “Hey, I’m home,” I called, and I could feel the bile start to rise in my throat. I knew I was an adult, and didn’t have to explain to my parents that I had spent the night in a man’s bed, but I suddenly felt like a child. Even though I was grown, he was still my Daddy.
He turned to me in his chair, and said, “Well, hey there darlin’. You just getting in?” Yeah, like he didn’t know.
“Um, yeah, Vi’s bachelorette party was last night. Who’s playing?” I asked, sitting down, fidgeting with my hands and trying to divert the attention from me.
“Um, Seattle and Oakland. Not a fan of either, to tell you the truth, but it’s the only game on right now,” he said, and he turned the volume down with the remote. He turned his body toward me, and said, “Lilly, you seem nervous. What’s wrong?”
I felt my face go scarlet. “Uh, nothing.”
He exhaled loudly and said, “Lilly, you don’t have to be afraid to talk to me. I know you spent the night at Luke’s place.”
I felt like I was two inches tall. “You do?”
“Don’t worry, no one told me. Daisy came home by herself last night, and I put two and two together.”
“Daddy, I…”
He put his hand up and said, “Lilly, relax. You seem scared. Don’t be. Honestly, I am thrilled.”
What? “Thrilled? Daddy, you know that your first born daughter spent the night alone with a gorgeous man, and you are thrilled? I don’t understand.”
“Well, granted, I’m not in love with the knowledge that my little girl was probably naked most of the night…”
“Oh my god, Daddy, ew…”
“However,” he interrupted, “I know that you were with Luke, and that you were safe, and that’s okay with me.” At that moment, a weight had literally been lifted off my chest. I let out a long breath that I didn’t realize until then that I was holding in. “Luke is a very good man, and if you are going to be with any man, I am glad it is with him. I don’t know how long this thing will last with you two, but…”
I interrupted him this time. “Daddy, you don’t have to worry. This wasn’t just some fling for me, or for Luke.” I took a deep breath, and decided if I was going to tell the truth, I was going to tell the whole truth. “I love him, Daddy.”
He looked into my eyes, and he began to smile. “You love him.”
“Yes, more than anything. It’s making me rethink a lot of things.”
“Well, you have always known what was best for you, and you never bowed out of anything you made a commitment to. Whatever you decide, I know it will be the right thing for everyone,” he said, taking my hand.
“Oh, Daddy, that means the world to me that you feel that way. Honestly, it was hard for me to leave his house today, I just feel so happy being around him.” I said, gushing.
He chuckled. “Yeah, you got it bad. I’ve never seen you so happy.”
“So, you okay having another daughter in love with a doctor?” I joked.
He smiled proudly. “I guess I am. I know that my girls are in good hands. Now, if Daisy would just get with the program,” he added, winking at me, “then all my girls will be happy.” He stared at me with a knowing look, but I just smiled back.
“I have no idea to what you are referring to,” I smiled.
“Mmmhmm. Well, I’d better run and get my suit from the dry cleaners. We have a rehearsal dinner to get through,” he said, standing up.
I stood too. “Yeah, I have to start getting ready too. Luke’s picking me up at seven, so I better get a move on. I’m glad we talked, Daddy. I was so nervous to tell you about Luke and me.”
“Well, you didn’t need to be. I’m happy if you’re happy, and I know your Mama will be delighted,” he said, hugging me. “Okay, go get ready. Daisy’s upstairs too, so you girls can do each other’s hair, or whatever,” he said, sliding into his coat.
I giggled, kissed him on the cheek, and went upstairs. Daisy’s bedroom door was open, and I had been dying to know how it went with Jack. I knocked on the door. “Dais? You in here?”
I heard her sniff. “Yeah, Lil, I’m here,” she said, her voice cracking.
I rushed into the room and found her sitting on her bed, her eyes red from crying. “Oh my god, Dais, what happened?” I asked, sitting next to her and wrapping my arm around her shoulders.
“Jack and I are done,” she said, gravel in her voice.
“Daisy, what happened?” I asked, gently tucking her hair behind her ear.
“I don’t know, Lil, I can’t understand it. I thought about everything he was offering to me, and I thought that I was just not ready for it yet. I really thought that I’d feel bad about letting him down, but then that would be that. But when I actually said it, his eyes turned cold and he just said, ‘That’s fine. I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner’, and he just walked away from me. I thought I’d at least feel relieved, but seeing him walk away just broke me. I haven’t been able to stop crying, damn it,” she said. “Lilly, I really don’t know why this is upsetting me so much. I mean, I’m free. I won’t have him calling me all the time, texting me, asking me out, or bothering me in general. I should be happy, right? God, why is this getting to me?” she asked, sniffing.
I gave her a squeeze and said, “Because, little sister, you love him.”
Her head snapped up. “What? No I don’t.”
“Dais, come on. He just gave up, and that hurts you because you love him. Everyone knows it except you.”
“Well, that’s not it at all. Maybe I feel a little guilty, I don’t know. He was my friend for a long time, maybe I feel bad for hurting him. But, what I do know and can say with absolute certainty that I do not love him,” she said, her cheeks flushing.
“Uh huh. Sure,” I teased, and hugged her again around the shoulders.
She nudged me with her shoulder, and jokingly asked, “I swear, sometimes you are a pain in the ass. When are you going back to California anyway?”
I decided to take this opportunity to try and divert her attention. “Well, I’m not sure.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, and when I smiled widely, she perked up. “Oh god, I totally forgot! What happened with you and Luke?”
I sighed, and took her hands in mine. “We slept together…a lot,” I said, repeating his words.
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “Oh my god!” she said. She let go of my hands and hugged me. “Tell me everything!”
“Okay, crazy lady, calm down.”
“Sorry, I just want details!”
“How about I tell you tonight at the sleepover?”
She rolled her eyes. “I hate you,” she said, smiling. “Okay, let’s get ready. But, promise me you will tell me the details tonight. And none of that gushy crap, I want to hear the dirty, sweaty stuff. Penis size and all.”
I laughed, saying, “And I want you to tell Violet about this thing with you and Jack, and I mean everything. She’s your sister too, and I have really hated keeping secrets from her. Don’t worry, I am telling her about Luke as well. And I am not going to tell you how big he is,” I said, backing out of her room. I put my hands together, and then spread them apart while mouthing the word, “Wow.” She started laughing with me, and I left her alone to get dressed. I walked back into my room, and grabbed my dress bag that was hanging on the door. I had decided to wear a fitted red satin dress with a red lace overlay. I knew Luke would love it. It was sleeveless, and it fitted all the way down and stopped just below the middle of my thigh. In the front o
f the dress on the left side of the waist, was a small red bow. I grabbed my black stiletto heels and set them on the floor. I pulled out my suitcase and began to look for my most important accessory of the evening; my black and cream lace bra and thong set. I held them both up and smiled. Even though Luke and I couldn’t spend the night together tonight, this would definitely get him going enough for the next time we’d be together. I took my lingerie with me and headed into the bathroom.
As soon as the water was hot, I took off my clothes, placed them in the hamper, and stepped into the shower. The water felt so good against my skin. With the few moments to myself, I began to think about my night with Luke. I could still feel his arms around me, touching me, claiming me as his. Although the water was hot, I felt goose bumps on my skin. I couldn’t wait to see him again. I have never in my life been this happy.
Once my body and hair were clean, I stepped out of the shower and into my towel. I wrapped my hair into another waiting towel, and I started to dry my skin, and I slipped into my underwear. I slid my arms through the straps of the bra, and fastened it in the back. I stepped back and looked at myself in the full length mirror on the back of the bathroom door. I know he wasn’t going to be able to really see me in this, but I still felt satisfaction knowing he would go crazy for the parts of it I would tease him with. I smiled to myself, and wrapped the towel back around me and walked back into my room. I looked at the clock. It was already almost six. I rushed to the vanity, and sat down. I ran some curl enhancing cream through my hair, attached my diffuser to my blow dryer, flipped my head upside down, and started scrunching and drying my hair. After a few minutes, my hair was dry and I flipped my head back right side up, still scrunching it to help hold the curl. I used a large barrel curling iron to add more curls to my hair. I then applied my makeup. After adding my diamond earrings and silver bracelet, I was ready to go. As I stepped into my shoes, my eyes flicked to the pink heart on my foot. I smiled at the memory of the three of us together getting matching ink. I checked the time again. Five minutes until seven. He would be here any minute. I grabbed my clutch and walked out of my room. I ran into Daisy on my way down the stairs.
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