Long Drive

by Jessica Florence

  “I sent you a message a little while ago. Did you get it?” She did message me. I cursed at myself internally. I should have gotten a new phone right away. I shook my head no, and she let out a tiny breath of relief.

  “OKay, that’s good. I thought you were avoiding me, and I’ve been trying to find you for the past few weeks. But I wasn’t sure you’d even want to talk to me, since I didn’t answer your text back right away. I’d been trying to figure myself out, and I did, actually. I started doing graphic design for books, and I told Lane off by talking about your big cock and all the dirty things you did to me. And—” I cut her rambling off by fusing my lips to hers. Her eyes were wide and her lips were stunned, but after that feeling wore off, our lips were moving together, our tongues were caressing one another, and my hands couldn’t stop touching every part of her sun-warmed skin.

  “About the pictures, though. I’m sorry. It’s not what you might have thought. I just had to get that out there.” Pictures? I pulled back and looked at her in confusion.

  “What pictures?”

  Her eyes started darting everywhere but at me.

  “You don’t know what pictures I’m talking about?” She said nervously, her hands wrapping themselves around me like she was afraid I was going to run, and she needed to hold onto me.

  “Tell me,” I asked nicely, but on the inside I was starting to worry about it.

  “Uh. So I went to Joel’s, to find you. Climbed over his Berlin wall there, and he let me stay overnight as we came up with a plan for me to win you back. And then I went surfing the next morning, before my flight back home, and I actually rode a wave. I mean, you should have seen me. I was so cool!” Her excitement was cute, but I wanted to know what these pictures she was talking about were.

  “Back to pictures.” I reminded her to stay on topic.

  “Right. So when I hit the sand, I was all excited and Joel came up to hug me, like a brother, you know, and there was a paparazzi guy. He took pictures of us. And I know they were on the internet saying I was his new fling. But you know it’s not true, right? I’m your woman. Through and through. I just had to make myself whole again before I could give all of myself to you.” It was unbelievable that she could get all that out in one breath.

  “Didn’t see photos, babe. But it doesn’t matter. You’re my woman.” And hell if I was going to let her go again. Nope. Don’t know how we were going to make it work, but there wasn’t any other option.

  “Really? I mean, just like that, you’re okay to be with me again? I had a whole deal ready to go if you were unsure.” She was grinning, and it made me laugh.

  “What’s the deal?” It wouldn’t matter what her deal was, but I was curious now. What would she offer that was supposed to make me be with her, if I hadn’t decided it already? She smiled, a little embarrassed that I had asked her to tell me, which was cute.

  “So, Killian, I will spend the rest of my days spreading sunshine on your life and giving you fabulous blow jobs, if you let me tag along with you wherever you go, for the rest of your life.” She looked so proud of herself for coming up with that, and hell, it would have worked if I didn’t already plan for that.

  “One amendment to the deal.” I pulled her closer and leaned in to kiss her.

  “What’s that?” she whispered and closed her eyes, ready for our lips to meet once again.

  “None of that peeing-every-hour shit, okay?” She nodded her head at me, repeating my only rule from the first deal of ours, and sealed her lips against mine.

  We didn’t know what the future had in store for us, but we were going to live each moment as it came, together.

  “What was your message?” Even though kissing her was amazing, I wanted to know what her message had been before that I missed.

  “'1,2,3,4′ by Plain White T’s.” I knew that song and knew what she meant. She told me she loved me. Didn’t have a doubt about that, but figured I should say it back, and this time, no song.

  “I love you, Livia Jones.” I could see tears starting to glisten in her eyes, and knew she was happy for my words. I’d spend the rest of my life giving her all the words she wanted. We smiled and kissed for what seemed like hours on the dock, before leaning my forehead against hers to ask her a question.

  “Take a long drive with destiny, Livia?”

  “Anywhere you go, I’ll follow,” she answered, so we walked to my bike and took a long drive, got lost, not to be found for hours, while I claimed her as my woman once again.

  Epilogue

  To: Mom

  From: Livia

  Hey, Mom!

  Here is the first monthly update you requested. Things are going great! Killian and I have been on the road for about a week now. We took a day to ourselves in Asheville and explored. It was really pretty there. Kind of a cute, hippie town. Lots of artisans and stuff. Food was divine.

  Killian says hi. Well, I’m saying hi for him, because he’s like a caveman when it comes to talking sometimes.

  Anyhoo. We are stopped at a truck stop for the night and I wanted to drop in and say things are good. Really good, actually. I couldn’t imagine a better life.

  Love you! Tell Dad I love him too!

  Livia xoxo

  To: Mom

  From: Livia

  Hey, Mom!

  Month two out on the road, still like I’m living in a dream. I mean, we just hiked Zion National Park, and before that we went dune buggying in the desert. We wake up somewhere new and awesome everyday!

  Oh, and my book designer business is doing good. I knew you wanted to hear about that. Yep, I have the month of April booked with covers. The other months will fill up as more people see my talent, which is pretty cool. I love that I can work on it all in the truck, and as soon as we have Wi-Fi at the stops or our day break, I send out all my emails. The calm rumbling of the truck helps me focus. So glad I can’t search the internet, and distract myself.

  Anyhoo. Life is still great. Love my little job. Love my sexy trucker. Love you guys. Couldn’t be happier.

  Peace!

  Livia

  To: Livia

  From: Mom

  Hey, baby girl!

  I miss you! But I am so happy you are enjoying yourself. Dad is doing fairly well, considering he hasn’t had a steak since I caught him at Longhorn with his buddies. Bad influences.

  Make sure when you guys go to New Orleans, that you get one of the beignet things. With the powdered sugar, you know. I’ve heard they are great! Better yet, bring us some back, will you? I’ll let your dad have a little fun in his life. Someone has to make sure he doesn’t kill himself on beef and cheese.

  Oh, I forgot to tell you last time we talked! Lane’s knocked up that cashier from the Shell station! His parents were furious, and I heard from Mary down the street that he tried to get her to get an abortion, being she would screw up his image, but the girl stood her ground and will be getting him for all he’s worth. Good for her!

  I might have squealed a little when I heard that. He was such an ass to you about image.

  Okay, hon! Your dad wants to go for another walk.

  I love you, talk to you soon!

  Mom xoxo

  P.S. Thank Killian for me. Donating that money you gave him for the first trip to the Boys and Girls Club in Julian’s name, he knows how to make a woman cry happy tears. He didn’t have to do that. But thank him anyway.

  To: Meghan Quinn

  From: Livia

  Hey!

  You are NEVER going to believe what just happened to me! I got chased by a turkey! No joke. We had stopped at a Jason’s Deli to grab something healthy to eat, and you know I can’t help myself with their ranch dressing, even though it makes me sick to my stomach. So not only did I make Killian stop off somewhere so I could go to the bathroom, but there was no place with a bathroom on the exit we pulled off! I had to go in the woods! Which he always laughs at me for, since the one time I got stuck in my own pee snow hole (long story). But when I was do
ne, I saw a wild turkey. Didn’t think anything of it. You know, I’m the human, why should it come around me? Well, turns out wild turkeys are assholes. He straight up chased me back to the truck. It was soo embarrassing. Killian was laughing so hard I was worried he would have an aneurism, since his body wasn’t used to that much happiness.

  Thought you’d like that story as inspiration for one of your rom-coms.

  Tell Squirt I said hi! Give his cheeks a kiss for me!

  Livia

  To: Mom

  From: Livia

  Hello, Mother Dearest!

  Even though I’m a little huffed you guys kept it a secret that you would be down at the house this past weekend, I’m glad you guys were there to celebrate our engagement Saturday night. Stinker knew I was going to cry when he knelt down on the dock and told me his theme song.

  “Marry Me” by Train.

  I mean, it was so perfect, with the sunset, and him looking at me like I hung the moon. I’m starting to tear up just thinking about it. He looked at me with those blue eyes of his, and I screamed “Truck yes” before tackling him so hard we fell into the water, but let me tell you again, since I know I went over all this at the restaurant, it was the best underwater kiss I’ve ever had.

  I love him so much, Mom. It’s like you and Dad; I’m so glad I get to be with him forever.

  We’ll see you guys in a few weeks for the wedding on the island.

  Don’t forget, you’re picking Joel up from the airport, and no weirding him out with your crazy obsession with his movies.

  I mean it.

  Love you <3

  Future Mrs. Lemarque

  Livia Lemarque

  (I like seeing that.) <3 Mrs. Livia Lemarque <3

  The End ☀

  Your Favorite Movie Star Joel Kline gets his story!

  2017

  Playlist

  Living in the moment- Jason Mraz

  Closer- Chainsmokers ft. Halsey

  Don't Stop Believing- Journey

  Cold Water- Major Lazer Ft. Justin Beiber

  Hot Blooded- Foreigner

  Way down we go- Kaleo

  Pillowtalk- Zayn

  Close- Nick Jonas ft.Tove Lo

  Falling for you- Coblie Caillat

  Long Drive- Jason Mraz

  My wish- Rascal Flatts

  Ain't no sunshine- Bill Withers

  1,2,3,4- Plain White T's

  Marry Me- Train.

  Acknowledgments

  I really just want to thank everyone. There’s no getting around it. So many people whether you knew it or not helped with this story. Whether it was telling me I wasn’t crazy for writing it, or helping me with turning it into a book. This book’s journey from being an idea in my head to Kindles and shelves everywhere was a big one. One I couldn’t have done without your help. Readers, my betas, my designer, editor, proofreader, friends, and family.

  Kate Stewart, MA Scott, Jesse Lorenzo, Meghan Quinn, Marissa, April, Dayna, Kiezha, Judy, Veronica Larson. Kristen Hope Mazzola. Sara Hansen You guys are my life line. <3

  I have to say a special thank you to my trucker help.

  Bryan Minney, Shari Womack, and Brian Martinez. These wonderful people were there for all my questions about trucking. They helped make this book awesome.

  I could go on and on but I don’t feel I need to. This is my 10th book published, and it’s because of all of you that I can say that.

  About the Author

  Jessica Florence, Kaleidoscope of Romance

  Writer of Surviving Valentine, Of The Heart trilogy, Evergreen, Lights of Scotland series, The Final Love series, and Long Drive.

  When she's not writing her next invigorating story, you can find her running her own business, and spending time with her husband and daughter in southwest Florida.

  Jessica loves to interact with her readers, find her on

  https://www.facebook.com/JessicaFlorenceAuthor

  https://JessicaFlorenceAuthor.com

  JessicaFlorenceAuthor@gmail.com

  https://twitter.com/florence_jess

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