Saving You

  Taylor, Lauren, and Maegan all let out a sigh and looked at me with goofy faces. Grace threw her hands up to her ears. “Oh gross. Yuck! My ears need to be bleached now, Luke! Blah!”

  I laughed and pulled Grace into my arms and kissed her cheek. She looked up at me and smiled. “I really am happy for you both. She loves you so much, Luke.”

  I felt myself grinning like a fool. “I love her, too, Grace. I’ve always loved her.”

  Grace stood on her toes, kissed me on the cheek, turned around, and slapped her hands together and said, “Alright ladies. Let’s do this!”

  I CAREFULLY BALANCED the tray that carried two plates of French toast, bacon, fresh strawberries, two orange juices, and two cups of coffee. Grace walked with me and stopped right before we got to the pool house. She cleared her throat. “Luke, I just want to say one thing.”

  Turning, I looked at my beautiful baby sister. Her brown hair was pulled up into a ponytail and her green eyes danced with concern. “Please don’t hurt her.”

  Swallowing hard, I felt my body tremble.

  “I know you, and I know there was a reason you kept pushing Libby away. Please talk to her about it, Luke. I promise you if you don’t, it will always be there, buried deep in your heart. You don’t need that fear living in you.”

  I turned my head slightly, looking at my sister. “When did you become so smart on this stuff?”

  Her eyes filled with sadness. “Because what I saw in your eyes, is what I see in my own eyes when I look in the mirror.”

  My heart dropped and if I hadn’t been holding the damn tray full of food I would have taken Grace by the arm and walked her to the beach to talk. “Grace—”

  She held up her hand and shook her head. “No, don’t worry about me, please don’t worry. I want you to be honest with Libby about everything. Your dreams, hopes, fears. All of it, Luke. You have to be honest about everything.”

  “I promise you, I’ll talk to her.” I looked toward the door and then back to Grace. “Grace, you know I’m always here for you. If you ever need to talk, or me to kick some asshole’s ass, I will in a heartbeat.”

  Grace laughed and nodded her head. “I know you are and I love you for all of that. Right now, I want you to focus on that girl in there. I want you to know that you do deserve her love, Luke. The two of you were meant to be together.”

  I leaned down and kissed Grace’s cheek. “I want us to spend some time together alone before we leave, Grace.”

  Nodding her head, she smiled weakly. “We will. I promise.” Grace walked up and put her hand on the doorknob to the pool house. “Right now, I just want you to romance the hell out of my best friend.”

  Laughing, I nodded. “I’ll try my best.”

  Grace opened the door and stepped back. I winked at her as I walked into the pool house. I shut the door with my foot and smiled as I looked at my sleeping beauty. I turned and set the tray down on the table and made my way to the side of the bed. Looking at Libby, my breath was taken away by her flushed cheeks. I closed my eyes and prayed that I had made last night special for her. Magical. Opening my eyes, I watched as her chest softly rose and fell with each breath. I hope like hell I erased Zach from her mind, and heart.

  I dropped to my knees and brushed my fingers through her beautiful blonde hair. When her blue eyes fluttered open she smiled immediately. I smiled in return and my stomach felt like I was riding on a rollercoaster. “Good morning, Lib.”

  Libby bit her lip before releasing it and whispering, “Good morning.” She sat up and the sheet fell down, exposing her perfect breasts. I let out a moan as she giggled and pulled up the sheets. “Sorry.”

  I stood, leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. “I have breakfast.”

  Her stomach growled. “Oh gosh! I guess all that activity last night worked up my appetite!”

  Turning, I walked over and picked up the tray, and carried it back to the bed. I set the tray down, turned and grabbed one of my T-shirts and handed it to Libby. “I can’t eat and look at your breathtaking naked body.”

  Libby’s face flushed as she pulled the T-shirt over her head. My heart slammed within my chest. I loved how innocent Libby was, but at the same time she could tell me she wanted my cock to fill her.

  Shaking the memory from my head, I adjusted my dick and sat down on the bed across from Lib.

  “Wow! Did you make all of this?” Libby asked as she took a sip of coffee and let out a long moan of satisfaction. I shook my head and laughed. “No. I was buttering you toast when all the girls came into the kitchen. Once they found out you and I were—well together. They jumped into action and began cooking up a romantic breakfast for you.”

  Libby laughed as she took a bite of bacon. “I think I just fell in love with you more.”

  Looking at her puzzled look I asked, “Why?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. Just knowing that you gave the girls credit for all of this when you didn’t have to, just makes my insides all mushy.”

  “Huh, really?”

  “Yep,” Libby said, popping her p.

  Taking a bite of French toast, I looked down at my food. “So what would you say if I told you I ran to the store this morning and bought something?”

  Reaching for her orange juice, she raised her eyebrows. “I’d probably say something like, I hope you bought more condoms.”

  My dick jumped and my heart felt like it was about to leap from my chest. I dropped my fork and stared into her eyes.

  “I’m no longer hungry,” I whispered.

  Libby set her fork down and lifted the T-shirt up and over her head. “I’m still hungry. For you.”

  I stood and moved the tray containing our breakfast so fast it made Libby giggle. A minute later I was naked and standing beside the bed. “Tell me what you want, Lib.”

  She pushed the cover off of her and rubbed her right leg up and down her left. “I want you, slowly. I want to feel you inside me all morning, Luke.”

  Slipping a condom on, I moved over Libby and settled between her legs. One slow, agonizing push in and I was buried balls deep inside the love of my life.

  I moved our bodies to where I was sitting and Libby’s legs were wrapped around me. “Are you sore, Lib?”

  She nodded her head as she leaned down and pulled my lower lip with her teeth. “This feels amazing though.” She slowly began to move as our lips found each other. The moment Libby came, she moaned into my mouth and I fought like hell to hold off my orgasm. Laying her back onto the bed, she spread her legs and wrapped them around me as I placed my hands on the side of her face and began to cover her face in gentle kisses as I made love to her for the rest of the morning. I had never in my life felt so at peace, yet so on fire. I would forever fight for our love. Forever fight for Libby.

  THE HOT WATER poured over my body and relaxed my overworked, sore muscles. I moved slightly and smiled. I was sore, but it was an amazing sore. Luke’s stamina was amazing. The way he made love to me this morning for so long was the most romantic thing I could have ever imagined. The way he took care into giving me as many orgasms as he could was a pleasant surprise.

  I reached over and shut off the water. I couldn’t wait to tell Alex about Luke and me. She should be coming back soon from her night with Will. Grabbing a towel, I began to dry off as I thought about last night with Luke. My fingertips moved up to my lips, still swollen from Luke’s kisses. I smiled as my hand traveled down my body to between my legs. I was sore as hell, but my body was so ready to take more of him.

  Quickly drying off and changing into a Mason high school T-shirt and jean shorts, I walked out into the bedroom only to come to a stop. My eyes moved across five girls sitting on both beds. All dressed in tank tops and shorts. Each of them had their hair piled up on their heads in some fashion.

  Alex was glowing. I glanced down and saw the engagement ring on her finger and smiled. To Alex’s left sat Grace and Lauren. Maegan and Taylor were sitting on the second bed. “Oh my
gosh, Alex! Let me see your ring!” I exclaimed as I made my way over to her.

  She smiled and held out her hand. “Your brother did good, Lib,” Maegan said. Holding the ring up, I let out a whistle. Alex pulled her hand away and gave me a look.

  “I hear you have news for me, Miss Hayes,” Alex said.

  I shrugged and began drying my hair. “Um, not much has really been going on. I do have a date to get ready for though. A romantic walk along the beach and I believe he mentioned something about a picnic.”

  Lauren began bouncing up and down on the bed. “I knew Luke Johnson was romantic! I knew it! All three of those boys are.”

  Maegan looked at Lauren. “All three? Do we know something about Colt we aren’t saying?”

  Lauren’s face flushed. “No. I mean, look at our fathers. They’re all so romantic. Of course the boys would all be helpless romantics.”

  Grace laughed. “My poor father fucks up more than any man I know. I don’t think my mother would use the word romantic in the same sentence as my daddy’s name.”

  We all laughed as I sat and looked at my best friends. We had all grown up together. We shared secrets, we fought, we cried on each other’s shoulders, and most of all—we loved each other more than anything. We weren’t really friends. We were sisters.

  Taylor looked at me and said, “So. Tell us everything!”

  Grace looked at me and said, “Please don’t say something like he has a big dick and you rode him all night. I don’t think my ears could take it.”

  My hand covered my mouth to contain my laughter as Alex turned and smacked Grace. “Ew. I didn’t need that visual.” Alex’s body shuddered as she looked back at me.

  I dropped my hand and let the laugh escape. They were all staring at me. “Y’all don’t really expect me to kiss and tell do you?”

  “Yes. Yes we do, Isabella Gemma Hayes,” Maegan said as she dropped to the ground and moved in front of the other girls, pulling her knees up like she was ready for a story.

  “Um …” I looked at them and felt my face flush. “It was beyond anything I could have imagined.

  “Was he gentle?” Taylor asked.

  I nodded my head. “Very.”

  Grace looked at Alex as they exchanged a smile.

  “Was it … better than … you know, Zach?” Lauren asked.

  Smirking, I asked, “Zach who?”

  We all laughed. Maegan leaned closer to me. “Okay I have to ask, Lib. Is he packing?”

  “Oh Jesus H. Christ! You did not, Maegan Atwood!” Grace shouted.

  I threw my head back and laughed. Grace turned and looked at me and pointed. “Don’t answer that.” Holding up my hands I shook my head. I looked at Maegan and winked as she giggled and Grace yelled. “I saw that, Libby!”

  Alex raised her hand. “Me next!” She cleared her throat. “Was he romantic?”

  “Yes. Very.”

  “Oh God, I can’t wait,” Taylor said with a sigh. Maegan turned and looked at Taylor.

  “Ah, the hell you can wait baby sister.” Turning back to me, Maegan wiggled her eyebrows up and down. “How many times?”

  I bit my lip. “Including this morning?”

  Grace moaned and dropped back on the bed. Maegan nodded her head. I barely got the words out of my mouth. “Four times, not including, other stuff we did during the night.”

  “Kill. Me. Now. Please!” Grace whined.

  “Holy hell,” Alex and Maegan said as Lauren and Taylor both looked at me with horrified looks.

  “How are you walking?” Lauren asked.

  I looked away and chuckled. Letting out a breath, I turned back to the girls. Grace was sitting up smiling like a fool. She acted like it bothered her, but I knew she was happy for Luke and me.

  I shook my head and looked down before looking back up. “I came so close to giving up, but I honestly couldn’t imagine my life without Luke in it.” I swallowed hard as I looked down at my hands as I ringed them on my lap. “Even when we were best friends, I knew there was something more to our relationship. The way he would look at me used to make my stomach just flutter.”

  Lauren’s smile faded some and I knew she was thinking about Colt. I was positive he made her feel the same way. She just wouldn’t admit it.

  “Then yesterday on the beach, he looked at me again and this time I saw something different.”

  Five voices all whispered, “What was it?”

  Smiling, I looked at Grace. “Love. Pure love.” I let out a small chuckle. “Finally, his head wasn’t arguing with his heart.”

  “Did he tell you he loved you?” Grace asked.

  I nodded my head. “On the beach. He told me he’s always loved me and only me.”

  Lauren let out a dramatic sigh. “How romantic.”

  Maegan shook her head. “Four times. My God.”

  My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Does it always stay this magical, Alex?”

  Alex’s eyes lit up. “Believe it or not, it keeps getting better. If you think his touch does crazy things to you now, just wait. The more you’re together and learn each other, the more beautiful it becomes.”

  We all sat there for a few moments in silence before Grace jumped up and said, “Okay, well now I feel like I need to go for a run. I’m outta here y’all.”

  Alex jumped up and followed Grace out of the room calling out, “What? You said we were going shopping!”

  Maegan stood and walked over to me. She leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I’m so happy for you both, I hope you know that.”

  I reached for her hand and nodded. “I do, Meg. I love you.”

  She smiled weakly. “I love you too, Lib.” Turning, Maegan made her way out of the room. Taylor and Lauren both stood up and walked closer to me. They dropped to their knees and I knew the questions were fixin’ to come.

  Lauren bit down on her lip and then asked, “Do you regret sleeping with Zach?”

  I nodded my head. “Yes. I knew he wasn’t the one and I used him to try and push Luke from my heart. It doesn’t work like that and my mother even tried to warn me.”

  Taylor reached for my hand. “I want so badly to find what you and Alex have.”

  I placed my hand over her hand in mine. “Oh, Tay, it will happen, honey. Don’t rush it. Wait for that one guy who’s smile is going to light your whole body on fire.”

  “How do you know? I mean, how do you know when it’s love?” Lauren asked.

  I glanced back at Lauren. “I don’t know how to describe it. Love seems to take its own sweet time. It doesn’t take a straight path. It twists and turns, but somehow it finds its way to you. You have to learn to listen to your heart, but that’s harder to do than it sounds.”

  “There were times when it seemed like you and Luke couldn’t stand each other. How do you go from that to—this?” Lauren asked.

  “I don’t know, Lauren. Luke had made me so mad sometimes I wanted to spit in his face and kick him in the balls.” I smiled and shook my head. “But then he’d smile at me—or look at me as if I was his everything, even when he wasn’t trying to look at me like that he did. I guess that’s why I waited for so long.”

  Taylor cleared her throat. “I’m going to be patient and wait for him. I’m going to wait for that smile that makes my knees weak and my stomach flutter with excitement.”

  “Do, Taylor. I promise you, it will be worth the wait.”

  LUKE AND I walked along the beach and talked about everything. We found a spot where there weren’t many people. I turned and saw a huge mansion. “Um, I think this is a private beach, Luke.”

  We both looked around. There was no one around us. “Where is everyone? How far did we walk?”

  I giggled and shrugged. “I’m not sure. I guess I was too lost in the conversation.”

  Luke scrunched up his nose and smiled. My heart dropped. It seems my heart was doing that a lot the last twenty-four hours. I watched as Luke placed the blanket down and then set the basket down. He took my ha
nd and held it while I sat.

  Luke opened the basket and took out two bottles of root beer and set them on the blanket. Placing two plastic plates down, Luke smiled. He opened a container and placed a croissant sandwich on each plate.

  “It’s chicken salad on a croissant. I know how much you love chicken salad.”

  Yep. There went my heart again. Dropping down to my stomach.

  Reaching into the basket he took out two brownies and set them on the plates. “Where in the world did you get those?” I asked. Luke looked up at me and gave me the same smile I had been talking to Lauren and Taylor about early.

  “Colt made them earlier and I stole them!” Luke said with a laugh.

  I picked up the chicken salad sandwich and asked, “The sandwich?”

  “I made them. My mom showed me a few years back when I found out they were your favorite.”

  Oh wow. Butterflies galore in my stomach.

  “That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard, Luke,” I whispered as I leaned over and kissed him on the lips.

  The moment the chicken salad hit my taste buds I moaned. “Oh God. It’s your mom’s secret recipe!”

  Luke nodded his head as he chuckled. “Mom said her recipe was your favorite.” Nodding my head, I agreed.

  Luke’s smile dropped as he looked out over the water. “Lib, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  My heart began beating faster. What if he regretted what happened? What if he wanted to take a step back?

  “O—okay,” my voice sounded weak and that made me angry.

  He glanced back at me and said, “I want to tell you what happened after I left to go to A&M.”

  Oh shit.

  I had laid in bed and thought about why Luke had brushed me off for hours those first few months. Now I was going to get the answers I had longed for. I wasn’t sure it really mattered anymore.

  LIBBY BEGAN CHEWING on her index nail. Her eyes searched my face. It was as if she was debating whether she wanted to hear my reason for hurting her after that kiss. I cleared my throat and smiled weakly.