Before I knew it, we pulled up in front of Luke’s house. We quietly walked in the house and up the stairs to his room. As he was untying his tie, he finally spoke. “Lilly, baby, you are scaring me. You have to say something.”
Walking to him, I looked into his eyes. “Luke,” I whispered, “I love you so much.” The tears were threatening to fall again, so he stopped them by leaning in and kissing me.
“Thank God. I thought you’d never talk,” he said. “You look tired. Do you want to just go to sleep?” My hormones were running wild, but my body was weak and tired. I shrugged my shoulders, and he sighed. “It’s okay, we don’t have to do anything tonight. Here,” he said, handing me one of his tee shirts. “You can sleep in this. Why don’t you go change and I’ll be right here when you come out.” He kissed my forehead, and began to unbutton his shirt. I hesitantly went into his bathroom and changed out of my dress. I placed it in my bag along with my shoes. I took off my earrings and placed them in my tote bag, but I decided to leave the necklace on. As I placed the earrings in a safe place, I caught a glimpse of the red ring box nestled safely in my bag. My heart skipped a beat. I was dying to at least look at it, but I promised I wouldn’t unless I was ready to wear it. I slid into Luke’s tee shirt, a heather gray shirt from his alma mater. It was about two sizes too big for me, but it felt comfortable. It even smelled like him. I turned the lights off in the bathroom and walked out into the bedroom. He was lying on the bed in nothing but boxers. My body was definitely awake now. He looked up at me and his jaw tightened. In my peripheral vision I saw his manhood stiffen. “Oh Jesus,” he muttered.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“You look so fucking hot in my shirt, Lilly,” he said. He started to sit up, but I walked to him and pushed him back down. He rested on his elbows.
Boldly, I straddled his lap, his erection pressing rock hard against my heat. “Maybe you can take it off me,” I whispered seductively. He leaned up into a sitting position and moved his hands to my bottom, his fingers sliding under the seam of my panties. “Luke, I want you, here and now. I don’t want to sleep tonight. I want to make love with you in every way. I want to do it all just in case…” I trailed off.
“Do it all?” he moaned, licking his lips. “What do you want me to do, Lilly?” His arousal throbbed under me.
“Anything you want. I’m not afraid.” He raised his mouth to mine and I was the one to slide my tongue against his first. In less than a second the shirt was off me and I was on top of him in nothing but tiny white lace panties. His fingers slid the fabric of them to the side and his fingers moved deliciously around my wet folds. “Oh Luke, that feels good,” I groaned.
“You like that, baby? Where else do you want me to touch you?” Without a word, I grabbed his hand and forced two fingers inside me. I cried out in pleasure, and he moaned. “God, you feel so good. So warm,” he said. I grinded my body against his hand and before I could stop myself, I exploded into an orgasm. I threw my head back, and his free hand wrapped around my neck to steady me.
“That was amazing,” I whimpered.
“We’re not done yet. Are you ready to have some fun?” he growled.
“Take me Luke. I’m ready.” When he withdrew his fingers, they slid along my ass and I shuttered.
“Oh no, you’re not ready for that yet. As hot at that would be, it would hurt you, and I don’t want to do that. But I do want us to try some other things. Do you trust me?”
“Always,” I moaned. Just then, he rolled me off of him and once I was on my back, he hooked his thumbs into my panties and slid them off. He pulled off his boxers and sprang free. My eyes popped wide at the sight of him. No matter how many times we’ve done it, his length was still impressive. It was not only long but thick as well. God damn it, I was lucky.
“Turn over,” he ordered, and I obeyed. He climbed on the bed behind me, and forced me up on my knees with his hands on my hips. “I’m gonna come in from behind, okay?” I nodded, and he said, “It’s deeper this way. You’ll like it, trust me,” and he placed his erection at my entrance. Then, with both hands on my hips, he eased himself in. I screamed out…holy shit, it felt incredible. He wasn’t lying…I had never felt him deeper inside than right now. I rolled my hips and he shouted out a loud yes. I was already feeling the fire burning in me again as he pounded on and on. I couldn’t stop my impending orgasm, and I came against him for the second time, clenching around his arousal.
“Oh God,” I screamed out. “Luke…”
“I know, baby. I want you screaming my name all night,” he said. He pulled out of me and laid back down. Guiding me, he had me climb back on top of him and I shifted and instantly lowered myself onto him again. I moaned at the contact, and we both started to move again. Oh this was going to be a long, delicious night…
By the time the sun came up the next morning, my body was utterly spent. We had connected in literally every position imaginable. Before I came back here, I had only had sex a total of twice in my life, and my body was just playing catch up. One thing at a time, I guess.
I had gotten out of bed and took a shower, getting ready to head home. All my bags were packed, and everything was loaded into Luke’s car. He was driving me to the airport, and Mama, Daddy, Daisy, and Jack were coming to see me off. He tried to make me breakfast again, but I just couldn’t eat anything. I was too nervous. Before I knew it, it was time to leave. Luke waited for me by the door as I took one last look around the lake house. It was so beautiful here…I would miss this place so much. He held his hand out to me. “You ready?” he whispered.
No. I wasn’t ready. I wanted more time…it wasn’t fair. I quietly nodded and croaked, “Yes. Let’s go.” We walked out to his car together, hand in hand. He held open the door for me and I slid inside. Once he was in the driver’s seat, he turned the key and we began the drive to the airport.
This drive too was quiet. I was breathing rapidly, and I was afraid I was going to hyperventilate if I didn’t calm down. In no time, we were parked at the airport. I reluctantly got out of the car as Luke was already getting my bags out of the trunk. I felt a huge lump in my throat as I grabbed my carryon bag along with my purse and walked into the airport. My knees felt like they were going to give out. My family was already there waiting on me. I walked into Mama’s waiting arms. “Oh, my girl,” she said, crying. “I’m gonna miss you so much.”
“I’m gonna miss you too, Mama. I love you,” I said, my voice breaking.
“I love you too, darlin’. You make sure not to wait so long to come back home, you hear me?”
“I won’t, I promise,” I said. Next up was Daddy’s turn. “Daddy,” I whispered.
“Oh, Lilly. I’m gonna miss your pretty face around here.”
“I love you Daddy. I’m gonna miss you so much.”
“I’ll miss you too. You listen to your Mama, now. Don’t wait so long for another visit.”
“I promise I won’t.”
“My turn,” Daisy said sadly. Her eyes were full of tears. She pulled me into a hug. “God, I’m gonna miss you girl. These past three weeks with you have been a blast.”
“They really have, Dais.”
Breaking from the hug, she said, “Well, make sure you are back in time for the baby, okay? He or she will need their Aunt Lilly here.”
I smiled and leaned down to her belly. Giving it a kiss, I said, “Wild horses won’t keep me away from your big arrival, little one. Aunt Lilly loves you.” Daisy was crying, and when I looked up, I saw Jack had a few tears in his eyes.
“Aw, Jack, are those tears? Are you crying, you big softie?”
He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and said, “Oh shut up and give me a hug.” I wrapped my arms around him. “Love you, Lilly. Come back soon, okay?”
“I promise.” All that was left was Luke. I suddenly felt light on my feet. He took my hands in his, and pressed his forehead to mine. “This is so hard,” I cried.
“I know,” he
whispered, his voice breaking. “I love you so much, Lilly.”
“I love you too,” I cried, and the tears were falling. I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed tight. “I’m not ready to say goodbye. I’m gonna miss you so much,” I sobbed.
“I’ll miss you too, more than you know, but you have to go. I won’t let you give up everything you worked for just because I will miss you. Think about what I said last night, I mean really think about it. If it’s what you want, I’ll be here with open arms. You can count on it,” he said. I pulled back to look into his eyes one last time, and there were tears pouring from them. I started to cry even harder.
“Flight 316 to San Francisco, California now boarding,” a loud voice called.
“Well, this is it,” I cried. Still holding onto Luke, I looked at my family one last time. My loving parents watching their oldest daughter leave home again. My beautiful, glowing, pregnant sister and her handsome, goofy, lovable boyfriend who I loved like a brother. “I love you all so, so much.”
“We love you too, Lilly. You better hurry before you miss your plane,” Daddy said, emotion in his voice.
With a final wave to them, I whispered, “Goodbye.” Finally, I was forced to let go of Luke. “Goodbye, Luke…I love you,” I whispered, and he backed away from me. Our fingers touched one last time, and I hesitantly turned away from them and walked toward the gate, ticket in hand. As I handed the attendant my boarding pass with shaking hands, I turned around with one last look at my family. They were all holding on to each other in a group, and Daisy had a hold of Luke’s arm, rubbing it comfortingly. My heart broke a million times over.
“Here you are, ma’am. Have a safe flight,” the cheery woman said. She was way too happy, I could just punch her.
“Thanks,” I croaked, and began to board the plane. As I slowly walked, several images flashed in my head that hit me like a bolt of lightning. Luke and I getting married outside under the gazebo at the town park with everyone there. Dancing at our reception, so in love. Feeding each other cake and smashing it into each other’s faces, laughing. Dancing with my Daddy to ‘My Girl’ by The Temptations. Enjoying our honeymoon on a white sandy beach. Finding out together that we are going to be parents. My belly growing more and more, pregnant with his child. Luke kissing my stomach and talking to the baby, reading it stories and saying how much we couldn’t wait to meet it. Holding our baby for the first time, a little girl with my lips and Luke’s beautiful icy blue eyes. I wanted it all…just like Luke did. I thought of my life in California, and how truly empty it had been. I didn’t have anything holding me there. I wasn’t excited to go back at all. The restaurant would do fine without me; it had been for the past three weeks. Alejandro already told me that even though he would miss me, he would visit me often. The only one that would be truly upset that I was gone would be Tara, and I think that was only because she needed me as a way to make herself feel better. In that moment, I realized then that my mind was already made up. I stopped suddenly, causing a man to bump into me. “Sorry, sir,” I mumbled, and rummaged in my purse until I found the red box. I took a deep breath and with shaking hands, I opened it. It was empty except a little yellow piece of paper folded up inside. I took it out and opened it. It read,
All you have to do is say yes. Xoxo, Luke
I smiled, and I felt a huge weight lift off my heart. I turned around and ran back to find Luke. When I came back to the front of the gate, everyone was still there, all huddled together in tears. Grinning even more, I shouted, “Luke!” Everyone’s head snapped back up in surprise, including Luke’s. Confusion clouded his face and he arched an eyebrow. I held up the little yellow paper and he smiled. “Yes!” I yelled. “I say yes!” He smiled brightly and let go of Daisy. Running to me, he picked me up into his arms and swung me around.
“You’re saying yes? Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yes, yes, yes. A million times, yes. I want you, I want us. I want a big white wedding with you, and babies, and a future, right here in Glenbrook. I love you, Luke Beckett, and I’m not ever leaving here again.”
“Well, then I guess you can have this now,” he said happily, and pulled something out of his pocket. I gasped loudly when I saw the ring. It was huge. It was a platinum band, and in the middle was an enormous princess cut diamond surrounded by several smaller diamonds. It was a vintage style ring, like it was straight out of the twenties. It was breathtaking. He took my left hand carefully slid it onto my ring finger. It was a perfect fit. “Marry me, Lilly?” he whispered.
Tears in my eyes, I nodded. “Yes.”
At that moment, my family came walking over to us. “Lilly, what’s going on? You’re gonna miss your flight home,” Mama said.
“Then it’s taking off without me, because I am not going anywhere. I am home, Mama. I am home,” I exclaimed. She was crying too, but this time, they were tears of joy.
“But what about your job, your friends, your life?” Daisy asked.
“I can cook anywhere, and Mystical will do fine without me. And my life is here. With all of you, and with Luke. I love him, and I love this place, and I am never leaving again.”
“And judging by that huge piece of ice on your finger I take it that you and Luke are engaged?” Jack asked.
Luke looked over at Daddy, and he said, “She said yes.”
“And you were worried. There was never a doubt in my mind,” he laughed.
I blinked, and looked at Daddy. “You knew he was going to propose?”
“Of course I did. He came and asked my permission on Christmas.”
I wrapped my arms around Luke’s neck and pulled him into a kiss. “You asked Daddy for my hand?”
“Absolutely. And now I have it.”
“Yes, you do. Forever,” I whispered, and I kissed him again. At that moment, my cell phone rang. I recognized the ringtone right away…it was Tara. What perfect timing.
Luke nodded at me. “Its okay, go ahead,” he said, squeezing my hand.
I sighed and rolled my eyes. I pulled the phone out of my bag, and swiped my finger across the screen. “Hello?”
“Lilly, hey. So, did one of the groomsmen knock you up?” she said.
Scoffing, I said, “No.” I looked at Luke, my face a mixture of irritation and amusement.
“Thank God! That’s the last thing I need. So, are you on your plane yet? I’m bored!”
“No, Tara, I’m not.” Taking a deep breath, I decided to bite the bullet and tell her. The sooner this ended the better. “I’m not going to be.”
“Um, and why not?” she growled.
“Because I am not coming back to San Francisco. I am staying in Glenbrook for good.”
“You’re what? What the hell? Why?”
“Because I miss my family and friends. You know, the real ones,” I said. Looking at Luke, I smiled. “And, I’m engaged. I’m getting married.”
“What the fuck, Lilly! I thought I specifically told you not to go falling for some dumb ass hick!”
My eyes narrowed. “He’s not some dumb ass hick, Tara, and if you were here right now I’d rip your throat out for that. He’s a brilliant doctor, and he’s sexy, and sweet, and loves me more than anything in the world. I love him, Tara, and I always have.”
“Love is for suckers, Lilly. I can’t believe you are going to let some stupid guy ruin everything!”
“The only one ruining anything right now is you. I don’t know why I put up with you for so long. Every time anything good has ever happened to me, you make me feel like I don’t deserve it and that I’m stupid to think I ever did. Well, not this time Tara. I am deliriously happy, and I deserve to be. You are nothing but a negative, toxic person and I don’t need that in my life anymore. Goodbye,” I said and before she could even respond, I hung up my phone. A weight the size of an elephant lifted off my chest, and I snuggled into Luke’s arms.
“You okay, baby? I know that must have been hard for you,” he said.
“Oh not at all. I fee
l wonderful. I had needed to do that for a very long time.”
He lifted my chin with his fingers. “I’m proud of you, baby.”
“Thank you, Luke.” I sighed, and smiled, looking around at my family. “Well, I suddenly have a huge craving for a cheeseburger from Grady’s.”
Everyone laughed, and Daisy put a hand on her stomach. “Ooh, that sounds great. Count me in.”
Mama smiled. “Well, why don’t we all go there to celebrate?” she asked happily.
“We can tell Grady the big news,” Luke said. “He’ll be so happy for us.” I smiled.
“All right then, let’s go. Lilly, we will take care of your luggage and meet you at the diner, okay?” Daddy asked.
“Okay. Thank you, Daddy.” I let go of Luke and gave him a hug.
“You’re welcome, darlin’. Happy to have you home. For good, this time,” he said. When we broke our hug, I walked back to stand next to Luke.
“I’m happy to be home. We’ll see you all there,” I said, and waved as Daddy, Mama, Jack, and Daisy walked away. I turned and wrapped both arms around Luke’s waist.
He looked deep into my eyes and said, “How did I ever get so lucky to get you?”
I smiled. “You’ve always had me, Luke. I just needed to get out of my own way to realize that. Thanks for waiting for me.”
“Believe me, you were worth it.” I raised my left hand to his cheek, and he covered it with his, taking hold of it. He moved my hand to his lips and he kissed the ring that he had just placed there. “This looks beautiful on you,” he whispered. “Thank you for saying yes.”
“Thank you for giving me the chance to. I love you, Luke Beckett.”
“I love you too, Lilly Beckett,” he said, grinning.
I smiled brightly. “I like the sound of that,” I said, and pulled him into a kiss, the first of many, many more.
Say Yes Page 20
