Keep Me Safe (9 page)

“Thank you,” I whispered. “It means everything to me that you’re staying.”

“There’s no place that I’d rather be. Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me what you did. That took a lot of courage.”

I tilted my head to the side so I could barely see him. “Not really, courage would’ve been leaving him the first time he hit me. As stupid as it sounds, I thought I could change him if I just loved him enough.”

He sat up quickly and looked down at me, causing me to roll onto my back. “Don’t say that. Any woman with enough guts to leave a man like that has a lot of courage as far as I’m concerned.” I smiled slightly and he kissed the top of my bare shoulder.

“Thank you Parker…for everything. I know I told you I have a lot of issues to work through and now that you’ve seen some of them, you still haven’t run towards the door. That means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

Even as scared as I was about everything that had happened tonight, I felt my body respond to him and I suddenly wanted him much closer. The look in my eyes must’ve been evident because he put his hand on my cheek, rubbing his thumb across it gently.

“I’m not sure I’d be capable of running from you. All I want is to be closer to you, not farther. You’re amazing…and I’m going to kiss you right now.”

He searched my eyes, for what I’m not sure, permission maybe? Leaning forward, he tenderly pressed his lips to mine.

A thousand sensations hit me at once; his soft lips, the quickening of my heartbeat, the pure affection that just doubled in my heart from one perfect gesture. It was the softest kiss, but it meant so much that I leaned into him and kissed him back. As soon as I finished that thought, he pulled away and leaned his forehead against mine. He took my hand and placed it on his chest over his heart, then laid his gently on top.

"You have this, if you want it," he said, tapping two fingers on mine. "I will do whatever you need me to do, no matter how big or small."

"Just keep me safe." I searched for comfort in his tranquil blue eyes.

"You couldn't stop me if you tried." He lay back down against my back and kissed my shoulder again. “I’ll be here in the morning when you get up. Goodnight Sadie.”

“Goodnight Parker.” I held tightly to the arm he had around my waist and fell asleep almost instantaneously after closing my eyes.

Nine

I rolled over onto my stomach and looked at the clock – 9:30am. Sleeping in two days in a row was unheard of for me. My head was pounding, so I closed my eyes and stayed still for another minute waiting for the pain to subside. I didn’t smell coffee. I didn’t fill it and set the timer last night. Then the memories of last night came rushing back to me; the movie, the note, Parker. I quickly rolled over and looked at the other side of my bed that was empty. He was here, wasn’t he? Did I dream it?

I headed downstairs and stopped at the landing in the middle of my staircase. I looked in the mirror on the wall and realized I had mascara all over underneath my eyes.
I look like a goddamn raccoon.
I used my fingers to wipe as much of it away as I could, but I definitely needed to wash my face. I went back upstairs, washed my face and ran a brush through my hair after unbraiding it.

I headed towards the kitchen and stopped in my tracks when I looked over and saw Parker sleeping on the couch. He was faced towards the inside of the couch with his back to me. He had his shirt off and had the pillow I gave him under his head and arm like a body pillow. I could see all of the strong muscles in his back and noticed how great his tan was. I smiled knowing that last night wasn’t a dream; he really did stay with me while I fell asleep. The kiss…
oh my God, the kiss.
I smiled and bit down on my thumbnail, wanting to run over and wake him up by kissing him again. Instead, I tiptoed the rest of the way into the kitchen and quietly got the coffee and filter out of the cabinet.

Once I started the coffee, I figured the least I could do was make Parker some breakfast. I grabbed the eggs, biscuits, and sausage, plus all the things for my grandma’s gravy recipe. She always said it was a southern staple. I needed the flour so I reached up to one of the top cabinets. When I did I heard Parker stir. I looked over and he was watching me. I realized my shirt was pulled up because of my reach into the cabinet and swore he was looking at my scar and not my face.
Shit
. I quickly pulled the flour down and tugged my shirt down as far as it would go.

“Morning, is that coffee I smell?” He stretched then reached over to grab his shirt. He pulled it on but seeing his broad shoulders made me wish he didn’t.
Oh come on, leave it off.

“Yup, I just started it a few minutes ago. Are you hungry? I don’t know what you usually eat for breakfast, but I’m making my grandma’s biscuits and gravy.

“Oh man, that sounds awesome. I haven’t had that in forever,” he said sleepily as he walked over to sit on a barstool. 

“Do you want anything in your coffee?” I reached over and grabbed a mug and poured him some. I remembered he ordered a black coffee at Starbucks, but figured I should ask anyway.

“Nope. Plain and simple, just like me.” He winked at me and I handed him his coffee.

“I doubt there’s anything plain about you, Parker.” I smiled as I turned to start on the breakfast.

“Do you need any help? I’m pretty good in the kitchen.”

“Oh, is that so? We’ll see about that. Can you get a skillet out of that cabinet down there?” I pointed to the left of the oven. I had him cook up the sausage while I finished the eggs and gravy. We would randomly nudge each other or slightly rub up against each other while passing in the kitchen. Being there together felt completely natural and I loved it.

When the food was done, I put it on two plates and poured us both some more coffee.

“Do you want to go out to the back porch? It looks pretty nice outside.” We both headed to the patio and sat in my blue lounge chairs.

We sat there in silence for a few minutes eating our breakfast. There were a few people down on the beach, but it was pretty quiet. The seagulls were squawking as usual. The waves were hitting the sand with their usual ferocity. The weather was perfect and for this moment in time, everything was exactly the way I felt like it should be.

I knew we needed to discuss last night but hell if I knew where to start or what to say. When I was done eating, I put my plate next to me on the patio and turned and sat sideways on the chair with my hands in my lap so I could face Parker. He looked so relaxed and happy just sitting here. He seemed to feel really comfortable with me. It was probably part of the reason why I didn’t feel the need to run from him.

“Listen Parker, I just wanted to thank you for last night. I can only imagine what you’re thinking of me now and, honestly, I’m shocked you’re still here. But being here last night after everything…” I trailed off, my words getting caught up in my throat. “Finding you on my couch this morning meant everything to me. You kept your word last night by falling asleep with me and seeing you still here, I was just surprised.”

He turned sideways in the chair and leaned over to put his hands on top of mine.

“I meant what I said last night, Sadie. I’m here for you. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve seen a lot of bad shit in my line of work. You’re like the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.” I looked up at him in awe with my head tilted sideways. “I told you the other night I don’t want to scare you, but I like you. Some skeletons in your closet aren’t going to scare me away.”

I searched his eyes. He seemed too good to be true. Was he really willing to deal with all of my problems? Could he see past the damaged parts of me and be part of the healing process
with
me?

“Stop overthinking it,” he said with a huge grin. “Just take it for what it is – just me wanting to be with you. If it gets to be too much, just tell me. We’re adults Sadie. Don’t you think we both deserve to finally be happy?”

He was right. I couldn’t spend the rest of my life trying to avoid men because I was afraid they would be like Brent. A part of me
needed
Parker in my life.

“I’m sorry. I’m just not good at this. You’re right. I think we owe it to ourselves and try and see where this can go.”

It was all the confirmation he needed. He ever so slightly brushed his tongue along his bottom lip while he reached out and swept my bangs to the side. He paused before leaning forward then he touched his lips to mine. It was sweet, but deliberate. His lips felt like they were meant for mine and I thought my heart stopped beating for a few seconds.

“Don’t worry about being good at it,” he said as he pulled away. “I’m new to this relationship stuff too. We’ll learn together as we go.” He lay back in the chair and pulled my hand to bring me over to him. I snuggled in next to him on the chair, my head resting on his shoulder.

“Can we just stay like this forever?” I asked after laying in silence for a few minutes.

“Mmm, I’m okay with that. Too bad I have to work later.” He sounded disappointed. I was too. “We need to talk about last night, Sadie. The note, everything you told me.”

The light happy mood deflated from my body.
There went that perfect moment.

“What about it?”

“You were terrified. The look on your face when you realized I didn’t write the note…I don’t even know how to describe it. I’ve never seen fear like that in someone’s eyes,” he continued when I didn’t answer, “and then when I woke you up last night, you couldn’t get away fast enough.”

“Brent terrifies me. The restraining order didn’t make me feel any better, but not hearing from him these last couple months, I really thought he and I were finished. I think I was so numb and mentally exhausted last night that I just didn’t expect to wake up to you in my room.”

“Speaking of, whether this asshole is bothering you or not, you should always keep everything locked up. What if it hadn’t been me who was up here last night? I don’t even want to think about it.”

“Me either, you’re right. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

“I’ll do a little digging on him when I get to work, see if there’s anything we can do.” He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “I won’t let him bother you anymore, I promise.”

“Thank you Parker.” I leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “I know you won’t let anything happen to me.”

We sat there for a few more minutes before Parker groaned.

“Ugh, I have to get going. I need to go get ready for work. Time flies by way too fast when I’m with you.”

“Alright, I’ll walk you out,” I said with a big sigh. I didn’t want him to leave. Not now and not ever.

Parker put on his shoes and headed for the front door, holding my hand the whole time. When he stepped through the door way, he turned and lightly held me by the chin and tilted my head up to kiss me. I felt so content and protected, there was no hesitation on my part. Even though his kisses were light, I felt like my knees were going to buckle under me. I’d never had a guy make me feel that way from a kiss. My whole body became weak. I loved every minute of it.

“I’ll call you later? I have to work until after midnight, but I’ll call you when I get a break.”

“You better,” I said teasingly, leaning against the doorway. “Thank you again for last night Parker.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m pretty sure I’m just as thankful as you are.” He winked and walked off, heading back to Beth’s house where his car was.

I shut the door and walked back into the house. I cleaned up the dishes, putting the leftover food in the fridge. It would make for awesome breakfast tomorrow before school. I walked past my phone charger and realized I left my phone in my purse last night. I dug it out and lit up the screen, noticing I had a text message.

Beth told me you left. I’m worried about you. Please answer the door.

He must’ve texted me while he was outside last night. This man was amazing. And I’m pretty sure he was my boyfriend now. The thought made me giddy.

I went to the hall closet and grabbed my bag that I carried my school things in. I had some AP Theory tests to grade before tomorrow. How the hell was I supposed to concentrate when I had Parker on my mind and a smile that refused to leave my face?

Ten

I walked into school Monday morning and found Stephannie already sitting at her desk reading emails.

“Good morning!” I said, setting my satchel bag underneath my desk.

“Good morning, my ass. JT decided this weekend to go into
business
,” she said making air quotes with her fingers, “with some guy he knows and blew half of our savings in a total of twelve hours.” She pulled her planner out of her desk, slamming the drawer when she closed it.

“Whoa, easy killer. Don’t take your anger out on your poor desk. I don’t know why you sound so shocked about JT. The man can’t help himself.” I laughed and logged in to check my own emails.

“I’m not really surprised. He just promised me the last time he spent a lot of money that he would at least tell me first. I didn’t find out until he and this guy were in my back yard drawing plans for whatever the fuck they’re making now. I was so mad that I didn’t even bother asking.”

“Maybe this will be the big money making plan he’s been waiting for, that you’ve both been waiting for. Give the guy some credit Steph, he’s just trying to do the best for the four of you.”

“Yeah, I know, I just…Ugh. I guess you’re right. Wait…when did you turn into miss happy and positive?” She looked at me very quizzically. “Oh I remember. You had a date with Parker this weekend! Spill, now.” She pushed off of her desk and glided across the floor in her chair all the way over to mine.

“What do you want to know? He took me to dinner at a restaurant on the water. Then we went down to the beach and sat there and talked for a while.” There was no way that was going to suffice her and her line of questioning. “I had a great time. He’s a really sweet guy.”