Safe to love you (Ink Series - Spin Off Book 2) (8 page)

''Are you saying you want us to have kids?'' She raises one eyebrow, mocking me.

''You know what I mean. Obviously in the future, maybe, but certainly not now. I've only known you for a couple of days'' I backpedal rapidly. I shouldn't have mentioned kids. I don't want her running for the hills.
Fuck, I’m an idiot.

''I know, I know... I’m just giving you a hard time.'' She smiles and my heart melts. ''I would have to meet the right one, too.'' Now she's teasing me.

''Yeah, of course.'' I say, trying my best to look indifferent.

She laughs aloud. ''You are the worst actor I’ve ever seen.'' She takes another sip of her coffee. ''Presley, I do want kids, so don’t worry. Just give me a few more months, or years – deal?''

I sigh with relief. ''Deal.''

We both laugh. I’m still embarrassed by what I just blurted out. I wish I could start this whole day over again. I want to pull my beanie over my face and hide. Seriously, we’ve known each other for about five minutes and we’re sitting here talking kids and marriage. Being around her has obviously affected my brain.

Abbie

PANCAKES. SO WARM
. So delicious. I think I've been craving them. They’re comforting.

''Enjoying your pancakes, Ms. Rylee?'' Presley asks, with a huge grin on his face.

''Yes, why are you asking?'' I question him.

''Have you ever heard of sleep talking?'' he teases.

''What? I said I wanted to eat pancakes when I was asleep?'' I ask.

''You didn’t exactly say that, but...''

''Presley, don’t do this... tell me what I said. Please?'' I beg him for the truth, and can feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

''Well, first of all, you said you love me...'' His grey eyes are focused on my lips. I bite them, just to torment him. ''Then you asked if I was cooking or something, and I may have mentioned pancakes.''

''So
you’re
responsible if I gain weight and can’t get into my jeans.''

He takes a generous bite of his own pancakes and continues to stare. So sensual, it’s almost too much for me to deal with.

''You should know, it's impolite to stare.'' I say, dipping my finger in the whipped cream on my plate and smearing some onto his nose. He grabs my finger and sucks on it until there is no whipped cream left. It's erotic. I'm probably scarlet red by now and breathless. I didn’t expect this at all. He takes a napkin to wipe off his nose.

''Just so you know, I love you too,'' he declares huskily.

He. Loves. Me.

I can’t find any words... I’m speechless. So much has happened during our breakfast. First Cameron, and then the discussion regarding marriage and kids, and now this. I can’t say it's going too fast, because I feel the same way, but it's just too much to deal with all at the same time.

I see Cameron walking towards us with his boyish smile. It feels like only yesterday when we were together. I think I need a time out now.

''Abbie, relax, it's just me. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. I just wanted to say ’bye. I’ll call you sometime next week, okay?''

With a breathless giggle, I nod. ''Sure, call me please. Take care, Cam.'' I hug him briefly and he leaves with the group of people he was seated with.

Presley stands up, looking embarrassed. ''I’m sorry, I’m an idiot. I shouldn't have said it so soon. Not here, with your ex in the same building. Please forgive me,'' he pleads. ''I... don’t get me wrong... I...''

''Shut up, Presley.'' He appears shocked by my announcement, but I smile warmly, my most radiant smile. ''I feel the same way... you just took me by surprise. There’s a lot going on in my head this morning, and I’m overwhelmed. Cam... I never thought he would talk to me again, and on top of that, there’s you. How happy you make me; you show me another version of what a life as a couple can be. I like it very much. It seems too good to be true.''

''That’s what you do to me, too.'' He takes my hand in his. ''Are you finished?''

I take a last sip of coffee and get up from my seat. I wrap my arms around him and hold him tightly against me. I kiss his lips before I let him go. ''Come on, now I definitely need some fresh air.''

He keeps my hand in his and he lightly kisses my palm, never taking his grey eyes off of me. There's this need building in me, I want him against my skin, I want to feel him. Once again, it’s a new feeling. I've never wanted someone so much in my life.

It's a warm morning in New York City, as we continue our little walk. We have to be back at the airport by mid-afternoon to catch our flight home. My right arm is around Presley’s waist, my finger tucked into his belt loop, while his arm is around my shoulders.

We pass by a number of dress boutiques, before a bookstore catches my eye.

''Can I go in this store, please?'' I beg. I adore books. Wherever I go, I have to go into bookstores. The smell of the books and the way they display everything. I'm a bookworm; there is no way I can survive without them.

''Yeah, of course. I’ll meet you inside in fifteen minutes, okay?''

''Sure.'' I enter the store and it’s a dream come true. I’ve never seen a bookstore which was so huge before. I walk up and down the many aisles. I'm not buying any books, but I read some prologues. Nothing catches my eye and, admittedly I have plenty to read at home. I was mainly intrigued by the store itself. It’s huge. I'm amazed by the quantity of books to be found here. No dust on any of the shelves, lots of staff working on the floor, and there's even a little area for kids to sit and enjoy reading. I love it. I’m sure I could work here and never get bored.

''Abbie, I’ve been looking all over the place for you,'' Presley sighs when he finally catches up with me.

''This place is huge.” I glance around, inhaling the scent of new books. “This is my version of paradise.''

''Hmmm... I had another version of paradise in mind,'' Presley whispers against my ear.

What? Presley? Is he teasing me or something?
''I guess you’ll have to show me yours.''

''I’m counting on it,'' he responds. His smile, right here and now, is killing me. He leans toward me, kissing my lips and circling his arm around my waist.

Sex... it’s on my mind, more than it should be. I mean, it was only a few weeks ago, and I was still with Dean and thinking about what my freedom would be like, wishing to be single. A lot has happened since then.

I've never fallen for someone so fast in my entire life. I think I've discovered my soul mate; my other half. I want him like I've never wanted anyone before. I know he's not going to push me for sex, or force me into anything before I’m ready. Presley was there the night of the break up with Dean, and I think he’s giving me time to make up my mind. He respects me and I appreciate it greatly. I just need to find the courage to admit to myself that I’m ready to go for it with him. I have this desperate need in me and it’s killing me. I want him, so badly.

It’s time.

We're standing in the middle of Times Square, surrounded by noise, massive billboards, crowds of people and dozens of yellow cabs. I could stand here for hours and never get bored; there are so many things to see. The vendors are selling pretzels and roasted nuts on the street. The famous naked cowboy is here too, trying to make a few dollars by entertaining the tourists. It's overwhelming. People live here permanently. This must be a crazy lifestyle to deal with day-to-day.

Presley's making his way through the crowds, holding my hand, never letting go. He stops in the entrance to an alleyway, and with his other hand, he pulls a small rectangular box from his jean pocket, offering it to me. ''When you went in the bookstore, I stayed outside because I had a few phone calls to make. There was a jewelry boutique next to the bookstore, and I saw this in the window. Please don’t run for the hills, I know it’s a lot, and it’s too fast, but I had to buy it for you. I just had to.''

He’s taken my breath away once again. He opens the box and I see a white gold chain, holding two little pendants. One of the pendants is a perfect representation of me. He's so thoughtful. It's a tiny little book. The other one is what we both share – a heart. I'm so touched by the gesture; tears are spilling down my cheeks. Everything around us disappears and in my eyes, I can only see Presley. There’s only us, in the entire city of New York. I am happy, so incredibly happy.

''Thank you, Presley.'' I dry the tears on my cheeks with the back of my hand. ''It’s a lot, I have to admit, but I think it’s a wonderful representation of who we are. It’s perfect. Thank you, so much.''

Presley takes the necklace from the box and he places it around my neck. His scent surrounds me. I love it. My heart is blooming with love.

''Presley?''

''Yeah, Abbie?''

''I am falling in love with you,'' I tell him in a soft, barely audible voice.

''I know. I am, too.'' He kisses my forehead and then my lips.

''I’m never going to take it off, not ever.''

His heart is lying over my own beating heart. It’s a sensation I adore.

I’ll never forget this adventure in New York City. So much has happened in such a short period of time. When we got here, I knew I held strong feelings for him but now, at the end of the trip, I know I’m falling hard for him. I wish I could call my dad and let him know that I’ve met someone who is so wonderful. I want to scream it out loud, so everybody knows how blessed I am.

Cameron

I'm dying to call Abbie, now that I’ve seen her. How long is she staying in New York? She's changed so much in three years. She seems happy with that guy – Presley; I think that was his name.

The last time I saw her was at her dad’s funeral, and she’d been with that smart ass. I hated him on sight. He had an arrogant attitude that could be detected from a mile away. I remember we were talking together with my dad, and Dean, or maybe it was Dane, or…well Dickhead works too, joined us. He started acting foolishly, as if he was the king of the world. I could tell Abbie was embarrassed. Dean was trying to impress my dad, strutting around in his Gucci suit, but Dad didn’t give a shit. Nobody did, not even Abbie. The three of us had been going through a very sad time; with the loss of Abbie’s father, who had also been my father’s best friend. Dad, Abbie and I – we were basically a family back then.

Seeing her, she seems to be the same jeans-and-t-shirt type of girl that she was back then. I loved that about her. I hate girls who take forever to get ready; it’s a waste of time.

Later that day, Dean asked me to stop talking to her. I couldn't believe it! He even mentioned that I shouldn't try to call her or email her anymore, because I was...
history
. Of course, Abbie had no idea. I did try to call her many times after that day, but I got her voice mail most of the time. She picked up the phone once and she seemed very excited to talk to me but only until Dickhead appeared in the background, she said she would call me back but never did. I never heard back from her, so I gave up. I knew I wouldn't be able to talk to her as long as she was with that guy. I left her many messages with my phone number, my email address, but I never heard from her afterwards. I sent her emails but after a week, they came back saying the email address was no longer valid. I did everything I could to keep her in my life but she didn't want me anymore; not even as a friend. I was hurt, I still am but I know that it wasn't under her control. I stepped out of her life in fear that she would get in trouble if I kept calling her. After spending weeks calling unable to reach her, I had to stop, but I knew our paths would cross again. It finally happened.

Presley, he seemed like an okay kind of guy. I didn't get the feeling that he wanted to rip my head off. Well, perhaps a little, in the beginning. But when Abbie introduced him as her boyfriend, he seemed okay when we shook hands. I know it's too late for Abbie and me to get back together, but if I could at least have her friendship again, I would be very happy.

I miss our Thursday nights, when we’d share a pizza and watch horror movies. We used to have so much fun. I hope we can do it again in the near future. If she’s living in Seattle, it helps me make my decision about where to settle. I’d wanted to go back to Portland, but I don’t know anyone who lives there anymore. Now I think I'd rather relocate to Seattle.

I’ve been living in South Carolina for a year, but it's far too hot down there. I miss living on the west coast. I haven't dated anyone seriously since Abbie. I just haven’t found anyone who made me feel alive, like Abbie used to do. It wasn’t a good time to get involved in another relationship; I had to finish school anyway. I was awarded my diploma right before I moved to South Carolina. I’d wanted a fresh start, but as it turns out, I miss my old life.

I’m working as a car mechanic now, which I enjoy very much.  The pay is good, and it keeps me happy and busy. I’m certain I could find a job easily in Seattle, maybe at a car dealership or something. I would be living closer to Dad, too, which would be awesome. I can't wait to see him. His health hasn’t been so good lately, so I’ll feel better when I'm living closer to him.

I keep glancing at her phone number in my contact list. Maybe I could text her… just to tell her how happy I was to see her. She seemed happy to see me, I could tell by her bright smile. It was a genuine smile; she wasn’t faking it.  I tap out a quick text.

I'm glad I got to see you. You seem happy. Looking forward to seeing you soon when I get back to Seattle. Cam.

I edit it about twenty times before I finally send it. It goes from you seem happy now you're no longer with that asshole’, to ‘you seem happy’. I wanted to say how pretty I thought she was, and damn it, she really was, but I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.

I miss being with her.