Keep Me Safe (12 page)

I knew I probably needed to prepare myself emotionally for this new relationship before getting physical with him. Somehow, I think I knew that they would go hand in hand. From what I knew so far, even if it was just a little, we were great together. There was not a doubt in my mind. Even that thought scared me though. I hadn’t been out of my marriage for very long.

Most people would probably agree that it was too soon to start such a serious relationship. At least I
assumed
it was serious. Nothing that Parker said to me made me believe otherwise. But I knew there were conversations we needed to have, things that I needed to tell him, and issues that I needed to address to find out if they were even something he was willing to deal with. I needed to slow down. That would come with time.

When I sluggishly walked into my office with coffee in hand, Stephannie had that ‘we need to talk’, or in her case gossip, look on her face.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m tired and I can tell by the look on your face that I don’t have the energy for it.” I plopped down at my desk to start my routine.

“You should’ve had more coffee then. Did you invite Parker to dinner on Friday?”

“Yeah, he’s picking me up and we will both be there.”

“Yay!” she said clapping her hands excitedly. “I hope he’s as nice as he is hot.”

“Yeah, he saw you drooling over him through the window yesterday.”

“There’s nothing wrong with appreciating a man with amazingly good looks. I’m sure he just wishes it was you who was doing the drooling.” She closed her email and walked towards her door, knowing the bell was going to ring any minute.

“Don’t worry about my drooling; I’m sure he knows how his
girlfriend
feels about him.” I smiled at her and went towards my own class, not just because we always joked like that with each other, but because I had just called myself Parker’s girlfriend. It made me completely giddy and I loved the way it sounded. 

Thirteen

After a couple short but smile inducing conversations with Parker every day, it was finally Thursday. We were spending time together at his house tonight and I was so excited. I figured I’d be a bundle of nerves as the day went on, but I assumed that was normal for any new relationship.

Stephannie had made her share of remarks and sexual innuendo all day at school, but I was thankful the school day was over. I was ridiculously excited for my date and she could see it written all over me. She certainly brought it up a lot.

“So are you going to sleep with him tonight?”

“Are you serious right now? We’ve been dating all of like two weeks.”

“Oh please. He has sex God written all over him and you look like someone who hasn’t been laid, well, ever.”

“Considering what happened with Brent, I thought you’d be a little more sensitive to my feelings.” I struggled to contain my laughter because I knew she felt bad about what happened to me, but the ‘you need to get laid’ comments were plentiful even when I was still married to him. She was right, though. It had probably been a year.

“Wow, way to steal my joy. I was hoping to live vicariously through you when it happened, but now you made me feel guilty and shit.”

“You know I have to give back what you’re dishing out. I’ll call you when I get home so you don’t miss out on any of the juicy details, whatever they may be.” The last bell rang at the end of that conversation and I was headed out the door. I made sure to finish everything I needed to during my planning period so I could leave right away.

I was on my way to Macy’s to buy something new. I had some nice clothes at home, but I wanted something different. I always felt sexier when I got to wear a new outfit and this occasion warranted it, as long as it didn’t break what little I had in my bank account.

I grabbed a couple dresses and skirts right away, hoping to find something that really stood out to me. I was standing in front of the mirror trying on a teal blue skirt when my phone started ringing. I had to dig around in my purse before pulling it out and realizing it was Parker.

“Hello?”

“Hey babe, how are you? How was school?”

“I’m good. I left school a little early so I could run some errands. How are you?” I didn’t want to tell him I was picking out a new outfit. I didn’t want to seem like I was trying too hard, even if I was.

“Um, well, I have some bad news.”

“Uh oh, I don’t like how that sounds. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is fine. I just have to cancel for tonight. Something came up with a case and they want me there for everything since I’m new. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, I understand. It sucks, but I guess I’ll just see you tomorrow then.”

He picked up on my disappointment immediately.

“I really am sorry. I’ll make it up to you. I was really looking forward to it, too. I don’t know how long I’ll be, but I’ll call or text you as soon as I have a free minute, I promise.”

“Alright, you know where to find me,” I tried to say in a sweet voice. “Be careful out there, okay?”

“Let something happen and miss out on more time with you? No way. Talk to ya later.”

“Alright, bye.”

I hung up and sat down on the bench inside the fitting room. I looked at all the clothes around me, disappointed that I wasn’t going to see him tonight. I knew I would see him tomorrow, but suddenly that didn’t feel like enough.

I finished trying on the clothes I had, and decided to buy a very deep plum colored shift dress. It made my light blue eyes stand out and I was hoping Parker would notice. Since I couldn’t wear it tonight, I’d just wear it for dinner tomorrow. 

After I got home, I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I had already cleaned the house so I wouldn’t have to do it this weekend and dinner was just leftovers, so I decided to run.

I started on my run with my usual running playlist, “Pitbull” blaring in my ears. It didn’t take long for my mind to start wandering. I thought about what would’ve happened if I had gone to Parker’s tonight. Then I laughed thinking about what Stephannie said. I didn’t really think that Parker and I would’ve had sex tonight, but I certainly would’ve enjoyed making out for a little while, maybe a little cuddling together. I really wanted to feel close to him again when it wasn’t panic induced on my part. That wasn’t really the best way to start our intimate moments, although he didn’t seem to mind and he certainly didn’t take advantage of my weak moment.
Just another reason to be crazy about him.

I finally finished my run and was drenched with sweat. I went upstairs to shower, put on my comfortable crazy looking, lollipop covered pajamas and headed back downstairs for dinner. I was starving and was looking forward to the leftover taco soup I had.

I dished up a bowl and grabbed a glass of ice water and my phone. I headed to the couch to catch up on my DVR’d episodes of NCIS and Castle from this week that I didn’t get to finish. I’d spent the first part of the week finishing my unpacking and was thrilled to finally have it finished. I had my own home and it was exactly the way I wanted it.

I was halfway through my show when my phone chimed.

Had a break for a quick dinner, wanted you to know I was thinking about you.

I hit reply.

I’m thinking about you, too. I already don’t like your new job ;)

Parker –

Yeah, I didn’t think I’d be called out already, but we’ll make it work. You can’t get rid of me that easy ;)

Me –

I wouldn’t dream of it. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow
.

Parker –

Then don’t wait. How about you see me right now?

Me –

I wish!

Just as I thought I heard the phone vibrate and beep with his reply, I realized it was a knock at the door.
No freaking way.
I got up, looked down at my pajamas and scoffed at the fact that I was answering the door in my colorful candy pajama pants.

When I unlocked the door and pulled it open, there stood Parker – in a grey long sleeved buttoned up dress shirt and black slacks. His hair was perfectly done and spiked, as usual, and he looked so handsome. At that very moment of admiring him, I remembered my pajamas. I looked down, then looked at him with a nervous smile.

“If I knew you were coming over, I wouldn’t have…”

Before I could even finish the sentence, his lips were pressed to mine. After the split second it took me to realize what was happening, I kissed him back. His hands were already coming up to my face, his kiss still soft but meaningful. When he pulled away, far too quickly for my liking, he had a huge smile on his face.

“What was that for?” My words riddled with surprise.

“I just needed to kiss you. I was down the street getting some dinner and only had a second, but I knew it would be well worth it.”

“Well I’m glad you got what you came for,” I teased.

“Hopefully I’ll get more of it tomorrow,” he said, already walking back down the driveway. “Lock your doors and sleep well, okay?”

“I will. Thank you for…
that
.” I laughed.

“Oh you better get used to…
that
.” He winked and he got back in his car and drove off.

I closed and locked the door, my brain trying to catch up with everything that just happened. I went and sat back down on the couch, pressing play on the rerun of
Castle
I had been watching. About thirty seconds into it, I realized I wasn’t paying a bit of attention. I picked up my phone and thought about what to write in a text to Parker.

If you keep torturing me like that, I won’t have any energy left for tomorrow. ;)

By the time I was done cleaning up my mess from dinner, he had already replied.

There’s NO way I would let that happen ;) I like “torturing” you so get used to it.

The proverbial butterflies were flying frantically against the walls of my insides. I could still feel my emotions running away with me and what his lips felt like on mine. I smiled at the fact that he was still interested in me and had the most amazing way of showing it. I could see myself falling for him very quickly, so I knew we needed to have all of the necessary conversations before I was in too deep.

I wanted to text him back and talk to him all night, but he was busy and I was tired. I needed to be plenty rested for tomorrow, whatever ended up happening. I decided to send Stephannie a text message instead.

Please be on your best behavior tomorrow. I’m completely smitten. :-D

I went to sleep without hearing back from her, but knew that she’d laugh when she read my message.

Fourteen

I woke up super early Friday morning and threw in an arm workout I found on Pinterest. The dress I bought yesterday was sleeveless and although it wouldn’t make a visible difference, working out made me feel better before getting dressed up. I really didn’t want to go to work today, but I did my work out on the beach in hopes of relaxing a little bit.

When I checked my phone this morning, I had a reply text from Stephannie which I expected.

You act like I’m mean and horrible. But I will behave and won’t drool over him…too much. See ya tonight if I don’t kill the boys first!

I just loved her. She worked so hard, handled her crazy home life, but managed to do it all so effortlessly. I knew she was often stressed about things, but she made sure her family always laughed and had a good time.

She was as stubborn as they came, but she always had time for everyone else, especially me. She was there for me at a time when I really had no one else to confide in, and for that, I owed her so much. I was just glad we could celebrate her tonight since she very rarely got a chance to do that.

I had gotten a text from Parker last night around three in the morning saying he was just getting home. I sent him a reply after my run making sure that he hadn’t forgotten tonight’s dinner or that, as of this moment, nothing had come up that would make him have to cancel.  He said he wouldn’t miss it unless it was absolutely necessary.

After school and a shower, I got the laundry out of the dryer and ironed my new dress. I decided on a silver rope necklace to go with it, along with some simple diamond stud earrings. I wanted to keep it simple but still look as good as possible. Parker saw me in my oh-so-fashionable pajamas last night, so I’m sure anything would’ve been an improvement.

I parted my hair and braided the entire front section all the way down the side. Then I put some loose curls in the rest of my hair. By the time I was finished, I was definitely regretting my decision to work out my arms this morning. I had ridiculously thick hair and it always took forever just to dry it, let alone curl it.

When I finished my hair and makeup, I gave myself a onceover in the mirror, making sure everything looked okay. I loved the dress I bought and was glad I ventured out from my normal black and blue wardrobe choices. I decided on a simple pair of silver peep toed heels, thankful for them since I really didn’t have anything else that matched my dress.

I was on my way down the stairs when I heard my doorbell. I was carrying my shoes in one hand, not quite ready to torture myself by putting them on yet. When I opened the door, I was encircled by the scent of Parker’s cologne. The look in his eyes when seeing me made me thankful for my purchase and there was no mistaking whether or not he liked it.

“You look amazing,” he said, almost breathless.

“Thank you. I bought it to wear last night. You know, before you cancelled on me.” I smirked and backed away from the door, silently inviting him in.