Always have always will, p.11
Always Have, Always Will, page 11
“You didn’t have to wait.” Auggie steps back into the room. He sets his tray in front of mine while sliding next to me in his bed.
“Honestly, I wasn’t. I was… never mind.”
“Do tell, sweet Caroline.”
“You’re going to make me say it out loud, aren’t you?”
A huge grin grows on his gorgeous face. “Yes, I am.”
“I was thinking about you and how much I like being able to tell you I find you insanely attractive. I did before, but now I can actually say it without breaking our unspoken agreement to hide our feelings.”
“If I didn’t put these trays here in the last minute, I would push you onto your back and kiss you breathless.”
Sweet mercy! I’ve wanted to hear words like that from him for so long. They’re even more potent than I ever imagined. “When we’re done eating, I won’t stop you.”
Auggie prepared lemon ricotta pancakes with bacon cooked to perfection with strawberries cut into hearts for garnish. I’ve eaten plenty of meals with Auggie. To date, this one is by far the best.
“Any update from Billie?” I savor a bite of his delectable creation.
“Nothing yet. They only allowed Camille to stay last night. Billie and Peter stayed at Cash’s. They plan to head to the hospital with Della and Brant, her husband, near nine.”
“What was your plan for today before our whirlwind trip to meet the twins?”
“I didn’t make any plans other than spending the day with you. Is there something you want to do?”
“No, not at all. It sounds perfect. We should talk about your plans though for after you fix Ocean Cliff at some point today.”
“You can ask whatever you need to. What are you concerned about?”
“Only the timing.”
“I’m only estimating how long I think it’ll take to fix the kitchen. If possible, I would like to see the remaining Rhode Island property and perhaps the Connecticut one at the same time.”
“Will you share more about them?”
“Of course. The Rhode Island property is a large parcel of land right off the highway. It has a small restaurant, but mainly it’s the land I’m interested in. There are thirty acres total, only two aren’t used as farmland. The remaining acreage includes a historic farmhouse and the restaurant.”
The frown on his face tells me there’s more. “What else?”
“The restaurant has been closed for about five years. Everything inside would need to be replaced. It certainly isn’t turnkey by any means. The current owners are the children and grandchildren. They’re only running the farm, but they’re in the red each year.” Auggie sighs.
“Okay, why is the property even on the list then?”
His eyes snap to mine.
“If you want to tour the property, we will. However, from your description, it already sounds like it isn’t even in the top five of properties you’re looking for. Do you want to start from a piece of land and build everything to your exacting—though supremely sexy—specifications or do you want to fix something an already existing structure?”
He leans forward and kisses the tip of my nose lightly. “You’re right. This one doesn’t sound promising. I don’t truly have a preference whether the property is turnkey or I need to start from the ground up. One certainly will take longer than the other.”
I shift and set the tray of empty dishes on the floor beside the bed. Snuggling deeper beneath the sheets, I sidle closer to Auggie. “Keep going, what about the Connecticut one?”
He moves his tray to the floor on his side of the bed and smiles. I’m not sure if it’s my proximity, the Connecticut property is more promising, or both.
“That one is near the shore in Mystic. It’s a currently operating restaurant, and the owners are looking to overhaul their menu and back of the house much like Gordon at Ocean Cliff. The main difference is an outright purchase isn’t out of the question, at least my relator indicated as much. I hope to eat a meal and then tour the kitchen with the owners.”
“Even when you talk about the Mystic property your words are less harsh, and you seem more open to the property as a possibility. What about Ocean Cliff or even 1459?”
“At the moment, I’m angry with Gordon. I don’t want to bail him out. Part of the answer would come from you, I suppose.”
I lift my eyes to his. “Me? This is about you and what you want for your dream, not me.”
“That isn’t true. I want you to be happy wherever I choose to build my dream.”
I didn’t think it was possible for me to fall further in love with Auggie. I was so very wrong.
“I think our misunderstanding starts there. As long as you’re beside me, I’ll be happy. I’m not overly attached to my position at Pinecrest. As you well know, it wasn’t my first choice of schools anyway. I’m not a fool. I was hired because my mother and Principal Brooks have been friends since elementary school. Abi isn’t my real aunt, but as a sign of respect to her friendship with my mother, it’s how I address her.
I’m not one to rely on my trust, but I could. Teaching is what I was allowed to choose, but I don’t have a preference where I do it. Honestly, I would prefer a public school and perhaps even a preschool. Working with Noelle and Cooper was eye-opening. If we had gotten him help sooner, his path could have been somewhat easier, at least education wise.”
With Cash’s knowledge of investing and guidance from one of his former coworkers, Noelle opened her own consulting business to assist kids like Cooper who have special needs. She creates an individual plan for each student and works with their school to implement the necessary changes to help the students thrive. Even though he has moved, Cooper is still using her plan.
He cages me beneath his body, hovering over me on his forearms. “Is it really that simple, cuore mio?”
“For me it is. I want you. I don’t care whether we’re here, Alaska, or somewhere in between. All I need is you and some basics. I don’t even need the sexy lingerie the girls sent me, but it’s luxurious.”
He raises an eyebrow. “What lingerie?”
“The girls sent me a set for our date.”
“You didn’t wear it though, did you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Mostly because of my nerves about the day, and it’s not something I would ever see as an everyday thing. Can we drop it for now?”
“Sure,” he replies, his interest still piqued.
“Is your concern for my job why you were afraid to ask me to spend the summer with you?”
A glimmer of realization shines in his eyes. “Yes. Honestly, this is the main reason why I wanted to wait. I don’t want you to give up your life for my dreams.”
Despite the heat pooling between my thighs, I need some space from Auggie. I push up, forcing him back onto his heels. Even that amount of space isn’t enough.
“This isn’t me giving up my life for your dreams. It’s us chasing your dream together. I don’t want to step beside you after you find your dream location or turnkey operation. I want to find it with you.”
“Are you sure about this, Caroline?”
“I’ve been sure about you since I was ten years old. What are you worried about?”
He exhales sharply and takes a few moments before speaking. “That you don’t realize how much of my time this is going to take. That you’ll regret choosing me because my focus isn’t only on you.”
“Has it ever been? Would it ever be?”
“How do you always know what to say?”
“August Morgan, you’re a steady, calming presence for me. You see my quirks for what they are. You treated me like a queen before we were a couple. All I need is you each day. I love you, always have. I have since I was ten years old when you held my hand our first night of boarding school. Please let me do it for you.”
“I love you, always will.”
Chapter Twenty Two
August
I lean forward, pressing my lips to her forehead, then her nose, then I brush a kiss across her lips. As I kiss a path outward to her earlobe, her sigh pushes me onward even though my brain is telling me to slow down. My rock-hard length isn’t listening. Being with Caroline for the first time isn’t something I plan to rush. Grasping the strap of her pajama top, I draw it down her arm. Her hand slides along my side, resting around my rib cage. Caroline’s fingernails dig into my flesh the deeper I nuzzle down her chest.
The faint tones of Billie’s ringtone intrude on my lustful thoughts.
“As much as I want to keep going, Billie needs you too,” she whispers.
I draw her strap back into place and hop off my bed. Turning back at the doorway, I see the only woman who has ever spoken to my soul. The call goes to voice mail before I make it back to the kitchen. I call her back immediately.
“Sorry, Billie. I was upstairs.”
“Auggie, it’s Peter. Can you and Caroline meet us at Cash’s? Giovanni didn’t make it.”
“We’ll be there as soon as possible. Do you need anything? Food or clothes?”
“Yes to the food. You don’t have to cook. Groceries for the next few days and takeout for tonight will be fine. Should I alert Arthur?”
“No need. I’ll let him know when I arrive. How many people are there?”
“Just the two of us right now, but I expect Della, Brant, and possibly Magnus,” Peter shares.
“Okay. Did you call my other siblings yet?”
“No, can you call them?”
“No problem. We’ll be there soon.” I end the call to find Caroline walking into the kitchen with our trays.
Silently, she washes the dishes while I call Sam. Having her here isn’t new, but how it feels is. I love how I feel despite the bad news of the moment.
I inhale and dial Sam. “What’s up, Auggie?” Sam asks upon answering my call.
“Giovanni didn’t make it.”
“Okay, I’ll see what I can figure out. Cash and Noelle are still at the hospital. He won’t leave her and the girls, nor should he. At a minimum, myself, Savannah, and Emme will be there as soon as we can.”
“Let me know if you need anything. We are going to handle the food and head over to Cash’s once we dress.”
“Should I be reading anything into the fact it’s near ten, you and Caroline are not dressed on a weekend?”
“Read anything you want. I won’t confirm or deny anything other than waiting this long to have her as my better half was one of the dumbest decisions I’ve ever made.”
“About time. Love you bunches, Auggie. See you soon.”
I end the call and move in front of Caroline who is staring at me intently. Settling my hands on her hips, I draw her against me.
“Did you forget I was standing here?” Her voice is low and soft.
“No. I never saw us from your perspective until you showed me. I was a fool. I’m sorry we won’t be alone today.”
“It isn’t your fault. Let’s get ready. Billie needs us.”
It takes a monumental amount of restraint to stay out of my bedroom after Caroline steps out of the shower. Less than an hour later, we leave my townhouse for Cash’s.
“Good afternoon, Arthur,” I say as we enter.
“Good afternoon, Miss Waterman. Mr. Morgan. Nice to see you again so soon.”
“Thank you. Unfortunately, we aren’t back for a good reason. My sister’s father passed away this morning. They’re here, as you know. I expect my brother Sam and his family will stay here once they arrive. We are also expecting a grocery delivery and dinner near six.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. Do you need to add any additional guests to the approved list?”
I look to Caroline for guidance. “Can we see the approved list?”
Arthur taps a few keys and turns the screen toward us.
“It seems Billie already added Della, Brant, and Magnus. Maybe we should add Ms. MacGregor?” Caroline addresses me.
“I agree. Arthur, could you add Ms. Eloise MacGregor? Also, under no circumstances is my mother, Margaux Morgan, allowed upstairs. Frankly, I don’t know if she would even attempt it, but our mother is the last thing my sister needs right now.”
“Consider it done.”
“Thank you.” I slide my hand in Caroline’s and ride upstairs to Cash’s. I wonder if we need to rename this place something more accurate since both of my brothers own it now. When we step off the elevator, I notice the absolute silence.
“I’ll be right back.” I kiss Caroline softly and release her hand. I walk down the hall and check each guest room. When I reach the room facing the park, I find Billie asleep against Peter. He nods slightly. I close the door more and retreat to the living room.
“Billie is asleep. Do you want to sit outside or in here?”
“Probably in here to answer the door and phone quickly so we don’t disturb them.”
I nod and sit on the couch in the corner with arms open to her. She curls into me, and I clasp my arms around her waist, my mouth against the sweet-smelling crook of her neck. Nearly two hours later, the phone wakes me. As I consider how to move without disturbing my gorgeous woman cuddled in my arms, Peter answers the phone. Knowing it’s impossible, I bring my lips near her ear to wake her.
“Baby, we need to get up.”
“Hmmm, I like that,” Caroline replies.
I hear a faint giggle from the kitchen. I look over at Billie and roll my eyes.
“Sweetheart, wake up.” She lifts her head, opening her eyes slowly. I feel her stiffen when she realizes where we are and her previous words were audible to everyone.
“Who heard me?” she whispers.
“Billie.”
She buries her head into my chest before pushing up to sitting. After a chaste kiss, we move into the kitchen and assist with the grocery delivery.
“I ordered dinner from Mama and Papa Romano.”
Billie nods.
“Have you heard from Sam again?” I ask.
“Yes, they’ll arrive very late tonight. They plan to stay here.”
“At the risk of making this day even harder, should we consider calling Blackthorne?” Caroline says softly.
Billie freezes, and Peter moves beside her almost instantly. “It might be wise to have security, especially considering everyone will be here including Kelly, Nicholas, Savannah, and Emme.”
“I’ll take care of it. Do you have any more details about the services?” I offer.
“No, only it’ll be Wednesday evening and Thursday.”
I nod and excuse myself to the office for some privacy. At least this will provide me some comfort as well. I don’t appreciate Margaux dropping in on Caroline at work or her watching us. Come to think of it, I should call Blaine as well. I decide to call him first.
He answers on the first ring. “Hey, Auggie. Looking for an update?”
“Yes, please. There have been some additional developments. Billie’s father passed away. I need to see where Caroline and I stand before reaching out to Jacob.”
“So far I haven’t found anything of note. They seem to be following your daily lives. Quite frankly, the two of you are boring.”
I laugh. “Thanks.”
“No offense meant. I mean Margaux’s people are digging, but they’ve come up empty over the last two years.”
“No worries. I’m not offended. If they find anything of note, please let me know. I’ll inform Jacob, Caroline and I are being watched.”
“Sounds good.”
“Thanks, Blaine.” I end the call, feeling a bit better before dialing Jacob.
“Good afternoon, Blackthorne Securities. Norah speaking.”
“Hi, Norah, its August Morgan.” Norah, Kelly Barnett’s sister, and Jacob got married this past spring.
“Hi, Auggie. What can I do for you?”
I briefly update her on the situation and ask to speak with Jacob at his earliest convenience. She indicates he’ll call back in a few hours. Ending the call, I move back into the main living area with my family.
Chapter Twenty Three
Caroline
I can only imagine what Billie is going through right now. The only thing I’m able to do is be there for her and make this as smooth as possible. Near five the guests start arriving, including Della, Brant, and Magnus.
“Hi, Della. Brant. Nice to see you again.” I greet them and stow their personal items. Della and Billie were besties long before Margaux’s infidelity was revealed. Della has been a friend of the Morgan family about as long as I have.
“Hi, Caroline. Thank you for coming,” Della addresses me. She’s looks beautiful despite the fact I’m sure her emotions are all over the place.
“Of course. Magnus, so good to see you again.”
“Pleasure.” He lifts my hand to his lips.
“Hands off my woman, Magnus,” Auggie states loudly as he enters the room. It’s difficult to tell if he’s joking or not.
“Easy, Auggie. I’m not looking for anyone at the moment. It’s about time you figured out she’s a catch though.”
I smile. “Thank you, Magnus.” I’ve known Magnus for quite some time. He lives in the same building as my parents.
Auggie slides his arm around me possessively and follows me into the kitchen. “Not a fan of him kissing you.”
“You’re super cute when you’re jealous. Magnus is harmless. He isn’t interested in anyone since his engagement to Rosalind fell apart. I only want you.”
As if he needs to cement his claim, Auggie leans down and kisses me breathless in front of the assembled guests. “Now, I think I made myself clear to everyone.”
“You’re silly. The only single person here is Magnus.”
“Either way, the kiss felt good.” He brings his lips near my ear. Instantly, I’m warmer, and inexplicably a shiver runs through me. “I see your responses, cuore mio. I’ll never miss another one again.”
I smile and attempt to compose myself as his phone rings.
