Page 1 of It's Always Been You

PROLOGUE

Riley

My eyes flutter open, and I’m staring at the most beautiful sky. It’s so bright, so blue. The warm breeze caresses my skin and a ghost of a smile whispers across my lips.

I stay like this, lying in the grass.

There’s something peaceful about this place. I can smell the flowers; I can hear the birds chirping and the distant sound of rushing water.

Warmth spreads through my body, but then I come to a slow realization.

What am I doing here?

What is this place?

Why am I here?

I slowly sit up. Is this a dream?

This doesn’t make sense.

I remember going to bed early last night. I had been so tired, my mind weary and my body feeling sluggish. The moment my head hit the pillow, I fell deeply asleep.

And now I’m here?

I rise to my feet and I spin around in circles, taking in everything around me. My lungs squeeze when I finally notice where I’m standing.

In a meadow of yellow lilies.

I’m surrounded by the most beautiful yellow lilies I’ve ever seen.

“Riley.” His familiar, deep baritone voice calls out to me.

My breathing stutters.

My heart ricochets against my ribs.

I hastily spin around and I see him — Colton Bennett.

Standing just a few feet away, in the middle of the meadow. He stretches his arm out, waiting for me to take his hand.

I take a step toward him. He grins…and oh God, he’s devastatingly beautiful.

“Come to me,” Colton rasps.

My feet move on their own toward him. Until I am standing in front of him, so close I can smell his unique musky scent and his rich cologne.

This is a dream. I know it is, but it feels so real.

As if we’re really standing here, just the two of us — away from the chaos of the world and our complicated story.

Colton takes my hand in his, entwining our fingers together. His other arm curls around my waist, pulling me closer. His body is warm and solid: hard and strong in all the right places.

Something catches my peripheral vision, and my eyes flicker to the single monarch butterfly. Its striking orange color is the prettiest I’ve seen. It gleams under the sunlight.

My palm rests against Colton’s chest, and I can feel his heart thudding. Steady and calm.

His heartbeat soothes me.

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