by Reese Ryan
Parker certainly hadn’t earned those pecs and biceps from sitting at his desk all day, crunching numbers.
His hands dropped to her waist, then drifted up her rib cage as he lifted the hem of her blouse and tugged it over her head.
Her chest rose and fell heavily and her belly tightened beneath his gaze as he studied the sheer black bralette that did little to hide how aroused she was by him. Parker glided the backs of his fingers up her stomach, then teased one of the pebbled nubs with his thumb.
He grazed the hardened peak with his teeth through the lacy fabric, then sucked. Her knees went weak and she held on to his shoulders so she wouldn’t topple over. Parker wrapped his other arm around her waist, steadying her as he tugged the material aside and tasted her skin. He swirled his tongue around her painfully tight nipple.
“I’ve imagined this moment so many times,” he muttered between licks and sucks that made her increasingly hot for him.
Just when she thought she’d combust, he pulled aside the fabric and released her other breast, lavishing it with the same attention.
Her legs shook and her breath came in quick, shallow pants that made her slightly light-headed. Suddenly he gazed up at her. There was something warm and liquid in his eyes. Like warm maple syrup.
God, the things I could do with a warm bottle of maple syrup right now.
Parker backed her up until her legs bumped the edge of one of the sturdy poolside lounge chairs. He lay her down and pressed his warm mouth to hers. One hand skimmed down her side, then slipped beneath her skirt.
He squeezed her bottom, most of which was exposed by panties that straddled the line between a thong and a brief. Kayleigh drew in a deep breath, breaking their kiss when he palmed the space between her thighs. Parker’s gaze met hers, his nostrils flaring.
“Damn,” he muttered, evidently pleased by the indisputable evidence of her desire for him.
Any lingering hesitancy between them dissipated.
Parker claimed her mouth in another bruising kiss. A steady pulse built in her core and her breath hitched as he teased the bundle of nerves and the sensitized flesh surrounding it.
“Parker, please. I need you,” she whispered, hating the truth of those words as much as she anticipated the fulfillment of them.
He dragged the damp fabric down and off her legs with urgency.
Kayleigh released a soft cry when he plunged his fingers deep inside her and curled them, allowing him to reach the spot where she needed him so desperately.
Her breathy sighs came faster and her head lolled back as the overwhelming sensation built inside her like a storm growing in intensity. When he added the sensation of his thumb gliding across her sensitive nub and slick, swollen folds, her legs trembled from the intense pleasure.
Her stomach clenched and her core convulsed. Kayleigh squeezed her eyes shut as she rode the wave of pleasure that left her quivering and aching for more.
She heaved a sigh, her eyes drifting open.
Parker lay beside her. One edge of his sensuous mouth quirked in a half-smile that sent a prickle of heat to her already aching nipples.
“That was incredible.” She sheepishly met his gaze. “But what would be even better is...” Kayleigh loosened his belt buckle. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she inched his zipper down.
Black boxer briefs.
She wouldn’t have expected anything else from Parker Abbott. Kayleigh licked her lower lip as she studied the bulge in his shorts from its base to the damp circle over its tip.
Kayleigh swallowed hard, her heart beating wildly as she ran her fingertips along the fabric shielding him. She pressed soft kisses to his chest as she slipped her hand beneath his waistband and wrapped her fingers around his thick shaft.
* * *
Parker’s eyes drifted shut. A shudder rolled up his spine as Kayleigh’s hand glided up and down his length.
He took slow, measured breaths, each descending into a throaty exhalation. Though he realized it was impossible, it felt as if his heart would pound right out of his chest as she brought him closer to the edge.
It was a hand job, and he wasn’t some hormone-filled teenage boy. But Kayleigh Jemison made him crazy with want. Everything about her stoked a fire deep inside him. In her absence, he felt a deep ache in his chest. In her presence, he was overcome by an overwhelming hunger for her. And what she was doing to him at the moment might drive him over the brink.
His urgent need for her was irrational and very much unlike him.
He prided himself on staying cool, being logical and maintaining self-control, even if he couldn’t control the circumstances around him. But Kayleigh had a talent for shattering that.
He’d come to the cabin determined to be on his best behavior. To keep their relationship strictly business. His resolve had been hanging on by a worn thread all weekend. When she’d kissed him, every remaining ounce of it had disintegrated.
Parker met Kayleigh’s gaze, hazy with lust. Needing another taste of her sweet, warm lips, he kissed her with a desperation that felt foreign, and yet deeply satisfying. He swept his tongue inside her mouth, savoring her kiss. Her hand continued to pump his shaft, the sensation building until he could barely hold on another moment.
Grasping her wrist, Parker stilled Kayleigh’s hand. He dragged his mouth from hers, his breathing ragged. It required every ounce of determination he could muster to hold on. That hadn’t happened since he’d been a bumbling teenage boy learning to navigate sex and the female body.
“You don’t like it?” Kayleigh looked hurt and confused. An expression he knew well. It had been burned into his brain for the past two decades.
“No, that is definitely not the issue.” His cheeks and forehead stung with heat.
“Oh.” Her eyes widened with realization.
“I just thought you’d rather...” He indicated the chaise. “You know.”
“Have sex?” Kayleigh seemed amused by his avoidance of the word. Her eyes twinkled as she stared at him intensely and smiled. “I would. I assume you have a condom in your wallet.”
“Actually, a wallet isn’t an ideal place to keep them. It’s much safer to store them in—”
“Parker.” Kayleigh’s tone was sharp. “Do you have one?”
“I do.”
“Could you get it? Like now?”
“Of course.” He pressed an awkward kiss to her cheek and trotted upstairs to retrieve the strip of condoms from his shaving kit.
Parker caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He was shirtless, his cheeks were red and his pants were unfastened.
He enjoyed sex as much as the next guy, but what set him apart from his libido-driven counterparts had always been his ability to exercise logic and good sense.
At the moment, he was employing neither.
Sleeping with Kayleigh was a thrilling prospect. She was sexy and beautiful. Maddening, yet amusing. And he admired the hell out of her for her strength and tenacity. But the deal between Kayleigh and King’s Finest was the most important thing in his world. And this could ruin everything.
He’d be taking one hell of a risk. A risk neither of them could afford.
This deal was too important to everyone involved.
Parker gripped the edge of the counter and cursed.
Kayleigh.
She’d be madder than a wet hen. But it was the right decision. He was sure of it. Hopefully when she calmed down, she’d come to the same conclusion. Maybe she’d even be glad he’d stopped them from taking this any further.
Parker’s steps felt leaden as he returned to the spot where Kayleigh waited for him partially undressed. A sight he’d never forget.
Kayleigh studied him as he walked toward her. Her expression went from a soft, hazy lust to one he could read quite easily.
Animosity.
“You’ve changed your mind, haven’t you?”
“Kayleigh, I’m sorry. I just think—”
“Save it, Parker. Why doesn’t matter.” Her cheeks flushed as she scrambled to her feet quickly. She tugged her skirt and bra back into place.
He stooped and retrieved both of their shirts from the stone floor and handed Kayleigh hers.
“God, I’m such an idiot.” She swiped the garment from his hand and slipped it over her head. “I can’t believe I did this, that I thought you...” She stopped short. Her gaze was filled with resentment.
Kayleigh searched the floor. Presumably in search of the black lace panties he’d stripped her of earlier.
Parker spotted them beneath the chaise. But before he could retrieve them, she’d stormed off toward her room, saying she’d be leaving in an hour, with or without him.
He was surprised she hadn’t shoved him into the pool. After stooping to pick up her panties, he shoved them into his pocket and then dropped onto the chaise.
Kayleigh wasn’t the idiot. He was.
He wanted to be with her. Desperately. But there was one thing he wanted more: to be named the next CEO of King’s Finest.
Sleeping with Kayleigh Jemison could put his chances of that in serious jeopardy.
* * *
They were nearly back to his house and Kayleigh had barely uttered two words, other than “You drive,” as she’d chucked the keys at him, narrowly missing his head.
Slumped against her seat, and wearing a faded T-shirt and tattered jeans, she’d spent the entire drive either staring out the window or scrolling through her phone.
“Kayleigh.” Parker said her name softly as the car idled at a light. “I’m sorry, but it just wouldn’t be prudent for either of us to jeopardize this deal. It has such large implications for both of us. The exposure was just too great.”
She snapped her attention in his direction. “Seriously, Parker, are you trying really hard to be a dick, or does it just come naturally to you?”
“I don’t under—”
“Of course you don’t.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Look, forget it. It was third base, not a marriage proposal. So let’s pretend it never happened.”
“Do people over twenty still say third base?” The light changed and he pulled off.
“God, you can be so...infuriating.” She clenched her fists as she drew in a deep breath and released it, lowering her voice. “I asked you to drive because I was afraid that if I did, I’d be tempted to pull over and dump your body in a ditch. Now, please, just let it go. You learned how to dance and we’re ready for the event next week. That’s all that matters.”
“So, the deal is still on?”
“It’s like you said—it’s too important to both of us.” Kayleigh tossed her phone on the dashboard. “I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but you’re right. Sex would only complicate the deal. Neither of us needs that. So we each fulfill our end of the bargain and we walk away. No regrets.”
Parker nodded as he turned onto the street that led to his neighborhood. He was glad Kayleigh recognized the logic of his decision. But she was wrong about one thing. Despite knowing all the reasons he shouldn’t be with Kayleigh, he deeply regretted not making love to her.
It was a chance he’d never have again.
Thirteen
Kayleigh sifted through spools of jewelry wire stored in her studio supply room. She had another idea for the new line of jewelry she was designing, based on her weekend stay at the cabin with Parker.
The sun had gone down, but her mind still buzzed with ideas. She’d already made a few necklaces with matching bracelets and earrings, but another design was knocking around in her head, if only she could find that damn sheet of pink lace variegated brass leaf. It would create beautiful contrasts on another design that would be ideal for fall.
“Kayleigh.”
She dropped the spools of copper and silver wire and nearly toppled the cabinet. Parker was standing in the doorway between the shop and the back room.
“Parker? What the—”
“I didn’t mean to scare you.” He held his hands up in surrender. “I worked late tonight and decided to grab a bite to eat before the pizza shop closed. I noticed your light was still on in the studio.”
Kayleigh retrieved the spool of copper wire from the floor and Parker held out the roll of silver wire, which had rolled to his feet.
“Thanks.” She accepted the spool, then quickly turned and shoved it back into the bin. “Is there something you need?”
“No, I just...well, they were offering a deal on the extra-large pizzas that didn’t seem prudent to pass up, but it’s more than I can eat alone. I thought maybe...” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, looking as uncomfortable as she’d felt the night he’d left her half naked on that chaise and suddenly decided he didn’t want to sleep with her.
Good.
It didn’t begin to make up for the humiliation she’d felt in that moment. She considered herself confident, but a rejection like that could take a hammer to even the most self-assured woman’s ego.
“You thought maybe...what?” Kayleigh folded her arms, eyeing him impatiently. She was eager to get back to searching for materials for her project.
“I thought maybe you’d like to split it with me.” Parker unbuttoned the top button of his crisp white shirt and loosened his navy printed tie before shoving a hand into the pocket of slim, gray pants that seemed tailored to his lean, muscular frame. “Have you eaten dinner yet?”
“No.” She’d nibbled on a granola bar she discovered in a drawer five hours earlier. “Pizza would be great. I can grab a plate from upstairs if you want to leave me a couple of slices.”
She searched through the cabinet for the metal leaf again.
“I guess I didn’t explain myself very well. I thought maybe we could eat together.” Parker squatted beside Cricket, who’d walked over to greet him. He rubbed her ears and ruffled the fur on either side of her head. Cricket looked uncommonly content.
Traitor.
“I’m working still.” Kayleigh gave Cricket a side-eye before rummaging in the cabinet again.
“Then we could have a working dinner. Right here.” He gestured toward her work space.
“Look, Parker, if this is a pity thing, it’s completely unnecessary.” She turned to him, her arms folded. “That thing that didn’t happen between us? I’ve put it out of my mind.”
“This isn’t a pity thing.” Parker’s cheeks flushed. “It just didn’t make sense to waste half of a perfectly good Hawaiian pizza—”
“You ordered Hawaiian pizza?” She raised a brow. “I thought you said ham and pineapple on a pizza was disgusting.”
Parker shrugged. “I tried a slice. Just to prove to myself that it was as awful as I thought.”
“And?”
“It was one of the best damn pizzas I’ve ever eaten,” he conceded with a half smile.
“Fine.” Kayleigh huffed, sure she’d soon regret her decision. “If you don’t mind me working while we eat.”
“Of course not. I’ll grab the pizza from the car.” He opened the door and turned back toward her. “When you’re working late like this, you really should lock your door.”
“We live in Mayberry,” she scoffed. “Nothing remotely interesting ever happens here.”
“Even in Mayberry there was crime,” he countered.
She folded her arms again, her jaw tight. “If I’d locked the door tonight, I wouldn’t be having this conversation about locking the door with you now. So there is that to consider.”
He pressed his lips together and his mouth curved in a partial smile. “Don’t lock me out, in case you were considering it.”
“Of course not.” She totally was. “How else would I get my Hawaiian pizza?”
&nbs
p; * * *
“Maybe I was just incredibly hungry, but Margot’s pizza was exceptional tonight,” Kayleigh declared after unapologetically polishing off her third slice.
“It’s her new chef,” he confirmed. “I’ve noticed subtle improvements in their menu since she hired him.”
Awkward silence stretched between them for a few moments. Kayleigh couldn’t take it anymore. She stood suddenly and wiped her hands on a napkin.
“Thank you for the pizza, Parker. But I need to get back to work, and I still haven’t found that metal leaf. Besides, I’m sure there’s something else you’d rather be doing tonight.”
Parker didn’t acknowledge her polite and apparently too subtle attempt at saying you don’t have to go home, but you’ve gotta get the hell out of here. He walked over to the storage cabinet she’d been searching. “How do you ever find anything in here?”
“I generally know where everything is.” Maybe she wasn’t as organized as him, but she had a system. Sort of.
“What were you looking for?”
Kayleigh described the thin metal sheets she was searching for and Parker helped her go through the shelves, which were overflowing with jewelry-making components.
“Is this it?” Parker held up a shipping envelope from the company that supplied her metal leaf.
“Yes! Thanks. I could kiss you right now.” She took the envelope from him excitedly. Then, realizing what she’d said, she added, “Don’t flip out—it’s just an expression. You’re in no danger of me kissing you again. Believe me.” She muttered the last part under her breath.
“I understand.” Parker frowned and shoved his hands back in his pockets.
“Well, thank you for dinner and for helping me find this.” Kayleigh held up the envelope after an uncomfortable lull between them. “I’d better get back to work.”
* * *
Parker nodded, but didn’t move toward the door. “I’d love to see what you’re working on.”
She furrowed her brow, her head cocked as she studied him for a moment. “Why?”