Engaging the Enemy

by Reese Ryan

  His mother frowned. “Things in life aren’t always so straightforward, son. But the effort makes the reward sweeter. So if you truly care for Kayleigh and want a relationship with her—romantic or otherwise—be prepared to roll up your sleeves and work for it.”

  She didn’t wait for his response. His mother kissed his cheek and walked to the door. “And don’t be afraid to tell her how you feel. You might never get the chance to again.”

  Parker locked the door behind his mother and groaned. He was a man who valued order and control. He liked knowing what came next. More important, he liked being in control of what came next. And of his feelings. But with Kayleigh Jemison, he was never sure what came next or of how she’d make him feel.

  A little part of Kayleigh seemed to relish slowly driving him insane and making him want things he shouldn’t.

  Yet all he could think about was cradling her in his arms and making her his again and again. Shattering her control and allowing her to decimate his.

  * * *

  Parker had monitored his voice mail, email and text messages all week.

  No messages from Kayleigh.

  It was week ten, their last date before they went away to her friend’s destination wedding. It was Kayleigh’s turn to choose the place, but she hadn’t responded to his text asking where they were going.

  Perhaps she’d chosen to skip it.

  Regardless of where it began, every date they’d had since New York had ended with the two of them in bed. They’d made love in her hotel room in New York, in her storage room the night he helped her do inventory at her shop, and in his shower and bed after a movie and late-night swim at his place.

  Well before that night in New York, he’d begun to anticipate their weekly dates. No matter how hard he tried to focus on work, he couldn’t stop thinking of her smile, the sweet sound of her laugh or the way her creamy skin glided against his.

  He wanted Kayleigh. Thought of her constantly. Was driven to distraction by her. But she didn’t seem to be as affected by him.

  He needed to renew his focus on the priority at hand. Proving to his father, and to his siblings, that he should be the next CEO of King’s Finest Distillery. Getting sidetracked by the feelings he’d developed for Kayleigh Jemison was a mistake.

  Still, it was Friday evening, and he couldn’t help being disappointed that she’d chosen to blow off their final date.

  Parker went to the bar overlooking the patio. He’d never be able to look at his pool again without remembering Kayleigh stripping naked, diving into the water and then inviting him to join her.

  He dropped brown and white sugar cubes into a rock glass, added both orange and Angostura bitters and a splash of water, and then muddled it. Parker stirred in two ounces of King’s Finest bourbon, then two large ice cubes. He finished it off with lemon and orange peel.

  The perfect old-fashioned cocktail.

  As Parker raised the glass to his mouth, he heard a car door slam. The doorbell rang and he answered it.

  “Kayleigh, did I miss your message?”

  “May I?” She indicated his glass and he handed the drink to her. Kayleigh took a gulp, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. She sighed, handing the glass back to him. “I didn’t send a text message or an email. I didn’t know if I should say what I want to say.”

  “Come in.” He stepped aside and invited her to have a seat on the sofa. Parker handed the glass back to her. “You look like you could use this more than me.”

  She nodded and took another sip before finally raising her eyes to meet his as he sat on the opposite sofa.

  “This is our last date and all week I’ve tried to think of how I wanted to spend it.” She walked over to stand in front of him, setting the glass down on a nearby coaster. “But I only want one thing.” She straddled his lap and pressed a palm to his cheek. “I want to spend it making love to you.”

  Something in his chest fluttered and he felt an overwhelming sense of joy.

  “I can’t think of a better way to spend it.” He cradled her cheek and pressed his lips to hers.

  His tongue swept inside the warm cavern of her mouth; she tasted of sugar, citrus and the unique bourbon recipe that had built his family’s fortune. He slid his hands up her back to remove her bra, but she wasn’t wearing one.

  Kayleigh lifted her arms, allowing him to pull the fabric over her head, revealing her firm breasts and hardened brown peaks.

  He showered kisses down her neck and shoulder, palming one heavy globe before laving its pebbled tip with his tongue.

  Kayleigh pressed her palm to the back of his head and ground her hips against him, causing him to harden painfully.

  “You taste even better than I remembered,” he whispered against her soft skin between gentle bites and leisurely licks.

  “That’s just the appetizer. Wait until you get a taste of the main course.” Kayleigh gave him a naughty smirk that made his pulse race.

  He slid his hands up her outer thigh and beneath her little black skirt.

  No panties, either.

  She flashed him another mischievous smile and pressed a slow, lingering kiss to his mouth before rising to her feet and walking toward his bedroom.

  Parker shed his clothing, sheathed himself and had Kayleigh out of her skirt in the blink of an eye. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling their naked bodies together as he claimed her mouth in a greedy, impatient kiss that was fueled by his consuming desire for her.

  He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman. And he felt driven to bring her the deepest, most sensual pleasure possible.

  Parker settled between her thighs and pressed a gentle kiss to the space between them. She shuddered and dug her heels into the mattress.

  He placed another kiss there, relishing her taste: salty with a hint of sweetness. His eyes drifted closed as he parted her with his thumbs and dipped his tongue inside her.

  Kayleigh rode his tongue, her soft whimpers escalating until she came completely undone. She shuddered as she called his name in a throaty, raw voice that sent shivers up his spine and made him want to do it all over again.

  He made love to her. Tried to get his fill of her, knowing it would be the last time he’d have her in his bed.

  * * *

  Parker was awakened from a deep, satisfying sleep by the jangling of keys. He searched the room in the dark. A figure moved beside the bed.

  “Kayleigh?” He sat up and turned on the bedside lamp. “You’re leaving?”

  “It’s late. I should get home.”

  “Or you could stay.”

  “We both know you’re not comfortable with that. It’s fine. Really.” Her tone indicated that it wasn’t fine at all.

  True. Normally he wasn’t comfortable with that level of intimacy. But tonight he hungered for it. With her. “I’d really like it if you’d stay tonight...and tomorrow night.”

  She gave a small nod. “If you really want me to, I’ll stay.” She rummaged in her purse and then climbed back into bed. “But there’s something I need to give you first.”

  “What’s this?”

  She shrugged. “Open it.”

  Parker put on his glasses and opened the box. It was a leather cuff bracelet with a steampunk-inspired skeleton watch with a clear dial that revealed its inner workings.

  “Kayleigh, I don’t know what to say.” Parker traced the distressed brown leather and studied the exquisite workmanship of the piece. “This is—”

  “It’s not something you’d wear. Ever. I know.” She smiled sheepishly. “And I honestly won’t be insulted if you never wear it. But you wore that watch with the transparent face in New York, and I noticed that you read steampunk books. Something about that touched me. It reminded me of us as kids dressing up like pirates and space explorers. I wanted to make something for you that felt rea
lly personal and captured that little boy who still lives inside you. The boy who was once my best friend.” Kayleigh dragged a finger beneath one eye. “Besides, I wanted you to know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done these past two months, and to leave you with something to remind you of our time together.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart...” He cradled her cheek and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “It’s extraordinary. I love it.

  “That reminds me... I have something for you, too.” Parker returned the watch to its box and set it on the bedside table. He got up and rummaged in his sock drawer.

  “You’ve done so much already. I can’t accept another gift.”

  “I think you’ll make an exception for this one.” Parker retrieved the box and removed the ring, which slipped from his fingers and rolled underneath the bed.

  Parker cursed and dropped to his knees to search for it.

  “Let me help you.” Kayleigh swung her feet onto the floor.

  “No, I’ve got it.” Ring in hand, Parker knelt, preparing to stand. When he looked up at her gorgeous face, he was struck by how much he cared for her. How much he wished this was real. “I was going to give this to you right before we left on Monday. But it seems apropos that I give it to you now.”

  He held up the ring. “My friend came through. He gave me a few options to choose from, but this one just felt like you.”

  Kayleigh pressed her fingertips to her mouth. “My God, Parker, it’s beautiful. I can’t believe I get to wear something this gorgeous, even if it’s only for a week.”

  Parker gave her a pained smile and took her hand in his. He slid the intricate, rose-gold ring with a large, round center diamond and several swirled channels of smaller accent diamonds onto her finger.

  “Kayleigh Louise Jemison, would you please agree to be my one and only fake fiancée?”

  She laughed. “Yes, Parker Stephen Abbott, I promise not to marry you, but as your fake fiancée, I will happily wear this lovely ring.”

  Kayleigh cupped his cheek, leaned down and kissed him.

  It was a sweet, tender kiss that reignited the deep passion he felt for her. He lay her back in bed and kissed her, made love to her, held her in his arms until she’d drifted off to sleep again.

  But he lay awake for another hour, trying to hush the little voice deep inside his chest that kept growing louder. The one that kept telling him that what he felt for Kayleigh was real.

  Seventeen

  Kayleigh breathed in the salty air drifting off the Caribbean Sea as she exited the helicopter on the beautiful private island owned by the family of Kira Brennan’s husband-to-be, Theodore Patrakis.

  Parker offered her his hand as she stepped down. He looked concerned. “Having second thoughts about this?”

  She was.

  But after all the time and effort they’d put into preparing for it, there was no turning back now.

  Kayleigh didn’t answer his question. “Thank you.” She tucked the clutch he’d given her in New York beneath her arm. “You’re going to love Kira. She’s the sweetest.”

  “She means a lot to you.” Parker extended his elbow and she slipped her arm through his. “So I look forward to meeting her.”

  His response left her speechless, as had many of the other sweet and thoughtful things he’d said or done in the past weeks.

  They were escorted to a limousine shuttle that took them and a few other passengers to where they’d be staying. Within ten minutes, they had arrived in paradise.

  “This place is amazing.” Kayleigh kicked off her sandals and walked through their luxury seaside villa with folding glass doors, a hot tub, plunge pool and a deck overlooking the sea.

  “It is,” Parker agreed. “Looks like you’re the one doing me a favor.” He pulled Kayleigh into his arms and kissed her.

  “Let me guess...you know just how to thank me.” She couldn’t help giggling when he nibbled on her ear.

  “Nothing as trite as that.” He kissed her neck. “Honestly, this is all I’ve been thinking about from the moment I saw you in that sundress this morning. I sat there on the plane, trying to work out the space and mechanics of joining the mile-high club.”

  “Parker Abbott, what has gotten into you?”

  He cradled her face, his dark eyes staring intently at hers as he leaned in for another kiss. “You. And I’d like to return the favor.”

  Parker swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. He made love to her in the well-appointed luxury master suite with a wall of windows overlooking the sea and a small deck with seating.

  Kayleigh would’ve been content spending the entire week lying right there in Parker’s arms. But they had to shower and change to make it to the welcome dinner later that night.

  * * *

  “Kayleigh! It’s so good to see you!” Kira Brennan’s baby blue eyes lit up. Her tousled blond beach waves dusted the fair, freckled skin of her shoulders.

  “My God, Kira, look at you. You’re gorgeous. You’re going to make a beautiful bride.” Eyes damp with tears, Kayleigh hugged her friend. Kira had grown into such a beautiful young woman. “Thank you so much for inviting us to be part of your wedding. The island is simply incredible.”

  Kira grinned up at the tall, handsome, dark-haired, olive-skinned man beside her. “This is my soon-to-be husband, Theodore Patrakis. Theo, this is Kayleigh and her fiancé. Parker Abbott, right?”

  “Yes.” Kayleigh’s cheeks warmed as she glanced up at Parker. Her plan had seemed like a good one until she had to stand in front of Kira and tell her a lie, right to her face. Her hand trembled.

  Parker slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, a silent reminder that he was there for her. The tension in her shoulders eased instantly.

  “Pleasure to meet you, Theo.” Parker shook the man’s hand. Then he shook Kira’s. “I’ve heard so much about you from Kayleigh. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you and an honor to be part of your wedding celebration.”

  Kira’s eyes lit up and her smile was a silent I like this guy.

  Kayleigh breathed a sigh of relief...until Kira asked her next question.

  “So, I want to know everything. How did you two meet? What made you decide to get married? I want to hear it all.” Kira squeezed Kayleigh’s hand.

  Kayleigh turned to glance at Parker, but he was focused on Kira.

  “I’ve known Kayleigh since we were kids. I didn’t know it then, but I fell in love with her when I was maybe nine years old. She was beautiful and fierce and uniquely her own person. Confident in her own skin, regardless of what anyone else said or did. I admired those qualities even then.” Parker turned to her. His deep, genuine smile and the dreamy look in his dark eyes made her heart flutter.

  “Parker was brilliant, even when we were kids. Maybe too much for his own good.” Kayleigh shifted her gaze back to Kira. “We both made some mistakes and our friendship ended badly. But in recent months, we decided to renew our friendship. Things just progressed from there.”

  “And let me see the ring.” Kira held Kayleigh’s hand and admired the unique ring that Parker had given her just a few days earlier. “Kayleigh, it’s beautiful. And it’s perfect for you. Did you pick it out yourself?”

  “No.” Kayleigh smiled at Parker. “Parker did that on his own. He knows me even better than I thought.”

  “My God, you’re both just so cute and so in love. I’m thrilled for you, Kayleigh. I really am. You deserve to be happy.” Kira leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Theo and I need to make the rounds, but we’ll catch up more later.”

  Kira slipped her hand in Theo’s as they went over to greet the other guests.

  “Relax. You did just fine.” Parker’s soothing deep voice and warm breath on Kayleigh’s ear calmed her.

  She released a heavy sigh and nodded, glancing up at him. “Th
ank you for being here, Parker. I honestly don’t think I could’ve done this with anyone else.”

  Parker’s cheeks flushed. He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”

  “Kayleigh, so glad you could make it.” Colleen Brennan approached with a flute of champagne in her hand. Her dark hair was a perfect contrast to the icy blue eyes that suited her so well. At nearly sixty she was still stunningly beautiful, and the crisp white linen dress she wore complemented her figure. “And this handsome gentleman must be your fiancé, Parker Abbott. Looks like you found your perfect match.”

  Parker’s back tensed beneath Kayleigh’s arm and his expression hardened. She tightened her grip around his waist, a silent plea for him not to make a scene with the bride’s mother.

  “I have,” Kayleigh said simply. “And I couldn’t be happier.”

  * * *

  They’d stayed out late and drunk far too much. Parker slept in the next morning, but Kayleigh needed to burn off some of the nervous energy that left her lying awake most of the night while Parker slept soundly.

  She’d met the entire wedding party and encountered many of Aidan and Kira’s aunts, uncles and cousins again at last night’s dinner. The one person she hadn’t seen was Aidan. She wouldn’t allow herself to ask about him, but she’d found herself glancing around the room and expecting every new person who walked through the door to be him.

  “Aidan won’t arrive until tomorrow,” Kira had whispered in her ear when she joined Kayleigh at the dessert buffet.

  “I wasn’t looking for Aidan,” she’d said quickly as she debated over the tiramisu and crème brûlée.

  “It’s okay, Kayleigh. It’s understandable that you’d both be nervous about seeing each other again after all this time. But there’s something I should confess. I invited you to be in my wedding for all of the reasons I told you before. But I had another reason for inviting you. I—”

  “What looks good for dessert, ladies?” Parker had appeared beside them suddenly.