When We Fall

by Madeleine Labitan

  The woman at the front greets Parker with a warm familiarity that tells me he's a loyal customer. While I've only dined here a few times with Dad and Avery.

  Who was he always with? Maybe not his family, considering Dianne's condition. Maybe his friends since Giovanni's family owns it. Or maybe with Peyton.

  I try not to dwell on the latter as we settle into our table by the floor to ceiling glass window.

  It's still a little early for dinner so there are only a few customers around. Which I'm thankful for.

  Parker insisted we go straight here from school so we're still in our uniforms. He doesn't care about that but I can't help but feel a little out of place.

  "What are you thinking?" he asks, interrupting my thoughts as a male server pours red wine into our glasses.

  Either he doesn't care that we're clearly students or he's used to pouring wine for Parker.

  "I'm thinking we should've gone home to change first," I say honestly.

  "Why? Would it have made any difference?"

  Yes. It would've felt more like a date.

  I give a shrug. "It would've felt more comfortable."

  A small smile twists his lips. "I didn't want to give you time to change your mind."

  I frown at him across the table. "What? You thought I'd say no?"

  "You were pissed at me."

  "And I told you I got over it."

  "I didn't want to take a chance."

  My lips twitch. "So to wine and dine me was your idea of groveling?"

  His russet brown eyes twinkle in mirth. "It worked, didn't it?"

  "Don't get cocky," I smirk. "The jury is still out."

  Parker just leans back on his chair and smiles, as if he knows I'm full of crap. Then grabs the menu on the table.

  I do the same, biting back a smile of my own as my eyes roam over the menu.

  A few moments later and we're giving our orders to the server. Chicken parmigiana with pasta for me while Parker settles on pasta puttanesca and Italian sausage.

  The whole time I can feel Parker's eyes on me. I wait for the server to leave before quizzing him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

  "Stay with me tonight."

  I blink. Surely, I misheard him. "Um, what?"

  His gaze intensifies. "Don't go home. Tell your dad you'll be staying over at Quinn's."

  He's asking me to sleep over at his house?

  Shaking my head, I choke out a laugh. "But I don't even have a change of clothes."

  "You won't need it." His eyes and voice hold a heated promise that steals my breath.

  Is he implying that we're going to…

  Oh. My. God.

  My face flames at the realization.

  This is what you wanted to happen at the Halloween party, isn't it? It's the reason why you got mad at Parker.

  But why is he suddenly being eager about it? I thought he wasn't ready yet. Wait. Is this just another way of making up to me? Because he felt guilty for rejecting me in the first place?

  Anger churns in my gut. That better not be the case. I want to sleep with him but it doesn't mean I'm up for a pity-sex. I'd be laughing at that train of thought if I wasn't so mad right now.

  Before I can get the chance to give him a piece of my mind, the server chooses the moment to bring our food to our table.

  I keep my eyes down as we eat our food. And although it tastes divine, I can't bring myself to enjoy it. Those unanswered questions sit heavily in my mind, affecting my appetite. If nothing else, I manage to drink two glasses of wine.

  And this was supposed to be a romantic date.

  "Sawyer, talk to me."

  Of course he senses my change of mood. Parker has always been observant when it comes to me. I usually find it sweet—not so much right now.

  Raising my eyes to his, I grind out, "I don't need your pity sex."

  "What?" He almost chokes on the food in his mouth. Reaching for his glass of water, he takes a long pull.

  "I get that you're feeling guilty about Friday night. But how the hell could you think that inviting me to 'stay over' would relieve you of that? Honestly, Parker, I'm insulted," I huff.

  The look of incredulity on his face is almost laughable. "That's what you get from that?"

  I shift my gaze away, not wanting him to see the deep hurt in it.

  "Peaches, look at me." He's using that low commanding tone again that always gets to me. He grabs hold of my hand on the table, forcing my attention. "That's not what I meant at all. I don't even want to ask how you managed to come up with that idea. But get this—I fucking want you. I wanted to have you, own all of you, since that first kiss in my car. Turning you down Friday night was a stupid mistake that would never happen again."

  Holy crap. If a person could melt from hearing those intense words, I'd be a puddle of goo on the floor right now.

  "Okay," I say in a weak voice. I'm such a goner for this boy.

  "But we're only going to do it if you're a hundred percent on board with it. I don't want to force you into doing something you're still not ready for."

  "Parker," I say, this time with conviction, "I practically threw myself at you in that alcove, remember?"

  If it's possible, his gaze intensifies even more. "Then it's going to happen." The velvet promise in his voice dances along my skin and finds its way down to my core.

  Holy crap indeed.

  *******

  "Are you nervous?" Parker asks just as I hear the telltale sound of the lock clicking behind me, as if to drive home the fact that we're alone in his room.

  I've been here several times in the past few weeks. He and I have fooled around in here. But this time feels different. The sensual anticipation I always feel in this room seems stronger, more potent.

  We're finally going to do it. I'm going to lose my virginity to him.

  I exhale a breath. "A little."

  "Don't be. It's just me." His hot breath coats the side of my neck, making me shiver. "Just us," he murmurs before his lips brush my skin, raining soft kisses down the slope of my neck and moving my hair to the side to give himself better access, making my eyes flutter close.

  I don't know how and when he managed to get my V-neck sweater off me, but I feel his hands popping the buttons of my polo shirt even as his unrelenting lips pepper kisses along the curve of my jaw.

  Just as my shirt falls to the floor, leaving me in my bra and skirt, he steps in front of me. His eyes are dark and hooded, two magnetic pools of desire threatening to consume me.

  Heart thudding wildly in my chest, I suck in a shaky breath. "Parker."

  He dips his head, his lips connecting with mine, exploring my mouth wickedly.

  The urge to do more hits me and I find myself pulling back and tugging his sweater and shirt over his head in one go. His chest rumbles with a low hum of approval as my fingers coast down his taut skin, reaching his belt. But before I can start to unbuckle it, he grabs my hand and steals my protests with his lips, slowly backing me up until I feel the foot of his bed behind me.

  Pushing him off gently, I hold his gaze as I reach behind me and unclasp my bra.

  His throat bobs as he swallows hard, the intense look in his eyes making my nipples hard.

  "Touch me," I beg.

  Complying, Parker reaches out and cups a breast, rolling the peak with the pad of his thumb and forefinger, making my back arch at his touch.

  He hums low in his throat then leans down to put his mouth over the other one, circling the taut bud with his tongue. The sensation sends heat shooting down between my legs, making me squirm.

  As if sensing my impatience, Parker plants a kiss on the valley of my breasts before unhooking my skirt, letting it pool at my feet.

  Suddenly, I'm conscious of the fact that I'm only in my panties. Feeling awkward and unsure, I move to cross my arms over my chest, but Parker stops me.

  "Don't," he says in a gruff voice. "Don't hide from me."

  "Maybe you should strip off your pan
ts so I don't feel alone."

  With a smirk, he unbuckles his belt and kicks off his pants, leaving him in nothing but his underwear, his perfect body in full display.

  It's my turn to swallow hard, my mouth going dry as my eyes greedily take in the beautiful boy standing in front of me. Broad shoulders, sculpted arms, tapered waist, toned thighs…

  I almost sigh out loud. How did I get so lucky?

  "Get on the bed."

  Swallowing my nerves, I do as he says, staring at him as he moves until he's hovering above me, his arms caging me in on either side of my head.

  "Hi," he whispers, the corner of his mouth tilting up.

  "You gonna make me wait again, Holloway?"

  "Never." He brushes his lips against mine once, twice before moving down to my jaw, nipping at my neck, kissing my collarbone.

  I squirm at the slow torture, the need inside me building at his every kiss. For a moment, I think he's going to stop at my breasts. But he simply presses a soft kiss on each nipple before continuing his descent, his lips now right below my navel.

  He spreads my legs apart and brushes his lips over my underwear, right on the spot that I need him most, making me gasp.

  "Let's get these off," he murmurs, slowly pulling my panties off until I'm completely naked underneath him. He inhales a sharp breath. "Goddamn."

  I squeeze my eyes shut, my cheeks heating up.

  "Don't," he growls, the commanding sound of his voice making my core clench. "Look at me. Keep your eyes open."

  Mutely, I nod.

  Approval shines in his eyes before he dips his head, dragging his tongue along the inside of my thigh, then doing the same on the other.

  I bite my lip, gripping the sheets with my hands, trying to hold back a moan. Why does he love to torture me?

  But all thoughts leave my mind when his mouth finds me there.

  "Oh, God," I moan, long and loud, shuddering at the sudden assault of delicious sensations through my body. My hands find purchase on his hair and mindlessly tug at the locks, causing him to growl, the vibration making me buck against his mouth.

  "Fuck. You taste sweet," he murmurs before continuing his assault.

  How can something feel so damn good?

  Every sweep of his tongue has me moaning and writhing, my thighs wrapping tight around him, pleasure rolling over me in waves. And when his fingers join the fray, rubbing my clit in circles and pushing inside, my back arches off the bed, my mouth falling open in a wordless cry as I shatter in a million pieces.

  Holy shit!

  Parker continues to lick me through my orgasm, making me shudder, the need inside me still unsated.

  I want him. All of him.

  "Parker," I plead.

  Finally, Parker pushes up on his knees, his chest heaving as his eyes rove over me. "I like you like this. Bare and open for me."

  "You have me," I whisper, meaning every word.

  With a determined look, he gets off the bed and walks over to the side table, grabbing something from the drawer. A condom.

  I watch, transfixed, as he tears the wrapper with his teeth then goes to tug off his briefs. My heart practically stops when my gaze lands on what he's packing between his legs. It's big. Really, really big.

  I swallow past the knot in my throat as he wraps his hand around his cock, stroking it before putting on the condom. Worry creeps at my insides. I'm not entirely sure it's going to fit.

  Climbing over me, Parker fits himself between my legs, his eyes searching mine. "Peaches, this is going to hurt."

  "Don't remind me," I whimper.

  His forehead creases in a frown. "We can still stop this."

  "No." I shake my head firmly, wrapping my arms tight around him. "I want this. You inside me." I brush my lips against his lips and breathe, "Make me yours."

  And I do want this, more than anything. To experience this with him. To be connected with him in the most glorious way.

  His eyes grow hooded and he crushes his lips into mine. And for a while, I get lost in his kiss. But then I feel it, the hardness pressing against my center, seeking entrance.

  I bite my lip at the delicious friction, focusing on the pleasure while I still can. Parker's right. It's going to hurt, and it's going to hurt so bad.

  Pulling back, Parker grits his teeth, his jaw clenched tight as he slowly eases in. It's clear that he's trying to control himself, holding back the urge to hurry things up.

  But we can't wait forever.

  Clamping my eyes close, I whisper, "Just get it over with."

  Pressing his forehead against mine, he sinks deeper into me, giving me the uncomfortable feeling of being stretched out, my tight walls straining to accommodate him.

  When he slides all the way in, I hiss out a harsh breath, the sharp ache from the broken barrier making my eyes water. And he's there to kiss away the pain—his lips finding my nose, my cheeks, my jaw—promising to make it better, to make me feel good.

  Then slowly, tentatively, as the ache starts to fade, he begins to move. His hips flex as he carefully rocks in and out of me. All the while his lips pepper kisses on my face, along my jaw, as if to erase the pain he caused me.

  My eyes remain shut, my nails digging into his slick back, rough groans coating my skin as he continues to own me, filling me in every way possible.

  "Jesus, you feel so good," he grinds out as my muscles squeeze around his length.

  "Parker," I gasp as he plunges deep inside me, unable to control himself any longer. His movements pick up speed, his damp skin slapping against mine with every thrust.

  My eyes fly open when his thumb finds my clit, working it over, coaxing pleasure out of me until I'm a panting, writhing mess, lost in the sensations spreading across every nerve of my body.

  I feel him everywhere, his heat surrounding me, melding with mine, consuming us both and crashing over us like a tidal wave.

  Blissful. Euphoric. Pure.

  I love you.

  CHAPTER 32

  Sawyer

  "So, was that a good pity-sex for you?"

  I bury my flaming face against Parker's bare chest, making him chuckle.

  We're still in his bed, naked under the sheets, basking in the afterglow.

  I did it. I had sex with Parker. I've let go of the last bit of innocence I had, yet it doesn't feel weird. And despite the tender ache between my legs, I loved every minute of it, regretting nothing. If I look in the mirror right now, I'll probably see myself glowing.

  I bite my lip as my body remembers how he deliciously coaxed orgasm after orgasm from me. Damn him for being so good at that.

  But while my body feels content, something is nagging at me. I'm certain I told him I love him in the height of my orgasm…and I didn't get any response.

  Maybe Parker thought I blurted out the words because I got carried away. But the thing is, I meant what I said.

  I'm in love with him.

  I'm no longer falling. I've hit the ground hard and fast.

  And that's what scares me. How it only took me a short time to fall for him. With Liam, it was a slow burn. I dated him because I was curious, and he'd been persistent. My feelings for him grew at a slow pace. It didn't feel intense. It didn't feel like I was free falling.

  But with Parker, that's exactly what it feels like. He managed to hook me fast, even with his hot and cold behavior, despite all his baggage.

  Now, here I am, wondering—what if he doesn't feel the same? What if telling him I love him has been a mistake?

  A lump forms in my throat, a sick feeling growing in the pit of my stomach. But I mentally brush it off, refusing to let it ruin this moment between us.

  Putting a playful smile on my face, I tip my chin up to stare into his eyes. "I guess it wasn't that bad."

  "Wasn't that bad?" he repeats, his eyebrow raised. Then an arrogant smirk curves his lips. "That's not what you told me when you were screaming my name."

  I blush, remembering the amount of times I did scream hi
s name. Smug bastard.

  "Whatever." I pause for a beat. "I have to ask this, if you don't mind—um, how many girls have you—"

  "Had sex with?"

  I nod, bracing myself for the answer.

  "Three, including you."

  "Just three?" I can't help but let out a disbelieving laugh.

  He scowls. "You don't believe me."

  "No, I just..." I sit up, pulling the sheet up to my chest as I do so. "I find that hard to believe. I mean, you're a member of the Hot Boys Club after all."

  "Hot Boys Club?" He raises a brow and folds his arms behind his head, a smirk pulling at his lips. The motion causes the sheet to slip to his waist, and I try hard not to drool with all that muscles on full display.

  His smile widens. Oh, he knows how his glorious body affects me.

  I roll my eyes, my cheeks reddening. "It's what Quinn likes to call your whole gang."

  "My whole gang," he chuckles.

  I give him a look that says stop repeating what I'm saying before continuing. "So, naturally, I assumed that you were getting a lot of action."

  Parker playfully tugs at my hair. "Well, you thought wrong."

  "Apparently. But how? Not like you've ever lacked options. Girls literally trip over themselves in front of you."

  "Maybe so. But I don't want them." His intense eyes drill into mine, as if to tell me that I'm the only girl he wants, making my heart flutter. He taps my nose with his finger. "What's with the twenty questions, Peaches?"

  "Nothing. Just curious." I shrug my shoulders.

  Parker sighs, knowing I won't drop the subject until I get a clear response. "Well, you already know about Peyton. We were together for a while, and before her there was just one girl."

  Jealousy twists in my gut. "Do I know her?"

  "No. She was a college girl I met at some party. I was inexperienced, and she'd been more than willing to be my first. So, yeah, three is my number." A self-deprecating smile curves his lips.

  "And only one for me, so you still win." I smile mischievously. "Maybe I should even the score."

  "Like hell you will," he growls, pulling me down and pinning me on the bed.