And that was to say nothing of the fact that her lady parts were oversensitive, unsatisfied, and completely exposed since Parker had destroyed her panties. She couldn’t even find them to throw them away.
Oh well, apparently some member of the cleaning staff was going to have an interesting night at work. At least it would make a great story for them to tell their co-workers.
Or maybe it would be just another Saturday night for them. For all she knew, they had a whole box full of women’s panties someplace, all of which had been recovered from bathrooms and supply closets.
Now she was being crazy. Who cared how many panties the cleaning staff found or whether they kept them in a box or tossed them in the dumpster? She needed to get herself presentable and get back to the table before anyone started to question how long she’d been gone. Which meant she had a miracle to perform and not a lot of time to do it in.
✽✽✽
Parker’s heart was still pounding in his chest and it had little to do with the explosive orgasm he’d just had. As soon as he’d seen that picture message, something in him had snapped. Seeing his name marked on her flawless skin, knowing that she’d voluntarily, though temporarily, marked herself, had sent him to some dark, primal place he’d never been before.
Everything that happened afterward had been a blur driven by instinct and a need so powerful that it was more important than the next beat of his heart: the need to mark her.
Hoy fuck…
What the hell was wrong with him? He’d known when this started that it wouldn’t last, and here he was acting like she was really his. Hell, he was wishing that tattoo was real, even though it would have been colossally stupid on her part.
No. This situation, like the tattoo, was temporary, and if he let himself forget that, he would never recover. Thank God he’d have the bachelor party to keep him busy for the rest of the night or heaven only knows what he might do. Something about her seemed to make him lose his damn mind, and that was just courting tragedy.
The best thing for him right now was to get black-out drunk, crawl into bed in the wee hours of the morning, and hope to wake up in one piece and with more sense than he had now. The odds were not in his favor.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The bachelor party was just what Parker needed to distract him from Amanda and what had happened at the rehearsal dinner. He made Jackson his priority, checking on him to make sure he wasn’t losing it, trying to lighten his mood, and monitoring his alcohol intake.
Jackson had always been there for him. He’d saved him from himself more times than he could count. Now that Parker was all grown up, more or less, he was trying to remove that burden.
He was no longer the reckless, careless kid who was always looking for trouble. Although, you wouldn’t know it from what happened with Ian. Or what had just hapened with Amanda in the ladies' room. But he was still trying to be someone who was worth all the things Jackson and his family had done for him.
They had each other's backs, always, but Jackson had definitely gotten the short end of that stick. Jackson was always the calm, responsible one. This was as close to the edge as Parker had ever seen him.
He was entitled to a meltdown and Parker was the last person who would judge him for it. He saw this as an opportunity to finally be able to do something for Jackson and even up the scales a little in the process.
He doubted he’d ever get them to balance, at least not in this lifetime, but he could sure as hell try. So, no matter what Jackson needed to get through this, Parker would make sure he got it.
“I need to go back to the hotel.”
Except that.
“Bad idea, man.”
“She’s there, Parker. She’s just… there, at the hotel, and I’m here.” Jackson looked dejected and heartsick, but Parker couldn't give in on this one.
“And what are you going to do when you get there? She’s probably at the bachelorette party right now, and I don’t think Lex or Janie would appreciate you going in there and breaking up the party by making a scene.”
“I know,” Jackson growled. He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw clenched so hard that Parker could practically hear it cracking. “But I can’t fucking stand this… distance. She’s been in Mississippi for a month. There was nothing I could do then, but she’s here. She’s five minutes away. How can I not go see her when she’s this close?”
“You will see her. Tomorrow morning, at the wedding, just like you planned.”
“Maybe I don’t need the plan. Maybe I just need to talk to her.”
“Maybe, but I do think you should at least be sober for that conversation.”
“I’m sober.”
Parker raised an eyebrow and Jackson shrugged.
“Sober enough.”
“That’s your fourth glass of scotch, Jacks. Not to mention the two beers at dinner.”
“You’ve been counting?” Jackson seemed both offended and impressed at the same time.
“Yup. I knew this was probably going to happen and I needed to know the status of your sobriety so I could make the right call.”
“What call?”
“On whether or not I should let you go do it, or stop you from making an ass of yourself. Not to mention I needed to prepare myself for what kind of hangover you’d have in the morning.”
Jackson looked into his glass and grimaced slightly. When he looked up again, his eyebrows were drawn together and he was looking at Parker like he’d never seen him before.
“Jesus, who are you?”
“I’m the man standing between you and a fuck-ton of embarrassment, not to mention the possible destruction of your future happiness.”
Jackson just shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“When did you get so responsible and level-headed?”
Parker didn’t know how to take that. His throat felt unexpectedly tight.
“While you were sleeping,” he deadpanned.
Jackson rolled his eyes but he couldn’t prevent the snort of laughter that escaped him. Parker grinned, relieved to have successfully sidestepped the emotionally charged moment.
When in doubt, crack a joke.
Jackson stared into the distance like he was thinking something over. When he finally looked back at Parker, his eyes were a little shiny.
“I’m glad you’re my friend, Parker.”
“Aaaand, you’re done.” Parker took the glass from Jackson’s hand and placed both of their drinks on a nearby table, mostly so Jackson wouldn’t notice how watery Parker's own eyes had become.
“I’m serious, man. Thanks for having my back.”
“Thanks for having mine.” Parker reached out a hand and Jackson took it, pulling him in for a quick, tight hug and a few hard slaps on the back.
Someone shouted, “Get a room,” and Jackson and Parker broke apart. Parker’s money was on Sam since they’d been screwing with him all night. They’d been playing matchmaker by inviting Alexandra’s colleague Charles to play pool with them and making some not so subtle innuendos. Sam had been less than amused, but they had sure as hell been entertained.
After a few minutes, when Parker and Jackson could actually look at each other again, they both laughed.
They decided some food would be good so they sat at the bar and ordered some loaded fries and two glasses of water. Then they filled their alcohol-soaked stomachs with some greasy goodness.
They talked about Maria and her new… man-friend. They talked about work. They talked about anything and everything except what was actually bothering them. All the same, it was nice to act and feel normal, if only for a few hours.
By the time they finally made their way back to the hotel, Parker was pretty well exhausted, both mentally and physically. He could only hope that would translate into a good night's sleep. And he sure as shit hoped that when he woke up the next morning he’d have a better idea what he was doing.
When he received a text message right befor
e bed, he realized that neither was going to be the case. It wasn’t from Amanda, which he found more disappointing than he should. To his surprise, it was from Maria.
MH:She is the one, si?
The next text was a photo of Amanda that Maria had obviously taken when she wasn’t paying attention. For a moment, all he could do was study her profile and wish that she were actually there with him.
He shook himself out of it and texted back.
PH:Don’t know what you mean.
Her response was almost instantaneous.
MH:So, you don’t want to know what we talked about, then?
The hell I don’t.
Parker ground his teeth, pinched the bridge of his nose, and then typed out his reply.
PH:Nope.
MH: Pity. I like her for you, Mijo.
PH: Good night.
He turned the volume off on his phone and turned out the lights. He preferred total darkness when not sleeping. He couldn’t take a pill since they didn’t mix well with alcohol, so he was stuck with whatever melatonin his body could produce unassisted. Somehow he doubted it was going to be enough.
✽✽✽
The bachelorette party had been a lot of fun, but Amanda had been uncomfortable all night. Her thighs were sticky, even though she had put on a new pair of underwear since Parker hadn’t stipulated that she couldn’t. It was a little exciting knowing that the evidence of what she and Parker had done was still on the inside of her thighs, but she felt like she was walking around with a flashing neon sign announcing she’d just had sex in a public bathroom at her sister’s rehearsal dinner.
Not that she regretted it. In fact, even though she really wanted to clean herself up, every time she noticed it, she remembered what had happened and how it had felt.
Confusing as it was, especially given that she hadn’t gotten her O moment, she’d loved it. All of it. Everything from his deep voice and dominant tone to his hands on her neck and her hip, controlling her. And that wasn’t even mentioning how good it felt.
She’d had serious doubts when he’d told her she was a submissive, but if this was what it felt like to be one? Yes, please.
It wasn’t until she was in her room “freshening up” before the party that it had dawned on her that Parker hadn’t used a condom. It should have been obvious considering what he’d left all over her, but swept away as she’d been at the time, she hadn’t even thought about it.
She was on the mini-pill so it shouldn't be an issue, but they’d never really discussed their sexual history. At least, not in detail. She was clean, and she trusted him to tell her if he wasn’t, but then again, he’d been as caught up in the moment as she was.
There was nothing she could do about it now. She’d have to talk to him tomorrow and find out if she needed to go get tested. Just the thought turned her stomach, but when she considered that it was Parker, she relaxed some.
He had been nothing but honest and upfront with her from the beginning. And he’d been so sweet and caring when she’d needed comfort. She didn’t believe he would withhold something like that from her unless he didn’t know himself. She’d ask him tomorrow to be sure, but she had faith in him.
Her own drama sorted for the time begin, she tuned back in to what Alexandra was telling her. Janie had arrived between the rehearsal dinner and the bachelorette party, so she’d just spent the better part of half an hour filling Alexandra in on the series of unfortunate events that had befallen her in the last three days.
Her connecting flight had been canceled and she hadn’t been able to get booked on another flight until the next day. Her luggage had been lost along the way and her phone had died. What should have taken a day, had taken two and a half instead. Amanda was glad that she’d made it for Alexandra’s sake, but if she were Janie she probably would have said “screw it” and slept all weekend.
But from what Alexandra was telling her, she apparently had a much stronger motivator for coming than just being Maid of Honor.
“So, you’re telling me that they both plan on making some sort of grand gesture at the reception?”
Alexandra nodded, a mischievous grin on her face.
“And you know both of their plans but you promised not to tell the other?”
“Uh-huh.”
“So… you’re just going to sit back and watch?”
“Would it be rude to ask the caterer to add popcorn to the buffet?” Alexandra mused, tapping her lips with her index finger.
Amanda shook her head and laughed.
“It might be rude, but it sounds like it might be worth it.”
“I really hope it works, though,” Alexandra said, looking anxious.
“Which one?”
“Either! They’re so perfect for each other. They just need to sit down and talk things out.”
“Aren’t you even a little upset that they’re using your wedding as a stage for their big romantic gestures? I mean it kind of seems like they’re pulling focus from you and Connor.”
“Of course not. Jackson came to us to ask permission before he planned anything and we agreed. We love them- both of them. And what could possibly be better on our wedding day than giving two people we love like family a chance to find what Connor and I have?”
Amanda’s throat felt tight and an ache formed in her chest. She was a little jealous, but she also felt so guilty for not telling her sister about her and Parker. If Alexandra was being honest, then keeping this secret was a denial rather than a gift.
She wanted so badly to tell her what was going on, but this late in the game, Alexandra might not take the news the same way as she would have if she’d told her last week. So, she held her tongue and added another item to the list of things she needed to talk to Parker about.
“Oh, I forgot,” Alexandra said, standing up and waving someone over to their table. “I wanted to introduce you to someone.”
“I thought I knew everyone here except the suits from your office.”
“Hey, I happen to be one of those suits, so be nice.” Alexandra glared at her and she held up her hands in surrender.
“Okay. Sorry.”
“And you do, mostly. But I don’t think you met Jackson’s mom when she was up for Thanksgiving last year, but she’s wonderful. And she has some hilarious stories about Jackson and Parker as teenagers.”
Alexandra shot her a wink over her shoulder and Amanda swallowed hard. Parker never talked about his childhood, but she’d learned enough from Jackson and Alexandra to know that Maria Hunter had basically adopted him at sixteen and treated him like a son. So this was basically like meeting Parker’s mom, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for this.
Stop. No pressure. You’re just Lex’s sister, not Parker’s girlfriend.
Of course, if she made a bad impression now, then when Parker told her they were dating she might not like the idea. If he ever told her they were dating.
She straightened her dress and really, really wished she’d been able to take a shower or at least clean up more before the party. It didn’t seem so quite exciting anymore.
“Maria, this is my sister, Amanda.” Alexandra gestured toward Amanda while placing a hand on the woman’s shoulder.
“Lovely, just like your sister,” Maria replied, with a warm smile. She was stunning and it was immediately obvious where Jackson had gotten his bronzed skin and dark eyes from.
“Thank you. Your dress is beautiful.” And it really was. It was colorful and flattering and the pattern was unique and fun without being tacky.
“Oh, no. This? Well…” She let the sentence trail off, examining Amanda from head to toe. “So, Amanda, tell me about yourself. Are you a lawyer like your sister and your father?”
Amanda tried not to let her smile fade as she prepared to explain, yet again, that she was the underachiever of the family. Alexandra beat her to it.
“Amanda is much more creative than I am. She’s the best pastry chef in Manhattan.”
“No, I’m no
t,” Amanda said, waving off the compliment. “I’m very good and I work very hard, but I’m not the best.”
“Humble, but not too humble. Very good,” Maria laughed. “A woman should always know what she is worth, and never settle for less.”
“Funny, a friend of mine said something very similar recently.” Amanda wondered what Kate would think of everything that had happened so far.
It would be great to get her take on things since she didn’t have anyone else to talk to. She really should get in touch with her once she was back in town. Maybe they could go for coffee.
“Maria, you have to tell Amanda that story about Parker,” Alexandra interjected. She put a strange emphasis on Parker’s name and gave Maria a significant look. Fantastic. Apparently, Alexandra was enlisting help from Parker’s adoptive mother to try and get them together. If only they knew…
But… it wasn’t like she was going to pass up the opportunity to hear stories about what Parker had been like as a teenager. Keeping her voice calm and neutral, she tried to sound merely politely interested instead of desperately curious.
“Must be a good story.”
“Oh, it’s so cute! Maria, tell her,” Alexandra said, clapping her hands together.
Maria then proceeded to tell her all about the Mother’s day card she’d gotten from Parker when he was seventeen and how shy he’d been about giving it to her. He’d snuck it under a loaf of bread on the counter for her to find after he’d gone.
And it was the most precious thing she’d ever fucking heard. Goddammit! How did he keep getting better? How did she keep finding more things to lo- like- about him?
And that was only the tip of the iceberg. Maria had dozens of stories just like that and Amanda had a very hard time pretending that she wasn’t hanging on her every word.
So much for distraction...
By the end of the night, her head was more full of Parker than it had ever been before. She tried to get her beauty sleep, she really did. She didn’t want to look like a hag in Alexandra’s wedding photos, after all, but Amanda couldn’t stop imagining the Parker she’d heard about in Maria’s stories and trying to figure out how he became the man he was today.
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