“A vacation? You know, days off? The kind I haven’t taken in at least three years?” Because he hadn’t wanted downtime to think about what he’d lost or what he no longer had to look forward to. “I’m due.”
“Parker, what’s going on?” Ethan asked, sounding like the concerned older brother he used to be and not the ass who’d been duped by his drug-using, now-deceased wife.
He bit the inside of his cheek. “I need this time for me, Ethan. I’m staying.” And with that, he disconnected the call.
Drawing a deep breath, he turned to face Emily’s dad. “So what do you say? Will you let me help?”
“With a real contract and provisions for payback?” James asked.
“Yes.”
“And you’ll stay on here free. I’ll cover room and board while you’re here.”
Parker didn’t like it but he sensed it was a deal breaker. It wasn’t easy for a man to admit he couldn’t afford to solve his own problems, let alone take money from … a city slicker, he thought wryly.
“Deal,” he said, extending his hand.
He and James shook hands, sealing their agreement. Then they finished cleaning the kitchen in silence, each alone with their thoughts, James’ probably on saving his beloved inn, Parker’s back on Emily and when the hell she would be back from her date.
After they finished cleaning, James went upstairs to read, leaving Parker alone in the family room with a fire in the fireplace, a glass of bourbon in his hand, and his thoughts, which grew darker the longer Emily was out with Matt.
He sat in a chair facing the front with a good view of the driveway and tilted his head back in thought. When was the last time a woman had him twisted up in knots? He could answer in one word. Never.
Rina had been his high school best friend. They’d had skiing in common and drifted into a relationship. He’d loved her for sure. Cheated on her never. Hell, she’d been his first and only, until awhile after her death. But theirs had been an easy relationship, no highs and lows, no crazy fights or minor bickering.
Which brought him to Emily. In a short span of time, she’d taken an immediate dislike to him, which had translated into hot sexual tension the likes of which he’d never experienced. She’d gotten under his skin. So he was sitting in her father’s chair, waiting for her to come home from a date, his fingers itching to spank her for daring to go out with another man.
Based on what her father had told him about her last relationship, that wouldn’t go over well at all. Still, he wasn’t going to roll over and be a doormat like Matt, letting her call all the shots when he knew their sparring made her hot.
Which left him waiting … and wondering how he should handle her when she returned.
* * *
Emily was hangry. Her steak had been tough and she hadn’t sent it back, always feeling badly for the chef when she did. It hadn’t helped that Matt seemed to love his sirloin, devouring it quickly. If she’d asked to have her order redone, by the time she got her food, he would have been finished with his meal.
And she’d have had to spend more time listening to him expound on his love of cars. He talked about engines. Carburetors. Things she’d never heard of, didn’t care about, and never wanted to learn. Of course she’d like to hear about his business, but this went beyond. Into the realm of boring and oblivious to the fact that her mind was elsewhere.
On another man and the kiss he’d given her that had rocked her world and scared her to death. The last thing she wanted to do was make another mistake, choosing a man who was all wrong for her, a lesson she’d learned all too well with Rex. Who did he think he was, telling her she couldn’t go out on a date? She didn’t need or want another controlling guy. But it was clear, sitting across from Matt, that passive wasn’t doing it for her.
What made matters even worse was the fact that he’d chosen a restaurant where the tables were close together and she hadn’t been able to have the private talk she’d wanted, which meant she’d have to do it when he pulled into her driveway.
The weather had changed while they were inside and it had started to rain. She wanted to talk quickly so she could run inside before the light drizzle became a downpour.
Finally, he made the turn into the inn’s drive and parked not nearly close enough to the house for her to get inside easily without getting drenched in the rain. She sighed.
“I had a great time tonight,” he said, turning to her, his arm reaching perilously close to her as he stretched it over the back of the seats.
“It was lovely, but Matt, I need to talk to you.”
He stiffened.
She rushed on. “I like you … as a friend. I hate to be cliché but it’s not you, it’s me. I’m not in a place for a relationship, and even if I were, I think we’re too different.” There, she’d said it, she thought, her empty stomach churning.
He hadn’t even asked her if she wanted dessert, just requested a check after he’d finished his dinner.
“I hate that line,” he muttered.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that sometimes it’s the hard truth. Thank you for dinner.” She actually debated offering to pay for her meal again.
“You’re welcome,” he said sullenly, and she felt bad. Rejection was never fun for anyone. And it certainly didn’t feel like the time to bring up Harper as a possibility for him.
Knowing the best thing to do was to leave, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m sorry,” she said, then let herself out of the car and ran for the house, the rain having picked up while they talked.
“I had an umbrella for you!” he called through his open window.
As she made her way up the steps to the porch, she saw Parker in the big chair by the fireplace, watching the entire exchange, and her cheeks burned in embarrassment.
Still, she couldn’t stand outside all night, even if the porch did have an overhang to protect her from the rain, so she let herself inside.
Parker had risen from his seat and met her at the door. “Good date?”
She met his curious stare, still undecided about whether or not to tell him the truth about why she’d accepted the date in the first place. She would have mentioned it this afternoon, but his attitude, telling her what she could and couldn’t do, had put her off.
“I’ve had better,” she said honestly.
Her stomach chose that moment to growl in a loud, unladylike fashion.
Parker narrowed his gaze. “Didn’t he feed you?”
“The steak was chewy,” she admitted.
“And he didn’t notice that you didn’t eat?”
She merely shrugged.
“Come on.” He grasped her hand in his larger one and pulled her toward the kitchen. “Your dad had leftover stew. I’ll heat you up a bowl.”
She couldn’t turn down her favorite meal. “Thank you,” she said, appreciating the gesture.
A little while later, he sat across from her at the table while she devoured her father’s stew. “So tell me how you ended up here,” she said, wanting to know more about this man she couldn’t quite figure out.
“My family owns a company that supplies smart locks to corporations and defense contractors. Knight Time Technology. My older brother, Ethan, runs things, and my brother Sebastian, my sister, Sierra, and I all work there,” he explained.
She placed her spoon down and looked at him. “A family business. That’s nice. My sister moved away and I miss her.”
“Having mine was a Godsend for me, to be honest.”
She’d finished her dinner and pushed the bowl aside, leaning in to listen more closely. “How so?”
He hesitated, his expression more open and vulnerable than she’d seen since meeting him. “My mom died when I was thirteen. She had cancer.”
Tears filled her eyes, the memory of losing her own mom under a year ago still fresh. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, feeling an unexpected bond with Parker, this man she’d been trying so hard not to like.
“Thanks. I
know you understand.”
But she couldn’t imagine her beloved parent dying when she’d still been young and needed her in myriad ways.
He ran a hand through his hair, the subject obviously upsetting. “After that, my dad basically checked out. It was like he was no longer a parent. Ethan stepped up but he was only two years older than me, so it was tough on him. Still, he became our father figure, Sierra, Sebastian, and me. Made sure we did our homework, got to school, and kicked Sebastian’s ass when he stepped out of line, which was often.”
His sexy lips kicked up, obviously at the memory of his brother’s antics. “Dad was there to buy him out of trouble but not to be there for him … or any of us in the ways that mattered. He had a revolving door of wives and the four of us came to rely on each other. A lot.”
“That’s sad,” she murmured.
“You have a great father. I only wish I had that kind of role model, but I have my brothers and sister.”
His voice warmed as he spoke of them and it was obvious he loved his siblings, she thought, seeing a softer side to Parker Knight. It made her nervous, liking him, lowering her guard in any way.
“Shit,” he said with a shake of his head. “You asked me how I ended up here and I dove into my past. Point is, I came out here to check out one of the bigger lodges as a place where we can hold a corporate retreat. It didn’t pan out and I decided to take my time heading back to Denver. I was driving through town when my car started acting up. And here I am.”
“And you seem in no rush to get back.”
“No, I’m not.” He leaned forward in his seat, studying her for so long and so intently a flush rose to her face. Reaching out, he stroked a hand over her warm cheeks. “There’s a lot to like here,” he murmured.
At his touch, her body responded, nipples tightening, desire throbbing between her thighs. She was in so much freaking trouble, she thought, jumping up and taking the bowl to the sink.
His low chuckle reverberated through her.
“I need to get to sleep,” she said. “I have to be up early to bake and take everything to Harper’s.” She was avoiding him and anything serious and she had no doubt he knew it, too.
“I’ll help you with your baked goods and drive you in to get your car,” he said, telling her what they would do. Not asking.
But when Parker gave orders, it didn’t feel like he was manipulating her, merely going out of his way to help her when she needed it.
And how could she be upset with him for that?
Chapter Four
Emily and Parker sat at a table in the corner of a packed Harper’s, the usual morning rush of people grabbing coffee and muffins great to see. She’d hired another barista to help serve, which eased the load and, as things finally slowed down, let Harper join Emily and Parker at a table, where they’d waited. Emily wanted to spend time with her friend before picking up her car, and Parker seemed in no rush to get back to the inn, hanging out with her for the morning.
She didn’t know what to make of him tagging along with her or even remaining in Colorado when he had a life waiting for him in New York City.
She and Harper were discussing expanding again, Harper pushing for it, Emily hedging because she just didn’t think she could get a loan from the bank. All the while, Parker listened intently.
She also worried about what would become of the town if her father sold, but she had to worry about her dad first and foremost and she didn’t mention that thought out loud. Her priority was getting her dad to Florida. He’d had pneumonia this year and she wanted him where it was warm and he could be healthy.
“So how’d it go last night?” Harper asked when they were finished talking about expanding and going into business together, or rather, according to Harper, had put the discussion on hold.
Emily shot her friend a warning glance. She hadn’t told Parker why she’d gone out with Matt because, for now, letting him think she’d wanted the date served her purpose, helping to keep him at a safe emotional distance.
“It sucked,” Parker said, answering for her. “The asshole didn’t realize she didn’t eat and she was starving when she got home.” He folded his arms across his broad chest. “Don’t worry. I fed her.”
Emily bit down on the inside of her cheek, hard, before coming to Matt’s defense in front of Harper. “Matt’s not an asshole!”
“He’s not,” Harper added. “He must have had a lot on his mind.” But her friend’s expression turned gleeful as she said,
“I guess it’s a good thing she only went out with him to let him down gently then.” She leaned in on her elbows. “You know, because she didn’t want to humiliate him in front of you when he asked her out.”
Emily shut her eyes and groaned, shaking her head at her friend’s obvious meddling in her life.
“Really,” Parker said, eyeing Emily in a way that promised retribution. “You mean she went on a date and let me go crazy with jealousy … on purpose?”
Had he actually admitted to being jealous? Shock settled inside her but Harper’s next words brought her back to what she needed to focus on.
“That’s our girl,” Harper said without a hint of remorse for betraying Emily. Her best friend. Or former best friend, because Emily was going to disown her after this, for sure.
“I’m right here,” she felt compelled to remind them both as they spoke about her as if she were invisible.
“Oh, I know. Believe me,” Parker said. He looked delicious, wearing a pair of dark jeans, work boots, and a white knitted sweater. His blue eyes pinned her in place and she knew she was in trouble when they were alone.
Not the kind of trouble she’d have been in with Rex, with a barrage of humiliating words aimed to hit her where they hurt and belittled her … no, something told her she was going to like Parker’s form of punishment.
She squirmed in her chair, her body alive with possibilities, as he merely stared, his sexy mouth turning up in a grin.
“Excuse me.” A man about Parker’s age walked over to the table. “I’m sorry to bother you but you look familiar. Are you Parker Knight?”
Parker nodded, rising to his feet, his face coming alive with recognition. “Caleb Benson!” He walked over to the other man and gave him a man-type hug followed by a slap on the back. “How the hell are you?”
“Great. Married with two kids and I run a ski shop nearby.”
“Yeah? How’s business?” Parker asked.
“Great. We’re right off the highway and we get a lot of traffic. I love it. It’s everything I wanted and I’d even expand if I could, but I can barely keep up with the business I do have.”
Parker nodded. “I’m thrilled for you.” Knowing what it was like to be doing something he didn’t love, he liked seeing a man find success and happiness at the same time.
“You should stop in.”
“I will.”
Emily rose from her seat just as Parker had turned her way. “Emily Stevens and Harper Sanders, this is–”
“Caleb Benson.” Emily smiled. “Small town,” she reminded Parker. “But how do you two know each other?”
Caleb’s brown eyes opened wide. “Parker here was the Alpine Ski World Cup Men’s Champion back in our prime days. If you didn’t know about his mad skills, how do you know Parker?”
Emily glanced at Parker in shock. The man was full of surprises. “Parker came by the inn the other day when his car broke down. I don’t know him that well.”
He stepped closer, until their bodies touched and she was reminded that he wanted something to exist between them.
“She knows enough,” Parker said on a growl, then glanced at Caleb. “I don’t normally talk about those days.” His voice dropped as did his gaze. Something about that time caused him a world of hurt.
Emily knew about hurt and loss. She knew about pushing the pain so far down and deep she didn’t have to think about it on a daily basis. Except it was always there, on the edges, threatening to come back and make her
cry at the oddest possible times. And Parker had that same look in his eyes now that she saw in the mirror at her most vulnerable points.
“I’m sorry, man. I forgot,” Caleb said, wincing. He obviously knew and felt bad. “That was insensitive of me. Anyway, it was good to see you. And the offer to stop by still stands.”
Parker’s expression relaxed and he smiled. “I’ll be there. It’ll be good to catch up.”
Caleb nodded, smiled at Harper, then Emily, and walked away.
“Well, that was interesting,” Harper said, as Parker held out Emily’s chair for her to sit back down before joining her.
Emily frowned. “I’m sure it was good to see an old friend,” she said to Parker, not wanting to force him to focus on whatever Caleb had touched on that was so sensitive for him.
“It was. Caleb and I skied together. He never medaled but he was good.”
“Unlike you, Mr. Champion,” Emily said, impressed with what she’d learned about him. “So you aren’t just a corporate mogul but you’re a ski champ. What other secrets are you hiding?” she teased him.
“None you want to know about. Now are you ready to get your car?” He pushed back his chair, a sure sign he was finished with the conversation.
She’d obviously treaded too close to his private pain. She hadn’t meant to. “I am.”
“And I need to get back to work. Text ya later,” Harper said to Emily. “Bye, Parker. Be good.” She winked at him and headed back around the counter.
Emily turned to Parker, who looked bothered, like he suddenly had more on his mind than he’d had since arriving at the inn. “Listen, you can head home. I’ll just get my car and meet you there.”
“I’ll go with you. Make sure Matt heard you loud and clear last night.” Parker placed a hand on her back and she shivered at his warm touch, which she felt through the light sweater she wore.
She didn’t need him making a point with Matt, but by the look on his face, she knew better than to make a scene. He wanted to join her? Let him.
One thing she’d learned this morning, there was a lot she didn’t know about Parker Knight.
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