by Addison Cole
I have my own moments now.
“Yes.” She reached for Grayson’s hand. “Your dad’s a smart marketer.” She pointed to the storefront window display. “Putting plants in with the tools makes it feel less like a guys-only store.”
“Sky ran the store while Dad was in rehab, and she added those and some other homey touches.” He laughed under his breath and shook his head. “She even painted murals behind the shelves, because to Sky, everything is a canvas.”
“Including people’s bodies.”
“Exactly. She really brightened the place up. Dad had always worked alone, which I think fed into his drinking after we lost our mom. He hired a part-timer last year. Mira’s a single mother around Sky’s age, and I think the company’s been really good for him, too.”
As Grayson reached for the door, she reached for him. “Before we go in—you said you weren’t going to sit around and let me fall into a bottle, or something like that. I’m not a drinker, and I don’t want you to worry about that with me. I almost never drink. And I’ve never been drunk like that before. I have a glass or two of wine sometimes if I’m having dinner with friends, or with you, but candy and chocolate are my drugs of choice. That night…” She fished for the right explanation. “That night I couldn’t see a way out from under how much I missed Bert. It was definitely a rock-bottom moment. And that next day I couldn’t believe how much of the bottle I drank. It wasn’t like a three-day binge, or—”
“I know.” He kissed her softly. “You might not remember, but you spilled a good bit of the tequila. If you were a drinker, you’d have gone for it the very next morning, but you didn’t. Stop overthinking. I see who you are, and I like who I see.”
She craned to reach his lips, and he met her halfway in a long kiss that confirmed everything he said.
“Dude?” Pete came out of the store, a bell ringing behind him as the door swung closed. “I thought public displays were off the table?” He laughed as he reached for Parker and hugged her. “How’re you doing?”
She knew he was kidding about their kiss, but she liked kissing Grayson, and she didn’t want anyone to think otherwise. “I’m doing well, thanks. And public displays are not off the table.” A fluffy golden retriever pushed past him. Parker crouched to pet her and let the excited pup drench her with kisses. “Aw, hello. Who are you?”
“That’s Joey, Pete’s other daughter.” Grayson gave Pete a quick hug. “How’s Pop doing?”
“Good. Seems a little tired, but he’s on his feet a lot. Other than that, he’s solid as a rock.” Pete gave him a reassuring nod. “We’re just heading out. Haven’t seen you guys at Seaside. Come tomorrow for breakfast; we’ll catch up.”
Grayson looked at Parker. She loved that he checked with her before answering, though she wouldn’t have minded if he’d just accepted for the both of them.
“We’d love to.” The girls had been asking her to come over for breakfast, too. They’d had a great time on their outings. Earlier in the week they’d spent the day at the beach, and a few days ago they’d met for lunch and then gone to a library sale in Brewster. But she selfishly hadn’t wanted to give up her mornings alone with Grayson.
“All right.” Pete leashed Joey. “We’ll see you then. Pop’s in the office.”
As Pete walked away, Grayson asked, “You sure you’re up to going?”
“Yes. I love your friends, and you don’t have to worry. I’m not going to hole up, scarfing down candy and watching horror movies twenty-four seven. Abe will always be special, but he’s not Bert. I wish I could see him again, but I’m trying to respect his wishes.” She laced their fingers together and added, “Now, take me to meet the man who raised my amazing man.”
The bell above the door sounded as they walked into the store, and it suddenly hit her that she was meeting Grayson’s father, which was a big deal. An especially big deal for her since she’d never been in this position of meeting a boyfriend’s father before. Her first instinct was to slip into actress mode and make the best impression she could, but she stifled that urge.
“Hey, Grayson!” a pretty brunette called from behind the counter in the back of the store.
“How’s it going?” Grayson said as they walked down an aisle lined with cans of paint and brushes of varying sizes and color. “Mira, this is my girlfriend, Parker. Parker, this is Mira.”
“I think the whole town knows who you are. It’s great to meet you.” Mira had a wide, beautiful smile, olive skin, and a light spray of freckles across the bridge of her nose.
“You saw the picture?” She shouldn’t be shocked that everyone had seen their front-page smooch. Grayson’s siblings had teased them relentlessly, and the girls ended their jokes with, Wait! Let me get my camera!
“Saw it? Me and my friends drooled over it.” Mira gasped and waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, not like that. Not over Grayson. No offense, Grayson. You’re cute and all, but…”
“No offense taken,” he said with an amused grin.
“Whew!” Mira laughed. “What I meant was the passion searing off the page between you two was super hot and super cute. Totally drool worthy.”
She had an easy way about her that Parker instantly liked. “Thank you.”
“Neil’s been smiling about it for days.” Mira lowered her voice. “You can thank Sky for that.” The bell above the door sounded again. “Duty calls. Nice to meet you, Parker. Don’t be a stranger.” She hurried toward her customer.
“I love her,” Parker whispered as they headed to the office.
“Maybe I should grow my hair longer and paint on a few freckles.”
She laughed. When they came to his father’s office and she saw the picture from Us Weekly framed in the center of his desk, she nearly swallowed her tongue.
Neil looked up from the ledger he was working on, and when his lips curved up, it was easy to see where Grayson got his good looks. His father’s hair was lighter, and the strong angles of his face were softer but clearly similar. Her eyes returned to their front-page kiss, and her nerves came back to life. The frame sat beside a wedding picture of Grayson’s parents, and another of Pete and Jenna. His love for his children was inescapable. Pinned to the wall above his desk were pictures of Grayson and his siblings, from toddler to man and woman. Parker’s heart squeezed at how much love a few pictures could convey, and she felt honored to have her picture beside the others.
“Gray.” Neil pushed from the chair and embraced his son. He was a big man, though not as broad as Grayson.
“Hi, Pop.” Grayson reached for Parker with pride in his eyes, but before he could get a word out, his father’s arms engulfed her in a warm hug.
“Parker, it’s nice to meet you, sweetheart.” When he drew back, his smile still in place, his eyes moved between her and Grayson.
Sweetheart. She wondered if that’s what he’d called Grayson’s mother, and the thought made her feel even more special.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Pop?” Grayson picked up the framed picture of them kissing. “Seriously?”
“Your sister gave one to each of us.” He chuckled. “I guess she didn’t tell you.”
Parker stifled a giggle when she realized Sky and the girls hadn’t said anything to her either. Maybe Bella wasn’t the only prankster. Or maybe it wasn’t a prank at all. She smiled at the thought.
“Pete and Hunter have them?” Grayson’s eyes narrowed.
“Yup.” Neil said. “Matty, too. Sky said if we waited for you to give us pictures, we might not ever get any ’cause you’re too busy smooching.”
Grayson shook his head.
“Aw, son. Your sister loves ya. And apparently she and the boys are keen on Parker, too. Besides, I added in the ‘smooching’ part.” Neil’s eyes went serious, and he turned his attention to Parker. “Sky also told me that you don’t want any hullabaloo about being an actress. It’s nice that you’ve done so well for yourself, and I’m sure you’re a fine actress. But whethe
r you’re an actress or selling newspapers on the street corner, what matters is who you are without all that other stuff mucking things up, like how you treat my boy. I hope you’re not just dating him for his good looks and wealth.” He winked. “Because neither one will get you very far.”
“Darn,” she teased. “I guess I’ll have to rethink my plans.”
Grayson smiled at that. “I was worried you weren’t feeling well today, Pop. Good to see you’re still as humorous as ever.”
“I’m fine, Gray. Just a little tired is all.” He sank back down to his chair and reached for his wedding picture. “Real life is now, and we don’t get to live these days again, so tired or not, I’m living it.”
Real life is now. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree, and that familial connection made her feel good all over.
Neil gazed compassionately at Parker. “Sky told me you lost your friend, and I’m sorry you had to go through that. Grayson knows what it’s like to lose someone you love, so you’re in good hands. But if you ever want to talk to an old man, my door’s always open.”
“Thank you,” she managed, touched by his kindness and by Sky’s thoughtfulness. She’d not only thought to tell her father not to make a big deal about her celebrity status, but also to tell him what Parker was going through. She imagined some people might find that intrusive, but to Parker, those were hallmarks of a caring friend.
“With the right people by your side”—Neil lifted his eyes to Grayson—“there’s nothing you can’t get through.”
Chapter Sixteen
LATER THAT EVENING, after picking up Christmas and all of his doggy paraphernalia, clothes, toiletries, the script Parker was working on, and a few other necessities, Parker and Grayson settled into his cottage. The three-bedroom home was nestled among a sparse forest of pitch pine trees, overlooking a private pond. Christmas sniffed every inch of each room, finally claiming the spot before the fireplace.
As Grayson went through the motions of opening up his private world to Parker, he waited for panic to trip him up. But the only thing tripping him up was how much he loved seeing Parker move from room to room as she put her things away.
“You have such great taste.” She kissed him, her arms full of toiletries, then disappeared into the bathroom. “I love the pictures of your family in the living room and the sculptures in the yard.”
Over the months they’d been emailing he’d dreamed of her being there with him, but seeing her things mingling with his—her clothes hanging beside his, her perfume and brush beside his cologne on the dresser—made his cottage feel even more like a home.
She returned to the bedroom and put her clothes in the drawer he’d emptied.
“And this bed? Oh my goodness. I’ve never seen anything like it, which means you must have made it.”
She had no idea how big a deal it was for Grayson to want to share his bed with her. He’d never wanted to share his home, or his bed, with a woman before. The bed he’d designed and forged with his own two hands. But when it came to Parker, nowhere was off-limits.
Later that evening they ate dinner on the patio. After dinner he leaned against the doorframe of the master bedroom as Parker got ready for a walk around the pond.
“How did you stand staying at my house when yours is so wonderful?” she asked.
“What’s to stand? You were there. We could stay in a palace or my truck and I would be fine with it as long as we’re together. I was worried my place would be too rustic or too small for you.”
“Too small? You have three bedrooms. How many more do you need?” She grabbed her sandals from the closet and set them in the room.
“Not too small for me. You’re used to big, fancy places. This is anything but.”
“You’re right. It’s not big and fancy. It’s cozy and homey, and I can’t imagine loving anyplace more.”
I can’t imagine loving anything more than you. He’d been having those thoughts more often the last few days, and it was a struggle to keep them to himself.
She bent to slip on her sandals, giving him a clear view of her perfect butt. He pushed from the doorframe and gathered her in his arms.
“Bending over like that was very unfair. Taunting me, when I’ve had to watch you looking torturously sexy in my bedroom all day.”
She wound her arms around his neck. “How did I look in the living room?”
He kissed her deeply.
She let out a long breath. “That good?”
“Mm-hm.” He kissed her again.
“And in the bathroom?” She closed her eyes and tipped her head back, giving him access to her neck.
“Sinful, just like you do now. Like you needed to be stripped naked and loved thoroughly.” He pressed his lips over her pulse point, and she whispered his name. “Mm. My girl likes that.”
“What about…?” she said breathlessly. “In the kitchen?”
“The kitchen?” He pressed his hands to her cheeks and gazed into her heavily lidded eyes. “You should always be naked in the kitchen.”
“Naked,” she whispered, pressing her body to his. “Why?”
The way she fished for dirty talk always turned him on. “I want to make love to you on every counter, on the table, on the floor…” He tangled his hand in her hair and lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her with long, deep strokes of his tongue. She moaned with pleasure, and when he intensified the kiss, she pushed her hands into his hair and held on tight. Man, he loved that. He crushed their bodies together, groaning at the feel of her against him.
“Baby, I don’t think we’re going to make that walk.” He sucked her earlobe into his mouth, grazing it with his teeth.
“There’s always tomorrow.”
With that green light, his hands traveled over her luscious curves, up her rib cage, and back down the way they’d come. They kissed and groped as they stripped each other bare, nipping at each other’s lips and jaws, their necks and shoulders, until they were both panting with need.
“Grayson, please,” she begged. “I love when you touch me.”
Love coursed through his veins, rode the surface of his skin, and stole from his lips. “I love you, baby.”
She opened her eyes and searched his.
“I do, sweetheart.” It was too fast, too much for her. He knew she’d overthink this, just as he probably should, but his emotions were too real to question. “Don’t think, Parker. Feel.”
“I…”
He kissed her to quiet her thoughts. “Shh. You don’t have to say it. Just know it.”
A worried look hovered in her eyes, bringing with it a new ache.
“What, baby? Tell me. Too much, too fast?” He’d barreled into her life, a life that had been tossing and turning for weeks. He wanted to settle her, make her feel safe and loved. To be her rock, her anchor, her everything. But he could wait a lifetime if that’s what it took.
She shook her head, and a stream of emotions washed over her face—worry, love, lust. It was the lust that seemed to win.
“Stop overthinking, sweetheart. I’ve got you. I’ve got us.”
PARKER WAS BONELESS again, floating in the post-lovemaking daze she’d come to know, to crave, with Grayson. He gathered her in his arms and laid her on the bed, following her down. You love me, you love me, you love me. She ached to tell him she’d been falling in love with him for months, but they were supposed to be taking their lives day by day, living for now, and the fear of laying her heart on the line without knowing what the future held was too much. What would happen when she went back to her life in California? And after his foundation work was completed? His life was here at the Cape, and hers was all over the place, depending on the roles she took on. She knew it didn’t make a lick of sense to think it would hurt less if they broke up and she hadn’t said she loved him, but she was learning that when it came to love, nothing made sense.
He brushed her hair from her face, a tender smile on his. “Had enough, baby?”
“No.�
� I love you. “You promised me more.”
“I always keep my promises.” He brushed his thumb over her lips. “I love your mouth, baby. And your eyes. And your cheeks. And most of all, your—”
“Heart?” I love your heart.
His eyes turned wicked. “That, too, but I was going to say your knockers.”
She laughed, loving his sense of humor. “You were not.”
“You’re right. I was going to say your sweet, delicious…kisses.”
She rolled her eyes. I love your kisses, your touch, that wicked love machine between your legs.
“Yes, your heart, you dirty girl. I love that sweetness between your legs, too, in case you’re wondering, but that’s just an added bonus.”
Her jaw gaped.
“And I love that, right there. That oh-my-gosh-you-filthy-pig look you give me. You love to hear me talk dirty, but you hate that I know you do.”
Spot. On. Another reason I love you. She pushed his shoulders, urging him lower. “Stop teasing and keep your promise.”
He framed her face with his hands and kissed her softly.
“Grayson?” I love you.
“Yes, dirty girl?”
“Stop.” She playfully swatted his arm. “I’m being serious.”
“Love you, baby,” he said between kisses.
His words wound around her as they made love again. Her thoughts ebbed and flowed. I love you. I’m scared. I love you. I love you.
She lay in his arms afterward, their bodies spent from their lovemaking, her heart bursting with love.
“Sleep, baby. I’ve got you,” Grayson murmured.
You do, Grayson. You definitely do.
Chapter Seventeen
“KURT HAD TO fly back to New York for a book signing.” Leanna bounced her little boy, Sloan, on her hip. At just over a year old, he was the spitting image of her, with brown hair and the prettiest hazel eyes Parker had ever seen.
Parker was glad she and Grayson had seen Kurt earlier in the week, when they’d gotten together at Pete and Jenna’s beach house for dinner. She and Grayson had been spending the early-morning hours consuming each other instead of food. But they’d made a concerted effort today not to get sidetracked by mind-numbing kisses and spend time with their friends at Seaside. She was glad they’d come. It was fun seeing everyone working together, cooking, and taking care of each other’s babies.