He rubs his forehead against my belly and digs his fingers into my hips. “I love you so much, Sky. I can’t even imagine . . .” His voice cracks with an emotion so gut wrenching, I need to be near him.
With a little shimmy of my hips to ease his hands off my body, I kneel on the bed and slide onto his lap so he can hold me and, more importantly, I can hold him. He wraps his arms and love around me instantly.
“I love you too, more than I ever thought was possible to love another human being,” I whisper while my head is resting against the side of his. “We will get through this. Life is going to throw us some serious challenges, but so far, we’ve faced them and come out stronger on the other side. It will be that way with this too.” I press a kiss to his forehead before he dips his face into my neck and inhales several deep breaths.
He’s lost, afraid, a fish out of water, but when we’re holding on to one another, it’s like a reboot, a reset of our combined strength. Magic takes hold when we’re close and pierces through all the bullshit swirling around us.
I stay silent, giving him all that I can, sitting in his lap and holding him. Every so often, I run my hands up and down his back, letting him take what he needs from our connection.
“Baby, I’m so damned tired.” His voice is muffled against the skin of my neck.
“I know. Come on.” I squeeze his nape. “Tonight, we go to bed and just sleep, then we sleep in for once.”
“Are you saying I can’t perform my manly duties of pleasing my woman?” He pulls his head out of the crook of my neck and pouts.
I kiss his pout and pull back. “Never said that. Wouldn’t dream of saying that because you do, and you do so often. Tonight, however, it’s my turn to see to you, and sometimes that means no hanky-panky.”
He looks at me with a blank expression. “Seeing to me would definitely mean hanky-panky,” he states with absolute seriousness.
I grin, push off his lap, and strip out of my pants so that I’m standing in a pair of lace-and-cotton bikini briefs. He watches me, but his eyes don’t heat as they usually do. I reach up under my shirt from behind and unclip my bra before finding the loop under my tank and tugging my arm through the slip of fabric. I repeat the process on the other side, all without removing my top. The last maneuver, I pull the entire bra through the armhole and toss it on top of my pants on the floor.
Parker’s eyes sparkle with interest at that move. “Baby, that was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” Though there’s a smile on his face, I can tell his heart isn’t in it.
I chuckle and move around the bed and pull back my side of the covers. “If that’s the coolest thing you’ve ever seen, you’re a lot more wiped than I thought.”
He groans and falls back into the bed. Once he gets settled, I cuddle up to his side, hook my leg over his hips, slip an arm over his abdomen, and lay my face on his shoulder and peck it. “Go to sleep. Tomorrow’s a new day. We’ll figure it all out then.”
Parker yawns. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Sky.”
I kiss his chest and settle back in. “I know you will, honey.”
“Whatever it takes,” he whispers softly as his body goes lax and he slips off into dreamland.
I allow his body heat to warm my chilled skin as I murmur softly against his form, “I can’t lose you either. I won’t.”
8
PARKER
Skyler and I slept in until ten in the morning and used the rest of the late morning and early afternoon to make love, reconnecting physically, emotionally, and by all things holy, spiritually. Today, Skyler and my love for her are my religion. I want to worship at her altar as often as possible.
While we made love and lay in bed, we spoke in whispers about our new home together, what we’re going to do once we move in. How she wants to go with painting the inside in comforting shades of blue, beige, cream, yellow, and white, while I spoke of building her a flower garden in the backyard, plus a horseshoe pit and cornhole setup for the guys to screw around with while drinking the latest brewskis my dad has found.
I expressed how I want to choose the porch furnishings because I fully plan on spending my evenings sitting outside next to her, looking over our land and the view beyond the house while relaxing after a long day on the job. I joked that I want her to buy a full month’s worth of bikinis so that during the summer I can have the grand pleasure of unwrapping a naked Skyler in new packaging every day. She laughed her head off but agreed to have her personal shopper get right on it.
Overall the morning and early afternoon were needed, the time together paramount to getting us back on an even keel. Now, we’re walking our dogs through the famous Casa de Campo park, having left our woes in the background. Today is about us.
“Did you know this park is five times bigger than Central Park?” I tell her, repeating what I’d learned in my research prior to coming to Spain. I’d hoped we would have a day of fun, and I planned ahead. I even have a surprise for her this evening, one I know she’ll love.
She scans the endless number of trees, the lake, the old royal buildings in the background, and inhales long and deep. “It’s incredible, being here in the sunshine, holding your hand, walking our babies. I don’t think I’ve ever been this relaxed.”
“Especially considering what’s been going on,” I mumble, but regret it instantly when her lips move into a grim expression and she squeezes my hand. “Sorry, Peaches. Didn’t mean to bring it up.”
She runs her hand through her long golden tresses. “No, it’s okay. We have to be able to talk about it. This is going to seem like a speck in time many years down the road. Instead, let’s focus on the fact that we’re in Madrid, enjoying the most beautiful park in the world, and not one person has recognized us.” She smiles beautifully.
“Got any wood I can knock on?” I joke.
Skyler looks down at my pants. “Not right now, but I’m sure we could rustle up something in a pinch.” She winks sexily.
I tilt my head back and laugh heartily. The pressure in my chest eases a little bit more with every step and with every minute I’m with her like this. I hook my arm around her shoulders, and she lifts her chin. I take the advantage and place a slow kiss to her lips, just enjoying her taste and scent, and how it feels to have this woman in my arms, knowing she’s all mine.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you,” I whisper against her smiling mouth.
“Well, I should hope not since you’re stuck with me, mister!” she teases, poking at my gut playfully.
We continue our walk until we come to a section of the lake where other tourists are getting into small white-and-red rowboats and pushing off onto the lake. I tug on Sky’s hand and steer us in that direction.
Sky skip walks, a huge smile on her face, likely figuring out my plan. My girl is always down for any adventure.
“No. Not a good idea.” I hear Nate’s rumbling voice from behind us.
Shit. I’d forgotten they were here. A testament to how well they do their job of guarding Skyler without being intrusive.
I stop to turn around and have a chat with the big guy. Rachel is standing a few feet away from Skyler, a smile on her face as she scans the environment. She has a pair of pitch-black aviators in place, hair pulled back in a complicated twist of braids. For the first time, I notice on the side next to her temple she has a portion of hair that’s shaved away in a series of razor-sharp lines, making her look edgy and badass at the same time.
“Nate, look, man, we’re fine.” I glance around the area. “Have you suspected a threat of any kind?”
His lips compress into a flat line. “No, but that doesn’t give us the excuse to be lackadaisical. We need to be aware at all times.”
“Fine, then you rent a boat and paddle near us, but I’m taking my girl and our dogs on a boat ride. Sky worships the sun, and she needs a little break from it all. That’s what today is all about: taking a break from it all. Everything. And sorry, man, but if we hadn�
�t gotten that note yesterday, I would tell you to take a hike because I’ve got my girl covered. Since I’m a man who loves his woman more than his own life, I’m going to appreciate your presence at all times, but she needs . . . hell, we need to be able to do some things on our own, or at the very least, feel as though we are. You get me?”
Nate’s jaw tightens so much I can see the veins in his neck bulge a little. “Fine. Carry on. We’ll stay close and unobtrusive.”
“Much obliged.” I place my hand on his shoulder and squeeze, hopefully expressing my deep appreciation for the position he’s in. I understand that he has a job to do and it’s got to feel uncomfortable at times.
Once I turn around, Sky is practically bouncing in her Converses. She’s wearing a pair of tiny black shorts, a light-blue tank, and her hair is flowing in those beachy waves I can’t stop running my fingers through. She looks adorable . . . no, edible with her long tan legs on display.
“Do we get to go?” She gestures at the boats.
I nod.
“Yay! I haven’t been in a rowboat in forever.”
We maneuver through the throngs of people, Nate and Rachel following a few paces behind us.
Once I’ve seen a man about a boat, or two since I rented one for Rachel and Nate to follow us out on, I take Skyler’s hand and lead her onto the boat and get her and the pups settled. Sunny is pressed up against Sky’s leg, looking very uncertain, whereas Midnight looks like he’s about to go on an adventure. He has his tan doggy paws up on one of the wooden boards in the center and is looking out the front of the boat as if he’s going to lead the way.
I get into the boat, and the guy pushes us off. I take the paddle and set about bringing my girl and dogs out into the sunshine.
We clear the trees and get out into the open water. Skyler hikes up the bottom half of her shirt to just under her breasts so that her entire midriff is on display, and she opens her tiny shorts and tucks the two corners inside so that her top and shorts become a modified bikini.
I’ve fucked her three times already today, and if we weren’t out in the open, I’d be making a move on her again. When it comes to Skyler, I’m insatiable. She just does it for me. In a big way.
Taking a page out of her book, I settle the paddles in their rings, reach behind my head, and tug off my T-shirt, allowing the sun to kiss my bare chest and back.
Skyler grins behind her Ray-Bans, pulls out her phone from her back pocket, aims it at me when I’ve got both hands on the paddles, the sun shining down on my bare skin, and captures a picture.
“Honey, you are so fucking hot. If we were alone, I’d jump you right here.”
I chuckle, loving the fact that her mind is in the gutter as much as mine is.
“My view is as stellar as it comes.” I grin, taking in all that is my beautiful woman.
She smiles, tips her head back, and lets the sun beat down on her body. Sunny settles into a circle near her feet and closes her eyes. Midnight sits quietly and watches the fish in the lake. I’m wondering if he’s going to jump in and try to get them. Since we haven’t water tested the dogs, I know I’ll be taking a dive into the drink if he gets a wild hair.
I pet his soft fur. “That’s a good boy. Stay in the boat, buddy.”
He looks at me and licks my hand. Sky giggles, eases back, and lets one of her arms dangle over the side of the boat, her hand trailing in the cool water. “This is heaven, honey.”
The sun is shining, my pups are behaving, and the water is lapping musically, adding to the serenity we’re feeling. My woman’s body is on golden display, and I’m working my arms with a beautiful park in the background and a breeze tickling my chest. “Too true.”
“Tell me what it is we’re doing?” Skyler begs for the millionth time tonight.
I shake my head but loop my arm around her waist as we walk the Gran Vía starting at Calle de Alcalá in the downtown area. Rachel and Nate are following at a much closer distance since this street is busy. And when I say busy, I mean it rivals Madison Square and Broadway in New York City. It’s considered an upscale shopping district in the heart of Madrid. “This is known as the street that never sleeps.”
“Like Vegas,” Sky adds, her eyes alight with wonder as she takes in what the nightlife has to offer.
“Exactly. We have about a twenty- to twenty-five-minute walk. Are you going to be okay in those shoes?” I look down at the chunky wedges she’s paired with a flowing little summer dress. Little being the operative word. My woman has a delectable body and is not afraid to show a little skin . . . thank God.
“Absolutely. Babe, wedges are like cheating sexy. Most of them have the illusion of height because the entire bottom of the shoe is raised up. However, the actual arch in my foot is only about an inch or two. I could run in these if pressed. Walking is fine.”
“Good.” I nuzzle her neck where her peaches-and-cream scent is the strongest and give her a few hot kisses there.
She giggles and holds my waist tighter. “What does Gran Vía mean anyway?”
“The great way.”
“I wonder what that building is?” She points to a brilliant white one on the opposite corner with the word “Metropolis” in white against a black square background on the front.
“As the sign says, it’s the Metropolis building. Built over a hundred years ago, in 1911.”
“I love the gold embellishments and the angel statue on top.”
I focus on the angel statue. “Actually, that wasn’t the original statue that was on top of that building.”
She stops where she’s standing and stares at the angel, its wings stretched delicately out into the horizon.
“Really?”
I nod. “Really. The first owners had another statue there depicting a phoenix and Ganymede, a Greek hero. They liked it so much they took it with them when they sold the building to Metropolis Seguros.”
“Wow, that’s interesting. So, the new owner put another statue up. Why?” Her lips tip into a cute little frown as she studies the building and the statue above.
I shrug. “Something about the other statue being so much a part of the history and skyline that they didn’t want to leave it empty, so they put something else in its place.”
“Cool. Though I think I like the idea of the angel better anyway. A phoenix rising from the ashes with a Greek hero can seem almost foreboding. You know? A struggle, something to fight in the first place. Whereas, to me, an angel represents hope and God’s love.”
We continue walking as I think about her words. “You’ve never struck me as being very religious.”
She lifts her shoulder and drops it. “I would consider myself more a spiritual person than a religious one. I definitely believe there is a higher power, a God above watching over us. If I didn’t, then I wouldn’t believe that my parents are watching over me now.”
“You rarely talk about them.”
She bites down on her lip and swings her arms. “It’s still hard. It’s been years, but I’m getting to the point where I can think about them now without grief overwhelming me.”
“What happened? You said there was a storm and some type of accident?”
“Yeah, I know I told you that the boat capsized in a storm, but that’s not technically the truth. It’s what I say on autopilot because the truth is much worse.”
“How so?” I frown and focus on her pinched, pained expression.
She swallows slowly and runs her fingers along the fabric of her dress. “Because the truth is, their boat blew up.”
“Uh . . . I’m sorry, honey. Blew up? Like kaboom type of blew up?” Images of a James Bond–type explosion scenario are running through my mind.
She nods. “That’s what the report says. Because it sank, they were only able to glean so much, but I paid for divers to get all that they could of the boat, to make sure there wasn’t anything left to find. They did find some remains of both my parents, which made it possible to declare them deceased officially. Still
the entire thing was fishy. One report said they believed there must have been an explosive device on the boat. Another report said it could have been a mixture of chemicals or fumes leaking in the engine compartment along with a gas overflow. The authorities focused on the second explanation since there was no motive to hurt my parents or the captain and crew. They didn’t even make it to their first destination. They got about fifty miles out, and that was it.”
“Jesus.” I bring her close again and rub her bicep. “Where were you?”
“With Tracey, having drinks at the harbor. Before they left, my mom and I were talking with Tracey and Dad about the fact that I wanted to slow down. It was a common conversation. As my manager at the time, Mom agreed with me. She only ever wanted the best for me. Dad thought I should do whatever I wanted but agreed with Tracey that it would be a waste of my talents to sit back when I was hitting the top. Still, he just wanted me happy too.” She laughs dryly.
“Tracey had taken over as my agent a couple of years before. She’d always been good at it, and I liked knowing I had my best friend in my corner, making the deals on my behalf. Over time, Mom wasn’t so keen. Told me repeatedly to consider a new agent, one who wasn’t so vested in dollars signs but on the roles I wanted to play. But Mom didn’t understand Tracey’s drive.”
“She is definitely a go-getter,” I agree.
“Still, a week before they left, Mom and I had a conversation. She begged me to cut ties on a professional level with Tracey and focus on what I wanted. She knew I’d always envisioned myself settling down, finding a good man, creating a family, and living happy. Acting was my job, my craft, and you know I love it . . .”
“Yes, but I’ve noticed lately your interests are changing.” I give her a squeeze of encouragement.
Sky nods. “Because I have something more to live for than the next role. I have you, our new home, the puppies, all our friends . . .” She shrugs. “There’s more to life than pretending to be something I’m not. Acting used to be fun, and I know doing this A-Lister series with Geneva will be a blast. It will be an ideal finish or, at the very least, a good place to start slowing down. I mean, you’re going to be thirty next month. I’m going to be twenty-six a month after. I want to focus on us. Settling down, having kids . . .” She lets that comment just fall off as we continue to walk.
International Guy: Volume 4 Page 9