by Claire Adams
Sienna looked up at me. “We’re working them out.”
I nodded. I wasn’t a fool. I knew she wouldn’t forgive me that easily. I had to work for it. And I intended to.
I picked Sienna up for our dinner later that night. I wore slacks and a nice jacket, indicating my seriousness about the date. And even though I’d known Sienna forever, I found my palms were sweating when I arrived at her home.
I went up to her front walk, but before I could open the door, it opened for me.
I stepped back and took in my date.
Sienna wore tight black leather pants with a long, flowing white shirt. The white shirt made her tanned skin look richer. Her hair was down in soft waves. I had the urge to push her back inside the house and do very naughty things with her. I imagined grabbing her soft hair and making her mine.
When she spoke, I snapped out of my own head. “Where are we headed?”
I smiled and offered her my arm. “That’s a surprise.”
When we arrived at Valencia’s, Sienna’s face broke out into a smile. “I’ve been dying to eat here again.”
“I had a feeling,” I said.
I opened her door for her and a sense of déjà vu washed over me. As we walked into the restaurant, I couldn’t take my eyes off Sienna. She radiated pure bliss, and I’d been the one to do that for her. Granted, I’d also made her feel like shit at times, but I intended to never do that to her again.
Once we were seated, I ordered champagne for the table and two appetizer platters. That would keep the waitress away for some time. I wasn’t in a rush to order our entrees since I wanted to draw out the dinner. We had so much to catch up on.
But when it came down to it, Sienna didn’t say much. I started the conversation off. “Do you want to know anything about the wedding?”
Sienna picked apart a piece of bread. “Not really. I think for now we can skip that whole thing. At least for a little while.”
I smiled. “Okay.”
She inhaled sharply. “I do want to know more about you coming to Kenneth’s funeral. That was really good of you. Harriet really appreciated it.”
“I was glad to be there for her. She’s really a sweet woman.”
“She is.” Sienna looked at me, anticipating my response.
“I tried to get a hold of you this weekend, but you were gone. So when I came to the diner this morning and saw your sign, I went online to see if anyone we knew was hurt, or heaven forbid, had died. There was a small obituary that just came online this morning for Kenneth. I’ll have you know I did call Harriet to offer my condolences. And she invited me to the services.”
“She invited you?”
“She did. And she also mentioned you would be there so I should dress ‘sharply.’ Her word, not mine.”
Sienna laughed, almost as if she were releasing some pent up emotions. We both had a lot of those. “That woman is ever the matchmaker.”
“Considering that wasn’t the reason I’d called her, I’d say it was an added bonus.”
Sienna sighed and nodded her head slowly, her eyes piercing mine. “I’d say.”
The waitress brought our antipasto plates out. I knew Sienna wanted her own, and I had barely eaten in two days since the wedding. Now that I was getting my personal life back on track, I was starving.
“It’s a good thing your schedule was free to come to the funeral,” Sienna said, piercing an artichoke with her fork.
“It wasn’t free,” I said.
Sienna glanced up at me. “It wasn’t?”
“I actually had a meeting about selling the company today. I had to postpone it.”
“And they were okay with that?”
“They’re motivated to buy soon. I said I had a death in the family.”
“You really didn’t have to do that,” she said, putting her fork down.
“Of course I did. I consider Harriet a part of my extended family, through you. You’ve always been my family, Sienna.”
Her shoulders relaxed, and she picked up her fork again. “So, tell me about the deal. You said your grandkids wouldn’t have to work?”
I smiled. “Well, my kids and grandkids will learn the value of a dollar, but they will have enough to be comfortable. In fact, they even upped the price if I agree to the terms this week.”
“Are you going to agree to them?” she asked.
“Yes,” I said. Finally saying it aloud created a sense of relief to move through me. This project had been my baby for years, and now I was letting it go. It wasn’t all about the money; it was the chance to free myself up for something new. And I knew that Gary’s company was going to do right by the site.
“Parker, that’s fantastic,” she said. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you.” I never compared Rachel to Sienna before, but the differences were stark. I couldn’t believe I almost married Rachel. Sienna was supportive and a keen sounding board for all the big decisions in my life. I’d been such a coward all these years. How did I ever think that Sienna and I weren’t a good match? I should have taken that risk years ago. Maybe we’d even be married by now. The thought made me feel utterly complete.
“Well, you better make that meeting tomorrow. You don’t want to risk this deal, not if it will truly make you happy.”
I shook my head. “It’s not the deal that will make me happy,” I said. “I’m already happy, right here, right now, with you.”
The corners of her lips quirked.
The waitress interrupted our moment by asking to take our order for entrees. Sienna gave her order and I ordered the same.
When the waitress took our menus and left, Sienna leaned closer to the table. “I’ve been dying to try that eggplant rollatini since the last time we were here.”
The rest of the dinner went well. I was so used to not ordering dessert with Rachel that I almost waved the waitress away when she offered. Sienna and I split a slice of cheesecake. And then we ordered another one because it definitely wasn’t enough for two people with monster appetites.
On the way home, I reached over to take Sienna’s hand in mine. Her hand fit mine perfectly, as if they were made for each other. Taking this next step with Sienna was as easy as breathing.
“Do you want to come over for a nightcap?” I asked.
“Sure,” she said, without looking at me. With the passing streetlights, I could see the intense expression in her eyes.
I stifled a smile. She was as nervous as me. Somehow, that made me feel better about what I had planned.
Once we were at my house, I poured us both a glass of wine. We went out to the back patio. The night air was warm enough to be comfortable, and the sky was clear. It was a perfect night.
When Sienna wasn’t looking, I watch her sip from her wine. My gaze trailed over the line of her jaw down to her neck. How I wanted to press my lips against her skin. The urge was overwhelming.
What the hell was I waiting for?
I placed my glass down and offered to take hers.
Her eyebrows furrowed in question then smoothed out just as quickly.
I stood in front of her and took her hands in mine. “I had a really good time tonight,” I said.
“Me too.” Her fingers tightened around mine.
We stood there for a moment, hovering in a strange reality for us. We could go either way at that point. We could take a step back and remain friends. Or move toward each other and into an uncertain future.
I made the choice to move forward.
I pulled her closer to me and pressed my lips against hers. A little moan escaped her lips. Kissing Sienna was like fitting my mouth to a mold just made for me. My tongue darted in her mouth and touched hers. The lingering taste of wine was sweet and tangy against my taste buds.
“God, Sienna,” I said.
She smiled against my lips. Her hands moved up my chest and rested on my shoulders. I leaned down and grabbed her ass, lifting her on top of the patio table.
She let out a
little squeak, and I silenced it with my lips. Her kisses were feverish and quick, and I had the urge to rip her clothes off right then and there.
But there was something important I wanted to say first. Something that had hovered on the tip of my tongue for forever, but I was too afraid to say it.
“Sienna,” I said, taking a step back.
Her eyes were half-lidded. “Parker, don’t stop.”
“I want to tell you something first.”
“What is it?”
“I love you. Sienna, I’ve always loved you. I’ve been too stupid to realize it.”
She took my hands and wrapped them around her waist. “I love you, too. Now let’s go inside.”
Chapter Thirty
Sienna
I slipped off the table and pulled Parker inside the house with me. As much as I wanted to fuck him right then and there, I wasn’t about to give his neighbors a show.
We barely made it inside before Parker tugged at my arm and brought me to his lips again. I traced his stubbly jawline with my fingers then raked my hands through his hair. His locks were so incredibly soft. My hands ached to touch more of him.
Parker removed his lips from mine then rained kisses onto my neck, and I sighed with happiness.
He tugged at the hem of my shirt and lifted it over my head. I took that as an invitation and started undoing the buttons of his shirt. I shoved the fabric away and smoothed my hands over his chest.
“Why do you have to be so fucking sexy?” I asked with a mock-pout.
“Sienna, you’re the sexy one,” he said, lifting me off the ground. I straddled his hips and kissed him hard. His lips were so soft. We kissed all the way to his bedroom. He laid me down on the bed and popped open the button of my pants.
My heart pounded with excitement, and judging by Parker’s frantic movements, he was even more excited than I was. But it was going too fast.
“Easy,” I whispered. “This isn’t a race.”
“Sorry,” he managed in between kisses. “There’s like, a decade of sexual tension built up inside of me.” He pulled back and gazed into my eyes.
“Me too. I want you so much.” I kissed his lips and smiled. “And I know I’m ready to do this.”
“How about…” He stepped out of his pants. “… we undress first, so I can kiss you all over?” I stared at the guy I’d known since school, now grown into a fucking sex god. A man who was hard for me. I didn’t argue with his suggestion. I was already hot and eager for him and didn’t want to waste time with a seduction that was pointless.
Without taking my eyes from the large bulge in his boxer briefs, I kicked off my shoes and let him peel off my pants. I scooted up onto his bed, slowly. His eyes locked on mine until I reached the top of the bed.
I hooked a finger for him to come get me.
Then hungry eyes roamed over my exposed skin, making me feel self-conscious. A delicious heat spread through me at the thought of sex with Parker. We’d been friends for so long, the idea had seemed impossible. Yet, here we were, only a few items of clothing away from being naked together.
Parker hopped onto the bed and the movement jostled me. He stroked his hand over my tattoo, tracing the lines. He started at the bottom and kissed his way to the top. “I’ve always loved this thing. And every time you wore those panties when you opened the door for me….” He made a show of shivering.
I giggled as Parker’s arms slid around my waist and he pulled me against him. His hardness pressed into my hip as he kissed my bare shoulder, and then my neck again. He cupped my breast and lightly squeezed it. Heat spread across my chest as his body rubbed against me. I reached around and pressed my fingers against his back, stroking up and down as his lips and tongue pleasured my skin.
His hands slid down my back, and onto my cheeks, squeezing me roughly. I let my head fall back, and a long sigh crept from my mouth. Part of me wanted to talk, to describe how he made me feel, but I imagined it would all sound fake. So I said nothing, and let the small, involuntary noises speak for me. I groaned as he squeezed my butt, and moaned when his lips trailed kisses up to my ear, and then back down to my neck. He moaned along with me, enjoying the encouragement.
I let my hands slide lower, onto his ass, and pulled him closer, feeling his dick rub against me. He groaned, and then rocked his hips to rub himself harder against my skin. A shiver ran through my whole body as I imagined what he would feel like sliding inside me. Suddenly, I didn’t want to wait. I couldn’t wait for a second longer. The need was overwhelming. I wanted Parker inside of me.
“I want you right now,” I said in a hoarse tone. “Take me, baby,”
Parker stood, not wasting any time getting out of his boxers.
I pulled down my panties, not bothering with my bra.
Parker went for the side table and opened the drawer. I rolled over on my side and watched him dig through the contents. He lifted a foil packet and ripped it open. I moved until I was propped on my knees. He rolled the condom over himself and I reached over and took his face in my hands. I kissed him, slowly at first, then building up momentum.
“Sienna,” he whispered into my mouth.
“Mmm,” I murmured.
Parker climbed on top of me. I moved my knees apart and he settled between my legs. His erection pressed along my thigh, a hot and hard promise of our first sex together. I moaned softly at the thought and rolled my hips to get him closer to where I needed him.
He reached down and guided him into place, then slid it up and down between my lips. Something that sounded like a squeak escaped from my throat.
I tilted my hips, and he slid into me. It was only an inch at first, but it was enough to make me cry out.
“You’re so wet,” he said quietly.
“I’ve been… saving it….” I managed but had to give up talking when he slid deeper. Fuck, he felt good inside me. He sighed happily as he slid deeper, and deeper until his body was pressed against mine. Even then, when he pushed, he seemed to manage another inch. I whimpered as he touched me deep inside. In that instant, all worries or awkwardness about what we were doing melted away.
He pulled the strap of my bra down and drew my nipple into his mouth. I moaned with pleasure as his tongue circled around my peak. He moved onto the other one. The feeling of him inside of me and the way he kissed my breasts made me want to come right then and there.
Parker shifted, withdrawing, then sliding back into me. I cried out, throwing my arms around his neck. I clung to him as he shifted on top of me, his weight pinning me to the bed as his body bumped against mine. Waves of ecstasy washed over me, hot and overpowering, each one forcing a quiet moan from my throat. I tried to speak, but only strangled noises emerged, single letters that gave up any hope of forming words.
His lips crushed mine and I fought to keep up. My whole body tingled, and my mind was numb. Nothing else in the world mattered except for us.
And then he began to move faster, shifting to his own rhythm. I lifted my feet from the bed and rested them on his back, whimpering as I lost all control of my body. He was in command of me now, and he was steering me toward someplace I’d never been before.
“Fu-uu-uu-uu…” was all I managed to say
“I want you to come for me, Sienna. Please come.”
“Uh-huh. Uh-huh….” I tightened my grip, clinging to Parker as he fucked me harder and harder. My entire body shook as we collided. Slapping sounds reached me from far away. My ears were ringing; my heart thumped like crazy. I was making noises that made no sense. Parker was groaning long and hard in my ear, his breath heating my cheek.
My insides exploded as I came for him. Parker continued to pump inside of me, making my already sensitive body even more so.
“Parker!” I cried out.
His lips crushed mine as he came. A deep shudder shook his body, a counterpoint to the pulsing heat that rippled through mine.
His movements slowed, and we made eye contact. A wide grin spread across his face
and I matched it. I couldn’t believe I’d just had sex with my best friend. And it had been the most incredible sex of my life. Where we could have been awkward, we weren’t. We were fit for each other in every way.
Parker was propped above me as he caught his breath. I reached up and cupped his face, bringing his lips to mine. As we both came down from our incredible orgasms, we kissed more slowly this time, exploring each other’s mouths.
Parker’s arm gave out and he pulled me against him as we laid side-by-side and kissed for some time.
When we finally came up for air, Parker wrapped his arm around me and held me against him. He kissed the top of my head and sighed. “Well, that was…different.”
I laughed, unable to hold back the amazing mood I was in. “You think?”
I couldn’t help the goofy grin on my face. This is exactly where I should have been from the beginning.
“You were good,” he said, rubbing his face. “Real fucking good.”
“Well, you also haven’t had sex for a year.”
He shook his head. “It’s not that. I may have abstained from sex, but I know what good sex is. And you were like, amazing.”
Parker yawned and I lightly chucked him in the chest.
He laughed. “What? That was the most energy I’ve expended in a while.”
I scooted up to him and kissed him on the lips then rolled over. Parker followed me and spooned his warm naked body against me.
He trailed kisses across the back of my neck. “I love you so much, Sienna.”
I squeezed his arm tight to let him know I felt the same way.
I closed my eyes, warping back to the night that I laid with Parker after the bachelor party. Everything he’d said was true. The alcohol had been a sort of truth serum for him, just like Tony said. But his relationship with Rachel had stood in the way. Not anymore. Right here and right now was where we were supposed to be. And I’d fight to keep it that way for the rest of my life. I sighed deeply and allowed myself to let go and fall asleep with the love of my life.