by Layla Hagen
He kisses me, and I kiss him back with all I have. I’ve missed him so much. It’s been only two days, but I feel as if it has been much longer. I’ve been so afraid that I’d lost him.
He walks me backward, past the couch, into my bedroom. My skimpy dress falls to the floor, followed by my underwear. Parker’s suit doesn’t last much longer. I want to touch, and feel, and lick, and love. I want to love every part of him, and feel his love right back. Parker lays me on the bed, and kisses every inch of my body, torturing me. Then he spreads my thighs wide, and feasts on me, licking my clit, pulling it between his lips until I cry out his name. He doesn’t stop after that, but nuzzles my clit with the tip of his nose while his tongue dips inside me. When he shifts his position on the bed, I see my chance to pleasure him at the same time. I move on the bed until my face is level with his erection, and I take him in my mouth, going so deep I feel him at the back of my throat. Parker groans, and we look down at each other between our limbs, locking gazes. I bob my head up and down, clamping my lips tight around him.
“Fuck, I need to be inside you. Now.” He pulls out of my mouth, then shifts us again on the bed until he’s on top of me. He captures my mouth with his at the same time he enters her. He moves slowly, making sweet love to me. I can’t stop touching him. His arms, his back. Cupping his buttocks and pushing him even deeper inside me. The rhythm of his lovemaking intensifies until it becomes wild and relentless fucking, and we don’t stop until we both climax.
Parker rocks me in his arms after that, kissing my shoulder and neck.
“You’re delicious, woman. You taste so sweet. That pussy of yours drives me crazy.”
I laugh, feeling happier than I ever have. “Yep. You seemed very fond of it.”
“I’m fond of other parts of you too.” He touches my breasts, feathers his fingers on my collarbone. “I’m fond of every part of you.”
“You have your favorites. Admit it.”
“Never.”
He trails the fingers down to my navel, then even further down. I swat his hand away.
“Hey, not touching me there. I’m sensitive.”
I feel him smile against my shoulder. “Who said I wanted to touch your pussy?”
“So you didn’t?”
“I’ll leave you guessing.”
“Well, I’m going to go out on a limb and say you did. You’re predictable like that.” I kiss one of his biceps, sighing. “I love you so much, Parker.”
“How much?”
“Uh-oh.”
“What?”
“I have a feeling you’re going to ask me something ungodly.”
“Your mind is a fascinating place.”
“And yours isn’t?”
“Not at all.”
“So what were you going to ask?”
“Move in with me.”
I’m still not quite sure I’ve heard him correctly. Parker, who barely let anyone close, wants me to move with him.
“Move in with me. Make that house your home too. I want you with me there permanently.”
“Wow. I’d love to. Are you sure?”
“Yes. I want to share every part of my life with you. Buy whatever furniture you want in those spare rooms. Make it yours too.”
“Hmmm...whatever furniture I want? That’s a dangerous statement to say.”
“I trust you.”
“You might regret it.” I turn around, straddling him. “I’ve been known to go crazy for furniture.”
“Then go crazy.”
“This is your last chance to change your mind.”
He grins, kissing my nose. “I don’t want to.”
I rub my hands in excitement before lacing my arms around his neck. “You’ve got no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into, mister.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jessica
“See? Wasn’t that one of my greatest ideas of all times?” I ask two months later, after the last guests leave the housewarming party. Parker needed some convincing, but he gave in at last. We’ve invited Dani, Helen, Tara, as well as some colleagues from my new workplace.
He leans against the front door, tilting his head.
“I’m still debating.”
“You had fun. Admit it.”
“Make me.”
“Is that a dare?”
He grins. “Absolutely.”
I walk to him, swinging my hips seductively. He watches my every move with a sinful smile. Lacing my arms around his neck, I kiss his bottom lip, then tug it between my teeth. Parker groans, bringing his hands around my waist, and pulling me flush against him.
“I had fun,” he admits.
“Well, that was easy.” Hmm...so easy, in fact, that I’m suspicious. Especially because up close, I sense that Parker is nervous. His pulse is quick, and there is a thin sheet of sweat at his temples.
“Your colleagues are friendly,” he comments. “Even your boss.”
“Yes, they are. Thanks for convincing me to take a chance on myself and look for something new.”
The situation with my boss at the old museum didn’t improve, and Parker kept insisting I should look for a new job. He kept repeating that changing something that doesn’t work does not mean I can’t stick to a plan or see things through. Finally, I listened to him and sent out resumes. It took two months, but now I have a position at a small gallery in the north of London. Parker is finalizing the sale of his father’s company and has already returned to his usual business activity. He’s a lot less grouchy when he leaves his office these days.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad to see you happy. Thanks for making this house feel like a home.”
Decorating the spare bedrooms was a lot of fun. I tried not to go crazy, I really did. But we still ended up with a walk-in closet, a pillow room for relaxing (with a chandelier that makes the room look like a forest), a game room, a home-gym we’ll probably never use, and a sauna we use quite a lot. What can I say? Parker and I like naked fun best.
He drums his fingers on my waist, swallowing repeatedly. He’s still nervous, which makes me nervous.
“Parker, is something wrong? You’re... twitchy.”
He moves one hand from my waist, dipping it into his pocket. When he takes it out, I gasp. He’s holding a little jewelry box. Oh my God. Suddenly, my pulse is pounding in my ears. It feels as if my heart will leap out of my chest. He opens the lid, and I’m looking at the most beautiful ring ever. The huge diamond in the center of the platinum band is absolutely gorgeous.
“Marry me, Jessica. It can be in one year, or in five, or even later.” His voice is shaking lightly. “But I’d love for you to wear my ring. I’d love for us to be engaged.”
Emotion bubbles up in my throat. “Of course I’ll marry you, you sexy Brit.”
Parker takes the ring out, shoves the box back in his pocket, then slowly puts the ring on my finger. Both our hands are shaking.
“It’s my size,” I say surprised.
“I took one of your rings to the jeweler so they could match the size.”
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
He takes my face in his hands, and then he pulls me into the most beautiful kiss. He touches his mouth to my lower lip, then to my upper lip before slipping his tongue inside. He kisses like it’s our first time all over again. I brace my palms against his arms, and feel the tension melting from his muscles. I can’t believe that some small part of him legitimately thought I might turn him down. I kiss him harder, then whisper, “I love you, Parker. Nothing would make me happier than marrying you.”
He lifts me up in his arms, carrying me throughout the house. I wiggle my toes, grinning. I love it when he carries me. I know I’m in for a treat tonight. I’m Parker’s fiancée.
Then I look at his bare hand, and tap my forefinger against my chin. “We have to get you something too.”
“What?”
“I don’t know. I’ll think about it.” I kiss his jaw, then move to his cheek. “Something th
at signals you’re off the market. Then everyone will know that you’re my sexy Brit.”
Epilogue: Jessica
One month later
I smile as I stretch on the lounge chair, letting my pores soak up the warm California sun and the breeze of the ocean fill my lungs.
"Jess, get your ass back in here," Dani calls from inside the house, and I lazily open my eyes. I get up and walk back to the house, laughing as my feet dip into the sand, then resurface again. I glance once more at the ocean before stepping back inside the house. I never realized I missed it so much until I arrived here yesterday for James and Serena's engagement party. I’ve been looking forward to this even ever since Serena shared the good news with me, two months ago. It’s time to pick out bridesmaid dresses, and I won’t lie, I’m a little worried. Serena likes conservative clothing, and though Dani has been trying to dress in a more daring way, her taste is more like Serena’s.
"Sit over there," Serena says, pointing at the bed. I sit on the bed, admiring the decor. Like the outside of the house, the inside is also painted warm coral. The furniture inside is very simple, mostly made from bamboo. The large windows allowing in an exceptional amount of sun are the highlight for me. That and the line of palm trees outside the house. Just over an hour from San Francisco, this place is the perfect weekend getaway. According to Serena, that’s why James bought it. The engagement party is taking place here. It was supposed to be a laid-back event, with just family and closest friends attending, but it turned into a several-hundred-people party, with everyone who is anyone in Silicon Valley attending. The guests will arrive in about three hours—though some have already arrived—so these two have plenty of time to torture me with bridesmaid dresses.
"Serena and I chose some dresses while you were busy getting a tan," Dani says, "and we've come up with these."
To my astonishment, the dresses aren't half-bad. I see at least two, both the light shade of blue Serena likes, that I could see myself wearing. They are a few inches longer than I like them, but the bodice makes up for it: one is made out of silk, the other out of lace.
Serena glances at me, twirling a strand of her black hair around her fingers, smiling. "A good compromise between both of your styles, don’t you think?"
I nod. Compromise is a good word. "Put those two on the short list."
She looks relieved as she puts the two dresses aside. "It would be really helpful if you could decide which one you want before you return to London. Then I can cross that off my to-do-list."
"Who knew organizing a wedding could be such a pain in the ass, right?" I ask sympathetically.
"And I'm not even doing that much, what with all the wedding planners James hired," Serena says.
I love to see her like this. Happy, radiant. Fulfilled. She has that smile on her face only James can bring out, and I’m so happy she was lucky enough to find someone like that. We were both lucky.
"Don't let Mom hear you complain, though," Dani warns. "I'm sure she'd love to take over."
Serena bursts out laughing. "That's true. Your mom does love organizing parties. Which reminds me, she was grilling me about whether you already know if you're bringing a date to the wedding. Apparently she can't get that info out of you and asked me to. . . I think her words were squeeze it out of you. I thought I'd just straight ask you."
I chuckle. My adorably naive old friend. She'll never learn the fine art of veiled interrogation.
"I haven't decided yet," Dani says. “But imagine James and Parker’s faces if I do show up with someone. Ohh, that would be good. Actually, I should tell them I’m bringing someone dangerous and mysterious, just to see their reaction.” She rubs her hand like a movie villain, grinning from ear to ear. “They deserve some teasing, don’t you think?”
I nod. “Absolutely. Say the word, and I’m your girl. Serena?”
My friend ponders this, then smiles. “I’m in.”
“Dani laughs. “Oh, goodie. I’m gonna think hard about a cock and bull story. Nothing too outrageous so they don’t catch on right away.”
I elbow her conspiratorially. “I’ll film it. Then, if they’re ever pains in our butts, we have blackmail material.”
“I think you’re my soulmate, Jess. Can you be my date at the wedding?”
I sigh. “Unfortunately, I’m taken. Yep. This sexy Brit made me fall head over heels in love.”
“Traitor,” Dani murmurs.
“Hey, I’m helping you troll Parker and James. Don’t I deserve some credit?”
“Yes, you do.”
"Well, I think you can go back in the sun, Jess," Serena says.
"Nah, I'll go check on the guys."
I leave Dani and Serena, and walk to the second floor. I find James alone in one of the rooms, cursing as he stands in front of the mirror, trying to knot his tie.
"You are terrible. You're a businessman. How can you not be able to tie a necktie with your eyes closed?"
"At the moment I have serious trouble trying to tie one with my eyes open. Ask Serena how often I wear suits," James says, letting his hands fall by his sides in resignation. "I usually have ties delivered with the knot already made. Who the hell decreed this a suit and tie event anyway? It's my own engagement party, and it’s in my own house. I should have a say in it."
"I did, actually. I'm the maid of honor." I stand a bit straighter. "I think men in suits are hot," I add matter-of-factly.
James shakes his head, muttering something that sounds suspiciously like women.
"Here, let me help you.” I can't stop smiling as I finish his tie. "By the way, I think Serena knows you are planning something special for tonight."
James snaps up his head so abruptly I swear I hear a tiny crack. "What? Did you tell her something?"
I take a step back, clutching my heart mockingly. "James Cohen, when did I ever betray your surprises? I did have to tell Dani though so she can help me distract Serena when the big moment arrives."
He grins. "This will blow her mind."
"I agree. But I hardly think it can top your proposal."
Though not exactly accompanied by big gestures, as is his usual style, that moment was special in its own way. He did indeed fly Serena to London for the proposal. It turned out to be the right thing to do. Serena, who hadn't returned to London since she moved to California years ago, has flown twice to London since the proposal.
"Right, this is done. Where is Parker?" I ask.
"Outside."
I find Parker on the patio overlooking the ocean, engaged in a heated discussion with three suited men. I keep my distance, watching him with a smile. He successfully sold Blakesley Enterprises and has been so much happier since then, concentrating on doing what he likes. I bite my lip, as I have a perfect view of his deliciously formed ass. Yes, suits really do look good on him. As if feeling my gaze, he turns slightly, a grin spreading across his face when he sees me.
He beckons me to join him and the men and introduces me as his girlfriend. We still haven’t told James or Serena about our engagement, and today, I’m not wearing my ring. Parker and I agreed to wait until after the party, so we don’t steal their thunder. Keeping this a secret has been hard. I’ve been bursting to tell Serena every time we talked.
Parker no longer seems to want to keep his private life secret from the world. Or, as he puts it, he doesn’t want to keep me secret. And that suits me just fine, though I still get nervous as hell before any fancy event we attend. The British press was a bit disappointed when Parker made our relationship public, since they were hoping when he finally offered them a glimpse in his life, it’d be something scandalous. Something worth writing about. A stable relationship wasn’t exactly what they were hoping for.
He nods briefly to the group, and we move away to a more private spot.
"You can't take a break from discussing business even at your cousin's engagement party?"
"A bit of networking never hurts," he says before wrapping his arms around my waist and
pulling me into a gentle kiss. "And you're one to talk. You love your new job so much, sometimes I think you’d like to sleep at the museum.”
I chuckle. "How could I possibly do that? I'd miss out on our dinners and our walks.”
"Ah, I see,” Parker says. “I thought you'd miss all those things I do to you after our walk and dinner."
"Yeah, those too." I look around for something to distract me, because this is a poor time to let my mind wander to those things. He grabs me by my waist, lifting me up, and carrying me to the edge of the now empty patio. When he puts me down, he turns me around so I'm facing the ocean. "I love waking up next to you every day," he says, burying his head in my neck. As usual, Parker melts me with just a few words.
In response, I press his hands tighter around me and whisper, "I love waking up next to you too.”
We watch the ocean, entangled like this for some time, until Parker says, “When do you want us to tell them our news?”
“Tomorrow?”
“I agree.”
“Can we also have an engagement party?”
“You can have whatever you want, Jess,” Parker murmurs, his hot breath on my skin a sweet torture.
"Mmm...I have a few things in mind. Some might raise eyebrows."
A delightful shiver of anticipation runs through me as Parker whispers, “Bring them on. I’m on board for the ride. ”
***
THE END
Dear Reader,
Jessica and Parker’s story has come to an end.
Lost in Us (James and Serena’s story) is available HERE
Caught in Us (Dani & Damon’s story) is available HERE
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Other books by Layla Hagen:
The Bennett Family Series
Book 1: Your Irresistible Love (Sebastian & Ava)
Book 2: Your Captivating Love (Logan & Nadine)
Book 3: Your Forever Love (Pippa & Eric)
Book 4: Your Inescapable Love (Max & Emilia)