The One That Matters

by Elle Linder

  The night before Parker’s parents arrived, Marie was uneasy. She had put Jackson to bed, said goodnight to Lexi, and joined Parker in his bedroom. It was the first time Jackson and Lexi had stayed overnight in the mansion, and there was a rightness to it, a wave of peace Marie hadn’t felt in a long time. It was wonderful to have everyone she loved under one roof. But, her nerves spoiled her joy. She desperately wanted Parker’s parents to like her and could think of nothing else. She paced back and forth; her worry was written all over her face.

  “Marie, stop pacing. You’re making me dizzy,” Parker teased. “Come to bed. We have a big day tomorrow. They should be here around noon.”

  “I’m trying, but I’m just a ball of nerves.” She continued to pace. “I thought I’d take the guest room next to Lexi during the visit.”

  He laughed out loud. “Why would you do that?”

  She stopped pacing to face him, hands on her hips. “Parker, we can’t sleep together while your parents are here. That’s inappropriate. We probably shouldn’t be doing it while the kids are in the house either.” She resumed pacing and wrung her hands into a ball.

  “Marie, you’re staying in our room.” Parker hopped off the bed and stopped her.

  “Our room? No, this is your room.”

  “No, it’s our room, and you’re staying here. I don’t want you to worry, baby. Everything will be fine. My parents will love you and the kids because I love you.”

  She stared at him, speechless. What did he mean, I love you?

  “Did you hear me?” He cupped her face. “I-love-you.”

  She inhaled, and he kissed her.

  Did he say he loved her? The words swirled around in her head, Parker loves me?

  “You love me?” She needed clarification; he had mentioned loving the kids, too. Maybe he just meant it in a general, as-a-friend sort of way. “Like, love me how?”

  He laughed heartily. “I love you, Marie. I want forever with you.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a passionate kiss. Every worry and fear for the present and future melted away.

  Parker eased her into the bathroom, not breaking their kiss. He undressed her in a slow, sensual manner, placing soft kisses on her bare skin. The feel of his lips on her sent a wave of electric pulses through her body, elevating every nerve to a higher state. Her quiet moans filled the room. She was aware of how her entire body responded to his touch from the tingles within her, to the unhindered sounds she made. She smiled at how incredible her life had become.

  He turned the shower on, and she looked at him with sultry eyes as he took off his boxers. He was already hard and ready for her. The sight of him—his beautiful body, and the love in his eyes, aroused her. She stepped into the shower, excited for what she knew was to come. Their showers together were always loving with an X-rated twist. Parker enjoyed pleasuring her, and she received his advances openly. The pure carnal acts she enjoyed also gave Parker an immense satisfaction.

  He pressed her up against the stone wall, his hands protecting her from the cold stone tile. “Let me show you how much I love you,” he whispered into her ear. The ‘showing’ started with a passionate kiss as their wet, slick bodies pressed into each other. His lips traveled down her chest while his hands roamed over her, kneading and stroking.

  The wanton between her legs was building—oh, how she craved him. Never had she been so lascivious until Parker. He lit a fire in her only he could quench, and she could never get enough of him, his addictive talents her drug of choice.

  She buried her fingers into his wet wavy hair as he kissed his way down her thigh, stimulating her skin with his tongue. Marie lifted her leg over his shoulder, welcoming his hungry mouth. Now experienced from previous encounters, she knew how to get the most out of his titillating treatment. Feeling his mouth on her, she pressed into him, then lost herself in his tongue. His strong, wet hands held her in place, gripping her ass while she rocked into him. Her speed increased, and she arched her back, rubbing her head against the wall as she came apart from the explosive climax that shot through her.

  “Oh, Parker!” She held his head in place until the wave of ecstasy traveled through her and had calmed.

  To hear him say “I love you” and that he wanted forever with her had released feelings she had been holding protectively in her heart. The timing of his declaration was perfect. She loved him too. Now, confident and assured of his feelings for her, she wanted to love him completely.

  Ready and poised to take control, she pushed him against the shower wall, and his eyes widened in surprise. Her fingers danced over his chest, teasing him down to his cut abs, and she took him in her hand. She knew he always enjoyed the feel of her delicate fingers stroking him. She flicked his nipple with the tip of her tongue, then kissed a trail down his stomach. What she was about to do, she’d never wanted to do before. In a slow, dramatic motion she lowered herself to her knees, holding onto his hips. The rise and fall of his chest told her he was yielding to her touch.

  “Sweetheart, you don’t have to do this.”

  “I know, but I want to.” She stared up at him, feeling all the love in her heart crying out to be released.

  In his next breath, he melted into her hand as she caressed the tip. She pulled him gently to her mouth, and he weakened right before her eyes.

  The feel of his soft skin and firm erection against her lips made her quiver nervously. All she wanted was to please him in the same manner he’d always pleasured her. She inhaled and in a methodical motion, she licked him from the base of his shaft up to the tip, and she could feel the tremors inside his legs. Parker was a pillar of strength and didn’t flinch as she played with him, using her tongue and fingers to discover all his sensitive spots. She wanted to fulfill his every desire, and she was succeeding. So much so, he pressed his body to the stone wall for support. Marie smiled mischievously, watching Parker brace himself. It was obvious he didn’t want to fall on her and ruin the moment. She could see and hear his enjoyment, but what she loved most was the empowerment she felt as he squirmed in her hand…no, in her mouth. It made her lust for him more.

  “Baby…what you’re doing to me,” he said through labored breaths. “Holy shit.” He inhaled, as her mouth took him in, then slowly pulled him out. She wanted to provoke erotic sensations in him that would send his mind spinning. And she could see his heightened state of arousal was overtaking him. “Marie…baby…please. I don’t know if I can hold on,” he begged. The struggle to control himself was real, and she loved it. She knew he didn’t want to explode in her mouth, but she didn’t care if he lost the battle.

  Marie watched him with a racy satisfaction that drove her forward. The risqué act she performed was once lewd to her. It was something she never wanted to do while married to Craig, and she didn’t…ever. It amazed her how she felt completely different with Parker. She loved him deeply and wanted everything with him. Nothing was more important to her than giving to him as he had given to her.

  Cupping his balls, she fondled them gently. The tremors in his legs increased when she took him in further. “Holy fuck, Marie!!!” She looked up and could see he was losing his mind in her mouth.

  Parker was on the fast track to exploding. The desire and love he felt overwhelmed him. His ache for her consumed him as he fought hard to hold himself together, but he had to stop her before he lost all control.

  “Baby, I need you…badly,” he begged, pulling her up. He covered her mouth in a searing kiss of gratitude. Overcome with rapture, his emotions took over and drove his actions. He lifted her up against the wall and lowered her down onto him in one swift move. She was open and yielding like he’d never experienced before. Her slick, wet entry evoked a deep groan from him.

  “Parker…yes!” She gasped as he filled her.

  Transfixed, feeling her warm, supple insides, he was in heaven. He pumped into her rhythmically, watching her lose herself in his eager, desperate kisses. Driven by her salacious
moaning his pace quickened, leading him into a powerful climax as he pressed her against the wall. Seconds after his final, forceful thrust her, legs cinched his waist tighter. Marie clenched around him, boring her nails into his back as her body quaked. He filled her with his hot passion at the same time she covered him in her warmth. His head went numb, feeling her barrier-free. It was intoxicating, raw and natural, exactly how he dreamed it would be. To be inside her, connected to her and one with her meant everything to him.

  “Parker…” Her soft gasps made him smile. “That was amazing. No, it was mind-blowing.” She kissed his neck as he carried her to the bench in the shower.

  “Marie, I love you,” he said, sitting with her legs wrapped around him, still joined as one. He exhaled. “There may be a problem.”

  “What?”

  “Baby, I was so lost in the moment I forgot about a condom. We’ve never made love in the shower before. We’ve always moved to the bed. The condoms are in the bedside table. I’m sorry.”

  She stared at him, processing what he had said. Condoms had been their only form of birth control. “I’m sure it’s okay this one time.” She stroked his cheek and kissed him softly. “If I’m honest, this time was so much better than all the other times because I felt you. I liked it this way.”

  “I did too. I think that’s why I lost my mind. Sliding into you without a condom was…well, there’s nothing better.” As soon as the words left his lips, he grew hard inside her again.

  How Parker knew what Marie needed, when she needed it, was one of the many things she loved about him. She also liked how she was confident with him. Taking charge in the shower and pleasuring him was new to her, but she craved the undiscovered sexual encounters they shared. Intimacy with him was always fresh and exciting. It was because he loved her and that night he loved her deeply. Marie knew nothing in the world mattered more to him than she did.

  It was eight o’clock in the morning when they finally woke. Gone were the days when Marie would wake at six in the morning. Every time she stayed with Parker they slept in. Their late-night lovemaking sessions and morning interludes altered her schedule in a welcomed and satisfying way. Snuggled against him, she had the biggest smile on her face. He loved her. Down deep she knew it, but hearing him say it, and then the passionate night they had shared, validated what she knew in her heart.

  “Parker…” she whispered. His hands pulled her close in response. “I love you too.” She looked up at him with a sweet smile and stared into his ocean-blue eyes that flowed with adoration.

  “Marie, I wish my parents weren’t coming today, and the kids weren’t here so I could keep you locked in this room for the weekend.” He pressed his lips to her temple, his hands feeling their way over her body. She giggled and pulled him onto her. “Say it again,” he said kissing her.

  “I love you…”

  Marie was out by the pool with Jackson when her phone buzzed. It was Brooke. She hadn’t talked to her in quite a while and sensed something was up, so she answered, promising herself to keep the call brief. It was just before noon and Parker’s parents would be arriving at any moment.

  “Hi Brookie, how are you, hon?”

  “Marie, I’m beyond happy. How are you?”

  “I’m…in love...!”

  “In love? As in love love? Does Parker know?”

  Marie giggled, “He does know…as of this morning. But he told me first last night.”

  “Marie, I’m so happy for you. I’m really happy for you…both of you.”

  “Thank you; I feel like I’m going to melt into a puddle of love. His parents should be arriving any time. Was there a specific reason you were calling? Or just ‘cause?”

  “Oh, I definitely have a reason. What are you guys up to on the twenty-second…next weekend?”

  “Gosh, nothing I guess. Parker’s parents will still be here. They’ll be out for two weeks. I can ask him. I don’t think he has anything work-related. Why, are you guys coming down?”

  “Nope, we’d like you guys to meet us in Vegas.” Brooke giggled. “You know, where it all began.”

  “Really? For a show?”

  “Marie, will you be my matron of honor?”

  Marie’s mouth fell open just as Parker walked out of the house with his parents. She put her hand up and pointed to her phone.

  “Marie…I know you’re shocked so let me shock you more—I’m pregnant.”

  Marie’s hand covered her mouth and Parker walked over quickly, leaving his parents on the patio.

  “Brooke, you’re pregnant? Oh honey…I’m so happy for you. How far along are you?” Parker’s eyes widened.

  “I’m eight weeks. Do you think you guys can make it? I know Dave will be calling Parker, but I had to tell you first. Marie, I’m so happy.”

  “October 22nd. I’ll be there for sure and I’ll check with Parker. Listen, Parker’s parents just arrived. Call me later with the details okay. I’m so happy for you. Tell Dave I said congratulations.”

  “Okay, I’ll be in touch.”

  “Wow, she’s pregnant and they’re getting married in Vegas, ‘where it all began’ she says.”

  “That’s fantastic. I’m sure I can make it. There is no way I’m letting you go to Sin City without me.” He winked. “Now, let’s go introduce you to my parents.” Her eyes widened and she took a deep breath.

  To Marie’s delight, Peter and Nancy Nichols were just as sweet and charming as their son. It was like they welcomed her into their lives and hearts the minute they hugged her. Like Parker, they were down to earth and easy to talk to. Nancy had been a stay-at-home mom while Parker and his two older siblings, Chad and Hillary, were young. Peter was a realtor in Tennessee and she learned that Parker used to show horses and had competed in riding competitions before he started acting.

  “Wow, I had no idea he was in riding competitions,” Marie said.

  “I want to learn how to ride a horse!” Jackson blurted excitedly.

  “Well, we have four horses on our property,” Nancy said. “Y’all need to come out for a visit.”

  “That would be awesome!” Jackson exclaimed.

  Marie giggled, surprised by his interest in learning to ride a horse.

  The stories about Parker continued into the evening while they gathered around the fire-pit, roasting marshmallows and making s’mores. If it weren’t for the spectacular setting at the mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it could be mistaken for a good old fashioned campout, telling stories around the campfire. Marie loved how everyone seemed relaxed and happy.

  Parker was his usual attentive self, but he had stepped it up a notch with his open display of affection for her, nor was he holding back anymore around the kids. He kissed Marie freely and teased in a playful way, which sometimes included tickling. He loved to hear her laugh heartily, and the way she molded her body against him. Life was beautiful, and he would show the world he was in love with Marie.

  Later that night after Jackson went to bed and Lexi retired to her room, it was just the four adults in the living room.

  “Marie, you’re more beautiful than Parker described,” Nancy said. “And Lexi and Jackson are the spitting image of you—both gorgeous. We couldn’t be happier for both of you.” Marie blushed as Parker pulled her closer.

  “That’s very sweet of you to say, thank you. Now I know where Parker gets his charm.” She looked up at him, and he kissed her. His parents smiled. Apparently, they approved.

  The more time Marie spent with Parker’s parents, the more she liked them. They were just the kind of people she wanted in her life, and in her kids’ lives. They were honest, caring, funny, and family was very important to them. Familia es todo popped into her head. In the fifteen years she was married to Craig not once did she feel accepted into his family. In less than twelve hours with Parker’s parents, not only was she accepted, but so were her children. The Nichols family were wonderful and revealed another layer of Parker that made loving him so easy.


  Sunday evening when Marie and the kids prepared to leave, Jackson didn’t hide his disappointment. They could always count on him to express his feelings through his hunched-over gait and dragging feet. Marie felt guilty. Jackson had had so much fun with ‘Papa’ (Parker’s dad) playing poker and pool volleyball that he didn’t want to go home.

  And Peter and Nancy returned the sentiment and looked smitten with Jackson. They took him into their hearts as if he was their grandchild. That morning they had doted on him like any adoring grandparent would while Marie and Parker took their time leaving their bedroom. There was no doubt in Marie’s mind she would be happy being part of the Nichols family.

  Out at the car, while everyone said their goodbyes, Parker wrapped her up in his arms. “I don’t want you to go. I think we need to talk about this living arrangement because it’s not working for me.”

  It wasn’t working for her either, but was he talking about moving in together? There was no way she could do that, so rather than tell him right then and there, she deflected. “I’ll miss you. Enjoy your parents this week. Oh, and the awards show. Jackson and I will be watching. Good luck.”

  “You know I want you there with me. Won’t you reconsider going?”

  “I can’t. I’m not ready for being in the public eye as Parker Nichols’ girlfriend. And I have a lot to do as Matron of Honor for next weekend, but I’ll be there in spirit.”

  “You’re more than a girlfriend. You’re the woman I love.” He kissed her with abandon as everyone watched. When Jackson’s ‘ews’ flowed from the car they pulled back and laughed.

  “I better go. I love you.”

  “The sweetest words ever.” He gave her a little peck. “I love you too, baby.”

  Chapter 19

  Social Media Outlets

  Marie arrived at work Wednesday morning just like any other day. Her routine was always the same. She would walk through the large smoked-glass door with her travel mug of coffee in hand and would be greeted by Natalie’s smiling face. Except for this morning, Natalie wasn’t smiling. She looked ill…or worried.