Placing her back on her feet, he kissed the top of her head. “How are you feeling? Are you up for a walk with me and Spanky? There’s a dog run in the park up the street and he likes to go hang out with his best buds and lady friends. He’s got the hots for this standard poodle who won’t give him the time of day. But he keeps trying.” Bending, he covered the big dog’s ears with his hands. “Don’t tell him he’s been fixed. I don’t think he’s figured it out yet.”
A full belly laugh burst from her lips. The man was entertaining in more ways than one. “I won’t say a word. And a walk sounds great.”
“Good. Why don’t you put your sneakers on and I’ll grab his leash, ball, and poop bags—extra strength.”
Shelby watched as he left the room with Spanky on his heels. Biting her lip, she tried to tell herself that this was only temporary. She would either move back to her condo when her chemo was done or…well, she didn’t want to think of the alternative. Either way, she’d be leaving this wonderful man. But for now, she selfishly wanted him. She wanted to enjoy their time together while she still had a chance.
* * *
“Hi, Parker.” The ladies greeted him in unison as he opened the front door. Kristen, Angie, Kayla, and Boomer’s new girlfriend, Kat Maier, followed Mistress China into the foyer.
“Hello, ladies. Head on back to the patio. Shelby’s taking advantage of the comfortable weather.”
It was the Thursday after her third treatment and a week since she’d move in with him. The meeting with her doctor the previous Friday had gone well, and Parker had his list of questions answered to his satisfaction. He now knew all about her type of cancer, the course of treatment, the survival statistics—which, thankfully, were good—as well as what he could do to make everything a little easier for her. She’d been a little fatigued that night, so he’d bundled her up on the couch and let her pick out a movie to watch. Expecting it to be a chick-flick, he’d been pleasantly surprised to find out she was an action movie lover like him, and they ended up having a Die Hard marathon. It’d been nice having her lay her head on a pillow in his lap as he stroked her hair and arm. When she’d finally fallen asleep, he stayed that way for a while, loving the intimacy of the scene. And that was almost as intimate as they’d been over the past few days, aside from a few chaste kisses and hugs. She no longer seemed uneasy about being with him, but he didn’t want to push things when she obviously didn’t feel well.
On Monday, Parker made sure his foremen could handle things and told them to contact him by phone for emergencies only. Everything else could wait until after Shelby’s chemotherapy session. He had to hand it to the staff at the treatment center—they were absolutely phenomenal. The nurses explained everything to them and answered any questions he thought of. They ensured she was comfortable and even made her laugh with silly stories and jokes. While the drugs were being slowly pumped into her system, a trained therapy dog had stopped by for a visit and Shelby had taken a few minutes to talk with the handler, while scratching the Golden Retriever’s ears. If one had to go through chemo, that was the place to do it. Even the décor was soothing.
Taking her doctor’s advice, he’d filled his refrigerator and pantry with healthy foods and nutritional supplements. Ginger ale, tea, and candies were stocked for when her nausea hit. He made sure she walked with him for exercise when she felt up to it and slept when she needed it. Spanky had become her guardian and Parker’s alert system. If he was in his home office or somewhere else in the house and Shelby dashed to the bathroom to get sick, the Bullmastiff barked until Parker came running. Then master and canine would stay with her until her stomach stopped rebelling against the chemo drugs in her system. And like his owner, Spanky would use his body for Shelby lean on when she was feeling weak. The dog was never far from her side.
Today, Parker had planned to work from home, but Kristen called earlier to say they were coming over for a visit since Shelby was having a low nausea day and felt up to having visitors. Once he made sure they all didn’t need anything and knew to call him if her symptoms changed, he’d take a run to the office and then a few job sites to see if everything was running smoothly. He had a great bunch of workers, but he was still the owner. If things went wrong, they were his responsibility, whether he had been on site or not.
“Parker, I love your house. It’s beautiful inside and out,” Angie gushed. “Ian said you renovated it, but I didn’t expect this.”
During the renovations, he’d incorporated elements of nature into the design of the patio. A river rock fireplace was on one side of the sitting area and a matching outdoor kitchen with built-in barbeque was on the opposite end. Instead of having a tin roof or retractable awning, a large portion of the patio was covered in a stained, teak canopy. The in-ground pool had been created to mimic a small pond, complete with a rock waterfall. Trees and foliage helped make it a tropical paradise. This was the one part of the house he’d decorated nicely with comfortable sitting areas and strategically placed lighting for when the sun went down. It was his and Spanky’s favorite part of the house.
“Thanks. But I need help with decorating the inside. Shelby’s been making notes about what I need to buy so it doesn’t scream bachelor pad.” Before they’d gotten there, he’d set out a pitcher of lemonade and a vegetable platter with dip. Now, he pointed to the kitchen area. “There are plenty of other drinks and snacks in there along with glasses, bowls, and stuff. If you need anything else, feel free to raid the indoor kitchen.” Turning to Shelby, he asked, “Do you need anything else before I go?”
Smiling, she shook her head. “Nope. I think we’ve got everything. Thanks.”
“Great.” He hesitated and then thought ‘what the hell’. Striding over to where she was sitting on a lounge chair, he leaned over and captured her lips with his own. Her breath hitched, but she didn’t pull away. When he broke the kiss, her cheeks were stained red and the pulse in her neck was pounding. Satisfaction coursed through him. “Have a nice visit with your friends. If you need me, call my cell and I’ll come right home.”
“Okay.”
The word came out a on a soft whisper and it thrilled him, knowing he was the reason she was breathless. Standing erect again, he nodded at the others. “Have fun, but make sure she doesn’t overdo things.”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes and teased him. “Honestly, Parker. We’re not taking her out for shots and dirty dancing. We’re saving that for tomorrow night.”
The others laughed as Parker rolled his eyes. “Right. Sorry. I’ve gotten a little overprotective the past few days. Have a good time.”
Convinced they would take good care of Shelby, he left them to whatever women did when they got together like this.
* * *
As Parker cut through the house to the front door, Shelby’s five friends stared at her in open curiosity. Her blush deepened. “Um. Does anyone want iced tea instead of lemonade?”
“Oh, no you don’t, Shelby.” Kayla wagged a finger at her, then picked up the pitcher. “I’ll get everyone’s drinks, while you start dishing out about Master Parker and that hubba-hubba kiss he just gave you. And don’t leave out a single naughty detail.”
She bit her lip, then shrugged. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“Bullshit. Don’t make me get my whip, Shelby.” The expression on Charlotte’s face said Mistress China was making an appearance.
Knowing there was no way around it, she let out a deep breath and filled them in. “Okay. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what’s going on. I mean…we haven’t played or anything. We’ve only kissed a few times.”
“But he wants more,” Angie stated with confidence. “And so do you.”
“But I can’t.” How could she explain this without telling them everything? They were her friends and would understand, but they would also tell her she was being crazy. “I can’t be what he wants…what he needs. He needs a sub who can be a wife and I’m not wife material.”
“What?” K
risten crossed her arms and stared at her. “What the hell are you talking about? You would make a great wife…and we aren’t telling you to marry the guy if you don’t want to, just have some fun for a while…see where it goes.”
Kayla handed her a glass. “Exactly. You know the lifestyle better than anyone. Negotiate a contract with the man. Put an end date on it, so no one has false expectations.”
As the others added their input, Shelby eyed the silent Kat. Everyone was so glad Boomer and she had worked things out because they’d been in love with each other since they were teens, but a cruel fate had forced them to be separated for many years. Shelby still didn’t know her that well, but what she did know, she liked.
Kat raised an eyebrow and smiled when she noticed Shelby staring at her. “What? You look like you want to ask me something.”
“If I’m out of line, tell me. But if you hadn’t needed Boomer’s help, would you have come back to him? What I mean is…you two seem so perfect for one another. But would you’ve stayed away because there was a risk of causing him pain and possibly having him turn you away?”
The others all quieted and regarded Kat, who tilted her head in thought. “I’m not sure what my situation has to do with yours, but I don’t mind telling you about it. After I started coming out of the shock of everything that’d happened back then, I went to bed dreaming every night of someday being reunited with Benny. I never stopped loving him. Circumstances may have forced my hand in coming to him sooner than I was ready to, but I know I would’ve figured out a way to try to be together with him again.” She gave a small smile. “I would’ve preferred he didn’t faint on me, but yeah…I would have come back either way. He told me that for years he debated over that saying ‘is it better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all?’ We both agree now it’s better to have loved…because a life without love isn’t a life at all.”
Silence filled the air, until Kayla let out a loud sniffle. “That’s so fucking beautiful, I think I’m going to cry.”
Everyone looked at her and burst out laughing when they realized she was teasing. Kristen tossed a throw pillow at her. “Oh, shut up. You know darn well that was incredibly romantic.”
Shelby’s shoulders relaxed as everyone started talking and joking with each other. Parker had been right—she needed her friends to get her through this. Kat was also right–a life without love, really wasn’t a life at all. And Shelby wanted to choose life…and love.
Chapter 8
“Are you sure about this?”
While Spanky lay at her feet, Parker stood behind her in the master bathroom where she sat in the chair he’d brought in. Her gaze met his in the mirror and she nodded. “Yes, I’m sure. Every time I shower or run my fingers through it, more hair falls out. I’d rather look like I’m trying a new fashion statement than the sick chick losing her hair to chemo.”
A scowl came across his face as he squeezed her shoulder. “You’re not a ‘sick chick’. You’re a brave woman fighting an ugly disease and remaining beautiful as you kick its ass.”
She blushed as she always did when he said things like that. Damn, this man was good for her ego as well as her spirits. She’d done the bald thing years ago which is how her colored wig collection had gotten started, but she was beautiful in Parker’s eyes no matter how she appeared. “Thanks. Okay. Let’s get this over with. Shave away.”
It didn’t take long for him to run the electric shaver over her head and unlike the first time she’d done this, she didn’t cry. Standing and turning her head from side to side, she eyed her reflection. “At least I still have my eyebrows, so far. Last time I had to use an eyebrow pencil to fill them in.” She turned to him, and was surprised when he handed her the shaver and sat in the chair. “What are you doing?”
“It’s my turn. With my receding hairline, I’ve been thinking about how I’d look bald. Think I can be the next Bruce Willis?”
Now her eyes filled as she stepped behind him and stared at him in the mirror. Her voice cracked. “You don’t have to do this.”
“It’s not a matter of ‘have to’, baby. It’s a ‘want to’ thing. Shave away.”
She smiled as he repeated her earlier words. What had she ever done in her life to deserve a man like this? Ever since the girls’ visit yesterday, she’d been thinking a lot about the two of them as a couple. Maybe she was selling herself short or underestimating him. Maybe it wouldn’t matter to him that she couldn’t have kids.
Flipping the switch on the shaver, she brought it up and carefully started at his forehead. Gliding it along his scalp, she made sure she didn’t miss a spot. When she finished, Parker ran his hands over it. “Not bad at all. I think I like it better than the crewcut.”
“It’s sexy on you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Sexy?”
Her blush returned as she unplugged the razor and placed it in the drawer where Parker kept it. Apparently letting her off the hook, he stood and grabbed the broom and dustpan he’d brought in. She moved the chair out of his way and Spanky followed her out to the kitchen as she returned the seat where it belonged. Biting her lip, she noticed the contract they’d signed the day she’d moved in laying on the kitchen table. The contract that said ‘no sex’. Taking a leap of courage, she picked it up along with a pen and marched back to the master bathroom. He was flushing their mixed pile of hair down the toilet.
“I want to renegotiate, Sir.”
Parker froze. His gaze moved from her face to the paper she held and back again. When he paled a little, she realized he thought something was wrong and she hurried to reassure him. “I’d like to renegotiate item number five.”
She handed him the paper and watched as he read the clause she was talking about. His eyes whipped up to hers again. “And what would you like to change number five to?”
“I’d like to eliminate it from the contract altogether, Sir.”
* * *
Parker was dumbfounded. Surely he hadn’t heard her correctly. Number five was the clause about no sex. But the expression on her face said he hadn’t misunderstood her. The desire he saw in her eyes made his heart soar and his cock swell. Swallowing hard, he dropped his voice into its commanding Dom tone. “Are you sure about this, baby? I know your doctor said there were no activities you couldn’t do as long as you took it easy.”
Certain things on her limit list would be out because she bruised easily now. The anemia that usually came with chemotherapy caused that. But there were a bunch of things on her list they could do which would bring both of them pleasure. He knew, because he’d seen her limit list at the club and practically memorized it.
Stepping forward, she took the paper back and crossed off number five. “I’m sure about it, Master Parker.”
God, the woman humbled him and drove him insane at the same time. Glancing down, he noticed Spanky at Shelby’s heels. “Outside, Spanky. We don’t want an audience.”
As the dog reluctantly left, Parker pulled Shelby into his arms. Even bald, she was the most beautiful woman in the world to him. And her body molded to his like they’d been made for each other. “You’ll tell me if things get too much for you. And you will obey me. Any questions?”
Her breathing hitched as she reached up with one hand and caressed his cheek. “Just one, Sir. When are you going to kiss me again?”
Have mercy.
Crushing his mouth to hers, he held her tighter against him. And he never wanted to let her go again. Someway, somehow, she would be his and his alone. His tongue probed her sweet lips and he rejoiced when she allowed him entry to her mouth. Trying to be gentle was so difficult when what he truly wanted was to fuck her into oblivion. Sliding his hands down her body, he cupped her ass and lifted her off the floor. Her legs wrapped around his hips and his cock nestled against her mound as he walked them into the bedroom, where he set her on her feet again. He couldn’t stop kissing her…didn’t want to…but there were things he wanted even more. Pulling away, he smile
d at her mumbled protest.
“Undress for me, baby. I want to watch you strip for me.”
“Yes, Sir.”
God, he loved hearing that from her lips. Maybe soon she would be calling him Master. Not just Master Parker, but her Master. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he leaned back on his elbows, watching her. And Shelby didn’t disappoint him. While she was dressed in a Hello Kitty lounge pants and shirt, she was still incredibly sexy. Swaying her hips to a tune only she heard, she gazed at him seductively and slowly lifted her shirt, teasing him inch by inch. When the hem reached just below her breasts, she spun around and gave him her back, while smirking at him over her shoulder. Little brat.
Parker didn’t bother to hide his need to adjust himself. He was hard and throbbing, and she knew it. Lifting the T-shirt over her head, she tossed it aside before turning around again with her hands covering her breasts. He licked his lips. “Let me see them, baby. Play with those pretty pink nipples that I can’t wait to suck into my mouth.”
Shelby moaned, but did as she was told. It was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. Her thumbs and forefingers closed around the stiff peaks and tugged on them. Her hips were still undulating and he crocked a finger at her to come closer. “Don’t stop playing.”
He sat forward and pulled on the tie at her waist. The loose pants fell to her feet, leaving her naked since she hadn’t been wearing underwear, and he stared at the feminine paradise in front of him. She was waxed bare like she normally was at the club and he was dying to find out if she tasted as good as he dreamed she’d be.
His gaze lifted to hers and she held her breath as he brought a hand up between her legs. “Open for me, baby.”
She spread her legs wider and waited. Teasing her, he ran a finger up her thigh, over her mound, and back down the other leg. Repeating the process again and again, he restrained himself from moving too fast. “Tell me. Are you wet for me, Shelby?”
Not Negotiable: A Trident Security Series Novella - Book 3.5 Page 6