The Last Man She Expected

by Michelle Major

  Over Easy had done that for him. Now he wanted it for Mara.

  He ordered an iced tea and Mara did the same. The young waitress explained the special burger of the week then went to get their drink orders.

  “Did you see how she was looking at us?” Mara asked, eyes narrowed, when they were alone.

  “You did request extra lemon,” he said, keeping his features serious. “That’s kind of high-maintenance.”

  “She knows.” Mara darted a glance over her shoulder as if they were being watched.

  “Knows what?”

  “That I’m considering whether to throw you onto the table and have my wicked way with you.”

  Parker felt his mouth drop open then snapped it shut when Mara burst into a fit of giggles.

  “I can’t believe I thought you were really nervous,” he said, shaking his head. “I felt bad for you. Turns out you might be the world’s best actress.”

  She gave him a proud smile. “I was nervous, but you made me feel better. Thank you.”

  “Tell me more about your wicked ways.”

  “I intend to after lunch.”

  Parker immediately called the waitress over to take their orders, earning another round of laughter from Mara.

  He couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt so happy. He was used to expensive meals and swanky restaurants but sharing a burger and fries with Mara beat out anything else. They talked about the renovations and her plans for the design, the vendors who’d already committed to leasing retail space and Mara’s idea for a local artisan co-op.

  He asked about Evie, surprised at how much he already cared for the young girl. It still shocked him how easily Paul Reed had been able to allow his family to walk away. The fact that Parker had played such an active role in allowing the man to avoid paying child support irritated like a burr under his skin.

  “I’m rethinking how I manage my clients,” he blurted after taking his last bite of burger.

  “Okay,” Mara said, clearly confused by his outburst.

  “Not that it matters,” he clarified. “But I wanted you to know. I put together some guidelines for the new associate I hired and for my assistant as far as how we’re going to handle our clients and their spouses. We have resources and training available to help stabilize people and get them back to functioning normally without boatloads of emotional trauma. That’s how I want to operate my practice. I wouldn’t call it a mission statement...more of a—”

  “A manifesto perhaps?” she asked tightly. “Are you having a Jerry Maguire moment, Parker?”

  He almost welcomed her sarcasm. Mara wasn’t going to let him off easy and he respected her because of it. “What happened to you during the divorce negotiations was wrong, and I’m embarrassed about my part in it.”

  “You were doing your job.” The fact that she repeated his words didn’t lessen the sting.

  “No.” He shook his head, pushing his plate to the edge of the table. “As Josh reminded me, the reason I became a divorce attorney is to help people find solutions. I wanted my clients to have the options that weren’t available to my mom. But somehow things changed so now it’s all about winning. You reminded me there’s more than one side to every dispute.”

  She studied him as the waitress came to clear their plates. Parker handed the woman his credit card, unsure of why he’d revealed so much to Mara unprompted.

  “Are you saying I did the people of Seattle with marriage problems a huge service?”

  “Just by being you,” he confirmed. “In between loads of laundry, I went through my current case files. I’m actually driving into the city later this week to meet with the new guy. We’re going to brainstorm some ideas for alternative dispute resolution.”

  As they walked out, Parker stopped to speak with the restaurant’s longtime owner. Mara stood at his side but seemed uncomfortable when he tried to include her in the conversation.

  “Why are you so guarded?” he asked as they headed back toward his SUV.

  “Do I need to reference our previous conversation about what the divorce did to my self-esteem?”

  He shook his head. “I get that part, but you’ve lived in Starlight a year now. You’ve made it your home.”

  “Yeah. What’s your point?”

  “I watched you at the soccer game. You didn’t stand with the other parents.”

  “I was there to support my kid,” she said with a sniff. “Not to make friends.”

  “My point exactly. You’re smart, interesting and wicked funny. Why don’t you want friends?”

  They stopped on the sidewalk next to the Audi. Mara bunched the soft fabric of her sweater between her fingers and gathered it close, which Parker guessed had more to do with her nerves than the cool air. “Remind me to ask for your help if I ever put together an online dating profile.”

  He didn’t react because he knew she was joking, but the thought of Mara dating did uncomfortable things to his insides.

  She blew out a breath. “I have friends. Your brother, for one. Kaitlin, who happens to be dating your buddy Finn. Brynn is a friend of mine, too. We’re getting pretty close.”

  “You’ve been working at your aunt’s coffee shop. You must meet half the town coming through there.”

  “She pays me to make coffee, not to chitchat.”

  “Mara.”

  “It’s not easy for me,” she said after a moment, looking out toward the street like she couldn’t stand to make eye contact with him. “You’re on sabbatical from your life in Seattle. I left mine behind, and at the time I thought it was a perfect fit for me.” She gave a harsh laugh. “I was important. People respected me, or at least that’s how it felt. I had a great wardrobe, got expensive haircuts and my nails done.” She held out her hands for his inspection. “Look at what a mess they are now.”

  “You have beautiful hands.” Her fingers were slender and while her nails weren’t painted, they were delicately almond shaped.

  “I’m not fishing for a compliment, Parker. It might seem shallow, but it’s what I knew. I thought it made me who I was. I could be proud of my accomplishments. But it was an illusion Paul shattered when he left. I’m here in Starlight to make a better life for Evie because I failed at the one I had. If I don’t make many friends, it’s because I’m not going to open myself up for people to judge me. I don’t like to let people in because if I do, it gives them the power to hurt me.”

  “You don’t know that’s going to happen.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “This town isn’t like that.”

  She pointed a finger at him. “How would you know? You left this place in your rearview mirror years ago.”

  “Don’t be like me.” Her gaze slammed into his, but he forced himself to continue. “I’ve closed myself off from personal relationships because it’s easier. But you’re different, Mara. You have a lot to give.”

  “And you don’t?”

  “You didn’t argue when I told you my heart was quite possibly two sizes too small.”

  “I was still angry.”

  “You were right.”

  She stepped toward him and lifted her hand, then cupped his cheek. He leaned into her softness, the faint scent of lavender enveloping him. Her skin was warm, and he let the heat of her melt the chill that seeped through his bones. “You’re a better man than you believe yourself to be.”

  He covered her hand with his. “I wish that were true.”

  “We’re quite a pair,” she said with a quiet laugh. “Both of us doing the lone-wolf thing because we don’t want to be hurt.” She trailed her thumb across his bottom lip. “What do you think about an extended lunch hour today?”

  His breath hitched in his chest. “Do you mean...”

  “Come home with me.”

  “Yes,” he agreed and the smile she gave him was
worth any risk to his heart.

  * * *

  Butterflies danced across Mara’s belly as she led Parker through the iron gate at the back of the house ten minutes later.

  They hadn’t spoken much on the ride over, and she’d worked to keep her nerves at bay. What kind of conversation was appropriate for a moment like this?

  I hope you’re as amazing in bed as I imagine.

  I hope I don’t disappoint you.

  I hope this doesn’t end with my heart broken.

  Nope. Better to keep it simple.

  She fumbled with the keys, embarrassed at the slight tremble of her fingers.

  “Hey.” Parker gently turned her so she faced him.

  “Ignore me,” she said, rolling her eyes.

  “Never,” he answered. “We don’t have to go any further. If you want to turn around and—”

  “I want this,” she interrupted. “I mean, if you do.”

  “More than you can know.” He leaned in to kiss her, his solid body pressed closer to hers, turning her knees to melted butter.

  She sighed and he made a sound of pleasure as if he couldn’t imagine anything better than breathing in her breath.

  It’s worth it, she thought. No matter what happened after today, she wouldn’t let herself regret this moment.

  As soon as they were in the house, Parker claimed her mouth again. His kisses ignited a fire in her that burned away all her doubts. And when he lifted her into his arms, she reveled in the hard strength of him. The house was quiet, which added to her desire. How long had it been since she’d done something for herself with no thought toward the consequences of her actions? Her body hummed with a desperate need. This wanting was like a secret gift, one to unwrap and treasure. Mara planned to make the most of it.

  “Bedroom?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

  “Upstairs,” she answered, twining her arms around his neck. “Second door on the left.”

  Mara pressed kisses to his strong jawline as he maneuvered them up the staircase. Moments later they entered the guest bedroom that was hers since she’d moved in with her aunt.

  The room had simple furnishings—a pine dresser and shaker-style headboard on a queen-size bed with a colorful quilt Mara knew had been made by her grandmother.

  Parker lowered her to the floor but didn’t let go. It was as if he couldn’t bear to release her, and his big hands made her feel cherished and safe in a way she wouldn’t have expected to matter.

  They tore at each other’s clothes, stripping off layers in between deep kisses. As much as she wanted to savor this time with him, she couldn’t force herself to slow down.

  “So beautiful.” He gazed down at her when she stood in front of him wearing only her bra and panties. She said a silent prayer of thanks that she’d retained a fondness for the expensive lingerie she used to favor, knowing the pale pink bra and matching panties enhanced her body.

  But as Parker’s gaze met hers, she had the distinct impression he wasn’t talking about the flimsy bits of lace she wore. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but he seemed more attracted to who she was on the inside than anything else.

  “You’re not too bad yourself,” she said with a throaty laugh as she made a show of letting her gaze trail over Parker’s lean frame. She had to play off the emotions cascading through her, for both of their sakes. They’d agreed on a fling, the scratching of a mutual itch. No sense making it into something more than it was meant to be.

  It was also no chore to admire his body. Muscles stretched across his chest, not the crazy kind that flexed like he’d spent too much time in the gym. Parker’s body spoke of muscles earned by hard work, which couldn’t be right given his penchant for expensive suits and time behind a desk. But her body responded nonetheless, and she felt her own limbs grow heavy with need. Then he stepped closer, cupping her breasts in his big hands. She gasped as his thumbs grazed over her lace-covered nipples.

  The sound from the back of her throat should have embarrassed her, but she was way beyond caring what anyone thought. This moment was hers to own, and she’d earned the pleasure.

  She took a step toward the bed, leaning down to pull the sheets and quilt back.

  He followed her down, his body covering hers in a way that made her want to stay like this forever.

  Glancing at the nightstand, she suddenly froze.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked immediately, propping himself up on his elbows.

  “This is the part where I’m supposed to pull a condom from the drawer,” she said. “Only I don’t have any.” She shook her head. “I haven’t done this...any of this...since the divorce. Now I live with my aunt.” All those lusty thoughts from moments earlier disappeared in an instant. “I’m like some kind of Victorian cliché, only it’s worse than spinsterhood. I’m a maiden divorcée.”

  His gaze softened as he flashed an amused half smile. “You have a daughter, Mara. I think that eliminates you from the category of maiden.”

  “I’m a born-again virgin.”

  “First, I don’t think that’s a thing.” He smoothed the hair away from her face, his touch gentle and reassuring. “Second, this isn’t a problem.”

  After dropping a quick kiss on her mouth, he reached for his jeans, pulled his wallet from the back pocket and took out a condom packet.

  “Okay.” She drew in a deep breath. “You’ve got it covered.”

  “For now,” he said with a wink. “If this goes the way I think it’s going to, I’m going to need to restock in the near future.”

  “What if it doesn’t?” she couldn’t help but ask as he lowered himself to the bed again.

  “It will,” he promised and kissed her. “Stop overthinking.”

  She laughed softly. “Good luck with that.”

  “I guess I’ll have to do a better job of distracting you.” Resting his weight on his elbows, he tugged her bra straps off her shoulders and down her arms. The cool air had no sooner touched the tips of her breasts when he drew one nipple into his mouth. His tongue worked its magic, circling the sensitive peak as he drew his other hand along her body to the waistband of her panties.

  Instinctively she opened for him as he dipped one finger into her center. She could have shouted an alleluia when he stripped the lace from her hips then returned his hand to its ministrations. Her back arched as he found a particularly sensitive spot, and this time he caught her cry in his mouth. The tension she’d held for so long unwound even as pressure built inside her. She moaned then cried out his name but his fingers continued to work in a sensual dance until finally she couldn’t hold on any longer. Her body shattered into a million shards of golden light, the pleasure swallowing her whole.

  Parker raised his head, grinning at her like the cat that just ate the canary. “What are you thinking now?” he said, kissing the base of her throat.

  “No thoughts,” she answered, her breath still ragged. “My brain disintegrated.”

  He chuckled. “Then I guess my work here is done?”

  “Oh, no.” She grabbed the condom packet from the nightstand and handed it to him. “You’ve only just begun.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that,” he told her before ripping open the packet with his teeth.

  Mara watched as he sheathed himself then settled between her legs. She reached up and wrapped a hand around his neck, pulling him closer for a long, slow kiss.

  At the same time, he entered her and she groaned into his mouth at how perfectly he seemed to fit with her.

  They set a rhythm that suited them both, and Mara once again gave in to the pulsing need. Slowly, the pressure built again, only this time it was as much concentrated in her heart as her body. While she’d never been a fan of casual sex, the act also hadn’t seemed to hold the sentimental meaning she’d read about in books and seen in movies. Apparently, it took the right man to elev
ate it to that level.

  For better or worse, Parker was that man for her.

  As he moved inside her, he whispered sweet words against her ear and while she tried to remember this was only physical, her heart refused to believe. Tears sprang to her eyes and she blinked them away as the release surged through her, washing away anything but the humming electricity of her desire. A moment later, Parker called out her name and she felt his body shudder as she held him.

  And her entire world shifted. She might go back to acting like nothing had changed, but deep inside Mara knew she’d never be the same.

  Chapter Eleven

  “We need to have a serious conversation.”

  Parker tried not to react to Finn’s words as he took a seat at the high-top table in an almost quiet corner of the Trophy Room. The bar was crowded and several people had greeted him by name as he entered. He liked the easy familiarity more than he’d expected. In Seattle he found it simple to remain fairly anonymous, even at the restaurants and bars he frequented. He was just another man in a nice suit who tipped better than average. In Starlight, he had a history that he couldn’t escape, but the past didn’t hurt the way it once had.

  Nick and Finn had ordered him a beer, and he took a long drink, trying to look unconcerned by their stern expressions. It had been a week since he and Mara had first been together. Was it possible their secret relationship was already public knowledge?

  They’d been careful to keep things on the down low in public. Josh knew, but even at the job site Parker made sure to show no outward affection toward her. His brother had given him an arch look when they’d returned from that first lunch, but when Mara started to explain their long absence, Josh had simply held up a hand.

  We’re working off a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy as far as I’m concerned, he’d said.