by Jo Raven
I want to be comforted, but I'm not. Being so close to him just drives me insane. My heart craves the sweetness of his words, but my mind knows it's just another diversion tactic.
I allow the hug to play out, allow him to hold and console me. All the while, tears threaten to spill down my cheeks. Will he ever hold me so closely after today? I'm beginning to doubt it.
“Asher told me you're still in love with Veronica.” The words weakly fall from my lips, and Parker’s body tenses around me before he pulls away. His eyes are marred with lingering emotion for the name I just spoke. He still loves her. It's plain to see.
“Veronica and I are just friends,” he tells me firmly.
“And what are you and I?” It's the question I've been dying to know the answer to. What he says will dictate what happens next, whether I stay or go.
“You are mine.” He bears down into me with his gaze.
“I'm not a possession, Parker.” I shake my head at him. “And that's all I feel like I am to you most of the time. If you're still in love with Veronica, then leave me alone. And if you can't give me what I want, then you need to back off, or I need to leave. I'm at the end of my rope with the way things are between us. The sex is good. The money is excellent. Well, the sex is excellent too. But I can't handle what you're doing to me anymore. I don't come here every day so you can use me as a go-between until Veronica sees the light. I come here to work, and sleeping with you has always been a bonus.”
I hesitate briefly. It feels horrible making myself so vulnerable, spilling out everything I've been thinking and feeling for so long. I can't take back the things I've said, and once they're all out, the cards are on the table. Will he bet on us or fold? I swallow hard before I continue, staring him straight in the eyes so he can feel the weight of what I have to say next. “Somewhere along the line, I fell in love with you. I never meant for it to happen, but it did. I can't keep going on like this.”
His features soften and the corner of his lip quirks up slightly. “You're in love with me?”
I want to slap him for finding it so amusing. “Yes. Is that so hard to believe?”
“Come here.” He holds his arms out to me. When I don't immediately step into them, he pulls me back to him. I stand against him stiffly, confused about what's going on. “That's the best thing I've heard all day,” he purrs into my hair.
“It's the worst thing I've said all day,” I grumble. It drives me insane that I can't figure him out. He's a complete enigma to me.
“The only reason I haven't taken you out on any dates is because you work for me, and that would look scandalous.”
No matter how well my protective barrier is built, his words still sting. It's the perfect excuse for him to keep me on the sidelines. Another diversion tactic meant to trick me into sticking around. I know now that I have to quit. Those two words are dangling precariously on the tip of my tongue. I open my mouth to say them, but then he speaks again.
“You've already made me break one of my rules. And I know that if things don't change, you'll leave. So I guess I'll just have to break another one of my rules for you.” The way he says it is so carefree and nonchalant, like it doesn't bother him at all.
For a moment, I wonder if I heard him right. “Does that mean we're going to start dating now?” I lean back to look at him.
He reaches up to brush a strand of hair away from my face. “If that's what you want.”
“It is what I want.” I press my head against his chest, and my entire body relaxes in a rush of happy emotion. It's all I've ever wanted, since the beginning.
“Then I guess that means we're dating now.” He kisses me on top of the head.This is definitely not how I thought this afternoon would end. I was sure I'd be driving home with mascara running down my face, panicking about having to find another job, mourning yet another broken heart. If I had known that disclosing my feelings to him would have led to these results, I would have done it weeks ago. It doesn't matter anymore though. All that matters is that I'm officially dating Parker Bernier.
***
“Holy crap, Kira. So you're officially a couple now?” Yolanda stares at me in disbelief. It's quite obvious she never thought it was going to happen. And to be honest, neither did I.
“Mm-hmm. He said he's going to start taking me out on dates soon. In fact, he's coming over tonight.” I nod, unable to keep the ear-to-ear grin off my face. Ever since Parker told me that he'd break his no-dating-employees rule for me, I've been in a dreamlike state of euphoria. Life has been all rainbows and butterflies and unicorns, and unicorns riding rainbows made by butterflies.
“I really never saw things working out like this, to be honest.” She avoids my gaze as she says it before slapping the back of my hand. “I'm so jealous. You're dating Parker Bernier. The Parker Bernier. That's absolutely insane,” she squeals.
“I know!” We both spend a moment bouncing in our seats in excitement. It feels like we're schoolgirls talking about a hunky crush. I'm loving every minute of it.
“And what about Asher? What happened to him?” She calms.
“What about Asher?” I huff. “I should write the man a thank-you letter. If he hadn't pushed me to the point of an emotional breakdown, this never would have happened.”
“I feel kind of bad for him.” She shrugs before leaning forward to sip on the straw sticking out of her water. “He tried really hard to get you back, and all he ended up doing was pushing you into Parker's arms.”
“At least I ended up in the arms of the right man.” I think of how Parker held me that day that we decided to be a couple. There was no sex. No more massages. We just sat against the wall and cuddled and held hands and he whispered sweet nothings to me. Every ounce of tension I had melted away in his loving presence. It was perfect.
“Let us hope.” There's skepticism laced into her voice.
“I did,” I insist, wishing she wouldn't be so suspicious.
“All I'm saying is that it's good to keep your guard up. You remember how it was with Asher at first. Guys like that always look perfect on the outside, but they usually have secrets, and sometimes those secrets can be enough to destroy you.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“If there was an award for nicest tits, you'd win it.” Parker's mouth heatedly moves to suck up one of my nipples, causing it to harden against his wet tongue.
We're in my bed, and I'm already naked, watching him lean over me and pleasure my chest. His large hands are cupping my breasts, his mouth and tongue working skillfully to draw out my arousal. Just watching his shirtless torso, letting my eyes rake over his perfect muscular body, is enough to get me going. He's so gorgeous, and he's all mine. His body. His cock. His heart. Mine.
He kisses a trail down my body, and I spread my legs for him. I can't wait to feel him inside of me, to feel his massive dick forcing its entry. The anticipation causes my clit to pulse with need.
“You're already so wet for me.” He drags his thumb across my folds before pushing them apart to see my wanton desire. He's not lying. I've felt my body reacting to him ever since we first started kissing. “I love your pussy.” He teasingly kisses my inner thigh and then my mound.
“It's all yours. Take it,” I tell him as he presses my lips together before tracing his finger down the middle. The way he moves so slowly is like he's worshipping my body. Every tiny careful touch makes me want him that much more. “Are you going to tease me to death tonight?” I bite my bottom lip.
“I just want to touch you tonight. To enjoy every part of you as your body was meant to be enjoyed.” His face disappears between my thighs, and I moan shamelessly as he sucks on my heated core. The first sign of orgasm surges to the surface, only to recede when his lips leave me, and his index finger moves to probe inside of me. “Not yet. I don't want you to come for me yet.”
“How did you know?” A blush races across my cheeks as I rub his forearm.
“Because I know your body well, and your pleasure bel
ongs to me.” His tongue dives back between my folds as he withdraws his finger. If he doesn't want me to come, then he needs to be careful. I'm so close. The feel of his deft mouth pushes me right to the edge before he withdraws again, pressing his index finger back inside of me to let my body settle before he goes in for the kill.
“I'm going to remember this,” I warn, wondering if I know him well enough to do the same slow teasing.
“Remember that I'm the only one who makes you come like this.” He moves back up to my breasts, drawing my nipple between his teeth and forcing razor-sharp pain across my chest while his palm presses into my mound. He pushes another finger into me next to the first, rubbing hard circles over my clit while his tongue flicks over my sore pink nipple. Within seconds, I'm gasping for breath as an earth-shattering orgasm wrecks me from the over-stimulation.
“Fuck, Parker.” The words are a breathless mess. He's so good. Everything is so good.
As soon as my climax subsides, I find myself grabbing for his belt. I need to get him undressed. Need to see the monster that's causing his pants to bulge so fully. He kneels on the bed and allows me to take his pants and boxer briefs off. I impale myself on his cock almost the second it's set free, stroking and sucking on him as if it's the last thing I'll ever do.
“Oh, fuck. You're so good at this.” He pulls my hair away from my face, holding it loosely behind my head as I use my hand to guide his thickness into my mouth again and again. “Kira, fuck. Please. I can't. I need to be inside of you.”
A broad grin spreads my lips as I let his cock fall from my mouth with a crude pop. It looks like I'm not the only one who was feeling pent up. Part of me wants to be mischievous and suck him off til he's forced to come, but a needier part of me can't wait for him to reload. Maybe next time I'll be cruel and show him who owns his dick.
“Get your pretty ass on that bed.” He picks me up and throws me onto my back. It's so unexpected that I let out a short cry before giggling madly. He's so desperately horny, it's both adorable and sexy at the same time.
He grabs me beneath the knees and forces my legs up to my chest before he dives between them again, licking me from taint to clit. For a moment, I think he's going to eat me until I come all over his face, but then he straightens himself, grabbing his cock and sliding it across my slick wetness.
“I'm going to fuck the shit out of you,” he growls, never taking his eyes off of my exposed sex.
“Don't just say it. Do it,” I challenge him, straining to watch him enter me. It's so fucking sexy to see his swollen glans push inside.
“You want it bad, don't you?” He smirks, sliding himself back and forth across my heat without penetrating me.
“If you don't give it, I might kick you out.” Our eyes lock, and we both laugh. He knows good and well there's no way he's leaving my apartment tonight without fucking me.
“I guess I better give it then.” He returns his focus to my pussy, grabbing his thick base and angling himself into me. He pushes himself in slowly, allowing me to savor the full sensation of him spreading my body.
I whimper as he reaches the limits of my depth, the biting pain a reminder of how big he actually is. It's a good pain though, and one I've grown to love. It means that we're connected fully, intimately, and romantically. “Oh yes. That's what I need.” I rest my hands above my head, closing my eyes and falling into the euphoric bliss I only feel when he's inside of me.
“You've been craving this all day, haven't you?” He picks up the pace, leaning over me to cradle the back of my neck and crush his lips against mine.
“All day,” I moan into his mouth as he claims it and my body. In that moment, every part of me belongs to him.
He straightens himself and latches onto my hips, pounding into me with an intense ferocity. My tits bounce, and I reach up to grope them. One flick of my thumbs over my nipples is enough to have me coming all over his gorgeous cock. The friction is just too much for my body to handle.
“Come for me, beautiful girl,” he grunts as my body contracts around him.
“It's so good.” I squeeze his dick while my body gives in, hoping I can milk out his seed. Everything always feels so much more intense when we come together. “Fuck me harder, Parker. Come in my pussy.”
My words spur him on, and he gives me what I desire. My fingers tangle into the sheets as he bucks into me so hard that I worry I might break. His breath is ragged, his skin glistening with a thin sheen of sweat. He pumps into me until his body gives way. A guttural grunt escapes his lips, and he tenses as he pulls out and releases his pleasure all over my stomach.
My finger swirls into the mess his dick expelled on me. The stickiness clings to me as I draw it up to my lips and lick it off. Parker visibly shivers as the last of his orgasm drips from him, and I smirk in satisfaction.
“You're so fucking hot, I can hardly stand it.” He pulls himself off of the bed to retrieve a towel from the bathroom. Moments later, he's by my side again, tenderly wiping me clean.
I reach up and slide my fingers into his moist hair, just wanting to feel him. “I love you, Parker Bernier. I think I loved you the moment I laid eyes on you.” At the very least, I lusted for him heavily.
“That makes me happy.” His eyes are hooded in sleepy contentment as he crawls onto the bed next to me and cradles me against his chest. I love lying with him like this afterward. He's such a good cuddler. “I know this is short notice, but I'm taking you out on a date tomorrow.”
My heart leaps in joy from the news. “A real date?” I trace my fingertip around one of his nipples.
“Mm-hmm. We're going to see the Blue Man Group.”
“Oh, wow. Seriously?” My mouth drops open in surprise. When he told me he was taking me out on a date, I thought he meant we would go out to the movies or somewhere to eat. I never expected something so extravagant.
“I hope that's okay.” He makes an uncertain face. “I wasn't sure if you're interested in stuff like that, but I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I love it.” I wrap my arms around him, squeezing him tightly as I nuzzle my head against him. “I can't wait.”
“Good. It's a date then.” He nods, pleased with himself.
“So, are you staying the night?” I ask hesitantly, hoping it won't work against me if he does need to leave.
“That was the game plan, though I have to go play golf with those bozos tomorrow morning. I'll come pick you up at seven.” He places a gentle kiss on top of my head.
“I'll be looking forward to seven then.”
***
Everything is going perfectly. Too perfectly. The last time I felt this secure in a relationship, my entire world got turned upside down by a deception I didn't even see coming. I can't allow it to happen this time. Not again.
Asher's words have sunk into my brain, infecting my trust in Parker. While I want to believe what Parker said about him and Veronica just being friends, the fact that his best friend said otherwise has planted a seed of doubt that's growing into a vine that will choke my happiness if I don't find out the truth. And there's only one way to find out the truth.
After Parker kisses me goodbye and leaves for his golf game, I slink out of bed and slide in front of my computer. The easiest way to find this Veronica person will be to go through his Facebook friends. I log in and look him up, then groan when I realize he has over three thousand friends. There's got to be at least thirty different Veronicas on his friends list. By some miracle though, there's only one. Veronica Vigge.
I take a deep breath and bring up the private messaging screen. This is a complete breach of Parker's privacy. Of her privacy as well. But I need to know the truth.Hi there. I'm a friend of Parker's. I was wondering if you were the one he was telling me about. He spoke of a Veronica he used to date who had an abusive boyfriend. I apologize if this is a bit personal, but I was wondering if I could ask you some questions about him.
I close my eyes and hit send. It's highly likely that she won't e
ven respond. And if my luck is really bad, she'll tell Parker that I tried to contact her. What will he think of that? He probably won't be happy.
Her status is hidden, so I can't see if she's single or not. I take a few minutes to scroll through her pictures, specifically looking for pictures of her and Parker together. She doesn't have images of anyone other than herself though. All of her pictures are selfies. And dear God, is she gorgeous. No wonder Parker fell for her. Perfect black hair. Stunning blue eyes. The girl could easily be a supermodel. Maybe she is, and I have the wrong person. There are certainly a lot of attractive girls on his friends list.
The longer I look at her, the more my self-confidence takes a nose dive. Staring at her with an aching heart isn't going to solve anything, so I decide that it's time to occupy myself with other things, like cleaning my apartment, until Parker returns to take me to the show.
Just when I'm about to close out of the application, a message notification pops up. My hand quickly slides the mouse over to click on it.
It's from Veronica. It says, Parker and I never dated, but we're really close. Who is this?
I look down at the keyboard, a bit puzzled. I think I have the wrong person. The Veronica I'm looking for had a bit of a tumultuous relationship with him. They were definitely dating. Sorry for your time. Oh well, I guess some things are better left unknown. I lean back in the chair, expecting that to be the end of the conversation.
The chat notification pops up again, and I lazily lean forward to check it. My eyes have to scan across the message twice to believe what I'm reading. Parker and I are in love with each other, if that's what you mean.
It feels like every nerve in my body just went on high alert. My ears are ringing. Has he been cheating on me this entire time? I have to know. Parker told me you're still with your boyfriend. It's the only thing I can think of to say that doesn't come off as aggressive or territorial.I am, but I'm finally going to break up with him to be with Parker. It's been a long time coming. Are you a friend of his?