by Lilly James
The way he adjusted his trousers a little at the crotch had me well aware of his cock growing thick. “Wet and ready for what?”
I made a humming noise of pleasure as I ran my index finger down his chest, my eyes following the trail. “For the things your tongue can do for me—” leaning in, I brushed my lips against his, “—just between my thighs.” I moved away, leaned back against the balcony, and opened my legs, making the slit on the side of my dress rise up and my thigh become completely visible.
Parks shifted on his shoes, his gaze roaming leisurely down my legs. “You look incredibly sexy when you’re telling me what I can do for you.”
“You show me just how a real man fucks. It’s the least I can do.” I said the words slowly, seductively, making him watch my lips as I pronounced them.
“Princess,” he groaned, his eyes shadowing over. “Don’t. I have every intention of cancelling dinner.”
“Why?” I acted all innocent.
“Because I want you beneath me with my cock so deep inside you that you will forget your own name.”
My stomach tensed, and my clit pulsed within an inch of its life. “I won’t forget yours,” I purred, to his pleasure.
“Damn right you won’t. You’ll be screaming it. Come over here and fuck me.”
I glanced at my surroundings. “We’re on the balcony.”
“We’re hidden, Evelyn. I won’t repeat myself. Get. Over. Here. We only have ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes for what?”
He pulled me towards him irritably. “Just get over here.”
His commanding tone had my body obeying. My legs felt like jelly as I pushed myself into the hulk of a man I loved so very much.
He unzipped his trousers, then he shifted a little to adjust himself and slipped out his cock. My eyes glazed over, my body froze. Seeing his cock was a gift from above, and knowing it was my partner in crime and no other woman would ever have the pleasure of having it again made me feel extremely special.
“Sit on my dick and show me how much you love it.” Parks kicked out a chair, sat himself down, and crooked his finger at me.
I straddled him, moved aside the material covering my sex, and positioned my hips over his lap. He took my waist as I slipped down his length and threw his head back, gaping slightly. “Jesus.”
“God.” We both moaned at the same time.
“Princess, the sounds of your pleasure drives me crazy.” He held my hips tightly and supported me when I began to lift off my toes. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered. “Missed your tight ass. Your tight sweetness. Your tits. Your eyes. Your everything.”
“Now I am your everything.”
“You have always been my everything, and more. Hmm. Don’t stop, Princess. Keep going. Just like that.”
I started picking up pace, bouncing in his lap. Our eyes locked as I worked on top of him, gyrating and building.
“Oh God,” I whimpered, ready to bury my face into Parks’s neck, but he shifted.
“No. Let me see you. Come on, Princess.”
Parks began to buck upwards, urging my climax to break free. And it did. I stilled as I came around him, calling out his name and moaning mindlessly.
“So goddamn perfect.” Parks gritted his teeth, bucked even more, doing all the work himself as my body went lax. He didn’t have to work for long, though. I felt his delight filling me as he gripped the tops of my thighs harshly and gasped my name.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my chin on his shoulder until I gained back some breath.
“Now we can go for dinner.” He smirked against my skin. Dinner? I wanted my bed.
Parks gently took my hand and led me into the bathroom. There he took some tissues and held them up. “May I?” he said with a smirk. A grin spread automatically across my lips, because the times Parks had wanted to clean me up before now I’d never let him, thinking it was way too affectionate. Now, I was marrying this man so he could do what the hell he liked.
“You may.” I let him clean me while I patted down my hair. When he was satisfied, he straightened up, tucked his shirt back into his trousers, and then turned to the mirror. He was just about to tidy up the image of his dark chocolate hair, but I ruffled it with my hands, making it look messy again.
“What the hell are you doing?” He smirked.
“I prefer the just-fucked hair.” I took a step back, looked at my masterpiece, and nodded. “Yep, that will do.”
Parks turned on his heel and glanced back into the mirror, then exhaled deeply. I knew he didn’t want to go out with his hair a sexily mussed mess, but he relented. “If my princess likes it that way, then that’s how it stays.”
I may have done a small fist pump of satisfaction.
Chapter Thirteen
Cleaver drove us to a restaurant that was a stone’s throw away from the beach. We had a table outside, overlooking the sea, and the way everything lit up and glowed stunningly already gave our night a huge burst of romance.
“Are you sure it’s not going to be too close to the sand?” I teased Parks, playfully jabbing him in his ribs. Earlier on in the day, I wanted to go to the beach after sightseeing, but Parks was putting it off. In the end I got him to tell me the reason. He didn’t like sand. “It gets everywhere,” he said.
“Stop being a smartass, Evelyn.”
“I’m joking.” I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck and bringing him into a deep and passionate kiss.
“What was that for?” He smiled, nuzzling my nose with his.
“Because you give me everything I could only ever dream of.”
“I told you, I will make your dreams a reality, Princess.”
Parks took my hand and led me up the stairs. As soon as we got to the balcony, my eyes widened at the spectacular view of the ocean. The dark sky was holding a bright moon and hundreds of stars. I held on to the railing and just stared. Parks came up beside me and snaked his arms around my waist.
“This is beautiful,” I whispered.
“Turn around, baby.”
With a smile, I turned, then jumped back abruptly at what I was seeing.
“Surprise.”
Standing right in front of me were my Aunty Cheryl, Uncle Kevin, my nieces and nephew, Steph, Mathew, and Steph’s parents. Nine people that meant the world to me.
“What the fu—?”
Cheryl ran towards me, stopping my curse. Tears welled in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and hugged me for dear life. “My baby is getting married.” I glanced over at Parks quickly and saw his adorable smile as he watched everyone gather around me.
“I better be a bridesmaid,” Steph squealed, almost knocking my aunty out of the way to get to me.
“Me too!” I heard Ella, my lovely niece, call over the noise. I was so overwhelmed by their presence, by the hugs, by the excitement. By the way everyone was admiring the rock on my finger. Kevin gave me a proper man-hug, Mathew gave me the thumbs-up, Steph’s parents kissed me over and over, and then I glanced over at Parks as he accepted handshakes from the men.
“Whoa.” I took a step back from the chaos, making everyone fall silent and still. “How the hell did you all get here?” My smile was huge, but I was so confused.
“Wade flew us over on his posh jet,” Cheryl informed me in that voice she put on when Parks was around.
“I was on his posh jet.” I laughed, pointing to my chest.
“They travelled with me in my business plane,” Parks informed me.
I glanced at him, shell-shocked, then looked at everyone else. “So you’ve been here all day? Where are you staying?”
“In the WParks Hotel, Sydney. It’s amazing!” Steph piped up.
I looked down towards her bump. “Are you okay to fly in that state?”
“It’s not a state.” Steph laughed. “I’m pregnant, not ill.”
“Could have fooled me,” I mumbled on a chuckle.
“And you flew all this way with the
kids?” I gaped at Kevin and Cheryl, and they both raised their brows.
“Yes.” Cheryl gritted her teeth through a smile. “And we still have to go home. I may come with you, Evey.” She laughed.
Parks walked to me, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed my forehead. “I informed Cheryl and Steph of my intentions. I knew it was short notice, but I pulled it off. I want you to have the best of both worlds, Evelyn, with me and with those who care about you. Whatever means a lot to you, means a lot to me too.”
My eyes welled with tears, and a sob sat just at the back of my throat. “You are the most thoughtful and kindest man I have ever met. This is why I love you. Thank you so much.” I let my tears fall as I kissed the man I was so deeply and utterly in love with. I allowed them to flow because they were happy tears. Tears that told me that for once, I was winning.
I turned back to my family and gave my beautiful nieces Ella and Darcy a huge hug, then took Alfie, my gorgeous nephew, into my arms and rested him on my hip. “I can’t believe you’re all here.”
A while later, I sat enjoying the company of my loved ones as our meals arrived. Eating, chatting, laughing, watching Darcy and Alfie run around the table all excitable, and being gazed at by the beautiful man that sat next to me was a gift from the skies. The same beautiful man that had said he had no caring bone in his body only ever gave me beauty and love.
“Thank you.” I leaned over again, letting Parks kiss my lips.
“Stop thanking me.” He smiled.
“Gross,” Ella joked, pretending to put her fingers down her throat, then she went back on her phone.
Kevin was trying to occupy Alfie and Darcy, Cheryl and Cora chatted about Downton Abbey, and Steph was lightly arguing with Mathew about baby names. I knew no one was listening to me in that moment, so I took my chance to ask Parks a question that was niggling away at me.
“Why didn’t you invite your mum? Jasmine, Abigail?” I didn’t mention his dad. Of course he wouldn’t have invited him. And I wouldn’t have wanted him there anyway.
Parks placed down his fork and took a glass of water to his lips. “I wanted your loved ones with you, Princess.”
I played with my food, ignoring his eyes. “But your family should share the news with us too.”
He shook his head. “My mother is going through a rough time right now, you hate Jasmine, and Abigail couldn’t come on her own.”
“Is she staying in Kensington? Does she know about us?”
He stifled. “Yes. I agreed to let her to stay at our Kensington apartment. And I’ll tell her when we get back.” His sentence was dismissive and telling me to drop the conversation, which soured my mood just slightly. Parks picked up on it, though, and leaned to kiss my lips, putting an end to it. “We can tell her when we get back.”
“So,” Steph called over the table from where she was sat opposite me, “seeing as I’m the only bridesmaid—”
“Excuse me?” Ella butted in, taking her attention from her phone. I wanted to throw the thing over the balcony.
“Okay—” Steph grinned, “—head bridesmaid, then, I better start sorting out your hen night.” She clapped her hands, and Cheryl and Cora clapped along with her, getting just as excited.
The whole idea of a hen night made me laugh. “And who would you invite, Steph? I have no friends.”
“No one said there should be a bachelorette night full stop,” Parks butted in, firm and meaning business.
“A bachelorette night?” Steph was guiles.
“That’s what they call it in America, Steph,” I eased her confusion.
“Oh, well, we sure are having a hen night, British style in Blackpool. Willie straws, a blow-up doll—”
“Male strippers,” Cora announced, her enthusiasm building.
“Woah.” Kevin stood up with an extremely tired Alfie falling asleep on his shoulder and Darcy on the other. “That’s my cue to take the kids to bed.”
“I’m not going to bed,” Ella sassed.
“Yes, you are.” Kevin gave her a look that only parents can give their children, and she got to her feet on a sigh.
“Give me a hug.” I grinned, taking her into my arms. “We’ll do something tomorrow,” I promised.
“Cool.” She shrugged, trying to act casual and all teenager-like, but I knew she was excited, really. “Night, Evey, and congrats.” She smiled before turning on her heel.
“A male stripper?” Parks glared at Steph when the kids were gone, furious at the thought.
Steph laughed at his jealous reaction. “What would you rather Evey do? Have afternoon tea with her nan? Oh shit.” She pressed her palm to her mouth. “Evey, I am so sorry.”
I flapped my hand, looking away from her pained expression. “Don’t be so soft, Steph, its fine.” It was fine, but all of a sudden, the thought of my beloved nan never being able to share my special day with me hit me like a ton of bricks.
I placed down my glass and moved my seat back. “I’ll be right back.”
“Evey wait,” Steph called and got to her feet. Parks also got to his feet, but I told them both to sit down.
“Don’t be stupid, I’m absolutely fine. I just need a second.” I headed to the balcony to have a moment alone.
I heard Cheryl begging Parks to let her follow me instead of him. He must have listened, because Cheryl met me by the balcony.
“You okay, love?” She brought her hand down on mine as I stared out to sea.
“I just hate that Nan can’t be here to celebrate, you know?”
Cheryl wrapped her arm around my shoulders, the gold bangles around her wrist jingling. “She did love a good old knees up.” She laughed wistfully.
I looked out at the ocean. Then I glanced up at the star-filled sky and wondered if my nan was up there. My mind was full of sorrow, good memories, bad memories, and happy times. Times I could never get back, but with all my heart I wished I could.
“I would give anything to just have one more day with her. Just one more moment.”
“She’s here, Evey. In here.” Cheryl pointed to my heart. “And here.” Then to my head. “And I know she will be watching you on your wedding day, bursting with pride because she will know her granddaughter has grown into a strong, beautiful, brave young woman.”
I let tears slip down my cheeks. My chest ached, and I hiccupped out a sob. “I hope she’s proud of me.”
“Oh, Evey.” Cheryl brought me into her arms, kissing my cheek before holding me tight. “She is so proud of you. We all are. You’ve taken so much shit throughout your life, but now it’s your time. Smile, my precious girl. Be happy.”
“I am,” I sobbed, feeling liberated. Feeling like my past didn’t matter anymore because I had a bright and perfect future to look forwards to. All my life I had shit—breakdowns, addictions, sadness, and so much inner hate. Now, I had a man who was willing to move heaven and earth for me. He made me feel special, like I was the only woman in the world, and that was the only thing I had ever needed. To be loved. To feel like I was somebody’s. And I was his. Finally.
“Everything all right?”
Cheryl let me go, and I turned to see Parks watching us, his eyes dark with worry.
“Yeah, just having a stupid sap moment.” I laughed, trying to wipe the tears away quickly with the back of my hand. Parks took my hand from my eyes and tugged me into him. He was just about to open his mouth to speak, but Cora shouted something from the table, interrupting him.
“Hey, stop hogging the bride-to-be. Come ’ere, Evey, and give me some love.”
Oh God, she was drunk. It never did take Cora much to get absolutely rat-arsed. I smirked over at Steph, who was already rolling her eyes. Tim took hold of her arm to steady her as she got up from her seat, making her way towards me.
“My beautiful blossom,” she slurred, taking both my cheeks like I was a baby and giving them a squeeze. “I am so very ’appy for you. This one ’ere is a right old catch. Handsome bugger.” Cora took Parks into her
arms and cheekily pinched his bum.
“Mum,” Steph squawked, completely horrified while Parks stepped back a touch, looking the same as Steph. I silenced my laugh with my hand over my mouth, but when Cheryl’s own burst of laughter escaped, I couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Dad, take her to bed.” Steph took hold of her mother’s hand and handed her over to Tim.
“Oh Tim,” Cora cooed. Stumbling up against his side, she pressed her hand to her chest. “Take me to bed.” She was playfully acting seductive, pulling her leg up to his waist and trying to wink, but it only made her show even more hilarious. Neither me nor Cheryl could contain ourselves.
“Do you want to hear the pickup line Tim used to pull me all those years ago?” She was swaying from side to side as Tim held her up.
“No, Mother.” Steph gritted her teeth, trying to get her inside.
“He said—” she snorted, “—‘Do you live on a chicken farm? Because you sure know how to raise a cock.’”
“Mum,” Steph shrieked before ordering her father to take Cora to bed. Tears were streaming down my face from laughing, and Cheryl was crossing her legs to make sure she wouldn’t wet herself.
“Cora sure does know how to entertain.” Cheryl wiped her eyes, taking back her seat before getting into a conversation with Steph.
“Tell me you’re okay?” Parks pulled me into him and wrapped his arms around the small of my back as I looked into his eyes, seeing the worry he tried to conceal behind them.
I sighed in contentment. I was content because the amount of care and love Parks felt for me made me realize I had nothing to worry about anymore. I didn’t have to worry if he was going to leave me again, because he had asked me to marry him. Since I’d fallen in love with him, the fear of him leaving my side, like he had done twice, was always there. Always telling me I couldn’t accept and fully appreciate how Parks felt for me because he never proved it with words. Marry me were two words that finally made me accept the fact that this man, this incredible, amazing man, had fallen in love with me and wanted to stand by my side for the rest of my life. Yes, my sorrow over how much I would have loved my nan to be there on that special day tormented my mind, but when Parks put his arms around me, it made everything better.