Isla removed her contacts and put on her glasses. She fluffed her hair then went back downstairs. She resumed her place beside Parker. He tucked her closer to him.
Isla looked to Lorna. “Is there anything that I can help you with tonight?”
“No, dear, we’ve done all the preparations. Ted and I have this down to a science.”
Isla took another cracker. “I’m looking forward to watching the whole turkey frying process.”
“You’ve never had fried turkey?” Ted asked.
“No.”
Ted clapped his hands together. “You’re in for a treat.” He detailed every step of the frying process.
Isla finished a second glass of wine. She yawned. “Oh my, sorry. I didn’t realize how tired I am.”
Parker finished his glass. “It has been a long short week.” He stood, bringing Isla up with him. “Let’s turn in. One more glass of wine and I’ll be snoring right here on the couch.” He pulled Isla against him. “And I don’t want to sleep just yet.”
Isla glanced at the sly grin on Lorna’s face. Parker wasn’t exaggerating. Lorna was laser-focused on Parker having kids. “Good night.”
Parker caught Isla’s hand. They walked up to his room.
Isla saw Sparkle dive under the pillow as they stepped into the room.
Parker closed the door and stared at the bed. “This is an interesting situation. I’d be lying if I said the prospect of sleeping next to you didn’t excite the hell out of me.”
“Umm.”
He put his hands on her hips, pulling her close. “Don’t worry. As much as I would like nothing more than to make love to a luscious, beautiful woman, I remember this is a business arrangement.”
Isla felt those words like a weight on her chest. “What should we do?”
He stepped even closer, his warm, wine-scented breath glancing her cheeks. “You mean if this wasn’t a business arrangement?”
“No. Where will we, how will we sleep?”
“First things, first.” He caressed his thumb over her bottom lip. “I promised myself the first time I looked into those fever-glazed, dark-circled blue eyes that I was going to do this.” His thumb moved to lift her chin. “Since then, I have dreamt about it a dozen times.”
Isla took in a long breath. His cinnamon-brown eyes darkened to mahogany, and his gaze sharpened.
As he lowered his head, Isla curled up on her tiptoes to meet him. His lips were heated and moist, moving in slow strokes.
Her body was electric, every cell buzzing as he wrapped his arms around her. She moved her lips against his.
He broke the connection. With a wide-eyed look, he reconnected his mouth to hers. His tongue plunged into Isla’s mouth, turning up the voltage, thrumming every cell, jolting her to the core of her being.
She made a little noise, moving her arms to his neck, pulling him downward.
Their tongues sparred, thrill flared over her skin, the deep ache settled in a familiar place.
Parker disconnected, tilted his head as he inhaled, reconnected. His hand moved down her back. He pressed the small of her back against him.
She felt his leg muscles tense against her body.
Parker broke the kiss. “Okay. All right.” He put her to arm’s length then took a few breaths. “Time to gain a little control here.”
“Agreed.” She put her forehead to his chest, taking in a few breaths.
They were quiet for a few moments.
“What were we talking about?” He asked. “Oh yeah, sleeping arrangements.”
“That’s right,” she whispered. “I remember now.”
“I’ll take the couch over there.”
“You. Your legs are too long.”
“I’ve slept on that couch before.”
“How many girls have you had up here?”
“Not a fair question.”
Isla looked around. “That bed is big enough for both of us. I’ll just sleep on top of the covers.” She pointed. “There’s a quilt over there I can use.”
He was quiet for a bit. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“All right, but I’ll sleep on top of the blankets. You can sleep under the covers.”
Isla shrugged. “Okay.” She pulled out her pajamas. “Bathroom?”
“Next door.”
“Be right back.” Isla took her things to the bathroom. After splashing cold water on her face, she sat on the edge of the tub. She put her forearms on her thighs. “That was not a kiss. That was transport to another world.” She touched her burning lips. The word “kiss” would never have the same meaning. Hearing the word would forever take her back to that moment.
Parker sat on the bed and waited for his hard-on to subside. Good lord, that was incredible. That was more than an embrace, more than a kiss. His mind was reeling, his nerves taut. He had never experienced a kiss like that. In his gut, he knew that unless he was kissing Isla, a kiss would never be the same.
The door opened. Parker shot to his feet as the air escaped his lungs. She was wearing silky pants that ended at her knees and a matching short top, revealing glimpses of her belly.
“Hi.” Isla’s cheeks were shiny and pink. “Um, if I had known we were going to be in the same room, I would have packed something that covered a bit more.”
He chuckled. “I’m not complaining.” He turned his back to her as he pulled the t-shirt over his head. The muffled gasp he heard made him grin. “What?” he teased, turning back to her.
“Nothing. I didn’t say anything. Well, I guess I’ll get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day.” Isla crawled under the comforter. “Good night.”
Parker hesitated before wrapping in the quilt and laying down on the other side of the bed. It was going to be hard to lie beside her, even with a few thicknesses of blanket between them.
Chapter 4
Wings flitted against Isla’s ear.
“Don’t look now, Isla, but you are spooning.”
Isla opened her eyes to see Parker’s arm draped over her middle. She was on her side, the little spoon to his big spoon, her back to his front, her bottom to his crotch. There were layers of blankets and clothes between them, but it didn’t seem to matter. Her nerve endings burned as if they were skin to skin.
His arm tightened around her, and he took in a long breath. He straightened his legs. “Oh wow. Good morning.”
“Hi,” she whispered.
“I’m not sure when or how we ended up like this, but I approve.”
“We must have gotten cold.” She broke from his hold to sit up.
He propped on his forearm. “How did you sleep?”
“Your bed is very comfortable.”
Parker pulled her down again, partially covering her with his body. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
Isla’s heart raced. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“I have to say, you look adorable with bedhead.” He smiled, then lowered his head to kiss her.
Truthfully, she hadn’t slept much. His kiss, craving his warm lips against hers again, kept invading her mind. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
He slipped his arms around her, deepening the kiss.
The moment Isla was ready to shelve caution, Parker broke the kiss. He rolled off the bed. “I have got to stop doing that.”
She got up then walked to him. “I’m not complaining either. But I should point out that we are only supposed to be pretending to be a couple.” She gestured around the room. “There’s no one here to see us.”
He caressed his finger across her mouth. “What better way to show how authentic we are then for your lips to be red and swollen from a morning make-out session.” He kissed her again, then laughed. “We better get this party started. You can use the bathroom here. I’ll go downstairs.” He left.
Sparkle flew out from behind the curtain. “Oh girl, that man likes kissing you.”
“I like kissing him.”
“You two look good together.�
�
“Sparkle, you said you wouldn’t watch.”
“I didn’t watch. I’m just keeping tabs on you.”
“You are such a liar.”
Sparkle giggled.
“I better get dressed.” Isla went into the bathroom to get ready. She decided on a sweater and casual pants with short boots, at least for the morning. When she got downstairs, Ted, Lorna, and Parker were enjoying coffee in the sunshine on the three-season porch. Everyone greeted her as Lorna poured her a mug of coffee.
“Sit here,” Parker said. “The sun is great.”
Isla took a long fortifying sip of strong, nutty coffee. “Oh, that’s wonderful.” She closed her eyes before taking another sip.
“What’s the plan for the bird today, Dad?”
“Sarah will be here around noon,” Lorna said. “I thought we would have some light appetizers when she gets here and dinner around four.”
“That means I’ll start the fryer around twelve-thirty or one.”
“I’m looking forward to watching that process,” Isla said.
“I look forward to your company.”
Lorna held out a tray to Isla. “Would you like a cinnamon roll?”
“They look delicious.” Isla took one of the smaller ones. She bit into the sweet, tender cross between a cake donut and a gooey, nutty pastry. It was as tasty as it looked.
“I set up the fryer on the beach,” Ted said. “It might be chilly out there by the water.”
“I’ll dress accordingly.” Isla finished her roll. “Is there anything I can do to help right now?” She sipped her coffee. “I’m afraid if I sit here drinking coffee, I’ll eat that whole plate of rolls, and I’m trying to pace myself.”
“What are you missing with your family?” Lorna asked.
“My family is not getting together this year. My sisters are going to their in-laws for dinner.”
“But we are supposed to meet your mother later tonight for dessert, right honey?” Parker added. “I told my folks that we would be having pie and coffee with your family.”
“I didn’t know my sisters were not going to my mother’s,” Isla corrected. She patted Parker’s knee. “We’re going to meet my mother at her condo later. If that’s all right. My mother is meeting a group of her friends at a restaurant for turkey dinner.”
“That’s fine.”
“Perhaps your mother would like to come here,” Lorna said.
Isla almost choked on her coffee. Parker did choke on his.
“Mom, that’s very generous.” He cleared his throat. “But I think we should just stick to the original plan.”
“Are you afraid Margo’s mother and I will set a wedding date?”
“Yes.”
Isla laughed, trying to hide her discomfort. “That’s very kind, but that—”
“I have to be at the hospital early tomorrow, so I think it’s best if we don’t change plans at this late hour.”
“Yes, yes.” Isla nodded.
Ted cleared his throat. “It’s a good idea to stick with the plan.”
Lorna finished her coffee then stood. “Time for me to get to work in the kitchen.”
Isla stood. “What can I do?”
“Just relax. Enjoy the porch. I promise I’ll let you know if I need you.” Lorna looked at all of them. “Should I take the rolls?”
“Yes,” the three said in one voice.
Lorna left the room with the plate.
“Oh, thank goodness, I was beginning to lose my willpower,” Isla said.
Parker refilled everyone’s mugs. Ted gave them a second tutorial on turkey frying.
Isla curled up in the corner of the settee. The morning sun sent beams through the skylights. In the distance, the sky tinted the river a velvety blue. Waves lapped the beige sand. Plumes of grass swayed. Birds darted and dove. Isla couldn’t tell if they were catching food or playing. She walked to the window. “This is a wonderful room.”
“We spend a lot of time out here,” Ted replied.
Parker came up behind her. He put his hands on her shoulders. “I used to play out there for hours when I was a kid looking for treasure.” He massaged her shoulders.
“Did you find any?”
“No, but I kept looking.” He kissed her cheek.
Ted stood. “I think I’ll go set things up on the beach.”
Parker put his arms around her, then kissed the place where her neck met her shoulder.
“There’s no one here to see us.”
“You never know,” he whispered, “someone could be watching. We have to sell this.” He kissed the space again.
Isla wanted to lean back against him, close her eyes, and drink in every sensation his lips created. Pretending was harder than she had imagined. Forgetting the feel of him when this day was over would be harder still. She turned in his arms. His gaze was hungry, his arms tense.
He brushed his thumbs on her cheeks. “I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t a lot of fun.”
“Parker.”
“Isla, I mean Margo.” He brushed his lips to hers. “We have to sell this. My future happiness, my peace of mind, is in your hands,” he whispered against her mouth.
“Haha.”
“You think I’m kidding. You heard my mother.”
“She is determined.”
“Exceptionally focused.” He kissed her.
“I-I better go check to see if your mother needs help in the kitchen.”
“Probably a good idea.” Parker watched Isla leave the room. He lowered himself to the chair. This was going to be so much harder than he thought. Every time he looked at her, he wanted to kiss her. Every time he kissed her, he wanted to peel off her clothes, then kiss every square inch of her skin. Sleeping beside her last night had driven him mad. He felt as if he was fighting a hard-on every-time he got within two feet of her. Parker had to persuade his mother that Isla was the one if he was going to have any peace. How to do that while taming his physical reactions was proving tricky as hell.
“I thought I’d offer my help before I go out to watch the turkey frying event.”
“Margo, I was just about to send Parker to get you,” Lorna replied. “Would you be averse to peeling potatoes?”
“Not at all.” Margo slid her sleeves up to her elbows. “Tell me where.”
“Right there.”
Isla sat at the breakfast bar where Lorna had everything ready. She grabbed the first potato.
They were quiet for a few minutes.
“Tell me about how you and my son met.”
“Uh, blind date.” She peeled faster. “Actually, more of a chance blind date. I was having drinks with a few of my friends. Parker was there with a few of his. Next thing I know, we were all sort of drinking together.”
“Oh, I thought Parker said you met at a fundraiser for the hospital.”
“Uh, yeah. Yeah, it was a fundraiser at a tavern. One of my friends was invited, and she brought a few of us with her.”
“It’s been about a year now, hasn’t it?”
“Yes. We are enjoying getting to know each other, but we are both so busy.” She peeled faster. Maybe the noise would keep conversation to a minimum. “Ouch. Shoot.”
“What happened?” Lorna was by Isla’s side. “Oh dear.”
Isla had gashed her finger with the peeler. Blood was dripping onto the counter.
Lorna grabbed a towel. “Wrap this around it. Sit right there. I’ll get Parker.”
Lorna and Parker came back seconds later.
“What happened? Are you all right?” Parker caught Isla’s hand.
“Just typical me, the peeler slipped.”
Parker rested her hand on the counter before carefully unwrapping the towel. “Mom, grab my bag out of the trunk of the car, will you please?”
Lorna ran out the door.
“Are you the queasy type?” he asked.
“No.”
“Good.”
“You have your medical bag with you?�
�
“Never leave home without it.”
“Here you go,” Lorna said, putting the black canvas bag on the counter.
Parker unzipped the bag, found a pair of gloves and some gauze. He gently dabbed and touched the side of her index finger.
“Is she okay?” Lorna asked.
“I’m fine,” Isla replied. “Other than clumsy.”
“You tried to peel the side of your finger like a potato. You created a heck of a flap. Fortunately, it’s not deep, but I’m sure it hurts like hell.”
“Kinda.”
“When was your last tetanus shot?”
“I don’t know.”
“I have one I’ll give you.”
“Really? You have that kind of stuff in there?”
Parker glimpsed her face. “Yes.” He pulled the gloves off then started pulling things out of his bag. “Don’t sound so surprised, I am a doctor.”
Isla tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “What’s the plan, doc?”
“I’m going to clean it up with some surgical soap and water, secure the flap back in place with some surgical-strips and wrap the whole thing up with a nice dressing. We’ll top it off with a tetanus shot, and you’ll be back on KP in no time.”
“Oh, that’s all right,” Lorna said, “I can finish peeling potatoes.”
“No, no. I will finish even if it takes me all morning.”
“If you’re sure.” Lorna tended to the oven timer beeping non-stop.
Parker washed his hands at the sink, drying them on a towel as he returned to her. “Would you like to sit at the table? You’ll be more comfortable.”
She shrugged. “Sure.” Isla watched Parker work. He was gentle yet efficient. It was obvious he had done this a few hundred times. “Thanks for this.”
“Fixing you up? I couldn’t let you bleed all over the floor. Or Mom’s mashed potatoes.” He smirked. “She makes great mashed potatoes.” He carefully blotted the sudsy gauze pad on her finger, then rinsed it with bottled water into one of his mother’s bowls. He patted the wound dry with more gauze then applied the surgical strips across the cut.
“You’re pretty good at this.”
“Gee, thanks.” He wrapped the finger and secured everything with tape. “Now, keep the dressing dry. Elevate your hand whenever possible to keep the pain and swelling down. Use Ibuprofen to keep both under control.”
A Fairy Crazy Thanksgiving Page 4