Parker walked beside Emily, her anger obvious with each step she took. As much as he’d anticipated upsetting her, he felt bad anyway. Family was a touchy subject. He understood that more than most. Still, he was taken off guard when he heard the first sniffle beside him, then glanced over and realized she’d started crying.
“Hey.” He grasped her elbow and pulled her to a stop. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“It’s not that. Well, not directly.” She brushed at her damp cheeks. “It’s more about my mother. And worrying about my father. It all comes back to overwhelm me at the oddest times. And it forces me to act in a way I think is protecting him.” She pulled in a deep breath. “I don’t expect you to understand.”
“Actually, I do. It’s cold. Let’s go inside and talk.”
She wrinkled her nose. “It’s noisy inside. Let’s go to Harper’s. I’ll text her, she’ll save us a table, we can get some hot chocolate and talk.”
He liked the fact that she wasn’t holding a grudge. She wasn’t happy with him but she was open to talking.
A little while later, they were at a private table in the corner of the coffee shop, the usually nosey Harper keeping to herself behind the counter.
Two hot chocolates sat in front of them loaded with whipped cream, and from the way Emily’s eyes opened wide, Harper knew her friend well.
She dipped her finger into the whipped cream and sucked the tip into her mouth, causing Parker to groan.
Her gaze flew to his and a blush stained her cheeks. “Oops.”
He laughed but sobered, not wanting to let the serious moment of earlier go. Not when he thought she needed to talk about her mom and her grief … and the unfair expectations she was placing on her father as a result.
He placed a hand on hers, causing her gaze to come to his. “About your mom … have you ever had a good cry? Or did you hold it in to protect your father?” he asked quietly.
She swallowed hard. “I cried. We’re on opposite sides of the house, Dad and I, so it was okay. And I had Harper to listen to me when I needed to talk or vent. And Dad likes talking about Mom and good memories.”
He nodded. “That’s good.” Unlike his brother, who didn’t want his dead wife’s name even mentioned … but then again, Mandy had betrayed him. It wasn’t even in the same ballpark as what had happened to James and Emily.
“Look, I know you lost your mom when you were younger,” she said. “It wasn’t fair of me to say that you wouldn’t understand.” She blinked, her lashes damp with unshed tears, and his stomach clenched at the sight.
“But I didn’t have a parent left that I loved the way you do your father. That’s different. But I have experienced loss.” And he wanted her to know about it.
Like his brother Ethan, Parker never spoke about that time in his life, not even with his siblings, but for some reason, he wanted to share with Emily so she’d know him. He wanted her to see him as more than some charming guy who’d swooped into her life, thrown cash at her father, and thought he knew best.
It was his turn to swallow hard. “I was engaged.”
Her eyes opened wide but she remained silent, letting him tell the story in his own time. “Rina and I were close in school, we both loved skiing, and she understood my love of competing, medaling, and turning pro. The relationship took a natural progression. But to make a long story short, we were driving one night and a car came out of nowhere, broadsiding us. I was just coming back from an injury on the slopes and the impact shattered my knee … but Rina, she died instantly.”
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry,” Emily said, wrapping her arms around him and cushioning him in warmth, understanding, and everything that was Emily.
The lump in his throat from talking about that time was painful. He swallowed it down and pulled away, glancing at her. “I just don’t want you to think that I don’t understand emotions or pain. Or that I intended to barge into your life and take over like whoever hurt you before did.”
She opened her mouth but he shook his head. “Not now. We don’t need to get into that today.” Someday soon, he wanted to know all about her. But she was suffering now and she needed to cope with her current issues with the inn and her father. “Look. You can’t protect your father from life.”
“But I can make it easier for him to live out his years and be healthy. Relaxed. Happy. In Florida, where it’s warmer.”
“What if the inn makes him happy?” Parker asked, because he’d seen the gleam in the older man’s eyes when he spoke of renovations and had accepted Parker’s offer.
“Or what if he just thinks it does because it was my mother’s dream?”
He groaned, realizing he wasn’t going to sway her on this subject. “Okay, just don’t fight with him over it. It’s not what you need in your relationship and working on the inn makes him happy.”
Emily opened and closed her mouth before deciding on what to say. “As long as he sells it at the end,” she finally muttered under her breath.
With a nod, Parker tucked those words away to think about later.
“Would you understand if I rescheduled dinner?” she asked. “I’m not in the mood to go out in public and make small talk with people I know that I’m bound to run into.”
“Sure.” He understood. He glanced at their probably cooled hot chocolate. “Now let’s drink.”
She shot him a grateful smile and picked up her cup, taking a long sip, letting what remained of the whipped cream create a foamy white mustache.
Unable to resist, he leaned in for a kiss, then swiped his tongue over her upper lip and groaned. “You taste so fucking good.”
“I think that’s the whipped cream.”
“I beg to differ. It’s all you.” He grabbed her neck and pulled her into him, sliding his tongue over her mouth once more before dipping inside.
She gripped his shoulders and the kiss got hotter, deeper, only an awareness of his surroundings keeping him from hauling her into his lap and making her his in the most carnal sense.
She licked his lips back despite the fact that he hadn’t tasted the hot chocolate yet, and the feel of her had him shifting uncomfortably in his seat, his cock hard and ready. It was going to be damned difficult to convince himself he wasn’t taking her here.
Until the distinctive sound of a male throat clearing interrupted them, and when he reluctantly broke off the kiss and glared at the intruder, he found himself looking at a man in a three-piece suit.
“So this is why you left me? So you could degrade yourself by practically having sex in public? I had no idea you were into voyeurism,” the man said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Before Parker could react, he felt rather than saw Emily shrink back from him and knew immediately who he was dealing with. No, he didn’t have a name or the full story, but the only one who could make his girl react like this was the asshole who had done a number on her.
And she was his girl and Parker intended to make that clear, starting now.
He rose to his feet. “Can I help you? Because from where I’m standing, you’re interrupting a private moment.”
The man looked like a typical stuffed shirt… As much as Parker hated to admit it, he reminded him of Ethan before Mandy’s betrayal had sent him spiraling. Like Parker looked when he went to the office back in Manhattan. Emily had called him city boy, and looking at this man, he now knew why the notion put her on edge.
“Parker Knight,” he said, not extending his hand for a shake.
“Rex Mason and that’s my wife whose mouth you had your tongue in,” the other man said, disgusted.
Parker blinked at the word wife.
In her chair, Emily let out a sound, then seeming to gather her courage, she rose to her feet. “That’s soon-to-be ex-wife, Rex. We’re legally separated.”
The man scowled. “Not by my choice and you know it.”
“If it were up to me, our marriage would be over already. The state of Illinois wants us separated for two years … unless you’re finished contesting my petition?” she asked, sounding hopeful.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You belong with me.” Apparently Emily’s ex was pompous as well as dense.
Harper had joined them in a show of support for her friend. “This is my shop and I don’t want you here, Rex.”
“Oh, great. The peanut gallery speaks. I don’t need you filling Emily’s ears with bullshit about me. I’m here to see my wife and you can’t stop me.” He took a step forward and Parker stopped him with a hand to his chest.
Emily folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t want to see you.”
“But I flew in and drove all this way to be with you. I thought I could stay at the inn and we could talk out our differences.”
“No.” Parker spoke before Emily could. “She already said she doesn’t want to see you.”
“She can speak for herself,” Emily said and Parker realized he’d made a mistake.
He couldn’t do anything that would remind her of her controlling husband. The fact that they were still married irritated him, but the law was the law. They were legally separated and she wanted nothing to do with the man. Parker didn’t let himself wonder why he cared so much or what he could actually do with her, considering his life was in New York. He just knew he was feeling particularly possessive about this woman and he refused to let anyone push her around. She was his while he was here.
“You are not staying at my family’s inn,” Emily said. Having found her voice, she stood up for herself against Rex.
“Because of the construction? I was there earlier and saw the work being done. Is that what’s keeping you here in this small town? You’re an innkeeper now? Surely you want more for yourself. I can live with the construction if it means we can spend time together.”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t want you there regardless of the construction and that’s my family’s business you’re disparaging, so watch it.”
He narrowed his gaze, obviously not used to her talking back to him, but Emily went on.
“And since it’s the only place to sleep in the area, you’re going to have to drive back and stay somewhere else in another town. You wasted a trip coming here.”
His frown marred his otherwise perfect appearance, the well-cut blond hair, expensive suit, and tie. “Think about the life we had together, the penthouse and all your gorgeous clothes. They’re still in the closet, just waiting for you.”
He looked her over then, his gaze traveling from the top of her messy bun to the sneakers she wore on her feet.
A look Parker found downright adorable, appealing, and infinitely sexy.
Her soon-to-be ex’s scowl deepened as he took in Emily’s appearance. “Surely you can see you’ve let yourself go. You haven’t lost the weight you put on when… Well, never mind that.”
Emily winced, her hand coming to brace her stomach.
Parker narrowed his gaze.
“And shouldn’t you have gotten this muffin baking and waiting on other people out of your system by now?” Rex asked, obviously frustrated. Oblivious to everything, he continued to speak, putting his foot in his mouth with every sentence.
Lord only knew what Emily had once seen in this guy.
“Come home and things can be like they used to,” Rex cajoled in a sickening voice.
Jesus Christ. Was this guy for real, insulting her like that and then asking her to come home? “Hey now–” Parker stepped forward but Emily spoke up.
“It’s like you never knew me at all,” she said.
“I know the woman you became. The one you were always meant to be.”
The one he clearly had tried to mold her into, Parker realized. He’d had enough of this upright, ridiculous ass looking to change the perfect woman standing in front of him. “Time to go,” he said. “And if you say no, I have no problem escorting you out.”
Before he could grab the man’s arm, Rex got the hint. “I’m leaving. But this isn’t finished. We aren’t finished.” He adjusted his suit jacket and strode out of the shop.
Emily blew out a huge breath, her shoulders dropping in relief as the bells rang above the door, signaling he was gone.
“Oh, honey! I hate that asshole.” Harper pulled Emily into a huge hug and quickly released her.
“Thanks for having my back,” she said to her friend.
“Any time and you know it. I have to get back to work.” Harper rushed back behind the counter and Emily turned her gaze on Parker.
“Don’t say it,” Parker said before she could turn her wrath on him. “I shouldn’t have made any proclamations or decisions about whether or not he could stay. That was your choice to make.”
A more relaxed smile edged her lips. “Who said you weren’t teachable?” she asked and he was happy to see the visit hadn’t left her on edge and irritable. She blew out a long breath. “I appreciate you saying that.”
He nodded. “So…” He met her gaze, then had to state what was on his mind. “You’re married?”
* * *
Hearing Parker say the word married, Emily winced. “Legally separated. And though I probably should have mentioned it to you, I honestly try not to think about Rex or anything having to do with my life or time with him. I’m just counting down the days until the divorce becomes final.”
“He doesn’t want to let go,” Parker said.
“He’s like a dog with a bone. He got his teeth into me and has claimed me as his own. What I don’t understand is why?”
A soft expression took over his features. “Because you’re everything a man could want,” he told her and her body went warm all over.
“Except I’m not what he wants, something he never failed to remind me of. You heard him. He wanted to change me from the day we met… Still does. And I let him.”
She looked away, embarrassed by how weak she’d been when it came to Rex. But she’d been a small-town girl alone in the big city, thinking that’s what she wanted. Then she met an exciting man who swept her off her feet and she hadn’t realized she was turning into his vision of her until the deed was done.
“I’d expect him to take one look at me now and think he was lucky to be done with me.” She gestured to her appearance, hair in a messy updo, sweats, very little makeup. And yeah, the extra weight she’d put on when she’d been pregnant with his baby, something she did not want to get into with Parker. At least not now. “He wants me back the way things were.”
“And that’s not happening.” Parker pulled her into his arms and she hated to admit she felt safe there.
Once she’d seen Parker side-by-side with Rex, the differences had been stark. Her city boy was a sexy guy with nice clothes, an amazing personality, and a tendency to exert his will on occasion. But he never failed to look at her as if she were the most beautiful woman on the planet, no matter what she wore, and he never once belittled her. Rex had made sure to get in his digs, even today during his pitiful attempt to get her back into his world. A place she wasn’t going. No matter what.
When they arrived back at the inn, her father was waiting in the main room, pacing and looking unhappy.
“Dad?” She stepped toward him, not holding a grudge or wanting to fight with him over the inn. “I’m sorry I lost my temper,” she said.
He held out his arms and pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head. “I know. It’s all good. We’ll work it out,” he promised her. Only once she’d stepped away did he sigh and say, “Rex was here earlier.”
Behind her, a silent Parker stiffened at the mere mention of the man’s name.
She nodded. “He found me in town.”
“I didn’t tell him where you were. Not that I knew. But I assumed you went to Harper’s. Did he bother you? Because he tried to get me to let him stay here and I told him absolutely not.” Her father rubbed his hands together nervously.
“It’s fine, Dad. I’m fine.”
“We handled him,” Parker said, coming up behind her and wrapping an arm around her waist.
She didn’t know what to make of his possessiveness. He was staying for a while but they both knew it was temporary. But after her revelation today about the differences between him and Rex, and his obvious dedication to her family, she was going to indulge for the time he was here, and she leaned back into him.
Her father seemed to relax at their words and the fact that they presented a united front.
She hoped he wasn’t too disappointed when Parker left after he finished helping with the inn. It was going to be hard enough for her to get over him without adding her dad’s feelings to the mix.
* * *
Because of her lifestyle in Chicago, Emily had sexy lingerie that she’d purchased for Rex’s pleasure, something she didn’t like to think about anymore. When she’d left, she hadn’t taken much with her, especially in the way of nighties, but she did have one with a tag that she’d never worn before.
Later that night, alone in her room, she dangled the short piece of silk and lace from her finger, staring at it as she considered the possibility of slipping on the garment and walking across the hall to Parker’s room. Her nipples tightened at the thought and her sex pulsed with desire.
Obviously she wanted to be with him and she knew better than to think he’d turn her away. Their chemistry was off-the-charts hot. Which meant she didn’t need to be nervous.
Still, her stomach fluttered as she gathered her courage and slipped into the negligee. A glance in the mirror, a fluff of her hair, and she then had to talk herself into believing he wouldn’t mind the soft, rounded belly she still had. Thank you, Rex, for reminding her of that fact. Not that she ever forgot the reason behind the stomach but she’d managed to come to terms with the miscarriage and was even grateful that it meant she wasn’t tied to Rex permanently in any way. But she’d still mourned the loss of her baby.
She smoothed the silk down her hips, drew a deep breath, and opened the door to her room – at the same time a bare-chested Parker stepped through his doorway wearing a pair of unbuttoned jeans, appearing extremely sexy with his mussed hair, bare feet, and the tapered vee of hair that trailed down his abdomen.
“I hope you’re coming to see me,” he said, his darkened blue gaze trailing over her negligee, his stare focused on her pointed nipples, traveling down her bare legs.
“And if I am? What would you do with me?” She stepped forward and found herself hauled into his arms.
He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist, his mouth coming down hard on hers. They’d been dancing around this attraction since he’d arrived, her not wanting to admit one look at him had her addicted. There was no denying their desire now.
He walked them into his room and slammed the door behind him.
Next thing she knew, he’d placed her down on the bed. Standing over her, he stripped off his clothes until he was naked, his gorgeous body bared. His cock caught her attention, hard, thick, and very erect. A distinct pulse throbbed between her legs at the sight. A drop of pre-come pooled at the head and she moaned at the desire to taste him that overwhelmed her, surprising her with its intensity.
“As much as I appreciate the silk and lace, I need to feel your skin against mine,” he muttered, gliding the nightie up and over her body, tossing it on the floor beside his clothes.
His gaze settled on the bare vee between her legs. “Fuck. You could have prepared me.”
“Once I worked up the nerve to put on the lingerie, I figured what was the point of underwear?” She felt heat rise to her cheeks at the admission.
“I like the way you think.” He kissed the tip of her nose, her lips, trailed his way over her chest, his erection gliding against her flesh as he made his way down her body. “That’s what I mean. You feel fantastic,” he said gruffly, his hips jerking his cock against her thigh.
He was big and it had been a long time for her. Over a year, really, and she knew this was going to be epic. But she couldn’t focus on what would happen, because the sensations flooding her body called to her now.
His mouth paused in its travel at her breasts, licking his way across one until he reached her nipple. His lips latched on, suckling and tweaking, grazing the tight nub with his teeth, and she felt the erotic pull deep inside her sex. When he was obviously satisfied he’d tortured one sensitive nipple enough, he moved to the other side, giving it the same treatment.
She writhed beneath him, overly responsive and unused to the long span of attention he was giving her body. She knew what that said about her past relationship, but she didn’t care about that, hadn’t in a while, and shoved thoughts of it away now.
After having his fill, he lowered himself to her sex, took a long, what would have been embarrassing look, had he not appeared so pleased with what he saw. His eyes darkened, a muscle ticked in his jaw, and a low groan escaped his throat. Then he took her with a lap of his tongue that had her body bowing off the bed.
He placed a hand over her belly, holding her in place, as he sucked, licked, and devoured her sex. She’d never been the focus of a man’s attention this way, never had a guy so clearly enjoy her as Parker was doing.
The longer he spent pleasuring her, the higher her body soared, and she grappled, her fingers trying to grab the comforter to center her, but nothing was going to stop the pleasure rolling over her body. And she really didn’t want it to as, without warning, she came, her body bucking against his talented mouth, lost in sensation. He kept up the delicious torment until she began to pull away, her body too sensitive.
She immediately reached down, wrapping her hand around his velvety hard erection, the desire to taste him returning now that she’d come back to earth herself. She started with a pump of her hand up and down his shaft until he gripped her wrist, stilling her movement.
“I want to come inside you,” he said.
“But I want my turn to touch and taste you.” She looked up at him, batting her eyelashes in an attempt to get her way.
He grinned, studying her with an intensity that unnerved her. “Fine but we do it my way.”
She narrowed her gaze, suddenly wary and thinking she shouldn’t have pushed the point.
“Come up here,” he said, his voice a demand.
She wrinkled her nose in confusion.
“As in come put your knees on either side of my head. I do you. You do me,” he said, his tone husky, his desire clear.
“Sixty-nine?” she squeaked, never having done anything so … adventurous or intimate before. At least it felt intimate, putting her body in that position.
“That’s my deal. I make you come at the same time,” Parker said, his voice almost daring her to take him up on his command.
She knew he was here for a short time. Knew she’d never have the chance to be with a man who turned her on the same way ever again. Parker was different. She felt differently about him and chemistry like this was rare. She’d never felt anything like it before.
Drawing a deep breath, she climbed up to where he waited, turned away from him, and positioned herself over his face, mortification consuming her. Until he licked her, a slow, luscious stroke of his tongue that had her entire body burning up.
“You taste like those sweet goodies you bake. Now lie down, baby, and let’s get this going.”
She stretched out over him and found his cock waiting for her. She treated him to the same lick he gave her, sliding her mouth slowly over his shaft.
He groaned, his hands coming up to grip her hips in a way that told her she’d have bruises afterwards. The thought aroused her even more. What happened next defied description and rational thought. Somehow she managed to suck him, up and down, hollowing out her lips and licking at the head. Wrapping her hand around the base of his erection, she slid her hand up and down in time to the movement of her mouth.
He groaned, thrusting his hips upward, and she swallowed over the head that grazed her throat and almost caused her to gag but she managed to hold off. He rewarded her by sucking, licking, and darting his tongue inside her, his mouth taking her places she’d never dreamed of.
She rocked against him, managing to keep him in her mouth and work him with her hand while he brought her higher and higher, her climax so close she could almost reach for it.
His tongue flicked at her clit and she shattered, grinding herself against his mouth, and seconds later, he was climaxing, too, coming down her throat as she struggled to swallow and keep up.
When she came to herself, he grasped her hips and rolled her to her side. “C’mere,” he said in a gruff voice.
She flipped and crawled up to him, letting him pull her into his arms, where he cushioned her in the most amazing embrace.
“I have to admit, I didn’t envision that as our first time together,” she said into his chest.
He kissed the top of her head. “Me, neither, but it was fucking incredible. Now let me catch my breath and then I want to know what it feels like to come inside that sweet pussy.”
She pressed her lips to the hair on his chest, pushing herself up until her face was centimeters from his. Looking into his blue eyes, she fell a little, telling herself it was normal, that she wasn’t usually a casual-sex kind of girl. So of course she had feelings for Parker. But she knew what this was … and what it wasn’t. What it was, was temporary and she was going to enjoy every moment while he was here.
He grasped the back of her neck in his hand and sealed his mouth over hers, gliding his tongue over her lips, and she was lost. He pushed her back until she lay against the mattress, his body coming over hers.
She gazed up at him as his cock nudged at the entrance of her sex.
He groaned. “Be right back,” he said before she could remind him they needed protection. He strode into the bathroom, returning with a strip of condoms.
“You came prepared,” she said. The thought was sobering. Of course, this man could have his pick of women anywhere he went.
“It’s not what it looks like,” he said, rejoining her on the bed. “I haven’t traveled in years but they were in my Dopp Kit.”
She believed him. He had no reason to lie and she was glad he had protection because she didn’t and that would have derailed their night.
He looked to her for confirmation that she was okay, that they were fine, and her gaze fell to his still-hard erection.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” she asked in reply.
He ripped off one packet and tore into it, pulling out the condom and rolling it over his thick, straining shaft.
Watching him, she moaned, barely aware as the sound escaped from the back of her throat and her sex spasmed in anticipation of taking him inside her.
He grasped her hands and lifted them over her head. “Hold on,” he said, hooking them onto the spindles on the headboard.
Eyes wide, she curled her hands around them and let him take charge.
“Now bend your knees.”
She did as he said and he eased her legs back, exposing her to him as he aligned himself at her entrance and pushed himself inside. She groaned at the initial invasion that quickly turned to pleasure as he filled her, gliding out and sliding back in, her wetness lubricating his way until he bottomed out inside her, their bodies connecting completely.
“You feel so damn good.” His warm breath fanned her ear as he trembled on top of her.
“So do you.” She squeezed her inner muscles around him and they both groaned, the action prompting him to move.
His hands braced on either side of her head, he began to thrust into her, short, deliberate pumps of his hips followed by longer, more drawn-out glides that had her body in turmoil, the physical sensations more than she could take. But he didn’t let up and she felt herself spiraling out of control.
There were defining moments in her life, things that she’d never forget, painful ones and out-of-this-world ones, and this moment with Parker fell into the latter. He was forever defining what sex should be.
He brought her to the peak, the waves of delicious sensation taking her higher and closer to climax. He reached between them and rubbed his thumb over her nipple, squeezing it between his fingers so hard she felt it in her core. Her hips arched, her body searching for more friction, more feeling. Just more.
Unable to keep her own hands off him any longer, she released her grip from the headboard and pulled at his hair as he slammed into her over and over again. She climaxed without warning, hard, fast, her entire body consumed by blinding heat and fire. And he followed her over, coming with a roar in her ear, his powerful body stilling as his release washed over him.
After he’d gotten up, disposed of the condom, and returned, he climbed back into bed, pulling her into him, his breathing rough and labored, matching her own.
“You’re amazing.” He wrapped himself around her, kissing her neck.
“You’re pretty spectacular yourself.” She swallowed over the lump in her throat, the one that told her emotions were involved despite the fact that she’d only known him a few days.
Short term, she reminded herself. “What did you decide to do about finding a place to hold your corporate retreat?”
“I put it on the back burner. But Ethan’s called a few times. I just ignored him.” He chuckled. “That’s new for my brother. He’ll live. But eventually I probably should look into alternatives.”
She knew the area better than he did. “What if I know of a perfect resort I can show you? My dad seems to have things under control here. You’ve funded him, you’ve approved his ideas, we can go for a few days and look around?”
She’d take whatever time alone with him she could get.
He rolled her onto her back, coming down on top of her. “Are you suggesting we go away for a few days?”
“Are you opposed to the idea?”
He nudged her sex with his hard-again cock. “Does it feel like I’m opposed?”
She grinned. “No, it feels like you’re ready to go again.”
“That’s a yes. To a ski lodge … and hand me a condom,” he said in a husky voice that had her body clenching in need.