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.”
“Nice speech, doc.”
“I’ve given it enough times.” He stood. “Now about that shot.”
Isla tried to pull up her sleeve, but the cuff was too tight. “I guess I’ll have to take it off.”
With his back to his mother, Parker grinned. “Guess so.” He grabbed his medical bag, caught her uninjured hand, and led her through the house and up the stairs. He tugged her into his room then closed the door. He smiled like a little boy holding a bag of candy. “Begin the striptease.”
She cocked her hip, letting her shoulders droop. “Okay. Have it your way.” Isla pushed him so that he plopped back onto the bed. She wiggled her hips, then instead of pulling off her sweater, she pulled her arm out of the sleeve. “How’d I do?”
Parker screwed his mouth to one side. “It needs work.” He laughed.
Parker gave Isla the shot. Securing a bandage on the site, he said, “Good as new.” He held up the sweater sleeve for her.
“No kiss?”
He took her head in his hands and kissed her lips like he never wanted to stop.
She pulled back. “I meant my booboo.”
“I know what you meant.” He smiled, then reconnected his mouth to hers.
His intensity was something she had never known. There was hunger, but there was also a hint of irritation. As if he was savoring her lips and enjoying the feel of her in his arms with reluctance.
Confusion and curiosity mixed with the excitement he created in her. She wanted him. She was desperate to have him. If he tossed her on the bed, she wouldn’t stop him. In fact, she would get there before he did.
He jerked her to arm’s length. “I have to go. Let me know if you have any pain.” He left, closing the door a bit too firmly.
Sparkle peeked over the lampshade. “Wow, that was hot.”
Isla scowled. “I thought you weren’t watching.”
“I would not have missed that kiss for the world. Glitter and fairy dust, you two would have burned the house down if you kept that up.”
“Sparkle.”
The fairy flew up to Isla. “What? I’m just saying, that was something.”
Isla touched her lips. “It was something all right.”
“Girl, don’t go falling in love on me.”
“What? I’m not falling anywhere.”
“You sure? Remember, I’m not using my magic in all this. This is strictly you. And him.” Sparkle fanned her face with her hand. “And by the looks of it, you don’t need me.”
“I always need you.”
“Yeah, you do. But right now, I’m talking about you and Parker.” Sparkle landed on her shoulder. “It might be fun. A little roll in the sheets. How long has it been? Like forever.”
“All right, that’s enough.” Isla brushed Sparkle off her shoulder. “Be nice to me, or you’re not getting any turkey.”
“I’ll just have to come down in the middle of dinner and take it.”
“Hilarious. You know very well that if anyone finds out what you are, we both get in serious trouble.”
“The fairy council would be pissed. Even turkey dinner wouldn’t be a good enough excuse.” Sparkle put her finger to her cheek. “But maybe with extenuating circumstances.”
“Good-bye,” Isla said as she closed the door.
The rest of the food preparation went without incident. Lorna and Isla kept the conversation general and pleasant.
They had just finished when Ted came into the kitchen, rubbing his hands together. “I’m just about ready to start on the bird. What’s the status in the kitchen?”
“We’re ready.” Lorna flipped her hair. “Sarah and the kids should be here soon.”
“I’ll get my coat.” Isla came back a minute later, buttoning her peacoat.
“Do you have a hat and gloves? The beach is chilly.” Ted wagged his finger. “And rain boots.” He looked to Lorna. “Do we have extra boots?”
“We might,” Lorna said, “But they’re going to be big.”
“That’s all right,” Isla said. “I don’t mind clomping around. Lead on.”
Isla followed Ted out the kitchen door. They walked toward the water, the cobblestone patio became sand pebbles then sand. The seagrass rose high on either side of the path. The sun was full and bright, the sound of gulls mixed with a gentle lap of small waves at the shoreline.
“This is beautiful,” Isla said. “What a peaceful place.”
“I enjoy sitting out here, especially in the fall and spring.”
Isla spotted the Adirondack chairs, each one painted a different color. “I think I would, too.” She sat in the blue chair. Ted had the turkey fryer set up beside the green chair. A bottle of wine was poking out of the sand, four plastic stemless wine glasses were on a side table near his chair.
Ted lit the propane burner under the pot of oil. He looked at his watch. “This will take about forty-five minutes. Wine?”
“Sure.”
Ted poured two glasses then handed her one. “What happened to your finger?”
Isla told him.
It pays to have a doctor in the family.” Ted sat.
Contentment filtered into every cell in her body. She inhaled a long breath of river scented air, the sun warmed her, the house and seagrass shielded them from much of the breeze. She could have fallen asleep like a baby in its mother’s arms.
Ted talked about the many years he fried a turkey on the beach in between sips of wine.
The commotion of voices and squeals came down the path ending with the unified scream of ‘Grandpa.’
“Mom told us you were down here already.”
Ted grabbed his two grandsons in a bearhug. The boys laughed and shrieked. “I missed you guys.” He stood and made the introductions.
“Nice to meet you, Margo,” Sarah said. “My brother finally found someone to bring home.” She leaned to Margo. “Has Mom tried to set a wedding date yet?”
“Sarah,” Ted said, “your mother isn’t that bad. Besides, she just wants Parker to be as happy as you are. Her heart is in the right place.”
Isla thought Sarah’s silence and bland expression were puzzling. Was she reacting to Ted’s pronouncement that she was happy or that Lorna’s prodding came from a place of support?
“There you are,” Parker said, coming through the path.
The boys yelled his name then charged him like football defensive ends. There were a few minutes of roughhousing and rolling in the sand. Ted played referee.
The scene was greeting card heartwarming.
“It’s like this every holiday,” Sarah said to Isla. “The boys wrestle with their uncle every minute they can. Bruce, my husband, is not the wrestling type. He is the computer guy. When they want to play videogames, it’s Dad. When they want to get physical, it’s those two.” Sarah indicated her father and brother.
“We each have our talents.”
“Tell me about the lady my brother finally thought enough of to bring home.” Sarah cocked her hip. “Or I could ask a million questions.”
Isla put her hands in her pockets then gave a concise, simple biography that was a composite of her life and what Parker had told her about Margo. “Is your husband inside?”
“He’s coming from the office, so we took separate cars. He’ll be here soon.”
“Working on Thanksgiving morning?”
“That’s my husband.” Sarah looked at her phone. She raised her voice, “Hey guys, Mom wanted me to tell you that the appetizers are ready and waiting.”
Parker came up to them. “I see you two have met.” He looked at his sister. “Don’t go telling all my secrets there, sis.”
“Only you would think that we would be talking about you. Men.”
“You and Dad take the boys up for some food. Margo and I can watch the fryer.” Parker winked. “We can make out on the beach.” He put his arm around Isla and tucked her against his hip.
Isla kissed Parker’s cheek.
“Go on,” Parker said to Sarah, “or we’re going to start making out, and you’ll have to explain to the boys why I’m unbuttoning her coat then putting my hand up her sweater.”
“Jeez bro, you are still as gross as you were when you were ten.”
“What did I miss?” Ted asked.
Parker, Sarah, and Isla said ‘nothing’ at the same time.
Ted stared at them a moment. “Oooookay.” He raised his voice. “Boys, let’s grab some grub.” Ted put an arm around each boy then steered them toward the house.
Sarah followed behind them, shaking her head.
Once they were out of sight, Isla looked up at Parker. “You’re trying too hard to sell this.”
He turned her to face him. “Or maybe, I’m looking for an excuse to kiss you again.”
As he slowly tipped her chin and lowered his mouth to hers, Isla’s pulse raced, her knees weakened, and her thoughts dizzied. She plunged her tongue into his mouth first. His reaction was swift and deep. Parker took her head in his hands and savored her mouth. He moved his hands, holding the back of her head with one and pressing her to him with the other. When Isla was breathless, Parker pulled back. “Wow.”
“Agreed.” She put her forehead to his chin, catching her breath. “If you’re not careful, you might forget this is a trick and start falling for me.”
“Nah, I’m not the marrying kind remember?” He connected the kiss again, igniting the same passion, causing the same stir deep inside her body. She didn’t realize her coat was open until his hand was inside her sweater.
Isla pushed on his chest. “If this is all an act, you could do it with less conviction.” He may not have conviction, but she was ready for him to unhook her bra, for his warm hand cupping her breast, his fingers fluttering her nipple to hardness. Hell’s bells, she was ready to hide in the seagrass and drop her pants. Letting him take her from behind would require minimal shifting of clothes and maximum acceleration to heaven. His hand was gone. His lips were gone. The warmth of his body was gone. She opened her eyes.
“Okay, that’s it. We have to stop. You’re right. This is a business arrangement, and since no one is here, there is no reason to play the game.” He walked over to the green Adirondack chair and plopped down with resolve. He stared at the river.
“I’ll wait with you.”
“No.”
“It will look bad if I go back in alone.”
“Then just sit there.”
His posture was stiff, his expression tense.
“O-okay. Fine.” She took the blue chair.
When Ted returned with a plate of food, the air between Isla and Parker was below freezing.
Isla stood. “I guess I’ll get some food.”
“I’ll be there in a few,” Parker said. He heard Isla walking away. Good lord, he had to stop doing that. Her lips were too delicious, and her body molded too precisely with his. Every kiss hardened him to readiness. When her tongue started jousting with his, all he wanted to do was yank her into the tall grass and make love to her. Taking her from behind would have been easy and fantastic. He could tell from her reaction that she was more than ready to let him. Entering her would be effortless. She was wet and swollen, he was certain of it. These thoughts hardened him all over again.
“How’s it going, son?” Ted sat in the chair next to Parker.
“Fine, Dad.”
“Your lady is nice. I can see why you’re attracted to her.” When Parker didn’t react, Ted added, “She makes a congenial addition to the holiday.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“The fact that she’s even here suggests to me that she means a lot to you.”
“She does.”
“You seem different. I have to assume it’s because of Margo.”
“Yes, Dad.”
Ted paused. “What is it, son?”
Parker leaned back. “Nothing, Dad. She is different. I like her. I like being with her.”
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It is.” Except that she is not Margo, and this is a ruse. Parker stood. “I’m ready for some food. You okay here by yourself?”
“Of course.” Ted poured another glass of wine.
“I’ll be back. Need anything?”
His father held up his plate. “No, I’m good.”
Parker walked back to the path, confusion swirling, tension easing, and his mood shredded. This ploy to get his mother to ease off the nagging may come with a heavy price.