by M. S. Parker
“You’re cruel. Cruel, evil and malicious,” he said with a sigh.
“Guilty as charged.” Reaching up, I traced my fingers over his lips. “I’ll make it up to you…later. I promise.”
“Good.” He closed his hand over my wrist and squeezed gently. “Listen…I need to do this now. I kept telling myself I’d wait, but I was talking to DeVon, and seeing Krissy…I can’t quit thinking about it.”
My stomach lurched.
What was he…?
Arik shoved his hands in his pockets. “I know we haven't even been together a year. I know that. But after everything that’s happened and after how Krissy and DeVon lost the baby…I just…look, I don’t want to wait forever to start living my life with you.”
Mystified, I stared at him. “Arik, we’re already—”
“No.” He closed the distance between us and stooped down until we were eye to eye. Thanks to my heels, that wasn't as much distance as usual. “We’re dating, yes. I sleep at your place on the weekends, or you stay at mine. But sometimes, especially when we're with a busy case, we can go almost a week without seeing each other. It’s too long. I want a life with you. A real one.”
He nodded toward the women standing beyond us, at Krissy and Carrie and how they stood together laughing. “I want what they have. Something permanent—something real. Maybe later on, a family, if that’s what you want, too. I just…I want more than the semi-casual thing we’re doing. I want forever, Dena.”
Feeling a little weak in the knees, I struggled to breathe as he leaned in and took my hand, lifting it to his lips.
“I want you to move in with me.”
His words tumbled over and over in my head as he kissed the back of my hand. He wanted us to live together. I'd never lived with anyone but a college roommate. I'd never lived with a man.
“What do you think?” Arik asked.
I said the first thing that came to mind.
“No.”
Arik tensed.
“What?”
The word was flat, and I hurried to clarify.
“I don't mean no. Not exactly.” Frowning and feeling stupid, I rubbed my forehead. “It's just, I don't really feel like I'm home when I'm at your place. It's gorgeous, and huge, and expensive, but the only thing there I like is you. I don't want to give up my place, even if it is smaller.”
His eyes met mine and I saw the hope in them. Hope that I wasn't actually turning him down.
“I want you to move in with me.”
Arik stared at me for a moment and then he started to smile.
“Why, Ms. Monroe, you drive a hard bargain. Anybody ever tell you that you like to throw your weight around a bit too much?”
“Well...” I lifted a shoulder. “I just know what I want.”
A wolfish grin lit his face. “I’ve always admired that in a woman.” He caught me against him and before I could remember to tell him not to, he kissed me, hard, fast and deep. I was panting when he stopped, and ready to beg for more.
“I think I can agree to those terms...as long as I still get to be in charge in the bedroom.”
“I can agree to those terms.” I arched my eyebrow. “Most of the time.”
He tugged me close again, but he didn’t have a chance to do anything else.
The door opened and Mrs. Summers stood there, beaming at us. “It’s time!” Her soft, southern drawl was warm and sweet – and brooked no argument.
Arik offered me his arm. “Allow me to escort you, Miss Monroe.”
“I'd be honored, Mr. Porter.” I wrapped my arm around his.
As we started out of the room, he bent his head close to my ear and murmured, “After this, I think we should go back to your – our place – tonight. Make it official. I’ll make love to you in every room. What do you think?”
What did I think?
Hmmm...where would I start?
My face was flushed as we walked by the beaming mother of the bride.
“I like the sound of that.”
The End
All Box Sets From MS Parker:
Chasing Perfection Box Set
Blindfold Box Set
Club Prive Box Set
The Pleasure Series Box Set
Exotic Desires Box Set
Pure Lust Box Set
Casual Encounter Box Set
Sinful Desires Box Set
Twisted Affair Box Set
Serving HIM Box Set
Connect with MS Parker on Facebook:
http://Facebook.com/MsParkerAuthor
Acknowledgement
First, I would like to thank all of my readers. Without you, my books would not exist. I truly appreciate each and every one of you.
A big “thanks” goes out to all the Facebook fans, street team, beta readers, and advanced reviewers. You are a HUGE part of the success of all my series.
I have to thank my PA, Shannon Hunt. Without you my life would be a complete and utter mess. Also a big thank you goes out to my editor Lynette and my wonderful cover designer, Sinisa. You make my ideas and writing look so good.
About The Author
M. S. Parker is a USA Today Bestselling author and the author of the Erotic Romance series, Club Privè and Chasing Perfection.
Living in Las Vegas, she enjoys sitting by the pool with her laptop writing on her next spicy romance.
Growing up all she wanted to be was a dancer, actor or author. So far only the latter has come true but M. S. Parker hasn’t retired her dancing shoes just yet. She is still waiting for the call for her to appear on Dancing With The Stars.
When M. S. isn't writing, she can usually be found reading– oops, scratch that! She is always writing.
