by Reese Ryan
“That’s good. Now just relax your leg.” He rested her leg across his own, his strong hands massaging her calf.
His hands moved deftly, alleviating the pain and causing warmth to spread along her skin, culminating in the space between her thighs.
She was suddenly conscious of her hardened nipples, accentuated by the rapid rise and fall of her chest.
“Thank you.” She halted his motion and withdrew her leg. She was able to stand easily, but some of the pain lingered.
“It feels much better. I’m going to hop into a nice, hot shower.”
“Actually, you should ice it first.” Parker said. “When the pain has diminished, then you can take your hot shower.”
“Thanks.” Kayleigh put weight on her right leg as she climbed the next step, but she winced in pain.
“I’ve got you.” Parker stood, sweeping her up in his arms before she could object.
She gasped in surprise, her hand pressed against his strong chest as he carried her up the remaining stairs and into the cabin.
Kayleigh wanted to insist that he put her down. She was hot, sticky, sweaty and smelled like the great outdoors. Parker was a germophobe. She could only imagine how grossed out he must be. But he didn’t flinch or complain as he took her inside, then carried her up to her bedroom on the second floor and set her down on the edge of the large soaking tub.
“Sit tight. I’ll get some ice.” He returned with a plastic bag full of ice, wrapped it in a towel and handed it to her. “Let me know if you need anything else. I’m going to order us some breakfast. Eggs, waffles, bacon, sausage and orange juice?”
“That’d be great.” Kayleigh positioned the ice over her calf. “Thank you, Parker.”
He nodded and left the room while Cricket lay down at her feet on the cool terra-cotta bathroom tile.
She didn’t understand Parker, and maybe she never would.
One moment he’d accused her of being a coward who was too afraid to fight for the people she loved. The next he was caring for her and Cricket as if he...
No, she would not give him credit for imitating a decent human being. Parker was all about business. His actions were sweet and thoughtful on the surface, and she appreciated what he’d done. But this was all about the deal for Parker. He’d done what he felt he needed to do to ensure that their deal was still on.
Kayleigh set the ice in the sink and turned on the shower, reminding herself to never forget that.
Eleven
Parker carefully unpacked their breakfast and laid it out on the table on the back deck overlooking the mountains and lush green forest. He glanced up as Kayleigh approached.
A short, flared white skirt showed off her strong, feminine legs, while a black off-shoulder blouse accentuated her toned shoulders and graceful neck. Her hair, still wet from the shower, appeared much darker and hung in perfect ringlets.
“This looks and smells amazing.” She surveyed the spread and sat in the seat he’d indicated. She waited until they were both settled at the table before she took her first bite and groaned with pleasure.
The sensual sound vibrated through his chest and settled below his belt. He gulped some of the freshly squeezed orange juice.
“So, about last night,” Parker said after they’d enjoyed most of their meal in relative silence.
Kayleigh frowned and sipped her juice. “Maybe it’s better if we forget about last night.”
Parker hesitated for a moment, but then put his fork down and scanned her pained expression.
“I didn’t intend to make you angry.”
“I believe you, Parker.” Kayleigh nibbled on her last piece of bacon. “I guess I got so angry because...” She shrugged. “Maybe there’s some truth to what you said.”
Kayleigh was conceding to his observation?
He was speechless.
“So this awards event next weekend in New York...” Kayleigh finally said after another stretch of silence. “I assume I should dress up for it.”
“If you’d like.” He shrugged. “I’m only staying at the gala long enough to collect the award.”
“For?”
“Distillery executive of the year.” He drank the last of his juice.
“That’s quite an honor. You’re just going to accept the prize and bounce? Seems rude.” Her tone made it sound more like an observation than an accusation. And she was probably right.
“I don’t care much for large social events. I spend the entire evening checking my watch and calculating the appropriate time to make my escape.” Parker chugged the last of his orange juice.
“What’s your biggest fear about attending them?” Kayleigh’s dark brown eyes assessed his.
“Other than the fact that I don’t enjoy spending my evenings making inconsequential talk with strangers?”
“It’s an industry event. You must be acquainted with some of your competitors and vendors.”
“I am.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But that usually means enduring long, painful conversations. A vendor once cornered me and showed me photos of all twenty of his grandchildren.”
“You’re a real charmer, aren’t you?” Kayleigh rolled her eyes and sighed. “It’s called building relationships, Abbott. You get to know them. You allow them to get to know you. Then they’re more inclined to purchase from your company in the future. It’s a little thing we like to call networking, and it’s an essential part of every business.”
“Fortunately Max, Zora, Blake and my dad excel at it.”
“But they won’t be there next weekend. You will. Who knows what type of connection you might make, if you’re willing to make the effort.”
“You sound like Zora.” Parker groaned.
“It’s no different than what you’ve been doing with me the past few weeks. Asking questions about my life. At least feigning interest—”
“I am genuinely concerned about your life and about what you’ve been through,” he said abruptly. Was he that much of a bastard that even now she still didn’t believe he was genuinely interested in her?
“I appreciate the effort,” she said. “And I’m sure that the people you’ll encounter at the event next week would, too.”
“Point taken, but there’s one more thing...” Parker frowned, remembering the awkward dance he and Kayleigh had shared at Blake and Savannah’s wedding reception. “You already know I’m not much of a dancer. If I hang around too long at these things, someone inevitably asks me to dance. I either hurt their feelings by turning them down or make a fool of myself by attempting to accommodate them. Neither situation is ideal.”
“That was a painful experience,” Kayleigh groused. She shook her head at the memory. “But you don’t need to be Usher or Fred Astaire. A little hip swaying should get you through the night just fine. All you need is a couple of moves and a little bit of swagger.”
“I’m pretty sure I don’t have either. When it comes to dancing,” he clarified.
“You can learn them.” Kayleigh stood, gathering their plates. She paused and glanced over at him. “How long before we need to check out of the cabin?”
“I booked it for tonight, too. Just in case you wanted to stay until later this evening. We could even leave first thing tomorrow morning, if you’d like.”
She froze, pinning him with an incredulous stare before returning her attention to gathering the plates. “That was very generous of you, Parker.”
He stood and collected the remaining food, then followed her to the kitchen.
“Give me a few minutes to load the dishwasher. Then meet me beside the pool for your dance lesson.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure you’d rather spend your last few hours here relaxing and enjoying the view.”
“I’m not going to let you accept that award and dash out next week. And if I’m getting all dressed u
p, we’re staying and dancing,” she replied. “So I’m doing this for my own safety.”
He’d stepped on her foot inadvertently and they’d nearly stumbled during their last dance together.
“Fair enough. What time would you like to check out?” He asked the question nonchalantly, hoping it wasn’t too obvious that he wanted to spend another evening with her. This time he’d keep his observations about Kayleigh’s life to himself.
“Why don’t we play it by ear?”
Parker’s jaw clenched involuntarily. He was practically allergic to spontaneity, a fact Kayleigh was well aware of. She seemed hell-bent on bashing in every single wall of his carefully constructed comfort zone with a steel battering ram. But he would do his best to adapt.
He nodded. “Sure. Why not?”
Kayleigh seemed stunned that he’d agreed so easily. She nabbed one last piece of bacon before he shut the lid on the container. “See you on the dance floor in five.”
Twelve
Parker stared at his feet and repeated the line dance steps in his head. Patterns he understood, so he could easily remember what he was supposed to be doing. But once he tried to move in sync with the music, everything fell apart.
“It’s pointless.” He stopped his painfully uncoordinated movements and ran a hand over his head. “Dancing isn’t my gift. I’ve made peace with it.”
Kayleigh paused the song on her cell phone. “You know the steps. Just stop thinking so much and connect with the music.”
“I’m trying to move with the beat.”
“And it looks painful.” Her warm tone and sweet smile took the sting out of her words. “So let’s try something less structured.”
“What do you have in mind?” He was grateful for the reprieve.
“A basic step, touch.” She demonstrated the move.
He watched her do it a few times, then moved in sync with her. “This is easy enough. Why didn’t we start with this?”
“It’s too early to get cocky, Abbott.” She stopped dancing and faced him, indicating that he continue as she assessed him. “Soften your knees and take smaller steps. Don’t stomp your foot. You’re not killing bugs. Just tap your toes lightly. You’ll be lighter on your feet and you can easily shift your weight in preparation for the next step.”
He felt awkward dancing while Kayleigh critiqued him. But he tried diligently to incorporate each new instruction.
“Much better.” She switched to a mellow love ballad. Her brown eyes twinkled and one side of her mouth quirked. “My big toe may never forgive me for this, but why don’t we take another stab at dancing together?”
Parker placed one hand near the top of her back and gripped her hand with the other, holding it high. He could still remember his grade school phys ed instructor barking at them to hold the frame.
“We’re not doing the waltz, so this position feels too formal. Loosen up a little. Also, I won’t bite, so you don’t need to leave enough space between us to set up a lemonade stand.”
“Loosen the hold and hold the lemonade stand. Got it.” He catalogued her instructions in his brain. Parker stepped closer, glided his palm down her back a little and lowered their clasped hands. “Like this?”
“Much better.” Kayleigh pressed her hand to his back. “Let’s go back into that step, touch move.”
They practiced to one song, then another, until he felt more confident.
“Better, but you’re still a little stiff. You realize your hips are capable of movement, right?”
“Obviously.” He smirked.
“Not that kind of hip movement.” Kayleigh’s cheeks flushed. “Maybe we should practice hip circles.”
“That’s a definite no for me.” He came to a stop and released her. “But if you’d care to practice hip circles, I’m happy to critique you.”
“That’s a great idea. But don’t just assess them—practice them with me.” She huffed in response to his adamant refusal. “Okay, you don’t have to. Just try to feel the music.”
“I’ll try to do a better job of keeping time with the music. How’s that?”
“Close enough.” Kayleigh scrolled through her phone. The opening chords of Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up” played and she set it down. “This is perfect. It’s up-tempo with a really funky, sexy groove.”
Strung together, those words didn’t make sense to him. “What exactly am I supposed to be doing?”
“Same as before.” She started the step, touch again. “Just remember, you’re not a utility pole, so your hips and waist shouldn’t be stationary.”
Parker followed her lead and tried to be more relaxed, like Kayleigh. Arms raised and hips rocking, she snapped her fingers and sang along. He was mesmerized.
He concentrated on the music and Kayleigh’s movements—smooth, hypnotic and sexy as hell. Little by little, each move felt more natural.
“All right now!” Kayleigh grinned, her body swaying. She turned, giving her back to him as she swiveled her hips.
She was close. Close enough for her signature vanilla scent to tickle his nostrils. Close enough for him to feel the heat radiating from her freshly scrubbed skin. But not close enough to touch.
Yet that’s exactly what he wanted. To wrap his arms around her waist and haul her body against his as they danced together.
“Awesome job, Parker.” She high-fived him when the song ended. “Now we’ll do the same thing back in partner position to a slower song.”
“Got it.” He mentally reviewed everything he’d learned as she selected the next song. Another Marvin Gaye tune: “I Want You.”
Apropos choice.
He took her in his arms and they swayed to the song, which she played on repeat.
“You’re doing terrific, Parker.” The encouragement in her voice warmed his chest and made him want to try harder.
Next she showed him how to use the gentle pressure of both hands to guide her as they made their way across the floor.
“You’re actually going to let me lead?” he teased.
“Don’t let it go to your head, and don’t make us look bad.” Her body fit snugly against his as she pressed her cheek to his chest.
It was a welcome sensation.
Parker cradled her soft curves against him and rested his chin against the top of her head, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo.
“So, what’s the verdict?” he asked. “Am I ready for prime time?”
“Definitely.” Kayleigh looked up at him. There was something in her tone and expression he couldn’t quite read. She pulled out of his embrace and turned off the music. “That’s enough practice. I’ll go pack so we can get out of here.”
“Kayleigh.” Parker caught her hand when she turned to walk away. “Was it something I said?”
“No.” She shook her head, not meeting his gaze. “It’s nothing like that.”
“But it is something.” Parker stepped closer.
Kayleigh bit her lower lip. Her chest rose and fell quickly, as if she was in distress.
“Talk to me, Kayleigh.” He needed to see the depths of those brown eyes to make sure he hadn’t sabotaged the progress they’d made. He gently lifted Kayleigh’s chin, and her gaze met his. “Why are you suddenly so agitated?”
“It’s nothing. I...” She sighed heavily as she slipped her hand from his. But rather than pulling away, she clutched his shirt with both hands and lifted onto her toes. Her eyes drifted shut as she pressed her lips to his.
Kayleigh Jemison was sure she’d lost her freaking mind. She was kissing Parker Abbott. Intentionally.
Parker seemed stunned at first. He’d gone still, allowing her to take control. But then his strong hands drifted to the back of her neck. His thumbs rested against her cheekbones as he kissed her.
The kiss started off tame and sweet as they felt
each other out. But their tentativeness slowly gave way to the heat growing between them. He sucked on her lower lip before tilting her head, sliding his warm tongue inside her mouth and gliding it against hers.
She welcomed it with an involuntary sigh.
Parker was an excellent kisser. She could add that to the long list of things about him that surprised her.
He’d been utterly adorable as he’d struggled to learn to dance. But as they danced to a slow song together, in full contact, hips in motion, his lean, fit body pressed to hers, she couldn’t help wanting him to kiss her again. Something she’d fantasized about since he’d kissed her at his parents’ house.
The memory of that first kiss often flooded her brain, the sensations washing over her with the same intensity they had that day. Each time, she dismissed the prospect of repeating their mistake.
It was a colossally bad idea that would only complicate their arrangement. Yet she couldn’t help wanting him.
She wanted to feel his strong hands on her bare skin, and to run her fingertips along his. She wanted to trace the muscles of his calves and biceps, which she’d ogled shamelessly during their hike through the mountains. And she desperately needed to know if his abs and ass were as firm as their perfect outlines, visible through his clothing, led her to believe.
Her pulse raced and her temperature rose in response to his deepening of their kiss. A spark of electricity danced along her spine as he trailed one large hand down her back. Her nipples pebbled as they brushed against his firm chest.
As delicious as his kiss was, it only made her want more than was possible with the two of them still fully dressed. Kayleigh fumbled with the buttons on Parker’s shirt. She’d unfastened two when he pulled his mouth from hers suddenly.
He seemed thrown off by her taking control again. He studied her, his chest heaving. But he didn’t speak. Nor did he halt her progress as she unbuttoned the remaining buttons.
She slipped the fabric from his shoulders. His hungry gaze locked with hers as he allowed the shirt to fall to the floor.
Kayleigh sank her teeth into her lower lip and sighed softly as she studied his lean, muscular frame.
