by J. M. Walker
“Have you ever had Dale’s sandwiches?” Parker asked, resting an arm on the back of the seat.
I shook my head, my cheeks heating. “Are they good?”
He winked at me. “Only the best.”
“Why did you hire me?” I blurted out.
He raised an eyebrow. “Was I not supposed to?”
“No. I mean...you…you hardly interviewed me.” God, the man had me stuttering now. I cleared my throat, attempting to pull confidence from my inner being. This guy would not rattle me. He wouldn’t. I refused to let him. And I refused to trust again. “You asked me my name, age, and told me to stand and then sit. That’s hardly an interview.”
He reached out for my hand. “Come here.”
“Why?”
His eyes searched my face. “I won’t hurt you,” he said so softly I wasn’t sure if I heard him right.
Tentatively, I placed my hand in his, letting him pull me to the empty spot beside him.
“That’s why I hired you,” he breathed in my ear, brushing his thumb along the length of my jaw. “Who hurt you, beautiful one?” he whispered.
“Someone in my past life,” I heard myself say. “I don’t...I don’t understand why I’m having this reaction to you,” I added quickly. Shame settled deep in my core at giving in so easily. Again. After everything that had happened to me, you would think I’d learn. “What’s wrong with me?”
His green eyes heated, roaming down the length of my body. “Nothing is wrong that I can see.”
“I feel like I give in to you…” I trailed off, not taking my gaze from his full mouth. My lips tingled, itching to kiss him. I swallowed and shook myself. Looking away, I crossed my arms under my chest.
“You give in because you want to. Your body reacts before your mind does and that scares you, but there is nothing wrong with that.” His warm, calloused hand gently wrapped around my throat, tilting my head back.
A soft whimper escaped my lips, my fingers digging into the cushion of the seat. “You don’t scare me.”
A wicked glint flashed in his eyes. “Yes. I do. But only because you know what I can do to you and you crave it.”
“How do you know that? You only just met me.” I pulled out of his grip. “Take me home.”
His jaw ticked, his eyes narrowing. He was challenging me. Finding out how far he could push me. “You need to eat.”
I looked away. “I’m not hungry.”
“I’m not taking you home until I feed you.”
“Why?” I scowled.
He rubbed his chin, staring at me intently. “I want you to eat.”
“I ate already,” I lied. Eating the batter that Troy had mixed together was not a meal, Keely.
“You will eat,” he said, his voice final.
“I don’t want food.” I scowled.
He grinned. “You will want this food. Trust me.”
I swallowed the tiny morsel of doughy goodness and moaned. “Oh my.” Thoughts of the domineering ass beside me escaped my mind as I ate the best sandwich in the whole entire world.
Parker’s eyes twinkled. “Good, right?”
“Where did you find this place?” I asked, taking another bite of the turkey sandwich.
“My mom used to take me here when I was a kid. It was our thing.” He took a sip of his water and winked at me.
My heart hurt at the tiny bit of information he had shared about himself with me. “When did she die?” I knew just from hearing Troy talk that Parker’s mom had passed away several years ago. Or that’s what the rumors had said anyways. I didn’t really know what had happened or if she was even dead.
“Don’t you read the newspaper?” he asked, his eyes going cold.
My back stiffened. “I wanted to hear it from you. I don’t know what to believe when it comes to that tabloid shit.”
The corners of his lips twitched. “Why?”
“Maybe it’s unprofessional but I wanted to get to know my boss.” I shrugged. “At least to clear up some of the rumors I’ve been hearing.”
He slid closer to me on the booth. “And what rumors would that be, Keely?” he asked, tentatively brushing his finger over the back of my hand.
I stared at the small movement, my heart fluttering. “How…how you’re dark. Dangerous.”
When I didn’t pull away, his hand wrapped around my wrist, his thumb pressing into my pulse point. “And?”
I swallowed. “And how you’re an asshole.”
“Do you think I’m an asshole, Miss Price?”
“Not at the moment,” I said on a breath.
“What other rumors have you heard about me?” His hand slid up my forearm, his long fingers wrapping around the limb easily. In a quick move, he could break my arm if he wanted to. A shiver of fear ran through my body.
“My roommate said that your mom died. But I don’t think that’s the case. I think you let the tabloids run with whatever story they want so they don’t get to know the real you.”
“Perceptive.” He chuckled. “What else have you heard the tabloids say?”
“That…um…”
“Why did you apply at Reed Industries?”
“Was I not supposed to?” I asked, throwing his own question back at him.
His eyes twinkled with amusement. “Answer the question, Miss Price.”
My body tingled at the formality. I shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t know much about the company but I heard that you cater to young business entrepreneurs. And that you don’t discriminate.”
He looked away, his gaze dancing around the small restaurant. “Everyone has a right to learn. To grow. Doesn’t matter what field they’re in. Not giving someone the chance could ruin their careers.” He turned back to me. “I know what it’s like to be the youngest person in the room and be the boss. All eyes narrow at you. Throwing daggers. Grumbles of frustration because these men feel that they should be the one in my shoes.”
I nodded in understanding. “I can’t imagine it being easy.”
He brushed a thumb along the back of the hand that was wrapped around my glass, smiling softly. “No. It wasn’t. But I made them see reason.” He winked.
“I bet. You probably had them eating out of the palm of your hand by the time you were done with them.” I sat back, ignoring the flush of heat that travelled over my skin just from his small touch.
He grinned. “Something like that.”
“What’s your favorite thing about what you do?” I asked, placing my hands in my lap. My heart gave a somersault at how easy it was to have a conversation with him.
“Helping people,” he answered, rubbing his finger around the rim of his glass. “I like instilling in young kid’s minds that they can be all that they want to be. With some added guidance and support, they can make it to the top.” His gaze met mine. “My goal is to make these young budding superstars see that no one can bring them down.”
I nodded in understanding. “That’s pretty amazing.”
He shrugged. “I don’t like to bask in my own glory, Miss Price.”
“Really?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Just because I have money doesn’t mean shit. I’m lucky. I’m trying to teach my staff to instill into these kids that money isn’t everything.”
My gaze slid around the small deli. It was homey with the scent of dough permeating through the air. I liked it. It wasn’t fancy. It was…perfect.
“Tell me, Keely. What makes a woman like you…tick?”
A small chuckle escaped me as I fidgeted nervously in my seat. “My roommate’s cooking and computers.”
“I like a woman who loves food.” He made a point of licking his bottom lip before grazing his pearly white teeth over the plump flesh.
My skin tingled and all I could do was stare.
“Here’s your bill, Mr. Reed.” A stout woman handed him a folded up piece of paper and walked away, sashaying her hips.
I laughed and shook my head, thankful for the interruption. “You e
ven have older women trying to get you to notice them.”
He glanced down at my lips. “I never noticed.”
My mouth parted as he inched closer to me. I could see the specks of gold in his green gaze. The light freckles on his tanned nose. His angular jaw jutted out perfectly, his high cheek bones inching up when he smiled. He was an artist’s dream. I imagined God creating him with a stroke of his brush on life’s canvas.
Just when I thought Parker was going to kiss me, he leaned down to my ear.
“Believe the rumors. Don’t try and break me, little one.”
The scent of leather and man invaded my nostrils, making my heart soar. “Who are you?”
“I’m Parker Reed,” he murmured, tightening his hold on my wrist.
“No.” I shook my head. “The real you.” Although I had just met him, a part of me wanted to crack into his hard exterior. His outer shell. I wanted to find out what made him tick. What made him...him.
I looked up and met his gaze. The black pupils darkened if that was possible. They say the eyes are windows to the soul. Well, I couldn’t see anything when it came to him. He was closed off. If he wanted me to know something, he would tell me; only then would I know.
“I want to kiss you. Will you let me, angel?” he asked, keeping hold of my wrist.
My body was hyper aware of his hand on me. The tiny hairs on my skin stood on end. “Isn’t...isn’t that against some work code?”
He smirked, licking his lips. His pearly white teeth grazed over his plump bottom lip and what I wouldn’t give to bite it. Just a nibble. A taste.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, linking his fingers in mine.
“How much I want to bite you.” I gasped, clapping a hand over my mouth. “Oh my gosh. That...I didn’t...”
His nostrils flared and he grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet. We quickly left the small restaurant and headed to the limo.
“Mr. Reed, I—”
“Parker,” he said, rounding on me. “Call me Parker.”
I looked up at him, wide-eyed. “Okay, but—”
“Or if you feel the need to call me something formal, call me Sir.”
“Sir,” I repeated. A flutter tickled my belly at the term but I liked it. I especially liked the way his eyes twinkled when I used it.
A wicked grin spread on his face. “Oh yeah. That’ll work.”
“Um...” Way over my head.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards his limo. “Jones. Please take us back to Miss Price’s apartment.” He looked down at me. “She needs to rest up for her first day on the job tomorrow.” He winked and opened the door for me.
I slid into the vehicle and rooted through my purse for my phone. Five missed calls from Troy. I sighed and hit the call back button.
“Girl, where the hell are you?”
I bristled at his tone and took a breath. “Out. What’s your deal?”
“I was worried and I wanted to apologize for giving you the third degree.”
“I understand your worry but I’m fine. I promise.”
“Where are you?”
“Jones, take the long way back,” Parker instructed the driver.
I frowned, glancing at him.
“Wait...are you with Parker Reed?”
“I bumped into him when I left our place. He took me out for a sandwich,” I explained to Troy, not taking my eyes off of Parker.
“Keely, do you have any idea who you are dealing with?”
“Troy, I love you but I’m hanging up now. I’ll be home soon.” I hung up the phone and threw it back in my bag.
“Boyfriend?” Parker asked, his jaw tensing.
“No. Roommate.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“You live with a guy?”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Troy would be more interested in you than he would me, trust me.”
“He’s gay?”
“Very.” I shook my head and leaned back against the seat. Our shoulders brushed. One move and I could be in his lap having the ride of my life. Desire unfurled deep in my belly. I bit back a groan. “Parker?”
“Hmm?”
“How did you do it?” I asked, needing to desperately distract myself from the naughty images I was having.
He looked down at me, rubbing his chin. “What?”
“How did you become one of the richest men in North America at such a young age?”
“By being in control.”
I shivered at his words that were so little but meant so much.
His dark emerald eyes cut into mine. Holding me. Captivating me. I couldn’t help but stare back.
“Mr...Sir,” I breathed.
He smirked and ran a thumb along my bottom lip. “So beautiful.”
My heart raced, my breath leaving me in short bursts of air. “Parker.”
“I’m going to kiss you now, Miss Price, and you’re going to let me.”
I nodded even though he didn’t ask me a question. He didn’t need my permission. I swayed towards him and cupped his cheek. A soft purr left his lips as he leaned into my palm. He pinched my chin, tilting my head, brushing his mouth along mine.
A small whimper escaped me.
“Bite me, little one,” he demanded.
My cheeks heated. Licking along his bottom lip, I sucked and pulled, gently nipping the plump flesh.
He growled, sliding his hand to the back of my neck and pulled me towards him in a rough move. I gasped, slapping my hands against his hard chest. He grinned and licked along the seam of my mouth before delving deep inside. I moaned, opening to him, taking him as deep as possible. Our tongues meshed, dancing as one. Fighting for control that neither of us had.
He groaned, deepening the kiss and lowered me to the bench. Arching under him, I hooked my legs around his waist.
“Hmm...” He purred against my mouth. Trailing light pecks down to my ear, he sucked and pulled at my lobe. Biting his teeth into the sensitive skin at my collarbone, he brushed a finger over my bottom lip. “I didn’t hire you to be my intern,” he murmured.
I panted, cupping the back of his neck. “What did you hire me for?”
His hand grazed up under my dress. Reaching my hips, he gripped the side of my panties and with a rough tug, ripped them clean off my body. He licked between my lips, pushing his pelvis between my thighs. Gasping into his mouth, I dug my fingers into his thick arms.
He sat back, a smug smile spreading on his handsome face.
I stared at him, wide-eyed and beyond sexually frustrated when the limo came to a stop.
He pulled me to a sitting position and grazed a hand up my inner thigh. “You’re going to be my…assistant. You will do, say, and be what I want when you’re under my roof.”
I jumped when his finger brushed over the top of my mound. “What does that mean?”
He kissed my shoulder. “Look at me.”
I slowly turned my head, meeting his heated stare.
He continued teasing my lower area but didn’t delve any deeper like I wanted him to. “You’ll see, little one.” He released me completely and left the limo.
I shivered at the loss of his hands no longer being on me. What the hell was I thinking? He was my boss. I was his assistant. Whatever that meant.
“Coming, angel?” He reached a hand in.
No. Unfortunately, I wasn’t. I grumbled to myself and took his hand, letting him pull me out of the vehicle.
He caressed his fingers over my collar bone. “Be at my office at 8am tomorrow morning.” He slid back into the limo, which took off down the street; I didn’t move until it disappeared from sight. Well, that was interesting.
My lips tingled, remembering his mouth on mine. His tongue inside me. God, what I wouldn’t give to explore more of him. To feel his hands on my body. Caressing. Kneading. Massaging. Bringing me to heights of ecstasy I knew he could.
“Oh, Parker. Who are you?” And why are you affecting me this way?
“I
hate to act like a nag—”
“Then don’t,” I mumbled, throwing my bag on my bed.
“Keely.”
“Troy.” I met his stare head on, placing my hands on my hips. “Talk to me like my best friend. Not like a parent.”
“Fine.” He grabbed my hand and sat me down on the bed. “Tell me about your evening and that fine specimen you had a sandwich with.”
I laughed, my cheeks heating. “We didn’t stay out for long but it was nice. He was...nice.”
“Did he ever tell you what he hired you for?”
“Uh...to be his assistant.”
“Oh.” Troy frowned, his perfectly arched eyebrows furrowing in the center.
I poked him in the ribs. “Don’t frown. You’ll get wrinkles.”
He nudged me in the shoulder. “What does being his assistant actually mean?”
“I’m...I’m not sure.” I sighed.
“Be careful, baby girl.” Troy cupped the back of my nape and kissed my head.
“I will.” I had to. I needed to protect my heart that had been shattered before. I wouldn’t go through that again. I couldn’t.
“How much do you know about him?”
“Dale’s Deli was a thing he and his mom used to share.” I shrugged.
Troy looked at me. “Hmm...Tabloids said his mom passed away but who knows how true that is. You know how they make up shit just to get readers. It’s disgusting really.”
“I mentioned that to him but he got defensive,” I said, a twinge of guilt soaring through my stomach at pressing him over the subject.
“Don’t believe the news or tabloids, but they say she committed suicide.”
I gasped. “Really?” No wonder he was hard around the edges. My heart hurt more for him but he no doubt hated sympathy from others.
“Yeah.” Troy clapped his hands together and rose to his feet. “I’m heading to Nine. Wanna come with?”
I shook my head, stifling a yawn. The idea of heading out to a club at that moment, when I had my first day on the job tomorrow, was not a smart move. “Early morning ahead.”
He winked. “Gotta rest up for Mr. Sexy tomorrow.” He waggled his eyebrows.
