"Leave it to the women to talk about babies anytime someone doesn't feel well." Parker had walked in and was laughing at them.
"Well, if my instincts serve me correctly, I'd say you two could slip up and make a baby anytime now," Mary retorted, smiling.
"Mother!" He pretended to be shocked.
"I see the way you two look at each other. It doesn't take a genius to know you can't keep your hands off each other."
Harper was blushing by this time.
Mary smiled and said, "There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Harper dear. I couldn't be happier that the two of you have found happiness together."
Knowing that Mary knew the truth behind their quickie wedding, she smiled and replied, "Yes, Mary, your son makes me very happy."
"I hate to break up this conversation about my sex life with my wife, but I need to get her to bed." As his wife and mother both burst into laughter, he was the one blushing next. "To rest, I mean," he added.
He lifted Harper into his arms and carried her back to bed as he knew his mother was still standing in the middle of the room shaking her head and smiling at the two of them.
Parker was glad to see that Harper felt much better, the next morning. She was able to make it through Thanksgiving dinner and was even able to eat a little of the wonderful meal. He could see that she was enjoying the time with her mother, her mother-in-law, and the rest of the family.
"Mary tells me you've been under the weather, Harper Jo." Her mother looked at her with concern as they relaxed in the den after dinner.
"I just had a bug, fever, and chills. I'm feeling better now."
"Well, you'll be able to rest all weekend. It'll be good for you to get away. I know you've been busy since the wedding, getting settled and all."
"Are you excited about your weekend, Mom?" she asked, steering the conversation away from herself.
"Yes, I was so happy when Mary invited me to stay and spend the weekend with her and the kids. We'll have such a good time."
"Just don't spoil my babies too much. We have to live with them when we get back." She laughed as Aiden climbed up in her lap.
"You've settled in well, Harper. I'm proud of you. I wasn't sure, at first, about you taking on so much responsibility at once."
"Thanks, Mom. It has been a lot all at once, but I'm enjoying it. I like being married, I love the kids, and I even like helping out at the office."
"I have to admit, Parker is good for you. You positively glow with happiness."
"Thanks, I try." Parker had walked in and heard his mother-in-law's praise. "Your daughter makes it very easy."
"Hon, don't you think we should finish packing for the weekend? My being down in bed for two days kept me from getting things ready."
"You're probably right. If you'll will excuse us, I think my wife's hinting for me to help her."
"You two go on. We'll see to the kids," Mary said as she shooed them on.
Parker finished the packing while Harper showered. When she came out of the bathroom, she started to change the bed linens.
"What are you doing?"
"I was in this bed for two days with a fever. I want fresh sheets. And I don't want to bother Ellie with it, after all the cooking she did."
"Okay, okay, I just don't want you to exert yourself. Let me help." Together, they quickly made the change, laughing as they worked. When they were finished, Harper collapsed in a heap on top of the bed, joined by Parker.
"Rest, tonight, baby. We have a whole weekend of nothing to do but shop, eat, and relax."
"Hold me?"
"Of course, I will. Sweet dreams, precious."
The next morning, they said their goodbyes, promised the kids to bring them back some goodies, and began their much-anticipated weekend alone.
Parker had booked a suite at one of the luxury hotels in in the city. It was close to the mall and several fabulous restaurants.
"It's wonderful, Parker," Harper said as she walked into their room and looked around.
"I thought you'd like it."
"You've stayed here before?"
"No, but I've heard good things about the place. I thought you'd want to be close to the mall to do our Christmas shopping."
"Not today, though. It's Black Friday, and the mall will be packed. I just want to relax and get up early, tomorrow, and get started."
"Fine by me; do you want to watch a movie?"
"Let's snuggle under the covers, turn on a movie, and go from there." Harper kicked off her shoes and crawled under the covers. "I know I've been in bed most of the week, but it feels good just to relax."
Parker joined her on the bed, pulled her into his arms and turned the movie on. He wasn't expecting her to want sex since she'd been ill and was content to simply snuggle with her.
"This is a pretty good movie, isn't it?" she asked as she inched closer to him.
"Yes, it is," he answered as he gently caressed her arm. He laughed at a funny scene in the movie.
"This is nice, just the two of us."
"Peace and quiet. Yes, nice," he replied, leaning over to kiss her forehead.
She unbuttoned his shirt and placed her hand on his chest.
"Harper, honey, I'm fine with just lying here watching the movie with you."
"Parker Bentley turning down a tumble with his wife, what's this world coming to?" Harper grinned teasingly. "Is this your way of telling me the honeymoon's over?"
He looked at her and chuckled. "You know that's not true. I'm just saying that I'm quite content like this. I know you've felt like crap the past few days. I'm trying to be the sensitive-husband-type."
Harper was touched. "How did I ever find someone like you?" she asked.
"Just at the right place at the right time, I guess." He grinned and gave her a bear hug, teasing her.
When the movie was over, Harper fell asleep. Parker held her close, watching her. We're as close as two people can be, but she has never told me she loves me. Maybe she just can't say it. Or maybe she really doesn't have those feelings for me.
By the time Harper woke up, it was dinnertime. "How long did I sleep? This has got to be the most boring weekend ever for you, and it was supposed to be so romantic."
"Baby, just being with you, with no distractions, is romance enough for me. Ready to go out for some dinner, or do you want to order in?"
"Let's go out."
"There's a great place down the street. Let's get ready."
"You dine at the competition?"
"Yes, occasionally, I do," he said, touching the tip of her nose. "You're so cute," he teased. "Asking if I eat at the competition. How do you think I find out if we are measuring up?"
She shook her head and got up to freshen up. Choosing a casual pair of black jeans and topping them with a pale pink sweater, Harper walked out of the bathroom. "I'm ready, is this okay for the restaurant?"
"It's fine, you look perfect in anything, anyway, so it really doesn't matter."
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Bentley."
"Just speaking the truth; you do look good in anything, cutie pie."
"Cutie pie? Where do you come up with these names?" She laughed as she sat down to put her feet into a pair of black leather boots. She grabbed a short, black leather jacket and her purse just before they started for the door.
"They come to mind so easily with you," he said in a thoughtful tone, in reply to her question about the nicknames he had for her. It was the truth.
"Oh, brother, let's get out of here before another one comes to mind." She giggled as she took his arm.
They braved the December chill to walk the short distance to the restaurant. As they walked in and Parker gave the hostess their information for a table, a man called his name.
He turned and smiled at the man, leading Harper to a table where an attractive couple sat. "Hello, you two. How are you? I'd like you to meet my wife, Harper. Harper, this is Jared and Bonnie Jameson, friends of mine."
"Pleased to
meet you both," Harper said as she smiled at the friendly-looking couple.
"We'd heard you'd gotten married again. We've been away, or I would have called and invited the two of you over for dinner," Bonnie told them warmly.
"You were on an extended vacation, I believe." Parker replied.
"Yes, that's right. We just got home last weekend. Why don't you join us? We haven't ordered dinner yet. We can catch up on all your news, and Harper can tell me all about the wedding and the honeymoon with her gorgeous guy." Bonnie winked at Harper.
Parker pulled out one of the empty chairs at the table for Harper, and when she was seated, he quickly went back to tell the hostess they were joining friends at their table.
Harper instantly liked Bonnie. The two became engrossed in conversation as the two men discussed business and golf. The food was delicious and the company good. It was a nice evening.
When the evening was over, Bonnie said, "Harper, we have to get together for lunch, sometime. I've really enjoyed meeting you, and I can see why this guy didn't waste any time getting you to the altar." She turned to Parker and added, "And you did well, this time around. I'm happy for you."
Jared shook Harper's hand. "Welcome to the clan, Harper. I'm so glad Parker has found someone like you. This has been a very pleasant evening."
"Good seeing you, we'll call you for a night out again soon," Parker told them as he and Harper stood to leave.
"I enjoyed this evening, too. It was wonderful to meet the both of you. Goodnight," Harper said as she and Parker walked away.
When they returned to their room, Parker asked, "What did you think of them?"
"I like them."
"Aileen would never socialize with my friends unless she had to attend a business function of some sort."
"Why on earth not?" she asked.
"That was just Aileen. I told you, Harper, we weren't the perfect couple. At first, maybe. I tried. She didn't, after a while. Marriage to you, no matter how it came about, is so much better. It's so much more than I could have ever imagined."
"Oh, Parker, you have no idea what it means to hear you say that." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him and was instantly pulled into a passionate embrace.
"Let's go to bed," he suggested in a low, husky voice.
"I thought you'd never ask." She took his hand and led him to the king-sized monstrosity in the middle of the room. She completely surrendered herself to him that night, body and soul. They made love until the wee morning hours, when they finally fell asleep, too exhausted to move.
The next day was spent at the mall, Christmas shopping. It was busy, but Parker could see that Harper loved seeing all the festive decorations and browsing in all the stores.
As they stopped for a hot chocolate break, he remarked, "Baby, I know this has been a big adjustment for you, being a newlywed, learning a new job, and taking on two rambunctious kids, all at once. Have I told you I think you're doing an amazing job juggling it all?"
"You don't have to tell me. I love it all." She looked at him happily as she took a sip of her cocoa.
You love it all, but you didn't say you love me. He pushed the thought out of his mind as he brought up an idea he'd been planning. "What would you say to spending the week of Christmas at the beach house, you, me, the kids, your mom and my mom?"
"That's a fantastic idea. Will Annie and Jim be there?"
"Maybe part of the week, but they'll be going to Orlando to spend Christmas with their sons and their families. We can manage on our own, can't we?"
"Well, of course, we can, silly, but I'd like to see them while we're down there."
"I'm sure we will. When we get home, tomorrow, we'll tell our mothers and see if they want to go with us."
"Okay, sounds great. Now let's finish up this shopping list. I'm about ready for a soak in the tub."
"Vanilla bubble bath?" he asked seductively, a bit of a hint in his tone.
"Hmm, well, if you want a replay of that, we'll have to stop at Bath and Body Works and pick some up."
"Damn, but you're sexy, woman."
"Let's go, Daddy, we have kids to buy for. You'll have to contain yourself for a few more hours."
"I love it when you think you're in charge," he teased.
She smiled, gave him a peck on the cheek, and pushed him out of the café so they could finish buying the rest of the gifts.
Three hours later, after making their last stop at Bath and Body Works, they were finally back in their room at the hotel. Harper kicked off her shoes and lay on the bed.
"That was the best day ever, but I'm beat."
"You're quite the little shopper." He chuckled.
"I didn't go overboard, did I? It's my first Christmas with the kids. I just want it to be special."
"You did fine; don't ever worry about that."
Before he had a chance to join her on the bed, she popped up and went into the bathroom to fill the tub. When the water was the perfect temperature and the bubbles had been added, she peered around the edge of the bathroom door seductively.
"Parker, honey, I'm getting into the tub now. Do you want to join me?"
"What kind of question is that? Of course I do." He followed her into the bathroom, grinning from ear to ear at the prospect of another bath with her.
"This time, I'm going to seduce you, Mrs. Bentley." He began to sensuously spread bubbles onto her body, caressing each section, giving his full attention to her.
She lay back and relaxed, giving in to his touch. He kissed her and moved down her body, slowly caressing her skin at each section. When he reached her inner thigh, he stuck his head under the bubbles and found the spot he knew would bring her the most intense pleasure. As he worked his magic, coming up for air often, Harper moaned, "Parker, don't stop."
He raised his head, and moving up, he kissed her. "You want more? You want me to drown? Can't you just see the headlines now? 'Man drowns while pleasuring his wife underwater'."
"You goofball," she teased as she swatted at him with her hand.
"What exactly is it that you want, little one?" he asked.
I want you, Parker, only you." She touched him, letting him know what she needed.
He gave her exactly what she asked for then, sending her into a spiraling tailspin of sensations. The bubbly water only added to the excitement of the moment as he sat her on his lap in the tub and watched her face as she rode him like a wild cowgirl on a horse. He twisted her nipples, and she groaned, throwing back her head. Water and bubbles splashed all around them, and they reached the point of no return in unison as he murmured in her ear, "Harper, you're my angel."
Later, as they lay in bed watching television, he told her, "You are the most exciting woman I've ever been with. Not that there have been that many before you."
"Really, there haven't?"
"That surprises you?"
"Yes, it does. You're, well, you're hot."
He chuckled and rolled his eyes. "There you go with that hot thing again. I don't see where you get that. After all, I'm eleven years older than you. Do you have a thing for older men, or what?"
"Just one older man, but seriously, you really haven't had many lovers?"
"I told you I dated Aileen off and on for years, during and after college. There were only two girls during the off times, and neither one was anything serious or exciting."
"I'm amazed. I was only with Shawn before you, other than a brief high school boyfriend before him, but I assumed you'd had many women. What about Lorena?"
"What about her? She tried to get me to cheat on Aileen with her, but I wouldn't. Even though Aileen and I were rocky, I would never cheat. And after Aileen's death, she tried several times to get me into bed, but I was never interested. She's not my type, at all. Hell, Aileen probably wasn't even my type. I would never have married her if I hadn't gotten her pregnant, now that I think back on it. I think she planned that, anyway, suspecting I was never going to ask her."
"Wow, and I thought I ha
d a bad time of it, with what Shawn did to me."
"But look at us, Harper. A marriage of convenience that has turned out to be the best decision I—we—ever made."
"You are happy, aren't you?"
"Do you even have to ask, baby? You're the best thing that's ever happened to me or my kids."
"So, you have no regrets?"
"Certainly not, do you?" He was beginning to worry what her answer might be.
"None, whatsoever." She leaned up to kiss him.
He pulled her into his arms and held her the rest of the night.
Chapter 10
The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas were busy ones between work, kids, and planning the trip to Hilton Head. Parker had called and spoken to Annie, who was thrilled to hear the whole family would be spending the holidays at the beach house.
"Now, Annie, if you have plans to go to Orlando, don't let us stop you. All I ask is that you have the house prepared for us and the kitchen stocked with food before we arrive. We're quite capable of taking care of ourselves."
"Actually, we spent Thanksgiving with the boys and their families. They'll both be spending Christmas with their wives' families this year. It works out perfectly. This will be wonderful." Annie didn't seem to be able to contain her excitement.
"Well, all right, then, it'll be great to have you and Jim there. Ellie and John will be happy to hear that."
"I'm so glad they're coming along, and Mary and Mrs. Easton, too."
"One big, happy, old-fashioned Christmas," he replied, chuckling.
"That's the best kind, and one this family hasn't had in quite some time. I'll have everything ready; don't you worry about a thing. You just get that family of yours here, and we'll have a real celebration."
"Thank you, Annie. We'll see you on the twenty-third. Ava's school break starts that day."
When he told Harper that Annie and Jim would be joining them, she was elated. "Oh, this is going to be the perfect Christmas, Parker. I can't wait."
"And just think, with all those grandmas and doting housekeepers there, Ava and Aiden won't even miss us if we steal away for an hour or two to stroll along the beach." Grinning mischievously, he leaned over and kissed her on the tip of her nose.
Her Convenient Dom (Dominant Men Book 2) Page 14
