Wild Suspicions
By Rebecca Marey
Dedication
In honor of the heroes who fight to protect the world’s wildlife from illegal poaching.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
“Ready to go?”
Lydia Nichols studied the steady blue eyes of Parker Maxon. A mischievous twinkle provoked a flutter of excitement.
“Ready to go where?”
Parker smiled with the smooth arrogance of a man who did anything he wanted, anytime he wanted. He placed both hands on the desk and leaned over. A perfectly tanned face stopped within a foot of Liddie’s. She breathed in a trace scent of cedar wood.
“On one of my business trips,” he answered casually. A wisp of blonde hair released itself from Parker’s neatly coifed style and gave hint to the surfer side of his personality. “You’re always asking when I’ll take you. Well, it’s time for you to experience the international side of the business.” His knuckles playfully tapped at the top of the cherry wood desk. “Opportunity knocks, Liddie. Are you going to pull yourself away from the safety of this office and explore the world with me?” He leaned back. “Or was that all just talk? Perhaps you’d rather sit here, glued to a life of paper and process until retirement.”
Liddie laughed. “That’s not how human resources described the job.”
“Of course not. That’s how they trap people like you to work for people like me.” He raised his arms like a messiah. “I’m here to set you free.” Parker dropped his arms. “Are you game?”
Liddie’s heart beat faster with anticipation. She studied the tight pucker of his lips and amused cock of an eyebrow. Was he serious? She had been nagging him for an opportunity to travel and now he was calling her bluff. Had it all been just talk? Now, she wondered if maybe it was. Perhaps the person she always wanted to be was just a character who inhabited her daily daydreams. Why else would Parker’s sudden invitation provoke such a pitter‑patter of panic throughout her whole body?
“Now?” she asked incredulously. There was so much to do. Who, but Parker, takes off at a moment’s notice?
Her employer’s grin widened. “Absolutely,” he barked and then banged hard on the desktop with both hands. “Right now.” He twirled around and sat on the desk. The stapler and several purchase orders hit the floor. Liddie looked toward the glass entrance at the end of the hall. Few people ever came up to the fifty-fifth floor, and if they did she would have to buzz them in. Even so, the sight of the two of them horsing around would not be appropriate.
Her thought was interrupted by another shift in her boss’s position. More papers fell to the floor.
“Parker!” Liddie moved to get up and collect the items, but he quickly put a hand out to stop her.
“Forget that, Liddie.” His voice became stern, less playful. “We don’t have much time. Are you coming or not?”
If it were anyone else, Liddie would just laugh at the joke and push him away. Travel, however, was no laughing matter to Parker Maxon. He was rarely at the office, preferring to spend his time in exotic and fun locations around the world. But for Liddie to join him? She had just about given up on that fantasy.
“Where would we be going?” she asked tentatively.
“Is that a ‘yes’?”
Liddie bit her bottom lip. It wasn’t like her to be spontaneous. No way. Not the little girl who planned her tea parties and play dates weeks in advance. Could that be why she was so attracted to Parker? The “opposites attract” theory?
Although tied to the family’s corporate paper empire, Parker Maxon still lived his life like an excited – and spoiled – child. He explored countries and experienced adventures that Liddie could only dream about. In any given month Parker might be trekking across the dessert, skiing in the Alps or surfing in Australia. It was an enviable life, and one that he shared through photographs attached to e‑mails from the road. Liddie had printed out several and tacked them on a bulletin board she kept in her office at home.
Now Parker was gifting her with a chance to step into those exotic images, and every timid tick of her heart wanted to accept the invitation.
“I would love to go, Parker,” she began, “But where? I’ve a right to know. There are things that have to be done.” Liddie used the playfully demanding voice that often reminded him to sign office documents. “Not everyone can drop their responsibilities and skip town whenever they want.”
Parker frowned. “I was hoping to surprise you, dear assistant.” He pursed his lips again, this time in disappointment. “I mean, c’mon, Liddie. You’re not going to take the fun out of it, are you?” He grabbed the crystal paperweight he’d given her for Christmas and tossed it into the air, catching it like a tennis ball. Liddie swallowed hard. A circle of intricately cut glass, it caught the morning light and sparkled like a huge diamond. She loved the piece of icy perfection, but refrained from taking it away from him.
“How long have you been bugging me to go on a business trip?” he asked.
The question stung. He was right, of course. Every time Parker returned from a great adventure she’d ask when she’d be able to go. Her jovial boss would smile and respond with one of his flirty remarks. “Don’t tempt me,” he’d say, or “I’d take you, but we’d never come back.” Then he’d disappear into his office, leaving her flushed with the possibility. Was he testing her now? If she answered “yes,” would he simply laugh and leave her behind like he always did?
Liddie felt a pinch of shame. She didn’t trust him. As quickly as the realization hit, she thrust it from her thoughts. No. She’d been waiting for this. It was simply a case of nerves – that, and her responsibilities. He’d understand that.
“I’ve got my aunt to think about, Parker.” Liddie reminded him. “I just can’t leave without checking in on her.” Up until a year ago Liddie’s spare time hadn’t been her own. Aunt Sandy required extra care and attention. Now, thanks to the healthy salary paid by the Maxon Corporation, her closest living relative was settled into a proper care facility. The Alzheimer’s had taken a toll on the woman who’d cared for Liddie since her parent’s deaths, but proper medication had slowed its progress. Being away for a week or two shouldn’t be a problem, but Liddie would still want to stop by and visit before leaving.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Liddie.” Parker leaned back and grabbed at his head. “I should have told you right away. I’m such an idiot. I called the facility and talked to… what was his name? Ames. Mr. Ames, right?” He waited for Liddie to confirm with a nod, and then continued. “I talked to him yesterday, and he told me you were there two days ago.”
“You called Sunset Shores?” This was more of a surprise than the invitation to travel. While Liddie knew she’d spoken to Parker about her aunt in the past, she could not recall ever discussing the facility where her aunt had been placed.
“Of course I did.” He placed the glass paperweight gently on the desk. “I wanted this to be a surprise and knew you’d be concerned about her.” He patted his coat. “I don’t have it here, but I wrote down some info. For a little more money Ames promised to add an extra nurse and provide lots more attention.” He motioned with his hands. “You know, things like walking her around for ex
ercise, taking care of her hair, etc. I have the administrator’s name and number in my office. You can find out more, but it all sounded quite fine to me.”
“But Parker, the cost of caring for my aunt is not your responsibility.” No matter how rich he was, Liddie didn’t feel comfortable with that.
He held up a hand to stop her. “Oh, let’s not go there, Liddie. It’s more than worth it to have you beside me. I would have paid a hell‑of‑a‑lot more to give you peace of mind.” He clasped his hands together with a small clap. “They’ll call us immediately if there are any emergencies or problems. I can tell you that – as of this morning – Aunt Sandy was very excited about the bingo movie matinee, whatever that is.”
Liddie laughed. He was trying so hard to please her. “Wow. You do want me to go.”
Parker smiled. “Told you so.”
The office was silent. The New York City traffic couldn’t be heard this high up in a building built so well. There was nothing to distract either one of them. Liddie tried to get her thoughts aligned. If she turned down this generous offer and opportunity, who knew if Parker would ever ask again. A man like him didn’t have much use for a woman who dawdled on decisions. Parker was born into a jet‑set life, and if she wanted to travel in his circles, she’d have to be just as daring.
“You’ve really spent some time on this,” she acknowledged, working up the words to answer. “You’re promising that I can actually use my passport? No joking?”
Parker nodded. “No joking, dear assistant. It’s time to get that first stamp.”
When she was hired three years ago, Mrs. Martino of the human resources department required Liddie to get a passport for the job. Collecting dust in the back of her desk, this would be its virgin voyage. At least, she hoped it was still there. Liddie hadn’t checked in months.
“Oh, no.”
“What’s wrong now?” asked Parker.
Pulling out a drawer, Liddie went to reach for the little blue booklet, buried somewhere under a scattering of file folders and expense forms. “I’ve got to find it.” She pushed her chair back and pulled out another drawer. “It’s been so long since I’ve looked.”
“Wait,” Parker reached into the breast pocket of his custom‑tailored suit jacket. “I’ve already got it,” he stated casually. “All you need to do is get ready to go. We leave in two hours.” He tucked the passport back into his jacket. “I’ll hold onto this for you.” He laughed. “You’ve got enough to do before we leave, and I don’t want you to forget it.”
Liddie pushed the drawers back in, a little surprised that Parker had been through her desk. While he owned everything in the office, the fact that he’d been through the desk without her knowledge seemed odd. Did she have a right to feel that way?
“I’m sorry,” said Parker quickly, apparently realizing the misstep. He rolled off the desk and swung around to face her. “I know I shouldn’t have gone through your desk, but I wanted to surprise you, Liddie. I let my excitement cloud good judgment.” He laughed. “If it’s any comfort, I’m perfectly fine with you reading paperbacks while I’m on the road. Especially the racy ones.” He moved closer, took both her hands and pulled her up from the chair. “You want to stay here and read books, or do you want to come with me and live them?”
Liddie blushed. There were six books in the lower‑left drawer. Two were cozy mysteries. The other four were romances, sporting colorful covers with bare‑chested men and orgasmic young women. Fast and fun reads, but not ones she would have necessarily wanted her boss to know about.
“How embarrassing, Parker.” She pulled her fingers from his, realizing that this would indeed be more than a business trip. “This is all so…”
He watched her struggle to find the right words, letting his fingers play with the fabric of her sleeves. Liddie breathed deep. She’d always hoped that their office flirtations would advance beyond good fun. Now, with his eyes intent on hers, Parker was making it clear that they had.
“Don’t over think this, Liddie,” he whispered seductively. “You coming? Or do I have to go alone?”
Liddie let out a grunt. “Alone? You?” She shook her head. “Don’t take me for a fool, Parker. I know you would never go alone.”
He tilted his head to one side. “True. I give you that.” He breathed deep and leaned in closer, bringing his lips to her cheek. “But it’s you that I want.”
Liddie closed her eyes as he placed a gentle kiss on her left cheek. She resisted the urge to check the main doors of the corporate suite. Liddie was Parker’s only full‑time employee and spent most days alone, doing paperwork and database updates. There was little danger of anyone walking in to find them so inappropriately close, yet she still worried.
Perhaps, she’d never have to worry again.
“Are you ready?” Parker asked, pulling his lips away.
Liddie smiled. At 35, he could still pass for a 26‑year‑old. It had to be his enthusiasm for life that kept him so youthful. Liddie wanted to share that. To feel how wonderful it was to live lavishly without a care in the world. She nodded, determined to see her fantasies come true. “Ok, Parker. I’ll go.”
“Fantastic,” he said abruptly and immediately stepped back. “We’ll have plenty of time together later. Right now, you’re going to need to pack some things and meet me at the plane. We’re leaving from Teterboro.”
Liddie’s heart jumped. They wouldn’t be flying commercial. Not from Teterboro. The problem was that Teterboro Airport was in New Jersey, a half‑hour from the office and Lower Manhattan. Liddie lived in North Jersey and took the train into the city every day. There was no way she’d make it home to pack and then get back to the airport in the time required.
“Teterboro? Oh Parker, there’s no way, not at this time of day especially.” The traffic would be awful, no matter how great the limo. Liddie tried to estimate the time it would take. A one‑way trip on the train would take about an hour. Multiply that by two and her disappointment was confirmed. There was no way. It had always been her plan to move closer to work someday, but there was so much to consider.
New York was exciting, and when she put on a suit and slipped into heels each morning, she felt uniformed to fit in. Living here, though, would mean giving up too much. While the city could provide a richer social life, it was much cheaper to live in Jersey, where she’d found a beautiful condominium only minutes from Sunset Shores.
“There’s no way, Parker. I’m sorry. There’s not enough time.” She tried to get across how hugely disappointed she was. Would he ever ask again? “I want to go, I really do, but I don’t see how.” It was crushing her to say it, but it would be worse to accept the invitation and then leave him waiting at the airport. Liddie didn’t want to be the reason why he’d miss an important corporate meeting. She’d met Parker’s father a few times and he was not one to tolerate excuses. Not even from his son.
Parker sighed and reached into the pocket of his Yves Saint Laurent suit. The two‑button jacket was custom fit to hug every feature of an athletic body. A few more strands of the dusty blonde hair fell to join the other atop a perplexed brow.
“Oh, relax, Liddie.” He half‑sat on her desk. “I knew there would be no time for you to pack.” Without taking his eyes off her face, Parker pulled a card from his pants pocket. “So I got you this.”
The color and design of the platinum corporate card was unmistakable, and as Liddie reached for it an unfamiliar detail caught her eye. This particular card had her name embossed above that of the corporation.
“Mine?” She had always used Parker’s corporate card to do his personal shopping and pick up random office supplies.
Parker tossed it on the desk, got up and walked toward the door of his office. “Enough talk, damn it. Go shopping and meet me at the plane.” He pointed at his watch. “We’re taking off at three, so use a driver and don’t forget your laptop.”
Liddie quickly got up and stuffed the credit card into her purse. “But, Parker?�
� She stopped herself from asking again. He wasn’t going to tell her no matter how often she asked. It was part of the surprise. She clicked off the laptop, grabbed the power cord and tucked it into its case. “How do I know what to buy? Is it warm or cold? Rainy or dry?”
Parker paused before entering his office. “Good questions.” His face wrinkled in thought. “Pick up some sneakers, jeans, some shorts, a light rain jacket. Things like that. It’ll be hot. Don’t forget to buy a suitcase to put it all in. A nice one with wheels. I don’t want to be carrying shopping bags around.” He almost disappeared into the office and then stopped. “And get pretty stuff, Liddie, not all work stuff. Some dinner dresses, shoes and lingerie.” The tip of four fingers tapped playfully at the doorframe. “There won’t be a lot of work, and I want this to be special for both of us.” He smiled coyly. “Okay?”
Liddie felt a line of goose bumps travel up her back. “How much should I spend?” she asked playfully, “You know, on lingerie and all?”
Parker placed his right hand over his heart. “On lingerie? Break the bank. Just leave a little of the twenty grand for the other stuff as well. That should get you a toothbrush and decent wardrobe.”
The figure stunned Liddie. It wasn’t that he was spending such a sum – he did that often. This time, though, it was for her. While there was no way she’d spend anywhere near that much, it didn’t matter. Parker never took back gifts. The card and its credit limit was now hers.
Parker closed his office door, leaving Liddie a moment alone to regroup before leaving.
There was no doubt about it. Parker Maxon had finally made his move. She’d almost given up on him. A distant tingle traveled up Liddie’s inner thigh to tease at her small‑town morals. Parker Maxon, handsome heir to the Maxon paper fortune, was finally following through on his workday flirtations.
And Liddie was not about to let the opportunity pass.
Wild Suspicions (Romantic Suspense) Page 1
