Wild Suspicions (Romantic Suspense)

by Rebecca Marey

  Parker appeared disgusted and looked around, now noticing the damage Garrett had caused. “Geez! Is that why this seat is broken?” He leaned over to inspect the busted armrest. “Can’t I catch a little shut eye without you antagonizing every guy on the plane?”

  “Me?” Liddie became angry and pushed him hard. “I didn’t do anything but sit here while you slept. If it weren’t for Garrett I’d have spent your nap time getting raped by your two filthy henchmen.”

  “Raped by my henchmen?” Parker suddenly laughed. “Okay. Okay, Liddie. I’m sorry.” He reached out and tried to pull her into his arms.

  “No, Parker.” She smacked at his hands and pushed him away.

  “Calm down, Liddie.” He dropped the smile. “I’ll see that Garrett gets a bonus for taking care of you.” He cautiously reached out to rub her back. “I’ll talk to the guys as well. If something like that ever happens again feel free to pour water over my head.”

  Liddie closed her eyes and willed away the anger. “Either that, or I’ll hit you with a bat,” she assured him. “But there shouldn’t be a next time, Parker. Can’t you fire them? They really threatened me, and actually, they should be arrested. If you don’t do something about it, I will.”

  He nodded quickly. “Yes. Yes. I promise. I’ll contact human resources and, after this trip, they’re gone.” He looked out the window. “I can’t replace them immediately though, so we’re stuck for now.” He led her back to a seat. “Trust that I’ll take care of it, Liddie. Will you do that?” He put a hand on her cheek. “Will you?”

  Parker held her eyes with his, waiting for an answer. Liddie nodded, feeling more defeated than comforted.

  “Come on, sit down. We’re landing soon.” He gave her waist a squeeze. “Now give me a quick kiss, beautiful.”

  She obliged with an obligatory peck on his cheek.

  “I’m going to go have a talk with the guys right now. You relax, okay?” He stroked her arm. “I promise you, Liddie, it will be just you and me soon. And it’ll be great.”

  The words hung in the air as he left.

  It’ll be great.

  ****

  Fresh air and freedom.

  The remaining time on the airplane was uneventful, and Liddie was thankful for that.

  After landing in Dubai, Parker guided her toward a helicopter that was waiting a few yards from the landed plane, ready to take them up and over the nightlights of Dubai.

  Before climbing into the back seat, Liddie turned to look around the airport for Garrett. It only seemed right to thank him again, but the pilot was nowhere in sight.

  “Have you ever been in a helicopter?” asked Parker, reaching over to strap her in.

  She smiled. “You know I haven’t. But it’s already so much better than sitting on that airplane.”

  “We could have taken a car,” said Parker, “But I thought you might enjoy this.”

  The chopper blades began to twirl, and soon they were off the ground.

  “Excited?”

  Liddie nodded. “I am.”

  Seeing the beauty of the United Arab Emirates city from above was the type of experience Liddie had been hoping to have on this trip. The architecture of the buildings was interestingly modern, and Parker played tour guide, alerting her to landmarks like Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper; and The Palm Jumeirah, a chain of islands designed to create the image of a palm tree from above. The chopper pilot provided wonderful views, circling and dipping to assist Parker with the tour. The buildings sparkled against the night sky while the islands extended into the Persian Gulf, alit like a fireworks display in the sea.

  The lights of the city and the elegance of the beach exuded wealth, excitement, and entertainment.

  Parker took her hand. “I told you this would be fun.”

  Liddie appreciated that he was working to impress and entertain her. She squeezed his hand with both of hers. Having the opportunity to see such a major city from this height was incredible. Liddie suddenly pictured herself on his arm, walking the beaches in a colorful dress and sandals, while stopping for the occasional glass of fine wine and local conversation.

  “You would love shopping here,” said Parker. “The jewelry is astounding.” He smiled slyly. “We’ll have to pick you up something insane.” He cocked his head sideways. “Let’s see, maybe a diamond bracelet, or a ruby crown?”

  Liddie tried not to, but the promise of such royal treatment had her smiling from ear to ear. “Oh, stop it Parker! You know I’m not here for that.”

  He laughed and pulled her into his side. “I know, Liddie, I know. You’re here for me.”

  The sound of the chopper blades didn’t distract from the sightseeing experience at all, and, with just the two of them in the helicopter with the service pilot, it was a comfortable and romantic ride.

  Parker pointed to large skyscrapers competing for attention along Sheikh Zayed Road. “I do much of my business in one of those buildings.”

  They made a wide turn over the city and headed back toward the beach. Liddie felt Parker watching as she suddenly realized the chopper was steering toward a particularly beautiful resort rising up from an artificial island off the Dubai beach coast.

  “Parker?” she asked with eyes wide.

  He laughed. “Yes. That’s where we’re staying.”

  Liddie held a hand to her chest. “I think I saw this place on television,” she noted excitedly. Though she couldn’t recall its name, she knew it meant something like “Diamond Castle,” and the hotel did indeed shine like a brilliant gem against the darkness.

  “How long will we be here?”

  Parker’s smile turned to a frown. “Unfortunately, we’re only here until morning.” He looked at his watch. “About ten or eleven hours.”

  “What?” Liddie cried out in dismay. “We can only stay here one night? But Parker, it’s so beautiful.”

  “I know. But I told you it’s just a layover.”

  The helicopter began to hover above a circular helipad and make its descent.

  “I’m sorry, Liddie. But I did want you to see it.” He shrugged. “After we’ve completed the business portion of the trip, I don’t see why we couldn’t come back for a week or so. Would you like that?”

  Finally. A plan. This was exactly what she needed to reinvigorate her interest in the trip – and Parker. Liddie hadn’t wanted to admit it, but up until now, he’d been somewhat of a disappointment. She leaned over and kissed him.

  “I consider this the true beginning of our trip.”

  “That’s the attitude I’m looking for,” said Parker. He pulled her closer and kissed harder. He excitedly explored her mouth with his, and they remained entwined until the chopper landed. The helipad was connected to the twenty‑eighth floor of the hotel, protruding out over the island like a giant saucer.

  Parker pulled away as soon as they hit the ground. “Let’s go,” he directed with a pat on her arm.

  Hotel staff, in coordinated uniforms, greeted the two with extreme hospitality. Parker and Liddie followed them into the building and to the room, which was one level down.

  Inside, the hotel atrium featured a complex design of intertwined architecture. Taking a moment to lean over the rail of a passageway, Liddie studied the stylish step‑like layout of floors that ended with a grand mosaic design on the tiled floor of the main lobby.

  The carpets, drapes, flowers and upholstery placed throughout the hotel popped with saturated shades of royal blue, metallic gold and ruby red. More opulent than tasteful, the overall affect was nonetheless breathtaking.

  The bellman stopped and opened the door to their room. To Liddie’s surprise it had two floors. Just like her condominium. They could enter and go to the left, where Liddie could see a living area; or go straight up a carpet‑covered staircase. The bedroom, she assumed, was upstairs.

  Parker pushed through like he lived there. “Did the luggage get here?” he asked the bellman.

  “Yes, sir. Alrea
dy done.” The bellman moved toward the living room, but Parker stopped him with a wave of the hand.

  “No, no, we’re fine, that’ll be all.” He gave the man a nod and Liddie assumed that tips, along with their check‑in, had all been prearranged.

  After the bellman left, Parker took the stairs leading up to the bedroom two at a time. He didn’t say anything, but it seemed to be understood that Liddie would follow. No invitation needed. She took the stairs more slowly than he, and couldn’t believe the room as it came into view.

  Floor to ceiling windows gave an almost 360‑degree view of the Dubai night. The beach was sparkling with lights and color in the immediate distance. Red upholstered chairs were set up in a corner with an end table. A huge bureau held the television that would rise up at the touch of a button.

  It was the bed, however, that got Liddie trembling. A gold, damask spread covered a king‑sized mattress. At least twelve velvet pillows sat like a treasure chest of gemstones against the headboard, which was mirrored and reflected the image of night sky from the windows. If that wasn’t enough, another huge mirror – framed like a renaissance painting – was pinned to the ceiling above the bed.

  “Oh, no, Parker. A ceiling mirror?” Liddie brought both hands up to feel the heat in her cheeks. “I thought that was a myth from the ’60s.”

  Her apprehension wasn’t lost on Parker. “Oh, relax, Liddie. It’s so I can watch you sleeping.” He winked. “Think nothing more of it.”

  Liddie collapsed on the bed, entranced by the oddity over her head. “If it weren’t framed so beautifully, I’d call it ridiculous.” Somehow, she marveled, the frame managed to class it up.

  Parker laughed and grabbed a pair of underwear from a bureau across the room.

  “They give you underwear here, too?”

  “Oh my God, Liddie, you’re so funny.” Parker pulled off the polo shirt he’d worn on the flight. “The bags were delivered from the airport and unpacked for us. Your stuff is here, too.”

  Liddie was immediately relieved she hadn’t packed anything personal. While having someone else unpack your bag may be a luxury, she didn’t understand the necessity of it. Who wanted strangers touching their stuff?

  “Going to join me in the shower?” Parker asked playfully. He plopped on the bed beside her and gave a quick kiss. Liddie leaned into him, placing a hand on a clean‑shaven torso and tight abs. Parker’s lean and long muscles twitched with her touch.

  When he removed his lips from hers, Liddie crossed her arms and smiled. “I might,” she teased. All pretense of a business trip had now melted away. Three years of office flirtations, she realized, would climax – quite literally – in this hotel room and its bed.

  Parker pounced on her again. Liddie tried to keep up, moving her lips to keep pace with his, but Parker’s erratic energy was overwhelming. He kissed like one of the boys she’d dated her freshman year in college. His mouth was all over the place, eager to lick every inch of her face and neck, like a puppy with a play toy.

  An image of Garrett Wade, watching her from the cockpit window, came to mind.

  “Damn.” said Parker suddenly, and for one fleeting second, Liddie thought he’d read her mind.

  “There’s not enough time for this.” He released his hold on her, got up and backed away from the bed. “I’ve got to stop and take a shower, there’s work to do.”

  “But I thought we’d have time together.”

  “We will,” he promised, “We will. First, though, I have to meet with some people. There’s important business I need to take care of. It’s not something my father could trust to anyone else, and if I don’t do it, he’ll have a fit.”

  “But, Parker, it’s two o’clock in the morning.” Who could he possibly have to meet at this hour? A sudden thought occurred to her. “If you’ve changed your mind and you don’t want me to be here, I can get another room.” It had been such a rough flight; perhaps he was making an excuse to escape her.

  “Don’t even think that. Not for a moment.” He dropped to his knees in front of her. “I’ve been waiting to be with you, Liddie.” He reached for her hands. “Don’t flake out on me. This is our time. Understand?” He frowned. “It’s just that work has got to come first for now.”

  Liddie hesitated. It seemed so odd; yet the trip had always been described as business first, pleasure second. “I do understand, Parker. I’m sorry.”

  “I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can. With any luck, we’ll have plenty of time to finish this.” He jumped up and gave her another long kiss.

  “What time do you have to go?” she asked as her interest in Parker rekindled.

  “They’re actually waiting for me right now. That’s why I can’t even cancel or postpone. You know what they’re like – all them CEOs, CFOs and ASSoles,” He laughed. “At this time of night, they’d be livid if I didn’t show up. It’s not like they want to be there either.” He shrugged. “I’m sorry.”

  If it weren’t so obvious that he’d prefer to stay, Liddie would have been angry. “All right, go.”

  Parker tossed the pair of clean underwear into the bathroom. “International business goes on twenty‑four hours a day, Liddie.” He unbuckled the belt on his jeans and pulled it from the loops. The leather hit the bed with no sound. “If it were up to me, my father would add a few more executive positions instead of relying on a select few all the time.” He shrugged. “But for now, I guess he’ll continue to work me to the bone.”

  Liddie almost blurted out a smart retort, but thought better of it. Perhaps he did work harder than she knew.

  He excused himself with another wink and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving the door open, in case she decided to join him.

  Liddie did consider it. However, it would be their first time together and she didn’t want it to be a wham bam. It would be pathetic to be left wet and wanting afterward, while he ran out the door.

  Instead, Liddie walked around, exploring the luxuriousness of the suite and its magnificent view of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai beaches. As her eyes left the colorful lights of the coastline, the ocean waves became lost in the night sky. It was like standing in the center of a living, breathing panoramic postcard.

  The living room downstairs, with a long sofa full of more pillows, was decorated in rich reds, purples and a bright gold. There was a glass‑top dining set in the area to the right, a large bar with its own sink and stainless steel appliances, and another huge guest bathroom with mosaic tiles. All designed to encompass you in comfort.

  Liddie heard the shower turn off, but remained downstairs, looking out the windows until Parker was dressed and ready to go.

  “I’ll try and be quick,” promised Parker.

  “Maybe I can find a place to eat downstairs,” said Liddie. “A cafe or bar. There ought to be something in the lobby of a place this grand.” After being on the plane for so long, Liddie wanted to get something to eat and explore the area. There were obviously clubs surrounding the beach, and at the very least, she could experience some of the fancy nightlife she’d heard about.

  “Without me?” asked Parker, expressing disappointment. “I don’t think I like the thought of you wandering about in the middle of the night.” He sighed. “As a matter of fact, I know I don’t.”

  “I wouldn’t go far, Parker. I’d stay near the resort.”

  “Look,” he said, grabbing the bottle of expensive champagne that had been left in an ice bucket on top of the bar – along with a small basket of chocolates and large display of flowers. “You relax. Have some champagne and chocolates.” He popped the cork of the bottle with ease. “Grab a nap or order yourself a sandwich. I shouldn’t be more than an hour or two. I promise you.”

  He pointed to a window and then turned to grab a glass. “Go look out to the left. See if you can find a building with blue and pink lights surrounding the penthouse area.”

  Liddie did as he asked. So many of the buildings were lit up in color, but she found the one he was s
peaking of relatively quickly. “I see it.”

  “We’ve got a small office there with a boardroom,” he explained. “There’s a staff of about twelve people.”

  He walked over to the window swirling a delicate, crystal flute filled to the top with the bubbling beverage. “That’s where I’ll be. Okay?”

  Liddie nodded and took a sip. It tasted a little flat, nothing like the champagne she’d had in the past. Obviously, she’d have to develop a taste for the good stuff.

  “Enjoy yourself, Liddie. I want you to have fun.” He lifted the glass to her lips and she sipped more of the champagne. “There. Celebrate the trip. I promise things will get better soon.”

  After planting another long kiss on her lips, Parker left.

  ****

  Alone again.

  Liddie sat down on one of the plush chairs by a window. If Parker wasn’t sleeping, he was off to a meeting. Sitting alone in the lap of luxury wasn’t what she’d hoped for when signing up for this trip.

  An hour or two, he promised. Was that so long to wait?

  Liddie reminded herself to stay positive. Sure, the trip had been rough, but hadn’t Parker been trying to please her? Look at how much he’d already given – the clothes, the helicopter tour, and the hotel. Was it fair to hold the actions of his men against him? Parker promised to make it right and she had to believe he would.

  As for his kisses? Liddie touched her lips, amused by the thought. They would get better. She was sure of it. They just had to find time to get used to each other.

  Liddie drank half the glass of champagne and carried the bottle up to the bedroom. It was her turn, she decided, to do something nice for Parker.

  She opened several drawers looking for the one that held her new lingerie. Parker’s clothes filled four drawers, while Liddie’s only took two. She assumed her new cocktail dresses were hanging in the closet, but didn’t bother to look. No need to, since there wouldn’t be a chance to wear them, though Dubai would have been the perfect place to show them off.