The Penthouse Pact

by Cathryn Fox

  From across the floor she could feel Parker’s eyes on her, warming her from the inside out. As she took in the warm smile he cast her way, her heart fluttered. He claimed to be a bachelor to the end, but when he looked at her like that…

  Claudine took her hand. “I’m not surprised,” she said.

  “About what?”

  “That you were able to tame Seattle’s most eligible bachelor. You’re gorgeous, and talented from what I hear. I overheard Parker bragging about your paintings.”

  Her gaze slid to his and held a moment. He was bragging about my paintings? “Really?”

  “He seems very proud of you. How did you two meet anyway?”

  “He hit me with his car.”

  Claudine and Grant laughed. “No way,” she said.

  “You know Parker. Sometimes he’s like the absentminded professor.”

  “Speaking of that, I was chatting with him earlier. I’m happy his project is getting off the ground. Grandma would be happy, but he’s taking quite a risk.”

  “Risk?”

  “Investing so much of his own money.”

  Parker invested his own money.

  “I…he told you that?”

  Grant shook his head. “No, it’s not like him to come right out and say something like that, but the big investment had to come from somewhere. It’s not his style to boast, and most people think he’s a total hard-ass, but that’s because they don’t know him like we do. Deep down he’s just a damn good guy.”

  “I know,” she said quietly as she stole another glance at Parker. He was obviously responsible for distributing the coats to the homeless, but he didn’t take credit for that, either. Her heart swelled. If she didn’t love him before, she sure as hell would have now. How could she ever have thought he cared more about money than people?

  “So I also hear you’re an art history major,” Claudine said.

  She nodded. “Only four more classes until I graduate.”

  As she went on to tell them about her credentials, Grant took a sip of his champagne and exchanged a look with his fiancée. “Claudine and I talked earlier, about how much the museum could use some fresh blood and a new eye for the exhibits.”

  She stood there for one shocked moment.

  “I know it’s a long way from Seattle,” Claudine said, “but you have great credentials, and I bet if you applied, you’d get the job. You could commute for a while, and it would definitely give you experience and pad your resume.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Serious about what?” Parker asked, stepping up beside her. He dropped a soft kiss onto her mouth. A soft, wait-until-later kind of kiss, that had her heart thumping. They might be pretending to be engaged, but holy hell, he sure didn’t kiss her like she meant nothing to him.

  Don’t go there, Layla. Once the holidays are over, life goes back to normal.

  Then again, things seemed so different between them. Every touch, every kiss felt deeply intimate. Was it possible that after the holidays they could have a real relationship? In a move that had possession written all over it, and one she was getting quite used to, he slid an arm around her back and pulled her to him.

  “Grant and Claudine were telling me about a job at the museum. They think I’d be a great candidate and said I should apply.”

  Parker frowned, his body visibly tightening. She took in his body language, the mixed emotions dancing in his eyes. Clearly the idea bothered him, but why? This was a dream come true for her, and her moving to New York didn’t impact him at all. Right?

  Unless…

  Was it possible that he felt the same way about her as she did about him? Did she dare hope that the renowned bachelor might want more?

  He blinked and seemed to pull himself together. “That’s an amazing offer.” He shook Grant’s hand and gave Claudine a kiss on the cheek. “We’ll definitely talk about that.”

  He pressed his palm against the small of her back, to guide her into the main lobby. “I can’t believe they think I’d be great for the job. I’m so excited,” she said. “It could be a stepping stone to big things, and I’ll be able to pay all my debt.”

  “That’s great, Layla. You deserve it.” His frown deepened. “But I don’t want to talk about that right now.”

  “No?”

  He shook his head and drew her mouth to his. “No. I want to talk about what you want to do with the pillows.” He pressed his lips to hers for a deep, passionate kiss and as her body warmed, her heart swelled. When this all started, it never occurred to her that she would fall so hard for him. But what if he wasn’t changing and didn’t want her the same way she wanted him?

  What if he did?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Parker stole a glance at Layla, taking in the soft smile on her mouth as his cousin stood at the front of the resort’s chapel and married the woman he loved in front of hundreds of people. There was no doubt in his mind that she wanted this, despite what she said.

  She reached out and put her hand over his, her eyes never leaving the ceremony, and as she relaxed into him, he could no longer fight the things he was feeling. She was sweet, generous, and kind, not at all like the privileged women from his social circle. She never took, never asked, and was anything but a social climber. She definitely wasn’t the kind to set a trap to get what she wanted. But where did they go from here?

  He’d be happy to pay all her debt—wanted to do that for her—wanted to take care of her. But her biggest fear in life was relying on a man, only for that man to up and leave her with nothing. It wasn’t like he was going to ask her not to work. He just didn’t want her to take the job in New York. Couldn’t she wait for something to come along in Seattle? But waiting and relying on him would require trust.

  What could he do to prove to her he was nothing like her father, that he’d never do anything to hurt her?

  He turned his attention back to the front to see the wedding kiss, and Layla’s hand squeezed his. “That was beautiful,” she whispered.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said quietly. She smiled at him, and his heart missed a beat. When they left here tomorrow, returned to Seattle, she had no reason to stay at his place. Hell, she was already reminding him that she’d be moving out upon their return.

  He didn’t want her to go but had no good reason to ask her to stay. He could tell her how he felt. But she’d let him know from the start she didn’t want more with him, and would she even believe him? Probably not, considering he announced to her that he was a self-proclaimed bachelor who had five million reasons not to get involved. She certainly wasn’t going to allow herself to fall for a dumbass guy like that.

  “Parker, you okay?”

  Her voice pulled him back, and he straightened. “Yeah. Just thinking.”

  “Work?”

  He nodded, “Something like that.” He glanced around to see everyone rising as the bride and groom walked down the aisle hand in hand.

  Grant winked at him. “You’re next, buddy.”

  He nodded, playing along, and Layla gave him an eyeroll. Yeah, no way would she believe he wanted more. Which meant he had to figure out a way to convince her he was the only guy for her, and fast.

  After the wedding party exited the chapel and made their way to the reception next door, he and Layla followed along, grabbing their coats from the rack. It was a beautiful night, cold but clear, and stars twinkled overhead.

  “So romantic,” she said, hugging herself as a breeze washed over them. He pulled her to him as laughs echoed off the ski hill behind the lodge.

  “I never did teach you to ski.”

  “Is it something you want to do?” she asked.

  “We’re in Maine. How can we not hit the slopes?”

  “You’re right, and it’s not like I’ll ever be back here. Tomorrow, life goes back to normal,” she reminded him again.

  “I was thinking, maybe you could stay at my place until New Year’s.”

  Her head came back with a
start. “Really? Why?”

  He shrugged. “You make a mean turkey, and I don’t want to miss out on a real Christmas dinner.”

  She ran her hand over her stomach. “I can make you Christmas dinner, but I need to stop eating. This dress fit me a couple weeks ago. Now it’s getting tight.”

  His eyes scanned her curves. She was filling out, and he loved the look on her. “So that’s a yes,” he said.

  “Classes don’t start up until January, and Robert is still holding my job, so I—”

  “Then it’s settled.” Trying for casual, even though her staying at his place longer made him the happiest fucking guy in the world, he asked, “Want to hit the slopes for a quick run down the hill after the reception?”

  “Won’t you be missed?”

  “There are hundreds of people here. No one will notice we’re gone. Come on, let’s go do something fun.”

  “Okay.” She nodded, but the crinkling of her nose contradicted her agreement.

  “Nervous?”

  “A bit.”

  “You know I’d never let anything happen to you, right?”

  She looked up at him and planted one hand on her hip. “You know I can take care of myself, right?”

  He laughed as they stepped into the ballroom. “There you go again, being a pain in my ass.” But then his smile fell, and he said, “You know, sometimes it’s okay to let someone else take care of you.”

  “Like when they hit you with their car.”

  “Yeah, but for lots of other reasons, too.”

  Like love… But he thought it best to keep that to himself right now.

  Guests filled the ballroom, and in a soft voice, she said, “We should find our table.”

  He nodded and inched away. They found their seats, and the rest of the evening passed by in a blur, Parker unable to concentrate on anything other than Layla and how hard he’d fallen for her. After the plates were cleared and the first dance was finished, he leaned into her.

  “Want to get out of here? Hit the slopes?”

  She nodded and put her napkin on the table. “If I break my neck, you’re going to be sorry.”

  He laughed. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

  “Says the man who ran me over with his car.”

  He shook his head and captured her hand. “Come on, this will be fun.”

  Thirty minutes later they were bundled up and standing at the top of the bunny hill. “I’m not so sure about this,” she said.

  Parker spun around until he was facing her. “I’ll go down backward and help you.”

  “That sounds safe.”

  God, she was so sweet and funny. “Trust me,” he said.

  “I feel like I should have signed a contract or something.”

  He winked at her. “Come on, you’re not one afraid of trying new things,” he teased, his grin letting her know exactly what he was referring to.

  “Yeah, when there is no risk of falling of a cliff.”

  “I don’t know. I think we tried some pretty interesting things that could have resulted in tumbling off the bed.”

  “Concentrate, Parker. I have a neck at risk here.”

  “You’re going to love this once you get the hang of it.”

  A five-year-old flew past them, and she glared at him.

  “I hate that kid,” she said.

  Parker laughed. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. Now put your poles at your sides, and widen your legs to create a wedge.” He mimicked the position to show her. Once she assumed the position, he said, “Now come toward me but keep your legs apart. Pretend I’m in between them.”

  “Parker,” she warned, but did as he asked. She started toward him.

  “You got it.”

  They went a little farther down the hill, and he said, “Okay, now to turn, I need you to tuck your right knee in and that will allow you to go left.”

  He showed her the motion then flipped back around to face her. “Got it?”

  “Yup.”

  “Now move to the right,” he said.

  She turned her left knee in without straightening her right and all of a sudden there was panic in her eyes. “Parker,” she cried, and he reached for her, but it was too late. Her ski’s crossed, and she toppled into him, sending him to the ground. He landed with a thud, the momentum propelling them down the hill.

  He wrapped his arms around her to keep her safe, and when they finally came to a stop at the bottom of the hill, he lifted his head to see her. “You okay?” he asked.

  “I’m the one who should be asking you that. My landing was soft.” But when she squirmed and felt his erection, she said… “Well, maybe it wasn’t that soft.”

  He cupped the back of her head and drew her mouth to his. Desire pulsed through him as she kissed him back, and if she kept squirming like that, he was going to strip her bare and take her right here on the ski hill.

  “Everything okay here?”

  He broke the kiss and looked past Layla’s shoulder to see ski patrol standing over them.

  “We’re good,” Parker said. “Just a little wipe out.”

  “Hill is closing in five minutes,” he said, then pushed off with his poles and skied away.

  Layla slid off him, and he helped her up.

  “Looks like the lessons are over before they even began.”

  “Darn,” she said, batting her long lashes.

  “Don’t sound so brokenhearted,” he teased.

  “Maybe you can make it up to me with a glass of wine by the fire.”

  “And pillows?” he asked, his thoughts rewinding to last night and the way she lifted her hips, opening her body up to him. A growl caught in his throat, and his ski pants grew increasingly tighter.

  “Of course,” she said.

  “Skiing is overrated,” he said quickly. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  They returned their gear and walked to the main road leading to their cottage. He held her hand, and as they walked past a lantern, he took in the soft pink glow on her cheeks.

  I’m so crazy about her.

  They reached their chalet, and he grabbed his key card. He was about to open the door, when Layla’s hand on his arm stopped him.

  “Do you hear that?”

  “What?”

  “That sound.”

  She walked back down the steps and looked around. “It’s a squeaking sound,” she said. “Parker, there is something here.” Dropping to her knees, she reached under the stairs and came back with a tiny kitten. “Oh my God, I think it’s lost.”

  “Or abandoned,” he said glancing around.

  “Poor little thing is freezing. Can we take him home,” she asked.

  “You mean like to Seattle?”

  “Yeah.”

  “No, I’m not taking in another stray.”

  Hurt registered in her eyes, and he felt like an ass, but after Chester, he couldn’t, wouldn’t do it. Loss brought too much heartache. Besides he had a lot of thinking to do, and the last thing he needed was to be caring for a kitten when he was trying to figure out a way to convince Layla to take a chance on him, to prove he wanted more than just sex from her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I’m not taking in another stray.

  For the last twenty-four hours that’s all Layla had been able to think about. Was he talking about her? Calling her a stray? She wanted to ask, but she wasn’t sure she could handle the answer, especially after thinking there could be more between them. She just wasn’t sure about anything anymore.

  At least she managed to find the kitten shelter at the lodge, and had been given a promise that someone would take care of her until they found her a home. Now here it was Christmas night, and they were back at Parker’s apartment. Exhaustion pulled at her, and she wanted nothing more than to pack her clothes and go back to her own apartment. The longer she stayed, the harder it was going to be when she walked away.

  I never should have agreed to cook him a real Christ
mas dinner.

  “Everything okay? You’re kind of quiet,” Parker said as he set their luggage by the door and shrugged out of his coat.

  She wasn’t the only one who seemed lost in thought the whole way home. Parker had been acting strange the entire flight, maybe even a little distant. Sure he wanted to keep her there for a little longer, and they had fun in Maine, but maybe his sudden aloofness was his way of letting her know that the next few days were just about sex, and her cooking for him.

  “I’m actually not feeling that well.” It wasn’t a lie. She’d been feeling off since she’d woken that morning. Probably because she was in way over her head with a man who didn’t feel the same way she did.

  “Do you think it was something you ate? We did have that sushi on the plane.”

  “Could be, except I woke up feeling funny.”

  He frowned. “Do you need anything?”

  “Just sleep. I’ll probably feel better in the morning.” Then she’d talk to Parker, and tell him it was time she left.

  “Okay. Might just be exhaustion.”

  Since sleeping with him was as natural as breathing, she made her way to his bed, hoping whatever she had would pass overnight. Parker slid in beside her, and she rolled to her side, away from him, as tears threatened. God, she was so emotional lately, which was so unlike her, but she had no one to blame for this situation but herself. She knew what she was getting into with him. Heck, she was the one who initiated sex and had straight up told him she didn’t want more.

  “Night, Layla.”

  “Night,” she said. She closed her eyes, tossed and turned, and fell into a restless sleep. When she woke, long before dawn, nausea overtook her, and she darted to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet in time. God, what was in that sushi? Then again she was sick long before she ate it.

  “Hey,” Parker said, coming up behind her. He knelt and pulled her hair back. He soothed his hand over her back. “Just let it out.”

  She sniffed, her eyes watering. She wished he wouldn’t be so tender. It made it so hard to keep her emotions in check. But she didn’t have time to think too much about that, as another wave of nausea hit. After she expelled everything inside her stomach, she pushed away from the toilet and leaned against the cold wall.