Sophie's Playboy

by Natalie J. Damschroder

  Sophie let Melina coax a few more comments out of him. She w

  "Hey, Sophie, what's with the dress?"

  "What?" She looked at Stevie, who was somewhat out of focus.

  When Melina said, "I think we've got it," Sophie jumped up a

  "Anyone want to join me for lunch?" She dusted her hands as

  Maybe later, too, she'd feel guilty for being glad that Meli

  "I'll join you for lunch, Sophie."

  He sounded so calm it made her excitement jump ten points. T

  "How about my office?" Parker murmured in her ear. "It has a

  Sophie shivered. "Perfect."

  She felt like a nymphomaniac, but didn't care. She climbed i

  "I'm not wearing any underwear."

  Parker ground the gears.

  "My God, Sophie." He stared at her, appalled. "Don't do that

  She laughed, delighted with her affect on him. She squeezed

  Parker's leg jerked and the car lurched. He swore and moved

  They pretended to be in deep discussion about the show as th

  "Damn," he whispered. "Can't this elevator move any faster?"

  Sophie just grinned.

  She nodded professionally at Parker's secretary and preceded

  Their kiss was like one ending a months-long separation. Par

  She loved it.

  "The couch," Parker panted, trying to get her across the roo

  "No." She pulled him to his chair and shoved him into it. "H

  "Oh, yeah."

  She gathered her skirt and straddled him, sinking onto him i

  "Oh, Parker." She sighed. "If this was all there was, I'd be

  Parker gripped her hips and gave her a quick but thorough ki

  He lifted her almost completely off him, then lowered her un

  "Me, neither."

  He was close. She could see it in his clenched features, fee

  "Sophie, I think you're going to kill me." He sighed and hug

  Sophie sat up and grinned. "But you'll die happy."

  "Oh, yeah." He smiled back and Sophie caught her breath at t

  * * * *

  Parker saw Sophie's smile fade and hope come into her eyes.

  He'd been afraid he had the potential to hurt Sophie. But it

  He levered her to her feet and stood, fixing his clothing an

  He looked at the grandfather clock in the corner. "We should

  "Parker?"

  He couldn't bear the tiny voice, so different from her usual

  She stretched up and kissed his cheek. "Take all the time yo

  Betty winked at him when they walked by, still holding hands

  He was as bad as his father. It didn't matter that he'd done

  Because Sophie was important. He'd never had someone importa

  It wasn't too late, he told himself. But it was. He knew wha

  * * * *

  Sophie wasn't stupid. She knew what they'd done in Parker's

  But God, she wanted him. And, she determined, looking at the

  They arrived at the station and gathered their notes for the

  Sophie had a feeling they'd be a bit flat on that subject to

  She couldn't be more wrong. Halfway into the first hour they

  "The problem with romance, Sophie," he explained in a very r

  "That's quite a generalization," she responded. Parker didn'

  "I think women shouldn't expect to be important."

  "Wow. Karl, you're not bitter or anything, are you?" She lau

  Parker chimed in. "So you think a relationship is the right

  Sophie let the fear that had been simmering in the bottom of

  "Like what?" His eyes burned into hers. What was he looking

  "I don't know, like respect and love and feeling like you ne

  "Have you ever felt that way about someone?"

  Sophie's blood ran cold. What was he doing? Why was he putti

  "Actually, Parker.... "She dragged out the silence just a be

  Stevie had decided they should pretend they went separately,

  "Yes, I was there with our program manager, Steve." Melina's

  "It was the first time I'd ever eaten in there. Parker took

  "You had leftovers?" Melina asked.

  "Yeah, even Sophie couldn't finish her huge portion," Parker

  "Oh yeah, Parker? I noticed you managed to clean your plate

  "And the rice and green beans amandine," he added. "What did

  "Well, Steve and I are on a bit smaller budget than you two.

  "Hey, I resemble that remark!" Stevie had slipped into the b

  They all laughed, then Sophie said, "I liked how the staff s

  "No smoke, either," Parker added. "I dislike eating in a pla

  Sophie noted the time and wrapped it up. "I think it's safe

  "Well done, everyone!" Stevie waved his hands. "Parker and S

  "What?" Sophie stared at him. "What are you talking about?"

  He shrugged. "Just, you know, make some innuendoes. Use the

  If he only knew how hot they could get. Sophie's face began

  She was all too afraid she knew where he was going.

  The next hour they hosted rants about smokers in restaurants

  Until Desiree.

  Melina's note on the computer said Desiree was a Cambridge c

  "Desiree, you're our next caller. Did you want to complain a

  "No, I want to complain about the lack of romance in yours."

  Sophie cast a startled look at Melina, who grinned and nodde

  "Yeah. You and Parker are made for each other. You gotta sto

  Sophie laughed. Parker stayed silent. "Desiree," Sophie said

  "Yeah, she agrees with me much more often during Rave."

  "Finally, the man speaks," Desiree taunted.

  Sophie had to laugh at the look on his face. He didn't seem

  "I speak way too much," he covered. "I was giving Sophie fre

  "If you two didn't have callers, your show would have been n

  "What's your solution, Desiree?" It was a trademark question

  "Go on a date or something."

  "We have," Parker said, surprising Sophie again. "I took her

  "Don't forget the lawn party at your dad's on the Fourth," S

  Like anything was going to be secret in their lives from now

  Stevie was going to be delighted.

  They started the first rave hour and fielded a flurry of cal

  "How's Parker in the sack?" one cheeky twenty-something aske

  "When we enter the sack race at the county fair, I'll let yo

  The next caller, male, commiserated with Parker. "Sorry, man

  That made them both laugh and share one of those significant

  They wrapped the show with a caller who urged them to keep t

  "Lucy, you do realize we're on the radio? After today, we'll

  "I'm so sorry, Diane." He paused. "I'll tell the boys. Let m

  "Trina?"

  He nodded. "She died this morning."

  CHAPTER 13

  Parker drew a ragged breath and tried to say more, but his v

  "I'm so sorry."

  He pressed his face to her neck and wrapped his arms tighter

  "I have to go tell the boys."

  "I'll go with you." She dumped her stuff in her cubicle and

  He laced his fingers through hers and kissed her lightly. "T

  When they got to Mare's, it was obvious Parker's sister had

  "I'm sorry for our timing," Parker told her. "I have somethi

  "Couldn't it have waited?" Mare shoved her hair off her fore

  "No, it couldn't have waited. I was supposed to take them to

  His quiet voice alerted her. "Oh." Her hand pressed against

  Sophie couldn't swallow the lump in her throat. "I'll just..

  "Boys!" Mare shouted. "Parker's here!" The boys raced into t

  "Hey, guys, we've got to talk." Parker sat o
n the couch with

  "I'll get something to drink," she managed to say.

  Josh hung an arm over Sophie's shoulder and turned to look a

  "You guys knew Trina was pretty sick, right?"

  "Yeah, her heart was givin' up on her," Josh said. "She hasn

  "Longer than that," Timmy corrected with the scorn of an old

  Parker put his arm around his nephew. "Trina's not sick anym

  Sophie waited for outbursts or questions. Timmy looked solem

  Parker's face rippled as if he was trying to keep it from cr

  "You mean she's gone? She's never coming back?"

  "I'm sorry, son. She's never coming back."

  Josh turned and buried his head in Sophie's chest. She held

  Josh only cried for a moment. Mare re-entered the room, her

  "Tell me about your friend Trina," she said softly. Timmy an

  "She was real sweet, wasn't she, Mom?" He looked up, and Mar

  "Yes, Josh, she was. Tell Aunt Sophie about the lollipops."

  Josh twisted in Sophie's lap. "Trina's mom had ta go to the

  "The tellers," she supplied.

  "Yeah, the tellers. They gave her these red lollipops just n

  "Wow. That was sweet." Sophie regretted that she'd never had

  "Well, her favoritest thing was climbing trees. Timmy and me

  "Thank you for coming with Parker," Mare murmured. "It's rea

  "I'm just listening."

  "It's enough. I already know everything about Trina. You're

  "They're handling it very well," Sophie commented. Timmy see

  "I tried. They handle things better when they know they're c

  Josh ran back into the room carrying a large piece of white

  "That's Trina." Josh pointed at the angel. "She told me she

  "She was right." Sophie studied the picture. "She was an exc

  Josh grinned sheepishly. "That's my dog."

  Sophie looked around. "Where is Moose?"

  "He's at the vet," Mare explained. "You know." She made a sc

  "He needs to have serg-jery so he can't make puppies." Josh

  Sophie looked at Mare. "Well, if it's okay, maybe you and Ti

  "Yeah! Can we, Mom, please?"

  Mare looked grateful. "If it's okay with Sophie, it's fine w

  "We should check with Parker. I rode with him again."

  Josh ran over to ask, and Mare thanked her again.

  "You look like you need a break," Sophie said.

  "Oh, boy, do I. Two hours of silence will recharge me for mo

  "How about we do dinner again, too?" Parker asked, standing

  "Okay, but let me cook. I had some hamburger defrosting for

  Mare hugged her and whispered, "I can't wait until you're my

  Sophie started to protest, but Parker began to herd them out

  She tried to ignore Mare's statement but could think of noth

  When they got to the condo, she assigned the boys to take Hi

  "Shoo!" Sophie yanked open the sliding door. "He's going to

  Parker followed her into the kitchen after kids and dog had

  Sophie snorted. "He has the bladder of a ... well, a miniatu

  Parker took the tomato and cheese from her and set them on t

  She handed him a knife. "He has, twice so far. He's a smart

  "I get to do sprinkler day every Wednesday," Josh announced,

  He knew his brother well. Timmy's lips tightened and he conc

  Josh continued, "Sometimes after school when Uncle Parker pi

  Timmy slammed his block of cheese on the table. "No, she doe

  Parker sighed and looked after him. "I thought he handled it

  "Do you want me to go talk to him?"

  Parker kissed Sophie's worried brow. "No, thank you. I'll go

  He found him in the corner of Sophie's spare room, huddled o

  He positioned himself on the floor next to Timmy and just sa

  "It's hard losing someone you love," Parker finally said. "E

  Timmy nodded. His right hand kept stroking the little dog's

  Hoo, boy. Zero right in on the hard stuff. He hoped he could

  "No one knows, Tim. It happens a lot in life. I can't tell y

  Timmy pressed his hand to his chest. "It hurts here when I r

  "You know, Tim, that Trina's body wasn't working right. She

  "Because she couldn't climb trees and stuff."

  Parker knew getting tired easily was only one of the effects

  The boy was silent for a long time. "Her death isn't a rewar

  "No, no." Parker tightened his hold. "Everyone dies, Timmy.

  "No! I'm glad I knew her, even if it hurts now." He thought

  After a few minutes, Timmy stood. "Thanks, Uncle Parker."

  "You're okay now?"

  He shrugged. "I'll be sad sometimes, but happy sometimes, to

  Parker sat in the bedroom for a few minutes after Timmy head

  He was going to stop that right now.

  * * * *

  Dinner went well. The boys declared the tacos delicious, and

  Mare came by at eight, just as they finished cleaning up.

  "Mom!" The boys rushed to hug her legs and waist, and she gr

  "I was afraid you two would want to leave me for your Uncle

  Josh frowned at his mother. "They don't live together, Mom."

  Heaven forbid went through Parker's mind before he could sto

  "I was going to bring them home," Parker told his sister.

  "I know. I thought you might appreciate being able to stay h

  "You can practically read my mind, sis."

  "Okay, you ragamuffins. Say goodbye to Hippo and Sophie and

  They protested all the way out the door. Hippo had disappear

  "Silence. Privacy. I wonder what we can do with those?" He b

  "Mmmm. I can think of a few things." Sophie pressed her lips

  "No." He thrust one hand into her hair and held her in place

  "Okay."

  He liked her breathlessness and the fact that he left her qu

  * * * *

  Sophie couldn't help herself—she looked at the clock. Ten fi

  Right now, he seemed content to draw lazy circles on her ski

  "Do we need to talk now?" she asked. She was afraid of the a

  Parker's smile was reassuring. "No, we don't need to talk. I

  "Where do you want it to lead us?"

  He shook his head. "Not even that much talking, Soph. I have

  Sophie liked that, so she left it alone.

  Parker bent to kiss her again and she reveled in the heat of

  After the second time they made love they did talk, about th

  "How's business?" she asked at one point. "You're spending s

  Parker shrugged. "Joe is increasingly angry at me, but in tr

  "Don't you miss it?"

  "Nah. It was something to do." The smile he gave her made So

  "Else? Not better?"

  "Well..."

  Sophie growled. "You'll pay for that one, mister."

  And she proceeded to make him pay.

  * * * *

  They made breakfast together the next morning, pancakes and

  "I checked my messages while you were in with Timmy last nig

  "Why'd Brianna back out? She still in LA?"

  Sophie grimaced. "No, she's going white water rafting tomorr

  "It's been a long time since I've been interested in loud mu

  Sophie laughed. "It's Bon Jovi. He's our generation, not the

  He looked at her suspiciously. "Are you sure?"

  "There's a Simpson concert tonight, too. I'm sure."

  "Okay." He lifted her fingers and kissed them. "I trust you.

  Sophie fought smugness the rest of the day.

  * * * *

  Parker knew Sophie was a middle child who defied stereotype

  "So, you're Sophie's playboy," she said, eyein
g him speculat

  "I'm Parker Cornwall. Whether I'm Sophie's is yet to be dete

  She fell into step with him as they walked from Sophie's con

  "Not so pure, I think." Kira pointedly noted his Italian loa

  "I worked hard for every penny I earned. Some of it I made o

  He expected anger or at least a "hmph" and toss of the head.

  "You'll do." She swung up into the driver's seat. "Come on,

  The drive to the concert took no time at all. The parking to

  "Where's Joey tonight?" Sophie asked.

  "He's with my parents," Jake answered. "They don't get enoug

  "That baby's all sweetheart. You guys don't know what you're

  Kira and Jake just laughed harder.

  "How old is he?" Parker asked.

  "Just over ten months," Kira said. "He's learning to walk, s

  "I know what you mean," Parker said. "My nephews were hellio

  "I haven't seen your townhouse," Sophie murmured. She winked

  Parker usually felt trapped at this point. When a woman he w

  She was now married to an old college buddy of his, but Park

  But now, with Sophie angling for an invitation and providing

  He cleared his throat and looked out the window, relieved to

  They followed the crowd into the Tweeter Center and found th

  At one point Sophie teased Jake about some childhood event a

  Parker had never had that kind of relationship with his sist

  Finally, the concert started. Parker had to admit he enjoyed

  When the concert was over, the others chattered about Jon Bo

  He was brooding when they arrived at Sophie's condo. Jake an

  "Kira can't be away from Joey that long," Jake said. His wif

  "I would stay here in a heartbeat if I didn't think I'd be i

  "Did I tell you Jake is Brook Hollow's mayor?" Sophie laced

  As opposed to Parker the Playboy, who did everything for per

  "So, how about it?"

  He realized all three of them were staring at him. "Sorry, h

  "Sunday dinner at Mom and Dad's?"

  Sophie looked so hopeful he couldn't say no, though he doubt

  * * * *

  "So, what did you think of the concert?" Sophie asked after

  "It was decent."

  "Oh." Sophie watched Hippo through the sliding door. She'd b

  Hippo trotted back in and she slid the door shut, then pulle

  "I liked it because you liked it. I liked seeing your face w

  She sighed. "But you felt left out, didn't you?"

  He hesitated. "A little. But it's not your fault," he hasten

  "What kind of childhood did you have that you didn't listen

  He blew out a breath. "Well, while you were hanging out at t