“You really do make a lovely bride. Happy?” I need to hear it from her own lips.
“So happy. I didn’t think it could be this good. I mean, I’m still scared. I don’t want to let him down, but he assures me he’s going to be there for me and that we’ll learn how to lead together.”
I dig inside my breast pocket and pull out the silver box with a white, iridescent bow. It’s about five inches in length and three inches wide.
“You got me a present?” There’s shock in her tone.
“I did. Found it when I was walking the streets of Copenhagen trying to figure out how to tame a wild princess and help her see her worth.” I tilt my head and smirk.
She lifts her gaze from the box to me, her eyes filled with a misty sheen.
“Just open it.”
She opens the box and hands me the ribbon. Inside she pulls out the antique silver mirror. It’s long and slim, about four inches long and three inches wide. She lifts her hands to her lips. “It’s beautiful. Old. Unique. I love it. Thank you, Parker.” She finally uses my first name.
“Well, I figured since we slept together and all . . .”
Her eyes widen, and she looks from left to right to see if anyone is listening.
“Kidding! Open it completely,” I urge, thinking about what I wrote on the inside of it with a red lip liner the cashier in the antique store had in her purse.
Own your future.
Love,
Me
Christina closes her eyes and smiles. When she opens them, a single tear falls down her cheek. “Words to live by. Thank you. For everything. And we will be available if you ever need anything in the future.”
I grin. “Don’t be surprised if I call in that favor one day.”
“We’d be more than happy to oblige. Now I’m going to find my husband and have him twirl me around the dance floor.”
Before she walks away I grab her hand and tug her into my arms for a hug. “Be happy, Christina.”
“I will. I am,” she whispers, and pats my back before pulling away.
Her dress swishes and sparkles as the crystals bounce off the lights. The second she approaches her husband he bows to Skyler and takes his queen into his arms.
Skyler saunters back to me, a sway to her hips I’m going to enjoy thoroughly tonight.
“You ready to leave?” I ask, wanting nothing more than to get her under me and screaming out my name.
“But we haven’t had cake. You promised me wedding cake.” She pouts.
I purse my lips and tug her into my arms. “I find I’ve got a taste for peaches,” I growl, and run my lips from her cheek down to her neck, where I give a little nip.
“I still want cake . . . for later,” she whimpers softly, her body relaxing against mine.
“Room service?” I offer, needing to get her out of here as quickly as possible. My cock hardens, and I know she can feel the beast against her belly.
She sighs as I run my tongue along her neck. “Deal . . .” It comes out a breathy acquiescence.
I run my hand down her silky back and over her ass with absolutely zero concern for who might see me copping a feel. I squeeze her cheeks and grind against her. “Does now work for you?”
“Oh yeah. Take me back to the hotel, pretty boy.”
“Anything for you, Peaches.”
SKYLER
“Will you tell me about your relationship with Sophie?” I run my hand down Parker’s bare chest, luxuriating in the slabs of hard muscle and golden skin. The man is sexy clothed, but naked, he takes my breath away.
I rub my cheek along his pec and kiss his chest. My legs are entangled with his, and my body is humming from the two orgasms he just gifted me. Sex with Parker Ellis is nothing short of outrageous. I’ve never felt so worshipped. He pays attention to every bit of my body, as if kissing each square inch is his job. One he excels at superbly.
He hums and runs a hand down my bare thigh where it’s hiked over his lower half. “What do you want to know?” His voice takes on an uncertain tone, which makes me want to know even more what the two mean to one another.
“I know she was a client, but was she more, like me?”
Parker snuggles me closer to his warm chest.
“No woman alive is like you, Skyler.”
Point for him.
I smile and nudge him. “I get the feeling she’s more than just a client. You two were very . . . friendly.”
He chuckles and lazily pets my thigh. It’s reassuring to know that, at the very least, I’m here naked, sprawled all over him after two rounds of exceptional sex, and she’s in a bed alone. Or maybe she’s with Bo.
“We are. Friends, that is.” He shrugs a bit under my weight. “She’s probably the best female friend I have. I can talk to her about anything, and she gives me good advice. It’s nice. Sophie’s cool.”
There is so much I can read into that statement, I have to calm my heart from beating double-time.
“So, if you’re good friends, you didn’t sleep with her?”
His entire body goes rigid, all except the one part of him I like going hard. I close my eyes, and my stomach drops like when you’re on a roller coaster and you experience that free fall for just a second before the jolt of the track and cart bring you back.
“Sky . . .” His voice is guarded while he lets out a long breath of air, as if he’s giving himself time to come up with something to say that won’t piss me off.
Casual. This is casual, I remind myself. It hurts my heart, but I swallow down the knee-jerk reaction of wanting to slip out of the bed and put my clothes on and catch the next flight back to New York. But I don’t. I’m a big girl. I knew what I was getting into when I invited him into my bed.
I take a deep breath and remind myself of one simple quote my mother told me when I was struggling with acting. I’d made the decision to commit, to sacrifice, but it was hard. Everything about the industry is difficult and takes a thick skin. At the time, I didn’t have one, but she said one thing I’ll never forget, and I turn to it any time I want to bail.
Part of life is taking the hits and learning how to live with the scars left behind.
I shove up to a sitting position and focus on his face. He looks like a man who’s stuck between wanting to tell the truth and fearing the outcome.
“You slept with her,” I state flatly.
He licks his lips and nods. “Yeah.”
“Are you still sleeping with her?” I have to know, not only for my heart but my health. We aren’t using condoms, just birth control, but that doesn’t protect from an STD.
He shifts up, leaning his body against the headboard, and rubs his hand over his face. “No.”
“Do you want to be?” I whisper, not capable of uttering the words any louder.
“No. We’re friends. That’s it. The time we had . . . was what we had. Now it’s pure friendship.”
I tilt my head and stare at him. “I’ve seen Sophie, Parker. She’s stunning. And French. Exotic. Every man loves a woman with an accent.”
He groans and runs his hands through his sex-mussed hair. Good Lord, he’s hot.
“Come here.” He gestures with a small come-hither of his hand and purses his lips. “Come on. Trust me.”
Trust him.
Do I trust him? I’ve only known him two months. Still, he’s given me no reason not to trust him.
Leaving my past hurts and lousy experiences with men behind me, I shuffle up the bed. He grabs my naked hips so that I straddle him, sitting in his lap.
Parker caresses my back and hip with one hand and tunnels the other into my hair at my nape. “I haven’t had a sexual relationship with any woman since I laid eyes on you that first day back in New York.”
“And Sophie . . .” I have to hear him say it again. Cement his statement face-to-face while I’m in his arms.
“Is my friend. A very good friend. Besides, she thinks we’re cute together.”
I smile. “Did she say th
at?”
“Yes. She’s very happy that I’ve found a woman I want to see . . . officially.”
“Officially. What does that mean to you?”
He pecks me on the lips. “That you’re the only woman I’m kissing.”
Parker kisses me more deeply.
“You’re the only woman I’m touching.” He cups my breasts, flicking my nipples until I whimper.
He grins, obviously liking my response.
“You’re the only woman I’m fucking.” He lifts my hips, centers his cock at my wet slit, and pushes in slowly.
Gravity does the rest until he’s fully embedded.
I close my eyes, the walls of my sex fluttering against his thick shaft. “So good,” I gasp, and swirl my hips.
“Are we clear on where we are and where I am regarding Sophie?”
I rise up, lock my gaze with his pretty blue one, and slam back down on his length.
“Fuck!” He growls and grips my hips hard enough to bruise.
“Oh yeah, we’re clear. Now I’m going to ride you, pretty boy.” I bite down on my bottom lip and watch as his eyes glaze over. His tongue peeks out, and the way he looks at me as if he doesn’t know where to kiss, touch, or lick first makes me brave. Wanton.
I rise, tightening my muscles around the crown of his cock until his eyes roll back in his head, and I slam back down, grinding my clit against his pubic bone at the same time. We both cry out. That’s about as much of a ride as I get before he goes wild and takes over.
The sound of whispering voices wakes me from one hell of a night. My eyes are bleary as I come to and look around the room. It’s still mostly dark out, the sun just starting to change the sky from night to day. I glance at the clock and notice it’s five in the morning. I don’t have to get up for another hour. Why the hell is someone outside of the suite talking?
I push the covers back and grab Parker’s undershirt at the foot of the bed and tug it over my naked form. I tiptoe to the bedroom door and open it enough that I can see the living room. A jolt of irritation and unease slips through me as I see Sophie, looking perfectly dressed and ready for the day. She’s wearing a black business suit with a daring white blouse that cuts down her chest in a deep V, giving a healthy view of her perky breasts. Her long brown hair is pinned halfway up at the back of her head. I grind my teeth but stay still, wanting to hear what they’re talking about.
“She’s lovely, Parker. Though I can’t say I’m surprised. I knew you wouldn’t be alone for long.”
Parker sips at a cup of coffee. He’s wearing only his dress slacks from last night and nothing else. If I weren’t so irritated with our early-morning visitor, I’d go up behind him and lay kisses all over that strong, muscular back.
“Sophie, what’s this really about?” he says softly, probably not wanting to wake me.
“I just wanted to say goodbye. I’m heading back to France this morning.”
“Not what I was referring to, and you know it.”
Sophie smiles, her bold red lipstick an excellent accent for her skin tone and the perfect outline for her flawless smile.
“I’m worried about you. Last we spoke, you were not prepared for a relationship.”
“That hasn’t changed,” he answers immediately, and my mouth falls open as my stomach tightens painfully.
Sophie crosses her arms over her chest, lifting those boobs so they push up and nearly out of her bra. An enticing pose if ever there was one. “Mon cher, you cannot be serious. That woman is falling for you.”
He laughs.
Laughs.
A throb sets up in my temples as I hold my breath.
“She is not. We’re having fun. Spending time together. Fucking. It’s awesome.”
He’s not wrong. It is awesome but . . . how can he not see it’s most definitely a relationship? I mean, I’m not seeing anyone else. Is he? That’s not exactly something we discussed, although I assumed, when he said he hadn’t seen anyone else, he meant that we were exclusive. Now I don’t know what to think.
Sophie shakes her head. “You better be careful. You are easy to fall for. I should know.” She smiles sweetly.
I should know.
Does that mean she’s fallen for him?
I can’t listen anymore. I’m confused enough as it is and, if I’m being honest with myself, a whole lot heartbroken. Am I just a good-time girl? A nice fuck when he feels like getting off?
Not knowing what to think or do, I head to the bathroom, grabbing my suitcase on the way. I shut the door and lock it so I’m not interrupted. With a heavy heart, I turn on the shower and let the hot water ease my sore muscles. Unfortunately there’s nothing a shower can do for my sore heart.
I’ve got to get out of here and away from him. Play it cool but put some distance between us.
A loud knock on the door. “Sky, baby, you locked the door. Now I can’t soap you up!” He laughs through the door.
“Uh, sorry. Didn’t realize it. I’ve got to get ready for my flight. Be out soon.”
And when I come out, I’ll be fully dressed, dodge any last-minute hanky-panky he may want, say goodbye, and head home.
I’ve got a lot to think about.
The end . . . for now.
If you want to read more about the guys—Parker, Bo, and Royce—from International Guy, get your copy of Milan: International Guy Book 4.
In the fourth installment, a modeling agency hires International Guy to work with a team of fresh-faced young women to channel their inner sex kitten. They must learn how to seduce the camera and audience for their ad campaigns and runway shows. Parker leads the mission and calls in the Lovemaker to assist.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © Melissa McKinley Photography
Audrey Carlan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, and her titles have appeared on the bestseller lists of USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. Audrey writes wicked-hot love stories that have been translated into more than thirty different languages across the globe. She is best known for the worldwide-bestselling series Calendar Girl and Trinity.
She lives in the California Valley, where she enjoys her two children and the love of her life. When she’s not writing, you can find her teaching yoga, sipping wine with her “soul sisters,” or with her nose stuck in a steamy romance novel.
Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated and feeds the soul. You can contact Audrey through her website, www.audreycarlan.com.
International Guy: Paris, New York, Copenhagen (International Guy Volumes Book 1) Page 36
