by L. P. Dover
I pull her forward, letting my hands slide up her legs. Once I touch bare thigh, I groan and lean into her, kissing her stomach. Breathing her in, I look up and thank my lucky stars she’s finally mine.
“You’re taking this gift from me because you deserve it. And before you start freaking out, let’s talk business. If you were to quit on me, I’d have Les Belle and not Mia – that’s bad for Ward Enterprises. Mia is who’s making Les Belle turn a profit right now. It’s your clothes that are being produced and sold. Wainright sent over numbers late last night, praising you. I’d be stupid to let you go.”
“I can’t afford it.”
“You can because I’ll be there every step of the way to make sure you succeed,” I tell her. “I’m not going to let you fail, Mia. Not that I think you’ll need my help.”
Mia moves forward, choosing to sit on my lap. She rests her head on my shoulder, kissing my neck softly. As much as I’d love to lock the door and have my way with her, I can’t.
“You’re going to do amazing things with your own company. This is what you’ve been waiting for.”
“I know. I just don’t know how to thank you.”
“Seeing you smile is enough thanks. I’d do this even if you weren’t my girlfriend because I believe in you that much.”
She picks her head up and looks at me. “Did you just call me your girlfriend?”
I smile at her. “Yes, I did. Is that okay?”
“More than okay. I love you, Parker. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t.”
I didn’t know what I’d ever done to deserve such a beautiful, intelligent, sexy gift, but I sure as hell was going to cherish every moment with her.
Thanks to Mrs. Jones, my Armani suit is clean, pressed, and hanging in my office on Friday evening. I try to dress slowly, but I end up being ready in about five minutes. Tonight, I’m taking Mia to El Gaucho in celebration of her new adventures in being a business owner.
I ordered a limo for the night. And when I step out into the night air, the driver is there, holding the door for me with a smile. As I slide in, there are a dozen red roses, wrapped and ready for me to give to Mia, along with a bottle of champagne chilling. The door shuts and I’m left with my thoughts. This could be dangerous as they’re all focused on Mia.
It’s like I’ve been liberated now that she knows how I feel about her. I can think of the future and not just of what image I’m going to get off on when I’m alone. Hopefully, she’ll be in my bed later.
“We’re here, Mr. Ward.”
“Yes, thank you.” I pick up the roses and open the door, exiting before the driver can make it around the car. I walk up the path to Mia’s house, climb the steps and knock three times. When the door swings open, I’m gasping for air.
My girlfriend is standing in her doorway, with a black stiletto heel sticking out of a mile long slit, her leg is bare, and she’s wearing the most scandalous red dress I have ever seen. I tilt my head slightly to see if I can get a clear view of the promise land, but she catches on quickly and adjusts the way she’s standing.
“Mia . . . fuck, I’m hard just looking at you.”
She cocks her eyebrow in an attempt to be serious, but starts laughing. I join in and finally hand her the roses. “They’re lovely, Parker. Thank you so much. I’ll put them in water quickly.” She disappears into her kitchen, leaving me in the doorway.
I’ve been here many times, but never as her boyfriend, and it all seems so different now. When she returns from the kitchen, she comes toward me moving in slow motion. Every time her leg appears out of the slit, it pushes me closer to the edge.
I reach for her hand and her fingers thread between mine. Our lips touch automatically as if our bodies have been craving each other. I think about putting my hands in her hair, but I don’t want to mess up what I’m sure took her hours to perfect.
When I pull away, my breathing is labored. “We should go to dinner now, or maybe just head to your room and call it a night.”
“Dinner first, naughty boy.”
We hold hands as we walk back to the limo. I help her in and the driver shuts the door behind me. “Would you like some champagne?”
“Yes, please.”
I pull the cork and pour us both a glass. “To us,” I say, touching her glass with mine.
“To the future,” she says in reply. That word alone should scare the shit out of me after only being together a week, but it doesn’t. I don’t think there’s a single thing she could say that would make me run for the hills.
After driving for twenty minutes, the driver comes over the radio. “Mr. Ward, we’ve hit a traffic jam. It looks like an accident.”
“Thank you. Please let the restaurant know we’ll be late.” I turn to Mia and pour her some more champagne. “This is unfortunate news.”
“What you think of as unfortunate, I see as an opportunity.”
“Oh yeah? And what are you thinking?” I ask her, waggling my eyebrows.
Mia slams her champagne and sets her glass down. She takes my glass and sets it on the table, not caring that we could start driving at any minute. Before I know it, she’s straddling my lap with her tongue deep in my mouth.
My hands roam over her body, trying to touch as much of her as I can. As soon as I touch bare skin, I need more and I’m pushing the rest of her dress out of the way until she’s lined up with my dick. Her fingers are nimble as they work the knot of my tie, loosening it before starting on the buttons of my shirt. Her lips move to my neck and over my collarbone, nipping my flesh.
I tighten my grip on her hips and rock her over my arousal, creating some friction. Mia likes this idea and palms my hardening cock before sitting back slightly, and undoing my belt and pants to free my dick.
“Fuck, Mia.”
“That’s my plan.”
“Oh yeah?”
Mia grabs my hand and places it between her legs. It’s only then I realize she’s not wearing any panties. I swallow hard and crash my lips to her as I pull her forward. She knows what she wants and guides my cock into her slick pussy. The feeling of her sliding down around me has me hissing and throwing my head back.
Using the headrests, she grips on tight and starts moving up and down.
I reach around and feel for the zipper of her dress. I need to see her, to taste her. I pull her zipper down as fast as I can and watch the fabric pool around her waist. Her perky tits bounce in my face, teasing me. I grab them both and squeeze.
“Do you like riding my cock?” I ask as I swipe my tongue over each of her erect nipples.
Her head falls back when I blow a little air on them, only to repeat this action over and over, until I can’t handle it anymore and bring one into my mouth, while my other hand moves to her pussy, finding her clit.
“Oh yes, Parker.”
Her center clenches, squeezing the shit out of my cock. I switch to her other breast and keep the pressure on her clit as she grows more out of control with her movements.
“I’m going to come.”
“Where? Say it.” I pull away to watch her as her head falls back and her moans become louder. I thrust my hips up to meet hers. “Tell me where you want to come.”
“I’m going to come all over your cock, Parker.” The moment I feel her tighten, I hold her down on me as I pump in and out of her hard. Once her quivering has slowed, I pull out and flip her over, dropping to my knees to bury my face between her legs. I lap at her juices, letting them coat my face.
Mia reaches for my dick, but I move away. Instead I pull her forward, with her ass hanging off the edge of the seat and slap my cock against her opening a few times. Thrusting inside, I grab onto her hips and pound into her with force, watching her pussy swallow my entire length. Her head is slightly awkward, but she doesn’t seem to care.
“Ah shit, baby,” I say, pumping harder. “I’m going to come.” Without any further notice, I empty myself into her. Twitching and spasming until I collapse on top of her, my head re
sting between her breasts. Once our breathing is back to normal, I know I’m about to put my heart on the line. The pull is too strong.
“I could do this with you every day and it wouldn’t be enough. Being with you is like breathing. You’re what I need to survive.” I let the words flow, not caring if they don’t make sense. I’ve laid out all my cards on the table. She only has to accept what I’m offering.
Four Months Later
“Who all is going to be at this thing?” Parker asks, reaching for the presents in the back seat.
“Just my parents and Andrew. Sometimes my aunt Elaine comes, but it depends on if she goes to her son’s house or not.” Grabbing my crock pot, I shut the door, trying hard not to laugh as Parker tries to balance all the presents in his arms.
He looks at me over the top of the car. “Please tell me she’s not the bitchy one who thinks she knows everything?”
I burst out laughing. “I didn’t think you’d remember. But yes, that’s her.”
Groaning, he shuts the car door and joins me at the door. “Hopefully she keeps her crabby ass at home.” I’m hoping the same thing.
It’s Christmas day, and like always, my parents are hosting Christmas dinner. Christmas has always been my favorite time of year and now I have Parker to celebrate it with.
We’d already flown down to spend a couple days with his family in California since they couldn’t get away to join us here. Once they’d seen how Parker had full control of the family business, they packed up and moved to wine country. It was great seeing them again.
His mother had even pulled me aside and said she knew Parker and I would end up together. My mother always says she thought the same thing too. I wonder where that wisdom was when Zac came into my life. I sure could’ve used it—not that I would’ve listened at the time.
My mother opens the door just as I’m about to grab the handle and squeals. “Parker, my dear, it’s so good to see you again.”
He walks in first and I follow behind him. “Gee, thanks Mom. I’m so happy you’re glad to see me too.”
She waves me off. “Honey, I see you all the time.”
Smiling wide, Parker winks at me as my mother helps him set the presents down under the tree. “You’re just jealous I’m her favorite,” he teases.
“No shit,” Andrew says, walking into the room. “How the hell can mom love this guy?” he asks jokingly. “It’s not like he’s a handsome motherfucker who owns a billion dollar company.” He winks at Parker and they both burst out laughing.
My mother smacks Andrew on the arm. “Language,” she scolds. “It’s Christmas. There’s no room for that kind of talk here.” Then she walks over to Parker and pats him on the cheek. “I love this one because he’s always been so helpful, even as a kid.”
“That’s because he wanted Mia to notice him,” Andrew confesses with a sly grin.
My heart swells and I can’t help but love Parker even more. “Is that true?” I ask him.
Parker shrugs, his lips spreading into a small smile. “It was all I could think of to be near you.”
“See?” my mother exclaims, lifting her arms in the air. “That’s the kind of guy you need to be, Andrew. Maybe then you’ll be able to find a girl who’ll put up with you. I want grandbabies before I’m too old to walk.” She walks off and my father shakes his head as he comes into the room.
If she wants grandchildren, she has a long time to wait. Parker and I have basically been living together for the past four months, and we haven’t even talked about marriage.
My father kisses me on the cheek and shakes Parker’s hand. “Did you have a good time visiting your family?” he asks him.
Parker nods and glances at me. “We did. I got to show Mia around the vineyards. My parents were really excited to see her again.”
While Parker talks with my father and Andrew, I sneak away to the kitchen where my mother is busy making her famous biscuits. But that’s not what catches my attention.
“Did you really record that?” I ask, rushing toward the small television on the counter. My mother always likes to watch her Hallmark movies while she cooks, but that’s not what she’s watching now. It’s footage of my first red carpet introduction at Fashion Week in New York City. I can still remember the way it felt to smile at all the cameras and have people screaming for my attention.
I’ve been at several different fashion shows all across the country, but nothing can take away how I felt that week in New York. Being able to share it with Parker made it even more surreal.
I stare at myself on the screen, loving the way Parker holds onto my hand. He gives me my distance as to not steal the spotlight, but I know everyone loves him there.
I turn off the TV when it’s over and hop up on the counter. “How many times have you watched that?”
She purses her lips and looks up at the ceiling as if she’s thinking. “Hmm . . . let’s see, only about fifty times now.”
I gasp. “Oh my goodness, that’s crazy.”
Tears build in her eyes and she looks down at the biscuits. “I’m just so proud of you, sweetheart. You’ve come a long way this year. You have no idea how good it feels to know that you’ve followed your dreams and become a successful woman in your own right.”
I hop down off the counter and pull her into my arms. She sniffles and it makes me happy to know she’s proud of me. “Thanks, Mom.”
She snickers and smiles. “You’re famous now, Mia. Just make sure you don’t forget about us when you’re off doing these fashion shows every week.”
I shook my head. “That’s not going to happen. I know where I’m from and I know what’s important. Nothing is going to take me away from my family.”
“Promise?” she asks.
“I promise.” Once she finishes the biscuits and puts them in the oven, I stay in the kitchen to help with the rest of the food while she leaves to set up the table. Parker walks in just as she exits. “What are you doing in here?”
Smiling, he strolls over and pulls me into his arms. “This is our first Christmas together,” he murmurs.
“I know,” I reply. “Are you ready for your present tonight?”
“I thought we said we weren’t getting each other anything.”
“We’re not. I actually have something for me, but I’m pretty sure you’ll like it.”
He holds me tighter and presses his lips to mine. “Oh yeah? Are you giving it to me at my place or yours?”
“Yours.”
His lips trail down my neck to my collarbone. “I can’t wait.”
I made a whole line of sexy lingerie and he’s going to be the first one to see them all. I plan on giving him a live show, including a lap dance, once we’re back at his place. When he looks into my eyes, I can see he’s holding something back.
“What’s going on?”
He steps back and pulls out a small, black box. For a second, my heart skips a beat, but then I realize it’s not a ring box. “I know we said we weren’t going to give each other anything, but I couldn’t resist.”
When he opens the box, I gasp and slap a hand over my mouth. “Oh my God, it’s beautiful.” I trace over the diamonds and smile; it’s a necklace with my logo. “Did you get Lucy to make it?”
He pulls it out of the box and clasps it around my neck. “I did. I figured since you don’t wear your X anymore, I could get something to replace it.”
I placed my hand over the necklace and kissed him. “I love it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Grinning devilishly, I rub my hand down his chest and slide it inside his jeans. His cock twitches and I laugh seductively. “I guess this means I have to step up my game tonight. But I’ll make sure you have plenty to unwrap this Christmas.”
He moans deep in his chest. “And a Merry Christmas it will be.”
I’m packing up my portfolios after a meeting with Charles, later the following week. Grabbing my purse, I head out to my car. My phone rings once I get
inside and when I see Jared’s name pop up on the screen, I pause. “What the hell is he doing calling me?” I clear my throat and pick up the phone. “Jared?”
“Hello, Mia, how are you?”
“Fine, thanks. How are you?”
“Doing well, thank you. I’m calling to see if you’re available tonight. I had a request for you.”
“What? No. That’s insane. I’m not even a member there anymore.”
“Actually, you are. Shall I put you down?”
“No!” I shrieked. “I’m in a relationship now. My time in the dark room has since passed.”
He barks out a laugh. “I was wondering what you were going to say. Who do you think made the request, Mia?”
“Oh,” I say, feeling like an idiot. “This is Parker’s idea?”
“You know I’m not allowed to give you that information,” he says teasingly.
“Fine,” I tell Jared. “Put me down for tonight.”
“Great, I’ll see you later. Be here at seven.”
“Will do.” We hang up and I dial Parker’s number. It rings and rings, and of course, he doesn’t pick up when I need him to. I call him again, and still no answer. Next, I send him a text.
Me: What are you up to?
I wait for him to reply and he never does. Starting up my car, I know exactly where I’m going to go. Ward Enterprises isn’t too far away, so I hurry over. Getting off the elevator, I head straight for Parker’s office.
“Hi, Mrs. Jones,” I say in passing.
I’m almost to his office when she stops me. “He’s not in there, Ms. Hudson.”
I turn to her. “Where is he?”
She smiles. “He said he had some errands to run and that he was taking the rest of the day off.” She picks up a letter from her desk and hands it to me. “He knew you’d stop by, and left this for you.”
I open the letter and shake my head. Parker is one sneaky bastard.
Mia,
I knew you’d be by because you can’t stand not knowing what’s going on. You wouldn’t be the woman I know and love if you didn’t. I’ll see you tonight. Be ready.
