Dark Room (Society X #1)

by L. P. Dover

  Parker

  “I swear, that man’s going to drive me insane.” I chuckle and fold up the letter. “Take care, Mrs. Jones. Have a good New Year.”

  “You too, dear.”

  When I get back in the elevator, I pull out my phone and text Parker again.

  Me: Sneaky bastard . . . lol. I’ll play your game.

  This time he texts back.

  Parker: Looking forward to it.

  By the time I arrive home and get a shower in, there’s only an hour left until I have to be at Society X. I don’t have the necklace to get in, but I still have the membership card tucked in my wallet.

  The drive to the club goes fast and I find myself at the entrance with Jared waiting by the door, dressed to perfection in his tux. I don’t even have to show him my card. He takes me right on back to the dressing room.

  “How have you been?” he asks as we enter the room.

  “Great, and you?”

  “Can’t complain. I saw you on TV the other day. My sister loves your designs. When I told her I knew you, she didn’t believe me.”

  I laugh. “Really, why not?”

  He shrugs and laughs with me. “She thinks you’re famous.”

  Hearing things like that still doesn’t seem real to me. It’s so strange knowing there are people all across the world who know who I am. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. “Next time you’re with your sister, give me a call. I’ll make sure she believes you.”

  “That would be amazing. Thank you.” He looks up at the clock and heads for the door. “You’re running out of time. Do I need to go over anything? It’s been a while since you’ve been here.”

  I shake my head. “I think I’ve got it.”

  He winks. “Have fun.” The door shuts and I take off my clothes, leaving on the lacy, black lingerie I have underneath. I enter the dark room and make my way to the bed. When Parker walks in, I can hear every step he takes. I want to say something, but it’s against the rules. It’s not like anyone will know if we talk, but it adds to the excitement of it all.

  The bed dips down and his hands caress their way up my thighs until he reaches my waist, gripping me in his strong grasp and pulling me beneath him. He kisses my neck and nips me with his teeth. A moan escapes my lips and it spurs him on, his kisses hot and demanding. He’s fully naked and I can feel his length pressing into my thigh. I want him inside me so bad I can’t even think straight.

  Without wasting any more time, he slides off my lingerie, until I’m naked beneath him. But instead of pushing into me, he turns me on my side and faces me. I’m about to ask what he’s doing, but he places a finger to my lips.

  His touch sends shivers down my skin as he moves his hands over my body, running his fingers across my back. I’ve fallen asleep many nights with him doing the same thing while we’re in bed. Most of the time he’ll trace messages like I love you and I want more. It’s our own method of silent texting.

  He presses down a little harder and I pay attention to his fingers as he traces letters across my back. Will. My pulse races and I freeze. You. He stalls for a moment and then spells out the next word. Marry. Tears stream down my cheeks as he finishes the last word. Me?

  Before I can answer, he grabs my hand and kisses my palm, sliding a ring down on my finger. Gasping, I laugh and cry at the same time. I can’t believe it’s finally happening.

  My hands shake as I spell out my answer. Yes.

  Instead of making love to me, he lifts me in his arms and carries me over to the door, pressing the button for my side. When the door opens, he whisks us into the dressing room and kisses me.

  “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to ask you that question,” he murmurs against my lips. He wipes away my tears and I can’t tear my gaze away from his stormy, gray eyes.

  “And you have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear it.”

  Setting me down, he gets down on his knee. “Then I guess it’s time you actually heard it.” He takes my hand and it’s the first time I’ve gotten a chance to see the ring. It’s gorgeous, and no doubt, designed by Lucy.

  “Mia Hudson,” he says softly, squeezing my hand, “I’ve loved you all my life and I want to keep loving you until the day I die. I know you’ve already said yes, but I want to hear it from your lips. Will you marry me?”

  I kneel down on the floor and wrap my arms around his neck. “Yes,” I cry, pressing my lips to his. “I don’t have to think twice. Being with you has made me the happiest I’ve ever been. I can’t imagine a life without you.” We sit on the floor and I straddle his lap, his cock still hard between my legs as we kiss. “It’s a shame our time in the dark room’s over,” I moan.

  He nips my bottom lip and smiles. “It’s not. We have it for the rest of the night. You didn’t think I was going to propose without finishing the deal did you?”

  I wrap my hand around his cock and squeeze, my body aching to feel him inside me. “Then what are you waiting for?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Two Months Later

  “I can’t believe you want a small wedding,” Rachel says, pursing her lips. “If I had the money you and Parker have, I’d be having the biggest and best wedding of the century.”

  I laugh and throw my bra at her. “That’s the difference between you and me. I just want my family and close friends there. Now be a good maid of honor and help me into this dress.”

  I’ve always wanted a fall wedding, so we decided to have it in October. It’s still months away, but there’s a lot that has to be done. I moved into Parker’s penthouse and sold my house, making it easier on us both. Now we don’t have to decide where to stay each night.

  For the past month, I’ve spent countless hours designing the perfect wedding dress. I made three different designs and had each one brought to life. As soon as they arrived, I wanted to try them on, but Rachel made me promise not to do so until she was able to join me.

  I spent three agonizing hours waiting on her to get out of class so she could meet me at Les Belle. This is the third and final dress, and the moment she zips it up, I fall in love. Rachel’s eyes light up when she looks at me in the mirror.

  “I think this is it. You look so freaking amazing. Parker’s going to love you in this,” she gushes. “You are so going to design mine when I get married.”

  Tears build in my eyes as I look at myself in the mirror. “So you like it? It’s not horrible?” It was my first time ever designing a wedding gown.

  Rachel cups my face in her hands. “I love it.”

  “Do we have a winner?” Charles asks, knocking on the dressing room door. I open the door and he gasps. “Whoa. That is absolutely gorgeous.”

  My phone rings and Rachel grabs it out of my purse. “It’s loverboy,” she says, tossing it to me.

  Grinning from ear to ear, I answer. “Hey, hun.”

  “Hey, babe. You busy right now?”

  “Not really. What’s up?”

  He sighs. “I need your opinion on an investment deal. Do you mind coming with me?”

  “Sure. Do you want me to meet you somewhere?”

  “No, I can come pick you up. Are you at Les Belle?”

  “Yep.”

  “All right, I’ll be right there in ten.”

  We hang up and Rachel helps me out of my dress. “Is everything okay?” she asks.

  I grab my clothes and put them on. “Oh yeah, Parker just needs my help with something. Want to meet for dinner later?”

  “Sounds good.” We walk outside and I say goodbye. Just as she pulls out of the lot, Parker rolls up in his car.

  He gets out and kisses me before opening my car door. “Good afternoon, beautiful.”

  I laugh and hop into the car. “Why thank you.” As soon as he gets in, we head on our way. “So tell me about this investment deal.” I ask.

  “I’d like to wait until you see it first, if you don’t mind.”

  I shrug. “Doesn’t bother me in the least.”<
br />
  It takes a while to get there, as it’s located just outside of the downtown area. There’s nothing but trees as far as I can see. We turn down a gated street leading to a house with actual turrets, and it’s breathtaking. This potential client must be loaded.

  “Wow, this is amazing. Looks like a real castle.” We get out of the car and I follow him inside. The whole place is furnished and has a medieval feel to it, with stone walls. There are statues of armor placed throughout the house, standing like guards. It’s almost like a historical museum. I look out one of the windows and down the hill to a small vineyard. “Is there really a vineyard here?”

  Parker nods. “Yep, and there’s a wine cellar built into the hillside below too.”

  After we tour the house, we walk back to the kitchen, where a stack of papers and a pen are sitting on the table. Parker points to them. “Why don’t you read those and tell me what you think? I need to know if it’s the right move.”

  Sitting down at the table, I glance at the first page and slap a hand over my mouth. “Holy crap on a cracker. Is this what I think it is?”

  Parker takes my hand and helps me stand. “Yes, Mia, it is. When you moved in with me, I knew we couldn’t stay in my penthouse forever. It’s my place, not ours. When this house went on the market, I knew you would love it. I wanted to get it before someone else did. But I don’t want to seal the deal unless I know you absolutely love it.”

  I glance around the room and sigh. “I love it, but are you sure we need this much space?”

  A smile spreads across his face as he pulls me into his arms. “I don’t know about you, but I’d love to have a couple of kids running around this space someday. Maybe a girl who has your smile.”

  My heart swells and I hold him tight. “Yes, and a little boy with your charm and good looks,” I add with a laugh.

  Parker kisses me and presses his forehead to mine. “We can build a life here, Mia. I know we were going to find a house together, but I wanted this to be a surprise. Just think of the adventures we could have. My parents could help us with the vineyard until we get the hang of it, and we—”

  I place my hand over his lips. “You don’t have to sell me on it, Parker. As long as I’m with you, I’m happy wherever we’re at.” Taking the pen, I sign my name underneath his. “To new adventures.”

  Lifting me in his arms, he swings me around the room. “And a hell of a ride it’s going to be.”

  We want to thank you, the readers, for allowing us to bring not only Dark Room, but the other novels that we write for you. Without you, we wouldn’t be here today.

  Deciding to collaborate is a leap of faith. You have to put your trust into someone else and that’s not always easy. With that said, we had so much fun writing Dark Room and creating Society X (the research wasn’t bad either) and really hope that you enjoy the story of Parker and Mia as much as we did while writing.

  Eric Battershell—thank you for finding us the right Parker and for capturing the perfect image that we were looking for. We know it wasn’t easy, but truly appreciate you sticking it out with us.

  Burton Hughes—you’re a natural in front of the camera and gave us so many options from the photoshoot. Thank you for doing “that” pose!

  Sarah Hansen—your creative eye knows no bounds.

  Emily Tippetts—thank you to you and your crew for always making sure everything is pretty and in our hands when we need it.

  Thank you to our families for not only their support, but guidance and understanding.

  And last, but not least…

  Kim & Yvette—no words can express what you mean to us. This journey we’re on together will only get better.

  Much love,

  Heidi & Leslie

  Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.

  Originally from Portland, Oregon and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup, and their newest addition of a Highland Westie/Mini Schnauzer, JiLL.

  During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting courtside during either daughter's basketball games.

  New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

  Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can't forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.

  Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written countless novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

  THE BEAUMONT SERIES

  Forever My Girl

  My Everything

  My Unexpected Forever

  Finding My Forever

  Finding My Way

  12 Days of Forever

  My Kind of Forever

  THE ARCHER BROTHERS

  Here with Me

  Choose Me

  Save Me (2016)

  THE BOYS OF SUMMER

  Third Base

  VIRTUOUS PARADOX

  Book 1 – November 2016

  Blind Reality (February 2016)

  STANDALONE TITLES

  The Reeducation of Savannah McGuire

  Lost in You / Lost in Us

  FOREVER FAE SERIES

  Forever Fae

  Betrayals of Spring

  Summer of Frost

  Reign of Ice

  SECOND CHANCES SERIES

  Love’s Second Chance

  What He Wants

  Trusting You

  Meant for Me

  Fighting for Love

  Intercepting Love

  Catching Summer (April 2016)

  Defending Hayden (June 2016)

  Last Chance (August 2016)

  Intended for Bristol (December 2016)

  GLOVES OFF SERIES

  A Fighter’s Desire: Part One

  A Fighter’s Desire: Part Two

  Tyler’s Undoing

  Ryley’s Revenge

  Winter Kiss: Ryley and Ash (A Gloves Off Novella)

  Paxton’s Promise

  Camden’s Redemption

  Kyle’s Return

  ARMED AND DANGEROUS SERIES

  No Limit

  Roped In

  High-Sided (August 2016)

  ROYAL SHIFTERS SERIES

  Turn of the Moon

  Resisting the Moon

  STANDALONE TITLE

  Love, Lies, and Deception

  Read on for a sneak peek at Blind Reality by Heidi McLaughlin and Roped In by L.P. Dover

  Thirteen bulbs shine brightly, adding a certain glow that I can’t define. The unlucky number is supposed to create a romantic ambience or give the person looking back in the mirror the confidence they need to push through what’s coming next. They do neither for me.

  This is not how I pictured my wedding day to be. The strapless gown I’m wearing is gorgeous and something I never saw myself in. The smooth satin gathers at my waist and is held there with a diamond-encrusted pin provided by none other than Neil Lane. My blonde hair is side swept and cascading down my shoulder, and my make-up is flawless. I look like the bride I’ve always envisioned I would be, but I would’ve never been able to achieve this vision, until now.

  As I look around the small dressing room it becomes harder to breathe and I close my ey
es, wanting to cry. I want to run. I want to strangle my mother and ask her what the hell she was thinking. But I’ve come this far, and it would be foolish to back out now. There was a time in my life when I used to believe in true love. Used to.

  Imaginary lint is brushed off my shoulder and my curls are flipped forward one more time. I want to tell my mom to stop touching me, but there’s a look of pride in her eyes and I don’t want to ruin this moment for her.

  “Smile, Joey.”

  “I have nothing to smile about.”

  My mom stands tall behind me, creating a picture perfect moment. If this were any other day, any other wedding, I’d want to capture us like this with maybe my hand on top of hers as she rests it on my shoulder. Even with my fake wedding looming, she seems happy and probably thankful that her daughter is finally getting married.

  “You’ve been moping for a year. It’s time to put that behind you and take a chance on something new.”

  “I’ll get a cat.”

  She moves to my side, sitting on a sliver of the bench that I’m currently using. She doesn’t ask me to move, nor do I slide a little to the side to give her more room.

  “Joey—”

  “Don’t you get it, Mom? Every time I see a man, I’m going to wonder if he’s looking for the next me to come into his life. My new husband will be walking on eggshells, fighting a battle that he probably doesn’t deserve because I walked into my ex-future husband’s apartment to find him in a situation that should’ve never come about. Tell me, how is that fair to that man standing out there?”

  “Your father and I think this will do you some good. You can take the time away to reflect, grow, and work on your communication skills.”

  I sigh with defeat, accepting the fact that once my mom’s mind is set, there’s no changing it regardless of how much I try and convince her otherwise.