She slipped out to go back to the garage for a few moments alone and leaned against her workbench.
“Hi,” a small voice sounded.
“Hi, Cullen.”
He smiled, giving her a glimpse of the heartbreaker he was going to become when he came into his own. “Hi.” He walked closer to her and held out his arms.
She couldn’t resist and lifted him. Instantly, he burrowed close to her, and she wanted to keep him, protect him.
“What are you doing out here? Building?”
She laughed and kissed his forehead. “No, I’m not building. I was putting things away.”
“Cullen can help?”
She put him on his feet. “I would love your help.”
He darted back and forth, putting some of her things away, and had sat down on a stool when the door swung open and Gemma stood there, a furious scowl on her face.
“What are you doing out here?” she snapped.
“He’s used to being out here.” Skylar stepped in front of Cullen, a deep need to protect him rising with the force of a tidal wave.
“This isn’t any concern of yours. That’s my son.”
“I’m aware of that, and I watch him most days, so again, when he’s over, he’s allowed to be out here. Unlike some people.”
Gemma’s expression grew ugly. “While cute, I don’t think the babysitter needs to interfere between a mother and her child.” She stepped closer. “Don’t ever forget that. I fucked Parker first. He came inside me and got me pregnant. No matter what you try to do to get your claws in him, I’m the mother of his first child and he will be on my side. You, you bitch, will never be anything more to him than the babysitter.”
“Potty mouth,” Cullen muttered from behind her.
“What’s going on out here?” Parker’s voice pushed between them, and Skylar swallowed back both her response and the unease Gemma’s words had given her.
“Nothing. She was saying it was time to take Cullen home.”
“I was,” Gemma said, her tone carrying a lot less venom. “And I was hoping you could carry him. I hurt my back. I didn’t know Cullen was out here and hurt myself when I was rushing around to find him, hoping he wasn’t going to be injured with all of these sharp tools that are not in any way good for a child to be around.”
“I’ll talk to her about it.” Parker lifted Cullen from the stool. “Let’s get you to bed C-Man.”
Fury pumped through Skylar. Looks like I found my missing chisel, right there between my shoulder blades.
“’Night, Cullen,” she called out.
Those blue eyes peered at her from over Parker’s shoulder. He waved and blew her a kiss.
From the deepening lines in Gemma’s scowl, she’d seen it. Parker paused at the door and glanced back.
“Let’s go, Gemma. I have to help with the cleanup.” Parker didn’t wait for her, but pressed on.
“You’re nothing but a side piece of ass he’ll get tired of, and soon. Did he tell you we had dinner with his parents? All of us went out as families do.” Her laugh was fucking maniacal.
The door closed behind them and Skylar sank to her knees, head bowed as memories overtook her. How it used to be before she found out her husband was sleeping around on her. Before she lost him and her precious son. The memories of what her family times had been like.
Chapter Seven
Three days later, Skylar hollered at Parker from her bedroom. “Are you sure this will be okay? I can wear a different dress.”
He growled. “If I come back there, that dress is coming off you and we’re not going at all.”
“Not even sure why this is a thing that has to happen. I think you should tell them our engagement is just a scam until the results are back from the DNA test. The first meeting with them didn’t go well. What makes us think this will be any better?”
“Can I bribe you?”
She smiled at her reflection, willing away her earlier sadness. She had to get her game face on, as it was time to spend the evening with his parents. “Probably. I’m pretty easy.”
“Not even close. You’ve played hard to get for over the past year.”
She cut her gaze to the door and had no doubt he was there, leaning against the wall, waiting for her to summon up her rapidly waning courage. But she’d given her word and no matter how difficult this was becoming for her, she wasn’t going to quit.
Besides, it wasn’t permanent. He’d be back to work soon and gone. Then she’d return to her old life. So even if—who was she kidding—when this dinner went into the crapper, she could just bear it and hold up her end of the bargain.
Running another look over herself, she wished she felt better about this. She’d piled her hair up in a high ponytail, allowing the curls to fall free. Her burgundy dress had long sleeves, ruching down the front bodice, and a scoop neck, and hit her at the knees. Respectable to meet the fake in-laws, yet flattering to her figure. Strappy gunmetal heels with a four-inch height were sleek and hopefully sophisticated enough for her to pull this off.
“Please don’t let me fall on my face.”
“What was that?” he called out.
“Nothing. I’m coming, I know we have a reservation.” Always a good thing to have a reservation to head into hell. Didn’t want to be turned away at the door or anything like that.
She stuck her tongue out at herself and tried to provide another mental pep talk. The last time she’d gone to see someone else’s parents she’d been—
The door slammed on the memories she didn’t need to revive tonight. Reggie didn’t deserve her thoughts or tears. Not anymore. He stopped when he cheated on her. And she couldn’t think of Brennen. Not right now.
With another much-needed deep breath, she opened the bedroom door and froze.
Holy shit.
Parker was leaning against the wall, much as she’d suspected, but what she hadn’t counted on was how damn delicious he looked in a suit.
All her lady parts were wide-awake now. The man slayed in jeans and a T-shirt. This was another level. His broad shoulders were even more amplified; his muscled legs made her weak in the knees.
“Shit, you’re gorgeous.” He pushed away from the wall and neared her, taking up what little common sense she had left. Parker stopped in front of her and ran his hungry gaze over her again.
“Thank you.” She reached up and adjusted his tie, not that it needed it, but she had to have some excuse to touch him. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
“They can eat alone.” He prowled closer.
“No. Stop.”
He drew up short, lust overflowing in his eyes.
“We have a dinner engagement. Let’s go.”
“Ballbuster.” The smile tilting up his kissable lips removed the sting of his words.
“It’s what you get for agreeing to this in the first place. Plan on telling me why we’re carrying on with this and you’re not letting them in on the ruse?” Parker led her to the passenger side and helped her in.
“I’ll tell you tonight. After the dinner. Just so you know, I’m going to be hard and uncomfortable all night because of that dress.”
She gave him a sugary-sweet smile. “Be glad you’re not in a thong. Those aren’t exactly comfortable.”
“Killing me here, baby.”
She patted his cheek. “My misery is your misery. Let’s go. Don’t want to be late.”
…
Parker couldn’t keep his gaze off the woman beside him in the truck. Skylar had no idea how stunning she was. It wasn’t just her looks that snared him—yes, those were fucking incredible—but it was so much more than that. How she helped others, went along with him about Cullen, never had a bad word to say about anyone, even when they deserved it. Her discomfort and unease poured off her in waves and as he drove, she plucked at
the edges of her new bandage job on her hand.
There was a lot riding on tonight. His mom had been a bitch to Skylar, but she blew him off when he tried to ask her what the problem was. It would allow his parents to see Skylar wasn’t just a neighbor who gave him easy access to pussy. She was an amazing, smart, kind woman. Her woodworking skills was one of the many things he couldn’t believe about her. A complete package? She was who he envisioned. One he was willing to marry.
He gripped the wheel tighter when he realized what had just crossed his mind. Not a road he wanted to go down. This was about the kid. And mutual pleasure for himself and Skylar. Nothing more. Right?
He wanted to turn them around and take all the time in the world to unwrap the package she presented. The thought of just spending the evening alone with her and yes, even Alpin, held more and more promise. Being in her presence, he felt…well, content. He slowed to turn in the parking lot and watched her in his periphery. She closed her eyes and took two slow, deep breaths. It was akin to a calming veil being laid over her.
Amazing. He wouldn’t have known she was nervous if he hadn’t heard the panic in her voice.
He parked, turned off the ignition, and pocketed the keys as he hopped out. He helped her out, then closed the door, locking it.
“Hey,” he muttered.
Skylar tipped her head back to meet his gaze, and in the setting sun, her lips shone with gloss and he knew if he burrowed his face into her neck, he would be rewarded with her fresh peach, frosted raspberry, and a hint of mint scent.
“I meant what I said.”
She smiled, humor lighting her eyes. “About being hard and uncomfortable all night?”
He grinned. There she was, this woman who never stopped amazing him. He couldn’t even describe how much she intrigued him. The more he learned about her, the more he liked and the more he wanted to know, the main thing being how she got into the line of work she was in. He truly wanted to know what brought that around, although she seemed uncomfortable if he asked too much about her past. In fact, she was very good about turning the conversation around to him and life in Recon. It didn’t matter; she didn’t have to talk about her past to let him know her. He saw her interactions with Cullen, the neighbors, even strangers in the store, and that told him everything.
“That, too, but I meant how beautiful you are, Skylar.” There they stood, her back to the truck door, her truck she didn’t seem to mind him driving. It even had a car seat in the back for his son. He dragged the back of his hand down the side of her face as he stared in her eyes. “Thank you for being here with me.”
She was so expressive, he could read her indecision all over her face and watched her lock it down. Instead, she gave a slight smile. “Welcome.”
He took her arm, and they headed for the front door. The inside was nice, lower lighting, but he wished it was pitch-black so none of the men who turned their heads in their direction could see her at all. There wasn’t any way to disguise the raw appreciation in their gazes.
He wanted to fucking punch them all.
Unease swirled in his gut. He continually envisioned Skylar tossing something in his face and marching out. He wasn’t any good at this stuff. Give him a mission with a greater percentage chance of failure and he was ready—this, not so much. Growing up, there hadn’t been a lot of going out with other families, and it was more of a “children are seen, not heard” environment. Even after joining the Corps, he hadn’t brought women to eat with his parents.
She squeezed his hand. “Relax, marine,” she murmured. “I won’t let you down.”
“Baby,” he said, cupping her face in both his hands, loving how small and delicate she was against him. “It’s fucking impossible for you to let me down.”
His parents stood when they neared.
“Parker,” she said, hugging him.
“Mom.” He kissed her cheek. Turning to his old man, he held out his hand. “Good to see you again, sir.”
“And you.”
They shook hands, and he immediately reached back to Skylar. She didn’t hesitate to slip her hand into his. He tugged her to stand before him and wrapped his free hand around her waist.
“You both remember my fiancée, Skylar Radford.”
His father offered his hand and shook hers, while his mother sniffed and didn’t even make an attempt to do the same until he leveled a glare at her. When she did, it was a sorry excuse of a shake. A slow burn grew in his gut as he took a deep breath. Maybe he should just tell them the truth about everything right now. No, his mom had the world’s biggest mouth when she wanted to have something her way.
Parker held the chair for Skylar, brushing a light kiss along her shoulder as he slid her into the table. Then he took his, even as he delivered another look to his mother. The woman was studiously ignoring him, eyes instead shooting daggers at Skylar.
This wasn’t going to go well. His mother had been sweet as honey with Gemma, but currently had so much anger in her gaze, he wasn’t sure they’d make it through. Perhaps Skylar had been right, and he should have let them in on their arrangement.
No way. Scam or not, his mother should fucking know how to be nice, and he despised how she was looking down her nose at Skylar. As far as he knew, there wasn’t any reason for it; he was fucking positive Skylar hadn’t ever been rude to his mother. So her issues were all on her, and he needed to figure this out. Couldn’t protect his woman if he didn’t understand the pitfalls surrounding her. He ground his jaw, only to relax when Skylar briefly settled her hand on his leg and squeezed.
“I always see your truck there when I’m visiting my grandson and his mother,” she began. “Do you not have a job, or are you depending on my son to support you?”
“Mom!” Parker snapped. “That’s uncalled for.”
Skylar stiffened but took a deep breath. “I’m a woodworker and have a home-based business. It’s part of the reason I can watch Cullen at a moment’s notice when his mother decides she can’t do that, so Parker can go to physical therapy.”
He hid his smile. His woman had claws, and he approved.
From the frown on his mother’s face, she didn’t. “Well, seems to me that won’t be an issue any longer, because we’re here and can take that over, so it’s not an inconvenience for you.”
Parker draped his arm around Skylar, his fingertips skimming up and down her bare skin.
“Cullen is an adorable little boy, and he’s not at all an inconvenience. I love having him come with me as I make deliveries. My customers love him, and he enjoys the lumberyard.”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
“Mom, Skylar loves Cullen and wouldn’t ever put him in danger.”
“I know you think she means well, Parker, but she’s not a mother.” She sniffed. “What happens if it comes back he is Parker’s son? Are you going to be sticking around?”
“Enough,” he barked, anger pushing through him at speeds he didn’t know could happen. “We haven’t even had our meal served, and you’re acting like this?”
“I’m trying to protect my family. Our family, which includes Cullen.” She didn’t even apologize for her behavior.
The arrival of their waiter halted her talk for a moment. They placed their order and as soon as the waiter left, his mother opened her mouth again.
“Don’t.” Parker shook his head. “We will leave right now if all you’re going to do is try to disparage this beautiful woman. She is my fiancée. And I’d hoped the ugliness you showed the first day you met her had been a mistake. Now I’m not so sure.”
His father’s look was one like when he’d been a boy, telling him to sit there and keep his mouth shut. The memory that unless a parent told you, you didn’t leave the table until it was over.
Skylar squeezed his leg, but he wasn’t going to sit by and let her take the brunt of whatever shit his mom felt
like spreading. He couldn’t recall his mother ever being like this. He’d always had people of all races over at the house growing up and for the life of him, never remembered behavior like this. If there were something else going on here, he didn’t know what it was, but quite frankly he didn’t give a fuck. As a boy, his ass would have been beat for acting in such a manner to anyone.
His father leaned forward and reached for his coffee, his sharp gaze moving between the two of them. If the piercing stare that had always gotten to Parker when he’d been a boy, bothering him to no end, had any affect on Skylar, there was no indication.
Talk over the meal was clipped and uncomfortable. His dad asked about her work and at each chance, his mom smacked down what she did so fucking well.
“Are you sure you want to be involved with a marine?” she asked.
Parker wanted to know the answer to this, so he waited.
“He was a marine when we first met, so I knew what the life entailed, even before we became a couple.”
“And if he doesn’t come back?”
Okay, just morbid of his mom to think this way.
“I suspect it would be just as painful as losing someone coming home from work on the interstate. I know he can’t promise to come home, but I know he’ll always try to return not just to me, but to you both and Cullen.”
“And do you get along with Gemma? She’s such a dear and trying so hard not to be a single mom.” A pointed glare. “Of course, as you’re not a mother, you wouldn’t understand. You’re just the one keeping the family separate.”
She’d withstood the other jabs, but he did hear the high whimper from her this time, and it pushed him.
“That’s it.” Parker tossed down his napkin and shoved back from the table in a singular motion. “I won’t sit here and let you be so disrespectful to my fiancée. I expected more of you.” After pulling his wallet, he tossed a pile of bills down. “Skylar, let’s go.”
She rose, and he claimed her hand. “Sir. Ma’am.”
Together, they walked out, and he shook he was so fucking pissed.
Storm clouds were rolling in off the ocean, lightning splitting the sky, showing off for those who didn’t have their heads pushed into some form of modern technology. As they walked out, he caught Skylar looking out there more than once. His woman was one who preferred to hold her books instead of reading them on an e-reader; she held her crossword puzzles and wasn’t someone who had the television playing all the time.
Her Marine Next Door Page 10
