‘No…Flori’s my friend; I thought you understood that….it has nothing to do with us.’
She suddenly grabbed him, hugging him hard. ‘It has everything to do with us, my sweet,’ she whispered then, dashing away a tear, she smiled up at him. ‘You deserve a chance at real love. And so do I. When you think about it, you’ll realize.’
Grady kept shaking his head. ‘No, this…this is real, you and me. I’ve waited so long for this to happen.’
‘I know, I know and I will never regret what has happened between us. Never,’ she said fiercely. ‘But I can’t be a portion of someone’s love, and I am not blaming you or Flori because I know neither of you realizes it yet. Try, Grady, and I swear you’ll understand what I’m saying. She is your heart, not me.’
He was silent then, his mind whirling. Asia kissed him softly. ‘Goodbye, Grady. I’ll see you in a couple of days.’
As she started to walk away, he called her name. As she turned, he looked into her eyes. ‘If you’re so sure, why are you coming back in a couple of days?’
She smiled. ‘Because Flori’s my friend too, and so are you. I’ll be here as long as you both need me.’
She could feel him watching her walk away. As she pressed the call button, she willed him to go back to Flori’s side, not make this harder – although there was still part of her that wished he’d come for her, beg her to stay. A small part. But not her whole heart.
Because over the last few weeks, Asia had realized that Grady wasn’t her future. He would always be in her life, but lately, there had been someone else, someone she’d grown close to, met for coffee every day, sometimes, twice a day. Someone with the bluest, sexiest eyes she’d ever seen.
She headed for the hospital cafeteria now, walked in and saw him.
Parker Thomas looked up and with obvious delight in his eyes, he stood and smiled at her.
Marley waited until Quilla was strapped into the car. Her friend grinned at her, but Marley could see the dark purple shadows under her eyes.
‘So where are you taking me?’
Marley smiled. ‘Not telling, you’ll just have to wait and see.’
Quilla smiled. ‘Fair enough. How have you been, Marls?’
‘I’m fine,’ she said, concentrating on the road. ‘Have you been sleeping better?’
‘A little.’ She was lying, Marley could always tell, and she shot her a look. Quilla shrugged. ‘You know how it is.’
Marley pursed her lips. She and Jakob had spent hours on the phone trying to figure out how to help her but at last Markey had said. ‘Right, screw all this, I’m just going to take her to a therapist myself and use extreme emotional blackmail.’
Which is what she was doing now. Twenty minutes later, they pulled into the underground car park of a tall office building, Quilla looking confused. Marley parked the car and turned to her friend.
‘What’s going on?’ Quilla was studying her face, her eyes wary.
Marley’s face was set. ‘Upstairs, on the third floor is an office. In that office is one the world’s best – and most expensive – psychiatrists. He specializes in PTSD in victims of violence. You are booked in for a course of sessions with him. You will attend every single one of them. Either Jakob or I will bring you to make sure you attend them.’
Quilla was staring at her in horror. ‘You cannot be serious – who do you think you are? Both you and Jakob need to realize I’m not a child. Switch the engine on and let’s leave.’
‘I haven’t finished,’ Marley’s voice was hard now. ‘If you miss even a minute of a session, that’s it. I’m done. You will never see me again. Ever.’
Quilla’s eyes were filled with tears. ‘Please don’t make me do this,’ she whispered, ‘I can’t. I can’t relive that night.’
‘You’re reliving it every minute! Do you think we can’t see that? And it’s destroying you, and Jakob, and me and everyone that cares for you.’
Quilla was getting more agitated by the second. ‘For god’s sake, of course, I’m upset. He’s still out there! And he wants to kill me. A man I barely know wants to kill me. Wouldn’t you be…?’ Her voice cracked then, and she turned her head so Marley couldn’t see her tears. ‘Why are you doing this?’
‘Because I love you,’ Marley said, softening her tone. ‘Because you need this, this will help you get stronger, mentally, so you can deal with this other crap.’
‘This other crap meaning death threats,’ Quilla snapped. She dropped her head into her hands. ‘I don’t believe what you’re doing to me. I can’t believe it. Please, Marley, I…’
‘No more talking. Get out of the car, get into that elevator and get the help you desperately need.’
Quilla stared at her. ‘I’ll never forgive you for this.’ But she got out of the car, slamming it shut and went to the elevator. A few moments later, Marley’s phone beeped. A text message from the psychiatrist’s assistant.
She’s in.
Marley let out a huge sigh of relief…then burst into tears.
‘You’re cheating.’
‘I am not.’
‘You are, you’re rocking the table so that…’
The Jenga tower collapsed, and Flori groaned, swatting at a grinning Grady. ‘I told you.’
‘Sore loser,’ he chuckled as he swept the pieces back into the box. Flori was looking so much better, the six weeks since the attack had flown by. Grady had spent every hour he could with her, apart from when her mom was with her, not wanting to intrude. Her father had returned to Portland, work calling him back after a couple of weeks but by then, they knew Flori would be fine. A long recovery time, yes, but essentially she would return to full health within a few months. Grady had assured her parents and Flori that all the medical expenses would be taken care of – as well as Flori’s college fund. Flori had protested, but Grady would not hear of anything else.
‘There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you,’ he’d said earnestly and now, as he looked at her lovely face, so delicately featured, so expressive and warm, he knew that to be true. What Asia had said to him all those weeks ago had made his whole outlook on the world change. She was right – he had fallen in love with Flori. Completely and utterly.
But he was afraid. Afraid of the age difference between them, afraid she would not feel the same way, afraid that if she knew his true feelings, she would feel beholden to him. And God, the thought of that made him feel sick. He wanted her, yes, but only if she wanted him back without condition or hesitation. So he kept his feelings to himself – for the most part. He had a feeling Jean, Flori’s mother, could read him like a book. She reminded him so much of his own mother, so kind, and nurturing.
Flori was harder to read. She certainly welcomed him, treated him as her best friend – and that made him a little gun-shy after what Asia had said – but he couldn’t tell if she felt anything more for him. They were always holding hands, or touching the other’s face, or hugging but then Flori was a very tactile person.
Asia had kept her promise and had been back to see them, not showing any resentment or giving Flori any clue to why she and Grady were no longer together. Flori had asked Grady what their deal was when she was on a lot of morphine, and he’d told her they were just friends.
‘Sexy friends,’ Flori had mumbled just before she fell asleep and Grady had smiled sadly. The more time he spent away from Asia, he realized she had right. Maybe their brief love affair had been just the blissful, short way to resolve unfinished business.
‘Earth to Grady,’ Flori said now with a grin. She stroked his face. ‘Beardy.’
Grady grinned, leaning into her touch. ‘Want me to shave?’
She shook her head. ‘Nah, you look good with a beard. So good, you’re making me jealous. I sometimes wish it was socially acceptable for women to have beards. I’d rock a little goatee.’
Grady laughed. ‘That medication you’re on is really something, huh?’
She smiled. ‘Actually, at the moment, no pain meds. I
’m riding it out, better for recovery, so I don’t strain any core muscles when the morphine fools me into thinking they don’t hurt.’ She winced then and laughed. ‘Like that.’
Grady frowned. ‘But if you’re in pain, surely…?’
She shook her head. ‘Only when I move awkwardly. I’ve got so used to being in pain that now that it’s just general soreness, I think I feel great. Maybe they’ll let me out soon.’
She looked hopeful, and Grady grinned. ‘Keep dreaming. But I wanted to ask, what are your plans for when you do get out? Will you go back to Portland?’
She shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. I think I’m going to transfer my college credits to somewhere else, start over.’
‘You know wherever you want to go; I’m going to cover everything, tuition, housing.’
‘Grady…’
‘No arguments. This is non-negotiable.’
She gave him a small smile. ‘You are the greatest.’ She hesitated and leaned towards him, and her lips brushed his, quickly, gently. Grady’s mouth tingled from the sensation of it and he smiled. He moved nearer to her, taking her face in his hands, and once again covering her mouth with his. He felt her little fingers tangled in his hair as he kissed her, as the kiss became more urgent, he heard her moan softly, the sound of it making his cock harden, his pulse race.
Eventually, he broke away, and they smiled at each other. He ran the back of his fingers down her cheek. ‘You’re so beautiful,’ he murmured. She nuzzled her nose against his.
‘Come lay down with me,’ she said and shifted across the bed – wincing. He kicked off his shoes and stretched out beside her, her head on his chest, his lips against her forehead. She fit so naturally in his arms that his heart felt like it would burst. He was in love with this gorgeous, fragile, vulnerable girl. And right then, right at that moment, he knew he was lost.
Asia walked straight to the cafeteria the minute she got back to the hospital. You should be visiting your friends, she told herself, but she couldn’t help pick up her stride. God, she wanted to see Parker. Their talks over coffee had been so flirty, so much fun, that she could barely wait to get back to New Orleans to see him. So far it had all been very casual – coffee, text messages arranging…dates? Could she call them that? All she knew was, Parker Thomas was the first thing she thought of when she woke. She grinned to herself now as she walked into the cafeteria and stopped, her heart failing. Parker was at their usual table, but there was someone else there, a woman, a blonde and Parker was laughing with her. He caught Asia’s eye and waved, his smile still in place and slowly, she walked towards them. The blonde woman turned and smiled at her warmly, and the relief she felt was all-consuming. Valentina; Oscar-winning actress and Parker’s sister. Oh, thank God. She nearly said it out loud but kept her face friendly and open. Valentina kissed both of her cheeks.
‘It’s so lovely to meet you at last,’ she said as they sat down, ‘Parker hasn’t shut up about you.’
‘Dude, way to play it cool,’ Parker muttered, suddenly seeming less like the medical wunderkind he was and more like a goofy teenager. He grinned at Asia. ‘Hey, beautiful, good flight?’
Valentina, it turned out, was only with them for an hour then had to catch a connecting flight to Europe. She was funny, bright and told them outrageous stories of life on set. Asia grinned.
‘God, I remember it well,’ she said, and Valentina leaned in conspiratorially.
‘Between you and me, you were always too good for Kit. He’s a nice guy but an idiot when it comes to woman.’
Something made Asia wonder if Kit and Valentina had ever hooked up; then dismissed the idea – who cared now? Kit was blissfully happy with Bo Kennedy. She wondered if Valentina had someone special in her life – maybe you should spend some time on gossip sites, she told herself with a grin.
When they were alone, Parker took her hand, his cheeks flushing pink. ‘So I was wondering if we could go out of the hospital, on a real date. I’d like to cook you something. If you are free, of course.’
She smiled, her own face blushing. ‘Love too…tonight?’
Parker grinned, relieved. ‘If it suits you….right now?’
God, yes, yes. ‘Sure thing. You cook?’
The red cheeks were back. ‘I love food, especially French cuisine, but here, I don’t get a chance to cook for anyone.’
Asia smiled. ‘That sounds good.’
His apartment was not as she expected but thinking about it, it made sense. He came from a vastly rich family and his apartment reflected that. A vast open plan space, exposed brickwork, a kitchen to die for. At the far end, a large bed, swathed, gray, navy, and white sheets. Asia’s heart began to beat faster as Parker gave the quick tour. His hand brushed hers and took it, and he gently pulled her to him.
‘Are you hungry?’ He murmured and as she looked up at him, she shook her head. He smiled.
‘Me either,’ and he bent his head and covered her mouth with his, his tongue gently probing her mouth, massaging her tongue. Asia moaned as the kiss deepened and she felt him lift her into his arms and carry her to that vast bed. God, she wanted this man so badly, in a way she’d never felt before, that if she didn’t have him inside her now, she would die. She tugged his shirt open, running her hands over the fine smattering of hair in his firm chest. Parker grinned down at her, his fingers on the belt of her wrap dress, untying it and pushing the fabric away from her body.
‘Wow, oh wow,’ he said with wonder in his voice as he took in the smooth curves of her belly, the full breasts, and her rich olive skin. They spent a long time undressing each other, kissing every exposed piece of skin. Parker was tall and well-built, his body firm if not defined. Asia felt utterly feminine with him; he made her feel so beautiful that she could have cried. When they were naked, they lay beside each other for a long time, stroking their hand over the other’s skin, drinking each other in. Finally, when neither could wait any longer, Parker gathered her to him and his cock, trembling and bobbing under its own weight, slid into her, filling her, stretching her out in the most blissful way. They moved together, and as they did, they laughed and smiled and had fun and her orgasm when it came was mellow and carried on, even after they collapsed back onto the bed. Asia felt warmth flood through her as she looked at his charming, boyish, gorgeous face and knew she’d found something remarkable.
Parker propped himself up on his elbow and gazed down at her, his fingers tracing delicate patterns over her belly. ‘Asia Flynn, you have no idea what you being here means to me.’
She nodded. ‘Right back at cha. My god, Parker…if this isn’t a weird thing to say, I feel…free. As if suddenly I get ‘it’, whatever ‘it’ is.’
Parker grinned and kissed her. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about but as long as you’re happy.’
She chuckled. ‘I’ll explain some other time.’ She studied him. ‘How the hell are you single?’
Parker lay back, and she settled her head on his chest. ‘I just…it wasn’t something I particular cared about, a relationship.’
‘You slept around?’ Her voice held no judgment – he was a good looking guy.
He shrugged. ‘Some. I guess I was tied up with my work. Then I saw you and…’ He made a ‘swooning; gesture, and she laughed. ‘You have the cutest face,’ he said, ‘Hey, I’m curious…what’s your deal with Grady Mallory? When I met you, I figured you were a couple.’
She sighed. ‘You know, we were, God, how can I put this? Laying old ghosts.’ She grinned, wickedly. ‘Literally for a while but then Flori happened.’
‘Regrets?’
‘None. It hurt, of course, but when you see two people that are so right for each other…’
Parker stroked her face. ‘I know what you mean.’
She rested her cheek on his hard chest. ‘Can we just stay here and not deal with the outside world for a while?’
Parker grinned. ‘You got it sweet cheeks.’
Asia closed her eyes, breathing
in his clean scent, and suddenly realized why she so relaxed with this lovely man. It was because he wasn’t a Mallory. She had been too tied up in their world for too long.
Now it was her turn to find the happiness she deserved outside that world.
***
Grady went to grab some coffee with Jean as Flori slept. The doctor who had checked her this morning told them with a smile that she could go home at the end of the week. Flori had been so happy but now, exhausted again, she’d fallen back asleep.
Grady carried the tray over to the table, and he and Jean relaxed. ‘She’s doing so well,’ Jean said, happily. Jean, a tiny woman in her sixties, was the spitting image of her daughter, except the dark hair was flecked with white, and the cornflower blue eyes were lined and covered with spectacles. But Flori was there in the easy, warm smile, the plump cheeks which made Jean look decades younger. She was smiling at Grady now.
‘That girl’s crazy about you, young man.’
Grady grinned and tapped her cup with his. ‘As I am about her.’
‘Well, I’m delighted, although you may find her father a tougher nut to crack.’
Grady sighed, nodding. Mac Morgan blamed him for Flori’s attack. ‘Yeah, but I have to admit, I can’t say I blame him. It may have been Gregor Fisk, that damned coward, who tried to kill her but it’s because of my family.’
Jean shook her head. ‘I cannot even imagine what your family has been through these last few months.’
Grady was silent for a moment. ‘Jean…Flori tells me she doesn’t want to go back to Portland. I would like to invite her to come stay with me in Seattle for a while. We, my family, have our base there, security, a home where Flori would be safe. But I wanted to ask you what you thought about that.’
Before Jean could answer, Parker Thomas interrupted – with Asia in tow. Grady shook hands with the doctor, kissed Asia, who said hello to Jean. Grady looked between the two newcomers – there was obviously something going on and for that he was glad. Relieved, which was a weird feeling but…
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