by B. N. Toler
“Will you take me home?”
Taking her hand, I bring it to my mouth and kiss it softly. “Anything you want, babe.”
Parker has me direct him to the nearest grocery store and I wait in the car as he goes in and grabs the necessities for a dinner he wants to cook for me tonight. To say lunch did not go well with my father is putting it mildly. I never thought it would, but I didn’t think it would be quite so disastrous. If Parker hadn’t been there, it might have gone smoother. A part of me wants to be angry with him for intervening the way he did, but the other part of me is grateful that he did. He stood up for me. Something I’ve never been able to do when it comes to my father.
Once we’re back to my apartment, Parker sets the groceries on the counter and leads me back to my bedroom. When he goes into the bathroom, the sound of the tub faucet catches my attention and he emerges. “You,” he points to me as he approaches, “are taking a long, hot bath, beautiful woman.” Okay . . . even as emotionally drained as I am, I swoon a little over that line. And a hot bath sounds fantastic.
“Are you sure?” I ask as I kick off my heels, already obeying his demand.
Parker turns me and unzips my dress from the back, slipping it over my shoulders. “Yes,” he says. “Don’t come out until you’re pruney.” Placing a soft kiss on my left shoulder, he turns and heads out the door.
Once I submerge myself in the hot water, I let it wash everything away. Not just dirt and sweat, but the hurt and fear of the day. My father has disowned me. I’m pregnant and terrified. My future is a gigantic fucking question mark. But right now, I’m going to take solace in the fact that Parker is here, cooking dinner for me.
After my bath, I slather myself in cocoa butter—must stop the potential stretch marks—and slip on a robe. When I make it to the kitchen, a pan is simmering with something that smells amazing while Parker is leaned against the counter, the ultrasound photo in one hand and a beer in the other. His dress shirt is rolled up on his forearms, the button of his collar undone, and his hair outwardly carefree. He looks fucking incredible.
“Would you like one to take back with you?” I ask as I round the counter. “I can ask for a copy.” His gaze jumps to mine before it lingers slowly down my body, causing flutters in my belly.
“I would,” he answers before placing his beer on the counter along with the picture and stepping toward me. “You look so fucking beautiful,” he whispers as he leans in and kisses my neck. His warm mouth against my skin sends shivers down my spine. My body molds to him and when he nips my neck, I whimper. Then he pulls away and turns back to the stove.
“Dinner will be ready in a few,” he says, casually, as if he wasn’t just lighting my panties on fire. Well, I’m not wearing any, but if I were . . . they’d be on fire. His mouth curves slightly as if he’s fighting a smile. “Have a seat, beautiful.”
I glare at him where he can’t see, but decide two can play at this game. Spinning slowly, I walk to the breakfast bar and slide on a stool. Parker had put a plate out with sliced cucumbers and baby carrots. I tug at my robe a little so it opens, revealing the swell of my breasts, and lean back.
“Smells really good,” I comment as I take a baby carrot and nibble it. When he turns, his brows rise at the sight of me.
“It looks really good, too,” he answers as he turns the heat on the stove down before coming toward me.
“Wonder how it tastes?” I banter and his mouth quirks into a mischievous smile. Rounding the counter, he takes my stool and spins it so I’m facing him. Leaning down, he runs his tongue along the seam of my lips as one hand dips under the fabric of my robe and squeezes one of my breasts.
“I’m about to find out,” he murmurs before standing and pulling the sash of my robe and opening it. He slides the robe down my shoulders until it slips off and hangs on the back of the stool. Then, he drops to the floor, takes my knees and spreads my legs open.
“So fucking beautiful,” he says, his eyes honed in on my aching core. My nipples harden as his hands slide slowly up my thighs, until he reaches my ass. Grabbing me, he yanks me forward so that my back arches. Pulling my legs up and resting them on his shoulders, he kisses my inner thighs softly one time each, and then he attacks.
Parker Hayes is the most erotic man I’ve ever known. Here I am, on a stool, buck naked, with his beautiful tongue licking me like I’m a goddamned lollipop. My hands fist his hair and I moan as he takes me into euphoria. My body writhes against his face, begging for more, and he delivers, licking, sucking, and nipping. And just as I’m about to hit that peak, that sweet, wondrous moment of bliss, he stands as he thrusts two fingers inside of me. His mouth meets mine, slick with my arousal, as I cry out. Working his fingers in and out of me, he takes me to the edge and lets me fall over.
As I come down from the high, panting, Parker pulls his fingers from me and sucks each one as his dark eyes watch me. Shaking his head, he leans back down and sucks my nipple in his mouth before pulling away and sucking the other. “You taste really fucking good.”
When I move to straighten up, he grabs my robe and pulls it over my shoulders, helping me get it back on. After he ties my sash, he smiles, lifting his hand and grazing one finger across my cheek. “Fucking beautiful.”
He moves to walk away and I grab his hand. “Could we skip dinner?” I want him now. I want him naked and in my bed.
“You haven’t eaten a proper meal all day. Let me feed you first, beautiful.” Kissing my forehead, he pulls away as I pout. He pokes my bottom lip gently. “Don’t worry. I plan on having you for dessert tonight.”
Good-looking, successful, fan-fucking-tastic in bed, and he can cook. Is it possible one man can be so much of . . . all the good stuff? We’re sitting at my kitchen table, and I’m devouring the chicken Parker has made. It is divine. My eyes are closed as I take a bite and moan a little. When I open them, Parker is staring at me, a soft smile on his face.
“What?” I ask around the food in my mouth.
“You’re moaning. I like it.” He cuts into his chicken. “Of course, I’d rather you were under me while you do it, but . . .”
“There’s always dessert,” I tease.
“Yes, there is that. You want some more?”
“No,” I answer quickly, patting my stomach. “I’m stuffed. That was really good. Thank you.”
“It was the least I could do. I didn’t mean to flip out on your father like that. You never even got a chance to eat anything but a couple of crackers.”
I let my gaze fall to my plate as I remember the horrible things my father said. “Hey,” Parker says, and I raise my eyes to him. “I’m sorry.”
“You have no reason to be. He did call our baby a bastard.”
“It wasn’t just that,” Parker says, as he stands, taking his plate with him to the trash can and scraping it. “He just spoke so . . . condescendingly to you. I mean, I get it. You’re pregnant and unmarried . . . but you’re also twenty-four years old.”
“He takes care of me, Parker,” I blurt out.
He turns toward me and his brows furrow. “I gathered that.” My cheeks flame with embarrassment at his words. Yes, I’m the stereotypical rich kid who lives off her father. I’ve known since I graduated and came home I should be on my own, making my own way, but my father never argued about paying and I never brought it up. My car, my apartment, everything . . . he pays for it all.
“But now I will,” Parker adds after a moment. While his promise is comforting in one way, it hurts in another.
“I have a good amount in savings,” I add. “From pageants, but with the baby . . . I’m not going to be able to do those for a while . . . if ever again.” I’ve made a decent amount of money throughout the years. Pageants don’t pay much, but businesses have paid me to come and work events or help advertise for them, so I’ve done okay. My savings aren’t enough to sustain me for long, but at least I have something.
Parker sets his plate in the sink and turns and crosses his arms. �
��This baby won’t stop you, Nikki. Will it be hard for us? Yes. It will. But we’ll make it work.”
“How?” I question, my voice raising an octave as that all-too-familiar panic sets in. “You keep saying we’ll make it work, but how? We barely know each other.”
Parker lets his arms drop and comes to me. Pulling a chair from the table, he slides it in front of me and sits. Then, he leans down and takes my feet, putting them in his lap. Despite my panic, I can’t help the way my eyelids flutter as he begins massaging my feet.
“Ask me anything you want to know. I’m an open book.”
Opening my eyes, I meet his gaze as he continues rubbing my feet. “What’s your middle name?”
“Joseph.”
I smile. “Nice.”
“Keep going,” he encourages.
“Birthday?”
“April first.”
“No fucking way,” I laugh.
“What?” he asks, looking up at me.
“The baby is due April first.”
“Really?”
“You were born on April Fools’ Day?” I ask, ignoring his question.
“True story.” And he smirks, but remains focused on my feet.
“Siblings?” I continue.
He makes a quiet little laughing sound that somehow seems endearing. Like the question made him think of something that makes him happy. “A sister. Maddie. She graduates CNU in the spring,” he answers.
“You’re close?”
“We talk almost every week. At least we try to.”
Something about hearing that makes my heart feel warm. He loves his sister and he’s a good big brother. Why shouldn’t he be an excellent father, too?
“What do your parents do?”
His hands tense on my feet for a moment before he continues rubbing. “My mother cleans houses and my father repairs and installs septic tanks.”
I wait a moment to hear if he’s going to say ‘just kidding,’ but it never comes. He just keeps rubbing my feet. I suppose my silence clues him in to my surprise because he queries, “Not what you were expecting?”
Parker seems so classy, regal in a sexy and manly way. I’d never have guessed he didn’t come from money. “It’s not that . . .” I begin but pause. What do I say?
Parker raises my foot and kisses it softly before laying it back in his lap and moving on to the next one. “When I tell you two people can make it . . . no matter the odds . . .” And he snorts and shakes his head. “I know because I’ve seen it with my own fucking eyes.” His dark stare meets mine and I swallow hard. His tone is grave, his gaze meant to convey that seriousness. “This,” he motions between us, “won’t be easy. But if you’ll promise me you’ll give it your all, you’ll try your hardest even when you don’t want to, you have my word as a man and as the father of your child that I’ll do anything to make you . . . us. . . . happy.”
Tears stream down my face. I’m so fucking scared. I’m scared to leap into this with him when there are so many things we just don’t know. I’m scared to take the chance that the one time I open myself up to someone, that I might be let down as I’ve always feared. But on the other hand, I believe him. I don’t believe Parker Hayes is a man that makes empty promises.
Wiping at my face, I pull my feet from his lap, moving to straddle him on the chair, taking his face in my hands and pressing my mouth to his. His hands fist the fabric of my robe, causing the sash to come undone and it opens in the front. I kiss him softly, nibbling at his lips as I grind my hips against him.
“Nicole,” he whispers. “Take it off.” He means my robe. Quickly, I slip it off and let it waft to the floor. His dark eyes rove up and down my body as his hands squeeze my ass.
“Undo my belt,” he orders. Moving my hands down to his belt, I start unbuckling it as he kisses down my chin to my neck. “I want you to grab my hard cock and pull it out, baby.” My breathing is erratic as I seize his erection and pull it out, stroking it as my gaze meets his.
“That feels good,” he growls softly. His hand moves up and cups my breast, his thumb gently grazing across my hardened nipple. “Fucking beautiful.” He shakes his head as if he’s in awe. “The most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
I slam my mouth to his, unable to stop myself. His hand finds my face and grasping it he pulls me away. “Any more questions, Nicole?” he asks, his stare deep and rich with desire.
“Later,” I pant. “Right now I just want to feel you,” I whisper back before I rise and sheath him inside of me. And as I ride him slowly, as his strong hands and fingers dig into my flesh, guiding me, as we pant and move in a frantic rhythm of passion, I know I’ve let Parker Joseph Hayes inside of me. Not just physically, but I’ve let him inside of me somewhere I’ve never let a man enter before.
Parker Hayes has made his way into my heart.
“Hey, big daddy,” John jests as I climb in his BMW. This car was his baby once. Now the paint is all dinged to hell, courtesy of a gravel driveway. He called this morning and asked if I wanted to have breakfast before he went into the office.
“Nice,” I snort.
As he puts the car in drive, he asks, “How are . . . things?”
Running a hand through my hair, I let out an exasperated breath. I’m fully aware of the magnitude of what having a baby entails, only enhanced by Nikki’s and my living situation. But I know we can make this work. It’s just going to take some finagling. That being said, I can’t deny it’s not a lot to take in. “We’re getting things figured out.”
I smile as I remember leaving Nikki in bed after she heaved this morning. She insisted I go and let her rest, so after I got her some saltines and ginger ale, I left so she could sleep. “She’s definitely freaking out.”
“And you’re not?”
“I mean, I think that’s a normal reaction, but I think we’ll be okay.”
“So what happens now?”
“We’re . . . still figuring that out. Obviously, we need to work out the logistics. Am I coming here or is she moving to New York? That type of thing.”
“What does she say?” he asks as we pull into the parking lot of the diner. I wait until we’re out of the car and walking inside to answer.
“I don’t know. Her father basically told her she was on her own yesterday so since he pays for her apartment, she’s going to have to move. Yesterday we were getting our bearings. Today, we have to make a plan.”
I follow John to a booth in the back and just as we’re about to slide in, the bell on the door jingles, drawing my attention. Dierk walks in and gives the young waitress behind the counter a smile that makes her cheeks blush.
“Motherfucker,” John grumbles as we sit.
“Yeah, about that,” I snort. “What was that bit the other night about if you mess with her you’ll have me to deal with?
John ignores my question and gives our waitress a friendly smile as she slides two coffee mugs on the table and proceeds to fill them. “We’ll have the early bird special, scrambled, with bacon,” he tells her.
“Coming right up,” she chirps before scurrying away.
I cut John a look that says, What the fuck? “Did you just order for me?”
He dumps some sugar in his mug and stirs, laughing quietly to himself. “Well, thank you, Johnny,” I say, in my best female tone. “I’ve always wanted a man to take charge, order my meals, and make me his bitch.”
John laughs harder. “I can tell you need a firm hand, Parker.”
“It better be a damn good breakfast,” I warn.
“Trust me,” he says. “I got us the best meal on the menu.”
“So . . . back to Dierk. What was that shit the other night?”
John sips his coffee before answering. “The first night I met him at some river party, he basically told me he’d kick my ass if I hurt Edie.”
“Aww.”
“So I was just throwing that shit back in his face.”
“Nice. Maybe you should’ve gone for something m
ore subtle. Peeing on Edie might have gotten your point across without all of the posturing.”
“Fuck off, Parker,” he mumbles.
“I get it,” I laugh, holding my hands up in surrender. This is obviously a sore spot for John and I seem to be pouring gasoline on it and taunting him with a lit match. “He’s a dick for messing with your woman.”
“If you think it’s just with her, you’re wrong,” John snickers, leaning back in the booth, taking his coffee with him. “He’s got a thing for Nikki, too.”
This time I lean back, but not before glancing over my shoulder and quickly looking at Dierk. He’s sitting at the counter, sipping his coffee. He’s a decent-looking guy, I guess. But he has an arrogance about him. “Yeah, but Nikki is carrying my child. I doubt he’d go after a pregnant chick,” I reply, swallowing down the hidden jealousy I’m feeling.
John says nothing, just darts his eyes away and sips from his mug, hiding the grin on his face.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing.” He shakes his head. “I just can’t wait until it’s you pissing on Nikki.”
“Why haven’t you just kicked his ass yet? I know you could. I saw that bouncer’s nose in New York,” I tease him. “You did some nice damage.”
“I’m never going to live that night down.” John rolls his eyes and I chuckle. “Because he’s their friend, and . . . I’m new here. If I kick the ass of the town’s pretty boy, it wouldn’t look good for me. I need business.”
“Good point.”
“So, back to you, Daddy Hayes. What do you think is going to happen here?”
I sigh and stroke my jaw, lost in thought, before I answer. “I have to work, so ideally she’d come back to New York with me.”
John bites his lip and his eyes widen. He clearly has thoughts on this, but doesn’t want to say what they are. “What?” I ask.
“I just think it won’t be that simple. Nikki loves it here, and Edie is here. You don’t understand the bond between them. Hell, I don’t understand the bond between them, but it’s there and it’s fucking unbreakable.”
