The Beginning of Us (92 page)

His eyes twinkled with amusement. “Answer the question, Miss Price.”

My body tingled at the formality. I shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t know much about the company but I heard that you cater to young business entrepreneurs. And that you don’t discriminate.”

He looked away, his gaze dancing around the small restaurant. “Everyone has a right to learn. To grow. Doesn’t matter what field they’re in. Not giving someone the chance could ruin their careers.” He turned back to me. “I know what it’s like to be the youngest person in the room and be the boss. All eyes narrow at you. Throwing daggers. Grumbles of frustration because these men feel that
they
should be the one in my shoes.”

I nodded in understanding. “I can’t imagine it being easy.”

He brushed a thumb along the back of the hand that was wrapped around my glass, smiling softly. “No. It wasn’t. But I made them see reason.” He winked.

“I bet. You probably had them eating out of the palm of your hand by the time you were done with them.” I sat back, ignoring the flush of heat that travelled over my skin just from his small touch.

He grinned. “Something like that.”

“What’s your favorite thing about what you do?” I asked, placing my hands in my lap. My heart gave a somersault at how easy it was to have a conversation with him.

“Helping people,” he answered, rubbing his finger around the rim of his glass. “I like instilling in young kid’s minds that they can be all that they want to be. With some added guidance and support, they can make it to the top.” His gaze met mine. “My goal is to make these young budding superstars see that no one can bring them down.”

I nodded in understanding. “That’s pretty amazing.”

He shrugged. “I don’t like to bask in my own glory, Miss Price.”

“Really?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Just because I have money doesn’t mean shit. I’m lucky. I’m trying to teach my staff to instill into these kids that money isn’t everything.”

My gaze slid around the small deli. It was homey with the scent of dough permeating through the air. I liked it. It wasn’t fancy. It was…perfect.

“Tell me, Keely. What makes a woman like you…tick?”

A small chuckle escaped me as I fidgeted nervously in my seat. “My roommate’s cooking and computers.”

“I like a woman who loves food.” He made a point of licking his bottom lip before grazing his pearly white teeth over the plump flesh.

My skin tingled and all I could do was stare.

“Here’s your bill, Mr. Reed.” A stout woman handed him a folded up piece of paper and walked away, sashaying her hips.

I laughed and shook my head, thankful for the interruption. “You even have older women trying to get you to notice them.”

He glanced down at my lips. “I never noticed.”

My mouth parted as he inched closer to me. I could see the specks of gold in his green gaze. The light freckles on his tanned nose. His angular jaw jutted out perfectly, his high cheek bones inching up when he smiled. He was an artist’s dream. I imagined God creating him with a stroke of his brush on life’s canvas.

Just when I thought Parker was going to kiss me, he leaned down to my ear.

“Believe the rumors. Don’t try and break me, little one.”

The scent of leather and man invaded my nostrils, making my heart soar. “Who are you?”

“I’m Parker Reed,” he murmured, tightening his hold on my wrist.

“No.” I shook my head. “The real you.” Although I had just met him, a part of me wanted to crack into his hard exterior. His outer shell. I wanted to find out what made him tick. What made him...him.

I looked up and met his gaze. The black pupils darkened if that was possible. They say the eyes are windows to the soul. Well, I couldn’t see anything when it came to him. He was closed off. If he wanted me to know something, he would tell me; only then would I know.

“I want to kiss you. Will you let me, angel?” he asked, keeping hold of my wrist.

My body was hyper aware of his hand on me. The tiny hairs on my skin stood on end. “Isn’t...isn’t that against some work code?”

He smirked, licking his lips. His pearly white teeth grazed over his plump bottom lip and what I wouldn’t give to bite it. Just a nibble. A taste.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, linking his fingers in mine.

“How much I want to bite you.” I gasped, clapping a hand over my mouth. “Oh my gosh. That...I didn’t...”

His nostrils flared and he grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet. We quickly left the small restaurant and headed to the limo.

“Mr. Reed, I—”

“Parker,” he said, rounding on me. “Call me Parker.”

I looked up at him, wide-eyed. “Okay, but—”

“Or if you feel the need to call me something formal, call me Sir.”

“Sir,” I repeated. A flutter tickled my belly at the term but I liked it. I especially liked the way his eyes twinkled when I used it.

A wicked grin spread on his face. “Oh yeah. That’ll work.”

“Um...” Way over my head.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards his limo. “Jones. Please take us back to Miss Price’s apartment.” He looked down at me. “She needs to rest up for her first day on the job tomorrow.” He winked and opened the door for me.

I slid into the vehicle and rooted through my purse for my phone. Five missed calls from Troy. I sighed and hit the call back button.

“Girl, where the hell are you?”

I bristled at his tone and took a breath. “Out. What’s your deal?”

“I was worried and I wanted to apologize for giving you the third degree.”

“I understand your worry but I’m fine. I promise.”

“Where are you?”

“Jones, take the long way back,” Parker instructed the driver.

I frowned, glancing at him.

“Wait...are you with Parker Reed?”

“I bumped into him when I left our place. He took me out for a sandwich,” I explained to Troy, not taking my eyes off of Parker.

“Keely, do you have any idea who you are dealing with?”

“Troy, I love you but I’m hanging up now. I’ll be home soon.” I hung up the phone and threw it back in my bag.

“Boyfriend?” Parker asked, his jaw tensing.

“No. Roommate.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“You live with a guy?”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Troy would be more interested in you than he would me, trust me.”

“He’s gay?”

“Very.” I shook my head and leaned back against the seat. Our shoulders brushed. One move and I could be in his lap having the ride of my life. Desire unfurled deep in my belly. I bit back a groan. “Parker?”

“Hmm?”

“How did you do it?” I asked, needing to desperately distract myself from the naughty images I was having.

He looked down at me, rubbing his chin. “What?”

“How did you become one of the richest men in North America at such a young age?”

“By being in control.”

I shivered at his words that were so little but meant so much.

His dark emerald eyes cut into mine. Holding me. Captivating me. I couldn’t help but stare back.

“Mr...Sir,” I breathed.

He smirked and ran a thumb along my bottom lip. “So beautiful.”

My heart raced, my breath leaving me in short bursts of air. “Parker.”

“I’m going to kiss you now, Miss Price, and you’re going to let me.”

I nodded even though he didn’t ask me a question. He didn’t need my permission. I swayed towards him and cupped his cheek. A soft purr left his lips as he leaned into my palm. He pinched my chin, tilting my head, brushing his mouth along mine.

A small whimper escaped me.

“Bite me, little one,” he demanded.

My cheeks heated. Licking along his bottom lip, I sucked and pulled, gently nipping the plump flesh.

He growled, sliding his hand to the back of my neck and pulled me towards him in a rough move. I gasped, slapping my hands against his hard chest. He grinned and licked along the seam of my mouth before delving deep inside. I moaned, opening to him, taking him as deep as possible. Our tongues meshed, dancing as one. Fighting for control that neither of us had.

He groaned, deepening the kiss and lowered me to the bench. Arching under him, I hooked my legs around his waist.

“Hmm...” He purred against my mouth. Trailing light pecks down to my ear, he sucked and pulled at my lobe. Biting his teeth into the sensitive skin at my collarbone, he brushed a finger over my bottom lip. “I didn’t hire you to be my intern,” he murmured.

I panted, cupping the back of his neck. “What did you hire me for?”

His hand grazed up under my dress. Reaching my hips, he gripped the side of my panties and with a rough tug, ripped them clean off my body. He licked between my lips, pushing his pelvis between my thighs. Gasping into his mouth, I dug my fingers into his thick arms.

He sat back, a smug smile spreading on his handsome face.

I stared at him, wide-eyed and beyond sexually frustrated when the limo came to a stop.

He pulled me to a sitting position and grazed a hand up my inner thigh. “You’re going to be my…assistant. You will do, say, and be what I want when you’re under my roof.”

I jumped when his finger brushed over the top of my mound. “What does that mean?”

He kissed my shoulder. “Look at me.”

I slowly turned my head, meeting his heated stare.

He continued teasing my lower area but didn’t delve any deeper like I wanted him to. “You’ll see, little one.” He released me completely and left the limo.

I shivered at the loss of his hands no longer being on me. What the hell was I thinking? He was my boss. I was his assistant. Whatever that meant.

“Coming, angel?” He reached a hand in.

No. Unfortunately, I wasn’t. I grumbled to myself and took his hand, letting him pull me out of the vehicle.

He caressed his fingers over my collar bone. “Be at my office at 8am tomorrow morning.” He slid back into the limo, which took off down the street; I didn’t move until it disappeared from sight. Well,
that
was interesting.

My lips tingled, remembering his mouth on mine. His tongue inside me. God, what I wouldn’t give to explore more of him. To feel his hands on my body. Caressing. Kneading. Massaging. Bringing me to heights of ecstasy I knew he could.

“Oh, Parker. Who are you?” And why are you affecting me this way?

***

“I hate to act like a nag—”

“Then don’t,” I mumbled, throwing my bag on my bed.

“Keely.”

“Troy.” I met his stare head on, placing my hands on my hips. “Talk to me like my best friend. Not like a parent.”

“Fine.” He grabbed my hand and sat me down on the bed. “Tell me about your evening and that fine specimen you had a sandwich with.”

I laughed, my cheeks heating. “We didn’t stay out for long but it was nice. He was...nice.”

“Did he ever tell you what he hired you for?”

“Uh...to be his assistant.”

“Oh.” Troy frowned, his perfectly arched eyebrows furrowing in the center.

I poked him in the ribs. “Don’t frown. You’ll get wrinkles.”

He nudged me in the shoulder. “What does being his assistant actually mean?”

“I’m...I’m not sure.” I sighed.

“Be careful, baby girl.” Troy cupped the back of my nape and kissed my head.

“I will.” I had to. I needed to protect my heart that had been shattered before. I wouldn’t go through that again. I couldn’t.

“How much do you know about him?”

“Dale’s Deli was a thing he and his mom used to share.” I shrugged.

Troy looked at me. “Hmm...Tabloids said his mom passed away but who knows how true that is. You know how they make up shit just to get readers. It’s disgusting really.”

“I mentioned that to him but he got defensive,” I said, a twinge of guilt soaring through my stomach at pressing him over the subject.

“Don’t believe the news or tabloids, but they say she committed suicide.”

I gasped. “Really?” No wonder he was hard around the edges. My heart hurt more for him but he no doubt hated sympathy from others.

“Yeah.” Troy clapped his hands together and rose to his feet. “I’m heading to
Nine
. Wanna come with?”

I shook my head, stifling a yawn. The idea of heading out to a club at that moment, when I had my first day on the job tomorrow, was not a smart move. “Early morning ahead.”

He winked. “Gotta rest up for Mr. Sexy tomorrow.” He waggled his eyebrows.

I giggled and pushed him out of my room. “Goodnight, Troy. Have fun.”

“Sleep well, babe.”

***

Warm lips cascaded down my collar bone to between my breasts. Licking and sucking a nipple into the hot mouth, a growl erupted around the room.

I was in a sleep-filled fog and moaned, arching under the touch of my dream lover. “More.”

Rough, calloused hands massaged and kneaded, caressing a path down the sides of my body to a spot that ached. So much pain from no release. It hurt in all the right places, which only a certain someone could satisfy.

Emerald-jeweled eyes stared back at me, heating with lust and desire. “Lay back and enjoy, pet.”

My eyes shot open at the deep voice. Glancing around my room, I realized I was alone; sure as hell, a flutter of disappointment twisted in my belly.

I huffed and checked my alarm. Only ten minutes before I had to get up anyway, so I decided to start my day.

If the bags under my eyes were not an indication of the restless sleep I had, my achy muscles sure were.

After taking a quick shower, I threw on a floor-length maxi dress. It was dressy but comfortable. Business casual like I assumed the dress code would be. Although, I wouldn’t mind if jeans and a t-shirt were appropriate.

Smoothing out the blue-and-white striped skirt of the dress, I made sure to adjust the red top that was attached to it. I looked like I should be boating but shrugged. It would have to do.

I pulled my long, blonde curly hair into a bun and applied some red lip-gloss. Satisfied with my appearance, I grabbed my bag and left the apartment.

The cool morning air washed over my skin, sending a shiver down my back. It felt nice after the hot dream I had. Dreaming about my boss was way inappropriate. My lips tingled, remembering the kiss we shared last night.