The Beginning of Us (94 page)

I had been working for Parker for two weeks already. We would pass each other knowing glances but he had been so busy with meetings that we hadn’t spent any time alone. But I wanted him alone. To myself. I wanted to get to know him. I wanted to give him parts of myself that no man had ever had. My ex may have thought he had me but he didn’t. At all.

“Keely.”

“What?” I snapped out of my thoughts, slapping the book closed.

Troy raised an eyebrow, his lips curling up at the corners. “How have your first couple of weeks been?”

Amazing but confusing as hell. I fumbled for the right words to say and when they wouldn’t come, I kept my mouth shut.

“A certain someone leaving you sexually frustrated?” he asked, waggling his eyebrows.

I frowned. “What? Can you read my thoughts now?”

His smile fell. “I was kidding. Keely, what did Mr. Sexy do?”

“It’s not what he did but what he didn’t do instead,” I mumbled.

“Did you sleep with him?”

“What?” I gasped. “God, no!” When would I find the time for that?

“Well then what the hell happened?”

I sighed. “I can’t explain it but something
is
happening. He’s been busy with meetings but he always makes me stay. I haven’t done anything yet except basic secretary stuff. Filing and so on. But…he’s so frustrating. I don’t know how I’m going to work for him. He’s...”

“Dark. Brooding. Full alpha male that leaves you panting and aching for more?”

I pushed him. “Stop reading my books.”

He chuckled. “This isn’t a romance novel, Keely. This is real life.”

“Yeah and he’s the most dominating male I’ve ever come across.”

“Really?”

I met Troy’s gaze and nodded slowly. “Devin wasn’t like this.”

“Are you sure?”

I rose to my feet, not in the mood to talk about my one and only ex-boyfriend. “Troy.”

“I’m sorry, baby, but it seems like you have a case of the repeats. I know I warned you about Parker but I’d be more worried about Devin. He’s still out there.”

I spun on him. “You don’t think I know that?” I cried. “I hardly know Parker but he is nothing like Devin.”

“How do
you
know that?”

“I...because...” I huffed, stomping my foot. I didn’t know. I couldn’t explain it but I just knew.

“You’re adorable when you’re mad but I really worry that a replay of what happened with Devin will happen again.” Troy rose to his feet and kissed my head before heading into the kitchen. “Just please be careful.”

It was probably a good thing that I didn’t tell Troy what Parker had said to me.

“You, Keely Price, have just made a deal with the fucking devil.”

I sighed and scrubbed a hand down my face. “Not every man I meet is going to be like Devin.”

“I know that.”

“Maybe I should just join a convent. It’s not like I’m having sex anyways.”

“But you have every right to be cautious. No one will judge you because of that,” Troy added, clearly not hearing my comment.

“What man is going to be patient with me just because my ex was a domineering, possessive, abusive asshole?” I cried out, exasperated.

“A man who cares for you, loves you and wants to be with you.” Troy called out, moving around in the kitchen. “Don’t you dare fucking settle just because he shows you interest.”

“Thanks for the lecture, dad,” I mocked, rolling my eyes.

“Just looking out for you. Someone has to.”

I let out a huge sigh, silently counting to ten. Troy was telling me things that I already knew. I had already given this lecture to myself.

After Parker gave me the best orgasm in my lifetime just from the touch of his hand, he told me to take the rest of the day off. I still had no idea what my job duties were exactly but as long as I was getting paid, I guess it didn’t really matter.

A knock sounded at the door, interrupting my thoughts. I frowned and tentatively made my way towards it.

Looking in the peephole, I gasped when I saw Parker standing on the other side.

“Who’s here?” Troy asked, coming around the corner.

“Mr. Sexy.” I shook my head. “I mean, Parker.”

Troy grinned. “Well let him in, girlfriend. He can try my cheese fondue that I made.”

Why me?
I opened the door. “Hello, Sir.”

Parker’s eyes twinkled. “Hello, Miss Price. Is this a bad time?”

“Not at all,” Troy answered for me. “I’m Troy Danvers.” He held out his hand.

Parker shook it. “Parker Reed.”

“Oh I know who you are, boyfriend.” Troy waggled his eyebrows and headed back into the kitchen.

“Boyfriend?” Parker repeated, shutting the door behind him.

I smiled. “He calls you Mr. Sexy as well.”

Parker laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had any time alone with you.”

My thoughts went back to the first day working for him. How he had me bent over his desk, his body against mine, his finger…I coughed. “Why?” I croaked.

He winked. “So many questions.”

Crossing my arms under my chest, I tapped my foot. “How did you find out my apartment number?”

He grinned. “I have your information, remember?”

Right. “Well...”

He took a step towards me. “Do I make you nervous, little one?”

“Yes. Very.” My heart raced as Parker towered over me. He only kissed my forehead and grabbed my hand, leading us into the living room.

“Now isn’t this against some sort of boss/employee code?” Troy asked, bringing out a tray of cheese and crackers and placed it on the coffee table.

“Probably, but I am the boss, so I can do whatever I want.” Parker sat on the couch and pulled me down beside him.

“Works for me.” Troy handed him a stick with bread on the end and gooey orange cheese dripping off of it. “Will you be my guinea pig?” He batted his blond eyelashes, his blue eyes roaming down Parker’s form every so often.

I rolled my eyes. Subtle, Troy. Very subtle.

Parker took the stick and pulled the bread off the end with his teeth. “Hmm...this is really good,” he said as he swallowed.

“Oh excellent. Not too much salt?” Troy’s eyes beamed, like he was just told that he won the lottery.

“No. Maybe add some pepper but that’s about it.” Parker placed his hand on the back of my neck. It was a casual move but I knew that it meant so much more.

“I will own you.”

Whatever that meant.

“Pepper is coming right up. Want some, Keely?” Troy asked me, bouncing from foot to foot.

“Sure.”

The three of us sat in silence, eating Troy’s cheese fondue until we were stuffed. By the time we were done, I was leaning against Parker with his arm draped across my lap like we had been dating for years.

“I’m headed to
Nine
. Will you come out this time, Keely?” Troy asked, pouting.

“Sure.” I glanced at the clock. “I’ll be there in a bit.”

“Good. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Sexy,” Troy called out as he reached the door.

I laughed and shook my head as the door shut behind him.

“I like him.”

I smiled and sat up. “I’m glad.” I didn’t know why it mattered to me but Parker and Troy getting along made my anxious nerves relax. Troy was flamboyant and some men just didn’t know how to take him. I was just happy that Parker was comfortable around him.

“How long have you known him?” he asked, rubbing the small of my back.

“Since elementary school. Some kids were beating him up, picking on him, the usual shit, and I stepped in.” I shrugged. “We’ve been inseparable ever since.”

“Kids can be mean.”

I scoffed. “I remember in high school when he came out. A girl that he dated was mad because he never told her.
He
didn’t even know.” I looked at Parker. “It’s not my thing but I love him like he’s a piece of me. He’s my brother even though we’re not blood.”

He nodded. “I understand that. It’s no one’s right to judge.”

My heart swelled. Because of him being nice to Troy, the attraction that I felt towards him grew. Immensely. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being nice to him. He doesn’t have a lot of straight male friends.”

“Well if he’s a friend of yours, he’s a friend of mine.”

Our gazes locked, my eyes glancing down at his perfectly soft lips before I looked away.

“I like you too,” he whispered in my ear.

I turned my head towards him, our mouths mere inches apart. “Why?”

He glanced down as his hand pulled the hem of my dress to my knees. “You make me want more.”

“What…what do you want?”

He cupped the back of my neck, squeezing lightly. “Reed.”

I frowned. “Excuse me?”

“Reed. It’s your safe word. If things get to be too much...if
I
get to be too much, use it and everything stops.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, placing my hand on top of his that was slowly grazing up my inner thigh.

“It means that I won’t stop until you use it. I like control. I need it. But I need you to know that you always have a way out.”

His words sent a nervous flutter through my belly. “Should I be nervous?”

He wrapped a hand around my throat and nipped my ear. “Yes, but eventually you won’t be. I’ll give you what you need and take what I want.” His hand on my leg massaged and squeezed my flesh. “My desires are unconventional. I don’t do romance, Miss Price, but for you? I’m willing to do anything to get you spread open before me.”

My breath caught as I stared intently into his gaze.

“I know you feel it. This pull.”

I nodded. “I do.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you, angel.”

“Come to
Nine
with me,” I blurted out, gripping the collar of his white dress shirt.

“Are you asking me on a date?” He brushed his nose up the length of my neck.

“I...yes.”

He chuckled. “I was there today but I can go again.”

“You were?”

“I own the club, beautiful.” His mouth slid along the length of my jaw.

“Oh...” I panted, tilting my chin. “Well, we can stay here.”

He kissed my forehead. “No. Let’s get you out before I do unspeakable things to that hot little body of yours.”

My mouth fell open.

He cupped the back of my nape and brushed his mouth along mine. “Remember your safe word.”

“Reed,” I whispered.

“Good girl. Use it if needed.” His mouth pressed against mine, firm and demanding when his tongue slipped inside.

I moaned, wrapping my arms around his neck and laid us down on the couch.

“Fuck, beautiful. You’re gonna kill me,” he growled, pushing his hips between my legs.

I gasped, arching under him when the bulge in his pants pressed against my center. “Parker.”

His hand grazed up under my dress, his fingers digging into the flesh of my rear.

“I thought we were leaving,” I said against his soft mouth.

“We are. I just need a taste.” He sat back and pulled my panties down to my ankles. He glanced at my naked mound, licking his lips. “You, little one, are an addiction at its finest.” He pulled me onto his lap, holding me flush against his body.

The cotton of his dress pants rubbed against my center, igniting a yearning deep inside of me. My hips slowly moved of their own accord, heightening the ecstasy that grew stronger within me. I whimpered, small mewling noises leaving the back of my throat.

His hands cupped my ass, guiding me up and down his clothing covered length. “Look at me, pet.”

My gaze met his, my hips speeding up.

“Come for me. I want your orgasm. Coat my pants with the delicious essence of your body.” His gaze darkened, heating with a desire so strong, it nearly knocked the breath out of me.

I leaned my head back as I undulated against him, spots dancing in my vision. A whimpered cry left my mouth as I pushed against him hard. His hands slid down over the cheeks of my ass, pulling me flush against him as I rode him with an uncontrollable urge.

I gripped his shirt tight in my hands when an onslaught of pleasure exploded through me. I cried out, his name leaving my lips as a release crashed into me hard.

He grinned and loosened his hold on my rear. “You’re absolutely beautiful when you come.”

My cheeks heated. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

Parker pinched my chin and placed a soft kiss on my mouth. “Never apologize for giving in to the pleasure that I grant you.”

I nodded and sat back, pulling the tails of his shirt out of his pants.

“What are you doing?” he asked, stopping me.

My body tingled from the after effects of my release. Getting a moment of bravery, I cupped him over his pants, giving him a squeeze before rising to my knees. His lap was damp with the remnants from my pleasure as I circled my fingers around his thick length.

“Hmm...something
you
want?” He grabbed my hand, wrapping his fingers around mine and pushed his hips in tune with my movements.

My breathing picked up, watching us both rub the hard erection that he sported between his thighs. “I want to watch you.”

“Then stroke me harder, pet.” His grip on my hand tightened. His eyelids fluttered closed, the dark lashes fanning out over his cheeks. Sweat coated his brow, and his hips sped up before a growl erupted from his throat.  I kissed him, swallowing his groans and grunts of passion. A deep sigh left him, his hips bucking under my touch. He cupped the back of my neck, deepening the kiss.

“Did you like watching me lose it?” he asked, nipping my chin.

I ran my thumb over the tip of his cock, imagining the feel of his skin under my touch. The liquid from his release coated my finger. “Yes.”

He shuddered, rubbing his face into the crook of my neck. He was beautiful in the way he let himself go. I had a feeling that it was the only time he truly lost control.

***

When we left my apartment, we went to Parker’s place so he could change his pants. He left me in the limo, telling me that we wouldn’t be going anywhere if I joined him. A small part of me rejoiced at that, knowing I wasn’t the only one affected by this intense chemistry between us.