Page 56 of Reckless Encounters

I swallow, and Parker pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “And you are naturally submissive in bed.”

I try to disagree—for what reason, I have no clue. But he shushes me, placing his finger over my lips, and my tongue dies to reach out and taste him.

“Don’t even try to deny it. You thrive as a submissive.” I know he’s right. Even right now, with all my clothes on, the sexual energy is so charged between us that I’m obeying his every word.

“An alpha in the streets and a submissive in the sheets,” he says with a chuckle, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Did you just make a joke, Parker Cole?”

“Told you, I can be charming.” He grins, finally releasing his hold on me and taking a few steps away.

If he can control himself, so can I.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” I say as we pull back onto the main road. We spent the last two hours exploring the property. We even found two Adirondack chairs that looked over the river, where we sat in silence, just enjoying the scenery. Both of us imagining a future for the beautiful land.

I hope with every fiber of my being that the seller agrees to let Parker buy it. He needs this passion project. There is something there meant for Parker, meant to help him heal the pain he has been through in this life. Maybe it's in the soil, maybe it's in the memories he has of this area, or maybe it’s because this has everything to do with joy and nothing to do with making money. Either way, he needs this.

“Let’s hope it won’t be the last time.”

I know he means that as his interior designer and, honestly, I’m okay with that. The fact he would trust me with something this meaningful to him would be an honor.

I squeeze his hand. “It won’t be. I feel it, Parker. It's going to work out for you.”

We drive a few miles before he flips his turn signal. I look around in confusion until I realize he is pulling into the strawberry patch I pointed out on our drive up.

“So you were listening to me earlier? Or maybe you just love strawberry shortcake too.”

He turns into a spot, his Rolls Royce grabbing the attention of the parking lot bystanders.

Reaching over, Parker runs his knuckle along my jawline. “Don’t you know a Dom always rewards his sub?”

RIP Ava Pierce. I’m not strong enough for this shit.

“Don’t tease me with a good time… Sir,” I say in a hushed tone before pressing the button to open the door.

I hear him growl “little brat” as I hop out of the car, leaving one mouthwatering temptation for another. This one just won’t be nearly as satisfying.

Fourteen

“Don’t let us forget to order to-go food for Stuart,” I say, pointing my chopsticks in his direction. This Pad Thai is hitting the spot after dance tonight. It was one of the harder classes I’ve done in a while.

Parker finishes his bit of Khao Soi. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

When he called me today offering to meet me after dance, I couldn’t help my excitement at spending more time with him.

“I think it's officially Thai Mondays at this point,” I tease in an attempt to get out of my head.

“Thai Mondays for the foreseeable future,” Parker declares. “Stuart will definitely be happy about this news.”

Foreseeable… I wonder what that means, exactly. My place needs at least a month’s worth of work, per the update this week, and I’m just choosing to ignore all the red flags as usual when it comes to Parker and shacking up in his guestroom. Our lives have so easily intertwined over the past week, between walking to work together most days, to numerous meals, I even have him drinking hot tea with me on his rooftop in the evenings. I love spending time with him, way more than I ever thought I would, but I can’t lie and say I’m not disappointed he hasn’t tried to kiss me again.

I get the reasons he wants to keep emotions to a minimum because now I understand who he is so much better. The thing is, I should walk away before my own feelings get involved and this becomes more than just sexual chemistry. Right now, it's like that new favorite candle you want to burn any chance you get, but I worry my heart won’t know when to realize it is time to move on and that flame will turn into an inferno I can’t blow out.

“So how was dance tonight?” Parker asks.

“The class was actually really challenging. I learned some new moves, but damn if my back and neck aren’t going to be sore tomorrow.” I wince at the reminder, rubbing my free hand up my neck, already feeling the muscle ache.

His eyebrows furrow in concern and the devious side of me says I should milk it just to get his hands on me, but I decide to brush it off.

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