Page 80 of Reckless Encounters

Gently grabbing my chin, he leans down, staring into my eyes. “I was thinking about you.”

I swallow roughly and whisper, “You were thinking about me?”

“I think about you twenty-four-seven, Angel,” he says boldly, specks of blue shining in his grey eyes. His words sending a tidal wave of feelings through me… Relief, excitement, hope, joy, desire.

“And you know what I’ve realized standing here talking to you… There is only one person’s opinion I care about here today, and she’s leaving with me anyways. I’m not sure why I felt such a need to show up and prove to all of them they were wrong about me, my dad, my family, but fuck them and fuck this wedding.”

“Yes, seriously…”

I’m interrupted by none other than the bride herself. “Parker,” she says, holding her dress off the ground, the photographer behind her.

Julianna turns toward the camera. “Do you mind giving me a second? Let Jason know I’ll meet him on the other side of the gardens. Those blooms are better for our pictures.”

Then turning back to us, she smiles, sweetly addressing me, “Can you give us a minute of privacy?”

Parker goes to say something, but I press my hand to his chest.

“No, I can’t. You got that last Saturday, and I think he made himself pretty clear then.” I take a step toward her. “Matter of fact, you didn’t even deserve that. I would take pity on you, but since it's your wedding day, and you are begging another man for his time, let me put it to you like this…”

My glare is menacing, and there is no denying the bite in my tone.

“You had a man who would have given you so much more than money ever could, but you fucked that up. Personally, I’d like to thank you for that part. But on the other hand, I hope you know how disgusting you are for doing that to him, especially right after his mom passed away.”

I almost feel bad for the tears forming in her eyes.

Grabbing Parker’s hand in mine, I storm past her, not stopping until we almost make it to the valet.

“Does this mean we get to leave now?” Parker’s question draws my attention up to him.

His beautiful face graces me with the biggest smile I think I’ve ever seen from him.

Seconds later, his mouth is crashing onto mine, and he’s pulling my body flush with his. We both moan in what feels like relief at the contact. One hand cups the back of my head and the other grips my ass as his tongue devours mine. If I wasn’t ready to leave before, I sure as hell am now.

“My little brat, standing up for me more than anyone ever has. You have no idea what that means to me,” he breathes over my lips.

Parker stands to his full height again, and I place my hands on his chest. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat if I had the chance. And yes, we are definitely leaving.”

I lean up on my tippy toes. “I’m feeling extra bratty right now.” Watching his pupils dilate, I move to the shell of his ear. “I think you need to fuck it out of me, Sir.”

Twenty-Two

“Glad to see that smile, Mr. Cole,” Stuart says as I practically skip into the apartment building.

“Thanks, Stuart!” I reply over my shoulder, heading straight to the elevator.

I’m so fucking excited to show Ava. When those papers came across my desk earlier today, there was no other person I wanted to share the news with other than her. It was exceptional timing, honestly. Ever since we came home from the wedding the other day, I have been looking for the perfect way to tell her I want more… I need more.

I wanted to make it special, so I picked up two strawberry shortcakes from the bakery she’s always raving about. I hope she’s as thrilled about this as I am.

The elevator doors can't move fast enough, so I press the close button over and over.

“Av, I’m home!” I say, the excitement evident in my tone. I find Ava on the couch with a sketchbook in her lap, Binx curled up along her side. With the hotel project nearing its end, she’s been sketching a lot more. Building her portfolio for upcoming opportunities, but little does she know, I have the best one yet.

I'm grinning from ear to ear when I approach her, papers tucked carefully under my arm. She sets the book aside and leans up, but something is off. Her expression seems less than happy to see me, let alone hear what news I want to share.

Taking a seat next to her, I grab her hand in mine. Nerves crawl up my spine. Did I fuck up somehow?

“Is everything alright?” Praying to God I'm not the cause of her mood. I couldn’t imagine being the reason for the sad expression on her face when every day I try my hardest to be the reason she smiles.

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