Page 17 of Reckless Encounters

A man calls out from the window of his Tesla, “Parker?”

Again, to my surprise, he takes my hand in his, leading me to the car. “That’s me.” Parker opens the door, guiding me into the backseat. He gets in as I scoot across, but stops me in the middle, not letting me move over to the other side.

His leg resting against mine reminds me of how strong and powerful he was as he pounded into me that night. I’m salivating for a repeat, even when I know I shouldn’t be.

My phone chimes in my crossbody. I pull it out quickly, worried because of the time that it could be important.

Logan

Hi gorgeous, just wanted you to know I was thinking about you. I had fun with you the other night.

“Why is he texting you so late?” Parker growls from beside me, and I practically feel his hackles go up.

“I’m not really sure.” I keep my tone casual. Logan and I have been texting often and I’m enjoying getting to know him better, but a text this late is unusual.

“Don’t play dumb, Ava. Did you let him come in the night he walked you home?”

“Not that it’s any of your fucking business, Parker…but no, he did not. He’s referring to our dinner on Wednesday.”

“Oh, so you did go on a date with him?” he sneers, and that has me narrowing my eyes.

“I can date whoever I want.”

“Not when it’s going to cause issues on one of my biggest projects. A project I took a chance on by hiring you in the first place.”

“Wow…” I say, scooting as far away from him as possible. Praying this ride will be over soon. “You know what…fuck you.”

His jaw tics, but he doesn’t say anything else.

We were having such a good time, and he’s just ruined it in a matter of seconds. I was ready to kiss him, dammit. Ugh.

“For your information, we went as just friends. Olivia tagged along too…but you know what, I’ll probably text him back right now and take him up on his offer for a date, just to prove to you I can handle myself professionally and personally just fine.” I practically spit the last part.

He grabs the wrist, holding my phone. “You better fucking not.”

“I do what I want, Parker… Get used to it.” I flick my wrist out of his grip, sitting back with a huff. I couldn’t be any more relieved seeing we’re close to my apartment.

I open the door before the Uber even comes to a stop. “Thanks for the ride.”

Barely glancing over my shoulder, I grunt, “And thanks for ruining a great night, boss.”

“Ava…” Parker reaches out, but I swat him away, not in the mood for his up-and-down shit.

“Yo, Ava…” I hear from down the sidewalk, where I see my neighbor and a few of his buddies walking up to our entrance from a night out. The distraction allows Parker to grab my wrist again from where he has moved over toward the open door I am halfway out of.

“Hey, Ben,” I say, looking up from where Parker’s touch is lighting a fire under my skin.

“You should come up… We are going to have a few more drinks at my place.” As soon as the words leave Ben’s mouth, Parker drops my hand like it’s on fire. I feel his asshole exterior rebuild in record time.

I don’t even want him touching me when he’s being such a jerk, so why does him letting go bother me so much?

When I try to meet his gaze, he won’t look at me, and I can practically hear his teeth grinding. He speaks, but his eyes stay straight ahead.

“Seems to me like you have plenty of friends to choose from. Have a good night, Ava.”

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