Page 46 of Reckless Encounters

With the hecticness of yesterday, I didn’t even have time to feel nervous about staying at Parker’s. I don’t think it really hit me until I laid my head down on the pillow in his guest room and the thoughts crept in. But this excited anticipation is a dangerous thing when it comes to the broody bastard.

This morning, he almost looked—dare I say, disappointed, when I mentioned I was searching for Airbnbs. But why? Shouldn’t this be, like, the ultimate step too far into the fortress he has built to keep me at arm’s length?

I convince myself not to overanalyze his reaction, because it seems like any time I get a flicker of hope about Parker, he snuffs it out just as quickly.

My stomach grumbles a few blocks into my walk, and I really hope Parker made it home by now with the food. When we spoke on the phone this afternoon, he said it wouldn’t be a late night for him, and since I had dance, he offered to pick up the takeout for us, promising I could treat him soon. Of course, he also inquired about how things went with Logan, and I could tell he was happy to hear that I didn’t end up giving him much of my time.

His building comes into view, and the doorman must see me coming because he greets me with an open door and a smile as I walk up.

“Hi, Stuart, thank you!”

“Hello, Miss Pierce. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” According to Parker, he is the second shift doorman and his personal favorite. I can only imagine the disarray I must have looked like last night when we arrived.

“Same to you, and thank you again for your help with our things last night.”

“No problem at all. Parker got in not too long ago with dinner. Even brought me a treat since he knows it's my favorite.”

“Yum, I’m starving. Are you a Thai food fanatic too?” I ask as he walks us over, scanning me into the private elevator.

“Yes, and SoHo Thai has my favorite sweet chili tossed calamari.”

Interesting. I expected him to grab it from one of the Thai places in Tribeca, but instead he walked the opposite way from the office to the one near my dance studio. Maybe my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me. But why wouldn’t he have said hello?

“Sounds delicious. Enjoy and have a great night!” I wave as the elevator doors to the penthouse close.

The shaft opens, and I inhale the flavorful scent of herbs and spices, causing my stomach to clench in hunger.

“Smells amazing and looks like you got one of everything,” I say, dropping my purse on the entryway table and picking up a purring Binx.

“Well, I didn’t think to get your order, and I didn’t want to bother you during dance. I figured whatever we don’t eat, we can take into the office tomorrow,” Parker says from where he is setting everything up on the huge kitchen island.

I nod, and his mention of dance has the curiosity from what Stuart mentioned flittering back in. “That’s perfect. I would love to try some dishes I haven’t before. Where did you end up getting it from?”

“Thai place, not far from the office. It’s one of my favorites,” he rushes out, offering me a glass of wine.

Uh huh. Not a liar, but an avoider. Now I’m almost certain I saw him.

I smirk, eyeing him, and I swear I see a slight blush creep up his jawline. It has my stomach fluttering, and I want to push him a little more.

“Does it happen to be near my dance studio, Sir?” I say it in a teasing manner, but the way his eyes darken, I realize my mistake immediately.

He stops pouring the wine and turns fully to where I am standing against the counter. Two steps, and he is caging me in with one hand on either side of the granite behind me. My breath catches at how close he is, his cologne surrounding me.

“Careful, little brat,” he whispers right above my mouth, and I could melt right here at his feet. Binx lets out a meow in between us, and a light chuckle escapes Parker's lips, but he doesn’t move away. Instead, his eyes bore into mine as he asks, “You want the truth?”

I nod, not taking my eyes off his.

“About six months ago, I went there to get Thai food because Stuart told me it was the best around here, and I happened to see the sexiest pair of legs walking inside the dance studio next door. I knew them the minute I caught a glimpse, and like a kid in a candy store, I couldn’t stop myself.”

I blink rapidly, trying to process the timeline of what he is saying.

Everything falls into place. “On the plane… That’s how you knew I was going to choose ‘Calm Down’ as my favorite song.”

He nods and pushes my surprised jaw up with his tattooed hand. When he takes a step back, I set Binx on the ground, staring as he saunters off, still trying to make sense of all of this.

“And today?”

He nods again.

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