Page 40 of House of Desire

She walks cautiously into the water until suddenly she drops from view. Sputtering as she breaks the surface, she calls out for us to be careful of the drop off.

As Zoey swims around, Carmen rips off her clothes, showing her tight body and small, but high sitting boobs. While her swimsuit is technically a one-piece, the strategic cutouts make it feel like you’re getting an illicit look at her body.

Jealousy crawls through me as Parker watches her get into the water. I can’t say I blame him. My eyes are glued to the sway of her hips, the bottoms of her suit only covering half of her ass, at most.

Taking a deep breath, I rip off my shirt, showing my top. I’m not proud of it, but I definitely picked the one with wiring much like a bra, bolstering up my chest. I could absolutely do a good Baywatch run in this top.

My string bottoms hug my hips. While mine cover a bit more than Carmen’s, they aren’t as full coverage as Zoey’s. The cobalt blue color of my suit plays off my skin tone beautifully.

“Are you going to come in or just watch us like a pervert?” I tease Parker.

“Both,” he says, drinking in my curves, and making my skin heat. “Definitely both.”

“Let’s go then,” I say.

With a smirk, he rips off his shirt and my jealousy disintegrates along with my brain.

I’ve known he was in good shape, but I didn’t realize how perfectly chiseled his body is. His hard chest flows into an impressive set of abs. But even lower, and more mouthwatering, is The V. His swimsuit is sitting low on his hips.

I know I’m staring. My brain tells me I should look away, and probably wipe the drool inevitably falling from my lips, but I can’t. I’m too busy begging the universe for the string holding up his shorts to fail.

Zoey lets out a wolf whistle behind me, snapping me from my stupor.

“I like the way you look at me,” he says, his voice low.

With a Herculean effort, I pull my gaze up to his equally mesmerizing eyes.

“How am I looking at you?” I ask, as if I don’t already know.

“Like I’m the answer to every question you’ve ever had.”

“Cocky much?”

“Yes, but I’m not wrong.”

I sniff, unwilling to admit he’s correct, and turn toward the lagoon. His rough hand grabs mine, sending my heart skipping, and we walk into the water together.

Zoey floats on her back. After the initial sharp drop off, the water is no deeper than six feet in the area we are in, but Zoey is unable to touch. Parker stands just fine, but I’m on my tiptoes. Carmen squeals about something touching her leg, using it as an excuse to drape herself over Parker. He holds up Carmen and I decide to float like Zoey, so I don’t have to watch it.

“Do you want a family, Park?” Zoey asks, out of the blue.

“Oh, um, yeah, I do, actually, but they aren’t a requirement. I’m happy to just be an uncle as well. Whatever my partner wants, but I’ve always liked kids.” His answer starts a little stilted, but I chalk it up to nerves about opening up. It’s obvious to me that Parker is a private person and being on this show must be incredibly difficult for him.

“How many kids do you want?” I ask with interest.

“Two? Again, it’d depend on what my partner wanted, since she’s the one who would be carrying them. Bringing another life into this world isn’t a decision I take lightly. They, and their mother, would always be my first priority.”

It’s a good answer. An amazing answer. One thing I’ve picked up about Parker is how deeply he cares. And not just for the people he is close to, but any person.

He reminds me of my father.

Growing up, Dom and I never had to wonder if our dad would be at a game or a teacher’s conference or waiting for us when we got home from school. Our parents were deeply involved in our lives, and if I were ever to be a parent, I know it would be the same for me.

But I’ve never really thought about having kids before this moment. I always assumed I would have them, but I’ve never been with someone I wanted to take on the commitment with. Even if it doesn’t work out between you, once kids are involved, you’re stuck with the person in some regard.

Forever.

I take in Parker for what feels like the first time. I see past his stunning face and I know he would be an amazing partner. An image of a blond-haired, green eyed little boy sitting on his shoulders flashes through my mind and warmth blooms in my stomach.

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