Page 69 of House of Desire

As a group, we make our way to the restaurant, everyone chatting and laughing, but all I can do is think about the fact Anastasia will be there. And I’ll be able to talk to her.

All I see when I open the door is Anastasia in her red jumpsuit that drapes down her back, leaving the skin bare. My fingers itch to stroke her down her spine.

“This’ll be fun,” Courtney says, patting my arm as she moves past me.

Anya throws her head back and laughs, touching the arm of one of the guests and a small piece of me wants to knock the guy to the ground. Charlie walks up, and everyone looks at the bride. Except her.

She looks at me.

Her gold spike heels almost have us eye to eye and all I can do is smile.

“You look breathtaking,” I tell her, wrapping her in my arms, unable to stop myself. She tenses for a moment before relaxing and putting her arms around me.

“Lore went on a bit of a shopping spree for me,” she says into my ear before quickly pulling back. “One day you’re going to run out of synonyms for ‘beautiful’.”

Her joking tone makes my chest tighten with hope.

“Maybe you’ll inspire me to create new words.”

“Merriam-Webster will be thrilled,” she says.

I take a risk and grab her hand and lead her to a chair as the group all starts to take their seats. Dinner is a fun affair, but by the end of it I’m half hard. Our hands touched when I passed her the butter. My thigh pressed against her as I grabbed the bottle of water to refill our glasses. Her breath caressed my ear as she told me a secret. By the time Alec stood up to give a speech, I was two seconds from coming in my pants like a horny, virgin teenager.

Alec clinks his knife against his champagne flute, standing.

“Hi, everyone. We just wanted to take a moment and thank you for spending the next few days with us while I marry the love of my life. Charlie and I love you so much and we can’t wait for tomorrow!” He bends down, giving Charlie a kiss as Anastasia looks up at me, smiling as she claps.

I want to kiss her in this moment, feel her soft lips, but I know I can’t.

“Excuse me, sir, madam. Would you two like anything to drink from the bar?” the waiter asks, breaking our eye contact.

“Another glass of wine would be great,” Anya says, standing from the table to join the mingling that is starting to happen.

“I’m good, thanks,” I say, knowing I have to get out of here before I do something really stupid like try to kiss her. And to go rub one out.

I stand, my hand brushing Anya’s bare lower back, and I know that’s all I can handle.

“I’m going to turn in for the night,” I tell her. “Have fun, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?” she asks, giving me an awkward hug.

“Yeah. It’s gonna be a long day. Sleep good.”

I move over to Charlie, giving her cheek a quick kiss. “I’m heading out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“It’s still early. Where are you going?” she asks, taking a break from her conversation for just a second.

“I need to go blow off some steam.”

She looks me up and down before looking over at Anastasia.

“Blow off some steam. Got it. Have fun,” she says, giving me a wink before going back to her conversation.

With her dismissal, I give Anya one last wave and begin making my way out of the restaurant, my only goal to get back to my room.

Parker weaves through the tables of the resort restaurant. A few heads turn, following him through the space, and I can’t blame them. The energy that pulses off of him demands attention. Pair that with his imposing frame and rugged good looks, and he’s bound to draw a few gazes.

I’ve had to work the entire day to keep my eyes from falling on him every time he was nearby.

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