Page 8 of The Heat of Intensity

I buckle through most of it, but everything that happened, along with staring at the laptop and listening to all the information, is giving me a headache. I rub my temples in an effort to lower the pressure I feel.

“Okay, that’s it, guys.” Parker stands and takes the laptop from Walker. “I’ll be here anyway and can keep an eye on the cameras and the alarm system. Cosima needs her rest.”

A few minutes later the room is coated in blissful silence. Releasing a deep sigh, I let myself slide to my back on the couch and throw an arm over my eyes.

“Do you need anything? Some water? Food? You haven’t had any breakfast yet and it’s been hours,” Parker rumbles.

“I’m fine,” I growl and then remember the things Parker did, and keeps doing, while all I’ve been is grumpy and snappy the past few days.

“Sorry.” I drop my arm and slowly rise into a sitting position. “I’m thankful for your help and that you’re here.”

“Wouldn’t dream of being anywhere else.” He shoots me a wink and it makes my belly flop.

I direct my gaze and ask the first thing that pops into my head. “Why did your father need a second chance?”

“What?” he frowns.

“Kathleen mentioned how your father had all the patience and time to give his old lady the space she needed to ultimately give him a second chance and realize they belonged together. You walked in before I could ask why he needed a second chance.”

Parker nods in understanding. “That’s because my mother is just as bullheaded, and it involved a misunderstanding. My mother thought he was with her to keep an eye on Harlene, Rourke’s mother, as a favor to Weston, the president at that time. Yeah, my father being the VP at that time did keep an eye on Harlene for his prez, but it was only an added convenience because he was there anyway. He didn’t stick around for that reason…my father loved my mother. He knew she was it for him the day they met and it’s why he waited patiently until the time was right. Which happened to be around the same time they found out they created me.”

Laughter rips from me and Parker chuckles. I guess everything worked out for them. My laughter fades when I become a little envious of their story. It would be nice to have a man fight for me the way his father did. How Parker does. Shit. Kathleen mentioned it because Parker is…does he think I’m…it for him?

My throat runs dry at the mere thought. If only I met this man before I was attacked. Then we would have been together prior to me having issues and would know he wasn’t with me because I’m a helpless chick. Ugh. I know he’s not the type, and it’s just my head twisting ugly shit in my head. That’s why it won’t work. I’m not ready for a relationship because I don’t feel like me.

I let my gaze find his and the determination on his face is telling me this man might have inherited the same patience he needs to wait for his chance…with me.

CHAPTER FOUR

– PARKER –

She’s definitely it for me. Damn. The way she reminded me of how my parents got together? Yeah, my dad’s persistence is something I can now relate to. Though, for him it was easy. At least the first part ’cause they started as a one-night stand. If Cosima hadn’t been attacked I’m sure we would have ended up in bed soon after we met.

Their one-night stand and days after were enough to create me; it’s what made giving my father a second chance easier after she kept pushing him away. Thank fuck they both grabbed that chance, ’cause they’re still together and in love.

She’s staring at me and I can feel my skin heat with longing to have her naked and under me. The things she mentioned the day we met, and details she shared in our witty chats? Yeah, we’re perfectly matched, I know it. I fucking feel it in my gut.

“Don’t,” she croaks. “I’m not ready for a relationship at this point in my life, and you shouldn’t want to be with someone like me.”

I grit my teeth. “You’re trying to tell me that I shouldn’t be with a strong woman? One who is fucking gorgeous, filled with so much sass it gets me hard at the mere sound of your damn voice? Good luck with that ’cause I’m not listening. I have my own reasoning and no one can override my mind, what I think, or feel for that matter. So, I’ll be right here, waitin’ till you realize what’s in front of you.”

She releases a tiny scream, her face shows frustration as she stomps her foot. “I do realize what’s in front of me and it’s why I’m turning you down.”

“Turning us down,” I remind her. “Because it’s not just me in this, it’s you too. You’re depriving yourself of something that’ll be damn good.”

Rolling her eyes she mutters, “You’re crazy. Not like Peeping Tom crazy, a whole different brand of crazy for sure. That reminds me…us…you have competition.”

I jab my finger in her direction. “That fucker is not competition. He’s a disgusting fly on the window that’s going to be squashed. Whacking off to the sights of my woman. I’m going to carve his eyes out for looking at something that was never his to look at.”

She shakes her head and states with a hint of laughter, “Vicious, I like it.”

I shoot her a wink and leave the discussion for what it is. For now, I’ve laid it all out into the open. We’re both aware I’m a patient man and we will see eye-to-eye on the matter in the long run.

Over the next hour, I notice Cosima keeping the laptop with the camera feed in her sight. She’s squinting and I know she’s draining herself by focusing too damn hard.

“That’s it,” I grunt and close the laptop. “Time to give your head some rest. Either take a nap, sit on the porch to enjoy some rays of sun hitting your face, or join me for a ride ’cause the horses need their exercise.”

I expect her to go into hiding again and disappear into the bedroom, but she surprises the fuck out of me when she says, “Let me go change into my riding gear and I’ll join you.”

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