Page 38 of Playing with My Heart

His fingers deftly unbuttoned my shirt. “You’re not so bad yourself,” he quipped, but his voice was breathless.

We fell onto the bed, a mess of wandering hands and discarded clothing. I paused, hovering over his body as I drank in the sight of him. His eyes were dark with desire, his breathing labored, his lips swollen from our kisses. A part of me couldn’t believe this was happening.

“You sure about this?” I asked, giving him one last chance to back out.

Parker’s response was to pull me down for another searing kiss. “I’ve never been more sure of anything,” he whispered against my lips.

My heart soared. I kissed my way down his chest, reveling in the small gasps and moans I elicited. When I reached the waistband of his pants, I looked up, seeking permission. He nodded, lifting his hips to help me shimmy his pants and underwear down his legs and off. I tossed them onto the floor then quickly shed my own. The sight of Parker, flushed and wanting beneath me, nearly undid me. I’d had plenty of hookups before, but this—this felt different. Important. It felt like more.

“Travis,” he begged, reaching for me. “Please.” I didn’t need to be asked twice. Settling between his legs, I took us both in hand, stroking slowly. The sensation was incredible, and judging by his sharp intake of breath, he felt the same.

“Oh god,” he moaned, his hips bucking up into my hand.

I set a steady rhythm, watching his face contort with pleasure. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. As our breathing quickened and his moans grew louder, I knew we were both close.

“Travis, I’m gonna?—”

“Me too,” I gasped. “Together.”

With a few more strokes, we tumbled over the edge, crying out each other’s names. I collapsed on top of him, both of uspanting heavily. As we lay there, coming down from our high, a thought struck me. This wasn’t just sex. This was the beginning of something. And for once in my life, that didn’t scare me at all.

Chapter Fourteen

PARKER

It felt like the leaves were putting on a show just for us, a stunning display of reds, oranges, and yellows that swirled overhead as we drove. We’d left the city behind, its towering skyscrapers replaced by the towering pine, oak, and maple trees of the countryside. I could feel the tension slipping from my shoulders, replaced by an excited fluttering in my stomach as Travis and I ventured towards our little weekend adventure.

“Hey, check out those colors,” he said, his voice warm with the same excitement that was coursing through me.

“Mother Nature’s really showing off, isn’t she?” I replied, leaning back into the seat and watching the way the sunlight danced across his face through the windows.

“Best time of the year for a camping trip,” he added, shooting me that heart-stopping grin that never failed to make my pulse race. “You ready to leave the concrete jungle behind and get wild with me, Parker?”

“Wild doesn’t even begin to cover it,” I said, returning his grin with one of my own. It wasn’t just the prospect of nature that had me on edge—it was the newness of this, us, something budding between two people who’d only known each other professionally until very recently. There was something incredibly thrilling about exploring these uncharted territories together.

A couple of hours later, we pulled into the campsite, a picturesque clearing that looked like it had been ripped straight from a postcard. The air was crisp, carrying the earthy scent of pine and damp soil that filled my lungs and seemed to cleanse away any remnants of city smog.

“Here we are,” Travis announced, killing the engine and surveying our home for the weekend with a satisfied nod. “Home sweet temporary home.”

“Looks perfect,” I said, stepping out of the car and stretching my legs. The ground was soft beneath my feet, a carpet of fallen leaves rustling with each movement.

“Let’s get this gear out,” he suggested, opening the trunk and revealing an impressive array of camping equipment. “I brought the works. You’re not sleeping on the ground on my watch.”

“Always the gentleman,” I teased, grabbing the tent bag and a couple of foldable chairs. “Where do you want to set up?”

“Right there looks good.” He pointed towards a flat area not far from where we’d parked, close enough to hear the gentle babble of a nearby stream.

“Race you,” I said playfully, hoisting the tent over my shoulder and breaking into a light jog.

“Hey, no fair!” He laughed, but he was quick on my heels, the sound of his footsteps crunching right behind me. We reached the spot at the same time, dropping our load onto the ground and panting lightly from the short sprint.

“Teamwork makes the dream work, right?” Travis said as we began unpacking the tent, his fingers deftly unraveling ropes and extending poles. Despite his playful exterior, I could tell he was serious about creating a comfortable space for us to share.

“Absolutely,” I agreed, unfolding the fabric and helping him lift the structure until it stood proudly amongst the trees. “It’s like our own little fortress.”

“Only the best for my—ahem—for us,” he corrected himself, a soft blush creeping onto his cheeks. It was endearing to see that confident demeanor crack ever so slightly, revealing the anticipation he felt about the weekend ahead.

“Thanks, Travis. It means a lot,” I said, feeling warmth bloom in my chest. I watched as he secured the final stakes into the ground, his muscular body moving with purposeful grace.

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