Page 46 of Playing with My Heart

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he replied, his voice content and slightly drowsy.

In the quiet aftermath, with his steady heartbeat beneath my ear, I realized this wasn’t just about finding someone to fill theempty space beside me. It was about finding the person who made every hookup before them fade into insignificance. And as sleep began to claim us both, I knew that in Parker, I had found exactly that.

Chapter Sixteen

PARKER

Ifocused on my breathing, trying to slow my racing heart as the elevator continued its smooth ascent to the penthouse apartment where Travis’s friends were all waiting.

Travis reached for my hand with a knowing look. “Hey, relax! My friends love you and Garrett and Dean will too.”

I offered him a smile, though it did little to still the butterflies performing acrobatics in my stomach. “Easy for you to say. You’re not about to shake hands with a movie star.”

“True.” He chuckled. “But I’m about to introduce my first ever boyfriend to them, so I think I win.”

There was a new fluttering in my belly that had nothing to do with nerves. “Boyfriend, huh?” I asked quietly.

Travis slid in front of me and braced his hands on either side of my head, effectively caging me in. His scent surrounded me, intoxicating and sexy. Bending his head, he kissed that sensitive spot right below my ear, his warm breath sending delicious shivers up my spine. “Boyfriend, partner, it doesn’t really matter what I call you. Just as long as everyone knows you’re mine.”

A soft whimper escaped my lips before I could stop it. “You’re not playing fair, Brooks. When you say things like that, all I want to do is get naked with you, but instead, I have to go meet the rest of your friends.”

His voice was rough when he answered. “Fuck. Is it too late to cancel?” Just then the elevator began to slow, announcing our impending arrival and answering his question. His forehead landed on my shoulder as he let out a frustrated groan. I couldn’t hide my chuckle when he quickly reached down to adjust himself. His head shot back up, one eyebrow arching as he stared at me. “You think this is funny?”

I grinned unapologetically. “Nope. Just happy to see I’m not the only one affected.”

The look on his face gentled as he took my hand in his. “Trust me, Parker, you have affected many aspects of my life in the best possible ways.”

If the elevator hadn’t dinged right then, I’m sure I would have melted into a puddle on the floor. Still, I couldn’t hide the hearts in my eyes as the doors slid open to reveal the penthouse. Before us lay an expansive living room that screamed luxury and intimacy all at once.

“Travis!” A chorus of greetings filled the air as we walked in.

A handsome man dressed in dark jeans and a charcoal gray sweater strode quickly across the room and engulfed Travis in a big bear hug. He returned the hug, laughing at something the man whispered in his ear. Travis wore a broad grin when they pulled apart and warmth flooded my chest to see him so happy.

“Garrett, this is Parker. Parker, Garrett,” Travis introduced us.

“Nice to finally meet you, Parker. We’ve heard great things,” Garrett said, extending his hand.

“Thank you. It’s good to meet you too,” I replied, feeling the warmth of acceptance beginning to thaw my nerves.

Then, there he was. Dean—Vincent Wilder—in the flesh. Silver screen charm embodied in a casual swagger as he walked up to us. My eyes probably looked like saucers as Travis introduced the two of us. “Wow, it’s—it’s an honor,” I stammered, slightly awestruck. I’d seen his films, who hadn’t? But nothing prepared me for the magnetism of his presence.

“Likewise,” Dean responded, his handshake firm and friendly. “Travis has been raving about you—and not just your therapy skills.”

I smiled shyly as Travis slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me close and kissing the side of my head. “It’s all true. He’s amazing.”

“Wow! I never thought we’d see the day when Travis Brooks was officially off the market,” Akio teased from across the room. Morgan sat beside him, one arm slung over the back of the couch.

“There are going to be broken hearts all over the city when they find out,” Jasper added with a sad shake of his head. Maks chuckled beside him.

“Okay, okay. Enough of that,” Travis said, a slight blush rising in his cheeks at his friends’ ribbing.

“Well, I for one am glad he’s off the market,” I said. He turned his face towards me and offered me a grateful kiss which I gladly accepted. My stomach knotted as I felt every eye in the room on us, but when we pulled apart, we were met with nothing but warm smiles and approving nods.

“Come on, drinks are waiting, and I’ve got to hear everything about the man who finally managed to steal Travis’s heart,” Garrett chimed in, slinging an arm around my shoulders like we were old friends.

“Only if it includes embarrassing stories,” Dean added with a wink, leading us further into the penthouse.

From there, the evening unfolded effortlessly. Over dinner, the guys took turns sharing stories and funny anecdotes from their earlier days. They teased each other mercilessly, but it was easy to tell how much they loved one another. It broke my heart to picture Travis as that thirteen-year-old boy who’d lost everything in one terrible accident. He must have felt so scared and alone as he went to live with his aunt who was barely more than a kid herself. But watching him now, I could tell how happy he was. These men were his brothers. They’d provided him with a family in every way that mattered, and I was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude for them.

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