Page 75 of Hits Different

“I wouldn’t expect you to understand”. It’s taking all my control not to drink in every part of him. It’s barely been a week, but it feels like a lifetime since we’ve been this close. Since he’s touched me.

Parker starts pacing behind me. “I can’t believe you actuallybroke in. This is a secure and elite training facility”.

“Who leave their windows open”.

Parker makes a visible attempt at remaining calm. “Carter. I’m going to count to five. Then I’m going to get pissed”.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Di Rossi”. Just then Parker’s phone starts ringing. He blinks in surprise at the screen and turns it toward me. Millie St Clare.

Well, that’s just perfect.

I’m about to suggest that he and Millie take their impromptu trip down memory lane someplace else when the unmistakeable sound of a key turning in the lock of the front door makes us both freeze.

Before I can speak, Parker drags me into a supply closet, swiftly shutting the door behind us. “Brilliant”, I hiss, scrambling out from under his weight for the second time in two minutes. “Now what?”

“Now you shut up for ten seconds and hope that whoever the hell this is isn’t looking for a stapler. And you can stop glaring”, Parker mutters. “I’m not exactly having the best night of my life either”.

“Your feet are in my face”, I jostle for room, somehow crushing us together even closer. His groin is now basically pressed into my side so tightly that I can feel his—wait. Hold on.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Is thisturning you onDi Rossi?”

“Shut up”, he hisses, “It’s the friction”.

Oh my God. I want to laugh. I can’t. I mustn’t.

Footsteps have stopped right outside the door. “Security”, he mouths. Just then his phone vibrates and I can’t help but let out a small giggle at the perplexed look of irritation on his face. He clamps his palm around my mouth. It buzzes again, then again. Parker fishes it out, blinking into the darkness as his face is illuminated by the display.

I have really freaking missed him.

Wordlessly, he turns the screen so I can read it:

Hi Parker,

I’m sorry to write out of the blue, but I’ve been carrying this secret for three years, and I can’t keep it to myself any longer.

The night after Brandon’s party, you and I went home together. I lay awake all night, replaying what had happened between the three of us. Not because I regretted it, but because it was clear that there was a far deeper connection between you and Brandon than I previously realised.

You were, and still are, my first love. Losing you was terrifying to me. That’s why I did what I did.

Before I left your home, I saw that Brandon had sent you a message telling you that he had feelings for you. In my panic, I impersonated you and replied in your name. The things I said were wicked and unkind. I don’t know what I was thinking; only that I was very much in love with a guy who clearly had feelings for someone else.

I saw from your social media that you and Brandon have reconnected. I’m immeasurably happy about this and can only sincerely apologise for my role in any issues with your friendship.

I’m happy to talk about this further but understand if you would prefer not to hear from me again.

Millie St Clare

I read it twice. Slowly, I remove his hand from my lips. He looks as stunned as I feel, but in the midst of confusion, one single thought bubbles to the surface.

It wasn’t him.

The footsteps pass, and the door closes. A key turns in the lock, then silence.

Parker slowly opens the cupboard door, and gestures for me to follow him. The filing cabinet is still open, but my paperwork is the furthest thought from my mind.

“I can’t believe she’d do something like–”, Parker begins, but I pull him quickly into a kiss. He kisses me back immediately, slipping his hands around my waist, bending me over Simon’s desk.

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