Page 38 of Parker
Nicky
As his body presses against mine, I can’t help but wonder when I will wake up from this dream. Can someone like me truly belong in a castle with a man like Joel? Is this a window into my future, or are we merely pretending?
His lips trail over my skin, his breath hot against my neck. I feel the weight of his gaze before I even open my eyes, and when I do, I meet the familiar green of his—intense, focused, full of affection.
His mouth moves to my chest, and his hands, gentle but insistent, coax me into a state of heightened awareness. I feel every shift of his body, the way he hovers over me, the way he takes his time, teasing and worshiping. Running my fingers through his unruly curls, I pull gently, and a smile tugs at the corner of my lips.
“Joel,” I whisper, my voice husky with desire. Meeting my gaze, his grin masks eyes that hold something more profound than our physical connection. He’s not just taking me; he’s cherishing me. It feels like a dream.
“I’ve never felt about anyone the way I do about you. You make me whole.” Warm lips press on my collarbone. “You’re my future, Nicky. I know it.”
I can hardly believe this is my life now. The castle, the luxury, the constant attention from the man I love. It all feels surreal. I’ve spent so much time hiding from the world, from my past, and yet here, with him, I feel safe, desired, worthy. But... I still wonder. Do I belong here?
The contrast between this life and the one I left behind feels sharper every time I look at him. The wealth, the perfection. It seems too good to be true. And I’m here, living in it.
My lids close, and I let the sensations wash over me. This isn’t just about pleasure. It’s about him showing me he sees me, truly sees me, and he’s not going anywhere.
It’s our second and final night at Knox Castle. The four-poster bed, the brocade curtains, the grand windows—everything is far beyond my wildest dreams. We’ve spent our days in our private world, and each moment feels like something from a storybook. But I can’t forget where I came from. I can’t shake the feeling that this life is something I don’t deserve. I’m not sure I’m ready for all of it.
“Are you getting hungry, baby?” Joel’s voice cuts through my thoughts. I bite my lip. “I was talking about food, you filthy girl, but I’ll be taking my fill of you later.” His words are a promise, and I feel the heat in them, even as he pulls back, glancing at me with that wicked grin.
The man is limitless. He has been going down on me for hours, despite that, he’s not satisfied. A girl could get used to this. And he’s all mine.
I run my hands over his strong back, feeling the muscles beneath my fingertips. This is my happy place. His skin beneath mine, the safe, steady rhythm of his breathing. A life I feel like I shouldn’t be living.
“Hey,” Joel says, as my mind wanders. “We should get up for a while. Maybe go see the castle we’re staying in. Or didn’t you notice?” I chuckle softly. “My mother paid a small fortune for the place. I don’t want to just be able to describe the bedsheets to her.” He rolls his eyes, but there’s affection in his gaze. “Trust me, she’ll want a report. We need to have something to tell her.”
I sigh, defeated. “Okay, let’s go.”
Our clothes are still in our cases at the door. Nothing has been unpacked. Wheeling my case over to the bed, I lift it onto the comforter. Digging through my options, I decide on a soft blue wool sweater, cut-off jeans, and simple black ballet pumps. I twist my hair into a knot, and we head off to explore the castle.
Joel wraps his arm around my waist as we wander the halls. Banners and portraits hang on the walls. Suits of armor sit proudly in every corridor, surrounded by artifacts from past residents. I half expect a young boy with a wand to pop out from a hidden archway.
Silence encircles us. We don’t speak, merely absorb our surroundings as we stroll through the past. We pass a door ajar. I pull Joel’s hand and lead him into the mysterious room, gasping in surprise. The walls are lined with books, thousands of them. A rickety-looking ladder on wheels is resting in the corner.
“You like to read?” he asks, and I nod enthusiastically. “What sort of books?”
“Nothing you would like.” I giggle. “Fiction mainly, romance, and stories of a time long gone. The classics are my favorite. In prison…” I pause to collect my thoughts. “In prison, reading gave me an escape. There was a library. Most of the books were oldand in terrible shape. But when I wasn’t studying or working in the laundry, that’s where I was.”
The library here is a far cry from the one I was familiar with in prison, but what they offer is the same. Escape, hope, and adventure, all contained as simple ink on paper. Perhaps I’m not so different from the people who walked these halls before me, if we can all appreciate the same escape.
“So, you’re a romantic then?” He smirks. “Must be, to marry a man you only met a few months ago.”
“I suppose I am.”
Not being able to wait any longer, my fingers itch to explore. These books are long forgotten, many bound in leather, waiting to be read. My husband watches me, his eyes intent. He wouldn’t know I have a love of literature. We know so little about each other. The realization is unsettling. We’ve moved so damn fast.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” I gush.
“Yes, Nicky. Yes, you are.”
The first book I pick is a worn romance book. Annotations fill the margins when I open it. Although the ink is faded, I can just make out one line.
She loved him, even though he was beyond her.
I freeze, my heart stalling. Please don’t let this be my story, too.
A knock at the door interrupts my unease. Hamish enters the room. He nods to me before looking directly at Joel. “Apologies for interrupting, sir. Would you like dinner this evening in your room or the dining room?” Joel’s eyes come to mine before he answers, and I shrug.
