Page 64 of Desired Hearts
He walked toward me. “I didn’t know your dad was a hunter?”
“I didn’t mention it?”
“No,” he said, stopping short of me. Apparently we weren’t at the “greet with a kiss” stage yet. Which should not have disappointed me since the last thing I wanted was a full-blown relationship.
“I imagine you are?” I asked him.
Mason snorted. “Deer. Turkey. Bear. Archery. Rifle. You name a hunting season and Parker’s into it.”
“You’d get along great with my dad.”
“Would like to meet him sometime.”
Our eyes met, and held. He fired the first shot, so I’d just match his energy.
“That could be arranged.”
Beck cleared his throat. “If you two lovebirds could step aside,” he said, trying to reach the island, “I was just making a taco station.”
“Margarita?” Pia asked, as she was clearly in charge of drinks.
“Duh,” I said, standing off to the side. Didn’t want to get between Beck and his tacos.
Parker leaned down toward my ear, which was when I knew I was in for it.
“I didn’t ask to come home with you last night, cupcake. Thought you could use a break. But I’m asking now if you’ll let me take you home later?”
As Parker went, his words were much milder than expected.
“Sure,” I said quietly, unsure why he’d whispered it.
“Good,” he said, still in my ear. “Because I do enjoy tacos but am more looking forward to dessert.”
Hello, Parker.
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Pia teased, coming toward me with a margarita.
Parker stood up straight as I took the drink. “Trade secrets, my child.”
“Well, Mr. Mysterious, the more important question is, do you want a margarita?”
“Why not? I like to live on the edge.”
“Look at that,” Beck said, apparently finished with his taco station just as Mason poured a pan of beef into a bowl on the counter. “Mr. Miller Light, expanding his horizons.”
“I drink other stuff too.”
“Sure, like Coors Light. Sometimes Ultra when you really want your beer to taste like water.”
“He had wine at Crystal Peak,” I said, trying to defend Parker. Apparently, it backfired. Both Mason and Beck froze and stared at Parker, who shrugged.
“What? I’ve been known to drink wine on occasion.”
“Oh, yeah, what occasion is that?”
“To answer your question,” Parker said to Pia, ignoring his friends, “yes, please. With salt.”
“Coming right up.”
