Page 26 of The Bookworm Who Stole Christmas
“Just the option of another day, then?”
“You’re going to keep me on my toes, aren’t you?” he asks, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Uh huh. You’re never gonna know from one day to the next what you’re gonna get.” I shrug.
Parker stops walking. He swings me around so my hands land against his chest with an “Oof.” He peers down at me, lust swirling in the depths of his eyes. I clench my thighs together, willingmyself to relax.
He leans down, running his nose along the side of my neck and whispers in my ear, “Sounds like something I can live with.”
Parker nibbles on my earlobe, and my knees go weak. I clutch onto his shoulders as he kisses his way down my neck, ignoring the world around us as I nuzzle further into him, desperate for his mouth to be in other places. My breath fogs as I let myself feel everything he’s doing to me. Enjoying every second of his lips on my skin.
A shiver works its way down my body as he whispers in my ear again, “As much as I’d love to trace every inch of this delectable body with my tongue… we have somewhere to be.”
He pulls back, and I’m left colder than I was to start with, my body feeling bereft without him so close. I’m gaping at his words, desperately quelling the urge to just jump him in the street.
This man is turning me into a crazy person. And I think I like it.
Chapter Sixteen
PARKER
Leading Maddie down the sidewalk of Main Street fills me with a sense of pride and peace I haven’t felt in a long time. The way her hand fits perfectly in mine, how her head comes to perfect shoulder height, how everything about her lights me up from the inside out.
Yeah, I’m fucked for this girl.
And luckily, Amelia is too. The conversation I had with her two nights ago filled me with hope.
Amelia’s sitting in the living room at my mom and dad’s as I walk in. “Hey, squirt,” I say, ruffling her hair as I collapse down next to her. “Whatcha doing?”
She looks up at me, her eyes bright. “Just reading this new book Maddie gave me.” She hands me the book, and I look at the cover. “It’s fantasy,” she rushes to add. “Lots of dragons and magic.”
“Sounds like you’re enjoying it,” I chuckle, handing it back.
“Uh huh, it’s so good.”
I don’t know how to broach the subject, so I just go with it. “I know we’ve both been spending a lot of time with Maddie, and I,uh, was wondering how you would feel if I started dating her?” I rub the back of my neck, my cheeks blazing red.
Amelia smiles. “I think that’s a great idea, Dad. I love Maddie and think you’ll both be good for each other. She’s softer when you're around,” she muses.
My chest puffs out at that. “She is, is she?”
“Yup.” She beams, clearly pleased with herself.
I stroke the hair on her head, emotion clogging my throat. “I know you don’t have the greatest relationship with your mom, squirt, and for that, I’m so sorry, but no one is trying to replace her. And if you decide later in life to get in contact with her, you know I’ll always support you. Maddie can be like a big sister or something?”
I’m fucking this up. Am I fucking this up? There isn’t a manual for shit like this.
“I already feel like Maddie’s a big sister, Dad.” She laughs before getting serious. “I don’t know how I feel about Mom, but I do know I love Maddie. I love being around her. Even if she is a bit grumpy at times.” She giggles. “Let’s just see what happens and go from there?”
My eyes tear up as I look at my beautiful daughter. Hauling her in for a hug and kissing the top of her head, I choke out, “When did you get so smart, huh?”
She nestles into me, and I can’t remember the last time we did this, but it's nice. My baby girl is growing up too quickly.
“I’ve always been this smart, Dad. You just don’t listen.” She nudges my side, making me laugh.
The busy street brings me out of my thoughts, the town alive with people doing last-minute Christmas shopping. Maddie clings to my hand tighter at the sight, and my protective instincts kick in. Loosening my hand from her grip, I put my arm around her shoulder and pull her closer.
Maddie doesn’t complain. She just wraps one handaround my waist and brings the other one up to my arm that is resting on her shoulder, entwining her fingers with mine. If I could do a happy dance right now, I would, but I don’t; I keep it locked down tight, ready to let out later when I’m alone.
