Page 102 of Parker

Parting his lips, Parker started to answer. His intelligent, loving gaze making her feel as if she was the most important thing in this man’s world.

Quinn waited, fully expecting him to say something sweet and sappy—because that’s just the kind of man he was. Sweet, sappy, incredible…insatiable.But the next words that fell from his talented mouth stopped her heart mid-beat and stole her ability to breathe.

“Marry me.”

“What did you just say?” The question came out all tight and strangled because seriously…she couldnotget her lungs to move.

“I said marry me, Quinn. And…shit.” Parker frowned. “I don’t have a ring yet. But I’ll get you one. Big, small…diamonds, sapphires…whatever you want. You can even pick it out if that’s what you prefer.”

Ohmygod!“Parker, I—”

“I love you, Quinn.” Another fast, hard kiss. “Not this house, or the money, or the cars… I loveyou.” He paused, a shadow flashing over his eyes just then. “Those two days you were missing…when I couldn’t find you, I thought…” He cleared his throat. “What I’m trying to say is, I know what it’s like not to have you in my life, and I can’t…that’s not something I can…” Parker drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Bottom line is, a life without you is completely unacceptable.”

His fumbled attempt at proposing made her lips twitch, but Quinn rolled them inward to keep herself from laughing. While the delivery could use some fine-tuning, she understood exactly what Parker had been trying so hard to say.

Because she felt the exact same way about him.

It wasn’t the fanfare one would expect from a man of his stature. There were no cameras flashing or gigantic diamonds swimming in champagne. No message written in the clouds or fireworks dancing with the stars.

But it was real.

Parker’s proposal was adorable and sweet. Romantic and unplanned. In a word, it was… perfect.

Just like him.

“Since you put it that way…”Quinn brushed smiling lips against his. “I mean, far be it from me to put you into an unacceptable position.”

She could feel the hard kick of his heart against hers as he held her body close to his.

“Just so we’re clear.” Those gorgeous eyes of his glistened with hope. “What exactly are you saying?”

With more love in her heart than she had the right to feel, Quinn stared back at the man she wanted to grow old with and said, ‘Yes, Parker.” Tears of joy fell from the corners of her eyes. “I’m saying yes.”

His face lit up like a kid at Christmas. A beat later, Parker stood, holding her tight as he swung a leg over the chair. His lips barely left hers as he walked them inside and down the hall toward his bedroom.

“Parker!” Quinn giggled again as they crossed the threshold. “What are you…we have company coming in like—”

“Four hours.” He followed her down onto the bed. An annoyed Oreo gave them both the stink-eye as she jumped from the mattress and sauntered away. “Don’t worry.” Parker’s eyes darkened with mischief and desire. “I’ll make sure you’re ready in plenty of time.”

Well in that case…

Quinn fisted the front of his shirt and brought his mouth to hers. With all thoughts of guests and cookouts on pause, she spent the next next two hours making sweet, glorious love to the man she was going to marry.

Her best friend.

Her protector.

Her lover.

My forever.

And from that moment on, Quinn never thought of herself as a jinx again.

* * *

Parker stood justinside the folding doors, staring out at the small crowd gathered outside on his main deck. Taking advantage of the isolated moment, he watched as his friends talked and laughed. Some swayed to the rhythm of the upbeat music playing from the small speakers mounted near the roof.

Men on the left, women on the right…

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