Page 34 of Parker

I know him.

Not personally, of course. Although, she kind of did, given their ongoing online friendship. But that had been the moment when Quinn had firstrecognizedhim.

That face. Those eyes. That kissable mouth that made her think all kinds of naughty things.

She saw it all—and if she was lucky, sometimes a little more—practically every time she turned on the T.V. or flipped through a magazine while waiting in line at the grocery store.

That’s when Quinn had finally put two and two together. And the only plausible answer was one that left her feeling thoroughly confused and more than a little hurt…

Parker Collins, billionaire playboy with an attitude, was ByteMe69.

Her online friend was the same rich and famous man she’d seen on all those magazine covers. The man she’d joked and laughed and teased with for the past year, the same one who’d portrayed himself as a regular Joe, actually had more money than God.

But the worst, most painful realization Quinn remembered was the man she’d come to know and care for—the one person she’dtrusted—had spent the last eleven months feeding her nothing but lies.

Andthatwas when she’d hit him.

“Have to admit, that’s not exactly the way I’d imagined our first IRL meeting going.” Parker lifted a hand to the reddened cheek, his rugged jaw stretching to work itself out. “Then again, you always have kept me on my toes, so…”

The crooked smirk curving his lips was the same, panty-dropping one she’d always imagined.

Damn it, Q. Focus!

“Parker Collins is ByteMe69,” Quinn rasped, his name falling from her lips much too easily. “I didnotsee thatcoming.”

It made a lot of sense, now that she thought about it.

The late-night gaming hours he kept. The occasional tech-speak. His cocky-yet-magnetic attitude that drove her mad and made her want him all at the same time.

The flirting.

“Guilty as charged.” Parker’s smile evened out as he shook his handsome head. “Damn, Jinx. It really is a pleasure to meet you. Although, something tells me the feeling isn’t exactly mutual.”

There it was. That same tempting combination of sweet and cocky she’d missed so much.

“I shouldn’t have slapped you.” Quinn hugged herself tightly. “I’m sorry.”

He stared down at her, those hazel eyes of his searching hers as if they held the answers to life’s greatest mysteries.

Joke’s on you, buddy.

“Clearly I’ve done something to upset you.” Parker’s eyes remained locked with hers. “Although for the life of me, I don’t have the faintest idea what that something is.”

Not one to beat around the bush, Quinn decided to give it to him straight. “You lied to me.” She swallowed. “And I don’t do lies.”

Been there, done that, burned the damn t-shirt.

“Ilied?” Parker’s brows shot straight up half a beat before coming together with a frown. “When the hell did I lie to you?” Both arms stretched wide, his palms facing the sky as he pointed out, “I’m here, aren’t I?”

Yes, he was here, but…

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

His arms fell back to his sides, his handsome face looking more confused than ever. “Then wha—"

“You said you were an accountant!” The blurted accusation came out much harsher—and louder—than intended.

It also had the other two men’s heads spinning in her direction.

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