Page 44 of Parker

I can’t believe I’m standing on the deck of a mansion beach house owned by the world-famous Parker Collins.

Once again, the question of how she got here rang loudly through her mind.

Private security teams. Fancy jets and ridiculously fast sports cars. Mansions on the beach…. These things didn’t exist in her world.

“Thought I’d find you out here.”

Quinn turned to see Parker walking through the opened, folding glass doors behind her. The same intense, butterfly-inducing attraction she felt every time she looked at him filled her tingling belly.

Dressed in a cream-colored sweater, faded-in-all-the-right-spots jeans, and the same weathered boots he’d had on before, the man was positively breathtaking.

“The view is incredible.” She finally found her voice.

You talking about the ocean behind you, or the man standing in front of you?

Before she could fully mull over the internal question, Parker crossed the distance between them, stopping inches from where she stood. His short, blond-brown hair was still damp from a recent shower, and a subtle breeze carried with it an arousing scent of fresh soap and something she could only describe as earthy and masculine.

“It’s my favorite spot in the whole house.” His captivating voice resonated within her as he handed her one of the two bottles of beer she’d only just noticed. “This is where I come when I need to think.”

“I can see why.” Quinn took the offered beverage and forced herself to look back out at the ocean. “I could stay here forever.”

Realizing the inadvertent implication of her statement, she swung her gaze back to his. “I mean, if I were you. Not that I expected to stay here forever. That wasn’t—”

“I know what you meant, Quinn.” Amusement penetrated his hypnotic stare. “And yeah.” He took a healthy swig from his chilled bottle and swallowed. “I’d stay out here forever, too, if I could.”

God, I love the way he says my name.

“Why don’t you?” The question was meant to be flippant. “I mean, I’m pretty sure you could retire today and not have to give up a single bit of this.” She looked around.

“I’ve considered it, believe it or not.”

“Really?” Her eyes flew back up to his. “I was just kidding.”

“I’m not.” Parker walked over to one of several wooden-slatted lounge chairs. Sitting down, he spun his body around and stretched his long, toned legs out before him.

Choosing the one next to his, Quinn mimicked his movements. “You’d really give up the gaming business?”

His serious gaze followed her. “I’d give it all up, if it was for the right reasons.”

“Those would have to be some damn good reasons.” She took a small sip. “Of course, that’s coming from someone who’s never had money.”

“Tell me more.”

“What?” Quinn frowned, not quite understanding what he meant by that.

“I want to know more about you. Where you grew up, what your childhood was like…who your parents are…” Parker’s throat worked with another swallow. “I want to know who you are, Quinn. Therealyou.”

“Uh…no. You really don’t.” She took a long pull from her bottle to buy herself some time.

“I really do.”

May as well get this part out of the way. Let him see it all now, so he knows exactly the kind of person he was associating himself with.

“Okay, fine.” She sat up, swinging her legs back around and planting her canvas shoes on the deck’s smooth surface. “But just remember…I warned you.”

“Duly noted.”

Quinn almost felt sorry for the guy. Here he was, using his wealth and connections to help a friend in need…and he had no idea what kind of person that friend truly was.

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