Page 45 of Parker

“I grew up in Chicago’s south side.” She looked away, unable to look him in the eyes as she shared a past she’d tried so hard to escape. “My so-called parents were both worthless human beings who cared more about quick-buck schemes and finding their next fix than making sure their only child had clean clothes and a full belly.” Resentment churned inside her gut, but she pushed it aside. “The only time I saw a view like this was on T.V., andthatwas only if my parents managed to actually pay the bill.”

“That must’ve been rough.”

Though she didn’t want to—she really,reallydidn’t—Quinn braced herself for the pity she knew was coming and made eye-contact with the sexy man again. Only…

It’s not there.

Sympathy. Anger. A sadness she didn’t understand.

Thosewere the emotions reflected back at her from Parker’s fixed expression. But not even a sliver of the pity she’d been sure she’d find. Still, her usual defense of sarcasm fell from her lips before she could stop it.

“It wasn’t so bad,” she lied. “I mean, who wouldn’t love growing up in a run-down row house with a leaky ceiling, bars on the windows, and crack pipes and burned spoons as centerpieces?”

An awkward silence swirled around them with the blowing breeze, his knowing stare almost too much for her to handle. But Quinn kept on, knowing if he didn’t hear it from her, he’d probably just look it all up anyway.

“By the time I was a senior in high school, my dad was in prison, and my mom had split.” She shrugged as if those major life events hadn’t been devastating to a teenage girl. “I crashed on friends’ couches until I graduated. After that, I worked three part-time jobs just so I could afford an apartment that was even shittier than the crack house.”

Smooth, Quinn. You’re a real class act.

Tucking some wayward strands behind one ear, Quinn looked away with another swig, suddenly wishing she could be more refined like the women he usually associated himself with.

A leopard can’t change its spots, Quinnie. You’ll never be anything more than this. May as well accept that now.

Hearing her mother’s demeaning voice, she pushed herself to her feet and walked over to the deck’s glass wall. With her forearms resting on the smooth railing, she looked out over the water wishing like hell she’d been born someone else.

Someone worthy of the life she’d always dreamed of. Worthy of a man like the one currently sitting behind her.

Not that she should be worried about that right now.

There were so many other, bigger things she should be focused on. The least of which being whether a man like Parker Collins could ever be interested in someone like her.

Never going to happen. No sense pretending otherwise.

“Anyway, I saved up enough money and finally bought my first computer. That’s when I really discovered my fascination with technology…and hacking.” The bittersweet memory felt like a lifetime ago. “Three years later, I met Justin.”

Parker finally spoke up from his seat behind her, an unmistakable anger tightening his deep voice. “I bet the charming asshole said and did all the right things, too.”

“Oh, yeah.” Quinn nodded. “And like an idiot, I fell for it hook, line, and sinker.” Pinpricks of tears burned at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them back and focused on the slow, tranquil roll of the waves. “My mom always used to say the women in our family were jinxed when it came to men. That we weren’t worthy of the kind of life others had. That we weren’t worthy of true love.” A humorless laugh had her shoulders shaking. “Turns out she was right.”About everything.

“The fuck she was.”

The growled declaration had her spinning back around, nearly dropping her half-drank bottle of beer in the process. She’d been so lost in her own pity-party, she hadn’t realized he’d gotten up from his chair.

But there he was, standing less than a foot in front of her. And the look in his eyes…

“Your mother was a miserable bitch,” Parker announced bluntly. “I may not have known her personally, but I’ve known plenty like her. Sad, pathetic human beings who’d rather spend their lives wasted and sponging off others, rather than doing the work to get clean and make something of themselves. And God forbid anyone close to them find even the slightest modicum of happiness or success.”

Quinn blinked, the man’s unapologetic assessment of her mother impressively accurate. “She couldn’t stand it when something good happened to me.” A fact that still stung more than it should. “If I’d get an A on a test, she’d tell me school was a waste of time. If a boy asked me out, she’d hand me a condom and tell me to stop and get the morning-after pill at the twenty-four-hour drugstore down the block.”

“Like I said.” A muscle in his strong jaw twitched. “Your mother was a bitch.”

Parker’s image blurred behind a well of tears, but she willed them not to fall as she whispered, “Why are you being so nice to me?”

A corner of his tempting lips curved. “Using a derogatory term to describe one’s parent typically isn’t considered to be an act of kindness.”

“Yes, well. I think it’s safe to say, I’m not your typical kind of girl.” Quinn chuckled, loving how, even now, the man could still make her smile.

“No.” Parker stepped closer. So close, the toes of his boots nearly touching hers. “You’re most definitely not.”

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