Page 68 of Parker

He’d surprised her three days ago with an afternoon on the sea. She’d never been on a sailboat before, let alone one on the ocean. But it was an incredible day.

Blue skies, sun on her skin. The rhythmic motion of the ocean’s gentle waves. And when it had gotten dark, they’d made love on the top deck.

Under the light of a thousand stars.

Luckily Parker knew just where to go to avoid the paparazzi. When they did come upon the occasional boat, she’d either hide her face until they passed, or they’d been far enough away the concern was pretty much non-existent.

An image from that night flashed before her.

Parker with his back on the blanketed deck. Quinn riding him much like she had their first time. The gentle laps of water as it met the boat’s smooth hull combining with their cries of passion… All getting lost in the gentle sea breeze.

She smiled at the memory, her greedy body shivering with need. It was as if she couldn’t get enough.

It’ll never be enough. Not with him.

Quinn locked the memory away for safe keeping while giving herself a final once-over before officially starting the day. Dressed in a cream-colored knit tank, distressed jeans, and black boots, she felt sort of…pretty.

The clothes were courtesy of Parker, but only after securing his promise to let her pay him back. As much as she hated him making the purchases in the first place, Quinn also understood the concern.

If whoever had targeted her was tracking her credit card activity, one swipe, tap, or insert would alert them to her location instantly. Neither she nor Parker were willing to take that risk.

Flipping off the light as she passed by, Quinn made her way to the home’s gourmet kitchen. Every morning since staying here, a deliciously prepared breakfast dish of some sort had awaited.

Eggs, bacon, waffles, pastries… Everything Parker’s inconspicuous chef had created had tasted phenomenal. And it had been made special just for them.

Okay, so maybe notallparts of this lifestyle are bad.

Assuming this morning was no different, she continued on her current path. But halfway between the open foyer and stainless steel haven, Quinn stopped dead in her tracks.

Standing with his back to her, Parker had one hip leaning against the shiny silver island. His head was bent forward, and from the way his arms were held, he appeared to be texting someone.

And he was wearing a suit.

For a man of his stature, it wasn’t exactly a novel idea. Except every day since she’d first met him, Parker had worn jeans and T’s. Or, during their many, many toe-curling encores, nothing at all.

Never a suit.

Quinn slid her focus to the top of the giant, chef-worthy island. Per routine, the breakfast she’d been looking forward to had been delivered and was waiting, a place setting left neatly in the spot that Parker had started referring to as “her” seat. But when she shifted to “his” seat, she found it empty.

Resuming her steps, she took in the entire scene as she walked toward him. When she noticed the computer bag and small rolling suitcase resting on the floor next to him, she understood.

He’s leaving.

Parker turned around, the smile lighting up his face when he saw her momentarily tampering her disappointment.

“Hey, you.” He turned and pulled her in for a kiss.

“Hey, yourself.” Quinn looked down at his bags and back up to him. “Going somewhere?”

A whisp of a shadow crossed over him, but it was gone before she could even be sure it was really there.

He gave her a regrettable nod. “There’s a fire I have to put out, and apparently I can’t do it from here.”

“What kind of fire?”

“Nothing you need to worry about.” Parker’s lips pressed against her forehead before he released his hold and stepped around her. Bending down to grab his bags, he added, “I’m on the board of several philanthropic organizations, and something’s come up that needs my attention.”

“How long will you be gone?”

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