Page 71 of Parker

The look in his eyes was different than she’d seen before. No, that wasn’t true. Quinn remembered seeing it back in Chicago when she’d first told him about her intruder.

Parker’s expression had turned dark. Almost lethal. And while his face didn’t show a single sign of that hardened protector now, there wassomethinghiding in the depths of his eyes.

Quit borrowing trouble, Q. You’ve got enough real shit to worry about without fabricating more from thin air.

“Look, I get that this is probably overkill, but…” He covered her hand with his. “You’re important to me, Quinn.” A bob of his throat. “I know things are crazy right now, and there’s still a lot we have left to learn about one another. But I…”

“Yes?”

The quick lick of his lips was almost nervous in nature. Which made zero sense, because this was Parker.

Confident.

Fun-loving.

Insatiable.

Those were the words she’d used to describe the man in front of her. Those and many, many more. But nervous? Not him.

Not Parker.

“I…have to go.” He finally finished.

Only it wasn’t what Quinn had thought he was going to say. Words that, after years of denying herself the chance—she’d hoped he’d been about to say.

It’s too soon, Q. He’s not ready.

Feeling silly for even thinking such things, she forced a smile and lifted her mouth to his. “Be careful, stud.”

It was meant to be a short, quick peck, but Parker clearly had a better idea.

Unlinking the hands at their sides, he wrapped that arm around her waist, and pulled her body flush with his. With his other hand, he cupped her cheek and took the kiss deeper.

And by the time he pulled away, Quinn realized it didn’t matter if he said the words to her.

Because she was already there.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” A rumbled promise.

“I’ll be here.”

As if he couldn’t help himself, Parker leaned down and took her mouth a final time. And this kiss was full of a promise she prayed was real.

“See you soon, sweetheart.”

“Stay safe.”

“Always.” With a wink and a smirk, he folded himself into the back seat and closed the door.

Quinn watched as the black car disappeared through the property’s protective gate and around the corner, taking the man she was—for better or worse—falling more and more in love with.

An hour later,Quinn, Asher, and Sydnee were gathered together in, what Parker had coined The Great Room. She had to admit, those first few minutes alone with the intimidating woman had been tense. But that all changed after Quinn opened up to them over lunch.

And boy, oh boy, did she open up.

In a very un-Quinn like moment, she’d spilled her guts about everything over a meal Parker had arranged for them to have before he left. Well, she hadn’t told themeverything.

But minus the intimate moments between her and Parker, Quinn did tell his two friends the rest. Her past with Justin. How she and Parker first became friends. What happened to her the night she’d called him for help.

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