Page 6 of Special Love: A BWWM Romance

We shake hands, and Darius disappears back around the seat. I open the bag and bite into the chocolate.

“That’s good.” I whisper beneath my breath.

“Damn right.”

Charlee is still Charlee. I take Darius’ advice and recline in the chair. I allow my teeth to sink into the morsel thinking about Parker.

I thought Parker was the one. So much so that I knelt on one knee in front of our family and friends and asked for her hand in marriage. The happiest day of my life became the worse day of my life. Because the love of my life said, "No."

I pop the last piece in my mouth. I need a house, and expanding my company into Texas is important to me.

The pushback from the current legislation in my home state has me joining forces with a lobbying firm to help further the laws concerning how food and beverage delivery companies function in the state. Which means I’ve committed to flying back and forth between New York and Austin to make this happen.

I'll partake of today's tour focused on my goal, and not Parker, subjecting myself to her again is grounds for undoing all I've managed to build. I inhale deeply and exhale slowly to calm my racing heart. And I'm not having that. I can't let her in again.

Chapter 3

Parker

I overreacted. I fold over in the seat yanking off my glasses, squeezing the bridge of my nose.

“Miss Hamilton?”

“Yes, Denzel.” I met the bus driver’s eyes in the rearview mirror.

“You have less than fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you.”

I put back on my glasses, reaching for the microphone. I grip the handle like a lifeline. I'm thankful for my foresight to ask Charlee to serve as the MC. All I have to do is introduce her and pass the mic. It feels impossible when I can't stop replaying my conversation with Max. He's back, but it's only temporary. That's a sign, right?

I fall back. Count to ten, stand up, and get this started. And whatever I do …don't look at row twelve on the left-hand side, I reason around the insane throne in my head.

"Ten minutes." Chase echoes over my shoulder. "I can do it for you, Parker."

“I got it.”

It’s showtime. I stand between the front seats bringing the microphone to my mouth.

"Welcome to the Freedom Tour with Parker Belle Realty." I smile, waiting for the applause to die out. "You will see beautiful homes, sip the best wines, eat the bests foods. Today, you are my very special guests."

I scan the rows making eye contact with each guest, a decision I immediately regret when I stop at row twelve seat one, Max, then seat two Stephanie. I hold his eyes for a moment too long as a sensuous energy passes between us. I have to lean into the seat for support.

"Thankfully you're not stuck with me all day." I speak around the fist, lodged in my throat. "I'd like for my guys to stand." I swing an open hand in front of me as the guys stand. "These are our beautiful tour guides. No question is too small." They wave and sit. "But our party wouldn't be complete without our beautiful, colorful, and absolutely vibrant host, Charlee Grant."

The applause fills the bus, and she walks in my direction. The bus slows to a stop.

“I will turn you over to her very capable hands. Thank you.”

I drop in the seat. The heat in Max’s eyes felt like a spotlight shining in my direction. The animated quality in Charlee’s voice fades into the background. I grab my iPad to distract myself. Facts, figures, square footage but it can’t drown out desire, lust, love.

How can I still love him? He left when all I wanted was a few years to get myself established. It’s best I remember it’s always his way or no way. I’ve come too far, worked too hard.

The doors open and Charlee leads our guests out of the bus. The brush of people moving pulls me from the haze of Maximus Bradley until I feel him lower into the seat beside me.

I wouldn't consider myself a praying woman, not by a long shot, but I prayed. Prayed God wouldn't let this man rip my broken heart out of my chest again. I have to take control of this situation now.

"Look, Max, I overreacted. You're my guest, and I apologize for being…" I search for the word, making sure I don't gaze into his dark eyes.

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