Page 9 of Desirable

Holly: I thought we went over this at the gala. They're dicks who ruin ecosystems.

Parker: Do you think geese say the same thing about humans?

Parker: My sister is considering adding it to the menu.

Holly: Seriously?

Parker: No, but it was how she started her text to me about you. It took her long enough to reach out about our photo.

Parker: What are you doing up this late?

His last textis accompanied by a photo of the two of us at the gala. We're looking at each other, a secret smile shared between us. There is a post-orgasm blush blooming on my cheeks.

Holly: I've been binging TV, lost track of time. Why are you awake?

Parker: Different time zone. I'm in London on business.

Holly: So why are you texting me?

Parker: I wanted to text you before I forgot, because I woke up to a dozen texts from my sister giving me the fifth degree about not telling her. Apparently, she was giving me time to “come clean” and because I didn't, I'm now in the doghouse.

Holly: Is she Livvy_Thomas on Pictogram?

Parker: Oh god.

Parker: DECLINE. BLOCK. SAVE YOURSELF.

Holly: Too late. She's pretty.

Parker: She gets her looks from our mom.

Holly: Why Vermont for the wedding?

Parker: It's where her dad lives and she grew up.

Parker: So what's the verdict? Am I telling her you don't eat goose?

Holly: She shouldn't go out of her way on my account.

Parker: I'll tell her. Get some sleep, Holly.

Holly: Good night, Parker.

Parker: Good night, Holly.

* * *

The doorbell startlesme awake the next morning. When I buzz them up, I see it's a delivery man with a large wooden box.

"I'm sorry. I didn't order anything," I start.

I should know better when he hands me a bill of sale. It doesn't have the cost or a description, just my shipping address and a billing address of Parker's office.

My cheeks turn scarlet when I see it's the painting that I had been looking at before spying the couple having sex at the gala. It's the last thing I saw before waves of pleasure drove me to close my eyes.

The delivery person offers to hang it, and I direct him to install it over my bed. When he's done and has taken all coverings, I check my phone.

Parker: I'm looking forward to seeing where you hung your present.

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