Parker (Striking Back #3) (17 page)

Dinner
is nice and we spend the time talking about our lives. Stan is a health food
junkie, works at a vegan grocery store, volunteers at a foundation that
encourages recycling, and loves sports.

I
hate sports, love chocolate and grease, and go through my share of plastic
bottles that get thrown away. About the time he’s lecturing me on the plastic
pollution in the ocean, I realize I’m relieved. And bored. Bored because, well,
he’s boring, but relieved because I’m not ready to like someone new and it
obviously won’t be an issue tonight.

After
dinner, he pulls up outside a miniature golf course. “Do you like putt putt?”

Not
as much as drinks and dancing, or a movie. “Sure, I haven’t played since I was
a kid, though. You might want to stand back.”

Chuckling,
he catches my hand while we collect our clubs. I feel bad. He’s a sweet guy and
it’s clear he thinks this is going well. I’m determined to smile and pretend I
love putt putt. I don’t have to do it long. Just as I finally get the damn ball
through the windmill, I look up into Parker’s furious face.

Parker

I
knew the second I sent the flowers and cupcakes it was a mistake. I want her to
know I’m proud of her achievement and that I’m thinking of her, but I know I’m
sending mixed signals. I shouldn’t have done it.

Knowing
that doesn’t keep me from listening for my phone all morning, hoping and
dreading her call. Judging by the fact she sends a text instead of calling, she
isn’t eager to talk to me. I tap her name on my contact list and gaze at her
picture. She’s smiling, the sun going down behind her. My finger hovers over
the call button for a few long seconds before I put down the phone. She
deserves better.

The
next two weeks are a slow torture. I resist calling her every day and it
doesn’t help that Everly keeps trying to get me to do it. She starts in again
when Mason leaves us alone to check on the upper level of the gym. “You’re
miserable. Face it, you love her. Quit being a stubborn jackass and call her.”

“She’s
finally getting her life back together. I’m not screwing that up for her. You
know what it’s like to be with a Reed brother, Ev. It puts you at risk and with
Macy’s past.” I sigh, running my hands through my hair. “She doesn’t need
this.”

Ev’s
hands land hard on my chest, shoving me onto the bench. “Yes, it’s true being
with one of the infamous Reed brothers isn’t a walk in the park, but not
because of your job. Coping with cops and crazy exes is nothing compared to
dealing with your stubborn asses. Marrying a Reed is the best thing that ever
happened to me, you idiot.”

After
a few tense moments, I peek up at her. “You only knocked me off my feet because
you caught me off guard.”

Despite
her best efforts to stay mad, a smile slips through. “I’m not the only one who
knocked you off your feet. Get your shit together, Park, before it’s too late.”

Mason
appears in the doorway, and she waves at him. “She has a date tonight.” With
those words burning their way through my chest, she walks away.

A
date. Macy has a date. Tonight. Some asshole douche is trying to move in on her
while she’s vulnerable. I’ll be damned if some opportunistic prick is going to
touch my girl. Ev either won’t tell me where Douche Nozzle is taking Macy, or
she doesn’t know. It’s after seven o’clock now, he could’ve picked her up
already. I have to hurry.

The
universe is working against me. Not only do I catch every red light between
here and Macy’s apartment, I get stuck behind a damn street sweeper. Five
fucking miles per hour and it takes forever to get around it.

When
I finally get there, the only parking space I can squeeze my truck into is
nearly half a block away. Before I have a chance to get out, I see two people
emerge from Macy’s apartment. Jensen? That’s Jensen! I’ll kill him! He leans
down to kiss her as they walk under a streetlight, which illuminates Janet’s
face and saves me from attacking a man three times my size.

Relief
makes me feel weak, but it doesn’t last long. Macy appears with a nerdy man-boy
by her side and the only thing that keeps me from rushing in like a rhino is
the expression on her face. She’s smiling. I can’t wipe that smile away.

The
douche opens the door of his VW Beetle—what man drives a Beetle?—and she climbs
inside. I only have a second to decide what to do when they pull away. I follow
them. I’m officially a creepy stalking ex.

He
takes her to a small well known steakhouse, and I can see them seated at a
table by the front window. She’s so beautiful, her raven hair caught up at the
crown with some kind of clip and cascading down her back. Pale skin is offset
by pink lipstick and blushed cheeks. I can make her blush without makeup.

I
should leave. I should go. This is wrong, but I’ve missed her so much and I
can’t take my eyes off of her. When they leave the restaurant, I’m a few cars
behind them. If they go to a club, I won’t follow. I can’t watch them dance
together. If he kisses her, I’ll lose it.

I
can’t help laughing out loud when they pull into a miniature golf course. Is
this guy twelve? Macy gives him a smile. I recognize that polite smile. She’s
not thrilled with how things are going.

My
amusement comes to an abrupt halt when he catches her hand in his. White hot
jealousy shoots through me. That juvenile bitch is touching Macy. Touching
what’s mine. Enough of this shit. She’s coming with me.

“Sir,
admission is five dollars,” the lady at the counter calls as I charge through.
Her words barely register. He’s holding her hand. Just before I reach them, he
steps back so she can take her swing, and I plant myself in front of her.

Chocolate
eyes widen and her jaw drops. “Parker? What?” I don’t give her a chance to
finish. Sliding an arm under her firm ass I scoop her over my shoulder and head
for the exit. “Parker? What the fuck?” She instantly starts struggling.

“What
the fuck is right. That prick was touching you. What the hell are you doing
with that guy? A miniature golf course? Does he think you’re five years old?”

“You
left me, you asshole! It’s none of your business who I date!” Her tiny fists
pound my back. “Put me down! This is embarrassing!”

I’m
shoved hard when I place her on her feet beside the truck. The tips of her ears
glow a bright red. Douche Nozzle approaches warily, looking terrified. “Macy,
is everything okay?”

“I’m
sorry, Stan. I’ve had a lovely time tonight, but I have an
issue
.” She
hisses the word, glaring at me. “I need to deal with.”

“Uh,
sure,” he stammers. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“The
fuck you will,” I growl, and Macy shoves me again as he scampers away.

“You
don’t get a fucking say! You left me! I’ve spent weeks trying to get over you
and now, when I’m finally moving on, you pull this shit!”

The
waver of her chin makes me feel like a complete prick. “Do you want him, Mace?”
I ask quietly.

“None
of your damn business!”

“It
is!” I bark. “I fucked up and let the best thing in my life get away. Now the
only woman I’ve ever loved is dating a pubescent dipshit.”

Watery
eyes peek up at me with a hint of amusement. “Pubescent dipshit?”

“Pansy
douche nozzle pubescent dipshit, yes.”

“You
love me?”

My
hand threads into her hair. “Too goddamn much to function.”

Her
forehead falls to my chest. “I can’t do this with you. You have no idea what
the last few weeks have been like for me.”

“I’ve
been in the same hell,” I whisper, stroking her hair.

“You
put me there.”

“I
know. You have every right to be pissed. Please, give me a chance. Let’s go
talk. We can go to my place.”

My
heart sinks when she shakes her head, until I hear her whisper, “My place.”

* * * *

Macy’s
apartment is warm and comfortable. She pours us each a glass of wine and
gestures toward the living room. “Make yourself at home.”

I
hate how far away she sits. After weeks without her, all I want is to hold her,
keep her close. “I’m sorry, Mace. For so many things, but especially for
putting you in danger. When I walked in that room and saw Al with his hands on
you…” My hands run through my hair. “I failed you. You needed me and I failed
you.”

“You’re
right,” she says and waits for me to look at her. “I needed you and you weren’t
there, but it wasn’t the day Al found me. It was every day after. I needed you,
but not to protect me from danger or talk me through a panic attack. I needed
you to love me like I did you.”

Her
words eat through me. I’m an idiot. Falling to my knees in front of her, I
slide my hands beneath her thighs and rest my head in her lap. “You said you
did love me. Past tense. Have I lost you?”

I’m
surrounded by her sweet smell and my stomach churns awaiting her answer. How
the hell did I let a woman get so much control over me? Her next words could
destroy me or piece me back together.

“I
love you. I couldn’t stop if I wanted to, but I’m not the person you think I
am. I’m not weak. I can handle more than you think I can.”

Why
would she think I find her weak? Her eyes brim with tears when I meet her gaze.
“I never thought you were weak. Christ, you’re the strongest woman I know. No
matter what happens, you keep going. You pulled your life back together after
that asshole dragged you through hell. You make me weak. No one has ever gotten
to me the way you have. I don’t know how to deal with it.”

Her
palm is soft on my jaw. “We can be strong for each other.” Her arms wrap around
me when I sit beside her and pull her into my lap. “I missed you so much.”

“Me
too. You’re the other half of me. My sweet little doll.”

Her
embrace tightens. “Can we stay like this a while?”

“Please.”

We
stay cuddled together for nearly an hour, just reveling in the relief of being
together. This is what I want. What I need for the rest of my life. “Park?” she
murmurs, trailing a finger down my arm.

“Hmm?”

“I
really have to pee.”

“So…I
should do this?” She squeals when I tickle her ribs and squirms off my lap.

Her
musical giggle heals something inside me I didn’t realize was broken. “I should
totally pee on you.”

“I’m
not really into that,” I reply, helping her to her feet.

“Good
to know. I’m starving,” she calls back over her shoulder on her way to the
bathroom. “I barely ate any dinner.”

“Pizza
and a movie?” I suggest when she returns.

“Sounds
good.”

An
hour later, while we’re lounging around the living room, talking and laughing
like we were never apart, Macy’s phone rings. “I figured she’d be calling,” she
remarks, sending the caller to voice mail. “Everly,” she explains. “She set me
up with Stan so I assume he told her what happened.”

My
head whips toward her. “Ev set you up with him?”

“He’s
some guy Ian works with, I think.” Curiosity fills her face. “Why?”

“That
sneaky little…” I shake my head, laughing. “Who do you think told me you had a
date tonight?”

Her
mouth is a perfect O. “Ev…that crafty bitch. She orchestrated this whole
thing.”

“I’m
going to send her the biggest bouquet of flowers, and jewelry, and…what else
would she like?”

“You
could pay to remove my foot from her ass,” she exclaims. “She totally
manipulated us.”

“Yep,
but I have you in my arms, so I forgive her.”

Soft
hands creep up my chest. “Park?”

“Hmm?”

“Will
you take me to bed? I need to feel you.” Like she had to ask.

Her
lips are soft and pliant beneath mine as I unfasten her jeans. She slips out of
them and pulls off her blouse. “Fuck, baby.” I’ve never seen Macy in sexy
lingerie. It’s not something one would pack to run from a crazy ex.

Tiny
pale blue boyshorts lined with white lace just barely allow her firm cheeks to
peek out. A matching blue and white bra pushes up her breasts, and all I want
to do is bury my face between them.

Her
head tilts to the side, and I accept the invitation, kissing down her neck.
“Did you wear these for that Kindergartener? Hmm? Was he going to see these
sexy little panties tonight?”

“No,”
she breathes. “I just wanted to feel feminine, feel pretty.”

“You’re
beautiful, Macy. So damn beautiful no matter what you wear.” I unclip her bra
and slide down her panties. “But I love these.”

“I
chose them because they’re the color of your eyes. Your fuck me eyes.”

“You’re
killing me.”

I
have to tell myself to go slow when all I want to do is dive inside her and
never come out. Sweet, breathy moans fill my ears as I kiss every inch of her
tight little body. Fists pull my hair while I give her orgasm after orgasm with
my tongue, before urging her onto her side and lying behind her.