Parker (Striking Back #3) (18 page)

“Please,
Parker,” she whispers as I slip on a condom.

I
grab her ankle and angle her leg back to drape over my thigh, and slide
completely inside her. “Damn, sweetheart, you feel so good.” Long firm strokes
draw the sexiest sounds from her throat. “Is it good, baby?”

“So
good. Don’t stop. I’m going to come again. God, you’re so deep.”

“I
need every inch of you.” Her head flies back when I reach for her clit, rubbing
both of her sensitive spots at once, inside and out. I feel her clamp around me
before I’m overwhelmed by sensation, stealing all thought and self-awareness.

“I
love you,” she murmurs, turning to cuddle into my chest.

“I
love you, doll.”

We
wake in the same position we fell asleep. I don’t think either of us moved a
muscle all night. It’s the best night’s sleep I’ve had in weeks. Silky hair
lies in a spray across my chest and I can’t keep my fingers out of it.

“Mmm,
good morning,” she says, her voice raspy with sleep.

“Morning,
doll.” Her ankle gives a loud pop when she stretches. “How’s your ankle doing?”

“Pretty
much back to normal. Aches a little when I’m on it too long.”

“What
about the panic attacks?”

The
bed squeaks as she rolls to her stomach. “I have it under control.”
Embarrassment briefly mars her face. “I’m seeing a therapist.”

“I’m
glad it’s helping.”

Serious
eyes pin me in place. “I don’t want you to take care of me. You don’t need to
protect me anymore. You can’t baby me.”

“I’ll
always protect you. You’ll just have to deal with that. That doesn’t mean I
think you’re weak or that I’ll baby you. Well, sometimes.” I pull her into my
arms. “I’ll have to hold you like this, maybe kiss your forehead. That’s not
babying, right?”

A
soft smile curls her lips. “A little, but I think I can tough it out.”

“That’s
my girl.”

Her
hands fidget in her lap. “What have you been doing? Were you…have you dated
anyone else?”

“No.
Nobody.”

“No
sex?”

“Baby,
feel my palm. It’s chapped for a reason.”

Laughing,
she rolls out of bed and bends over her dresser, rummaging through her drawer.
“I’m going to shower, then I’ll make us some breakfast.”

“Quit
parading around naked, or I’m going to pin you to that wall.”

“Later,
sex fiend. I promised to meet Ev today and I have a few select words for her.”

“Me
too.” I wrap an arm around her tiny waist and press my lips to her neck.
“Starting with thank you. Go shower.” I slap her ass and dress quickly when I
hear my phone ring from the living room. Anger heats my face when I see Indiana
State Prison on the screen. How the hell did he get my number? It had to be
Alex. After sending the call to voice mail, I call my brother.

Alex’s
voice is thick when he answers his phone. He’s not an early riser. “Park,
what’s up?”

“Do
you want to tell me how the fuck Gene got my cell number?” I demand.

“What?
I didn’t give him your number.”

“Where
else would he get it!” I shout, my hands trembling with rage.

“Quit
screaming at me, asshole. The prison has had our numbers for years. We’re next
of kin.”

“I’m
not his fucking kin!” I fight to lower my voice as I pace Macy’s living room.

“Technically,
we are,” Alex explains patiently. “The execution is getting close. He must’ve
asked for your number.”

“Fuck!”

“I’ll
be at the gym in thirty. Let’s work it out there,” Alex suggests. Fighting and
training is a stress reliever for both of us and has always helped Alex keep
his anger in check.

“I’ll
be there.”

“Later,
brother.”

Macy
leans against the doorway, a towel draped around her shoulders to protect her
shirt from her wet hair. Shit. There’s no way she’s going to let this go. “Are
you okay?”

“Fine,”
I snap. Frowning, she nods and retreats to the kitchen. The sizzle and smell of
frying sausage permeates the apartment. I need to calm down. I can’t take this
out on her. Standing at the stove, she peeks back at me when I enter the room.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

“Are
you going to tell me what upset you?” she asks, handing me a plate of sausage
and eggs.

We
sit across from each other at her breakfast nook. “I’m not upset. I’m pissed.”

“Okay,
what happened?”

I
can’t expect her to trust me if I don’t confide in her. Besides, she’s going to
find out sooner or later. “My father called my cell phone. I thought Alex gave
him the number, but I was wrong.”

“He
called from prison? Do you know why?”

“His
execution date is getting close and he wants to see me.”

Macy

My
head is spinning after the last twenty-four hours. After all the stress and
preparation for my date with a new guy, Parker shows up and goes all Cro-Magnon
man. Not that I was enjoying the date, but still, it was embarrassing. I don’t
think it’s sunk in yet that he’s mine. After weeks of crying over him, of
trying to be strong and forget him, he’s mine. He loves me. And whether he
wants to admit it or not, he’s hurting.

“Execution?”
He told me his father is in prison for his mother’s death, but not any of the
details of what happened. It’s the first I’ve heard about a death sentence.

“In
a few months.”

“Are
you going to visit him?”

His
jaw tightens. “No.”

I’m
studied with wary eyes as I put my hand over his. “I don’t know the whole story
here, Park, but when you’re ready to tell me, I’m here. Whatever you decide,
I’ve got your back.”

His
whole body relaxes and he threads his fingers through mine. “You’re the only
one who does. Alex is going to visit and he’ll probably talk Mason into it
too.”

“Maybe
they need closure.” It would probably make him feel better too, but I know he
won’t be receptive to that suggestion right now. I don’t want him to think for
a second I’m not on his side.

“Alex
says he has questions.”

“I’d
imagine.”

He
circles the table and stands behind me, nuzzling his nose in my hair. “Come to
the gym with me. I want to show you something.”

“I
need to cancel with Ev.”

“Mason
will be there today, just call Ev and have her tag along.”

“Isn’t
Mason going to be pissed we’re together?” I ask, placing my plate in the sink.

He
squeezes my ass and drops a kiss on my lips. “We’ll blame it on his wife.”

I
throw on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt. If we’re going to the gym, I may
as well get a workout in while I’m there. Parker groans when he follows me out
my front door. “I don’t know how you expect me to keep my hands off your ass
when it looks so amazing in those pants.”

“I
don’t,” I throw back with a wicked grin. Something tells me I’ll regret it
later.

Alex
is jumping around, punching and kicking a large punching bag when we arrive at
the gym. “Macy!” He jogs over to give me a hug. “It’s great to see you.”

“Get
your sweaty ass away from my girl,” Parker says, giving him a playful shove.

Alex’s
eyes twinkle as he grins at us. “Your girl, huh? You finally pull your head out
of your ass?”

“Appears
so,” I reply with a laugh.

“I
want to show Macy the new space, then I’ll come kick your ass,” Parker says,
grabbing my hand and leading me toward the stairs.

“At
least you don’t have to lug me around anymore,” I chirp, jogging up the stairs.

“I
like lugging you around.”

The
musty attic smell I anticipate never materializes. Instead, I’m greeted by a
mild lemon scent mixed with the aroma of fresh paint. The room is open and airy
with no sign of the dusty furniture that was here on my last visit. Instead,
deep blue mats, twice as thick as the ones downstairs, cover three quarters of
the floor. The walls are painted a sunny yellow with blue trim and a row of
silver lockers wait to be used.

A
large man shaped punching bag stands in the corner, watching over everything.
“Macy, meet Bob,” Parker says when he notices my gaze.

“Bob?”

“Body
opponent bag.”

“Oh,
Bob means something different to me.” I giggle, and his eyebrows reach for the
ceiling.

“Do
I want to know?”

“Um…battery
operated boyfriend.” When he still looks confused, I add, “A vibrator.”

“Well,
now you have a boyfriend that doesn’t require batteries and can make you come
quicker.”

I
glance at the dummy and grin up at Parker. “Can I punch it?”

“Give
it your best shot.”

I
slam my fist into Bob’s chin. Parker laughs when I hit it a second time, but
his amusement dies out when I start hammering on it. I’ve never hit anyone in
my life, but with that first punch, all I can see is Al. Yelling, threatening,
hurting me. Ruining everything. I can’t stop, even when my fists feel raw, and
tears pour down my face. Swear words fly from my mouth as I take months of
anger, fear, and heartache out on a rubber man-shaped target.

“Okay,
sweetheart.” Parker’s soft voice is in my ear. “That’s enough.” Strong arms trap
mine against my sides as he holds me from behind. “That’s enough,” he repeats,
pulling me back into his chest and kneeling behind me when my legs give out.

I’m
pulled into his lap and as much as I hate for him to see me fall apart, I
burrow into him, basking in the comfort he brings. “I’m sorry.”

“No.
No sorries. You’ve been through so much. You have to let it out sometimes,
doll. Toughing it out, soldiering your way through only works for so long.
Trust me, baby. I learned that the hard way.”

“You
don’t exactly wear your heart on your sleeve,” I snort, and he squeezes me.

“I’m
still working on it. Something tells me you won’t let me get away with hiding
anything.”

“Damn
right.”

His
large hand rubbing my back is soothing. “Look around you, Mace. This was all
because of you. You gave me the idea.”

Now
I’m confused. “Expanding your gym?”

“This
room is for basic women’s self-defense. Three nights a week, we’ll offer free
classes for any female, ages thirteen and older. We have experts from the
Indianapolis Police Academy coming in to teach.”

Standing,
he helps me to my feet and cups my jaw in his big palm. “I’d do anything to
rewind and prevent the hell that asshole put you through, but since I can’t, we
can at least make something good come from it.”

If
I wasn’t head over heels in love before, I am now. “I’m in deep,” I murmur.

“Deep?”
He strokes my cheek with his fingertips.

“In
love,” I explain. “Deep.”

“How
deep?”

“Too
deep to see out.”

Soft
lips claim mine in a warm kiss. “I’m there with you, doll. Deep.”

Mason
and Everly are talking with Alex, Cooper, and Ian when we make our way back
downstairs. “Macy!” Ev squeals and rushes to hug me. “Alex told me the good
news!”

“You
conniving hussy! Don’t think I don’t know what you did.”

“What
did she do this time?” Ian asks. “You know she’s a troublemaker.”

Ev
can’t hide her mischievous grin. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I
cross my arms. “So when you set me up on a date, then told Parker, you had no
idea he’d show up and drag me out of there?”

“No!”
Ev cracks up and turns to Parker. “You didn’t!”

“In
my defense, the douchebag took her to a putt putt course. She wanted me to
rescue her.”

“He
did. Threw me over his shoulder like a damn cave man in front of everyone.”

“He
touched her,” Parker growls.

Alex
bats his eyelashes. “Isn’t that the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard?”

“All
right, asshole. Time to take your beating,” Parker says good naturedly, tossing
him a pair of gloves. “We’ve got less than a week until the tournament.”

Parker
gives me a quick kiss and jogs off with his brother. “Tournament?” I ask Ev.

“Parker
didn’t tell you? He’s fighting in the Children’s Hospital Tournament next
week.”

My
stomach knots. “Fighting? I thought he didn’t compete.”

“I
recognize that look,” Cooper speaks up. “I don’t like the idea either.”

“It’s
just an exhibition fight for charity,” Ev reassures us.

Cooper
smiles at me, a dimple popping up in his cheek. “I’ll bring some alcohol and we
can cover each other’s eyes.”

“Better
make it something strong.”

“You
got it, honey.”

Ian
slings his arm around Ev. “You’re the only one here with thick enough skin to
be a fighter’s wife.”

“Nah,
Macy’s tough.”

“And
I could totally be a fighter’s wife,” Cooper quips.

I
watch Parker and Alex trade punches and kicks for an hour or so before jumping
on a treadmill. Ev fires up the machine next to mine.

“So,”
she says, jogging beside me. “Have you two worked everything out?”

“I’m
sure we have more to talk about, but, yeah, we’re together. Is Mason going to
give Parker shit about it?” I really don’t want to cause trouble between them.

“Nope.
I set him straight. Asked him how he would’ve felt if his brothers had objected
to our relationship. They treated me like family from the beginning.”

Ev
smiles at me. “Mason likes you. He was worried about Parker hurting you,
especially since you came to them for help.”

“I
get it.”

“He’s
a grouch lately because of the shit with his father.”

Flipping
off my machine, I grab a towel and mop the sweat from my neck. “Parker told me
about the execution.”

“Alex
plans to visit, and though Mason doesn’t like it, he doesn’t want Alex to go
alone.”

“Parker
gets pissed if it’s even mentioned.”

Ev
sighs. “I know. I think it’d be good for him to go, or at least be there for
Alex. This has affected their whole lives and they need the closure.”

“I’ll
try to talk to him.”

Parker
walks in, his dark hair damp with sweat. “Are you ready to go, doll?”

His
eyes twinkle when I throw my arms around his neck. “Where are we going?”

“Anywhere
I can get you alone.” He grins at Ev as she jogs on the treadmill. “How can I
thank you, Mrs. Matchmaker? Diamonds, jewelry, chocolate? What’ll it be?”

“You
could go to the prison with Alex and Mason.”

Pale
eyes instantly turn icy and his whole body stiffens. “Not going to happen.”

“You
don’t have to see Gene. Just be there for your brothers after they do.”

Parker
curses and grabs my hand, leading me out of the gym without a word. He doesn’t
bring up Ev’s request and I figure it’s better to let him calm down a bit.

We
spend every second we can together the next couple of days. He takes me to a
nice dinner and a movie. Just everyday things we weren’t able to do before. We
run together and spend the evenings sitting on his back patio like we used to.
It’s like we’ve never been apart and it’s nice to be together without all the
stress and worry hanging over our heads.

I’m
seated between his knees on the lounger, watching the sky deepen to dark
purple, when he asks, “Will you go with me to the prison tomorrow?”

“Of
course,” I reply, trying not to sound as stunned as I am.

“I’m
not going to see him, but Ev’s right. I need to be there for Alex and Mason.”

I
place my hand on his stubbled cheek and give him a soft kiss. “I’ll be right
beside you.”

* * * *

It’s
raining and dreary when we meet Mason, Ev, and Alex at Indiana State Prison.
It’s a fitting backdrop to the dismal appearance of the place. Rolls of barbed
wire top the three fences that wrap around the drab sand colored building.
We’re stopped and asked to show our ID at two separate checkpoints before being
directed to the visitor’s parking lot.

Parker’s
hand is clenched in mine as we stand in line to go through security, and
Mason’s arm is locked tightly around Ev. Alex fidgets and picks at his
fingernails, his eyes darting around to take in our surroundings.

A
grateful smile curls his lips when I catch his hand in my free one. “Cooper
couldn’t make it today?”

“I
didn’t tell him. This isn’t part of my life I want him to see. He’s worried
enough about my fight this weekend.”

“This
is your only free pass to hold hands with my girl, asshole,” Parker jokes,
breaking the tension a bit.

Even
Mason cracks a smile when Alex sidles up closer to me and kisses my cheek.
“Jealous of his gay brother, isn’t that a trip?” Alex taunts, and Parker slides
his arm around my waist. I can only imagine what the other visitors in line are
thinking and it makes me giggle.

After
emptying our pockets and being ushered through a row of metal detectors, we
come to a small lobby. Two beat up couches sit at an angle to each other, backed
by a couple of vending machines. Hallways jut out on either side, each capped
by a barred door.

I’m
struck by how noisy it is, a constant din of voices, talking and yelling, the
clanking of metal on metal. A guard leads our group to one of the steel doors.
“I’m waiting out here,” Parker insists, and I nod, giving Alex’s hand a
squeeze. Ev looks back with a grimace as they’re escorted into the hall to the
visitors room.