Leave the Lights On (10 page)

Parker pulled back, brushing her hair out of her eyes. “You didn’t…just now. Did you?”

It took her a second to realize what he was asking. “Oh. No.” Heat crept into her cheeks.

“Sorry.” The downward cast of his eyes surprised her.

“Don’t be sorry. I never do. I mean not, you know, during.”
Oh God, he’s going to think there’s something wrong with me.

Parker’s hand traced up and down her back, creating a tingling so strong she nearly forgot what they were discussing. “Never?” he asked.

Heat burned even more intensely in her cheeks. She shook her head.

“But you did before.”

“Oh yeah.” Just the memory of it was enough to make her internal muscles flutter.

Parker trailed his hand over her hip, taking the tingling along with it. “So we could do that again.”

Before Sophie could answer, his fingers slipped between her legs. Sucking in a gulp of air she nodded.
Jesus, where did he learn how to do that?
His fingers moved over her so slowly, bringing every nerve ending to life. Her hips jerked forward as he hit just the right spot.

“Good?” he asked, kissing beneath her ear.

“Uh-huh.” A small groan escaped as he licked her earlobe, his hand continuing to work its magic.

Parker trailed kisses from her forehead down her nose before settling in on her mouth. His tongue slipped between her lips in sync with his fingers. Sophie shivered, straining toward him. She could feel him hard against her hip, rocking in rhythm. Knowing he was so turned on made her even more excited. Pressure built deep in her belly as heat spread lower.
God, yes.

As if he knew exactly what she was thinking, Parker slowed his movements, drawing out the pleasure until she could no longer keep from quivering. Tongue, thumb, hips—everything spiraled against her until she could scarcely breathe. A high-pitched cry escaped her as she clenched a handful of bed sheets. Hips bucking forward, she came hard and fast, moaning into his mouth.

She broke the kiss, her head thrashing against the pillow as the aftershocks jolted through her. When she could finally open her eyes, she found Parker staring right at her with a look she couldn’t discern on his face.

“What?” She breathed the word, still unable to catch her breath.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.”

She raked a hand through the tangled mass of her hair, laughing. As she tried to force herself to breathe, she inhaled deeply, surprised when she let out a huge hiccup. Sophie clapped her hand over her mouth but a second, louder hiccup escaped. “Shit.”

Parker shook with laughter. “I can’t believe you still get hiccups.”

“I don’t.” She hiccupped again. “I haven’t had them in ages.”

“Likely story. You got them after practically every test in school.”

“I know. I always thought they were brought on by stress release.”
Hiccup. Dammit.

“Well, I don’t know of a better stress releaser than an orgasm.”

The grin on Parker’s face made him look completely irresistible. She wanted to kiss him, but as soon as she got her face close enough to his, a hiccup interrupted. Groaning, she fell back against the bed and pulled a pillow over her head.

“Do you have any peanut butter?” Parker asked.

“You want a sandwich?”

Laughter tumbled out of him again, vibrating the bed. “No. Do you have any or not?”

“Of course I have peanut butter.”

“Come on.” He tugged at her hand.

Sophie hiccupped and lifted the pillow enough to peer out at him. “Where are we going?”

“We need peanut butter.”

Parker pulled on his boxers and watched as Sophie slipped his T-shirt over her head. Seeing her in his clothes sent a rush through him that made him want to forget about the damned peanut butter and toss her back on the bed, but the next hiccup reminded him of the matter at hand.

She reached for her panties but he stopped her. “I assume we’re only going to the kitchen. I think you’re dressed enough.”

Sophie smirked at him, igniting another burst of heat that coursed through him. He linked his fingers with hers as they walked down the hall. He loved that she had to go up on her toes to reach the peanut butter off the top pantry shelf.

“Now what?” she asked, handing him the jar.

He unscrewed the lid, surprised to find the protective seal still in place. “An unopened jar of peanut butter? Cut down on your habit, have you?”

“No, I finished a jar with breakfast.” A loud hiccup punctuated her indignation.

Parker snorted, peeling the Mylar cover off the jar. “Spoon, please.”

“Maybe later, right now I just want to know what the peanut butter’s for.”

Smartass.
He dipped the spoon into the jar, giving a quick stir before scooping up a heaping amount. “Open wide.”

Hiccup.
“What?”

“You heard me. Open up.” He held the spoonful in front of her mouth. “One big mouthful. No dainty licks.”

“Are you kidding me?”
Hiccup
.

“Do you want to get rid of your hiccups?”

She nodded, her breasts giggling beneath his shirt as another hiccup shook through her.

“Trust me.” He tried to keep eye contact but couldn’t help glancing at her mouth as her lips parted and then closed around the spoon. His entire body reacted, tensing in a torturously pleasant way as he withdrew the utensil. “Chew then swallow.”

Parker watched as she managed the mouthful. She was clearly struggling as she tried not to laugh, but Parker was the one who could barely swallow. His mouth had grown dry. His throat felt tight. He wondered how he was going to watch her for another second and not kiss her. He tossed the spoon into the sink, trying to distract himself.

Sophie finally gulped. “I can’t believe you made me eat that much peanut butter.”

“Are your hiccups gone?”

They both listened.

“Holy shit,” she said, putting her hand on her chest as if she was waiting to feel another outburst. “I think they are.”

“You’re welcome.” Parker took a bow.

“That’s insane. All these years I’ve suffered with hiccups for hours at a time and all I needed to do was eat peanut butter?”

“I know, right? Best trick I learned in rehab. Trust me, hiccups and recovery from surgery do not mix. One of the nurses there taught me the peanut butter cure.”

“She’s a genius.”

“Yep. Best cure ever. And tasty too.” He leaned in and kissed her, moaning at the salty sweetness of her lips.

“There’s plenty more, you know.” Sophie pulled away and reached for the jar. She swirled her index finger in the jar then held it in front of Parker. Mischief sparkled in her eyes.

Jesus, Sophie, could you be any sexier?
He held her gaze as he swooped his tongue around her finger before sucking it into his mouth. The tiny gasp that escaped her made every muscle in his torso contract. She withdrew her finger slowly, running it over his lower lip before she pulled it away. Without another thought, Parker’s mouth was back on hers.

Sophie’s tongue mingled with his, as her hand sank into his hair. He held her tight, feeling his erection swell against her. “What do you say we go back to your room?”

“I say that’s an even better idea than the peanut butter.”

Sophie could never remember her bed feeling more comfortable than it did with Parker lying beside her. Parker smiled, still staring at her with the same intent expression. Taking her hand he linked his fingers with hers, pressing them into the pillow. “So fucking beautiful.” And his lips were back on hers. Soft. Gentle. Making Sophie feel as if she were melting right into the mattress.

He eased himself on top of her, sliding against her.
Oh, God. So hard. So good.
How could he possibly feel so good rubbing against her? Spreading her legs with his knees, he slipped easily between them. With a tilt of her pelvis, he pushed inside her.

“Parker,” she whispered his name.

“Mmm,” he answered, sliding his lips to her throat, nibbling at her neck, her collarbone, sending her body soaring once again.

She tightened her grip on his hand as they moved together. Her other hand burrowed into his silky hair. The mix of sensations was too much. The grasp of his hand on hers, the softness of his hair, his firm chest grazing hers, his warm breath at her shoulder, his hardness rocking in and out of her.

Giving in to all of it, she brought her hips up hard against his. Parker swiveled on every downward thrust, grinding his pelvis against hers.

Oh yes.
She locked her legs around him, pulling him tighter. Parker took the hint, pressing closer. Each gyration sent a jolt of pleasure through her. Nothing had ever felt like this before. This wasn’t jackrabbit, in-and-out sex, this was sensual, purposeful friction. Intense. Mind-numbingly intense. And so damn sexy she could barely breathe.

Parker pulled away, and Sophie immediately missed the weight of his body. Before she could complain, he slipped his hand down the length of her torso, briefly tracing around her belly button before trailing lower and settling where their bodies were joined.

Gasping as he worked his thumb against her, she could see the same look on his face. His words echoed in her head—“so fucking beautiful”. Looking up at him, seeing herself through his eyes, she felt beautiful. She felt downright ethereal. Every inch of her sang beneath him, and it was the sweetest sound she could imagine.

Once more, the pressure built within her. “Yes.” The word came out before she could stop it.

A grin spread across Parker’s face as he gazed at her through hooded eyes.
So sexy.
Each pass of his thumb made her muscles tighten and she felt him expand inside her in response. Concentrating as hard as she could, she focused on the sensation, constricting her muscles, letting the tension build until she couldn’t stand it anymore.

Oh, God
… Her neck arched against the pillow as her eyes slammed shut. Wave after wave crashed over her as she contracted around him. A low growl left Parker. The deepest, sexiest sound she’d ever heard. With a final thrust he let go, pulsing inside her.

Sophie ran her hand down his sweaty chest, feeling his heart pounding rapidly beneath her fingers. Urging him closer with her legs, she was grateful when he was once again pressed against her. Parker nuzzled her neck, and she sighed, wrapping her arms around him.

He eased himself out of Sophie and sprawled alongside her, pulling her close. He kissed her shoulder, his silky hair feathery against her still sensitized skin. “You’ve really never done that before?” he asked.

Laughter tumbled out of Sophie before she could stop it. Tears rolled from her eyes. Parker gaped at her.
He must think I’m crazy.

Gulping air, she tried to speak but as soon as she opened her mouth fresh giggles poured out. “I’m sorry,” she squeaked. “No, I’ve never. Not even close.”

A mix of pride and relief filled Parker. Though for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why she was laughing. He didn’t care. He loved the sound. Loved the vibration of her against him, so warm and full of life.

Running his fingers through her hair, he felt wet streaks from her tears. He brushed at them with his thumbs, trying to absorb as many details of the moment as possible.
I can’t believe this is real.
Three hours earlier he was alone in his house, wrecking their evening and now…

Sophie shifted alongside him, her breast grazing his chest, her hand resting on his hip. The gesture was so simple yet so intimate Parker felt his chest tighten.

“Can I ask you something?” she said, her fingers tracing a pattern on his lower back, sending a fresh batch of tingles through him.

“Sure.”

“How did you… I mean if this was your first…never mind.” She closed her eyes and shook her head.

Parker smoothed her hair behind her ear. “How did I what?”

Eyes still closed she took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “You just really seemed to know what you were doing. I’ve never had anyone…no one’s ever…”

“I just paid attention.” He trailed his hand along her jaw, tilting her chin up and kissing her.

Sophie made a tiny gasp, and Parker felt her nipple stiffen against his chest.

“See?” he said, rubbing his thumb against her other nipple. “You gave me all the clues. I just put them together.”

“You put them together really well.”

Parker grinned so broadly his cheeks ached. “I’m glad.”

“Me too.” She bit her lip. “I hope this doesn’t sound stupid but I wish this was my first time. I wish you’d been my first and that it had been this amazing.”

Parker’s heart swelled as he held her closer. “That’s probably the most awesome thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

“Probably? Well, I’ll have to try harder next time.” Sophie’s lips brushed his, stopping words and thoughts as he let himself get lost in her.

Chapter Thirteen

Sunlight shone brightly against Parker’s still-closed eyelids. He raised his arm to shield his eyes, squinting to look around the room. Sophie’s room. A grin spread across his face as he remembered the night before but faded when he realized she was no longer in bed with him. He stretched, feeling his thigh muscle tense and nearly cramp.