Leave the Lights On (20 page)

“Is it hot in here?” she asked.

“No, it’s you.” Parker fished a chunk of ice out of his glass and held it to her lips.

The sight of her tongue rolling over the crystal cube was enough to make his knees go weak. “Better?” he asked.

She shook her head, her hair sweeping from side to side, filling the air with her honeyed scent. “Not yet.”

He trailed the cube down the side of her neck, loving the way she shuddered. “How about now?” He drew it slowly back and forth just below her collarbone.

“Little bit.” Her voice quivered as she arched her neck.

He dipped his head down, kissing his way along the trail of cool water, sucking on the tender spot at the base of her neck until she groaned. His erection strained against the confines of his trousers, but he was far from ready to stop teasing her. Reaching behind her, he slid the zipper slowly down her back.

Sophie shrugged, and the dress fell off her shoulders, pooling around her hips on the granite counter. She wore a black bustier he’d never seen before. It had thin, silky straps and red satin trimming the tops of both bra cups. Red laces crisscrossed their way down the center of her body, making her look like a gift he couldn’t wait to unwrap.

Parker ran the ice cube along the swell of each breast. She drew in a short breath, her mouth falling open.
So fucking sexy.
He traced the ice up and down the midline of her chest, watching as droplets ran straight down her cleavage.

She shivered again as he pulled one of the red laces, undoing the bow. He worked the ties loose with his finger then gave a sharp tug so the entire string pulled free. Sophie gasped as the corset fell open. He forced himself to swallow, a less than easy task when all he wanted to do was push her down onto the counter and climb on top of her.

He eased the narrow straps off her shoulders until the lingerie joined her dress on the countertop. Dragging the ice across her breast, he watched as her flesh puckered. He drew circles around each tightened peak before trailing his way down to her belly. “Cooler yet?” he asked, his lips closing over one taut nipple.

“No,” she rasped.

He dipped the ice into her belly button as he sucked harder.

“Yes,” she said.

He no longer cared what question she was answering, he just loved hearing the word escape her lips.
Yes
. Scooping her off the counter, he headed for her room.

The second he placed her on her bed, she wriggled the rest of the way out of her dress. Seeing her there, naked except for the tiniest black panties with a little red bow, Parker couldn’t wait any longer. He climbed on top of her, not caring that he was still fully clothed. He tugged at the knot on his tie just enough to loosen it then struggled out of his jacket and tossed it off the edge of the bed. Placing his hands on either side of her, he kissed his way from her belly to her lips sliding his body back and forth on top of hers.

Even through his trousers he could feel the intense heat as he rubbed against her. She groaned into his mouth as he swiveled his hips. Her legs wound around his body, pulling him to her.

“Feels so good,” she whispered.

Wanting to make her feel even better, he eased himself up. He hooked his fingers under the edge of her panties, and she raised her hips to help as he slid them over the full curve of her ass. Lifting her legs, he slipped them the rest of the way off and tossed them aside.

Sophie moaned as he ran his hands down her thighs. She reached for him, fingers working to undo his belt buckle. With a firm yank, the belt slid out of his belt loops and joined the other garments on the floor. Parker sighed with relief as Sophie’s fingers curled around his erection. He craved her touch but was determined to focus on her pleasure.

He rubbed the heel of his hand against her, feeling her wetness coat his palm. “Jesus, Soph.”

She rocked against him, making it next to impossible to combat the desire to plunge inside her. Spiraling his thumb against her, he felt her starting to quiver beneath him. “That’s it. Let it go, baby. Come for me.”

Sophie tipped her head back, eyes tightly closed, hips arching off the bed as she gave in.
Holy hell.
He slowed his movements, waiting for her to ride it out. He ached to be inside her. Leaning forward, he lowered his mouth to hers. No sooner did his lips touch hers than she hiccupped.

“Oh God,” she groaned, her hand covering her mouth as she hiccupped again.

Parker snorted with laughter. “Hang on.” He reached over the edge of the bed, trying to contain his reaction to his erection pressing into the soft flesh of her thigh. Sweeping his hand back and forth under the bed, he found what he wanted.

“Ta-da.” He held up a jar of peanut butter.

Sophie laughed so hard the bed shook. “Where on earth did you get that?”

Grinning so wide his cheeks hurt Parker unscrewed the lid. “I stashed it a few weeks ago. In case of emergencies such as this. There’s one in the nightstand at my house too.”

Giggles and hiccups poured out of her. “You’re crazy.”

“I prefer the term ‘prepared’. Shit. I forgot a spoon. Oh well.” He swirled his index finger deep inside the jar. “Open wide.”

Sophie hiccupped then parted her lips. Parker slipped his finger between them. She rolled her tongue, sweeping the peanut butter off, then gave a suck so hard he felt it straight through every muscle in his torso. He twitched against her belly, his arousal leaving streaks of wetness across her skin.

Groaning, he slowly withdrew his finger. He forced himself to breathe so he could stay in control of the orgasm that was threatening to arrive way before he wanted it.

As she chewed the mouthful, Parker dipped his finger in the jar again. “Good? Or you need some more?”

Her tongue darted out, licking a dab from the corner of her mouth. “Not sure yet.”

“Maybe you need some here.” He ran his finger down the right side of her stomach, then in two swirls on either side of her belly button and in a curve on her left side.

Her eyes widened as a smile tugged at her lips. “Did you just write
I <3 U
in peanut butter?”

“Maybe.” He bent forward and licked the
I
from bottom to top then traced his tongue along the path of the heart and
U
.

“I love you,” she said.

“I love you too.” He kissed her, slow and gentle, as he eased his body down against hers. His erection nestled against her warmth.

Sophie rocked beneath him, her hand slipping between them to guide him inside her. Sinking into her, his mind swirled. She sucked on his lower lip, nipping at him with her teeth.
So good. How can anything possibly feel this good?

She tugged at his shirt, pulling the tails out of his trousers and running her hands up his back. Her fingernails scratched over his skin, sending ripples of electricity straight to his groin. He ground against her, sliding his hand beneath her hips, tugging her closer on every thrust. Feeling her start to shake, he braced himself against the mattress, swiveling harder with every upward movement. Her nails dug into his back as she cried out.

Sophie’s warm breath against his neck coupled with the pull inside her was more than he could stand. His body jerked forward as the orgasm tore through him, shaking him to his core. Panting, he rolled them both onto their sides. He brushed her hair behind her ear, kissing her eyelids, her nose, her lips.

“No hiccups this time?” he asked.

She giggled, still out of breath. “I don’t think so.”

“Good, because I’m pretty sure the peanut butter jar rolled off the bed at some point.”

“Oh God. Speaking of peanut butter, I think you’re going to need to take these clothes to the dry cleaner.”

Parker laughed. “I think you’re right.” He sat up and unbuttoned his shirt, tugging at the sleeves then he stripped off his pants, dropping them all in a heap alongside the bed. As he lay back down, he pulled Sophie to him, spooning his body around hers. Nestling his nose in her hair he whispered, “Thanks for coming with me tonight.”

She drew his hand to her lips kissing his palm. “Thanks for letting me.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Parker couldn’t remember a time in his life when things had been going more smoothly than they had for the past month. Ever since the banquet, everything seemed to have fallen into place. Work was great. New contracts poured in, crews completed jobs ahead of schedule and Parker finally felt as if the business was his. He and Joey had been hanging out regularly, and things had started to feel like they used to, easy and natural. As for Sophie, things couldn’t have been better. Waking up with her by his side nearly every morning made him feel like the luckiest man in the world.

He dug his shovel deep into the ground in an attempt to loosen a particularly stubborn rock. The miniature Japanese Maple in Sophie’s front yard needed to be moved before it died, and Parker had promised her he’d take care of it. He missed working outdoors now that most of his time was spent managing the office end of the business. The warm, late-summer breeze spiraled around him, sweet with the scent of the wisteria that bloomed along the side of the house.

Just as the rock gave way, Parker heard a car pull into Sophie’s driveway. Looking up, he saw a tall man get out of the car and slam the door. He strode past Parker without saying a word and trotted up the front steps of the house.

Parker stood, wiping his hand on his jeans as the man pounded on the front door. “Can I help you?” he asked.

The guy barely turned his head in Parker’s direction. “No.”

Who the hell is this asshole?
Parker felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he realized.
Shit. It’s Sophie’s ex.
He’d seen a picture or two, and now that he was standing close enough to get a good look, it was clearly him. Short-cropped brown hair, thin lips, arrogant from head to toe.

The front door swung open, and Parker caught the look on Sophie’s face as she laid eyes on Nate.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” she said.

“I’m doing this? You’re the one who won’t let this go.”

“I’m not discussing this with you. My lawyer sent your lawyer the papers. Sign them, or I’ll take you back to court.”

Nate raked both hands through his hair. “I’m not signing. You’ll sell that timeshare over my dead body.”

Sophie shrugged. “If you insist.”

“Dammit, Sophie. We’ve talked about this a million times. If we sell right now, we lose money. I’m not doing it.”

“I don’t care if we lose money. I don’t care what happens to the timeshare. I just want my half, now. If I don’t put a down payment on that new storefront, I’m going to lose it. I need the cash, not a timeshare with you. You don’t like the idea of selling to the buyer I found? Fine. Buy out my half.”

“No.”

Sophie closed her eyes. “That’s why you’re dealing with my lawyer.”

“You’re such a goddamned bitch.”

Parker’s stomach tensed. “Hey. Apologize to the lady.”

“Excuse me?” Nate walked down the porch steps as Parker moved toward him. “Who the hell do you think are? Mind your own fucking business.”

Parker’s nostrils flared. “Sophie is my business.”

Nate gave him a smug look up and down. “Is that so? She hired you as a bodyguard when you’re not busy playing in the dirt.”

What a dick.
Parker’s hand twitched as he felt his fists clench. “Funny. That doesn’t sound like an apology.”

Sophie scooted down the stairs. “Look, Nate, will you just leave. Please. Seriously, this is between our lawyers now. Sign the papers, don’t sign the papers—just go.”

“I’m not going anywhere until we settle this and I’m sure as hell not taking orders from your hired help.”

“He’s not hired help.” Sophie shot Parker an apologetic look.

Nate glanced back and forth between them, a hideous smile pulling his thin lips to the sides. “You can’t be serious. You’re fucking the lawn boy? Jesus, Sophie, if you’re so hard up for money you have to screw the help to get your bush trimmed, you really oughta wait ’til we get a better offer on that timeshare.”

Without another thought Parker lunged at him, landing a punch square on his jaw.

“What the fuck?” Nate raised his hand to his lip, pulling it away to look at the blood. “She’s really not worth losing your job over, buddy, and I’m calling your boss on this.”

“I’m the boss, asshole. And the boyfriend. And if you don’t do as she asked and leave, I’m gonna be the guy who breaks your fucking nose.”

Nate narrowed his eyes but backed off as soon as Parker stepped toward him. “Fine. I’m going. But you—” He turned and pointed a finger straight at Sophie. “You can expect a long and ugly fight. Especially now.”

Electricity zipped through Parker. He hadn’t had a physical confrontation with anyone since high school. And he’d never felt that much anger toward another person.

Nate slammed his car door and peeled out of the driveway.

“I’m so sorry,” Sophie said, her eyes wide. “Is your hand okay? Let me see.”

“I’m fine.” Parker realized his fists were still clenched.

“No, you’re not. You’re bleeding. Come in the house.”