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Authors: Karen Stivali

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BOOK: Leave the Lights On
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She shuddered, remembering the way the warmth of his laughter washed over her. The way he’d smiled when he realized it was her at the door.
Maybe now that we’re older things will be different.
Hope filled her with a giddiness she hadn’t felt since she’d found out Nate was cheating on her and wanted to end their two-month-old marriage.
Has Parker heard about that?

For months she’d been unable to stop wondering who knew and who didn’t. Finding out her husband had been cheating had been humiliating enough, but discovering that half the town knew before her had been even worse.

Sophie settled into her desk chair and turned on her laptop, watching as a dozen emails downloaded. Flower crisis. Cake decision. Wedding song. Being a party planner was her dream job. She loved making people’s special days into dreams come true. But planning showers and weddings and engagement parties while going through a publically gossiped about divorce was another matter. Her clients had been great, for the most part. Only one had panicked and pulled out after hearing about her problems. The rest had stuck with her, and she’d worked extra hard to prove to herself and the rest of the world that her personal life hadn’t broken her. It wasn’t easy.

She answered every email, attaching photos and pasting in links, making sure each bride-to-be had everything she needed. As she hit send on the last one, she heard a tapping sound coming from the kitchen. No one ever knocked on the back door, especially past nine p.m. She peered around the doorway of her office. Through the French doors she could see the silhouette of a tall man. With a flutter that ran straight through her, she realized it was Parker.

Sophie combed her fingers through her hair, cursing the fact that she’d changed into a T-shirt and yoga pants when she’d gotten home.
Shit.
She wiped her fingers over her nose, hoping her face wasn’t too shiny.

The rapping came again, and she realized if she didn’t get to the door soon, he was going to leave. She turned the lock, still not believing Parker stood on her deck.

“Hey,” he said. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.” His hair swept low over his eyes, and he looked sweet and shy. He looked like the boy she’d fallen in love with.

“Not at all. I just finished up some work.”

A smile spread across Parker’s face. “Well, in that case, you wanna have a beer?” He held up two bottles.

Grinning, Sophie nodded. “By the pool?”

“Sure.” Parker stepped aside so she could join him on the deck.

The night air was warm and humid for early summer, the sky a deep blue from the last remnants of the sunset. “The water’s not too cold. We could put our feet in.”

“Okay.” Parker kicked off his shoes and pulled off his socks then went to work cuffing up his jeans.

Sophie was already barefoot so she settled herself on the edge of the pool, dipping her feet into the cool water as she tugged her black yoga pants up above her knees. Parker lowered himself next to her, and she noticed another scar, this one running up the side of his muscular calf. Again he caught her staring. Her cheeks prickled, but Parker didn’t do anything more than hold up one of the beers.

He twisted the cap off and handed it to her then opened his with a smirk. “You know half of me feels like we should be drinking these over in the shadows so your folks don’t catch us.”

Laughter tumbled out of Sophie. “I can’t believe they never caught us.”

“Do you think they knew and just didn’t say anything?”

“My dad? Not say anything? No way. He thought I was a good girl.”

Parker smiled. “You were a good girl. A good girl who could out drink her guy friends, but still a good girl.”

She smacked him on the arm, stunned by how solid he felt beneath her hand. Her stomach flip-flopped.

“Sitting out here is my favorite thing about moving back to my parents’ house.”

“I can see why. Peaceful. And your landscaping looks great.”

“Yeah,” Sophie said. “I’ve been using this awesome company, Wood something or another… I’ve heard the owner’s kinda cute.” The minute the words left her mouth, she held her breath.
What’s the matter with you?

“Oh you’ve heard that, have you? He’s probably a total ass.”

“I don’t think so.” Sophie’s heart beat irregularly. She sipped her beer, trying to keep from doing something stupid like going in for a kiss and inadvertently falling into the pool.

Parker took a long swallow of beer. Sitting by the pool with Sophie felt more normal—more enjoyable—than anything he’d done in the past two years. He’d never imagined it could feel so good to just sit and talk to someone. Not that he didn’t have other things on his mind. Watching her, with her dainty feet trailing across the water, her breasts straining against the soft fabric of her T-shirt, which brushed against his arm whenever she leaned toward him, it was as if he were sixteen again. Awkward and horny and wondering if she’d smack him if he tried to kiss her.

“Are you back at work already?” Sophie asked.

“Pretty much. I’ve been doing all the scheduling and books and stuff for the past six months while my dad was really sick.”

Sadness filled Sophie’s eyes, and he wanted to talk about anything else.

“I can’t even imagine doing all that while you were still at the rehab center,” she said.

“They were pretty great about it. I was there so long I knew damn near everyone. They’d even let me use their offices sometimes.”

“I’m sure you charmed your way into whatever you needed.”

She thinks I’m charming.
A rush of heat coursed through him, settling in his groin. He wanted to reach out, to touch her, but he remained perfectly still.
Christ, I’m out of practice.
He took another swallow of beer.

Sophie bit her lip, drawing his full attention to the tempting swell of her mouth. Parker was about to speak when her cell phone interrupted with a loud buzzing that startled them both.

“Crap,” Sophie said. “I have to get this. Work.”

She hopped up, sending a delicate spray of water onto Parker’s legs. He tried not to eavesdrop, but the sound of her voice was too alluring. “I promise, Kelsey, I’ll get it all taken care of this weekend. I’ll find you something perfect. No worries, okay?”

She paced back and forth while she talked, throwing Parker an eye roll and mouthing the word “Sorry”.

He didn’t mind. He’d wait all night to keep talking to her.

“Okay, Kels. I’ll email you all the details, just enjoy your weekend.” She hung up, slid the phone back into her pocket then seated herself alongside Parker again. A shiver ran through him when her leg brushed his as she slipped her feet back into the water.

“Everything okay?” he asked, trying to ignore the humming sensation that vibrated through him.

“Nervous bride. I’m going to a big trade show on Saturday, and she’s dying to know if I find anything new and noteworthy.” Sophie paused, running her fingers through the water. “Actually, I have an extra pass. You could come with…if you want.”

“To a wedding show?”
Wait, did she just ask me out?

“It’s a gourmet food show—caterers, bakeries, importers—samples of everything. You basically eat your way through it. But you don’t have to come. I mean, I know you don’t really have any food at your house yet, I just thought…”

He loved the fact that she was rambling. She was nervous he’d say no. “Sounds great. I’d love to go.”

Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Sure. What time?”

“It runs all day, but I like to go late morning so everyone’s all set up but no one’s run out of anything yet.”

“Perfect. I just have to be back by four. Weekly date.”

Her face fell. “Oh, okay. Sure. I can try to get an extra pass if you want to bring your girlfriend.”

Girlfriend?
It took him a second to realize that she’d assumed he meant he had a romantic date. “That won’t be necessary. I just need to be on time. She gets pretty pissed if I’m late.”

“If you can’t come with me, that’s okay. I mean, I don’t want her to get mad or anything…”

Parker tried to keep as straight a face as possible. “Well, she
is
pretty controlling. We’ve been seeing each other about a year now, and she’s adamant that we stick to our schedule. She’s damn near impossible to please. Works me over so hard it hurts. And I pay her for it.”

Sophie’s eyes bugged. “You what?”

Parker let out a chuckle. “She’s not my girlfriend. I see my physical therapist on Saturday afternoons. She’s old enough to be my mom and she’d probably smack me in the head for giving you a hard time, but I couldn’t help myself.”

The scowl on Sophie’s face made it impossible for him to keep from laughing. Somehow even with her lips pursed and her brow furrowed, she managed to look even more beautiful.

“You don’t need your therapist to smack you. I’ll take care of that.” She swatted the back of his head the same way she used to when they were kids and one of his jokes pissed her off. And just like then, he liked the fact that she had any reason to put her hands on him.

He couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “I told you the landscaping guy was an ass.”

Chapter Four

“I’d better let you get some sleep,” Parker said, though he didn’t really want to leave.

Sophie glanced at her watch. “Oh my God, it’s past midnight. I can’t believe it’s so late.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I enjoyed the company.” She glanced at her lap, and her hair fell across her face. Parker wanted to sweep it behind her shoulder, feel its silkiness beneath his fingers, draw her in for a slow, sweet kiss. Unsure if the moment was right, he resisted. He stood, extending a hand to help her up. Her warm, soft skin felt so inviting he rethought the kiss, but once again she looked down.
Shy? Or afraid I’m going to do something stupid like make a move when she doesn’t want me to?
He felt sixteen again.
Jesus.

“I should probably call the next time instead of just popping over.”

Sophie’s smile warmed him from head to toe. “You can call any time you want. Do you have your phone? I’ll give you my number.”

Parker patted his pockets. “Shit. I left it charging in the kitchen.”

“Oh.” Disappointment colored her lovely features.

“Here, I’ll give you my number, and you can text me yours.”

Her face brightened. He watched as her long fingers flew over the keyboard, typing in his name and number. “Done.” The warm smile reappeared, as did Parker’s desire to kiss her. “But you don’t have to call to stop by. We’ll do like we did when we were kids. If I’m home and up for company, I’ll leave the back lights on.”

Parker chuckled. “Only I won’t have to worry about waking your parents and getting us both grounded.”

Parker made his way back to his house. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so much. His ribs were sore, his jaw ached and the heat that had concentrated below his waist for most of the evening was driving him insane. He traipsed up the stairs, stripping off his shirt as he went, unable to stop thinking about Sophie. He could still smell the sweet scent of her hair, could still hear the gentle vibrating tone of her laughter.

The freedom of being able to sleep in the nude was something he’d yet to get used to, but tonight he was particularly grateful for it. He stepped out of his jeans and boxers and fell into bed. The cool sheets felt refreshing against his overheated skin. After years of roommates and nurses, he finally had privacy. No need to sneak off to the bathroom and hope no one noticed how long he was gone. No worries about anyone overhearing.

He ran his hand down his stomach, feeling every nerve ending ignite in anticipation. His eyes closed, and Sophie filled his mind. This wasn’t the first night that Sophie had unknowingly guest starred in his fantasies, but it was certainly among the more vivid. He stroked slowly, focusing on her image, the bow of her lips, the fullness of her breasts, the curve of her legs—imagining he was working his way over every inch of her.

A groan escaped him. He’d been achingly aroused for the better part of the past several hours, and now every sensation seemed magnified. Slowing his pace, he controlled his breathing, prolonging the anticipation. Pain had become such a prominent part of his life, he’d learned to make the most of pleasure.

He paused, giving himself a second to regain control. As much as he wanted to come he forced himself to wait, knowing the payoff would be that much sweeter if he did. The urgency faded, and he resumed stroking, drawing out each pass, wondering what it would be like if Sophie were there with him. Would she like things slow and sensual? Hot and fast? Would her touch be gentle? Forceful? Hungry? Imagining her hands on him, her nails skating across his skin, her body pressed to his, he gave in to the sensations and let them overtake him.

 

 

Sophie tried to sleep but found it impossible to quiet her mind. Parker had agreed to spend the day at the food show with her. Her pulse sped just thinking about it.
Is this a date? Or is he lonely and thinks this is a friendly afternoon outing?

She’d been on a half-dozen dates since her divorce had been finalized, and not one of them had inspired her to accept a second invitation. Some were nicer than others, but none had held her interest. Talking to Parker was an entirely different matter. In spite of the years they’d gone without seeing each other, it felt like no time had passed. The easy comfort between them was prominent. The old attraction burned even hotter than she remembered.

BOOK: Leave the Lights On
7.21Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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