Chapter 22
PARKER
This was dangerous.
My desire to have Delaney think of tonight during her every waking moment, and sleeping ones too, was trouble. Even recognizing it, I couldn’t stop. I wanted her to crave me the same way as I craved her. Every second we were together, I wanted more.
More time to talk.
More time to get to know her.
More kisses.
More of this.
The second she nodded, I moved between her, guiding myself into her. All day I imagined this, being inside of her. Pleasing her.
“Fuck.” I couldn’t help it. We just fit together so damn perfectly.
Delaney grabbed my shoulders as I eased all the way into her. Kissing her, I stayed that way until I was sure she’d adjusted to me. And then I began to move. Slowly at first, picking up the pace as she met each and every thrust.
Slipping my hand between us, I did the one thing that would ensure she didn’t forget this anytime soon. Lifting myself up, I moved in and out, rubbing her with my thumb and staring directly into those beautiful eyes of hers.
“This is only the beginning,” I said, changing up the pace. “I really hope you didn’t plan on getting any sleep tonight.”
Her mouth opened, but Delaney didn’t say anything. Instead she watched me, meeting every thrust.
“I want you to try to get out of this bed in the morning,” I said, moving faster and faster. “But your legs will barely support you. I’m going to fuck you in every position, and just when you think we’re done, I’m going to fuck you some more.”
“Oh my God. Parker. When you say things like that…”
Our pace was indescribable. Two people had never moved in such perfect rhythm before. Remembering she was unlikely to come that way alone, I made sure not to forget to use my fingers to bring Delaney to climax.
“This time, though, I plan to come with you. The very second you feel it.” We moved faster and faster. “I want you to tell me. Say it, cupcake. Tell me when you come.”
“I…”
“How does that feel? Do you like it like this?” I slowed down. “Or like this?”
“Both. Both. Parker, I can’t.”
“What can’t you do? Come for me? Sure you can. Do it. Come with me, Delaney.”
It was as if something had held her back until that second, but Delaney suddenly decided to let it all go. We moved together almost wildly until she called my name. Encouraging her, telling Delaney she could say anything, scream as loud as she wanted, she began to tense.
I removed my hand, pushed deep inside her, and together we both let go. Every muscle in my body tensed as I held myself over her. Our mouths found each other’s as waves of pleasure came crashing down.
I’d wanted to give her a night to remember, but ended up doing the same for myself. It was as if we had been intimate many times before. There was no awkwardness. No apologies. Just the two of us letting our instincts take over.
Rolling to my back, as spent as I’d promised Delaney she would be, I tried to catch my breath, finally looking over at her.
“I feel like I need a cigarette.”
“Do you smoke?” I asked.
“No. Do you?”
“No, but I will partake in the occasional cigar under the right circumstances.”
Not wanting to move but knowing I had to clean up, I managed to slide off the bed and do just that, coming back into the bedroom to see Delaney propped on one elbow. Gloriously naked. An absolute masterpiece.
“I wish you could see yourself right now,” I said, joining her in the bed. Together we managed to get under the comforter and sheets. Pulling her into my side, I took a deep breath, content.
“Three times. Right in a row. I think that’s a record for me.”
I smiled into the darkness. “We’re just getting started. I hope you realize that.”
“Tonight, you mean?”
I shifted to the side to see her face, unable to read her expression.
“Tonight, yes. But maybe after tonight, too?”
Whether or not it was the right answer, I wasn’t certain. All I could do was give her honesty. And the honest to God’s truth was, I had no idea what was going to happen next.
“We’ve already established,” I continued, “that we’re two people who are broken. Relationship wise. So maybe we can be broken together?”
“What does that mean, exactly?”
Laughing, I admitted, “I have no idea.”
Delaney smiled. “I’ll tell you one thing, you certainly have my number, that’s for sure.”
“Oh, yeah? Glad to hear it.”
Leaning my head down, since Delaney seemed to like when I whispered into her ear, I said, “How about you tell me what you like the most, and I will do it again. And again. And again. And again.”
“Seriously?” She laughed. “How many times do you think you can actually get me to come in one night?”
“I’m not sure,” I said, spinning us around so Delaney was on top of me. “But I’m thinking it might be fun to find out.”
* * *
Seven times.
Delaney claimed it was a record for her, and I believed her. When I woke up, I hadn’t wanted to leave the bed. Knowing she wasn’t an early riser, after watching her sleep in my arms for a while, I eventually got up, thinking to start cleaning out the house.
After making coffee, I tossed food we hadn’t used and packed the rest in the car. After I loaded and started the dishwasher, the only thing left to do was put those away when they were finished and strip our bed.
“Look at you, Mr. Morning Guy. Penny for your thoughts?”
I’d been staring out at the mountain, clear skies leaving more than five or six inches of snow by the looks of it. Turning, I watched as Delaney poured herself a cup of coffee.
“I was thinking we’d have to strip the bed. But now I’m thinking of stripping you instead.”
She laughed. “There is absolutely no chance my body could handle what might happen if you did.”
Smiling, I asked if she was sore.
“Yes. And you don’t look very remorseful about that either.”
“I’m not,” I admitted.
Delaney joined me.
“That was, without a doubt, the greatest night of sex I’ve ever had in my life.”
I just couldn’t quit smiling. “Glad to hear it.” I leaned over to kiss her. It was meant to be a quick kiss, but her lips were too damn soft and inviting. A few minutes later, pulling away, I took a sip of coffee.
She cleared her throat.
I nearly spit out the coffee laughing. She was very predictable, my redheaded bedmate.
“I knew not answering would get a rise out of you.”
“Did you now?”
“I did. And it was unequivocally the greatest night of sex I’ve ever had too,” I added finally. Then, to be certain she knew it was true, “Delaney. I’m serious. We really are incredible together.”
“In bed,” she clarified.
That’s not what I meant, but I didn’t want to scare her. Despite last night, she was still very much scarred from her last relationship.
“Sure,” I agreed without much conviction. “Honestly, I had a great time yesterday. And last night.”
“Me too.”
We stood beside each other for a few minutes, no words needed. I assumed Delaney was thinking about some of the same things I was. No matter how things went between us, I had a feeling I’d be thinking about our night together for a very, very long time.
“I don’t want to leave,” she said finally, echoing my thoughts.
“It is an incredible house,” I said, looking around and finally landing my gaze on a not-so-pleased Delaney. At least, she was pretending to be displeased. I was pretty sure she could tell I was teasing.
“Exactly,” she said, her tone dry. “The house is just too amazing. My thoughts exactly.”
Laughing, I winked. “Seriously though, it’s a great house.”
“Speaking of the house… when is that workshop in Rochester you mentioned?”
“I think it’s next weekend. It could be filled already. Why?”
“You should check it out.”
“Maybe I will.” I took a step toward the closest wall, running a hand over the wood. “There are a lot of benefits to being in log cabin construction.”
“Such as?”
“It’s a niche market which means I wouldn’t be taking business away from my boss.”
“The one you don’t like?”
I peeked over at Delaney, who took a sip of coffee, looking as innocent as can be.
“Yeah,” I admitted. “That one. He’s a better guy than he is a boss, if you know what I mean.”
“I totally do. Some people are great to hang out with, not so great to work for.”
“Exactly.”
“What are the other benefits?”
“It’s a specialized expertise with higher margins since log cabins are considered premium properties. They’re also usually built using sustainable materials, which is good for the environment.”
“Sounds to me like you should go to that workshop.”
I took my hand off the wall and closed the distance between us. Without a word, I took her coffee cup and put both hers and my own on the closest table. Making my way back to her, I wrapped my hands around the back of her neck, pulling Delaney close.
The kiss was slow. Deliberate.
It told Delaney how glad I was to be here with her. How much I didn’t want to leave. How much I’d enjoyed our night together. With her arms around my waist, like before, we fit together as if Delaney and I were made for each other.
Never stay the night.
We made it a rule with good reason. If the goal was not to fall for a woman, not to fall in love, not to get married, spending an entire night pleasing and holding each other like we had was, without a doubt, counterproductive.
At the time, I hadn’t hesitated. Seeing the dark hole my mother had fallen down after my father’s betrayal, pretending to be fine when we knew she wasn’t, had affected me deeply.
I shook off the memory.
“It’s hard to believe,” Delaney said when we stopped, “that I’m kissing you, with that view, but soon I’ll be standing behind a counter for eight hours with probably very few customers, bored to tears.”
“Snow?” I asked.
“Yeah. You’d think living in upstate New York people would be a bit hardier. More than an inch or two, the place is dead.”
“They’ve gotten spoiled around the lake. Back home, no one would blink at three inches.”
“Why does it snow less on the lake anyway?”
“It has to do with the lake temperature and moisture absorption. And wind patterns too.”
“Interesting.”
“You know what’s even more interesting?”
“No,” she said, her arms tightening around me, as if I’d planned on going anywhere. “What?”
“You. Everything about you interests me, Delaney. Let me bring you dinner tonight. Keep you company.”
She made a face. “You really want to spend your night in an empty pharmacy?”
“It won’t be empty. You’ll be there. So yes. I do. Very much.”