Chapter 27
Lily
“Can I come?” Ethan follows behind me as I let Tulips outside in the backyard.
“Do you want to carry a bunch of heavy boxes?”
“Yeah, I can help!”
I sigh; I shouldn’t have told him I was going to help Bailey and Wes move today.
I really shouldn’t have told him Parker was most likely going to be there.
It’s kind of cute how much he likes him, but also I’d like to be able to see Parker without pretending like we’re teenagers sneaking around in the dead of night so we aren’t caught.
Though, I don’t know how much I’ll get to be around him today. Just the thought of seeing him has me excited.
“How about you stay back and entertain Tulips today? I think you’ll get bored over there.”
“No, I won’t,” Ethan argues.
“Just stay here with Jerry Lee, he could use some attention,” I suggest.
“He always yells at me.”
“Me too, but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? Teach him some fun things to say, like some of your kid slang.”
Ethan grimaces, “Don’t say that.”
“What? Kid slang?” I repeat.
“Yeah, that’s not cool.”
“Well, my bad for not being a cool older sister.”
“It’s okay. Parker is cool, you can make it up to me by bringing him over when you’re done.”
I laugh. “Maybe. If he’s busy then I can’t do anything about that.”
“Sure you can. If he’s busy he’ll change his plans for you.”
“What makes you think that?”
“He’s said it before. He’ll do anything for you if you ask.” Ethan shrugs like it’s not a big deal even though now knowing he’s said that to my little brother has the butterflies going wild in my stomach.
“When did he say that?” I squeak, thinking maybe it was recent and that could just be part of his plan to win me back which he’s made extremely obvious.
“Um, a few times, even before you moved back.”
Goddammit, Parker.
“Great, well I’m glad to hear you two can’t stop talking about me,” I joke to try and lighten the mood.
Ethan scoffs. “We do not.”
“It’s okay that you’re obsessed with me. I am your older sister, wiser, a role model, someone to look up to.”
“You wish.” Ethan chuckles, and I join in laughing with him.
“I’ll see if Parker can come over after we’re done helping, deal?”
“Deal.”
I didn’t realize the chaos that would be Bailey and Wes’s new house.
Not the actual house, but everyone who’s here helping them move.
It turns out Bailey comes from a pretty large family.
She hasn’t been close with them most of her life but has started to work on that relationship.
They live in Denver but apparently have made the trip to come here to help.
I’ve met her older brother, Brent, who’s a retired hockey player, along with his girlfriend and her two other boyfriends. Who also happen to be hockey players.
“Hold on, you’re with all three of them?” I ask the beautiful brunette, Chandler, who’s wrangling her two young daughters.
“Yup,” she says proudly.
“You…are…a goddess. Tell me your ways. What did you do? Do you have some sort of magical pus—”
A hand is over my mouth. “Ignore her, she’s not well,” Parker speaks, and I shove my elbow into his stomach hard enough he lets out a “Oof” noise. But he removes his hand from me.
“I’m fine, but you are my new role model, and I want to hear everything about your life. And how you handle three hockey players, my God.”
Chandler chuckles. “I like you.”
I beam; glad I didn’t scare her away from my rambling. But then her older daughter Evie is running off and getting a little too close to a fence that doesn’t look too stable, and Chandler has to go chase after her.
I’ve also met Bailey’s sister, Brynn, and her husband who’s also a hockey player.
Parker goes to help carry a bed frame and I sidle up next to Sutton who’s too pregnant to be allowed to help with any of the lifting. “I’ve never been around so many hot men, maybe I should start watching some hockey.”
“Easy there, you’re going to make Parker jealous.” Sutton smirks.
“Maybe he should play some hockey then.”
“Hah, firefighters are pretty hot too. You like him just the way he is, don’t try to deny it.”
I look over to where him and Jameson are carrying a large bed frame inside. Parker’s biceps are flexed, stretching the fabric of his shirt to its limit and I’m close to drooling. It’s true, he doesn’t need to play hockey because he’s damn fine just the way he is.
“You okay?” Sutton nudges my shoulder with her own.
“Ever wanted to go to a sex club?” I blurt.
Sutton sputters, “Nope, I can’t say I have.”
“Hm. I would. Might be fun.”
“You want to watch or be watched?” She laughs.
“Either, but I’m always down to watch a hot couple. I’d watch you guys.”
Sutton shakes her head. “That’s not happening.”
“Why not? Friends send friends porn.”
She hasn’t stopped laughing. “Maybe you can convince Bailey of that.”
“Yeah right, we both know you and Jameson are more into exhibitionism than she is.”
“What do you mean?” She gasps.
“Don’t play dumb with me. I know things.” I wink, then start to walk away to try and befriend Chandler a little more.
“What things? Hold on, Lily, what do you know?” Sutton chases after me while I just continue to laugh.
I won’t tell her that Parker swears he heard something happening in the firetruck a little while back. I just think it’s rude she won’t share some of their hotness with others. I’d share if she asked.
After helping with the kids, and some of the moving, though I left most of that up to the guys, we all go inside to relax and unwind from the chaos. Chandler’s two daughters seem to have endless amounts of energy even though I’m convinced they have to be tired.
Bailey’s sister, Brynn, has twin boys that are impossible for me to tell apart with how identical they are.
Even though they’re not quite one I can already tell she’s going to have her hands full with both of them.
Especially as I’ve gotten to know her and her husband, Colton.
If these boys are anything like the two of them, they’re in trouble.
I also keep noticing Parker looking at me.
While I try not to let my eyes linger on him for too long, sometimes I can’t help it.
Especially when his eyes do that thing, sweeping over me before seeming to light on fire.
At least it makes me feel like I’m on fire with the amount of heat he’s looking at me with.
My eyes narrow, and I go to pull out my phone to text him and tell him to take a picture, it’ll last longer, but I pat my pockets and don’t feel it. I look around at the floor around me, and don’t see it.
“You okay?” Bailey asks.
“Yeah, I don’t know where my phone went.
Maybe I dropped it.” I stand up and think about where it could be.
The last place I remember being was the extra bedroom they’re currently using for storage while they work on unpacking.
“I’ll be right back.” Everyone is chatting so no one really pays much attention to me as I leave the room in search for my missing phone.
That should be a murder mystery title for something. If anyone I know wants to write a book or a screenplay, I’ll have to let them know. Like Nancy Drew or something. But for adults. And hot.
I really wish I had a way to call myself to have any idea where my phone is in here. There are boxes piled around the room, and a mattress on the floor I think will end up being a guest bed when they get to it.
If I were a phone, where would I be hiding?
I place my hands on my hips, looking around, hoping it’ll just pop out at me and make my life easier. The door shuts, and I whip around because I definitely didn’t hope for that to happen.
Parker is standing there and my shoulders relax.
Though, the way he’s looking at me right now has my body lighting on fire.
I swear this man can make a basic white T-shirt, jeans, and a backwards hat look downright sexual.
And don’t get me started on his mustache; I never thought I would like it, but right now I’m seconds away from trying to ride.
“What’re you doing?” I manage to say, only to stop my rogue thoughts.
“Seemed like you needed help.”
“Sure you weren’t just trying to get me alone?”
He smirks, stepping closer. “That too.”
“We’re in a house full of people we know, and some we don’t.”
“They won’t miss us.”
“Speak for yourself, everyone tends to miss me.” I flip my ponytail to the side.
“You’re right. I sure have.” He grabs my hip with one of his large hands and pulls me into his body roughly.
“Yet, you want to take things slow,” I exaggerate the last word with my disgust at the idea.
“Slow, but not nonexistent.” His hand snakes around me, pressing into my lower back so I’m plastered against him.
I can feel he’s already hard, and it makes me want to feel more of him.
I don’t want things slow. I want to jump headfirst into dangerous territory just to feel.
I want to feel how things used to. I want to feel what they could be like. I just want to feel something.
“I can only be patient for so long, you know?” I run my hand up his chest, feeling the defined muscles under the fabric.
He’s always been in shape, but he’s filled out so much and I can only imagine how much stronger he is now.
Add in the pent-up sexual energy and I hope this man throws me around the room when he finally snaps.
Or when I do, because let’s be honest, I don’t know how long I can keep playing his slow game.
“Oh, I know, but I’ll enjoy toying with you as long as you let me.” His fingers move under my shirt to graze the skin of my lower back, softly, teasingly.
“I’ll be the one toying with you.” I smirk. “I know you’ll be on your knees for me.”
On cue, Parker holds onto my hips as he slides onto the floor, looking up at me from his knees. “I’ll gladly be on my knees for you every single day you’ll have me.”
“Glad to see you’re willing to start now.” I bite back a giddy smile that wants to be set free.
“I’m more than willing, Lil, just say the word.”
I lift my head slightly. “Go ahead, then.”
Parker smirks, hooking his fingers in my waistband.
Just as he’s about to pull them down the door swings open.
I gasp, leaping back away from Parker. He stays kneeling on the ground, his head turned toward our intruder.
I finally look over to see who it is, and Wes is still standing there with his hand on the doorknob.
No one speaks at first, and I’m frozen thinking about what could have happened if he came in like a minute later.
“This seems familiar. But I’ve never been caught,” Wes grunts.
I huff, pretending like I’m unfazed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, there’s nothing to catch.”
Wes just lets out a noise that I’m sure means he doesn’t believe me.
“Oh, look, there it is. Found it!” I announce, leaning down to pick up nothing off the floor. I just want to leave this situation.
“What’d you find?” Wes questions.
“My thing I lost, got it.”
I start to walk toward the door to run out, but there’s a brick wall named Wes in the way.
“I thought you were looking for your phone,” Parker adds unhelpfully.
“Anyway,” I exaggerate the single word. “This has been fun, please set me free.”
Wes steps to the side so I can leave, and I don’t look back as I join everyone back in the living room. Parker isn’t far behind, and as soon as our eyes meet he gives me a wink. If I wasn’t already sitting, I think my knees would give out.
I think we’re on the same page with having some unfinished business the next time we’re alone. And I hope it’ll be sooner rather than later.
“Chandler,” she turns toward me with a soft smile, “Do you all share a bed or do you like hop around?”
“Lily,” Bailey scolds, but Chandler just laughs.
“I’m curious,” I defend.
“It’s okay, a lot of people are curious. I don’t care, I’ll answer anything you want to know.”
“Please, not anything.” Brynn covers her face with her hands. “One of your boyfriends is my brother.”
“Oh wow, that must be weird,” I comment.
“Only when they get gross.” Brynn shivers.
I bite my lip to physically stop myself from asking more questions because they all would probably cross the line. When I look over at Parker he’s just smiling at me. He knows my antics, and the best part is how much he likes them.
I never have felt like I need to dull myself down or watch what I say around him. He just gets me. He always has.