Chapter 62 Parker
PARKER
Iexhale slowly, letting a stream of air blow past my red-stained lips as I stare at myself in the mirror.
Feeling nervous is stupid. It’s just dinner with my parents and a boy I’ve known all my life.
They see him as one of their own. They love him.
But we’re going to turn up together.
They know we don’t get on. They’ve spent years watching us bicker, just like Rett and Casey did.
We agreed to tell them that he’s the colleague I’ve been living with. But we’re keeping everything that’s growing between us under wraps for now.
I’m not ready to hear others’ opinions.
Okay, Rett’s.
My parents will be happy for us, I’m sure. But Rett…he’s going to be another story.
All my life, he's been fiercely protective. No guy I’ve spent time with has ever been good enough, and I know for a fact that, despite Linc being his best friend, he isn’t going to live up to what Rett would want for me.
It’s bullshit. But I guess it’s his big brotherly right.
Linc is home. I heard him rush into the apartment a little over ten minutes ago after the meeting with his agent ran over. He messaged me the second he got out and told me to be ready.
Well, I am.
I’m also terrified.
It’s just Linc and your parents; you have nothing to be scared of.
I thought he was joking when he asked if he needed to wear a suit.
But it turns out that he was deadly serious. He wanted to be my plus-one tonight. Hell, he practically begged me.
It was…mind-blowing.
I was lying on his guest bed with my legs spread, everything on display, and he was asking to tag along to meet my parents. His hard dick was out the entire time, and we were talking about having basically a double date with my parents, as if it’s freaking normal.
Spoiler alert, it is not fucking normal.
It’s heart attack inducing.
I smooth my dress down with trembling hands before I force myself to move. If I stand here any longer, I’m going to convince myself that tonight isn’t necessary and go and hide in the bathroom.
Grabbing my purse, I walk out of my bedroom with my head held high, hoping like hell I can cover up the nerves that are running rampant under the surface.
My classic little black dress tickles against my thighs as I walk, and I swallow nervously.
After telling me that he was coming tonight, Linc handed me his credit card and told me to go shopping.
I tried giving it back to him, point-blank refusing to spend his money, but he wouldn’t have it.
He threatened to order something and have it delivered here, but I knew that he’d buy something ridiculously expensive. And while I know he’s good for it, I’m not interested in his money.
As it is, my dress still cost more than I’d usually spend for a dinner out with my parents. I just hope he likes it. And the shoes that I chose with a very vivid image in my head that I’m sure he’ll appreciate the fuck out of.
As I pass his room, I hear him moving around. I pause as the scent of his cologne hits my nose and I breathe him in. Just that small hit of him is enough to give me a little extra confidence.
Continuing forward, my heels begin to click against the kitchen floor.
I glance at the time. We need to leave.
Pulling my cell from my purse, I open Instagram as a distraction and scroll through Casey’s.
A smile pulls at my lips and warmth spreads through me as I take in her new little family.
And it only increases when I find a photo that shows Kodie gazing at her.
He is so in love with my girl; it’s the cutest thing.
I’m still staring at the photo when a shadow falls over me.
My breath catches, and I look up to find Linc looking devastatingly handsome in a fitted black shirt and a pair of dark gray slacks that look like they’ve been sculpted around his thighs.
Oh, holy hell.
“Wow, you look—”
“Nowhere near as hot as you,” he interrupts. “That dress. Those shoes,” he drawls, his tongue practically hanging out.
The dress is fitted with a square neckline, exposing a teasing amount of cleavage, and it stops a good few inches above my knees. And the shoes...well, he’s right. They’re classic black peep-toe court shoes with a bow at my heels.
“Shit. What I want to do to you in those shoes.”
My cheeks heat, probably giving away the innocent look I’m going for.
“Oh?”
He chuckles. “Nice try, pretty girl. But I know you’re thinking the same things. I can see it in your eyes.”
My smile grows.
“Are you ready?” I ask, changing the subject before we both have a reason not to leave the apartment.
“Yeah. Just one thing, though.”
“Oh?” I ask as he steps forward.
“My meeting didn’t run over. I actually stopped to get you something.” I frown as he pulls a gift bag from behind his back.
Oh my god.
Lincoln Storm is buying me gifts.
My heart flutters and my hands tremble harder the moment he holds the bag out for me to take.
“What did you do?”
Our eye contact holds for a few seconds, the air crackling between us.
“Open it.”
Turning, I rest the bag on the kitchen island and reach inside.
I swear my heart skips a beat when I pull out a black velvet jewelry box.
“Linc,” I breathe as I flip it open. “Oh my god.”
I blink a few times, unable to believe what I’m seeing.
“Do you like it?”
I look between his anxious expression and the beautiful tennis bracelet twinkling in the spotlights above us in awe.
“You…you bought me diamonds?”
“I didn’t know what dress you’d choose, so I kept it simple.”
“It’s…it’s…too much,” I blurt.
I dread to think how much this cost him.
“Never,” he states before stepping closer. “May I?”
The second I nod, he takes the box and places it on the counter before pulling the bracelet free. It’s so delicate and pretty, I’m terrified I’m going to break it and lose it.
“I know I’ve done everything wrong,” he says as he drapes the cool jewelry against my wrist. “But all I’ve tried to do is the right thing.
When you walked away after that night, I convinced myself that you regretted it.
That I’d ruined your night even more than he already had.
So I tucked my hurt away and got on with life.
You were always too good for me, anyway. ”
“Linc, no—” I start, but he continues, needing to get his point out.
“I never thought I’d get this chance. And as much as I hate what you had to go through to get here, I’m so fucking grateful for the time we’ve had together.”
Tears pool in my eyes as he deftly secures the bracelet.
“This time, I want to do everything right. I don’t want to rush. I don’t want to give you a reason to run. I just…I want you to want to be here. I want you to want me as much as I have always wanted you.”
A sob erupts as he cups my jaw, tenderly brushing his thumb across my cheek.
“Linc,” I whimper.
“You don’t need to say anything. Not now. I’ll give you all the time and space you need.” I quirk a brow in question. He smirks. “Apart from at night, when I’m sleeping right next to you. Have you noticed how well I play after you’ve spent the night in my arms?”
Maybe, but I didn’t want to say anything.
Ice hockey players are superstitious as fuck, and as much as I’d love to become a part of Linc’s, it’s also terrifying. It’s a lot of pressure to put on a person.
“I’m just…I’m all in, Parker. I need you to know that. We can keep it under wraps for as long as you want. We can take it as slow as you want. Anything. Just…be mine. Please.”
The more he talks, the more bricks tumble from the walls I’d built around myself after prom night. I needed to keep him out; otherwise, I knew I’d never survive. But things are different now. He isn’t the only one who’s changed. I have, too. And maybe, just maybe, I am ready for this.
“We really need to go,” Linc says when I stay quiet.
My heart is in my throat. He takes my hand and leads me toward the elevator.
The second the doors open and we step inside, my breath catches at the sight of us in the mirror.
“We look good, huh?” Linc muses.
Yeah. We do.
“You do know your parents love me, right?” Linc asks once we’re in his car and heading toward my parents’ side of town and my father’s favorite steak restaurant.
“Of course. I’ve heard them bleat on about you enough over the years.”
He lights up.
“Is that right?” he asks.
I chuckle as he takes the next turn.
“They’ll be okay with this…when you’re ready to tell them. Rett, too.”
“Really?”
“I mean, maybe not initially, but he’ll get used to the idea. He’ll have to. There isn’t really another option.”
Nerves continue to rattle through me, but the moment he reaches for my hand, everything gets a little quieter.
I wish I could be as calm as he is about all of this.
He parks beside my father’s truck and demands that I wait for him to open my door.
My need to tease him has my fingers twitching for the handle, but I hold myself back. There are times for playing games, and right now isn’t one of them.
He holds his hand out, and I happily slide my palm against his, allowing him to help me from his low Porsche.
As we walk toward the entrance, his hand finds its home on the small of my back. Heat radiates through me as his scent fills my nose. His silent support wraps around me, and I use it to keep me moving forward.
“Mr. Storm,” the ma?tre d’ sings as he steps up to his station.
“Great games this week.” The two men shake hands before he turns to me.
“Miss Donnelly, you’re looking ravishing tonight.
” Linc’s fingers twitch against my back, and I’m pretty sure I catch a low growl that rumbles in his chest. “Your parents are right over here. Please, come with me.”
We follow as instructed, and the second there’s a little space between us, I turn to Linc with a smile on my lips.
“Are you serious?” I whisper.
“What?”
“He’s like, three decades too old.”
His jaw tics, his fingers shifting again.
“He was looking at you. You’re mine, Parker.”
Warmth explodes from my head and seeps through the rest of my body.
Linc is hot even on his worst days, but jealous and possessive Linc? Whoa. I’m pretty sure my panties just melted.
The second we turn the corner, I spot my parents. It takes a moment, but both of their eyes widen in shock as they take in the man standing slightly behind me.
They look between the two of us, and their shocked faces morph into happy ones.
“See, everything is going to be fine,” Linc whispers in my ear as they both stand to greet us.
“Parker,” Mom breathes. “And Linc. This is a surprise.”
She pulls me in for a hug, and I instantly relax.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Dad and Linc shake hands before giving each other a man hug.
“PK,” Dad cries the second Mom releases me and pulls me into a hug.
“Well,” Mom starts as we take our seats. “When I suggested you bring a friend, this wasn’t what I was expecting.”
Mom studies us before turning to Dad. The pair share a look before turning back to us.
“So, to what do we owe this pleasure?” Dad asks, making me want to crawl under the table and hide.