Chapter 57
fifty-seven
PARKER
My birthday and defence loomed in my immediate future. My twenty-seventh birthday gave my mother to throw an intense, annoying party for her friends. Again, the goal was to introduce me to any eligible woman she could. Astrid was too wilful in her eyes. In mine, Astrid was perfect. The more time I spent sharing everything with her, the more I knew . This was it, and I was willing to make every attempt to keep seeing her.
I had yet to tell my mother I had no plan to return to our estate after I passed my defence. I needed time to steel myself against her ire, which required mental preparation. My mother’s continued assumption was that I would soon be home, interested in marrying and making babies. Instead, my only interests remained finishing my thesis defence and spending every waking hour with Astrid.
The latter consumed me. If we had fifteen minutes to spare, we’d end up together—such as when I planned to have lunch with my mother and finalise party details.
Astrid
You want lunch?
Me
I’m meeting Mum for lunch
Astrid
My housemates are out. I think you should have a pre-lunch lunch.
Me
?
Astrid
You aren’t hungry for me?
Me
Oh, you want me to eat you out?
Astrid
Of course. Unless you’re opposed
Me
I’ll be there in five!
Astrid
I’ll be naked in bed, just come in.
I never turned her down. Making Astrid lose her damn mind was my greatest pursuit. True to her word, she was in bed—naked and willing. I didn’t even disrobe. I dove between her legs, tasting how wet and excited she already was. Astrid pulled my hair and moaned my name. The smell and sound of her gave me pleasure. She was desperate for me, and nothing else would do. The feeling was mutual. I escaped all my self-doubt here between her beautiful pale thighs. I might be shit at everything, but not this.
“Make me cum,” Astrid said. “Make me lose it, Parker.”
I looked up. “You don’t tell me what to do, Astrid.”
“Please, baby,” Astrid pleaded. “I need it.”
Torturing her appealed the most. She wanted it. So, I stopped, wiping my chin and slipped my fingers inside her. She shivered, her eyes locked on mine.
“Good? Does this work?” I asked.
She nodded, biting her lip. The look of her writhing there satisfied me like no other visual. I delayed my gratification, knowing it would be all the more amazing when I did get to take her and fuck her hard.
“More, please, Parker,” Astrid clamped my hand against her pussy.
I obliged—I thrust in one finger, then two. The louder she panted, the wetter she got. I knew she wanted me to make her squirt. She was greedy.
“How did you get this wet waiting for me?” I asked.
“I may have been touching myself when I texted you. I’m a naughty, greedy girl.”
“Will you be a good girl and cum for me, Astrid? Scream for me?”
“ Ouais ,” Astrid moaned, throwing her head back. “ Mon Dieu ! Parker, don’t stop!”
I could not resist the melange of French and English that spilt from Astrid. She shuddered, pressing my palm against her clit as she pulled around my fingers. I continued to tickle her engorged g-spot as she screeched—fully taken by the satisfaction I gave her. She was dripping—having exploded all over me.
“You’re going to have to wash the duvet, darling,” I said.
Astrid pulled me towards her, wrapping me in a kiss. I wanted to be in her so badly.
“I am a very dirty girl, what can I say?”
My mobile vibrated in my pocket. She felt it.
“What is it?”
I groaned at it. “Mum. I’m about to be very late for lunch, Asti.”
Astrid rolled her eyes, pouting. “You don’t want to have me? After I’ve been so selfish?”
“I cannot risk her wrath, my love. I haven’t the mental energy.”
I kissed her goodbye, delaying my happiness.
“Parker, you cannot be?—”
“Trust me. I will get mine later,” I said. “That was good enough for now. Are you happy, Astrid?”
She rolled on her side, still beautifully naked. “Yes. We can rendezvous again after I meet Briggs to sign my letter.”
“Yes. Let’s go out to dinner to celebrate!”
It was an exciting day—one that officially tied Astrid to this place. I couldn’t wait to tell her I planned to look at houses soon. I knew she could stay at Nepobaby Station but wanted her to move in with me. I hadn’t broached the subject, but maybe I would this evening. Shalestone wasn’t a happening place, but I couldn’t bear to part with Astrid. I’d be close enough to conduct my business in London for the estate. We’d figure it out together.
“You’re wonderful. I love you, Parker.”
I smiled. “I love you more, Astrid.”
I left, ducking out the front on a swift walk of shame to the restaurant where I met Mother. She refused to stop by mine—claiming it was a sad bachelor pad unworthy of her aristocratic arse. Perhaps it was true? I was interested in moving out and having space to grow—hopefully with Astrid by my side.
“Oh, there you are,” Mum sighed. “Parker, you’re exhausting. Always late!”
“I had things to do,” I said. “You insist on meeting me here in the middle of a busy day. I’m revising my thesis.”
“Why? I thought it was done.”
It was never done.
“My committee gave me comments. I need to incorporate suggested changes, mother.”
“Fine. Fine. So, what do you want to do? Are you even coming down? I’ve invited everyone, Parker.”
We invited the whole of London society to the party at our estate. Mother was undoubtedly putting up dozens, and others would come down the night before.
“I will come home, Mum—along with Astrid.”
She pulled a face. “I was hoping to introduce you to women… suitable ones.”
“Astrid is a princess, Mother! What more could I do for you? Need I remind you how happy she makes me?”
“She is argumentative, impulsive, and in no position to give you children unless she quits her academic pursuits!”
“We aren’t having children right now, no. She is in no rush to marry. Newsflash—I’m not, either! But she loves me, and I love her. She’s amazing, Mum. I am sorry you don’t see it.”
“You’re willing to wait all that time when there are suitable girls?”
“Mum, I can wait as long as it takes for the right person.”
“And she is?”
“I hope she is,” I admitted.
No one else had ever appreciated me the way Astrid did. Nobody was so wonderful and caring or had ever given me so much. She wasn’t the one I thought I wanted initially, but she was the one I needed. Astrid was the only woman willing to argue with me. Her family was wonderful. I loved her now—unwilling to give up on my beautiful growing relationship with a wild princess I had no business having.
“When will she graduate?”
“I don’t know mother. Let’s discuss the party.”
She rolled her eyes, “Fine, but don’t forget your father’s plans for you—to be the head of the family. That includes these obligations?—”
“I am twenty-seven, Mother! Not forty-seven! I’m well aware of my obligations , but if I wed someone, I would want to know that she is the love of my life. I love Astrid and want to try with her.”