9. Chloe
Chapter nine
Chloe
A s soon as I hang up with Parker, a rush of mixed emotions surges through me. Excitement, anticipation, nervousness, relief. They all swirl together in a heady concoction that leaves me jittery in my seat. I’ve been so consumed with work the last few days that the prospect of spending an evening away from it all, and more importantly with him, seems almost surreal.
I lean back in my chair and let out a long sigh, running a hand through my tousled hair. It’s been an exhausting day, and the thought of spending time with Parker, even if we do a little work before giving in to our desires, is incredibly comforting.
Getting up from my desk, I gather all my scattered listings and sort them out into a neat pile. As I do so, I can’t help but replay our conversation in my head over and over again. His offer to help was a sweet surprise; it shows a side of him that’s not just charm and flirtation but genuine care. I mean, he could have just invited me over for pizza. He didn’t have to offer to help me with my work.
Then, there were those other words he spoke that made my cheeks flare red. “ I’ve been missing you .” They hit me like a punch to the gut. There was something so raw and sincere about them that it makes me shiver to recall them.
Not wanting to delve deeper into this confusing territory, though, I quickly shake off these thoughts and focus on getting through the rest of the day.
***
A couple hours later, I find myself standing outside Parker’s front door, clutching my paperwork against my chest. I’m a mess, both inside and out. I run my fingers through my hair, trying to tame it, but I’m certain that it’s still a frizzy mess. Giving up, I take a deep breath and hit the doorbell. A moment later, Parker opens it, smiling widely at me.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he greets me warmly, making me blush instantly. “Glad you could make it.”
I smile back at him weakly, suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious under his gaze.
“Hey…” I mumble back shyly. “Thanks for…this.”
“No need to thank me, Chloe.” With a smile, he ushers me inside.
I step into the house and follow him into the living room. He’s got a pizza box waiting for us on his coffee table already, and my stomach growls at the sight of it.
“Make yourself at home,” he tells me. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving,” I reply, setting my documents on his dining table and moving towards the couch. The aroma of pizza fills the room, making me realize how famished I am.
We sit down at opposite ends of his plush, blue sofa, and he hands me a slice of pizza. He watches me as I take a bite, his eyes crinkling with pleasure when I moan appreciatively around my mouthful of food.
“You like it?” he asks before taking a bite out of his own slice.
“It’s delicious,” I respond, managing to swallow down my bite without choking.
We sit there for a while just eating and making light conversation about our respective days. He is attentive and charming, just as he always is, but there’s also this easy comfort between us that wasn’t there before.
“We can go into my office,” he says when we finish eating, and he starts to clean things up. “It’s a better space for working.”
“Okay.” I nod and stand up, grabbing my papers while doing so.
I follow Parker up the stairs and down a short hallway, past a set of modern, minimalist paintings that catch my eye.
“What’s this one?” I ask, pointing to one with unusual, abstract shapes.
“Oh, that.” He glances at the painting, and judging by the faint smile gracing his lips, I can tell that he’s fond of it. “An early Rothko. He’s a favorite of mine.”
“Your taste in art is as intriguing as you are,” I tease.
Parker chuckles. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
We finally reach his office, and I catch my breath. It’s spacious and modern with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook his large backyard. A sleek, wooden desk occupies the center of the room, surrounded by shelves filled with books, awards, and various trinkets.
“Wow, Parker, this is impressive,” I mutter and look around the room in awe.
He grins at me as he moves to stand behind his desk, looking pleased. “Glad you like it.”
We settle down on opposite sides of his desk, and I drop my papers in between us. The next few hours pass in a blur as we pore over my listings together. Despite our close proximity and the occasional brush of hands or legs under the table, Parker remains focused and keeps our work strictly professional.
Eventually, though, my brain begins to tire. I yawn, covering my mouth quickly to try and hide it.
Parker chuckles. “Sleepy?”
“A bit,” I admit with a small shrug. “It’s been a long day.”
He nods in agreement, then gets a strange look on his face. “We’ve done enough for today,” he says suddenly, shutting his laptop and standing up from his chair.
“But—”
“No buts,” he cuts me off with a gentle smile. “You’ve worked hard. It’s time to relax now. Come with me.”
I furrow my brow as he extends his hand to me. Hesitantly, I take it and let him pull me to my feet. Without a word, he leads me out of the office and down the hall toward his bedroom.
“What are we doing?” I ask, and a silly grin overtakes my face. “Are you going to screw my stress away?”
He smirks back at me and shakes his head. “As much fun as that sounds, I have something else in mind. Climb on the bed and lay on your belly.”
Now, I’m really confused. “Why?”
He turns to face me fully and rubs his hands together. “I’m going to give you a massage.”
I stare at him a moment before saying, “Oh. You don’t have to…”
“This isn’t a discussion,” he tells me firmly, though his eyes are twinkling with amusement. “Get on the bed before I throw you on it.”
I can’t help my grin, and I throw my hands up in surrender, although I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to that kind of treatment from him. “All right, all right! I’ll get on the bed.”
Crossing the room, I climb up onto the bed and settle in the middle of it on my stomach.
I can hear Parker moving around the room before he sits on the edge of the bed beside me. I feel the mattress dip under his weight, and then, his hands are on my back, pressing gently into my skin. I let out a sigh that’s half-surprise, half-relief.
“Just relax,” he instructs, his fingertips starting to knead into my shoulders. He’s careful with his touch, attentive to my responses. In an instant, my body starts to turn into jelly beneath his hands.
He moves down to my lower back, smoothing out the knots in my muscles along the way. I moan quietly, a low rumble in the back of my throat that makes him chuckle.
“That good?”
“Better than good,” I mumble into the pillow. “Your hands are magical.”
He laughs softly again but doesn’t reply. His fingers continue their soothing dance along my muscles. The minutes blend together as his touch moves in rhythm with my shallow breaths. He ventures out from my back to knead at my stiff arms and neck muscles clenching with tension.
“Thought you were a contractor,” I murmur. “Not a masseur.”
“I’m full of surprises,” he counters smoothly.
“You are, indeed.” The more relaxed I feel, the more sensitive my body seems to become. His firm, delicious touch is causing warmth to bubble up inside me and spread throughout my body. I press my thighs together when I feel myself starting to get wet.
“You good?” he asks, his voice a low rumble.
“Yeah,” I breath. “I’m-I’m good…really good…”
“Good,” he murmurs, his voice close to my ear. His breath is warm and makes my skin tingle. He slows his movements, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my upper back, causing my body to hum in satisfaction.
My clothes suddenly feel too constrictive. I want his hands on my bare skin. Truth be told, I want more than that. Much, much more.
There’s a silence that falls between us, then. I can hear Parker’s steady breaths, his body hovering over my own. The intimacy of the moment is undeniable, making my heart pound in my chest.
Finally, he pulls away, and I let out a sigh, disappointed at the loss of contact.
“Turn over,” Parker orders softly, and I obey without question.
My eyes meet his as I turn over onto my back. His gaze is soft but intense, making me feel exposed under his scrutiny. He smiles before letting his hands wander lower, massaging my sides and abdomen.
He presses just hard enough to make me moan. He chuckles and shakes his head slightly. “You are way too responsive.”
I blush deeply under his gaze but don’t break eye contact. “It’s your fault.”
His grin widens. “Is it now?”
He continues working on my abdomen, making sure to avoid any overly sensitive areas but still sending waves of pleasure through me with every press of his hand. He’s teasing me. Tormenting me, really. I can tell by the glint in his eyes that he knows exactly what he’s doing to me.
“Parker…” My voice comes out husky and pleading.
“Yes?” he asks lazily, feigning innocence while continuing to tease me with his hands.
“You know what…” I breathe out heavily.
“Do I?” he queries again, but this time, there’s a change in his voice—there’s a flirtatious undertone that wasn’t there before.
I close my eyes, feeling a shiver run down my spine as Parker’s hands wander closer to the hem of my shirt. I bite my lip, silently willing him to continue.
“Can I...?” he begins, his voice hoarse as his fingers trace the hemline of my shirt.
I nod, offering a breathy “yes.” He hooks his fingers under the fabric and gently pulls it over my head, discarding it on the floor. His eyes darken at the sight of me. I sense a change in him. There’s a predatory look in his eyes that makes me shiver with anticipation. His hands are back on me in an instant, wandering from my abdomen to the edge of my bra.
He pauses again, waiting for my permission. I give it to him with another nod and a whispered “yes.” He undoes my bra expertly, revealing my bare breasts.
A low groan escapes him as he gazes down at me. His hands gently cup my breasts, kneading them softly. His touch is electrifying, causing me to arch up against him. I grasp his shoulders tightly as he thumbs my nipples, making me gasp.
“That good?” he whispers again, his voice huskier this time, which I didn’t think was possible.
“Y-yes,” I stammer out.
His touch becomes more insistent as he explores more of me. It’s driving me wild. Wave after wave of pleasure courses through me.
Soon, I find myself yanking at his clothes. He lets out a chuckle before helping me take off his shirt. I splay my hands across his chest and trace my fingers along the contours of his muscles.
“God, you’re so beautiful,” he mutters into my ear before pressing his lips against mine in a searing kiss.
His skin is hot against mine; every touch ignites my senses like sparks against dry timber. The feel of his rough hands mapping out the expanse of my skin is overwhelming and intoxicating. I can’t help but let out a low moan, pressing myself closer to him.
The room fills with the sounds of our panting and the rustling of sheets. Parker continues his exploration. His hands seem to be everywhere at once. His lips leave a hot trail along my collarbone and down to my breasts, where he takes a hardened nipple in his mouth and sucks.
I moan, my fingers threading through his hair as I urge him to continue. My hips start moving against him involuntarily, seeking friction and release. Parker chuckles against my skin at my impatience. “Patience is a virtue.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve run out of patience,” I argue back.
A slow grin spreads across Parker’s face at my words. “Is that so?’
“Yes…” I moan as he moves down farther, his hands tracing my waist and hips. He unbuttons my pants and draws them slowly down my legs before bringing his hands up between my thighs.
“Then I guess we’ll have to do something about that,” he murmurs just before his fingers dip beneath my underwear.
A quiet whimper escapes my lips when he touches my tender folds, and I can feel his warm breath against my skin as he lowers his lips to my hip, pressing a soft kiss there. His hand moves slowly, stirring up a heat that radiates throughout my entire body.
“S-stop teasing,” I stammer while pulling at his hair. He chuckles again, and the sound vibrates against my skin, making me shudder.
“I thought you liked the buildup?” he asks seductively, continuing the tantalizingly slow pace with his fingers.
I groan in response, my hands moving down to grip his shoulders. Through the almost unbearable pleasure, I manage to mumble, “Not when it’s killing me.”
“Well, in that case…” His voice trails off into a whisper as he finally gives into my pleas for release. The pressure of his fingers intensifies, making me arch and groan beneath him.
The room falls silent except for our heavy breathing and the rustling of sheets. My nails dig into his shoulders as I surrender completely to the rush of sensations surging through me. Parker presses his thumb against my clit, making me hiss in a breath. His lips trail along my hip and across my belly as he strokes me between my legs. He continues relentlessly, pushing me ever closer to the edge of release until finally…
I cry out, the world whiting out around me as intense pleasure ripples through my body. My grip on Parker tightens reflexively, and I throw my head back onto the pillow, my eyes clenched shut as wave after wave of ecstasy washes over me.
“Parker!” I whimper, wiggling beneath him, needing more and less all at once. It’s both too much and not enough.
When I finally come down from the height of my release, I find him watching me with an unreadable expression on his face. His fingers still linger between my thighs, but their movements have slowed and softened.
“Looking at you like this,” he whispers as he leans over me, “it makes me feel primal.”
His eyes are dark and intense, his gaze penetrating deeper than any physical touch could. It sends a shiver down my spine, making me squirm beneath him.
A corner of his mouth quirks up in a smirk that radiates danger and promise all at once. He withdraws his fingers, and I gasp at the sudden loss of contact.
He leans down to press his lips against mine in a slow, searing kiss that leaves me breathless. His tongue explores my mouth with a dominance I’m all too willing to submit to.
Just when I think that I’ve regained my bearings, Parker flips us over so I’m straddling him. His hands roam along my back, tracing the arch of my spine before gripping the waistband of my underwear.
“Parker,” I moan his name as his fingers find their way back to where I want them most.
His grin is wicked. It’s filled with a tantalizing promise that has me clutching onto him for support.
“Just hold on, babe,” he murmurs. He reaches up and cups the back of my head, pulling me down to him to nip at my lips with his teeth. My body responds instantly to the sensation, pressing down onto him as I let out an involuntary moan.
Finally, he slips off my underwear and tosses them aside. The cool air on my hot sex sends shivers up my spine. I grind against him, desperate for both friction and release. Parker groans beneath me at the contact, a guttural sound that only fuels my desire.
Leaning back, I undo his pants swiftly. A low growl echoes from his chest as I work, the anticipation almost unbearable.
“And what makes you think you’re in control?” Parker whispers, and his voice sounds rough with desire. Before I can reply, he flips us over again. Within moments, he’s shoved down his pants and boxers and thrusts his cock inside me in one swift movement. All coherent thought evaporates from my mind, and all I feel is pure sensation.
Pleasure spreads through me like wildfire as I cling to him, my nails digging into his back. He moves with a steady rhythm. Each thrust pushes me closer and closer to the edge.
“Parker, more.” I whimper, wrapping my legs around him and urging him to move faster. He buries his face against my neck while emitting a sound that is both a groan and a growl.
“Say it again...” His voice is barely a whisper against my skin, which tells me how truly close he is to finishing.
“Parker!” The world blurs at the edges as another explosion of pleasure hits me hard, rendering me breathless.
As I feel him shudder and still above me, a wave of satisfaction washes over me. We’re both panting heavily, and our bodies are slick with sweat.
He rolls off me slowly, collapsing beside me on the bed. The silence stretches on as we lie there, catching our breaths.
“Parker…” I begin, but he cuts me off by pulling me close.
“Just rest,” he says. “We’re not done yet.”
That makes me grin and sets my heart racing, so I curl up into his side to soak in his warmth and bask in the afterglow.