Chapter 6 #2
Though he hated to let go of her, Parker helped her take a seat. He then slid across from her in the booth. Opening his menu, he began reading. When he glanced at her and she smiled, he felt the power of that smile all the into his bones.
“How about we try several different rolls and share them?” he asked. “That way we can sample a variety of things.”
She nodded, appearing to like the idea. “That’s fine with me as long as we split the bill half and half,” she answered. “Sushi is expensive, after all.”
He suspected she didn’t want him to think this evening was an actual date. Which, as far as he was concerned, it definitely was.
“Sure,” he said without hesitation. “I was thinking it was your turn to treat, but we can split it if that’s what you want.”
It took a moment for her to realize he was joking, though he’d made sure to keep his tone light. He saw the moment she got it. Her mouth tightened and she frowned.
“You know what?” she said, her voice firm. “I think I’ll let you treat this time. I haven’t gotten my first paycheck yet, so your kindness would be greatly appreciated.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s what I wanted to do all along.”
“You played me,” she told him, wagging her finger at him but apparently unable to keep from smiling. “But that’s okay. I’ll get it next time.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Still smiling, he leaned back. “I’m just glad you agree there will be a next time.”
Genna didn’t respond. Instead, she glanced up at him through her lashes and smiled.
He decided to take that as a yes.
Sitting across from Parker Colton at one of the newest and trendiest restaurants in town, Genna felt rejuvenated.
Whether from her brief nap or simply due to his presence, she wasn’t sure.
Either way, she felt more alive in this moment than she had since the kiss.
And there it was again. The Kiss. An action she should have regretted but instead wanted to repeat. And more.
Parker wanted more, too. She could tell from the heat in his gaze when he looked at her, the way she caught him studying her when he thought she wouldn’t notice. She had no idea what to make of the chemistry between them, but she could no longer deny it existed.
Part of her wanted to see where it led. But she loved her job. She really hadn’t thought she’d find something she enjoyed that paid so well. And if she and Parker developed a relationship and it went south, then she’d lose her job.
The question she needed to answer was if she wanted him enough to risk that.
Which is why she hadn’t responded when he’d hinted that he wanted a “next time.”
The waitress arrived to take their order. Shaking her head, Genna gestured toward Parker, letting him order what rolls they’d share. She’d never have been able to decide anyway. All of them sounded amazing.
Taking another small sip of her wine, she studied the handsome man across from her. With his tousled mane of sun-streaked hair and bright blue eyes, he drew more than his fair share of glances from women walking by.
He looked both comfortable in his skin and at one with the outdoors. The kind of man who knew how to be gentle yet would place himself between her and a pack of hungry wolves and fight them off with his bare hands.
And in bed… A flash of heat shot through her entire body. Despite how much time had passed since they’d shared a bed and their bodies, she didn’t think she’d ever forget how his lovemaking had made her feel.
Blinking, she realized Parker had tilted his head and was regarding her with a quizzical expression. “Are you all right?” he asked. “You look like you went very far away just now.”
Since she definitely couldn’t tell him what she’d been thinking, she simply shrugged.
The first of the sushi rolls arrived. One entrée had been arranged into an elaborate tower of sushi. “That looks too beautiful to eat,” she said.
He grinned. “Not for me.” To prove his point, he plucked one off the tower and plopped it into his mouth. Rolling his eyes, he made sounds of appreciation as he chewed.
What could she do but laugh and then try it herself?
They ate and talked and ate some more. She finished her wine and switched to hot tea. When all the platters of sushi had arrived, she’d figured there wouldn’t be any possible way they’d eat it all. Turns out, she was wrong.
Replete, they passed up the waitress’s offering of saki. When the check came, Parker paid. “Are you ready to go?” he asked.
So full, she could barely move, Genna nodded. She figured she’d waddle out to his truck and hope she didn’t fall asleep on the way home.
“I feel like we kind of gorged ourselves on sushi,” she mused.
Her comment made him grin. “I love watching you eat.”
Unsure how to take his comment, she cocked her head. “What do you mean?”
Leaning in, he lowered his voice. “It’s sexy as hell.”
A jolt of pure lust lanced through her. To hide it, she looked down, fiddled with her napkin and her empty wineglass.
He held out his arm and she took it.
The simple act of being close to him kept her heart racing, though she hoped he couldn’t tell.
As they walked to his truck, her thoughts were a jumbled mess.
Should she invite him in? Suggest a nightcap?
Or maybe instead of taking her home, should she see if he might want to go someplace for a drink?
In the end, she decided to let him take her home. Then, depending on whether or not he acted reluctant to leave, she’d play it by ear.
When they pulled up into her driveway, he shifted into Park and killed the engine. “I’ll walk you up to your front door,” he said, his tone leaving no room for disagreement. “I want to make sure your new alarm system is working before I head home.”
Hiding her disappointment, she slowly nodded. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
Using her key, she unlocked the front door. Immediately, her alarm began beeping. She hurried over to the keypad and keyed in her code to stop it. Turning, she eyed Parker standing near the threshold, as if reluctant to enter.
What the heck. She decided she might as well go for it. “Do you want to have a drink before you go?”
His easy smile once again kindled that spark low in her belly. “Normally, I’d love to. But I know you’re exhausted. How about I take a rain check on that drink? I’ll see you tomorrow when we drive out to Valdez.”
“Sounds good.” Despite it being anything but, she kept her tone light. Walking him out, she stood in the doorway and watched as he got into his truck.
His taillights had just vanished from view when her phone rang. Her mother. She stepped back inside, closed and locked the door before answering. “Hi, Mom.”
“Why didn’t you call and tell me about the break-in?” her mother demanded. “I had to hear it from Gladys. I called her a few minutes ago to catch up and she told me.”
Proving once again how efficiently gossip spread in a small town.
“Honestly, I haven’t had time,” Genna said. “I had to work, and then schedule an appointment to get the front door repaired. The good news—that’s done. I also had an alarm system installed.”
For once, her mother was speechless. “You what?” she finally asked. Then, before Genna could answer, she turned and told Genna’s father. “I’m putting the phone on speaker, dear,” she said.
“Ok, Mom. Hi, Dad.”
“I think you should close up the house and come stay with us in Hawaii,” her father said, his gruff voice tinged with concern.
Surprised, Genna wasn’t sure how to respond.
“I do, too,” her mother said. “It’s not safe for you there. I understand a fifth body was discovered.”
Though Genna had always wanted to see Hawaii, leaving Shelby now would feel too much like fleeing.
Which is exactly what she’d done when she’d left Anchorage as soon as her divorce had been finalized.
Plus, she loved her job. Finally, she had to admit the thought of never seeing Parker again made her stomach hurt.
“I feel relatively safe,” Genna said. And then she explained all the measures RTA had taken to ensure their female employees were never at risk.
“That’s great, honey,” her mom replied. “But someone broke into the house. You live there alone. How do you know that this Fiancée Killer isn’t targeting you?”
The notion sent a shiver up Genna’s spine. “I don’t,” she admitted. “But if it makes you feel better, I’m driving out to Valdez to visit the animal shelter. I’ve been wanting a dog for a while.”
“A dog?” Both her parents spoke at once, sounding dismayed. They’d never been the kind of people to have pets.
“Yes. I’d like to adopt a large dog in need of a good home. Not only will he and I keep each other company, but he’ll also be an added deterrent if anyone tries to break in here again.”
“That does make sense,” her mom said slowly. “Just don’t let it on the furniture.”
“Of course not,” Genna lied. “Anyway, it was great to hear from you both. I promise to keep you posted.”
“And check in more,” her father said, his voice stern. “Your mother and I worry.”
“I know you do. And I love you for it,” Genna replied. “But please, try to understand. I’m just now finding my feet after the divorce. I don’t want to go somewhere else and start all over yet again.”
“Well, if you change your mind, you’re always welcome here.” Her mom sounded a bit teary.
“I will.” Ending the call, Genna swallowed past the lump in her throat.
The rest of the night, Genna found herself jumping at every little sound.
She set the alarm as soon as darkness fell, well before bedtime.
Turning the TV on despite the fact that she felt too restless to sit down and watch anything, she found herself constantly picking up her phone.
Hoping Parker would text or, even better, call.
Even though they were riding into Valdez together tomorrow, tonight she really needed to hear his voice. Quickly scrolling to his contact info, she pressed the button to call him.
When he answered on the second ring, her heart lurched. “Hey,” she managed, feeling like a fool.