Chapter 16
Parker
Athought occurred to me after getting home.
One, the streets of the city will never see or smell me the same way.
I gave them scents which enlightened their senses in ways never done before.
Two, for once I am disgusted by my own smell and immediately must burn these clothes.
Showering for the next four hours is mandatory, but I only made it thirty minutes before my skin started feeling uncomfortable.
Upon getting out, did I stand staring at my wet, naked body in the mirror and declare my soul had been cleansed and that I was healed?
Yes, yes I did. My hand was raised as if it were a religious experience while the words left my mouth.
It was truly an awakening moment. I felt renewed, refreshed, and fucking clean without the lingering stench of a dead person perspiring out of my armpits and hair follicles.
“Demons be gone!”
“Not this again.” Connor winces.
“Until you have experienced the depths of hell like I have, it will always be this again, Connor. Always! It will never be forgotten.”
“Moving on. Has your ‘guy’ picked up the body?” O inquires.
Proudly, I spin around from staring into the abyss that is my empty fridge.
“Yes! Mr. Carlisle is in the best hands. He should be back in a couple of days. And if he randomly has a tracker and microphone implanted into him for some easy listening, my ‘guy’ gets another five hundred added to his bank.” Money always talks.
This is remarkable. Connor is speaking more. Connor rarely speaks unless we make him take part in forced fun. I think he’s earned employee of the month. Grinning from ear to ear, I can’t wait to tell him.
Shouting with excitement, I declare, “Connor! Congratulations, you are the employee of the month!”
Taco cheers.
Ophelia is rightfully confused by my declaration. “We have never had an employee of the month before.”
“Now we do. So, congratulations, Connor. I’ll send you a yoni gift certificate and plaque in the mail.”
“You need to find a new obsession that doesn’t involve me and yoni steams.” The words are spoken through gritted teeth. How cute, Connor is feeling emotions.
“Hold on a second, P.”
The arch of my brow rises. “Yes?”
“The bounty is only for Holden Hammer. Not Holden Hammer and Mr. Carlisle, right?” Taco questions curiously.
“That is correct.” What is he getting at?
“What happens to Mr. Carlisle once we capture Holden and bring him to auction? They won’t want his dead sidekick, would they?
I mean, he’s already dead, so it kind of takes the fun out of it from them, doesn’t it?
” He gasps, pausing briefly. “Oh my. What if his family is at the auction and they see dearest Daddy fucking taxidermied?”
This is absolutely brilliant. A problem I hadn’t thought of yet. He’s right. What a fucking awkward family reunion that would be! Oh, and here’s your dear ol’ dad back, stuffed to the tits.
There is only one obvious answer here. Shrugging my shoulders, it’s decided. “He will become mine. It’s the only logical option.”
O is quick to jump in. “No, it’s not. You can dispose of the man.”
Shaking my head, I reply, “I disagree. It’s the right thing to do. I will take him in like he is my own.”
“You are so unbelievably delusional, do you know that? Do you understand how crazy you sound? This isn’t a stray cat or child.”
“Exactly. I don’t need to remember to feed or bathe him. He is basically a stuffed animal, or will be once my guy is finished. We can keep him in the training room.”
“This is the twilight zone. This isn’t real and I am dreaming.” O attempts to talk herself off the ledge. It’s cute when she’s in denial of the inevitable.
“Mr. Carlisle will be ours. This house will be his home.”
A click follows. She is gone.
“Was it something I said?”
Tac busts a gut. “You know how she is. It will take a day, but she will come around.”
He’s right. And at first I was only kidding. I love getting her worked up. But in reality, it’s not the worst idea I’ve ever had.
“Parker. It’s go time. He is entering the hallway. Let’s go hunting.”
Excited, my body dashes down my front entrance hallway and quick fingers unlock the latches of my door before I burst through the threshold, announcing myself to the world.
“Must you always be this loud?”
Without missing a beat, I respond proudly, “Yes.” No one will ever change me, not even a man. Take me as I am, world, or fuck you all.
Oops. I get a tad aggressive when I’m passionate. I won’t apologize for that either.
His eyes glance from side to side, clearly uncomfortable by my presence.
I jump forward, arm out and finger pointed.
I’m inches away from the white button on his shirt.
He tenses momentarily, his facade briefly falters.
Before his guard is raised once more. “You are simply the strangest person I have ever met.”
Holding my hands high, I step back. “I’m just playing. But I came out here for a reason. I heard your door closing and wanted to update you on your dead friend. He will be home in a couple of days. The guy is taking the best care of your friend. Mr. Carlisle, is it?”
A curt nod follows before Holden walks away to the elevator.
Well, I guess that means we are done here. Except we’re not, because I follow him. This shouldn’t come as a shock or surprise to anyone. Persistent is my middle name, after all. It’s not actually, but it would fit perfectly between Parker and Presley. My middle name is off limits. Sorry, not sorry.
In an attempt to make him further itch under his skin, I start up a round of small talk.
To be frank, I equally despise the act, it’s pure torture when someone I cannot stand starts speaking to me when my eyes and face are screaming kindly fuck off.
Some people can’t read social cues. Today, I am that person. Social cue blindness at your service.
“Going down?”
“Obviously.”
Leaning forward, I press the elevator button, which glows orange at my touch. “Then please, allow me.” Internally, I am dancing. Waiting for the elevator without pressing the button, I am winning.
“I owe you nothing. My words, or gratitude, or favors. None of which you will get from me, understood?” Spicy burrito, wow.
“Well aware. And between us.” I lean over and whisper, “I don’t care.”
The act of not caring will only further irritate him and it pleases me greatly.
The chime rings as the doors open and the bright button light fades. Holden wastes no time in his attempt to get away from me as he swiftly steps into the metal box on strings.
I hop in behind him, insisting, “Please, allow me to join you.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
As his words are spoken, rudely, I press the close door button, then act apologetically.
“Gosh. I’m so sorry. The doors seem to be already closing.
” Shrugging my shoulders, I step back to stand next to him.
You could cut the tension in here with a knife.
Oh, I didn’t think of that. Hopefully, he doesn’t have one handy. Or else this could be the end of me.
The event of picturing my own death is frightening.
“Take him now, Parker. He is vulnerable and trapped with nowhere to run.” I knew she would come around. Our dear friend Ophelia has returned.
Casually, I reach out and pull the giant red emergency stop button. Another bell chimes as the elevator jolts to a firm stop. Immediately, a familiar man’s voice speaks to us through the speaker box. “Is everything okay?”
It’s Bobby. The building’s security. He is one of the kindest people I’ve met.
Every Christmas I give him and his charming wife a Kama Sutra book and chocolates.
You do not know how many Kama Sutra books there are out there until you do a quick search on the internet.
And they all offer different varieties of intimate relations.
Bobby and his lovely wife are newly married, two years in. They really appreciate and always give the sweetest thank-you cards in return.
“Bobby boy, we are all good here. I will push the button once I’m ready to move again. I only need a moment.” He is used to my chaos and doesn’t even question me anymore. “You got it, Ms. Presley.”
See, he is the sweetest.
“Please tell me this is it?” O pleads.
“Or, hear me out. We could just fuck and get it out of our systems.”
“Pardon fucking me?”
Waving Holden off, I mutter, “I wasn’t talking to you… only about you.”
Gagging noises follow, so I glance over to witness his dramatics in person, and color me impressed. For an absolute prude, he can perform the art of theater.
Noticing my intrusive gaze and outdoor voice thoughts, he turns his back to me. Bending at his hips, Holden grips the handrail and presents to me his fine, fit, firm booty. Reaching both hands out, I pretend to squeeze his mighty derriere while mouthing, “Yes, yes, yes!”
I’m not blind. The man is a delicious specimen. Who am I to deny him such accolades? It’s honestly the only thing he has going for himself. It feels nice finally admitting that to myself.
“I can fucking see you in the reflection.”
“We have a feisty one today, folks.” I follow my statement with a meow and cat claw pawing the air.
“What is the point of all of this?”
His question is valid. To be honest, I have even forgotten why I pulled the emergency stop, but I did it and now we just have to roll with it. See what happens. Fate and all that shit.
O pesters, “Why are you stalling?”
Two for one in the feisty department today. What a lucky gal I am.
Meanwhile, Holden has stood up again after realizing his bent over position left him vulnerable. With me around, that is an absolute fact. I’ll peg anyone once. With consent.
Stepping forward with that beautiful image in my mind, I place my hands on either side of his body, against the walls, boxing him in. His body jolts. If he could push himself through these walls to escape me, he would. Luckily, he can’t, so playing with my dinner continues.
My pelvis gyrates. Grinding slowly against him.
This may surprise you, but yes, I can be sensual.
The movement is slow and controlled. A hitched breath, my own, breaks the silence momentarily.
I allow my breasts to push firmly against his hard chest, encouraging a reaction out of him, but Holden remains unfazed.
It’s now that I’m unsure what’s come over me.
I rarely plan these things, but this one has taken an unexpected turn which I am eager to see play out.
Eye contact never breaks, even as his glasses begin to slide down the bridge of his nose.
“You know I’m right.” My tone has changed from hyper playful to a seduction songstress. “If we just fuck. Get this tension out of our systems. Imagine how much better we would feel.” I cock my hip to the side and wait. God how amazing would it be if his glasses started to fog? A girl can dream.
Holden is unwavering. His deep masculine voice commands the space. “Release me, demon. I will not be your sexual hostage.” It takes every inch of self-control to resist the need to laugh.
A slight smirk forms on my pink lips as my focused gaze drifts down to his own suckle-plump poppers.
Words flow out of me, slowly and hushed.
“Men are always so dramatic, don’t you think?
” He doesn’t respond. Internally, he is praying this ends soon, while his middle finger pushes his glasses back up.
Holden is playing hard to get, and I kind of like it.
I continue the torture. “It’s fine. We don’t have to happen right now.
But we will happen. Because I will be over later tonight.
” Finishing my thought with a wink, I step back and press the big red button with my tiny hand.
Within seconds, the elevator continues moving while I stand relaxed next to Mr. Hammer.
Speaking of Hammer. With my head faced forward, my eyes continue to wonder and I spot a possible trouser tent in my peripheral.
I keep all comments to myself. Instead, relishing in my victory alone. I cannot wait to make him crack, break him into tiny pieces while also being so kind to his pal. Then oops, I bring him to auction and he dies. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Holden’s legs move briskly once the elevator stops and the doors slide wide. He leaves in silence and in the meantime, I am greeted with annoyance.
“I don’t understand. Help me understand.” O is pissed. She is always pissed, to be fair.
I press the button to my floor and start the journey back to my place. This was a fun little adventure, for some of us.
“You know my process. Trust it. We’ve never failed using it before, and we won’t now.”
Tac jumps to my defense. “We know. Don’t worry, bo… Parker. We trust you.”
“Aw, thanks, buddy. You guys can log off for the night. Take it easy before it really begins.”
O leaves again without saying goodbye. Shaking my head, I chuckle at her antics.
So cute. Just like this adorable baby otter I have started to watch.
Well, there’s two of them in the reel. And they are always playing in the rain or making cute faces while sleeping all snuggled up.
My heart melts. Have you seen their noses?
Also, their lashes are to die for. It’s criminal how perfect they are.
“Peace.” And Connor is out.
Pulling out my phone from my back pocket, I need to see those precious creatures on my screen immediately.
“Hey, Parker… I mean it. We trust you. We’re family. Or at least you are to me.” Taco Bell is the sweetest tech nerd I ever did meet… indirectly. Putting my phone away, I give this man all my attention, because he deserves it.
The elevator stops, the doors slide, and I step off. Nodding my head, I look up at the corner camera and smile. “Family.”
Nothing further is said. The line dies and I remove the earpiece. The world is silent at last, if only for a few hours.
Casually, I make my way over to my door and pause.
Moments pass while I contemplate. An anxious thumb taps against the hardwood.
We are family, right?
Yes, I’m talking to you now. Wait. You know what, don’t answer that. Don’t speak. Only listen, okay?
Silence fills the void as I build up my courage.
Don’t tell a soul, do you understand?
Okay, fine.
It’s Paxton.
My middle name.
They were attached to the name. Apparently, the doctor told them I was a boy on the scan. It’s whatever.
Just.
Don’t say anything!