19. Hope
19
HOPE
I never ended up getting a tattoo the next day. I was too nervous waiting for Parker’s call. What if he rang while I was getting stabbed with a needle? I’d probably jump so hard that my pretty little flower turned out looking more like a Dementor.
My stress levels were high.
When he had laid the situation out before me—opening my eyes to what it would be like for him —I’d kind of felt like a fool for not considering how much risk it’d put him in.
But no matter how much I regretted the offer, I still couldn’t bring myself to call him and tell him it was off the table.
I mean, he probably couldn’t even give me an orgasm, I tried to tell myself. No one else had. It was completely possible that penile penetration just couldn’t get me off. But I could only think that thought for a second before snorting aloud.
Yeah right. Parker damn near made me come by just looking at me. No way could he not give me an orgasm during sex. I was a weak, pathetic girl who couldn’t keep from wanting to put her hands all over her brother’s best friend.
Two more days passed with me rocking these guilty, contradictory emotions—one minute wanting nothing to do with Parker Ohrley and the next just wanting him.
Still lacking an appetite but knowing I needed to eat something , I went to the grocery store midmorning on Friday.
I was filling my cart with liver-friendly nutrients, like grapefruits, papayas, tomatoes, tofu, lemons, and fish when my phone buzzed with an incoming text.
Hoping it was Alec and not Dr. Paul with another message from my mother, I was reaching for a can of black olives on the shelf when I saw Parker’s name.
Tonight, 7pm, my place.
“Holy shit.” I dropped the can of olives, and it started to roll across the floor.
When it bumped into the walker of an elderly woman who had a small basket full of bread and bananas, I lurched into action, hurrying forward to retrieve my olives.
“Sorry,” I gushed, rushing to pick up the can. “I’m such a clumsy goof. But I just learned I was going to have my first orgasm tonight, and now my brain is just?—”
Oh, crap. Tonight? No, no, no. I was in no way prepared for sexual anythings tonight. I had so much landscaping to do, it’d probably take a whole pit crew hours just to trim the hedges.
“You should get some oranges, then,” the woman said, in a sweet, great-grandmotherly voice.
“Hmm?” I looked up, having forgotten that she was there.
She smiled a mouthful of false teeth at me. “Vitamin C keeps the sexual organs happy.” Bobbing her head astutely, she added, “I read it in a magazine article.”
“I…” My mouth dropped open as I wondered what the heck she was talking about until— “Oh my God,” I exclaimed, covering my mouth. “I’m so sorry. Did I say I was going to have sex out loud?”
She giggled, clearly tickled by my reaction. “I’m afraid so, dear.” Reaching out her liver-spotted hand, she added, “And don’t you apologize for it. I’d sing it from the rooftops if I knew I was going to have another orgasm again.” Smiling dreamily, she sighed. “I’d give anything for a little of your youth.”
I tipped my head jealously, wanting to tell her I’d give anything for all her years of life and experiences.
“Promise me you won’t squander it,” she begged with the cutest, old-person smile.
Absolutely melting, I covered her hand with my own. “I swear,” I whispered. Then I sent her a brilliant smile, realizing just how blessed I was to be able to stand here in this moment and share something real and honest with this beautiful stranger. “Thank you.”
“What a sweetie,” she told me, laughing out her pleasure as she patted my cheek and leaned in to whisper. “It can’t hurt to wear something a little slutty too.”
I blurted out a laugh and then nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I hear you.”
That actually wasn’t a bad idea. But first, I had to clear the forest.
That’s it. I needed more time.
Biting my lip, I logged into my messages app, and my stomach did another dive when I reread Parker’s text.
I still couldn’t believe he’d said yes.
But this had to be perfect. So I started typing.
Actually, tomorrow would be better for me. I’d like a day to prepare.
Then, I read his message again, and before he could respond, I typed some more.
And do you mind meeting closer to eight? I want all my supper cleared through my system, so I don’t have to worry about indigestion or something worse.
Gah. Had I really just said that to him? I groaned and slapped a hand to my forehead, only to completely lose my mind and start typing again.
Oh! Is a hotel room okay instead? I’ll pay. I just don’t want to have any of those kinds of memories at your place in case I ever have to go there with Alec or anything.
He was so going to back out of this. And I couldn’t say I would blame him either. It was as if my brain had completely left the station. Parker was going to reply any second and call off the whole?—
My phone rang.
With a whimper, I cringed down at the screen and saw his name. “Shit.”
“Yes?” I answered way more timidly than I meant to.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” he demanded in my ear.
After a weak shrug, I started pushing my shopping cart aimlessly toward the front of the store. “About which part?”
“All of it,” he thundered. “I said yes. Do you have to argue with every fucking detail of the specifics?
A small scowl marred my eyebrows. “Well, it is my dying wish we’re granting here, so yeah… I’d say I would like the details to be just to my specifications.” Arching my eyebrows, I snottily added, “If that doesn’t bother you too much.”
“Jesus. Fine,” he grumbled. “Tomorrow at eight in a hotel. But I’ll book the room.”
I blinked, a little startled that he’d actually given in so easily. “If you insist,” I said, feeling as if I might start floating off my feet and straight up into a euphoric cloud at any moment. “I could’ve picked a nice enough place, though.”
He grunted out his distrust and merely replied, “I’ll text you the hotel details as soon as I have reservations.”
“Sounds good.” I nodded and paused my cart at the back of the checkout line.
When he didn’t answer immediately, I was sure he’d hung up on me already but then, in a low voice, he said, “It’s just this once, right?”
“Right,” I confirmed with a practical nod. Once should definitely do it for me. “One single, insignificant time,” I added. “Manwhore that you are, it should be nothing for you.” While for me, I was banking on it being everything. At least good enough to rate a bucket list experience, anyway. “You’ll probably forget all about it within the month.”
“Yeah, we’ll see about that,” he answered in a rough voice.
When I didn’t respond, his end of the line went quiet.
My stomach fluttered. “Parker,” I said softly as I watched the guy in front of me begin to load the conveyor belt with his purchases. “It’ll be fine,” I promised. “No one will know. It’s just one time. And afterward, it’ll be like it never happened. The only thing different will be that I’ll know what climaxing on a cock feels like, right?”
He took a turn not to answer.
The guy in front of me completed his purchase. I sighed and started to load my groceries onto the conveyor belt as well.
I was reaching for my dented can of olives when Parker finally murmured, “See you tomorrow,” and he hung up for real.
With about thirty-two hours to prepare, I left the grocery store and barely paused at my apartment to drop my food off before I was back in Parker’s Lucid Air and heading toward a shopping mall.
I stopped at a cosmetic store first and loaded up on makeup, lotion, perfume, and all the at-home waxing essentials. Then I visited a lingerie boutique and tried to fulfill number eight on my bucket list by picking out my favorite slutty little piece without looking at the tag. But once I had my hands on the teddy I liked most, I couldn’t help myself. I peeked at the price tag.
And I immediately put it back on the rack, claiming, “Nope.”
Damn. I’d have to go to a Dollar Tree before I could actually buy anything I wanted without looking at the price.
Dropping that particular bucket list item for now, I returned home, needing a rest. Even shopping was wearing me out too much these days. That couldn’t be good.
Not really hungry, but knowing I had to put something in my stomach, I opened the olives and ate a couple straight from the dented can before taking a long nap that was interrupted by Dr. Paul when she called to check on me and ask how my appointment with Dr. Kepler had gone.
After assuring her that Kepler hadn’t changed any of her prescriptions, I noticed that I had a message from Alec, inviting me to Archer House for supper. And while I wanted to spend every free minute with him I could get, tonight I felt a little too traitorous to face him.
So I bit my lip and declined, lying my ass off by saying I had some old school friends to catch up with. But I promised I’d see him again on Sunday or Monday. Probably Monday. I had a feeling I’d need a whole day to recover from his best friend before I could look him in the eye again.
God, I was the worst sister ever.
But I didn’t alter my plans or call Parker to cancel. I shaved, waxed, and smoothed my body with all the cleansers and lotions I’d bought. I practiced just the right way I wanted to put on my makeup, and I tried on the teddy at least three times, parading in front of the mirror, to make sure it looked okay.
By six-thirty that evening, I was completely ready, and I couldn’t help but gaze enviously at the time, knowing I could’ve been having sex in just half an hour if I hadn’t botched everything by putting it off for another day.
Idiot me; now I had a full twenty-four hours to stress and think and probably work myself up into such a nervous wreck that I’d never be able to relax enough to have an orgasm.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” I muttered, slumping onto my couch just as my phone buzzed with an incoming text.
I swiped it up eagerly and drew in a sharp breath when I saw Parker’s name.
All he said was:
Chateau Cove. Ask for your key card at the front counter.
I rolled my eyes to mask the leap in my belly. But of course, he’d chosen one of the fanciest, most well-known hotels in town.
Chateau Cove was located on basically the only bluff Westport had to offer and looked out over the Gulf so you could see the whole city, the bay, and all the surrounding barrier islands for miles.
People could see it from miles away as well. I’d never stepped foot on the property, worried they’d have me removed on sight for loitering, but I’d always wondered what it was like.
Hell, if I’d thought of it before, I probably would’ve put stay the night at Chateau Cove on my bucket list.
Lifting my brows, I wondered if the room was already available. Parker hadn’t said if he’d only booked it for tomorrow or not. I mean, it wouldn’t make sense for him to reserve it for more than one night. But he also hadn’t said what time to pick up my key card, either, which might leave one to assume that it was ready…now.
Decision made, my curiosity was too great to curb this particular inquiry. It wouldn’t hurt anything to mosey over there, plot the lay of the land, and—you know—get a sense of things.
For tomorrow.
It was good to be prepared. Right?
Right.
So I hopped into the Lucid Air and drove to Chateau Cove.
The car fit in, at least. I picked out a Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, and then a Lamborghini almost immediately when I arrived. But I certainly didn’t fit in. I was still in my jean shorts with the frayed edges, a purple cami, and flip-flops.
As soon as I walked into the lobby, which had an impressive fish tank that stretched up from the floor to at least the third floor, one of the receptionists did a double take.
“Can I help you, miss?”
Knowing I needed to act as if I belonged before they really did escort me away, I smiled brightly and strolled over. “Yes. I believe I should have a key card waiting for me.”
The woman lifted one eyebrow as she glanced over my attire. But all she said was, “Name, please?”
“Hope,” I answered, before wondering if it would be under Parker’s name instead. “Hope Langston.”
Computer keys clacked as the woman typed with a slight squint until she found whatever she was looking for. Eyebrows lifting in surprise, she pulled back and told me, “Yes. Here you are. The presidential suite B. It has a balcony with a perfect view of the bay and your own private pool and hot tub.”
When she slid her gaze to me in question, I swallowed my nerves and merely nodded. “Sounds about right.”
Parker didn’t flaunt his money often, but when he did, he went all out.
Two minutes later, after I’d turned over my proper form of identification, the receptionist slid my key card across the marble counter, pointed out the elevator, and instructed me how to reach my room.
I sent her a tight smile, trying not to get sick to my stomach because this was really happening. Parker had reserved the nicest damn room in the whole town for us to have sex in.
Jeez Louise, what had I gotten myself into?
I was about to go directly up there and check the place out. But then I remembered that I’d already stowed all my preparations in shopping bags in the frunk of the Lucid Air. I decided to carry them up now so I wouldn’t have to worry about it tomorrow when I was sure my brain would be complete mush.
In the elevator, the attendant asked which floor I needed, and when I told him twelve, he glanced suspiciously at my armful of plastic grocery sacks and then asked me to use my key card to unlock that floor for him. I had to hold my breath as I waved the card over the sensor, sure it wouldn’t work. But a second later, a green light flashed and the elevator began to ascend.
Shit. This was really happening.
When the car paused to let me out on the top floor, I found myself in yet another elegant lobby with only three doors branching off from it and a second reception desk to greet me.
The woman at the desk glanced up and smiled warmly. “Miss Langston?” she guessed.
My mouth gaped. “Uh…yeah. Hi. I’m Hope.”
“Bridget,” she greeted, already hurrying around the counter. “Here. Your arms are full; let me get your door for you.”
“Thanks.” I flushed in embarrassment, really feeling like a hick now.
But Bridget was a doll and unlocked my door before holding it open and smiling brightly. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“Oh! Um. No. No thanks. I believe I’m good.”
Or better than good. This place was freaking ridiculous.
I paused before entering and simply just peered inside. The foyer was probably bigger than my entire apartment. “Appreciate it,” I told Bridget with one last glance at her.
“Sure thing, hon,” she answered. “I’ll be here all night.”
“Right,” I breathed in anxiety, sending her a grateful smile before cautiously stepping over the threshold.
She shut the door behind me, and I was in.
With a heavy gulp, I glanced up at the chandelier that hung from a ceiling that had to be twenty feet tall.
Out of my depth, I set my bags of goodies on the round table in the center of the foyer, and then I just peered around me at the mahogany walls, lined with gold trim.
Feeling like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz , I crossed the marble floor, my flip-flops slapping loudly against the tiles until I reached an all-glass wall that peered out over a sizable balcony which hosted a mini pool with an attached hot tub and bar.
I debated on whether to open the sliding door and walk outside to investigate further, but I wanted to see the rest of the inside first.
So I turned to an open doorway that led into the bedroom.
In the entrance, I froze solid, my mouth falling open wide.
I’d always thought the biggest bed they made was a California King, but this thing would swallow a king-size bed whole. It was made for orgies, I swear. And I was supposed to have sex in it tomorrow ?
I slipped off my flip-flops as I stepped into the enormous bedroom so my bare toes could plow through the fibers of the super soft carpet.
With a shudder, as I already anticipated a different sort of plowing, I turned away from the bed and poked my head into the bathroom.
“Holy shit,” I uttered, my voice echoing hollowly.
I was pretty sure my entire apartment could fit in here as well. Hell, the shower alone could store my kitchen.
I shook my head, dazed and still trying to wrap my thoughts around the fact that Parker and I were supposed to meet here in this fancy-ass suite.
I started from the bedroom, sure someone had made a huge mistake by letting me in and that I was going to get kicked out—possibly even arrested—when the door across the enormous foyer opened.
Yep. Here we go. Time to put go to jail on my bucket list.
Certain that I was going to find Bridget with a handful of hotel security streaming into the room, I blinked when I saw who actually entered.
Because it sure as hell wasn’t Bridget.
Parker’s gaze clashed with mine, and he paused when he saw me.
We each froze, staring across the marble expanse, neither of us speaking.
Eyes heated with hunger, he stepped fully into the room without a word before he shut the door behind him.
And I knew. I wasn’t going to have sex in that big-ass bed tomorrow. I was having sex in it tonight .