Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
MADDIE
B utterflies flitter around in my stomach all day as I wonder what Parker has in store for tonight.
I hate to admit it, but I love the way he is with me—like I’m the only person to exist in his world.
It makes my chest feel warm, but the anxiety is creeping in.
I mean, he’s never shown me anything other than kindness.
He’s always touching me in some way or another.
Plus, he’s hot as hell. I just feel like I’m constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, for him to show his true colors.
His daughter, on the other hand, has been a godsend in the shop.
She’s so good with the customers, and she’s taken to inventory and working the tills like she’s been doing it all her life.
A feeling of pride swells inside me as I watch her interact with an elderly woman who’s come in looking for a historical romance.
Amelia’s straight there with recommendations even though she hasn’t read them.
We often hang out when it’s quiet, and I tell her about all of my favorites.
She sits there, enraptured, as she takes in every word I tell her.
She’s like a sponge of knowledge at this point.
Knowing she’s Parker’s daughter makes me feel closer to her somehow.
I can’t explain it, but she’s starting to feel like the little sister I always wanted but never had.
Walking through the stacks, I take a moment to breathe. It’s unusual for me not to be rushed off my feet, but now I have Amelia, it’s been nice to take a step back and let her handle things. For a thirteen-year-old, the girl is very mature for her age.
“Amelia?” I call out.
Her head pops up from behind the counter. “Yeah?”
“I’m just going to lock up, and then we can get out of here for the day.”
“Okay,” she replies with a nod.
I wander around the store, checking everything’s in its place and turning off lights as I go. The silence of the store and the smell of books bring me an inner peace I never thought I’d feel.
“I don’t want a lot for Christmas—” I start singing under my breath before stopping.
Wait! What?
What is wrong with me? And why did I like it? Shaking my head from my runaway mouth, I meet Amelia by the door and shrug my coat on. She’s all ready to go. Apparently, my wandering around the store took longer than I’d thought.
Opening the door, she says, “Dad? What are you doing here? I thought I was going to Grandma’s tonight?”
My head tilts to the side as I take him in. His cheeks are flushed from the cold, but his blue eyes twinkle in the light. His graying hair is hidden beneath his beanie.
“Yeah, Parker. What are you doing here?” I smirk, knowing full well why he’s here but wanting to see how he explains it to his daughter.
Loud and proud without a single hesitation, he replies, “I’m here to take Maddie on our date.”
Amelia squeals next to me. “I’m getting a big sister for Christmas!”
“Whoa, slow down, squirt.” Parker laughs, pulling her in for a hug. “Grandma’s waiting in the car for you.”
He lets her go, and Amelia rushes to embrace me. I’m still not used to it, but I awkwardly bring my arms up into a semi-hug.
“I’ll see you soon, Maddie,” she says before running off to the car.
I chuckle as I watch her go, then glance at Parker. “Hi,” I whisper.
“Hi, sweetheart.” The way he smiles at me makes my chest tighten and leaves me lost for words. “Sorry about my daughter. Her mouth runs away from her sometimes.”
“Don’t worry… I already kinda see her like a little sister anyway,” I reply quietly.
Parker’s smile widens. “I’m really glad the two main women in my life are getting on. You ready?” he asks, holding out his hand.
I place mine in his, the warmth from it sending tingles down my spine. He rubs his thumb against my palm, and I glance down. My hand looks so small engulfed in his larger one, but I can’t deny how I feel seeing them together—happy.
“So, where are we going?” I ask as he starts leading me down the street. “There aren’t going to be crowds of people, are there?”
I can feel the panic start to rise, but he quickly squashes it by stopping me and taking my face in his hands. “Breathe, baby.”
I do as he says, taking deep breaths in; there’s something so calming about him. His voice instantly soothes me and puts a stop to my impending freakout.
“There will be a few people there, yes, but not many. I won’t let anything happen to you, sweetheart. You’re safe with me.”
I become putty in his hands, swooning at his words and believing, just for a second, that I’m safe with him, that he’d never do anything to hurt me.
Giving Parker a small smile, I reach up and cup the hands on my face, squeezing them gently. “I’m okay now.”
Placing a gentle kiss on my forehead, he resumes his position next to me, once again taking my hand in his and leading me toward wherever it is we’re going.
“So, are you ever going to tell me where we’re headed, or are you going to leave me in suspense?” I tease, swinging our hands high.
“I’m going to show you another side to Christmas, one that’s my personal favorite.” He turns to me and winks.
“Hmm, that sounds slightly worrying yet also intriguing,” I muse before an idea hits me. My brows furrow, and my eyes squint at him in suspicion. “You’re not going to take me into the woods and kill me, are you?”
Parker laughs. “No, sweetheart, there will be no killing today.”
“Just the option of another day, then?”
“You’re going to keep me on my toes, aren’t you?” he asks, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Uh huh. You’re never gonna know from one day to the next what you’re gonna get.” I shrug.
Parker stops walking. He swings me around so my hands land against his chest with an “ Oof .” He peers down at me, lust swirling in the depths of his eyes. I clench my thighs together, willing myself to relax.
He leans down, running his nose along the side of my neck and whispers in my ear, “Sounds like something I can live with.”
Parker nibbles on my earlobe, and my knees go weak.
I clutch onto his shoulders as he kisses his way down my neck, ignoring the world around us as I nuzzle further into him, desperate for his mouth to be in other places.
My breath fogs as I let myself feel everything he’s doing to me.
Enjoying every second of his lips on my skin.
A shiver works its way down my body as he whispers in my ear again, “As much as I’d love to trace every inch of this delectable body with my tongue… we have somewhere to be.”
He pulls back, and I’m left colder than I was to start with, my body feeling bereft without him so close. I’m gaping at his words, desperately quelling the urge to just jump him in the street.
This man is turning me into a crazy person. And I think I like it.