The truth is, I don’t want to miss a single opportunity to see Parker, even if for only a second.
Deciding that none of my potential moves are better than another, I take a chance and advance my knight, then lean back into my chair, watching as Bernie, my partner for the day, analyzes the board for several moments.
As he pushes one of his pawns forward, a flash of blonde hair catches my attention.
Hell, I’m pretty sure it catches everyone else’s attention, too. It’s kind of hard not to stare as Parker hurries toward us, her body clad in a green elf costume, a pair of candy-cane leggings accentuating her long legs. The jingle of bells on her hat accompanies the clicking of her black heels.
It’s official. I now have a new appreciation for the Christmas season.
“Mr. Reed,” she says, slightly out of breath as she approaches me. I have to fight the urge to throw my coat over her so none of the other guests can ogle her, especially when I notice a couple in their twenties pass, the man’s eyes lingering on Parker longer than I like.
Her costume isn’t even that sexy or revealing.
That doesn’t stop my brain from imagining all the fun we could have in private.
My naughty little elf.
I shouldn’t be jealous over the idea that other people are looking at her. I can’t help but feel possessive over her. I don’t want anyone checking her out. I want to be the only one who gets to see her looking as incredible as she does.
“Is everything okay?” I push back from the table and stand, discreetly adjusting myself.
“I…” She chews on her lower lip.
Which doesn’t help matters.
It makes me want to chew on her lip, too. Find out if it’s as delicious as I’ve imagined.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Sure.” I look at Bernie. “I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time, son,” he says with a mischievous grin.
I shake my head, knowing the guys will definitely tease me about this later. They already pester me about her as it is, considering they’ve picked up on the fact that the second she’s in view, I become distracted and make horrible decisions, which have sometimes cost me the game.
“Is everything okay?” I ask again once we’re on the opposite side of the veranda.
“I—” She stops short as she scans my frame, a furrow creasing her brow. “Areyouokay?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I figured you were born wearing a dark suit. I didn’t think you owned something as provincial as jeans and a sweater.”
“I didn’t get my first suit until I was at least a few hours old.” I wink.
“Of course.”
Admittedly, I much prefer wearing suits. They’re like a coat of armor. They make me feel like I can accomplish whatever I need. But my new friends mentioned Parker preferred a more rugged kind of man. Not someone who wore suits all the time.
So I started to dress more casually.
I’d like to say it was to earn her trust. See me as someone she might want to do business with.
Another part of me wanted this precise reaction. For her to rake her gaze over me as she held her breath, her pupils flaming.
“What can I do for you?” I ask after a protracted beat.
“Oh, right. Sorry.” She snaps her eyes back to mine and draws in a deep inhale. “I’ll preface this by saying that if there was anyone else I could ask, I wouldn’t be doing this. Unfortunately, there isn’t and I’m just desperate enough to ask for your help, even if I’ll most likely regret this later.”
