I fear I always will.
I move my hand up to her breast, squeezing a nipple. She whimpers, slowly circling her hips, the feel of her ass against my erection causing it to harden and throb. I nibble at her nape, savoring in her taste. In her scent. In her everything.
“I need you, Parker,” I rasp, my voice husky from sleep.
“I’m yours.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. It’s not the first time she’s said this. But it’s the first time it causes a pang of regret to wrap around me. I know if I asked, she would be mine.
“Mine,” I grunt, smoothing my hand down her stomach and toying with her clit.
“Yours.” She props her leg up, allowing me better access. But I don’t want her like this. If this is to be our last time together, I need to look into her eyes. Need to relish every gasp, every quiver, every moan.
I push her onto her back and settle between her legs, staring into her sparkling blue eyes. I still remember the first time I peered into them. Remember being surprised Parker Holley was a woman, a breathtakingly beautiful one at that.
As I’ve gotten to know her — learned about why this place is so important to her, all the good she’s done not just for her employees but also the community — she’s only become more beautiful.
I smooth a few strands of hair out of her face, my lips descending toward hers. When they meet, I moan, drawing in her breath and taking it as my own. My tongue caresses hers, exploring her mouth for what will be one of the last times.
Her legs wrap around me, her heat against my erection a welcome invitation. Pulling back, I lock my eyes with hers as I bring my arousal up to her. She doesn’t look away, doesn’t even blink as I ease inside of her. Slow. Measured. Deliberate.
When I’m in as deep as I can go, I release a shuddering breath, a shiver rolling over my body at just how amazing she feels. Nothing has ever felt this incredible. This fulfilling. This consuming.
I cover her body with mine, our fingers interlocking as I move inside of her. There are no heavy pants. No lustful words. Instead, I keep her hands enclosed in mine, our eyes unwavering as we chase our bliss one last time.
* * *
An awkward silence settles between us as we leave the cottage, making the sound of my suitcase scraping along the dirt path all that more noticeable.
A taunting reminder that I’m leaving this place.
Parker had planned on slipping out before the sun rose, like she normally does. I was the one who insisted she stay. Told her I wanted to wake up with her in my arms. That I wanted to enjoy every last second with her.
Now, a part of me wishes I hadn’t. This would have been much easier if we’d just gone our separate ways in the predawn hours.
“I hope you enjoyed your stay at Holley Ridge, Mr. Reed,” Parker says once we reach the parking lot.
“I certainly did.” I come to a stop and face her. “Particularly the deluxe package.”
She laughs, and I’m grateful for the break in tension. But it only lasts for a second before her expression falls, sadness shadowing her features. Her brow furrows and tears well in her eyes, which she quickly blinks away.
Without thinking, I take her face in my hands and touch my lips to hers. She whimpers, the sound a cross between a sob and a moan as I kiss her for the last time.
When I reluctantly bring our exchange to an end, I rest my forehead on hers, drawing in a deep breath.
This shouldn’t be so hard. I’ve entered this kind of arrangement before. Hell, since Sadie, it’s the only kind of relationship I’ve had.
The only kind of intimacy I’ve been interested in.
But Parker changed all that. Made me question everything.
Made me want things I haven’t in a long time. Things I didn’t think I’d ever want again.
And that fucking petrifies me.
Releasing her, I fix my expression, rebuilding the wall around my heart Parker all but decimated this week, brick by heavy brick.
“I’ll reach out after the holiday to see where you stand on this property.”
