Page 32 of Liberating Water

Parker

I watchedas Lailah and Anne talked, catching up after being gone for the holidays. The soft smile on Lailah’s face made my heart melt just a little, especially after everything she had gone through the past week or so. I was glad to be home and to get some sense of normalcy back.

I knew that she would be starting classes and training full time soon, so I pounced on the chance to spend time with her alone. Sitting back and watching her bond with the others was a double-edged sword. I knew we had a solid connection, but it wasn’t the kind I wanted. Fear creeped in, telling me that I was nothing more than a friend to her and even if I offered up my Oath, she wouldn’t take it. Sure, we had made out, but giving in to physical urges was easy—I should know.

Before I met Trouble, I’d always searched for the next emotional high. Being the Knight gifted with the power of emotions made it easy to get lost in them when I was at a party. The fun was intoxicating, pushing me to find more places I could get my next hit, so I did. Soon I had the reputation of being a social whore who was only interested in a good time, not a long time. Then I crashed into the one woman who gave me the biggest jolt of emotion I’d ever experienced. Once I’d met Lailah, I couldn’t seem to stay away from her. She was a light that I was drawn to, and once she came into her power, the pull was even stronger.

When we fought against Ms. Tabitha back in Austria, the rush of having her pull and push power through me was unlike anything I had ever felt before. I couldn’t even imagine what it would look like when we Bonded and she could feel my emotions the same way I felt hers when we touched. Knowing she would have five different people’s emotions rolling around in her brain made me worry. Being a person who could pick up on that with a simple touch if I was trying, I knew how overwhelming it could be not knowing if you’re the one feeling it or not.

“Parker, oh Parker,” Lailah called in a sing-song voice. “Earth to Parker, you still with me?”

Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I slapped my customary grin on my face. “Aw, you can’t get rid of me that easily, Trouble. What’s up?”

“Well, I didn’t know how many cookies you wanted or if you liked them frosted or not,” Lailah said, pointing at the case.

Walking up, I settled my hands on her hips and rested my head on her shoulder, looking at the options. “What are you feeling like today Trouble?”

“Oh, I always want the plain kind. The frosting covers up the taste of the cookie too much,” Lailah answered, turning her head to look at me.

“Then we will take all you have left, Ms. Anne,” I declared, looking up at the older woman with a knowing smile on her face.

Lailah gasped and turned to face me. “Parker, that is far too many! We can’t eat all of them today!”

“We’ll see about that. I know a few others who might be interested in getting one of your cherished cookies.” I winked.

I smiled even more as her cheeks bloomed with a soft blush and her eyes dropped from mine as she smacked my arm. “Don’t you dare start that again. If you and Cami keep talking about my favorite food like that, I won’t be able to look at it the same.”

“Oh, Trouble, I haven’t been able to think of a sugar cookie the same way since the first time I met you,” I teased as I looked up at Ms. Anne. “I don’t know if you remember me at all, but I was the asshole who smashed her cookie the first time she came here.”

Ms. Anne chuckled. “As it so happens, I do remember you were quite upset that you had ruined your chances with this young lady.”

“Look at us now, only a few months later and we’re dating. Guess you could say your cookies brought us together.” I sighed, hugging Lailah tight against my chest as she muttered something under her breath. “So it’s only right that we need to have all the cookies you have for our date.”

“Very well, I’ll box them up for you.” Ms. Anne smiled, pulling the tray out of the display and carrying it into the back where I guessed there might be more.

Lailah pushed back from my chest so she could look up at me. “What on earth are we going to do with that many cookies? For real,” she demanded, giving me an attempt at a glare.

“I already told you not to worry about it, but we have one more stop to make before we head off to our second location,” I explained, knowing that spontaneity was not her strong suit.

She just rolled her eyes at me and let herself relax against my chest as we waited for Ms. Anne to come back. It didn’t take long, and I was a little surprised at the large pastry box she brought back out with her.

“Now, I do have to admit I would love to know what you’re going to do with thirty cookies, but I’m sure Lailah will fill me in another time,” Ms. Anne said as she rang up the purchase and took my card.

I ignored Lailah’s groan at the price, but she was just going to have to learn that I like to spoil her, as did a few of the other men in her life. Having seen from past experience what Brayden was like with previous girls he had around him, I couldn’t wait to see Lailah lose her shit when he did something over the top and romantic. Even Micah, for the dick he was, had been known to splurge on a girl or two. He might not have much of a heart left inside his chest, but what he did have was some smooth moves when he wanted to.

Holding the box like it was made of glass, I headed out of the bakery, holding the door open for Lailah. “We need to head down to the shop at the end of the street for the last item before we can head out of town.”

“Did you really have this all planned or are you just pulling this out of your ass?” Lailah questioned as we headed off.

“What answer would give me better chances of making out with you later?” I grinned.

Shaking her head, Lailah laughed, and it was the most soothing sound to my soul.

“Just because you said that, I’m not going to on principle, but I might be willing to let you change my mind.”

“Oh, you’re in trouble. You can’t lay down a challenge like that and not expect me to kick its ass,” I said, bumping into her with my hip and wagging my brows before coming to a stop next to a small chocolate shop. “This is our next stop. Would you mind holding these while I get what we need?”

Gently, I transferred the box to her and pulled the door open for us. This was one of my favorite places. The owner was a grizzled old man who was training his son to take over the business when he died, but that was twenty-five years ago, and he was still here every day making his delicious chocolate with secret recipes.