Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Good. The laundry is done, the bedding at least; not sure what else you have to do.” Parker goes up on an elbow, his beautiful face hovering above mine. His five-o’clock shadow is in full effect, making him look even more gorgeous. He’s lucky, waking up without looking like a disheveled mess.
“Parker.” I close my eyes for a moment to gather my thoughts.
“Stop whatever you’re thinking and whatever you’re about to say. I’m here because I want to be here. I’m going to get up, grab a quick shower, and work from here today. If you’re fever free today, I’ll go back to work at the office.” There’s no room for compromise, not with how he has everything lined up. It’s succinct and to the point. If this is how he handles problems in the office, solving them with a few words, it’s no wonder he’s a billionaire, and at such a young age.
“Fine. Thank you for taking care of me. I’m truly grateful. I will ask that if there’s some way in the future when I’m not sick, think of a way for me to repay you, and please allow me to help.” His hand sweeps the hair off my forehead. The soft intimate moment makes my insides quake, which isn’t necessarily a good thing or a bad thing. When I got out of the shower, all I could think about was getting Parker to leave. The clothes I chose to wear weren’t what I’d keep on if I knew he’d be staying the remainder of the night. An old hoodie, no bra, a pair of boxer shorts, and socks.
“That we can agree on. How about toast this morning? Your body has to be begging for real food.” When his lips go to my forehead, I figure he’s trying to feel if my fever is officially gone. He lingers, though. I feel the plushness of his mouth, wishing I could finally feel them against my own. “The way your body was shivering on the couch, there was no way I was moving you in here by yourself, not when adding blankets still didn’t help. Your body has to be depleted of the soup and drinks you had. If the toast helps, I’ll order lunch in.” He pulls back, methodical to the bone, a complete type-A where I’m definitely a type-B. This could get interesting.
“Coffee sounds amazing, to be honest. Not sure how smart that would be on an empty stomach. So, yes, toast and hot tea would most definitely work.” I start to sit up. Parker’s hand hasn’t left my lower abdomen the entire time. His eyes move from mine. I take a deep breath squeeze my legs together. He has an effect on me. One that takes ahold of me, consuming me from the outside in, and I know if I weren’t sick, Parker Hudson would easily consume me, body and soul.
“Christ, one touch, that’s all it takes, and you light on fire for me.” The once heavy presence of his hand leaves an emptiness in its wake. A small mewl leaves my lips, telling him without saying the actual words how he makes me feel. “Soon, Nessa, soon. We have to get you feeling better. I’ll take you on that date. Truth be told, regardless of the auction, nothing would have stopped me from pursuing you, not one fucking thing.” Wow. I’m stunned stone-cold silent, unsure of how to respond and left wondering if Parker even wants one. Instead, I watch as he unfolds from my bed, noticing his clothes are a wrinkled mess from sleep. That isn’t what captures my attention the most. Nope, that would be the tenting of his pants. Maybe he doesn’t understand a woman’s obsession with a man in gray sweats. But let me tell you, it is fan-yourself hot. Add the fact that he’s not doing a single freaking thing to conceal the fact he’s long, lengthy, girthy, and I am never going to recover.
THIRTEEN
Parker
True to my word, I worked on the couch the entire day yesterday. My assistant brought my laptop and a change of clothes, along with lunch. Nessa sat on the couch beside me and turned on the television, some reality show that had me glancing up from my work to the nonsense she had on, which entertaining at best, without a storyline to be seen. That didn’t stop her from settling down in her corner of the couch, opposite of where I was sitting, and curling her legs beneath her body. When she started to dose off, I moved things around, took a break from work, placed her legs on my lap, massaging her legs and calves until she drifted off. Only then did I finish my work, allowing Nessa to rest peacefully, knowing if her fever didn’t return, there was no way to weasel my way into staying another night. Plus, I did need to get home, make an appearance in the office, and check in with Ezra, Theo, and Boston instead of texting them in our group message.