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)
SIX
Nessa
I’m not sure how I should feel, if this is appropriate or if it’s not. Needless to say, I’m out of my element completely. Which makes no sense. I’m used to being around wealthy individuals. The only difference between others and Parker is that he makes me feel something no one else ever has. No, I’m not a thirty-two-year-old virgin. That doesn’t mean I give my body away freely. The handful of boyfriends I’ve had in the past meant something to me. Did they ever make a spark of energy flow through my nervous system like the man beside me? Absolutely not. The tingle running through me right now with only his hand on my lower back is telling me Parker Hudson is unlike anyone I’ve ever known before.
“Thank you again for the ride.” I guess small talk would be a good idea right about now, as he opens the door.
“You’re welcome.” His tone is deep and rich. As I lose the heat from the palm of Parker’s hand that was on my lower back, I’m aware that his presence seems to loom over me in a protective way.
“Well—”
“I’ll be—” we talk at the same time.
“Go ahead.” I nod. Parker’s hand reaches up. My eyes watch his movement the entire time. Hope blossoms inside me. Is he going to kiss me? Is he going to tell me he can’t wait for our date that he paid for? Or maybe he’ll demand that he sees me to my door. Which probably isn’t something a woman should hope for. We may move in the same circles, but until I know exactly who Parker Hudson is, I shouldn’t hope that he pushes this further. Yet.
“I’ll be reaching out when the charity releases your number. Are you sure you’ll be okay getting to your door safely?” His fingers move the hair that’s fallen over the side of my eye. Parker’s hand doesn’t leave my hair. Instead, the long, thick fingers push through until they’re on my shoulder and his thumb casts along my collarbone. A place that shouldn’t feel erogenous. It shouldn’t make my body tremble, my knees quake, or my core tighten. And I’m sure Parker can sense exactly what he’s doing to me. He'd be oblivious not to see it; this dress doesn’t conceal a whole lot, a downfall I should have seen from a mile away after meeting him earlier tonight as well as when I tried it on. The formfitting fabric meant that while it had a built-in bra, it wasn’t padded, and panties were a no-go after trying on the plethora of panties I own. Thongs were also a no, even seamless totally did not work. Nothing did. It meant going bare. Thankfully, I didn’t spend every moment with Parker this evening. If that were the case, this dress that costs a fortune would be toast.
“I’m sure. There’s a passcode you have to enter for each tenant,” I assure him. “If you have your phone handy, we can bypass the wait. I’ll give you my phone number now. Essentially, it’s up to the winner and date to set up a time. The funds were verified when I left tonight. Not that I expected there to be a problem.” I’m holding my breath at the end. Probably didn’t need to bring up the money. It can be a touchy subject with some, and judging by the expression Parker is giving me, it is to him as well. “Or we can wait. It’s completely up to you.” I give him the out as well as I hold my breath, watching as his body relaxes a little bit with each passing moment.
“We can do that.” Parker takes his phone out of his suit jacket, one that fits him like a glove. It’s clearly tailored made and accentuates his body in all the right ways. I watch as the phone recognizes his face and it unlocks before he hands it to me without checking it for a missing text or call that is more important. Never in my life has that happened before. My last boyfriend would never willingly hand over his phone without checking it first. There’s one reason out of a million he’s now an ex. I quickly go to his phone log, type in my number, hit Call, then hang up, adding my name to the number while simultaneously having his now as well.
“There you go.” I hand his phone back. He gives me a smile, one that’s more of a grin. There was no way to hide what I was doing. Sue me. I’m a woman who doesn’t answer a phone number that’s not saved in my phone, essentially doing us both a favor.
“I’ll be calling you soon, Nessa. Until then.” He dips his head again. This time I know, down to the marrow of my bones, his lips are going to press against mine. I tip my head towards his, but Parker does the complete opposite of what I’m expecting—his lips touch the side of my mouth, there and gone in a matter of moments, leaving me in a stupor. I’m rooted to the spot, wondering if he really just did that, probably aware that I was making myself look like an idiot, feeling things I shouldn’t all along.