Oh. My. God.
My face flames at the realization.
This is what you wanted to happen at the Halloween party, isn't it? It's the reason why you got mad at Parker.
But why is he suddenly being eager about it? I thought he wasn't ready yet. Wait. Is this just another way of making up to me? Because he felt guilty for rejecting me in the first place?
Anger churns in my gut. That better not be the case. I want to sleep with him but it doesn't mean I'm up for a pity-sex. I'd be laughing at that train of thought if I wasn't so mad right now.
Before I can get the chance to give him a piece of my mind, the server chooses the moment to bring our food to our table.
I keep my eyes down as we eat our food. And although it tastes divine, I can't bring myself to enjoy it. Those unanswered questions sit heavily in my mind, affecting my appetite. If nothing else, I manage to drink two glasses of wine.
And this was supposed to be a romantic date.
"Sawyer, talk to me."
Of course he senses my change of mood. Parker has always been observant when it comes to me. I usually find it sweet—not so much right now.
Raising my eyes to his, I grind out, "I don't need your pity sex."
"What?" He almost chokes on the food in his mouth. Reaching for his glass of water, he takes a long pull.
"I get that you're feeling guilty about Friday night. But how the hell could you think that inviting me to 'stay over' would relieve you of that? Honestly, Parker, I'm insulted," I huff.
The look of incredulity on his face is almost laughable. "That's what you get from that?"
I shift my gaze away, not wanting him to see the deep hurt in it.
"Peaches, look at me." He's using that low commanding tone again that always gets to me. He grabs hold of my hand on the table, forcing my attention. "That's not what I meant at all. I don't even want to ask how you managed to come up with that idea. But get this—I fucking want you. I wanted to have you, own all of you, since that first kiss in my car. Turning you down Friday night was a stupid mistake that would never happen again."
Holy crap. If a person could melt from hearing those intense words, I'd be a puddle of goo on the floor right now.
"Okay," I say in a weak voice. I'm such a goner for this boy.
"But we're only going to do it if you're a hundred percent on board with it. I don't want to force you into doing something you're still not ready for."
"Parker," I say, this time with conviction, "I practically threw myself at you in that alcove, remember?"
If it's possible, his gaze intensifies even more. "Then it's going to happen." The velvet promise in his voice dances along my skin and finds its way down to my core.
Holy crap indeed.
*******
"Are you nervous?" Parker asks just as I hear the telltale sound of the lock clicking behind me, as if to drive home the fact that we're alone in his room.
I've been here several times in the past few weeks. He and I have fooled around in here. But this time feels different. The sensual anticipation I always feel in this room seems stronger, more potent.
We're finally going to do it. I'm going to lose my virginity to him.
I exhale a breath. "A little."
"Don't be. It's just me." His hot breath coats the side of my neck, making me shiver. "Just us," he murmurs before his lips brush my skin, raining soft kisses down the slope of my neck and moving my hair to the side to give himself better access, making my eyes flutter close.
I don't know how and when he managed to get my V-neck sweater off me, but I feel his hands popping the buttons of my polo shirt even as his unrelenting lips pepper kisses along the curve of my jaw.
Just as my shirt falls to the floor, leaving me in my bra and skirt, he steps in front of me. His eyes are dark and hooded, two magnetic pools of desire threatening to consume me.
Heart thudding wildly in my chest, I suck in a shaky breath. "Parker."
He dips his head, his lips connecting with mine, exploring my mouth wickedly.
The urge to do more hits me and I find myself pulling back and tugging his sweater and shirt over his head in one go. His chest rumbles with a low hum of approval as my fingers coast down his taut skin, reaching his belt. But before I can start to unbuckle it, he grabs my hand and steals my protests with his lips, slowly backing me up until I feel the foot of his bed behind me.
Pushing him off gently, I hold his gaze as I reach behind me and unclasp my bra.
His throat bobs as he swallows hard, the intense look in his eyes making my nipples hard.
"Touch me," I beg.
Complying, Parker reaches out and cups a breast, rolling the peak with the pad of his thumb and forefinger, making my back arch at his touch.
He hums low in his throat then leans down to put his mouth over the other one, circling the taut bud with his tongue. The sensation sends heat shooting down between my legs, making me squirm.
As if sensing my impatience, Parker plants a kiss on the valley of my breasts before unhooking my skirt, letting it pool at my feet.
Suddenly, I'm conscious of the fact that I'm only in my panties. Feeling awkward and unsure, I move to cross my arms over my chest, but Parker stops me.
"Don't," he says in a gruff voice. "Don't hide from me."
"Maybe you should strip off your pants so I don't feel alone."
With a smirk, he unbuckles his belt and kicks off his pants, leaving him in
