Twenty

After living with this man for about a month, I thought I had seen a lot of sexy sights, but this might be my favorite.

Parker lounges on the couch, book in one hand, while his other rests on top of a curled-up Binx lying on his shirtless chest.

"I knew it!" I exclaim, setting down the boba tea I was craving this morning.

He slowly lifts his head to acknowledge my presence. Looking back to my cat, and then up at me, Parker shrugs. "Binx and I have bonded recently."

"Oh yeah, over what exactly?"

"Well, you, of course," he says, giving Binx a gentle rub. He just sits there purring, making no moves to come greet me.

Traitor.

"He appreciates me keeping you so busy in my room all the time that he gets your whole bed to himself so it"s a win-win relationship." Parker smirks, and I try holding back my smile, fighting not to give in to his charm. "Actually, Binx even mentioned he thinks you should start sleeping in my bed all night because he really hates when you disturb him in the middle of the night."

A thrill runs through me at the thought of Parker wanting me in his bed for more than just sex. I try playing it cool as I walk over toward them, scratching behind Binx's little black ear. "Is that right, Binxy boy? Maybe I'll give it a try tonight," I say, then meet Parker's grey stare, and that's when I notice the book he's reading.

"Learning anything new?" I giggle. I have been waiting for him to notice the new reading material I slipped onto his shelf earlier this week.

"Yes, first thing's first. We need a safe word."

"That sounds like a doable first task on our Dom/sub journey." My heart races at what that would mean for us. Could he be considering this as more than temporary, or is he simply playing along?

"So, what will it be?"

I ponder on that, but it comes to me quickly.

"Balloon."

His brow furrows before a big grin spreads from corner to corner of his lips.

"Because I would never touch another balloon in your presence again."

Parker chuckles, deep and smooth. "Not going to lie…that's fucking perfect."

"I need to study some more before we use it. BDSM can be dangerous, and all jokes aside, if you are serious about it, it's something I'd love for us to explore together."

My belly swoops. He is genuinely considering this.

"I'll get you some annotation stickers so I can go back and read the important pieces and the ones you think you want to try," I say, confirming how serious I am.

I told myself I bought the book as a joke, but deep down the possibility that we may actually do this sends an unreasonable amount of excitement coursing through my body.

I spentsome time out on the patio sipping my tea and sketching new design ideas that I haven't been able to get out of my head since our trip up to Hudson Valley. It was the perfect chill morning, but as I come inside, I feel the energy shift in the penthouse.

Long gone is the charming Parker from earlier, and in his place is an asshole I haven't seen in a while. One I almost forgot existed. Maybe I needed this reminder.

"Where is my damn blender bottle?" he asks, slamming yet another cabinet door.

"I have no idea. I unloaded all the dishes last night, but I didn't see it in there or the sink."

"Well, I certainly didn't move it, or I'd know where the fuck it is right now."

I brush him off, not about to entertain him acting pissy to me for no reason.

"I'm about to head out to dance. I could bring home a late lunch."

"No," he practically growls before changing his tone. "I'm good. I have lunch plans, so don't worry about me."

"Oookaaay. I guess I'll see you later, then." I don't attempt a goodbye kiss because I refuse to address whatever has crawled up his ass until he can realize his actions and apologize for being a d-bag.

As the elevator door opens, Parker finally acknowledges me. "Ava…"

I turn toward him, unable to control the hope I feel from my name on his lips.

"I'll see you later, okay?" His words seem forced and emotionless.

Unsure if he's really asking me or reminding himself, I nod in response, which must satisfy him because he turns toward his room. And that small bit of hope I felt is quickly replaced by a sense of trepidation.

Dance class was notits normal reprieve. It took me till almost the end of the class to get Parker's mood change out of my head.

At least I worked up an appetite, so I head to my favorite deli not too far from Parker's office. When I pass the door to his place, I can't help but wonder what type of meeting he had today. It seemed to come up suddenly, and it certainly changed his whole demeanor. I saw a shell of the man I've known lately when I looked into his eyes before leaving his penthouse.

I don't know whether to be worried for him…or me.

A few more blocks into my walk, I see one of the cafés Olivia's always gushing over. I'm tempted to go in and grab a coffee, but instead, I'm stopping in my tracks at the sight of Parker through the window. He stands at the same time the beautiful brunette sitting across from him does.

They step toward the door, and I quickly move past the storefront, so they don't see me on their way out. They don't kiss, they don't hug, and he doesn't even wait for her to get into the black sedan waiting on her, but I watch her as she stares after him.

It's a stare full of desire, longing, and maybe even regret.

My stomach sours at the thought, and I suddenly have no appetite. Who is this woman?

Is he seeing someone, or maybe I'm completely overthinking and there is nothing to this. But his attitude from earlier is what really has me questioning it all.

I analyze everything about the woman on my walk home. Maybe I'm overreacting, but how can I not when I'm in an uncommitted situationship?

If I didn't want to admit it before today, there is no more lying to myself. My heart is completely on the line where Parker is concerned, and it's hitting me just how scary that is when it comes to a man who doesn't want someone with relationship expectations. He tried to warn me.

From the beginning, he has been weary of anything more with me. But his words from that night at Quinn and Eli's constantly flash back into my mind, making me question if he even knows what his heart is capable of.

When I get back to his house, I hear him in his bedroom, but I won't be the one seeking him out.

I curl up on my bed beside Binx, and his gentle purr eventually lures me to sleep.

The other sideof my mattress dips, waking me up. Binx hops over me to greet his new favorite person, but I lie there pretending to still be asleep. Maybe it's the unshed tears in my eyes from fear of what he's going to say.

For some reason, today has triggered so many thoughts about how things will change once I move back to my own apartment, or even worse, when Luxure is finished. I hate feeling so fucking vulnerable.

"Ava?" He whispers my name like it"s a question.

I don't answer at first, and he moves to cuddle behind me. I want to protest, but his body wrapped around mine gives me the reprieve I've been seeking all day. "Av…"

"Hmmm?" I finally say, keeping my eyes closed.

His tattooed hand pushes my hair out of my face. "Would you be willing to go out to dinner with this asshole tonight? I know I don't deserve it after the way I acted earlier."

Oh, good for you… Two dates in one day. I still don't answer him.

"Angel, I am so sorry." The sincerity in his voice has me turning to face him.

I give him a weak smile, and he continues. "I'm embarrassed by how I acted earlier. It"s no excuse, but I was annoyed I had to go out on a Saturday for a last-minute lunch meeting that I didn't even want to have in the first place."

I know a rational human would be most thankful he realized his behavior earlier and apologized for it. But right now, all I care about is the bit of relief he's giving me about what I witnessed earlier.

I bite my tongue from asking who his meeting was with and what it was about because I'd be lying if I said I still wasn't curious after seeing the way she looked at him. But I believe Parker when he says he didn't want to go, and I try holding on to that thought.

Realizing he's waiting for my response, I look him in the eye. "We all have bad days, thanks for apologizing. Just make sure it doesn't happen again, or I'm going to start calling you a big brat," I tease, the unease in my chest from earlier finally leaving as he holds me tighter in his arms.

I feel him release the breath he must have been holding, and then he places a kiss on my forehead. "Does that mean you'll go on a date with me tonight? Or I can cook us something here."

"Well, if we stay here, less clothing is required." I run my fingertips down the front of his t-shirt.

"I like the sound of that." He smirks, and I bite my bottom lip.

"I know exactly how you can make me forget all about earlier."

Parker raises his eyebrow. "How?"

"You can cook me tacos…naked." I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively.

"And what would it take to have you watch me while I cooked…naked?"

His husky voice has me swallowing thickly before I answer, "Margaritas."

"Deal… I'll Instacart everything I need and have it within the hour." He pulls me into him, pressing a chaste kiss to my lips. "I say we get naked now."