Twenty-Three

Our car pulls up to Luxure, and my heart flutters with pride. Tonight's party is to celebrate the grand opening next week. It"s so wild to think about how far Parker and I have come since that first day I walked through those doors.

My hand finds Parker's before we step out. "Have I told you how thankful I am you gave me this opportunity?"

His eyes trace my face, before trailing down my body. "Have I told you how stunning you are tonight?"

Parker's hand lifts the sea glass around my neck. "And seeing you in this." He shakes his head, his eyes full of emotion. "I swear, I think she sent you to me. To test me, to love me…to utterly complete me."

His words make me feel like the most special person in the world. Bending my head, I place a kiss to his knuckles.

I had the honor of helping Parker go through the storage unit he has containing his parents' belongings. When his dad passed away, he said it was just too much, so his parents' best friends boxed up anything they thought could be important to Parker one day, and for the last five years, it has been sitting untouched.

I almost couldn't believe my eyes when we stumbled across the bubble-wrapped vase full ofhis mother's sea glass.

With a few new pictures of his parents, the vase sits perfectly on his bookshelf. Just missing a single piece, which now rests perfectly on a chain around my neck, thanks to Parker.

The most unique one, small in size, and the only orange one in the collection.

I place my hand over his, leaning up to kiss him. "There is no doubt in my mind, she had a hand in your happiness." I am beyond grateful that happiness included me.

He kisses me one more time before stepping out of the car and offering me his hand.

"And back to your original comment. You were the best one for the job, and it shows in every detail of this place. I may have made you sweat a little bit that day, but there was no question the job was yours."

I beam up at him. I wouldn't have believed him six months ago, but knowing now what I know about Parker, I absolutely do.

"I love you. Now let's go celebrate."

Our whole crew is here,and it means the world to me. To us.

The excitement on Parker's face when he saw all of them almost gutted me, but in the best way. Especially hearing my grandfather tell him how proud of his accomplishments he should be.

Parker has a lot of things in life, but seeing him find his true place and feel comfortable among our friends and my family melts my heart.He admitted to me that in the past he had avoided the Barton and King family trips because being surrounded by a big family was awesome in the moment, but then he'd come home to his empty place and feel so down.

But he doesn't feel like that anymore.

And as far as my grandparents go, I'm pretty sure they call his phone now more than mine. According to my grandma, "Parker never misses her calls." I give them a hard time, but I love it more than I could ever say. We are all going to Paris for Thanksgiving to celebrate with my Aunt Samantha, and I can't wait for Parker to meet her.

So far tonight, my grandpa finally got the dance Quinn has been promising him, and the guys are all talking shit about who is going to bust their ass snowboarding in Vermont next month.

"It's official, Wes and I are going to see Braxton for another tattoo next week," Sloan says, and Quinn pipes up.

"I love his girlfriend. Can we invite her to the next girls' night when I'm in town?"

I look over to where Olivia stands, talking to Mr. Bryant. She's been on cloud nine all week, finding out that Parker gave her the promotion she deserved, as his attention is going to be in Hudson Valley for a while to come.

"Yes, absolutely. She kept me sane when I first started working here. I adore her."

"Speaking of staying sane…don't turn around. But did you know your parents were coming tonight?" Sloan has me freezing in place.

What??

"Like, you are sure it"s them?" I ask in disbelief. When I called to invite them a few weeks ago, I never even received a call back.

"No doubt, and they are approaching quickly," Quinn mumbles under her breath.

"Darling, there you are." I hear my mother's high-pitched voice as her hand lands on my back.

"Hi, Mom… Dad. What are you guys doing here?" I try my best to sound welcoming, even though my hackles are up, wondering what they are truly doing here.

"We were over on this side of town for a business meeting and wanted to come see the cute little hotel you are working at now."

I practically hear Quinn grinding her teeth behind me from the cocktail table she and Sloan are leaning against. I guess it had nothing to do with the voicemail I left inviting them to tonight, or the phone call I'm sure my grandmother made on my behalf.

Holding my head high, I respond proudly, "Actually, I designed this whole hotel with the help of the investor and project managers."

"Oh, that's right, and we are so happy to hear you are dating the investor now. Mother told me," my mom says, and I instantly hate she makes it about his money.

"You two should come to the event we are hosting next month." My dad's voice sounds almost unfamiliar to me at this point in my life.

I know I should be kind in this moment, but I've taken the high road a lot with my parents. More than anything, I want them to understand.

"Honestly, Dad, I would if it wasn't for the fact this is the first time I've heard from either of you in weeks. Any conversation we have is about money or social events. I just want my parents to check in on me from time to time and not have another agenda."

I can tell I have shocked both of them, but it was time I said it.

"But I do appreciate you stopping by tonight, and I would love for you to stay. Meet Parker, have a drink with Grandma and Grandpa, and look around at all the design details I am so proud of here in this hotel."

I feel Parker approach as his hand finds my lower back.

"Hello," he says, and I can tell by his voice he is trying to read the room.

"Parker Cole, these are my parents. Russell and Elizabeth Pierce."

Parker reaches out his tattooed hand, shaking both of theirs.

"Thank you for coming. You should be so proud of Ava. She put such a special touch on this hotel. And it's all everyone can talk about tonight." His arm pulls me into his side, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

Apparently, he read the room very well.

My mother speaks up this time. "We are proud of her. It's beautiful in here."

I hope she means it, and a big part of me will always wish for that from my parents, but then I think about all the others surrounding me who support me without question and that's what truly makes all the difference to me.

Olivia's voice sounds over the microphone. "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for attending the reveal of Luxure. We are beyond thrilled to have you all here for our special night. The rooftop garden and restaurant are now open for cocktail hour."

Parker turns his attention back to my parents. "Well, please enjoy yourselves. The rooftop was all your daughter's doing and it will be a major highlight for our guests, it"s impeccable." He squeezes my hand before continuing, "I'm sorry, but I do need to steal Ava for just a few."

"Of course, and it was nice to meet you, Mr. Cole," my mom responds.

I lean in to give each of them a hug. "Just in case you guys head out before I'm back, thank you again for stopping by."

My mom grabs my hand as I turn to walk away. "Ava, we really are happy for you."

I give her a genuine smile, hoping my honesty with them tonight can help us turn a new leaf. But either way, my hand in Parker's as I walk away fills my soul with so much love and adoration.

"So those were my parents," I say as we walk down the corridor.

"Exactly what I expected. But good thing I have something that will take your mind off them."

"Oh yeah?" I ask, narrowing my eyes as I look up at him.

His voice grows husky as he pushes the door open to the conference room. "My little brat has been such a good girl, so of course she gets rewarded."

Locking the conference door behind me, I stalk over to where Ava stands in front of the long table, eying the bouquet and note I left for her there.

My fingertips trace over the smooth skin of her arms when I reach her. She leans farther into my touch, pressing her ass into me.

"I"m so proud of you. None of this could have happened without you," I say, kissing up the column of her neck. Distracting her from the present in front of her.

"Mmm. How proud are you?" she teases, shaking her ass slightly. She loves taunting me with one of my favorite things.

"So. Fucking. Proud."

Ava spins around and wraps her arms around my shoulders. Shimmying her skirt up to her hips, I lift her onto the conference table, making her yelp.

Her eyes go wide. "Here?" she questions me with a giggle.

"Do you know how long I've waited to take you on this table?" I pause, dragging my fingers over her exposed thighs. "Since that very first day you waltzed through those doors to interview, and every day since." My cock thickens at the reminder.

I step in between her spread legs, cupping the back of her neck. She moans as I lean down and kiss her deeply, then pull away.

"Hands on the table behind you, Av," I demand, stunning her at first, but she snaps into action.

Unzipping my suit pants, I free my cock. Then I grab hold of her legs and spread them wider until she's almost in a split. Thank fuck for those pole dancing classes.

My mouth waters at her perfect pussy on full display for me. With a groan, I hover above her and spit, watching as it coats her cunt.

"Holy fuck, that's so hot," Ava whimpers, and I waste no time sliding inside her. Our bodies move in unison, her hips matching every thrust of mine.

I shudder as I feel her pussy clench around me.

"That's it, Angel… Milk my cock," I growl as I calm my movements to a torturously slow pace.

"Oh fuck, Parker I… Oh fuck!" Her breath hitches as I grind my hips and my thumb finds her clit. As soon as I start to rub the bundle of nerves, her body vibrates below me, her hands grabbing for my shoulders.

"Nuh uh... not yet." I thrust harder to feel her body teeter on the edge of no return. If she comes, I won't be able to stop myself from following, and I'm not ready to have this end just yet.

In one swift move, I flip her, so her chest is pressed against the conference table and her perfectly round ass perched for me to play with. I can't help it when my hand connects with her ass cheek, and then again on the other. They redden instantly, and my dick twitches at the sight. She lets out a loud throaty moan, and I wrap my hand around her mouth to stifle the sound.

"Shhh..." I say teasingly. "We wouldn't want anyone to hear you now, would we?" I enter her again in one fluid motion. "Fuck, you feel so good." Biting her shoulder, I pick up my pace.

She groans as my cock fills her over and over again. Her body begins to tremble, her moans quiet but consistent, and I don't think I can hold off much longer.

"Parker, I"m going to come," she gasps, earning her another swat on her ass.

"Oh my God," breathes out as she pushes herself farther onto my cock, taking all that I can give and clenching around me.

She's getting louder by the second, and I want to make sure no one catches us. I know this floor of the building should be empty, considering the party has moved to the rooftop garden, but that doesn't mean someone hasn't gone perusing around to check out the place.

Thinking quickly, I grab my loosened tie from around my neck and string it through her half-opened mouth, holding on to each of the ends in one hand. I feel an instant flush of juices flow from Ava's sweet pussy. My girl likes it rough and dirty.

"If you need me to loosen my grip on the tie, you tap three times on the table," I tell her, knowing she will be unable to use her safe word if she needs to.

She pushes herself onto me farther in response, her wetness coating her thighs and mine.

Fuck yes. I don't think I'll ever get tired of the way her body melts for me.

I bend over her, getting close to her ear and nipping at her skin on my way. "Tonight, you will ask for my permission to come, and you will ask properly. When I decide you're ready, then, and only then, will you get your release. Do you understand?"

She quivers, nodding frantically in understanding.

Lifting her chin all the way up, so we make eye contact, I add, "You look so fucking beautiful right now…taking my cock like the good little brat you are."

Her eyes roll back in her head as she lets out the sexiest fucking sound. My thrusts quicken when I feel her body begin to quake.

"Do you need to come, Angel?" I let up on the tie, allowing her to speak.

"Fuck yes, Parker, please," she gasps.

"Ask correctly." I tsk, watching her pupils blaze in lust as they lock onto mine.

"Please, Sir, can I come? Please, please, please," she begs, hands nails digging into the desk below her.

"Come all over my cock, Av. I want to feel that pussy clench all around me."

Just as the permission leaves my lips, I tighten my hold on the tie and fuck her harder.

Her body breaks under me, and as always, it"s the most euphoric feeling. She never ceases to amaze me with what she's willing to try, and lately, that's been a hell of a lot.

There is no denying our connection. She was made for me, and I her.

I feel my cock twitch, her orgasm pulsing around me as I empty myself deep inside of her with a barely restrained roar.

"Holy shit, that was perfect," I breathe out as I kiss a trail up her shoulders. She is slumped over the table, thoroughly fucked. Her cheeks are flushed, and she has the most adorable smile on her face as her mind returns to her body.

"Thank you, Sir."

Ah, those words are like music to my ears. And I intend on hearing them for the rest of my life, if she'll have me.

Because she's it for me.

She is my forever.