Chapter 15

Tess

I weave through The Castle's patrons, Parker's hand in mine as the lights that look like candlelight flickering off the walls shine our path.

"Ready to dive into the deep end?" I tease.

"Lead the way, darlin'. I'm right behind you."

We sidestep a couple making out in the hallway, their moans barely audible over the sultry jazz coming from hidden speakers. I glance back at Parker, whose smile tells me he's not just thinking about the music.

"Is it always this... lively?" he asks, as we dodge a waitress balancing a tray of glasses.

"Only on the good nights," I quip, leading him past velvet drapes that brush against our arms.

"Speaking of good nights..." My colleague, Sasha, pops up beside us, her dark eyes scanning Parker from head to toe. "Who's your handsome friend?"

Parker tips his hat, the picture of Southern manners. "Parker Fields, ma'am."

"Ma'am? Oh, honey, drop the formality. We're all friends here." Sasha grins, her arm looping through mine. "Tess has been holding out on us, hasn't she?"

"He’s been here one other time. You must have missed him when he did the tour." I shrug my shoulder.

"Enjoying the scenery so far, cowboy?" Caleb, the club's bartender, chimes in, polishing a glass with a wink. "The Castle aims to please."

"Scenery's mighty fine," Parker replies, his gaze lingering on me.

"Keep an eye on this one," Sasha says, pointing at me with mock seriousness. "She's full of surprises."

"Wouldn't have it any other way," he murmurs.

"Come on, Rowdy," I whisper, squeezing his hand as we slip through an arched doorway. The private lounge has a red leather couch, two matching chairs, and a breeding bench as the focal point.

"This is fancy. It feels like we've stepped into another world."

"Only the best for my guests," I close the door behind us with a soft click.

He chuckles. "I reckon you're full of surprises, Tess."

"Reckon right," I say, our eyes locking.

"Is this where you bring all the unsuspecting cowboys?" His voice is playful, but there's a hint of heat there, a challenge.

"Only the ones who can handle it." I toss back at him, the corner of my mouth quirking up.

He reaches out towards me, fingertips grazing my arm.

"Careful there, darlin'. You're playin' with fire," he says.

"Isn't that the point?" My words are bold, brazen, inviting.

Parker's grin widens, and he steps closer.

I take a step toward Parker, the hint of mischief still playing in his green eyes. Without a word, I place my hands on his chest. He watches me, curious and willing.

"Sit," I breathe out, and it's not a suggestion.

Parker obeys, lowering himself onto the leather couch, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Comfortable?" I ask, though it's clear comfort is about to be the last thing on our minds.

"Getting there," he replies.

I straddle him, denim meeting my wet lacey thong, and there's a sharp intake of breath. My fingers find their way to his hair, as I pull him into a kiss that starts out slow but quickly ignites with urgency.

Parker responds with equal fervor, his hands skimming along my sides. His touch is tentative at first, as if he can't quite believe this is happening, but grows bolder with every heartbeat.

"God, Tess..." His words are muffled against my lips.

"Don't think. Just feel."

And we do. We feel every inch, every gasp, every pulse point where our bodies meet and merge.

Clothes become a nuisance, and my fingers fumble with the buttons on his shirt, revealing inch by tantalizing inch of bronzed, well-worked chest. He mirrors my actions, peeling away what few pieces of fabric I have on.

We’re tangled together in a mess of limbs and lust. My breaths come in ragged gasps against his neck. His hand slides under my thong, cupping me through the lace, making me even more needy.

"You're so fucking wet. I can feel how much you want this," he whispers.

Suddenly, he lifts me, set my feet on the floor to turn me around and bend me over the breeding bench. My legs are spread wide with my ass up in the air while he walks around in front of me. He's fastening one wrist and then the other to the leather cuffs attached to each wooden beam to my right and left of the bench, leaving me exposed and vulnerable in the most delicious way possible. Then he steps back, taking in the sight of me.

"You're beautiful. Absolutely fucking breathtaking."

Before I can respond—before I can even catch my breath—he drops to his knees between my splayed legs and presses his lips firmly against my swollen clit. Electricity surges through my veins as his tongue dances across my sensitive skin, teasing and tormenting until I can barely stand it. He groans against me, his hands roaming up my thighs and back down again, leaving trails of fire wherever they touch.

"Goddamn it, Tess. You taste so fucking good."

Two fingers slide inside me, and he thrusts them in and out of me hard and relenting, driving me wild with need and pleasure at once. I drop my head down to hang limp as waves of ecstasy crash over me again and again.

Parker’s hand strokes my back as I feel him rise to a standing position behind me. Then I hear the rip of a condom package just before he positions himself at my entrance. Finally, he pushes inside me slowly but surely until we're connected once more.

His skin is hot against mine as he starts moving, his hips pumping in a rhythm that my body is already addicted to.

The bench groans beneath us in protest, but I don’t care. All I can focus on is how damn good this feels and how right it is for us to be like this together. With each thrust, Parker growls out words of praise for my body and the way it welcomes him so eagerly. When he finally finds release buried deep inside me, he grunts out my name in a low voice that brands my soul.