35. A Room with a View

THIRTY-FIVE

Ihad obviously overestimated the power of a low profile hat and sunglasses. I thought they were a silly precaution that wouldn't really be needed.

That notion was thrown out the window when a fan spotted us at baggage claim. I'd been around Parker's spotlight my whole life but never in Seattle, where the majority of his fan base was located. It only took one person to draw a crowd and we were surrounded in minutes. People were nice, but I was getting anxious with the amount of people watching us. I kept Lily tucked behind my flannel so her face couldn't be plastered on the front of a magazine. I knew these people loved Parker but news about us was selling lately. I wasn't letting someone profit off a picture of her.

Parker was patient and generous with each person that approached him. He didn't invite a ton of conversation with the adults but he made extra effort with the kids, crouching down for photos and holding babies. It was attractive to see him in his element like this.

We were lucky that it was late, or early, and there weren't as many people at the airport at three in the morning. Once Parker had signed a bunch of things and taken several pictures with half-awake kids, he politely asked them to let us get going.

"Thanks guys, we need to go home and get some rest now." He grabbed all our bags and placed a hand on my back before calling over his shoulder with a wave, "You all have a safe flight."

Home. It hadn't really occurred to me that this was Parker's home too. He was bringing me into another part of his life that was important to him. I didn't know how to feel about it.

"Parker! Parker! Will you sign my boobs?" I mocked when we were out of earshot.

His bright eyes were full of mischief when they connected with mine. "Any day, Dellie Girl." He walked with purpose while leading us to the exit but not so fast that I had to hurry to keep up. "You handled that really well."

I laughed, "What did you expect me to do? Stomp and throw a fit?"

"No, but I know it's annoying for other people. I hope you weren't uncomfortable."

"It was okay. Kind of cute." I mumbled the last part and hoped he didn't comment on it. I should have known better though. Parker never wasted an opportunity to tease me.

He wiggled his eyebrows. "Cute, huh?"

"Don't make me take it back."

He just smirked. "How's she doing?" He nodded to Lil.

"Getting a little antsy." I was just thankful she wasn't crying yet. She practically slept through the whole flight, but I knew our luck wouldn't last much longer if we didn't get her laid down soon.

"Our ride is right there." He pointed to a black SUV that was idling by the curb.

It didn't look like an Uber, and the moment a man in a suit stepped out to help us with our bags I wondered why I thought it would be.

"Welcome home, Mr. James," said the tall, well built man. He looked to be in his late forties or early fifties with a dark blonde beard and slightly graying hair. His presence was intimidating, but his smile when he saw Parker was not.

"It's good to see you, Mark." He motioned to me with his hand and I moved forward to say hello. "This is Del and our daughter Lily."

I could tell from Parker's demeanor that Mark was someone in his circle of trust. I trusted his judgment and let the curtain of my shirt fall so Lily's sleepy little face was visible.

Mark"s eyes softened when they moved to Lily. "It's nice to finally meet you, Del. I've heard a lot about you." He shook my hand gently for a man of his stature. He looked at Parker and then me again. "You make a beautiful family."

Mark and Parker loaded the trunk with our luggage while I secured Lily's car seat. They joined us, and we got on the road to Parker's penthouse in downtown Seattle.

It was serendipity that the rain started pelting our windshield. A proper welcome to Rain City. I listened to the men chat quietly and relaxed into the seat. My eyes drifted closed a few times but a soft, warm feeling bloomed in my chest as they went back and forth, updating each other on things that had happened since Parker was in town last.

I watched the lights of the city fly by. I knew if I were more awake I'd be on the edge of my seat, taking it all in. Seattle was a place I'd thought about my whole life. It seemed like a far away dream that would never come true. I'd traveled a little over the years but only to the east coast. A family vacation and to see Parker a few times in Buffalo. It was cliché, but I loved the rain. It made me want to curl up by the fire with a book. I'd welcome that any day, every day even.

We pulled into an underground garage twenty minutes later and came to a stop in a space labeled with Parker's name. There were four spots like that, two filled with sleek cars I wanted to run my hand along and smudge up with my finger prints. The flawless paint called to me like a glass door did to a child with sticky fingers.

I refrained from giving into my impulses and walked past with my hand at my side. Mark didn't leave us at the elevator like I expected he would. He helped Parker carry everything into the front hall and then said his goodbyes.

"Del, please let me know if you need anything while you're here. Parker will pass on my number."

I nodded and thanked him, leaving Parker to shut the door as I removed my shoes and ventured further into the extravagant apartment. The decorations were minimal, but it didn't feel like a bachelor pad.

"I didn't decorate it myself. I just asked for blue and this is what the interior designer went with."

"It's nice."

It was more than nice. It was clean and organized, but not in a way that made it feel sterile. I was drawn to the huge floor to ceiling windows that looked out over downtown. The lights were bright and twinkled a little. I didn't know if it was because I was in awe of its beauty or if my eyes were just getting tired. I felt Parker's presence behind me, but I couldn't tear myself away from the sight.

"Is that…" I pointed to a semicircle of blue light a few blocks over.

"The field," he answered, and I immediately knew why Parker chose this apartment. "Amazing isn't it?"

It hit me all at once how full circle this moment was. Parker had dreamed of playing baseball professionally since we were too young to understand that the chances of it actually happening were slim to none. This was a life few got to live. This was the result of years and years of hard work. Sacrificing school and time with friends, leaving his family for the majority of the year. Countless injuries from the pressure he put on his body.

"We need to get you off that damn list and onto that field."

"And how do you plan on doing that?" He didn't sound convinced.

"You said it was more about your reputation than the actual accident right? The GM said you needed to get your priorities straight."

"Right. Del, I don't know what ideas you're cooking up in that beautiful, deranged mind but it's making me nervous. We can't kill my GM."

I couldn't hold back my laughter. "You've read too many of my mafia books." I turned to face him and fixed his collar. Ideas swam in my head. "I'm just going to make you look so good they'd be stupid not to reinstate you." I ran my finger down his chest while angling up to meet his fiery eyes.

"You always look so good on me, under me." He cocked his head to the side as if thinking, "On top of me, on your knees?—"

I smacked his chest and was already typing out a message to my friend, Chelsea, who also happened to be my publicist. She helped me market my books and keep my author image separate from my real life while making my readers feel like Aurora was really me. She would be over the moon to help Parker and take over his social media plan. I could always count on her. I waited for the bubbles to pop up and show that she was typing, then realized the time. No one other than us was awake this early on a Tuesday morning.

"We should probably get to bed. I can show you the rest of the place in the morning." Parker pulled Lily out of her car seat and against his chest. When he tapped a button on his phone I heard the lock on the front door slide into place.

"Got this place locked up tight, huh?"

"Seattle is beautiful but it's not Roe, Del. You have to be aware of your surroundings. I have two of the most precious things in the world in my possession right now." He wrapped his free hand around my back and squeezed me into him. "I don't take that lightly."

I returned his hug because he was warm and strong, and I didn't have the strength to deny that I liked his closeness. I let myself sink into the offered comfort for longer than I would have before I had that last conversation with Gram. I felt something with Parker that had never been present in my other relationships. It was special, and I didn't want to forfeit without at least giving it a try.

I figured Lily would sleep in her Pack ‘n Play while we were in Seattle, but Parker blew my expectations when he opened the door across the hall from the master. There was a crib, rocker, and pink dresser he had delivered just for her to stay here. We tucked her in with a kiss and turned on the monitor before closing the door with a soft click.

"Now do I have to beg you to come sleep with me in my room, or are you going to come willingly?" He must have seen the debate in my expression because he shook his head and lifted me up by the back of my legs to carry me in and toss me on the bed. I inhaled the tangy citrus of his body wash lingering on the comforter. I was too tired to change into pajamas so I crawled under the blankets with what I had on, something I'd never do if I had any energy left. Outside clothes were not meant for the bed.

Parker shut the overhead light off and flicked on the little lights that were drilled into the headboard. They'd be perfect for late night reading, and I cursed myself for leaving my paperbacks at home and only packing my kindle.

Parker must have had a different idea for my clothing options though, because he emerged from his walk-in closet in a fresh pair of boxers, t-shirt in hand.

"Come here sleepy girl." He offered his hand, and I let him pull me out of the cozy haven to stand in front of him. He lifted my shirt over my head and undressed me.

His eyes reflected his appreciation, but his hands didn't linger longer than it took to remove my clothing. When he peeled off my leggings and underwear, his chocolate eyes flashed up to me. He placed the lightest kiss on my hip bone before returning to his full height and letting his t-shirt fall over my body. It was worn in and soft against my skin.

"Thank you," I whispered and reached to drape my arms around his neck.

"It's just a shirt, Del. You don't have to thank me." He bent to pull me closer, his hands brushed over my back and settled on the lowest point.

"I meant it for more than the shirt." He waited for me to continue so I took a deep breath to draw in some courage. "I appreciate everything you're doing. I hope you know it's not going unnoticed. Even if I'm not very good at saying the words."

"I get it, Del. I understand. You don't have to say it."

I kissed him tenderly to make him stop talking. "No, I do. Because you need to know how I feel. I don't blame you for what happened. I know you feel guilty, but it really wasn't anyone's fault. I just want to move forward on an even playing field. Maybe it's the sleep deprivation, but I'm willing to give this a try."

"Actually, like you don't just want me for my body?" He laughed, but I knew part of him was really wondering.

"Your body is one hell of a selling point." I let my fingers trace the defined ridges of his shoulders, biceps, and forearms then took his hands in mine. "But I want to try with you for real because you make me feel safe and loved and sexy all at the same time. We work well together, and I trust you. I want to see you succeed, and I want to be part of it. I don't want to waste time by being apart again."

"Wow, are you feeling okay?" He pressed the back of his hand to my forehead like he was checking for a fever.

"Knock it off." I pushed his hand away.

"What? You never get all mushy. I didn't know you were so obsessed with me."

"Is it a complete turnoff?"

"The opposite actually." He swept me up in a deep kiss. My feet left the floor, and I squealed when he tickled my sides while his lips trailed my neck. "But we need to get to bed, so I"ll make up for it tomorrow."

He tucked me in and then rounded the bed to climb in beside me.

"Come here my sweet, sappy little thing." He patted his chest and I didn"t hesitate to curl into his side and lay my head where I could hear his heartbeat strong and steady against my ear. I was halfway asleep, already dreaming about my plans to fix his image, when I heard him whisper, "I"ve laid in this bed staring at the ceiling so many times wishing you were here."

I didn"t know if he meant for me to hear, so I just snuggled closer and enjoyed the warmth his body put off.

The fight to remain neutral was over. I was reading into every word he spoke, and even the ones he didn't.