Grip Trilogy Box Set - Kennedy Ryan Page 0,126

do you mean?”

Will’s fingers cover mine over the keyboard.

“Stop.” He waits for me to look at him. “I know there’s something going on. If it affects my artist, I need you to level with me. Are you guys . . .”

I fill in the blanks. He has picked up on something obviously. I’m glad I can look him straight in the eyes and tell the truth. Though, I can look people straight in the eyes and lie just as easily.

“Grip and I have been friends for a long time, Will, but it isn’t like that.”

“You sure?” Will asks. “Sometimes I think I pick up a vibe between you guys.”

“Like I said, we’ve been together a long time.” I shrug, slamming my laptop closed. I don’t feel like faking work right now. “Friends for a long time. That’s all.”

“Okay, good.” Will laughs his relief and leans back in his seat. “’Cause I’m pretty sure Qwest’s in love with that guy.”

His words spear me right through the middle. I could see that for myself, of course. She’s completely into Grip. And he really likes her, but I know he doesn’t love her. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. If Grip stops trying with her, breaks things off, she’ll be hurt. If he keeps trying and really falls for her, I’ll keep hurting. In neither scenario am I brave enough to do anything about it, to stop this train I’m at least partially responsible for setting on its course.

Sixteen hours just fly by when I don’t have to stare at Grip and Qwest the whole time. They never came back out. I guess they put that bed to good use. The thought of him inside her, of her wrapped around him takes my breath with a sharp pain. I grab my bag and head toward the exit. As soon as I step onto the tarmac, I spot a black SUV with a vaguely familiar figure standing to the side. The man who accompanied Parker that night in Vegas. I think Clairmont was his name. I already know who will step out of the vehicle before Parker appears.

“You’re a lucky girl.” Meryl comes to stand beside me. “We can’t all have billionaire boyfriends to come home to.”

“Lucky me.” I give her my fakest smile ever.

Will joins us, accessorizing his roguish grin with a wolf whistle. “No wonder you looked at me like I was crazy when I asked about you and Grip,” Will says. “I almost forgot you have one of the richest men in the world on a string.”

Right about now I’d love to choke Parker with said string.

“I’ll touch base about the Pirouette gig in the morning,” I say, not acknowledging his comment. I scrounge up a smile slightly more sincere than the one I offered Meryl. “I’ll see you there tomorrow night. Get some rest.”

I start toward the SUV like I had expected it to be there waiting. Halfway to the SUV, Parker covers the ground between us swiftly, stepping into my path.

“It’s been too long,” Parker says. Equal portions of ownership and lust mix in the eyes studying me. He takes my bag and snakes an arm around my waist, pulling me into him. His erection pokes my stomach, and I draw a shallow breath.

“Someone’s happy to see you,” he whispers through my hair, into my ear.

I can’t take it. I didn’t want to cause a scene, especially with Grip and Qwest deplaning behind me, but I instinctively pull out of his body lock.

“What are you doing here, Parker?” I leave my irritation close to the surface where he can see it. “How did you know I was landing today?”

“I have my sources,” Parker says with a smile. “I have my ways.”

He wraps possessive fingers around my elbow, and I jerk out of his hold again.

“Don’t.” I chop the word up and serve it cold. “You said you would fix this. To spare you the public embarrassment, I’ve left it to you. You’ve done nothing to address the rumors and then show up here like my long-lost lover. Who the hell do you think you are?”

“Who do I think I am?” His voice is a brick in a kid leather glove, a buttery soft blow. “You know who I am, Bristol, and I’m here to remind you who you belong to since you seem to think this is a negotiation. It’s not. I’ve waited. I’ve been patient. That’s over.”

“Belong?” I keep my voice low and trap my outrage between