Her Marine Next Door - Aliyah Burke Page 0,25

have the ability to turn her into a lovestruck fool who couldn’t string two words together correctly.

“Hey, I just asked what you were thinking. You were the one who brought all my hotness into the conversation.”

His humor never failed to make her smile. “I thought you were feeding me.”

“I am. And here we are.” He stopped and she followed his finger to the old, dented white-and-gray hot dog truck parked along the street. Bartlett’s Hot Dogs.

“Really? A food truck?”

“Too good to eat at one?”

“No, I’m not, but I could have done hot dogs at home.”

He slid a hand around her waist, his fingers dipping beneath the exposed edge of her overalls in the back, brushing against her bare skin. She prayed her nipples weren’t visible behind her shirt, because each touch he gave her got that reaction.

“Not like these. Come on, live a little.”

“Don’t be issuing challenges like that. Let’s go.”

He gestured with his hand. “Ladies first.”

She didn’t wait for him, just headed for the truck.

…

Parker trailed behind Skylar. One, he could make sure she was safe; that was just his nature to protect, and it was doubly so when it was his woman.

What the fuck? Mine?

Yes, she was his, whether or not either of them wanted to acknowledge the fact.

Reason two, so he could stare at her ass, which was one of her best features. He was an ass man and, damn, did she have one he loved touching. Now he just needed to get her into bed and touch it even more.

Over her head, he waved at Seamus, owner and sole proprietor of the food truck. He’d had it for years, and when Parker had first moved to the area, he’d met Seamus and they’d become fast friends.

“Seamus,” he said.

“Parker. How much are you paying this lovely lass to hang out with you? We both know she’s far too good for you.”

He flexed his fingers against her side. “I made her promise not to disclose how much. Whatever she wants and my usual. Please.”

While she looked over the menu, he caught up with Seamus and watched Skylar. No pretense, he should have known she wouldn’t have an issue with eating here. There wasn’t a more down-to-earth woman that he knew.

“Okay,” she said, breaking into their conversation. “I’ll take the beer dog.”

Seamus grinned and nodded. “Coming right up. You picked a winner, Parker. Don’t mess this up.”

“I’m marrying this one,” he said without even thinking this man wasn’t someone he’d run into soon and didn’t need to tell about his fake fiancée. And yet the words fell easily from his lips.

Seamus paused. His sharp gray eyes flickered between the two of them. Parker risked cutting his gaze to Skylar, who didn’t seem all that perturbed by his announcement.

“Lucky bastard. Dogs will be up in a few.” Parker stepped forward to pay and Seamus waved him off. “Not necessary, son. You want to pay me, get your woman a ring. Some men may think she’s still available without that particular piece of jewelry.”

He bit back a growl. “We haven’t had time to pick one out.”

“Food’s up,” Seamus said.

Parker reached around Skylar. “Thanks, man.”

“Anytime. Bring this beauty back anytime.” The man waggled his bushy eyebrows. “Better yet, come without him. I’ll show you how to man a grill.”

Her body moved as she laughed, brushing against him. “I may take you up on that, Mr. Seamus. Thank you. It smells delicious.”

“Want to sit and eat or walk along the water?” he asked, handing her the beer cheese-and-bacon-topped hot dog in a potato bun.

“Walk.” She took two steps and paused. “Unless you’d rather sit. I know you had PT earlier today, but not sure how sore you are.”

He despised the fact that she was thinking he couldn’t handle walking with her if she wanted and had to bite back a response. He wasn’t an invalid. Was this part of the reason she didn’t want to take their relationship to another level?

“I’ll be fine.” Parker fought off a wince at the harsh edge to his words.

She held his gaze, blinked, and took a bite of her hot dog. Those thick lashes fluttered as her eyes nearly closed in bliss. “Okay, oh my God, and holy fuck, this is incredible.”

His lips kicked up. “I know.”

“I should kill you for this, you know. Now I’ll be down here all the time and eating my weight in hot dogs.”

He used his thumb to capture the bit of cheese in the corner of her mouth. “Just have to