Her Marine Next Door - Aliyah Burke Page 0,37

there, that dress is coming off you and we’re not going at all.”

“Not even sure why this is a thing that has to happen. I think you should tell them our engagement is just a scam until the results are back from the DNA test. The first meeting with them didn’t go well. What makes us think this will be any better?”

“Can I bribe you?”

She smiled at her reflection, willing away her earlier sadness. She had to get her game face on, as it was time to spend the evening with his parents. “Probably. I’m pretty easy.”

“Not even close. You’ve played hard to get for over the past year.”

She cut her gaze to the door and had no doubt he was there, leaning against the wall, waiting for her to summon up her rapidly waning courage. But she’d given her word and no matter how difficult this was becoming for her, she wasn’t going to quit.

Besides, it wasn’t permanent. He’d be back to work soon and gone. Then she’d return to her old life. So even if—who was she kidding—when this dinner went into the crapper, she could just bear it and hold up her end of the bargain.

Running another look over herself, she wished she felt better about this. She’d piled her hair up in a high ponytail, allowing the curls to fall free. Her burgundy dress had long sleeves, ruching down the front bodice, and a scoop neck, and hit her at the knees. Respectable to meet the fake in-laws, yet flattering to her figure. Strappy gunmetal heels with a four-inch height were sleek and hopefully sophisticated enough for her to pull this off.

“Please don’t let me fall on my face.”

“What was that?” he called out.

“Nothing. I’m coming, I know we have a reservation.” Always a good thing to have a reservation to head into hell. Didn’t want to be turned away at the door or anything like that.

She stuck her tongue out at herself and tried to provide another mental pep talk. The last time she’d gone to see someone else’s parents she’d been—

The door slammed on the memories she didn’t need to revive tonight. Reggie didn’t deserve her thoughts or tears. Not anymore. He stopped when he cheated on her. And she couldn’t think of Brennen. Not right now.

With another much-needed deep breath, she opened the bedroom door and froze.

Holy shit.

Parker was leaning against the wall, much as she’d suspected, but what she hadn’t counted on was how damn delicious he looked in a suit.

All her lady parts were wide-awake now. The man slayed in jeans and a T-shirt. This was another level. His broad shoulders were even more amplified; his muscled legs made her weak in the knees.

“Shit, you’re gorgeous.” He pushed away from the wall and neared her, taking up what little common sense she had left. Parker stopped in front of her and ran his hungry gaze over her again.

“Thank you.” She reached up and adjusted his tie, not that it needed it, but she had to have some excuse to touch him. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”

“They can eat alone.” He prowled closer.

“No. Stop.”

He drew up short, lust overflowing in his eyes.

“We have a dinner engagement. Let’s go.”

“Ballbuster.” The smile tilting up his kissable lips removed the sting of his words.

“It’s what you get for agreeing to this in the first place. Plan on telling me why we’re carrying on with this and you’re not letting them in on the ruse?” Parker led her to the passenger side and helped her in.

“I’ll tell you tonight. After the dinner. Just so you know, I’m going to be hard and uncomfortable all night because of that dress.”

She gave him a sugary-sweet smile. “Be glad you’re not in a thong. Those aren’t exactly comfortable.”

“Killing me here, baby.”

She patted his cheek. “My misery is your misery. Let’s go. Don’t want to be late.”

…

Parker couldn’t keep his gaze off the woman beside him in the truck. Skylar had no idea how stunning she was. It wasn’t just her looks that snared him—yes, those were fucking incredible—but it was so much more than that. How she helped others, went along with him about Cullen, never had a bad word to say about anyone, even when they deserved it. Her discomfort and unease poured off her in waves and as he drove, she plucked at the edges of her new bandage job on her hand.

There was a lot riding on tonight. His mom had been a bitch to