“Parker.”
The sun beat down from the small window in the corner. I rolled over onto my side, my stomach sinking when I realized that I was alone.
Sitting up, I hugged myself and rubbed my hands up and down my arms. My skin tingled from the remnants of the nightmare that had invaded my sleep. Only the night before, I told Parker that my nightmares were getting better. Devin was sadistic even in my dreams.
I sighed and rose to my feet.
Not in the mood to take a shower without Parker’s gentle hands massaging into my skin, I got dressed. I smiled when I saw a plastic heart sitting on top of a folded up pair of jeans and a white t-shirt.
Remembering when he had given me the tube of red and pink plastic hearts, tears stung my eyes. The sweet words of encouragement and instructions that had filled those little objects meant more to me than I could ever say. I had kept the notes, spreading them throughout Parker’s cottage as a reminder that everything would be okay. It had to be. It may take some time but I knew that all of us would get through this.
My skin prickled with fear as the remnants of my nightmare invaded my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Although I knew it wasn’t true, the dream felt more real than I liked. My eyes flicked up to the camera in the corner, giving me a sense of reassurance. I never noticed it the night before when Parker and I were wrapped up in each other. I could only assume that it was used for emergencies. You could never be too safe.
Pulling on a pair of panties and a bra, I slipped into light blue jeans. After putting on a white t-shirt, I opened the plastic heart, my breath catching as my gaze travelled over the handwritten note.
Angel, without you, I am nothing. I am an empty shell.
You’ve made me strong, bringing me out of my own personal hell.
Angel, I love you more than you will ever know.
The true feelings I have for you are more than I can show.
You are the sun, moon, and stars in my sky. You are the light in my darkness.
You inspire me to be a better man.
P.R.
xx
A lump formed in my throat. Parker was not a man of many words. He dominated with his touch and spoke through his actions.
I tucked the note into my pocket and pulled my blond, curly hair into a messy bun on top of my head. Finally making my way upstairs, I headed into the kitchen in search of coffee.
The back of my neck tingled and I turned around.
Parker stood in the backyard, talking to Colin and Greyson with the club sitting at the patio set a few feet away. Parker’s gaze remained locked with mine as I closed the distance between us. Screw caffeine. He was better.
Heading outside, I shut the patio door closed behind me. I could feel the eyes of Colin and The Hell’s Harlem MC staring at me but all I could focus on was Parker’s warm embrace.
He smiled down at me but his eyes remained dark with fury. My heart sped up. I knew I had walked in on their meeting but I didn’t know what the outcome was yet. Parker wanted to protect me but I was in this just as much as him, if not more so. I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around his hard middle. Snuggling into him, I inhaled his clean, fresh scent and sighed.
He cupped my nape and kissed my hair. “Good morning, angel.”
“Morning,” I said softly, breathing in the musky smell of him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I answered automatically. I winced at the mistake I made by lying.
Parker pulled back and pinched my chin, tilting my head. “Try that again.”
My heart skipped a beat at the firm tone of his voice. I glanced at Colin.
His eyes remained cool, the muscle in his jaw ticking.
“I suggest you look at me when I talk to you,” Parker whispered in my ear. His voice was low, rough, and it sent shivers over my body.
“Or else what?” I challenged. “Sir,” I added for effect, smiling sweetly at him.
“I love it when you challenge me, pet, but know that I will always win in the end. Now tell me,” he demanded.
“Bad nightmare,” I said finally.
His eyes darkened, saddening as he let out a heavy sigh. “Can you give us a few?”