before he resumes his search. Closing the door, I move to sit on the comfy-looking couch, all the while watching him look feverishly for his phone. You’d think he would’ve left it somewhere out in the open.
“So, did you hide your phone from yourself or something?” I ask dryly after hearing him murmur, “Where could it be?”
He laughs. “That’s a slight possibility, yes.”
An obvious solution pops into my head. “Why don’t I just call it?”
“Simple, direct…I like it,” he says with a grin.
I roll my eyes before pulling out my phone to dial his. A song that I never expected to hear coming from his phone fills the room.
“Is that Jason Mraz’s I Won’t Give Up? Wait…is that set to my number, or is that your ringtone for everyone?”
He scrambles to grab his phone from under some clothes on top of the dresser, clearly embarrassed that I heard it. “Uh, it may possibly…be yours,” he replies, sweeping his hand through his hair.
“Huh.”
“Huh? That’s it? That’s all you have to say?” he asks, joining me on the couch. He slouches back into the opposite corner and props his right leg in front of him. “Say what you will about the song, but I can honestly tell you I’ve never done this for anyone else.”
I’m not quite sure how to respond to him. Sure, it feels nice that this is the first time he’s customized a ringtone for someone, but…
Aw hell. Who am I kidding? He’s freaking adorable.
“Actually, I really like that song,” I admit with a smile.
“Good.” He returns the smile. “You know, you have the prettiest smile I’ve ever seen. It’s a shame with everything going on that you aren’t able to smile more often.”
My cheeks flush with heat as I dodge his intent stare. The smile that was on my face turns into less than a half-smirk and I simply reply, “Thanks.”
The grin on his mouth widens. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable or anything.”
“You didn’t. It’s just that I don’t hear things like that very often,” I reply, glancing over at him then averting my eyes.
“Well, then it looks like I came back into town at just the right time.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because you should’ve had guys telling you this all day, every day,” he responds and my blush completely wrecks my face.
Though I find everything Parker’s telling me very romantic and swoon-worthy, I just can’t seem to shake the fact I was physically assaulted by Unknown tonight. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad Parker is trying to distract my mind with all this. It’s something he’s always done quite well. But reality is a bitch sometimes.
“Was it something I said?” he asks, seeming to realize my mood has changed.
“No. I was just thinking about how vulnerable Unknown has made me. I feel like my whole life is at his disposal to just eff with anytime he feels like it. I appreciate you trying to distract me, but the scary truth is I could’ve died tonight. He had me in his grasp and could’ve easily strangled me. That’s a terrifying thought, you know?”
Parker goes quiet for a moment and leans forward, resting his right elbow on the back of the couch. “Don’t think like that, Dani. I’ll admit that the thought of me losing you tonight has been on my mind this whole time. It rips my heart out to even think about it. And because we’re never guaranteed tomorrow, I’m a firm believer that we should always seize what we want the moment the feeling hits us. Almost losing you tonight reminded me of that.” He slides closer to me and places his hand on my leg. “Which is why I’m going to do what I’m about to do right now.”
Before I have a chance to say anything, he leans in and lightly kisses my mouth, as if testing the waters. As he pulls back slightly, I feel his warm breath caress my lips. He hovers there, waiting. When I don’t reciprocate the action right away, he takes a hold of my hand and places it on his chest. His heart is pounding ferociously. I feel every beat.
“Do you see what you do to me?” he asks, his husky voice making me shiver. “That’s all you right there.”
I find myself getting lost in his gaze and want so bad to just kiss him back, but I’m having a hard time separating Unknown’s hands all over me from Parker’s.
“Parker—” I start to say, but then I’m