Onboard . . . obsessed. Semantics.
“Parker, we’ve talked about this.” I set my drink down on the bar. “We tried and failed at a relationship. I think we’ve satisfied our parents’ misplaced intentions.”
“This isn’t about what our parents want.” Parker palms my hip and pulls me closer, dropping his head until his lips brush my ear. “It never has been for me. I’ve always wanted you, and having you for a few months wasn’t nearly enough. Give me another shot.”
Parker and I dated for a while from senior year in high school until I went to college. When I chose Columbia and he went to Stan- ford, I took advantage of the long distance to break things off. We had zero chemistry, but I think something in me recognized the promise of what he’s become—spoiled, entitled, and a bit of a bully. I could so easily have become those things. Hell, I may have even been those things at various points in my life, but I didn’t want to be that. I certainly didn’t want to be with that.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
I look just past Parker’s shoulder to see Grip standing there. To anyone else, he might look at ease, but I know him better than most. I know his face intimately, have every line of it memorized. I know how frustration thins his full lips. How his eyes narrow at the corners when he’s annoyed. How anger ticks the strong line of his jaw.
“No problem.” I gesture to Parker. “Parker, this is—”
“Gripe, right?” Parker extends his hand, which Grip leaves hanging in the air, his eyes fixed on Parker’s face.
“It’s Grip,” I correct, breathing a little easier when Grip finally shakes his hand. “Remember Grip is one of my artists, Parker. He performed at the show in Vegas.”
“I need a minute, Bristol,” Grip says, not acknowledging my introduction. He walks a few feet away without waiting for my response.
“Be right back,” I tell Parker. Parker catches me by the elbow. “I’ll have them ready the ’copter.”
I pull free without answering and step over to where Grip waits. “What’s up?” I ask him.
“Next time, before you pimp me out,” he snaps, eyes darkening to hot chocolate. “Give me a heads-up, would you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You didn’t set me up on a date with Qwest?” His brows push up. “Did she misunderstand?”
“I didn’t ‘pimp you out.’ I thought it would be a nice surprise.” I shrug nonchalantly. “That you’d enjoy some time to relax. Sorry if I overstepped.”
“She wants to fuck me.” He dips his head so his eyes wrangle with mine under the moving lights. “You do realize that?”
“You’re consenting adults,” I say around the fist in my throat. “Whatever you decide to do is up to you.”
“This guy, Bristol?” He twists his lips derisively and switches gears without a clutch. “The guy with the irretrievable stick up his ass. This is the guy you give the time of day?”
“Don’t start.”
I turn to walk away, but he clamps his hand around my wrist. Just that contact sends a smoke signal up my arm. Parker can whisper in my ear that he wants to fuck me, and I’m dry as a bone. One touch from Grip, and I’m gushing in my panties.
Figures. My vagina, the contrarian.
He doesn’t get to say more because Qwest walks up to us, her smile wide with anticipation.
“Hey.” Her eyes drop to where Grip still holds my wrist. “Everything okay?”
“Just touching base before Grip leaves.” I tug my wrist free, looking up at the neutral expression shuttering Grip’s face. “You’ve got a couple of days off before everything goes even crazier. Enjoy them.”
Grip’s eyes cool to iced mocha and freeze when they shift over my shoulder. I turn to see Parker standing there, a sober-faced gentleman in a suit standing just a few paces behind him. The man with Parker is one of those people who carries just enough menace not to blend into the wallpaper but with a face you’d be hard-pressed to remember.
“Bris, we need to go if we want to make that flight.” Parker’s hands, usually possessive when in my vicinity, settle on my hips as he positions himself at my back.
“Um, okay,” I say, though I’m still not sure I’m going with him anywhere.
“Thanks again for the suite, Bristol,” Qwest says. “It’s incredible.”
“You actually have Parker here to thank for that.” I force myself to lean back into him, knowing I’ll pay later for encouraging him. “He’s the one who upgraded you.”