Found in Us (Lost 2)

I rub my hands in excitement before lacing my arms around his neck. “You’ve got no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into, mister.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Jessica

“See? Wasn’t that one of my greatest ideas of all times?” I ask two months later, after the last guests leave the housewarming party. Parker needed some convincing, but he gave in at last. We’ve invited Dani, Helen, Tara, as well as some colleagues from my new workplace.

He leans against the front door, tilting his head.

“I’m still debating.”

“You had fun. Admit it.”

“Make me.”

“Is that a dare?”

He grins. “Absolutely.”

I walk to him, swinging my hips seductively. He watches my every move with a sinful smile. Lacing my arms around his neck, I kiss his bottom lip, then tug it between my teeth. Parker groans, bringing his hands around my waist, and pulling me flush against him.

“I had fun,” he admits.

“Well, that was easy.” Hmm...so easy, in fact, that I’m suspicious. Especially because up close, I sense that Parker is nervous. His pulse is quick, and there is a thin sheet of sweat at his temples.

“Your colleagues are friendly,” he comments. “Even your boss.”

“Yes, they are. Thanks for convincing me to take a chance on myself and look for something new.”

The situation with my boss at the old museum didn’t improve, and Parker kept insisting I should look for a new job. He kept repeating that changing something that doesn’t work does not mean I can’t stick to a plan or see things through. Finally, I listened to him and sent out resumes. It took two months, but now I have a position at a small gallery in the north of London. Parker is finalizing the sale of his father’s company and has already returned to his usual business activity. He’s a lot less grouchy when he leaves his office these days.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad to see you happy. Thanks for making this house feel like a home.”

Decorating the spare bedrooms was a lot of fun. I tried not to go crazy, I really did. But we still ended up with a walk-in closet, a pillow room for relaxing (with a chandelier that makes the room look like a forest), a game room, a home-gym we’ll probably never use, and a sauna we use quite a lot. What can I say? Parker and I like naked fun best.

He drums his fingers on my waist, swallowing repeatedly. He’s still nervous, which makes me nervous.

“Parker, is something wrong? You’re... twitchy.”

He moves one hand from my waist, dipping it into his pocket. When he takes it out, I gasp. He’s holding a little jewelry box. Oh my God. Suddenly, my pulse is pounding in my ears. It feels as if my heart will leap out of my chest. He opens the lid, and I’m looking at the most beautiful ring ever. The huge diamond in the center of the platinum band is absolutely gorgeous.

“Marry me, Jessica. It can be in one year, or in five, or even later.” His voice is shaking lightly. “But I’d love for you to wear my ring. I’d love for us to be engaged.”

Emotion bubbles up in my throat. “Of course I’ll marry you, you sexy Brit.”

Parker takes the ring out, shoves the box back in his pocket, then slowly puts the ring on my finger. Both our hands are shaking.

“It’s my size,” I say surprised.

“I took one of your rings to the jeweler so they could match the size.”

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

He takes my face in his hands, and then he pulls me into the most beautiful kiss. He touches his mouth to my lower lip, then to my upper lip before slipping his tongue inside. He kisses like it’s our first time all over again. I brace my palms against his arms, and feel the tension melting from his muscles. I can’t believe that some small part of him legitimately thought I might turn him down. I kiss him harder, then whisper, “I love you, Parker. Nothing would make me happier than marrying you.”

He lifts me up in his arms, carrying me throughout the house. I wiggle my toes, grinning. I love it when he carries me. I know I’m in for a treat tonight. I’m Parker’s fiancée.

Then I look at his bare hand, and tap my forefinger against my chin. “We have to get you something too.”