I stood back, away from the graveside and shadowed by a crop of trees. Waiting.
Even though I’d never met Bonnie, I knew the girl was her daughter. Her long, silvery-blonde hair was pulled back from her stunning face in a low ponytail that hung down to her waist. She wore a black wrap dress that showed off a pair of gorgeous legs and clung to her curves, causing my eyes to linger on them for far too long. I imagined my hands running over those soft hills and valleys, those legs wrapped around my waist as I drove deep inside her.
Whoa! Shut that shit down right now, Parker.
I shook my head to dispel the daydream. She was barely fucking legal, having only turned eighteen three days before her mother died. Not to mention the mental sucker punch I gave myself for forgetting that she was my best friend’s daughter. For fuck’s sake, I was almost twice her age. Seventeen fucking years older than her, Parker.
Samuel had only just inherited his father’s investment firm when he met Bonnie. After she left, it took him years to realize how badly their security team had dropped the ball on the search for Bonnie. He’d wanted someone to give it another go. A mutual friend steered him in my direction.
It didn’t take long for us to develop a friendship. We had similar backgrounds, both of us trust fund babies who grew up to be irresponsible playboys. I’d gotten myself into all kinds of shit, and I’m positive there were times my parents despaired that I would even reach the age of twenty-one. My juvenile record was quite colorful. From what he told me, his wasn’t far off from mine.
We’d both attended Harvard, though five years apart. His wild reputation practically made him a legend. However, he’d cleaned up his life after meeting Bonnie, going on to graduate and keep his family’s company successful. It took me a little longer to get my college career on track. My parents died my freshman year and I’d gone a little off the rails. Partying, drinking to excess, and never fucking the same woman twice.
Maturity crept in there somewhere though and I managed to graduate, a stipulation for accessing the rest of my inheritance. I took the money and opened Parker Security and Investigations. I left behind most of my vices, but I still never found myself sticking with a woman more than one night.
I hadn’t looked too deeply into the reasons behind my lack of commitment, and it was actually Samuel’s determination to find Bonnie—eight years after losing her—that was my wake up call. Though, the lesson learned could have easily been not to give your heart, I ended up learning something else. I wanted what they’d had, with a different final outcome, of course.
Samuel remained alone until a year ago when he met his fiancée, Lola. After I realized what I wanted, I’d dated for a few years, but no one ever kept my interest. I hadn’t even bothered in quite some time. Some time, meaning at least six years. This is what I blamed my runaway thoughts and suddenly hard cock on.
The crowd eventually thinned and Delilah stood alone, head bent, hands clasped tightly in front of her. I gave her a few moments alone, then began to slowly make my way towards her.
I made sure to announce my presence by deliberately stepping on a few twigs. Her head lifted as I neared and my heart ached at the sight of watery pain in her blue eyes. They widened a little as she surveyed me. I wasn’t a small guy and in my black, tailored suit, I knew I looked intimidating.
Stopping a few feet away, I softened my expression and murmured, “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, her had canting slightly. She looked up at the cloudy summer sky and blinked back her tears. After a moment, her gaze returned to mine and she smiled softly, a dimple popping in her let cheek. “How did you know my mother, Mr...?” she trailed off, looking at me expectantly.
I hesitated, suddenly unsure about the lie I’d prepared. Being dishonest with her didn’t sit well, but until I could confirm her identity one hundred percent, I wasn’t ready to lay everything out in the open. So, I decided on a half-truth.
“Parker,” I informed her, holding out my hand. “Ethan Parker.” Her skin was soft as we shook, and I had to stifle the urges to lift her hand to my lips and test the silkiness against them. Instead, I pulled away. “I didn’t really know her. I was in town and came at the request of a friend to pay their respects. I’m told your mother touched a lot of lives.”
Delilah’s smile grew and she nodded. “She was pretty amazing.” A horn honked and drew her attention to a black Town Car idling nearby. She waved before turning back to me. “I’d better go. Will I see you at the luncheon?”
I shook my head and took a step back, a little overwhelmed by the jealousy swamping me. Who was in the car? A boyfriend? Fuck. What was the matter with me? I needed to get the hell out of there. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it.” Disappointment flashed across her face, almost making me smile. In the few minutes I’d been talking to her, she’d telegraphed her every emotion, she was an open book and I found that I liked it. A lot. “It was nice meeting you, Delilah Brooks.”
“Lilah,” she corrected sweetly. “You can call me Lilah. And, I’m glad we met too.” With one last smile in my direction, she turned and hurried over to the waiting vehicle.
I watched until her womanly body disappeared inside, and then headed back to my own car. My plan was to give her a few days, get some distance from the funeral, before approaching her again. It was clear from my body’s reaction to Lilah that I needed to take the time to get my head on straight. To shake off this attraction.
The last complication in the world I needed right then was to fuck my best friend’s daughter.
Chapter 2
Delilah
The apartment was silent. Still. Empty. Just an hour ago, it had been filled with all the people whose lives my mom had touched. They’d come to the funeral in droves to pay their respects. Many had stopped at our place afterwards, bringing casseroles and soups. Pastas and salads. Desserts and more desserts. More food than we needed for the luncheon. So many dishes that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to squeeze the leftovers into the fridge and freezer.
A couple of the nurses who’d worked with my mom had offered to stay and help with the clean-up, but I’d wanted to be alone. Or at least I thought I did. The home I’d shared with my mom had always been my safe haven growing up, filled with her love. Even after we moved to the city so she could start her cancer treatments, she’d made our modest, two-bedroom apartment seem like a cozy home in the country. Only it wasn’t the same anymore. She was gone forever, and when everyone else left, the silence became deafening. It made me second-guess my decision.
A loud knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts, giving me something else to focus on besides my loss. I smoothed a hand down my dress, tugging at the front to make sure my boobs were fully covered by the material, and tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear as I made my way to the front of my home. Our apartment had a separate entrance from the rest of the building, exiting straight out to the sidewalk. A quick glance through the peephole had butterflies swirling in my belly as I recognized the man standing on my porch.
“Hello,” I gasped as I pulled open the door, clearing my throat afterwards to steady my voice so it didn’t sound breathy when I continued. “I wasn’t expecting to see you again today since you said you couldn’t make the luncheon. Or any other day really since you’re not from around here.”
I didn’t add how much I’d wanted his answer to be different. How much I’d wished he’d said he was coming to the hou
se. How much I wanted to see him again.
My reaction to Ethan Parker was completely inappropriate considering I’d met him at my mom’s funeral. And because my guess was that he was closer to her age than my own. But it was impossible to ignore the impact he’d had on me from the moment I’d lifted my head and found him standing there, staring at me with heated dark eyes. His black hair fluttering slightly in the wind. Tall and imposing in a black suit that looked like it cost more than I’d ever spent on a piece of clothing.
The jacket was gone, and the sleeves of his pristine white dress shirt were rolled up to his elbows. His shoulders looked broader than before, and I could swear the dark scruff on his jawline had darkened in the hours since I’d seen him. Each time my mind had wandered towards him during the luncheon, I’d tried telling myself that I was exaggerating how attractive he’d been. How wrong I was. If anything, I’d underestimated the impact of this man on my libido, considering he was potent enough to be the first to wake it up—and on this dark day.
“I’m sorry to intrude.” He looked towards the mostly empty sidewalk, huffed out a deep breath, and then returned his gaze to me. “I hadn’t planned on it. But I was out for a walk and I somehow found myself on your street.”
He sounded perplexed by how it had happened, but I didn’t care. I was just happy it had.
“Would you like to come in?”
“As long as I’m not interrupting anything.” His gaze drifted over my shoulder, as though he expected someone else to be with me.
“Only a pity party for one,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing,” I sighed. “Your timing is perfect. The last of my visitors left about thirty minutes ago, and I’d just realized how quiet the house was. I’d actually appreciate the company.”
“Well, then I guess I’m glad the car had a mind of its own.”
“Me, too,” I breathed out, catching a whiff of his cologne as he walked past me.