Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87015 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87015 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
It hadn’t taken me long to realize the asshole sitting next to him was his ex and that the guy was a real piece of work. When I heard Parker tell him he had a boyfriend, it was clear his story was a lie. I’d almost walked away but found I couldn’t. I was curious about him, and when something interested me, I wanted to learn more about it. I liked to follow my urges—though I couldn’t pretend that hadn’t gotten me in trouble a time or ten.
So I went over and acted like we were boyfriends, hoping like hell Parker wouldn’t think I was a psycho.
The verdict was still out about that, but he’d taken my helping hand and then we’d gone for a walk. The way he intrigued me grew, so I was disappointed when he turned down my suggestion to go get ice cream with me. But he did, so I’d returned to the bar to do what I’d started out the night wanting to do—get laid.
I’d figured that would be the end of it. That should have been the end of it, but then poof, I found myself at his bakery a few days later. I mean, why wouldn’t I want to try a new spot? I liked sugar and bread and coffee. It had nothing to do with him. Supporting small businesses like Beach Buns was important, and I was a good guy like that.
He’d smiled when he’d seen me before schooling his features, which surprised me. It became this game between us where I flirted and asked him out and Parker told me no and pretended not to like me. If I thought he really didn’t enjoy it, I’d back away. I always made it clear that if he asked me to stop or not come to Beach Buns anymore, I would, but he never asked. And sometimes he flirted and bantered right back before turning surly again the moment he seemed to realize what he was doing, as if he had to remind himself he wasn’t supposed to enjoy our game.
And for whatever reason, I kept going back for more. I joked about having a crush on him, but the truth was I did. There was nothing wrong with a harmless crush.
And now he was here in Vegas the same day I was. That was a big-ass coincidence if you asked me.
His gaze met mine. Even with the distance between us, I could see his eyes go wide. He was with a few friends, a couple of them I’d seen at Beach Buns with him. I swallowed the rest of the liquor in my glass, set it on the bar, and walked over. Was he…trying to hide under the table? What the fuck? I grinned as I heard, “Ouch. Motherfucker. I hate him.”
“I’m assuming you’re talking about me, but I’m not sure what I did wrong.” That’s what I couldn’t understand. The walls went up after the night we met, and while we bantered, sometimes he seemed…angry, though for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why.
“Exist?” he said.
I rubbed a hand over my left pec. “I should be the one saying ouch. You’ve made it your life’s goal to break my heart, haven’t you?”
Parker rolled his eyes. “Please. Like you really care about anyone but yourself.”
Well, that barb hit its target. I glanced away, trying to cover up that his words bothered me. “I just came to say hello. You have to admit, it’s a huge coincidence we’d run into each other here.”
“Hello. Nice to see you. No, I’m not going out with you.” Parker crossed his arms as if proud of himself.
“I wasn’t going to ask.” I winked, and his pride deflated, but it was more than that—disappointment made those blue eyes of his storm. That’s what kept me around. Though he was different from the night we met, Parker liked this game we played. I saw him at the grocery store once, and when I didn’t approach him, it was Parker who came up to me.
“Oh. Good. Here with someone?” he asked, his voice tight.
Bingo. Parker didn’t like that idea. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I teased, before cupping his face. “Have a good night, beautiful.” He trembled, his breathing picking up. I dropped my hand and returned to the bar.
Don’t turn around, don’t turn around, don’t turn around. It was silly that I had to talk myself out of seeing if he was watching me. Parker shook my usual confidence and somehow always got me coming back for more.
I found a seat and ordered another drink. Every once in a while, I would look his way and catch Parker staring at me.
“Who’s the twink?” my friend Vaughn asked, plopping down beside me. He was sweaty from shaking his ass on the dance floor.