Temptations: A Limited Edition Contemporary Romance Collection Read online

  I cup the side of his face. I feel so selfish. I’d come here for my own comfort, but I see how much he truly needs mine. I lean in to softly kiss his lips.

  “When I lo—” he cuts my words off with a hard kiss.

  “Nope, you won’t say it before I do. My daddy once told me you don’t deserve a woman that acknowledges her love for you, before you pledge yours. I know I don’t deserve you, but I sure as hell plan to act like I do. I love you, been in love with you for some time now. I love your boy too,” he says, with a gentle tone I’ve never heard him use before.

  I lower my eyes and lashes. I already knew he loves Isaac. You can see it in the way he interacts with him. I know my son loves him as well. However, hearing him profess his love for me sends my mind racing and my heart pumping.

  Parker lifts my chin. I can see he’s ready to hear the words back. Somehow, I know they’re the healing balm he needs to start to his full recovery. A recovery I’m sure won’t be easy, but I’m here to love him through it.

  “Because I love you, I’ll be here even when you’re not good company,” I choke out. “I’m here for you, Jake.”

  “Shit, my name sounds good on your lips. I think we should see how it sounds in a high pitch,” he teases, pouncing with a sexy rumble coming from his chest.

  21

  Lakia

  I’m still sweaty from my workout. I spent an extra hour in the gym and another in the gun range. Something has been nagging me about the details Parker gave about that last day with my brother. I don’t know what to think about the way I’ve been feeling. There’s just something tugging that won’t let go.

  I roll my shoulders and step out of my car. I have the key in the door, stepping inside with the mail in my hand, when I feel someone at my back. I turn ready to defend myself, only to find a grinning Toni holding up a bouquet of flowers.

  I glare at him. He begged off on Isaac yesterday for the hundredth time. I swear, I almost throat punch him for the hell of it. He turns up his smile, trying and failing to be charming. His charm failed on me a long time ago.

  “You look gorgeous. I see you decided to do something about those extra pounds, like I told you. Nice,” he purrs.

  Asshole.

  “Hey, Toni?” I say with a sugary sweet smile.

  He leans in, his eyes dropping to my lips. I smile wider leaning into him. His eyes travel to my cleavage.

  “Do you remember that time my brother told you he knew where to bury your body, where no one would find it and he’d be sure to get away with it?” I say seductively.

  He frowns. “Yeah.”

  “You know, I asked him once just how he would do it. You know Myles was always detailed and thorough and I’m a real good listener,” I wink at him.

  “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he hisses at me.

  “Nothing, just wanted you to know I’m working on a new book. Those details will come in handy,” I shrug, playing up an innocent, saucy smile.

  Toni’s jaw ticks, his eyes rolling over me. He steps closer, invading my space. This time I’m ready for him. He has stepped over my threshold into my property.

  Wrong move.

  “Go shower and change. I’m taking you to dinner,” he orders.

  “The hell, you are,” a voice booms behind Toni.

  The same voice that’s been sending shivers through my body night after night. Parker has a key to let himself in at night after Isaac goes to sleep. I think he has used it ever since I gave it to him.

  Toni spins on his heels, his back stiffening. “What business is it of yours?” he snarls at Parker.

  “If it involves my woman, it’s my business,” Parker says, his arms folded over his chest.

  His muscles are bulging at the sleeves of his white t-shirt. Note, a short sleeve t-shirt. He stopped hiding his burns from me after that first night.

  Toni snorts. “Your woman?”

  “Never stuttered in my life,” Parker says easily.

  “Funny, I thought Kia and I had an understanding. She’s not seeing anyone other than me,” Toni seethes.

  “I never agreed to that. In fact, I told you a number of times we’re done,” I say dryly.

  Toni’s head whips in my direction, his eyes blazing with rage and hatred. He tosses the roses to the ground. His fists balled at his sides.

  “Make my fucking day and step towards her. I’ll beat the fuck out of you and drag your ass around this house, screaming like the little bitch you are. Go ahead, try me,” Parker says in a deadly warning.

  “You and that mouth just bought you a world of pain. This is my city. You’re about to learn that,” Toni fumes.

  “What’s a city to a God? You want to try me, come on. Welcome to my world,” Parker snorts.

  “Uncle Parker,” Isaac’s voice rings out. “Daddy!”

  Damn. I was looking forward to watching Parker kick Toni’s ass. Shoot.

  22

  Parker

  It’s been a long day. I had an episode during my evening class. Dr. Winsor was right about having a TA and my notes on cards. I was able to play things cool and let Shelby take over the class.

  This shit is starting to take a physical toll on me. Headaches are becoming more frequent. I’m starting to become fatigued. I spend most nights trying to bury myself in Lakia. She wraps me in a security I never knew I needed. It rejuvenates me just when I think I can’t do it anymore.

  The sound of an incoming call fills my truck. I grin when I see Lakia’s name on the dash. She’s right on time. Just when I need her most.

  “Hey there, Baby Girl,” I answer the line.

  “Hey, Handsome. You sound tired,” her sweet voice washes over me.

  “Long day, just want to come home and pass out on the couch with you. You still plan to write tonight?”

  “Actually, Isaac went to Mama’s. I was hoping I could spend the night having a little one on one with my man,” she purrs.

  “I think that can be arranged,” I chuckle.

  “Look who’s sounding more awake already,” she giggles.

  “A man that knows what he has at home has a right to get excited about it.”

  I flick on my blinker to turn the next block, not too far from the house. That’s when the flashing lights come on behind me. I frown, there was nothing illegal about my turn and I’ve been doing the speed limit.

  “Honey, everything okay?” Lakia asks with concern.

  “Yeah, I’ll see you in just a bit,” I reply, ending the call before she can ask anything further.

  I quickly dial Ryder. “Listen, I have a feeling some bullshit is about to go down. Patch into my Sync and stay on this line. Mute your phone,” I bark the orders quickly as he answers the phone.

  Moments later, the officer that pulled me over takes his time sauntering over to my truck. I’m pissed, but I bite back my anger. I get the feeling this isn’t by far a routine traffic stop.

  “License and registration,” the officer demands gruffly.

  “Would you mind telling me the problem officer?”

  “License and registration,” he repeats.

  “Again, I’m going to ask what seems to be the problem?”

  “Mr. Parker, you might want to hand over your license and registration,” he growls.

  My brows shoot up. “Now who says I’m Mr. Parker? I could be a friend or his family,” I lower my voice, looking him in the eyes. “I want you to think about what you’re willing to do for a friend, how much you’re willing to lose.”

  Instead of addressing my words, he proceeds to call for back up. I shake my head. Toni just dragged his friend into a big fucking mistake. I know for a fact Ryder has the police chief on the line and he’s probably listening in on every single word.

  “Step from the vehicle, keep your hands where I can see them,” he instructs, as another squad car pulls up.

  “Only a coward sends his boys to do his work while he watches from an unmarked sedan,” I nod my head in the directi
on of the car I spotted as I dialed Ryder to begin with.

  “Only a coward comes into town and messes with another man’s family,” the officer snarls, now pointing his gun in my face.

  I could take him, and the other two officers that have been dispatched, in the blink of an eye, but I step out of the vehicle and comply. I’m in cuffs the moment I step out. I remain in cuffs, face down on the ground for longer than I care to admit. It has to be about a half hour to forty-five minutes that goes by while these assholes bullshit around.

  Toni joins in to shoot the breeze, clearly the other two cops on the scene aren’t aware of the full situation, but they don’t protest the crap that’s going down. This shit probably would have gone on longer if not for Ryder. I hear the police commissioner personally bellowing through the dispatch line.

  I look up to see the first officer pale. The smug look on Toni’s face vanishes. I think it has just sunk in. It may be his city, but it’s my world.

  23

  Lakia

  I pace back and forth in the driveway. I want to go out and drive around, but something tells me to stay put and wait. Parker should’ve been home by now. I heard the sirens in the background, before he hung up. He hasn’t answered any of my calls since.

  I twist my fingers in my shirt nervously. I just know something isn’t right. My heart stutters as headlights move up the street, I scramble out of the way when I recognize the truck to be Parker’s. I hurry to the passenger door, after he pulls to the back of the driveway, tugging it open, I hop up into the truck.

  There’s a storm rolling over his face. I can tell in the tension in his body, he’s pissed. I move to climb into his lap. His head drops into my breasts. Running my hands through his hair, I kiss the top of his head.

  “What happened?” I whisper.

  “Toni learned an important lesson,” he rumbles. “I want you to be more careful from now on. He’s taking things too far and he has no idea who he’s dealing with. He’s a spoiled child, that makes him dangerous.”

  “Oh, my God. He pulled you over,” I gasp.

  Parker shrugs. “He had some friends do his dirty work. I’ve been through worse. I’m sure a few unpaid suspensions will make them all second guess the action next time.”

  “That asshole, now he’s messing with the one thing he does do for Isaac,” I growl.

  Parker’s strong hands knead my back. “I’ll help out. You don’t have to worry about it,” he lifts his head to kiss my chin.

  “That’s not the point. You’re right he is such a child. I should’ve listened to my brother, he tried to warn me. I’m so hard headed,” I huff.

  “He’s wasted enough of my night,” he kisses my lips, his hands running under my dress. “I love how your skin feels beneath my palms.”

  I can feel him growing beneath me. My juices flood my panties from his slightest caress. I love his touch as much as he loves touching me.

  “Pull into the garage. We’re not making it inside,” I moan against his lips.

  “You never have to worry about me coming home,” he rasps. “My heart will always find its way to you.”

  I melt into his chest, as he speaks to my unspoken fear. I needed those words more than he will ever know. Someday they will be words that I cling to.

  24

  Lakia

  My entire body is sore, but I’m not complaining. If the windows in Parker’s truck could talk they’d be singing to the rafters. The man is an insatiable beast. I didn’t think I could possibly take any more, but I was the one that straddled him this morning with a nice wake up call. I guess that means I’m no better than him.

  A knock at the back door startles me. It leads right to the stairs of the garage apartment. I’m in the middle of washing my hair in the kitchen sink. I reach for a towel, wiping shampoo out of my eyes.

  “Babe, did you forget your key?” I call, while patting my hair dry.

  I open the door and the air shifts. I peek through the towel to see Toni glaring at me. He moves forward, backing me into the house, throwing me off guard.

  “Son of a bitch,” I grind out.

  “Your little boyfriend cost my partner his fucking job,” he fumes.

  “You cost Vern his job, asshole,” I toss back. “It should’ve been you.”

  “He had complaints against him already. They axed him. I only got probation,” he rakes a hand through his hair looking crazy. “Fucking commissioner took your boyfriend’s side. Wouldn’t even hear us out.”

  “Well, next time you’ll stop to think about the BS you pull,” I shrug.

  Toni moves quickly, crowding my space. “I did what I needed to do to protect my family,” he bellows.

  “Your family? You sound like a lunatic. You don’t pay your son attention unless it benefits you or gets my attention. You and I have been over for—”

  He backs me against the wall and slams his palm against it. “Stop saying that shit! We’ve never been over! We’ll never be over,” he yells in my face.

  “If you don’t get the fuck out of my face. You better go get some help, Toni. This ends today. You jump in my face like this again, it’s going to be a problem,” I say low and menacingly.

  “What? You’re going to get your boyfriend on me,” he taunts.

  “I’m quite sure the last time I watched, Enough, it wasn’t the new boyfriend that fucked that psycho ex up,” I lean into his face, showing him he’s not the only crazy one in the room.

  He licks his lips, backing off a little. He reaches up to touch the scar I left with that lamp so long ago. I nod at him.

  “Don’t push me, I have a son to think about,” I warn.

  “If I can’t have you, no one can. Don’t push me, Kia,” he warns back.

  “Make sure your insurance is paid,” I fold my arms over my chest. “Do one good thing for our son.”

  “Bitch,” he hisses.

  I shrug. “Bet I won’t be the dead bitch in the end, Bitch,” I toss back. “Remember, Toni, I’ve never made you a promise I didn’t keep.”

  His nostrils flare, but he turns and takes his ass out of my house. I sag against the wall. That man is going to make me make good on my word. I know he is.

  25

  Parker

  I’m no fool and I know my woman too well. She’s been distracted the last few weeks. She’s planning something and it’s more than a book.

  I don’t like how quiet her ex has been. He’s been off the radar since his suspension went into effect. I get the feeling I’m looking at two sides of the same coin.

  Lakia’s distraction stems from that asshole. I’m going to deal with his ass, as soon as I prove he’s behind this distance I feel. I’ve given him this much of a pass, given the fact that he’s Isaac’s father.

  I blink a few times. A curse rips from my lips. I’ve been stewing in my thought’s while driving around. I’m starting to believe that stress is a trigger for me.

  I pull the truck over and try the breathing exercises Dr. Winsor suggested. I rub my eyes, trying to focus. I still only have tunnel vision. I throw my head back against the seat.

  I’m spiraling. I know I have somewhere I need to be. I look at the address programed in the GPS, but it doesn’t give me a clue as to where I’m going or why. I tell myself to push through and just get there.

  I shake my head and start off again. I drive carefully, relieved when I realize I’m coming up on my destination. I turn into a residential street. It’s a cul de sac. The GPS leads me to the last house on the block. I pull into the driveway and cut the engine. My brows knit.

  “Why are you here, Parker?” I quiz myself in frustration.

  The moment the front door opens and the gorgeous woman and small boy come out, it hits me like a ton of bricks. My vision doesn’t clear, but I know why I’m here.

  “I’m here for them. My family. My woman and my boy,” I mutter.

  Sighing, I get out of the car. It’s time I have a talk with Lakia. She needs to know what’s g
oing on with me. It’s only right I tell her if I want to take this next step.

  26

  Lakia

  Something is different about Parker today. I noticed it from the time he arrived at Mama’s house. I wish I knew what I could do to make it better.

  I bite my lip, as I watch him with my son. No matter what’s going on with Parker, he never lets Isaac feel neglected. He has been running around the backyard with Isaac for a few hours now. At first, he called out encouragement to Isaac, while he tore through the yard, soon he was right out there with him.

  I lean in the doorway out of their sight as they take a seat on the back steps. I know I shouldn’t eavesdrop, but I can’t seem to pull myself away. These are the two most important men in my life. I’d stop the world for the two of them.

  “Hey, Uncle Parker,” Isaac says thoughtfully.

  “What’s up, buddy,” Parker replies.

  “I was thinking. You love mommy and I know she loves you. Maybe you should be my daddy,” Isaac says hesitantly, but it’s apparent he has been thinking about this for a while.

  “You know what? I think you’re a very smart boy. I was thinking the same thing. What do you say? You think she’ll have me?”

  I’m stunned. I listen to the pause Isaac takes, as if he’s thinking it over. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath, until my baby speaks again.

  “Well, you’re nice to her, you cook and help clean the house, while she writes her books. You’re my best friend, I don’t see why not,” Isaac finally responds.