Page 39 of Protected
They headed to the front of the house, and before they could ring the doorbell, the door swung open. London stood there with her hair smoothed back into a short ponytail and wearing a red short set that made her look like a college student, instead of a mother of five. Her gaze bounced from one to the other before zoning in on their joined hands. Then she grinned.
“I knew it! I knew you two were a thing!” she squealed and started laughing as she hugged first Chelsey, and then Parker. “Why the secrecy? Why were you guys hiding your relationship?”
“Baby, can’t you let them in the house before you grill them?” Mason said from behind her. It was clear his friend and mentor hadn’t said anything to his wife about them.
After greeting Mason, Parker and Chelsey moved further into the house. The large home with tall ceilings, a double-curved staircase, and high-end fixtures was luxurious. Yet, it was also warm, inviting, and well lived in, probably because of five kids, including a set of twins, under the age of twelve. At that moment, Parker could hear them running and screaming overhead.
“It smells like Aunt Carolyn has been hard at work,” Chelsey said as she inhaled. “Please tell me that’s peach cobbler I smell.”
London laughed. “Girl, yes. She’s been cooking and baking all day. We offered to have everything catered, and you would’ve thought we threatened to kick her out of the house.”
“Did I hear my name?” Aunt Carolyn strolled down the hallway toward them smiling. She was Mason’s aunt, but Parker and all the guys called her Aunt Carolyn.
As usual, she was wearing bright colors beneath herKiss the Queenapron. Her golden-yellow top paired with white capris and gold flats, along with matching jewelry, looked too classy to be cooking in. Yet, there wasn’t a stain to be seen.
Parker returned her smile and met her halfway down the hallway. He didn’t know how much she knew about his past, but he always felt she knew something. From day one, she’d treated him like a son, and she might never understand how much her tight hugs meant to him. A hug from her felt like a hug from his mother, and he welcomed it.
“Hi, sweetheart,” she said, holding him tightly before pulling back to look at him. “I haven’t seen you in weeks and it shows. You’re too thin. Food is set out around the house, but make sure you come to the kitchen before everyone gets here. I set a couple of your favorite dishes aside for you.”
Parker laughed. Most people had a plate set aside, but she knew that wouldn’t be enough for him.
Aunt Carolyn greeted Chelsey and a few other people who walked in behind them before returning to the kitchen. Instead of following her, Parker and Chelsey moved toward the back of the house where a guest bedroom was located, as well as a den and stairs to the walkout basement.
Parker didn’t recall seeing Kenton’s truck outside, but if he was there, he’d be in the lower level.
“Let’s go downstairs and maybe grab a drink. I have a feeling I’m going to need one before I talk to your brother.”
Chelsey laughed. “It’s not going to be that bad, but to make sure, talk to him while he’s holding KJ,” she said of Kenton and Egypt’s toddler. “He’s calmer then.”
Parker grinned. “Noted.”
He glanced around, surprised no one was in the den watching the eighty-inch flat screen television mounted on the wall. By the sounds of laughter and activity on the second floor, in the basement, and outside, it sounded as if those who had already arrived were spread out.
Good.
Before they made it to the stairs, Parker tugged Chelsey to the side of the landing that was near a secluded corner of the den. A large plant was positioned near a wall that would give them a little privacy.
Chelsey started laughing. “Oooh, what are we doing?” she whispered, a mischievous glint in her pretty brown eyes.
Parker held her against his chest, and her arms went around his neck. “I can show you better than I can tell you,” he said, whispering the way she had. He might not get much alone time with her once everyone arrived. So he nibbled on her top lip, then her bottom one while murmuring, “I love you. I love you so damn much.”
He had never said those words to another woman, and it was like he couldn’t stop saying them to Chelsey. They didn’t begin to express how much she meant to him.
“I love you, too,” she said.
This time when their lips touched, Parker moved his mouth over hers and poured everything he felt into that kiss. Chelsey knew how important she was to him, but he wanted to make sure she felt how much he adored her. Besides that, Parker was determined to make up for all the months that they’d been apart.
My woman.
My love.
My heart.
Chelsey pressed a hand to the back of his head, deepening their lip-lock. His hands slid to her perfectly round ass, and hecupped her firm butt cheeks as their moans mingled. She felt so good, that if he didn’t…
“Son of a…”
Parker startled at the sound of a harsh voice and jerked away from Chelsey, feeling like a high schooler getting caught making out in the hallway. When he glanced over and saw Kenton glaring at him, he groaned.