Page 53 of Protected
Chelsey loved fresh flowers, and since they’d started dating, Parker tried to surprise her with some at least once or twice a month. Considering how she was gushing over these, maybe he should consider giving her some more often.
“Instead of the red wine we picked up earlier, I ordered a bottle of Jack Daniels, and it was delivered right after the food arrived. It’s amazing how helpful a concierge can be.”
Parker had set everything out on the cocktail table in front of the sofa. Their choices included a charcuterie board loaded with cheeses, crackers, meat, strawberries, and chocolate.
“I’m clearly in love with a romantic,” Chelsey said as she munched on a strawberry. She picked up another one and held it to his lips.
Parker met her gaze and when she smiled, he couldn’t help but smile back. As he stared into her eyes, he opened his mouth and let her feed him. When he bit into the red, juicy fruit, a little juice drizzled along the corner of his mouth. But before he could wipe it away, Chelsey leaned forward and ran her tongue across his lower lip, effectively lapping up the excess. Then she lovingly kissed him.
This woman...
This incredibly beautiful woman was all his, and she was like a balm to his weather-beaten spirit. Since they’d started dating, Chelsey had breathed life into him. He’d been living a lonely existence, going to work, hanging with the guys and their families, and then spending way too much time by himself at home.
But Chelsey…
She had become the light to his darkness, bringing sunshine, humor, and joy to his world. Telling her he loved her wasn’t adequate enough to express what he truly felt. She would never fully understand how depressing and lacking his life had been after his mother passed. Each time he thought back on those dark years, he was glad he hadn’t given up. Otherwise, he would’ve missed out on the best thing that ever happened to him.
When the kiss ended and they came up for air, Parker gave her another quick peck before he removed the silver domes from the other dishes. There were three types of wings and an order of potato skins.
“I’ve decided that whenever we travel, we’re staying at hotels with concierges and twenty-four-hour room service.”
“Agreed,” Chelsey said as she fixed a plate. “But if we keep eating like this, I’m going to have to double the miles that I run every day. Otherwise, I won’t be able to burn up all these calories I keep taking in.”
Parker wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tugged her close, and kissed the side of her head. “I can help with burning the calories while also keeping your muscles loose and limber,” he said suggestively and nuzzled her scented neck. She smelled like vanilla and lavender and good enough to eat.
Chelsey laughed. “I know you can, and I like your form of working out even better than running.”
As they talked, laughed, and munched on the snacks, it was the most relaxed Parker had felt since arriving in town. Sitting and chatting with Chelsey was one of his favorite pastimes, and this was what he wanted every day.
“Are you ready to tell me what you and Mason talked about?” she asked.
“Sure. The conversation surprised me. Mason and Hamilton have been thinking about opening a Supreme satellite office in Miami. He also said he wasn’t surprised by Rock’s request, and he agreed that I’d be great as head of security.”
“Really? Wow, that’s high praise coming from Mason.”
“I know, right? It kind of caught me off guard.”
She glanced at him with her eyebrows pinched together. “Why is that? We all know that you’re a leader. It’s not a stretch for you to lead a group of security specialists, even with all Rock has going on. You’ve been taught by the best. I have nodoubt that if you take Rock up on his proposal, you’ll exceed his expectations.”
Parker’s heart thumped a little harder at her words and confidence in him. He believed he could handle the job, but hearing how those who meant the most to him also believed, made his chest tighten.
“Does Mason think you should accept the job? Or does he want you to run Supreme’s Miami office?”
“He told me the decision is mine, but he reminded me that if I decide to accept Rock’s help with Wolf, I need to make sure everything is done legit. For me, that’s a no-brainer. Not only that, but if I accept his proposal, I’ll want everything in writing.”
No way would he take a job with the man unless everything was on the up-and-up and in writing. No contract. No deal.
“Sooo, what are you going to do?”
“I want to know what you think, because I’d only consider his proposal if you’ll be with me.”
She turned slightly to better face him and gave him a smile before gazing down at her almost empty plate.
If Parker said yes to Rock’s proposal, and Chelsey agreed to follow him to Miami, she’d be giving up a lot. Even if her sisters, their families, and her father no longer lived in Atlanta, Kenton and his family did. Despite their recent disagreement, she and her brother were very close. Would she leave them behind?
Chelsey set her plate on the table and her gaze met his again. “I never imagined leaving Atlanta, but I wouldn’t rule it out. I’m behind you one hundred percent, Parker, and I want to be wherever you are.”
“And Iwantyou to be wherever I am. I know asking you to leave the life you’ve built in Atlanta is asking a lot, but I’m seriously considering saying yes to Rock. I just need you to think about what you’re agreeing to.”