Seventeen
Astoria
Parker's trying to kill me. That's what this is. I've never been so turned on in all my life. I love how he's taking charge and telling me what to do. I'll happily do as he asks.
I lie on the bed, my head on his pillow. It's there his scent envelops me. He smells like summer and the air surrounding the cabin. Very unique and so Parker. I turn my head to the side to pull it into me.
"Open your eyes, sweetheart. I want you to watch me," he commands.
He stands at the foot of the bed and I observe as he pulls his shirt off. He's more defined than I remember. Each ridge of his stomach flexes and moves while he rids himself of his shorts and boxer briefs. Fuck me, he's gorgeous.
Climbing onto the bed, he covers me with his body, his dick hard and ready between us. My eyes find his as I spread my legs wider, offering myself. His body lowers, however, he doesn't take me yet. He rests his heavy length on my clit and slowly glides himself back and forth over me.
Instinctively, I reach for his hips to pull him down. I don't want to wait. I want him inside of me now. He immediately stops what he's doing and lifts himself a few inches away so we’re no longer touching.
"What did I tell you?"
I groan in frustration, but drop my hands to the bed, fisting the comforter. I need to do something with them or they will be on his ass next, demanding he fuck me now.
Parker lowers himself again, but this time he dips down so his dick is lining up with me. I bend my legs and lift my hips. I might not be allowed to touch him, but I'm going to make sure he gets the damn hint as to where he needs to be.
Fisting his cock, he brushes it over me again. At first, he only dips the head in then out. The second time he pushes halfway in. The third time, he thrusts home and fully enters me. I cry out and can't help but put my hands on him. He lets me this time.
"Tora," he whispers, lowering his chest to mine. "My, Tora."
Hearing those words on his lips is almost my undoing. Tears are back in my eyes, and I have to focus on the passion between us so I don't start crying during sex with him. It's not the act, but the intimacy. Having him inside of me, where he is meant to be. It's when he opens his eyes and looks down at me that I know he feels it, too. One tear cascades to the tip of his nose and drops onto me. I lose it and start crying.
Parker lowers himself so his chest is touching mine, but his weight is mostly held off of me by his arms. His gaze is so intense. So full of longing, even though I'm right beneath him.
His thumbs brush over my cheeks. "I can't believe we're back. This, right now, I don't have the words to describe what I'm feeling. You're everything, Tora."
Lifting my head, I kiss him. He returns it and starts to move within me. Emotion clogs my throat, halting any words I want to say. I hold on to him as if my life depends on it. Maybe it doesn't, but my heart is on the line.
Releasing my lips, Parker drops his head to take my nipple into his mouth. He sucks and nips at the stiff peak as I arch my back off the bed. The pleasure rippling through me is chasing away the tears. It's a slow burn, one I want to reach the climax of, but at the same time, want to hold off and prolong the pleasure as long as possible.
Parker pushes into me in long, hard thrusts. He's hitting the right spot and with each stroke, bringing me closer to the edge. He grips my legs, lifting them toward my head. It allows him in deeper and has me moaning in anticipation of what’s coming. My reaction has him going faster.
"Come for me, sweetheart. I want to hear you say my name. Tell the world who you belong to."
My climax slams into me and my body trembles with wave after wave of pleasure. Parker's name leaves my lips as my nails dig into the skin on his back, scoring him and marking him as mine.
Once I start coming down, he powers into me, chasing his own orgasm. It's only moments before he's coming, spilling inside of me, and all the while with his gaze latched onto mine. With one last, languid thrust, he kisses me and rolls us to our sides.
"I love you," I murmur against his lips. "I love you so much."
He nuzzles into the crook of my neck. "I love you, too. Never leave me again. I couldn't take it to watch you walk away twice."
My heart splinters open at the thought of Parker chasing after me that day—being torn between Blair and me. Then trying repeatedly to get in contact with me. All he wanted was a chance to explain and I denied him at every turn.
"Never," I promise him. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I vow from this day forward to always fight for us. To never take in a situation without hearing him out. To always talk to him and be open and honest. I can't factor in my career right now. I don't have one. How could I possibly move away from Parker after feeling everything I do? Life with another person is about comprise, and right now, I need to do so. Him making love to me changes everything. Our connection is back and stronger than ever.
Earlier, I thought I could make the decision and move away from him. That he would have to go with me and leave everything here behind. I can't do that to him. Getting back together with him means accepting Blair into the equation. She needs him. Maybe one day she won’t, and we can move and travel, but until then, Parker has to stay in Arrow Falls. And I'll be damned if he's going to live here without me. A long-distance relationship wouldn't work between us. I need to feel him, see him in front of me. I need to know that every day after I leave work, I'll be coming home to him. My mind is made up. The plan has changed and that's okay. Life is about being flexible and rolling with the punches. Who would have thought I'd come home and fall right back into bed with Parker? I sure as hell didn't. But here I am and I'm so happy to be in his arms and life.
We stay wrapped in each other's arms for a while before my stomach starts to growl.
"Want me to order takeout?" Parker asks.
"No, I should go home." I prop up on one arm. "I'm going to tell my parents about us when I get there. I don't want to hide you from them."
He groans and throws his arm over his eyes. "They’re going to love that, especially your dad."
"I'm a grown woman. They have no say in who I date. I'm going to tell them they have to respect my decision."
"Let me know how that goes," he mumbles.
It's going to suck, I fully predict it. My dad is going to yell and tell me I'm not thinking clearly. My mom will give me disapproving looks but will leave all the arguing to my dad. I'm dreading telling them, but I need to. I refuse to go all around town with Parker, hoping I don't run into them.
Later, Parker gives me a long kiss goodbye, making me want never to leave. I tell him I'll be back tonight with a packed bag. I plan on spending all night tangled in the sheets with him.
The drive home is short, but with each passing mile, my nerves get the best of me. By the time I pull into the driveway, my hands are shaking. I try to give myself a pep talk and say how stupid this is. That they have to respect me. Right? Ugh. Here goes nothing.
When I get inside, Mom is placing dishes on the table with everything in its place as if we are expecting royalty for dinner. Whether it's just us, or company, dinner is always set up very formal.
Growing up I didn't know any different. Sure, I went to friends’ houses and had relaxing, fun dinners with them, but we never had that here. When I ate with my friends it was a joyful family meal and I loved it. Back home, I had to be the perfect lady. The napkin had to be on my lap. Food eaten in small bites, never making a mess, or putting too much in my mouth at once. Only sipping water. And I'm back here once again dreading dinner. Thankfully, even though Parker's family has money, they never acted like this. It was always relaxed, and you felt like you were part of their family every time you dined with them.
Once we sit down to dinner, my dad smiles at me and asks what I've been up to. My mom plates his dinner for him and mine as well. I want to rip the dish out of her hand and tell her I can do it myself, but that will only result in my dad yelling at me and my mom in tears. I may have done it once or twice in the past, in a particular rebellious stage I was going through.
"I have good news," I tell them, as I put a piece of perfectly cooked roast in my mouth.
"That's great." My dad smiles. "Did you find a job already?"
"No, but I found a boyfriend."
My dad's fork pauses halfway to his mouth. He lowers it to his plate without taking the bite as he intended. His eyes narrow and I know immediately where his mind is. "Who is this man who garnered my daughter's attention so fast?"
"Parker Maxfield," I say casually, in hopes Dad doesn't think it's a big deal. How foolish I am.
"Parker Maxfield!" Dad bellows and I wince. "Have you lost your mind, Astoria? Did you forget what happened last time you dated him?"
I straighten my back and try to portray more confidence than I feel, thanks to his scrutinizing gaze. I made my decision and don't regret it in the least, but explaining it to my dad isn't easy. I also can't tell him what happened with Blair.
"I have not forgotten, and as it turns out, it was all a misunderstanding. I jumped to a conclusion and never let him explain. Now that he has, I see I was wrong."
"So, he didn't cheat on you? You didn't see him with another woman?"
"No, he did not cheat, but yes he was helping a friend who was going through a hard time."
"I know you're not that naïve. You're a smart girl and you let this boy back into your life. Not very wise of you, Astoria. Not wise at all."
"He's not a boy. He's a man. And if I'm honest, I never stopped loving him." And that probably wasn't the smartest thing for me to say.
My dad shakes his head. "And if I say you can't date him?"
"I just graduated college. I'm not a child anymore. I'm a grown woman, who is quite capable of making her own decisions."
"Would you care to explain to me what happened that you misunderstood so I can see your side?"
"Unfortunately, I can't. It was something that had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the person he was helping." I never told my parents who I thought Parker cheated on me with. I was so upset at the time and didn't want to talk about it. After I left for college, my parents never spoke his name.
"And you're sure this was only a misunderstanding and he's not just saying that to get back together with you?"
"Positive."
All the anger leaves my dad like a wave drifting back to sea. He sighs, resigned. "I don't like it, Astoria, but you are a grown woman like you said. I want him here for dinner tomorrow night."
"Yes, Dad."