Heat (Parker Reed Book 1) (23 page)

“I do.” He kissed my mouth, letting the small touch linger before he pulled away. “I hope you allow me into your safe place one of these days.”

My breath caught. “With you, I won’t need a safe place.”

He smiled softly and kissed me again before pulling a key out of his pocket. “Ready, pet?”

I nodded and waited in anticipation for Parker to open the doors before us.

When he did, he grabbed my hand, gently pushing me in front of him.

I gasped when the lights turned on. My body heated as my gaze bounced from object to object to the large king size bed that laid against the wall across the enormous room.

“Tell me what you see,” Parker demanded, coming up behind me. He was so close, I could smell his musky aftershave but he didn’t touch me. The tiny hairs on my body tingled and vibrated just from the mere presence of him.

“I see…” I licked my lips. “A very large bed. Much like the one in New York at the convention.”

“What else?” His hot breath caressed my ear, my heart jumping at the soft contact.

“A cross,” I breathed, my gaze landing on the X-shaped item in the left corner of the room.

“Keep going,” he said, his voice getting deeper and deeper.

“Us.”

“Us?”

Fantasies played in my mind of what Parker could do to me in this room. “Yes. I see me bound and you walking around the bed, shirtless and…”

“And what, pet?” he asked, licking my ear lobe.

“Satisfied.”

“I will pull your deepest darkest fantasies from you in this room.” His fingers brushed down my arm, sending a trail of shivers along with it. “Every time we enter, you will call me Sir and nothing else.”

I nodded.

“Your safe word will be needed most in this room. I will push you. Test you. Take you beyond anything you’ve ever felt before. You won’t need your safe place when you’re with me. That little subspace you felt last night? It’ll be nothing compared to the high I will give you.”

I frowned when he used that term again. “Subspace?”

“The moment you felt like you were floating.”

“Oh. How did you know?”

“Your eyes dilated, pet, and I could sense it. That’s what the chocolate was for. The sugar helps bring you out of the subspace gradually. We don’t want you falling too fast, that’s why I told you to sleep after. It’s called aftercare and with you, it’s my favorite part.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I like seeing you relaxed.”

“I don’t understand what you do to me or how you make me feel this way but I know that I want more,” I said, letting him guide me further into the room.

“Good because so do I,” he purred in my ear. “Now tell me, how are you feeling?”

I thought a moment. “After everything with Devin…” I took a breath. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I’m ready to give you whatever you need from me. I…” I waved a hand in front of me. “I’m ready for this. I’m excited yet terrified. Crazed with anticipation on what you’ll do to me.”

“I told you, pet, you will hate me but you’ll thank me after. It’ll help build up a deeper trust. Something that I know you need before you can give me your all.”

“Parker, there’s something—” My head was tugged back, igniting a gasp to leave my mouth.

“What did I tell you?” he growled, pushing me forward.

“I’m sorry. Sir.” I panted, my muscles jumping with need, my body shaking with the urge to fall at his feet.

“Quiet. I saw you looking at the St. Andrew’s cross. My dirty little pet wants to test it out? I figured you’d want to go slow,” he breathed in my ear.

“It…yes. It looks exhilarating.”

Parker kept hold of my hair and led us to the cross, not giving me a chance to take in the rest of the room.

“I said that I would push you. A lot of Doms go slow. I probably should be more of a gentleman but we both know that I’m not one.”

I chewed my bottom lip as I stared at the large item before me. Two slabs of leather crossed in the middle, all four ends holding cuffs with locks.

Parker made some adjustments, bringing it to my height and guided my right ankle into a strap. He stuck two of his fingers in between my ankle and the leather before he clicked the lock into place. Grabbing my left ankle, he repeated the movements before rising to his full height.

I was spread before him, my back to his front. I was still wearing my clothes and I wondered how he would get them off of me when large metal shears came into view. My eyes widened.

“Sex would be a reward, pet. Anticipation would be a build up to that sweet ecstasy I know your body craves and hungers for.” He slid the cool metal into the cuff of my pant leg, cutting the material off of me.

A shiver ran up my spine when a cold draft washed over my skin.

Parker pulled the material free from my lower body, leaving me in just my white lace panties. “Hmm…” He brushed his knuckle underneath my ass cheeks. “I love white on you.”

I smiled at his admiration.

Bringing my left hand up, he secured it in the strap, doing the same with the other one. “How do you feel?”

My heart was racing a little and my stomach twisted with nerves but nothing out of the ordinary. “Not…not too bad.”

He kissed my neck. “I have more safe words for you.”

“Really?”

“Green, if everything is good and you want to continue.” The metal slid up my back, cutting my t-shirt off of me. “Yellow is for when you want to slow down.”

My chest rose and fell as the thin material fell off of my torso.

“And red, pet, is for when everything stops and we talk about it. Communication is key.” His hands slid around my middle.

The light touch sent tingles over my body.

“Can you remember those?” he asked, grinding his hips against my ass.

I nodded. “Y-yes, Sir.”

“Good girl.” He released me completely.

I tried looking to see where he had went but being bound, I couldn’t make out anything except for the sounds of him rummaging through some drawers.

“If you trust me, you will use your safe words. I’m good, but I’m not a mind reader, and I need you to tell me when something is wrong or if you don’t feel comfortable. Even if it’s something as small as needing to use the bathroom.”

My face went red hot but I nodded.

“Answer me with words, pet. Although I can read your body language, I need you to speak to me.”

“Yes, Sir. I understand.”

“Good girl.”

My stomach flipped at his approval.

“My beautiful one.”

I jumped at the deep whisper in my ear. “Yes, Sir?”

“Hmm…I’ll never get used to you calling me that.”

I could hear the smile in his voice and I let my head roll back on my neck. “Please.”

“Please what, pet?” he asked, brushing his hand down my arm, back up and across my shoulder blades before wrapping around my throat.

“Use. Me.”

“I don’t give in to begging, Keely,” he purred.

“I’m not begging. I’m…” I swallowed. “I’m asking for your help. To forget.”

Parker let out a sigh. “I’ll be honest with you. I don’t know if I can make you forget but I’ll bring you to that high where you will think of only me. Do you understand?”

“Yes. I do, Sir. I’m fine with all of that. I need it. And I’m sorry for before…in the…in the limo.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“I don’t like fighting. I got enough of it with Devin.”

“Fighting happens, Keely, but know that I’ll never hurt you unless you ask for it. Remember that.”

“I do. I’m sorry.”

“Stop.” His grip on my throat tightened. “Apologizing. I could kill him for turning you into this woman that needs to apologize for everything she says.” He swore and then released me.

My body shook, vibrating against the shackles that held me bound. Spots danced in my vision. My heart raced, beating hard against the walls of my chest. “Sir.” I swallowed hard, pulling on my restraints. “Red,” I heard myself say.

“Shit, pet.”  He undid the locks on the cuffs and pulled me into his arms.

I crumbled against him and wrapped my body around his. “I’m so sorry.”

His back stiffened. “Keely—”

“No.” I took several deep cleansing breaths, getting control of the impending panic attack. “Listen to me.” I cupped his cheeks and kissed him softly on the mouth. “I am. I’m sorry for you losing your best friend. I’m sorry for the guilt that you feel for not saving me. I’m sorry for your dad. I’m sorry for what happened to your mom. I’m…I’m…” I inhaled a shaky breath.

“My Keely.” Parker lifted me into his arms, cradling me like a child.

I wrapped my hands around his neck, leaning my head against his chest, listening to the beating of his heart. The deep soothing thump-thump sent warmth over my skin, easing my racing nerves.

Parker brought me to the bed, pulled down the covers and laid me gently on the sheets. Sliding under the covers beside me, he wrapped his arm around me, holding me tight.

“Sir?” I asked, turning onto my side.

He kissed my forehead, my nose, and then my mouth.

“Make love to me,” I whispered, trailing my fingers down his hard chest. My thumb brushed over his pierced nipple.

A shiver ran through his body at the soft contact. “As much as I would love to feel your warm tight body wrapped around mine, you need to rest.”

I sighed, snuggling against him. “Please. I need to feel you,” I whispered.

His eyes searched my face before he knelt between my legs. He kissed me softly.

“Thank you. For everything.” I brushed his hair off of his forehead.

He kissed my shoulder and then my neck. “Thank you, Keely.”

“Please.” I lifted my hips, hinting.

“You need to rest,” he repeated and curled onto his side, holding me tight against him. His breathing became deep and even and I couldn’t help but watch him, just for a little bit as he lay so peacefully in his slumber. His eyes danced behind his eyelids, his black lashes fanning out on his high tanned cheekbones. He was beautiful, in a feral animalistic kind of way that always left me breathless.

Grazing my fingers over his forehead, down his cheek and over his mouth, I placed a soft peck on his lips.

I love you. So damn much. But I’m so scared to tell you. Knowing when you find out everything, it’ll ruin us.

The next morning I woke up and made my way to the very large kitchen. Troy would love the black granite counter tops with tiny speckles of red and the stainless steel appliances. It was a cook’s wet dream.

“Ah. You must be Miss Price.”

I squeaked and jumped at the feminine voice, spinning around on my heels. Clutching my chest, I took deep breaths, easing my racing heart.

She laughed. “I’m so sorry for scaring you.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m…okay.” I smiled at the stout elderly woman.

“I’m Anne Burley.” She walked up to me and held out her hand. “Mr. Reed has told me so much about you.”

“Really?” I asked, returning her handshake.

“Oh yes. He also told me that you are going to be staying here for a couple of days. So anything you need, just ask.” Her warm blue eyes drew me in and I couldn’t help but relax.

Then I remembered I was half naked. My cheeks heated. “Oh gosh.” I attempted to cover myself but had no luck. “I’m sorry. I’m not really dressed appro—”

She silenced me with a wave of her hand. “Girl. It’s not like I haven’t seen anything before. Mind you…” She smoothed her hands down her body and gave a shake to her hips. “I don’t have what you have anymore.” She laughed and started rummaging through the cupboards.

I giggled and shook my head, leaning against the counter, my eyes glancing around the vast expanse before us. “Has Mr. Reed had this place for long?”

“Yes. His father, God rest his soul, left it to him before he died.”

“You knew him?”

She nodded, blowing a strand of gray hair out of her eyes while she made the much needed coffee that I was craving. “Yes. I’ve been with this family for as long as I can remember. Mr. Reed became sick right before Mrs. Reed got pregnant…” Her voice wavered.

“I’m so sorry, Miss—”

“Please. Call me Anne.”

“I’m so sorry, Anne.”

She took a breath and straightened her shoulders. “What’s done is done and it was God’s will. Now, how about that coffee?”

I smiled and nodded. We continued chatting about nothing super important but it was nice speaking with an older woman for a change. I came to learn that her parents were from Northern Europe.

I really liked Anne and I warmed up to her quickly. She was like a grandmother figure to Parker and I could see the love she had for him. She was protective of the boy that wasn’t hers but she was protective of the family as a whole, even more.

About a half an hour into our friendly conversation, my body heated. The hairs on the back of my neck tingled and a yearning spread through me so fast it knocked the breath out of me.

“Good morning, pet,” Parker whispered in my ear.

My heart skipped a beat. Well that explained the unexpected reaction. “Morning.” I smiled up at him and that was when my jaw dropped. As many times as I had seen him naked, nothing was sexier than him wearing black drawstring satin pajama pants. They hung low on his hips, showcasing the delicious V-shaped muscles that I’d give anything to sink my teeth into.