Chapter 12

Parker

Adrenaline is pumping through me, making it hard to stay in position as I see three vehicles come to a stop just beside my Jeep.

All my muscles are clenched as Carlos’ security detail pour out of the vehicles, weapons in view and looking about as ready as I’d have expected.

I edge forward a fraction, making sure I keep my eyes on the men flanking him.

Amaya was right about the number; I can only hope she was right about everything else.

Carlos pulls off his shades and stalks towards me with smugness I’ll enjoy knocking off his face.

“Well? Where is she?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Money first.”

He jerks his head to his closest man. “Take half the men with you and go search.”

His man shoots me a look but gestures to the men closest to the lookout.

Like I anticipated the remaining men, close in, creating a shield, that I’ll have to penetrate.

“You won’t find her,” I say.

Carlos eyes me and slides his glasses inside his pocket. I freeze, heart thumping in my chest as I wait for him to pull a weapon.

But he’s so secure in his control of his men, that he just smiles and removes his empty hand. “Did you really think I’d just give you the money? Is that what Laurie told you to do?”

I know what he’s getting at, so I stay silent as he sends me a pitying look. “You aren’t the first man on staff she tried to elicit help from.”

My eyes narrow but I don’t bite as he keeps baiting me. “You weren’t the first and you won’t be the last. She played you.”

I shrug. “Maybe I played her? Either way, I’ll be needing that money.”

He chuckles low and gestures to the guards watching me with great interest. “I just need to give the order.”

I nod slowly. “I know you do. I know all kinds of shit about you.”

Two of the men twitch, but all six stay stoic as Carlos openly laughs. “You’ve been listening to Laurie’s fairy stories. She likes those. I’m the big bad wolf, and she’s just poor clueless red riding hood.”

I sneer back at him. “It’s not that far away from the truth though is it?”

I can’t move from my position, but I can make him move closer. “Except in this story, the wolf is an impotent coward who murders employees who ask questions.”

Carlos’ lip curls and for a moment, he looks exactly like the predator he is. I take a modicum of pleasure he’s not even denying his dick is defective.

“I’ve never murdered anyone.”

I shake my head and lock eyes with the guard to his left. “No. You force your people to do it. That way your hands are clean.”

His patience has worn out. “Enough of this.”

All my muscles prime as he spins on his heel and spits the words. “Shoot him.”

At that moment, with six guns aimed at me, all I can think about is what happened in my life, that it’s all come down to a single moment that will either lead to Carlos’ death or my own.

“You can shoot me. But it won’t change anything. It won’t change the fact there’s at least one of your own men buried here. Because that’s what happens when someone questions you isn’t it?”

Carlos freezes, and looks at me with such shock, I know I was right. “That’s why you allowed Laurie to come here, and that’s why you told everyone she was crazy. So no one would believe anything she said about you.”

He shakes his head. “You’re delusional. There’s no—”

I interrupt him but keep my eyes switching from the men standing behind him. “There’s no evidence connecting any of you personally. Amaya was the shooter and she’s with the FBI as we speak brokering a deal,” I say.

It’s not exactly the truth. But if everything works out the way I hope to God it will, she will be.

Time slows, and I hold my breath until one by one, the men all lower their weapons and holster them.

I exhale a breath as Carlos’ face starts to turn purple.

I nod my head at the man closest to me and he returns it then one by one, each of his men retreat.

Carlos’ eyes narrow to slits as his men appear from the side of the lookout.

None say a word to either of us, just file past and climb into the vehicles.

Carlos’ stands stock-still as his men drive away leaving us as alone as I needed us to be.

Everything hinges on how this plays out.

He steps closer. “So, what now? You kill the big bad wolf and go live happily ever after with red riding hood?”

I shake my head. “Something like that.”

His face tightens and I can see his hand inching towards his jacket.

I know he’s trying to distract me when he jerks his head at the lookout. “That little trick with the oil, she learned it watching other couples with me.”

He smiles. “She was so wild. So free. It took time to slowly crush her will. But I broke her. And she may have begged you to service her, it’s in her DNA to whore around, but know this, she will always be mine.”

I’m just about done with this twisted fuck. I want to shoot him and crush every bone in his face.

But that won’t achieve anything lasting other than making me feel better.

So, I focus on why I brought him here, and I slide my hand into my pocket. “You remember a guy called Jason? You hired him as a guard last spring.”

I see a flash of fear, but he covers quickly. “I know lots of men named Jason.”

I almost laugh at that. “But this Jason made a phone call hours before he went missing.”

My fingers close around the metal. “He wasn’t too happy about signing, was he?”

I take way too much pleasure in seeing Carlos squirm. “In fact, he was so concerned, he called his brother Luke.”

Carlos seems to be losing color with every last word I utter.

He pauses, as if unsure. “I have measures in place. If I die, I’ll take you down with me,” he says.

I smile as I pull the grenade out of my pocket. “Exactly what I was thinking.”

I mutter a prayer before I pull out the pin and toss it.

***

Five days later...

Laurie

Just like I have every night for five long nights, I wake with a start, heart crashing louder than the waves outside my door as I fight off an invisible foe.

I take a shuddering breath and try not to allow my imagination to get the better of me again.

I woke in this tiny shack almost a week ago and found the kitchen fully stocked, and fresh clothing laid out for me.

Just like the lookout, and just like in Carlos’ apartment.

Every day I’ve waited for the phone to ring. For someone to arrive, or to reassure me I can venture out.

But after the second day. When I realized I was being stupid, I opened the front door and found nothing but miles of beachfront around me.

Just like at the lookout, I’ve fallen into an uneasy routine.

I get up each morning, make a coffee, shower, eat, and pretend I’m not terrified out of my damn mind.

But it’s getting harder and harder to stay. I have clothing, shoes, and the battery on the phone is nearly dead.

I glance around the shack that has housed me the past five days and release a sigh. In the dark, I can barely make out the shadows of the room.

I take a moment to calm my breathing, tell myself I need to accept Parker isn’t coming when a rumbling noise makes me jerk my head towards the sound.

For the first time since she gave it to me, the cell Amaya gave me is vibrating on the bedside table.

But it’s a message.

One I don’t understand.

Funds received in the amount of 10,000,000.

Thank you for using Atlantic Pay.

I frown at the message wondering how such a mistake could be made, but the incoming call sign makes my heart start to pound.

My fingers are trembling as I accept. “Parker?” I whisper.

“Why would Parker be calling you? This is Amaya. Carlos has been looking for you all week.”

I press a palm to my head as pain spears into my temple. “What? No? No.”

Oh, please, God, let me be dreaming this. Let this be some horrible nightmare.

Amaya carries on speaking. “Carlos has your location. He should be there in a few minutes.”

Numbness is spreading through me, pain so deep I can’t breathe for the intensity of loss.

“Where is Parker?” I croak.

Amaya sighs as though bored. “He’s dead. It was a freak accident at the lookout.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and toss the phone on the bed. I can hear Amaya’s voice, but I don’t want to hear it anymore.

I wrap my arms around my shins, and slowly start to rock back and forth.

He can’t be dead.

And Carlos can’t be on his way here.

My fists curl into balls as I lurch off the bed and smash my hand into the wall.

Ignoring the pain, I scream as loud as I can, as I rip the room to pieces, sobbing as grief overtakes my body.

I sink to my knees, shoulders shaking as I cry over a man I barely knew.

It was all for nothing.

I got away, but it was an illusion, just like at the lookout.

Carlos was in control. He allowed me to leave.

He killed Parker because he had the courage to stand up to him.

For me.

Parker died because of me.

I’m so caught up in my grief, I nearly miss the movement at the door.

Rage burning in my veins, I jump to my feet and grab the closest weapon I can find.

My fingers close around the knife handle, as white-hot fury flows through me.

Carlos steps through the door, and I throw myself at him.

“You bastard. I loved him, I loved him,” I scream.

But Carlos is too fast, he grabs my wrist and twists my arm behind my back.

The knife slips from my grip as Carlos’ whispers in my ear. “Calm down,” he says.

I struggle in his grip, tears pouring down my face as I try to get loose. “I’m going to kill you. If you make me marry you, I’ll stab you the first chance I get,” I scream.

He chuckles in my ear as I fight him. “Good to hear it. But a little late.”

It’s such an odd thing to say, I freeze as he releases me. “What did you say?”

Carlos backs up a step and he flicks the light switch on.

My hand flies to my mouth as I see not Carlos but Parker wearing an expensive tailored suit.

I’m so gobsmacked, torn between relief and anger I’ve been lied to, I gape at him as he picks up the phone and presses the end button.

“You’re alive?” I manage.

His movements are stiff, less fluid, making me think he’s injured his back again.

He looks around the room and raises an eyebrow. “You have a party while you were waiting for me?”

I’m so enraged I fly across the distance and slap him hard. “I thought you were dead you bastard! I’ve been waiting for five fucking days.”

He rubs at his cheek, tosses the phone and takes a step closer. “And you trashed your room because you love me?”

I swallow thickly, I little of my irritation burning off as I realize the enormity of what has happened.

“How could you do this to me?” I sob.

He winces. “Sorry. Amaya had to make it convincing in case anyone was listening. We still don’t know the extent of her surveillance. If the FBI can hack in, they’ll hear confirmation Carlos is alive and has been transferring a bunch of money and destroying files in his office.”

I shake my head. “Why does that matter?”

He grins. “We needed a little time. But they’ll figure it out when they find enough pieces to identify him.”

Pieces?

I’m so overwhelmed, I just stare mutely as he takes my hand and pulls me towards the bed.

My knees give out the second we reach it. My eyes burning with tears, I run my hand down the cheek I slapped.

I frown at the cuts on his face. “Why were you at the lookout?”

Parker’s hand closes over mine and he smiles. “I haven’t been completely honest with you. And I’m sorry I left you alone for so long. I was a little banged up from the explosion. Then I needed to get back and make sure enough people saw me.”

I’m still processing what he’s saying when he runs his bandaged hand down my hip. “What the hell are you talking about? Explosion? What people?”

He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You sure you want to talk about this? It could take a while.”

I open my mouth to ask, but all I can think about is how minutes ago I thought I’d lost him forever.

Without thinking, I lurch forward and kiss him. I open my mouth and drink him, twisting my tongue with his, as all the need and the relief merges into dizzying lust.

“Careful. I tweaked my back again,” he murmurs.

I pull back, unwilling to hurt him. “Sorry.”

He pulls me closer and doesn’t bother to hide his grin. “I might need a massage.”

I’m about to offer one when he pulls me closer. The fabric of his suit is soft against my skin, but it’s a reminder of the man who wore similar.

“Take this off. I hate suits.”

He raises an eyebrow but starts to unbutton his shirt. “Yeah. But Carlos wears them, so it’s was a necessity.”

I’m starting to figure out a little of what has been happening, but I’m more concerned about making sure it’s just his back that’s hurt.

When he’s taking too long, I help him remove his jacket, trying not to hurt him in my haste to shed him of any trace of Carlos.

But when he stands, shirtless, and I can’t see anything but bruises and a few scratches on his skin, my hands tug at his belt buckle, and I already know I won’t last much longer.

My hands are trembling, but it’s not from shock, it’s from lust, and the knowledge Parker was the man I’d hoped he’d be.

He stares down at me as my fingers work the belt, and I tug his pants down. I groan aloud, as I see his cock, already stiffening.

I grin up at him. “No underwear?”

He shrugs. “I was in a hurry. Didn’t think you’d mind.”

I smile, lust growing as my hands stroke his shaft. “I don’t mind. At all.”

I part my lips, and slip his cock in my mouth, licking and sucking until I’m wriggling on the bed.

My legs start to open, and out of habit, my fingers are creeping towards my crotch, but he notices and steps back.

He steps out of his pants, kicks off his shoes, and gestures to the bed. “Let me.”

I nod eagerly, nipples already hardening at the thought of his touch. He doesn’t waste any time.

He climbs on the bed and pushes my legs apart. I lie back, and groan with pleasure as his tongue finds my core.

His eyes stay on me as though trying to make sure I’m enjoying what he’s doing.

I lock eyes with him, watching his hands slide to my nipples, to my stomach, my thighs, as though he needs to touch every part of my body.

With every lick, every gentle caress, he gives me back some of what Carlos stole from me.

I moan as he licks me faster and faster, tugging at my nipples until I’m exploding in a sensational orgasm.

But he doesn’t stop. His mouth stays where it is, and he gives me wave after wave of climaxes until I’m delirious with lust.

My voice comes out a croak. “Cock. Now.”

He dares to chuckle as he swipes his mouth. “What if I’m not done?”

I prop myself up on my elbows, panting, desperate for him to get in me, but he’s not moving.

With a growl, I launch myself at him, and we end up on the floor, tangled in the sheets, with me on top of him.

He grabs me around the waist and flips me over so I’m on my back. This time, he does oblige me, and I curse at him when his cock slides inside me.

I issue guttural sounds, barely aware of what I’m saying as he thrusts harder, and harder until I’m coming so hard, I’m screaming I love him and his magnificent cock.

I scratch my fingernails down his back and feel the muscle work as he pounds me harder.

My spine is pressed into the hard floorboards and he’s near crushing me, but I don’t care.

After so long, he’s giving me what I’ve been missing.

Not just physical contact. Not just sex.

But connection.

When he brings me to another orgasm, he starts to shudder with his own as though we’re sharing a body.

“I loved you from the second I saw you,” he whispers.

I open my mouth and close my eyes as his words sink in and I know he means it, just like I know I love him too.

He comes shaking, face twisted in pleasure as my own climax fills my body with exquisite intensity to match the sounds escaping from my mouth.

He doesn’t withdraw, just fills me, and for the first time, I see a future where I can have the normal things I always wanted.

Tears sting at my eyes as Parker lies beside me on the floor and blows out a breath.

I don’t want to break the spell, and I don’t want to spoil the moment, but Luke’s words in the ambulance prompt me to turn my head to look at the man who saved me.

“Tell me what happened to Carlos.”

He releases a long sigh. “You sure you want to hear? At the moment you have plausible deniability. As far as the FBI are concerned, you’re missing and so am I.”

I frown. “But you’ll go back?”

He nods, and his smile seems forced. “At some point yeah. When they need more information.”

I swallow. “Can I go with you?”

He smiles. “You’re a free woman. You can go wherever you want.”

Relief spills through me, almost overtaking the fear of what Carlos has been hiding from me these past few months.

I pull myself up to sitting and look down at Parker. ”I’m ready.”

He laces his fingers behind his head and winces slightly. “Alright. I’ll start with Luke.”

My eyebrows rise. “In the ambulance?”

He nods. “Luke and I go way back. I hadn’t heard from him since training camp when he got deployed. He called me a few weeks back and said his little brother Jason had gone missing. He spun this story about his brother working for this businessman who made him sign a contract.”

My eyes pop a little wider. “Luke’s brother was working for Carlos?”

He nods. “Luke noticed the job come up on some website, and he knew it would look suspicious if he started asking questions, so I agreed to apply for a job.”

I’m so stunned I just listen as he carries on filling in all the blanks. “The more time I spent with you, the more I wondered if Carlos had another reason for letting you go to the lookout.”

When I just frown harder, he carries on. “The fire lookout was the perfect place for you to be. He had you both in a location no one would ever think to look.”

I don’t know what to say to that, my mind is spinning wildly as I think of the night I left.

I never considered for a moment Carlos had another motive for letting me live at the lookout.

But it makes sense. Horrible, gruesome, sense.

“I’ve been watching over a burial site?” I ask.

Parker nods. “Looks that way.”

“I feel sick,” I groan.

“There’s more,” Parker says.

I groan and place a palm on my forehead. “I don’t know if I can take any more bad news.”

“It’s not bad news, I promise.”

I squint at him and blow out a breath. “Tell me the rest.”

Parker nods. “You said he was getting more paranoid? You weren’t the only one to notice. Amaya and Carlos’ secretary Anita were more than aware something was going on with him.”

I screw up my face and try to recall the last time I saw Anita. It was before I stopped waitressing and became Carlos’ personal plaything. “Maybe he was worried about the missing guard being found?”

He nods. “It’s all connected. The IRS were looking into some insider trading Carlos seemed to be involved in.”

I shake my head. “He’s always had problems with the government. He just makes it all go away.”

Parker’s lips twitch. “Not this time. Carlos tried to blackmail the wrong person who had some contacts of his own. FBI kind of contacts.”

My puzzlement only grows until Parker explains. “You signed a document before you went to the lookout?”

I nod though I can barely remember the night I left. “I think it was another non-disclosure agreement. It was the only way he’d let me leave.”

He shakes his head. “That’s not what it was. You were signing ownership papers. Carlos transferred almost all of his assets to you.”

I blink, sure I’m hearing things, but he’s carrying on. “That’s why he needed to marry you in a hurry. You wouldn’t have been able to testify against him, and even if you did, he’d laid enough ground-work convincing everyone you were nuts so you wouldn’t have been credible.”

I’m so shocked, I can’t even begin to consider the level of planning that took on Carlos’ part. How long had he known he might need me like that? He must have been convinced I’d never try to leave him.

But it’s difficult to remember a time when he wasn’t calling me crazy.

While Parker seems to be giving me a moment to let that sink in, I think about the first year I was living in the penthouse with Carlos.

If I remember correctly, there was a sort of honeymoon period where I was reasonably happy in my confinement.

Sandwiched in between my gratitude for having no more money worries I’d relaxed into a strange and almost companionable relationship with a man who demanded little.

When I was still completely overwhelmed by his generosity, he seemed to anticipate my every need and filled it.

From paying my debt to finding a place for my mom to live and clean up, aside from never touching me, Carlos seemed almost too good to be true.

All I had to do was look pretty, wear what he wanted, smile at parties, and never cause a fuss or do anything to embarrass him.

He never openly introduced me as his girlfriend, but there seemed to be an understanding I was his property.

For the first time since I was a kid who got boobs too early, I never had to worry about anyone bothering me.

Then the twelve-month contract was up, and Carlos showed me who he really was and what he really expected for his money.

I want to interrupt Parker to try to explain how he convinced me to sign a newer, more restrictive contract that sealed my fate, but I just listen as he carries on.

“Carlos didn’t trust anyone, but you were so drugged up, you didn’t know you owned everything, and even if you found out, you couldn’t leave. He made sure you had no-where else to go.”

I wince. “And he made sure I lost contact with my friends who might have helped me. I couldn’t speak to anyone outside the building. I tried to tell people I wanted to leave. But no one listened. And when he found out, that’s when he took away the small amount of freedom I had. He restricted me to the top floor.”

He frowns. “Who did you talk to on staff?”

I swallow. “I don’t remember exactly. I told Natalie repeatedly, but she had her own reasons to keep pretending Carlos was in the right.”

He nods slowly. “Did you speak to any guards? On your floor? Maybe a new guy?”

I tilt my head at him. “I’m not sure. Carlos used to give me drugs before we…”

I can’t tell Parker the extend of what I’ve done and watched inside Carlos’ office, so I just shake my head. “Why? Is that important?”

Parker’s smile is weak. “Maybe. If you’d already spoken to Jason, it makes sense why Carlos chose him.”

“Chose him for what?”

He doesn’t look at me when he answers. “Luke told me his brother was struggling with addiction. He’d been sober a few months before he got the job working for Carlos. It was supposed to be a fresh start. Apparently, Carlos has an employment scheme for recovering alcoholics.”

Disgust grows on Parker’s face. “To anyone looking at Carlos he seemed like this stand-up guy, trying to do good in the world, but he was really just hiring people with problems, and secrets so he could manipulate them later on.”

Since I know that to be true, I wait for Parker to carry on. “Anyway, Carlos needed someone to be a witness, at first I thought it was just coincidence he called one of the guards from that floor. But with the number of cameras he has on your floor, he must have known you asked Jason for help.”

My frown grows as a hazy memory floats to the surface. “Oh, shit. I remember him now. He was the only guard who smiled at me.”

He nods sadly. “I only met him once, but he seemed like a good guy.”

I stare at him, disbelief growing. “Are you saying I own Carlos’ company and that Jason died because I spoke to him?”

He looks as pained as I feel when he answers. “Not exactly. Jason died because he called his brother right after he signed as a witness. He said you were so out of it you could barely stand. He told Luke he was going to talk to his boss.”

He runs a hand over his face. “It took me a while to figure it out, but I checked the security footage as soon as I could get back. Amaya and Jason drove you to the lookout. Only Amaya returned.”

I flinch. “She killed him?”

He releases a sigh. “She didn’t have much choice.”

“But the FBI knows all this?” I ask.

He nods. “I made an anonymous phone call that there is at least one body buried at the lookout. Soon as they know Carlos is dead, they’ll freeze all his assets and will want to talk to you. Right now, it’s your company, and with a little creative accounting, and a new account, the money is yours to keep.”

My thoughts are so muddled, I can barely think, let alone reply to all of that. For five days I’ve sat here, waiting, and waiting for some resolution.

I’ve barely eaten, I’ve hardly slept. I’ve been going out of my mind. And now Parker is here, alive, and telling me I’m a fucking millionaire and the FBI will want to talk to me?

“What am I supposed to tell the FBI?”

He takes my hand and looks at the shallow scar on my wrist. “The truth. That you didn’t know what you were signing. That Carlos kept you out of his business and you were afraid of him.”

I’m not entirely convinced it’ll be that simple when he looks up at me. “Or you could disappear and start a new life. I dunno, say in a little farm in North Dakota and wait for me to clear everything up.”

A bitter laugh escapes. “I don’t think it’ll be that easy.”

He gestures to my wrist. “You’ve got some balls cutting yourself like that. What were you planning to do?”

Heat blazes around my body as Parker strokes the scar gently. “I just wanted to get out. I didn’t plan past that.”

He shakes his head. “Always have an exit plan.”

I’m so furious and so relieved I don’t know whether to hit him or kiss him. “And what’s the plan now? Hide here until the FBI finds us or run away and hide at your family’s farm?”

He gestures to the phone on the floor. “It’s up to you. You can make your own plan. That’ll buy you a new identity. If the FBI tracks me down, I’ll tell them anything you want me to.”

I stare at him, then the phone and connect the message to what he’s saying. I narrow my eyes at him. “Just like that? You aren’t going to try to convince me to keep it? Or to give you half?”

He raises his hands, a smirk on his face as he pulls me towards him. “If you think I care about the money, you are crazy,” he says.

I scowl at him. “Don’t say that. It’s not funny.”

He shrugs slightly and I can’t help but notice he’s still in pain. But it doesn’t dim his smile. “It was never about the money. I have a job anytime I want it, a nice house in a nice town, and a chunk of savings in the bank. It was about getting justice for the owner of this beach hut.”

I frown even harder and feel unwanted tears stinging at my eyes. “Why did Carlos have to die too? Revenge?”

A dark look crosses over his face. “Because letting him live wasn’t an option.”

That only makes me want to cry even more, so I try to explain something I’m not sure I can.

He runs a hand over his face and can’t seem to look at me. “Did you love him? Is that why you’re upset?”

It’s so unexpected, I just stare at him.

He seems to misinterpret my silence and jumps to his feet, flinching as he grabs his back. “Right. Got it. Sorry I wasted your time. I’ll head back into the city, speak to the FBI then go home.”

I look up at him, and see such torment on his face, every last doubt I had vanishes. “I thought it was love. For a while,” I say quietly.

He doesn’t look convinced, so I get to my feet and make sure I look him in the eye. “Then I met you and I knew it wasn’t even close.”

A faint smile appears, giving me the courage to continue. “He twisted everything. Told me I was a whore, but he wouldn’t have sex with me. He said I was stupid but paid off my student loans and let me study anything I wanted to.”

Moisture gathers in my eyes. “At the lookout, away from him, I wasn’t who he made me be, I was free from all of that. Seeing you made me realize I’d never be really free until I was dead, or he was.”

I swallow. “I know why he chose you to come and collect me. You look close enough to him, he knew I’d be constantly thinking about him. I think he knew I’d want to have sex with you. And he allowed it. But only so he could force me to watch after you were dead as a reminder of what I’d never be able to have again.”

I have to close my eyes to find the courage to continue. “So, no I’m not sorry he’s dead. I’m just sorry I didn’t kill him myself.”

Parker’s growl rumbles from his throat as he pulls me into his arms. “You know he was impotent, right? I read your contract. You were a beautiful trophy he could display when he felt like proving he was a man.”

For the stupidest reason the confirmation Carlos’ inability wasn’t anything to do with me, makes me cry even harder.

He lets me cry against his chest, holding me tight, my head pressed against his chest until the sound of his heartbeat, slow and steady, calms me.

“I need you to know you can leave any time you want to. That’s why I got you the money and why Amaya and I bought you some time to decide. You choose whether you stay with me,” he murmurs.

I sniff and look up and find Parker’s eyes locked on mine, with a softness to his gaze, that tells me he means every word.

I push up on my toes and brush my lips against his ear, “I already know the answer to that,” I say through a teary smile.

After the damage Carlos wrecked, after he took all power from me, and tried to control every aspect of my life; I finally have what I always needed.

Carlos may have captured my body, and there were times I thought he’d claimed ownership of my mind, but he never, ever succeeded in capturing what he wanted the most.

My heart.

I run my fingers up Parker’s broad chest. “The money was a nice gesture.”

His eyebrow raises as I gently stroke the back of his neck. “But for now, I’ve got everything I need, right here in this beach hut,” I say.

His lip curls as he pulls me closer, crushing my breasts against his bare chest. “I was hoping you’d say that,” he says softly.

***

Thanks so much for choosing to read Parker and Laurie’s steamy love story.

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Lexi ❤

Excerpt from One Wild Weekend With Cooper

One Wild Weekend with Cooper

#11 One Wild Weekend with Series

© Lexi Hart 2020

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Lexi Hart is the pen name of a crazy Kiwi romance junkie who prefers to live in the heads of her characters than her own.

If you want to escape reality with me and love fast burn romances with a splattering of suspense, The One Wild Weekend Series is sure to satisfy you.

For readers who enjoy a slower burn, and a whole lot more angst, I hope you’ll try my ongoing fake romance series, Bad For Me.

If you’d like to connect with me and would like a FREE Novella, sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter (no spam, no random promoting of other authors' books) so you can get all the VIP treatment, and we can get to know each other.

www.lexihartromance.com

Time can't heal all wounds...

Months of working in a PICU dealing with grieving parents, and I’m seriously burnt out.

Since I have leave owing, and my supervisor insists, I think I’ve found the perfect place to recharge…

A cute little town in Utah near hot springs and hiking trails.

After a week of fresh mountain air, and local hospitality, I’m almost ready to return to my life.

Until I go for a hike, get lost and encounter a bear.

I’m beyond relieved my scream attracts the gorgeously rugged owner of a nearby cabin.

Cooper is funny, sweet, and he sweeps me off my feet, literally so when the weather turns and he invites me to stay the weekend, I agree.

After a scorching few days together, I’m not sure I’m ready to go back to reality.

But when a ghost from his past turns up, I learn there’s more to my dashing hero than meets the eye…