Page 37 of To Hold and Protect

“Why’d she want your art?”

He gave a bitter laugh. “To pawn it off as her own.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“I wish I was. Benoit wanted to expose her, but I wouldn’t let him. I’d made a deal with her, and I kept it. For Everly, I’d do it all over again. I did have a DNA test done after she was born even though I knew for certain she was mine the minute they put her in my arms. It was insurance in case Simone and Julian popped up some day and tried to claim she was his.”

“You’re afraid of that happening, and that’s why you don’t want anyone to know how good Everly is.”

It wasn’t a question, and he was relieved she got it. “If Simone so much as suspected how talented Ev is, she’d be on my doorstep demanding custody. And then she’d exploit Everly to her benefit, maybe even claim Everly’s art was hers.” He stared into her eyes, wanting her to understand the only important thing. “I can’t let that happen.”

“Of course you can’t. She’s never tried to see her, never called and asked how she’s doing?”

“Not once. She handed our baby over to me and walked away without a glance back.”

“Good. That woman may have given birth, but she’s not entitled to be called a mother. Why haven’t you told your brothers about this?”

He shrugged. “A few reasons, one being that I was embarrassed. My brothers were always protective of me, and they didn’t want me to go to France. They believed I was too young and sheltered to be taking off like that.” They were right, but they hadn’t known why he’d had to go.

“Ah, you didn’t want to admit you should have listened to them?”

“Something like that. Also, Kade was in the Army by then and one scary dude. If he’d known what Simone did...well, I don’t want to imagine what he would have done. Likely make her disappear without a trace. Even now, if he knew, I wouldn’t put it past him to find a way to punish her. Tristan would probably help him. She kept her end of the bargain, and the last thing I want is for my brothers to stir things up.”

“I don’t approve of violence or revenge, but in this case, I think I’d cheer them on.” She moved closer to him. “Can I hug you?”

Chapter Seventeen

If there was ever a man who needed a hug, it was Parker Church. He stilled, and she thought he was going to refuse, then he nodded. She pulled her knees under her, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and rested her head against his chest. At first he was so stiff that she might as well be hugging a statue, but then his body relaxed and he brought his hand to her lower back. The heat from his palm seeped through the thin material of her sundress and warmed her skin.

He wasn’t hugging her back exactly, but when he let out a soft sigh, she smiled to herself, pleased that she was giving him what he needed after he’d shared his heart-wrenching story. She couldn’t wrap her mind around how anyone could do the things that woman had. How did you walk away from your child without a backward glance?

Something grew inside her that wanted to build a protective wall around Parker and Everly and guard them from the evil witch. He rested his head on top of hers, and although she was in an awkward position, she didn’t move because he needed this from her, her strength and understanding. He’d said he hadn’t told his brothers any of this, and she was honored that he’d shared his story with her, even if it was only because he needed her to know his reason for refusing her. But it also meant that, until now, he’d carried the burden of what had happened to him alone. He needed a friend, and she was going to be that for him.

“You smell good, like spring flowers and lavender,” he murmured as he nuzzled his nose in her hair.

She smiled against his chest. “You smell pretty good yourself.” His scent was an enticing combination of spice, soap, and a hint of paint. He was fit, a man with broad shoulders and hard muscles that her hands wanted to explore. When his thumb made circles over her sundress, the compassion that had inspired the hug changed to desire that started as a small flutter in her belly but grew as she inhaled his scent and soaked in the heat from his body.

“Willow.”

That was all, just a rasp of her name, but she heard the longing in it, a longing that was growing inside her, too. She lifted her head and their eyes locked on each other. As if pulled by invisible strings, she leaned toward him until their mouths were touching. As soon as she felt his lips, she froze. What was she doing?

He made a sound deep in his throat as he finished what she’d started, and his mouth took possession of hers. He wrapped his arm around her and pressed his fingers into her hip. His other hand cupped the side of her face, and his palm cradling her cheek felt intimate, the kind of thing a lover would do. None of her boyfriends had touched her like that, not even Austin, who’d claimed to love her with all his heart until he didn’t anymore.

Parker slid the tip of his tongue over her lips, seeking entrance, and she forgot all about Austin and old boyfriends as she opened her mouth, inviting him in. She was still on her knees, and when she moved to try and get more comfortable, he pulled her onto his lap without breaking the kiss.

She didn’t know how long they kissed. Time seemed irrelevant. Nothing mattered except this man and this moment. She’d never been kissed so thoroughly or so passionately, and she wanted more. She needed more. Based on his arousal that she felt against her bottom, he wanted more, too. She broke the kiss.

“Do you want to come inside?”

He stared at her for a moment, then his gaze fell to her mouth. “I want to, but not tonight.”

“Oh, okay.” She shouldn’t be this disappointed. Not only was she just getting to know him, but she was on a vacation from men. Or she was supposed to be, but one could change vacation plans, right? She tried not to feel rejected as she scooted off his lap.

“Hey.” He put his hand on her arm. “I’m not saying no, just not tonight. We both need to think about the wisdom of doing this and the consequences.”

“Consequences?” As far as she could see, the consequences would be good for both of them. From the passion of their kisses, she was sure they’d be good together, might even set the bed on fire if the heat that had ignited between them was any indication.

“Yes. I have Everly to think about. I can’t date you—”

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