Page 61 of To Hold and Protect

“Seriously? That’s...beyond comprehension. Wouldn’t you remember doing something to someone to cause her to do this? And why would she burn up my car if she’s out to get you?”

“The only reason I can think of would be that she doesn’t want me to spend time with you.”

“She’s watching us?” She thought of all the times sitting on her swing. They’d kissed a lot on that swing. “What about when we were in your studio at night?” That was a horrifying thought, that some deranged woman had been watching them. He’d always dimmed the lights when they made love on the daybed, but had someone been outside, looking in at them?

“We have to assume so, but not while we were in the studio. We have too many dogs that would have alerted to a stranger being in the yard. I know she’s been at some of the fire scenes. I’ve felt like I was being watched several times.”

“Are you sure it’s a woman and someone you’ve met?” She couldn’t imagine what Parker could possibly do to cause anyone to burn homes and cars up. He was just too nice. He was the sweetest of the three brothers, and it just wasn’t in him to do something to a woman that deserved some kind of warped revenge.

“No, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.” He squeezed her hand. “It’s the last thing I want, but until we catch her, we can’t see each other. I won’t risk you getting hurt.”

She turned her face away and stared out the window so he wouldn’t see the tears pooling in her eyes. It wasn’t fair that some faceless person got to decide when her time with Parker was over. She wasn’t ready to walk away from him.

“I’m not sure I’m okay with letting someone dictate my life.” She squeezed her eyes shut, willing her tears away, and then she turned back to him.

“Willow—”

“No, I’m serious. I hear what you’re saying, but I’m already on her radar apparently, so screw her. She doesn’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do. Are you willing to give up that easily?” She wasn’t looking for some kind of commitment from him. There was an expiration date on their time together, but she wanted him to say that he wasn’t ready either for that date to be today.

“It’s just that the thought of something happening to you scares me.”

“We can be discreet. No more making out while sitting on my swing.”

“Damn, I love kissing you on that swing.” He let go of her hand, then tugged on a lock of her hair. “The family’s waiting for us to finish Ev’s birthday, so let’s go do that. Then we’ll talk about what happens between us.”

When they were on the road, he took her hand and placed it on his thigh. “I had your car towed to the police lot. If you want to see it, I’ll have Skylar take you there tomorrow.”

“I don’t think I do. I hate this so much.” She wanted Sunshine back, not to mention the hassle it was going to be in dealing with her insurance company.

“Me, too. We’re doing everything we can to catch this person. For tonight, try to enjoy the rest of Ev’s birthday. She’s going to love your present more than anything her family is giving her.”

For Everly, she’d smile. As they drove past her house, she couldn’t help glancing at her driveway. There was a big blackened spot where Sunshine should be parked. “Oh,” she whispered.

“Hey, eyes on me.” He dropped his hand over hers. “We’ll be sad tomorrow, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.” She could wait a day to be sad, and he said he’d be sad with her, which kind of made her happy.

He parked his car in the garage, then moved her hand back to her lap. “Don’t move.”

“Why?” But he was already out of the car and didn’t hear her. As he walked around the car’s hood, she grabbed her phone and took a picture of him. She made a mental note to get one of Everly, too. When she was at her beach condo, she’d be able to bring up the photos and remember the two special people who’d made a home in her heart.

After opening her door, he held out his hand to help her out. “Such a gentleman,” she said as she rose to stand next to him.

“No, I’m not. A gentleman wouldn’t do this.” He put his hands on her hips and backed her up to the car door, then pressed his body against hers. “Or this.” His mouth crashed down on hers.

Yes, this was what she needed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself in the feel of him, the taste of him. How was she supposed to give this up before she was ready to?

He trailed kisses across her cheek and then put his mouth next to her ear. “Let’s run away.”

If only. “And disappoint the birthday girl? No can do.”

“Yeah, there is that.” He kissed her one more time, then took her hand. “Come. Everyone’s waiting for us.”

He didn’t let go of her hand as they walked into the house. His brothers and their fiancées didn’t seem surprised, so she guessed they knew Parker had been spending time with her. Everly, though, her gaze went straight to their hands, and a big grin crossed her face.

“Are you Daddy’s girlfriend now, Miss Willow?”

“Um...” She looked at Parker. That was his question to answer.

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