Page 32 of Lovers at Seaside
I’d like to do a lot more than breathe down your neck.
“A gorgeous blonde breathing down your neck?” Sky laughed. “You poor thing. Parker?”
“Oh, I think he’ll deserve a morning off by then.”
“Good! The girls and I were hoping to see you again soon.”
She and Grayson hadn’t talked about what they were doing tomorrow, much less what they were doing a week from now. In fact, she realized, they hadn’t been making plans at all. They, as a couple, had been a given, and that gave her a solid sense of where they stood.
“So you guys are working while you’re in town?” Sky asked.
“We’re not getting much work done yet, but we will be.” Grayson drew Parker into his arms and lowered his voice. “My famous girlfriend has a new script arriving tomorrow.”
Her heart turned over in her chest at how casually he saidgirlfriend, and she was glad he’d thought to lower his voice when he’d saidfamous. Both were suchGraysonthings to do.
“How exciting!” Sky wiped more ink and blood from her customer’s arm.
Christmas brushed against Grayson’s leg. He petted him as he whispered to Parker, “I can think of a few exciting things I’d like to do to you right now.”
“Grayson.” She hoped Sky hadn’t heard him. Grayson kissed her again and stepped to her side, bringing Sky, who was watching them withawwin her eyes, into view.
“You guys are so cute,” Sky said with an approving smile. “It’s kind of sickening.”
“It’s awesome!” Cree called out. “Sky and Sawyer are the same way, which leaves me out in the cold. Don’t you two have another brother?”
They all laughed. After talking for a few more minutes, Parker and Grayson headed back to the car. As they drove back toward Wellfleet, Parker realized she hadn’t teared up with thoughts of Bert today. Not when she’d seen his photograph in Café Heaven, not when they’d talked about him, and not when thoughts of him had simply floated into her mind. Her talk with Abe had helped her through one of the most troubling parts of her grief, which helped alleviate the guilt she’d carried from being away when Bert died.
She looked at Grayson as he drove down the highway. Without him, she may never have gotten through to Abe. And it was Grayson who was right here by her side, reminding her how wonderful life could be if she slowed down enough to enjoy it instead of racing from film to film. As the sun began to set and Christmas yawned in the backseat, happier than she’d ever seen him, Parker knew that just as she’d been the only one to get through to Abe, only Grayson, with his patience, confidence, and innate understanding of what she needed, could have gotten through to her.
Chapter Twelve
PARKER LEANED ON the railing of her deck, gazing out at the ocean while absently brushing her bare foot along Christmas’s back. The tuckered-out pup lay fast asleep from their busy afternoon. They’d picked up dinner at the Bookstore Restaurant on their way home and had shared a bottle of wine while they ate beneath the evening sky. Parker’s long hair was gathered over her right shoulder, her skin shimmering under the moon’s glow. A gentle breeze brushed her dress against her thighs.
If ever there was a perfect moment, this is it. Right here, right now.They were too far above the beach to be seen, making the whole star-filled sky and beautiful bay seem like their own private paradise. Grayson slid his arms around Parker’s waist from behind and kissed her cheek. She rested her head back against his shoulder and sighed with pleasure.
“I think you were put on this earth just for me,” he whispered against her cheek.
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
“Because you were all I thought about when you were thousands of miles away, and when we’re together, everything feels good and right.” He licked the shell of her ear and pressed a kiss to her delicate skin just below.
“What else?” Her eyes were closed, a sweet smile on her lips.
He kissed his way back down her neck and over her shoulder, loving the shivers that trembled through her. “I love seeing you smile and hearing your laugh. Being with you makes me happy.”
She leaned in to him. “Tell me more, but keep kissing me.”
“Oh, yes. You’re definitely put on this earth just for me.” He kissed her shoulder again and grazed his teeth over her freshly kissed skin, repeating the sensual rhythm and reveling in the hitching of her breaths.
She reached behind her and gripped his hips, craning her neck, pushing it toward his mouth. “Grays—” The end of his name was drowned out by a moan as he sealed his mouth over her neck and sucked.
Splaying his hands over her belly, he pressed his hips tighter against her bottom. Her fingers tightened on his hips, holding him firmly in place.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’m not going anywhere until you’re fully satisfied.” He gathered her silky hair and draped it over her other shoulder, giving the newly revealed shoulder the same loving attention as the other.
“Tell me how,” she whispered.
Her hands moved up and down his hips in time to every kiss. He tangled one hand in her hair and moved his other arm up her body, and curled his fingers around the nape of her neck.
