Page 25 of 7 Miles High
Chapter 9
Parker
It has only been three weeks since I saw her at the wedding, but it feels like three months. Conversation by conversation we’re finding out about each other’s lives. Her days are as unpredictable as mine. I have no regular hours or place of business, and she’s on call day and night. When a client wants to see a property, she must be available. It took nearly a month for our schedules to align.
Now waiting for Natalie at the Southwest curb at John Wayne Airport, I feel a little like I did at seventeen. Back then I was aiming high and hoping my reach didn’t exceed my grasp. Becky Barcells was the best-looking girl at the all-girls school across town, and word was she liked me. I knew I had to step up my game.
Becky wasn’t one who’d put up with bad behavior. I figured that out right away. She was made of something more than I’d experienced before, and it required my best efforts. Time proved me right. At least for a year and a half anyway. We both lost interest after that.
I don’t anticipate any waning of the pull between Natalie and me. No way. Devoting a lot to my love life isn’t, or correction hasn’t, been my strong suit. I’m going to dismiss that fact because of the thing I know for a certainty. This woman cannot be compared to any other. She makes me feel things differently. More fully.
It was a foregone conclusion as far as I’m concerned that she come here. When I invited her to pick the dates there was only a short pause followed by a ‘yes’. I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until I heard that and exhaled.
Tap. Tap. Tap!
I’m forced back to reality by Natalie’s knuckles on the glass. Popping the trunk, I open the door and step out.
“Hi, babe! You look great,” I say, taking her in my arms.
“Hello you.”
Abandoning the suitcase and carryon on the curb, my lips find hers.Lord, woman.
The sound of a car pulling up beside us grabs our attention.
“Come on, get in the car. I’ll get your luggage.”
Natalie makes her way to the passenger side and gets in while I load the trunk. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I spot my chance to squeeze between the other cars and pull away from the curb.
“Let’s get out of here before someone else boxes us in,” I say.
Her hand reaches behind my neck and a finger trails the edge of my hair. Chills.
Heading for the exit, I’m smiling. “I like that.”
With a tilt of her head, Natalie’s mouth curves into a mischievous grin. “I’ve been dreaming of you.”
That’s always a sign when a woman tells you you’ve shown up in her dreams.
“Good dreams?”
Her hand slowly lowers to my crotch, and she traces the shape of me. Oh yeah.
“Bad dreams,” she says correcting me.
I fake concern. “Oh no. I’m sorry I’m giving you nightmares.”
“Not nightmares. Bad as in good. The kind you don’t want to wake up from.”
I place my hand over hers making sure she feels me grow against her.
“Whatcha got there, boy?”
“Your breakfast.”
She starts laughing and I find it so fucking appealing. It makes me laugh too.
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