Addicted to Mr Parks (The Parks Series #2)(67)

“No.” He stiffened, his voice softening. “But I’ve had chance to calm down. I suggest you do the same.”

“So is this how it’s going to be? Always your way. When you’ve calmed down, then we talk?”

He took a measured step back in his brown brogues and sighed. “Evelyn, I don’t want to hurt you, and taking myself out of the situation to calm down is the only way I can ensure that.”

“Hurt me? I know you would never hurt me.” Physically, anyway.

“What I mean is…” Another sigh escaped his throat. “You’re right. I can’t spank you every time I’m mad. For punishment it’s different, but when I’m mad, I could hurt you, and I would never forgive myself. I did it the day you came to live with me, and I promised you I would never do it again. And I won’t.”

My head fell back, my eyes drifting to look up at the sky. Standing in front of me was a man that defined the word perfection. The epitome of a sex god living on earth. Inside, though, defined something far from perfect. He was the epitome of wounded. The worst part was, I hadn’t a clue why.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he pleaded.

I brought my head back down and looked into his eyes. “I’m thinking some days being with you is heaven-sent, then we head back to hell again.”

“Evelyn, it was never going to be smooth sailing between us. But we work because we shouldn’t work. We work because we get each other.”

I shook my head, which made him frown. “You’re wrong. You get me. I don’t get you. Not in your entirety. I don’t get your temper. I don’t get your inner weakness. Inner demons.”

His stunning features looked away from me briefly and towards a couple that were walking past the bottom of Cheryl’s drive hand in hand. “Evelyn, the less you know, the better.”

I knew exactly why he didn’t want to let me in. “You won’t tell me because you don’t think I’m strong enough to cope with it.”

“Let’s not do this.” He hated to make a scene in public, but I ignored his warning.

“Do you know when you leave me and ignore me, I feel lost? You make me feel abandoned. You told me you wouldn’t do that to me again.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him. “We needed space, Princess. You think I would leave you again?”

Pushing him away aggressively, I spat, “I don’t know what you would do, because you don’t tell me anything.”

“Then let me tell you that before I met you, I wasn’t existing. I was barely breathing.”

I stumbled back a touch at his words. Words I deeply, stupidly yearned for.

“And now?” I swallowed.

He brushed his knuckles across my heated cheeks. His green eyes looked into mine so tenderly that I never wanted him to look away. I wanted him to always look at me that way.

“I’m living,” he breathed.

I nuzzled my cheek into his knuckles, closing my eyes so I could soak up his words and live in that moment. He said he started living because of me? The feeling was utterly mutual, and it felt incredible to hear, but there was still a long way to go.

My heart sank, the frustration I felt towards him slowly evaporating like he’d cast a spell upon me. My body ached from his presence, and it was a feeling I truly treasured. It was like I forgot to breathe when he was near. Forgot my life, forgot my mind, and that was a good thing for me. I craved to forget, and Parks could grant me that wish in an instant.

“You’re such hard work.” I sagged. “But you’re so good for me. Although some days I could easily tell you to f*ck off and never see you again, then you turn up like this.” I waved a hand down his body. “Looking hot in casual clothes, sexy brown hair that looks good even though you’ve just pushed your hands through it, and your green eyes sparkling all bright and sexy. When I see all that, I forget why I was so mad at you.”


“Green eyes sparkling?” He smirked from the corner of his mouth.

“Oh sod off.” I chuckled.

He moved towards me, wrapping the arms I’d missed immensely around my neck. “We’re each other’s remedy, Princess. Hard work or not. “

“I know,” I breathed against his lips, inhaling watermelon and indulging in his masculine scent.

“Evey? Who is it?” Neither of us turned at the sound of Cheryl’s voice. The air between us was polluted with calming rage, heavy desire, and need. It had been only a couple of hours since I hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing his face, and even though he angered me like no one else, I couldn’t deny how good he made me feel.

“Are you going to let me in?” His cool breath misted my cheek as his gaze fell to my lips.

“I don’t have a choice, do I?” I sassed, swinging around dramatically and leading the way. When Parks followed me in, a wave of apprehension rushed through my bones. He was stepping into another part of my life. Meeting the most important people to me. Even though he’d already met with Cheryl, this was out of my comfort zone.

“Wade?” Cheryl’s voice oozed surprise when she spotted him behind me. “You made it. Evey said you were busy.”

He cocked his brow my way, so I threw him a warning glare. “I was, but I wrapped it up quickly to be here. It’s nice to meet you again, and thank you for inviting me into your home.” He was such a smooth-talking, sexy bastard.