Addicted to Mr Parks (The Parks Series #2)(69)

Keeping devoted eyes on me, Parks answered her mindlessly. “No. I’m better-looking.”

I burst out laughing, which caused the barmaid to grunt.

“You’re winding the poor girl up.” My voice was hushed as I stared fondly into his green eyes. When he looked at me so amorously, I was transfixed by him, hypnotised by his powerful aura, his sexual ambiance and confidence. He was like a drug to me. I needed him near because when he left, my light would leave with him.

“What are you thinking, Princess?” He turned slightly to pay the barmaid.

“Just thinking of how much I’m beginning to need you. Tell me you won’t leave me again.” He jerked his head back, exasperated, so I pulled him into me by his shirt. “Just tell me.”

His body relaxed as he pushed my hair behind my ear and ran his fingertips down my cheek. “I promise. The day I leave you will be the day I die. Come on.”

We headed back to the table and sat opposite Cheryl and Kevin on the brown, hand-carved wooden chairs that had red velvet cushioning. The pub had a real British feel to it with a wood-burning fireplace, dark brown woods, and black chalkboards displaying the day’s specials.

“Cheers, son.” Kevin picked up his pint and took a huge gulp.

Parks scanned the menu, taking his time as he read over the dishes. I knew he was fretting inside, so I bumped a shoulder with him. “You look worried.”

Sliding a cool arm around my shoulder, he shook his head, speaking in that English accent I loved him doing. “Don’t be daft, I’m just taking my time.”

I burst out laughing. “‘Daft’?”

“I’m embracing the British.” He chuckled.

“You have no choice.” I smiled, leaning over to kiss him.

“All ready to order?” It was that waitress again, and her boobs looked even more pushed up than they did when we saw her at the bar. She’d even undone a button on her shirt. Kevin ordered first, followed by myself and Cheryl, then I waited anxiously to see what Parks would order.

“For you, sir?” The way her lashes fluttered at Parks made me want to vomit.

“The steak, please. Rare. Could you hold off the sauce and steam the vegetables?”

Fluttering eyelashes blinked, then the she nodded, a little unsure. “No problem.” The barmaid swivelled on her heel and went into the kitchen.

My nerves around bringing Parks into my life, introducing him to my family, and bringing him into our Britishness began to die down. His lifestyle, my lifestyle, our upbringings, even our nationalities were at opposite ends of the spectrum. I was pub grub. He was à la carte. But that’s what made us work. Somehow.


Cheryl and Kevin bonded with Parks way more than I expected. He had their approval, which surprisingly meant a lot to me.

Kevin was on his third pint of ale when the food came. “Can I have another one of those?” He tipped his empty pint glass to Eyelashes when she placed our food in front of us.

“Sure.”

“God,” Cheryl moaned, picking up her knife and fork. “Kevin’s plan to get arseholed is working, then. The last time we were here, he fell arse over tit into a plant pot.” She started laughing, causing Kevin’s face to burn red.

“We’ve all done it.” I left my aunty and uncle bickering and felt my eyes skirting to the side to see how Parks would approach his food.

“It looks good,” I reassured him.

“It does.” I think he was genuine as he cut a small amount of steak and placed it into his mouth. I watched him chew, waiting for his approval.

“Good.” He nodded.

I didn’t realise I was holding my breath until I sagged. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I can tick eating pub grub off my bucket list.”

I nudged him in the ribs. “Shut up.”

“So,” Kevin asked, placing down his knife and fork. He was finished within five minutes. “How much are you worth, Wade?”

Cheryl was mortified, and her coughing and spluttering proved it. “Don’t be so bloody rude.”

Parks wasn’t offended, though. He put down his own knife and fork and causally took his glass of water to his lips. “A little over a billion.”

Kevin’s eyes widened, Cheryl’s jaw dropped, and I held my fork in midair, all of us staring at him in shock.

“A billion?” I mouthed, not actually being able to say the words. A casual slight nod as he swallowed down his water answered my question.

“Wow.” Kevin’s voice was squeaky for the first time since his balls had dropped. He snatched the empty pint glass from the table and held it up in the air. “Love, I think I need another pint.”

Throughout the meal, Parks kept touching my hand and brushing his arm against mine. The tender looks and small kisses to my temple as we all conversed had me melting and forgetting we weren’t alone. Cheryl discreetly smirked as she studied our display of affections.

After our meal, the men were bonding over the snooker table, leaving us women to chat.

“He’s besotted with you.” Cheryl tipped her glass to me.

I gazed over my shoulder and settled on Parks’s frame as he slightly bent over the snooker table to take his shot. “You think?”

“I know. He looks at you like you’re the most beautiful woman in the world. He’s fixated.”