Addicted to Mr Parks (The Parks Series #2)(89)

“Are you not going to ask me what I’d like?” What I would have really liked was to have the poking and prodding come to a stop and to do my own damn hair and makeup.

“Oh.” The girls looked at each other sheepishly. “Mr. Parks has already told us what he’d like,” Kim informed me, a little confused.

Why was I not surprised? “And what did the Oh Mighty One request?”

The girls didn’t get my humour, so they just smiled stiffly to each other before Kim answered again. “He would like your makeup natural and your hair up in a ponytail.”

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “How much is he paying you to do a job I could have done myself?” Granted, I shouldn’t have taken my pissy mood out on the girls. Ungrateful was not what I intended to sound like. However, not having my own choice made me a little icy. “Sorry,” I said but decided I wouldn’t be told what to do. “Scrap the ponytail. I want it down. Wavy. I want my makeup glamorous. Do smoky eyes. Just leave before Parks sees you.”

Chelsea glanced to Kim, who nodded, and they got to work.

My hair was waved and tamed beautifully, my chocolate locks falling stunningly past my shoulders. My makeup was smoky, seductive, and far from natural. My chances of getting away with the changed makeup plan was nil to none. Only Parks would know the difference between natural and heavy makeup, but I was ready for the fight. I felt contented that I’d chosen something he didn’t want and got my own way.

Thanking the girls when their work was complete, I quickly ushered them out of the room for their sakes.

I got myself into the dress, finding it quite easy to zip up at the back myself, then went to find Parks. He was standing before a long mirror in the bathroom, and I took the chance to absorb every magnificent, defined, hard inch of him. His physique looked remarkable in a midnight blue, double-breasted tuxedo tailored to perfection. But he looked stunning in everything. Especially a tuxedo. He owned it. He owned looking like a suit god. I couldn’t help inhaling his scent whilst staring at him. Everything tightened in my stomach, sexual tension and frustration building by the second.

“God, you’re a handsome sonofabitch,” I purred, prowling like a lioness towards him. His gaze left his reflection as I met him, and I couldn’t help but touch at his bow tie.

“You have your hair down,” he said straightaway. I kissed his lips, gently nibbling on the bottom one, then pulled away.

“Get over it.”

He flashed a menacing smile that both excited me and speared at my nerves. “You love to disobey my wishes, Evelyn. And I love punishing your disobedience.”

I breathed against his lips. “Don’t you like it?”

He ran his fingers through my hair gently, pushing it back behind my shoulders. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect. But I had a reason for requesting your hair be tied up.”

Okay, that halted my victory. “Oh?”

His perfectly arched brow rose. “Yes, ‘oh.’ Turn around and close your eyes.”

What was he up to? “Serious?”

“Do it,” he urged on a smile. I rolled my eyes, then turned around to face the mirror and closed my lids. I could hear him fidgeting with something in the background, then I felt him near, and then something cold and heavy was placed upon my neck. It was a necklace—that much was obvious. He clasped it, made sure it was positioned, then told me to open my eyes.

I gasped when I caught my reflection. “Oh, my…” My hand instinctively went up to touch the necklace that made its presence known. A sapphire-blue, heart-shaped pendant with diamonds around it, resembling the Heart of the Ocean.


My hands were shaking. My childhood wish that one day I would own a necklace just like the one on Titanic suddenly came crashing true, all because Parks listened and cherished my every word and made sure whatever I wished and hopelessly hoped for would come alive.

“Wade,” I croaked, tears threatening to ruin my makeup. “I can’t accept this. This is—”

“—simply stunning,” he breathed.

My heart was beating viciously. “It is, but it’s too much. I can’t believe you actually remembered what I said.”

“What have I told you?” He frowned, snaking his arms around my waist. “I remember everything you say. Soak it up like a sponge.” His smile was priceless as he adjusted the necklace, then held me like I was his delicate rose, too precious to ruin or hurt. “I want to treat you like a princess, Evelyn. Every day. I have something else.”

I gulped. “You do?”

“Follow me.” He took my hand and led me back into the lounge area. Letting go of my hand, he walked to the dining table and picked up a beautiful square box. My eyes were narrowed, anticipating.

“I wanted to get you something where you can keep your necklace and your ruby.”

My heart was thrashing against my chest as he pulled out a beautiful silver jewellery box embossed with silver roses. My gaze drifted from it and up into his eyes. “It’s beautiful.”

He tilted his head to the side and smiled. “That’s not the best part. Listen.” Carefully, he opened up the hinged lid, and I saw my gorgeous ruby he had gifted me. Then I heard the soft lullaby playing from inside. Although it was just an instrumental version, I recognised it instantly, and tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.