No Regrets (A Stepbrother New Adult Novella)(23)

The idea put a frown on his face. He hadn’t even considered that she might say ‘no’ when he asked her to marry him. For him, it was a no-brainer. She was like breathing air, it has become so natural for him to love her.

He needed time to ask her the right way. He needed the right words to prove that he wanted her beside him for the rest of his life. He knew exactly what he wanted to say, but he didn’t know how to say it. It was then that he realized that for the first time in his life, he was scared.

It was new for him. Women always came easily to him, and he always had his choice in partners. That was until he ran into her at that damn grocery store. Since then, he couldn’t even see another woman, much less touch another one. He wasn’t just a coward, he was a coward and he was scared she would say ‘no’. He squirmed in his seat, even more convinced that he needed to wait. He could tell she wanted to say something, but he wasn’t ready to, not yet.

“Parker, I think we need to talk about a few things.” She took a deep breath, and her eyes met his.

“I know, Olivia. There are so many things we need to talk about, but…not right now. Tonight, I want you. Nothing more, nothing less.” He was trying, dammit. He watched her frown.

“Well, you’re probably tired from your trip, anyway. We can talk in the morning,” she said simply.

He swallowed hard. Something about her shifted, and she was more willing now than ever before. He watched her stand and walk toward the bedroom.

“I’m tired, Parker. Let’s go to bed.”

Walking away, she let the robe drop, and he watched the swing of her backside as she gave him one last glance before she entered the bedroom. He felt his body move in slow motion as he followed her. When he entered the room, he saw her in bed and under a thin sheet. He crawled in beside her and felt his hand tremble.

What the hell was wrong with him? He was acting like some scared virgin. He’d just been in the shower making love to her, and now that she was offering herself to him, he didn’t know what to do with her.

“Olivia, I’m not going to lie. I don’t know how to handle you when you’re not angry at me about something.”

She smiled, and soon she was laughing. He joined her, slowly feeling more relaxed as he gazed down at her.

“You don’t even know, do you?” he asked, his hand gently tracing her hairline.

“Know what?” She smiled up at him.

“Just how beautiful you really are?” He traced his finger down her face and over her full bottom lip, watching her body flush a nice shade of pink as she blushed at his compliment.

“Parker, be serious.” She pulled the sheet back over her, suddenly embarrassed.

“I am, Olivia. Don’t ever cover up when I’m looking at you. Please. Looking at you is a gift, and one I want to receive often.” He gently trailed his mouth over her stomach, and she shuddered. “I love touching you, Olivia. I love kissing every single inch of your body.” He trailed small pecks over every part of her, only stopping to gently brush his lips at the apex of her thighs. “Open up for me, Olivia. Let me love you.”

He showed how he loved her in as many ways as he could think of, other than saying the words directly. He wasn’t brave enough yet.

She was shaking as she did what he asked. He breathed in her scent and moved his tongue into her, tasting and loving her completely. Her body responded to his ministrations with small quakes, making him swell with pride. He grasped her thighs in his hands, feeling her move in unison with him. He wanted her. He loved her. If he couldn’t say the words, he would show her in every way possible.





Chapter Twenty-One





Olivia





She should have known it was too good to be true.

She’d given him all of her, and he’d given back. They didn’t talk about what was on their minds. She wanted to ask him how he felt, and tell him the truth about the baby. But every time she tried to bring it up, he would touch her again and she was lost to him.

As he made love to her once more, she felt him pull out at the end, spilling himself on her belly. She knew he was suddenly concerned over what may or may not happen, and she waited breathlessly for him to say something.

When he did, she felt her heart break.

“I should have been more careful, before. The last thing we need is a baby. I mean, can you imagine me as a father? Besides…it simply wouldn’t work.” She closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry. She had to ask, had to know the truth.

“Do you think you’ll ever settle down, Parker, and have children one day?”

There was a play of emotions on his face as he contemplated his next response.


“As a matter of fact, yes. I know I am going to settle down, but as for kids…I just don’t think it’s in the cards for me, at least not for a while. The business is going to consume a lot of my time. I just don’t know if I’ll have the time for anything else, really.”

She tried not to stiffen beside him. She wanted honesty, and this was as good as it got.

“I see.” It was all she could think to say to him. God help me, I love him so much.

He sat up as if he didn’t know what to say next. Her heart was shattering, but she pretended with all of her might that everything was fine.