The Seduction of Alex Parker(45)

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the sky opened up and let the rain fall down.

“What the f*ck?” Alex said as he stood up.

A smile splayed across my face as I ran out onto the grass and held my arms up. When I threw my head back, the rain fell upon my face. “They’re here with us.” I smiled as I turned in a circle.

“What the heck is going on?” the realtor spoke. “They weren’t calling for rain today.”

“It’s only temporary,” I heard Alex speak. “Thank you for showing us the house. I’ll be in touch.”

“I have a couple who is highly interested in it, so if I were you, I wouldn’t wait too long to make a decision.”

We climbed in the car and a feeling of peace flowed through me.

“Thank you, Parker.”

He grabbed my hand and brought it up to his lips. “You’re welcome. We better get home and change out of these wet clothes.”





Chapter 31


Emerson

Seeing my childhood home brought back so many memories. Memories of the happiness that once resided there. After changing out of my wet clothes, Alex knocked on my bedroom door.

“Come in.”

He walked in and over to me as I was putting on my shirt.

“Emerson,” he spoke.

“What’s up, Parker?” I smiled.

“We need to talk,” he spoke with a serious tone.

“Okay. Shoot, big guy.”

He took hold of both my hands. Staring into my eyes, he inhaled deeply.

“Em, I—” He paused.

“What is it, Alex? Is something wrong?”

He gave me a small smile. “No. I just wanted to tell you that I’m happy I took you to the house.”

“Thank you. I’m happy that you did too. I’m sorry I gave you shit about it when we first got there and, again, I’m sorry for threatening your balls.”

He laughed. “Apology accepted.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m going to head to the office. I’ll be home later tonight.”

“Okay.”

He walked out and I stared at the door. I was hoping he’d come to tell me something else. But he didn’t. I was so scared of what was happening because things were changing for me. Feelings for Alex were stronger than ever. Was this real? Could this be real? I should tell him how I feel. But then if the feelings weren’t returned, I would be left standing like a fool. Alex Parker didn’t do relationships because of frizzy, curly-haired girl. I didn’t do relationships because the thought of attaching myself to someone and then losing them scared the living hell out of me. Never stay in one place long enough to become attached.

****

Alex

As I was sitting in my office, I stared out the window and thought of Emerson. I should have told her how I felt. I should have told her that I loved her right then and there, like I had planned to. But when I looked into her eyes, I couldn’t. She was strong and she was determined and she was going to leave. What if she didn’t love me back? I thought maybe she did, but I wasn’t sure. For the first time in my life, I was scared. Scared of being rejected by the first woman I had ever truly loved. Was I just another broken heart in her eyes? Another guy she’d leave behind while she traveled off on her next adventure? This was killing me. She was killing me. I spent the night at the office.

The next morning, when I returned home to change and shower, I found Emerson in the kitchen.

“Hey. You didn’t come home last night,” she spoke.

“I had so much work to do and I fell asleep.”

“Oh. I hope you slept okay. I sent you a couple of text messages but you didn’t reply.”

I shrugged. “I’m just home to shower and change.”

She looked down and I looked away.

“Okay. I hope your day goes better.”

“Thanks.” I went upstairs and sat on the edge of my bed, placing my face in my hands for a moment before showering and leaving again.

After spending the day thinking about Emerson and looking up the definition of love once again, I had no choice but to tell her how much I loved her. I wasn’t letting her go anywhere. She belonged here with me. We belonged together whether she believed it or not. I had stopped by the florist and picked up a dozen red roses for her. I was going to make her see that staying in California was the best thing for her. That I was the best thing for her.

When I arrived home, I couldn’t find her.

“Jenna, where’s Emerson?”

She looked at me and then looked down.

“Jenna?”

“She’s gone, Mr. Parker.”

“WHAT?! What do you mean ‘she’s gone’?” I said through gritted teeth in an angry tone that I believe scared the poor woman.

“She packed her bags and left.”

“Did she say where she was going?”

“No. She just said she had to leave.”

“FUCK!” I screamed and she flinched.

I stormed out of the kitchen and down the hall to Emerson’s room. Flinging open the door, I walked inside and looked around. The closet was empty, as were all her drawers. Lying on the bed was a sealed envelope with my name on it. I picked it up and sat down. Pulling out the letter, I unfolded it and a picture of the two of us fell to the ground. Picking it up and looking at it for a moment, I held it in my hand as I began to read the words she wrote.