No Regrets (A Stepbrother New Adult Novella) (4 page)

H
e knew
it would be hard for him to avoid her. He was a man used to getting what he wanted, especially where women were concerned. But, Olivia was off limits. His reaction to her that morning when she had come down the stairs was purely sexual, and he knew it wouldn’t do any good to deny it.

She was beautiful, and full of fire, and he wanted her in his bed. Unfortunately, that would never be an option. Straightening his tie, he made his way downstairs to find his father ready to go.

“Hey, old man, you clean up nice.” He smiled and noticed his father was a little more pale than usual. “Dad, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m okay, son. I’m just nervous.” He gave Parker a smile.

“I can’t even imagine you being nervous, Dad. You’ve moved businesses, and never once did you seem scared or worried.” He helped his father fix his tie.

“Well, that’s where the difference is, Parker. See, all of that was work—it was about providing a life for us, and providing a legacy for you to keep going long after I’m gone. This—getting married—it’s more scary because it’s a choice, something I’m doing only because I want to.”

“Well, better you than me, old man.” Parker chuckled as he patted his father on the shoulder, and the two made their way to the clubhouse where the party was being held.

H
e saw
Liv from across the room. She wore a deep blue dress, tight and fitted, hugging her every curve. Her hair was swept up, leaving her elegant neck exposed. She was wearing contacts, her glasses gone.

As he and his Dad approached the women, he caught the tinkle of her laugh, something he rarely heard since he evoked the opposite reaction from her most of the time. When she first noticed him across the room he saw something there, something different in her eyes, right before she put her walls back up.

He nodded her way, and then the two of them found themselves swept up in conversation with other guests. He took great pains not to look at her. He was almost relieved when he saw a familiar face.

“Hello, Amelia.” He smiled at his ex.

“Parker, I’ve been looking for you! How exciting for your father.” She beamed up at him.

“Yes, it is. He’s very happy. So, I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”

“I’m okay. Things have been busy, but I’m always happy to see you, Parker. I understand you're going home tomorrow. You always know where I am,” she said with a wink. She left nothing to the imagination. She made it clear there was an open invitation—she was available.

Not sure what to think about Amelia’s presence, he smiled and took another drink. He wasn’t even sure how he felt about her invitation. Maybe that was exactly what he needed to get himself together again.

It was then that he knew Liv nearby. He caught her eye, and immediately knew that she had heard the blatant invitation from Amelia. Why did it matter, anyway? Liv was off limits, and he needed to re-direct his thoughts.

“As always, I look forward to it,” he said to Amelia with a sexy smile, and she sauntered off to talk to another friend.

He looked around for Liv again, but she was gone. It was just as well, really. The less time they spent together, the better. He noticed the crowd was thinning, and he said good-bye to the guests as they left. He wasn’t able to stop looking around the room for a blue dress, and he felt some concern over her absence.

Where had she gone?
He made his way outside, and that’s where he found her. She was by the pool house; he would have missed her altogether if he hadn’t seen her slip around the corner. When he found her, he was more than a little surprised. Liv was swaying in the air, as if dancing with herself. She was obviously a little drunk.

“Parker, Parker, Parker,” she giggled, and he couldn’t help but smile at her.

“You don’t normally drink, do you, Olivia?” He caught her as she leaned to one side.

“No, no I don’t. I didn’t know this stuff had alcohol in it until I felt a little queasy. By then, I had already had too much.” She hiccupped. “Then, I couldn’t find my way back to the party, so I stayed here.”

She was more than just ‘a little’ drunk, obviously, and part of him enjoyed this relaxed Olivia very much. He helped her sit down on the couch in the pool house, surprised when she pulled him down with her.

“Did everybody go home? How is my Mom? I’m so happy for them.” She started to get weepy, and Parker hated when women cried.

“Yes, they did, but I can call and let them know you’re fine, if it makes you feel better,” he said to distract her. She nodded, and he called his Dad quickly. “I’ll make sure she’s okay, Dad,” he said into the phone. “I know. Goodnight.” He hung up and sighed as he noticed that she had fallen asleep, curled up on the couch.

It was wrong. He knew it the moment he tucked the loose hair behind her ear. He shouldn’t be here, not like this. Not looking at her the way he was. He had a willing, hot, available woman waiting just down the street. Yet here he was—with Liv. She moaned in her sleep.

“Parker.” Her voice saying his name floated over his skin like a touch, and his willpower was waning.

“I’m here, Olivia. I’m here.” He sat closer to her on the couch, leaning on one elbow as he watched her.

“I like that you call me ‘Olivia’, and I like when you kiss me.” She sighed, never opening her eyes.

Fuck, she’s so beautiful
.

She giggled as she rolled over to face him. She was more awake, but still not thinking clearly, he knew. She moved her hand over his, and he felt himself tighten up. Her fingers moved again, up his chest, slowly, as she lightly touched the buttons on his shirt. He held his breath and tried to anticipate her next move. He needed to stop her before it got out of hand, but part of him wanted her touch so badly. She didn’t even know what she was doing, though. He grabbed her hands and gently placed them on her stomach.

“You don’t like me, Parker,” she said softly, surprising him into silence. “I’m not skinny—I know that. But, you still kissed me.” She sat up until she was close to his face. “Why don’t you want to kiss me again? You did it before.” She bit her lip in concentration.

He groaned.
God, she smells unbelievable
. “Olivia, I very much like kissing you. Too much, in fact. And you’re a beautiful, silly girl. Go to sleep, Olivia. You’ll have a headache in the morning.” He was trying to be a gentleman, he really was.

She shifted until she was pressed against him. “Prove you like to kiss me.”

She was too close. He could breathe in her scent, and it was pure torture. He kissed her—he had to, he couldn’t deny himself anymore. He was gentle at first. She tasted so good that he felt himself slowly losing control. He pulled her hair down until it spilled freely over her back. He shoved both hands under her hair and pulled her even closer to him.
This is crazy
. But still, he couldn’t stop.

His fingers found the zipper on her dress. Slowly and agonizingly, he pulled it down until he slid the dress to her hips, and exposed her breasts. Perfectly shaped and full, they spilled over his hands as he cupped first one and then the other. As he kissed her, his tongue exploring hers, he ran his thumb and forefinger over her nipples and felt them tighten under his ministrations. He dragged his mouth away from hers, and moved down to find each crested peak. He felt her hand in his hair, as she urged him on, encouraging him.

“
Parker
,” she whispered his name, and it almost finished him.

She pulled him closer still, as their mouths came together again. He ran his hands up her legs and skillfully found the edge of her panties, before he dragged them down. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn’t stop his hands from moving. He wanted her.

Sliding his fingers up her legs, he teased and moved in small circles. He found the juncture of her thighs, hot and wet—an invitation to paradise. He sat back some as he looked at her face—her eyes were glazed over as she watched him closely. Then he glided one finger into her slick folds, gently stroking, probing to find the center of her pleasure.

When he found it, she moaned and writhed beneath him. He wouldn’t make love to her tonight. No, he would do that when she was well aware of what they were doing, but tonight he could touch her—love her in some small way. He moved his fingers over her swollen clit again and again, her hips grinding against his hand.

“
God, you’re so wet right now
,” he whispered in her ear, his voice deep and gravelly with desire, and she whimpered.

“I can’t handle…much more,” she moaned loudly.

He felt the shudder of her climax course through her and into him, and she cried out. He kissed her once more as she moaned into his mouth. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. Drunk or not, there would be no doubt in her mind who had touched her. He gently lay beside her as she slowly recovered from her orgasm. She gave him a smile and was soon asleep.

He, on the other hand, was suffering. He didn’t even consider leaving her to go to Amelia. Thankfully, there was a shower room right next to the pool house, and as he relieved the tension, letting the water cool him down, he could think of no one but Olivia. There was no denying for him that things had changed, and he would never be able to avoid Liv again.

“
O
h
…oh, wow.”

She could barely lift her head without sparks flying behind her eyes. Her skull had never hurt this badly. She tried to piece it together, why she felt this way. When she opened first one eye, and then the other, it all came back to her.
Parker. Oh, God
.

As she glanced down at the floor and saw her panties, she groaned. All of that
had
happened—it wasn’t a dream at all. Quickly, she put her dress and panties back on. She’d had too much to drink and thrown herself at him. She rested her head in her hands.
How would I ever face him now?

She looked around the pool house, telling herself she was relieved that he seemed to be gone. If she was honest, though, it hurt a little to wake up alone.
What did I expect? Declarations of love?
Thankfully, all she had to do was get to her mother’s for coffee, and then head back to campus.
Avoid, avoid, avoid. I’m good at that.
She rose, albeit somewhat shakily. Suddenly, in the doorway was the beautiful blonde girl Parker had been flirting with last night.

“Hello. Is Parker here?” She almost purred his name.
I hate her
.

Liv could feel the distaste coming off the blonde woman, and her gut clenched.

“No, I don’t think so. Can I give him a message?” She squinted up at the woman.

“Yes. Tell him Amelia came by. It’s about last night.” She giggled. “He’ll know
exactly
what I’m talking about.”

Amelia turned and glided her way out of the pool house, leaving Olivia with a bitter taste in her mouth.
So, he had been here with her, and then went to see that woman!

Liv felt sick, and stayed seated for a moment to let it pass. Why bother with Liv when Amelia had been waiting for him? The whole thing left her feeling sad and disgusted—but mostly sad, although Parker would never know that. No doubt he was somewhere patting himself on the back for both of his conquests from the night before.

She didn’t want to admit that she was hurt; if she did that then she would have to admit that there was something there between them—at least on her part. She refused to do that, so she retreated behind the thick walls she put up to keep men away.

Well, it didn’t matter, the whole thing was never supposed to happen anyway. She slowly made her way to her car, and set off for the trip back to her mother’s house.

I
f there had ever been
a record for who could pack and leave the fastest, she would have won it that day. She hugged her mother goodbye, schedule in hand for the wedding plans, and sprinted for the car. She had showered quickly, and had a thermos of coffee beside her for the drive.

“Please be careful, Livie, and call me when you get there.” Her mother had given her a once over, and threw one question after another at her, but it wasn’t something she wanted to share with anyone.
Especially not Parker.

“I will, Mom, and I’ll be back next month. I’m so excited for you.” She tried to give her a genuine smile as she climbed into her car and started the engine.

Liv waved goodbye to her mother as she drove down the road, passing the store where the situation had started. She had to forget all about Parker Jackson, once and for all, she told herself. It wouldn’t be easy, but she’d do her best to bury whatever emotions he evoked in her. She had to focus on the wedding. It wasn’t about her or Parker—it was about their parents. She wanted to hate him, but if she remembered everything clearly,
she
had thrown herself at
him
. She was humiliated and embarrassed.

Perhaps if he stayed, she wouldn’t have been as hurt. The fact of the matter was that he had taken what she offered, and then made his way across town to that blonde to finish off the night. It didn’t make sense. He could have done so much more with her. Why not take the chance? Unless she wasn’t good enough to do more than touch. Perhaps, he wanted a woman more suited to him to actually have sex with. It stung just thinking about it.
Could that really be the case?
She certainly didn’t want to see him and find out—she just wanted to forget about the entire thing, and focus on getting through the wedding.

H
e called
her a number of times and texted her regularly the day she went back to school. Since then, he had stopped any attempts to contact her. She told herself she was fine with no communication with him. She just wasn’t ready to face him yet and get the answers to her questions. Honestly, she wasn’t sure she’d ever be ready to hear his answers. She was mortified at how easily she would have given herself to him that night, if only he had wanted her.

She was doing her part of the wedding plans alone. At some point she knew she would have to face him, if for no other reason than to actually attend the wedding.

She had managed to avoid him for four months, always timing her visits home right after his. It was better that way, and soon it would all be over. The wedding was now less than two weeks away, and then life could move forward. The two of them could get back to normal.