He dips to take my lips between his, exploring me, searching me until he’s satisfied with the answer my body gives. He pulls back, his eyes taking me in.
“When I do ask you, just say yes.”
Chapter 33
GRIP
I’M SO HUNGRY I could eat my tires. If I didn’t need them to get home to Bristol, I probably would. I pull the Harley into the under- ground parking garage of my loft. Bristol’s Audi convertible sits in the neighboring spot. An involuntary grin works its way from the inside to land on my lips. Seeing her here at my place makes me think about the future. After last night, I’ve been thinking about the future a lot.
I couldn’t have chosen a worst way or time to bring up marriage than during a confrontation with her mother . . . who happens to hate me.
It’s beneath her.
Angela Gray’s words echo back to me. Yeah, I got the message, lady. I’m some Boyz n the Hood thug rapper and your daughter will come to her senses when the novelty of how I lay down this pipe wears off.
Got it. Loud and clear.
Bristol’s mother is the high priestess of veiled messages, though she wasn’t hiding much last night.
Billions?
Damn. That’s a lot of money Bristol’s walking away from.
I look around the lobby of my loft building. It’s nice. Luxurious even. Nicer than anything I ever would have imagined for myself growing up. Better than anything anyone in my family has ever owned.
But billions? Parker is worth billions.
I’ve been wrestling with this unfamiliar sense of inadequacy ever since last night. Unfamiliar because my mother raised me to assume I was up for any challenge, as if I could accomplish anything. That kind of confidence in a kid from my circumstances is rare, and not for the first time, I thank my mother. She’ll come around. She has to. I told Mrs. Gray that Bristol would choose me. I know this because I would choose her. It wouldn’t be fair, and it would cut me open and gut me, but if my mother insists on this attitude—on treating Bristol the way she did—I’ll have some choices to make, too.
An odd, bitter smell hits my nose as soon as I enter the loft. An investigative sniff doesn’t do much good. I still can’t place that awful smell. Is it garbage or . . . what?
“Grip.” Bristol bends over the rail up on the landing. Her dark hair hangs a little wild and completely free down her back. She rushes down the stairs and hurls herself into my arms. I stumble back, laughing with an armful of my girl.
God, yes. This.
Parker can have his billions and his hotels and his helicopters. This is all I want. I squeeze Bristol so tightly our hearts converse through our clothes. I lean into her, sliding my hands down to her waist and kissing her.
“Are you hungry?” she asks against my lips. She’s wearing a simple black dress with short sleeves. She’s barefoot and has on no makeup. I could eat her for dinner she looks so good. Or actual food and then just make love to her afterwards. I like that option even better.
“Starving.” I peck her lips and squint toward the take out menus under magnets on the refrigerator. “We can order whatever you want, just make it fast.”
“No need to order.” Bristol pulls back, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “I cooked.”
So it wasn’t the garbage.
“Um, why?” I pose the question cautiously because . . . why would she try to cook? That one good pot of chili hasn’t convinced me.
“Grip.” She pouts her lips so prettily that I’d eat her shoe if she pulled it out of the oven. “I wanted to make something you’d enjoy after that long photo shoot. How was it by the way?”
“It was great. I missed having you there, but Sarah did great.”
“She did? Good. You were wrong for firing me. Of course, you were, but it made me realize that Sarah needs broader experiences. And if I don’t recruit some help, I’ll be working eighteen-hour days for the foreseeable future.”
“The hell you will. Some of those hours are mine,” I mumble against her neck.
“Not the neck.” Her husky protest is half-hearted at best as she arches her neck to give me easier access.
“I really am starving.” I laugh when she looks disappointed that I don’t have her up against the wall yet. As hungry as I am, I’d probably drop her.