Against the Glass (Office Liaisons Book 1) Page 8
“Fine,” I say with a sigh of resignation.
“I have no excuse for what I said to you. I love everything about being with you. How easily I can lose myself in you. How good you make me feel. How perfect we are together. I’ve wanted you since your very first day at work. Every quip you made, every smile you gave, only made me want you more. Shit, I was half in love with you before we ever slept together. The second I was inside you, though…” He shakes his head and gives me his trademark grin. His eyes are filled with heat and I can practically smell the pheromones coming off him. My traitorous body responds in kind, softening towards him and making me recall how good it feels to be in his arms.
“I knew you were the one. You are my nirvana. A complete addiction. This last month without you has been utter hell, Paige.”
“That doesn’t change what happened.”
“No, I suppose it doesn’t. After Mark tore me a new one over that design, I was so mad at myself for being careless. I’ve never made a mistake like that. Ever. I never once thought you were sleeping with me to further yourself in the company, but I didn’t want to take blame for what happened. Instead, I pointed the finger at you. You may be on the forefront of my mind every single day, but it’s my fault I let that affect my work, not yours.”
I let his words sink in. I have to admit they sound nice, even to my ears.
Damn, now those are traitorous too.
Gah, what am I going to do?
I love Parker with every fiber of my being. Imagining my future with anyone but him is simply depressing. But what’s to say something like this won’t happen again? That he won’t screw up somehow and take his frustrations out on me? I say as much to him.
“There’s no guarantee, Paige. All I can do is tell you that I would rather die than hurt you like that again. The look on your face when I accused you of being a whore is something I will never forget.” He takes my hand in his, running his thumb along my palm soothingly, familiarly. “I love you more than life itself. If you can honestly tell me you don’t feel the same way, I’ll be on the first flight back to New York once we land. But if there is even a small part of you that still loves me, I won’t walk away until that small amount becomes all of you. Your heart, your mind, your soul—I want them all.”
“I just don’t know,” I tell him honestly. Underneath all the hurt and betrayal, I’m sure there is still undying love for him. I’m just not convinced I have the strength to dig deep enough to find it.
His face falls and he lets go of my hand, retreating back into his own space. I instantly miss him. The warmth of him. The surety of how he makes me feel. I hadn’t been paying attention until it wasn’t there any longer. It’s why these last few weeks have been so difficult. When he left, it was like losing a piece of myself too. You learn to cope without it, but you always have the phantom pain and a reminder that something is missing.
“I understand,” he says. “Just promise me something. Promise me you’ll at least think about it.”
“I don’t need to think about it.”
“Okay then. I’ll take the first flight home. I’m sorry I wasted your time.” Defeat laces each and every word from his mouth. It colors his face, making each masculine line seem less lively. It weighs on his shoulders, making him slump into himself a little.
“Parker, I don’t need to think about it because there’s nothing to think about. You’re right. I do love you. I forgive you, but it will take some time for me to trust you again.”
Joy spreads across his face, wiping out the defeat that was there just seconds ago. He takes my face in his hands and smiles the smile of a man who was just given the world. “Give me time, Paige. You’ll see I have no intentions of ever hurting you again.”
His mouth fuses to mine, his tongue sweeping inside and tangling with mine. I’m completely lost in him as several people around us begin to cheer.
Like I said, if this were a novel, it would definitely be a bestseller.
Epilogue
Margaret Lamica.
I take a deep breath as the last name before mine is called. My fingers flex with nervous energy as I take the final step up onto the stage.
Paige Lancaster.
The audience cheers, and a smile spreads across my face as I walk across the stage. Taking my diploma in hand, I shake the hand of the school dean and pose for a quick picture. Walking down the stairs on the other side of the stage, a great sense of pride fills me.
I’m a college graduate.
Man, that sounds amazing.
My eyes search the crowded stands for my family as I make my way back to my seat. Behind me I hear excited whispering, but I pay it no mind because I still can’t find my parents. During the speeches, I swear I saw them towards the back sitting next to Amira, Parker and Gracie. Now, none of them are noticeable.
A tap on my shoulder and an urgent heed to stop, has me paying attention again. I stop short of plowing into a man on his knees in front of me.
Not just any man.
Parker.
Several students make annoyed noises as they move around us to get to their seats, but I don’t care because Parker is on his knees in the middle of a stadium.
I always thought the best reason for him to be in this position before me was so he could eat me out. I was so, so wrong.
“Paige, every day I’m in awe of you. Of your spirit, your talent, your dedication and your heart. You’ve become my best friend and my partner in everything, except one last thing. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“And being my second mom?” Gracie shouts from behind him.
I laugh at her as I notice that my family is huddled around us. My mom and dad are embracing as my mom dabs at her wet eyes. Amira is holding Gracie’s hand, both of them grinning brightly.
I look back to Parker. Tears fill my eyes before cascading down my cheeks. My throat is closed with emotion. It’s as if my tongue is suddenly too big for my mouth. The words won’t come out. So instead, I nod my head and jump into his arms.
Our kiss is far too heated for this public place but my theory is you only live once. We finally come up for air when Gracie joins us. Her little arms wrap around my middle, before Parker picks her up and she plants a big kiss on my face.
The reality that this is now my family—Parker, Gracie and me—is one that has pure undiluted happiness filling every single part of me.
Just like any good heroine, I’m getting my own happy ending and it couldn’t be any sweeter than this.
Acknowledgments
To my husband and daughter who are the center of my world. I love you both more than I thought possible.
To Jennie and Miranda for always being there for me and for keeping me moving. To Bianca and Kelli for your amazing feedback.
And to everyone else who supports me, lots of thanks and love! None of this would be possible if it weren’t for you.
XO
About the Author
Jessica is the author of the Love Square & Concierge series. She grew up in Central New York, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and two dogs. Her days are spent as a Security Analyst at an IT consulting company. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and developing ideas for her own stories. Writing is her secret passion that she's been fostering since elementary school, when she wrote her first book about a puppy. It has always been a dream of hers to be able to share her stories with the world.
Connect with Jessica Online:
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Also by Jessica Ingro
Love Square Series
Love Square
His Ever After
Their Merry Little Christmas
Bound in Bl
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Concierge Series
Love, Your Concierge
Forever Your Concierge
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Urban Love Prophecy
The Taste of Mr. Davenport
Man Candy
Take Me There
Aurora James
His Esclava