Bare Hearts Read online

  Chapter Eight

  PARKER

  I can’t believe Lily actually accepted my invite for today. Okay, technically her coworker answered for her, but everyone needs a little assistance now and then. Thankfully I won’t be the third wheel tagging along with Tim and his new girlfriend. He insisted I come along to have some fun. I couldn’t say no.

  *****

  Fun, Sun and some good amusement rides and games are on the agenda today. After I shower and find some decent summer attire, Tim pulls up out front. I jog out to the car and he introduces me to Molly, and I shake her hand to greet her. She insists I sit up front, since I’m so tall and it might be a tight fit in the back. Sliding in the front seat I make an ok sign at Tim with my hand, approving of Molly. She is cute with her blonde pixie hair style and big brown eyes, and trim figure. I’m not quite sure how he got so lucky.

  “Show me the way to Lily’s house,” Tim says.

  I give him the directions and he punches it into his GPS. Suddenly, I am nervous. We will be spending most of the day together that’s if I’m lucky and don’t screw it up. We pull up to her place ten minutes later and I go to her door. I inhale a deep breath before knocking, and the door swings open just as I’m about to knock. An older lady answers the door.

  “Hi,” she greets.

  “Hi, I’m here to pick Lily up,” I say.

  Lily quickly appears and tells the lady she will return later and gives her a kiss on the cheek before she leaves.

  “That’s my aunt,” she offers.

  “Ready to go?” I ask, leading the way to the car. Tim gets out of the car to meet Lily. After the awkward introductions, we make our way to the amusement park.

  The park is about a thirty minute drive and we’re all already getting along. Lily is talking with Molly and is laughing at something Molly said. That laugh is the most awesome sound.

  Before we know it, we arrive at the park. I pay for Lily, and I and grab a map to the park. Stopping inside the gate, I open the map up and Lily leans over to see as well. That’s when I get a whiff of her perfume, lavender and vanilla, and the smell invades my entire body. She looks sexy as hell in her short shorts and tank, which isn’t helping matters. I try to focus on the map, and I spot a rollercoaster, my favorite type of ride. Tim leads the way through the park. The smell of funnel cakes and vinegar fries infuses the air and it overpowers her intoxicating smell.

  “Where should we start?” I ask, looking at Lily.

  “Over there,” she points to the merry-go-round.

  Tim and Molly walk side by side ahead of us as we linger behind.

  “How you holding up since your mom’s funeral?”

  “As best as I can. It’s tough moving on, knowing she isn’t here anymore,” she says sadly. I watch her throat as she swallows hard, so I drop the subject quickly.

  “What about you?” She asks as we make our way to the ride.

  “About the same. It’s weird being in the house and knowing he’s not there. It’s lonely. But I’m trying to move on.”

  “Today should be fun. I’m glad you asked me to come. I haven’t been out to actually have fun in such a long time,” she says in a cheery tone.

  “Same here. With me just getting home two weeks ago, and then my life is thrown for a loop with my dad and everything…. It’s a lot to process. But let’s try to have some fun today.”

  This girl already has me enthralled. Her chocolate brown hair is pulled back into a ponytail. Her eyes are just as chocolaty as her hair, and her skin is milky, perfectly complementing her dark features. And I already love the way her eyes crinkle when she smiles.

  Tim and Molly are already in line when we get to the Merry Go Round. I agree to ride it only so I can humor her. Then we will work up to the rollercoasters she just doesn’t know it yet. When the ride stops, the line moves to get on. I follow behind as she approaches a horse. With my hands on her hips, I help her get on it. Once she’s on, our eyes lock together for what seems like a full hour, but is only seconds that pass and the universe shifts, before she looks away and I rush to grab the horse in front of her. The ride starts and I look back at her, sticking my tongue out and make a funny face. She tilts her back as she laughs, and it’s the greatest sound in the world. Looking around, I see Tim and Molly on a bench not too far ahead. After flashing him a wink and a nod when he looks at me, his arm around Molly, a smile spreads across his face. The ride goes round and round and before I know it, it’s already over. Rushing off my horse, I help Lily as she uses my shoulders to guide herself down.

  We catch up with Tim and Molly and continue walking through the park, as we talk amongst ourselves. I fondly remember coming to this park when I was little and riding the little kid rides as my parents looked on and waved at me.

  They lead the way to a rollercoaster, which is one of the newest attractions here. “I’m not getting on that,” she says, backing up in the opposite direction. She puts some distance between the ride and herself, shaking her head no.

  “Come on, it will be fun.” I laugh.

  “If you think I’m going to ride that you have another thing coming.” I watch her in amusement as she shrieks.

  “You know what, I will go with you,” Tim offers. Molly insists on keeping Lily company while we wait in line for our turn.

  The rollercoaster is one of the tallest ones in the world and the thrill from it is exhilarating as the adrenaline courses through my body from the excitement. Tim and I exit the ride, high fiving each other.

  “Did you two have fun?” Molly asks.

  “You gals don’t know what you’re missing. That was fucking awesome,” I say.

  “Ditto,” Tim says.

  “It’s all yours,” Lily says, looking at me with a furrowed brow.

  “Are you really not going to ride a rollercoaster?” I ask as we continue walking.

  “Hell no!” she says loudly.

  “Are you thirsty or hungry? We can stop and have a bite before we continue on.”

  “Yes, please,” she looks at me sweetly.

  We stop at a hotdog stand for two hot dogs and lemonades. One way or another, I will get her on a rollercoaster before the day is over. We grab a high table and stools to eat our food. Tim and Molly went ahead and we agreed to meet in an hour at the Kissing Tower. I’m not sure why it’s called a Kissing Tower, because it is only a ride that you go on that moves in a clockwise direction as you see the panoramic views of the city. But the windows are shaped like Hershey Kisses so that might be why.

  “Want to play a few of these games?” I gesture toward a ring toss game after we finish eating.

  “Sure,” she says with excitement.

  We approach the stand and I pay for rings for both of us to toss. Throwing the first toss I land right on the target, as I do with the second and third. Lily gives her first toss, missing the target. I position myself behind her, guiding her arm with mine and toss the ring, landing right on the target. She jumps in excitement. The heat emanating off her is electrifying and it sends my body into overdrive as we do the same for a third toss, which also lands on the target. The game host offers her an array of prizes. Her eyes scan the wall of various animals and she points to a small monkey. The smile on her face from the win is so sweet and I’m happy to see her beautiful smile.

  “Thanks for the assistance,” she says, turning to tuck the monkey in her arm.

  “How ‘bout that game?” I ask about the game that has water guns aiming into the targets. I know I’m at pro at this. It’s something my dad and I did when I was little. He taught me how to shoot in the back yard.

  “Fine, but don’t cry if you lose,” she says. I know she’s bluffing.

  “What about a little wager? I win, you ride a rollercoaster, or if I lose you can pick a ride.”

  “Deal,” she says with determination.

  I pay the game host and we take our position waiting for the bell to ring. Hunched over with my finger on the trigger, I squint and look through
the scope. Once the bell goes off, I squeeze the trigger, aiming the water on the bull’s eye of the target. The bell rings again letting us know the game is over and I gain the victory. I throw my arms in the air, expressing my victory.

  “Show off! That is hard, keeping the water shooting in the target. It was all over place. So not fair. I hate rollercoasters,” she says. Since I won, the host offers an array of prizes. I point to a giant bear.

  The hour passes quickly and we make our way to the Kissing Tower to meet Tim and Molly. While waiting in line, I give the details on the wager I made with Lily.

  “You shouldn’t have done that,” Molly says to Lily, shaking her head.

  “A bet is a bet,” Lily says with a weak smile.

  Chapter Nine

  LILY

  I can’t believe I have to ride a fucking rollercoaster. What have I gotten myself into? Clearly this guy is nothing but bad news, conning me into that. Looking into his blue eyes, and being mesmerized by them, I unwillingly said yes. Hell, he could probably con any girl right out of her panties. I mean, all he’d have to do is ask.

  We all chat as we wait in line to go up in the Tower. Even though it’s very high, it’s not a fast ride. It moves slowly, which is more my speed. Spending the day with Parker has clearly ignited the heat between us even more. He looks absolutely gorgeous in his shorts and shirt. I can see the colorful tattoos snaking down his arm, and it raises the hotness factor a hundred times more. I really just want to reach over and trace them all with my fingers.

  As we move up the line, Parker wraps one arm around my waist, keeping me close to him and holds the big bear in his other arm. For some reason, I don’t want him to let go. Finally, we make it to the front and he guides me inside ahead of him. Nervously, I wait for the ride to start. As slow as it moves you can barely tell you’re moving clockwise. The view of the city is stunning and you can see various landmarks.

  “You alright?” Parker asks.

  “Yep,” I say, taking in the view. Tim and Molly are pointing down at places they recognize. He’s really sweet with her, and I wish I could feel that way with Parker. But, with him it’s like standing on the ledge swaying back and forth, he’s good one minute and the next he seems dangerous with his craziness.

  Exiting the Tower, Parker guides me out with his hand on the small of my back. The butterflies flutter in my stomach and it’s been like that most of the day. He has helped take my mind off other things and enjoy the day. How could you not be having fun in this company?

  “You guys want to go on the Ferris Wheel?” Molly asks, pointing in that direction. I nod yes. As we’re walking toward the ride, the smell of funnel cakes invades my senses and brings back childhood memories when my mom brought me here with a friend the sweet smell, the freshness of it, the white powder on my lips; I still remember it like it was yesterday.

  The line for the ride moves quickly and Parker guides me on the ride as he steadies it from rocking. With the bear and monkey it’s a tight fit for us and we laugh about it. I always get nervous with high rides, but when it starts my fears ease as Parker puts his arm around my shoulder. When we reach the top, the rides stops and we point to the people below, laughing about how small they look. When we look over my side, his face is inches from mine and my body is running on overdrive. Slowly, his face inches closer and closer and I don’t move a cell in my body, fearing to lose the moment. Now his face is closer than ever and his lips look luscious, lickable, and so suckable. Finally, his lips greet mine and the kiss is insane. I let his tongue invade my mouth to explore. My body is reacting wildly inside; my heart is pounding so loud. I have to pull away to catch my breath. I suck in a deep breath and slowly exhale. His hooded blue eyes are filled with desire. My lustful thoughts are quickly broken as the ride jerks in movement and heads us downward.

  “I hope that was okay,” he says as he rubs my shoulder with his fingers, sending shivers down my spine.

  “It was more than okay,” I say, flashing a smile.

  While exiting the ride the kiss remains imprinted in my brain and keeps playing on repeat. That kiss was amazing. There was a need from him and I wanted it, all of it.

  “Okay, so either we eat or go on a rollercoaster, take your pick,” he says with a glimmer in his eye and a smirk to accompany it.

  “Rollercoaster!” I yell.

  “Oh, feeling ballsy are we?” He asks grinning.

  “No, I figured if I ate beforehand I’d only chuck it up while on the ride.” Or on you, and that’d just be embarrassing. He grimaces. “Hey, you asked,” I tell him as I shrug my shoulders.

  We walk along with Tim and Molly and we quickly approach the rollercoaster. Looking upward, I can see this one has a lot of loops as well as twist and turns. My stomach knots up nervously and I almost want to back out of the bet.

  “Ready?” Parker asks.

  “No, but a bet’s a bet,” I say nervously. My palms are started to get sweaty.

  “Okay, you will be fine, though,” he responds. We make our way to the line as Tim and Molly hang back holding our animals. Making our way through, the line moves at a snail’s pace, making the wait excruciating, keeping my stomach in knots.

  Finally, we make it to the front. Stopping, we ponder which available seat we should take. I walk toward the front, grabbing the very first seat. Maybe this is a mistake, but might as well go big or go home.

  “I’m confused as to why you chose the very front car,” he asks, his eyebrow raised high.

  “I like to see what’s ahead. And you might as well go big or go home, right?”

  “You can’t always predict the future. Are you nervous?” he asks.

  “Hell yes!” My insides are shaking in fear.

  Suddenly, he moves closer to me; his thigh is skin to skin with mine, and shockwaves zip through me. He tilts his head.

  “Just imagine my lips running along the length of your neck,” he whispers with his hot breath sending shivers down my spine. Oh. My. God.

  Suddenly, the ride takes off, and fast. We go round and round the loops and take all kinds of sudden turns. My stomach is twisting, and not in a good way. I squeeze my eyes shut the rest of the ride.

  As fast as the ride started, it is over just as quickly. Even though I was afraid the adrenaline is coursing through my body, and it’s a complete high. I’m left wondering if what Parker said was only in my imagination. He grabs my hand, leading us back down to Tim and Molly.

  “Wasn’t that amazing?” Parker says once we make it down on land.

  “Hell no! Didn’t you hear my screams? I’m thankful having my feet back on solid ground,” I say, shaking my head.

  Stopping at the photo booth from the ride, we find our picture. Parker buys it and hands it to me. Holding it in my hand, I see Parker looking at me as we rode the roller coaster. I just can’t describe it, there is something in his face saying much more than I could tell. He is looking at me fondly and smiling from ear to ear.

  “You should keep it. Remember I was the first to get you on it,” he says, the spark in his eyes twinkle in the sunlight. We make our way back to Tim and Molly, show them the picture, and Molly smiles brightly, handing it back to me.

  “The rollercoasters are all yours,” I say as we wait for Tim and Molly to ride the very same rollercoaster.

  “I’m bummed that I didn’t win you over. But you’re having fun, right?” He asks nervously.

  “Of course I’m having fun. This is one of the best days I’ve had in a long time. Really, I appreciate you asking me to come along. I just don’t do rollercoasters.”

  “What else do you not do?” A smile spreads across his face and the question is implied on a more personal level. I don’t even know how to answer that. I only shake my head rolling my eyes and laughing.

  The juices in my body are coming alive and the sweat is forming on my forehead. I shield the sun to look up at Tim and Molly on the rollercoaster as the ride ends.

  “That kiss was amazing, by the
way. I can’t stop thinking about it,” Parker says, leaning down as he lightly touches my hand.

  “Yes it was,” I blush. “I think I need a drink. Want one?” I ask, heading toward the stand.

  “Let me buy,” he says.

  “Please allow me; it’s the least I can do,” I insist.

  He doesn’t argue any further. I pay for the drinks and we take a seat as Tim and Molly catches up with us. The rest of the day goes much the same fun and amazing.

  On the way home, Parker tells Tim to just drop us off at his house. “Is that okay?” he asks, turning to face me.

  “Yeah, that’s fine.” I think.

  In the car, I’m seated in the back with Molly again.

  “I know I don’t know you guys very well, but the heat between you two is on fire. I can tell he’s really into you,” Molly whispers.

  “Really?” I whisper back.

  “Yes, I don’t know how you don’t see it. He watches your every move, like he’s obsessed,” she says with smile.

  “Wow; he’s a little on the dangerous side, though,” I tell her.

  “And every girl likes a bad boy; don’t even try to deny it.”

  I laugh at her comment, because it’s true.

  We arrive at Parker’s place and exchange goodbye hugs and handshakes. Molly and I had hit it off so well we exchanged numbers and email addresses. It would be nice to actually have a friend again and have someone to connect with, besides my family and employees. Parker and I wave them off as they drive away. Grabbing my hand, he leads me into his house. My eyes quickly scan the place as we walk into the living room. There is an old TV along the right wall with a chair and couch lined on the opposite wall. He shows me around the house. The living room leads right into the kitchen. Between the kitchen and living room is a bathroom and a stairway, which leads to three bedrooms and another bathroom. Stepping inside Parker’s room, I scan the pictures on the dresser.

  “That’s my mom,” he says, stepping closer to me.

  “She was beautiful.” She has the same blue eyes as he does as well as dark hair. She is stunning, and it pains me that she was taken away from him so soon.