Pretending For Mr. Parker (Big City Billionaires Book 3) Read online

  “I had some friends invite me for the free chocolate cake,” she jokes. At least I think she’s joking.

  “Well, I’m glad you came. I hope the cake was worth it.”

  “I think it was.”

  She smiles a heavenly smile, and my pulse quickens. A loud chirping sound suddenly blares from overhead, and we swivel in our chairs. The stage lights up, and the senator taps the microphone.

  “Ladies and gentleman, thank you for being here this evening.”

  As he drones on about the work his foundation does, and the upcoming election, and then thanks the many people who support him– I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from Erika. I scoot closer and tip my head to speak into her ear.

  “You’re beautiful,” I breathe against her skin. Little fly-away pieces of hair brush along her neckline, and she reaches her hand up to touch them.

  She turns to me, her pupils dilated, and licks her lips as she dips her head down.

  “You’re not so bad yourself,” she says.

  An electrical surge passes through me as my head spins. This is not the type of woman you meet and date casually. This is the type of woman you know deep down in your gut that you will never forget. The type of woman that deserves to be courted and sported and then barefoot and pregnant.

  The type of woman I have no time for.

  It’s a damn shame.

  Chapter Three

  Spencer drops me off at my building, and I wave to the doorman on my way inside. Exhausted from a busy day and a great night, I rush up the elevator and lay down on my king-sized bed with the blanket thrown over my naked body.

  As images of Erika flash through my mind, I lean back and throw one hand behind my head. My muscles start to lose tension and go slack as my heartbeat picks up. As I envision her shiny mocha-colored hair bouncing around her shoulders, my hand twitches. A slow smile builds across my face as I picture touching her. Gliding my fingers down her chin and along her neck occupy my thoughts.

  I cup my balls with my free hand and tug on them tightly. A shiver travels along my spine as I draw in a deep breath. I haven’t wanted anyone this badly in a long time. Fantasies of just being near her produce beads of sweat across my forehead.

  I slide my hand along the shaft of my cock as I let out a deep moan. Fuck, I don’t even know her fully and yet the craving I feel engulfs me. I rub my thumb across the tip of my dick and spread the bead of precum along my hard shaft.

  The tiny hairs on my neck stand at attention as I imagine being with her. I want to know what it would be like to kiss her, to touch her… Oh fuck, I want her.

  Imagining myself with her, I stroked my cock harder. I shift lower onto the bed as I think about her lips. Soft, plush lips that would be supremely satisfying, sucking my hard dick.

  I can see her pushing her ass in the air as she leans over to suck me off, her lips working magically to please me, to make me come.

  I pick up the pace and yank harder on myself. I imagine the way her hair would fall along my stomach as she bobs her head up and down on my raging hard on.

  Shit.

  My pulse quickens and my vision blurs as I grunt into the air, feeling overcome with desire for her. After she’d sucked me off, I imagine picking her up and throwing her on the bed. I would drag her ankles down and slam myself deep inside of her. Wanting to slap that perfectly formed ass that she’s teased me with all evening.

  Heat floods my body as I envision myself thrusting to please her. Damn, it’s hot. My body temperature rises, and I grip my cock tighter in my hand. Tension builds and I’m now spiraling out of control.

  I want to have her pussy in front of me, wet and ready, and begging for me to take it. I want to taste it and feel it wrapped around me. I want that so badly right now.

  My hips lift off the bed with every tug of my cock, and my eyes grow heavy. I am lust-filled and confident that one day soon I’ll soon be controlling her release with my tongue, lips, fingers, or whatever else she will let me do to her.

  Her smoldering eyes haunt me every time I closed my own. Now the tension rises even further, and I feel my impending orgasm nearing. Just a few more strokes and I will unleash my fury all over myself, as I picture her ass again.

  “Fuck!” I groan in almost exquisite pain.

  I can picture her long legs and imagine them wrapped around my muscular frame. It’s like the best porno movie playing slowly in my mind.

  The waves of my orgasm shoot through my body like a wildfire and my dick throbs. Imagining the tightness of Erika’s pussy has made me lose myself. I continue to groan and grunt as my cock releases itself.

  Damn, do I want this woman.

  And that’s when I start negotiations with myself.

  Chapter Four

  The bustling city draws me in as I walk through the streets. It’s a Monday morning, and birds fly in lazy circles across the sky. People are traveling to and fro with a purpose.

  It amuses me how the birds take a slower approach to their life, flying with no aim or direction while people pack the streets, pushing and shoving themselves to get to their intended destination in a hurry, never slowing down to, as they say, “smell the roses.” I was just as busy as the rest, but I couldn’t escape the haunting of Erika and her effect on me.

  I spot Spencer a ways down the street and signal to him. He has the car parked along the curb, waiting for me.

  “Getting a late start today, sir?” he says as I approach.

  “Yeah, I have a lot on my mind.”

  Spencer raises his eyebrows at me. I tend to be a very ritualistic person, so it’s unusual that I’m running late.

  “Very well, sir. Anything I can help with?”

  “No, I’m fine.” I slide into the backseat while he shuts my door.

  We arrive at the office later than normal. I step into the foyer of Parker Enterprises, and the receptionist sits up straighter in her chair when she sees me. She’s a new hire, and I don’t remember her name yet.

  “Hello, Mr. Parker,” she squeaks out as she quickly tidies up her desk.

  “Good afternoon,” I say then walk through the foyer to the elevator with a quickened pace.

  The elevator doors open and I step inside, taking it to my floor where I find my assistant Anna waiting for me.

  “Hello, Anna, how are you?” I walk close to her as she stands still with her mouth agape.

  “Sir, you are very late. Where have you been? There is an Erika Miles here to interview for the new director position today,” she says all at once, then moves quickly to take my briefcase and jacket and ushers me toward my office.

  Wow...Erika took me up on the job offer.

  She’s here.

  And my heart thumps a little louder.

  “Is she in my office?”

  “Yes, apparently human resources is under the impression that you’d want to conduct the interview yourself. So here is her resume.” She hands me a piece of paper which I grab as I walk into my office.

  The sun is shining through the windows, lending a summery feel to the dark wooded office décor. Erika is sitting with her back to me; I make my way to my desk. Before I reach it, she turns around, and I’m met with the same sparkling deep-set eyes as the night before.

  She stands and extends her hand to me. “Just let me say that I didn’t realize that you would personally be doing the interview, Mr. Parker,” she says. “I thought I’d be meeting with someone in HR.”

  I grab her hand and shoot my eyes down to the paper in my hand.

  “It’s nice to see you again… Erika Miles.”

  Her hand twitches in mine, and she bites the inside of her lip. Her eyes dart to the floor as she releases my hand. She sits back in her seat as I make my way around my desk.

  “Shall we get started?” I ask.

  “Listen, I didn’t plan on this.” She crosses her legs and smoothes down the fitted pinstripe skirt she’s wearing. Her long legs end in black heels, and I shake my head, trying to erase my fant
asies about her from the previous night. A deep, primal feeling takes root as a small secret smile spreads across my face.

  I sit upright in my chair as I stare at her. She meets my gaze and the atmosphere seems saturated with desire. The air thickens as she jumps up from her seat.

  “This was a mistake. I’m sorry. I don’t want you thinking…” She rushes toward the door as I race after her.

  As she turns the knob to leave, a feeling of despair rises up and chokes me. I can barely breathe as I grab her hand.

  “Don’t go,” I say with urgency. I needed to talk to her, to be near her. Panic envelops me as I start to think that she will leave this room, and that I’ll never see her again.

  “I... I..” She turns around and I remove my hand from hers.

  “Let’s start over. I’m Chance Parker. It is nice to meet you.” I stick out my right hand to her. She closes her eyes, and when she opens them, they sparkle with intensity.

  “Hi, I’m Erika Miles. It’s nice to meet you, sir.” The use of the word “sir” startles and surprises me. I grin, not knowing quite yet if I like the formal word from her lips.

  “Please have a seat, and we can continue our interview.”

  I place my hand on the small of her back. Her pinstripe suit jacket hangs just above her waistline, and I want to slip my hand underneath.

  She sits back down and crosses her legs again. This time she slows her actions, and I can’t turn my gaze from her sexy legs. Talking my dick down yet again, I sit in my seat.

  “So, are you any good?” I ask, chuckling.

  She stares wide-eyed at me for a moment before giggling seductively then dips her nose down. A smile appears before me.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” she coos and then abruptly stops. “I’m sorry. We shouldn’t be talking this way. I really need this job, and I wouldn’t want anyone to think I got it because I flirted with the president.”

  She folds her arms across her lap as she sits straighter in the chair.

  So fucking adorable.

  “Of course, Miss Miles. Strictly business,” I say, before grabbing her resume and checking it over for real this time.

  After a while of conducting a nothing-but-business interview, I learn that Erika is definitely qualified for the job. Maybe a little too qualified, but nonetheless I, of course will hire her. How could I not?

  I shake her hand very business like before she leaves and instruct her to follow Anna down to personnel and get her paperwork filled out. After watching her walk away, I mosey back into my office. Her scent still lingers in the air, and I take in a deep whiff.

  A while later, Bennett enters my office and asks if I am ready for a drink, to which I smile and then close my computer down.

  Most nights after work, we go out for drinks, we entertain women, and he always leaves with someone. Yes, I get laid on plenty of occasions, but it just isn’t something I’m searching for tonight. I’ll go for a drink, but no women for me tonight.

  I can still smell Erika all around me.

  Chapter Five

  After we leave the bar, I glance over to Bennett in the backseat of my car as Spencer drives us both away.

  “Shall we go blow off some steam?”

  “What did you have in mind?” He lifts his lips into a crooked smile, knowing exactly what I had in mind although it’s been a while.

  “Spencer, take us to The Dome,” I call from the backseat.

  “Yes, sir,” Spencer answers and turns the car.

  Bennett turns in his seat to face me. “I heard that the woman from the gala came in for an interview today and is already starting at the company?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Moving a little fast aren’t you?”

  “Say what?”

  “You personally interviewed her and hired her the same day?”

  “Last time I checked, it was my company. I can hire whoever I want.”

  “Listen I know that you’re interested in her, but maybe you should leave this one alone, Chance.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask taken aback. “Leave this one alone.”

  “Oh come on, man. I saw the way you were salivating over her at the gala.” He glances out the window as Spencer drives us further out of the city into a rougher part of town.

  “Every man in the room was salivating over her. Even you as I recall.”

  “True, but Chance–”

  “Is it because you want her?” I ask.

  “That’s not why.”

  “Good, because I’m going to marry her,” I say. Finally revealing my plan to Bennett as he turns back to face me.

  “Wait, you’re going to what?”

  “Marry her.”

  “Is this is about the senator, because if it is–”

  I’m starting to grow annoyed with Bennet’s reaction. We are best friends, and he has been with me every step of the way as I’ve grown my business, but I’m more than capable of making my own decisions (especially personal ones) with or without his approval.

  “So what if it is? What’s the problem with me marrying her?”

  “It makes zero sense. You don’t even know her,” he continues. “And I don’t know that you need to be jumping through hoops for Denkirk just because he thinks you should have a wife.”

  “I’m not jumping through hoops. I’m making a business decision.”

  “And what about Erika?”

  “I’m starting to really think that perhaps you are interested in her, Bennett.”

  “Relax...I’m just saying that the woman has feelings. Most women do.”

  “Listen– it wouldn’t be a real marriage, and Erika will be in full understanding of that fact. I wouldn’t do it otherwise. It will just be a marriage of convenience. In fact, not even a marriage. We’ll just get engaged to appease some of Denkirk’s friends that want to see me locked down like they are. Friends who seem very willing to help us deal with Fox.”

  Bernard Fox is my sworn enemy and president to a competing company. He also has quite a few senators in his pocket. With a wife at my side, most of Denkirk’s buddies in the senate would stop seeing me as a reckless bachelor and perhaps support legislation that would be in the best interest of my company and not Fox’s.

  The car stops and Spencer turns around. “We’re here, sir,” he says.

  “I don’t think you should stay in the car in this neighborhood, Spencer.” I say as he quickly hops out and rushes to close the door behind me.

  “Fine with me, sir.”

  “Now let’s enjoy ourselves, shall we?” I say to them both.

  I make my way to the crimson wood door with Bennett and Spencer following right behind me. The neighborhood is not a nice one, and Spencer continually glances over his shoulder to ensure we aren’t about to be attacked by some hoodlum gang of teenagers that think they are bigger and badder than us. I never concern myself with things of that sort though. I’m able to handle myself.

  As we make our way up to the red door, Bennett grabs my arm. He turns me around to face him as Spencer stands uneasy, as though he wants to rush us inside before any harm can be done on the streets.

  “Listen, man, I’m sorry. You’re right, and I’ll stay out of your personal business. If you want to marry her to get Denkirk on board, then I get it. Just be careful you don’t fall for her,” Bennett says, dropping my arm as he walks past me.

  I turn to follow, accepting his apology.

  “Don’t worry about that.” I laugh off his worry. “When have I ever allowed a pretty face get in the way of business?”

  “Just trying to minimize distractions.”

  “It won’t be real, Bennett. You know me. Beautiful ass or not, I’m all about work. It’s my legacy. The only thing that lasts. The only thing worth fighting for is my business.”

  Bennett finally seems to be satisfied with my answer and knocks on the out-of-place door. He turns to smile at me, when a few seconds later, a tiny window on the top of the door opens, and
we see a man’s beady eyes.

  “What do you want?” his gruff voice asks.

  I push past Bennett and smile at him. “We are here for a game,” I say, puffing out my chest.

  “Oh, Mr. Parker. I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t see you there,” the man apologizes.

  “It’s okay. Now let us in before we are mugged where we stand,” I say laughing.

  He opens the door and ushers us inside. We walk along the dingy hallways, passing door after door under shoddy lighting. The place is a dump, and that’s me being nice. Spencer remains close to me obviously concerned for my safety.

  “Mr. Parker, it’s been a long time,” the beady eyed man says.

  “I know, Frank. It has been a while. I need to let off some steam.”

  Even though I’ve revealed to Bennett my plans to arrange a proposal of marriage to Erika, I left out the most important part. The part he seems most concerned about. Constant, repeating thoughts of Erika are killing me.

  I didn’t realize I could have such a visceral reaction to a woman I’ve just met, which is exactly why I need a distraction tonight.

  A powerful one.

  I shake my head as we reach the end of the hall. Frank turns the knob and opens the door then leads us through the threshold. Suddenly, the atmosphere changes. A cloud of cigar smoke envelopes us as we make our way into a huge room.

  Glass chandeliers hang from the ceiling; the room is packed with older gentlemen who laugh over bourbon. Everyone is dressed in business suits. The red walls nicely accent the plush carpet underfoot. Ladies in tight, lace brassieres walk around offering drinks to the patrons.

  Frank turns to Bennett to apologize.

  “I’m sorry about that, Bennett; it’s been a while since I’ve seen you both, but I should have known it was you at the door.”

  “Thanks, Frank. I appreciate the apology. Where’s Mac?” he asks.

  Bennett and I have visited this location many times throughout the years. It is a gentleman's game club, and only the elite are ever allowed in here. As I glance around the room, I see many government officials and members of high society.