What's Left of Us
Page 18

“Parker,” I say, bashful.
“Oh, come on beautiful, don’t tell me you can’t wait for me to get inside of you.” Heat washes over me. I glance around the room but no one is paying us any attention.
“I can’t wait,” I whisper back.
He gives me a wink before turning his attention back to the students.
When Josh Groban’s “When You Say You Love Me” comes on, Parker drags me onto the dance floor, moving as close as he can get. It’s our song. We danced to it at our wedding. We spent the entire night on the dance floor. It didn’t matter if the song was slow or fast, we never left, laughing the night away. It was one of the best nights of my life.
“You made my heart stop tonight, Aundrea. I don’t think I can tell you enough how beautiful you look,” Parker murmurs.
“You make mine stop at least once a day,” I reply, looking into his eyes.
“I hope it never stops, beautiful. Ever.”
As the song comes to an end, he leans down and whispers seductively, “I got a room tonight.”
Tilting my head to get a better look at him, I mouth, “A room?”
His lips brush my ear, whiskers lightly tickling my neck. “A hotel. I promise I’ll have you home by curfew … unless you’re feeling naughty.”
I give him a wicked smirk. “I don’t like to follow the rules.”
“I didn’t think so.” He kisses my temple and clasps my hand, leading me to the other side of the ballroom.
He whisks me off the dance floor toward the exit sign, but veers left instead.
“Where are we going? What about the room?”
“I’ve been a horrible date and forgot one of the most important things.”
“What’s that?”
“Our picture.”
“I think that’s only for the students, Parker.”
“Nonsense. It’s our prom. Besides, I promised you a night you wouldn’t forget. That includes a keepsake picture.”
“I thought making it a night we won’t forget is what the hotel room was for?”
“Oh, trust me; it will be. But, first things first. Come on.”
With our fingers intertwined, he takes me to the photo station. Parker wraps his arms around my waist, and my hands come down on top of his. Being here with him and seeing how much he’s trying to give me the prom I never had reminds me of just how lucky I truly am. Not that I’ve ever questioned it, but it shows how he’ll continue to stop at nothing to give me the life I was always meant to have.
I glance down at the lotus on my wrist. He’s giving me a rebirth.
The second the school doors close behind us, I scoop Aundrea up in my arms and carry her to the car. She lets out a shriek of surprise, but quickly relaxes. The light wind blows a few strands of hair across her face and I bend down, kissing the top of her head. The scent of her coconut shampoo is intoxicating.
Genna and Jason come out after us, laughing like two teenagers in love. “Thanks guys! I had so much fun,” Genna yells as they walk away.
“It was a lot of fun,” I call back. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, thank you,” Aundrea adds. “Surprisingly, I enjoyed myself.” She looks at me. “Thank you for giving me this. I needed it.”
“You’re welcome.” I’d give her the world if I could. Looking over toward Genna and Jason, I quip, “If you’ll excuse us, we’re going to be off like a prom dress.” I can’t even get the last word out before I’m laughing at my own immature joke. Hey, I’m reliving my senior year!
“Parker!” Aundrea playfully swats my shoulder and Jason laughs from across the parking lot.
“That a guy! Go get ’em!” he says, and whistles. Genna’s faint giggle echoes off the cars.
“Men,” Aundrea snorts into my chest, and I grin.
The parking lot is dim and all I hear are passing cars and the distant strains of music from the ballroom.
“Really, thank you for getting me to come tonight,” Aundrea says softly.
I think of what’s about to happen.
“Oh, you’ll be coming, all right.”
“You seem so confident.” She gives me an I-dare-you look.
That’s because I am. “Always, babe. Always.”
Her chin presses into my chest. I can sense her smile. I love that smile.
At the car, I set her down and help her in, giving her a smile as I cross to the driver’s side. Her hopeful expression makes me determined to make the rest of our night as good as the prom.
I can feel her eyes on me as I drive. She doesn’t speak right away, but I know she’s contemplating something. A few more seconds go by before I see the tremble in her mouth.
“Did you really get a hotel room?”
I knew she’d like the idea. “Of course. It’s prom night after all.” I waggle my eyebrows, which gets a sweet, soft laugh. I love feeling like I’m seventeen again. “Why? Are you saying you can’t wait that long?” I’m not teasing anymore.
She doesn’t answer. It’s all the confirmation I need.
I turn the wheel sharply, and her shoulder hits the door. Oops! Maybe I should have planned that move a little better.
Her laugh falls flat and her face is blank as I pull over. The few cars behind us speed by.
“Parker, what are you doing?”
I undo my seatbelt and face her, tucking a curl behind her ear. I put a hand on her inner thigh, just where her skin peeks through the slit in her dress.