“That much money could change my life. I could hide for a long time with that at my disposal.”
“It’s yours. And anything else you need.”
“If I stay married to you.”
“You can have the cash regardless.” He shrugged. “I should probably use it like some bargaining tool, and take it to the mat, but I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want to force you into anything. I do need your help though.”
“Isn’t this where you say there’s more where that came from if I help you?” She offered him a small smile.
“Do I have to say it?” Parker drawled.
“No, I guess not.” She pressed her lips together and stayed silent until they pulled in past security and his staff greeted them.
“I have to tell you something.”
“Can it wait until we’re on the plane?” He searched her face.
“Yeah, I guess so.” She bit her lip.
He squeezed her hand. “Hey, I want to hear what you have to say, but we need to get in the air. It’s the best way to keep you safe.”
She nodded.
Boarding the plane, he thought about the bedroom and all the hours they had in the air. He shook the thought out of his head, but definitely not out of his pants. His cock was rock hard. He wished the fucking thing would lay down like a good dog and be quiet. Parker had other, more pressing concerns.
Well, maybe pressing was the wrong word, he thought, as he adjusted his slacks.
“There’s a bedroom in there. A real bathroom if you’d like to freshen up after we takeoff.”
“Oh, no trying to get me into bed now?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I’m trying really fucking hard to be a gentleman.”
“So noted.” She sat down and strapped in. Then gave him a real smile. “You’re actually being very gallant. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Yeah, that was good. Asking for a cookie for not being a shit. He shook his head at himself.
It wasn’t long before they were in the air and she breathed an audible sigh that sounded like relief.
“This is the fastest getaway I’ve ever made.” She looked around. “Are there any of those mini liquor bottles? I could use… a hundred?”
Parker wrinkled his nose. “How about more champagne?”
“I could get used to this so easily.”
He couldn’t help the smirk that curved his lips. “I’d like to cordially invite you to do so. This can be your life. All you have to do is say yes.”
“You might be the devil,” she said.
He waved his hand and a stewardess came back with a bottle of champagne and two flutes.
“Thanks, Dee. Might you have a hot cloth for my lady?” He flashed his Woolven grin.
Dee grinned back. “I’ll be right back with that. Anything else I can get for you?”
He looked to Belle.
She shook her head. “I think I’ll take you up on your offer to clean up.”
Dee returned with two steaming cloths and Parker used his on his hands and face before handing it back to Dee.
“As you know, I’m a licensed massage therapist as well. Would Mrs. Woolven care for some reflexology?” Dee asked.
Mrs. Woolven.
Mrs. Fucking. Woolven.
Who the fuck was that?
Oh. Right. Belle.
Hearing that out loud shook him to his core. He’d always known he was going to have to marry. Mate. It had never seemed to terribly real until this moment.
He was married to this woman.
Who didn’t know he was a werewolf.
He suddenly understood the displeasure in Drew’s voice.
“No, thank you. I think Parker and I would like some time alone. Thank you,” Belle answered her.
Time alone? His cock perked.
Lay down, fucker.
It did not obey him.
He poured the champagne. “Well, here’s to us, Mrs. Woolven.”
She arched a brow. “Yes. Here’s to us, Mr. Woolven.” Belle reached out and took the flute from him and downed the contents. “Show me to the bedroom?” She laughed. “That came out a lot more sex kitten than I intended.”
“Strangely, I don’t find that problematic.”
She laughed again and the sound was like music. “No, I don’t suppose you would. But really, I have to tell you something.”
“I probably should tell you something, too.”
“Oh, good. I like quid pro quo. Then everything is on the table. Fair is fair.” She punctuated her words with nods.
He led her back toward the bedroom.
As soon as they were alone, something in the air changed. It was as if a switch had been flipped and the rest of the world, the danger clawing at their heels, it was gone. There was only this moment. Only the two of them.
Her pheromones were wild, filling up his senses with her. A thousand tabs in his brain were open and they all featured the same subject.