Crossing The Line (A Taboo Love series Book 3) (5 page)

"I'm done." He sighs.

"Good, let’s go get showered up and get out of here so I can collect on our bet," I say and take a long drink of my water.

Parker groans but doesn't argue. We head for the locker room and each take a quick shower. After we get dressed, Parker drops me off at home, tells me to pack some clothes and shit, and says that he has to run some errand before picking me back up in about an hour.

Parker…

I got a call from Calvin just before I jumped into the shower at the gym and he said that the background check was in and he wanted to discuss it with me in person. Why he couldn’t just tell me on the phone, I don’t know. So now my stomach is roiling. I feel like I’ve been summoned to the principal’s office. I didn’t tell Chance that I had asked Calvin to do a check on him, so I make an excuse to drop him at home and head to the club. I tell him that I’ll pick him up in an hour. I guess I am going to be his chauffer for the week since he doesn’t have a car here.  I kind of like it that way anyway, makes me feel more in control of the situation.

We both agreed not to spend too much time apart in case Morgan does in fact check up on us. As much as we dislike each other, neither of us wants to lose this job.  Not only is the movie going to be a blockbuster, but we also don’t want to get the reputation for being difficult to work with. That will kill a career faster than you can say Kardashian sex tape.  Although, that’s what made her career isn’t it?  Shit, well, you know what I mean.  Anyway, by going to the gym every day, if she calls, we can just tell her that we needed to shower after our workouts or whatnots so that we are not glued to each other 24/7.

I say a quick hello to Monica at the entrance and slide on my mask. She asks if I need a room key, but I politely decline.  I also decide to not wear my nametag since I’m not here to meet anyone.  It’s against the rules, but Calvin doesn’t enforce it on me, Nick, or Delilah. I push through the double wooden doors and head straight to Calvin’s office, making sure not to make eye contact with any of the women. 

“What do you mean you are denying him access?”  I ask Calvin, clearly not happy with this piece of news.

“He didn’t pass background,” he states calmly. “What happened to your arms?”

“I need you guys as a buffer, man, come on!” I respond, not so calmly and ignore his question about my arms.

“Sorry, dude, but there a few things on there I can’t look past,” he tells me, still calm as a cucumber.

“Like what?” I shout. “There can’t be anything that bad. The prick’s ex-military.”

“He is?  I didn’t see that on his record. You know I can’t tell you what’s on there,” Calvin tells me as he picks up the background check and re-examines it.

“Yeah, man. See? So, he couldn’t have done anything that bad if the military accepted him,” I say emphatically.  I really need Calvin to let him come here with me.

“Okay, give me time to do a more thorough check.  I just did a cursory one since you wanted it rushed.”

“Alright, Cal, thanks. Keep me in the loop,” I say, feeling deflated and defeated.

“Keep your chin up and stay out of trouble,” he says in parting.

I give him a head nod and walk out of his office fuming.  I am not mad at him, per se, I know the importance of keeping the club a safe place.  And since he married Charlie, he has been even more cautious, if that’s possible.  But if I can’t bring him here, what the hell am I going to do with him all week?  I am so angry that I head straight for the exit, not taking a minute to see who’s around.

I push back through the opulent double doors, ripping the mask from my face.  Just as I am about to leave, I hear the distinct sound of flip-flops slapping on the marble floor, the cadence a clear wobble. Charlie.

“Parker, wait up!” she shouts, knowing I have one foot out the door.  I could never walk away from her, so I turn to greet her.

“Hey, mama.  How are you feeling?” I ask because I genuinely want to know.

“Me? I’m fine. Ready to pop. Forget about me, though. What’s going on with you?  Your face is beet red.”

Unable to hold my tongue today, I let her know about my frustrations. “Your husband is a pain in my ass,” I say maybe a little too loudly because I hear Monica snickering on the other side of the vestibule.

“What’s the big lug done now?” she asks, a wide smile on her face.

She’s so naturally beautiful, but when she talks about Calvin, her whole face lights up.  I can’t help but smile back at her.  “Nothing for you to worry about, sweetheart” I answer because I really don’t want to burden her with this bullshit.

“Spill it, Hamilton” she demands.

I huff then sigh. “Fine. I wanted to bring Chance to the club with me but your husband denied his membership,” I complain.  Now I feel like a tattletale.

“Oh, well, I’m sure he has good reason.  He would never just deny him knowing how important it is to you,” she says, trying to placate.

“Maybe. I don’t know. He won’t tell me what’s on the report.”

“Come on Parker, you’re a lawyer, you know what could happen if he told you that kind of stuff.”

“I know, I know.” I whine.

Charlie gasps, her hands flying in the air. “I have an idea!” she shouts.

“Shit. I don’t like the sound of that.” I rub my face waiting to hear her latest hair brain scheme.

“Why don’t you and Chance come over for dinner one night?  I will invite Nick and LaLa, and we can have a nice dinner. Maybe play some games.  That way Calvin can get to know Chance, and maybe change his perception of him. And we can also get to know the dude who you are chained to for the next week.”

“As fun as that seems,” I say sarcastically, “don’t you have enough on your plate planning for the babies’ arrival?”

“Nah.  I got that all under control.  The registry is done, the bags are packed, the nursery is ready, and my mom has completely taken over all of the remaining little details. Plus, you boys weren’t at my shower, so it can be my last hurrah.  Lord only knows how much longer I can keep these suckers inside.”

“How far are you now?”  I can’t keep track.

“Thirty-five weeks.  The doctor says it can be any day now. Please say ‘yes,’” she begs, giving me those puppy dog eyes. And seeing puppy dog eyes in crystal blue is undeniably the most impossible kind to deny.

“Fine. Just text me when and what I can bring. I will talk to Chance when I see him later.”

“Yay!” she screeches excitedly, jumping up and down.

“Whoa, lady!  Keep those swollen feet on the ground. I don’t want Calvin blaming me for sending you into labor.”

Charlie giggles then smacks me on the arm.  “Shut up, fool!”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. I give her a huge hug and kiss on the cheek, then head to my car. My annoyance with Calvin’s decision is no longer weighing on my mind. I love that girl. With no more excuses or reasons to stall, I head to pick up Chance. It’s time to make good on that bet. 
Fuck me.

Parker still…

I go right from Club M to Chance's place. I knock on his door and wait for him to answer. It takes him a couple of minutes and when he answers the door, he looks like he just crawled out of bed. His eyes are heavy lidded and he's wearing only his jeans with the top button undone. I can't help but notice how his muscles ripple under his skin every time he moves. My stomach flutters nervously.

"Were you sleeping?" I ask as he motions me into the studio apartment.

"Yeah, just needed a power nap," he rasps, his voice gravelly from sleep.

He rubs his eyes as he shuts the door. I glance around the neatly organized apartment. Everything is clean and tidy and in its place. It must have something to do with him being former military.

I follow him into the kitchen. Or at least what is supposed to be the kitchen. Since it’s a studio apartment, everything is just one big room. He grabs a bottle of water out of the fridge and holds it out to me. I take it and thank him. He grabs another one for himself before leading me into the “living room.” We both sit on the couch. Chance cracks open his bottle of water and takes a swig. I follow his lead and open mine. After I take a sip, Chance sets his on the coffee table and throws an arm around the back of the couch. We're not sitting right next to each other, but close enough that his hand lands on the back of my neck.

"So...how about I collect on that bet since we're alone?" he rumbles.

I whip my head around to look at him wide eyed. I swallow hard. "Now?" I squawk.

A sexy smile curls one side of his mouth...wait, did I just say it was sexy? Oh, fuck me! His eyes twinkle in amusement as he nods, while his fingers play with the hair at the back of my neck.

"A bet's a bet." He shrugs.

I bite out a curse and set my bottle on the table. "Alright fine." I sigh heavily, slapping my hands on the tops of my thighs. "Let’s just get this over with."

Chance grabs my jaw and turns my head so that I'm facing him. His face is a mask of desire so potent that I can’t help but shudder. He leans in, his tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip. My breath catches. I'm really about to kiss a man…on purpose.  I can't tell if the butterflies in my stomach are from excitement or dread, and that just adds to my anxiousness.

His eyes close as his lips brush mine. I shut my eyes, trying to picture a woman - any woman - but when his lips press more firmly against mine, I can't picture anyone but Chance. His hand slips up my jaw to cup my neck right under my ear. He tilts his head to the side to deepen the kiss. His lips move gently against mine. The stubble on his face scrapes against mine, which is weird as hell. A low moan escapes him, sending a jolt of lust right to my cock. His mouth opens against mine, forcing me to open, too. Next, his tongue swipes into my mouth, touching mine. My heart is pounding madly in my chest. An odd mix of emotions is flowing through me. I fight the urge to pull away. Can you like something but hate it at the same time? Can you want to keep going but simultaneously want to stop? The contradictions that I’m feeling are endless. I don't know what the hell is going on anymore!

His tongue swipes mine again, coaxing me out to play. I want to, but then again, I don't. Argh! Finally, I decide to try to kiss him back a little bit. I move my tongue against his. He makes an appreciative noise and kisses me a little more fervently. There is no way that I could ever mistake Chance for a woman. Not only is he a little rougher and more forceful, but also his lips are firmer, and of course the stubble on his face keeps scratching me. If I kiss a woman whose facial hair scratches me, we've got problems.

The hand on my neck starts to slide down. It moves slowly over my chest then down my stomach, my muscles twitching under his caress. Where does he think he's going? Fingers touch my belt. Oh hell no! He's not going to...yep, he is...his hand cups me through my jeans, giving my semi-hard cock a squeeze.

My eyes fly open and I shove him back. "What the fuck are you doing?" I bark roughly.

Chance's desire laden gaze stares at me. "I said in the bet that there would be groping."

"Groping my dick is off limits!" I snap, shooting to my feet. "I never would have agreed if I knew that's what you meant!"

"Oh come on, you were enjoying it, I could tell," he says, giving me a pointed look, his eyes shifting between mine and my semi-erect dick.

I give him a seething look before stomping toward the door. "Grab your shit, let's go, I'm done with this."