Authors notes: I would just like to say "Thank You" to everyone who reviewed my story and also to say sorry for takiing so long to write these next two chapters. My sister who writes under the pen name wigglesfunk helped me to write them. I had always wanted to co-write with her. Though she does tend to write on the darker side than me I still like her style of writing.
Well on to more Parker Jarod fun. I hope you like.
Chapter Three: Sweet Dreams
One week earlier.
The island hosting the big event was breathtakingly beautiful. White sand beaches as far as the eye could see and beyond that it was crystal clear water. It seemed as though everyone who knew the happy couple had shown up. Even the dolphins had made an appearance; swimming and showing off to anyone who watched.
One man in particular had watched while waiting in line to check in. Jarod smiled at the freedom the dolphins were exhibiting. Thinking of freedom Jarod naturally thought of the Centre which ultimately led to thoughts of Miss Parker.
It seemed as though his thoughts had come to life when he heard a woman angrily demanding, "What do you mean I can't see the guest list?" Miss Parker herself was standing a few feet from him, hidden from view by the four other guests between them who were checking in. Jarod decided to intervene before anyone got hurt.
"You know, patience has never been one of your virtues." Stepping up to her, Jarod couldn't help but tease her. She in turn whipped around and immediately went for her gun. Being one step ahead Jarod grabbed her arm.
"Do you really want to make a scene, here now?" He raised his eyebrows in silent reproach.
"Jarod." Parker stood there a moment before continuing. "Still trying to help the little guy."
"Trust me, I'm no little guy." Jarod said enticingly. "Besides you know you would have regretted it."
Before Parker could respond Sydney walked over. "Jarod! I'm so glad you're here." Embracing Jarod warmly Sydney noticed the look on Miss Parker's face. It didn't look good. "And Miss Parker, here early I see." Syd had hoped the two wouldn't have known that he other was here until the ceremony but so much for plans. Detaching himself from Jarod, Sydney stepped over to Parker, who reluctantly welcomed his embrace. After all Syd was like the father she hadn't kind of had.
"Glad to be here." She mumbled into Syd's ear. She shot a look at Jarod that clearly said the opposite.
Jarod sighed heavily and then said, "So, Sydney, where is the lucky bride-to-be?"
"Michelle is attending to the final preparations." Sydney said with a blissful smile. "I want you two to know that you being here means a lot to me and Michelle. I've waited a long time for Michelle and I to finally be together." Getting teary eyed, Sydney looked away for a moment.
Miss Parker broke in and said, "I'm so happy for you Syd." Leading him away from Jarod, Parker asked, "But why wonder boy has to be here is beyond me. You know we can't be together for more than a couple of minutes before bullets start to fly." She actually looked worried she didn't want to have to ruin Syds week.
Sydney straightens as if reading her mind and looked her square in the eyes. "This is a very special time for me and having Jarod here makes it that much more special. Now I want your promise to be on your best behavior. If not for me then for Michelle." Finishing heavily, Syd looked over to where Jarod was standing. "In fact I am going to ask Jarod if he would be in my wedding party."
Miss Parker's jaw dropped and she had difficulty in concealing her exasperation. Still chasing Jarod was her job and having him here was dangerous to everyone. If he wants to jeopardize everything, then fine, she thought. Trying hard to keep the sarcasm out of her tone she said, "Won't that be cozy."
Sydney gave her a reproachful look and said, "Now please give me your gun." Holding out his hand Sydney waited patiently as Parker debated whether it was a good idea or not. Decided, she gave her gun over and Sydney said, "Very good." He paused and continued. "Don't worry, it will be in the hotel's security safe and you can pick it up on your way home." His Belgian accent was very much accentuated by his emotions.
By this time Jarod had checked in and was walking over to them with a smile on his face. Parker hated the feeling in her stomach when she noticed how good he was looking. No thoughts of the preyshe thought, things would get really complicated then.
Jarod was all about complicated and thinking Parker might not have come sadened him but she had come. A week of running into each other would surely throw her off her game. He knew she had to bring her gun, but he had seen her give it up out of respect for Sydney. And she definitely wouldn't ruin the week by calling for sweepers. Then Jarod remembered it was not Miss Parker who he came for this week. Sydney was getting married.
"So one week from today and you're no longer a free man Sydney." Jarod trew a hadn up to tap Syd on the back. "she sure is a lucky women to have you."
"And me of her." Sydney had been loooking for the right time to ask Jarod so no time like the present. "just as I am to have you here." Miss Parker couldn't stand to watch the two men. She didn't thnk she could watch Jarods reaction to being asked so she turned to leave hoping that the didn't notice but one did.
Jarod was all ears to what Syd had to say but his other senses wer focused on the women walking further away from him.
"Jarod I would very much like for you to stand in my weddig party. You have and always hold a place in my life and so it would be a great honor for you to be close when I marry Michelle."
Jarod was blown away. Sure he knew of Syds marriage but an invitation was not sent. Though where to send it was a problem with no permanent address. "I would be the one honored to stand up with you. you after all practically raised me." Jarod regeted what he said as soon as those words left his mouth. "Syd.."
Hoolding up his hadn to stop jarod Syd said, "no Jarod I may have worked for the centre but I no longer regret being an advocate to your life. You what any parent would be proud to have. I only wish it had been on better terms. It is my wish that you forgive me for never helping you leave earlier than you did."
"syd I don't blame you any more."
"good then let the past be in the past. Since you will be in the party a tux will be in order. I will send you word on the fitting."
Jarod nodded and turned to go to his room. He turned back to Syd, "I don't regret you raising me either syd. I'm in room 750 when you need me."
Sydney nodded and went his own way also.
…………………………….
Parker had come because Sydney was one of her true friends and truth be told, she had needed a party. She would never had addmitted it to any one but she really needed a break for the centre and the next week would have been perfect except for the wall she ran into. At least that was what she thouht she had run into but it turned out to be Jarod.
After the few shots of vodka she had had at the bar she felt lighter."You think your so smart." Parker slurred, her face now three inches from Jarod's face. Her fore finger swiped across the tip of his nose and he smiled. She was so cute when she was drunk, her inhibitions gone between them. They had accidentally met at the hotel's bar; well accidental on Parker's part. Jarod knew exactly what he was doing and that was integrating himself into her life to the point where she didn't want him to leave. Easier said than done.
"That's because I am smart." Jarod smirked. He knew it would irk her but he couldn't resist himself.
She sobered slightly for a moment, seeming not to even hear him. "The smart thing would be for me to leave now." Then she looked over at him, saw his quirky smile and gave a giggle.did Miss Parker just giggle, Jarod thought. Then she leaned precariously to the left and almost fell off of her bar stool. Jarod reached over and grabbed her waist and steadied her.
They both fell quiet and the electricity between them flared. Jarod's hands were still holding her waist, and her hands had found their way onto his shoulders. The closest bodily contact that either had had with the other in… well years. And both found they liked the closeness. Then time seemed to stand still as they stared into each other's eyes. And then suddenly, as if by agreement, both of them leaned in and kissed hungrily.
Deepening the kiss, Jarod was surprised to find that Miss Parker followed his lead eagerly. From her response Jarod drew hope. The kiss ended slowly, each of them coming away breathless. Parker's eyes were dilated and Jarod could taste the liquor on her breath. Oddly enough it turned him on.
"We can't do this here." Parker whispered huskily. Jarod could hardly believe what he was hearing.
"So you want to continue this?" He asked barely giving himself hope for a yes. But instead of answering, Parker grabbed his arm and pulled him off of his stool as she stood and walked away. And for how much she had drank that was not entirly bad. She did have a slight tilt to her walk and Jarod didn't mind following her. She continued on to the elevator where she punched the button impatiently. Only once did she turn and look at Jarod with a seductive look in her eyes. Jarod's heart leapt while his arousal pulsed with each heartbeat.
Jarod mentally took note of how to reach Miss Parker's room, number 245, because it would definitely come in handy later. Parker was fumbling with the door key, and after several moments, Jarod couldn't wait any longer and took the key from her and opened the door himself. She gave him a drunken seductive smile.
"You're such…" here she stopped when a hiccup escaped her. "A gentleman. Where have you been all my life?"
"One step ahead." Jarod replied, thinking that maybe this wasn't the right time to woo her. "Here let me help you." he offered when he noticed she was struggling to remove her waistcoat.
"Don't be trying any suave moves, I know you men are all alike." Here she gave a surprisingly sober look. "Actually you're not like other men are you? No you're not." She answered for him.
Jarod could only smile at her. It was an amazing change when she drank, her tongue loosened up as well as her ability to express her emotions and thoughts. He rather liked this side of her, minus the alcohol. Hopefully in the future she would act more openly around him without alcohol. She might actually look into her heart and be the woman he knew she was capable of being.
"Don't just stand there, kiss me." She demanded, now back to being drunk.
Well, that was brief. He always knew that her moods could change fast. And demandiong was one of them. But in her current state, he couldn't justify taking advantage of her, because that's what he would be doing. Now, if he were also drunk all bets would be off. But she was the only drunk one and he wanted the moment to be perfect.
He deftly avoided her kiss, partly because he knew he wouldn't be able to control himself once they started.
"Let's just get you to bed." He gently led her to the bed and laid her down. All the while she had that "cat who got the cream" look.
"Fine with me, I always wondered what you were like in the sack." She laughed throatily and his pulsed quickened, sending lightning through his body. It took a lot for him to surpress any impulses.
"We'll have plenty of time for that during the week, but for now you need to rest."
She gave a grunt as her head hit the pillow and her eyes immediately closed. Jarod stared at her for a moment and then turned around. Before he even took a step, he turned right back around and bent over her. He kissed her forehead gently and she in turn sighed contentedly, a small smile playing on her lips.
He walked to the door and before he walked through it he turned around to look at her once more.
"Sweet dreams."
