The first night they moved Michael to his own room a storm outside raged violently, the wind howling as rain lashed against the windows. Lightning briefly illuminated their bedroom, casting long shadows across the walls, while thunder rolled in the distance, shaking the very foundations of the house. Miss Parker shot up in bed, heart pounding in her chest, breath coming in ragged gasps. Her nightmare had felt so real, so suffocating. It had been another memory of the Centre—cold, merciless, suffused with the faces of the past. She'd felt trapped, unable to escape, unable to breathe. And then there was Jarod, slipping away from her, unreachable.
She wiped a shaky hand across her damp forehead, feeling the weight of it all crashing down on her again. Her past. Her father. The Centre. Her ongoing struggle to break free from everything she had been raised to believe. And now, her child. The fear of failing him. It all felt too much, a dark and oppressive weight pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Miss Parker closed her eyes, willing herself to calm down, but it was no use. The nightmare clung to her like a shadow, the fear still raw and overwhelming. She felt fragile in a way she rarely allowed herself to feel, emotions bubbling up from the depths that she'd kept buried for too long. She needed to feel safe, to feel something other than the suffocating weight of her fear and guilt
"Jarod," she whispered, her voice tight and hoarse.
"Parker?" he asked, his voice low and gentle. "What's wrong?"
"I—I had a nightmare," she admitted, the vulnerability in her voice clear. It wasn't like her to show this side of herself, to admit weakness, but in this moment, she couldn't hide it.
Jarod's hands reached for hers, pulling her gently into his arms. She felt the warmth of his body as he wrapped her in a protective embrace, her face pressing against his chest. His hand moved to her hair, stroking it softly as he whispered, "It's okay. You're safe."
For a long moment, she just lay there, allowing herself to be held, her breath slowly beginning to steady as she listened to the steady beat of his heart. It was grounding, soothing, a stark contrast to the storm both inside and outside of her. She hadn't realized how much she needed this, how much she needed him, until this moment.
"Parker," he whispered, his voice a low rumble against her ear. "You're safe. I'll never allow anyone hurt you. Hurt our family".
The words struck her deeply, and for a moment, her defenses cracked wide open. She pulled back slightly to look at him, her eyes searching his face. "I don't know how to let go of it," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to stop feeling… like any second this is all gonna be whipped away from me"
Jarod's gaze softened even more, his thumb brushing lightly across her cheek. "This is going to take time. I still suffer nightmares Parker. Not as much as when I first escaped the Centre but occasionally they still come. You need to find an outlet to release this energy. Channel it into something".
Her heart twisted painfully at his words. It was terrifying to be vulnerable, to allow someone else to see the cracks in her armor. But with Jarod, it felt different. He had seen her at her worst, her most broken, and yet he was still here—still wanting to protect her, still offering her a sense of safety she had long forgotten existed.
Parker leaned in closer, her lips brushing softly against his. It was a tentative kiss at first, a question more than a statement, but the moment Jarod responded, it deepened. His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.
The kiss was slow, tender, filled with an unspoken need for comfort and connection. As her hands slid up his chest, gripping the fabric of his shirt, she felt the tension in her body begin to melt away, replaced by a warmth that spread through her veins.
Jarod's hands moved to her waist, his touch firm yet gentle as he guided her onto the bed. She let him, her body craving the closeness, the escape from the weight of her fears. She needed to feel something real, something that wasn't her past, wasn't the nightmare.
As she straddled him, her nightdress riding high up her thighs, exposing the soft curve of her skin, Jarod's breath hitched. His eyes darkened with desire, but there was something more—a tenderness, a quiet reverence as he looked at her, as if he could sense just how much this moment meant to her.
"Are you sure?" he asked softly, his voice filled with both need and restraint, always careful with her boundaries and feeling how vulnerable she was.
Parker nodded, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "I need this," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I need you."
With those words, the last of the tension broke, and Jarod's hands slid up her sides, gently tugging the straps of the nightdress from her shoulders. It fell away, leaving her exposed beneath his gaze. She shivered, not from the cold but from the intensity of the moment, from the way his eyes darkened with a mixture of desire and awe.
Jarod's lips found hers again, more insistent this time, his hands roaming her body with a careful but eager touch. As the storm raged outside, Parker allowed herself to be lost in him, to let go of the fear and guilt that had been suffocating her for so long.
Parker's pulse raced as Jarod's lips moved with an intensity she hadn't anticipated. The tenderness from moments before shifted into something deeper, more primal. His hands, large and rough from years of surviving in the depths of the Centre, traced the lines of her body with a hunger that made her shiver, his fingers sliding over her bare skin like he couldn't get enough. She could feel the heat rising between them, the room thick with tension.
Her body reacted instinctively, pressing closer, craving more of his touch. His hands slipped up her thighs. Pushing the hem of the nightdress higher, his fingers grazing the curve of her waist, then moving lower, tightening possessively on her hips before lowering between her legs. The contact made her gasp softly, her breath catching in her throat as she felt the strength in his grip. Jarod's lips left hers only long enough for him to trail kisses along her neck, each one sending a jolt of electricity through her veins.
"Jarod," she whispered, her voice raw with need. Her hands found the back of his neck, fingers curling into his hair as she held him close, not wanting to lose the connection between them. She was drowning in the sensation of him—his warmth, his strength, the way he seemed to know exactly where to touch her to make her lose control.
He pulled the nightdress from her and she was left completely exposed to him, but instead of feeling vulnerable, Parker felt powerful. She could see the way Jarod's eyes darkened as he took in the sight of her, his desire clear in the way his breath quickened and his hands roamed her body with a newfound urgency.
"You're so beautiful," he murmured against her skin, his voice rough, almost reverent.
Parker's heart skipped a beat at the raw intensity in his voice. She had been desired before, but never like this. Never with this kind of all-consuming need that seemed to take over every inch of her body, leaving her trembling with anticipation.
She shifted on top of him, her hips pressing against his, and felt the hardness of his arousal through the thin fabric of his boxers. The sensation sent a thrill of heat rushing through her, pooling low in her belly. The power she felt, the control over his body, made her bolder. She wanted to push him to the edge, to make him lose the control he always held so tightly.
With a wicked smile, Parker leaned back slightly, her hands trailing down his chest, fingers grazing the hard lines of his muscles as she slowly began to undress him. Her movements were deliberate, teasing, as she pulled his shirt up over his head, revealing the toned expanse of his torso. She let her hands linger, her touch light, tracing the path of scars and hard-earned muscle as if memorizing every detail of him.
Jarod groaned, his hands moving to her thighs, gripping them tightly as she continued to tease him. "Parker," he growled, his voice thick with frustration and desire, his eyes locked on hers.
She leaned forward again, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, "What, Jarod? You don't like being teased?"
He let out a harsh breath, his grip tightening on her. "You have no idea what you're doing to me."
Parker smiled, her lips curving against his skin. "Oh, I think I do."
But before she could continue her teasing, Jarod's patience snapped. In a swift movement, he flipped them over, pinning her beneath him. The sudden shift in control made her gasp, her body arching instinctively as his weight pressed against her. His hands moved with purpose now, no longer gentle or restrained, as if her teasing had broken something in him.
He pinned her wrists above her head with one strong hand, his grip firm but not painful, while his other hand slid down her body, exploring every curve, every dip of her skin with a hunger that made her tremble.
"Jarod…" Her breath hitched, her body reacting to the possessive way he touched her, the way his hands seemed to claim every inch of her. She wanted more, needed more, and the intensity of her own desire caught her off guard.
Jarod's lips found hers again, this time with a desperation that matched the heat building between them. His kiss was rough, demanding, and she responded with equal fervor, her body arching beneath him, pressing herself against him, wanting him closer.
His hand moved lower, slipping between her thighs again, fingers grazing the tender folds of flesh, and Parker couldn't hold back the moan that escaped her lips. Her hips bucked against his hand, her need for him undeniable now. She was no longer in control, no longer teasing. She was consumed by her own desire, driven by the fire that burned between them.
"You drive me insane," Jarod whispered against her lips, his voice dark with frustration. "Every goddamn day of my life you drive me insane. You have no idea all the ways I've wanted you"
She shivered at his words, her own need mirrored in the way he spoke, in the way his fingers moved against her, teasing her in a way that left her breathless. "Then take me," she whispered, her voice a mix of a plea and a challenge.
Jarod groaned, his control hanging by a thread. He leaned back, releasing her hands, and pulled down his underwear in one swift motion. Parker's eyes followed the movement, her breath catching as she saw the full extent of his desire for her. The sight of him, hard and ready, sent a rush of heat through her that made her pulse quicken.
"Jesus Christ, you're intoxicating," he said, his voice thick with lust as he nipped at her skin, igniting flames of need that spread like wildfire through her core.
Parker gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his skin as she urged him on. "Then don't stop," she panted, arching her back, craving the delicious heat that radiated from him. "I want to feel everything."
He obliged, sliding lower, his mouth teasing the curves of her breasts, swirling his tongue around her nipple before sucking it deep into his mouth. The sensation was overwhelming, and she gasped, her back arching as waves of pleasure crashed over her.
His mouth then returned to hers, his fingers gently digging into the soft skin of her neck as in one fluid motion, Jarod positioned himself between her thighs, his free hand gripping her hip as he thrust into her, burying himself deep inside her in a way that made her cry out in pleasure. The sensation was overwhelming, the heat, the pressure, the way he filled her completely.
Parker's nails dug into his back as her body arched against him, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She continued to be awestruck by the need of him, this raw, primal connection that seemed to set every nerve on fire.
Jarod moved with a fierce intensity, his body driven by the same need that consumed her. Each thrust was hard, purposeful, pushing her closer and closer to the edge. He was relentless, his pace building, and Parker could feel herself unraveling beneath him, her control slipping as the pleasure built inside her.
"Jarod…" she gasped, her voice breaking as her body tightened around him, her release so close she could almost taste it.
He groaned in response, his own control fraying as he thrust harder, faster, his hands gripping her hips tightly as he drove them both to the edge. And then, with one final, deep thrust, Parker shattered, her body trembling as the waves of pleasure crashed over her, her release powerful and overwhelming.
Jarod followed moments later, his body tensing as he buried himself deep inside her one last time, his release hitting him like a tidal wave. He groaned her name, her given name, his voice rough and filled with the same raw intensity that had fueled their connection from the start.
For a long moment, neither of them moved, their bodies still entangled, their breaths coming in heavy, uneven gasps. The storm outside had quieted, the only sound in the room their ragged breathing as they slowly came down from the high of their release.
Jarod collapsed beside her, his arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her close. Parker lay there, her body still trembling slightly, her mind reeling from what had just happened. She thrilled at how vulnerable, so exposed and so alive she was.
"I never knew it could be like this" she said more to herself than to him as he propped himself up on an elbow and His hand lazily traced circles on her back, and her lips quirked into a small, satisfied smile as she let herself enjoy the rare moment of quiet.
"You know," she said, her voice teasing but laced with curiosity, "back when I was trying to bring you back, did you ever imagine this?"
Jarod's chest rumbled with a low laugh. "You mean you, lying here in my bed, looking utterly disheveled and completely content? Or you, plotting ways to torment me?"
She swatted his stomach lightly, laughing. "You know what I mean. All those late-night phone calls—was this what you were fantasizing about?"
He arched a brow, pretending to think. "You mean the ones where when I called you yelled at me for leaving you breadcrumbs instead of a direct address?"
She groaned, hiding her face against his chest as her laugh spilled out. "You're impossible."
"I'm honest," he said, brushing his fingers through her hair. "And, for what it's worth, it wasn't just about the physical stuff. I'd imagine what it'd be like to talk to you like this, without the games, without the Center in the way."
Her laughter softened, replaced by a wistfulness that matched his. "I never thought we'd get here," she admitted quietly. "Sometimes, it felt like we were speaking two different languages, you and I."
"Not so different," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Just stubborn in our own ways. You wanted control; I wanted freedom. And somehow, we still couldn't stay away from each other."
Parker sighed, her fingers idly tracing patterns on his skin. "You were maddening, you know. Half the time, I wanted to throttle you. The other half..." She trailed off, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Well, I guess we both know what the other half was."
Jarod grinned, his eyes dancing with mischief. "I always knew I got under your skin, Parker. You didn't have to slam the phone down on me so many times to make it clear."
"Don't flatter yourself," she shot back, but her cheeks betrayed her with a faint blush. "If I slammed the phone, it was because you deserved it."
"Mm-hmm," he said, clearly unconvinced. "And those late-night calls where you stayed on the line just a little too long? What were you fantasizing about, Parker?"
Her mouth opened, then closed, and she reached for the pillow, smacking him with it. "Shut up, genius."
He laughed, dodging the blow and pulling her closer. "Come on, admit it. You liked hearing my voice as much as I liked hearing yours."
She huffed but didn't pull away. "Fine. Maybe I did. You had that stupid smug tone like you knew everything, and yet...there was something about it. Like you cared."
"I did," he said simply, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I always cared, even when I knew you'd never admit you felt the same."
She looked up at him, her expression softening. "Well, now you know."
His grin turned boyish, the kind of grin that still made her heart skip a beat despite herself. "And I wouldn't trade it for anything."
"So," she said, her tone light, "these fantasies of yours...were they accurate?"
Jarod chuckled, leaning down to kiss her. "Even better than I imagined."
Jarod's hand rested on her lower back, moving in slow, lazy circles.
"You know," she said, her tone as casual as it could be after what they'd just done, "Did you ever imagine us like this?"
Jarod tilted his head, pretending to think. "You mean you, in my bed, calling the shots as usual?"
She swatted his chest lightly. "Be serious, genius."
He smirked. "I don't know. I mean, there were times I thought about it. For sure".
"Really?" she said, arching an eyebrow. "And what, pray tell, did you think about?"
Jarod turned onto his side, propping his head up on his hand. His eyes crinkled as he gave her his best grin. "Oh, you know, those legs". He gave her calf a squeeze before sliding his hand down to her ankle which he gripped tightly, smoothing his thumb down her foot.
"So what you're saying," she drawled, "is that you spent half our encounters back then thinking about my legs?"
"Not just your legs," he said, clearly enjoying this and she tracked his eyes down to her chest and raised an eyebrow. "But yeah. They played a pivotal role."
Jarod's expression turned thoughtful, his smile softening. "Honestly? I fantasized about what it'd be like to really talk to you. To have a conversation without the Center hanging over our heads. No games, no manipulation, just...you and me."
Parker stared at him for a long moment, caught off guard by his sincerity. She felt her chest tighten, the weight of his words sinking in. "That's sweet, Jarod," she said, her voice a little too breezy, "but don't lay it on too thick. Too much sugar and I'll start to gag."
He laughed, the sound warm and rich, before leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead. "It's not sugar, Parker. It's the truth. Even when you were chasing me, you were the best part of my day."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't quite hide the blush creeping up her neck. "I don't know how you do it," she muttered. "You manage to say the cheesiest things, and somehow, I don't immediately run screaming."
"It's a gift," he teased, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "And for the record, it wasn't all sweet. Some of those fantasies were...a little less innocent."
Her eyebrow shot up. "Oh? Care to elaborate?"
Jarod grinned, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Let's just say they involved fewer clothes...well maybe we'd leave the heels.. and a lot more cooperation on your part."
Parker felt her cheeks flush again, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of looking flustered. Instead, she smirked. "Well, I hate to break it to you, genius, but I'm not exactly the cooperative type."
He chuckled, pulling her closer. "I noticed."
They fell into a comfortable silence, their bodies perfectly aligned, their breathing in sync. Parker felt the weight of the past lingering in the back of her mind, but it was beginning to feel less heavy.
Parker swallowed hard, her throat tightening with emotion she wasn't ready to voice. Instead, she pressed her hand against his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her palm. "You're such a sap," she said, trying to keep her tone light.
"And you love it," he shot back, his grin returning.
She rolled her eyes again, but her lips curved into a small smile. "Maybe. But don't push your luck."
"I wouldn't dream of it," he said, his tone playful but tinged with something deeper. He kissed her again, this time lingering, as if he needed her to understand just how much she meant to him.
As they pulled apart, she sighed, nestling closer against him. "You're lucky I'm too comfortable to kick you out of bed right now."
Jarod chuckled, wrapping his arms around her. "Lucky doesn't even begin to cover it."
Parker sighed, relaxing into his hold. "I can't believe I'm admitting this, but... maybe I used the heels and skirts on purpose once or twice."
He laughed, delighted by the confession. "I knew it!"
"Don't let it go to your head," she warned, poking him in the ribs.
"Too late," he said, his grin downright boyish now.