Vulnerable Pieces (Cape Isle, #4): A Cape Isle Novel Read online

  “What can I get you, Parker?”

  His face gets serious and he stares at me for a long second. Finally, he smiles. “Just a coffee please, Jenna.”

  I turn towards the coffee maker, thankful to be putting a little distance between us. I fill it up, leaving enough room for creamer and sugar, before sliding it over to him and taking his money. He waves the change away, so I slip the dollars into the tip jar.

  “Are you really going to spend your entire day off cleaning your house?” he asks.

  “How long where you standing there?” I ask in shock. Seriously, I’m usually so aware of my surroundings. How in the word did I not hear him walk in?

  He smiles and studies my face again. “Long enough.”

  I don’t know how to respond to that, so I don’t. I remain quiet and watch him.

  “You would make a good lawyer,” he says with a chuckle.

  “Why is that?”

  “You don’t give shit away, Freckles. I can usually read people so well, but with you, I have no idea what you’re thinking.”

  “I’m thinking about what I’m going to have for dinner.”

  He throws his head back and laughs. The deep rumble sends chills across my skin. Fuck. I cannot be attracted to this man. This can’t be happening.

  His smile is still firmly fixed on his face, as he looks back at me. “What did you decide?”

  “What?” I ask in confusion.

  “Dinner. What did you decide to have? You could always come eat with me.”

  “Did you just ask me out?”

  “Yes.”

  “Not happening.”

  “Why?” he smirks.

  “I don’t date.”

  “Who said anything about dating? I don’t date either. This is just two friends sharing a meal.”

  “No thanks.”

  “Damn, Freckles. You’re going to make me work for it, aren’t you?”

  I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t want you to work for anything. Let me lay this out there for you. I have zero interest in you, Parker Hamilton. I have no interest in any man, and quite frankly, even if I did, I find you extremely annoying.”

  His smile grows wider and he steps closer to the counter. “Really? I happen to think I’m charming.”

  “I’m sorry so many people have lied to you, but you’re not.”

  He laughs again. “I like you.”

  “What the fuck, Hamilton? I’m telling you to get lost.”

  “How about pizza? I work late most nights, but I can bring by a pizza when I get off.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “No. What in the hell is wrong with you?”

  “Nothing. I just want to see what you’re like under that prickly exterior.”

  Once again I have no clue what to say, so I remain silent.

  “Just think about it, Freckles,” he says as he turns and walks towards the door.

  “Think about what? I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

  He turns his head and winks at me, before walking out of the shop.

  What in the ever loving hell was that? Every conversation I’ve had with him gets more and more confusing. He’s like a bulldozer and I hate it. I hate that he makes me angry and flustered. I don’t get flustered. I have perfected the art of being cool, calm and collected. Parker Hamilton blows all of that out of the water by just being near me. I stare at the door for another second before storming into the back to find Lexie.

  “Lexie,” I yell out as I walk into the kitchen.

  “Yeah?” She’s sitting at the kitchen island eating a cupcake.

  “Stop eating those,” I scold.

  “You made too many. I didn’t want them to go to waste,” she pouts.

  I roll my eyes in annoyance. “Whatever. There is something wrong with your friend. I think he’s a psychopath. Someone should really get him help.”

  She blinks at me before dissolving into giggles.

  “It’s not funny.”

  “That’s hilarious. A man is interested in you and you think he’s a psychopath,” she gasps through her giggles.

  I narrow my eyes at her. “I have no interest in him whatsoever and he won’t leave me alone.”

  She wipes her eyes and finally gets control of herself. “No interest? None whatsoever?”

  I remain silent as she studies me.

  “You can lie to yourself all day long, Jenna, but don’t lie to me.”

  She stands up and walks towards the front. “He could be good for you,” she whispers as she passes.

  I listen to the door swing shut behind her. “Or he could try to break me, just like David did,” I whisper to myself.

  I’m not a stupid woman. I know all men aren’t created the same, but I never want to feel the pain I felt while I was with David. I don’t want to watch my life crumbling around me. For the past two years, I have been happy with my life. Maybe not happy, but it is predictable. I’m in control of what happens to me. When you hand your heart to another person, you also hand them the control over your life. I don’t ever want to give someone the power to hurt me again. I don’t want to watch my life crumble again. Part of me never recovered the first time. I don’t want to be left vulnerable.

  I shake off my troubling thoughts and pull another baking sheet out. I’ve only had two conversations with Parker and he is already causing me to overthink everything. The best thing I can do is to just ignore him completely. He’ll eventually go away.

  Chapter Four

  Parker

  I SAVE ALL OF THE files on my computer and start shutting it down. I’ve been at the office for almost fourteen hours today. I love what I do, but damn I need a vacation already.

  When I graduated from University of South Carolina in Columbia, I already had my plans in place to open up my law firm here. I’ve been asked by everyone how I earned enough money to open it up. I just smile and shake my head, but the truth is it’s not as exciting as all of the stories people are making up. I created an app and I sold it to one of the biggest and dirtiest private investigators I know. One of the guys my brother served in the military with called me up out of the blue one day and asked me to make him something. I think his exact words were, “Hey kid, I know you’re smart. I need you to help me out and never speak a fucking word of it.” I laughed in his face for about five minutes before I realized that he was completely fucking serious. He told me he knew I didn’t exactly play by the rules and that he would pay me more money than I could make in three years of practicing Law. It took me all of one second to agree. Connor Montgomery is a scary motherfucker, but it’s because of him that I was able to open a law firm directly out of college while all of the other people I graduated with are still struggling to find jobs.

  I scrub my hands down my face and stand up from my desk. I turn out all of the lights and set the alarm before making my way to the door. As soon as I get to my car, my stomach let’s out a loud growl reminding me that I’m starving. My mind immediately goes to Jenna and I smile. It’s been a long time since I’ve been interested in a woman. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to get laid every night, but with my work schedule it’s just not possible for me to date or go out to meet someone. Even when I was in college, I was so focused on graduating that having a relationship really wasn’t on my radar, but Jenna’s different. Not only is she fucking beautiful, I love her attitude. I want to fuck her until we both pass out, but I also want to get to know her. I want to know what makes her tick and why she is the way she is.

  I check my watch and see that it’s almost eight o’clock. I wonder how pissed she would be if I actually did show up with that pizza. I know where she lives. It’s a small town, but even if it wasn’t, I’ve known who Jenna was from the moment I stepped foot back into this town. I just finally grew the balls to approach her last night.

  I make a split second decision to order enough pizza for the both of us and I also stop to get some wine. If she slams the door in my face, at least I’ll have lunc
h for tomorrow.

  * * *

  A short time later, I pull into Jenna’s driveway. The first thing I notice is her car parked in the driveway. Something doesn’t quite add up about her. She drives an Audi and not just any old Audi, she drives the top of the line fully loaded brand new one. Her clothes aren’t flashy, but I know enough about fashion to know that they cost just as much as my custom-made suits. However, her house is small and non-nondescript. Almost like she’s trying to blend in here, but failing miserably if anyone is paying the slightest bit of attention to detail, which I am. It’s kind of my job to notice all of the little things.

  I shake off my curious thoughts and grab the wine bottle and pizza box before making my way up to her front door. I ring the doorbell and step back. I can hear her walking to the door and when I know she’s looking at me through the peephole, I smile.

  “What the fuck?” she mumbles to herself and I laugh.

  I hear locks turning before she opens the door just enough to look out.

  “What are you doing here, Hamilton?”

  “I’m here for our dinner, Freckles.” I hold up the pizza and wine and her eyes drop to them.

  “No. Just no.” She shakes her head and looks back up at me. “I told Lexie you were a psychopath, but she didn’t believe me.”

  I laugh again and extend the wine. “Come on. I’m not a psychopath and it’s just two friends sharing a meal.”

  She doesn’t take the bottle and I let it drop back down to my side.

  “I don’t want to be friends with you.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Umm, no. I’m pretty sure I don’t.”

  “Come on, you can drink my wine and eat my pizza and then I will go. I know you’re hungry, I can hear your stomach growling. We can even eat out here.” I say gesturing towards her porch swing.

  She thinks this over for a second before looking at the pizza box. “What kind of pizza is it?”

  “Meat lovers.”

  “What if I’m a vegetarian?”

  “You ate a steak last night,” I chuckle.

  She stares at me for another long second before blowing out a frustrated breath.

  “Fine. Go sit and I’ll bring out plates and wine glasses.”

  I smile widely, feeling like I just won the lottery as she slams the door in my face. Well, I’m calling this a win, at least she didn’t out right turn me down. I walk towards the swing and set the pizza and wine down on the table beside me.

  A few minutes later she walks out holding paper plates, napkins, and two red solo cups.

  “Classy,” I joke as she hands me mine.

  She rolls her eyes in response before sitting down beside me. I open up the box and slide a piece onto her plate before opening the wine and pouring it into both of our cups. Thank God this bottle doesn’t require a cork screw because I don’t think she would give me one.

  “To new friendships,” I say, touching my cup to hers.

  “I don’t want to be your friend,” she repeats, but I ignore her as I take a sip.

  We eat in silence for a few minutes. I look around her front yard. Her grass needs to be cut, but her flower beds look like she was recently working in them. The front porch is painted a light teal color and she has a few chairs with pillows that match the paint thrown in them, which makes me think she spends a lot of time out here. Her street is pretty dark and quiet. The only porch light that is on is hers.

  After I’ve looked at everything around me, I look back over at her and I have to admit the view is much better. She is wearing pink polka dot shorts and a matching tank top. They are made from silk and I can’t help but notice how the top forms to her breasts. Her face is free of make-up and her hair is pulled up into a pony tail showing off her long slender neck. Her cute little freckles spread across her face and down her chest. She turns her head and those whiskey colored eyes study my face. I stare back at her unblinking as I take a sip of wine.

  “Do I pass inspection?”

  I smile. “Yep.”

  She shakes her head, but I see a hint of a smile before she takes a bit of her pizza.

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thanks for the food. I would have eaten left overs again and I’m pretty sure everything in my refrigerator would kill me at this point.”

  “Not much of a cook?”

  “I enjoy cooking, but why should I do that when it’s just me?”

  I nod my head, completely understanding. It’s rare for me to ever eat at home, unless it’s take-out. “Yeah, I sometimes wonder why I even have a kitchen.”

  She smiles at me and I actually want to jump for joy that I put that look on her face. “Yep. Me too.”

  We go back to eating in silence. She finishes off her piece and waves me away when I go to offer her another slice.

  She sits back in the swing and curls her legs up under her. I can’t help but watch as her shorts move further up her thighs. She either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care. She takes a few more sips of her wine and lets out a sigh.

  “Long day?” I ask.

  “Yeah, we weren’t too busy, so it wasn’t that bad.”

  I finish off my pizza and wipe my hands on my napkin before pouring more wine into both of our cups.

  “Thank you,” she mumbles. “This has to be the most bizarre dinner I’ve ever had.”

  “Men don’t usually show up at your door with dinner?” I joke.

  “No, not usually,” she laughs.

  I smile in return and study her face. “Can I ask you something?”

  “You can, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to answer,” she smirks.

  “Okay. Fair enough.” I smile. God I love her smart mouth. “Why are you driving that car, but living in this house.”

  She tilts her head to the side. “Are you insulting my car or my house?”

  “Neither. Just trying to figure out your story.”

  She looks down at her cup. “I don’t have a story, Parker.”

  “Everyone has a story. You just got to figure out if they want to tell it.”

  She looks back up and for a second she softens. She looks at me in a way that she never has before now, but the moment is gone as quick as it came.

  “I don’t want to tell it,” she says while looking away.

  I nod my head even though she can’t see me. “Favorite color?” I ask.

  “Shit, you’re persistent,” she laughs.

  “Just making conversation.”

  She groans and lays her head back against the swing. All sorts of dirty thoughts rush through my head, but I quickly push them all away when she looks over at me.

  “Yellow.”

  “Huh, never would have guessed that.”

  “Yours?”

  “Purple.”

  “Purple?” she laughs.

  I nod my head. I could tell her that I only said that to make her laugh but I don’t. I’ll let her think I love the color purple.

  “Okay, favorite food?” she asks.

  “Pasta.”

  “Mine too.”

  We continue this game for a while. Learning new things about each other but never delving too deep. She wants to keep her secrets and that’s fine. I can’t share mine anyway.

  The bottle of wine is finally empty and I look down at my watch to see that it’s almost eleven o’clock.

  “I better go,” I whisper.

  She nods her head and I’m happy to see that she’s not thrilled about that fact.

  “Thank you again for dinner.”

  “You’re welcome, Freckles. We should do this again sometime.” My hand goes to her leg and I give it a gentle squeeze. She instantly tenses and I quickly pull my hand away.

  “Fuck. I’m sorry.” I say running my hands through my hair.

  “It’s okay,” she whispers.

  “Is it?”

  Her eyes look a little apprehensive, but also a little heated and I have to stop myself from leaning towards her.

 
Don’t be a dick, Parker. Get off of this fucking porch before you take a friendly dinner too far.

  She sucks in a breath and quickly stands. She starts gathering our plates and cups, and after I’ve gotten control of myself, I stand too.

  “Will you keep the pizza? I won’t be home tomorrow anyway.”

  “Sure, thanks.”

  Unsure of what do or say, I stuff my hands in my pockets and just stand there like a fucking idiot while she gathers up our stuff.

  Once everything is cleaned up, she turns to me. “Thanks again for the pizza,” she says holding up the box.

  “You’re welcome. I was serious when I said we should do this again sometime.”

  She gives me a tight smile and shakes her head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “I think it’s a fantastic idea,” I say with a wide smile.

  She chuckles quietly. “You’re impossible. Goodnight, Parker.”

  “Goodnight, Freckles.” I give her one last look, before walking down the steps to my car.

  I turn around before sliding into the driver seat and look up. She’s already walked inside, but I see the curtains move and I laugh quietly. Jenna Hudson is not what she is trying to portray to the world. I know that under that prickly exterior lies a sweet soul and I want more than anything to see what she looks like when she lets that guard down. I just hope she’ll let me.

  Chapter Five

  Jenna

  I’M PULLING THE CUPCAKES OUT of the oven when Summer comes rushing into the kitchen on Monday morning. I glance up and she smiles at me.

  “I guess it’s my turn to be late.” She has a goofy smile on her face and she’s blushing like crazy.

  “If I had a husband like yours in my bed, I would be late every day,” I chuckle and if possible, that comment makes her blush even more.

  “He’s insatiable,” she mumbles, while she hurries to the office.

  I laugh as I turn back to the cupcakes.

  She returns to the kitchen a few minutes later and starts pulling out all of the ingredients to make the icing.