Embracing the Unexpected (11 page)

Parker leaned into Jace’s kiss, wrapping his arms around his
body and pulling him closer. “I do reciprocate,” Parker mumbled against his
lips. “I realized just how much I loved you when you told me to leave today. It
hurt. I was afraid we were over.”

“I’m so sorry,” Jace said. “I love you, and I never want you
to leave.”

“I don’t ever want to leave, so please don’t send me away. I
can’t handle it.”

“Not ever again,” Jace said as he pushed him onto the sofa.
“You’re the only thing in my life that matters to me.”

“Show me how much, Jace.” Parker looked up at him with
desperate eyes. “I want to feel you inside me.”

“Fuck.” Jace shivered as he ground himself into Parker’s
hard cock. “We have to take this upstairs to the bedroom, but from now on, I’m
keeping a bottle of lube in every room in this house.”

A few minutes later, they were naked and tangled together in
Jace’s bed. Jace was massaging Parker’s opening, relaxing him and getting him
ready for what was coming. He always took good care of Parker and never wanted
him to feel uncomfortable when they were intimate.

“Jace, please…” Parker moaned.

“I know, baby,” Jace said against his stomach as he moved
his fingers in and out of him. He was just as eager as his partner. “I just
want to make sure you’re ready.”

“I am,” he whispered. “You never hurt me.”

“Okay.” He smiled at his impatient lover. “Turn around and
get on your knees for me.”

Parker flashed him a cute little grin, and Jace knew it was
because he liked when Jace took him from behind. He was able to get so much
deeper that way and always managed to hit that particular spot that sent Parker
tumbling over the edge.

Parker turned around and gripped the headboard for support
as Jace quickly slipped on the condom. He ran his fingers up Parker’s spine and
then moved them through his hair.

“I want you so much,” Jace said against his shoulder. “Are
you ready for my cock?”

“Always.” Parker pushed his backside against Jace’s
erection.

Jace grabbed his cock and pressed it against Parker’s
entrance. He pulled back slightly and glanced down between them so he could
watch as he slipped inside Parker. He liked being able to watch as his dick
slid in and out of Parker’s tight, toned ass. It was a major turn on, and he
carried those images with him until the next time they could be together. Jace
pushed as far as Parker’s body would allow before pulling out and slamming back
into him.

“Oh…Jace…” Parker moaned. “Feels so good like this,” Parker
said in a breathless voice as he reached for his own cock. Jace swatted his
hand away and took Parker’s cock in his own palm and moved at a fast speed.

“That belongs to me,” he said against his neck.

A few quick, hard thrusts and he was spilling into the
condom as Parker was squirting in between Jace’s fingers. Their bodies were
covered in a cool sheen of sweat, and they were panting and gasping for air.
Parker dropped down on his stomach as Jace collapsed onto his back. They lay
like that, enjoying the feel of one another as Jace’s heartbeat pounded against
Parker’s body. They felt like one.

“Will you spend the night?” Jace wasn’t about to let him
leave now.

“Yeah.” Parker laughed as he intertwined his fingers with
Jace’s. “Ava will kill me if I come home. She warned me I better fix this.”

Jace smiled. “She’s been our personal cheerleader from day
one.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing.” He laughed.

“Oh, no.” Parker rolled Jace off him and sat up, staring
down at him. “Don’t you dare pull the confidentiality clause. She wasn’t your
patient on day one.”

“Didn’t you ever wonder why she agreed to therapy so
easily?” Jace arched a brow as he sat up and leaned against the headboard,
grabbing his shirt to wipe his hand and then pulled off the condom. “She knew
what I was doing there, and she agreed to let me treat her as long as I helped
you find your way.”

“That sneak,” Parker whispered.

“She loves you as much as you love her,” Jace said. “She
wanted you to be happy and she thought I could do that.”

“She must be feeling very smug because I’ve never been
happier.”

“Good.” Jace pulled Parker onto his chest. Parker shifted so
that he was lying on his stomach, looking up at Jace with those beautiful eyes
of his.

“I’ve been doing some thinking,” Parker shyly admitted.

“About?”

“I want to introduce you to my parents.”

Jace smiled.

“I’m sorry it’s taken me so long,” Parker said. “I’m not
ashamed of us. I just needed to be sure.”

“I understand, and I’d love to meet your parents.” A huge
sense of relief washed over Jace. He knew he had to be patient with Parker as
he found his way, but it wasn’t always easy, and there were times when he felt
Parker was embarrassed that he was gay. Maybe now that they had admitted their
feelings to one another things would get easier for him.

“I know they’re gonna love you.” Parker rested his head on
Jace’s chest. “Just like I do.”

Jace played with the hair at the base of Parker’s neck as
they drifted off to sleep.

They held one another tightly, both feeling content in the
knowledge that their relationship was moving forward. They still had a long
road ahead of them, but now that their feelings were out in the open and Parker
wanted Jace to meet his parents, they were taking steps in the right direction
to ensure a future together. Jace couldn’t ask for much more.

Parker had the morning from hell. His current client had
changed his story so many times, Parker didn’t know if he was coming or going.
He was trying to stave off a headache and he’d missed lunch. He couldn’t wait
to call it a day.

“Mr. Phillips.” Parker’s assistant buzzed him. “Dr. Cross is
here to see you.”

Parker was surprised he’d show up at his office unannounced.
He’d never been there before. “Okay, Donna, send him in.”

Parker stood up, straightened his tie, and waited for Jace
to come in. He slowly opened the door and smiled.

“Hello, Dr. Cross.” Parker greeted him at the door. “What a
nice surprise.”

“I hope you don’t mind.” Jace shut it behind him. “I was in
the area and I just felt like saying hi.”

Parker closed the gap between them, pulled Jace toward him,
and gently kissed him. “I never mind seeing you. It’s a pleasant surprise after
the morning I’ve had.”

“Rough day?” Jace took a seat in the chair across from
Parker’s desk.

“I’ll be happy when this case is settled. It’s never what it
appears to be.”

“You have a really nice office.” Jace looked around. “The
lobby is very warm and inviting.”

“I can give you a tour of the rest of the building if you
want it?” Parker sat down across from him. “We just moved here about six months
ago.”

“I’d love to see the building, but please don’t feel like
you have to show me around. I don’t want to put you in an awkward position.”

Parker flashed him what he hoped was a devilish smile.

“At least not here, Mr. Phillips.” Jace smiled. “I just
meant, you don’t have to raise questions about us at your place of business.”

“Actually, I’ve been having lunch with some of my gossipy
paralegals, receptionist, and interns all this week and they’re dying to meet
you, Dr. Cross.”

“You told them about us?”

Parker laughed and nodded. “Most were not surprised about my
orientation, I might add. Was I the only one in the dark?”

“I’m afraid so.” Jace smiled. “But I’m glad you figured it
out.”

“I had some help.”

“You would’ve sorted it out, but I’m happy I was there when
you did.”

“Me too.” Parker was so at ease with Jace and wanted to
spend every second of the day with him. “Let me introduce you, give you the
tour, and then I can leave early if you want to do a late lunch?”

“I’d love to.”

“Just be prepared for some disappointment,” Parker said as
he stood up.

“Disappointment? Why?”

“When a few of these women see you, they’re going to be very
sad you’re taken. Something about all the good looking, rich ones are married
or gay?” Parker shrugged. “At least that’s what they told me when I said I was
seeing you.”

“I’m definitely taken,” Jace said. “As I only have eyes for
you.” He ran his thumb across Parker’s bottom lip before slowly kissing him.

Parker shivered from the contact.

“We may have to skip lunch altogether if you keep that up.”
He pushed him away. “Don’t get me going.”

“Sorry.” Jace chuckled. “You’re just so easily distracted.”

“You seem to know how to get me distracted.” He walked
toward the door as Jace followed.

“You do a pretty good job of making me lose focus too,” Jace
mumbled as they stepped out into the lobby.

* * * *

Parker pulled into the driveway of his parents’ house,
feeling both nervous and excited. He was anxious for them to meet Jace because
he knew they would like him, but he wasn’t sure how smoothly things would go.
His parents were open-minded people but Parker wasn’t sure just how
open-minded, especially when it came to him. This type of relationship was new
territory for them.

He’d prepared his family for his new relationship the week
before by coming out to both of his parents and his brother and sister. They
were all very supportive, but then again, they were a tight knit family and
always supported one another. Parker knew this was an adjustment for all of
them, but his mother asked to meet Jace immediately. So, here they were, a week
later, getting ready to have dinner with his parents.

“Are you nervous?” Jace asked as he took his hand. “You look
nervous.”

“A little, but I haven’t brought anyone home in years. I’ve
never had any desire to until now.”

Jace smiled, gently squeezing his hand. “Let’s go inside.”

Parker’s mother pulled open the huge mahogany double doors
and smiled as they walked up the path to the house.

“I think she’s a little excited.” Parker laughed as they
greeted her at the door. “Hey, Mom.” Parker leaned in and gave her a kiss.
“This is Jace Cross. Jace, this is my mother, Allura Phillips.”

“Hello, Mrs. Phillips, it’s very nice to meet you.” Jace
extended his hand for her. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Please, Jace, call me Allura, and I’d much rather hug you.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

Parker relaxed and was thankful his stomach was no longer in
knots. He should’ve known his mother would be warm and welcoming.

“Please, come inside.” She stepped aside to let them in.

His dad was standing in the grand foyer.

“Parker.” He slapped his back. “How are you?”

“Good, Dad,” he said. “This is Jace.”

“It’s so nice to meet you, Dr. Cross.” Marc Phillips
extended his hand. “Your reputation precedes you.”

“Dr. Phillips, please call me Jace.” He shook his hand.
“Thank you for having me.”

“Well, Jace, even though you went to Harvard and not Yale,
you can still call me Marc.”

Jace laughed. “I see where your son gets it.”

“Won’t you gentlemen join me in the living room?” Allura
asked. “I have some appetizers out while we wait for dinner.”

They followed her into the living room where Parker chose to
sit on the sofa by the fireplace next to Jace. Initially, he wasn’t sure how
he’d act in front of his parents. He thought it might be awkward, but he was
just as comfortable with Jace in their home as he was when they were alone.
This was one more reason to convince him that Jace was who he was supposed to
be with.

Jace and Marc chatted about the hospital and the various
colleagues that they shared. It turned out Marc had attended one of his
lectures when Jace was just starting out. Every once in a while, Parker’s gaze
would connect with his mother’s, and he was always met with a very supportive
smile.

When they got up to go into the dining room, his mom took
his hand and whispered, “I really like him. And he’s so handsome.”

Parker smiled as he glanced at Jace, who was talking
intently to his dad. Parker had to agree, he was really handsome.

“Thanks, Mom,” Parker said. “I like him a lot too.”

“I’m glad, sweetie.” She kissed his cheek. “As long as
you’re happy, your father and I are happy for you.”

Dinner was a success. Jace hit it off really well with
Parker’s dad and managed to charm his mother on more than once instance. They
even planned a Saturday morning trip to a local antique shop.

“Dinner was fantastic, Allura,” Jace said.

“You can come back anytime you want. I hear you have dinner
with your family once a week.” She shot Parker an accusatory look.

Parker knew she was disappointed he had kept his
relationship from her, but he had been doing what he thought was right. He now
realized how ridiculous he’d been. He should have known how understanding and
supportive his parents would be.

“Mom,” Parker said. “Jace’s family already knew about him,
so it was easier for him to introduce me to them.”

“Well, no more secrets.” She smiled. “And, Jace, I’d love to
meet your parents.”

“I’m sure they’d like to meet you too. We could set up a
Sunday morning brunch.”

“Sounds like a great idea,” she said.

She served coffee and dessert in the living room, and as the
evening progressed, so did her questions. Parker pleaded with his father to get
her to stop.

“Look, kiddo,” his dad said. “I can’t stop her when she’s
like this. She’s been waiting for you to get into a serious relationship for
years.” He laughed as he watched his wife pour another cup of coffee. “She’s
thrilled.”

Parker rolled his eyes and took a seat next to Jace on the
sofa. Jace looked at him and smiled. “Your mother is charming.”