Pan's Conquest (Entangled Covet) (11 page)

Chapter Fifteen
Champagne

Red chiffon fell around Syrinx’s legs in soft waves as she stepped out of the limo. She’d chosen a strapless dress with a sequined bodice that clung to her body and pushed up her pale breasts until they swelled. Between her breasts lay the single river pearl her mother had given her eons ago. It was clearly the sexiest outfit she’d ever worn in her life. And for once, she didn’t mind.

“Looks like he spared no expense.” Kaye got out and stood beside her, wearing a cute little black dress with a crossover-strapped front that reminded Syrinx of a sexy ninja suit. Despite her earlier worries, she had managed to wear three-inch heels.

“I’d say.” When they’d left, event planners were still scurrying around setting things up. A red carpet rolled from the front steps to the fountain. On either side, butlers wearing penguin tuxes greeted the partygoers as they ascended to the celebration. The doors to the estate were flung open, and the crystal chandelier inside glowed like a million diamonds in the sun.

Syrinx’s chest filled with butterflies, and she thought about Parker Thomas standing in there in what would be a gorgeous tux—because what else would he wear? He was in there, and he was waiting for her.

Twin limos pulled up beside them as theirs dropped them off. Men in sleek tuxes offered their arms to women in silk and lace.

“They have nothing on us.” Kaye took Syrinx’s arm. “Come on, let’s go in and celebrate our creation.”

They followed the stream of guests into the main foyer. Although they’d seen pieces of the display while they were working on their roses, nothing compared to the splendor and excitement of the full effect. A fountain stood where the vase had been. Three dolphin statues gushed champagne from their mouths. Glasses were stacked in beautiful geometric designs for the guests to help themselves. To the right, a rock band played a swoony love ballad on blue and red guitars, and a lead singer who looked like Johnny Depp—feathered pirate hat and all— crooned. The roses complemented the whole affair, bringing a sense of romance, nature, and freshness to the room.

People danced around them, and Syrinx scanned their faces for Parker. Every time an almond-haired man in a tux turned around, she was disappointed. “Where is he?”

“I don’t know.” Kaye reached for a cheese plate. “He’s probably busy with some guests. He threw this party for his clients, right?”

“Right.” Syrinx passed on a tray of mini lobster cakes. Her stomach somersaulted, and food wasn’t necessary for a god. So why push it?

Kaye started a conversation with a young man admiring an ice sculpture of a stag. Syrinx took that opportunity to investigate. She walked up to a pair of ladies leaning on the Steinway piano in the back.

“Good evening, ladies.” She offered her hand. “Sylvia Rain.”

The dark-haired woman on the right took her hand. “Marlie Todd.” She gestured to her friend. “This is Christy Baker.”

“Nice to meet you.” She pretended to admire the band and then turned back to them. “Are you clients of Mr. Thomas?”

“Heck no,” Marlie scoffed. “I don’t even know what he does. He just walked by our coffee table and dropped the invitation.”

“That’s strange.” Maybe he was looking for new clients? Targeting young woman who might someday want fertility treatments? It seemed a long stretch for someone who seemingly had everything.

Marlie raised an eyebrow and looked at her stomach. “Are
you
one of his clients?”

“No, no, no.” Syrinx blushed. “I’m the florist. Along with my assistant over there. We set up all the roses.”

“Shut up!” Christy smacked her arm, and Syrinx took a step back. “They’re gorgeous. You have a great talent, girl.”

“Thank you, I think?” Although her arm stung where Christy smacked her, Syrinx beamed with pride.

“So, you’ve met Mr. Thomas then?” Marlie’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “I hear his job as a fertility Doctor is a cover. Tell me, do you see anyone at this party who’s pregnant? Word is, he’s actually a famous director from Hollywood and he’s staged this party to scout for talent.”

Syrinx stared at her as if she’d grown two heads. “Where did you hear that?”

Marlie shrugged. “Around.”

“And I heard he’s back from a tour of Afghanistan, where he’d won a Purple Heart.”

“Now, that can’t be true.” Syrinx shook her head and eyed the champagne fountain. Looked like she was going to need it.

Christy popped a lobster cake in her mouth and chewed as she spoke. “Well, I heard he built this entire property, gardens and all, for a long-lost, unrequited love.”

Jealousy tinged Syrinx’s gut with poison. “Now that’s definitely not true.” If he had, he would have told her about it, wouldn’t he?

Marlie hugged her friend. “Poor Christy just read
The Great Gatsby
, so she has unrequited love and big mansions on her mind.”

“I see.” Syrinx edged away from the piano. Hanging with these two was turning unhealthy, putting outrageous ideas in her head. “Well, I’ve got to be going. I have to check on the rose display.”

“There he is!” Marlie pointed to the top of the stairs. Around them, everyone gasped and clapped as Parker Thomas raised both his hands in salute. He looked drop-dead gorgeous in a black tux cut just right with a red vest and tie that matched her dress perfectly. Good thing Syrinx didn’t get her champagne yet, because she would have dropped her glass on her heels.

Parker’s eyes scanned the crowd and landed directly on her. He raised his eyebrows suggestively. For a moment, they were the only two people in the room. He looked at her the way someone would look at perfection, the way every woman wants to be looked at. Syrinx held her breath, and her face and neck heated. Parker broke the eye contact and descended the stairs, greeting guest by guest. Every step he took brought him closer to her.

Someone grabbed her arm, and she whirled around. Kaye sipped a glass of champagne. “Looks like someone decided to match tonight.”

“I didn’t plan it at all.” Syrinx blinked in confusion. “It must be a coincidence.”

“Coincidence or not, it makes you two look like you’re an item.” Indeed, every woman in the room was eyeing her with a mix of awe and jealousy.

Kaye laughed. “Like it or not, you’re clearly his date.”

Syrinx liked it. A lot. Too much. She almost forgot to ask Kaye about her mystery man. “What happened to Mr. Ice Sculpture?”

“He’s getting us two more drinks.” Kaye downed the rest of hers.

Syrinx eyed the empty glass like a mother looking at her daughter at a wedding. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay tonight?”

“Yes, mom.” Kaye rolled her eyes. “I’m a grown-up, you know. I may not be as old as you, but I’m getting there.” She pushed Syrinx closer toward Parker. “Go.” Kaye kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear. “I dare you to have the time of your life.”

Parker met her halfway, right on the dance floor. His arms slid around her as he leaned down and brought his lips to her ear to speak over the music. “You look stunning.”

Her ear burned where his lips had touched. She wanted to get closer to him and smell his wild, spicy scent, feel his hard abs against her thin dress. “You look amazing yourself.”

He smiled as if he her compliment meant the world to him. “Want to dance?”

Syrinx put her hands behind his neck and ran her fingers through his wavy hair. “Absolutely.”

They slow danced as the band played behind them. Syrinx rested her head on his chest, listening to the pulse of his heart. So slow, so steady. Did it beat for her? Thinking about that sent shivers through her body until Parker pulled her closer and buried his face in her hair.

“Just friends, huh?” He sounded melancholy and whimsical at the same time.

Syrinx brought her gaze up to match his. She was ready for this. “Maybe more.”

Intensity burned in his gaze as her words registered. The song ended, and he released his hold reluctantly. “Want a drink?”

“Sure.” They walked to the fountain, and Parker pulled two cups from the display. He handed her one with a mischievous spark in his eyes. “You’ll have to fish for your own.”

Syrinx took the glass and the challenge. She raised her arm up to catch the spray from one of the dolphin’s mouths. The pressure behind the stream changed, and the liquid shot over her glass. She yelped as some got on her wrist, then laughed. “It’s harder than it looks.”

He picked up her hand and kissed the champagne off. “I had it adjusted for this occasion to make it a little tricky. Keeps the party interesting.”

Syrinx’s knees weakened with his lips on her wrist. She took her hand back before she turned into Jell-O and refocused on filling her glass. Once it was full, Parker filled his own. He turned to her, but his expression had lost the earlier lust. “Can we talk someplace quiet?”

Syrinx glanced at Kaye. Her assistant laughed beside Mr. Ice Sculpture, placing a flirtatious hand on his chest every so often. She had told Syrinx to get lost for a while—in her own sweet words of course. “Okay.”

Parker led her up the stairs to a side room with a balcony overlooking the eastern gardens. He closed the door behind them so no one would follow.

The pale moon glowed iridescent silver in the sky. The night was quiet besides the dull clamor inside and the crickets in the bushes below.

Parker stood next to her on the balcony, leaning on his elbows against the railing as if enjoying the view. “Finally, we’re alone. I thought I’d explode in that crowd trying to get your complete and undivided attention.”

Syrinx turned toward him. “You have it now.”

“I know.” He rubbed his fingertip along the rim of his champagne glass and studied the bubbly liquid as if collecting his thoughts.

Syrinx’s heart beat so fast and hard she thought it would thump a hole in her chest. She wanted to shout
get it out already!
But she knew to give him his time.

When Parker looked up at her, sincere affection filled his gaze. “Ever since I laid eyes on you, I knew you were special. Before I met you, I was in a haze with no real purpose. No one stood out as important to me, and so all I cared about was myself.” He shook his head. “I was a self-centered, arrogant asshole.” He turned back to her and picked up her hand. “You’ve changed my life and the way I see the world.”

Syrinx thought that was too much of a compliment. They’d only gone to see a poet, to a funeral, and bowling. It wasn’t as though she’d saved his life or given him any kind of dissertation on morality. “Let me guess: you were a playboy before you met me?”

He looked away, and a small, secret smile escaped his lips. “Of sorts. I couldn’t tell you about my past because you’d have never given me a chance.”

Syrinx rolled her eyes. Maybe this was all too good to be true. “Don’t tell me you already have a secret girlfriend?”

Parker laughed, almost spitting out his champagne. “No. Not besides you.”

“Or that you’ve been damaged by war?”

He shook his head as if his ears didn’t hear her correctly. “No. That’s not true, either. Who’ve you been talking to?”

Syrinx gestured toward the door. “Your own partygoers.”

“I see.” He turned around so his back leaned on the balcony. “Well, they’re all wrong about me. Everyone is.”

“So what is the truth?”

Parker froze, and for a moment, it looked as though he was going to tell her everything.

He opened his mouth to speak, and the door flung open behind them. A high school boy in a white caterer’s jacket poked his head in. “I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Thomas. I’ve been looking for you all over the place.”

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s the champagne fountain, sir. It’s leaking.”

“Well, put a towel on it and turn it off.”

The boy scratched his head awkwardly. “We can’t. It’s spraying all the guests and we can’t find the plug.”

“The plug? Oh yes, the plug. Why hadn’t I thought of that?” Parker ran a hand through his hair as though he’d made a mistake. But how could he have? It wasn’t his fault they couldn’t find the plug.

The boy blinked in confusion. “There is a plug, right? It does run on electricity?”

“Of course, what else would it run on?” Parker placed a hand on the boy’s back. “Let’s go fix it.” He turned to Syrinx. “I’ll be right back.”

Syrinx nodded, the weight of his words finally sinking in. She was special to him. “I’ll be waiting.”

After Parker left, Syrinx plopped down on a lawn chair at the end of the balcony. What was he going to tell her? Did it really matter? The past was the past, right? What was important was that they had each other now.

By the time the door opened again, a symphony of crickets congregated underneath Syrinx’s balcony like a million little Romeos. Syrinx turned toward the door, stifling a current of annoyance. How long did it take to mop up some champagne?

But it wasn’t Parker.

Chapter Sixteen
Endless Forest

Kaye poked her head out, and Syrinx pushed the lawn chair back and stood.
Something must be wrong.

“I’ve been looking for you for forever.” Kaye pushed through the door. “What are you doing out here? And why are those crickets so loud?”

Nervous energy zapped through Syrinx. “What’s the matter?”

“The fountain fell on Parker while he was trying to fix it. A few of the larger guests lifted it off him and carried him to his bed. We were going to call for an ambulance, but he insists he’s fine. He told me to come get you.”

The fountain? That thing must weigh a ton. “It fell on top of him?”

“Yeah. Strangely enough, he doesn’t seem to have any broken bones.”

“That’s good.” Partial relief steadied her budding anxiety. She followed Kaye into the house and down the hall. The party was wrapping up down below. The ice sculpture had melted into a puddle. The band packed its equipment, and people left in groups.

When they reached Parker’s room, he was alone, lying on his bed. Syrinx’s heart melted when she saw him. She knelt by the bed and put her hand on his forehead. “Are you okay?”

He smiled. “I’m okay now.”

She shrugged off his sweet comment. This wasn’t the time for flirting. “What the hell happened down there?”

He rubbed his temples as if speaking about it wasted his time. “I was trying to find the plug, and the floor cracked with my weight and the weight of the fountain. It was just enough to set off the balance and it tipped over.”

Kaye looked him up and down. “How much do you weigh?”

“Haha. Very funny.” Parker glanced away. He didn’t look amused. In fact, he looked pretty uncomfortable. Syrinx decided that was enough Kaye for one night.

“Kaye, why don’t you go ahead alone. I’m going to stay with him to make sure he’s okay.”

Kaye opened her mouth and gawked. “You mean stay the night?”

Syrinx nodded and gave her a please-be-discreet-about-this stare. “You open the store in the morning, okay?”

“Oh. Sure. No problem.” Kaye patted her friend on the back and winked. “You keep an
eye
on him. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She waved to Parker. “Get better soon.”

Syrinx waited for Kaye to leave, then shut the door and sat beside him on the bed. “Are you sure you don’t want to see a doctor?”

“I’m sure. I’m fine.” Parker sat up. “But it’s nice of you to stay anyway.”

A jolt of panic crept up Syrinx’s spine. What had she gotten herself into?
Wait a second. You knew what you were doing. You made your decision.
When she saw him lying there, she knew she couldn’t leave him. If it meant she’d stay the night, then so be it. Besides, he was probably in no shape for anything like what she was thinking of, was he?

Syrinx looked him up and down. He looked fine. No, he looked more than fine. His suit coat and tie had been taken off, and the top button of his white shirt was undone, revealing a ripped, bronze chest. Mischief glinted in his eyes. He pulled her closer to him on the bed.

“Wait a second. You’re in no condition to—”

Parker pressed his lips to hers, and she gave in to the kiss. It felt so good to be with him and for him to want her. Her mouth opened, and his tongue probed hers. He tasted like champagne and smelled of woodsy pine as if the forest were all around her.

He pulled away, and she gasped for air. “No condition for what?”

“For that.” Syrinx tried to recover, but the draw to him was too strong.

Parker gave her an apologetic half smile. “I’m sorry. I had to get one kiss in.”

“Before what?” Did he mean for her to stay in another room? Disappointment swept through her, proving to her she wanted this.

“Before we talk. I was interrupted earlier.”

“Talk?” For once, that was the last thing Syrinx wanted to do. Why ruin the mood with sad stories of the past? She wanted to be with him, to feel his body against hers and share something special together. Saturnia was right. Kaye was right. Chastity wasn’t who she was. It was an ideal she’d clung to for far too long. She was so much more than that, and the woman inside her needed to be freed. She’d spent too many long eons alone.

Syrinx tackled him on the bed, and they fell back together. “We can talk in the morning.” She kissed him gently, and he responded as if she’d summoned a raw passion within him. His hands explored her body, caressing her curves. She’d always thought she’d feel cheapened or violated, but instead, she felt more cherished and beautiful.

Has she been missing this all those centuries? Or was she just waiting for the right one? For Parker Thomas?

His kisses burned a trail from her neck to her chest as he reached around back for the zipper. She unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a chest like smooth river stone.

“You sure you want to do this?” he whispered between hungry kisses.

“Yes.” She spoke without hesitation. “I want you more than I’ve wanted anything before.”

He kissed her more passionately, as if her words gave him courage. She looked into his eyes, expecting his loving copper gaze. A sea of green stared back at her, wild with desire. She couldn’t see her reflection, only the trees in an endless forest.

Syrinx pulled back, panting.

Parker threw his shirt on the floor. “What’s the matter?” He blinked, and the copper returned, showing a deep, sincere love. He looked so beautiful, so perfect. How could she have seen such wild desire?

“Nothing.” Embarrassment burned in her cheeks. “It’s just…I’ve never done this before.”

“That’s okay.” He swept her up in his arms. “I know what I’m doing.”

…

Pan had never experienced such joy and ecstasy. He stroked Syrinx’s hair as she slept, his wild restlessness abated. He felt complete. Sure, he’d been with many maidens, but nothing compared with developing a relationship first. Knowing Syrinx as a person only deepened the bond between them, satiating his wild lust and turning it into something more profound.

A dark apprehension crept in as he reminded himself he still had to tell her the truth. He really shouldn’t have spent the night with her first. But she’d insisted they’d talk in the morning, and he’d wanted her for so long, he couldn’t resist her request. He wished to all the gods he could just be Parker Thomas, the mortal. That’s who she really loved. But he was Pan, the one she despised most in the world.

What have I done?

He’d doomed himself to losing her the day he cut off his beard. Back then, keeping her didn’t matter. If only he could have warned himself. Would he have done anything differently? Turned around and walked back into his forest without her?

No.

He’d give up everything to be with her—his maidens, his identity, even his own immortality.
If only such an exchange were possible.

But no, he was left with telling her the truth.

Chirping birdsong came from Syrinx’s purse. She stirred, turning on her side. Her eyes met his, and she smiled the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, gorgeous.” He kissed her cheek. “It seems you’ve caught a bird in your purse.”

“My phone!” She jumped out of bed, using the sheets as a robe. “I totally forgot about it. I hope Kaye is all right.”

She dug in her purse and pulled it out, pressing the message button. “It’s a text.” Her voice dropped to a dead tone. “From my sister.”

Pan tensed. Something wasn’t right.

She swallowed hard.

Dread spread through his gut, bottoming out his stomach into a black hole. Coral found a way around the curse. He’d contained her in the god realm, but that didn’t stop her from talking to the other gods. Instead of coming to Syrinx, she must have found Saturnia. He reached out to take the phone from her, but it was too late.

She turned toward him with a heartbreaking expression of horror. “No. It can’t be.” Her face twisted into disgust. “You’re P-Pan?” She said his name as if he was the worst poison in the world, striking him like a bludgeon to the heart.

Pan’s world shattered. Without Syrinx, he was nothing. He couldn’t go back to his forest. He couldn’t be with another maiden after this. He held up his hand. “Wait. I can explain.”

“How did you find me?”

Pan slapped his hand on his forehead. “It was Coral. She told me how she’d helped you get away. She wanted me to have you and get you out of my system so I’d move on to her.”

“I bet she did. And she’ll get just what she wanted.” Syrinx frowned in disgust.

“No, she won’t. I don’t want Coral, or any other woman. I want you.”

“Cheap words. Is that what you tell all the maidens?”

“No.” Pan grasped at the sheets, struggling to find some way for her to believe him. “It was Coral back on the road. She scared a deer to wreck the car because I was taking too long. She knew I wanted you, and she wanted the truth to come out so you wouldn’t have me.”

“Too bad I didn’t see it sooner.” Syrinx shook her head. “I can’t believe I trusted her.”

She backed to the door as if he was a convicted murderer with an ax in his hand. Lasers shot from her eyes, stabbing him in the chest one by one. “I can’t believe I trusted
you
.”

“Syrinx.” He said her name for the first time. He’d wanted to say it out loud so badly, but now it came out of his mouth as a regret, not a joy. “Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for you.”

“I bet you have.” She started to glow. Her power blinded him, casting him in judgment. That’s what she was good at—judging others against her perfect ideals. He should have known she could never bring herself to love someone as amoral as the embodiment of nature itself. “You did it all to win your little game.”

Pan covered his eyes before the light blinded him for good. Her hatred destroyed him, pulling him apart until there was nothing left but a weak puddle of triviality with no honorable center, the primordial mud from which he was born.

“I hope it was worth it, you dirty, lying scoundrel. Because I’ll make sure you’ll never see me again.”

Thunder clapped, and she was gone.