KinDread by Lucian McCullough (best book club books txt) 📕

was a good-looking guy. He was tall, probably about 5'11 (a little shorter than Dean), athletic-build, and great hair, and perfect smile. I walked to the side of the table Paul was on and took my seat on his right.

Dean Looked me up and down, "I'm Paul, you must be Emily".

I reached my hand out to shake his, "Nice to finally meet you Paul!"

The next several hours consisted of listening to Paul talk about...Paul. What he was studying, why his major was better than mine, how many girls he's slept with, and on and on...

To top it off, Paul had "forgotten" his wallet at home, so I had to pay for his meal as well. Just as I was about to say goodbye to Paul, Rachel said, "Let's go to that new nightclub downtown!! It'll be fun!"

My eyes got wide, pleading Rachel to take it back!

"Hell yeah!" hollered Paul and Dean together.

Paul put his arm around my waist and whispered in my ear, "This night is just getting started!"

"Great..." I said under my breath. But I put on a smile and followed Rachel and Dean out of the restaurant. They owed me BIG time.

"I'll drive my car to the club, but we can leave it there and Uber back later," Dean said as we jumped in the backseat of the jeep.

When we got to the club paul leaned over to me and asked if I could get him a beer and to get myself something.

I rolled my eyes, "Of course, I'll be right back," I said through gritted teeth.

I walked up to the crowed bar and pushed my way to the counter.

"What can I get you?" stated the woman behind the counter.

"I'll get a Budweiser and a gin and tonic, thanks," I replied.

"Coming right up!"

I scanned my room while I waited on the drinks. The club was very packed, and as I looked around my eyes caught something familiar. It was a guy standing at the other end of the bar counter. He had a strong, athletic build and was wearing a form-fitting black t-shirt with dark-wash jeans. He was standing with his back toward me, but all of a sudden he turned around and his eyes met mine. Crap. It was Parker, I knew he looked familiar! I was feeling quite flushed again and quickly looked away. I'm sure he didn't recognize me, right? He looked busy talking to his friends anyway he might not have even seen me.

"Here are your drinks, that'll be 7.50," said the bartender, pulling me out of my trance and back to reality.

I quickly tried filing through my purse and dropped my phone and wallet on the ground.

"Great, this is just great..." I sighed under my breath.

I kneeled down to pick up the contents of my purse and as I reached for my phone someone was handing it to me.

"We have got to stop meeting like this," Parker said with a smile, as he handed me my phone.

I forced a smile (internally freaking out) and went to take the phone from Parker, but he pulled his hand back and stood up. I stood up and held my hand out for my phone.

"Not so fast, what's your name?" he asked.

I swallowed hard, "Emily".

"Just Emily?"

I tried to say as confidently as possible, "Reynolds. Emily Reynolds."

"That wasn't so hard," he said as he simultaneously handed me my phone. "I'm Parker Phillips.

"Excuse me, you still need to pay," called the bartender.

"Oh I'm so sorry," I nervously pulled out 9 dollars and told the bartender to keep the change.

"Are both of these drinks for you, because I would be impressed," Parker inquired as he led me away from the bar counter.

"No, one of them is for my friend, Paul." Speaking of Paul I couldn't find him anywhere. Then all of a sudden I spotted him making out with some blond girl against the wall.

I rolled my eyes, "I guess both of these drinks are for me," I laughed and sat down in the nearest booth.

Parker followed my gaze, saw Paul, and looked back at me with one eyebrow raised, "That guy, really?" he said as he sat down across from me.

"Well, it's actually a long story," I said.

"I like long stories"

I pushed the beer toward Parker and said he could have it if he wanted, beer wasn't really my thing. I proceeded to tell him about my best friend Rachel and her boyfriend and the whole "Paul" thing. As I was telling the story I realized he looked surprisingly interested, his blue eyes were looking deep into mine and his brow creased ever so slightly as he was concentrating.

"So, long story short... Rachel owes me!" I said as I picked up my gin and tonic for another sip.

"No kidding, that guy looks like a tool!" He said. "I still can't believe he made you pay for dinner!"

"So, what did you think of art class this morning?"

I nearly choked on my drink, but managed to get out, "Oh yeah... um, it was different than I expected." Suddenly my mind began to recall images of his beautiful naked body...

"So, how did you get the art model gig?" I couldn't believe I had asked him that, but it was out there before I could retract my words.

Parker smiled, this time showing his perfect, pearly white teeth." Honestly, I get pretty embarrassed up there, but the art department pays me well and I need the money to help with med school," he said, never once taking his eyes off of me.

"Harvard med school?" I asked.

"Yep! You're looking at a second year Harvard med student. It's hard to keep a job and be a full-time grad student, then I found out about the modeling job for the art department last year, and I've been doing it ever since."

"Oh wow! Well you don't need to be embarrassed, you're really good at it!" Crap. More word vomit.

Parker blushed a little and ran his hand through his thick brown hair. I bit my bottom lip. Did he not know how sexy he was?

"Thanks, but tell me about you, what's your major?"

"Well, this is my senior year and I am working on getting into Harvard's law program."

"A lawyer huh?, Parker smiled, What do you do for fun?"

"I love to go running, and I volunteer at the animal shelter once a week as a dog walker, but honestly I'm pretty boring... I study a lot," I replied as I looked down at my now empty drink.

There was a moment of silence, so I looked up at Parker and found him staring at me. His hand resting behind his neck and his head cocked to one side.

"What are you looking at?" I asked him, now feeling more flushed than ever.

"You are most definitely not boring," Parker said, his eyes seemed to look me up and down.

"Emily!! We found you!" Rachel exclaimed as she hugged me from behind.

"Dean and I are going to go back to his place ok?" "Can you find a ride back to the apartment?"

"Yeah sure, I'll just Uber back, no big deal,"

"Where's Paul? and who is this?" Rachel said looking at me and giving me her best drunk impression of her flirty eyes,"

"Sorry, this is Parker, we had a class together today and I ran into him at the bar," I said while making my eyes really big in hopes Rachel would stop talking.

"Well you two be safe!" Rachel winked at us as Dean pulled her from the table.

"Oh my gosh, I'm going to kill her," I said quietly.

"She seems nice," Parker laughed.

"She is pretty great, we've been friends since middle school," I replied as I looked down at my watch, "Wow, it's getting late, I think I'm going to call an Uber and head home."

"I could drive you if you want, I only had one beer tonight, so I promise you're in good hands."

If only he knew what I wanted those hands to do to me... Caress my body, touch my breasts, pull my hair, finger me, hold me... The thought got me hot and bothered. I licked my lips and slightly bit my bottom lip thinking about the wonderful things his hands could do to me.

"So, what'll it be?" Parker asked looking at me with confusion.

"Oh sorry, um... sure, actually a drive home would be great, thanks!"

We got up from the table and Parker led me out of the bar. Once outside, Parker said, "I'm parked this way, follow me." He took my hand and led me down the street to the nearest parking lot. His hand felt perfect in mine. His skin was rough, but his warmth made me feel safe.

He stopped in front of a back Mustang GT, and opened the passenger side for me.

"Nice car, you don't see these too often out here in Massachusetts."

"Well I'm originally from Sacramento, California and we don't have to worry about snow and ice!" he laughed as he turned the key to start the car. "So where am I headed Miss Reynolds?" He looked at me with a smirk. "I live in the apartment complex off Arcadia Parkway."

"Okay perfect, I live close to there," he said as he started driving.

We arrived to my apartment complex and he parked the car. "So, I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me tomorrow night for dinner," Parker asked hopefully.

"With me?" I responded so naturally, clearly confused as to why a guy like Parker would be even remotely interested in me.

Parker unbuckled his seat belt and leaned over to me, "You can't be serious. You you drive me crazy!" Parker was now only a few inches from my face, I could feel his breath on my skin. His breath smelled slightly of beer, but it was mostly covered up by the intoxicating smell of musk and evergreen cologne.

"Wha..." I tried to respond, but before I could finish what I was going to say Parker's lips found mine. His wet lips softly kissed me as he brought a hand to cup the back of my neck. He pulled back and looked at me, "Is this ok?" I was of course more than ok with what just happened, but I couldn't manage to find the words to say. I simply nodded. He smiled and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. He leaned in and brought his lips to mine once more. This kiss was different, full of passion. He parted his lips and soon his tongue was exploring my mouth. Parker moved his hands down my body with the lightest touch, he sent electricity through my entire body. My hands found his chest and rested there as he continued to kiss me passionately. I had never experienced a kiss with such passion or lust before. All I could think was that this must be a dream, no way was this happening to me!

 

Parker's kiss and touch became less aggressive and he pulled away after several minutes. He rested his forehead on mine and sighed, "Man, I've wanted to do that all night,"

"Wow..." was all I could manage to mutter.

"Yeah... wow, that was amazing," Parker was now grinning from ear to ear, "So can I pick you up tomorrow at 6?"

"Sounds great," I said with a smile looking into Parker's eyes.

Parker pulled