Quiet Temptation

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Parker

I hardly sleep after kissing Marty at the pub Saturday night.

I can barely focus on work. All I want to do is figure out a way to make this work. To get to her. To make her mine.

I can't handle the secrecy anymore, and I'm nearing a breaking point.

I do something that I never thought I'd do and call my sister for relationship advice.

"Who died?" Caiti asks jokingly.

I snort a laugh. "I need advice."

She squeals with excitement. "Yes! I have been waiting for this moment my entire life. Hold on, let me savor this moment."

"Very funny."

"Alright, what's up?"

"It's Marty," I mutter.

A long silence.

"Care to fill me in and elaborate?" Caiti jokes.

"We've been talking. A lot. Since, you know, well since she went back to LU basically."

"Hmm."

"As friends."

"Right," she doesn't sound convinced.

"No one knows," I add. "And the truth is, I can't stop thinking about her, Caiti. We kissed the other night, and this is different. I know this is different. I can feel it."

Another meaningful pause on her end.

"Well, your first step would be to not keep everything a big secret."

Ironic coming from her. But I keep that tidbit to myself.

"You know how Matteo is," I laugh. "He'd find a way to get me killed, and Dad wouldn't be too far behind. For disappointing him."

"You don't know that. How do you know that?" she asks, sounding genuinely confused.

"She made a deal with her dad. Like Mira did. If she got to go away to school, after she graduates, she'll agree to marry whoever her father picks out for her."

Caiti groans. "What is with these men?!"

I laugh despite the throb of pain in my heart.

"Why don't you consider putting your name in the ring...?"

"You're joking," I laugh. "What the fuck do I know about being someone's husband? Besides, that wouldn't benefit Matteo. I'm nobody."

"So...convince him otherwise. And stop keeping everything a secret. Trust me, it'll come back to bite your ass. You should at least tell Ronan and Mira...Tristan...I don't like keeping things from my husband."

"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring you into this. I've tried cutting this thing off...but Caiti, it's undeniable. I can't...let her go."

I hear a smile in my sister's voice, "I've never heard you like this."

"I know. I feel like a complete asshole," I mutter.

My sister laughs.

"I'm going to talk to her. I want to make this work."

"I think that's a good start," Caiti says. "Hey. I'm proud of you. And you know something?"