Abyssal Shadow in the Light

Unaware of the trainwreck Ava had turned into—yeah, that sounded about right—Parker was already leading Tessa back upstairs, their fingers intertwined. Unlike him, though, Tessa was a woman. And women just knew shit.

She didn't say anything, didn't even glance back toward the door Ava had walked out of, but Parker knew she had read the situation. Probably better than Ava had. But Tessa wasn't about to play therapist. Not her problem. Ava will handle herself and she knew what she had to do of she wanted to be in any sort of relationship with Parker—her teenager billionaire boss.

****

After a while, they came back downstairs.

Parker pulled her in, pressing a slow, lingering kiss against her lips. She tasted like spearmint and something richer, something warmer—something that made him want to stay just a little longer. But he pulled back, letting his forehead rest against hers for a second before stepping away.