Amsterdam

An International Guy Short Story

PARKER 

Part 1 

The moment we step outside the Schiphol airport to find our driver we are blasted with lights. A million flashes blaze across my vision as the paparazzi call out a myriad of questions. I scowl and pull Skyler closer to my side, protecting her as best I can from the vultures swarming around us. 

We must have been stupid to think we could fly across the world for a clandestine romantic getaway in the Netherlands. 

“Skyler, is Parker your boyfriend? What about the perfume heiress Sophie Rolland?” One pudgy, balding man hollers. 

“Or the bombshell Martina you were seen with in Milan? The burlesque dancer. Did you cheat on Skyler, Parker?” A tall, painfully thin man shoves a huge camera in our faces. 

I spread my arm wide, trying to protect Skyler until I hear a loud whistle and glance to the side. A young man in maybe his mid-twenties waves his hands in the air as though he’s directing a plane. A sign in his hand reads International Guy. With all my strength, I push through the crowd of bodies clamoring to get our attention. 

“Just keep your head down, Sky. I’ve got you.” 

She is trembling at my side, but follows my instructions as we ease through the chaos. 

Once we get close, the driver opens the door to the sleek pitch black 2019 E-class Mercedes, thankfully with blacked out windows in the back, and ushers us inside, taking hold of the single bag we packed for the two-day trip. 

Skyler dashes inside. I follow her and slam the door. 

“Jesus! That was intense.” 

She pushes her long golden waves of hair back away from her face and lets out a long breath. “You’re telling me. Well, they now know we’re here. Though I have no clue how they found out.” 

“Peaches, there are a ton of ways. The flight attendants, airport personnel. Anyone could have seen us. Though I’m regretting not bringing your security team.” 

She frowns and turns sideways in the car, her flirty dress sliding up her thighs gifting me a sexy tanned expanse of skin. I place my hand above her knee and caress her there, while I think about all the ways I’ve screwed up our first romantic weekend away. 

Skyler cups my cheeks, the scruff on my five o’clock shadow scratching against her palms. I need a shave and a shower after that seven-plus hour flight from New York. At least we slept on the plane. “Honey,” she says, “you tried to give me normal. I can’t fault you for that. Unfortunately, the media frenzy comes with the territory of being with someone like me.” 

I smile and slide my hand higher up her thigh and dip my face close to hers, so close I can feel her breath on my face. “You mean a beautiful, funny, intelligent woman with an incredible body who makes me insane with desire?” 

She chuckles and it sounds like church bells, full and hearty. 

I close my eyes and slide my nose along hers. “I’m sorry I messed up our first romantic getaway,” I murmur, running my lips feather light against her cheekbone and down her jaw. 

Skyler sighs while tunneling her fingers through the strands of my hair to cup the back of my head. “You’re forgiven,” she whispers against my lips. 

I swallow and lick my lips. “Oh yeah? Prove it,” I tease. 

Her peaches-and-cream scent fills the air in the car, wafting around us like a siren’s call. Her fingers tighten against my scalp and she presses her lush lips to mine. My girl is timid with her kiss at first. Until I flick my tongue against her lips and she mewls, opening her mouth on a sigh. I take full advantage, sliding my tongue to dance alongside hers. She tastes of the orange juice and champagne we had with our breakfast on the plane. 

It’s intoxicating. Delicious. 

And all mine. 

I slant my head and slide my hand up her back so I can press her chest against mine, taking the kiss to that dangerous edge of desire and decency. Skyler on the other hand forgets completely where we are in her lust. She presses closer, one of her hands sliding inside my sport coat to the back of my shirt. She untucks the fabric, tugging it out of my pants, until she can get her greedy hand skin-on-skin. 

“Baby,” I moan into her mouth and she sucks on my top lip as I nibble on her bottom one. 

“Parker…” It’s a plea, a harried request. One I want more than anything to fulfill. 

“Sky, you’re entering dangerous territory…” I attempt to remind her of where we are, but my brain is muddled. Lust-drunk on the woman of my dreams. 

Skyler Paige, A-list actress and the world’s most beloved sweetheart, only wants me. A businessman and sports junkie from Boston, Massachusetts, who hasn’t committed himself to one woman in years.  Though Sky is changing all that. 

My brain short-circuits as I look my fill of the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. The one woman I fantasized about for years watching her movies, commercials, and most especially, her lingerie advertisements. 

Right now, all I can see is her. Those warm brown eyes, kiss-bruised lips, rosy cheeks, and her golden hair. Like a halo around a goddess. My mind suddenly fills to the brim with flashes of her arching into me. That gorgeous hair splayed out over the seat, my body on top of hers. Her beautiful skin bared only to me in the most sacred way two people can connect. 

Her nails scratch along the base of my spine and I lose my mind, pressing her body against the door, planning to tear her clothes to shreds if I have to in order to give this woman everything she needs and wants.

“Hallo!” A man’s voice breaks through the pleasure haze as I rhythmically clutch and release Skyler’s hips. 

She pulls her mouth from mine and we both sit up and turn our heads to the side to meet the eyes of the young man grinning in the rearview mirror. 

“I see that you are very happy to be safe and sound in my car, but we are close to your hotel. I called ahead to a friend who works the door there and the place is surrounded with paparazzi front and back. You didn’t seem to like that before.” He frowns, his light eyes seeming genuinely concerned for our well-being. 

Skyler huffs, straightens her dress—to my extreme irritation—and sits upright in her seat to smooth her hair. She reaches for the purse that fell to the floor in our haste to make out like a pair of hungry teenagers and pulls out a small compact mirror. 

I clench my teeth and adjust my clothing. I pat down the unruly mess Sky made of my hair and glance out the window.

“This is not how this getaway was supposed to be,” I grate through my teeth, my hand fisted on top of my thigh, the knuckles turning bright white. 

Skyler takes my hand with hers, interlacing our fingers until we’re palm-to-palm. “I’m sorry. This lifestyle isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Which is why I’ve dated so little,” she says, a sadness filling her tone that I absolutely hate. 

I squeeze her hand. “We can handle anything together. This is our trip. If we were a normal couple, we’d be able to go to the hotel, walk right up to the front desk, check in, and take on the town having the time of our lives. I guess I didn’t’ factor in that the paparazzi would be so cutthroat in getting pictures of you.” Her eyes flash with worry. “Of us,” I correct. “It’s okay. It’s part of your life and I want to be a part of that life. If the press come with all that’s you, I’ll deal with it.” 

She inhales fully and deeply and then releases it, her earlier happiness during our little tryst now gone. My girl has succumbed to this life of no privacy and never having time to herself that’s just her own. We can’t even go to dinner in New York without a horde of people taking endless photos or asking for her autograph. For some reason I stupidly thought it would be different in another country. Amsterdam is half a world away from the States but that doesn’t change the fact she’s a global phenomenon. The highest paid actress in the entire world. The most sought after…and yet she’s utterly miserable. 

I lift her hand and kiss the back, then kiss each of her fingertips. The move makes her smile and it’s like the sun coming out on a dark day. No wonder everyone wants a piece of her. I can’t be within a foot of her and not want to make her my own. I’m completely and utterly taken with her beauty and grace. She’s the entire package, and yet there’s this huge vulnerable side to her that she holds locked away from everyone else. Except me. She can be vulnerable, shy, sweet, and silly. It’s a gift that only she can give me and it’s my job to keep it safe—to keep her safe and protected above all things. 

Stiffening my spine, I lean forward and curl my hand around the back of the passenger seat’s headrest. 

“What’s your name, buddy?” 

“Luuk Jansen at your service, Mr. Ellis.” He beams. “Ms. Paige, I’m a big fan. My mother and two sisters are huge fans too, I wanted to say.” His cheeks turn pink as he continues. “But you were, um, what’s the word? Oh. Busy.” 

“You’re English is excellent, Luuk.” And it is. The accent is thick, but he speaks very clearly. 

The driver’s chest lifts with what I assume is pride. “Most of our people are fluent in English. You do not have to know a word of Dutch to get around the city. And when I am not driving, I tutor children on your language.” 

“Aw, that’s wonderful,” Skyler adds with a smile. 

Luuk smiles wide, simply exuding happiness, not at all bothered that two randy Americans were fooling around in his vehicle. 

“Here’s the deal, Luuk. Skyler, as you are aware, is very famous.” 

He nods.

“And I was trying to whisk my girlfriend away for a romantic time in one of my favorite cities. Unfortunately, as you saw, the paparazzi are determined to ruin that plan. And as you say, they are currently surrounding our hotel. Is there another location you can share with us that would give us some privacy?” 

He purses his lips, flicks on his blinker, and changes lanes, heading away from where I know the Waldorf Astoria is located. 

“I have an idea, but I must make a call. It is around lunchtime. Do you two have plans already?” 

I shake my head. “No, buddy. We were going to wing it. Explore the city on the fly.” 

“Then you will need a driver, and guide, yes?” 

A new plan starts to form at his suggestion. 

“Actually, yes, I think that would be perfect. Are you offering up your services for the weekend?” 

Currently it’s Friday morning and we weren’t planning to leave until Sunday night. Factoring in the time difference between Europe and the States, we’ll still arrive in New York on Sunday evening, where Skyler has to get back to the set of the movie she’s filming. I’ll have to catch a plane to meet up with my partner Royce and head to a job in San Francisco. 

“Me?” Luuk’s entire expression fills with hope and excitement as he looks back over the seat. 

“Sure, why not? You seem trustworthy. Notified us of the concerns with the paparazzi at the hotel and got us safe and sound out of that vipers’ den back at the airport. Nothing is more important to me than keeping Skyler safe and off their radar. We want to be a normal couple, enjoying your beautiful city this weekend. Do you think you can help us out? I’ll pay handsomely for the service.” 

“Let me take you to a lunch spot. I must notify my company that I will be out of service for the rest of the weekend as I have accepted another job.” 

I frown. “Will that get you into trouble?” 

He shakes his head. “No. I own my car. We are hired by job. I make my schedule in order to focus on my tutoring.” 

I grin and put my hand out. “I’ll pay you five thousand American dollars to drive us around, show us the sites, and help us avoid the paparazzi.” 

His eyes widen to the size of dinner plates. “No, no, no that is too much. I make less than that in a month!” 

Skyler chuckles and shakes her head. 

“Even better. Then this will you have working extra hard to show us a great time and help us escape the photographers when needed.” I confirm.  

“Well of course, I would do that anyway for far less.” 

I shrug. “Well, the job pays five grand. Take it or leave it.” 

Luuk’s hand shakes as he pushes it through is floppy brown curls. “This will change my life.” 

That’s when Skyler sits forward and puts a hand to Luuk’s shoulder. “This break from it all will change ours too. Help us have a weekend to remember.” 

“I-I don’t know what to say,” he rambles, and I laugh, sitting back more comfortably against the leather seat. 

“Say yes, my man,” I urge, needing this special time with Skyler more than I need a million dollars at this point. Five thousand is a drop in the bucket compared to the peace and serenity he could very well provide us. 

“Yes,” he says with a force I haven’t yet heard from him. 

Right on. I grin, lean forward, and put my hand out. Luuk shakes it several times before letting it go. 

“We’ve got a deal,” I murmur, turning my head and looking at Skyler. 

She’s effervescent in her beauty and unconcealed joy. “This is going to be amazing.” 

I lean forward and kiss her lightly on the lips. 

“Every minute with you is amazing, Peaches.” 

Her cheeks pinken and she smiles wide but this one reaches her eyes, lighting them into swirling pools of melted chocolate. 

“We are going to have the best time!” She bites into her bottom lip and shimmies a little in her seat. 

I feel like a hero, my stomach tightening with the thrill of an adventure ahead. Only this time, I have someone to share it with. Someone who’s becoming more instrumental to my happiness every single day. 

Part 2 

Luuk leaves us in the capable hands of a restaurant owner who immediately ushers us onto a back patio surrounded by lattice with different colored roses crawling all over the wood. It’s breathtaking. Almost as much as the woman across from me who’s sipping a chilled white wine and sniffing the flower I broke off and stole from one of the heavy vines. 

Pulling out my camera, I snap a picture of Skyler sitting dreamily with a soft smile. 

“You are unearthly beautiful, Peaches.” 

She grins and sets the rose down. “Thank you for bringing me here, for making this happen.” She smiles, picks up fork, and plows into her green leafy grilled chicken salad. When my woman is working she eats as healthy as an Olympian. During her off times my girl can eat half an entire large pizza by herself. At least she’s allowing herself some wine. 

I order some fresh fruit as a dessert while we wait for our tour guide to return from his calls and planning. 

After we’re finished, Luuk bustles in smiling and clapping. “We are set!” 

In behind him walks a massive man. So huge he would give Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson a run for his money in the gym. 

Luuk hooks a thumb behind him. “This is my best friend Andreas Visser. He is in security. I am hiring him with half the pay you offered me in order to provide safety. What you American’s call your muscle,” he shares, smiling.

Andreas doesn’t speak at first, just gives us a chin lift. 

I stand up and offer the man my hand. “Parker, and this Skyler. She is the most important person in the world to me and now to you.” I focus on Luuk. “We will pay him separately for his services. No need to half your wage. Security is priceless and we appreciate you securing assistance.” 

This compliment seems to make Luuk positively shiver with glee. “Okay. Well, first I shall show you around while your new accommodations are being cleaned and prepared for your weekend stay.” He gestures towards the door. “Shall we?” 

I take Skyler’s hand and follow Andreas through the restaurant and back to the car. Andreas scans the area and opens the door. 

Vigilant. I like this. 

I usher Skyler back into the car, roll down the window, and allow the cool breeze to glide along my skin. Skyler cuddles up to my shoulder and together we watch the multicolored houses, the many canals, and the changing landscape slide by until Luuk brings us to a new location we “must” see. 

For the next several hours we’re shown the standard tourist areas of Amsterdam. Anne Frank’s House, a hidden Catholic church inside the belly of a normal-looking home, the famous Vondelpark, and a fish-shaped sculpture called Figure découpée l’Oiseau that was created by legendary Pablo Picasso. Only Luuk was all too happy to tell us that the artist intended it to be a bird as noted by the feet scratched into the bottom of the odd sculpture. It’s so clearly a fish though, that Skyler and I spend the better part of our visit through the park debating the merits between fish and bird and decide to call it “fishing bird” and leave it at that. 

At every new location Luuk offers to take our picture, cementing him as the best tour guide of the century in Skyler’s mind. She never gets to take pictures for fun in order to capture a moment in time she wants to remember. It’s incredibly humbling and powerful at the same time. 

“These pictures are going in frames for sure!” She skip-walks to my much longer strides even though she’s wearing a pair of wedge heel sandals that make her taller than normal. 

Luke leads us through the park. Andreas stays a good ten or fifteen feet behind us, ever watchful but simply looking like a big guy taking a stroll through the park, versus the security he’s actually providing to a very well known actress and her boyfriend. 

Through our visit we see an endless array of different roses quickly making Amsterdam feel like the world’s largest green house for incredible flowers, most specifically tulips and roses. All over the park there are quaint benches and ponds to sit and read a book by. We pass other tourists and locals alike, none of whom seem to recognize Skyler, much to my appreciation. 

Skyler takes pictures of everything, pointing to things and asking Luuk about its origin. Turns out the guy is not only an excellent linguist and tutor, he has his own travel blog. Skyler offers to take a few pictures with him that he can use after we leave to help aid him in his business venture. 

My woman is so damn sweet. I pull her away from capturing pictures of ducks in one of the ponds, press her into the nearest tree, and take her mouth in a long, wet kiss. She’s gets into it immediately like she always does when I get my mouth anywhere near her. 

“I love seeing you happy.” I take in her shimmering eyes and smiling face. 

“I love being happy. You do that for me, Pretty Boy. You’re always giving me something. A surprise, a shock, a sexy look.” She wraps her arms around my neck and presses her forehead to mine. “You make me see how the world could be if I wasn’t’ famous. That’s not something I’ve had since I was a child, well…since before I lost my parents.” 

Her eyes fill with unshed tears and I cup her cheek and wipe one of them away with my thumb right as it falls. “Then why are you crying?” 

“Because it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this free. You give me freedom. Space to spread my wings and be me.” 

I press her harder against the tree. “You should always be you, sweetheart. I like you just the way you are.” 

She smiles softly and kisses me until we hear the sound of a throat being loudly cleared. Then out of nowhere, Andreas is standing in front of us like a man-shaped wall. 

He speaks rapid-fire Dutch, none of which we understand until I see the flashes. 

We’ve been spotted. 

A small crowd of people and a man with a huge camera hanging from his neck start snapping a ton of pictures. 

“Come, come.” Luuk ushers us but the crowd follows. 

“Just let me take care of it,” Skyler offers, heading around me and opening her hand for the pen and paper being held out to her. 

I grind my teeth and run my fingers through my hair. “Get the car and bring it to the nearest exit,” I growl, not hiding an ounce of my anger. 

Andreas stays with us and translates words that Skyler doesn’t know. His deep voice sounding like boots grading against gravel. 

Eventually the small crowd starts to dissipate but that doesn’t help the fact that out of nowhere, men are running our direction, cameras in hand. 

I scan the exits and thankfully see Luuk waving his arms wildly in the air. 

“Go. I’m right behind you,” Andreas says. 

I take Skyler’s hand and together we run for the exit. Luuk gets us into the car and we’re all breathing heavily as we watch the huge bodyguard race to the car. It’s unbelievable how fast the giant can run with all that muscle and bulk. I’m fit and toned. Workout daily. Lift weights. And I know my woman loves my body. I’ve had no complaints in that area before, but this man is something else entirely. 

He leaves the photographers eating his dust when he jumps in the car and roars one word: “Go!” 

Luuk slams his foot on the gas and we screech off into the sunset, destination unknown. 

“I’m sorry. That was too close,” Luuk apologizes. His shoulders are slumped and what I’ve come to think of as his endless source of energy is completely diminished, as if someone flicked off a light switch.

I clap him on the shoulder. “Hey, buddy, we deal with this all the time. The day was amazing. We couldn’t have had the same without you. What you gave us was awesome and we got away. No harm, no foul. Okay?” 

He swallows and nods but doesn’t speak again until we pull up to a gorgeous neighborhood overlooking a canal. Each house is multicolored in a flourish of primary colors including bright yellow, red, orange, blue, even pink and purple. 

“Magical,” Skyler comments, awe spreading across her face. 

Luuk parks the car near a section of the water that is lined with long, rather large boats. 

“My friend has a vacation rental.” He points at a chocolate brown boat with teal edging. “It’s named Reussi in Dutch which means success in English.” 

“We’re staying on a boat?” Skyler can barely contain her joy as her eyes widen and she takes in the vessel. “It’s so cool!” Skyler jumps up and down like a little girl even though she’s a grown woman of twenty-five.

I chuckle and throw out my arm. “Lead the way, buddy.” I gesture to the boat. 

“It’s a hundred and twenty US dollars per night,” he warns as if he’d just stated our stay would cost us a thousand per night. Which is about five hundred bucks less than we would have paid at the hotel. 

“Not a problem,” I assure him, and he nods. 

“We get the whole boat for the weekend?” Skyler gasps clearly astonished. 

I cuddle her close and help her get onto the boat, ensuring she doesn’t fall in the process. 

Our new friend Andreas stays on the street ever watchful, arms crossed over his beefy chest looking like a human shield. Which in all honestly, after the park scene, he practically is. 

Luuk buzzes through the entrance to the interior using a four-digit code to open the door. 

Once inside we’re taken aback by the uniqueness and spirited decor. The wooden walls are painted soft eggshell white. The ceiling is bracketed by a couple large black iron beams that seem to serve as its structural bracing. Every six or so feet there are skylights allowing the last rays of daylight to seep into the space. There’s a stand-up wooden hearth at one end with chopped logs ready to be used. A cozy dinette for four near the living space. A small flat-screen TV sits on a wall across from a soft brown leather sectional sofa. Beyond that is a rectangular kitchen space complete with all the amenities one would need. 

Luuk opens the fridge. “I’ve had it stocked with breakfast and some meats and cheeses. A case of local beer…and bottles of red and white wine.” 

Skyler covers her mouth. “This is too much, Luuk. My goodness.” 

He seems to stand taller at her compliment. “My pleasure, Ms. Paige.” 

“Skyler, you can call me Skyler. We’re all friends now.” 

Luuk presses his lips together and inspects his camel-colored suede shoes as though receiving such a gesture from Skyler is the pinnacle of his week, maybe even his month. 

He continues through to show us the platform bed that sits up a short flight of stairs in a loft space with a rather low ceiling. I’ll have to make sure I don’t get too acrobatic in the bedroom this weekend. I grin around the thought. The bed is the perfect height if I’m standing next to it and she’s lying down. 

Hmm… The possibilities flow through my mind in an endless array of erotic options. 

I shake the thoughts away as the lower half of my body starts to rise to the occasion, all too ready to make good on those fantasies.

We check out the small bathroom that has a combination tub and shower. 

“Oooh, a bath.” Skyler grins and waggles her eyebrows. 

Imagining her slick and naked does not help my problem. I adjust my hardening shaft and try to think of my mother reading a book out loud to her friends at her weekly book club, my father sitting in his lounge chair with the TV on screaming at the Patriots fumbling a touchdown. 

Works like a charm to sooth the savage beast and bring me back to the moment. 

Luuk leads us back out to the top of the boat and to the bow where there is a dinette that seats two. Flowers are in pots all around the space. 

“The view is lovely,” Skyler says, wrapping her arms around my waist and pressing her head to my chest. 

I hold her close and kiss the crown of her head. “It absolutely is, but no where near as lovely as you, baby.” 

She lifts her head up grinning. “Kiss me, Pretty Boy! I’ve never been kissed on a boat.” 

“And I shall take my leave.” Luuk waves. “The code for the door and everything else is on a sheet of paper in the kitchen. I programmed my phone number into both your phones earlier. Call me when you are ready to go back out. Andreas and I will leave you to your evening. Rest up. Another full day ahead tomorrow!” He waves again and disappears out of sight. 

I look down at the best view I’ve ever seen. Skyler, smiling, her eyes glittering with happiness and requesting a kiss. 

“My pleasure, beautiful.” I take her mouth in a searing kiss. 

For a long time, we simply hold one another and kiss as the sky turns dark, the stars come out, and the waves of the water lap against the boat.

There isn’t anywhere I’d want to be than right here in my woman’s arms, under a starry sky, on a houseboat in Amsterdam. 

Part 3

Waking up to a sleepy, soft, and cuddly Skyler Paige is the absolute best. Her skin shines a golden bronze color under the light of day. Her hair a wild tangle of sunny waves from the repeated times I ran my fingers through it last night. 

She was insatiable. Or maybe I was. After a day filled with love and adventure, we spent the evening returning those feelings through sating the carnal side of our relationship. I took her three different ways, wanting only to meld our bodies as one. Each attempt felt as though I was getting closer and closer to something that was just out of reach. Until the last time when I made love to her. Slowly.  Worshipful. 

I treated every sigh as a reward. Every kiss a gift. Each new pinnacle of pleasure a revelation. This was the woman meant for me. Perhaps the sole woman I was meant to love, to cherish, to be with forever. 

Only time would tell, but so far, I knew I was in deep. The commitment-phobia was long gone, and good riddance. I was here for this woman. For this moment. For us. Whatever that looked like with each new day, I relished the knowledge I’d get more. 

More Skyler. 

More beauty. 

More joy. 

More love than I’d ever known. 

The thought was humbling and frightening. I shivered as I held her close and kissed her bare shoulder. 

She murmurs, “Coffee” and I grin, willing to give her just about anything. 

“I’ll get it. Then we have to get up, shower, and take on the day. I think we slept too long.” I glance at the clock and realize it is already closing in on eleven, the morning practically gone. Luuk would likely be fretting. 

Pulling off the covers, I watch as she curls into a tiny naked ball. “Cold!” she grouses. 

“Get up, Peaches. It’s close to lunch time. And we’ve only got today to venture out fully before we leave tomorrow. Up you go!” I decide to forgo the coffee and haul my woman to the shower/bath combo. 

I get the water warm as she literally snoozes against my form standing up. My girl loves her sleep and I’m sure jetlag is taking its toll. 

Without warning I push her into the shower. 

She shakes herself awake shrieking. “Hey! What gives!” 

I laugh. “Peaches we gotta get ready. I set out the toiletries last night when you raided the fridge between sexy sessions.” 

She frowns and places her hands on her hips. “You could shower with me. That would make it way more fun…and we’d save water.” 

I shake my head and shut the shower curtain. “You’re not distracting me with sexy time. At least, not now you’re not.” 

“Boo!” She hollers as I head to the kitchen and find a pour-over coffee maker. 

Once I’ve got my girl caffeinated and getting dressed, I take my turn in the shower and get ready for the day. 

My phone pings at exactly eleven-thirty. It’s Luuk wondering if we’re okay and letting us know that he and Andreas are already on the street awaiting our arrival but not to worry and take our time. 

I grin and finish combing my hair. 

“Luuk and Andreas are waiting outside,” I call out. 

“What! I just started curling my hair.” 

“Babe, ponytail it,” I offer in what I think is a pretty fantastic solution and time saver. 

“I’m in magical Amsterdam with my super-hot boyfriend having a private getaway. Ponytails are a no-go. I want to look good for my man. Cool it and give me fifteen minutes!” 

I come around the corner from the bathroom to where she’s standing in the living room curling her hair in the reflection of the big mirror on the wall. 

She’s wearing another dress, this one a wild burst of colors in black, magenta, bright blue, and yellow. The straps are only an inch thick, but the bodice is low-cut and the fabric hugs her curves deliciously, falling loose from the hips all the way to her ankles. 

“Peaches,” I whisper, my voice clogged with emotion as I stare at her in all her beautiful glory. “I’m such a lucky man.” 

She gifts me a vibrant smile, does something complex with the curling iron, and then sets it on the table near her. She bends her body upside down, head hanging toward her feet as she messes up all the curls she just put into her silky tresses. Then she pops back up and adjusts the entire thing into a mass of sexy-as-sin waves around her gorgeous face that make my mouth water and my need to haul her over my shoulder and throw her back on the bed almost a painful desire. 

I curse under my breath as she smiles knowingly, slips into a pair of sandals, and grabs her long slouchy purse. 

“I like the way you’re looking at me, handsome.” 

I take full advantage, lewdly looking my fill. “Baby, I love looking at all that’s you.” 

She laughs. “Good. Now feed me or I’m going to get cranky!” 

I stand by her side. “Then let’s get my girl fed.” 

***

When we get into the car, Andreas is already there, silent and broody but mostly just watchful. Luuk is a ball of excitement. 

“I have the perfect meal planned for you two!” he says chipper as a songbird. “However, it is a very strange and unique experience. One I thought might be special since the two of you don’t want to be seen. Plus, it comes highly rated for couples.” He tugs at the collar of his dress shirt as though he’s uncomfortable. 

“We trust your judgement and are open to anything, especially if it’s going to give us a memorable experience.” 

His eyes light up with elation. “The reservation is for brunch and lasts approximately two hours. It’s a four-course meal and each small meal is paired with something wonderful to drink such as coffee, champagne, wine, beer, tea, and so forth. We will discuss any allergies with the owner upon arrival. He has set it up so we can go through the back and no one will be the wiser.” 

“Is the restaurant open for business?” 

“Oh yes, but I assure you, there will be no pictures taken, and no one will bother you.” 

I sigh and rub my hand up and down Skyler’s neck working out the sudden tension I see in her pose. 

“Luuk, I’m sure you remember the fanfare of the airport and park.” 

“Absolutely. Which is why I chose this place. The entire meal, and everything there is done in the dark after you check in. No lights whatsoever. Many of the servers if not all of them, are blind themselves so it’s no bother to them either way.” 

“You’re kidding.” I stop the massage I was giving. 

“Oooh that sounds wild. I’m in!” Skyler puts her hand out for a high-five from Luuk. 

He does an awkward back of the hand slap in order to keep his eyes on the road and body facing forward. 

“Are you sure about this?” I whisper. “It could be really weird.” 

She grins. “I know! And totally memorable.” 

I shake my head, kiss her pretty lips, and allow myself to be taken for a ride. “Guess we’re eating in the dark.” 

“Right on!” She fist-pumps the air as though she just won something. 

This woman, always up for an adventure. Part of the reason why I’m so taken with her. 

“You’re crazy,” I tease and nudge the side of her temple with my nose. 

She gives a one shoulder shrug. “You like crazy.” 

I purse my lips and wink. “Maybe.” 

“You so do!” She grins back. 

Before long we’re at the restaurant, having met the owner and touring the brightly lit kitchen. We discuss the food we are willing to be served and any allergies we have. The owner falls all over himself to assist us, promising a very private individual table in a corner. 

Andreas right away hates the idea of this place and makes it well known to all of us. 

Skyler waves him off and I grit my teeth understanding the man’s concerns because I have them myself. Though Luuk and the owner assure us repeatedly that we are perfectly safe and no one in the restaurant will be the wiser. 

Andreas decides to stay outside of the restaurant and circle around it doing patrol. Luuk plans to sit in the entryway in the event anyone figures out that a famous person is in attendance. The owner agrees to watch the back. 

We’re led through the dark, Skyler holding my hand in a vice-like grip. We are seated at a booth with a curved table. The seat is a plush velvet. Skyler pushes right up next to me, one of her hands clinging to my thigh. 

“Scared?” I ask low enough that I hope only she can hear it. There are other people murmuring around us, but we can’t see them. Soon my eyes adjust to the dark and blackness and my other four senses pick up the slack. 

I can hear the subtle movements of people moving around me but not close. Patrons talking at tables maybe ten feet or more away. Skyler’s scent is more vivid, and I can hear the very breaths she takes in and out. My fingertips tingle as I realize we are completely cut off from our sight. 

I test the waters and put my hand around her shoulders, keeping her close. She sighs and her breath falters as I tease the ball of her shoulder and the strap there. With my mouth I kiss and nip at the skin closest to me. She gasps when I kiss my way up her shoulder and neck to her ear. 

“You smell so good. Taste even better.” I flick my tongue against her jaw. She shivers in my arms so much that gooseflesh can be felt in a bumpy expanse against the bare skin. I warm her up and tease her until we’re interrupted by a waiter we can’t see. 

“Your first course, sir, and madam.” The waiter puts the plates somewhere in front of us. I can only hear the clanking of the dishes on the table. “And champagne, compliments of the establishment,” he says and places those. “I suggest you feel the around the table lightly. Nothing will burn or prick you as everything is meant to be eaten with your fingers. Enjoy. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes to check on you. Otherwise, you can ring this bell and I will be at your service immediately.” He tinkles a tiny bell and places that on the table somewhere too. 

Skyler laughs and I can feel her moving her hands around. “It’s like hide and go seek.” She giggles. 

For the next hour and a half—at least I think it’s that amount of time—we fumble through the first three courses. By the time dessert comes, I decide I want to feed it to her. 

“Allow me.” I sink my teeth into her bottom lip, kissing her and tasting the wine on her tongue. She mewls into my mouth, giving back eagerly. “Let me feed you.” 

“What is it?” 

I hold the circular cake-like mixture up to my nose. “It smells like chocolate cake.” 

“Mmm,” she hums, and I run my hand up her arm, over her swanlike neck, and along her jaw until I am pressing my fingertips to her lips. With my other hand I press the food to her mouth. 

She opens and I feel her tongue lick my fingertips delectably as she takes a bite. She makes a surprised sound and pulls back. “Has a berry center,” she says. 

“Oh yeah. Let me taste.” I don’t give her a second to think about it, going straight for her mouth as though it’s a beacon. I surprise her once again when I devour her. Tasting the berry flavor at her lips, licking up every morsel, gorging on chocolate, berries, and Skyler. Yum. 

We kiss and caress one another until we’re a ball of unquenched desire. Just when I’ve shifted her to the side and have my hand squeezing her bum and kissing her breathless, the waiter comes back. 

“That is the end of your meal. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. My name is Sem and I’d be happy to serve you again. Please reach out your hand and I shall take you to the back of the restaurant and you can settle up there.” 

I clench my teeth and have to breathe through the ribbons of arousal weaving through my system at an alarming rate. Had he not interrupted, who knows what we might have done. 

When I get my hands on this woman, I lose my ever-loving mind. 

Part 4 

“Ms. Skyler, you love flowers, yes?” Luuk asks as we exit the restaurant. 

I’m a mess of sexual tension and have to button up my blazer over my not-so-little problem while Andreas holds the car door open for us. He smirks as I pass by him likely having figured out my issue with being in a dark room for two hours with the world’s most vivacious woman. 

“I love them,” Sky gushes, nothing but happiness and good times. 

I shake my head and get into the car next to her. “You’re gonna regret teasing me like that, woman,” I grate through my teeth, my chin resting on her shoulder. 

Her lips twitch with mirth. “I’ll take anything you can dish out, Pretty Boy,” she counters, all saucy vixen ready to take me on. 

“Hey, we can skip the next stop. I’m ready to go back to our boat and spend the day exploring you,” I growl and nibble on one exquisite shoulder. I can already see the scruff I didn’t shave today has abraded her sensitive skin with my mark. 

The alpha male in me roars inside with approval while the angel in me never wishes to harm her. I pet the sore-looking spot. “Sorry about this.” I rub my fingertips across the raw patch as though I can erase it with sheer will alone. 

She narrows her gaze. “I’m not. Those are my badges of honor. Proof of a very good time with a dash of hope for much more.” 

“Oh, there will be more…” I’m about to guarantee it when the car suddenly stops and Luuk announces that we’re here. 

Skyler gazes out the window and her entire body shakes with delight. “Oh my god! Is that a flower market? Wait…it’s on the water!” 

Luuk once again makes his grand announcement. “A floating flower wonderland.” 

Skyler grabs my hand and yanks me out of the car, already moving her sexy hips and long legs toward the colorful array. 

Booth after booth of flowers flow in a huge line as far as the eye can see. It’s a rainbow sensation of color and fragrance. 

Different flowery smells seem to sway with each new breeze as we walk through. It’s incredibly beautiful but nowhere near as amazing as watching Skyler take in each flower as though she’s just found buried treasure. 

It’s incredible that for a woman who can afford just about anything at all, she is most taken by what Mother Nature offers freely. 

As we walk through, I pick out a few flowers and hand them to her. I myself prefer the tulips for their simple beauty and satiny feel. They remind me of her, a woman I’m falling head over heels in love with. More each and every day. 

She clutches the handful of sunny yellow tulips I gave her. 

“These remind me of your golden hair—lush, soft, and filled with light.” 

My girl bites into her bottom lip shyly. 

I spy a basket filled with lush pink tulips and pick the two most perfect I can find. 

“Your lips after they’ve been kissed repeatedly.” I dip my face forward and take her mouth. “By me,” I add.  

She giggles like a schoolgirl. 

We walk past another darker bunch. Not quite red, not quite pink. More coral in color. “Your lovely skin after I’ve ravished you.” 

Skyler blushes and I realize I need to find that color straight away. When I do, I pluck a perfect pair and hand them to her. 

“For the cheeks I long to redden through kind words and indecent proposals.” 

She loops her arms around my neck, her bunch of flowers in her hand. “Are you trying to make me fall in love with you?” 

I grin wide, hold her close, and whisper, “Is it working?” 

Before she can answer the boat shakes violently. Moving from side to side as though we’re in an earthquake. 

Skyler clutches me and I hold her close watching as the sky around us shimmers and distorts, bursts of light streak through like meteors falling from the sky. 

“What’s going on?” I call out, still holding onto Skyler with all my strength. 

“Baby, open your eyes,” Skyler says to me, but it makes no sense as my eyes are open and the world around us is crumbling, breaking away like a cliff falling into the ocean below. 

“Pretty boy, look at me!” Skyler laughs and I shake my head.

Time and sound shred through my senses until everything falls away and a bright light pierces my eyes. I hold my hand over my face not capable of comprehending what is happening. 

Everything around me is different. I open scratchy, sleep-encrusted eyes to find Skyler, her face bright and shiny as usual, only we’re not in a flower market in Amsterdam—we’re in her penthouse in New York City. 

I sit up like a shot in the dark. “What the heck happened?” I look around and start to recognize her bed, the bathroom across the room, her closet, our clothes tossed all over the floor, my suitcase sitting on a chair in the corner. 

“Parker, are you okay? You were sleeping so hard I had to shake you awake. I have to be on set soon and you’ve got a plane to catch in a couple hours. You need to get up and get going, honey.” Her tone is concerned and yet soothing at the same time. 

It was a dream. It was all a dream. I let out a dry laugh and rub my tired eyes and wild hair. “We’ve been here the whole time?” 

She grins. “All weekend. Except when we went out yesterday to give the press some not so unplanned pictures of us together to get them off your back after the Milan images of you and Sophie, then you and Martina, came out.” 

Skyler frowns and puts her hand to my forehead. “Are you feeling all right?” 

I pull her body against me and she tumbles willingly over my form. My heart is beating wildly as I stare out at Manhattan. It was so real. 

“Have you ever been to Amsterdam?” 

She shakes her head. 

“Want to go?” 

Skyler lifts her head and looks me straight in the eyes. “I’ll go anywhere with you.” 

The End.

A Note from Audrey

If you want to read more about Parker and Skyler, check out International Guy by starting with Book 1.  This short story falls right after Milan but doesn’t give away any series spoilers. Happy reading!