by Karen Deen
“I have a better solution.” Paige looks at me with a subtle wink. “Mason, you know how we were flying for that meeting in California in two weeks’ time. Why don’t I see if I can move it forward, and Leroy just comes on the flight with us? You can take him to the interview while I’m working, and then we fly home after that. Will that work for you two?” Her beautiful voice, so calm like nothing is a problem like she’s just driving a car five minutes across town to drop him off somewhere.
Leroy’s jaw is on the table, and I can see he’s trying to understand what she’s saying. He doesn’t understand she’s my boss and the plane’s a private jet.
I know there are no planned trip to California. She thinks I hide a big heart, but this woman is nothing like the world sees her. Her heart is beautiful and so giving.
“Leroy, Paige is my boss. She owns the private jet I fly every day. So, what do you say, want to take a trip in her jet, with the best pilot ever flying? You can sit up in the cockpit with me and learn a few things.” The light shining in his eyes is an image I will never forget. To know someone cares about him and wants to help. Yes, he’s over the moon about it all. But it’s more that Paige wants to help him, someone who doesn’t even know him.
“I…I don’t…Oh God, thank you. I just… Man. I can’t even compute this. You own a plane, like a big plane, like a fancy plane.” His words are all jumbled, and he’s like a five-year-old vibrating with excitement.
“Yes, Leroy. I do. I have been very blessed and worked hard. Mason flies me all over the country to meetings I need to attend. I’m lucky to have such a great pilot. He keeps me safe, and he doesn’t look too bad in a uniform either. Just think about how the girls are going to go crazy over you in a flight suit. Take it from me, get yourself some aviator sunglasses. You’ll thank me later.”
He’s blushing, and I thump him lightly on the arm.
“She’s right about the glasses, man, gets them every time.” We all start laughing.
“Paige, I don’t know what to say, I can work to pay you back.”
“Leroy, you owe me nothing. We’re flying there anyway, there are spare seats, so why not fill up the plane. It doesn’t change the cost of the flight that I’m paying for anyway. Now let’s talk about this interview and what you need to do. Mason can help you with all the technical parts, but I might know a thing or two about the interview process and what I look for when I hire someone. We also need to get you an outfit. Fly boy here is hopeless, so why don’t we organize for my guys to give Mason some suits in your size. He can take them to you and help you pick one. Then we’ll be organized for Friday. It is on Friday, right?”
“Yes, ma’am. Friday this week. My school gave me the day off if I could get myself there.”
“Well, you can tell them it’s all organized and you won’t be at school. Now we need to make sure it’s okay with your parents. I mean, I’m not sure how I would feel about some random weirdo flying my son across the country.”
I don’t even know what to say to her. Her kindness has floored me. Leroy has no idea what she’s doing for him. The time, the money just to get him to the interview. All just because she cares. My love for her is absolute, but this just took it to the next level if that was even possible. One day, when Leroy is graduating, I’ll explain to him how much this woman did for him.
We need to get out of here. I desperately want some alone time with her. I want to say just to enjoy each other’s company, but we both know that’s not the only reason. She needs to know how much it means to me, what she’s doing.
As I stand and pull her with me, her grin tells me she’s reading my body language perfectly.
“Buddy, we have to get going. Talk to your parents. I’ll give them a call tomorrow and we can sort out some details. In the meantime, I want you to go home and research every single fact you can find on this company, down to what color underwear you need to wear as part of the uniform, understand me?”
Paige slaps my arm. “Don’t be ridiculous. Yes, Leroy, research everything you can find. Scrap the underwear idea, though, Mason’s being a dick.”
I hold my chest, mocking her. “Me? How can you even insinuate that? I’m an angel and so perfect.”
Pretending to cough, Paige puts her arm around Leroy and under her breath and in the middle of the cough, tries to mask her reply. Cough. “Bullshit.” Cough.
“Get over here, woman, before I make you pay for that comment.”
Leroy is laughing at our banter. I’m not sure he’s seen anything like it before.
“Mmm, whatever.” She turns and kisses Leroy on the cheek. “Study hard and we’ll talk soon. Now, come on, my supposed perfect angel. Let’s head home.”
Walking out of the room, all the kids start to call out their goodbyes to both of us, which I can tell makes Paige happy. I don’t say anything until we make it to the Jeep. I open the door so she can jump in. Passing her the seatbelt, I close the door and walk around to my side.
When I turn to look at her, she’s staring at me, smiling.
“What?” I ask, starting the engine and heading for the road.
“Why didn’t you tell me what you do here? What an amazing gift you give to kids like Leroy.” Her hand lands on my thigh.
“Baby, I just give up my time. What you offered Leroy today is more than I could ever give him. We both know there was never a California meeting planned. We don’t even normally fly to California. Let’s talk about that for a moment, shall we?”
Blushing a little, she turns to look out the window.
“Mason, can you introduce me to the organizers of the foundation, please? I would like to get involved like you do. I don’t want to just throw money at them, which I could easily do and then walk away. I can see what a difference you’re making in these kids’ lives. You see it in their eyes, what it means just to have you turning up for them. Every kid on that court today thinks the world of you. With good reason. I want that too. I want to give back. Life handed me a pretty good deal with where I ended up. But it could have been so different. I know that and never take it for granted. This is a perfect way for me to show how grateful I am in life. Plus, I get to do it alongside you. What more can anyone ask for?”
“Baby, I would love you to help me. You have so much to give. Not only in knowledge but in understanding of life. At the end of the day, all these kids and families need is to know someone cares and doesn’t think they’re a lost cause. It’s not a choice to be where they are, and instead they are choosing to try to change that. We’re the help they need to get there.”
Turning from looking at where I’m driving, I see Paige has tears running down her cheeks. I try to lighten the moment. “Baby, I thought you said you don’t cry. You know what it does to me to see your tears.”
“It’s your fault. Before I met you, I don’t think I’d cried since I was a teenager. When Shorten Olsen told everyone I kiss like a fish.” She’s laughing, but I feel like I just want to find Shorten Olsen and make him pay for that.
“Well, from plenty of firsthand experience, I can tell the world he was very wrong. Bad luck, Shorten, you missed out on the best woman in the world at kissing. Especially when those lips are wrapped around my cock giving me special kisses. We know who the fish was, and it wasn’t you.” Stopping at the traffic lights, I lean over and kiss her, swiping away the tears.
“Thank you.” Her smile is enough to let me know she’s fine.
Both Paige and I jump a little at the phone ringing though the Bluetooth. Seeing it’s Grayson, I know what he’s calling for.
“Hey, Gray. I’m just in the car with Paige.”
“Hi to both of you. I’ve got Tilly with me too on speaker. You know why we’re calling, don’t you?”
“Yep, and I can assure you I’m great. The best I’ve been in a very long time. Paige and I had a really big talk, she knows everything now. But thanks for checking. I can always count on you, buddy.”
“Damn straight you can.” Gray i
s always sure to let me know that he’s there for me.
“Paige, how are you? That was intense last night, and I’m sure it got worse when you got home.” Tilly’s soft voice comes through the phone speaker.
“It was a big night, that’s for sure, but we made it through it. Thank you for messaging Mason. I was feeling threatened just before he arrived. All good now.” I can tell Paige doesn’t want to dwell on it too long. “What are you two up to today?”
“Anytime Paige, I’ve got your back,” Tilly replies.
“We’ve just been out walking Memphis, Gray’s dog. You’ll have to meet him. He’s so adorable. Actually, I should say our dog. I think he loves me more than Gray, now.”
“That’s harsh! Memphis knows who his boss is. Well, most of the time,” Gray objects.
“Okay, you just keep telling yourself that.” Tilly starts laughing which sets us all off.
“How about you guys. What exciting things has Saturday brought you?” If only Tilly knew the half of it.
“Mason just took me to the foundation, and we met the kids. What an awesome place that is. I had the best time. Even managed to beat him in a basketball game.” She looks at me, very proud of herself.
“Hang on, what did you say? Mason, is that right? You got beaten by your girl in a game of basketball? I’m not sure you can be part of our boy pack anymore. We might have to take your man card off you.”
“Fuck off, Gray. Next time we play I’m bringing Paige and she’s on my team. Then let’s see what you say. She’s like the ultimate pool shark. You wait,” I tell him while the girls are laughing at me.
“Whatever” Gray says, “I’ll wait to make judgement on the man card. We’re about to take Daisy for an ice cream and play in the park. Want to meet us there?”
Looking across at Paige, I see the same look there that I have inside. “Thanks for the offer, but we’re heading home. We have a few things to do there.”
“I bet you do,” he says. Tilly giggles.
“Do you want details?”
They both scream the answer at the same time. “No!”
“Mason, you are shocking. Too much of an oversharer at times.” Paige says, now running her hand up the inside of my leg, watching me squirm, and I try not to make a sound every time she runs over the top of cock.
“No way. Tate takes the prize for that one. You just wait. Sometimes we just shove a sock in him,” Gray replies as my mouth is hanging open while Paige is now stroking me through my pants. Thank god I can see the building ahead, and I head for the garage to park the jeep.
“We’re home now, gotta run. Bye, guys.”
“Don’t get that cock caught in the elevator door in your hurry to get it out, Mas. See you both soon,” Gray calls through the phone.
Hitting the end button on the call, Paige is now rubbing nice and firm.
“You going to continue that upstairs, or am I lying back right here and letting you ride me until your screams echo around the garage?”
“Oh, I intend to continue this but with my mouth and not here. I’m not sure you want my neighbors seeing me naked and on my knees in front of you while you fuck my mouth… nice and… hard.” Her voice is sexy as sin coming out of her mouth.
“Baby, there are two things you can guarantee. First, no one ever gets to see you naked except me!” My voice is almost a growl as she keeps stroking. “Secondly, I’ll be fucking more than your mouth hard, Tiger.” Taking her hand in mine, I kiss her palm. “Hold that thought until we make it upstairs. I have plans for you.”
As she opens her door, I don’t even wait for her to get out. Turning her to face me, I slip my hands around her ass, pulling her toward me. I lift her into my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist perfectly. I press her up against the side of the car, kissing her hard, and close the door. Letting her know the kind of afternoon she has in store.
Not letting her go, I continue my assault with my lips in the elevator while grinding into her.
“You created this problem, sweetheart, so now you feel the same tension I’m struggling with,” I whisper in her ear. “One day, I am going to fuck you against this mirror. Taking you from the ground floor to screaming an orgasm by your penthouse. You won’t have time to even breathe.” I nibble on her ear then start down her neck, listening to her tiny whimpers.
“Would you like that, Paige? The risk of being caught, the chance there’s someone watching the security feed. Seeing you falling apart, just for me.” My cock is getting to the point where I’m about to lose control.
“Oh god yes!” The words fall from her on the end of a moan.
“That’s it, baby, feel everything you’re doing to me. You have no idea all the bad things I want to do to you.”
“Bad.” She shivers as I slide one hand down the back of her pants.
“Yes, bad, but oh so good. I like naughty little girls, and you, Paige, have been very naughty today.” Hearing the elevator slow, I know it’s close. Both the penthouse and her orgasm. But she doesn’t get to find that peak just yet.
“Please, Mason, please.” She continues to grind hard against me as I stop. She’s trying to get that last little stimulation she needs.
The elevator doors open and I take just one step out where I stop to make her wait that little bit longer.
“Not yet. You’re being punished for being so shameless today. You need to be begging before I let you come and find that release you’re chasing. Now walk over to the windows and strip naked, giving me a show while you drop to your knees. Remember, I’m the boss.” Slowly letting her slide down my body, both of us enjoy a kiss full of heat. Paige pulls back, slowly turning, as we both look up at the same time.
“No man will ever be the boss of my Paige. Not in my lifetime.”
“Daddy!” Paige jumps in shock and pure embarrassment to what he’s just heard and seen. Me on the other hand know I’m totally fucked. First impressions are priceless, and this one will be worth a million dollars in that rating.
With her frozen, I’m not backing down one bit. Pulling her back into my body, I snake one arm around her waist and lean to her ear.
“Breathe, baby, I’ve got this.” I can feel her body shaking.
Walking us both forward together, I put my hand out to shake Mr. Ellen’s.
“Hello, sir, I’m Mason White, Paige’s boyfriend. I’ve heard a lot about you. Paige didn’t want to overwhelm you while you were sick, but we were going to come and have me meet you in the next few days if you were well enough.”
“You expect me to believe that, Paige? I may be old, but I’m not stupid. How long have you been carrying on like a harlot and soiling your image with this disgusting man? Why in god’s name would you let him speak to you like that.”
I don’t give a fuck who he is, no one speaks about Paige like that.
“Mr. Ellen, I don’t care what you think of me and I don’t care who you are. Nothing gives you the right to speak to Paige like you just did. This woman beside me is the kindest, most loving and genuine woman I know. So, I suggest you apologize or plan on leaving now.”
Paige’s body still quivering, she’s just staring at him and can’t speak.
“You can’t kick me out of my own building, young man. Nice try.” Her father tries to stand tall and exert his authority.
“No, but I can kick you out of my girlfriend’s home and the woman I’m going to marry. So, would you like to try that again or shall we start escorting you to the elevator.”
Fuck him. I’m not backing down, the old bastard.
“Married, pfft. Paige will never marry. She is married to the business. That was decided years ago. Isn’t that right, Paige?”
Her mouth is moving but there’s nothing coming out.
Then it happens.
She pulls away and heads towards her father.
The only man who will compete for her heart.
17
Paige
THIS IS WHAT I’VE needed all day.
Mason to take me and make me forget everything that’s happening around us and stopping me from thinking. Being in his arms, listening to him talk dirty is my stress release. I don’t know what I had before him, but nothing can compare to my Magic Man.
Fuck, looking up and seeing my father and his voice has me shivering. Hearing him breaks any fun that was about to happen.
Seeing my father standing in front of us, his look of disapproval and disappointment, and then the words he says, feels like my world is crumbling around me. Never did I ever think I would hear my father describe me as a prostitute. My heart feels like a knife is being pushed into it each time he speaks. I’m frozen and don’t know how to function.
Mason takes control. I’ve never felt so loved. To have a man stand up to my father without hesitation is truly the best feeling. My father is intimidating, but Mason does not back down. He somehow still speaks to him respectfully, not taking any crap but not disregarding that this is still my father.
Then… the final blow to my heart. I knew this wouldn’t be easy, but I never thought it would be this hard to hear.
“Married, pfft. Paige will never marry. She is married to the business. That was decided years ago. Isn’t that right, Paige?” My father is waiting for an answer. I know I need to dig deep and use the strength that has always been there; I’ve just never needed it until now.
Walking away from Mason, I feel the loss of his strength. I see the doubt settling in as he’s wondering why I’m walking away from him.
I need to do this on my own.
It’s been a long time coming.
“Daddy. We need to talk about this. Why are you here?” Leaning in, I kiss him on the cheek.
“Paige, answer the question.” I was hoping to do this softly, but he’s pushing to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“You want my answer? Just like that! No talking or explanation.” I stand in front of him, my shoulders back.
“There should be no hesitation on the answer, Paige. We have always known what your life would be.”