Chasing Paige (Falling for Words Book 1)
Page 13
Lynn points a finger at James. “Your very terrifying writer boyfriend here warned me if I said one word, he’d have me killed in the book he’s writing. Hell to the no, do I want to be the next victim in some scary ass book.”
I start to laugh. Only James would threaten my best friend into helping him…in good humor of course. “Like I said, he’s smart.” I wink and then feel a light kiss on the side of my neck. Oh my, it’s getting hot in here.
“Well, thanks a lot…traitor,” Lynn jokes.
I can’t help but laugh again. “I’m so happy, so how about we all go out for dinner and drinks tonight?”
“You know I’m in,” Lynn says.
James agrees. “Sounds good, but first,” dipping his lips closer to my ear, he adds, “I’d really love to be alone with you right now,” in that sultry, desperate voice of his again.
I gulp. “Uh…Lynn…”
Crossing her arms, and then rolling her eyes, she pretends to be annoyed. “Go on then, and do your…whatever you’re going to do. Teresa is coming in shortly, anyways.”
“Thank you.”
“You better be,” she ends on a chuckle.
James and I scramble our way out of the store and drive straight to my house. Alone time with my male beauty is exactly what I’ve needed all week.
Clothes were discarded the second we enter. We couldn’t get inside my front door fast enough. Being with each other again felt like forever, I never pictured myself this desperate. I didn’t want to be the needy type, but I needed James like I needed my next breath. What I wouldn’t give to be with him like this every day.
Legs tangled, and wrapped in each other’s arms, we lie in a comfortable, but out of breath silence. We’re taking in this moment, relishing the simplicity of things. Hearing James’ heart beats against my ear are the sounds of pure goodness, love and happiness. It’s a beautiful sound that I’ll never get tired of hearing. James is such a good man, how did I become so lucky? Finding a deep love, twice in my short life, is a miracle. I’m more in love with James than I ever thought possible. He’s every woman’s dream, and he’s all mine.
“Having you in my arms again, blows my mind. You feel so good,” James expresses.
“You feel pretty good yourself.” Kissing him on the beat of his heart. I seriously cannot stop grinning, I have the sudden urge to jump up and down on my bed and scream out, “I’m the happiest woman alive!” The thought is very tempting, but I don’t want James thinking I’m over the top dorky. Being a book nerd…that’s enough. Dork just needs to take a back seat and calm herself the heck down.
“Did you really tell Lynn she would end up dead in your book if she told me your surprise,” I ask.
“You bet I did.” He chuckles.
I laugh. “You’re terrible.”
“I wanted to surprise you,” he softly spoke gliding his fingers along my back.
Lifting my head up, I tell him, “Well thank you for threatening to kill off my best friend, because this was the best surprise ever.” and then meet his lips with my own. “So how long will you be staying?”
“A couple days.” He sighs. “I have to get back for my parents’ dinner awards party that the University is putting on.”
“Oh, okay. By the way, how long have they been married?
“Thirty-five years.”
“Wow, that’s an incredible amount of years.”
His fingers go to my hair and then begin to play with the strands. I so love how touchy feely he is. “Yes it is. I’d hope to have a marriage last that long as well. They’re the perfect example of what a marriage should be.” Is he implying he wants the same with me? The look in his eyes says he is. Oh. My.
“It’s the same with my folks.” When I got married to Glen, I had such high hopes of having a long, beautiful marriage like my parents, but sadly, life turned in a matter of seconds. I never imagined being a widow at such a young age. Marriage was wonderful. I loved being a wife, and I loved having a husband. To have that again is what I want more than anything. Maybe down the road James and I will have that? He and I have a bond, a connection that is so strong, I definitely see myself spending the rest of my life with him. But I haven’t even said I love you, yet. James knows how much I care about him, at least I think he does, yet I can’t seem to get the words out. I want to tell him, I do…just not yet.
“Would you like to join me,” James asks me.
“The dinner party?”
“Absolutely.”
Surprised by James’ invitation, I sit up, not quite sure how to respond. Meeting his parents is a very big deal to me. It would be the next big step in our relationship. “Oh…Uh, I don’t know. I’m not so sure I’m ready to meet the parents just yet.”
Grabbing my hand, he says, “Come on, they would love you.”
“Well of course they would, I’m awesome,” I shrug my shoulder, and flip my hair behind it like a drama queen. I crack myself the hell up sometimes.
James laughs. “God, you’re too adorable.” Tugging me back down onto my back, he lies on top of me and kisses me sweetly, and then with a sincere look in his eyes, he says, “But seriously, I want them to meet you.”
“Do they even know about me?”
“Of course. I just spoke to them last night. They want to get to know the woman who stole their son’s heart.” He grins. After another light kiss, which I believe is his charming ability to get me to give in, the beautiful jerk, he pleads with me, “Say yes.”
Rolling my eyes I joke, “Here we go again with the yes’.”
“Because you know I’m irresistible.” He can say that again, because man those crystal blue eyes of his with that complete male beauty package fogs my brain every single damn time.
I hope I don’t regret this. “Okay, I’ll go.” Immediately, his eyes light up with extreme happiness, along with a smile that is to die for. Bending down, he plants another long glorious kiss on my lips, which literally takes my breath away.
“You always know the right thing to say,” he whispers with a tease in his voice.
Sifting my hands through his amazing, thick hair, I tell him, “That’s because you love to bully me with your charm and male beauty.”
He slowly grins. “Male beauty.” He chuckles.
Oops. “Uh…that unexpectedly slipped my lips.”
“I happen to love those lips. And…I happen to love you, too.” Say it back. Just suck up and say it back. I don’t, though. Instead, I pull his mouth onto mine and kiss the ever loving mind out of him. It still amazes me that this gorgeous, funny, talented, and genuinely nice man actually loves me. Not that I don’t think I’m worthy, I just never imagined another man loving me after Glen. Becoming attached to someone else never crossed my mind. I wasn’t looking for anyone, and certainly never suspected my favorite author to be that someone. Not in a million, freaking years.
We’re now lying on our sides, facing each other. “Do you really think they’ll like me?”
Caressing my cheek, James replies, “Like I said, they’ll love you. Trust me.”
“Okay, I guess I’ll trust you.” I wink.
“That smart mouth will get you a spanking one of these days,” he says, swiping the end of my nose with his finger.
Not only is James hot, his dominate side makes him even that much hotter…and sexy. “Are you threatening me, Mr. Parker?” I love how we tease one another.
“Nope. It’s a fact of life. So keep it up, baby.” Oh my…hotness once again.
During the week, James told me about what had happened between him and his brother. It saddens me that James had to fire Dominic for behaving so irrationally. It baffles me that he would go to such lengths to try and keep me and James apart. Why would he do something so outrageous? What does he have against me? Why does he care? I don’t remember ever doing anything to him. I’ve only met him once. So what is it?
“Have you heard from your brother?” I ask a couple minutes later.
Shifting his e
yes away from me, he says, “No.” Clearly, the hurt from his voice and the stress on his face is taking a toll on him. I feel horrible about it.
“Do you think he’ll be at the party?”
“I have no idea.” He breathes out. “For my parents’ sake, I hope he shows up, but…in my opinion, it’s best for everyone if he stays away. He’s a drunk. Plain and simple. My parents don’t need that type of publicity.”
“I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do.”
“You will be doing something,” he says, pulling me against his chest. “…you’ll be by my side. I cannot wait to see you all glamoured up.”
I gasp. “Oh geez, speaking of glamour. I need to buy a new dress! How formal is this party going to be.”
Shaking his head and grinning from ear to ear, he says, “Don’t you know by now that I take things into my own hands? You have nothing to fear, because J.D. Parker has it all taken care of.”
“Stop, you do not,” I tell him. But then my eyes widen, because it’s so like James to do something so extravagant “You do? You bought me a dress? How…” His finger shuts my lips.
“Inside help never fails.”
Inside help? Who…then it comes to me. “Lynn.” James nods. “You guys are too much. You bought me a dress without knowing my answer. How did you know?”
“Well, you said it yourself, charm and male beauty,” he teases..
The big goof. “Now, don’t let that get to your head,” I tease back.
Soon after, we start fooling around again, but unfortunately our hiding out in my room is coming to an end.
Kissing my forehead, James breaks the news. “We better head back.”
“Do we have to?” I pout.
“Believe me, I’d rather be here with you for eternity, but…you have a best friend who is anticipating drinks and dinner. And I would really hate to be on her bad side again.”
“Yeah, I guess I owe her big time. Okay, let’s go.”
My brother has been non-existent since the day I fired him. I’ve been extremely worried about him, and hoped to God he’s okay. Although I haven’t made the effort to contact him, it wouldn’t be the smartest choice right now. Somehow, he’s got to get himself straightened out, or he’s going to end up killing himself. Our parents would be devastated if anything happened to their eldest son. Speaking of my parents, I told them about Dominic’s addiction. I couldn’t leave them in the dark any longer. They needed to know.
On another note, I’ve had to think about replacing Dom’s position. Keeping it in the family, my sister Molly might be up for the job. She’s almost finished with school, and needs something to put on her résumé. I’ll be seeing her at our parents’ party, so I’ll ask her then. She’s young, outgoing, smart, and works exceptionally hard. I think she would make a great agent.
The day that I decided to surprise Paige, I called up Lynn and asked for her help. I was afraid she was going to start hating me all over again for taking away her best friend, yet again, for a couple of days to my home in Arizona. Surprisingly, Lynn was on board and took care of everything for me. She even picked out a dress for Paige to wear at my parents’ party. I believe I have finally won her over. I never said that this was going to be an easy relationship. Having Paige in my life, I’ll do anything to keep her in it. If it meant I needed to abduct her every other week, you won’t see me backing down. I’m a maniac after all, and I will certainly be in this for the long hall.
Paige and I drove back to Arizona in my twenty-fourteen red Dodge Viper, only seated for two. I use this car only on special occasions, and I considered Paige a very special occasion. My Viper never lets me down. She sped home as smooth as silk. It was a beautiful road trip.
Once we arrived at my house, I gave Paige a tour. It’s not as big as my Maui home, but it’s big enough. I have my very own home movie theater and bowling alley in the basement. I never said I got rich from making it big in the book world. My parents always had money growing up. At the age of twenty-one, I was given a trust fund. Family money was a given. I don’t gloat on it or rub it in people’s faces. I take care of myself, and others, and I want to live comfortably. Having nice things in my life are not taken for granted. I work hard and give back to the community and charities, such as Autism. My cousin, Sandy, has a son, Joey, with Autism. He’s now sixteen and is doing phenomenal.
Thankfully, Paige doesn’t show envy or care about money. She sees me for the man I have always wanted to be. I may have been a tease back in the day with Becca, thinking a woman with a hot body and good sex was all that I needed. I thought I was badass, and there wasn’t any better. Boy was I wrong on so many levels. Lenny brought that to my attention the second he came back into my life and said he was married, but was having an affair. I didn’t want to be like him. I had to grow the hell up. Paige changed all that for me. Thank God.
“Are you still hungry? There is plenty more,” my mother, Gwen, asks Paige.
Later, after we got settled back at my house, my parents invited me and Paige to their house for dinner. I know Paige was pretty nervous about the whole thing, but like always, her presence never falters.
“Oh gosh, no. I’m stuffed, but thank you.” She smiles, patting her stomach.
Throughout dinner, Mom has been very intrigued with Paige. She’s been asking her question after question. And just like I knew she would, Paige handles every question with honesty, grace and humor. I’m one lucky man, and my parents can see that. They know I have finally found the woman who I want to spend the rest of my life with.
“How about more wine then?”
“That I can do, please.” She laughs. That’s my girl.
Taking her hand I bring it up to my lips and kiss the back of it. I smile at her, in which she returns.
Then my mother asks, “Angelica, will you bring the coffee and dessert into the den, please?”
“Yes, Meesus Parker.”
Angelica has been the family housekeeper for a few years now. My parents take great care of her. She doesn’t have any family of her own, except for a son who is about ten years old, she and her son stay in the guesthouse out back. My mother adores her and her little boy.
Once our wine glasses are topped off, Angelica begins clearing the table.
“Paige, come join me for a short walk outside. We have a beautiful garden I’d love to show to you,” my mother says.
“Of course.”
I can see the anxious look on Paige’s face. She’s still not quite sure if my mother likes her or not. As we all get up from our chairs, my mother makes her way over to the French doors that lead outside. Snaking an arm around Paige’s waist, I lean into her and quietly tell her, “Don’t worry, my mother won’t bite.” Following up with a kiss on the cheek. As she smiles and strolls away, I continue to gaze at her backside until she’s out of my sight. Tonight, she decided to wear a simple black cocktail dress that does wonders to her figure. I want to rip that thing off her the second we get back to my place. The whole evening, I’ve had to keep adjusting myself because she is mouthwatering, gorgeous.
Shaking my dirty thoughts away, I follow my father into the den. We both take a seat on the brown leather couch, and finish up our wine.
“I’ve got to hand it to you, son, Paige is a very lovely young lady,” my father, Robert, tells me.
I’m so pleased he thinks this of her. I had no doubt Paige would make a good impression on both of my parents, but even so, I was a bit nervous. They still don’t know that she’s Lenny’s widow. It has crossed my mind several times, whether I should explain to them about how I became involved with Paige. Glen left Arizona for college, but had not returned. We all had lost contact with him for a long time, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see him again. When he came back three years ago, I thought I was going to sucker punch him. How he could just drop off the face of the earth, without a care in the world, pissed me off.
So no, I’m not ready to explain my connection with Paige.
Crossing his legs, my father continues, “We certainly do. However, we do realize now what a mistake it was for us to think you and Becca were meant to be together.”
When I had broken up with Becca, let’s just say my parents were not too thrilled. They had such high hopes for us, which I never blamed them for, and never held against them. After a while, they finally came to terms with it and respected my decision.
“It’s a thing of the past, Dad. Time to move forward.”
“Yes, but the thing is…you’re different with Paige. You’re happy, the happiest I have ever seen you.”
I smile. “That’s because I am. Paige is everything to me, and I hope, that one day she’ll become my wife.”
“Thinking ahead, are we?”
“I’m always thinking ahead when it comes to her. I love her.” I may be jumping the gun a bit, but since Maui, all thoughts about Paige have escalated. I live and breathe for her. Therefore, I intend to make her the happiest woman alive. She deserves it.
“We couldn’t be happier for you, and pleased she’ll be joining our party tomorrow night.”
“Thanks, Dad, that means a lot.” I down the rest of my wine, and then set it aside on the coffee table.
“On another note.” My dad exhales. “I wanted to thank you for telling us about Dominic. We’re working on getting him some help.”
Being such good, concerned parents I’m not surprised they want to help him. Sadly, they’re not going to get very far with Dom…been there, done that.
Leaning my forearms on my knees, I say, “To be honest, I don’t think he’s going to accept your offer.”
“That may be true, but the least we can do is try.”
“Yes, I hear you.”
“If we had known about this before it got out of control, maybe…” Shaking his head, he’s afraid, and rightly so.
“Look, even if you had, there wouldn’t have been anything you could have done. He’s an alcoholic, Dad. Addicts cannot be helped if they’re not willing to get it. If you can talk him into rehab, then that’s a start. Believe me, I’ve tried, and he’s shot me down every time.”