She shrugs me off as she rolls her eyes and turns on her heels to walk out, but not before I see the interest there. I follow behind, grabbing the mat I rented and leaving it at the front desk. Even though it’s June and the temp is in the high 80s, it’s still cooler outside than it was in that death chamber. We start off in the direction of the apartment building, having walked since it’s only a few blocks from home.
“So does this mean we’re skipping our next non-date date night, since we hung out tonight?” she asks after about a block of silence.
I glance over, trying to get a read on her. I can’t tell from the tone of her voice which answer she’s hoping for, so I decide honesty is probably the best way to go. “I don’t want it to mean that.”
She stares at me for a minute, then drops her gaze to the cracked sidewalk. “Okay, sure.” She shrugs. “Besides I have something awesome planned.”
“Oh, yeah? What?”
“Ah-ah, you’re not getting it out of me. Surprises, remember?”
With a nod, I agree. “Good. I’d hate to miss out on something awesome just because of my stupidity in agreeing to come tonight.”
She laughs. “At least you can admit it.”
“You know what the worst part of that was?”
“What’s that?”
“I didn’t even get to enjoy watching you bend over and contort into all those positions. I was too busy trying not to die.”
Bumping her shoulder into me, she grins. “Maybe next time you’ll get better and you’ll be able to watch.”
“Or…” I draw out the word and turn to her, “maybe you can give me a private show instead.”
Feigning ignorance, she taps her finger on her lips. “A private yoga class? Sure, I guess we can do that.”
“A private naked yoga class. Where you do all the positions from my lap.”
This pulls a laugh from her. “Sounds to me like you’re just trying to get fucked, Adam.”
“Can I let you in on a secret?” I ask, leaning toward her. Her eyes are bright and teeming with interest as she nods. Dropping my gaze to her lips, I say, “There will never be a day I’m not trying to get fucked by you.” Before she can pull away, I slip my hand around her neck and turn her to me, forcing her to stop right there on the sidewalk outside our apartment building.
She opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her off, sealing my lips over hers. She tastes like a mixture of salty and sweet, a combination of her exertion and the lip-gloss she always carries with her, and it makes me groan into her mouth.
It doesn’t take as long as I figured it would to coerce her into the kiss. Or any time at all. She melts into me, resting her hands on my chest as she opens her mouth, sliding her tongue against mine. Trailing my hand down her back, I palm her ass and tug her toward me, grinding her against my cock, but it’s not enough. It never is with her.
I drop kisses on her cheek, her chin, then I lick a line straight up the column of her neck. Against her ear, I say, “Your place or mine?”
It feels like an eternity of silence, her body tense under my roaming hands, before she finally releases a breath. “Yours.”
With her ass still in my hands, I squeeze, then give it a tap. “Get moving, then, unless you want to go in over my shoulder.”
“Yeah, like you would—” She yelps as I crouch in front of her and lift her in a fireman’s hold, jogging up the front walk and into the building.
“You should know better than to taunt me by now, sweetums.”
“I can’t believe you actually did this. I hope you know everyone can see my ass cheeks like this.”
I reach up and palm the back of her ass, blocking the view from anyone looking. “There’s no one here to be worried about. Except Mrs. Connelly.” I raise my voice as I turn my head toward our nosy neighbor’s door. “And she’s watching anyway.”
Paige vibrates against me as she laughs, and I rush her inside my door, then set her down and work to get these layers off her. “Goddamn, why are you always wearing these contraptions when I’m trying to get you naked?” I tug at her sports bra, finally getting it up and over her head, then reach for the back of my A-shirt when Paige slides her hands up my abs to my chest, lifting the shirt as high as it can go.
“Because we usually fuck after some sort of physical activity. You have a thing for sweaty girls, Adam?”
“Just one sweaty girl,” I say, peeling her shorts off, then stand to palm her pussy. Slipping my middle finger through her slit, I groan. “Fuck, you’re already soaked. This for me?”
She’s panting, her fingers clutching at the kitchen counter behind her. “No. It’s for the yoga instructor.”
“Yeah?” I dip a finger inside her before pulling out and tracing her clit with the wetness. Her legs are shaking from the effort of standing, and I can’t stop the smug smile from sweeping across my face. “You thinking about him right now?”
“Mhmm.” She nods, her eyes fluttering closed, and I pull my hand back enough to give her clit a short, hard slap. Her eyes fly open as she gasps.
With my lips brushing against hers, I say, “You don’t think of anyone but me when I’m standing in front of you, got it? My fingers. My mouth. My cock. I’ll give you any of them you want, but you only think of me.”
She nods, her eyes rolling back when I give her my fingers again, slipping two inside her while grinding my palm on her clit.
“Spread your legs wider, Paige.” She complies immediately, then lets out a long moan as I go deeper, hooking my fingers and stroking the spot that makes her scream.
“Oh shit.” She drops her forehead to my chest.
I brush my lips against her bare shoulder. “You’re close already, aren’t you?” As if in response to my question, her pussy flutters around my fingers, and I let out a low groan. “I can’t wait to get inside you again. Is your pussy as hungry for my cock as he is for her?”
“God,” she moans. She releases the counter from her grasp and reaches up to cup my face, tugging me closer to her. “Kiss me,” she breathes against my lips, but doesn’t wait for me to comply before she takes what she wants, slipping her tongue into my mouth. She strokes it against mine at the same time her hips rock faster against my hand. I finger her deeper, grinding my palm against her clit harder, and then she’s groaning into my mouth and clenching around my fingers as she comes.
“That’s it, sweet girl. You got some more for me?”
She’s still panting, trying to catch her breath from her orgasm. “Why don’t you do some work and find out?” she sasses back.
I slip my fingers from her, then shed my shorts before grabbing a condom from my wallet. As I’m rolling it down my shaft, I say, “Turn around, Paige. Brace your hands on the counter.”
She does as I ask, looking at me over her shoulder. Her eyes are glazed, her lids at half-mast. Her mouth’s flushed and parted, and standing there, the long indent of her spine trailing into her tilted up ass, just a glimpse of her breast as she turns toward me, she’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. I step up behind her, bending my knees enough to tease her with the tip of my cock. I slide it back and forth, strumming her clit until her head falls forward and her legs are shaking, and then I find her entrance and reach up to grasp her ponytail, tugging her head back at the same time I thrust deep.
A choked gasp falls from her lips as she grapples for something to hold onto, gripping the counter in front of her before she reaches back and digs her fingers into my ass. “Oh God, Adam.”
“That’s right. It’s me fucking you so good, isn’t it? Say it.”
“Fuck,” she gasps, her mouth open and eyes closed as I pump faster into her. Tugging her hair harder, I skim my nose up the column of her neck and take her earlobe between my teeth.
“Say it.” Gripping her hip, I pull her back to me, then slide my hand up over her stomach until I cup one of her breasts, pinching her nipple hard enough to get her attention. “Say it.”
“Oh God, yes, i
t’s you. Fuck, it’s you. Holy sh—I’m going to come. Oh God, I’m going to co—” She cuts off in a long moan as she lifts her ass even more, trying to get me as deep as she can. Reaching down, I grab her leg behind her knee and brace it on the counter, spreading her open for me so I can push deeper. I slip my hand down to brush against her clit, and her moans never cut off as I thrust harder, faster, fingering her into another orgasm as mine consumes me.
Thrusting into her as far as I can, I drop my forehead to her shoulder. “Fuck, Paige. Christ.”
As she contracts around me, her pussy squeezing every last drop from me, I realize it was utterly useless trying to avoid having anything happen with her. I wasted months deluding myself into thinking this was only a one-night stand. This is different with her. It’s not just the sex, though it’s undeniably the best of my life. It’s her.
And even though this summer was only supposed to be a three-month sabbatical from my life, I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t supposed to be my life and the one I have in Denver is the real placeholder.
TWENTY-THREE
paige
Considering I’ve been best friends with Tessa since before she got pregnant, it’s safe to say I think of Haley like a niece. She is in all the ways that matter, and I love her to pieces. I also love hanging out with her. Because of that, I should be jumping at the chance to do so, since Tessa’s in a bind. Instead, I get this weird pit in my stomach at the thought of not being able to hang out with Adam on our designated non-date date night.
“Come on, Paige, please? Becky cancelled. It won’t be for too long—a couple hours, tops. I know you’re probably busy with internship stuff, but please.”
I blow out a sigh. I’m being ridiculous right now. When have I ever flaked on my best friend because of a guy? Uh, never, that’s when. At the same time, I don’t want to leave Adam hanging since it was his night to plan. “No, no, I get it. It’s okay. Umm…let me just check with Adam quick, okay? I’m sure it’ll be fine.” The line gets quiet, and I pull my phone away from my ear to make sure I didn’t drop the call. “Tess? You still there?”
“Yeah…”
“What’s with the silence?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t play that. What is it?”
“You have to check with Adam…” she trails off, the question clear in her tone.
“Well, I mean, I don’t have to, but this is the day we always hang out.”
“Mhmm…”
My spine stiffens at her tone. And the fact that I can read everything I need to from that inflection. What the hell am I doing? Checking in with a guy to see if I can watch my best friend’s daughter… I don’t want to be that person. The one whose existence revolves around a guy. The one who changes her whole life because of a guy. That’s not me. Not anymore. “Whatever, it’s fine. I’ll do it. I just have to swing by my parents on the way and feed and let Buddy out, because they’re not going to be back until late. That cool?”
“Yes, totally. Thank you, thank you! I’ll see you when you get here.”
I hang up with her, then shoot a text to Adam.
Sorry for the late notice, but I have to cancel.
Once I send it off, I change into a pair of shorts and a tank top, then grab a few of my sparkly nail polishes Haley wanted to try the last time she was here. I toss them into my purse and head to my apartment door, opening it to see Adam standing there, fist raised to knock.
“Hey,” he says, glancing down at my outfit. “I thought maybe you were sick or something…”
“No, but Tessa’s sitter is. She and Jason have some banquet thing tonight for his work, and she’s desperate. I told her I’d watch Haley. Sorry I have to cancel.” I step out into the hall and lock my door behind me.
He tosses his keys in the air. “If you want company, I don’t mind coming with. I haven’t seen Haley much since I’ve been back, anyway.”
I should say no. There’s no way this is going to go unnoticed by Tessa when we both show up. And especially after our phone call, she is going to have a dozen questions for me, and she’ll pounce as soon as possible. But the thing is…I really do have fun with Adam. And it’d be kind of rude of me to ditch him completely since we had plans…
“You sure? I have to swing by my parents’ on the way and feed my dog.”
Instead of answering me, he just turns and leads us up the steps. “You have a dog?”
“Yeah, Buddy. We got him when we moved here. My parents didn’t want him, but I begged and pleaded until they finally relented. I can’t have pets here, though, so they’re taking care of him until I move somewhere I can take him.”
“What kind is he?”
“Um, we don’t know, really. He was a rescue. But he’s the cutest thing. You’ll love him.”
Adam walks us to his car, opening the passenger door for me, and I don’t comment on it. I just slide in the seat and buckle up before directing him to my parents’ house. It isn’t until I’m standing at the door, key in the lock, that I start to worry maybe this was a bad idea. The only guy I’ve ever brought home was Bryan, and that was in high school. As an adult? Never. Adam’s already met—okay, only in passing—one of my brothers, and now he’s about to get a glimpse of me I’ve haven’t given anyone else in a very long time. Too late to back out now, though, so I push through the door, squatting down to greet Buddy when he runs toward me.
“Hi, Buddy, hi.” I scratch behind his ears and croon, “Have you been a good boy?”
Adam shuts the door behind us. “This is ‘the cutest’ dog you were talking about?”
“Yeah, isn’t he adorable?”
He laughs and I turn around to look at him in question. His laughter cuts off abruptly. “Wait, you’re serious?”
“What do you mean? Yeah, I’m serious. He’s so cute, right?” I turn back to Buddy. “Yes, you are. Just the cutest dog, ever.”
“Have you seen your dog?”
“What kind of question is that? Of course I’ve seen him, idiot.”
“I’m just wondering, because that scraggly mess of fur in front of you is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. Jesus.”
I gasp and shoot a glare at him. “Shut up. He can hear you, you know.”
He shakes his head and reaches down to pet Buddy. “It’s time someone told him the truth. You’ve probably been telling him how pretty he is for years. Time for him to be a man about it and own the ugly.”
I stand and head into the kitchen to fill his Buddy’s dishes. “You’re awful, you know that? Just cruel.”
“You’re awful. You’re the one who mentioned your adorable dog and how much I’ll love him. I was picturing, like, a pug. Or even a golden retriever. Not a dog who looks like he’s been scrounging around in back alleys watching drug deals go down.”
I sniff and turn my head away from him, snubbing him the best way I can. I’m quiet as I get Buddy’s dishes filled with food and water and go outside to play with him for a while. I throw his ball and he chases after it, but instead of bringing it back to me, he goes right to Adam, wagging his tail as he sits at Adam’s feet, waiting for him to throw it again. How can he not think that’s cute? Seriously.
Adam chucks it far, and Buddy tears off after it, then Adam steps closer to me, bumping his shoulder into mine. “You’re not really mad because I said your dog was ugly, are you?”
I ignore him, crossing my arms over my chest and waiting for Buddy to bring me back the ball. Except when I lean down to get it from him, he once again brings it over to Adam. Who laughs. Bastard.
“See? I told you he’d appreciate being told the truth,” he says as he tosses the ball again.
“Whatever, you’re a jerk.” I head into the house, not looking to see if either of them are following me. They can have each other. I can’t believe Buddy turned on me…taking up with the enemy.
A few minutes later, the patio door slides open, and Buddy lopes up to me, climbing on the couch and putting his head in my lap. “
He probably told you to do this, you little traitor,” I whisper as I scratch his ears.
“If I drop myself in your lap, will you do that to me?”
“I’ll shove you off of me so you land on your ass on the floor.”
Adam smiles, then comes and sits on the other side of me, propping his arm over the back of the couch behind me. I try to maintain my ire, but it’s damn hard. Especially when he leans closer and whispers, “I’m sorry. Thanks for bringing me here and showing me your absolutely adorable dog.”
I roll my eyes and grumble, “Don’t push your luck, you little liar.”
He laughs. “I can’t do right by you. If I call him ugly, you get your panties in a twist about it. If I call him adorable, you call me out on lying. So how about, instead of talking about your dog, I kiss you instead.”
“You wha—”
He doesn’t let me finish before his lips are on mine, his hand cradling my jaw as he kisses me. It’s soft and sweet, just the barest whisper of tongue, and man, he’s good. So good I need to watch myself around him, because Adam Reid is one smooth motherfucker, and I melt into him way too easily. Something I cannot allow myself to do.
* * *
adam
With the way Tessa’s eyebrows shoot up her forehead when she answers the door to find Paige and me both standing there, I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is unchartered territory for Paige. Though I think a lot of what we’ve done together is unchartered, and the thought that she’s doing things with me she wouldn’t with other guys makes me want to puff out my chest and strut around, maybe throw her over my shoulder for good measure and take her to my lair to have my way with her. Seriously…what is up with these possessive feelings I have around her?
“Uh, hey, guys,” Tess says, stepping back to let us in. “Haley’s in her room, getting her ponies ready for a horse show.”
“She better have saved me Rainbow Dash. She knows how much I love that one.” Paige kicks off her shoes before scurrying down the hall to where Haley’s room is. “See you guys later. Have fun!”
Paige in Progress (Reluctant Hearts #3) Page 17