The moment she touched his throbbing erection, he gasped with pleasure. It had been a long time since a woman had handled him, and he guided her hand onto his pulsing core. He had dreamt about Paige like this often, sometimes waking in the middle of ejaculation. But, this was so much better than the dream.
Paige was driving him wild. He moved himself between her legs and felt the warmth, the wetness. Instinctively, he thrust between her thighs and heard her say his name again. He couldn’t stop kissing her face, her neck, her breasts. His hands moved down and cupped her bottom lightly as her fingers caressed his cock and guided him to the place she wanted him to be.
Slowly and steadily, he built to a fever pitch moving his hardness against the soft pink beauty between her legs. When he inserted, Paige cried out. “Yes!” Then, it was game on. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He pushed inside and felt her hips thrust against him with an enthralling rhythm. He didn’t think he’d last long and tried to shift upward to make it more pleasurable for her. When he did, she dug her nails into his back and pulled him closer. He felt her climax, once, then twice, and couldn’t hold out any longer. Oh god, he wasn’t wearing any protection and for a split second wondered if she was using birth control. Too late.
* * *
Paige had never had a lover who knew what she wanted without showing him. It was a delicious feeling, making love. The moment she kissed him, it unleashed something within her. The caress of his lips on her mouth and along her body set her soul aflame. She had imagined he was young, probably inexperienced, but she couldn’t have been more wrong. Kent McCabe instinctively knew how to pleasure a woman. His tongue probed her lips with a tantalizing persuasion. As she writhed beneath him, waves of ecstasy throbbed through her. Her body melted against his and he moved inside her with a steady rhythm. The pleasure they experienced together was pure and explosive.
After he expended every ounce of energy, Paige felt him relax atop her. Her face pressed against his chest, she felt his hand push her hair aside as his lips brushed a gentle kiss across her forehead. The only sound was that of their labored breathing. She reveled in the endorphin surge that left her limp. She couldn’t stifle the smile that overtook her lips.
Once the frenzied breathless moment subsided, Kent gazed into her eyes and whispered, “I’m in love with you. I know it sounds crazy.”
Paige was silent. She hadn’t experienced this sort of feeling...ever. She wanted to tell Kent that she loved him, but feared doing so. Why, she wasn’t sure.
“That was great.” She nuzzled against his hardened chest. Her fingers traced over the ink on his biceps. How could a man be this damned hot and not be taken? Oh, she knew she was infatuated with him the moment she watched him pull his clothing back on in the dimly lit room. She wondered what it would be like to enjoy him all day and all night? He was considerate and attentive to her in ways she never had experienced. When he kissed her goodnight in the kitchen, she knew she was out of her safe zone. She missed him before he even left the house. Kent McCabe was a real man. She suddenly wished she had met him long before Jeremy.
CHAPTER 9
As he left, he viewed Paige’s silhouette at the doorway for a few minutes and assumed she was nearly in a dream state. He felt her eyes on him as he got into the Cadillac. He drove three driveways down and parked. Although he felt tired, his mind was alive with possibility. Paige. Her name was etched in his mind, her naked form embedded in his memory. He suddenly felt parched and switched on the light in the kitchen. No doubt Gramps was asleep. He found a root beer and relished the flavor as the foam engulfed his tongue.
Sweet. That’s what Paige was. She was beautiful, innocent, and sweet. She deserved to be treated like the wonderful woman she was. He hoped he hadn’t pressed her into intimacy, although he doubted it. She was hungry for him tonight. What he’d just experienced with her was something special. It wasn’t just a hot piece of ass on a couch. Her body craved his hands and his embrace. He wanted to turn over every detail in his mind’s eye. Holding her was so natural and comfortable.
If someone had told him he’d drive three hours north after talking with April and meet someone as incredible as Paige, he never would’ve believed them. When he drove away from Newport, he felt as if he had no direction, no idea about what he wanted to do with his life – or what was left of it. He was a broken man.
Now – at this moment – everything had changed. He was hopeful for the first time in two years. How could that happen? It was a miracle. A few days ago, he was lost, depressed, and didn’t know what his future held. Then he met her and everything changed. Love was a powerful emotion, and sexual pleasure enhanced it – only if it was the real thing. Paige was the real thing. Even though he thought he loved April, that was puppy love. He was naïve to think April would wait for him. And, even though he was reluctant to admit it, the experiences he had in Iraq brought him to his knees, then to this place. For the first time in his life, he was glad he’d taken the course he had, because it led him here – to Paige.
* * *
As she washed up in the bathroom, Kent’s image lingered around the edges of her mind. She would never forget a single detail of tonight. She knew she’d want to see more of Kent. Gazing at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t get him out of her mind. There was something untamed about him. Maybe it was because he was a marine. He was all rough and tumble, so incredibly masculine, but inside he was tender. After kissing him in the dark kitchen, she wanted to turn on the light and examine him from head to toe. She wondered if he would be self-conscious about the prosthetic, although, he didn’t seem uncomfortable about anything tonight.
Kent was younger than she was and that’s the only thing that gave her pause. She was soon to be 32, yet she felt like she was somehow much older. Kent was only 25. She tried to convince herself that age was just a number. Her girlfriends always said that when they dated a guy 20 years older. But those relationships rarely seemed to work. Having things in common was most important – and right now Paige didn’t know much about Kent McCabe, except he had a nice grandfather. And, tonight she found out he was an expert at kissing and pleasuring a woman.
She wanted to know so many intimate details, but felt foolish asking him. Did he have a girlfriend or was he married before? What was it like in Iraq? What was his childhood like? What sort of woman was he looking for? How many women had he been with? That was important to Paige. She’d been married to a guy who cheated and never considered her feelings. The wounds were deep…maybe too deep. She was cautious about getting involved too quickly. Her big plans with Jeremy fell apart. She had done everything right, or so she thought – college, marriage, a baby, good job – but, none of those things, except having Justin, fulfilled her. Her plan had driven her into the ground and she felt herself aging by the minute. Maybe she shouldn’t make plans – they rarely seemed to work out. The things she convinced herself she’d always wanted became unsatisfying once she’d attained them. Maybe it was because the only truly important thing was never in her equation: love. Real, true, deeply abiding love was the missing X-factor. She’d never had it, thus all she did was spin her wheels to no avail. No matter what she had accomplished, it was for naught, because she had no one to share it with. Yes, she had Justin. But, even he felt an emptiness, a hunger for something more. He needed a father, a real one – someone to look up to and admire, and he needed a mother who was happy with herself.
* * *
Driving by what used to be his and Paige’s house, Jeremy spied a white Cadillac Escalade in the driveway behind her Mini-Cooper. It had a Rhode Island license plate. He slowed down long enough to capture the number and sped away. If he got caught hanging around Paige’s house and violating the court order, he’d go back to prison. His lawyer made that clear. He had to play it cool. Right now, he was driving his girlfriend’s car. Besides, he knew the cops didn’t stake out Paige’s house. The court order stated he couldn’t come within 100 yards of the place. So, he got familiar wit
h the pattern of police patrols. He was careful about the distance. If he was on the street behind her house, he was well within the legal distance and could see directly into her yard.
He wondered if the White Cadillac with the Rhode Island plate meant Paige was subjecting his son to some idiot. He was probably a fancy suited insurance dude who thought his shit didn’t stink. Those types with money, the ones who mocked him, were the worst. And, that was most likely the sort of guy Paige would be dating. He thought it odd she could date anyone so soon after their divorce. He had imagined she would be downhearted with the failed marriage and, at least, spend some time on her own – soul searching. But, maybe she had this guy waiting on the side all along. His mind swarmed with possibilities as he wiped the sweat from his brow. Soul searching, sure. Now he was beginning to wonder if Paige even had a soul. Here she was living large in the house he’d bought with her. She had Justin, she had the house, she still had her job – and he had nothing. He felt the anger building and another headache coming on. He reached down and felt the bottleneck and took a long swig. The cheap vodka burned his throat as he swallowed, but he knew in a little while once he finished half of it, the pain would go away.
He would not rest, however, until he found out who that Cadillac belonged to and why it was parked in his wife’s driveway. Well, she wasn’t technically his wife any longer. But, to Jeremy, Paige would always be his.
* * *
Kent couldn’t stop himself from calling and texting Paige the next day, and the next. If he was jogging or working on Gramps’ old place, replacing plumbing, refinishing flooring – he sent a photo to Paige. She always replied, with humor and curiosity, to whatever he was doing. What he really wanted to do was run over to her house every evening and kiss her again. But she was so darned busy either working or doing things to set up the charity event, he seldom got to see her except for her after dinner walk with Thor and Justin.
Now that he knew her routine, he’d sit on the porch with Gramps sipping iced tea and the moment Paige came by, he fell right into step beside her. He could tell she liked it because she held his hand when they walked. The mere touch of her fingers made him feel on top of the world. Justin smiled at him and Kent gave him a secret wink.
“Time for the little man to hold Thor’s leash.” Kent suggested. It was a perfectly still evening.
“There you go.” Kent watched as Paige willingly handed Thor over to Justin. This worked better for all involved. Kent got more of Paige’s attention. He felt like a man dying of thirst waiting for a sip of anything – eye contact, the touch of her hand, a giggle – it didn’t matter what it was. The slightest bit of her interest sent ripples of pleasure through him.
A sense of pride swelled inside as he strolled through the neighborhood with her hand in his. She introduced him to neighbors, and Kent remembered all their names. He picked up some work repairing lawn mowers and some handyman chores, too.
“Are you ready for the big night?” Paige murmured.
“Hell, yeah…”
“I’ll be decorating the hall tomorrow night, so I won’t see you. But, if you want to stop by…and help us…”
“Sure. I’d love to lend a hand.”
“Can I help, mom?” Justin added.
“Gramps offered to take care of you and Thor. He’s making chicken on the grill.”
“Okay. That sounds like fun.” Justin grinned.
Kent was surprised Gramps had already arranged to take care of Justin for Paige. He’d have to remember to thank him tonight when he got home. For a while, he watched Thor’s black Labrador body trot nicely in synch with Justin. The dog was becoming accustomed to the young boy holding the leash.
Paige’s voice was soft. “I need to warn you, Kent, there are going to be a lot of women at this fundraiser bidding on these luxury dates.”
“That’s good, right?”
“Yes. It’s going to bring in cash and that’s what we need. But, be prepared. I have girlfriends who are traveling a long distance to attend this event.”
“I’m not worried. I’m hoping you’ll outbid them all.”
“I can’t bid, silly. Neither can Lisa. We are the ones who set this thing up. Can’t have the look of impropriety, you know?”
“No. I suppose you can’t.”
He couldn’t stop himself from leaning in and whispering in her ear. “When can I be alone with you again? I’m dying here, Paige.”
She didn’t make eye contact, but squeezed his hand. “Soon.”
* * *
The night of the auction was nerve wracking for Paige. She had a list a mile long of last minute things to do. She pulled her cardigan around her shoulders. The sleeveless little black dress made her shiver in the air conditioning tonight.
The last time she saw Kent was when he installed the final string of lights for her and tipped his camo ball cap goodnight. That was hours ago, Lisa had managed to get the programs handed out. The ballroom at the Crystal Cove Inn held 500 people maximum. There were now folding chairs being set up on the porch. Ticket sales had been brisk; the place was overflowing. Paige was now feeling panicky. Would she have enough food for this huge gathering?
Her girlfriends from near and far stopped as they arrived.
“Place looks fabulous! Where are the bachelors?”
“I’m starving. When can we eat?”
“Oh god, he’s cute! I’m bidding on him!”
“Come on, I need a drink!”
Paige nodded and kept her eye on old man McCabe and Justin. They were sitting with her sister, Sadie and her husband in the middle of the sea of people. Paige was introduced as master of ceremonies for the event. As she stepped to the microphone, she motioned for the crowd to settle. The Star-Spangled Banner was played by the local high school band. Veterans turned out in great numbers. A large group arrived on motorcycles, there must’ve been fifty of them, she couldn’t tell.
Once the pageantry was finished, Paige gave her little speech. She knew most of the people in the room, so it felt as if she was speaking to a group of friends and family. They cheered and whistled when she said she was saving the best for last. Then, the auction began.
She stepped aside as the professional auctioneer called out numbers for each item, with a cadence that was mind boggling. A piano, a bedroom set, and a vacation at a cottage on the ocean were bid upon. Antiques and silverware, furniture, and even a car, was auctioned off expertly. A rare book collection along with its antique case brought a hefty price. Another vacation was sold to the highest bidder. After an hour-long oration, the auctioneer took a short break. Everyone knew what was coming next.
The buffet table was swamped as the crowd sampled the hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Paige’s eyes swept the room and she saw an old classmate in the audience. Sasha Barkov must have arrived partway through the bidding. Paige made her way through the crowd to Sasha and felt her long arms embrace her.
“Where are the bachelors?” Sasha squealed.
“Coming up next…you bidding?”
“Of course, I am! I saw the descriptions in the program. Oh la la!”
“What about Alfonzo?”
“Oh honey, I dumped him long ago. We need to catch up.”
“Yes, we must.” Paige smoothed her hair and mentally prepared for the rest of the evening. “Hey, have fun!” She waved to Sasha. “I’ve gotta run.”
Sasha winked and smiled, then moved toward the bar where several men offered to buy her a drink. Yeah. Lucky Sasha. She had her pick every time. Life was easy for her. Being tall, blonde and beautiful sure didn’t hurt. If it wasn’t for Sasha in college, Paige imagined she wouldn’t have had any fun. The two of them were inseparable – but that seemed like an eternity ago. Sasha married and divorced two guys, but never had children. She was free-wheeling tonight. Paige could tell by the way she smiled when the bartender handed her the tall Cranberry and vodka, Sasha was in the mood for partying. It seemed she was always watching her weight even though Sasha mana
ged to remain a size two since high school. She looked lovely tonight in that backless red dress with her blonde hair draped just so, across one breast. Paige meant to ask her about her latest modeling gig. It was her way to live vicariously through Sasha. They’d have to talk later. The music cued up and she knew the bachelors were forming a line behind the makeshift stage curtain. Paige moved around the corner to peek behind it.
Her eyes connected with Kent’s and he looked nervous, but smiled. For a moment, Paige regretted asking him to do this. He was too dignified to be auctioned off as part of a luxury evening package. She had a tinge of nervousness in the pit of her stomach.
Then the music started and one of Lisa’s gym dudes walked onto the stage. A floodlight highlighted his physique in a khaki suit. He was a bodybuilder and a little too proud of himself, Paige surmised. But, the audience ate it up. There was so much screaming and whistling, the auctioneer had to ask the audience to please quiet down so he could hear the bidding. Lisa touched her shoulder and Paige nearly jumped out of her skin.
“We’ve made a ton of money!”
“Great!” Paige smiled, but kept her eyes on the curtain.
“Is this luxury dinner date thing a good idea or what?”
“Yes. Good idea.”
“I’m going down to sit next to Sasha. She wants one of these guys. You know her – Sasha gets what Sasha wants!”
Lisa sounded like she was about to watch something more exciting than the moon landing. Some wild 80’s music started playing and the next bachelor stepped into the light on the stage, another gorgeous hunk of masculinity. He danced around to I’m too Sexy and the crowd went wild. After some intense bidding, Natalie, won the second handsome bodybuilder, and the bid was high.
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