by Chelle Sloan
“No, they were wearing hoods so we couldn’t see anything. And… I was here. That’s it. No big deal. I just wanted to let you know because I’m sure the police will contact you.”
“Do I need to come over?”
“No. They didn’t get in, so nothing’s gone. The police are about wrapped up now.”
I let out a relieved breath. “OK. Call me if you need anything.”
We hang up and I walk back inside. We’ve never had anything happen like this before. We are in a safe neighborhood. Hell, I think this is the first time the security system has even been set off. Yes, we treat families that are on hard times, but none of our patients strike me as pill poppers looking to get their next fix. Which is the only reason I can think of for breaking into a medical clinic.
“Everything OK?” Mark asks as I walk back into the gym.
“Someone tried to break into Innovative.”
“What? Who? Do they know who?”
I shake my head. “No. Cameras didn’t get a look at their faces and the alarm scared them away.”
“Do you need me to do anything?”
“No, man. At least not yet. Thanks. I’ll keep you in the loop.”
“Oh my gosh, there you are!” Paige says, pushing her way through a row of kids lined up to try to dunk the principal. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
I take her hand and give it a squeeze, only because I don’t want to get her in trouble for PDA at a school event. “Sorry, Angel. Ready for the announcement?”
She puts the envelope in my hand. “The stage is yours. Go make your nephew and his class the happiest kids here.”
Her smile is so big that I’m not about to ruin her day with news of a failed break-in at my practice. I can tell her later.
Now, it’s time to tell them which class won a trip to a baseball game.
Chapter Thirty
Paige
“Hold still while I zip this up.”
I let out a groan as Kelly tries for I’m pretty sure the tenth time to get this dress on me. “Quit trying. It’s not going to fit. Don’t you have something a little less… I don’t know… tight?”
“You are not going to your first Virginia society function in a loose dress. The vultures will eat you alive. You will wear a dress that shows off your amazing body that you didn’t have to pay a cent to have altered, which will drive those bitches crazy. And it will zip. I just need… a little… more… there! Got it!”
I let out a sigh of relief. But not a big one. This dress doesn’t allow for big breaths.
When Garrett asked me to attend a charity dinner with him tonight, I, of course, said yes.
Then I realized what I had agreed to.
A fancy dress. Heels. A dinner that likely costs a thousand dollars a plate. People who exchange niceties with air kisses and fake conversations. Women like the ones who were at the champagne lunch.
His ex-wife.
My anxiety was real once I put all of that together, so I called the only person I could think of who could help me in this situation.
Which is how Kelly ended up at my house an hour before Garrett is supposed to pick me up, with ten different dress options for when I make my entrance into high society. Her words, not mine.
I think I’m going to puke.
I turn to look at the dress Kelly finally got on me, and I must admit that despite it being very form fitting, I do look pretty good in it.
It’s navy with the thinnest straps, just enough to hold it up. Which is needed because the V is deep, showing off plenty of cleavage that Kelly had to promise me wouldn’t pop out at any time tonight. I might not be huge in that department, but this dress doesn’t give me much confidence that I won’t be flashing Virginia society tonight. There is a slit that comes up mid-thigh, which I appreciate. I don’t know how I’d move otherwise.
“Panties. Off.”
I blink a few times, wondering if I heard her right. “Did you just tell me to take off my underwear?”
She nods and lets out a sigh. “Yes. This dress is too tight, even for a G-string. You can go commando for one night. And I’m sure Garrett won’t mind.”
She starts waggling her eyebrows as I let out a sigh of defeat. “Fine. Anything else?”
She looks me up and down, appraising what I’ve done with myself. Not in a judgmental way. Kelly is good people. I asked her once why her shop caters to the rich and upper-class, when she clearly doesn’t dress, or act like the women who came to the champagne lunch. Her answer? Their money is green, and they may be snooty, but they are good for business. And she likes pretty dresses.
Couldn’t argue with that logic.
“You look absolutely stunning,” she says, gathering up the rest of the dresses that didn’t make the cut. “You are going to knock them dead. I want to stay for Garrett to see you, but I also don’t want to witness him mess up your makeup.”
“Thank you. So much,” I say, giving her a one-sided hug as her arms are full. “I couldn’t do this without you.”
She leans in and gives me a peck on the cheek. “Anytime. The only payment I ask? Get a video of when his ex sees you two? I really want to see that bitch’s face when she realizes what an upgrade he’s made.”
Kelly was right. Garrett did mess up my makeup. But redoing it was completely worth it for his reaction when he picked me up tonight.
“Have I told you how amazing you look?” he says softly into my ear as we make our way to the entrance of the old mansion where the function is being hosted tonight.
“Only about a hundred times.”
He kisses my cheek softly and I feel it in every nerve in my body. “Good. Then I only have to tell you about a thousand more.”
The mansion is the epitome of old southern money. I’m pretty sure if I imagined hard enough, Scarlett O’Hara would be coming down the winding staircase any minute wearing a hoop dress. And the way that it’s set up, you can’t tell if people actually live here. There are a few chairs against the wall as the front rooms are cleared out for people to mingle. I have no idea where we are eating, but I’m pretty sure it’s in a room that is bigger than my house.
Garrett puts his palm on the small of my back as he leads me through the crowd. “Thank you again for coming with me. You know I didn’t want to come, but Jack and Evelyn are our best donors. I can’t miss one of their events.”
“Garrett, I understand. And it’s smart business. You need investors for the clinic to stay open. You need to network. This is a part of business. Remember, everything you do tonight is for the clinic. Just remember that.”
I know that’s his biggest worry. To him, being at these dinners is a part of his old life, the life where he didn’t care about anything except his social standing and the money he was making. I’ve been trying to remind him that while yes, some of that he likely did for social standing, much of it is needed for the clinic. And to focus on that.
“Thank you,” he says, placing a kiss on my temple.
“Quit thanking me. Let’s go make some money.”
My joke works and we make our way through the crowd. I can’t help but notice the looks we’ve been getting all night. Which I get. I’m new. Annika isn’t on his arm. I expected that. What I didn’t expect was the blatant staring and gossiping. Heck, my kindergarteners do a better job of trying to hide their whispers than these people do.
“Well, look who it is! Garrett Dixon! Good to see you. And my… who do we have here?”
Give this man a monocle and I swear he could pass as Rich Uncle Pennybags, also known as the Monopoly man. “Jack. Good to see you. Jack Robinson, this is Paige Blackstone. Paige, this is Jack Robinson. He and his wife Evelyn are the hosts tonight.”
I plan to extend my hand, but Jack leans in for a kiss on the cheek.
“Well, aren’t you beautiful. Garrett, my boy. When I heard that you and Annika split up, I was devastated. But then I see both of you moving on, so I guess my worries were for nothing. Sometimes things just don’t w
ork out.”
As if on cue, Annika and Trevor come walking over toward us with an elderly woman.
I didn’t get a good look at Annika when we saw them at Marciano’s, or when I saw her at the champagne lunch. In fact, the only reason I know it’s her is that I recognized her hair. It’s long, black, and sleek—the complete opposite of my shoulder-length blonde. In fact, there isn’t one thing that she and I have in common, at least physically.
And from what I’ve heard from Garrett, personality wise as well.
Part of me wants to be jealous. She’s gorgeous in a Victoria’s Secret-model kind of way. Then I remember the kind of person I’m told she is, and I wouldn’t trade anything about myself for her.
Especially the scowl she’s shooting at us. Talk about unappealing.
“Well, look who’s all here. Isn’t this nice?” the woman I’m assuming is Evelyn says as she tucks her hand into Jack’s elbow. “I know some divorces can be messy. It’s good to see you all here and getting along. We’d hate to have a scene.”
“There will be no scene here, Evelyn,” Garrett says, bringing me a little closer to him. “Everyone is exactly where they should be. And please, let me introduce you to my girlfriend Paige.”
I reach out to shake Evelyn’s hand—though I am distinctly aware of the daggers being thrown at me right now from Annika. Unlike her husband, Evelyn accepts it. And as I look at her, I get the feeling I know her from somewhere.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Robinson, and thank you for having us. Your home is lovely.”
“Thank you for coming, my dear. Any friend of Garrett’s is a friend of ours.”
As our hands part, Evelyn blatantly looks me up and down. I’m guessing to see if I “fit” in. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Annika’s smirk. I’m guessing she’s thinking I’m not going to get a good review.
“That dress… it’s absolutely divine,” Evelyn says. “Where did you get it? Not that I could wear it, but I always like hearing about where the young people shop.”
Take that, Annika.
“K.H. Boutique. Our friend Kelly owns it.”
“That’s where I know you!” Evelyn says, and all of a sudden she’s talking to me as if we are long-lost friends. “You were a model at the champagne lunch. You looked stunning that day as well. Annika, doesn’t she look stunning? Come, my dear. I have to hear all about this shop.”
Oh my goodness! This is the old woman who grabbed Garrett’s butt!
Before I’m pulled away, Garrett saves the day. “Actually, Evelyn. I promised a few people we’d speak to them before dinner, and I’d love for them to meet Paige. I’ll make sure we find you before the night is over.”
“Oh yes, of course, my dear,” Evelyn says, shooing us away. “You go. We’ll talk. Paige, it was a pleasure meeting you. I do hope you’ll be around for a long time.”
I nod and wave as Garrett pulls me away into a semi-private hallway.
“What was that?” I ask.
“I’m sorry. I had no clue that they would be here. Or that Evelyn would try to steal you.”
“It’s OK. I was just surprised to see them.”
He rubs his hands up and down my arms, trying to comfort me. “I knew it was a possibility that they would be here, but I wasn’t certain. Like I said, Jack and Evelyn are big donors. We usually both come to their functions.”
“A lot of nerve you have showing up with her,” Annika’s voice startles the both of us. “I mean, this is who you left me for? She was sort of pretty at the luncheon, when I looked at her from a distance, that is. Now seeing her up close, I really don’t get it, Garrett. If you want to slum it, who am I to judge? I’m assuming her new tits are on the way?”
“Watch your mouth, Annika. Don’t start drama just because you’re bored and pissed,” Garrett says as I feel the tension radiating from his body. “Is this because you’re mad at how the settlement went down? You knew what would happen if one of us cheated. You just never thought it would be you.”
She takes a step closer, and I now realize what Charlie meant that day when she told me I was about ready to throw a shoe. Because I am freaking angry. How dare she talk to him—us—that way?
“And you expect me to believe that you and… she… weren’t fucking around either? That magically you met after you asked for the separation and you were able to keep your dick in your pants? I knew you’d fuck anything, though I never would have guessed a flat-chested, hillbilly trailer trash would be your type.”
That’s it. She’s done pissed me off.
“I’m sorry, Annika, is it? We didn’t officially meet. I’m Paige.” I stick my hand out for hers, which she of course looks at like it’s diseased. “We could have met when he was in the hospital. See, I was a volunteer there and I went to see him when he was fucking dying and you were nowhere to be found. Though from what I heard you were pretty busy fucking his best friend at the time, so I get why you couldn’t be bothered. And then I heard you still didn’t come to visit because you were too embarrassed, and I would be too if my hair extensions looked like a dead critter on the side of an Alabama road. Or maybe we could have met at any of your nephew’s school functions, but I’m guessing your lip injection appointments interfered with those. Or do you get those from just sucking a lot of dick? Either way. Contrary to your beliefs, we didn’t start dating until well after he asked you for a separation. Because, unlike you, Garrett isn’t a fucking trash human. So, if you would please excuse us, I’m sure your new fuck boy is looking for you. And Garrett likes my tits just fine. He’s told me how much he likes the real things.”
I don’t know who is more shocked at this point. Annika, who’s looking at me like I’m an alien, or Garrett whose grip on me has gotten so tight that I’m about to have trouble breathing.
“Annika!” Trevor yells for her, walking toward us. “Christ, why the fuck? You know what? Who cares. It’s time for dinner. Let’s go. I’m sure you’ve done enough damage.”
He pulls her away as she lets out one more huff. “I’m sorry,” Trevor says, and he actually seems genuinely apologetic. “She and I talked about this before tonight. We didn’t want to start any trouble.”
“Get her out of here,” Garrett says. “Oh. Annika. Before you go, there is one more thing.”
Garrett levels his gaze at Annika. “Happy divorce day. I got a call from my lawyer. Everything is processed. We are officially over.”
I can’t contain my smile as we walk away. I thought he was taking me to the dinner, but instead, he pulls me into an empty room and slams the door shut.
Before I know it, I’m pressed against the door; his lips are slamming into mine in what is absolutely the hottest kiss of my life. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him into me, which I don’t know how much closer we can get. I thank the heavens that this dress has a slit, as I take that leg and wrap it around his hip, loving the feel of his erection against me.
“What.” Kiss. “In the hell.” Kiss. “Was that?” Kiss.
“What was what?” I ask breathlessly, as his lips move down to the exposed area at my breasts.
“How you went off on Annika. It… it was so damn hot. You swore. Holy shit, I didn’t know you cussing could turn me on so much. And your accent got so thick. I’m going to need you to do that more often.”
I’d laugh if I wasn’t so turned on myself. But considering his mouth is trying to kiss or suck at every open space of my skin, I can’t.
“Garrett?”
“Yeah, Angel?”
“Do we have to stay for dinner?”
This stops his mouth, and the look he is giving me right now is nothing but fire.
“Hell no, we don’t.”
“Then take me home. Now.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Garrett
I don’t know how I made it to Paige’s house without either getting a ticket or wrecking the car. The fact that I got us back safely while she was sucking on my neck and rubbing her hand
over my cock is nothing short of a miracle.
If I have learned one thing tonight, it’s that my sweet Angel has a very dirty side.
One I can’t wait to explore a little more.
I don’t even think I have the engine turned off before Paige and I tear out of the car, racing for her front door. She is fumbling in her purse to find her keys when I come up behind her, my hard length pressing against her ass and my hands on her hips. Which is when I realize…
“Angel, are you not wearing anything under this dress?”
She leans her head back against my chest, her ass slowly moving against my cock, her quest for the keys abandoned. “Kelly said I couldn’t.”
Fuck me. I’m going to have to send Kelly a thank-you gift of some sort for this. Hell, maybe I’ll buy out all of Kelly’s dresses, that should do it.
I take her purse and dig out the keys. As soon as I push the door open, I pull her inside and slam it shut.
I have her pressed against it before she can say anything, my lips on hers, needing to taste her. I know this is barbaric and our first time shouldn’t, and won’t, be against the door of her house, but if I don’t feel her skin against my lips right this second I’m going to explode.
This dress has been killing me the entire night—the amount of skin she showed drove me absolutely mad. Not as crazy as the slit that went so far up her leg that I swear it wouldn’t be hard to see how wet she is right now.
And now knowing she had on nothing underneath, I’m a man possessed. Thank God I didn’t know that during the event because we’d never have made it past her front door.
My lips leave hers as I kiss my way down her chin, then to her chest, as I lower myself to my knees. I hear her suck in a shaky breath.
I place my hand on her ankle, loving the feel of her smooth skin against my palm.
“What am I going to find if I keep going up? Am I going to find you wet for me?”
My hand slides from her ankle to her calf, and then to her knee. Her skin is the softest thing I have ever felt. When I look up at her, her eyes are closed and she is frantically nodding at my questions, begging me with her body that is now quivering under my touch.