I bucked my hips against him, wanting him to fill me up.
He lifted my legs, resting my ankles against his shoulders. He pushed inside of me, more than he had before. It hurt at first, but I stretched to fit him. He thrust against me.
“Touch yourself,” he said in a breathy whisper.
I licked my fingers and touched my clit, not releasing my gaze from his. I rolled my fingers around before grabbing onto him once again. He slowed and allowed me to guide him inside of me as I continued to stroke.
“That feels fucking amazing,” he said.
A slow smile parted my lips, and I moved my legs back to the bed. I propped myself up, so I rested on his lap. He pulled me against him, and we moved together, as close as we could ever be to each other.
Today was different than any other time we came together. It wasn’t just a frenzy to get to an orgasm. A connection formed between us. Even though we didn’t move quickly, the end came faster than I expected. Maybe it was the way he moved or our how much my heart filled for him.
He inhaled sharply, and I knew he was close. I held him as tightly as I could, and we moved as one until we both came. The explosion moved behind my eyes, and I let out a moan of pleasure. His came a second later, and the sound caused a wave of goosebumps to prickle over my skin.
“Paige,” he said, smoothing his hands over my hair.
“Reese,” I echoed.
He moved me so that I faced him. He remained inside of me as he kissed me in a way that made all the hairs on my body stand on end.
Was this what being in love felt like?
I didn’t dare say the words aloud, but I couldn’t help the feeling growing inside of me. My stomach grumbled, and I giggled against his shoulder.
“Looks like I worked the food out of you,” he said.
“How about I make something else for us? Unless you have to leave.”
Please don’t leave, I mentally sent him.
He pecked my lips. “I’m all yours for tonight.”
I loved the promise of that. “How about I make us something to eat then?”
He coiled his arms around me for a tight embrace. “That sounds great. Can I help?”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight,” I said, kissing him again.
After he thoroughly kissed me, enough to make me almost want to stay in bed with him, I grabbed my robe and threaded my arms through the sleeves. Reese put his underwear and shirt on, leaving it open.
I could get used to the sight of that.
In the kitchen, Reese poked through my refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of white wine.
“I know what would be perfect with that.” I grabbed the box of pancake mix from the cabinet and showed him.
“You know a way into a man’s stomach,” he said, lifting the carton of eggs from the refrigerator too. He placed them next to me and kissed my cheek before uncorking the wine bottle.
I wondered if there was a possibility of finding my way into more than his stomach. His heart, perhaps. I knew I was getting too attached, too soon, but I couldn’t help it. Other than his unknown past, I liked everything about him. If he could forgive my past, I could forgive his. If only he’d share.
As the pancakes sizzled in the pan, I turned to Reese. “Thanks again for everything. With the building, I mean.” I wasn’t about to thank him for the sex. As amazing as it was, I had a hand in half of it.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said, sipping from his glass of wine. “And no need to thank me before the building goes up.”
“This process has been a nightmare. Since you came on board, everything became much easier. I want to show you my appreciation somehow.”
He came closer to me and backed me against the counter. He held my waist, lifting me so I sat on the marble.
“Meeting you was more than I ever imagined,” he said, locking my eyes with his. “I should be the one thanking you. You brought me back into a place I thought I’d left behind. You helped me remember my passion.” He played with my hair. “About more than just architecture.”
I swallowed, unsure of what to say. Instead, I kissed him then and didn’t let go until the faint burning smell from the stove next to me filled my nose.
Chapter 13
When I woke the next morning, it took me a minute to get my bearings. I glanced at the clock, and it was only six thirty. I settled into the pillow and inhaled Paige’s strong scent. It wove into the fabric of the sheets, wafting from the source next to me.
She faced away from me, but the slow, heavy breathing of sleep lifted her shoulders ever so slightly. I wanted to stay in that moment, but a more primal part of me wanted her even closer.
I curled my arm over her waist, and she shifted under my touch. She scooted closer to me, and I buried my nose in her hair. The events from the day before came back to me. After dinner, Paige and I watched television until we were both bleary-eyed and exhausted. Me, more than her. At least I’d had the forethought to complete all my grading before leaving the school. Now, I had nothing to do today, other than enjoy her. At least for a little while. I wasn’t going to keep her from work. It was something she loved so much, and I’d never get in the way of that.
I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of her slow and steady breathing. She didn’t sleep in much other than an old T-shirt, and as much as I wanted to move my arm lower to rest on her round ass, I wanted to give her some more time to sleep. A nagging sensation in the back of my mind made my legs restless, and I had to get moving.
I slipped out of bed and crept from the room. The sun started to peek across the skyline through the large windows looking out to the balcony. It was a view rivaling my own.
In the kitchen, I silently opened the cabinets, looking for coffee. I knew Paige well enough that she’d keep a supply in her house somewhere.
I found several different boxes of varying types. I smelled each one and picked what I thought Paige would like. As an avid coffee drinker myself, I knew how important it was to wake up on the right side of the day.
Once I figured out her coffee machine, I picked out two mugs and set them on the counter in front of me. I pressed my hands against the surface and hung my head. Those thoughts came back to me, vigorously this time.
“I thought you left,” Paige said from the doorway.
I jerked and turned around.
She’d put a robe over her body, hiding her curves from me.
“Just making coffee,” I said, stepping aside to show her the percolating machine. I couldn’t help feeling the sting of hurt in my chest that she thought I would sneak out in the middle of the night. I wanted to show her that wasn’t the case, but we already straddled a dangerous line. If I admitted how I felt for her, then it would be much harder to do what I needed to when the moment came.
Those thoughts disappeared from my mind as Paige walked over to me and pressed her body against mine. My arms fell against her, and I breathed a long sigh into her hair. We stood there for a minute as the coffee finished brewing.
The sound of quickening steam broke our moment.
“What do you have planned today?” Paige walked closer to me and checked out the mugs. She tapped one of them, signaling it was hers. The small gesture pulled me into her life a little more.
“I already finished my work for the week,” I said a little proudly. “I guess you could say I’m done for the year.” Maybe forever, but after that conversation with Paige the day before, I wasn’t going to bring it up again. Talking about our future would only upset the delicate situation I’d created by coming over the night before.
“Congrats,” she said, clinking her coffee mug with mine. She took a sip and didn’t even cringe at the heat of the beverage. She was a true New Yorker, tasting her coffee before it had a chance to cool down. “I’m going to make you a celebratory breakfast.”
“What does that entail?” I asked.
“Let me handle it,” she said, shooing me toward the table. “You had a long week.�
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I glanced at the clock. Each second brought us closer to separating again. Though, I wasn’t sure we had to. Technically, I had finished with school, and I had work to do when it came to Paige’s building. Maybe this didn’t have to end as soon as I thought.
“You’ve done so much for me,” I said.
She snorted. “I should say the same for you. You gave me a building to use until you have the other one built. Making you food is the least I can do.”
“True,” I said.
She went into the refrigerator and grabbed eggs, cheese, bacon, and a bag of English muffins.
“Breakfast sandwiches?” I asked.
“Oh yeah,” she said. “I usually save these for the weekend, but I had a craving.”
Little did she know I had a craving for her all the time.
“I enjoy delis, but sometimes, they don’t get the bacon crispy the way I like it.”
I nodded. “So, you’re a bacon snob?”
“Totally,” she said, separating the bacon and spreading it over a hot pan. “If you don’t like it crispy, I might have to sever this relationship before it starts.” Her hand hesitated over the pan before she shook her head. “I mean, this, whatever we, um—”
“I do,” I said. Her eyes met mine. “I like it crispy.”
She nodded and returned to her work. We both knew what she meant. Something was growing between us, and it was more than a professional relationship.
I stood and walked over to her. Her cheeks were pink, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the heat of the stove or her embarrassment. I wanted her to feel neither. The instinct to protect her flared, as it had when she’d told me about Jonah. I snaked my arms around her and pulled her close to me, kissing her hair. She softened against me, and we stood there for a moment, allowing our bodies to say everything we felt.
“Do you need some pointers?” she asked.
I chuckled against her ear. “I think I could manage, but I enjoy watching you do it.”
She lifted her chin, and I kissed her lips. The taste of coffee against her mouth held my attention, and I kissed her again. I turned her to face me and deepened the kiss, feeling myself getting hard for her. The more time I spent with her, the easier it was to be ready for anything with her.
I cupped her tits in my hand and squeezed. Even through the thick robe, her nipples hardened. She moaned against my mouth. God, how I wanted to take her right then and there. I knew she was ready for me, but I wasn’t looking to burn her place down.
As difficult as it was, I stopped and pecked her on the lips.
“Wow,” she said and turned to the stove.
I stayed next to her while she cooked. Without words, I wanted to show her how much she meant to me, even though I couldn’t say it quite yet. I hated how my future, which once looked boring but clear, was now blurry and involved the unknown. I didn’t know how Paige would fit into it, and it killed me inside.
I wasn’t a nostalgic person, but I held on to every second I was with Paige as if it were my last.
“Can you grab the toaster over there?” she asked.
We worked together, keeping the conversation light. I could tell she was still embarrassed about what she’d said before, but I wanted her to know it was fine. She felt the same way as me, but I couldn’t yet say the words aloud. If I did, I knew I’d never be able to take them back. Then, when everything went to shit, I would be more of a dick than I planned. I hoped she could feel how much I wanted her from my kisses and touches. It would have to do for now.
“What is your plan for today?” Paige asked as she plated the eggs, cheese, and bacon onto the toasted English muffins.
“You already asked me that,” I said. “I don’t have plans. We could work on the new building if you want.” At least if Allison questioned it, Paige would technically be working.
She walked over to the table, and I followed, taking the seat next to her. “I would if I had time. The decorators are delivering the furniture to the warehouse today.”
“That was fast,” I said.
“Well, I’m very motivated,” she said. “Allison is getting everyone on board with coming to the city as soon as possible. I want to be sure all the details are in place before they get here. Maybe we can work on them later this week?”
“Sure,” I said, biting into the hot sandwich.
“What do you think?”
“Horrible,” I said, taking another huge bite.
She laughed, and my insides warmed, almost as much as my mouth.
“You can join me if you’d like,” she said, avoiding my eyes. “I mean, it is your place after all.”
I opened my mouth to agree, but the distant sound of my phone stopped me. Chance never called me, and Paige sat next to me. The only other person who had my number was Jonah.
“Excuse me,” I said, nearly choking on my food.
If Jonah was calling, then he wanted me. I was under his thumb until the debt was complete.
I hovered in the doorway to Paige’s bedroom, staring at my jeans crumpled on the floor next to her bed. I glanced at the kitchen but didn’t hear anything from Paige.
I inhaled sharply and walked inside the room. I dug into my pockets and grabbed my phone. A missed call from a restricted number lit up the screen.
Dammit, Jonah. I was a fool to think I could have any semblance of happiness with Paige without my past biting me in the ass. How did I ever think I could escape it?
I wandered back into the kitchen, knowing if I took too long, Paige would question me.
“Was that work?” she asked, sitting back in her chair and sipping her coffee.
“Yes,” I lied. “Apparently, a few of the grades didn’t make it into the system. I need to head over to the college this morning to sort it out.”
Her shoulders slumped, but she nodded. I knew she’d understand me going to work, but I hated to lie to her. “How about a rain check on the warehouse?”
“No problem,” she said, and I knew she meant it. It didn’t help me feel any better. “I’m sure most of the morning, we’ll be organizing the shipment.”
“I can come by later,” I said, needing to see her again, even though I hadn’t left yet. I wondered how much time it would take before Jonah got impatient. Probably a few hours, but I’d make it over to his office before then. The threat against Paige was still at large, and I wasn’t going to allow anyone to hurt her.
“That would be great,” she said.
I sat down and finished my sandwich, even though it didn’t taste the same. A sour taste filled my mouth, and it took a while to swallow each bite. I forced myself to eat it. I didn’t want to insult Paige, and I had no idea when I was going to eat again.
Paige didn’t seem to notice, which worked for me. I didn’t want her to question me, even though I felt the subtle cracks in my facade break down.
I helped her load the dishwasher, but I started to get anxious to leave. The school wasn’t open yet, but I doubted she would question if I left early.
When she finished, I pulled her against me, with an excuse on the tip of my tongue. I couldn’t even say it as her scent enveloped me again. I closed my eyes, pretending I could feel happy for a little while. I wanted to commit this moment to memory before I had to disappear from this life.
“Do you have a few minutes?” she asked.
I licked my lips. “A few.”
“I’m going to hop into the shower,” Paige said, looking at me through her lashes. “Do you have time for a quick one?”
I stalked over to her and scooped her in my arms before kissing her.
Chapter 14
If Reese didn’t have to go back to work, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever leave my place that morning. I couldn’t believe I’d revealed more of my feelings for him than I wanted to, but I couldn’t help it. I thought we were getting close, and he didn’t seem to mind. Maybe he felt bad for me. Either way, it was out there.
Now, it was his turn to let me know where
we stood. He said he’d try to come to the warehouse after he fixed his grades. If he did, then I’d know he felt for me more than he said. At least I hoped.
I felt like a child, plucking petals off a flower. He loves me, he loves me not. I wasn’t thinking about love yet, but I had strong feelings for Reese. More than I’d had for anyone before. It was easy with him. Almost too easy, enough that I almost ruined everything before it started.
I wasn’t sure where we’d stand after the building was completed, but if it were up to me, I’d want to see him as much as I did now, but without any professionalism between us. Not that we were professional anytime we were alone.
A delicious shiver moved down my spine as I hopped on the train and headed toward the warehouse. It was nice to have a new view on my way to work instead of dreading the shoebox of an office we previously rented. I hoped the thug who threatened Allison and me thought we’d closed our business. Little did he know we were moving up and onward, leaving him and the other assholes like him in our dust.
When I reached the warehouse, the bay doors were open, and a truck had already backed inside. I knew I was late, and Allison had taken care of everything, but I didn’t know how much had already been done in the time I’d been with Reese. I wouldn’t trade him for the world, but something pinched at my chest as I thought about my work moving forward without me.
I didn’t mind delegating, but the perfect setup was important. I wanted to make a good first impression on my employees who came into the building and city for the first time.
I walked through the front door and found Allison and Marcie standing in the middle of the space which would soon be our office. They turned my way when the door closed behind me.
“Just in time,” Allison said, walking over to me.
Two thin men stood by the doorway to the bay area, staring inside. Both had black hair and were dressed similarly in black pants and button-down shirts. Marcie walked over to them and started speaking to them. They were too far away to hear.
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