Page 152 of Delicate Storm

I let out a sigh as I consider my options, but it takes all of three seconds before I turn to Keeley for help. “I need you to watch Isaac without asking questions. You know I hate having to ask but—”

“Go. I’ll stay until you get back.” She gives me a gentle shove and I release a held breath.

“Thank you.” I turn to walk away but she stops me.

“I’m not going to hold you up for too long, but I expect answers when you get home. And I need to know… Is Paige okay?”

“Yes,” I lie. I’m not so sure that’s true. “And I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“Good. Go. I’ve got this.”

“Thank you. He shouldn’t wake up, but if he does, tell him I’ll be home soon.”

I’m tense on my drive to the venue. I don’t have a plan. I haven’t thought this through. I only know that I have to find Paige. Something deep in my gut is telling me to go to her, and for once, I’m doing something for me.

After pulling up at the venue, I park in the parking lot rather than using the valet and sneak inside, hoping they’re no longer worried about the guest list. And thankfully no one’s on the door.

I spot Paige as soon as I walk in, her burgundy dress and high stiletto heels standing out against the more conservative attendees. And even from a distance, she’s breathtaking.

Since she hasn’t seen me, I move through the crowd, trying to get a glimpse of who she’s standing with before I approach, but they’re just out of sight.

I continue to walk closer, and I’ve just pushed past a couple mauling each other on the dance floor when Paige looks up, her gaze meeting mine.

A million thoughts run through my mind—what I’m going to do, what I’m going to say—but the second she smiles, all rational thought escapes me as I stride toward her, the world around me ceasing to exist.

Paige’s eyes widen in question as she meets me halfway, but I don’t explain—I can’t. I’m not running on logic; I'm runningon pure impulse and that impulse is telling me to claim what’s mine.

“What—”

I grab her face in my hands, angling her toward me until she’s staring into my eyes. Her breath hitches, but I don’t let her speak as I slam my lips to hers, pouring everything I have into our kiss.

Paige stiffens before melting into me, her arms wrapping around my waist as she meets my intensity.

My heart hammers in my chest as I caress her soft lips, my hand cupping her neck, brushing my thumb across her cheek.

Everything in this moment feels right, and yet in the back of my mind I know we still have a lot to work through.

Before I’m ready to let her go, my thoughts take over and I break away, my eyes locking on Paige as she stares at me breathlessly. “You’re here?”

“I’m here.” I smile, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“And you kissed me? In public?”

“Well, what the fuck did you expect me to do after that call?”

Paige giggles and the sound sends a shiver down my spine. “You could have waited until I got home?”

“Are you kidding me? That was never going to happen. And I’m sick of pretending.”

“But what about—”

“But nothing. Our lives are always going to be complicated, Paige. But together, it will be a hell of a lot easier to get through.”

“You like me?” she asks with a smile, already knowing the answer.

“I do.” I huff out a laugh. “I like you a lot. And when we get home, I’m going to show you exactly how much. But first… where is that fucker, and what did he do? I think it’s time we had a chat.”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

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