Page 28 of Delicate Storm

“Oh. Sometimes I wonder if that would have been a better way to grow up.”

“It was fine. I guess it depends on your circumstances. It was hard for me to—” I cut myself off and laugh.What am I doing?I hate talking about myself.

Paige’s brows furrow and she steps forward. “To what?”

“Never mind.” I make a point of checking my watch and grimace. “I better keep going. I have to be somewhere in an hour.”

“Of course.” She smiles, bouncing on her toes, not a care in the world, and it hits me in the chest. What I wouldn’t give to be that happy all the time. “Don’t let me stop you,” she continues. “Enjoy.”

She spins on her toes and heads over to the weights, laying down her yoga mat before launching into a series of stretches.

In my direct line of sight.

Her body curls into unnatural positions—her moves slow, purposeful. Incredibly distracting.

For the next thirty minutes, I burn more energy restraining myself from watching her than doing my actual workout.

Paige is dangerous at the best of times, always sucking me in, but in Lycra shorts that sculpt her perfect ass and a sports bra that accentuates her perky breasts, she’s lethal.

And judging by her confidence as she moves around the space, she knows it.

I’m staring at my feet, doing my cooldown, as a timer goes off somewhere in the room. And when I look up, Paige is standing by my treadmill, her yoga mat tucked under her arm and a bead of sweat dripping down her chest, making its way toward her—nope.

“How was your workout?” I ask to distract myself.

“Good. Great, actually. It’s nice having the gym to ourselves.”

“It sure is.”That’s why I usually come at this time.

“Mind if I join you again?”

I consider telling her Idomind. Because this is my time to myself. There’s no family drama. No teammates fucking around. No reporters. No fans. It’s just me. And it’s been that way since I moved in. I don’t know how it’s played out like that, but who am I to question it.

Now, I have to decide whether I want my sanctuary invaded.By Paige.

She’s a distraction I don’t need. With her bubbly personality, her constant chatter, her flushed body, her heaving breasts andGod-fucking-dammit.

“I can’t really stop you, can I?”

“Nope.” She pops thepand smirks. “But at the same time…I don’t think you want to. Deep down. And I mean deep,deepdown.” She runs her finger from my heart to my navel, and I have to fight to stop my abs from tensing. “I think you like having me around.”

I bite back a groan, refusing to let her see how much she affects me. It’s only because of my drought.Andthe fact that I can’t escape her. Right?

“Tell me, Paige…” I begin, refusing to let her get to me. “How exactly did you come tothatconclusion? Did you discover that from our few interactions?” I raise a brow, projecting a confidence and relaxed attitude that I do not feel.

“Five,” she says, confusing me.

“Five what?”

“Five interactions.”Has it really only been five? It feels like more than that.

“And no,” Paige continues, drawing my attention back to her mouth. “I got that from the slight bulge in your shorts.”

Holy shit.My eyes widen as she lets out a breathy giggle before walking away. Only looking back to smile over her shoulder, catching me watching her.

“See you tomorrow.” She lifts her hand and wriggles her fingers in a half wave while my jaw hits the floor.

Mic drop.

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