Page 47 of Delicate Storm

“I missed my stop,” she says coyly, biting her lip.

“You did.”

“And you didn’t get off,” she states the obvious.

“I didn’t.”

We stare in silence until the doors open again. This time at level twelve. Paige’s floor.

I hold my hand across the entry and allow her to pass by, drinking her in, her scent lingering after she’s gone. And I make a split-second decision to follow her.

We can’t keep this up. Whatever it is. But one last time can’t hurt anyone. Can it?

Paige doesn’t say anything as I trail behind her, but her body stiffens when I get close.

When she finally stops in front of what I assume is her door, she spins to face me. “When I first got in the elevator, you had this pained expression, like you were…broken.” Again, it’s not a question—she knows something is not right.

“I’ve had a rough morning,” I confirm, giving her nothing more.

“Want to talk about it?” She smiles wide in anticipation and I huff out a laugh.

“Definitely not, but I could use something to relieve the built-up tension.” I step forward, walking into fire, but ready to feel the burn. I’ve already crossed the line.

Paige shrugs, trying to appear unaffected, but her heaving chest gives her away. “Mmm,” she says, curling a finger through her long brown hair, her eyes locked on mine.

“Know of anything?” I ask in challenge.

Paige raises a brow and I know instantly that she’s about to sass me. “There’s one of those destruction places around thecorner that—” I slam my lips to hers, cutting her off as I push her against her door.

I might take her up on that the next time I’m seeking a release, but for now, Paige is the only thing I need. And there’s no way I’m going to resist it.

We said no strings, but there are so many fucking strings we could be at a kite festival.

What are the chances?And why are those words constantly rolling around in my head when it comes to Paige? If I believed in fate, this would be the moment I discovered it was out to fuck with me. She’s the owner’s daughter. Salvatore D’Angelo’s pride and joy. The woman he jokingly—or not so jokingly—told us all to stay the fuck away fromafterI’d already tasted her.

This is not going to end well for me.

“Anyway, I won’t take up any more of your time,” he continues while I spiral. “I trust you’ll all be as welcoming to Paige as you have been with me. Thank you.”

I wonder if he’d consider my time with Paige as welcoming. I did assist her with her needs.

ButGoddammit.

“Sorry, one last thing.” Sal grabs the mic again and everyone falls silent. He seems like a genuine guy, but we haven’t figured out if he’s to be trusted yet, so everyone’s on their best behavior around him. “I’d like another Super Bowl win this year if you can work on that,” he adds, making the guys all crack up laughing again. Except me. “Thank you. As you were.”

He walks away and the general chatter picks up. While I stand frozen.

Paige is off-limits.

I finally found someone to take my mind off the crazy in my life and she’s about to be taken away from me.

We lock gazes again and her expression confuses me. Is that guilt? Did she know?

All this time I was sure she had no idea I played football, but was she playing me?

I’m lost in thought, my anger simmering, when someone slaps me on the back.

“Wilder, you’re looking more pissed off than usual. What’s going on? What did Zane do this time?”

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