Page 87 of Delicate Storm

He’s never that happy when he’s talking about his mom but wouldn’t shut up about Paige on our entire drive, and when the movie ended, he asked if I thought she would have liked it. Paige, not his mom.

After two goddamn interactions.

I know Paige is great, I get it, but it makes me sad to think that it takes so little to make his heart soar and Macy still can’t do it.

She barely even tries.

The sun’s setting as I pull into the circular drive on the venue, and I have to admit, it’s pretty fucking epic with its grand structure and incredible view. Even if it does look like I’m arriving for a wedding.

It seems I’m not the only one with the idea to drive, because there’s a line for the valet so the journey to the front entry is a slow one, giving me the chance to really take in the scenery. And I know where I’ll be spending my time. Outside. Away from the crowd. I must remember to thank Paige for giving us a venue with space. There’s nothing worse than being cooped up inside with everyone drinking and dancing and acting like they’ve never had more fun in their lives.

When I’m second in line, a sleek black car with dark windows drives past me, coming to a stop in the drop-off zone closer to the door. It’s the type of car you’d expect to be hosting someone famous, obscenely wealthy, or private. Or someone in love with themselves. So it’s likely to be either Luke, Zane, or—

A female alights from the backseat and my internal questions stop, knowing immediately that it’s Paige, her long legs giving her away. I’ve pictured them wrapped around my shoulders on more than one occasion since we were last together. And it’s been awhile.

Other than our little interactions over the past week, we’ve been like ships passing in the night, seeing each other regularly but never getting the chance to speak. Which is probably a good thing.

As fun as it was, being with Paige was never going to work. We were keeping things casual before we found out about her dad, and with the season starting, I don’t have time to be sneaking around. If I didn’t have Isaac, things might have been different, but then I wouldn’t have Isaac and that’s not a reality I would ever entertain.

While I wait for my turn in line, I take advantage of the view, my gaze gliding from Paige’s sky-high stilettos to the split in her dress, the fall of the material showing off way more skin than I’d like, and my cock twitches.

What I wouldn’t give to be slipping my hand beneath that dress, to feel her wet for me. Desperate for my touch. Aching for it.

Fuuck. I need a distraction. We agreed to cut ties. It makes sense to cut ties. But after the other night… God, why am I still thinking about her a month later? Why is she always on my mind?

Paige is slow to get out of the car, so I’ve reached the valet stand by the time she finally steps out and—god-fucking-dammit. She looks like sin. Pure sin. Deliciously hot sin that I’m supposed to avoid at all costs.

I cannot let Paige get under my skin. I can’t. I won’t. It can’t happen. I’ve established that. And yet, she’s already fucking there. Buried deep like my co—

Fuck this.I groan, my mind replaying our conversation from the night she was drunk. She wants me. I want her. And now she’s here. Looking like that. Fuck it. I can’t hold back any longer.

Jumping out of my truck, I toss my keys to the kid and jog to catch up with her, throwing a glance over my shoulder before grabbing her hand and pulling her around the corner, out of sight of the driveway and away from any windows.

Paige gasps at my attack, throwing her free hand out to stop me until she registers who I am and gives up the fight, a soft sigh passing from her lips.

“What are you doing?” She half laughs, shaking her head, and her gaze bounces around.

Grabbing her chin, I still her, turning her face toward mine, locking her with my stare. “You expect me to spend the next five hours pretending I haven’t been inside you? And dreaming about doing it again? After the way you were aching for me the other night.”

Paige’s eyes widen but she quickly recovers, hitting me with a coy smile. “Yes.” She shoves me back and takes a step away, her hands raised to stop me from moving closer. “That’s exactly what I expect you to do. How else could this possibly play out? We’re at a work function.”

“I know. I fucking know. But I can’t get you out of my head, and if I don’t do anything, tonight will be torture. Well worse than I thought it would be.”

Paige blinks and I can tell she’s warming to the idea.

“The way I see it, you have two choices. Let me fuck you now, against this wall as the party guests arrive.Orbe ready for me to steal you away sometime during the night. And it’s likely to be when youleastexpect it.”

Her breath hitches before she licks her lips absentmindedly, and I have to admit it’s good to know I affect her as much as she affects me.

“Well, D’Angelo.” I make a point of enunciating her name and she rolls her eyes. “What’s it going to be?”

Headlights illuminate our path as another car pulls into the driveway, but it’s so far away, there’s no chance they saw us. And judging by Paige’s thoughtful expression, she didn’t notice.

“Decisions, decisions,” she sasses, making me chuckle.

“You have ten seconds before I make the decision for you.” And I’m going with option C—All of the above.

“I thought we agreed this was a bad idea?”

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