Page 28 of Badges
She’s right.
Ever since Elena showed up, I’ve been…distracted.
At first it was memories of Maria.
Now, it’s the taunting allure of her daughter.
“Missing me?” I dab the sweat streaking my face and watch Paige’s reaction.
Her ponytail bobs as she nods. “I have. It’s been so long.” She draws out the last word and reaches for my crotch.
Oddly, a wave of disgust takes me, and I catch her wrist before she can touch me.
“Show me,” I growl. “Get on your knees and beg.”
Her cheeks pale.
“Do it.” My jaw tightens.
“Wade…” She backs up a step, out of arm’s length.
“Go on. You want it?” I point at my limp dick. “Crawl on all fours.”
Her chin trembles. “Why are you being like this? I thought—”
“That I loved you? Paige, I’m not a white knight here to rescue you from your boring marriage. I don’t want to be the secret anymore.” I flip my towel over my shoulder and pick up my clothes from the floor.
“You want me to leave my husband?” Her jaw drops.
A sigh pulls from my lungs. “No, because you’d cheat on me, too.”
Her brows furrow as anger eats into her expression. “This is about that fucking bitch in lock-up, isn’t it?”
“Jealousy isn’t a good look on you, Paige. I think you should go. This was never gonna last forever.” Hell, it’s only been three times of weakness I’ve given in to her.
I lean against the side of the barbells and point towards the hall.
“Wait.” She falls to the tile, her knees making an audible thud when she lands. “Please?”
Hmm.
Bending over her, I reach out to tuck a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear. My lips hover tantalizingly closer to hers.
There was a time I would have crashed into her with passion.
Lust.
An outlet for the endless nights of an empty bed. She’s a shallow substitute for what I really wanted.
Except even that has shifted.
Maria’s image keeps melting into Elena’s in my dreams.
I’m not one of those men. I can’t pine over more than a single woman.
And it isn’t Paige.
“I don’t want you,” I whisper, then stand.
