Page 93 of Heal For Me

Will falls into Payson’s seat and turns to me after our girls disappear out the door.

“Grace was surprised when Payson called.”

“Her and me both.” My jaw locks.

“Did you not know?”

I shake my head. Why would she invite her? Because my mum might have hinted that she wishes Grace were here? That doesn’t seem like a good enough reason. But I guess that is the issue. To me, it’s not, but Payson isn’t me. She’s not selfish, she’s caring and simply wants everyone to get along. I wonder if that goes back to her childhood. Maybe the arguing scares her. This is something we will need to work through for her sake. We don’t argue a lot, but me and my siblings are known to get pissed at each other, ignore it for a few days, and come back together like nothing happened. Maybe it’s not something Payson needs to work through, but me.

Fuck, I hate therapy. It has me thinking about a deeper meaning to everything.

Families fight, that’s just want happens. But in Payson’s family, it wasn’t just an argument, it was abuse in more ways than one.

“You got yourself a good one, Ashley.” Will slaps my shoulder before standing and moving to an empty seat.

I stare back at the doors they walked through knowing just how true that statement is.

It takes longer than I like, but eventually, the door opens and Payson saunters through, with the small train of her tight sexy black dress trailing behind her. The neckline dips low enough to show off a classy amount of cleavage. Her hair is down in her natural wave, a light amount of makeup, and she is easily the most beautiful woman to ever grace this place.

I stand and meet her halfway, only to steer her back outside with a hand on her ass.

“Where are we going?”

I lead her to the side of the second floor where I know there is a balcony. We’re not alone but enough. I turn and pin her against the side of the building, crowding her space so the only thing she can see, think, or hear is me.

“That was a naughty thing you did, not listening to me and inviting Grace.”

She looks up to me and licks her lips, already anticipating whatever I will throw at her. I press a gentle kiss to her lips, and she sags against me.

“Thank you,” I mutter while still kissing her full lips. I’m glad she isn’t wearing lipstick, just a simple gloss.

“Are you thanking me for being naughty?”

This girl. I nip at her lip and pull away just enough to drop my forehead to hers. “Yes. Do not get used to it.”

She giggles the sweetest sound and wraps her arms around my neck. “Your sister was worried about my age, and the possibility of me being a gold digger, but I think I helped.”

I’m sure she was. “Your age?” I pull back, forcing a look of confusion. “Why? It’s my favorite part.”

Payson’s big eyes pop open, then she scowls. A laugh bubbles in my chest, but I don’t let it out. “You don’t mean that.”

“Oh, but I do. Young.” I kiss her cheek. “Innocent.” Move over and kiss her nose before hovering over her lips. “Forbidden—pussy.” I make a groaning sound deep in my throat. “Irresistible.”

She turns her head, and my lips connect with her cheek instead of her lips. I try and hold my grin off, but it comes out anyway, and she swats at my chest.

“I was rethinking our entire relationship, Ashley Pearson. Don’t you do that to me ever again.”

She shoves me away and storms to the doors. “I cannot believe you right now.” She throws it open, but I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and tug her back into my arms, facing me.

“While your innocence is one of the things that my darker side relishes in.” Her scowl deepens. “Your heart has to be my absolute favorite part about you. First broken, now bandaged, but not quite healed. A journey so beautiful it hurts.” I poke her cute button nose. “Just like you.”

Again, she swats at my hand. “You are being so cheesy lately. I don’t know if I like it.”

She does. She loves it and she knows it.

“Get used to it, babygirl. You have a lot of years to deal with my cheesiness.”

She chews on her lip, and I bring my thumb up to drag over the newly wet area. “Years is a long time, are you sure you’ll still love me when I’m not jailbait.” Her voice is sassy and makes me smirk.

---