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“Why don’t I draw you a bath?” He points to his luxurious spa bathtub, complete with jets. “You can relax while I finish up some work.”
I was about to suggest he join me, but at the mention of him needing to work, I simply nod, not wanting to get in the way of his work. I’ve learned from my previous relationships that men don’t like clingy women, and the last thing I want is Nate feeling like I’m dragging him down or away from his responsibilities.
“Sounds good.” I force a smile and kiss his cheek. “Go do your COO things.”
chapter twenty
NATE
“I understandthey want seven percent but—” Dustin starts to argue, but his words are cut off by the sound of his alarm going off. Since he’s late to everything, his assistant insists on him using alarms for everything. “Shit, we’re going to need to table this,” he says, standing. “I need to head home to get ready for dinner.”
I glance at my watch, shocked to learn that I’ve been working for quite a few hours and Paige hasn’t appeared.
“I need to get ready as well,” I say, standing.
“Paige is with you, right?” Dustin asks.
“Yeah, she was in the bath…” Like, three hours ago. “We’ll see you tonight.”
I click End on our video chat and head straight for my bedroom since the last time I saw her, she was in my bathtub, soaking in the tub.
But before I make it into the bathroom, I’m stopped in my tracks by the sight of her sleeping in my bed. She’scurled up and beneath the sheets with her face nestled into the pillow. It’s the first time I’ve had a woman in my home, in my bed, and I love that it’s her.
I pull my phone out to take a picture, wanting to capture her in this rare moment of peace. Between the stress of us and our future, carrying a baby, and working hard at Kingston, she’s getting pulled in different directions, and I worry it’s all too much. Decisions need to be made, but I wasn’t lying when I told her that she can trust me. She might not have had the best track record with men in her life until now, but that stops with me. I will always put her and our baby first.
After taking a couple of pictures, I pocket my phone and sit on the edge of the bed, leaning over Paige so I can kiss the corner of her mouth. She sighs in contentment, and my heart swells in my chest.
Not long ago, my entire world revolved around work. My only goal was to become CEO of my family’s company. But the moment Paige stumbled into my life—literally—my priorities shifted. I’d forgotten what it was like to connect with someone on a deeper level. To laugh and joke and be intimate with them. And now that I have it, I won’t do anything that will put me at risk of losing it—of losing her.
“Why are you staring at me?” Paige asks, her voice raspy from sleep.
“Just trying to figure out how the hell I got so lucky to call you mine,” I tell her honestly.
She smiles lazily, only half of her mouth quirkingup. “That’s so damn cheesy, but I love it.” She fists the front of my shirt and pulls me down to her. “What are the chances of me convincing you to give me an orgasm before we have to go?”
“That depends…can you be quick? Because we need to leave in about twenty minutes.”
“What?” Paige shrieks, pushing me back and sitting up. “Why would you let me sleep that long?”
“I didn’t even know you were asleep,” I say with a laugh.
“Ugh!” She groans, throwing her legs over the side of the bed. “I didn’t mean to, but your bed was too comfy.”
“Look at the bright side. After dinner, you can come right back to my comfy bed, where I can spend the next twelve hours making you come as many times as you want.”
I smirk, and Paige blushes.
“You can’t say things like that or I’ll be begging you to cancel dinner. I’m already worried about meeting your entire family.”
“Not my entire family,” I remind her. “Only my parents, brothers, and their wives. Tomorrow, you’ll meet the rest of my family, including my adorable niece and nephew.”
“You’re not helping,” she mutters as she closes the bathroom door behind her.
I know she’s nervous about meeting my family, especially since she’s not close with the only familyshe has left—her dad—but my family isn’t judgmental, and I have no doubt that once she gets to know them, she’ll realize her worry is for nothing.
“What do you mean,you haven’t seen your father in almost ten years?” Mom stares at Paige in horror. “What parent lets a child go that long without seeing them?”
“Well, in his defense, he used to ask me to go home…” Paige murmurs.