Page 31 of Angel

“Yes, but you just left the hospital...”

And I don’t want you to go. And I’m worried I’ll never see you again. I wanted to add those things, but doing so would be pointless.

And kind of terrifying.

“And you shouldn’t be alone,” I finished. “Something could happen. What if you have another episode?”

“That was the only panic attack I’ve ever had. And I’ve accepted what caused it. It’s done with.”

“But now that you’re remembering things, something else could come up.”

Her lips pursed. She couldn’t deny the argument.

“Stay at my condo.”

“What about Franko and his friends? Aren’t they staying there? Thanks, Angelo, but I don’t really want to share bathroom space with a few college guys.”

“They’re gone. They’ve already left for Baton Rouge. And as far as space, there’s plenty of it there. You can have your own room and bathroom… Or you can share mine if you like.”

I tensed, waiting for her reply. This was the first time I offered to put a woman up in my home, to share my bed with her. The thought filled me with both dread and exhilaration.

Maybe she needed her own room instead. Her own space. That might stop me from gettingtooused to her being around. Just a couple nights sleeping by her side had done something to me. Any more and I would have a mental breakdown once she was gone.

Paige didn’t say anything.

Attempting to convince her, I reached out and touched her hand. She looked down at where our fingers met.

At the spur of the moment, I turned the car to the right, going down a street full of brownstones. Luckily, an empty parking spot popped up. I pulled into it and set the brake.

Paige looked wildly around. “What are we doing? Why did you stop here?”

I turned in my seat to face her, then placed a hand on her jaw. Her eyelashes automatically fluttered and her breathing went heavy, the exhales washing against my wrist.

“Stay with me,” I whispered. “At least for a few days.”

“Angelo...”

“Why can’t you just say yes?”

“Because… of everything.”

“The arrangement?”

Her eyes lifted to mine. “Yes.”

“That’s the main thing?”

“Yes. Believe me, I… I want to. God, I want to.”

Desire filled my veins. The need to take her right there in that car nearly overpowered me, but I kept it together, keeping my hand on her face and the space between us good and clear.

“You said you weren’t going through with it.”

Her face fell. “Yeah, I did say that.”

“Then what? What’s the problem?”

“What if… I don’t know...” She shook her head, shaking my hand loose. “This is so complicated now. Sophia told me not to mess with you. And now I’m...”