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Paige

“ Y ou’re not going to let me off the hook, are you?” I keep my eyes forward and my head on Easton’s shoulder, feeling him move beside me.

“Hell, no.” He laughs. “But you’re cute for asking.” He bops my nose, and I huff out a laugh of my own even though what I’m about to share is anything but funny.

“I don’t know where to start.”

Easton turns, forcing me to sit up and look at him. “How about you start with the reason you’re holding back, since we’ve established it’s not your dad.”

I bite back a smile as I shake my head. He’s right. I’m not worried about my dad, but I still don’t think it’s going to be a fun conversation when we decide to tell him. Taking a deep breath, I grab my knees when they start to bounce, then I nod. “I—”

“You don’t have to be nervous,” Easton cuts in, his gaze moving to my legs as he slowly reaches out to touch me, placing a tentative hand on my knee. “Whatever it is, I’m here.”

Our eyes lock as my breath hitches. He’s here. With me. But what happens when he finds out about my past?

“I hate to talk exes but—” Easton scoffs, his brow raised. “Okay. I realize we just spoke about your ex, but this is different. And you’re not going to like it.”

“Try me.”

“Christian and I had a purely physical relationship. His family business takes him around the world regularly, so he didn’t want to commit to anyone and I didn’t either, though I had no excuse except that I didn’t feel like it. We never had an emotional connection, but the physical side of things was incredible. At the time.” I cringe and Easton laughs, though it’s easy to see it’s a God, why am I listening to this chuckle.

“Want me to keep going?”

“Please. But no need for great detail.”

This time it’s my turn to laugh, and while I’m sure he’s not actually joking, it puts my mind at ease.

“In short, I’ve already told you that we played a lot of games in our relationship, but what I didn’t tell you was that his family were the ones that leaked the details to the media.”

“What? Why?”

“A month before I moved here, I was at Christian’s parents’ house because he needed to pick something up. He was taking too long in the attic, so I decided to help myself to a drink. Only I didn’t realize his mom was home and when I approached the kitchen, she was talking to his aunt. They were discussing some ah…illegal practices that Christian’s dad was partaking in. I turned to walk away, not wanting them to catch me, but Christian chose that moment to call my name. So of course, his mom rushed into the hallway and found me.”

“Shit. That’s not what I was expecting you to say. What happened?”

“She asked if I’d been listening in on their conversation, and while I told her I just got there, she didn’t believe me. Rightly so, because I heard a lot. Too much. But since she’s not aware how long I was listening, so she has no idea what I know.”

Easton stiffens, his eyes narrowing. “So she leaked information to the media?”

“Yes. And I think she’s kind of blackmailing me.”

“She’s what?” His voice raises as he stands, his fists clenched. “She’s blackmailing you?”

“Yes.”

“Fuck, Paige. Why didn’t you lead with that? Why didn’t you tell me and—”

“Shhh. You’ll wake Isaac. I didn’t tell you because I thought I could handle it and I didn’t want you involved. I still don’t.”

“Well, it’s too late for that.”

“No, it’s not. I told my dad. He’s helping so that you don’t have to.”

Easton shakes his head. “What if I want to?”

“Then I’ll say thanks but no thanks. My biggest fear in all of this is that you or Isaac will get caught up in it. I don’t want to hurt you. I couldn’t care less what happens to me anymore.”

“The problem with that statement is that I care what happens to you. And if something happens, you better believe it will hurt me. And Isaac.”

My stomach drops but I refuse to acknowledge it. That’s a different kind of hurt. They could survive that. It would be harder to survive something directly aimed their way.

“Dad’s handling it. I promise.”

“Fuck.” Easton runs a hand through his already mussed hair and sits down again, his expression pained as he turns my way. “So you expect me to sit back and trust that nothing’s going to happen to you?”

“Yes.” I climb into his lap, cupping his face in my hands. “But I will say I’m loving this protective side of you.”

Easton releases a grunt low in his throat. “I know what you’re doing and it won’t work.”

“What am I doing?” I raise my hands in surrender.

“You’re trying to distract me so I’ll relent.”

“Never. I just thought you should know that I like it. A lot.”

“How is she blackmailing you?” he asks, moving us back on topic. “What is she doing exactly?”

Dammit . My shoulders drop and I move to climb off him but he doesn’t let me, gripping my waist to pin me in place.

“You can tell me from here.”

I nod as my nose scrunches. “On top of releasing the stories about my past and making me out to be someone I’m not, they have photos of me and Christian. And me with other people—innocent photos that look bad. And possibly some X-rated ones.”

“X-rated? What the fuck does that mean?”

“Photos of me and Christian having sex.” I cringe but only because I’m anticipating Easton’s reaction. And he doesn’t disappoint.

“ Fuck .” He squeezes my waist. “How?”

“My guess is that they went through Christian’s phone.”

“Why the fuck does he have them?”

“Because we were in a relationship for years. Because I was young and stupid and I did things without thinking about my future. When Christian first took a photo of us, I considered the fact that he could share the images, but honestly, I didn’t think he had it in him. I never once considered that someone else might find them and use them against me.”

Easton opens his mouth to speak but I cut him off.

“And before you ask, I don’t regret that part of my life. I’d just prefer it stayed private.”

“I wasn’t going to say that. I was going to ask if there’s any chance Christian gave his parents the photos.”

“I don’t think so. He doesn’t seem to know what’s going on. He’s a smart guy when it comes to business, but he’s pretty clueless about everything else. Actually, self-centered is a better word.”

Easton closes his eyes as he releases a breath. “That actually makes it worse. I wish he knew what was happening so he could stop it.”

“Me too.”

“And you don’t want to tell him?”

“I’ve thought about it, but no. I think it’s best if I don’t. And Dad agreed. For now.”

“What’s your dad doing? I mean, to stop them from releasing more information.”

“Um, well, he’s not really dealing with that side of things because I didn’t give him all the details. He’s looking into finding proof about what I overheard.”

“What? Jesus . Isn’t that going to make things worse for you?”

“Possibly. But I couldn’t let them get away with it. I know their clients are wealthy, but that doesn’t mean they deserve to be ripped off.”

Easton stares up at me for a beat before he smiles. “You have a good heart, Paige. I just wish it didn't have the potential to get you into trouble.”

“Me too. And thanks.”

“For what?”

“For not telling me I’m crazy.”

“Why the hell would I do that?”

“I don’t know. But it wouldn’t be completely off base. I tried to go it alone. I hired someone to look for evidence, and if he’d found some, I was going to take them down. But he didn’t. So now my dad’s taking over.”

“And you think he’ll have better luck?”

“He’s taking a different approach. Christian’s family owns a few hedge funds, so my dad and Austin, the guy I hired, are going to try and invest their money. See what they do with it.”

Easton glances away thoughtfully, before looking back at me. “I think that’s a good plan.”

“I know. But it’s also risky.”

“I’m glad you’re here then.” He squeezes my waist again. “In San Francisco.”

“Me too. And I have no plans of going back…except for Thanksgiving.”

“Thanksgiving?”

“Yeah, I’m going to spend it with my mom’s family.”

“I’m not sure I like that plan.” Easton frowns. “You’ll be careful, right?”

“I promise.” As I say it, my first thought is that my mom wouldn’t let anything happen to me, but then I remember she’s involved with Christian’s dad and suddenly I’m not so sure. “I’ll look after myself.”

“What if that’s not enough?”

“Are you really worried?”

“Nope,” he lies. I can see the concern etched in his features. “I barely know you.”

“Barely know me, huh?”

“Yep.”

I grab his hands and place them on my breasts. “You know these.”

“I do,” he confirms with no emotion.

Lifting to my knees, I glide one of his hands between my legs and rub his finger against my core, trying hard not to moan. “You know this.”

“Yep.”

Next I lift his other hand to my mouth, holding his fingers against my lips as I speak. “And this.”

“I know your body, Paige. But I want to know this.” He drops his hand to my heart and holds it there, his eyes locked on mine. I can’t do anything but suck in a breath. “I don’t know where we go from here,” he adds, “but I want more.”

“I want that too. But I’m so scared.”

“Nothing needs to change from the outside looking in, but I want you to be mine, Paige. Even if I’m the only one that knows about it.”

“Funny thing is…I‘ve been yours since we met, and I’ve never felt like this before.”

Easton’s hands move to my face before sinking into my hair. “I’ve never felt like this either,” he whispers, his eyes bouncing between mine. “And while there’s a chance I’ll fuck it up, I can’t stand being casual anymore. In fact, we’ve been way beyond casual for a while.”

He pulls my face toward him and I press my lips to his, instantly opening my mouth to let him in. The kiss is soft and explorative. Different. We’re different. It’s not about a release anymore. It’s so much more than that.

Grabbing Easton’s face, I lean closer and deepen the kiss as I gently rock my hips. His cock hardens as he lets out a soft groan, but nothing changes, both of us keeping things slow, taking our time, feeling the moment.

My heart beats frantically as we kiss, and after another minute, Easton pulls back, his crystal-blue eyes staring into my soul. “I never saw you coming, Paige. But fuck, I’m glad that you’re here.”