Page 43

Paige

E aston glances around the room and my chest flutters. As much as I’d love to see him beat the shit out of Christian after the little stunt he pulled… “I think it’s best if we leave.”

“Fuck, no.” Easton stands tall and for the first time I have absolutely no doubt that I’m in love with him. And I’d rather talk about that than confront my ex.

“He’s harmless.” Grabbing Easton’s hand, I turn to drag him away. “Let’s—”

“Who’s your friend?” Christian calls out and I cringe. We were so close.

I try to keep walking, but Easton stands firm and there is no way I’m moving him.

“Paigey baby, wait.” And…Christian’s drunk now. Great .

“Paigey baby?” Easton grates from beside me, and I squeeze his hand to calm him.

“He’s drunk, East. Can we please go?”

“Why did you call me? What did he do?”

“Let’s talk about it somewhere else.”

“Paige.”

“He sent an intimate photo of us to his friend, who happens to have a contact at the modeling agency I work for.”

“The fuck?” Easton pulls his hand from my grasp and steps forward as Christian greets us.

“You must be the new man Paige was talking about. If you need any tips on how to handle her, I’ve got plenty.”

Easton’s fists clench as he steps forward, but before he can open his mouth, I step between them. “What the hell, Christian?”

Hayley rushes forward, but I shake my head to stop her before turning to face Easton, securing my palms on his chest as I glance up at him.

“Please, Easton. He’s not worth it. I promise he didn’t hurt me—they’re just threats. I need to keep you out of it. Please let me do that.”

“Fuck, Paige.” His strained voice makes me even more determined to remove him from the situation. He’s not thinking clearly. Because if he was, he’d realize I’m right.

I push him back a few steps, and he reluctantly lets me guide him, but his eyes remain locked on Christian behind me. “Don’t make me drop to my knees and beg you,” I whisper, drawing his gaze. “Because I will. Right here in front of everyone. I’ll beg.”

A strangled groan releases from his throat, but his eyes alight with fire. “You’re playing dirty, Paige.”

“Take me home and I’ll show you how dirty I can be.”

“Why won’t you let me talk to him?”

“Because I’m worried about you. Please think about it.”

Easton sucks in a breath and I copy him, waiting to see what he does next. His eyes bounce between Christian’s and mine before he finally unclenches his fists and turns, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Thank God. I sigh in relief, my gaze bouncing around the room to find we haven’t drawn as much attention as I thought. Hayley catches my eye and waves, motioning for me to leave as her gaze flits to Christian. I glance back his way, ready for a triumphant smirk, but he’s frowning as he watches us, completely ignoring his fiancée beside him.

When we reach the door, a wave of air rushes into my lungs as though I’m finally able to breathe, and it’s only then that it hits me how badly that could have gone. Easton could have lost Isaac. Macy doesn’t need much ammunition to take him away. And I’ll bet she’s ready to pounce the second Easton files for custody.

Easton’s silent on the way to his truck, so I keep my mouth shut, but the second we reach it, he pushes me against the door, his hand curling around my throat as he forces me to look at him. “I have never wanted to hurt someone as much as I wanted to hurt that poor excuse of a man. Thank you.”

“Thank you?” My eyes widen as I stare up at him, at the same moment his hold on me softens.

“You were right. I couldn’t see past my rage. Don’t get me wrong. I would have hurt him for you, but it would have come at a cost.”

“Whether you hurt him or not, you’re still my hero.”

The smallest of smiles pulls at Easton’s lips. “You don’t need a hero. I can’t imagine you ever have.”

“Don’t be so sure. We all have our moments. Plus, heroes are sexy.” I waggle my eyebrows and laugh.

“Okay, fine. I’ll be your hero.” He chuckles and the sound arouses me, especially when he adds, “What would you like me to do?”

“Kiss the girl,” I blurt without giving it much thought. “I want you to kiss me again exactly like you did inside. Show me how much you want me. Let me feel the tension you felt back there when you were trying to protect me.”

Easton’s brows lift and he stares at me in challenge, waiting for me to back down. But I don’t. I want to share every emotion with him. The good, the bad, the tense. I want it all.

“Show m—”

He slams his lips to mine, stealing my breath along with my words, and a soft mewl escapes me. His kisses a path down my neck, driving me wild as his hands roam.

“God, I want you so badly,” he rasps against my skin, the vibrations making me shiver as I moan once more.

“Me too. Let’s go home.”

“What if I can’t wait?” He pulls back to stare at me, his bright blue eyes darkening. “What if I need you now?”

“Not here,” I rush out, my voice breathy as his hand makes its way under my dress. My breath hitches in anticipation, but while we’re hidden in our current position, that doesn’t mean someone isn’t going to leave the venue soon and walk right past us.

I try to find my voice, but I’m enjoying his touch too much to pull away. His warm palm wraps around my thigh before his hand glides up my leg, moving toward my center. I hold my breath and my legs clench, waiting for his reaction, and when he finds my panties, he pauses.

“Fuck, Paige. You wore these for me, didn’t you?”

“I did,” I admit, biting my lip as he brushes a finger across my heat, setting my body on fire. “I did it for you.”

“ Christ .” His fingers wrap around my hair and he pulls my head back, the intensity of his gaze making me shiver as he stares down at me. “Get in the back seat and lie down. You deserve a reward.”

“Oh God.” Arousal pools at my center, and despite my earlier reservations, the second he steps back, I do as he asked, opening the back door and crawling inside, slowly, my ass wriggling in the air.

“Actually, no. Stay like that.” I freeze before glancing over my shoulder, catching the intensity in his gaze. “I’m going to slide underneath you and you’re going to ride my face while you suck my cock. Right here in the parking lot. While your guests are inside. And that asshole is wondering why the fuck he ever let you go.”

I ’m still panting when we pull into our building parking garage, and I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I’m learning new things about Easton every day and God, is he full of surprises. I love his gruff exterior, the man he presents to the world. But then he hits me with this protective alpha vibe along with his sweet tender moments, and I am head over heels for this man.

He’s everything I didn’t think I wanted, and I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found him. “I think I’m past the falling stage, I think I’m in love with you.” I pause with my confession out in the air and wait for the anxious buzzing in my chest, only it doesn’t come, making me more determined to tell him how I feel. “Actually, no. I am one hundred percent in love with you.”

Easton laughs as he comes to a stop and puts the truck in park, spinning in his seat to face me. “What did you say to me once? Don’t make any life-changing decisions while emotions are high. It’s been a big night and—”

“No.” I reach out and grab his hand. “That’s not it at all. You’re an amazing man. There are so many layers to you that I’m not even sure anyone has ever seen them, but I want to. I want to see them all, experience them all. I want all of you. If you’ll give it to me.”

“Paige, you already have all of me. You’ve had it for longer than I realized. And you’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted to give it to.”

My breath hitches as he reaches out and brushes his thumb across my lips before dropping his hand to cup my neck. “This is fucking terrifying,” he whispers, his eyes on my mouth as though it’s too big to say into my eyes. “But it’s more real than anything I’ve ever felt. I know I’m in love with you. Without a doubt.”

He leans forward and kisses me softly, his lips gently caressing mine, while my heart pounds so hard I’m almost certain he can hear it. This feeling of love is something I’ve never experienced before. It’s a feeling I never even knew I was chasing. But now that I’ve felt it, I’ll never settle for anything less. Because this euphoria is everything and more.

Easton’s phone buzzes and he groans against my lips before pulling away. “Sorry, it could be Keeley.”

He checks the screen and scoffs. “It’s not. It’s Luke telling the group that he can’t sleep. He’s too revved up for our away game on Monday.” Easton rolls his eyes, but I don’t miss the slight lift of his lips as though he wants to smile but thinks better of it. Like he doesn’t deserve too much happiness.

“Now, where were we?” he asks, leaning in to kiss me again until I raise my hand to stop him.

“We were going inside. You go and relieve Keeley. I need to change the panties you destroyed.”

Easton chuckles again before his expression turns serious. “Pack a bag; you’re staying at my place.”

“I—”

“No arguments.”

“I wasn’t going to argue. I was going to say I know. I won’t be long.”

“Good.” He smirks.

We’re quiet again as we get into an occupied elevator, but when we stop at my level, Easton squeezes my ass before I move toward the door, raising an eyebrow when I glance back. Tease . There’s another Easton to add to the list—playful.

Despite saying I’d be quick, I’m slow to get changed, and by the time I’m back at Easton’s, I’m relieved to find Keeley gone. I’ve texted her about her mom, but I’m not ready to talk about my relationship with her brother. Not yet, anyway.

It’s after midnight, but I find Easton on the couch, a beer in hand as he stares at a blank TV screen, lost in thought.

“Are you okay?” I ask, no longer holding back when I have something to say.

He glances up at me and smiles, lifting his arm for me to join him. “I am now.” He winks. “You’re back.”

“But something’s bothering you?” I drop down next to him, curling my legs under me as I turn his way, waiting for a response. “Now that I know you better, I can read the signs,” I joke to ease his stress, and he huffs out a laugh.

“You’ve always been able to read my signs, and you’re right again. I’m thinking about everything that’s going on. The future.”

“Sheesh. The future. That’s heavy.” I smile before lifting his arm and tucking myself into his hold. “Anything I can help with?”

“You just did. Being here helps. I feel stronger. Like this is all going to work out. Is that crazy?”

“No, not at all. Because I feel the same.” A yawn escapes me and I try to hide it, but Easton notices.

“We should go to bed.” He moves to stand up but I stop him.

“Can we just sit for a while? This feels nice. Just being.”

I curl myself farther into him and he welcomes me, making himself comfortable. “That sounds good. Actually no, just being sounds perfect.”

Easton turns on the TV but I don’t really watch it. Instead, my mind drifts to the future, just like his was, only instead of panicking like I thought I would, a sense of calm takes over me.

I must fall asleep right there on the couch, because when I wake up suddenly, I’m in Easton’s bed with him breathing softly beside me. I smile to myself until my eyes focus and I realize what woke me.

Spotting Isaac, I gasp and sit up, thankful that I’m still fully clothed. “Isaac, are you okay?”

“I had a bad dream. Can you take me back to bed?”

“Ah, sure. I’ll wake your dad.”

He shakes his head no and reaches for my hand, curling his warm fingers through my own. “I want you to cuddle me.”

My heart fills with a new kind of love, one different to what I share with Easton. And I know with absolute certainty that I’m going to protect this little boy with all that I have. I love his Dad, more than I’ve ever loved anyone before, but Isaac just became my number one priority. And together, I feel whole for the very first time.