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She chuckled, bringing her hand to her temple in an army salutation. “Yes, sir. But only if you help me install it.”
“Of course.” I brought my lips to her cheek, then trailed them to her mouth, kissing one corner, then moving to the other. Then I kissed her. I hadn’t thought a kiss could be hotter than the one at the wedding. I’d been wrong. She leaned back against the door for support as I deepened my exploration. She was free to touch me this time, and she took full advantage. She started with my arms, then moved to my shoulders before descending to my chest. I groaned against her mouth, and then one of my hands was on her thigh, touching her bare skin. She rolled her hips forward. I moved my hand higher just a fraction of an inch and then stopped. My other hand tightened on her shoulder. I was fighting the urge to move my hand even higher. She seemed to realize that... and moved it for me.
She was going to be the death of me. I needed to touch this woman intimately. I’d barely refrained when I kissed her at the wedding, but now, in this dark hallway.... One inch, then another, I trailed my fingers, until I reached between her legs. Her pussy was drenched. I was trembling with the desire to push her panties to one side and sink my fingers inside her. Hell, I wanted to drop to my knees and worship her with my mouth, right now. Instead, I retrieved my hand completely, placing it on the door with a loud thump. I had to tear myself away from her.
Outside the building, she’d been wary of me coming up. Now she was aroused in addition to being tipsy, and I knew that combination meant she wasn’t thinking clearly. She’d regret this tomorrow. I was a nanosecond from breaking down the door and taking her inside, spreading her wide and feasting on her, sinking inside her. I pulled on every ounce of self-restraint and almost moved away... but then she lowered her hands to my hips, slamming them against hers.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. I was only human, and I was so turned on, I could barely think. My dick was painfully hard, and the suit pants weren’t much help covering it. The length of my cock was pressing against her belly, and the friction was driving me insane. Paige had wound her hands in my hair, and she lifted one leg up my thigh, opening herself up. I nearly came in my pants. I breathed in and out, and finally tore my mouth away from hers. I brought both hands to her hips, pushing them firmly against the door.
“Fucking hell, Paige. You’re killing me.”
She was looking up at me with pent-up desire. I wanted nothing more than to go inside with her. If I thought I could keep my hands off her, I would. Just to talk to her, maybe find out a little more about her reticence about my job and how deep it went—if it was a deal-breaker. I was content even to just take some more button pushing from her. I wanted to be with her partly because tonight of all nights, I didn’t feel like being on my own, but also because I was consumed by her.
I’d always followed my instincts, and I felt it deep in my bones that I wanted Paige in my life, perhaps even needed her. I wasn’t sure how I felt about needing someone since I’d pushed away that concept at seventeen, but the entire day, that instinct had grown stronger. I wouldn’t ignore it.
“Go inside. We’re both buzzed from the champagne, and I’m very close to losing control. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She blinked, then said awkwardly, “You’re right. Thanks for keeping a clear head.”
She turned around, but not before I noticed a strange expression on her face. It looked like shame, possibly even disappointment. I wanted to clear something up. I brought a hand to her waist, figuring it was safe to touch her because she had her back to me, so I couldn’t get lost in her eyes or
be tempted by her mouth and lose all reason.
I brought my mouth to her ear. “Paige, this doesn’t mean I don’t want you. I do, and when we take that step, I promise I’ll fuck you so good.” My voice was almost a growl. Her knees buckled, and she missed the lock twice. I covered her hand with mine and guided the key inside the lock.
“Will....”
“But I want us both—you especially—to be completely sober and in full possession of our mental faculties.” I kissed the top of her back, then lower between her shoulder blades. “And in full possession of our senses, so you won’t miss any single thing I’ll be doing to you.” I spoke every word against her skin. I felt a small quiver snake through her just as I took my hand away from her waist. She turned the key in her lock, then went inside. I fought against all my instincts to keep from knocking at her door.
Chapter Ten
Paige
Next day, I headed to my parents’ house for brunch. My sisters and my brother were going to be there too, which made me giddy with excitement. I was going to get some much-needed quality time with my nieces. It had been far too long since I’d played with them. I put on a sundress and a large hat, bagging sunscreen too. My parents had a small pool, and I intended to use it.
I’d woken up with a suspiciously clear head. I’d feared a hangover, but so far, so good. Maybe I’d imagined all those champagne glasses... or the hotter-than-hell way Will had kissed me against the door. Had I imagined the dirty talk too? A sizzle went through me as I remembered his exact words. Nope, my imagination wasn’t that good. I appreciated that he’d remembered we were both buzzed, when I’d gotten so lost in him. I knew most men wouldn’t have cared about me being drunk when I practically jumped him in front of my door, even though I hadn’t intended to let him into my bed so soon.
But his kiss had set me on fire, and well... I had been more than buzzed.
I arrived first, and my mother’s first comment, as usual, was “Honey, you’re too thin.”
After which she loaded extra sausage and bread onto my plate.
“We’re not waiting for everyone else to arrive?” I asked.
“We can eat with them too,” Mom said. I hid my smile. So did my father. Ever since I’d lost weight in high school, Mom had been convinced I was too thin. I’d given up convincing her otherwise, and settled on doing extra laps in the pool after every meal.
I was the only one eating, though. Mom was too busy fussing around me, and Dad was watering some roses that the automatic sprinklers didn’t reach. He walked with a slight limp he’d acquired nearly fifteen years ago. It had been one of the worst nights for the entire family. We’d thought the worst. I remembered sitting huddled on the couch with my sisters, none of us daring to talk. We’d put my brother to bed earlier, so he hadn’t been aware. They were crying silently, but I wanted to be like Mom, who hadn’t cried once.
But by morning, the hair at her temples had gone completely white. I’d researched it, and apparently shock can turn your hair white in a couple of hours. Mom had dyed her hair platinum blonde ever since.
I’d always been in awe of my parents’ bond. It had survived for decades, despite the fact that Dad had spent most of their marriage deployed.
Mom had tried to keep most of her anguish to herself, but I noticed every time. She wouldn’t cry in front of us, but many mornings she couldn’t get out of bed, explaining she had migraines, and would ask me to prepare breakfast for the little ones. She wouldn’t even look my way, which I’d learned meant she was trying to hide her face because her eyes were puffy from crying. I’d felt her fear deep in my bones even as she tried to keep the bad news to herself. The intensity of their love had frightened me sometimes.
My sisters, Miranda and Elsa, arrived at the same time, and my brother fifteen minutes later. They each had a little girl, and I hugged the living daylights out of them. When had they gotten so big? God, I’d missed so much. We ate as fast as we could and then jumped right in the pool.
“Hey, brat, how is it going with the inn?” my brother asked.
