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His mocking smile helps Paige clarify her thoughts because she powers on. “You are doing something fantastic. Writing a book. Some people talk about it, but you’re actually doing it and that’s amazing. I think you’re amazing.”
Her words hit Cole like a slap, knocking all the mockery off of his face and leaving a stunned lost look in his eyes. I’ve never seen him like this before, and I suddenly feel self-conscious for him. I shouldn’t be here. Not when Paige is peeling back his protective layers.
“And it might get hard. You’ll probably get frustrated or feel blocked at some point. Or maybe you won’t. The words might come easy to you. But if you ever want to talk to someone about your writing, there are writers’ groups all over the city. Check online or at the local libraries. Just, don’t give up. Because I want to read your book. Okay?” Paige stares across the room, waiting for Cole to respond.
After a moment, he gives a jerky nod of his head, eyes glued to her.
I need to get Paige out of this room before my roommate falls in love with her.
“Let’s go. Leave him to write that book.” I slide my hand into hers, needing to lay some type of claim to her.
She whips her head around to glance at our twined fingers, before staring up at me with a confused smile.
“Okay. Bye, Cole.” Paige waves over her shoulder as she wanders out of the room, me trailing close behind.
In the hall I move into the lead, dragging her fast through my house so she doesn’t have a chance to absorb too much of the decay.
Back beside her car, I let go of some of the tension in my shoulders, but the street still puts on display how crappy my living situation is.
“Thank you. For letting me use your bathroom. I’m sorry I shoved my way into your house. And tell Cole I’m sorry if anything I said offended him.”
“I don’t think an apology is what he wants from you,” I mutter.
“Oh. What do you think he wants?” Paige stares up at me, eyes innocent, mouth parted slightly as if to entice me.
I clear my throat before answering. “Nothing. I just…you don’t need to apologize. For anything. Everything you did tonight was perfect.”
The only light on the street is what shines out from behind people’s curtains, but even in that muted glow, I think I make out a blush stealing over Paige’s pale skin.
“Good to know. Well. Everything you did tonight was perfect, too.”
Then, because apparently, she wasn’t tempting me enough, Paige steps into my space and wraps her arms around my torso.
The hug is soft, supportive, comforting, and yet sensual. The curves of her body mold to mine so well I’m sure I could create a diagram of them. I know I’ll map them out later tonight when I’m in bed. As I return the gesture and press my nose into her loose hair, the earthy scent of coffee floods my lungs. When her arms begin to retract, I pull in another deep breath, trying to hold onto every last bit of her for as long as I can.
“Damn.”
Her quiet curse has me searching her face for anything that might’ve gone wrong. That I did wrong.
“Pumpkin is going to be so bummed.”
“Why’s that?”
Paige gives me a rueful grin. “Now I smell like you.” She lifts the white fabric of her shirt, showing off more of her midriff with the move. After holding the shirt to her nose for a moment, she lets it drop back into place. “She’s going to sniff me and wonder where you are. That dog loves you.” She sighs and flicks my chest playfully. “But who can blame her? You’re a lovable guy.”
Leaving me standing on the cracked, weed-covered sidewalk, Paige slides behind the wheel of her Chevy.
“Have good dreams, Dash!”
As the Impala disappears around the corner, I’m still dealing with a dangerous tailspin of emotions.
Chapter Fourteen
PAIGE
“So, I may have gone just a tiny little bit overboard.” I try not to cringe as Dash scans my parents’ backyard.
What used to be a decent-sized grassy expanse is now a fully equipped doggy agility course. I’ve got tunnels. I’ve got ramps. I’ve got poles. I’ve got hurdles.
