AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why don’t you just tell me what problem you think I’m having.”
“Okay, look.” He hesitated, as if searching for just the right words. “When we first connected, I thought you were beautiful, smart, fun. I even thought, strange as this might sound, that there could be a future. I knew there were unresolved issues with regards to your family and your ex. I knew you were still hurting. And I’m not an idiot. I knew tonight was all about making a point, and I was cool with that. I’ve never been the instrument of anyone’s revenge before, and to be honest, I was flattered.”
“Still not sure what you’re getting at.”
“I was actually looking forward to the party.”
“You certainly seemed to be enjoying yourself.”
“How the hell would you know?” he snapped, his sudden anger catching Paige by surprise. “You barely looked at me all night. I don’t think you said more than a dozen words to me the whole evening. It was like once you’d introduced me to your cousin, I’d served my purpose. From then on, I was just in your way.”
“That’s not true,” Paige said, although she knew it was.
“And then you excused yourself to go to the bathroom, ostensibly to check on your mother, and I saw your ex take off after you, and the two of you were gone for the better part of fifteen minutes. It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together. Even Heather figured that one out pretty quick. She was racing around the room like a chicken with her head cut off.”
Paige bit down on her lip to keep from smiling.
“And then you come running back in, all flushed, and say ‘let’s get out of here.’ We take off without a word to anyone, you say let’s go to my place, and suddenly you’re all over me. You can’t get my clothes off fast enough, and damn it, Paige, I’d like nothing more than to return the favor. I’ve been wanting to make love to you from the moment I first laid eyes on you.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“The problem is I’m not stupid. I know tonight isn’t about me. I know that what’s happening is a reaction to whatever happened between you and Noah. That you’ve got all this excess energy you’re desperate to get rid of. That I could be anybody. And much as I’d like to take advantage of the situation, I can’t do it.”
“Even if I want you to?”
“It’s not just about you,” he said. “I’m protecting myself here, Paige. Your cousin was wrong when she said I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I knowexactlywhere this is headed, and it’s down a one-way street. I’ve been down that road once already. I don’t want to go there again. I deserve better.”
Paige’s eyes filled with tears. “Yes, you do,” she acknowledged, sitting down beside him and taking his hand. “You’re a good man, Sam Benjamin.”
“I know,” he said. “Good man. Bad timing.”
She smiled. “Maybe I could have a rain check someday?”
He smiled back. “You know how to find me.”
—
“Paige?” her mother called from her bedroom as Paige entered the condo. “Darling, are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” Paige walked into the family room and plopped down on the sofa, her clutch in her lap.Horny, but fine,she thought, as her mother entered the room, wearing a long blue nightgown and a worried look on her shiny face. “Did I wake you?” Paige asked her.
“No, I only got home about half an hour ago. I’ve been busy with my moisturizers…”
“Did you hear about…?”
“…what happened? Oh, yes. I believe that was the slap heard ’round the world. I have to admit, you made me very proud.” Joan sat down beside her daughter, taking her in her arms and kissing her forehead. “How was it for you?”
Paige laughed. “I cannot begin to describe how good it felt.”
“Oh, I’m so glad. It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving fellow.” She patted her daughter’s hand. “And speaking of fellows, I wasn’t sure you’d be coming home tonight.”
“Believe me, it wasn’t my idea.”
“Oh, dear. Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not especially. Do you mind?”
“Of course not.” Her mother pushed herself to her feet, looking almost relieved. “Think I’ll go to bed, then, if you’re okay with that.”
