“Hi, Natasha. How are you tonight?”
“No complaints. What can I get the two of you to drink?”
“I’ll have a Tom Collins,” Paige said.
“Scotch for me,” I said.
Paige opened the menu and began looking at her choices. I couldn’t stop stealing small glances at her as I pretended to look over the menu. She was so beautiful, and I was waiting for her to drop the bomb that she was leaving Los Angeles.
She reached over, grabbed a piece of bread, and spread some cherry butter on it. Taking a bite, her eyes widened.
“What the hell? This is amazing.”
“Right?” I breathed out a laugh. “That cherry butter gets me every time.”
“Look who’s here.” Sebastian smiled, walking over. “How are you, Parker?”
“I’m good, Sebastian. I’d like you to meet Paige Winters. Paige, this is Sebastian Kind, Simon’s brother.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Paige. Simon talks about you.”
“The pleasure is mine, Sebastian. I hope all good.” She smirked.
“I believe he used the words: tough and kind of scary.” He smiled.
“Good. I like those words.” She laughed. “Can I just tell you that I’ve traveled around the world and I have never had such amazing bread and butter in my life.”
“Thank you. I’m happy you’re enjoying it. I have to get back to the kitchen.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “It was good to see you, friend, and good to meet you, Paige.”
“He seems very nice.” She smiled.
“All the Kinds are exceptional people.”
As she grabbed another piece of bread and spread the cherry butter over it, a feeling of dread washed over me, for at any moment, she could leave, and I’d never see her again. After we ate, we went home and went down to the beach. The sound of waves crashing against the shore always soothed me. But tonight, it didn’t.
We sat in the sand as the moonlight illuminated us. I reached over and grabbed hold of her hand. She looked at me, and our eyes locked. I gently smiled at her and then stared at the water while my thumb softly stroked her skin.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. “It seems like something is bothering you.”
I couldn’t tell her what I felt.
“Nothing is bothering me. I’m just relieved all of this is over. I need a drink.” I stood up, bringing her up with me.
We walked hand in hand back to the house. Walking over to the bar, I grabbed the bottle of scotch and then set it down. I walked over to where she stood, grabbed her face, and smashed my mouth against hers. Swooping down, I picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, our lips never parting. Within seconds, our clothes were off, and our bodies melded together as I hovered over her, stroking her cheek.
“You’re so beautiful,” I whispered.
She moaned as her fingers dug into my shoulders.
When I thrust inside her, time slowed as we lost ourselves in each other. Nothing mattered—not the world, not the firm. Nothing existed beyond this room, this bed, this moment.
Our breath quickened as I rapidly thrust in and out of her. My lips nipped the sensitive spot right below her ear. She arched her back, her nails digging into my flesh. She orgasmed with such fierce intensity that it sent me spiraling, and I was unable to hold back. Moans escaped my lips as I strained every drop. Pulling out, I rolled on my back and placed my hand on my chest before extending my arm out to her. Her body snuggled against mine. She wasn’t just another woman.
I’d built my life on calculated decisions and control. Women were temporary. Convenient. Replaceable. But Paige wasn’t, and that was a problem. She didn’t fit into the tidy boxes I’d constructed for myself. She made me question everything I’d already settled a long time ago.
“Can I ask you something?” I asked.
“Of course.” Her fingers softly stroked my chest.