Both Walker, who some might say is my best friend for lack of a better word, and Gareth, one of my senior executives and a classmate from Harvard, look on with interest, all waiting for my response.
For several reasons, I want to tell them she is my fiancée, mostly to get them to back off and to mark her—mainly for Donovan—but I don’t go there.Not because of what Paige might do but because these men are gossips and like a clique.Anything I tell them will make the rounds of our social circle by lunchtime tomorrow and this includes Nan hearing about said fake engagement.
“She’s all right.This is Paige Hayes.My girlfriend.”I cringe at my poor choice of words.
Walker’s eyebrows skyrocket to his hairline.Donovan and Gareth do a better job of schooling their thoughts.A woman in my home isn’t a shocker, much less having one here on poker night.
What’s different is my entrance with Paige in my arms like I care.Staking a claim is totally my thing but not like this.I’m smoother, more subtle, and I’d never say “girlfriend.”
What am I doing?
Oh, yeah, I’m making it clear she’s off-limits because there’s no ambiguity about their intentions where she’s concerned.They’re hoping she’s fair game.Or more specifically, Donovan wants a piece and likely thinks he’s entitled to her given their brief history.
“Hi, Paige, I’m Walker Drummond.It’s a pleasure.”He takes her hand and gently kisses it.
I only hope the other two are smart enough to follow Walker’s lead.He and I are similar in that he wouldn’t move in on someone I’m seeing or even interested in.Besides, as horny or interested as Walk might be, he’s newly divorced.The inflicted wounds of his cheating wife are still fresh and tender.
“Hello.”Her smile is tight and nowhere near her eyes.
He reads her well and silently steps back.Unfortunately, Donovan is drunk and uncharacteristically clueless, wobbling toward her with a leering gaze—although I doubt he’d back off even sober.For some twisted reason, he thinks he has a right to Paige.Sinking my fingers into the bone of his shoulder, I stop him from getting any closer.He’s already too close.
“Paige, this is Gareth Markson, and Donovan you already know.”
She nods in greeting and Gareth does the same, but Donovan tries to get closer and the whiskey on him pricks at my nose.
“You don’t look okay,” Donovan slurs, trying to stand straight.“Let me take you home.”
He grabs for her arm and she steps back, closer to me.Her features bunch and twist, troubled.“I’m fine.”
“Paige, let me take care of you.”He tries again and steps toward her.“I know what you need.”
This time, in her still sleepy state, she isn’t fast enough, and he manages to latch onto her wrist.
“How the hell would you know what she needs?”My menacing tone causes him to pause as I get up close and personal.
“No.”Paige pulls back and into my side.“I’m staying with Zach.”
My chest swells at her willingness to trust I will take care of her and I widen my stance and broaden my chest like a barrier around her.
“Get him out of here,” Walker says before I can.
Gareth drags Donovan away while he mumbles crap about wanting to be there for her.She grips my forearm, fingernails breaking my flesh, and I grit my teeth to hold back a hiss.Pivoting, she takes me with her, my back now to the men as she steps into me, my body shielding her from their view.
“Get me out of here.Please.What is this, a party or something?”
It’s then the blaring music registers as do the many male voices booming like launched cannons from the game room.
“It’s poker night.I totally forgot when once you answered the phone.I’ll get rid of them.”
Before I can do as I promised, her nails dig into my muscle again.She’s got my attention.“Is there a washroom or somewhere I can go while they leave?I’m not exactly dressed for this.”
Within earshot, Walker offers to take her upstairs and while I want to be the one to do it, I need to tell the rowdy gang to hit the road, and it’s going to take a while.And I want to make sure Donovan leaves.
Thirty minutes later, all except Walker are gone.He lingers by the elevator and the wheels turning in his head are hard to miss.
“Just say it.”I tuck my hands in my pockets.
“Is she the one?”
