“JP moved your things into my room,” I say and she freezes mid-step, glancing over her shoulder at me.Her long hair sways, her brows tightly knit as her mouth forms a thin white line.
“No way.The clothes are gorgeous and the gesture way too generous, but I have my own clothes.”She takes another step before turning back to face me.“I’m not staying.Do you think your driver could take me to my mom’s?”
“I will,” Donovan says from behind us.
Pivoting, I narrow my gaze as a sudden rush of heat propels me to get in his face.“Leave us alone.”He doesn’t budge but rather cocks his head to the side, his features cool and controlled.“Better yet, leave.”
“I’ll leave only if Paige wants me to.”
As if punched in the gut, everything in me wants to retaliate and lash out with a swift right hook to his jaw.But I don’t.It takes everything in me to stand still and trust in Paige to do the right thing.
“I’m fine.There’s no need for you to stay.”She’s way more polite than I would be, but the message is clear.Leave.
“All right then.Bye, Paige.”He wiggles his fingers in the air to make light of her rejection and I bite back a smirk.“I’ll be seeing you soon.”
Not if I have anything to say about it.
He’s a spoiled child, always wanting what or whom he can’t have.Sure, they may have known each other from before, but to him, the thought of tearing Paige away from someone like me makes her all the more enticing.Not to say she isn’t tempting enough on her own, but he’d sooner have her than drop her cold, moving on to the next person someone else is interested in, rather than leave her to me.
“Like I was saying, your things are in my room.”I guide her back up the stairs.
“I can’t stay.”
“With Morgan here, we can’t be in separate bedrooms,” I whisper.
“Didn’t you hear me?I’m leaving.Did you drop my clothes at my mom’s?”She nibbles on her bottom lip and then turns to finish her ascent to the second floor.Once on the landing, she hesitates, uncertain where to go.
“I had JP bring your clothes here.”
“Zach, I promised to make it look like we’re in a relationship but living together was never part of the deal,” she whispers, arms stiff and hands balled into fists at her sides.
“I don’t want you alone at your parents’.At least stay until they come back.”The truth, something real, burns my throat and squeezes my chest.I’m responsible for last night, for what that sick asshole did, and I can’t have her alone until he’s behind bars for good.
It’s unlikely he’ll go after her now that she’s no longer staying at that place, but I’m not willing to take that chance.A striking pair of tender brown eyes stare at me and her countenance softens.But she remains mute.
“Come with me.”I take her hand, leading us onto the terrace off my bedroom.
It’s half the size of the other balcony and I’m grateful for the fresh air.Things were getting too tense inside.She was digging in her heels, and hopefully being outside, the change of scenery, will help her clear her head and change her mind.
“Zach, we need to talk about this.”
Or not.
“Sleeping together is way beyond what we agreed to.”She stops to take in the view.“Oh, my.”
I nudge her into a cushioned chair, sliding an ottoman under her feet.While the outdoors sinks into her bones, I pour us a drink.
“It’s going to be fine.”I hand her a glass and watch as she sips the crisp, fruity white wine.
“Mmm, this is good.”
“Sancerre.Sit back and relax.There’s more where that came from.”
“But…”
“Paige.”I sit on the edge of the ottoman.“What’s the problem?My bed is big enough for the two of us.”
“That’s an overwhelming understatement.”She glances through the open French doors into my bedroom.“I’ve never seen a king that size.It’s huge.”
