I sit back in my chair, rolling my pen between my fingers.If I didn’t know better, I would say she was about to shed a tear from the look on her face.She’s in four-inch heels that match her fitted-to-every-curve skirt suit.Her long blond hair is pulled back at the side, showing her high cheekbones and peaches-and-cream skin.The first time I saw her, I thought she was too beautiful for words to describe.Like my father said, she reminded me of a sweet Georgia peach I wanted to sink my teeth into, and I did—many times.The peach was great, then it turned sour, leaving a bad taste in my mouth when she fucked one of my business partners.
“No, Paige, you did nothing wrong.I’m in a relationship.You staying in my room is not something she would appreciate.”
“Oh…I understand.We’re mature adults, Nick, I think we can stay in the same room without having sex.”
“I know we’re not going to have sex.I’m not worried about that.I have no interest in having any kind of sex with you.”
She runs a manicured finger over her eyebrow.“Always so honest, aren’t you?”
“I try to be, so there is no misunderstanding.You can stay in the room because there’s not another one available.I checked.”
“This girl, is she the same girl you were with before?”
“Yes, the same woman I was with before.She gave me a second chance.”
“She must be some girl, to tame you.”
I smile and nod my head.“She’s someone special.”
She pulls her lips together and lets out a breath, putting a smile on her face.“Okay, I have what I came for.”She holds up the papers for me to see.“I’ll see you back at the hotel later.”
She reaches the door and I call her name.“Paige.”
“Yes.”She turns her head with her hand on the knob.
“You need to keep your clothes on.You’re going to find another hotel if I see you walking around in another piece of whatever you had on last night.”
“Got it.You have to keep it clean for your new girl.I will put my goodies away, but it’s not like you haven’t seen them before.They’re still as good as you remember.”
“See, talk like that will get you kicked out.”
“I’ll behave myself.I promise.”She winks at me over her shoulder before closing the door, and I slump back into my chair.
“I hope I don’t end up regretting this decision.”But truthfully, I’m regretting it already.
It’s late when I get back to the hotel.I take a quick shower and lie down on the couch.Before I came back to the hotel I spoke to Cat; I didn’t want to call her with Paige in the hotel room.She’d probably say something out loud so Cat could hear her.I don’t need that shit.And the less time spent with Paige the better.I’m watching the news channel when Paige comes out of her room.She sits right next to me, like I invited her to.I keep my eyes focused on the news with a bored expression on my face.I do notice she is fully dressed in silk pajama pants and the matching long-sleeved shirt.
“You like?I’m fully dressed, like you requested.”
“I didn’t know you owned sleep attire that provided you with this much coverage.”
“I don’t.I had to buy this before I came back to the hotel.Do you approve?”
“Yes.”I flip through the channels, not really interested in anything besides going to bed.I’m wondering if I have to tell her to get the hell up.I’m ready to sleep and I can’t speak to the one person whose voice I want to hear.I’m getting irritated.
“Nick.”
“What?”I growl, not interested in conversation.
“Can’t we talk without you snapping at me?”
“What do you want, Paige?”
“I just want to talk.You’re hurting my feelings.You’re treating me like I’m a parasite.We used to be able to talk before—”
“Before you screwed my business partner.”
“You’re still angry with me.”
