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"I don't. I have no idea what I'm doing." I stroke her cheek with my thumb. "But I want to learn. Want you to teach me. Want to figure out what makes you fall apart."

She searches my face. Looking for something. Truth, maybe. Or confirmation that I'm not just saying what she wants to hear.

"Okay," she finally whispers. "Okay. Show me what you've got, priest."

And I pull her down into a kiss, ready to learn exactly what makes Paige come undone.

Chapter 8 - Paige

Gabriel stares at me, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his cock still hard and glistening from my mouth.

"Lie down," he says quietly. Not a command. More like a plea.

I do. Settle onto my back against the pillows, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. He kneels between my legs, his hands hovering over me like he's not sure where to start.

A virgin. This gorgeous, tattooed man who just knocked out my ex-boyfriend is a virgin. The information hasn't fully processed yet. Keeps circling in my head like something that can't possibly be true.

His hands move to the hem of the t-shirt that I'm wearing. He looks at me, silently asking permission.

I nod.

He peels it off slowly. Exposes my body inch by inch. My soft stomach that's never been flat. My full breasts that are too heavy and sag slightly. My freckled shoulders. Everything I've learned to hide under oversized clothes.

Cole used to pinch my stomach. Used to suggest meal plans and gym memberships. Used to make comments about how other women at his office looked, how they maintained themselves, how maybe I should try harder.

Gabriel just stares. His eyes track every curve, every soft place, every imperfection.

"You're beautiful," he says.

"I'm not…"

"Don't." He shakes his head. "Don't tell me you're not. I have eyes, Paige. I can see you."

I want to argue but the way he's looking at me makes the words die in my throat. His hands move to the sweatpants next. Fingers hook in the waistband.

"Wait," I say quickly. "I'm not wearing underwear."

He pauses. Looks at me with those calm blue eyes that somehow make me feel both exposed and safe. "Okay."

"I just…I wanted you to know before you—"

"Paige." His voice is gentle. "I don't care if you're wearing underwear or not. I want to see you. All of you. If that's okay."

I nod. Can't speak. My throat is too tight. He pulls the sweatpants down, and slides them over my hips, down my thighs, off completely.

And then I'm naked. Completely bare in front of a man I barely know in a motel room that smells like cheap cleaning products and old carpet.

He looks at my pussy. Already glistening. Already wet from sucking his cock and anticipating what comes next.

"Fuck," he breathes. His hands grip my thighs. "You're already so wet."

"I know. I'm sorry!"

"Why are you apologizing?" He looks genuinely confused. "That's… Paige, that's the hottest thing I've ever seen."

"Really?"

"Really." He leans down and kisses my inner thigh. Just above my knee. "Can I taste you?"