7
Paige
Iknew something bad was going to go down the moment I saw Scott stand up from the opposite end of the dining room and cross toward the bar following Taylor. I jumped up, too, my attempt to intercept him, but he simply took me by the shoulders and said, “If not now, when? Another twelve years when hefinallycomes home again? I have totry.”
“Buthere?” I hissed. “At Cam and Lydia’s engagementparty?”
He glanced at Cam who gave him a small nod. “Who do you think told me to gotry?”
He walked passed me to the bar where Kyra and Taylor weretalking.
Their voices grew loud immediately, and I watched as the dining room grew silent, their eyes shifting to the bar. That’s when I sprang into action, grabbing some of the caterers and soliciting their help in closing off the doors that lead into the dining room. I could at least mute the sound and hopefully save the party. Thankfully, it was windingdown.
Taylor stormed past me and flung open the door, stomping up the stairs toward his room. I gnashed my teeth together and asked my brother, “Which room is hein?”
Scott sighed, “He’s in the librarysuite.”
I turned and went after Taylor, taking the steps two at a time. I made it to his door only moments after him, it seemed, because it was still left ajar. I gave a light knock and pushed it open. “Taylor?”
Poking my head in, I found him, throwing items into his duffel bag. He had tugged his tie loose and his dress shirt was completely unbuttoned as though he’d planned to tear it from hisbody.
“Go away,” he grumbled. I ignored him, and slipped in the room anyway, shutting the door behind me. “You can save it,” he said. “I’m not fucking stayinghere.”
I swallowed, my gaze trailing out the window where the snow was coming down in heavy gusts of wind. “I get it,” I said. “I hate being lied to, too. But where are you going to go?” I pointed to the window. “Even if you weren’t drunk and could soberly drive home, you shouldn’t be on the road tonight.” Somehow, those two to four inches they’d predicted was now a blizzard warning and we were estimated to get twelve to sixteen inches by themorning.
“I’m not stupid,” he said and tossed his phone at me. “I found an Airbnb right nextdoor.”
I glanced down and immediately jerked my gaze back to him.No. Did he know? Did he realize that he had just bookedmyAirbnb? Based on his clueless expression and the way he continued to pack, unflinching, I was going to guess he had noidea.
My eyes traveled over his shoulders as he tugged his arms free of the shirt and stuffed it into his bag, not bothering to fold it first. The sinews of his arms were tensed, and a vein ran down the length of his bicep and forearm, making my mouthwater.
He turned, a blue cashmere sweater in hand and caught me staring at his muscled chest. A smile curved on his mouth and he tilted his head. “A picture will last longer. I can get you a signedheadshot.”
That snarky son of a bitch. “Says the guy that couldn’t stop watchingmeall night.” I threw back at him. “Yeah, Taylor Wilson. You’re not as smooth as you think youare.”
He laughed and threw his head back. “Three Super Bowl rings say differently.” He zipped his duffel bag closed and shrugged the t-shirt overhead, his abs flexing in such a perfect way that I had no doubt, he did it purposefully just to showoff.
I took a step closer, my lungs burning with each heavy, ragged breath. I was like a magnet being drawn to him. Just like in high school, our chemistry was thick and potent and almost impossible to resist. I licked my lips, standing so close to him that I could see the way his jaw clenched. I shivered as he lifted his hand and brushed the backs of his knuckles down my bare arm. “The only ring that should matter to you tonight is my NuvaRing,” Iwhispered.
His eyes went immediately wide. Oh my god. Sometimes I even surprise myself with the crap that comes out of my mouth. I thought it would be funny. Maybe sexy. But it just sounded… crazy. I sounded crazy. This is what I get for acting spontaneous. It never worked out for me. I resisted the urge to bury my face in my hands, but I was also pretty damn sure my pink cheeks were giving meaway.
His smile twitched. “Paige Williams… are you hitting onme?”
Wasn’t it obvious? And I liked it… up until that whole stupid NuvaRing comment. I cleared my throat. “Well, I wastryingto. Note to self: Talking about birth control isn’tforeplay.”
He laughed loudly at that, tossing his head back and his hands landed on my hips. “Oh, I don’t know. I like knowing that a woman is being safe.” His smile dropped, his lips drawing into a thin line. “I also like when a woman makes it obvious she wants this as much as I do.” He swallowed and my gaze followed the thick movement of his throat. He leaned down, and I shivered as his lips came dangerously close to mine. “I liked it back in high school when you kissed me, too,” hewhispered.
I likedhim. I hadn’t let myself be with someone inwaytoo long. I felt tiny standing so close to him which was rare for me since I was almost 5’10”. His hot breath smelled like whiskey and mint, as though he’d just brushed his teeth. Sliding my palm up his arm, I scraped my nails gently against his flesh, causing goosebumps to rise on his skin beneath my fingertips. Then, pushing onto my toes, I whispered in his ear, intentionally letting my lips brush his skin, “Is that three Super Bowl rings in your pocket, or are you just happy to seeme?”
His chuckle was low and soft. “If I was only the size of three Super Bowl rings, we’d have aproblem.”
I stepped back, grinning. “Come on Wilson.” I jerked my head toward thedoor.
He lifted a brow. “Come onwhere?”
“Your Airbnb, of course. I know that unit, and I can take youthere.”
His bright blue eyes narrowed at me, then he tugged my hand, pulling me flush against his body. His fingers curved around my jaw and teased my flesh in small, gentle circles. “Are you planning on acting on your flirtations, Paige?” His breath was heavy and my pulse slammed against my throat at our close proximity. He had to be able to hear the thundering pulse of myheart.
