Chapter 31
Graham
I have never regretted anything more than leaving Paige alone in her bed this morning.
Chris is the only reason I left. I was so lost in Paige last night that I didn’t turn on an alarm before falling asleep on the couch, and then she came to me.
It took me a moment to realize I wasn’t dreaming, and I was kissing her before I registered it. I drown in not caring about anyone but Paige, and it’s the first time I have felt alive in years.
I had no intention of stopping when I felt her reach for my cock, but I knew deep down if we had slept together last night, she would have regretted it. She is sleeping with Seth.
No matter how strained my engagement with Katherine is, I am still very much engaged but don’t want to be. No, what I want is to wake up next to Paige and finally get to act out some of these fantasies that have been driving me wild at night for months.
I hear my phone sound with a new message.
I can feel the all-too-familiar ache growing in my chest. I linger on the message for a minute before my phone rings.
“Hello?”
“Hey, did you make it to work on time?” Chris asks.
“Barely. Thanks, by the way.” I let out a small laugh.
“Can we talk about it?” Chris asks, and his tone seems curious enough that I don’t want to say no. The truth is, I think I need to talk to someone about it.
“Which part?” I ask, not trying to hide my exhaustion. “The part where I am clearly into Seth’s girlfriend. Or the part where I kissed her last night and wouldn’t have thought twice about sleeping with her if she hadn’t stopped us? Or we can talk about how I can’t fucking stop thinking about her.”
Chris is too quiet. So quiet that I have to check if Chris is still on the line twice.
“Seriously? Bro.”
I groan before Chris finally lets out a sigh.
“Graham, if you feel this strongly about Paige, you must deal with Katherine.”
“I am. I gave her until after Europe to find a new place. If she can’t come up with some money and live like roommates, I am selling the house and moving back in with Dad.”
“Do you mean it this time?”
“Yes.”
“Now, about Paige.” Chris sighs, and I suddenly feel so small.
“What about her?”
“How does she fit into all of this?”
It is the same question I have been asking myself since I left her bed this morning.
“I think she is supposed to be with me, and I need to figure out how we can make that happen.”
I shrug.
As much as I don’t want to interfere in Paige’s and Seth’s relationship, I don’t want to miss out on something I think is meant to be much more than last night. I want to drown with this woman and take care of her for the rest of my life.
“I have known you a long time, Graham, and I have never seen you act like this with anyone. You know how serious I am about Bre, and Paige is more than likely going to be my sister-in-law unless I somehow royally screw things up. You have to figure this shit out.”
“I know.” I let out a breath, frustrated.
Chris clears his throat, “How was it?”
I can hear the curiosity in his tone, and I am surprised.
“What?”
“Paige?”
I just chuckle softly.
“Nothing I have ever experienced before and yet so fucking addicting. Most nights, we end up falling asleep on the phone together, and then last night, I got to experience something I have been craving for longer than I realized.”
“You need to tell her.”
His tone is so protective. For once, I feel like he is the big brother in this situation, and I laugh.
“I will.” I sigh, and part of me knows he is right. I need to tell Paige how I feel no matter what happens after.
“By the way,” Chris says, catching my attention. “Are we still good for the river at the end of the week? Bre wants me to confirm before she lets everyone know at dinner tomorrow.”
“Yes, all set.”
I smile softly, looking forward to taking my boat out for the first and probably only time this summer.