27. Chapter 27
Chapter 27
JULES: Well?
For a moment, Paige debated not responding to Jules’s text, because time was short, but then Paige decided she could multi-task.
PAIGE: You were right. There was something else going on.
JULES: Of course there was. So, what was it?
PAIGE: He just wanted me to stop and take his cuffs off, not stop altogether. Apparently, he wanted to actually participate during our first sexual encounter.
PAIGE: I mean our second first sexual encounter, that is.
JULES: Why didn’t he just say so?
JULES: Hello? Are you there?
PAIGE: Sorry. I’m trying to get ready for work.
JULES: Well, take a break for a minute. This is obviously more important.
PAIGE: I can’t. I’m at work.
JULES: Why are you getting ready for work at work?
PAIGE: It’s a long story. Anyway, David did say so, but I was in the middle of having an epic freak-out and didn’t hear that part. My bad.
JULES: Oh.
PAIGE: Yeah. Oh.
JULES: So, did you take a picture before you un-cuffed him?
PAIGE: No. Because he wasn’t even there.
JULES: Where was he?
PAIGE: He was at my place looking for me.
JULES: Really? Did he break the headboard or chew through his arm to get free?
JULES: Hello?
PAIGE: Sorry. My dress has a lot of buttons.
JULES: You’re dressing at work?
PAIGE: Yes, that’s part of ‘getting ready’. Anyway, he didn’t have to do either of those. He called a friend, instead.
JULES: That was probably embarrassing. I kind of feel bad for him.
PAIGE: It was embarrassing. But he said it was better than calling his mom.
JULES: I’m dying.
PAIGE: It’s not that funny.
JULES: I beg to differ. It’s very funny.
JULES: Wait. How was he able to make a phone call?
JULES: Hello?
PAIGE: Siri.
JULES: I’m dying again. This is really good stuff.
JULES: So, what happened after you got there?
JULES: Hello?
JULES: Fucking hello??
PAIGE: Calm down.
PAIGE: We had sex. You know, after apologies and whatnot.
PAIGE: And both times were without any major issues.
JULES: Both times? You had sex twice?
PAIGE: Yes.
JULES: How was it? I’m not being nosy—it’s something any good friend would ask.
JULES: Start with the maiden voyage.
PAIGE: The first time was a little quick, but really nice.
JULES: How quick? Because condoms usually help with stamina.
JULES: He is using condoms, right?
JULES: Right? Hello?
PAIGE: Sorry. I was putting on mascara. It takes precision.
JULES: He isn’t using them, is he?
PAIGE: No. And before you lose your shit, it was my decision.
JULES: Please tell me he’s been tested …
JULES: Hello? Hello?
PAIGE: Sorry. That time it was me deliberately not responding to you.
JULES: I’m just making sure you’re being protected.
PAIGE: I appreciate that, but I’ve got it covered.
PAIGE: So, let’s move on.
JULES: Fine.
JULES: So, how was the second time?
PAIGE: It was the best sex I’ve ever had.
JULES: Congratulations! I feel like you’re my baby, taking her first steps.
PAIGE: I hope we can do it a lot. Like, so much that his balls want to go on strike and demand a day off.
JULES: I don’t think you need to worry. I’m pretty sure that has never once happened in the history of men’s balls.
PAIGE: Good. Because I have a lot of catching up to do.
PAIGE: And I have a ton of work to do now, so I have to go. Talk to you later.
Paige started to put her phone on her desk, only to be alerted to another text. Thinking it was Jules saying goodbye, she was surprised to see it was from David, instead.
DAVID: Can you let me in?
PAIGE: Let you in?
A picture popped up. It was a selfie of him in front of The Main Event’s front doors, looking freshly showered and wearing jeans and a navy T-shirt, with his hair pulled back.
“What in the world?” she muttered.
PAIGE: You’re … here?
DAVID: Yes. And I come bearing gifts.
PAIGE: Gifts?
A picture of a Panera bag and a large go-cup with a lid appeared.
PAIGE: What’s in the cup?
DAVID: Chai tea latte.
PAIGE: And what’s in the bag?
DAVID: A ciabatta breakfast sandwich with sausage, egg, and cheese.
PAIGE: I’ll be right there.
Slightly in shock, she went to unlock the front door and let David in.
“Holy shit,” he blurted out when he saw her, trying to process the transformation that had taken place since she’d fled his place. Her hair had mostly dried in chunky waves, which he thought was uber sexy and with the exception of the raspberry lipstick he really liked, her make-up was understated and flawless. She’d also changed into a simple short-sleeved shirt dress the color of pewter that buttoned up the front, and paired with her low-heeled, black sandals, she looked professional, yet casual.
“I keep several changes of clothes here, in case I get dirty or sweat through a shirt,” Paige told him. “And some extra make-up, too.”
“Well, that explains a lot,” he said, frowning a little. Sweating through a shirt at work was a thing for her? That added a layer of suck to her job, but he decided to keep that opinion to himself, at least for now.
Turning his focus to the reason why he was here, David held out the Panera bag and latte. “For you.”
“Thank you,” she said gratefully, taking them both. “But you didn’t have to do this. We have a kitchen here, you know.”
“I know. But I figured you wouldn’t take time to eat right away, unless someone made you. So, I’m here to make sure you eat and then I’m going to make sure you get whatever it is you need to get done, done.”
She’d been about to take a drink of the latte, but stopped to blink at him. “Say what?”
“I’m here to help.”
“Help? What do you mean?”
Had it been so long since she’d had help, that she didn’t understand the concept anymore? “Yeah. Help. You know, help get your room set up. Fold napkins, or set glasses on tables, or move chairs, or … whatever. And don’t even tell me you don’t need help, or that I can’t stay and help because of some bullshit rule. I’ll pretend to be a family member if necessary to justify being here, but I’m staying and helping. I mean, it’s the least I can do, since I put you in a dick stupor last night and made you late.”
Paige choked out a laugh. “All right. I accept your generous and unexpected offer,” she said, feeling a huge weight slide off her shoulders. The almost impossible had just become possible, and with a head tilt down the hallway, she started walking. “Let’s get busy.”