Chapter 17
Paige
I t is nearly midnight when I finally get home. The double feature ends up being a pretty good first date.
I am starting to like Seth. Physically, we are both very interested in each other. I hold on to hope because the kisses we shared earlier are among the best first kisses I have ever had. I don’t doubt the physical part of the relationship will thrive. But I know there is so much more to the world than fucking. With that being said, though, it has been a long time since I have been fucked, and I am long overdue.
After finally finishing our very satisfying make-out session in the bed of his truck, I drive us back to the bar to pick up my car before driving Seth home. He leans over and kisses me when we get to his place and park.
“I have to head in. My cat will be pissed. I haven’t been home yet.”
Seth’s smile is soft, and I laugh before nodding. He lingers on me a minute longer before climbing out of my car and up the stairs to his apartment. I stay just long enough to make sure he ends up inside before letting out a small sigh.
I look at the clock, seeing it’s a little after midnight. Even though Seth had gotten me off today, I had too much nervous energy. Or maybe all the making out had triggered my nine months of celibacy. I look in my rearview mirror and see my gym bag in the back seat. I left it in here for before work tomorrow, but I can just put in a clean set of clothes and go work out now.
Since I was little, there has been something calming about a runner’s high, letting go and focusing on moving through time and space. I have always enjoyed running, even joining various running groups during college. Running is my go-to when my thoughts are getting to be too much.
I love the control I feel over counting the steps until I forget what number I am on. It forces me to focus completely differently, like a reset button.
Since I am horny and frustrated, it is the perfect time to replay the evening repeatedly in my head.
After parking and heading to the locker room, I can’t help but feel something still isn’t right. Seth isn’t right. I have to fight down the thoughts of Graham’s dimpled smile. I don’t even know why.
Fuck.
As I start my run, the image of the smile disappearing between my thighs has my mind so clouded that I just go on autopilot. Trying to lose myself in the music I play in my air pods before resorting to counting steps. By step fifteen, I have to stop the treadmill. It’s pointless, and I struggle to catch my breath, feeling the longing growing between my thighs. I close my eyes, counting backward from ten.
“You, okay?”
A familiar voice says over my music from behind me. I feel my body tense, and that voice doesn’t help my aching pussy. I take a few more steadying breaths before opening my eyes to see Graham with a concerned look on his face.
His gym shorts and loose T-shirt can’t hide his rather muscular body. His eyes seem to be searching mine for an answer, and I finally manage a small smile.
“Depends. Is Katherine with you?” I manage to say sarcastically and slightly out of breath.
He laughs, and what looks like relief dances across his face. He looks around before stepping closer to me.
“Nope.”
His smile is beaming, and I feel the heat in my core soak my panties.
Shit.
Shoving him playfully before pulling out my air pods, I grab my water, and Graham keeps a slight distance. He watches my movements as I take my nursing school shirt and wipe my face, suddenly thankful that I kept my makeup so light for my date.
“You never answered my question?” he says in a playful tone.
I just smile and turn to head towards the free weights. He follows me, and I don’t look at him when I respond.
“Your vague question.”
Letting a snarky tone lash out. If he weren’t so hot, people would find his behavior creepier.
“How was that question vague?” he asks, genuinely confused.
I let out a small laugh, and he looks almost as if it makes his heart ache.
“Why does it matter to you if I am okay?” I ask, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach that seem to love that he cares.
Graham doesn’t seem to be fazed even by my question. He just gives me a cocky grin before running one of his hands through his curls.
“It would be a lie if I told you I wasn’t interested in hearing what someone else did wrong so I can avoid making the same mistake.”
The now, way too familiar pang for Graham, begins to linger in my chest again.
“What makes you think he made a mistake?” I ask, hearing the air catch in my throat before feeling the puzzled look cross my brow.
He lingers on it as I feel his fingers slightly trace mine at my side. I haven’t realized he was so close, as I somehow get a hint of his scent in my nostrils, and a heat burns my skin under his touch. His eyes focus on where our skin is touching before his eyes roll back up my body with what looks like desire roaring in the ocean blue of them.
“It’s two in the morning, and you are at the gym alone. Instead of Seth being on his knees, worshiping you.”
The longing I feel rolling off of him makes my knees feel weak, and I hate that I have to fight the urge not to pull this man to the locker room and understand his definition of worship.
“That’s none of your business,” I whine, more flustered than I intend.
Graham chuckles softly, and I feel the heat in my cheeks. He notices, lifting his hand from mine and brushing a stray hair behind my ear. He knows I am full of shit, and I can’t help the flutter of my lashes at the contact, and he clears his throat, dropping his hand.
“Well, I just got off work and need to burn off some energy myself. I saw you running like something was chasing you, so I wanted to check on you.”
He seems slightly distracted now. I can feel the need to want to comfort him, and I decide to focus on the free weights instead.
“I need to finish my workout.”
I don’t know what else to say. He smiles and nods before taking one last look at me and heading to the other side of the gym. I put back in my AirPods and try to focus on the burning in my thighs instead of the burning between them, which is rather difficult with a man who has the body of a Greek god less than fifteen feet away. The same man who keeps looking in my direction. I know this because we keep making heavy eye contact.
I almost lose myself in his sexy smiles and lingering eyes. Have to roll my shoulders in frustration. This time, I realize I have forgotten two essential parts of this equation. Seth and Katherine.
Before heading to the locker room, I focus on the remainder of my workout, which lasts only about ten minutes. By the time I reach the front door, I notice Graham stops at his truck, seeming not to want to leave until I am in my car and pull out of the parking lot.
I am so frustrated because the gym is usually my safe space. It has become a different kind of frustrating pleasure. I have run into Graham twice now, and I don’t know how long I can keep resisting him unsupervised. When I pull into my parking spot at the condo, I immediately pull out my phone and send a quick text to him. I’m not sure why I feel the need to send it.
Me: Made it home safe.
I let out a slight whine after hitting send and gathering my stuff. I am surprised to receive a reply when I open the front door. I can’t bring myself to look at it until I am alone in my room.
I sit on the bed and open the message chain to see Graham loved my message. I fall back onto my bed, frustrated with my phone on my chest because I want to talk to him more.
“He is practically married, Paige.”
I groaned loudly, annoyed with myself. I focus on something besides the dimpled god, picking back up my phone and texting Seth.
Me: I had a great time tonight. Maybe we can do it again sometime?