Page 42 of The Hideout

“I do?” A smile spread on Juliet’s mouth, her heart fluttering. When Paige said things like that, Juliet felt like an entirely different woman from who she once was. “You mean that?”

“I mean it.”

“Wow, well—”

Paige pressed her fingertip to Juliet’s lips, shaking her head. “Don’t say anything. Just keep being the woman I met, and I’ll be more than happy.”

“Okay.”

“Can I make us some coffee before I get ready to open? I have a feeling it’s going to be a busy night.”

“Why so?” Juliet lowered her hand and gripped Paige’s arse. And what a fine arse it was. She squeezed, wanting to devour her, but pulled away. “Sorry, I find it very hard to keep my hands off you.”

Paige lifted Juliet’s hand and kissed her skin, smiling. “Because I’m feeling good today. Better than I’ve felt in a long time. And yes, I’m finding it hard to keep my hands to myself, too.”

That flash of desire crossed Paige’s features. If Juliet didn’t curb this now, the bar would be opening late.

“You know, I think you could be right about how busy it’ll be. And today, I think I’ll set up with you.”

Paige’s brows rose as she rolled her lips inward.

“What?” Juliet took the slightest step back, studying Paige’s features.

“You…can’t touch anything once I’ve laid it out. Okay?”

Juliet smoothed her finger up the middle of Paige’s throat, squinting. “Nothing at all?”

“Well, no. I like it to be in a certain order. I know where everything is then.”

“Not…even you? Can I touch you when you’re laid out?”

Paige visibly swallowed, her mouth opening and closing.

“Last night was very special, Paige.” Juliet drew Paige in, one arm wrapped around her, her other hand holding the back of her neck. “Watching you come undone above me. Those eyes.” Juliet moaned lightly, her eyes closing. “God, it was a sight.”

“I wanted to touch you,” Paige whispered, her forehead pressed to Juliet’s. “I still want to touch you.”

“Don’t worry. Once this night is over, you can touch me wherever you want…whenever you want.”

Paige dipped her head, taking Juliet’s bottom lip between her teeth. She loved this version of her bartender. The boldness, the arousal, the intensity. “I’m not sure I can wait that long.”

“Try being me, knowing what that mouth is capable of.”

* * *

“Another?” Paige nodded to the glass in front of Pete, one of the regulars.

“Please, Paige.” He gave her a thumbs-up and went back to his conversation.

For the first time since she started working at The Hideout, she felt as though she belonged. That wasn’t because Juliet had unexpectedly slid her hand down the front of her jeans last night—though it helped—it was because she felt as though she could breathe. For the first time in her life, Paige felt as though she could stand here this evening…and be who she was.

A woman who loved women. A woman who enjoyed and appreciated everything other women had to offer. A woman who, just last night, had let go without a care in the world. Because in that moment, when she braced herself above Juliet and decided to be brave, she did feel invincible. She felt whole. She felt…wanted.

It was a feeling Paige could never forget. It was also a feeling she never wanted to be without again. So much had happened in the last three weeks that she’d barely had time to breathe, but it was the good stuff. Not the terrible things she was used to. Running away, hiding from a life she wished she’d never gotten herself involved in. No, this was the beautiful part of life.

New, but oh so beautiful.

She set a French brandy down in front of Pete and then moved along the bar. It was steady tonight, but that was just another thing she loved about working here. It wasn’t manic like some places she’d worked at. The pace was chilled out, nobody having disagreements or taking fights out onto the streets. It just showed that when people wanted to, they could consume alcohol safely and in a respectful manner.

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