Page 100 of The Hideout

“I told you I’d been thinking about you all day.” As Juliet stroked her fingers through Paige’s hair, Paige’s phone started to ring on the bar counter.

Paige couldn’t possibly answer the call right now. She needed to get her breath back. “Can you get that for me?”

Juliet pulled back, holding Paige at arm’s length. “You’re sure? I…don’t usually answer your phone.”

“Yeah, and you don’t usually walk in here and fuck me against the piano either.” Paige grinned at the reminder, her body overly sensitive. “Fuck. How the hell am I supposed to sit behind there tomorrow and pretend nothing happened?”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Juliet said as she reached towards the counter for Paige’s phone. “Hello?” She frowned. “Oh, hi. Just one second.” Juliet handed Paige’s phone over. “It’s the police.”

Page’s stomach rolled. “Hello?”

“Paige, hi. I’ve just come from court. James has been sentenced to eighteen months, suspended for two years.”

“R-right, um…so what now?”

“There is another injunction in place. He also has to pay the court fees along with compensation to you. Don’t worry; you won’t have any contact with him. And if he does contact you or you see him around, you’re to call the police immediately, and he will be taken back into custody where he will face jail time. Any breach of his conditions, and he’ll be recalled immediately. Given the fact that you live a long way from one another, any sighting of him would likely be suspicious. He has no reason to step foot in Liverpool.”

“No, I know.”

“I know you said you’re staying in Liverpool, that you have a permanent job there, but I do want to ask if you’re okay? Settled? Do you have anyone you can lean on with this latest development?”

“Yes.” Paige took Juliet’s hand, entwining their fingers. “My girlfriend is here with me.”

“Perfect. Well, if I need anything else from you, I’ll call. You’ll receive paperwork in the coming days that go into more detail about his charges and conditions. But Paige?”

Paige swallowed. “Yeah?”

“It’s time to move on now. Rebuild your life.”

“Thank you, PC Radford. For everything.” Paige cleared her throat, keeping her emotions in check. PC Radford was right. It was time to move on entirely. “Take care. Bye.”

Paige stared down at her phone as she ended the call, her brows drawn together. James…was out of her life? Looking back, she never for one second thought that would ever happen. It didn’t seem possible that she would ever be free, let alone in love with someone like Juliet. Honestly, she couldn’t comprehend the idea that Juliet even saw her as someone meaningful in her life.

“Baby?” Juliet lifted her hand, gently placing it to Paige’s jaw. Their eyes met. “It’s over.”

“I-I know.”

“Are you okay? Do you need a moment alone?” Juliet cocked her head, regarding Paige with an understanding smile. “Whatever you need. You say the word.”

“No. I don’t want to be alone. One thing I’ve never needed since I met you is to be alone.”

“Then maybe we should sit down for a moment…” Juliet guided Paige towards the bar, pulling out two stools. “Come on. Sit down. I’ll make us coffee.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.” Paige reached for the stem of the martini glass, sliding it towards them. “Try this.”

Juliet brought it to her lips, smelling the drink before she sipped it slowly. Her eyes widened as she brought the glass away from her mouth, and then she moaned. “Oh, my! That is delicious.”

“You like it?”

“It’s so smooth,” Juliet said, sipping again. She rolled her eyes this time, setting the glass down. “God, I’m going to have to be careful with those. I’ll be on my back within minutes.” Juliet narrowed her eyes, grinning. “Or was that the plan all along?”

“Babe, I don’t need to ply you with alcohol to get you on your back.” Paige leaned in, kissing Juliet. They moaned together, the taste of Juliet’s lips sending Paige’s mind into a spin. “You know that.”

“Fuck, I know.”

“Now, should I send the new cocktail list to the guy who is printing the menus? Does this one satisfy you?”

Juliet cradled Paige’s chin in her fingers, leaning into a gentle kiss. “Anything your hands touch satisfies me, Paige.”

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