Page 16 of Her Holiday Heartthrobs

“What are you still doing here?” Stepping in, I leave the door open. It might be the end of the day, but the possibility of being seen might be the only thing keeping me from sweeping in and gathering her against me, kissing her.

We really need to talk about that night, or this will just keep getting worse.

Paige looks out the window. The sky is dark and sleet pelts the glass with a soft patter. “I was hoping the weather would let up long enough for me to get home without turning into a popsicle.”

I hadn’t paid much attention to the weather. Then again, I don’t drive myself to work. “How’d you get here?”

“The train.”

My gaze trails her form-fitting suit. Her heels. She wasn’t dressed for this kind of weather. “Let me give you a ride home.”

Straightening, her reflection frowns before she shows it to me. “No. I’ll be okay. I’ll just wait?—”

“Paige.” I step closer and catch the fine tremor in her limbs. Her pupils slightly blown. “It’s just a ride.”

She’s wavering, and another step has her pulling her lip between her teeth.

“I won’t make a habit of offering if you’ll just let me make sure you get home safe.” My hands lift in a peace offering.

Closing her beautiful blue eyes, she shakes her head and laughs a little. “God, you sound like Patrick. Fine. Give me a ride home.”

I smirk at her. Don’t think I didn’t notice how she used her father’s name instead of calling him Dad. She’d done that to me before. Created the separation between what happened between us and my friendship with her father. Why is it giving me hope instead of cutting me open?

Paige grabs her winter coat off the rack, and I help her into it. She shoots me a coy look over her shoulder, but I gesture her out of the office. Grabbing her briefcase and keys, she locks up, and I escort her down to the basement where my car is waiting.

The private ride in the elevator is tense, even though she stands at the opposite end as me. I can feel her there, attuned to every small movement she makes. Every glance she sends my way.

Fuck, my blood is boiling with need by the time the elevator chimes and the doors swing open.

“Oh my God,” she laughs, shaking her head. “Of course, you have a driver.”

One that I wave off when he comes to open the door for us. Instead, I do it, caging Paige in from behind as she pauses. Facing me, her chin lifts. Mouth pouty and soft, she taunts me with it. With the kiss I so desperately want.

I swear those vibrant eyes are daring me to take what I want. To dosomething.

PAIGE

Henry hovers close when I spin in place. The smell of him surrounds me, spicy and mostly him. Whatever cologne he usually wears has long worn off. I meet his stare. Come on, do something about all of this tension swimming around us.

Show me how much you regret running away. How much you’re just as hung up on that night as I am. Show me I’m not the only one still harboring a crush. Or whatever the equivalent is for you.

His gaze drops to my mouth and anticipation flushes my skin—makes me warm.

But he doesn’t move. Doesn’t advance. The crinkle between his brows is all I need. I’m that eighteen-year-old loser again at the guilt written all over his face.

He’s such a coward. Fine. This isn’t new.

Letting him off the hook, I duck into the car, heart giving a hard thump when I’m met with Jake Young sitting in the far seat with his tablet in his lap and an electronic pencil poised over it. He looks up at me from under long, blonde lashes.

Oh, shit.

It makes me pause for a microsecond before I shuffle in and across from him, my back to the driver behind the dark glass.

The seats are a plush leather, comfortable and warm given the weather. I’ll bet anything there’s a minibar in here somewhere. Drinks and snacks. It’s just so polished and posh. So private. Intimate.

I keep my feet tucked to not invade their space, but Jake’s long legs sprawl nearby. There’s enough room for it.

Henry slides in beside Jake and closes the door, unbuttoning his jacket and setting his briefcase with mine on the floor. They exchange a look before Jake takes me in. I know I’ve tucked myself all prim and proper, but my instincts shift to self-preservation.

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