Page 67 of The Bourbon Bride

Caroline releases her pearls and takes Paige’s hand, pulling her away from her father.

“You didn’t have to go and marry a complete stranger to convince us you didn’t want to marry Garrison. We’re more reasonable than that and you know it.”

Paige looks down at her feet and I’m ready to rip into Caroline on her behalf when she looks up and I catch the glint of strength in her eyes.

“Actually, I did. You wouldn’t listen to me. You even sent Garrison to Atlanta to bring me home. Do you know how awful and small it made me feel to know my parents wouldn’t hear me when I was speaking my truth? It was time for me to do something I wanted, finally, and I want Hayes. I love him. He makes me so happy.”

Hearing her say it out loud to her parents makes it final. I’m utterly, inescapably, and deeply in love with this woman. Screw my original motivations for getting close to her. I think it’s impossible not to be touched by the goodness of her heart, the kindness of her soul, and the depth of her love and not be changed by her very presence. She makes me want to be a better man simply by being herself. I want to be deserving of her.

“I could use that drink,” William says, running a hand through his dark hair, so similar in color to Paige’s, though she has none of the silver that streaks his temples.

I nod and lead them into the private room set up for dinner.

“Double barrel bourbon?”

“Please.” William settles in next to the bar with appreciation beginning to thaw the ice of his displeasure.

I pour us both glasses and look at Caroline, still gripping Paige’s hand. “Ladies?”

“Mama likes gin and tonic. I’ll have the bourbon.”

Caroline turns and sharply tugs her daughter’s hand.

“Paige, that’s simply not ladylike. You’re too young for bourbon.”

I bristle at her patronizing tone and would very much like to remove her hand from Paige’s, maybe even separate it from her body completely.

“Mama, there is plenty I’m too young for, but a well-aged bourbon suits me just fine.”

Her eyes sparkle when I catch them, knowing she meant the comment for me. The tension jacking up my shoulders eases from her smile alone. She’s like a balm that soothes every irritation life could throw at me.

I return to playing bartender, passing out drinks and settling onto the black velvet wingback chair that faces a Victorian sofa upholstered in the same fabric that Caroline and William sit on. Paige perches on the arm of my chair but I can’t resist the urge to pull her right into my lap, where she settles primly on my thigh instead of directly between my legs. Oh well, a guy can try, even if I just want to scandalize her parents.

“Can someone please explain to me how thisoddpairing occurred so… quickly?” Caroline asks, her eyes, so reminiscent to Paige’s, flicking up to take my measure.

My jaw tightens and I’m glad Paige speaks for us, because I would say something to purposefully shock her.I deflowered your daughter only two nights ago. She begs for my cock now. I could ask her to crawl to me on her knees and suck me off and she would do it, willingly.

“We met at my debutante ball. Hayes owns The Abyss and I ran into him when I needed a break from the party. I think it was fate.”

Caroline’s eyes narrow as she listens to Paige. “It’s infatuation, not fate, you silly thing. I can’t believe you ran off and got married a week after meeting him.”

“Any man would be lucky to find themselves married to your daughter,” I cut in, done with her barbs. “There’s not a thing to dislike about Paige. She’s an incredible woman. She left a mark on me from the moment we met, and when I found her fleeing your interesting arrangement, I offered her a harbor in the storm.”

“Storm? Hardly, you despicable monster. She was a child overreacting and throwing a fit. You enabled her.”

“I hate to disagree with you, Caroline, but Paige is an intelligent, determined adult capable of seeing through the calculated manipulation of those closest to her. What she did was act purely in self-preservation.”

“I think we can agree that each story has many sides, and you both have strong feelings,” Paige says, placing her arm around my shoulder and gently rubbing my neck. “Why don’t we eat?”

I chuckle at Paige’s mastery of maintaining the peace under tension. She will absolutely rule over the business world without anyone being the wiser to her crafts. It strikes me just how well-suited she is to take over her family’s legacy and lead the Xenios Group. I feel a pang of remorse at my determination to take it from her. She’ll see it’s for the best, even if it’s hard to part with.

Eventually.

twenty-six

The Atlanta Haute List

WeddingBellsAreRingingFor The Billionaire And The Belle

---