Page 17 of Demo

Besides, until Sissy had told the club at Christmas that she was dating Sara, most of them had been under the impression something had been going on between her and Scar.Thatidea had taken some brainpower to process. Scar was… Well, he wasScar. There was nothing normal or typical about him. Since everyone knew that Scar did not like to be touched, it hadn’t been that far of a stretch to assume Sissy would need to ride with another club member on the club runs, even if there was something romantic between the two. No matter how many times Sissy insisted they were ‘just friends’, there was no getting past the fact that, for years, Sissy was the only person Scar would hang out with at gatherings or have a conversation—though silent on his part—with.

Demo saw it though. He saw Paige on the back of his hog, her thighs spread around his hips, her breasts flush against his back. The clearest part of the vision, though, was the cut onherback.

The one that saidProperty of Demo.

It floored him. Completely threw him for a loop. Was this some aftereffect of nearly dying? Of the regret he’d felt at never having had a permanent woman in his life? Or was this something more profound, more life altering?

Was this how it had been for Lucky when he’d met Harper? Bear and Tessa? Bulldog had once described meeting Abby as shifting his life’s focus. Mind, he was six years old, but it had been intense enough for a six-year-old to notice. Demo knew little about Steel and Jenna’s history, though recently it had become known that Jenna’s father had hated Steel and tried to pay him to break up with Jenna. Steel had taken her father’s check—but then he used it to pay for his and Jenna’s wedding.

Demo knew very little about Paige’s life. He didn’t even know which of her sons was Nelson and which was Michael. But there was something…possessiveabout his desire for her.

Her cheeks were flushed and she wouldn’t meet his eyes. It was like her confidence had been sifted from her. “It’s a perfectly normal reaction for men,” she explained in a very demure voice. Professional. There was nothing familial or sassy about it or her expression. Demo found his jaw tightening in dislike at the sight. “It’s common and you are not my first patient to react so.”

The fuck, went through Demo’s mind. He didnotlike the idea of other men sprouting erections during her treatment. Not at all.

“Acupuncture and massage therapy increase blood flow and release toxins from your system. It is normal for male genitalia to react to that and the stimulation. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” she added quickly, though the color in her cheeks darkened. “I just need you to know that nothing can come of it. I’m sure you know about my marriage from Lucky or Bulldog, but please know that I am not…” Her voice trailed off. Still staring down, she continued in a sterner voice, “I am still married. I hope you will respect that.”

Demo stared at her for a long, silent moment. Lying on his back on the massage table, he had a good view of her, despite her shy posture. In one regard, she did have a point. Despite his apprehensions about being pinpricked by hundreds of needles—yes, he was aware of the exaggeration—the treatment had felt good. He probably wasn’t as relaxed as she’d been hoping when she left him alone for twenty minutes, but he couldn’t argue the fact that his muscles felt less stiff and the pain in his shoulder seemed less intense. It wasn’t gone, not like an instant cure or anything, but more spread out with less sharpness to the pain. He felt like he could at least move his shoulder without the risk of agony.

But his ‘bodily reaction’ as she put it? That was allherand not the treatment. He’d been fighting with his dick against ‘reacting’ since before they’d walked into the therapy room.Thatreaction was all Paige’s fault.

However, he didn’t think she’d be happy knowing that fact.

Which brought him to his second realization: Paige didnotlove her husband. There was no longing or desire in her voice when she spoke of her marriage. It was more like a fact of life that she couldn’t change, like saying she had curly hair. She was married. Period.

“I apologize for making you uncomfortable.” That was entirely true and not a line. Regardless of her reasons to claim her marriage, he was sorry he’d caused her embarrassment by his obvious arousal and flirting. “That was never my intention. In all honesty, yes, I know about your husband. I assumed with your ring gone that you were legally separated or divorcing him.”—Fuck, he hated to lie to her. But what else could he say?—“You’re a beautiful woman, Paige. Flirting aside, Idowish to get to know you better. Even if it is only as friends. You’re a part of my club, even if only by marriage. The very last thing I want to do is disrespect you or cause you anxiety.”

Slowly, her chocolate brown eyes lifted to meet his. In the low light of the room, they shone with unshed tears. “Thank you,” her voice was moist, like she was holding back a sob. “That means a lot to me.”

Conscious of the needles still protruding from his body, Demo sat up. His shoulder let out a protest, which he dutifully ignored.

“What are you doing?” she gasped out, putting her hands up as if to stop him.

Demo swung his long legs over the side of the massage table. When she stepped up closer, either to help him or stop him, Demo snagged her hips with his hands and drew her between his knees. He kept a distance between them. Christ, he wanted to drag her flush against his body, to grind their hips together.

Her breath hitched but she did not protest. “You shouldn’t be moving with the needles still?—”

“Look at me, Paige.”

“Demo, I?—”

“Pleaselook at me.” His tone was gentle and coaxing. She swallowed hard and then met his eyes. Demo lowered his hands from her hips. His grip on her only proved what he already suspected; she was too thin. He could feel her hip bones protruding under her dress pants. Regardless of how this conversation ended, he was ordering her a large lunch from the diner, enough for her and the boys to have the leftovers tonight for dinner. “While I hold no respect for your husband who ran out on you, Idorespect you and your marriage. If you are not emotionally available to date, that’s perfectly fine. I’m not mad or angry. Did I have the intention of asking you out once you finished trying to pop me like a balloon? Fuck. Yes,” he said with emphasis. “But I’m not going to force you.”

He gave her a half smile, to which he saw her lips twitch in response. “I like you, Paige. You’re funny and sweet and drop-dead gorgeous.” He lifted a needle-pricked hand to touch the corkscrewed curls at the side of her face. He gently pulled one straight and then watched it bounce back into place upon releasing it. Fuck, he could spend hours playing with her hair. “You could use a solid meal but needing some meat on your bones doesn’t take away from your beauty.”

Her eyes widened and her cheeks reddened again. When she opened her mouth to say something, Demo put a finger over her lips. “I’m not saying that to embarrass you or make you feel less. I would bet my last dollar that, while you haven’t eaten a full meal in some time, your boys are well-fed and not wanting for anything.” He lowered his hand. “I understand that times are hard. Moving to a new town is challenging enough, and then dealing with your husband walking out on you? It only complicates matters. How about instead of asking you out on a date, I ask you for friendship. We can start off slow, get to know each other. When you feel comfortable, you can introduce me to your sons.” Then he added, “Or re-introduce me. I’ve already met the older one. What’s his name?”

“Michael,” she answered automatically. “We call him ‘Mikey’.”

“Mikey,” he repeated with a grin. “I knew they were Michael and Nelson but wasn’t sure which was which.”

“Mikey’s five and a half. Nelly Bean’s my baby and almost four.”

“They’re good boys. I’ve seen them with Lucky and Scotty. You’ve done really well with them, even on your own for the last two years.”

Her cheeks flushed. “They’re everything to me. Which is why, as flattered as I am, Demo, Ican’tgo on a date with you. I can’t risk giving Richard any ammunition to potentially take away my boys in the divorce.”

Demo had to school his features. Fuck. There would be no divorce, but she didn’t know that. What the hell was he supposed to say in response to that?

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