Page 51 of Demo

She nodded against his forehead, closing her eyes to block out the gazes of their fellow patrons.

Demo headed towards the door, Paige still in his arms. He threw over his shoulder at Lucky, “Box that to go! I’ll pay you back later.”

Lucky’s amused snort was his only response. Or at least, the only one Demo heard.

Kelly helpfully picked up Paige’s purse at the door and looped it over Demo’s elbow. He nodded to her in thanks.

“You got your keys on you?” Demo asked Paige when he stepped out into the cold.

She nodded, ducking her face down into the crook of his neck against the wind. The only good thing about her having been walking out on him was that she was already wearing her jacket and he didn’t have to stop to help her get it on.

Demo carried her down Main Street in the direction of her clinic. It was closed—and Demo had a fantasy of bending her over those damn massage tables to fulfill.

CHAPTER 9

They laughed and fumbled their way into the clinic. Paige was grateful Demo had the wherewithal to lock them back inside. She was too lust-drunk to remember to do anything so practical. They both slipped off their jackets and shoes in the lobby, throwing them on or under the waiting chairs.

Paige circled her arms around Demo’s neck and leapt back up. He caught her easily, as if anticipating the move. They kissed feverishly—or, at least, it was feverishly until Demo started chuckling against her lips.

Paige pulled back. Not concerned, but curious as to what he’d been thinking that would cause him to laugh like that. “What?”

She was slightly taller than him when he held her so. She liked how balanced he felt even though he was supporting her weight entirely.

“We didn’t even make it a week.”

Paige cocked her head to the right. “A week? What do you mean?”

She caught him fiddling with her thermostat on their way past as he carried her to the first therapy room. She’d turned the heat down again with the clinic being closed on Sundays. For once, she didn’t balk at the idea of increasing her electricity bill. Demo knew about her money troubles, and moreover, he knew they weren’t her own doing.

With the increase in her clinical appointments, plus the three higher paying requests through the foot fetish site this week, Paige might actually be able to come out on top this month. She still couldn’t believe someone was willing to pay six hundred dollars to see her clip her toenails, file them, and then paint them baby pink. She’d removed the polish right after finishing the live video.

Demo placed her butt on the massage table. He reached behind her and flipped on the heat lamp, ensuring it was facing her back. She appreciated the gesture, because the vinyl under her butt wascold.“Five days ago, Bulldog advised me about making sure our foundation was secure before we had sex.” He leaned over and kissed her lips. “I have every intention of not even making it a week.”

Paige chuckled, understanding his humor. “Me too.”

“Thank fuck!” He went to kiss her again but Paige put her hand up between them, making his lips press against her palm instead of her lips. His eyes flew back open but he didn’t pull back. “What’s wrong?” he said against her palm.

Paige smirked and pushed him back with her hand. He only moved to put some space between their faces but kept his place standing over her with his hands on the massage bed by her hips. “Nothing’s wrong, but I do want to reiterate something.”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t speak.

“Trust is a dealbreaker for me, Demo. I need to be able to trust you. Ineedthat more than I need your love, if that makes sense.Please, I am begging you, don’t ever make me lose or question your trust.”

Demo didn’t reply for a long moment, making Paige’s heart beat erratically in her chest. She hoped that wasn’t an issue for him. She didn’t think it sounded unreasonable. What sort of relationship could they have anyway if they couldn’t trust each other? Because trust was a two-way street. He needed—or should want to—trust her too.

Slowly, he sank to his knees before her. Both he and the massage bed were tall enough that the action placed his chin by her knees.

Demo took hold of both of her hands and brought the tips to his mouth. He held her hands against the scruff on his cheek, staring up at her. “Paige, there will be some things that I can never tell you. It’s for your protection. The club, well, we call it ‘club business’ when we have to keep something from our families or significant others. As my ol’ lady, you’ll be able to know a lot more than anyone else, but there will still be things you can’t know. You have to trust that I am doing what is in the best interest of you, our family, and the club and I have to be able to trust that you won’t reveal what secrets Icantell you. Trust is a dealbreaker for me too.”

Paige swallowed hard. “Ol’ lady?” she repeated. Her pulse picked up speed for a different reason.

Demo nodded. “I understand if you don’t want my cut right away. Consider this your open ended offer, Paige. Whenever you’re ready, be it now or a year from now, it’ll be yours.”

“It’s been less than a week,” she reminded him. What they’d only been joking about minutes ago seemed far more serious now.

“Do you love me, Paige?” His sea green eyes bore into hers. “Forget everything else. Forget your troubles and the fact that you’re still legally married. The only stipulation I’ll accept is if it affects the boys. Do you love me?”

She nodded, no longer able to deny it despite their little time together. Demo was smart, funny, and honorable. Hecared. She doubted there was another man in the world like him that could make her heart dance and her blood sing. “I do. I love you.”

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