Page 12 of Bewitched

CHAPTER FIVE

Thursday, December 8

The small celebration was in full swing, and Paige was having a blast. There were about fifteen people gathered, and everyone was well on their way to feeling no pain. Paige and Amy included. Leaning over, Paige spoke into Amy’s ear. “I hope they bring the food out soon because I’m getting drunk.”

“Me too.” Amy laughed. “But we’re going home soon, so we might as well.” Sweeping her arms around the room, she smiled. “We’re lucky to be alive, and we shouldn’t forget that.” She snapped her fingers. “It can all end that quickly. Let’s promise each other to appreciate the life we’ve been given and live it to the fullest.”

“I promise,” Paige said solemnly. Looking across the restaurant, she saw Blake and three other men enter. Her heart flipped over and she felt like running into his arms. “My birthday wish just walked in. Blake’s here.”

“Whaaaat?” Amy said too loudly. “Did something happen?”

“Not really. He stopped by the hospital the other day and we hung out for a little while.”

“And…”

“He kissed me or I kissed him. Either way, it was the best damn one of my life.”

“Go for it. One night with him would be a great birthday present to yourself. It’ll probably change your life.”

“One night is all it would be,” Paige answered. “But it may be all I can handle.”

The four men approached the women, and Amy made introductions. Paige saw Blake’s eyes rake over her as a mischievous grin lit up his face. Trouble—that’s what he was, with a capital T.

Ignoring his heated gaze, she thanked the men for their involvement in rescuing them and then made sure they had drinks. Amy took over from there, and Paige couldn’t have been more grateful. Turning, she rested her hand on Blake’s arm. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“I did everything in my power to be here tonight.” He lifted her arms and rested then on his shoulders. “I sure didn’t want to miss wishing you happy birthday.” Leaning over, he whispered against her mouth, “Happy birthday.”

“Thanks for coming,” she whispered back, as he wrapped his arms around her waist. When he tugged her close, her heart flipped over itself in celebration. “I was hoping you would still be around.”

“I’m damn glad it worked out. We may be wheels up tomorrow, but tonight is all yours.” Quirking his head, he winked. “Or all mine.”

As he ran his hand up her arm and gave her a smile that promised all sorts of dark pleasures, she laughed. “It’s my birthday, and I’m hoping you can help me out with a couple of wishes.”

“Honey, your wish is my command. I’ll do anything you want.”

When he pressed his hand to her lower back and brought her against his arousal, she high-fived herself. Anything she wanted…a girl couldn’t ask for more than that. “We may miss the cake.”

“We can take it to go,” he said as he ran his hand along her side.

“Yeah…that might be a good idea.”

***

Paige opened her door and fell through as Blake ran a string of kisses along her neck. Twirling around, she saw him kick the door shut, and the automatic lock clicked into place. The sound echoed in the room, and before she could think her way out of her decision, he pulled her forward and ran his mouth along her neck. Each kiss brought a pulse of pleasure as she closed her eyes and tipped her head back. Heat pooled in her panties as he grazed his teeth over her jaw. And, for the first time in her life, she got what everyone was talking about. Lust and loss of control suddenly made sense; at least it did with him.

When he nibbled his way to the nape of her neck and then lingered, she congratulated herself on dragging him out of the party when she did. Their bodies pressed together felt so much better than anything she’d imagined. “Happy birthday to me,” she croaked out.

“Happy birthday, honey. I can’t wait to give you your present.”

Leaning back, she looked into his face. “You saved my life. There is no present necessary.” She watched him dig a small bag out of his pocket and hold it in his hand. “What did you do?”

A grin split his face as he responded, “Open it and find out.”

Tugging the small velvet bag open, she pulled out a gold necklace with a small heart pendant. “Oh, my, you didn’t have to do this.”

Holding out his hand, he winked. “Let me put it on for you.”

She slipped the necklace into his hand, then turned around. Holding her breath, she waited for him to fasten the clasp. When he did, she turned back around and looked down at the heart.

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