Page 21 of Resisting Temptation

Noah chuckles at something, and I glance over his way again, unable to stop myself. Why is he wrecking my life? I have this guy here throwing me all kinds of compliments, and all I can do is watch him charming the chick he’s on a date with.

“So, you agreed to this date to get back at Noah?” Beckett says.

Oh shit! How did he work that out from a glance across the room? But when I flick my eyes back to Beckett, I realize he’s not annoyed. His lips are turned up at the sides in amusement. “That cocky asshole thinks he knows everything. Trying to act all fucking swoony over there. You know he came into my flowershop today to get flowers for his date?” I roll my eyes. “And was all likeoh, Paisley, I didn’t know you worked here.” I impersonate his deep voice, mocking him. “Yeah, he did. He’s a dick, and he should stay the hell away from me if he knows what’s good for him.” Anger emanates from me, causing my hands to tremble. I can’t stop it. The more I let myself think about Noah, the worse it gets.

"Please remind me to stay on your good side. You’re fierce when you’re mad." Beckett finds my anger amusing. Great.

I give him a confused look. This is not a joke, I’m serious. He must think I’m a nut job, and he would be right. I’m about to throw a complete hissy fit right here in the middle of this classy establishment on the busiest day of the year. Because the man I’m in lo— sorry, correction, the man I hate dares to date some gorgeous woman right in front of me. I suck in a deep breath, trying to control the anger radiating through me. “I’m sorry, I’m a shitty person. You seem great. I also thought we might have fun together, but I did kind of want to get payback on Noah for being so fucking…It’s the most romantic day of the year and you have no date. He just makes me so angry.” I mock Noah’s deep voice again, knowing how much I sound like a petulant child as I repeat his words from earlier.

Beckett reclines in his chair, a smile playing on his lips, clearly entertained by my story and not at all insulted that I’m hung up on some other guy. “Don’t worry, Paisley. I had an ulterior motive for this date as well. Knowing you did too makes me a less shitty person.”

I quirk a brow, intrigued. I knew there was more to this date by the way he set it up. “Oh, yeah?”

“I need your help.”

“What could I help you with?” I raise a brow. This guy could have just about anything he wanted.

He shrugs, glancing around the room. “You’re popular, people around town like you. I want to be seen with you. Let a little of that good reputation rub off on me.”

I tilt my head, taking him in. He’s a good-looking man, wealthy too, quite the catch if his reputation wasn’t so terrible. “You could just be nice to people. Not go around causing trouble, starting bar fights, and using that paper your family owns to spread gossip. It’s pretty easy.”

“We both know that’s not going to happen.” Uninterested in even trying, he smirks dismissively.

I take another sip of my wine. “So, you need me?” I ask him, feeling confused. I’m hardly the most loved girl in town. In fact, of late, the rumor mill has been running in overdrive with my name. He would be better off asking someone like Emerson or Mae. Nice quiet girls with perfect reputations. But he probably knows as well as I do, they would never agree to it.

“Exactly.” He nods.

“Why? Do you suddenly care about what this town thinks of you?”

He leans closer, checking behind me. “I’m running for mayor.” He winks slyly, a twinkle in his eye like he’s just let me in on a big secret.

Bursting into laughter, I can’t help but slap my leg. He has to be joking. There is no way in hell this town is electing a Prescott as mayor. “Good one,” I say, still in hysterics. But, judging by the expression on his face, it’s clear that he is extremely serious. I stop laughing immediately, confused and a little in shock. “You’re for real?” I gasp.

“Yes,” he says indignantly, dusting off his suit.

“Oh, shit, sorry. Yeah, you need my help. But I’m not going to date you. There’s clearly no chemistry here. As much as I like the idea of you buying me flowers and fancy dinners.” I motion between us. “The good people of Deception Bay won’t buy it.”

He chuckles, and I can tell he agrees with me. I would be more insulted if it wasn’t so blatantly obvious. Since he picked me up, all we have done is talk about my flower shop and his media company, it’s all business. There are no long lingering glances or any of the chemistry I need to really fall for a guy. But the truth is, I haven’t had that stuff with anyone for so long. Anyone excepthim. I sneak another quick glance in Noah’s direction. Tingles wash over me immediately. I’m so damn drawn to him.

“What about being my campaign manager? I’ll make it worth your while. Help you find that extra cash you’re looking for to buy the flower shop.”

A thrill of excitement runs through me at the prospect of what he’s suggesting. The extra cash would sweeten the idea. But could I really be his campaign manager? What would that job even involve? The skank sitting across from Noah giggles, her tits bouncing in her Barbie-pink tank top, and I watch her touch his arm playfully. Yuck. Makes me want to grab that glass of red and throw it in her face or his, either would make me feel less violent. Instead, I glare in his direction. He glances my way and catches me doing it, then smirks back, dimples and all. My scowl intensifies to a snarl. But my insides light up, that familiar tingle running through me. Oh, dear God, how does he have this effect on me?

“You would be perfect for the job.” Beckett grins, seeing my irritation toward Noah.

“What makes you think that?” I snap.

“You hate Noah Harrington as much as I do.” When he glanced in his direction, the expression of disgust on his face is unmistakable.

“That we can agree on,” I say through clenched teeth. “But what does us both hating Noah have to do with you running for mayor?”

His eyes lock with mine. “Rumor has it he’s the only other candidate.”

I am taken aback, my eyes widening in surprise. My heart beating wildly in my chest. What the hell! “No! He’s not, I won’t allow it.”

Beckett nods, a challenging smirk playing on his lips. He knows he has me.

If Noah gets mayor, I’ll never get rid of him. He won’t just be this town’s golden boy because of his football career. They won’t let him go, and I will have to wake up to his cocky grin every fucking morning and go to sleep imagining what he’s doing on the other side of the wall. But if he loses, he might just decide this town isn’t for him after all and move on. “Where do I sign?”

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