Page 22 of Resisting Temptation

Beckett’s grin grows even wider, spreading from ear to ear. “I thought you might like the opportunity to work with me. Come down to my office on Monday and we can work out the details.” He stands, holding out a hand for me to take. Throwing some bills on the table to cover the check, he then shows me out through the restaurant, his hand sliding down my back and landing on my ass as we pass Noah’s table. Beckett’s a fucking pot-stirrer, but I can’t help the wicked smile now painting my lips. I want to make Noah as jealous as I am. Even if this is all just for show.

Once we’re outside, Beckett turns back to me. “Dinner was a pleasure, Paisley. You want to continue the night? I could drive you home. We could have a drink. Get to know each other a little better since we’re going to be working together.”

I glare at him, unimpressed but not really surprised. Beckett takes me as the kind of man who likes to have his cake and eat it too. “After deciding to work together, a drink sounds like a bad idea. I’ll find my own way home.” I shrug, knowing I’m not going home with him, but I’m also not ready to head home yet alone. It’s just sad.

“Enjoy the rest of your night.” He turns to walk away.

But I have one more burning question. “Hey, Beckett, how did you know I hated Noah?”

“It’s not a secret, kitten. Don’t think there’s a person in this town who doesn’t know you two don’t get along.”

Noah and his date emerge from the restaurant, and I catch his line of sight. His eyes are fixed on the two of us with an intense gaze, a hint of desperation creeping into his expression, as if he feared losing sight of me.

Beckett places a delicate kiss on my cheek that I know is all for show. “Pleasure doing business with you, Paisley. Look forward to seeing what you come up with,” he purrs in my ear. He’s trying to piss off Noah. Something about this little show he’s putting on doesn’t sit well with me. I suspect Beckett was just dishonest with me. He knows more about me and Noah, or he wouldn’t be trying to make him jealous. He strides toward his sports car with more confidence than a man with his reputation should have. Then he offers me a cocky wave before stepping inside and taking off up the road.

Glancing across the street, I find a bar. One drink before I find my way home couldn’t hurt. When I look back over my shoulder before crossing the street, I find Noah and the girl are already gone. An ache settles in my chest. He’s probably taken her home to fuck her brains out already. I shouldn’t let the idea affect me, but I don’t have any control over my emotions when it comes to him. I hate him with everything I have, but I also want him desperately. Knowing he’s going home with her crushes me all over again.

Chapter 13

Paisley

Three cocktails later, I’ve made friends with the bartender, Joe, and am having myself a grand old time making stories up about the couples visiting this place tonight.

“Another?” He motions to my empty glass, his eyes lingering on my cleavage a little longer than they probably should.

Tilting my head to the side, I take him in. He’s a nice-looking guy, I could shut the place down with him tonight. It’s obvious he’s up for it. But I don’t want to. This isn’t the life I want for myself anymore. I’m so insanely lonely, but going home with one random after the other isn’t filling the void. “I’m not sure yet.” I glance across the bar, spotting a young couple entering. He has his arm wrapped protectively around her, and she snuggles into him with a soft smile. I want that. I want something real. And I know I won’t get it by treating my body like an amusement park every dude in town should take a ride on.

Sensinghim,I inhale his masculine scent. Oh, dear God, why does he have to smell so damn good. He’s like a bad addiction that brings my senses alight, making me crave him. Noah Harrington doesn’t exist. Just block him out, Paisley, you can do this. I can’t see him or hear him. Joe watches him approaching with a look of curiosity. Unease fills me.

Noah drops his head close. I can feel his breath on my neck, and it’s warm and strangely comforting. “Are you ready to talk yet?” he whispers just below my ear, sending a shiver down my spine and igniting a spark of excitement inside me.

“I can’t see you or hear you,” I say out loud, my voice trembling, in the hopes that it will make him leave.

“You’re pretending I don’t exist? How old are we, Paisley?” he mutters, and I know he’s not impressed. But I don’t give a fuck.

“Old enough to know talking to men like you will only ever cause me pain,” I blurt back at him, as bitchy as I can.

His hand lands gently on my shoulder, causing me to glance up at him. His hair looks tousled as if he had been absentmindedly running his fingers through it, making him look sexy as fuck. But there’s a hint of tension in his expression, unlike the usual relaxed and laid-back vibe he normally gives off. “Paisley.” He says my name softly as a plea.

“You hurt me,” I admit, knowing the cocktails I have just consumed were a terrible idea. They make me way too honest to be having a conversation with Noah, but I never expected to see him again tonight. Why did he come back?

He pulls up the stool beside me, making himself at home. “I know. I wish things were different. If I could make up for my mistakes, I would.” He sighs heavily then signals to the bartender Joe for a drink. “Beer, thanks.” His smile is so warm and genuine that it instantly softens my heart. He came looking for me after his date. He didn’t go home with her. Why does that idea make me swoon a little?

I suck in a deep breath. Jesus, Paisley, get your shit together. You hate this jerk for a good fucking reason. Remember how much he hurt you when he left, I chastise myself. How can he make me forget so easily? “I’ll have another peach and vodka iced tea, thanks, Joe.” All the alcohol in the world couldn’t block the memory of the pain he left me with. But tonight, I’m determined to try anything I can to block it out. The last three years have been impossible because of him. Every blind date, every random hook-up, no one compared to him, and it’s left me feeling empty, lonely, and just plain sad. How could one man destroy me so badly that he’s ruined every other man for me as well?

Noah’s eyes meet mine, and he smiles softly. It’s not a grin like he gave Joe, it’s warm and buttery, a smile that only someone who knows you romantically can give. And I want to escape his vortex. Forget our history, forget the way he destroyed me. But I can’t. Right there, with all the memories of the good times, are the years it has taken me to move on from him, and I know even sitting this close is a terrible idea. With shaky hands, I collect my cocktail from the bar and stand to leave, searching for a secluded spot to drown my sorrows alone.

“Did you come out with Beckett tonight to make me jealous?” Noah asks as I walk away from him, a bitterness to his tone.

I spin on my heels, my drink sloshing over the edge of the glass and running down my hand. My glare turns icy. “Are you kidding me? I didn’t know you planned on taking push-up Barbie to Villa Bella Cucina or I never would have walked through the door. The last thing I wanted to do with my evening was vomit in my mouth every time I had to listen to her revolting flirty giggle.”

His stifled laugh confirms that he agrees with me. “Then what were you doing with an asshole like Beckett, just a couple of tables over?”

“Not everything in this world is related to you, Noah Harrington. I think the fame has gone to your head. You’re starting to think you’re bigger than you are,” I snip, wanting to make him feel like shit. Like I do.

He stands, forcing me to look up at him. “Just answer my question, Paisley, what were you two doing having dinner tonight? Don’t think Parker would be impressed.”

I huff out a laugh. Of course he throws my brother’s name out there. He’s a good friend to him now. “Since when do you worry about what my brother thinks?” I pin him with my glare. He knows exactly what I mean by that. He wasn’t worried what he thought when he was screwing his best buddy’s little sister. Why would he worry now?

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