Page 52 of Resisting Temptation

Beckett chuckles lightheartedly. “I’m sure you can handle him, kitten. This might be a good chance to make a scene, try to make him look bad.” He winks at me before slipping out of my grasp and heading toward the girl.

I’m not making a scene just to make Noah look bad. This town talks about me enough. But I would very much like to run like the wind in the opposite direction. Shame I drove here with Parker in an attempt to be good tonight and not drink. I’m very much regretting that decision now.

Since our encounter in the kitchen at town hall a week ago, I’ve been doing everything possible to avoid him. He’s backed off a little as well, and I was starting to think that maybe he’d given up. I can’t talk to him now. I search the terrace for an escape, but I’m too late.

He flashes a charming smile in my direction. “Paisley.” My name smoothly glides from his lips.

“Noah,” I murmur. Desperately, I search the room for a friend to escape with.

He comes to stand by my side, also assessing the space. He’s so close I can feel the warmth his body is radiating. He’s hot as hell, and I’m not surprised since he’s the devil himself. Where is his little sidekick? Shouldn’t she be around here somewhere, ready to whisk him away from me?

“Have you worked out that you sided with the wrong guy yet?” he says, watching Beckett chatting with the girl across the way.

“We’re not friends, Noah. I don’t want to make small talk with you, unlike every other girl on the terrace.” I roll my eyes, trying to show how much he irritates me.

He smiles at me, all gorgeous, and I just want to slap him. Why does he have to be so, so Noah. It’s unfair. His smile could charm anyone. But it’s the way he looks at me, like I’m the only one onthe terrace even though there is a party full of people and he’s about to have his dirty way with me, that really has my panties wet. “Are you jealous, baby?” He brushes my hair off my neck playfully, sending a tingle in its wake.

I stiffen. My body is desperate to soften into him, but my head knows better. This man is nothing but trouble. “No. I just feel sorry for them,” I huff, trying to keep my cool.

He steps closer, dropping his head so his lips are just below my ear. A shiver runs over my skin, my insides turning to liquid. Oh God, I’m so screwed when it comes to him. “You’re gorgeous tonight, baby. Red’s your color,” he purrs, and for a second, I’m transported back to three years ago. His words light me up inside. He always did know exactly how to get my attention. “You might be angry with me, but you can’t deny that when we’re this close, your body craves mine. It’s why you got swept away with me in town hall the other day. And it’s why you will leave here with me tonight.” His words ooze confidence that they shouldn’t.

My breathing hitches. I keep my eyes focused on the room in front of me, partygoers in fancy dress and suits mingling happily. Because if I glance his way, if I entertain this crazy notion that I want him for just one second, I know I won’t be able to help myself. I will fall under his spell again. How presumptuous of him to tell me I’m coming home with him. He’s so fucking cocky, and I want to knock him down a few pegs. I’m not that easy. Anymore.

His hand captures mine behind my back, and he steps in behind me, pulling me into the shadows with him. “You don’t have to say anything, baby, I already know your answer. I can smell your arousal. You’re so turned on right now. You want to fight your attraction for me, but you know you can’t.” He places a kiss to my exposed neck. “Stop fighting your urges. You need this, Paisley, we both do.”

“My brother is just at the bar,” I whisper like that should stop him. Like it should stop me.

“Stop finding excuses. Give us both what we want.” He presses his body to mine so I can feel how turned on he is. He’s warm and hard, and for a second, my eyes flutter closed as I inhale his aftershave and imagine things are different. “Let me give you what no other man can.”

My heart races like crazy, and for a split second, I lean into him. He’s right, I want him. More than ever before. It’s becoming impossible to ignore the throbbing between my legs. Roger has seen more action in the last month than ever before. But I can’t. A man who can’t be trusted with my heart can’t have my body. I’m stronger than this. I take an uneasy breath, then I pull away, forcing him to release my hand. Then I run.

I sprint as fast as my heeled feet will take me, desperate to get the fuck away from him before I do something really stupid. Because this is more than just chemistry. I’m still in love with him, I know it.

Chapter 29

Noah

Is she joking? Fucking running from me again. I’m not ready to give up, I’m following her this time. What we had is worth fighting for. I’ve tried to play nice, let her come around on her own and see the truth that’s in front of her. But she’s too blinded by her hate to see what’s really going on. The threat of her father has been dealt with, now it’s time she knew the truth.

When she reaches the service elevator, she quickly glances back toward me, her eyes panicked, before pressing the down button aggressively. The doors open as I catch up with her. “Paisley, wait,” I call to her, desperate for her to stop. She’s driving me insane.

With wide, scared eyes, she glances back at me. She hits the close door button right as I slide through the open door.

Panting, I try to catch my breath. “Why did you take off? I needed to talk to you,” I ask, irritated.

She glares daggers at me. “Pfft, that wasn’t talking, that was mauling me in a public place.”

“You won’t let me get close enough to talk to you unless…” My words trail off because I know how bad it sounds.

Her glare intensifies. “Unless what? Unless I’m so pathetic that even though you ripped my heart out and tore it to shreds, I will still let you fuck me because it’s the only time I feel anything anymore. Is that what you’re trying to say?” Angry tears roll down her cheeks, and I’m not sure if it’s me or herself that she’s more upset with.

“Hey, that’s not what I think of you at all.” I try to reach for her, but she pushes me away.

The elevator comes to an abrupt halt with a creak, and both of us stare at the doors, but they don’t slide open. She hits the door open button a few times in panic. “Dang it. The damn thing must be stuck again,” she mutters under her breath. Picking up her cell, she dials someone. “Emerson, the elevator has stopped again, I’m stuck in here with Noah.” She practically growls out my name. “Can you call the same repair guy who came last week?”

She nods in response to whatever Emerson says on the other end of the line. “Please hurry,” she whispers, sounding desperate, then disconnects the call before sliding down the wall to the floor where she buries her head in her hands.

“What did Em say?” I ask softly.

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