Page 56 of Resisting Temptation

“Never. Not your sassy mouth, not your eye rolls, or even the death stares. I will never get sick of you, baby.” He places delicate kisses down my neck, and I snuggle into him, enjoying how close we already are.

“That’s lucky, ‘cause I’m kinda getting used to the idea of you sticking around.” I smile dreamily. How quickly he’s been able to convince me to trust him. But everything he explained to me last night made sense, and we can’t let our fathers’ mistakes destroy our future anymore.

He moves so we’re face to face, and his eyes meet mine more seriously. “I’m not going anywhere. Once I win this election, you will move in here with me, and we can get married and have a family of our own. This is the start of our future.”

I sit up abruptly, shocked and confused by what he’s saying. “Wait, what!”

He smiles softly, like he just got the exact reaction he was expecting from me. “This, us. This is happening, baby, so you better get with the program, because I want it all with you.”

“Noah, we literally made up last night. One step at a time. Let’s see if we can go a week without ripping each other’s heads off before we talk about life-changing events, like kids.” But the warmth of his words spread through me. This is what I havewanted for so long, and to know he wants it as well fills me with hope.

He takes my hand. “I’ve waited three years, Paisley, I know what I want. I knew the day I left here I was coming back for you.”

I smile back at him as he pulls me in for a kiss. His words are everything I’ve needed to hear for so long. I relax back into him and let him pull me back to the bed. Silence hangs in the air between us. “What are you doing today?” I ask, needing to change the subject. I’ve heard all he is saying before, and I’m not so easily convinced this time. He might be riding high after the night we just had together, but he’s not thinking straight this morning. He’s probably weak from dehydration.

“I’m meeting Margo to go over the dinner we have on Friday night.” He watches me as I slip from the bed and pull on my dress from last night. “You should come with me. It will be fun,” he suggests, and I’m surprised by how serious he looks.

“Go to your campaign night? I’m the opposition, in case you’ve forgotten, don’t think that would go down well.”

I don’t miss the flash of disappointment wash over him. We might have worked out our past differences, but trying to see each other while this election is on is not going to be easy. “Maybe, but the night’s not going to be any fun without you by my side.”

“I’m sure Margo will keep you busy.” I roll my eyes. The thought of them going to a formal event gets under my skin. I don’t like her, and more than anything, I wish she wasn’t his campaign manager. But I know I need to trust him.

“Do I detect some jealousy?” He smirks playfully.

My face hardens, not seeing the funny side of this. “Nope. But you need to watch that one. She has a thing for you big time.”

“It doesn’t matter if she does. I only have eyes for you,” he says, and I look him over cautiously. He already knew she washot for him. I wonder if something’s happened between them. “Are you working today? I was thinking I could drop in for lunch, take a proper look at this shop you just bought. Have I told you how proud of you I am?”

I smile back at him. “Thank you. I have work at ten, but I need to duck over to Savannah first to see Beckett.” He tenses as soon as I mention Beckett’s name. And I know this issue is only going to get worse now that we’re together.

“What for?” he grumbles.

“To go over a few things with him. Campaign stuff.” I shrug, but it’s more than that. There is so much playing on my mind since my conversation in the elevator with Noah last night. I need to catch Beckett up to speed.

Noah gets out of bed and strolls over to me. My eyes roam down his body; he’s one gorgeous man. He takes out a pair of gray sweatpants and pulls them on. “So, you’re not going to quit, like we discussed?” There is an edge to his voice I don’t appreciate.

My eyes roll automatically. Is he fucking for real? We never discussed this. He suggested it, and I said no. “Why would I do that? I started this thing, I’m going to see it through. I’m a lot of things, but I’m no quitter.” I grasp his hand, hoping for his understanding. “This is really important to me, Noah.”

“I don’t want you working with him. Everything I told you last night about your father. Parker and I have reason to believe the Prescotts are involved somehow as well.”

My heart kicks up a beat. “How?” I ask nervously.

“I can’t prove it yet, but I think daddy Prescott is funding a lot of the illegal shit they’re doing.”

“So, you have nothing to pin on Beckett himself. You’re warning me away from him because of something his father might be involved in?” I raise a brow, hoping he can see the irony here.

“Paisley. You must have seen by now the way Beckett operates, he’s just like his old man. You know as well as I do he would be involved in whatever his father is.”

“We don’t know anything,” I snap, feeling protective over Beckett. “He’s never given me any reason to believe he’s not perfectly legit. And you don’t know shit about his relationship with his father. If we were all judged off what our parents did, you wouldn’t even be running for mayor, and imagine what people would think of me. I get that you and Parker feel the need to protect me from him, but there is absolutely no need. He’s a good guy, just trying to separate himself from the legacy he was born into and make something of his life. I’m not walking away from him.”

He pulls me close. “If he lays a finger on you, I swear, Paisley.” I feel the depth of his words. He’s not messing around, but I’m grateful I don’t have to keep fighting for what I believe.

“Look who’s getting all worked up now. He’s not interested in me; trust me, you have nothing to worry about. It’s all work when we’re together.”

“It’s more than that, Paisley. Of course he wants you, look at you. You’re amazing, but I’m really worried he’s going to… I don’t know. I don’t trust him.” His worried eyes meet mine, and I can feel the emotion in them. “They hate me. I would never forgive myself if they did something to you to get at me.”

I smile, kind of loving how much he wants to protect me. “You don’t have to worry about me. I can handle myself with Beckett. I know how he comes across, but he’s been fantastic to me. I trust him.”

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