Page 14 of Resisting Temptation

“I’m thinking about buying Wild Magnolia,” I tell him, hoping it will brighten his mood. I’m not a complete lost cause.

“Really?” His eyes sparkle with excitement. He likes that idea. Okay, maybe it is a good idea.

I grin back at him. “Yeah, I took on board what you said. You’re right about it all. And I want to change. I’m hoping the shop might give me some direction.”

“I think that’s a great idea.” He pours me a cocktail then taps on the bar as he studies me. “Can I let you in on a little secret?”

“Anything.” I smirk, so ready for us to be back to normal again.

“I’m going to follow in Trey’s footsteps and open an establishment of my own.”

My brow quirks up, excited for him. “That sounds like a brilliant idea. We can be business owners together. Look at us being all grown up and shit.” I laugh.

“I’m looking at a space down by the beach,” he adds, and I can see he’s imagining it right now.

I clap my hands together. I know he’s been feeling lost lately, searching for his own thing and a reason to get out from under his parents’ roof, and this idea could really be it. I find his hand and give it a squeeze. “I have a good feeling about this, Jake.”

“Me too.” He grins back, more excited than I have seen him in so long.

I feel the soft cool fabric of a shirt brush up against my arm and glance over to find Noah leaning against the bar beside me. He’s in my personal space, and he knows it! Oh my God, what is he doing?

“Another round for the boys, thanks, Jake,” he says, and Jake goes to the fridge to gather their beers.

I keep my eyes on Jake, but Noah’s familiar pull tugs at every part of my body. I'm doing my best to resist giving him the attention he so desperately craves. But it’s almost impossible.

He leans into me, his warm breath dusting my bare neck. “Hope you’re behaving yourself, Paisley. Don’t want another repeat of last weekend.”

I stiffen. How dare he tell me what to do. “You came over here just to start trouble, didn’t you?” I snap back at him.

He glances Jake’s way. “Nope, I wanted Jake to see how flustered you get around me. Make it clear you’re mine.” His voice is deep and low, but he’s said it loud enough for Jake to hear. And it makes me feel awful. Jake isn’t a threat to Noah, but I would never want him to feel out of place because Noah is trying to act all possessive. It’s absolute bullshit.

I stand in a rush, needing to distance myself from him immediately. This is ridiculous. “I’m not flustered. And I’m most certainly not yours,” I snap back, my voice laced with venom I hope Jake hears.

“Why are you blushing at the thought then?” he asks, looking over my face.

I know he’s right, I can feel the heat coming from my cheeks. It wasn’t there before, but having his body so close to mine lights me up. My heart races like crazy as I rack my brain, trying to come up with a good comeback to make him feel as off kilter as I am. But I’ve got nothing. This man is the devil. Sent to tip me over the edge into a fiery abyss.

Jake places the drinks on the bar in front of Noah. “I’ll add them to your tab,” he says with a nod.

“Thanks, Jake, appreciate it.” His attention returns to me. I’m still standing by the bar like a deer in the head lights, not sure what to do next. Do I punch him in the face or turn and run in the opposite direction, never to look back? What I really want to do is kiss his torturous lips. He takes a step toward me, his eyes locked with mine in a way that makes my heart flutter, and I stumble back on my heels, just catching myself with the bar before I completely lose my balance. “Might be time to cut her off,” he says to Jake more seriously.

And I hate him even more. I’ve had two cocktails and Jake knows it. “I’m fine.” I glance to Jake. “I’m fine, Jake,” I say again so he knows I really am. I hate the way they’re all looking at me just waiting for me to screw up and do something stupid.

Jake shakes his head as if he’s siding with Noah. For fuck’s sake. “See you around,” I mutter to Jake, then take off for the table where I was sitting with the girls. I grab my bag. “Thanks for dinner, I’ll catch up with you guys later,” I tell them, not even waiting for a response before I storm from McAllister’s, fury radiating off my every pore. I hate Noah Harrington! Why is he making my life so difficult? Claiming I’m his? What kind of misogynistic fuckery is that when I have uttered two sentences to him at the most in months. I run away from him every chance I get. If he can’t understand my death glares, then there is something wrong with him.

“Hey, Pais. Wait up,” Mae calls from behind me.

I stop walking and wait for her to catch up with me. I know I’m being totally dramatic, but I don’t care.

“Are you okay?” she asks softly, walking in step with me.

“No, Mae. I’m not. I can’t do this.” The words tremble from my lips, bitter with hurt and anger but laced with an unbearable sadness. He makes me want to lock myself in my bedroomaway from the world so I can just cry him out of my system completely. But there is no amount of time that would be long enough.

“Do what, sweetie?”

“Be near him, it hurts too much.” She wraps an arm around my middle and snuggles into me, her sweet strawberry shampoo filling my nostrils.

“I’ve got you, girl. Let’s go home make a healthy snack, like popcorn and Doritos, and watch a movie.” She laughs, knowing how very not healthy that treat is, but it’s our go-to when we need to veg out. “You can stay in my bed tonight if you want.”

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