Page 23 of Resisting Temptation

“What happened between us was different,” he mutters under his breath, making it obvious he still feels guilty as hell about the summer we shared tangled between the sheets. “Beckett’s a womanizing asshole, he changes his girlfriends more often than his underwear. Your brother hates him for good reason. It would be in your best interest to stay away from him.”

I arch an eyebrow and smirk at him, relishing the subtle thrill.Pot, kettle, black, is what I want to say. “So, it wasyouwho was jealous.” I throw his words back at him, glad I still have some effect on him. If I have to suffer, so can he. I find a seat in the back and head toward it, sliding into the leather booth and placing my drink on the table in front of me.

Like a lost little puppy, he follows me, sliding in beside me extra close. So close I can feel the warmth radiating off his body. “I don’t like the guy, and I would hope you had better taste in men than to really consider dating Beckett Prescott. Seriously, Paisley, he can’t be trusted. I want you to stay away from him.”

I roll my eyes so he can see. Him pretending to care is just ridiculous. “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors. Apparently, I’m an escort now, according to Mrs. Rashford. I get lots of dick,so one more won’t hurt.” I’m not sure what makes me say it. Something in the possessive way he’s looking at me makes me want to piss him off. Wants me to tip him over the edge into crazy town where apparently I now live.

Instead of getting annoyed, he chuckles in amusement. “So that’s what she was talking about with all the illegal activity going on at your place. I was worried you were involved in something shady. I was about to offer you money to help you out.”

My eyes go wide. “Jesus, she told you that?”

He smirks, knowing how bad it sounds. “She’s been pestering me since I moved in. I wouldn’t take it to heart, she was trying to set me up with her granddaughter, probably trying to make sure there was no competition. She watched you tell me off the morning I moved in.”

I take a swig of my drink, enjoying the sweetness as it goes down. “No, the woman hates me, she’s been spreading that rumor all month.” I shrug it off, not really caring what the old busybody thinks. Her life must be so boring to bother spending time making up gossip about little old me. “So, it was her granddaughter in the pink top. Where is she now? Did you tell her you’re in love with her, then ditch her?”

His lips twitch in annoyance, and I know I hit a nerve. “I dropped her off at home, Paisley, and came back for you.” He looks somewhat disappointed in me for my jab. But he really does deserve it. “Her grandmother was mistaken about our compatibility, but we handled it like mature adults.”

“Grown up a bit then, have we.” I laugh bitterly, throwing back the remainder of my drink. I’m going to need a shit ton more of these if he intends to annoy me all night.

“Guess I deserved that.”

I shrug. He did and so much more. If only he knew the impact of his departure on me. “I’m sure you will have another grannylining up at your door by tomorrow, ready to set you up with her relative. This town’s in a frenzy over their big star quarterback being home.”

“Fuck, I hope not. Tonight was enough.” He collects my hand. As he strokes the back of it tenderly, I feel the electric buzz between us. “Come have a drink with me. I can’t stand the way I left things between us. We both have to live in this town, so let’s try to get along.”

“Can’t promise you that, but you can buy me a drink. I’ve spent more than enough of my own money tonight when I should really be saving for the shop.”

He nods and takes off for the bar quickly, I think before I have time to change my mind.

Watching him as he chats to my new buddy at the bar, I wonder what made him come find me tonight. He made his date look so cozy and fun. Was that all a ploy to get me worked up? I guess it could have been. Beckett and I were doing the same. I wonder why they hate each other so much.

Noah makes his way back from the bar with another drink. He gets the attention of the room; everyone knows who he is. He’s charming and has this charisma you can’t manufacture. And I know he’s right about Beckett, he’s a bit of a dick. People around here don’t like him or his brother. Changing their minds is going to be tricky. Especially when Noah already has the leg up. But why make it easy for him to just take the job. Beckett deserves a chance as well. And I kind of like the idea of going up against him. Showing him there’s more to me than the girl he once knew.

He wanders back to our table, all smiles, handing me a piece of paper. “Joe’s number, you got the poor boy all hot and bothered.” He laughs.

I pocket the number smugly. I have no intention of using it, but it’s nice to know I have another thing over Noah. “Just toclarify. I still hate you. I just wanted the drink,” I remind him. He’s not winning me over with a half-assed apology. We are not friends.

“I would be disappointed if you made it so easy for me.” He winks, all charming, and fuck, the flood of moisture that goes to my lady parts is insane. Did my pussy not get the we hate Noah Harrington memo? She’s waving her white flag and preparing to be reunited with his perfect cock already. How can you hate someone but want to jump their bones so much it hurts.

I gulp nervously, my mouth drying up instantly. Taking my drink, I have a sip, trying to distract myself. But he watches me, his eyes fixed on my lips. They’re full of dark primal desire. And when his gaze returns to my eyes, I know he’s thinking the exact same thing as me. He came back here tonight because seeing me with Beckett has stirred something in him again. I guess in reality it’s more than that. Something was lingering, it has been since he got back six months ago, and last night, he took it to the next level when he was texting me, asking for a show. Fuck, I came so hard after that little sexting session. I haven’t cum like that for an eternity.

“What shop do you need money for?” he asks curiously.

“I’m buying Wild Magnolia,” I say with more confidence than I have about the situation. I still have to find the money for it. Like I’m short thousands, even with Beckett paying me as his campaign manager.

“Good for you.” He clinks his drink with mine in a cheers.

I take a large swig and smile back, feeling genuinely happy. I’m pleased with myself for having the guts to give this a go. It’s scary, but Beckett was right, what do I really have to lose? I have to give it a shot. “Yeah, it is. I’ll be my own boss.”

“I’m happy for you, Pais. Sounds like you have it all worked out.”

“Yeah, I do,” I lie. We both fall silent, and for a long time, he just stares at me like he can’t believe I’m sitting right here next to him. Part of me is wondering how I’m letting this happen. I should get out of here, but I don’t want to. I could sit here all night in silence as long as I was with him. The crazy in my head calms, and I feel like everything is going to be okay in my world.

I finish off my drink then burst out laughing. “I hate you,” I tell him.

“I know you do, baby.” He takes my hand, lacing his fingers in mine. It feels so natural, and I want to stay like this, lost in his warm gaze forever. “I’m cutting you off. Might need to get you home.” Before I know what’s happening, he wraps a strong arm around me and helps me to my feet. “Come on, we can split a cab. I’ll come back and get my car in the morning.”

With his arm wrapped protectively around me, he guides me out the front of the bar, signaling for one of the waiting cabs.

---