Page 37 of Resisting Temptation

Paisley’s hurt eyes come back to me. “Whatever,” she snaps before striding away up the beach.

“Paisley. Come back, she was joking,” I call to her, frustrated. The two of us were finally getting along. But she doesn’t even look back, she just keeps marchingaway quickly. I return my attention to Margo. “That wasn’t very nice.”

Her delicate hand comes to my arm. “Noah. Getting involved with Paisley in any way is a terrible idea. She works for Beckett now. She can’t be trusted. Who knows what he would have had her do tonight to mess up your chances. He’s not a nice guy like you. He can and will play dirty to ensure he wins, that’s why we have to be smart about this.”

I look Margo over, knowing she could be right. I’m sure Beckett would do anything possible to win, including turning Paisley against me. But even though I’m not her favorite person right now, I don’t think she would truly do anything to hurt me. Something is still lingering between us. Something real, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.

Chapter 21

Paisley

Lying in bed, I stare up at the ceiling. I’m on edge, and being home alone while everyone else is still at the bar partying isn’t helping my cause. I would kill for a drink right about now, but I was serious, I’m off it. I need to keep my head straight. A tingle runs through me when I get a flash of the way Noah kept looking at me while we were working together tonight. The way his lips brushed ever so lightly over mine. It was impossible being so close to him. The number of times I just wanted to give in to temptation and kiss him was crazy. He’s almost impossible to resist, and he knows it.

Throwing a hand over the side of my bed, I search my nightstand, needing some relief from all the tension building up. When my fingers don’t land on what I’m looking for, I roll over so I can have a better look, but the drawer is strangely empty. Roger’s gone. What the hell? Then I remember Noah’s threat, but he wouldn’t have really taken my vibrator, would he?

I hop out of bed and storm over to my window, throwing back the curtains. The smug jerk is standing in the window, watching me like he knew what I was about to do. I glare daggers at him, and he laughs. A text pings on my phone.

NOAH: Missing something?

That’s all it says. That smug… Oh my God, he stole my vibrator. I’m going to kill him. I throw on a sweater and my plaid pajama bottoms and storm from my house, banging on his front door with my fist.

He answers the door with a menacing smirk and a bare chest, showing off his glorious muscles that just make me hate him even more. “What can I do for you, neighbor?” He leans into his door frame, running a hand through his hair, all casual and sexy as hell.

“Where is he?” I insist, my hands flying to my hips. I’ve had about enough of his games tonight.

“Not sure what you’re talking about, baby. But if it’s an orgasm you’re searching for, I’m sure I can help you out. Did I get you all hot and bothered tonight?”

My glare turns murderous. “Argh. I can’t believe you broke into my house and stole Roger.”

He simply raises his shoulders in a nonchalant manner, not giving anything away, but I know it was him. Who else would break into my house to steel my toy. “I told you the only name you should be calling when you cum is mine. Roger’s days were numbered.”

My heart races in annoyance. What the hell is he playing at here? I shove past him, heading for his bedroom.

“Where are you going?” he calls after me.

“To find my rabbit,” I yell back as I take the stairs two at a time.

Behind me, the front door closes with a bang, and I know he’s following closely, but I make it to his room before him. Pulling open his bedside drawer, I search, scattering items out as I go. Nothing. Scanning the room, I find his dresser. When I make it to the top drawer, I find Roger wedged between his boxer briefs. “Roger, you poor thing.” I pluck him free.

Noah watches me from the doorway with a snicker of amusement.

The look of shock I throw back at him must be obvious. I really can’t believe he was so brazen to steal it right from my bedroom. “How did you get in my room?” I demand.

His gaze fixes on mine, a serious expression transforming his handsome face. “You should start locking your house. It’s not safe to have it unlocked all day while you’re out.”

Did I leave the house unlocked? I can’t recall one way or the other. With everything on my mind, it’s possible I might have overlooked it. Closing in on me, he makes a move for my toy, causing me to step back out of his reach. I swiftly move out of the way, trying to reach the other side of the room, but he outpaces me and takes the toy from my grasp. “Give him back,” I cry, knowing this is over so much more than a toy.

“He’s mine now.” He chuckles darkly.

“No, he’s not.” I reach for him, but he’s so much taller than me, all he has to do is hold it above his head and there is no way I can reach it.

His eyes rake over me, and it’s that same dang look he was giving me earlier. The one that makes me feel all warm and buttery inside. “How about I make you a deal, baby.”

“What?” I huff, already knowing I don’t like the sound of this.

He skates a hand down my side, leaving shivers in its wake. I’m so turned on by him that my body just reacts on instinct. “If I can’t get you off quicker than Roger, you can have him back.”

Staring back at him, I’m almost lost for words. “What if you can?” Nervously, I swallow, the desire I find in his eyes terrifying. It feels almost impossible to be this close to him.

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