Page 18 of Beyond Question

“No,” I say before I can talk myself out of this. “I don’t want to go home yet.”

I’m rewarded with that sexy, sinful grin and another close-up of that delicious lone dimple in his left cheek, and I can’t fight my own responding smile.

Shaking my head, I rise to my feet. “Well, since I’m usually in bed by now, I hope you have something in mind for our next stop.”

Travis stands, his body so close to mine that the heat of it permeates through my clothes, then he places his hand on my lower back and leans down, bringing his lips to my ear. “Do you like music, Paige?”

I roll my eyes. “Of course. Everyone likes music.”

“Good. Then I know just the place.”

“Will we have to hit BG’s on our way?” I tease.

“Wow, you know about BG’s?” he fires back. “Now who’s full of surprises?”

I laugh, then shake my head. “Fair enough.”

“And no, to answer your question, we don’t have to stop at Bergdorf’s for an outfit change. Come on.” He slips his hand into mine again and this time, I’m not as caught off guard by the connection. In fact, it feels… almost normal.

Natural, even.

Which… can’t be good, but I’ll analyze that another time.

I’ve given myself permission to spend a few more hours with this man, and I intend to do just that. Punishing myself for the indulgence and overanalyzing this entire day can come later.

Just the Placeturns out to be the name of a seedy, too-dark and far too crowded karaoke bar in a part of the city I’ve never visited. Admittedly, I wouldn’t have chosen a karaoke bar and haven’t stepped foot into one probably a good fifteen years or more, but Travis smiles like a kid on Christmas as we settle intoa tight booth near the back of the bar, and I can’t help but revel in the way he seems to find joy in all this chaos.

The volume is disgustingly loud and the person holding the microphone couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, but, my god, this man’s happiness is contagious. Before long, I find myself smiling and moving along to the beat of first “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, and then a horrendous rendition of “Bennie and the Jets”.

For the next couple hours, we drink beer that isn’t cold enough, snack on stale pretzels and peanuts whose shells we toss to the floor with all the others, and sing along with the music. Although it’s too loud to hold a conversation, I find myself easing more and more into this time with Travis—while my body eases more and more into the way it so perfectly fits into his side.

I’m comfortable and relaxed with him, and it’s a new feeling that I find at once exhilarating and frightening.

With his arms wrapped around me, his hand grips my hip, and every so often, he’ll give it a squeeze that sends heat through my veins.

It’s nearing two o’clock in the morning when I can no longer deny the pull of sleep, each yawn deeper than the last. After too many beers and far too many off-key covers of classic songs and one-hit wonders, I excuse myself to the ladies’ room.

I wait in line for the single stall, and soon, Travis joins me in the hallway.

“Hey.” He sidles up to my side, and I catch the movement as he pushes his wallet into his back pocket.

“Did you just pay the tab?”

When he ignores me, staring at the long line ahead of me, I move my head to catch his attention. “Travis.”

His eyes lock on mine. “Paige.” Then his lips twitch on a smile, and he leans toward me—

I freeze, but all he does is nudge his nose against mine.

It’s a simple gesture that feels far more intimate than it should and leaves me unable to breathe.

When he pulls back, his lips twist into a sheepish smile. “Sorry. You’re just so cute when you’re mad at me.” Before I can respond—as if I have any coherent thoughts to lead with!—he nods toward the line of women in front of me. “How are you still waiting for the bathroom?” He glances between the men’s room and the women’s, a frown pulling at those lips I thought—hoped?—were about to press against mine.

“Why don’t you use this one?” He motions toward the men’s room.

I glance at the women lined up in front of me, then back to the empty men’s room.

Travis leans forward, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispers, “Come on. Break a rule for me, Paige.”

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