Page 19 of Beyond Question

The words are simple enough, harmless even; they shouldn’t send a thrill down my spine. But murmured in that low way and coming from his lips? His objective is anything but simple or harmless. The man is intent on pushing me out of my comfort zone.

And I’mthis closeto breaking every single one of my rules for him.

Swallowing hard, I ignore the heat in my veins and focus on the pressure in my bladder, because right now, that’s the safest thingtofocus on. Making my decision, I wink and step past Travis toward the men’s room.

“That’s my girl,” he says as he quickly follows. “I’ll block the door.”

Once I’m in the tiny bathroom and the door has closed behind me, one gorgeous dirty-blond bodyguard placed right outside, I scan the space, frowning at the state of disrepair and uncleanliness. Although, I have my doubts that the women’s restroom looks much better, so I just say fuck it and pop a squatover the toilet, holding onto the railing for dear life because these thigh muscles just aren’t what they used to be… and falling into this toilet is not a near-death experience I care to have.

When I’m done, I wash my hands, then scan the bathroom for a towel dispenser, and when there isn’t one—shocking—I wipe my palms on my pants and pull a tissue out of my purse to open the door.

Travis isright therewith his back to me, filling the doorway. I reach for him, and when I tap his shoulder, he turns quickly around, and I’m immediately transported back to the hallway at Cabot’s house this afternoon—or was it yesterday now?—and the way Travis pulled me into his arms.

He snakes his arms around my waist, then walks me backward into the bathroom, closing the door behind him with a quick kick of his foot.

I forget how to breathe again as I look up into his eyes.

It feels as if we’ve been dancing around this moment all night long.

His smile slowly falls, and his gaze drops to my mouth.

This time, when he licks that full bottom lip, then pulls it between his teeth, and his arm tightens around my waist, I don’t panic.

“Paige.” I don’t know how he manages it, but somehow, just the simple sound of my whispered name on his lips sinks into my chest, then lower, until it twists around my belly and sends a rush of warmth and anticipation through my veins as it settles between my legs.

His gaze flicks in a triangle from my eyes down to my mouth. “I’ve wanted to do this all day.”

Before I can talk myself out of this, I tilt my head back and close my eyes—

Then Travis jerks forward.

“For fuck’s sake, man, this ain’t the place,” a gruff voice says as a man pushes the bathroom door against Travis’ back again.

I jump away from Travis and my cheeks heat as I drop my head, covering my mouth to keep my laughter from slipping loose. “Oh my god,” I mumble into my hands.

Travis slips his hand into mine and pulls me out of the way so the man can enter the restroom, and by the time we make our way through the crowded club and safely out to the curb, we’re both laughing hysterically, but the intimate moment is long gone.

And, though disappointment tightens a fist around my lungs, I know it’s for the best. I can’t allow this to continue or go any further. I certainly don’t need to open Pandora’s box by kissing this man, much as I want to.

“Well,” I say, stepping away from Travis as I pull out my phone and open a rideshare app. “It’s been fun, but…”

“You have to go.”

The sadness in his voice pulls my head up.

“It’s late, Travis.”

He nods. “Or early, depending on how you look at it.”

“Very.” I begin to enter my home address, then hesitate. “Where are you headed? Do you want to share a car?”

Travis beams as if I’ve just asked him to spend the night with me. “Such a far cry from trying to kick me out of your cab earlier.”

I roll my eyes. “Just answer the question.”

“I would love to share a car with you, but I…” His words trail off and I swear he looks… sheepish? Running a hand over the back of his neck, he says, “I have to head back out to Whitestone.”

“Oh?” I return my focus to my phone and enter my address, then call a car. “You miss Cabot already?”

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