Paxton put the car in reverse. She turned around to check behind her. Then, she looked ahead again, noticing the front door open. She watched Chris emerge. The woman stood there with her arms folded over her chest. Paxton stared at her, not knowing what to do. Then, Chris went back inside, leaving the front door open behind her. Paxton looked around, as if thinking her surroundings would provide the answer. Then, she turned off the car, climbed out, and went toward the house. She closed the door quietly behind her. Wes wasn’t in the living room or kitchen, which meant he was likely in his bedroom. She wasn’t sure if he was sleeping, but she was pretty sure Chris didn’t want him to know what had happened between them.
Chris wasn’t in any of the locations either, which meant she was in her own bedroom. Paxton had gotten the tour her first time there, so she walked down the short narrow hall past the closed door of Wes’s bedroom and the bathroom the siblings shared. Chris’s door was partially open. Paxton pushed it the rest of the way, praying she’d interpreted Chris’s message correctly. Chris was standing in front of her bed. She was facing the window that was covered by curtains. Paxton closed the door behind her but didn’t move into the room any farther.
“I’m sorry,” Chris said.
“For what?” Paxton asked softly.
“I’ve never done that before, Pax.” Chris turned to her.
“Sex?”
“What? No.” Chris laughed softly. “I’ve had sex. I’ve had a lot of sex.”
“Okay... TMI.” Paxton held up one hand and made a disgusted face.
“I’m assuming you’re no virgin, either,” Chris replied, still laughing.
“No, I am not. I mean, I wasn’t before you–” She didn’t finish her sentence.
“Basically attacked you at your sister’s house?” Chris sat on the bed.
“I wasn’t complaining.”
“I meant that I’ve never just had sex with someone.”
“Who says it was just sex, Chris?” Paxton asked, taking a few steps into the room but not touching her.
“I’ve always been in a relationship, Paxton. That’s what I mean. I’ve never just slept with someone without some kind of a commitment beforehand. I’m not a one-night stand kind of person, and I’ve never been one to sleep with someone on a first date.”
“And we haven’t even had a date?” Paxton asked her.
“Right.”
“So, that’s why you pulled away tonight?”
“I pulled away for that reason, but also because I have no idea what I’m doing with you,” Chris said.
“You seemed to know what you were doing earlier,” Paxton replied and smiled at her.
Chris looked up at her and smiled back.
“You know what I mean,” Chris said.
Paxton knelt on the floor in front of her, pressing her own hands to Chris’s knees.
“Let’s go out.”
“What?” Chris laughed.
“Let’s go out, Chris. Christina Florence, will you go out with me?”
“We work together, Pax. You’re my boss.”
“Shit.” Paxton pulled back at that. “Am I about to get sued for sexual harassment?”
“No,” Chris replied, sliding her hand through Paxton’s hair. “I’m the one that pushed you against that wall and shoved my hand down your pants.”
“I’m the one that’s wanted you to do that for a while now, though.”
“Yeah?” Chris asked.
“Will you?”
“Go out with you?”
“That’s what I’m asking you, yes.”
Chris bit her lower lip and replied, “Do you want to stay?” She nodded toward the bed.
“Yes. But I won’t if you’re not ready.” Paxton kissed Chris’s knee through her jeans.
“Stay,” Chris replied.
Paxton looked up at her and said, “Okay.”
She stood. Chris followed her movements with her eyes. She reached forward and pulled on Paxton’s silver belt buckle to get her to move closer. With Chris’s legs spread, Paxton moved completely into her. Paxton’s arms wrapped around Chris’s neck. She watched Chris unbuckle her belt for the second time that day. Then, she watched Chris lift up her shirt and kiss her stomach. Paxton’s skin registered the sensation and reacted with tingles all over it. She leaned down to lift Chris’s shirt over her head. Chris let her and followed by unclasping her own bra. Paxton removed her bra next. Then, she slid out of her jeans. Chris looked at her. Her eyes roamed over Paxton’s body. They stopped at Paxton’s underwear. Chris leaned forward and kissed Paxton just above her center. That caused a rush of arousal and heat to flood Paxton’s system, which made it harder to do what she was about to do. She pulled down her own underwear, reached for Chris’s jeans, pushing Chris on the bed in the process, and tugged them off her body along with Chris’s underwear. Once they were both naked, she climbed on top of Chris. They made their way to the top of the bed. Paxton hovered over Chris and kissed her lips gently. Then, she looked back down at her.
“What’s wrong?” Chris asked.
“Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. But you still haven’t agreed to a first date.” Paxton smiled at her.
“Pax–”
“No, now that I know the rules, I think we should follow them.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re the one that had an orgasm earlier,” Chris returned, wrapping her arms around Paxton’s neck.
“You want one now?”
“Yes.” Chris laughed. “But I also know what you’re doing, and I appreciate it.”
“Would you appreciate me holding you tonight?”
“Yes, I would.”
“Then, that’s what we’ll do.”
“Pax?”
“Yeah?” She kissed Chris’s forehead.
“Am I being completely ridiculous?”
“No, you’re not.” Paxton kissed Chris’s lips, rolled off her, and moved into the woman’s side. “I kind of like the idea of just holding you tonight. I wanted to do that in the hotel that first night.”
“You did?”
“Yes. And that night in my apartment, too.”
Chris rolled onto her side to face Paxton and replied, “You did? After the bar?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Because I did, too,” Chris said. “I thought we had a moment there, and then you just went to bed.”
“You hadn’t exactly given me any signals that this was on the table, Chris. You hated me there for a while, remember?”
“You were kind of an asshole there for a while, remember?” Chris fired back.
“I was an accidental asshole.”
“Still counts.”
“Anyway, I thought we had a moment, too. I wasn’t going to do anything about it, though, since it didn’t appear you wanted the same thing.”
“And the night at the hotel?”
“In the suite? You made some sounds when you were sleeping. At first, I thought you were awake, but you didn’t move or get up. I don’t know… I just thought it would be nice to hold you then.”
“But you didn’t?”
“I can only imagine what the police report would claim. You woke up in a hotel room, with your boss holding you from behind for no reason. I would be in jail, for sure.”
Chris laughed softly and said, “I wouldn’t have called the cops. I would’ve probably kicked your ass, though.”
When Chris moved into her, Paxton moved to lie on her back, allowing the woman to wrap an arm over her waist and lay her head on her chest.
“I don’t know... I seemed to kick your ass in swimming,” Paxton replied.
“You cheated.”
“I did not cheat.”
“Please, you faked an injury.” Chris’s words were coming slower.
Paxton ran her fingers through Chris’s hair and said, “I did not fake an injury. Your leg hit my leg.”
“Liar.”
Paxton smiled, kissed Chris’s forehead, and looked up at the ceilin
g fan that was whirring around and around. A few moments later, Chris was asleep. Paxton followed behind, still with that smile on her face.
CHAPTER 15
Chris woke up naked in her own bed. That hadn’t happened in a very long time. She didn’t sleep nude and typically put clothes on after sex before she went to sleep. She realized moments later that Paxton wasn’t in bed with her and sat up quickly, hearing the shower running. There was only one bathroom. Wes was in the house. They had a morning routine when school was in session. She showered at night. He showered in the morning. She’d go in and brush her teeth if she was in a hurry. Wes knew this and usually left the door unlocked just in case. She hoped against hope that Paxton had already left.
“Hey,” Paxton said from the kitchen table. “I made coffee. I hope that’s okay.” She stood, made her way over to Chris, and kissed her. “Also, Wes doesn’t know I’m here. He went straight from his room to the bathroom. I heard the shower start, and then I made coffee. I was just going to come in and say good morning.”
“Good morning,” Chris replied. “No woman has ever been in my kitchen like this.”
“Making you coffee?” Paxton asked, pouring a cup from Chris’s old-fashioned coffee maker.
“No, Pax. I don’t have sleepovers very often. When I do – usually, they leave before breakfast.”
“Should I have left?” Paxton asked, passing her the cup.
“That’s not what I’m saying.” The shower turned off. “That’s not what I’m saying, but it is what I’m saying. Wes is going to come out soon, and–”
“I get it,” Paxton interrupted, leaned forward, and pecked her lips. “I’m gone. I’ll see you at work.”
“Weird.”
“I’ll choose to take that the right way,” Paxton replied with a wink. “You look cute in the morning,” she added.
“Shut up and go,” Chris replied with a laugh.
Paxton smiled at her one more time, opened the front door, and left. Moments later, Chris heard her car start up at the same time Wes emerged from the bathroom.
“Morning,” he said.
“Hey,” Chris replied.
“I was asleep when you got home. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I assume practice wore you out.” She sat at the table and watched her baby brother pour himself a cup of coffee.
“That and the car thing. I tried to figure out the problem myself. I was wiped. Do you have time to run me to school?”
“Of course.” She took a drink of her coffee.
“I guess I’ll ask Michael if we can borrow his dad’s truck to tow it. He’s got a hitch that should work.”
“Pax already towed it for you. It’s at the shop now. They’re going to take a look at it this morning. Hopefully, it won’t cost an arm and a leg. I’ll pick you up after tennis today.”
“I’ll just get a ride from Stephen. He made varsity with me. He lives, like, five minutes away and offered last night.” Wes sat down. “And what do you mean Paxton towed it?”
“She called a truck last night.”
“How much is that going to run us?” he asked.
“I don’t know yet. She hasn’t told me.”
“And you just let her do that?” Wes took a drink. “That’s unlike you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t let people do stuff for you or pay for stuff, I guess.”
“Yes, I do.” Chris took another drink.
“No, you don’t. You even hate it when I offer to pay for stuff.”
“That’s because you’re in high school, Wes. You’re supposed to be focusing on school and tennis.”
“I’m paying for the tow, Chris.” Wes took another drink of his coffee and leaned back in his chair. He looked like such a man in that moment that Chris had a hard time believing he was a teenager. He hadn’t shaved recently. His hair was combed back, though still wet from the shower. His hands were on the coffee cup. He nodded and added, “I’ll ask Pax to tell me how much it was, and I’ll work more hours to pay her for it.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll take care of it. Knowing Pax, she probably won’t even tell me how much it costs; she’ll just take care of it.”
“Good.”
“Good?” Chris asked.
“It’s about time a woman tried that tactic with you.”
“I’m sorry, what?” she asked, swallowing hard.
“She likes you, Chris.” He shrugged a shoulder. “It’s obvious. I could see it at dinner that night. You guys have a good time together. Don’t think I didn’t notice you offering to take me to the hotel or pick me up for no real reason just so you can see her.”
“I do not do that. Your car sucks, Wes. I’m just trying to make sure you get to and from school and save you the gas money.”
“That’s bullshit.” He laughed. “Were you saving her gas money last night when you asked her to stay over?”
“What?” Chris nearly choked on her coffee.
“Chris, I saw her car last night. It was, like, one in the morning. I went to the kitchen for water. I’m not an idiot.” He smiled at her and then turned serious. “I’m also not a little kid anymore. You don’t have to protect me. You’re allowed to date.”
“I know I’m allowed to date. I’ve dated.”
“A little here and there, yeah, but nothing serious. You’ve never moved in with anyone, for example.”
“I have you to think about.”
“And I’m going to college in a year. What will be your excuse then?” Wes asked and stood. “I like Pax. She’s cool. I just want you to know that I’m okay with it. So, if you decide not to do anything about it, that’s on you.”
◆◆◆
“Sorry, I’m late. I had to drop Wes off at school,” Chris greeted when she entered the hotel.
“It’s okay. You’re allowed to be late if you go out with the owner of this establishment.” Paxton winked. “Okay... Now, I’m definitely getting sued for harassment.”
Chris laughed silently. She found Paxton cute now. She used to find her annoying and rude. Last night, she thought Paxton was sexy as hell. This morning, the woman was kind when she made Chris coffee and left so Wes wouldn’t notice her. Now, she was cute.
“I’ll settle out of court for a small fee,” Chris replied.
“What’s the fee?” Paxton asked with a lifted eyebrow as Chris rounded the counter and came up next to her.
“You buy me dinner.”
“I’m glad we were able to keep the lawyers out of this,” Paxton replied. “When can I buy you this dinner?”
“I have to hang out with Wes tonight. We do this movie night thing every few weeks. I’m free tomorrow night, though.”
“Tomorrow night it is,” Paxton said. “Now, I’m going to put on my professional face for the rest of the day.”
“Professional face?” Chris asked with a laugh. “What’s that look like?” Paxton turned to her, gave her a serious expression, and Chris laughed harder. “That’s just your regular face.”
“I have this feeling you’re going to want to separate whatever is going on between us from what happens here. Is that wrong?”
“You are, technically, my boss. I know you like to say I work with you, but the reality is that I work for you, Pax. This could get awkward really fast, and I do have Wes to think about. I can go back to Donoto’s if I have to, but–”
“No way,” Paxton objected. “If things get weird between us, we’ll talk about it, okay? I don’t want you thinking about some backup plan all the time, Chris.”
“I have to think of a backup plan, Pax. You don’t even know if you’re keeping this place yet. You could decide to sell it at any time and move back to Seattle. Now, I don’t just have a job to worry about; I might have my heart to worry about as well.”
Paxton turned to her and said, “I’m removing my professional face for a minute, okay?”
Chris laughed softly and replied, “Okay.”
“To
morrow night, we’ll go on a date, and we’ll see where it goes. But I won’t make any decision that impacts you without talking to you about it first.”
“Okay. I appreciate that.”
“I like South Lake, Chris. It’s not just about you or this hotel. My sister’s here. And she lives with her girlfriend, who I also really like. I’m pretty sure they’re going to get married one day, and the idea of sticking around just to see that all unfold is pretty great to me. And, this place?” Paxton looked around the hotel that was still in shambles in the lobby, since that would be one of the last places they’d finish. “I’ve already put literal blood, sweat, and tears into it. I like thinking about being here in a year or two – or five, watching the different guests come and go, working with the staff, and sharing my life with someone while I do it.” She placed her hand on Chris’s on the desk. “I have no idea if that someone is you yet, so don’t freak out. I just know that I like you. I like what happened yesterday.”
“Me too.”
“And I can’t wait for our date. Is that okay for now?”
“It’s okay for now,” Chris replied, leaned in, and kissed Paxton’s cheek. Then, she pulled back. “Now, I’m putting my professional face on.”
Paxton smiled and said, “It’s a cute professional face.” Chris glared back at her. “I mean – it’s an appropriately professional face for the workplace environment.”
“Oh, how much was the tow last night?”
“I don’t know. Why?” Paxton asked back.
“Wes wants to pay you for it.”
“Tell him not to worry about it,” Paxton said and looked down at her laptop.
“Pax, he bought that car himself. He saved up from the time he turned twelve and started delivering newspapers. It’s his baby. It’s also a hunk of unsafe junk, but it’s the best we can do right now. He wants to pay you for it. He said he’d work extra hours to make it up.”
“Tell him it was, like, twenty bucks or something. He can buy me a couple of lunches to make it up to me,” she said.
“Fine. But how much was it, really?” Chris pressed.
“It was a little over a hundred bucks, Chris. The repair estimate isn’t in yet, but I’d like to take care of it for him.”
Begin Again Page 10
