by M. G. Morgan
"You don't mean that." Will's voice had turned husky and it was Paige's turn to feel nervous.
Swallowing back her better judgement. She nodded. She would push him to his limit. See just how far he was willing to go. Paige was betting that the collar and the contract were nothing more than fantasy. He knew how angry the collar would make her. He knew she would come storming over here to have it out with him. He knew that she would never sign the contract unless under duress. And so he had concocted the entire plan. She wasn't doubting that there was a psycho on the loose trying to sink the company. What she was doubting were Will's innocent supposed 'hero' motives in all of this.
"I mean it. I sign the contract. You protect me until this entire thing is over with." Paige's voice had lost all of its warmth. She didn't feel warmth towards the man standing before her. She wanted him to know that she was playing a game, and it was a game that she would win.
Will nodded. His mask of indifference slipping back into place. "Fine. But first, put the collar on. I need to know you are able to carry out the plan. The collar plays an important role..."
Paige's skin ran hot and then cold. She didn't want to put the collar on. She didn't want to feel its cold restraint against her skin. She dug her nails into the soft skin of her palms before picking the collar up off the floor from where she had dropped it.
The black leather felt stiff in her fingers as she fumbled with the clasp. The cold silver studs scrapped against her skin as she struggled to even open the collar up. It was as though her body was rebelling against the idea. She didn't want to put the collar on. Signing yourself over to someone was far easier than an actual physical act. The idea of the collar went against everything Paige held dear. She was an independent woman. The last thing she wanted was to belong completely to a man. Even if that man was drop dead gorgeous and standing not five feet away from her.
Will moved over to her. He took the collar from her hands and easily popped the clasp open. Once again he held the collar out to her. "All you have to do is put the collar on. And I'll know." There was a hard edge in his voice. He knew exactly what Paige was up to and he knew exactly what he needed to do to put a stop to it.
With hands that shook Paige took the collar from him and pressed the cold leather against the skin of her neck. Closing her eyes she sucked in a deep breath but she couldn't get any air. The collar wasn't even closed and already she was beginning to choke.
With a strangled scream of frustration she flung the collar across the room. It clattered harmlessly to the floor. "I can't do it. You bastard you knew all along... Why?"
Will crouched down in front of her. His hand lifting her chin so that he could stare into her eyes. "What we shared last night meant something to me. I wasn't just using the situation to get inside your pants. That is not what this is about. I want you, Paige. All of you. The situation that has brought us together like this, well that is out of my control. But I know we will get through it. You need to trust me. I'm not trying to hurt or use you." His lips brushed softly against Paige's and she closed her eyes. His breath tickled against her face. "I want all of you. Everything you have to offer me. And what you are afraid to give me... Well I'm a patient man. I can wait for it."
His hand slid around Paige's neck to tangle into her hair. He pulled her face close to his and kissed her hard. Paige responded by wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. Everything was so confusing. Her entire life had just been turned upside down. But she was certain of one thing. Being in Will's arms was exactly where she wanted to be.
She kissed him with a fervour born of passion. She knew what he could do to her, what pleasure he could give her body. And right at that moment that was all Paige craved. She wanted to feel him inside her. Wanted him to need her the way she needed him.
Tears ran down her face and Will pulled out of her grip. Using his thumb he brushed the tears away and cupped her face in his hands. "I never forgot you. Even after all those years had passed, I never forgot you."
Paige opened her mouth to answer but a knock on the door silenced her. Natalie poked her head into the room. Her lips a thin line of displeasure as she caught sight of Paige in a clinch with Will.
"Aidan wants to talk to you."
Will nodded and stood. "Natalie will you show, Paige to the bathroom so she can clean up?"
"Of course." Natalie answered quickly. Paige wished she didn't have to spend anytime in that woman's presence. There was something about her that was just off. Paige couldn't decide if it was jealousy or something far more insidious.
Standing Paige smoothed her blouse and made her way to the door. Natalie had already left, the sound of her heels clickity clacking down the hall. Paige turned and gave Will one last lingering look. His brow was furrowed as he thumbed through a file on the desk. With a shake of her head Paige stepped out into the hall and followed Natalie.
The entire situation was surreal. How was she meant to decide what was the best thing to do? There was something about Will that made her want to trust him completely. She wanted to believe everything he was telling her. It would be so much easier if everything was just clear cut. But it wasn't.
Natalie stood beside another heavy wooden door at the end of the hall. She pushed the door open for Paige. Stepping into the large bathroom Paige made her way to the sink. Flipping on the taps she let the water run before splashing some on her face.
"I'm not too sure what it is that he sees in you." The sound of Natalie's venom filled voice had Paige spinning around. She pinned herself back against the sink as the other woman paced up and down the tiled floor. She flipped her long black hair back over her shoulder before turning to stare at Paige. She narrowed her icy blue eyes and looked Paige up and down, before returning her gaze to her nails.
"You're not his type you know?" Natalie asked. A small smile curving her red glossy lips.
"What and you are?" Paige asked, her voice filled with scepticism.
The smile Natalie gave her then was brilliant. It lit up her entire face. It changed everything about her. She looked like someone who was caring and kind and who could be a very good friend. Within seconds the smile was gone, replaced by a cruel twist of her lips. "Yes, I'm his type. I was his type until you came along and turned his head. We were good together but then poor little you turned up on the radar. You do know that half of what he has told you isn't true. He likes his women vulnerable."
Paige shook her head. Natalie was clearly jealous. Some part of Paige knew that it wasn't true. That it couldn't be true. Will wasn't that cruel.
"You know, he makes me wear the collar when he fucks me. He likes it over the desk." Natalie's eyes had taken on a dreamy look. As though she was remembering a fond memory. "He's an excellent lover."
Paige put her hands over her ears and ran for the door. The last thing she wanted to hear was Natalie's sexual experiences with Will. She felt hurt that he would send her something that he had given to another woman.
Paige ran down the hall to the front door. She wasn't sure how she would get home, all she knew was that she needed to get out of the house. Even if Natalie was jealous it didn't excuse what Will had done. He was a user, that much was obvious.
Pulling the door handle Paige fled out onto the steps and down onto the gravel drive. Tears blurred her vision as she ran down the winding drive away from the house. Her breathing came in little gasps as she ran. She reached the gate but as she prepared to run out onto the main road a car swept around the corner and headed straight for her.
With a scream Paige threw herself to one side and rolled down the embankment into the ditch. The car came to a screeching halt and the sound of a door banging open met Paige's ears. She lay in the grass, stunned for a few moments. She moaned as she pushed her body upright and realised she had lots of little scratches decorating her arms and legs.
"Oh God are you alright? You came out of nowhere!" The sound of a man's voice drew Paige's attention upwards. He stood on the top of the embankment, his b
londe hair sparkled in the sunlight and his grey eyes were filled with kindness. He slid down the side of the ditch and helped Paige climb to her feet.
"I'm so sorry. What were you doing?"
Paige winced as she brushed the dirt from her clothes and accidentally bumped against one of her cuts. "I was leaving. You drive like a maniac." She pushed her hands onto her hips and stared accusingly at the handsome stranger in front of her.
"I suppose I do, but you run like a crazy woman. So I'd consider us to be even?"
Paige couldn't help a small smile from curving her lips.
"That's much better. Anyway, most people leave this place in a car. It seems like a long way to run or walk to anywhere..." He furrowed his brow at her before taking her hand and helping her up and out of the ditch. Back on the road Paige smiled at him once more and turned back to the road.
"I need to go. It was lovely meeting you...?" She waited for him to share his name.
"Chris, and you are?"
"Paige." She held her hand out to him and he took it. His grip was warm and firm and under normal circumstances she would have found him attractive. But her head was still filled with Will and his betrayal.
"Look, Paige. The least I can do is give you a lift somewhere..."
Paige began to shake her head but Chris lifted his hand. "No I insist and I promise to drive like normal person." He smiled at her again. He was utterly charming and completely disarming. Paige couldn't help herself responding with a smile and nodding her head. He was right about one thing. It was too far too walk home from here...
***
Paige chewed her lip nervously as Chris sped around tight corners in his small red sports car. She gripped the handle on the door as though that alone could save her if they were in an accident. The window beside her was open and the wind whipped her hair into what she could only imagine was a huge mess.
The closer they got to the city the more relaxed she began to feel. Soon she would be home. At least there she could crawl into bed and lick her wounds. Change the sheets. They smell like him. The thought hit her like a punch in the gut. The sheets would smell like him. They certainly had this morning when she had climbed out of bed.
"So are you going to tell me how you know Will?" Chris's voice cut through Paige's thoughts. Pulling her back to the present with a bang. She stared at him bewilderment etched in every line of her face.
Chris frowned at her with concern. "Did you hit your head when you fell?"
Paige shook her head and smiled. Her mind back on the situation at hand. "No, no. I was miles away. That's all."
Chris smiled and took his eyes off the road. Paige gulped. "Please, eyes on the road. You promised you'd drive like a sane person."
Chris's laugh was filled with warmth as he returned his attention to the winding road. "So are you going to tell me how you know Will and why you were running from his house? Or do I have to guess?"
Paige lowered her gaze to where her hands were knotted up in her lap. "I don't think you could guess." Her voice was so low it was almost carried away on the wind.
"I know Will. I know what he is like where beautiful women are concerned. He'll tell them anything to get them into bed. The ones who are close to him, he just uses them up and spits them out. The way he has treated Natalie..."
"You know Natalie?"
"Yeah, I've met her a few times. Nice girl. But Will doesn't see that. I know, he's my best friend and I'm supposed to support him but I just can't tolerate the way he treats women anymore. Like they're his possessions."
"It sounds like you know him pretty well... Natalie warned me... She told me things that... Well she could only have known them if it was true. I thought I knew Will. I thought he was still my friend that even after all the years that had passed that he was still the same old Will... But I was so wrong."
"Ah, you're that Paige?" Chris looked over at her once more, his eyes leaving the road for a second. "I didn't realise. I had my suspicions but I wasn't certain."
An uneasiness twisted in Paige's stomach. "What do you mean that Paige?"
Chris laughed again. "Stop worrying. I just meant that I know of you. Will has spoken about getting back in contact with you. That's all." Chris's hand pressed against Paige's leg. She jumped and jerked her leg back away from his touch.
"Sorry, look I didn't mean to make you so uncomfortable. I just thought it would put you at ease." He put his hand back on the steering wheel as he spoke.
Paige's heart thundered in her chest. She felt like such a fool. Jumping and treating him like he had really done something wrong.
"No it's me. I'm just a bit hyper at the moment. I think I just need to get home and relax. Let go of all of my insecurities about today."
Chris smiled sympathetically. "He's really messed you around hasn't he?"
Paige let his words percolate in her mind for a few moments before answering. "Not really. I think it's more me. I'm not sure what I expected. But I guess what I expected and what I got were two completely different things. I just don't know anymore." She ran her fingers back through her hair as she spoke.
Chris pulled the car to a standstill at the curb beside her apartment building. "I'm sure it's not as bad as you think. Will talked about you quite a bit..."
Paige felt her heart lift a little. He talked about her. Perhaps there was hope after all? Maybe it wasn't all as bad as she had first thought it. Maybe she had over reacted to everything. She began to feel even more foolish for running from the house rather than confronting Will.
"I don't know about you, but I'm parched. Fancy inviting me up for a coffee and I can fill you in on the Will I know?"
Paige smiled at Chris and nodded. He was Will's friend. If anyone knew him then it should be him. Maybe he could shed some light on the enigma that was Will. He had changed so much from when she had known him. Knowing what he was like now, as an adult might be helpful in helping her figure out what to do.
"Sure." Paige hopped out of the car and made her way to the front of her apartment building. She fiddled with the keys before finally slotting it into the door. Chris leaned idly against the wall as he waited for her to open the doors.
The sound of a car screeching to a halt alongside made Paige jump. It reminded her of the sound Chris's car had made in the gravel. She turned to see what the commotion was about.
"Paige get away from him." Will's voice was filled with panic as he made to move towards her. The tall man she had met earlier at Will's house stopped him and pulled a gun from a holster he had hidden beneath his jacket.
The blood ran cold in Paige's veins. There had to be a mistake. What the hell was Will doing?
An arm tightened around Paige's neck, jerking her back against a hard chest. She screamed but the grip tightened choking off her air supply. Struggling she dug her nails into his arm in an attempt to escape but it was then she felt the press of the gun. The moment the cold barrel pushed in against her back Paige stopped struggling. She froze. Her eyes wide in fear and shock.
"Don't hurt her." Will's voice was calm. Paige struggled to understand why he was so calm in this situation. It wasn't fair that his voice was completely level. When inside she was screaming.
"Hurt her?" The gun moved from where it was pressed painfully in against her back to the side of her face. Chris ran the cold hard barrel down across her cheek. If it had been his hand Paige might have accepted that it was a caress but a gun changed everything.
"I wasn't planning on hurting her, William. I only wanted to talk to her. Get a feel for who she really was. You see I thought she might be the one I was looking for. But I couldn't be certain. The simple fact that you've turned up here with him." Chris jerked the gun in Will's general direction.
For a moment Paige was confused. And then it hit her, the man with Will was obviously more than just security. Chris seemed to know who he was and he didn't like him.
"Well you've let me know, in no uncertain terms that Paige is exactly the loose end I'm lo
oking to tie up. If you don't have her, then you have nothing."
"I swear I don't know anything. Please just let me go..." Paige's words were choked off as Chris jerked his arm tighter around her neck. The world was beginning to spin in sickening circles. If he continued to hold her the way he was Paige wasn't sure how long she would be able to stay conscious.
"Sssshh. I know you don't know anything yet. Or at least you think you don't. But, Paige, it's only a matter of time before you figure it out with that sweet little head of yours. And when you do... Well that is when you become a problem."
Paige whimpered as Chris pressed the gun tight against her temple.
"Christophe, if you kill her here. Like this with all of these witnesses then you have no chance. Think of all the jail time you'll do..." Will had raised his hands in a placating manner as he spoke. He was slowly inching his way around his own car in an attempt to get closer to Paige. She closed her eyes and tried to drag in a deep breath but the air just wasn't getting through.
Chris inched forward away from the door and closer to his own car. Paige's steps were shuffled and slow. The less air she had the more her body became useless. She whimpered again and stared into Will's eyes. She was grateful for one thing. If it was her time to die. At least she got to see Will one last time. After everything she had thought him capable of, now she knew the truth.
Chris took another step closer to his car and addressed Will. "Tell Aidan to back off or I blow her pretty little brains out all over the side walk."
Will turned and gave the other man a stern look. Aidan shook his head choosing instead to keep his gaze trained on Paige and the man holding her. "I can't, Will. You know I can't." Aidan's voice was strained and little beads of sweat had begun to gather on his forehead.
Chris shook Paige and she cried out in pain. She scrabbled against his hold with her hands but it was useless. He was far stronger than she was. Her arms along with the rest of her body was beginning to tire. She could feel the blackness creeping in around her vision and the men's voices were gradually getting further and further away. As though they came to her from a long tunnel.
