When she was gone, Paige dashed into the kitchen to check on her beans, which were about two seconds away from being overcooked. She quickly moved the pot from the burner, poured the beans in a serving bowl and garnished them with a sprig of parsley, just as she’d seen on the Food Network.
Next, Paige pulled the ingredients for a salad out of the refrigerator. She shredded the lettuce, cut tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers, and then tossed them in a salad bowl. She sprinkled a little pepper and herbs over the salad, covered the bowl with plastic wrap and then slid it in the vegetable crisper.
Just as she was about to place the steaks in the oven, there was another knock at the door. Paige furrowed her brows as she walked to the door. “What is this, Grand Central Station?” she muttered as she walked to the door and pulled the curtain back. She didn’t see anyone, so she opened the door and looked down. Mickey was standing there with tear tracks staining his face.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, pulling him into her warm embrace.
“I can’t find my daddy,” he said in between sniffles. “He’s gone, just like Mommy.”
Paige gently stroked the nape of Mickey’s neck. “I’m sure Brian just didn’t hear you. Come inside with me so I can turn the stove off and then we’ll find your daddy.”
Mickey nodded and cried silently. Paige shut the oven off and turned to him. Brian didn’t seem like the irresponsible father that would leave his son alone in the house.
Where is that man? she thought as she and Mickey headed out the door.
Brian banged his wrench on the water heater, hoping he wouldn’t wake his napping son. This was the third time in a week that the piece of junk had conked out on him. Brian knew he was going to have to break down and buy a new one. He stepped out of the storage room and walked over to his truck to get a bigger wrench from his toolbox. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Paige and Mickey walking across the street. Running over to them, he could see Mickey had been crying. “What happened?”
Mickey ran into his father’s arms. “Where did you go, Daddy?” Mickey asked.
Brian looked down at his terrified son. “I was in the storage room. I thought you were sleeping.”
Mickey shook his head. “I couldn’t find you.”
Brian looked at Paige. “He came over and he was really upset.”
“Thank you,” Brian replied, his voice a near whisper.
He hoisted Mickey into his arms. “Champ, I’m never going to leave you. You were sleeping and I had to check on the water heater.”
“But Mommy left.”
Brian looked deep into his son’s teary eyes. “We’re always going to be together, champ.” He hugged Mickey tightly.
Paige touched Brian’s shoulder. “If you need to be with your son tonight, I understand.”
Brian nodded. “Paige, thank you so much.”
“Miss Paige,” Mickey called out. “Will you stay too?”
She smiled warmly and mussed Mickey’s wooly hair. “I think you and your dad need some alone time.”
“Nah, Miss Paige, if the boy wants you to stay, then stay. And I want my steak medium well.”
Paige smirked and clicked her tongue against her teeth. “All right. I’ll be right back.”
Brian smiled as he watched Paige’s retreating figure. “Hey, little man, want to help me fix this water heater?”
Mickey nodded and they bounded to the storage room. A few moments later, Mickey and Brian emerged from the storage room, dusty and hungry. As if she could read their stomachs, Paige was heading across the street with their dinner. Brian rushed to open the door for her when he saw her struggling with the pan and bowls. He took the bowl of beans from her hands as she walked up the steps.
“Smells good,” he said. “Thank you.”
Brian smiled as he held the door open for her. “You could have cooked over here, y’know.”
“Well, I still need to stick the steaks in the oven before we can actually eat. But I have burgers, beans and salad ready to go.”
Brian ushered Paige into his ultra modern kitchen. He’d had the kitchen remodeled for Olivia because she complained about the old gas stove, the lack of a dishwasher and the small refrigerator. He’d replaced everything with state of the art stainless steel. Paige ran her hand admiringly across the smooth marble counter top. “Who are you, Bobby Flay?”
“I did this for my wife. She said the old kitchen was outdated.”
Paige chewed on her bottom lip as she arranged her dinner on the counter. Mickey dashed into the kitchen, peering at the food Paige had prepared.
“Mickey, go wash up for dinner,” Brian said.
“Yes, sir,” the little boy replied as he walked out of the kitchen, leaving Paige and Brian alone. She looked at him then down at the half broiled steaks.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, taking note of Paige’s silence. “Nothing.”
Brian grunted knowingly. “I know I said my wife, but Olivia and I are divorced.”
“Yes, but will you ever get her out of your heart? Brian, I like you, but I don’t want you to see me as a rebound fling.”
How could Brian tell her that he was falling for her and that it shook him to his core? In a perfect world, he would be able to love Paige with everything in him. He saw how good she was with Mickey. His little boy was already growing attached to her. But how long would a woman like Paige stay in a place like Elmore before she started feeling trapped and run away?
“Brian?”
“Huh?”
“What was that look?”
“Paige, let’s just take this for what it is. You’re a beautiful woman and I’m extremely attracted to you. But I know this town isn’t going to hold you here. I can’t let you blow in and out of my life.”
“You think you know me, Brian Jackson?”
“It’s not that. I just don’t want to be hurt again,” he said.
Paige rubbed her forehead. “So, this is you striking first, then?”
Brian walked over to her and looked her deep into her golden eyes. “This is me being honest, that’s all.”
Paige rolled her eyes, walked over to the stove and slid the pan of steaks into the oven. “This is you being afraid, Brian.” Sighing, she thought about what his sister said. Fragile.
Brian leaned against the counter and watched Paige. “I’m not afraid,” he said. The lie burned in his mouth. He was terrified that another woman had gotten close enough to him to burrow into his heart. He couldn’t bear another failed chance at love. Obviously he couldn’t sustain love; Olivia had left. What would stop Paige from doing the same thing?
Paige stepped up to him and focused her golden gaze on him. “Prove it.”
“How? By taking you in my arms and making slow love to you? It won’t change anything. Paige. If we go there, it would only be temporary.”
“Is that what you want? Just a temporary love affair? A summer fling? I gave those up in college,” she snapped.
Brian grabbed her around the waist. “There’s nothing holding you here. You’re telling me that if a better opportunity came along that you would still stay?”
She bit her bottom lip as Brian’s mouth came close to hers. She looked up at him. “Brian, I finish everything that I start.”
“Meaning what?”
She licked her lips, sending shivers down his spine. “Take it any way you want.”
Brian leaned in to kiss her rose petal soft lips. Paige parted her lips slightly, allowing his tongue to enter her mouth, search each crevice, and take control of her.
“Ooh,” Mickey exclaimed when he spotted Brian and Paige embracing. They quickly parted.
“I’d better warm the beans,” she said.
Brian walked over to Mickey and squeezed him on the cheek. “You didn’t see that.”
Mickey giggled with delight, a sound Brian hadn’t heard since Olivia left. Mickey hugged his father tightly. “May I go watch TV?” he asked.
“Go ahead but don’t sit too close
to the set.”
Brian turned his attention to Paige, who had made herself at home in the kitchen. She found the pots, flatware and dishes without his help. Watching her stirring the beans, he felt as if she belonged there.
Paige turned around, catching him staring at her. “What? Did I use the wrong pot or something?”
“So sarcastic,” he said.
“That’s my cross to bear in life,” she replied as she held out a spoonful of beans for Brian to taste. She slid the spoon in his mouth, watching his reaction as he savored the spicy beans.
“I never would have guessed you could cook. This is awesome.”
Paige smiled. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know.”
He didn’t doubt that one bit. Paige was more than he’d thought she was when they first met. Now he knew she was a woman he could fall in love with. That fact intrigued and frightened him at the same time. The last woman that found a place in his heart had left him. His son had hardly gotten a moment’s peace since his mother walked out on them and he didn’t want Mickey to grow attached to Paige and then have her leave them high and dry. Brian looked away from her so his eyes wouldn’t betray his heart.
“So,” Brian began. “What else do you have over there cooking?”
“A little of this, a little of that. Let’s just say you won’t be disappointed.” Paige sauntered over to the freezer. “Do you have any fries? Mickey might want some to go with his burger.”
Brian nodded and pointed Paige in the right direction. She pulled out a bag of curly fries and headed back to the stove. Brian showed her where the vegetable oil was before she asked. They stood side by side at the stove, stealing glances at each other like teenagers playing house.
Mickey bounded into the kitchen. “When are we going to eat?” he asked, pouting his lips slightly. “I’m hungry.”
“Just as soon as the fries are crispy,” Paige said as she squeezed Mickey’s round cheek.
“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes,” Brian said.
Mickey dashed out of the kitchen as Paige began setting the table. Brian couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a home cooked meal. Watching her maneuver around the kitchen reminded him of another thing he missed about having a wife.
Earlier in their marriage, Olivia and Brian had cooked together all the time. That was why she’d complained about the old cramped kitchen. Before Mickey was born, they’d burned many meals because they ended up making love on the counter.
Seeing this side of Paige warmed his heart and shocked him at the same time. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. If ever there was a domestic goddess, it was Paige.
“All right,” she said as she clasped her hands together. “Dinner’s ready.”
“I’m going to get Mickey,” Brian said as he headed down the hall.
A few minutes later, the Jackson men and Paige were sitting at the table getting ready to dig into their meals. Mickey devoured his hamburger, fries, and beans. Paige smiled proudly when he asked for seconds.
“This is good,” Brian said as he finished his steak. “I never would have taken you for the cooking type.”
“I should be offended,” she scoffed.
“No, no, it’s just that I had you pegged as the leader of the Georgia Woman’s Liberation Movement. I could hear you giving a speech about burning bras and how pots and pans are your shackles.”
Paige rolled her eyes. “I actually like to cook.”
Brian threw his hands up in mock surrender. “I stand corrected,” he said with a grin.
“Can you cook for us every day?” Mickey asked innocently.
Paige and Brian laughed nervously.
“Now, son,” Brian began. “Miss Paige does have a life. She can’t cook for us every night, but once a week would be nice.”
“Whatever, Robocop. Mickey, you can have dinner with me anytime you would like.”
Brian pretended to pout. “What about me?”
Paige threw her hand up in his face. “Forget about it,” she said jokingly.
After dinner, Brian sat down in the den with Mickey while Paige cleaned up the kitchen. She wouldn’t let Brian help, despite his sincere offer. Mickey looked up at his father. “I like her,” he said in a small voice.
“What?”
“Miss Paige is nice.”
Brian smiled. He totally agreed with his son. But he had broken every rule he set after Olivia left. He’d let Paige into his heart and into Mickey’s life. He couldn’t push her away now if he wanted to.
“All right, all done,” she said as she walked into the den.
“Come sit down,” Brian said as he patted the sofa cushion between himself and Mickey.
Paige plopped down on the sofa as if she was worn out, and Mickey leaned his head against her thigh. Brian smiled, but it was bittersweet. He and Olivia used to sit like that when they finished dinner.
“Somebody’s sleeping,” Paige said, tapping into Brian’s thoughts.
“I’ll put him to bed,” he whispered as he stood and scooped the little boy up in his arms. Paige stood up as well.
“Are you leaving?”
She nodded.
“Wait,” he said. “Don’t go yet.” He waited until she sat down before he walked down the hall to put Mickey in the bed. One thought ran through his mind. What am I getting myself into?
CHAPTER NINE
Paige had secretly hoped Brian would ask her to stay after dinner, but she didn’t want to overstay her welcome. Being there with him and Mickey was almost too damn comfortable. She glanced down the hall and saw Brian coming her way. He smiled as he sat down beside her on the oversized sofa.
“Thank you,” he whispered. His lips grazed her ear, sending a jolt through her nervous system.
Paige turned around and faced him. “You don’t have to thank me. Remember, this was an apology dinner.”
“So it was,” Brian said with a smile. “And your apology has been more than accepted.”
Her heart was beating like a drum and she had to turn away from him. She wanted to press her body against his and make slow love to him. She wanted to feel him deep inside her, touching her private joy and making her scream in delight. Paige turned back to him. “I meant what I said earlier.”
“About?”
“Finishing what I start.” Paige inched closer until their thighs touched. He gently stroked her cheek. It was at that moment that they threw caution to the wind and gave in to passion. Brian captured Paige’s mouth with his, as if he were a pirate taking over new land. Paige melted against him, fueling the burning passion between them. Hungrily, Brian’s tongue dove into Paige’s mouth, meandering around, savoring her sweetness. She fell on top of him, never breaking off the kiss. Brian grabbed her hips as if he were trying to pull her inside him. Paige wanted to stop. Her logical side screamed that this was wrong. That everything was happening too fast. But her desire for Brian was overwhelming. She grabbed his hand and placed it underneath her skirt, he slid his hand inside the satin and lace that hid her treasure. She was hot, wet, and ready for him. His throbbing erection pressed against her thighs as she straddled his body.
“Protection,” she murmured.
Brian was slow to remove his lips from her neck. He pulled back and looked at her. “I don’t have any.”
And why would he? she thought. He had been a married man and the last thing he should have is a box of condoms.
He let Paige go. She felt as if this was a sign that making love to Brian shouldn’t happen. Not now, anyway. Brian stood up and zipped up his shorts. “Wait for just a minute,” he said, and then dashed out of the house.
Paige didn’t know what to think when Brian flew out of the house. Her heart raced and her legs quivered as she relived the scene she and Brian had shared moments ago. Was sleeping with him the right thing to do? Was he really over his ex-wife? Sure, he’d said their marriage hadn’t been a real marriage for years, but they had a child together and she had been his first love.
>
But Paige wanted him so badly and he wanted her too. Or was she his rebound fling? If they made love tonight, she knew everything was going to change. But she couldn’t calm her raging desire. Brian had awakened something inside her that had been dormant for so long. Whether it was right or wrong, she was going to make love to him and deal with the consequences in the morning.
The front door opened and Paige jumped like a nervous cat burglar. Brian’s eyes locked with hers.
“What are we doing?” he asked.
“Why did you leave?”
Brian pulled a box of condoms from his pocket and dropped them on the table. “Just because I have these, it doesn’t mean we have to use them.”
Lust hung in the air like hovering storm clouds. Paige was ready for Brian’s love to rain on her, but was he ready to leave the past behind and forge a real future with her? Paige stood and exhaled. “I’d better go home,” she said. “I don’t think either of us is ready for this.”
When Brian pulled her into his arms, she could feel his erection against her middle. They were so close together that their hearts began beating in sync. “I hear what you’re saying, but you don’t want to leave,” he said.
He was right, but she still had questions. Brian seemed to read her mind because he said, “Paige, this is all about you. I want you. I need you. And I know you feel the same way.” He slowly snaked his hands underneath her skirt. “But,” he said as he slipped his finger inside her panties, gently tickling her most sensitive spot, “if you want to leave—”
Paige fell against him as he took her to the brink of orgasm with the up and down motion of his finger. Hungrily, she captured his mouth, savoring the taste of his tongue, the soft feel of his lips against her. Paige broke off the kiss and stepped back from him. “I want to be clear on something,” she said as she unzipped her skirt, letting it fall to the floor. “This isn’t a one night stand.”
Another Chance to Love Page 8
