Page 15 of Truth and Temptation
I stand up straight. No lumberjack wannabe is going to make me feel intimidated. “I’ve met her a few times and I think she’s a cool lady. That’s all.”
“She is. She’s awesome.”
My head shakes back and forth before I can think of the intelligence behind the move. “Look, guys, I don’t know what’s given you the idea I’m some asshole here to prey on your women, but I’m not. I’m only in town for a little while, and I came out tonight to have a drink, maybe hang out a bit.”
“Wyatt? Are these men bothering you? Their body posture seems quite defensive.”
I spin around at Paige’s voice. “Hey, nah, it’s okay. Just guys talking.”
Ethan shifts subtly so he’s almost in front of me. “Just asking some questions, Paige.”
Man, if looks could kill. I hide my smile as I watch Paige put her hands on her hips and fix Ethan with a glare that lowers the temperature of the room several degrees. “Ethan Monroe, you may be mayor of this town, but you are not in charge of me, or anyone with whom I choose to spend my time. It’s obvious to all of us —” she gestures to the women at the table behind her “— that you, Reid, and Dean are interrogating Wyatt for no reason.”
Finally, she looks at me, and even in the dim light, I can see the faint blush come across her cheeks. I give her a reassuring smile, wanting desperately to reach out and tuck the strand of hair that has come loose from her bun behind her cheek.
“Wyatt has been a customer at Pages. That’s all.”
Damn. Her immediate minimizing of our interactions stings. But it also serves the purpose of getting the guys off my back because I see Ethan’s posture soften. Deciding to be the bigger man, I put my hand out toward him. “Wyatt. Nice to meet you, Ethan.” After a second, he unfolds his arms and takes my hand, shaking it firmly. I turn to the other guy, who has a friendly grin and isn’t nearly as big as Ethan.
“Reid. Nice to meet ya, Wyatt.” I return his easy smile, then turn my attention to the person I really want to talk to.
“Hi, Paige.”
She gives the men on either side of me one more fixed look, and again, I’m fighting back a chuckle at how they turn and leave.
“Nicely done,” I comment, taking a sip of my beer, trying to project a relaxed energy, even though I’m weirdly excited she’s here.
“They mean well,” she says as she leans her elbows on the bar next to me.
“Friends are a good thing.”
“They are, indeed. I am lucky to have people like them who care about me.”
Damn it, we’re back to the stilted, awkward conversation. That’s not what I want. But now isn’t the time to think about what I really want.
“Read any good books lately?” I ask casually, before taking it to the next level. “Maybe another romance or two? What do they call them…bodice rippers?”
Clearly, the key to unlocking Paige is literature. Her body visibly relaxes, and her bow shaped lips curve up into a small smile.
“Bodice rippers refer to historical romance. This month my focus is on mafia romance, as that is the theme of our book club discussion.”
Her answer makes me cough on my beer, but I recover quickly. “Mafia, huh? Not gonna lie, Paige, the way your friends were crowding me earlier felt a little bit like some thugs coming for a beatdown. Is Dogwood Cove a secret hub for an underground crime syndicate?”
I’ll be damned if Paige’s laughter isn’t the cutest damn thing I’ve ever heard.
“Hardly. Although, I feel I must apologize once more for their behaviour.” Her hand tentatively reaches out and rests on my arm. “They mean well, but that was out of line.”
Cautiously, I lift my own hand and lay it over hers. I feel her fingers jump, then settle against my arm again. She’s staring down at where we’re connected.
“Paige, it’s fine. I respect the hell out of any guy who will defend a woman. Even if it isn’t necessary. I’m not the big bad wolf, after all.” I wink and earn myself another laugh. Fuck, I’ll do whatever it takes to make her laugh.
“Would you like to come and join my friends and I for a drink?”
Well, shit. Of course I want to, but if I stand up right now, I’ll have to do some careful positioning to hide how affected I am by nothing more than her beauty and her laugh. Paige hops off her stool, and I stand up behind her, shifting my legs slightly. Fuck, she makes me feel like a horny teenager all over again.
Paige leads me over to the table and makes quick introductions. On the other side of Mila is Jackson, who introduces himself as the town vet. He seems nice enough. Next to Mila is Serena, who gives me a mischievous smile that I don’t have time to think about as Paige continues introductions. Down the table is a guy I recognize from the day my parents and I went to the local winery. He says his name is Finn, and the blonde beside him is his fiancée, Ashley. Then Reid and Ethan, the two guys who came up to the bar, and their significant others, Abby and Summer.
“Summer is the one who runs the resort I told you about,” Paige prompts, gesturing to the woman next to Ethan, who of course, has an arm stretched over her shoulder and is still looking at me with a healthy amount of suspicion.
