James
I knew from that wild night that this woman had to be mine. It was the defining moment for me. She became my primary focus, and everything else came second.
We left The Dark Odyssey the next day and came back to my place.
I knew I was in trouble when Monday came and we skipped the day.
I’ve never done that. Sure, back in college, when I was being an ass, I skipped out on classes, and I did the same in high school. Never in my professional life have I done it though.
I called in and said I had a family emergency, then said a silent prayer that it wouldn’t come true. Being a Marchesi, you don’t tend to say things like that. Although we haven’t had any trouble of that kind in many years, saying such a thing is like poking at fate and asking for trouble.
Today is Tuesday. I could still use the same excuse, but it would be wrong. Paige would be missing from her classes too, and I can’t draw that kind of attention to us.
I’m lying in bed with her. She’s resting her head on my chest while I smoke. The window is open and so is the balcony door. Last night, I made love to her on that balcony in the moonlight, grateful that I don’t have any neighbors. Glad I could take her in whatever way I chose to and no one but the stars knew what I was doing to Paige St. Claire.
I lose myself when I’m with her, but… I know we can’t continue like this.
Too many things are running through my mind. Conversations we should be having, questions for her I want answers to, and my concerns over my job.
The fact that I’m here again contemplating whether I want to entice the beauty to stay with me for another day, or go to work like I should is a big red flag.
I want my job. I love my job, but I want her. If I truly have her the way I want, I can’t have my job. So, what do I do?
My father’s offer enters my mind. Again I mull over the fact that it’s a good offer, I just don’t want to accept for the wrong reasons. It’s a big step, a big thing to ask of a person who’s worked hard to achieve certain goals over a seven year span.
Besides. I can’t help but feel that accepting the offer has a catch twenty two attached to it. That job could take Paige away from me. Travelling all over the place will take me away from Chicago.
“Your thoughts are deafening,” she whispers and runs her fingers over my chest. I look down at her naked body pressed up against mine and smile.
“Sorry, Bellissima. Didn’t mean to scare you away with my thoughts.” I grin.
She laughs. “Your thoughts can’t scare me. I’ve seen your dark side, remember?” She straightens up and brings the sheet up to cover her breasts.
“I haven’t tied you to my bed yet,” I inform her. “That’s a different experience.”
“When do we get to do that?”
“Soon. I’ll surprise you.” I sit up too and rest against the headboard. “Baby, we have to leave the house today. I shouldn’t encourage you to miss school.”
“You aren’t.”
“I feel like a prick for making you miss out.”
“No, it’s me. I should go on my own accord. It’s just been…” Her voice trails off and a little blush spreads over her cheeks.
“Crazy,” I fill in.
“Yeah. Crazy. Is it crazy that I don’t want to leave?”
“Don’t tell me such a thing. I’ll want to keep you here. Me in this big house by myself is not always my idea of fun.”
“James, your house is huge, but it’s beautiful. My little apartment I share with Megan could fit inside your living room.” She chuckles.
She’s mentioned her friend Megan a lot. While I talk about my family, she never talks about hers. I’m not sure why that is.
“You like my humble abode?” I give her a wolfish grin.
“Humble? This is not humble. You live in a mansion.”