Unable to hold back, I opened it.
“Wow,” I breathed out, peering at the diamond necklace, earrings, and bracelet.
This must have cost him a fortune. I deeply sighed, falling onto the bed to look at the ceiling for a minute. Tossing my arm over my eyes, I didn’t move until I felt the bed dip next to me.
“This isn’t fair.”
I moved my arm and pulled back my hair, glancing at him sideways.
“To whom?”
“You’re making it really hard to hate you.”
“You don’t hate me, Paige.”
“Don’t tell me how I feel, Adrian.”
“I’m just stating the facts.”
“You can’t buy my affection. You know that, right?”
“I don’t have to. I’ll always be a part of you like you’ll always be a part of me.”
“How do you keep saying all the right things?”
He smiled, speaking with conviction…
“Because it’s the truth.”
Thirteen
Adrian
Icouldn’t help but stare at the vision in front of me. Her hazel eyes still had the power to bring me to my knees with a simple look or smile. Paige was always naturally breathtaking. The women I had slept with didn’t come close to her. Her body was better than what I remembered, and I hated the fact that I missed so many years with her.
There was something in her gaze that told me she wanted to express so many things. I’d sit there for the rest of my life if that’s what it took for her to open up to me again.
The past was still lurking right around the corner like a goddamn shadow I couldn’t get away from. All I wanted were a few moments in time when it didn’t haunt us anymore.
“Mr. Drake. We’re almost there,” the driver announced, pulling me away from my inner musings.
Paige was sitting in the seat on the other end of the limo, looking like a fucking goddess, wearing a fitted strapless gown that was low cut in the front. Further accentuating each and every delicious curve of her irresistible body. The high slit came up on her right thigh.
I made a mental note to thank my personal stylist for buying this dress for her. Paige’s hair flowed loosely in large curls, framing her face. I couldn’t help but notice every feature, especially, her pouty fuck-me lips.
She looked good enough to eat and I craved her sweet essence on my tongue.
I threw the files on the seat next to me, unable to concentrate on them right now, exhausted from my lack of sleep I’d been dealt lately. I couldn’t stop thinking about her stalker, worrying about her now more often than ever. Over the last month, there were no leads. They hadn’t contacted her, but I knew it was only a matter of time before they made themselves known again. They were just waiting for the right time.
While she sat there staring out the window lost in her own thoughts, I openly desired her.
Her smell.
Her touch.
Her taste.
She had me fisting my cock almost every night at the mere memory of her almost every night.
Craving her.
Needing her.
Wanting her in every possible way.
The attendant opened my door, once again breaking me from my torturous thoughts. I stepped out onto the red carpet, reaching inside to grab her hand and help her out of the limo.
Photographers snapped picture after picture as I led her toward the entrance of The Ritz-Carlton. I despised the press. I never did interviews or willingly allowed them to take pictures of me. They were a waste of time. All they did was fabricate stories about me. Rushing through the press, it looked like Paige was just a part of my team. The paparazzi were used to seeing me with them.
Tonight, we were attending a political campaign fundraiser on behalf of Senator McAndrews. Everyone, including myself, was there to show their support, and by that, I mean their checkbooks.
The night started off as usual, mingling with everyone I was supposed to, acting as if I gave a shit about what we were discussing. It was an art I perfected over the years.
Although, I couldn’t help but notice how all eyes were on my date. Paige played her part perfectly like she was made for my life. She was the social butterfly at the event, working the room as if she had something to prove.
I watched the way men would lean in a little too close when she was talking. How they kept their eyes focused on hers, but in reality, I’d catch them glancing down at her breasts at any given moment.
I wasn’t a jealous man but...
She was bringing out the worst in me.
But what captivated me the most, was how she had every man in the room eating out of the palm of her hand. Paige looked good in my world. Which was why I fought the urge to make it known that she was mine to her, and every man she came in contact with.