him to leave, but she could see the tension in his him. She wanted to
go to him and hug him to her, to tell him to relax and again, that was
completely against her nature. She didn't generally hug people very
often, only loved ones and close friends. With him, she wanted to
touch him, hug him, just be close to him and it didn't make sense.
"This is so out there for me. I don't know what it is about you." She
turned her back on him, staring out the window when she continued.
"I can't tell you to leave. Honestly, I don't know why, but I can't. I
don't want you to." Her head dropped and her shoulders sagged when
she admitted her feelings. She heard him release his breath in a
relived sigh. "But, I am still married and I have no plans of changing
that fact."
When she turned back to him she saw that he nodded his head in
understanding. In two steps he was beside her and pulled her to him
again. "I can understand and respect that. But I will tell you, my
intentions are to keep you for myself. I will take you away, to hell
with your husband." His tone of voice ended his statement with a
slight menacing growl.
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Paige released a half laugh half sigh, shaking her head she blinked
slowly. "If I weren't married, I would jump right in, but Casey." His
finger on her lips stopped her words.
"Let's just take one day at a time and see where this goes, no
pressure, okay?" Breathing deeply she nodded her head and returned
his brilliant, hope filled smile.
They broke apart when a knock sounded at the door. Rosa
appeared with the packages that had been delivered to her room.
Paige opened the door to allow Rosa to come in. Plopping the boxes
on the couch, she waved at Casey when he walked towards the door.
"Later Amante."
"I will be back in a couple hours to pick you ladies up." Casey
grinned. Reaching Paige, he gave her a quick kiss on the lips and
disappeared out the door.
She had heard Rosa call Lamar Amante many times. She had asked
once and was told that it meant lover. Shaking her head when the
door closed, Paige turned to Rosa with a groan. Dejected, heading
towards the love seat, her feet drug across the floor and she plopped
down onto the cushion. Her head leaning back, she rubbed a weary
hand across her face. "Rosa, what am I going to do?" Turning her
head without lifting it, she stared at her friend, waiting for an answer.
"Isn't he just the hottest thing you have ever seen?" Rosa headed
into the kitchen. Rummaging through the refrigerator, found what she
was looking for and pulled out a bottle of wine that had been pushed
to the back.
"Yeah, he's hot and what did you tell him about Dalton?" Forcing
herself to stand up, she shuffled over and took the glass Rosa had
poured for her. Gulping it down, she held the glass out for more.
With a laugh Rosa filled it again.
"I just told him that you were married to a jerk." The secretive
smile on her face told Paige there was probably more to it than what
she was telling her.
"Well, he told me he loved me and he was going to steal me away
from Dalton." Sitting sideways on the seat she stared out the window
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and saw Casey hopping into a car. She turned back to Rosa. "This
never happens to me."
"Well chica, I would say just go with it and see what happens."
Rosa began pulling the red ribbons from the boxes, but didn't open
them. Her expression remained neutral.
Paige huffed, digging deeper into the cushion, wondering if there
was a way she could pass on going out. The thoughts of what Casey
had done to her body, and then his declaration of love had thrown her
into a tailspin. Did she want to call it quits, tell him to leave and
never return, or did she really want to see where it led? Then she
thought of her husband's affair with that woman two years earlier.
Had he felt this way? Did he just come back to her to keep the family
together? Did he really care for Darcy? The thoughts were disturbing
and her chest began to feel heavy.
Rosa heard the slight sob, hurried over and gathered Paige in her
arms. "Just breathe baby, it'll be ok. You can't beat yourself up over
this. The heart wants what the heart wants."
"That's what I'm afraid of. Did I force Dalton to stay with me when
he really wanted to be with her? Was him telling me he loved me a lie
all these years?" Paige swiped at the stray tear and sniffled.
"Hon, only Dalton can tell you that."
Rose didn't meet her eyes, but held her mouth in a firm line. Paige
got the feeling she wanted to say more, but was holding back for some
reason. She was tired of being alone and unsure. She didn't want to
admit it, but deep down, she had a feeling Dalton was still seeing
Darcy. She knew, but didn't want to face the truth that she was
fighting a losing battle to keep her marriage together. Straightening
her shoulders, she drew in a deep cleansing breath and released it
shakily. It was time she made herself happy. "Okay, before I go and
mess myself up completely. Where are we going tonight and when?"
"That a girl." Rosa patted her shoulder and stepped back, glancing
at the gold watch on her slender wrist. "We leave in two hours. So go
jump in the shower, after you are done, call me and I will come over
and do your eye make-up."
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CHAPTER FIVE
Still in her robe, Paige called Rosa.
She showed up within moments with her small bag of tricks.
The makeup was subtle, but whatever she had done, Paige's green
eyes looked even greener and took on a dreamy state. She couldn't
believe she was looking at herself in the mirror.
They moved to the bedroom where Rosa picked up the box and that
secretive smile appeared again. Paige began to see Rosa's smile for
what it was. Rosa had done something sneaky.
Paige wondered just what she was up to.
Opening the box, she quickly found out. There was a pair of lacy
red thongs and a matching bra sitting on top of a red dress that looked
as if it floated in the box. Paige stared at it and tears sprang to her
eyes. She had not seen the dress, but it looked exquisite and hugged
Rosa to her.
Laughing, Rosa hugged her back.
"Put it on and don't you dare cry and mess up those perfect eyes!"
After a day of being naked on the massage table with Rosa, Paige
had no qualms about shedding her clothing. She slipped the soft
material against her skin. The chiffon dress was fabulous, and
flattered her fuller figure nicely. The sexy surplice neckline showed
the curve of her breasts as the bra pushed them higher than they had
been in a long time. The cummerbund style belt gathered at her waist
and flared into multi layers of material that flowed around her legs
when she twisted.
The shoe box revealed strappy heals like she had chosen with the
turquoise dress, but these matched the color of this dress to perfection.
"How did you know this would fit? I didn't try it on or
even see it."
Paige couldn't help but ask and stare in awe at her reflection.
"You tried on all those clothes. So I figured out your size. When
you were in the changing room I saw this." She fingered the material
of the skirt. "I knew it would be perfect for your shape."
Rosa smiled brightly, pleased that her selection had been perfect.
59
Paige couldn't help it, she hugged her again. When they separated,
she excitedly slipped the shoes on. They fit flawlessly as well and she
could actually walk in them. They had heels, but not too high so she
wouldn't break her neck. The outfit was absolutely exquisite.
Rosa came up behind her and hugged her around the waist, chin
resting on her shoulder she stared into Paige's eyes. "You look
beautiful and tonight will be different than any other night in your
life." She promised with a grin. "I can almost guarantee that it will
top last night, hands down." Rosa kissed her cheek, and then opened
the hand resting on her shoulder and a necklace dangled there. She
quickly fastened it around Paige's neck before she could protest, and
handed her the matching earrings. "It's your night to shine." Rosa
stood back grinning from ear to ear.
With a sigh and a shake of her head, Paige pushed the earrings
through her piercings and secured them in place. The jewelry did
complete the look. She couldn't believe that she was staring at own
reflection.
* * * *
It was pouring rain when the women walked into the lobby. Casey
had just walked in through the sliding glass doors, flicking water off
his shoulders when he looked up. His eyes grew wide and he released
a low whistle.
Paige was not used to dressing like this, nor was she used to anyone
admiring her and felt the blush of pleasure spread across her face, it
felt good.
Casey looked good too. He had showered and changed out of the
blue jeans and t-shirt, and now wore a pair of black slacks and a
button up grey shirt that made his eyes even bluer, if that were
possible.
Taxi cabs lined up underneath the overhang, but Casey guided them
past the taxis towards a black car. The rain stopped.
He quickly escorted the two women to the black car and opened the
door for Paige, handing her into the front seat, then Rosa into the
back. As soon as he climbed in the car, the rain started again and they
all laughed.
60
The traffic was horrendous and Paige held a hand to her mouth to
keep from squealing every time a car swerved or mopeds pulled over
in front of them. She finally just hung her head and closed her eyes to
keep from seeing how close they were to the other cars. Rosa laughed
and poked her shoulder from the back seat and continued chattering
like she always did. "Come on Paige, I'm not that bad of a driver."
Casey teased, squeezing her thigh lightly.
"Just keep your hands on the steering wheel, drive and tell me when
we get there." She responded through clenched teeth without looking
up or uncovering her eyes. Casey and Rosa laughed again.
Finally, they pulled into the parking lot and Paige opened her eyes.
When the engine went dead, she breathed a sigh of relief. They were
at a mall. Glancing over at Casey, then back at Rosa with a
questioning look he smiled.
"There is a really nice restaurant inside the mall. Once we eat,
we're going to The Haven around the corner."
"I'm in your hands tonight." Paige responded then nearly sputtered
from embarrassment when she received a lecherous look from Casey
and a hearty laugh from Rosa.
Dinner wasn't formal, but it was higher class than she expected at a
mall. The food was buffet style, but was fresh and very appetizing.
Sitting beside her, Casey fed her foods that she would have never
otherwise tried. He avoided the shellfish she was averse to. She had
to ask. "How did you know I'm allergic?"
She caught the glance between him and Rosa and a frown creased
her brow instantly.
"Rosa mentioned it before dinner." He answered nonchalantly.
She was going to have to talk with Rosa and ask her not to tell
Casey any more about her. Then the thought hit her, when had she
had time to tell him anything? They hadn't been alone, had they?
She opened her mouth to ask when they had talked, but found a
korokke shoved in her mouth and was forced to sink her teeth into it
before it fell onto her lap. There was no chance to ask once done
chewing and swallowing because Tadd showed up and Rosa was
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eagerly greeting him with a very big hug and kiss. She obviously
didn't care that people were staring.
After dinner, they made their way to the club. It was packed and as
far as Paige could tell, there were people from different countries all
throughout the bar.
Casey leaned over and said something to Rosa when they entered.
Rosa nodded and pulled Tadd along behind her and headed straight
for the bar. Casey didn't bother finding a table because it would be
next to impossible. Instead, he pulled her out onto the dance floor.
The music happened to be a song by Duane Britton she had heard
before. He pulled her into his arms and began singing to her.
"Let me be your ride out of town.
Let me be the place that you hide.
We can make our lives on the go.
Texas in the summer is cool."
The sound of his deep voice singing to her made her eyes mist with
tears when his eyes gazed down into her eyes. He substituted Sam's
name with hers and made up words he wanted her to hear.
" Run away with me.
Paige I know, this is fast.
I know it's crazy but
Paige, I'm in love with you.
We can make plans
Paige we can make plans."
He sang to her from the heart and she melted. Lifting up on the tip
of her toes, she pulled his head down to hers and kissed him. She
wanted the feel of his lips on hers again. She also needed him to stop
singing because she was already falling for him harder than he would
ever know.
She was not one for kissing in front of other people, but with him,
nothing mattered. Their lips clung to one another while they swayed
to the music. Throughout the evening they concentrated on one
another. Talking, learning little things about the other, where they
lived, their families, their lives in general. He was a little older than
62
she had thought, thirty three, so she didn't quite feel so bad thinking
he was only twenty five. Nearly the same age as her oldest son who
just turned twenty-one.
The lighting in the bar was dim, but Casey appeared to be able to
see okay. He steered her clear of the crowd and made their way to the
table Rosa and Tadd had secured for them. Paige noticed that Rosa
wasn't dancing, but hanging at the table with Tadd, which was a little
odd. The glasses in front of them were tinted, and looked as if they
were drinking a deep dark red wine.
When she went to reach for Rosa's to take a sip, Rosa quickly
pulled it to her, covering the top with her hand. Shaking her head, she
reached over and pushed a glass of chardonnay over to her.
Paige frowned. Rosa always shared her drink with her. She sipped
from the wine while Casey drank the same drink the others were
having, and then followed it with a couple big swigs on the beer.
Odd, behavior from them all, but she was determined to have fun and
not overanalyze things like she tended to do. It was time for her to
enjoy herself.
When she and Casey danced, men and women alike complimented
them and she was proud to be in his arms. Amazed at how fast the
evening flew by, she was disappointed, but also a little on the anxious
side to be heading back to base, back to her room. She rode in
nervous silence while Casey drove and Tadd made out with Rosa in
the back seat.
Paige was afraid to turn around for fear of seeing what they were
doing with all the sounds she heard. The thoughts of the night before
flooded her mind and she moved slightly in her seat.
Casey chose that moment to reach over and hold her hand and that
small gestured made her happy. Even though the night had turned out
to be even muggier than it had been the night before, she was happy
that his warm hand enveloped hers.
Tadd and Rosa were barely in the door to Rosa's room before
clothing began disappearing. They stood in front of her door. Casey
smiled and Paige gave a nervous laugh when he held his hand out to
63
her. She dropped the card key in his palm and he slid it down through
the lock and opened the door.
With her hands clasped together, she walked through the opening
apprehensively. She had only had a couple glasses of wine
throughout the evening, so she was not even a bit tipsy and wished she
was. She felt like she did when she was in high school. She thought
back to her first date with Dalton, the first time he had kissed her, she
hadn't been this nervous. The first time he had made love to her…
She jumped when Casey's hand lightly touched her shoulder.
"You looked like you were off in your own little world."