Adrenaline

My body knew he was there before he uttered a word. “Paislie has her pj’s in her room and she’ll be up soon, princess. You go with the rest of the girls and get ready.”

Sophie’s big blue eyes darted between Malcolm and me. “Are you going to help Paislie get ready?”

Oh how I hope so.

“Oh no, Sophie! I’m a big girl and can get ready on my own,” I practically spit out as I felt both Autumn and Shirley staring at me. When my eyes lifted, Autumn was smiling, but Shirley was staring at Malcolm.

With a little jump, Sophie grabbed two of her friends and darted for upstairs. Autumn laughed and said, “The party’s in the game room. See you soon, Paislie!”

She had an evil look in her eyes and I had a feeling something was up between her and Malcolm. I knew she had played a hand in me being a part of all of this tonight, and I was positive it was at the request of Malcolm.

Malcolm slid his arm around my waist and my body was engulfed in heat. Glancing up, I had to remind myself to breathe. I was so lost in his blue eyes.

I pulled in a breath of air and turned to Shirley who was now staring at me. “So, Paislie, what do your parents do for a living?”

My breath caught and I wasn’t sure why. I was used to answering this question, but for some reason I felt like Shirley was putting me on a judging table and checking me out with a fine-tooth comb.

“I actually grew up in an orphanage. My mother passed away when I was young and my father . . . well my father basically didn’t want to have to deal with me.”

There it was. No use in sugar coating it. She asked and I gave her the answer. Malcolm held me tighter, as if I needed the extra strength. I appreciated the gesture, but I wasn’t ashamed of my childhood. Do I wish it had been different? Of course I did. But Elizabeth was like my mother and I was the way I was because of her and God.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.”

I gave her a polite smile and attempted to ease her guilt for asking. “Oh no worries, you wouldn’t have known.”

“Paislie actually thought for a little while she might want to be a nun.”

My mouth fell open as I looked at Malcolm and then back to his mother, who now wore a smile from ear to ear.

Oh. Okay. I get it. The fact that I thought about becoming a nun made me appear a bit more innocent. Like maybe I wasn’t trying to get my claws into her baby boy’s money. She probably thought I was still a virgin too.

The memory of Malcolm’s face between my legs popped into my head. It didn’t take long for me to get hot and bothered. Malcolm moved his lips along my neck and to my ear.

“What are you thinking about?”

I grinned an evil grin as I simply said, “I need to do laundry.”

His eyes lit up and I could see the desire building.

“Well, I guess I should go get ready for the next part of the party!” I exclaimed with a smile.

Shirley looked lovingly at Malcolm and something passed between the two of them. I wasn’t able to put my finger on it, but something for sure was exchanged.

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“I’ll walk you to your room,” Malcolm said as he placed his hand on my elbow and led me in that direction.

Oh. Shit.

Glancing back over my shoulder, I asked, “Will I see you upstairs, Mrs. Wallace?”

“Shirley, call me Shirley, sweetheart. And oh no,” she said with a chuckle. “Those days are long over. I’m heading back out to the big people party.”

Malcolm and I both chuckled as he said, “See you in a few minutes, Mom.”

She nodded her head. “Hurry along, Malcolm. I want to introduce you to Katelyn McDermott. She’s dying to meet you.”

Turning away, I tried not to let that bother me, but it did. I got the feeling Malcolm’s mother wouldn’t approve of a relationship between us.