Breaking Stars (The Celebrity 2)

My Girl

Tatum

Paige’s BMW was a dream to drive. It was the first time that I wished my house was a hell of a lot farther away from the shop—and that the drive there included hairpin turns and well-paved roads where I could floor it like I was on a racetrack. The car hugged the road and made even the simplest of moves feel effortless.

It was official. I was jealous of a goddamn car. And the girl who got to drive it whenever she wanted.

When I pulled into the driveway, I made sure to slow down to a snail’s pace so the gravel kicking up wouldn’t chip away at her paint. Paige stood out on the porch with her hands on her hips, a big-ass smile on her beautiful face.

“Waiting for me, darlin’?” I said as I slid out of the car.

“Always,” she shot back, and sprinted down the steps and into my arms.

I strode toward the porch with her in my arms, reaching down awkwardly to pet Buster’s head as he danced around us. This girl drove me crazy in the best of ways; I couldn’t get enough of her.

“How’d you like driving her?” she asked, her arms wrapped around my neck.

“She handles like crazy. I’m in love.” When her body went rigid in my arms, I had to backtrack. “With the car, I mean. I’m in love with your car.”

Paige let out a little snort. “Figures.”

“I’m only a man, honey. Can’t blame me.”

“Oh, I don’t. It’s typical. Men and their cars.”

“Actually, it’s your car. But I’ll take it off your hands if you’re tired of it,” I offered, knowing full well she’d never say yes.

“You wish. That’s my baby. I’ll drive that thing till one of us dies.”

I leaned in and whis

pered, “Let’s hope it’s the car.”

Her fragrance intoxicated me. I had no clue what it was, but she just smelled like Paige. I wanted to bottle it up and put it on my nightstand.

Weird, I know.

Reaching for Paige’s hand, I pulled her toward the barn, the feel of her fingers idly stroking my knuckles turning me on. The simplest things this girl did seemed to awaken every part of me.

We walked through the door and I flipped on the light switch. She glanced at the computer, making me wonder if she wanted to use it.

“Have you been online lately?” I hadn’t been online at all since she’d let me kiss her. Personally, I couldn’t give a shit what was being said about her when I knew the truth. And I’d rather be physically around her than read about her on my computer screen. Real-life Paige was a million times better than online Paige.

“I applied to a couple of schools, but that’s about it. I haven’t checked my e-mails or anything, though. The only people I really care about know where to find me.” She smiled, and it brightened her whole face.

“Quinn and your family?”

“Yep.”

“So, tell me about the schools. Where’d you apply?” My curiosity was piqued, and I wondered why she hadn’t mentioned it until now.

“UCLA, USC, and Pepperdine. That’s all for now. I figured I’d research some more later, but it was a good start.”

“Those are all really good schools.”

She shrugged. “I know. And honestly, I probably wouldn’t even be able to get in on my own, but since…” She paused and blushed a little. “Well, since I’m me, there will probably be some strings pulled in the admissions office.”

“Is that a bad thing?” I asked, not entirely sure how I felt about the situation. Had it been someone other than Paige, I would have thought they were a spoiled brat getting whatever they wanted because they were famous. And it would have annoyed the living shit out of me. But since it was Paige, I didn’t feel as irritated. Which made me a hypocritical dick who was okay with double standards. I should make a T-shirt.