McKenzie Cousins Box Set 2

Seth suddenly meets my gaze and all conversation in the kitchen stalls, and I feel all eyes on me, even though Seth is the only one I see.

“Paige?” Ramon steps forward, holding his arms out. “I’m glad you’re joining us.” I find myself in his arms and he whispers, “Are you sure you’re okay to do this now?”

I swallow hard. “It’s fine.” I pat him slightly on the back and he releases me. I offer a small smile toward Noah, and my sheepish cousin, Dylan, when it all falls in to place.

It was Dylan who went to Seth and brought him back here. I should have known. They’ve been best friends for a few years, and always have each other’s back. Seeing them here together makes sense, I raise a brow toward Dylan who looks everywhere but at me.

“Typical,” I mutter under my breath before I finally give Seth my full attention. “I thought I’d be the last person you’d want to see.” I don’t miss the pain that flashes across his face at my words, but I do try to ignore it. Why should I make it easy for him?

“Why don’t you go out on the back deck and talk. There’s a nice breeze in the air so it’s not too hot,” Noah suggests, nodding toward the double glass doors behind the breakfast nook.

Knowing this is the reason that Seth is here, I cross toward the back deck, sitting in my favorite seat. The chairs are large and the cushions larger, so it really is easy to curl up and get comfortable.

Seth sits opposite so he can see me, but looks anything but comfortable as he sits forward with his elbows on his knees, his hands locked together.

“What do you have to say to me that hasn’t been said?” I pause. “Because I thought your mom really put it all out in the open.” I want him to know how much he’s hurt me, just standing by while she’d torn me down, and I hope before he leaves the house that he does.

“I was afraid you’d choose home instead of me,” he blurts, followed by a wince. He jumps up and starts pacing back and forth. “I’d had enough of everyone wanting something from me. Not you. But my parents wouldn’t stop bugging me to send you home so I’d go back to Boston. They also wanted their beach house back. Your dads constantly messaged me asking when you were heading home. I knew it was a matter of time and I panicked, okay?”

He runs his hands through his hair. “I wanted you to come to Boston with me. Share the apartment with me, Dylan, and Jaxon. Sleep in my room with me. Just…be with me dammit. But in the end I got scared and didn’t ask. I knew you hated the city, being around lots of people. I couldn’t do that to you, and I was scared, no I was terrified that you’d choose home instead of me, so I let you th

ink I’d had enough, to send you home.”

I stare at Seth in complete surprise at his confession, knowing that I believe him because it’s too far fetched not too. I just don’t know how I’m supposed to respond because no amount of words or confession will take the hurt already caused away.

“You let your mom talk to me the way she did in front of your father and sister. It was embarrassing and heartbreaking. For so long you had been in my corner and then all of a sudden you just left me to fend for myself. I can’t express how much that hurt me, Seth. I don’t understand why you couldn’t have just sat me down and explained everything to me. Explained what everyone wanted, and to let me choose, instead of deciding for me.”

“That’s just it. I didn’t decide for you on purpose. I decided because I didn’t want you to reject me. That terrified me.”

“So instead you rejected me. I get it.” I turn away, not wanting him to see the tears slowly rolling down my cheeks.

“No!” Seth crouches in front of my chair and cupping my face gently in his large hands, forces me to look at him. “My feelings for you have only grown Paige. I’m so sorry that I let you think otherwise. I only let you think I’d had enough because I was scared. Really scared. I was an asshole. I know I should have told you but hell, I didn’t want to lose you, which I did anyway. I’m really stupid sometimes.” He laughs. “Where you’re concerned I’m pretty stupid most of the time.”

“I’m still angry with you Seth. That apology doesn’t take away the hurt you caused me.” I push him away and move toward the doorway. “For the record, I’d have visited my family, but I’d have come to Boston with you. I’d have gone anywhere with you, if you’d asked. But you didn’t. And now it’s too late.” Without a glance, I head inside, ignoring my fathers and Dylan, I make a bee line for my bedroom, before my tears fall harder.

55

Seth

I’d have gone anywhere with you, if you’d asked.

Now it’s too late.

The words Paige spoke play over and over in my head, keeping me from falling asleep. Sleep has been hard to come by since she’d left the beach house anyway, but knowing she would have chosen me…and that she is sleeping down the hallway plays havoc with my mind. I can’t stop turning her words over and over.

She has to accept my apology and come back with me, or I could transfer here for my last semester. It wouldn’t be ideal, but if Paige won’t leave then I have to stay too, until she believes me. There’s no other way. I glance at the glowing screen of my phone and realize it’s past two in the morning, so everyone else should be asleep. Would it be wise to slip down the hallway and into Paige’s room? I’m about to try.

I don’t make any noise as I slip from the guest room, and slowly make my way down the hallway to Paige’s room at the end. There are no creeks, and I slip inside her room unnoticed. I’m surprised she hasn’t locked her door, but then again, she wouldn’t be expecting me to visit her in the middle of the night. I glance down and wince thinking that perhaps I should have put some sweats on to cover my briefs. Too late now.

Paige is restless in bed and has the cover kicked off, showing me her beautiful body. She wears only a tiny pair of panties that barely cover her silky dark curls, and a white vest top stretched over her generous breasts. My breath catches in my throat and my body reacts in a way that makes me really wish I’d worn sweats. My briefs don’t hide a damn thing and barely cover my straining cock.

Hoping like hell she doesn’t scream the place down, I kneel on the bed at her feet and slowly move up to lie beside her. The moment I do, she’s in my arms. A leg is thrown over my hip, her foot pressing against my ass as she rubs her pussy up and down my erection. She moans loudly, and it takes a hell of a lot of control for me to grab her bottom and hold her still. My breath is hard just like my body, and I ache badly, but no way can I let this continue when I’m certain she’s still asleep.

Leaning forward, I hiss out a sharp breath when the hard tips of her breasts rub against my naked chest. They’re hard tight buds beneath her stretchy top and my mouth waters wanting to nibble and suck on all her delicious flesh. “Paige,” I whisper into her ear.

“Hmm,” she mumbles.

“Paige, you’re killing me here.”