ChapterSeven
Paige
Johnny pelted her with questions about Austin all the way back to the ranch. She didn’t bother wasting her breath to ask him not to say anything to Grandpa. He’d find out soon enough that she’d broken her promise. Paige was past the point of caring whether he kicked her out or not.
She’d felt like Cinderella on that dance floor with Austin tonight. And though her nerves were jumping, worried she might disappoint him when he took her innocence, Paige was certain about one thing. She’d never go back to Branson. She’d beg, borrow, and steal if she had to. But she would never live under her mother’s roof or rules again.
Like Austin, she didn’t give a fuck anymore about anything but him.
“Do you want me to walk you in?” Johnny asked after pulling her truck into the driveway.
“No. I’ll be fine.”
“I hope you feel better soon.”
“Thanks.” I will…a whole lot sooner than you know.
Being as quiet as a church mouse, Paige went inside the house and checked on her grandpa, snoring loudly in the recliner. Tiptoeing into the kitchen, she kept the lights off and eased in next to the window that afforded a view of the bunkhouse. Johnny didn’t waste any time getting ready for bed and extinguishing the lights. Still, Paige waited another thirty interminable minutes until she was confident he was asleep.
Trembling, she left the house as quietly as she’d entered, then nearly ran up the road. When she stepped onto the Carson property, Paige realized she had no idea which of the four houses belonged to Austin. She didn’t want to waltz up to the wrong one and accidentally set off a burglar alarm or a motion-censored light. After tugging her phone from her bra, she sent him a text. When he quickly replied his was the last house on the left, she skirted the edge of the lawn and found Austin sitting on his porch, smiling at her in the moonlight.
Suddenly, Paige began to tremble. Not from fear but excitement.
“I’m sorry,” Austin murmured in that low, sexy voice that always turned her inside out. “I should have told you which house was mine while we were dancing.”
“I should have asked, but I was thinking about other things.”
He stood and met her at the bottom of the stairs before hugging her tightly. Surrounded in the warmth of his body, his masculine scent, and his strength, Paige stopped shaking and melted against him.
“Like what?”
“This.” She laid her head on his chest and softly sighed. “And how good it feels when you hold me.”
His whole body expanded as Austin dragged in a rough breath. Softly cupping her chin, he lifted her head and tilted it back. The air became charged with electricity as they stared into each other’s eyes for long, silent seconds. Sparks sputtered and sizzled as his gaze stalled on her lips. Austin leaned in slowly before brushing feathery kisses on the corners of her mouth. And when he pressed his lips to hers with a low moan, Paige floated away like a leaf on a lazy river.
Their restless bodies swayed as passion flowed between them, gradually building until the intensity made her dizzy and impatient. Clutching him tighter, Paige opened her mouth, silently begging for the sweet sweep of his tongue. But Austin didn’t oblige, he simply opened wide and inhaled her breath as if she was his only life force.
The dull, aching throb between her legs grew sharper as Austin captured her bottom lip between his teeth and gave it a little tug. The sensual sting dragged a whimper from the back of her throat. But when he sucked the plump flesh and lashed it with his tongue, her whimper bloomed into a blissful moan.
“Do my kisses feel as good as my hugs, little girl?”
“No. They’re much better. They’re…magical.”
He flashed her a carnal smile. “Are you ready to feel some real magic?”
Oh, god. This is it. He’s going to take me inside, get me naked, and shove that big, hard cock inside me. Please, don’t let me screw this up.
Insecurities blew through her, twisting and bending her confidence like a tornado.
“I-I think so.”
Brows knitting together, Austin silently studied her for a long second. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for, Paige. We can sit over there on the deck and talk all night if you want.”
“No,” she blurted. “I’m ready, it’s just…”
“Just what?”
“I don’t exactly know what to do. I…don’t want to disappoint you.”
Understanding crawled across his face. “Trust me, little girl. You can’t disappoint me. I aim to make your first time so magical you’ll remember this night forever…and shiver.”
A tremor quaked through her.
“Tell me what you want, Paige.”
“You.”
“Where do you want me?”
“Everywhere.”
Heat and hunger flared in his eyes as he took her hand and silently led her inside.
Paige nibbled her lip as he led her into his kitchen.
“Do you want something to drink?” he asked as she eyed the numerous light birch cabinets, red clay-colored stone floor, and shimmering stainless steel appliances.
“No, thanks. I’m good.”