Page 227 of That Rush

Chapter 33

Aiden

Paige is wearing my T-shirt and half of my body when I wake.

Her thigh rests over mine, her cheek is pressed to my chest, and her hair covers my shoulder. I hold still, long enough to feel her breath. After nearly two weeks of waking up alone and knowing exactly why, having her against me feels almost impossible to trust.

Her eyes open. “I can feel you watching me.”

“I’ve had a difficult couple of weeks.”

“Apparently I cured you.”

“I’ll need follow-up treatment.”

“How often?”

“Weekly. Minimum.”

Her sleepy laugh warms my skin before she lifts her head and kisses me. I slide my hand beneath the shirt, my fingers finding the dip of her spine as her mouth gives way to mine. When her thigh shifts higher, my body gives her a very clear opinion about how we should spend the morning.

Her lips brush mine as she speaks. “Coffee.”

“I can make coffee.”

“I remember. It’s one of the reasons I took you back.”

“Good to know the expensive renovation was unnecessary.”

She smiles and climbs out of bed. Apparently breakfast is not optional.

An hour later, Paige stands at my kitchen counter with a full mug in one hand and her purse over her shoulder.

“I’m going to spend a few hours in the library.”

“Okay.”

Her gaze holds mine. “Alone.”

The word lands like a punch, right where the breakup is still raw. My mind immediately counts what a few means and wonders whether she plans to drive back to the cabin afterward.

I keep both hands around my coffee.

“Okay,” I say again.

“You’re allowed to tell me that makes you nervous.”

“It makes me nervous.”

Paige walks over and presses a kiss to my mouth. “I’ll come back when I’ve had enough quiet.”

I want to ask when that will be. Instead, I nod. “Take what you need.”

I watch her cross the short distance between the house and the private library. She unlocks the separate entrance, steps inside, and closes the door.

The lock turns.

She has every key, exactly as I intended. Hearing the bolt slide into place still jolts me.