Free Damaged But Not Broken (New Adult Rockers) by W.H. Vega Page B

her familiar scent of vanilla and
ivory.
    “Oh, crap, I’m sorry,” she
apologizes, pulling back. “It just kind of came over me.”
    “Don’t be sorry. You were amazing.
Seriously amazing, Paige. I can’t get over how great you did up there.”
    She ducks her head embarrassed.
“You’re just saying that.”
    “Honestly, I’m not. You killed it.
Your dad is going to make you a big star. He can do it you know.”
    Kenny Lawson's worked with a lot of
local acts, but he also has a few really big names under his belt. I keep
hoping that Rust will become his next big act, but now I have a feeling it
might be Paige.
    “It really means a lot to me that
you came. It was good knowing not everyone in the audience was a stranger.”
    My mouth is dry and I swallow hard.
I can practically feel the heat radiating off Paige’s body, and my own body is
screaming to pull Paige towards me. Silence falls between us and as the seconds
tick by I know that Paige feels it, too.
    She shifts uncomfortably, and
unconsciously trails her fingers across her chest. I remember that move from
when she was younger. She did it whenever she was feeling horny, I always could
tell when she wanted me.
    “Christ, Paige, I’m dying here,” I
say, unable to hide the anguish.
    Paige knows exactly what I mean.
    “Blake, I’m so sorry,” she murmurs.
“I’m not trying to- I mean, I know you’re engaged.”
    I drag my hand through my hair. “I
know, I know. I just can’t stop thinking about you.” I admit, smiling at her.
    “Maybe we shouldn’t see each other
then,” she says, unsure. “You’re getting married, and I don’t feel right
messing up a relationship. I was hoping we could just be friends-’’ She trails
off because we both know what she means.
    She was hoping we could just be
friends, but obviously we can’t. The attraction is too strong, the desire is
too much.
    “I want to be your friend, Paige,
truly I do.” I say helplessly, “But I don’t think I can handle n ot seeing
you.”
    “Oh my god, Blake, you’re getting
married,” she moans, her emotions getting the best of her. “How can we be
friends when we feel like this after a mere few hours together? I don’t even
understand how I can feel this way!”
    This gets my attention. “What do
you mean you don’t understand?”
    I must look hurt, because her face
softens.
    “It’s just – I haven’t felt this
way with anyone since you ,” she emphasizes, “I’ve never been able to
have a real relationship". I can hear the shame in her voice.
    I’m suddenly overwhelmed by Paige’s
painful past.
    “Paige,” I choke, wanting to take
her in my arms and never let her go.
    “I can’t,” she says, looking back
up at me, her eyes brimming with tears. “I can’t do this, not when you’re
getting married, and I’m sure as hell not going to let you feel guilty because
you’re the only man I’ve ever loved-’’
    Her hand flies to her mouth in
surprise, and her eyes widen with shock.
    “I shouldn’t have said that,” she
whispers. “It was out of line.”
    I’m speechless.
    “It was the truth, though, wasn’t
it?”
    She can’t answer me.
    “I have to go!” She hurries off
through the crowd, and I see her catch Ryan’s eye, who quickly grabs his beer
and goes after her.
    “Paige!” I yell.
    “Well, well. You two just looked
pretty friendly.” I hear a familiar female voice behind me.
    I feel my stomach drop and I turn
around to see Savannah standing behind me, looking mercilessly glorious in her
dress and heels.
    “Hey baby,” I say softly, leaning
in to kiss her on autopilot.
    “Don’t ‘hey baby’ me ’’ she says
coldly. “You just looked awful close there with Paige Lawson.” Her eyes are
blazing and I know I am in deep shit.
    Lie. I need to lie.
    “I don’t know why it looked that
way,” I say coolly, acting like it’s no big deal. “I just said her music was
great.”
    “Mmm-hmm, sure. And did you and her
set up another