Stealing Hearts (Wild at Heart #1)(62)

I let her go. For now.

After I set Austin down next to me, I wrap my arms around my boys’ shoulders. “How was the gym? Did you learn anything?”

Gabriel immediately perks up. “Paige said I did a great roundoff.”

“What about you, Austin?”

“I did cartwheels.”

“Awesome, boys. Are y’all enjoying that?”

Gabe smiles so wide, I can see all his teeth. “We love it.” He leans close like he needs to tell me a secret. “Paige is awesome. Can we keep her?”

Austin nods. “Yeah. Awesome.”

I chuckle. “I’m gonna do my best to get her to stay.”

Turning, I watch my wife rush around the kitchen, and I realize that if she leaves for Boston, she’s gonna take my heart with her.

I don’t know who I was fooling with a fake marriage, ’cause my feelings for Paige are as real as it gets.





31





PAIGE




The family chatters around me as we eat dinner, but I’m still stuck on that screaming match at Dunkers this afternoon. I knew Amber didn’t like me, but I never expected that she’d hate me. For what? She’s the one who cheated on Rhett. She gave up on their marriage. I had nothing to do with them falling apart.

“Baby, you gonna eat?” Rhett whispers.

I look down at the slice of pizza I’ve been nibbling on. “I’m not really hungry. My stomach’s been kind of upset.” Nothing like public humiliation to make you want to hurl.

Under the table, his hand slides across my thigh. “Can I get you something carbonated to drink? Maybe that will help.”

“That would be nice.”

Jace shoves half a slice into his mouth. “This pizza is great, Paige.”

“It’s just a box recipe.”

“Tastes homemade to me.”

I love cooking for this family. Everyone is so appreciative. Irma always acted like the food I made was barely tolerable. The best part is I get to do the fun stuff, and the guys always clean up afterward.

Rhett returns with a sparkling clear drink, and I take a few sips. “Thanks. That helps.”

After dinner, I head for our bedroom. I want to grab a shower and process what happened today. Under the hot stream of water, I wonder if it’s always going to be like this. Will Amber freak out every time she sees me in public? I thought that conversation with Rhett in high school was the worst thing that could happen, but I’m not sure I can handle having Amber make a scene any time we’re both in the same room. We live in Wild Heart, after all, not a big city where I can avoid her.

Between that and Rhett not wanting more kids, I’m starting to feel like the deck is stacked against me.

It’s disheartening to think about.

I drag myself out of the shower and dry off. I throw on a tank top and sleep shorts. It’s early, but I’m exhausted. I crawl into bed and pull the covers over me.

In the middle of the night, I wake with Rhett curled around me.

Even though he’s right here, I wonder if he’ll ever want me again like he did that day in the truck. He hasn’t touched me like that since, and I don’t know what to do to bridge that divide.

I’m starting to worry it’s a hopeless cause.

And then he surprises me.

The next morning, I’m in the office paying bills when Rhett sticks his head in. “Hey, gorgeous.” He’s wearing his signature jeans and t-shirt that are molded to his strong body. He’s sporting brown boots and a baseball hat.

“Hey. What are you doing home?” He usually works out in the fields until later in the day. “Did you need me to do something? I paid those invoices you asked me to.”

“As a matter of fact, I do need something,” he says as he slides his baseball cap backwards. Damn, he’s yummy. “But you need to put on some jeans and wear your boots.”

“Okay,” I say slowly as I stand. “What’s wrong with shorts?”

He chuckles. “Your ass will get sore in the saddle.”

My eyes widen. “We’re going horseback riding?”

“I need to check out a few things down by the river, and I remembered how much you used to like it down there. So I thought I’d pack us some food, and we could enjoy a picnic.”

“That sounds fun. If you’re sure I wouldn’t be a distraction.”

“Darling, you’re never a distraction. Plus, I plain like having you around.”

I grin. “I just need five minutes to change.”

As I walk by him, he grabs me. “I think you forgot something.”

Breathless, I stare up at him. “What’s that?”

“This.” He tilts me over and kisses me until I moan. Then he pats me on the ass. “Go change.”

Yes, sir.

My heart races as I run around our bedroom to change. Then I quickly braid my hair down my back and throw on the cowboy hat he got me. I meet him in the living room. When he sees me, he lets out a wolf whistle. “Damn, wife. You look good.” He scans my body. “Turn around. Let me see the whole outfit.”

I do a little twirl, and when I’m facing away from him, I shake my ass, and he chuckles.

Before we head out, he grabs an insulated bag from the kitchen. “Snacks for our picnic.” He winks, and my heart goes into overdrive.