Playful Desires

SEDUCED TO SLEEP C10

Her eyes widened as he posed his question. She felt like she must have misheard, though.

“Come again?” She couldn’t help but make him repeat himself.

“I know I’m not at your level yet, but I’m doing my best. I don’t want you to think I’m after your money. I truly liked your personality and the way you handled things. You’re very straightforward and honest. Those are just some of the things I liked about you. You’re wonderful in bed. Maybe I shouldn’t mention that, but it would be wrong not to, especially when it’s the reason we met and got closer. You inspired me. So, if you think I’m worth anything, if you like me even a little bit . . . will you go out with me?”

Paige was stunned. Her heart soared and she was somewhat overwhelmed.

“Go out? To date?” She couldn’t believe it, so she needed to verify more than once.

“Yes. Won’t you?”

She took a deep breath and watched his awkward expression.

“I . . . I would like to.”

His relief was palpable and his smile was contagious.

“Really?”

“Yes. Does that mean you’ll spend every night with me?” She was just teasing him, but his smile quickly vanished. Uh, did she say something wrong?

“Do you like me?”

His question seemed out of place. Didn’t they already establish that?

“Yes.” She directly replied.

“Then, did you only like me because I helped you sleep?”

Oh. So, it was this.

“No. Of course not. It’s more than that. How can I like you just because of that? Is that what you think of me?”

He ran his hand through his hair once more. He didn’t mean to imply that she was shallow or superficial.

“No. It’s not like that. Let’s just say I’m not confident that I would be your type in a guy.”

Well, she can understand him.

“You’re not fishing for compliments, are you? There are so many good things about you, I don’t know where I should start. You’re very kind and considerate. You have ambition. You were very determined and you’ve already proven that you’re capable. Look at what you’ve achieved! It was very admirable. You’re a great guy!”

“Is that really what you think?” He swallowed a lump in his throat. He liked her evaluation of him.

“Yes.” She couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t believe her words.

“Don’t you think I’m lacking? I’m still far from what you’ve already achieved. Other men have also achieved more. Don’t you think you’re settling for less?”

Her heart skipped a beat when she heard his statements. She quickly shook her head.

“You’ve done enough. You’ve achieved plenty. I don’t like anyone else. I only like you.” In her haste to assure him, she ended up confessing.

Austin was relieved. “I’m glad to hear that.”

He stared at her and slowly leaned closer. Paige rolled her eyes at him. He’s going to make her wait again? She grabbed his face and kissed him.

When he declined her proposition, she thought it was over. Who knew he just wanted something real?

She pulled back and began asking him personal questions.

“Tell me what you’ve been doing in the last year.”

So, he did. She listened attentively and they get to discuss some of the issues he encountered. He asked her who she would have handled certain situations and before they knew it, they have spent the entire day together.

Paige was glad she sent her son to her father. She’ll be getting him back on Monday, so she has enough time to catch up with Austin. Two years didn’t seem like much. It created no significant gap between them.

Right. She’ll need to deal with her existing engagement. It has to be broken. She’s not exactly cheating, was she? She felt nothing for her so-called fiancé.

“We should really go out.” He groaned when they spent another night in the same hotel room.

“I couldn’t get enough of you.” She won’t deny that the s*x was a great foundation of their relationship.

“So, are you my boyfriend now? Are we dating already?”

Austin grunted, “If you consider having s*x as a date, then yes. But I still want to take you on a proper date.”

“Oh, no!” She suddenly thought of something.

“What?”

“I’m sorry!” She truly lost her mind. She almost forgot the consequences.

“What is it?”

“We can’t be seen together in public yet. Technically, I’m still engaged to that bastard. They would label me as a cheater and you the third party if I go on a date with you. I’ll speak with my dad. I’ll make sure he deals with it. He was the one who forced me into it, anyway.” She can’t hide her tone of complaint.

Her explanation soothed him.

“I can wait.” Austin wasn’t in a rush. He already spoke to the man. As long as Paige wishes it, he would respect his daughter’s desires.

On Sunday morning, he took her to his house. It wasn’t as huge as her place, but it’s big enough for two people. There were also a couple of rooms for guests.

“This house has your personality. It’s neat and clean.” Paige looked around and stayed in his bedroom.

Austin was momentarily stunned by her expression, but then, it also made sense. They have a lot of catching up to do. It’s been a while since he longed to have her here. Now, it’s coming true. He didn’t waste time and immediately pounced on her. The woman’s eyes glinted with desire.

“This room is perfect.” She whispered against his lips as he worked on her clothing.

“Glad you liked it.”

“Do you want me to move in?”

He stilled for a moment, not expecting her to ask.

“Would you want to? This place is nothing compared to yours.”

Paige huffed. “Can you stop comparing? Those things don’t matter to me.”

Austin liked her even more and pleasured her as she instructed.

“It’ll have to wait, though. I’ll move in after the engagement is called off.”

“Alright. Anything I can help with that?”

She shrugged, “Nothing, really. It’s best if you don’t involve yourself with it.”

When Paige got home, her dad arrived a few minutes later to bring her son back.

“Why couldn’t I reach you yesterday?” Anthony asked as he handed Paul to her.

“Uhm, I was busy.”

“You weren’t home.”

“Yeah. Do you have time? There’s something I would like to tell you.”

“What is it?” They took seats in the living room and Paige gave the baby to the nanny.

“I want you to call off my engagement. That guy is a bastard. In the last six months, he’d been with more than twenty women.” Paige held up a hand to stop her father from interrupting.

“I have proof. I have plenty of photos, complete with dates, hotel rooms and the women’s names. It’s all well-documented. It won’t be difficult for you to make him agree.”

Hmm. Anthony couldn’t determine if the guy who approached him has anything to do with her decision.

“You never liked him?”

His daughter snorted, “How could I? He’s a jerk. He didn’t even bother taking me out on dates, or to spend time with me. He took everything for granted. Do you really want me to marry such a person?”

“Of course not.”

“Thank you! So, please! Call if off.”

“Is there another reason? It’s been months and you only brought it up today.”

Paige tried not to roll her eyes at her father. “I told you from the start. I don’t want to get engaged, especially not to him. I’ve been gathering proofs. There were a few other dirts on him, I’ll send them over to you. You know, just in case he proved to be difficult.”

Anthony let out a chuckle. “You really don’t want to marry him?”

“Ugh. No. I can’t stand him.”

He sighed. “I still think you need to get married.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll take care of it.” She slightly blushed as her cheeks burned.

He raised an eyebrow and observed his daughter’s reaction. “Do you have someone you like?”

Paige bit her lip. Should she be honest? She didn’t want her dad to interfere, though.

“When are you going to introduce him to me?” He could tell what went on in her mind.

“Soon. Maybe this weekend. I’m hesitant to date him openly since the engagement’s still in effect.”

Her dad’s eyes bulged in surprise. “You’re already dating?”

“I agreed to date. He’s a good person. You don’t need to worry about him.”

He clucked his tongue. “I’ll be the judge of that.”

“He’s better than the guy you chose for me, though. I’m sure you would approve of him.”

“Is that so?” Anthony wondered if she was pertaining to Austin. Did they reconnect quickly? He stared at her. What are the chances she wasn’t talking about that guy?

“Do you really like this one?”

“Yes.” She looked hopeful and he could now tell that she’s in love.

“Alright. I’ll go and speak with Louis.”

When her face bloomed into a wide smile, he knew he should support her decision. He loved his daughter dearly and wanted the best for her.

“Thanks, dad. It would mean the world to me.”

Huh. For her to describe it like that . . . she must really like the guy. Heck, she even seemed agreeable to marriage this time.