Page 38 of Changing Lanes

His lips tip into a small smile and I zero in on them, worried I spoke my thoughts aloud again.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Honestly?”

He nods and I decide today can’t get any worse.

What the hell?

CHAPTER 10

Beckett

“Your lips,” Paige breathes out like the confession physically pains her.

She’s made it clear I wouldn’t be her first choice—with both her words and her actions—for damn near anything, but I can’t figure out why. Aside from the obvious of us being roommates, I don’t know what her problem with me specifically is.

I haven’t exactly been the most inviting but she started it. She brings guys around here like she’s testing out paint samples. What does she expect? Dudes show up pawing all over her drunk ass and who knows what the fuck would happen without one of us around. Not that Marc has been much help.

And yeah, maybe Neighborhood Watch is my new gig but whatever. There’s not much that goes on around Creekwood that I don’t know about so it only makes sense that I’d look out for the newcomer, too. She’s obviously never had a male figure in her life to teach her how stupid us men really are, and that’s not even accounting for the dangerous ones. They’re not just ghost stories you tell around the campfire; sick fucks are out there, lurking behind far too many corners. Hell, most are hidden in plain sight.

If anyone can understand her need to get laid though, it’s me. Shit, I may not be the most discreet but at least all my hook-ups know the deal—one night of fun on tap is all I’ve ever promised anyone. And all I’ve ever delivered, too. Nothing less and sure as fuck nothing more.

Not everyone’s as upfront about being so utterly hopeless, and those that are, can’t always hold true to their word.

Holding her securely in my arms, pressed against almost every inch of my front, with my mouth on her mind, I can’t think of the last time anything felt so good and I start to wonder if I’m one. One of the lurches picking off the weak.

No way.

No way is Paige weak. Her mind games alone are worthy of wartime tactics and if I wasn’t on her radar, too, she wouldn’t bother with trying to throw me off the trail. Not when she has so many other opportunities, circling her like formation aerobatics at a goddamn airshow.

My eyes drop to see her tongue sneak out, wetting her lip, and I stifle a groan. One minute she’s got it shoved down another dude’s throat, the next she’s using it for kicks as I all but lose my fucking patience. Remembering her kiss with River fills my back with tension that spreads up my neck and out to my ears, turning them searing hot. Dude got one straight to the jaw for that little stunt.

Hope it was worth eating through a straw for a week.

From where I was standing, it looked like it was worth that…and more. Paige is the kind of woman you’d sell your soul to the devil for, without needing the deal fully inked.

Whatever the terms, no matter the consequences—done. Signed. Sealed. Delivered with a black bow and tinsel. Maybe even a glitter bomb for the grouchy old fuck. Take the whole fucking thing ‘cause she’s gotta be worth it.

If only I had one left to trade for.

My soul fled long ago, leaving behind armor that looks deceivingly like appealing packaging.

Whatever secrets Paige has hidden up her leather jacket sleeves, she deserves better than what I can offer her. If I was the offering type, which I’m not. So, even though she’s looking at my lips like they’re her next meal, I choose to provoke her in a way those other jokers wouldn’t dare. As much as she loves to play games, I’m gonna enjoy bending the fucking rules, and her, to my every whim, then we’ll see if she can really keep up or if she’s just playing at being fast.

“My lips?” Bringing my mouth in close to hers, I sideswipe her face, nudging it to the side and placing them just below her ear. “Not my boy, River’s?” He sure as shit isn’t my boy anymore but I’m not telling her that.

Instead of tensing for a fight like I expect though, Paige just laughs. A throaty laugh that tickles my lips. They twitch to close over the sound, pleading to swallow the noise whole. I want that laugh all for myself.

She makes a disgusted sound in the back of her throat. “Definitely not his.”

Her head returns to look me square in the eye and the look she pins me with nearly has me coming in my pants. Jesus Christ, she’s a fucking force.

“Baby.”

The nickname falls from her lips as effortlessly as my hands fall to her hips, lifting her off her feet. Without further prompting, her legs swing around to frame my waist, clenching like she’s on that hot ass CBR. We crash into the side of the building next to the stairs and her jaw drops in a silent moan. I’m grinding into her the next second to keep those lips from closing any time soon. I have plans for that mouth and none of them involve it being closed.

And just.