My mouth fell open. “What?”

Tatum stalked toward me, wrapped his arm around my waist, and pulled me against him. “I didn’t want you to leave. I still don’t.”

His lips came down on mine and I lost myself in the feel of his tongue slowly exploring my mouth. His heart raced and beat against my chest, filling me with more passion. A moan escaped my lips as I leaned closer, my hands pulling at the back of his neck and winding in his hair.

“I miss you when I don’t see you,” he murmured against my lips, and I pulled back slightly to make eye contact with him.

“Me too,” I admitted before closing my eyes and pulling his lips back toward mine. A few moments later, we started for the exit, hand in hand. “Wait.” I stopped short and his hand jerked against mine. “I want to bring my car back to your house.”

“Now?”

“Why not now?” I paused before waggling my eyebrows and adding, “I’ll let you drive it.”

“Really?” His eyes lit up.

“Really. I’ll head back with your mom and you can bring my car back with you.”

“Deal.” He placed a quick kiss on my lips before grinning wide. “Let’s go home, babe.” He said like it was the most natural thing in the world and I nodded, as if his home was where I belonged.

My Girl

Tatum

Paige’s BMW was a dream to drive. It was the first time that I wished my house was a hell of a lot farther away from the shop—and that the drive there included hairpin turns and well-paved roads where I could floor it like I was on a racetrack. The car hugged the road and made even the simplest of moves feel effortless.

It was official. I was jealous of a goddamn car. And the girl who got to drive it whenever she wanted.

When I pulled into the driveway, I made sure to slow down to a snail’s pace so the gravel kicking up wouldn’t chip away at her paint. Paige stood out on the porch with her hands on her hips, a big-ass smile on her beautiful face.

“Waiting for me, darlin’?” I said as I slid out of the car.

“Always,” she shot back, and sprinted down the steps and into my arms.

I strode toward the porch with her in my arms, reaching down awkwardly to pet Buster’s head as he danced around us. This girl drove me crazy in the best of ways; I couldn’t get enough of her.

“How’d you like driving her?” she asked, her arms wrapped around my neck.

“She handles like crazy. I’m in love.” When her body went rigid in my arms, I had to backtrack. “With the car, I mean. I’m in love with your car.”

Paige let out a little snort. “Figures.”

“I’m only a man, honey. Can’t blame me.”

“Oh, I don’t. It’s typical. Men and their cars.”

“Actually, it’s your car. But I’ll take it off your hands if you’re tired of it,” I offered, knowing full well she’d never say yes.

“You wish. That’s my baby. I’ll drive that thing till one of us dies.”

I leaned in and whispered, “Let’s hope it’s the car.”

Her fragrance intoxicated me. I had no clue what it was, but she just smelled like Paige. I wanted to bottle it up and put it on my nightstand.

Weird, I know.

Reaching for Paige’s hand, I pulled her toward the barn, the feel of her fingers idly stroking my knuckles turning me on. The simplest things this girl did seemed to awaken every part of me.

We walked through the door and I flipped on the light switch. She glanced at the computer, making me wonder if she wanted to use it.

“Have you been online lately?” I hadn’t been online at all since she’d let me kiss her. Personally, I couldn’t give a shit what was being said about her when I knew the truth. And I’d rather be physically around her than read about her on my computer screen. Real-life Paige was a million times better than online Paige.

“I applied to a couple of schools, but that’s about it. I haven’t checked my e-mails or anything, though. The only people I really care about know where to find me.” She smiled, and it brightened her whole face.

“Quinn and your family?”

“Yep.”

“So, tell me about the schools. Where’d you apply?” My curiosity was piqued, and I wondered why she hadn’t mentioned it until now.

“UCLA, USC, and Pepperdine. That’s all for now. I figured I’d research some more later, but it was a good start.”

“Those are all really good schools.”

She shrugged. “I know. And honestly, I probably wouldn’t even be able to get in on my own, but since…” She paused and blushed a little. “Well, since I’m me, there will probably be some strings pulled in the admissions office.”

“Is that a bad thing?” I asked, not entirely sure how I felt about the situation. Had it been someone other than Paige, I would have thought they were a spoiled brat getting whatever they wanted because they were famous. And it would have annoyed the living shit out of me. But since it was Paige, I didn’t feel as irritated. Which made me a hypocritical dick who was okay with double standards. I should make a T-shirt.

“It’s not really a great thing,” she said. “I mean, it does sort of suck that I’ll most likely get into all those schools because of who I am, not because I truly earned it. But I want to go. And I want to go to a good school, so I’m not above asking for help getting in.” Her face scrunched in an adorable way as she frowned at me. “Does that make me a crappy person?”

I let out a laugh. “No, it doesn’t. You’re aware that you’re asking for help. And you don’t act like you deserve all these things for nothing. Nothing about you is crappy, Paige. Except maybe your taste in ex-boyfriends.”

“Hey!” she squeaked out, her eyes wide and her jaw hanging open. “What about my taste in guys now?” She deliberately ran her gaze up and down my body, and I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and spank the sass right out of her.

“Still questionable,” I said teasingly.

She shrugged. “Can’t win ’em all.”

“I’m proud of you.” I walked over and wrapped my arms around her waist, then pulled her against me and dipped my head to kiss her soft lips.

“Thank you. That means a lot. So, where’d you apply?” she asked with a wink.

“You’re hilarious.”

“I mean it, Tatum. You shouldn’t let all that talent go to waste. You won’t let me give up on my dreams, so I can’t let you give up on yours.”

“My dreams aren’t as easy as yours,” I said, and instantly wished that I could take the words back as her relaxed stance turned defensive and she pulled out of my arms.

“Easy? Oh, that’s right, everything’s easy for me.”

“That’s not what I meant, Paige. It’s just—” I bit back my words, unsure how to fix this. “Shit, I’m sorry. I’m an idiot. Please, I just meant that I don’t even know where to start anymore.” I closed the space between us, not wanting my stupid mouth to ruin the night.

“You’re just scared,” she snapped, and my temper flared.

I stared at her, a battle of wills brewing between us. Instead of fighting her, I nodded. “You’re right. I am,” I admitted as my defenses crumpled.

“I know it’s scary. Change is scary. And going after your dreams is terrifying.” She walked into the kitchen and leaned her arms on the countertop.

“I’m comfortable in my failure.” I sat on top of the coffee table and positioned myself to face her, even though she was across the room.

“You’re not a failure.”

“I think deep down I know that. But I’ve tossed everything I want aside. I’ve let my whole life simmer on the back burner for so long. And I think the honest-to-God truth is that it’s just easier that way.”

“Of course it’s easier. It’s always easier to not try, to not rock the boat, to not put yourself out there,” she practically shouted. “Of course it’s easier to stay complacent and pretend you’re happy when you’re just content. There’s a fire that burns inside you, Tatum—I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it when you play the guitar and you talk about music. It would be a real shame to let that fire burn out instead of feeding it.”