Paige’s POV
“Paige?”
I turned toward the bedroom door. Jason had cracked it open wider, peeking in with that usual innocent curiosity. We had just gotten back from visiting home, and I was in the middle of changing into something cuter than the tank top and jeans I’d worn all day.
“Yeah? What’s up?” I asked, slipping on my earrings. I’d already picked out my outfit—a white, short romper that fit the warm evening vibe—and I was pairing it with simple slides.
“Your boss’s driver is here to pick you up.”
“Oh—okay. I’m ready.” I grabbed my phone and purse, then headed out.
Bobby was already waiting, sitting on the couch in his signature black suit. “Bobby. Hi.”
“Miss Carson,” he greeted with a polite nod. “Mrs. Anders is waiting for you.”
I turned to my brother and gave him a reassuring smile. “I won’t be long. Promise.”
Jason let out a chuckle. “Paige, relax. I’m old enough to take care of myself when you’re gone.”
I smiled back at him. “Okay.”
Then I followed Bobby to the elevator.
“Paige,” Hailey’s voice called from upstairs.
I looked up the long staircase and saw her smiling down at me, her excitement so radiant it caught me off guard. I wasn’t used to her being this giddy—especially not because of me. She hurried down, practically glowing.
My eyes automatically scanned her outfit. She always looked stunning, but tonight? She looked like a dream. The orange off-shoulder dress hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her slim yet curvy body. You’d swear she was in her early twenties, not approaching thirty.
“Hey,” I said, smiling as she reached me.
“Hey. Thank you for coming,” she replied, still glowing.
“I never break a promise,” I said, making her giggle. “Where are my two favorite little buddies?”
She laughed. “They’ll be back tomorrow. They spent the weekend with their grandparents.”
I gave her a mock gasp, holding my chest. “What a bummer. I came all this way just to see them.”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “What about the person who actually invited you?”
I giggled. “I’m joking, beautiful.” I pulled her closer. “You know exactly who I came here for.”
She blushed—her cheeks turning that adorable shade of pink I loved.
“All of a sudden I’ve forgotten,” she teased. “Care to remind me?”
I smirked and leaned in, brushing my lips against hers. She kissed me back immediately, deepening it. But I pulled away just in case someone walked by. Oddly enough, I hadn’t seen a single soul—not her best friend, not the staff. Just her.
“Someone has quite the appetite,” she teased.
“Your presence always makes me hungry.”
She took my hand. “Come on.”
I followed her upstairs, guessing we were headed to her room. I hadn’t been there before—only upstairs briefly when putting the twins to bed.
She opened a door and stepped in. The room was every bit the master suite: elegant, luxurious, but still cozy. A massive king bed with white sheets, a sleek flat-screen TV, gray and white furniture. It smelled like lavender and something uniquely her.
“Your room is beautiful,” I said, turning to her.
“Thanks.”
My eyes drifted to the large bookshelf behind her. I wandered over.
“You love to read?”
“I used to,” I murmured, running my fingers along the spines. The collection was impressive. “I never took you as a romance lover.”
“They’re not mine,” she said softly.
Oh. My stomach sank a little as I looked at her and remembered.
“I’m sorry… I forgot.”
“It’s okay.” She moved to sit on the edge of the bed. “Why did you stop?”
“Stop what?”
“Reading. You said you used to.”
Right.
“Well, let’s just say… when I got to college, I found another hobby.”
She gave me a look.
“You’ve got more reason than that.”
I chuckled nervously. “Why do you say that?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’ve been working for me for almost two months. I know you better than you think.”
Just like I knew her, it was hard sharing personal stuff with Hailey. She was still my boss. But the disappointment in her eyes softened me. She wanted to know me.
I sighed and sat beside her.
“I stopped reading because of one book. It was a romance—a beautiful story, really—but it messed me up.”
“What was it about?”
“Forbidden love. Two teenage girls fall for each other. Their parents find out, separate them, marry them off to men. Eventually, they can’t take it and… they end their lives.”
I laughed bitterly. “At the time, I had just come out to my parents. My mom didn’t take it well. Kept talking about marriage as if it was a deadline right after graduation.”
Hailey reached for my hand.
“I’m so sorry, Paige.”
I smiled. “It’s okay. We’re good now. That’s what matters.”
“So you stopped reading because the book felt like a prophecy?”
“Not exactly. I was just scared. Scared I’d read another story with the same ending, and it would confirm what I already feared—that my mom would try to marry me off too. It sounds silly now, but back then, it felt real.”
“It’s not silly,” she said softly. “I think you’re incredibly strong.”
“Thank you… Mrs. Anders,” I teased, and she glared playfully at me.
“Why’d you just do that?”
I giggled and leaned in, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. Then another one. And another. Slowly, I kissed my way up her neck to her face.
“Because…” kiss. “I wanted…” kiss. “To get…” kiss. “Your…” kiss. “Adrenaline…” kiss. “Rushing.”
I looked into her eyes, now dark with desire.
“To get you in the mood faster.”
She didn’t hesitate.
Her lips crashed into mine.
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YOU ARE READING
The Billionaire's Widow
RomanceHailey Anders After the death of her husband, the only thing that can keep Hailey going are her two little kids. They remind her that he still lives in them. Together with the company he left for her. Paige Carson Fresh out of college with impressi...
