A Scandalous Attraction

Chapter Seven Part 8

Blake's features were hard and taut. "Why are you punishing yourself for what happened to your aunt?"

"It's not punishment." Paige yanked her arm out of his grasp. "It's self preservation."

"Denying yourself the opportunity of finding happiness with someone isn't self preservation, it's a waste."

"What guarantee is there that the person you allow into your heart won't hurt you?" She flung at him.

"It's called taking a chance." His harsh features softened slightly.

"My aunt took a chance, look what happened to her! I don't want the same thing to happen to me! My mother trusted my father, but he went and cheated on her. I've seen relationships break up all the time, all that is left is hatred and bitterness, well I won't let that happen to me! I'm happy the way I am." She threw at him her voice suddenly catching.

"If living in constant fear of getting hurt is your idea of happiness..."

"At least I won't be pining after anyone. Your definition of living a fulfilled life is gauged by the amount of sexual relationships that's been had! All you're interested in is adding another notch to your bedpost!" Paige said icily.

"Don't turn it around and make it about me, Paige, just because you don't want to hear the truth. I'm not going to deny wanting you..."

"Sex, that's all you want." She flared. "My morals don't allow me to indulge in sex so freely!" She uttered with loathing. "I can live a fulfilling life without sleeping with..."

"Careful." He cautioned, in tone laced with steel.

"What will you do, sack me? I left remember? Then like an idiot, I had to come back. I should have just stuck to my principles and stayed away from you!" She cried hoarsely.

"Why are you so desperate to stay away from me?" He asked, holding her stormy gaze with his.

"Because...!" She started angrily but stopped herself just in time from admitting to him the real reason why she wanted to get away from him. She was afraid of the way he made her feel but most frighteningly of all, she was afraid of falling in love with him.

"Because?" He took hold of her arms again, his grip tightening slightly, almost as if willing her to admit to the reason.

"Because I hate you." She spat out.

"Liar." He accused softly.

Paige looked into his eyes and saw a fire smouldering in their depths, instantly she felt a rush of desire tear through her. Before she could say another word he hauled her against his hard body and ground his mouth onto hers, the kiss annihilating her fury. Her struggles were futile against the force of the attraction which thrummed between them. "You said you wouldn't touch me." She begged huskily against his mouth which was devouring her.

"I tried hard not to, Paige." He admitted roughly. "But you have a way of making me lose all self control." He murmured. "Say you don't want me and I'll leave." He stated thickly as his lips trailed kisses down the sensitive side of her neck, making her groan and dig her fingers into the thickness of his hair.

A violent need unfurled in the pit of her stomach making her lean into him. She wanted him with every fibre of her being.

"What do you want me to do Paige?" He asked huskily, his own voice unsteady with desire.

"Make love to me, Blake." Paige murmured. She felt him still for a moment before finding herself being scooped up into his strong arms as though she was weightless, then he strode out of the room and climbed the stairs two at a time before entering a bedroom which appeared to be his.