I COULD HAVE EASILY TOLD Paislie that Jessica and Natalie were there strictly to give me a massage, but I kind of liked the idea that she got what she deserved.
Making my way into the kitchen, I gave Clarisse a wide grin as I slowly made my way over to her and kissed her on the forehead. “Smells really good. What’s for dinner?”
“Fish tacos.”
“Yum.” I glanced around and when I didn’t see her anywhere, I sighed. “Have you seen Paislie?”
Clarisse looked at me like I had grown an extra head. “She didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?” My heart dropped.
“She said things weren’t working out; she left a little bit ago, Mr. Wallace.”
All the air from my body escaped in one breath. “S-she left?”
Clarisse nodded. “I thought you knew.”
Shaking my head, I turned and headed out of the kitchen, “No, I didn’t know.”
Grabbing my truck keys, I moved as fast as I could.
“Malcolm! You can’t drive!” she called out. I ignored her and made my way to the truck where I slowly pulled myself in. My truck wasn’t a standard so I could drive fine.
Turning it on, I hit the gas and barreled down the driveway. Hitting the talk button on my wheel, I said, “Call Paislie.”
“Calling Paislie.”
My heartbeat was pounding in my ears as I drove faster.
I had to catch her.
I had to find her.
“You’ve reached the voice mailbox of Paislie Pruitt. Please leave—”
I hit the hang-up button as I yelled out, “Fuck!”
Once I got to the end of the driveway, I slammed on the brakes. Paislie’s car was pulled over to the side. Throwing my truck in park, I carefully got out and made my way over to her as fast as I could. My leg was throbbing but I ignored it. My chest tightened with the knowledge that she only made it this far.
Her hands were on the steering wheel with her head rested on them. It was clear she was crying and that about killed me, knowing I was the reason she was so upset. The only thing I could focus on was her and making her understand how sorry I was.
I opened the door to her car and reached in for her. She didn’t even look up as I pulled her to me, and she wrapped her arms around me while crying into my chest.
After a few moments, she pulled back and looked at me. All I saw was sadness in her eyes. I’d never felt my heart physically hurt like it did with the look on her face. I’d give anything to turn back time to just a few hours ago.
“What are you doing to me?” she whispered. “I don’t know how to feel around you and that scares me to death.”
My eyes closed as I said, “I feel the same way.”
Her hands clutched onto my shirt as I looked back into her eyes.
“The only man I’ve ever loved left me.” Her body shook again as tears fell freely once more. “He didn’t want me and I couldn’t understand what I did wrong. I just wanted him to love me. I begged him to love me.”
Lifting my hand, I used my thumb to wipe away her tears. “Paislie,” I spoke as my throat grew thick.
“I swore a long time ago I would never let another man into my heart to hurt me. Then I met you, and everything has been turned upside down. You do things to me . . . things that make me want to give you my very soul.”
My breath caught as her words hit me.
She covered her mouth as she squeezed her eyes shut before dropping her hands and saying, “I would be completely destroyed if I let you in and you hurt me.”
I cupped her face with my hands. “Nothing happened. Paislie, I’ve had Jessica come to the house so many times for a massage. I swear to God, nothing happened. I’d never do something like that to you. Never.”
She bit down on her lip and placed her hands on my arms. “I tried so hard to leave. I couldn’t make it past your driveway. I want to be here for you so badly. I know I can get you behind the wheel of a racecar again, but I’m fighting these other feelings and I’m so confused. I’m so scared.”
My fingers lightly moved a piece of her brown hair that had been stuck to her face. “I feel the same way. You have my stomach in knots and half the time I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, Paislie. This is all so new to me . . . these feelings. I’ve never done the exclusive girlfriend thing.” I let out a frustrated sigh. “You drive me nuts, but the thought of you leaving kills me.”
Our eyes held each other for the longest time before her gaze fell to my lips. Sliding my hand behind her neck, I pulled her to me and brushed my lips over hers.
“Your kiss is like a drug. I crave it constantly, Paislie.”
She swallowed hard as her mouth parted, inviting me to take a hit of that drug. And take a hit I did. Pressing my lips to hers, our tongues explored each other like never before. The wind blew pieces of her hair slightly as I deepened the kiss, feeling the rush of energy between our bodies. I had never been so affected by a kiss before. I needed her to stay. We needed to see where these feelings would take us.
When we both needed air, I pulled back slightly and looked deep into her eyes. “Please don’t leave. We’ll figure it all out. All I know is I want you to stay, and not only to help with my leg. Please give us another try.”
She nodded and pressed her lips together before smiling. I couldn’t help but grin back as I asked her, “Why are you smiling?”
Her face blushed as she looked away and then back at me. “I just thought of a few new things we could try in your next therapy session.”
A low rumble came from the back of my throat while her eyes burned with desire.
“Uncle Malcolm, do you know that Paislie has never had a pillow fight? Or a sleepover!”
It was Sophie’s sixth birthday and she and I were out in the stables visiting Black Jack and Honey Dew. I smiled while Paislie’s name seemed to float on the air.
After yesterday, with everything that happened and her trying to leave, Paislie and I spent the rest of the day doing nothing but sitting on the couch and talking. We finished the night out in each other’s arms watching Safe Haven. It didn’t take her long before she fell asleep. My arm was killing me by three in the morning and my leg throbbed, but I didn’t care. It was the first time I’d ever slept with a girl in my arms. I never had the desire until Paislie. Her in my arms all night was amazing and something I could see wanting each night.
“You don’t say?”
“I know!” Sophie gasped.
An idea hit me as I stopped brushing Black Jack and she followed my lead while Deuce snored away at my feet. “Sophie, what if we surprised Paislie with a slumber party on your birthday?”
Her precious blue eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “Can we have a pillow fight?”
“Yes! We have to be sneaky about this though. Do you think you could be my little secret agent and find out what other things you love to do that Paislie hasn’t done?”
She nodded her head enthusiastically. “I can do that! I’m six and a big girl.”
My heart melted. I loved this little girl more than anything. In a way, I was glad her bastard father told Autumn to leave. I knew it was selfish of me to think that way. Deuce was lying at my feet as he looked up and barked. “I know you are, princess, and it appears Deuce does too.”
Sophie ran and put the brush in the tack room and took off toward the house. “Hey, where are you going?”
“Oh, Uncle Malcolm! I have to get back to the house.”
I pinched my eyebrows together and asked, “Why?”
“I have to make sure Paislie has an amazing slumber party! On my birthday! Paislie will need help picking out a dress to wear tonight now that she is part of the party.”
“A dress for tonight, huh?”
Sophie gave me the sweetest look as she laughed. “Oh Uncle Malcolm, you’re so funny. Did you forget about the ball?”
I chuckled. I had most certainly not forgotten about the ball. It’s not every year a princess turns six. Autumn had been riding my ass for the last week because I promised Sophie a princess ball. How was I to know it would have taken so much effort? It’s not every year a princess turns six.
“I have not forgotten the ball. I even have my outfit picked out.”
Sophie beamed. “Mommy said you and granddaddy were wearing lexeo’s.”
Huh?
“What?”
“Lexeo’s. I heard Mommy tell Clarisse that Paislie was going to shit her pants when she saw you in your lexeo.” Sophie crinkled her nose and shook her head. “I hope not! She seems too old to go potty in her pants.”
I pressed my lips together firmly to keep from laughing. I was going to have to let Autumn know her daughter was now in the stage where she repeated everything she heard.
“Oh! A tuxedo. It’s called a tuxedo, Sophie.”
Sophie looked at me like I had just said the stupidest thing in the world. “That’s what I said!”
I rolled my eyes and silently moaned.
Women. They’re all the same no matter what age.