Part 11 (1/2)

Their past was still in Paige's way. She clutched the long-held grudge like a life preserver.

Regardless of her inability to forgive and forget, they had nothing in common. Other than cas.h.i.+ng Mayson's donation once a year, there was nothing else she could think of to talk about. Not to mention the sight of her made that grudge s.h.i.+ne bright and her insides quiver despite the fact she'd just come around her own fingers with Vinden's seductive whispers guiding her every step of the way.

”So we meet again. This is becoming quite the habit.” Mayson extended her hand as if this was the first time they'd ever met. ”I'll consider this our formal introduction. It's nice to see you.”

Paige stared for several seconds, unsure how to react. Would it be right to shake her hand with the same fingers that had just been deep inside herself?

I just m.a.s.t.u.r.b.a.t.ed with that hand. She's going to smell me.

Paige succ.u.mbed to convention and placed her hand in Mayson's. ”We don't have to pretend we like each other, Miss Montgomery.”

Mayson gave a gentle tug and pulled Paige several inches closer. ”Are you stalking me, Miss Burton?”

Paige jerked her hand free, ready to unleash the hounds of h.e.l.l. Stalking her? She'd have to like this money-laden b.i.t.c.h to stalk her.

”Stalking you? What in h.e.l.l would I--?”

Sam practically slammed into Paige and greeted Mayson with a sugar-sweet smile. ”h.e.l.lo, Miss Montgomery. So great to see you again. I'm Samantha, by the way.” She then turned a death glare on Paige.

”Good to meet you. Again. Would you ladies like to join me for an ice cream cone?” Mayson's sinfully dark chocolate gaze rolled back on Paige. ”Some of us could use a little cooling down. It's rather hot in here.”

Did she seriously have to look so hot when she was being sarcastic? Why couldn't she look like a normal billionaire? Whatever that looked like. But it sure didn't look like this. It didn't wear tennis shoes and denim and tight-a.s.s T-s.h.i.+rts. That, Paige was sure of.

Paige hooked her arm through Sam's. ”Thanks, but we were just leaving.” She attempted to pull Sam away, but Sam locked her feet into place and refused to budge.

”We'd love to join you,” Sam said. ”We're sitting by the window. Please come join us.”

Paige fumed and threw Sam a hostile glare, then flounced to her chair and her now-melted ice cream. She didn't want to share time with Mayson. Not after hearing those erotic whispers of her mystery woman. What the h.e.l.l was Sam trying to achieve? She knew Paige couldn't stand Mayson. Knew being around her gave her the hives.

c.r.a.p!

Sam eased into the chair across from Paige. ”I'm doing this for your own good, sourpuss. You'll thank me later.”

Before Paige could respond, Mayson set three cups of ice cream on the table. ”Wasn't sure what you ladies preferred. Rocky road seems to be the house favorite.”

Sam thanked her. Paige spooned ice cream into her mouth and mumbled, hoping the gesture would pa.s.s as a thank-you.

Mayson slid into the chair next to Paige. ”I'd love to hear more about your charity.” She directed the question to Sam.

”Oh, not my charity.” Sam nodded toward Paige. ”That's Paige's baby.”

Mayson turned those pretty eyes on Paige.

Paige lifted her chin a little higher. That's right. Me, me, me. How's that for thinking I do nothing more than grind a f.u.c.king stripper pole?

”I'm impressed,” Mayson cooed. ”It's no easy task to create a charity. Lots of work. And promoting.”

Like you'd know! Paige resisted the urge to roll her eyes and simply nodded. Why did she feel so growly around this woman? Why couldn't she let bygones be bygones? She felt like a petulant teenager. A scorned lover. She was none of those things. She was a grown adult. A mature, grown adult. Why couldn't she act like it? What was it about Mayson that reduced her to immaturity?

”Did you change your mind about that date? You could tell me more about your charity.” Mayson's dimple dipped in once again. ”My treat.”

”Are you insinuating that I can't treat myself, Miss Montgomery?”

”I imagine you can treat yourself quite well...Paige.” A satisfied smirk washed over her lips.

What the h.e.l.l was she smiling about? Paige had to look away. How did Mayson manage to rub her the wrong way? The fact that in a single sentence she had implied that Paige couldn't afford dinner? Or did she want to make sure Paige remembered that she was made of money? She didn't give a s.h.i.+t about this woman's vault or how much she had stored inside it. It was just money. It couldn't buy Paige's respect. Last she checked, Mayson had lost her respect with a simple push into a lovely park fountain.

”Paige would love to go out with you,” Sam said. ”We were just discussing how we'd be honored to have your involvement for her next fundraiser. In less than two months.”

Paige whipped her head up to stare at Sam. Oh, h.e.l.l no, she didn't! She was going to need more than her remaining vacation days when Paige got done with her. She was going to need medical disability.

”Is that so?” Mayson smiled and spooned ice cream into her mouth. Paige couldn't help notice the muscle flex on her bicep. Seriously, what the h.e.l.l did this woman work out with? Concrete blocks? Bulldozers?

That f.u.c.king dimple appeared on her cheek once again.

Paige pulled her gaze away from those buff arms and abs and that lickable indention. ”You should make a better habit of getting to know the charities you donate to.”

Mayson shrugged. ”Agreed. I'm ashamed to say that duty calls me away from writing every check myself.”

”Yeah. I'm sure. Must be a hard life soaking up the rays on your private-”

Sam kicked Paige's ankle.

”Ouch!” Paige eased back. ”Monster.”

”Paige would love to give you all the details about the upcoming event. It promises to be spectacular. How about tonight?” Sam turned her hard glare back around, and it magically transformed into a sticky-sweet smile on Mayson.

”I have plans tonight, Samantha Renee Harrelson,” Paige cooed.

Sam ground her teeth, and Paige couldn't help but smile. She never realized how cute Sam looked when her top was about to boil over.

”I'd love to hear more. Go on that date with me, Paige.”

Sam tapped her fingers against her ice cream cup, daring Paige to say no one more time.

Paige wouldn't do it. Sam could browbeat her, kick her, claw her eyes out, and take all the days off she wanted. No h.e.l.l way she was going out with Mayson Montgomery.

”Don't be afraid. I won't bite,” Mayson said.

Paige prayed that Vinden would bite. Hard. Right between her thighs. ”Pus.h.i.+ng seems more up your alley, don't you agree?” She squared her sights on Mayson.

”All the more reason to let me take you out.” Mayson spooned ice cream into her mouth and Paige fought not to look at those lips.

”I can't be bought, Mayson. Your money means nothing to me, and it sure as h.e.l.l can't buy your apology.”

Mayson looked stunned for a second. She glanced across the table at Sam, then slowly diverted her sights back on Paige. ”Now you're implying that I'm a coward?”