Part 15 (1/2)

All she had to do to earn the lifestyle of the rich and famous was be on her back when they decided to give her the time of day, when they could sneak away from their families. Their wives and children.

She couldn't be bought all those years ago when the offer was terribly tempting. She sure as f.u.c.k wouldn't be bought now, when she wasn't stripping to earn a G.o.dd.a.m.n dollar.

Mayson took a quick drink, then draped her forearms over her knees, her gaze straight ahead.

Paige could feel her anger. She mentally responded to it. Why, she didn't know. Nor did she like the sudden urge to apologize. She didn't like hurting people. But Mayson seemed to be an exception to that rule. She hadn't thought twice about hurting Paige. So why did Paige feel the need to console her?

Dammit. What was Mayson doing to her? What was she trying achieve with this night of patrolling the sands?

”In a week's time you've called me superficial, lazy, uneducated, and shallow,” Mayson said, staring out over the ocean. ”Seems pretty callous coming from a woman who doesn't know a d.a.m.n thing about me.”

Paige turned up the beer again to strangle the need to say she was sorry, the urge to lean forward and press her lips against Mayson's tight arm. She had no reason to feel bad. So why did she?

The reason was, Mayson was right. Paige didn't know her. Not the woman she'd become, anyway.

”Tell me a secret, Mayson. Make me not think so callously about you.”

Mayson turned her gaze on Paige. Her sights flicked over Paige's face for several intense seconds. ”Will it change your opinion of me?”

Paige should tell her more than likely, it wouldn't, but she was suddenly curious to hear what Mayson would say. ”Give it a whirl.”

”Let's walk.” Mayson stood and extended her hand for Paige, and suddenly, Paige was back in time, facing her masked butch at the edge of a bed. Then, and now, her insides tightened.

Without taking the hand, for fear the touch would make her do something incredibly stupid, like kiss her, Paige turned up the beer and downed the contents, welcoming the heat settling low in her belly.

Only then did she feel brave enough to touch Mayson. She reached for her hand and allowed Mayson to pull her from the blanket.

They stood close to each other for what felt like eternity.

Finally, Mayson released her hand and led them toward the edge of the water. The soft waves were cool around her feet, and Paige welcomed the relaxation. There was nothing like long walks on the beach, sand between her toes, and the tranquility the oceanic view offered, especially in the moonlight. She was a lucky girl to have a career she adored and the beach surrounding her with time to help those in need. What more could a girl ask for?

She couldn't remember the last time she'd taken a late-night stroll. Or drank a beer. Or relaxed. This was kind of nice. Despite the tension between herself and Mayson.

”I worked at a dairy farm shoveling s.h.i.+t in college,” Mayson said.

Paige looked up at her. ”You're lying.”

”Why would I lie about walking through cow dung when there are so many more appealing jobs I could have made up?”

Paige stared in disbelief. ”But you...you were raunchy rich.”

Mayson chuckled. Paige was beginning to like that sound. It was far better than the dead silence after her confession. ”Raunchy rich? Never heard that one before. Has a s.e.xy ring to it.” She stared down at Paige until Paige looked away. ”However, I wasn't rich. My parents were. If I wanted something, I had to work for it. Hence the need to shovel s.h.i.+t to pay for my extra cla.s.ses.”

Dammit. Why was Mayson telling her these things? She didn't want to be impressed with her childhood, her need to actually work her way through college, as Paige had had to do. She visualized a shovel and the aroma of cow s.h.i.+t and was happy to admit she would have rather been stripping for some old pervert.

”Your turn now,” Mayson said.

Without hesitation, Paige answered. ”I don't like you.”

Mayson turned up the beer. ”No fair. I already knew that one. Try again.”

”I grew up wearing Salvation Army hand-me-downs. I was thirteen before I ever saw the inside of a mall.” Paige had no clue why those words flowed so easily. She had never felt the need to share her life history, let alone to a woman she didn't even want to be near right now.

”The mall is overrated. And I used to shop the Salvation Army for parachute pants. My mom refused to buy them for me, said they were a disgrace to the fas.h.i.+on world.”

Paige c.o.c.ked a brow at her. ”Your mom was correct.”

”Hey. I rocked the parachute pants.”

Paige took a long swallow of her beer, enjoying the mellow effects. ”If you say so. Your turn.”

”I went back to the park. The day I pushed you in the fountain.”

Paige slowed her steps. She no longer wanted to talk about the park. Or the fountain. Or her embarra.s.sment. Sam was right. Mayson had only been a punk kid doing what punk kids do. Why was it so important for her to hold that d.a.m.n grudge?

Would Mayson's apology make her feel better? Would it erase the years of hatred she'd sheltered?

She didn't believe so. But she had an idea what would make her feel better. It was time to get it completely off her chest. What better time than now? After tonight, she had no intentions of ever seeing Mayson Montgomery again.

With her chin lifted in confidence, Paige turned to face her. ”I have never been so humiliated in my entire life.” She barely paused for breath Mayson took a step back. ”That was a mean and rotten thing to do.”

”Yes, it was.” Mayson took another step back, indecision clear in her gaze.

Paige prompted forward, willing Mayson to argue her point, to defend her actions. She didn't want this woman to bow to her outburst. She wanted her to fight back, to tell her she was wrong. ”I have hated you every day since.”

Mayson took a step back. The water gathered around their calves. ”I see.”

”I have waited a long time for this very second.”

The realization flashed in Mayson's eyes, but it was too late. Paige pushed her hands against Mayson's chest and shoved with every ounce of strength she had in her. Mayson's arms flailed and her feet kicked in the air as she cut through the wave like the Nestea Plunge.

The sight of her submerging was the biggest adrenaline rush Paige had ever felt. G.o.d, it felt great.

Mayson shot out of the water, shaking droplets from her face and hair.

Paige busted out laughing. She couldn't help it. It was the best feeling in the world. Far better than any apologetic words Mayson might have offered her. ”That's for shoving me in the d.a.m.n fountain!”

Mayson stared at her for several seconds, chuckles slowly bubbling into laughter. ”Do you feel better now?”

”I do. G.o.d, I feel f.u.c.king amazing.” And she did. A little too good. Had she known that little act of revenge would feel that great, she would have gone back to that park every day and waited for Mayson. But would it have felt as good as it did now? Paige couldn't imagine that it would have.

Mayson stuck her hand out to Paige. ”Can you help me out of here?”

She'd never seen Paige more beautiful than she looked right now with the moonlight displaying her satisfied expression.

Paige took a step back, still choking with giggles. ”Do I look like an idiot?”

Mayson wanted to kiss her. So bad it hurt. But first, she wanted her wet.

”Yes! You do!” Mayson lunged.