But that admission also put him in the position of having to re-evaluate how this evening was going to go. They were in this for real. Sure, putting on a show for the media was business. But pinching her nipples and giving her a throat exam with his tongue … well, that had been personal.
Because timing was everything, Edward started to rethink what he was doing. His hand slipped into his pocket as he rose to stand before her. The soft, velvet pouch was easy to find with his fingers. Feeling the little square, he located the impression that the ring inside left.
His gran’s ring. Marsh and he had several pieces of her jewelry, but Edward ended up with the unique 1920’s Art Deco style diamond ring. It was distinctive and beautiful, just like Paige. But now wasn’t the time.
The military had taught him many things including how to think on his feet when conditions changed and plans were shot to hell. The gods must have been paying attention because with a flash of rock-solid certainty, he knew what to say next … something guaranteed to bring a smile to her face.
Putting a little bit of distance between them, he went to stand by the arched door. Standing at her knees had been too much for him. Looking down and seeing her at eye level with his crotch was a no. This seemed much safer.
“There’ll be no contracts between us, babe,” he snickered with a mocking roll of his eyes. “But I do have a surprise,” he teased. “One I hope you like.”
Her head snapped up, and he chuckled when he saw the interest twinkling in her eyes. A surprise? Paige was a sucker for surprises.
“Oh god, what surprise?” She shot to her feet. “I’m kind of on max overload from this Chinese water torture surprise-a-thon.”
He snorted. “Good one.” Shrugging off the comment, he drawled, “This is a Banning surprise. Gideon has nothing to do with it.”
Her arms crossed as one foot snuck behind the other and started to wag. He was on thin ice.
“We’ve got a nice long break coming up before heading to Montana. Didn’t you say Caro was going on a cruise during her downtime?”
She nodded. “Booze cruise with a bunch of her pals. Long, lazy Mexican Riviera package with every imaginable extra. That girl’s the queen of upgrades.”
“So, with her off the leash and everything here in limbo …” Having to clear his throat reminded Edward that he wasn’t acting and had no idea where this scene was going. “Anyway, I thought it would be fun to take a road trip. You and me.”
She was looking at him as if he’d grown a second head. “What kind of road trip? Jack Kerouac? Clark Griswold? Dorothy and Toto?”
“Nah,” he quipped with a sly wink. “We’re writing our own story.” He enjoyed watching her process what he was saying. “And I have something epic in mind.”
“I’m listening.”
Thank god for geography class, he thought as a map of the States appeared in his mind. “Well, I thought we’d fly into Denver. I remember you talking about that new hotel … the one with all the art, right?” He had her now. Page’s eyes were dancing with delight. Bet she thought he didn’t pay attention when she was rambling.
“We could take a couple of touristy scenic excursions. Colorado River rafting sounds like fun. Whatever you want.”
“Fun,” she murmured, the skepticism obvious in her voice.
“Yeah. And then we’ll rent a small RV and take off from there. Colorado to Wyoming before ending in Montana.”
“What?” She came at him so fast that he didn’t remember seeing her move. “Did you say Wyoming?” When she grabbed his forearms and dug in, he knew she was on board. Bingo. Bull’s-eye. Touchdown. Score.
“That I did. Think how awesome it’d be to pull up to the cabin, hang with the ‘rents. Soak up the ambiance.”
“Oh, my god. Stephen and Miriam? For real?” She dashed to her bag and fished out her Breathsavers. Paige was on a roll; he recognized the signs.
Popping a mint into her mouth, she flew around the room as if he’d lit a firecracker at her feet. “Fantastic! Oooh, I have to get your mom some of that yarn she wanted. And Stephen needs another of those Snoopy coffee mugs we found down on the boulevard. I better make a list …”
Edward watched, bemused, as she went into practical Paige mode. Suddenly, there were lists to make and things to do. All from an off-the-cuff suggestion. There was a masterful high-five dance of success playing in his mind.
Now for the reality check. She’d had her throw down, and now it was his turn. “So can I assume you’re on board with this?” His tone stopped her dead.
“Ooookay, what’s the catch, Banning?”
“We go as a couple.”
“But your parents,” she stuttered.
“Deserve the truth,” he finished. “They’re gonna see the social media stuff. Your parents, too. I want to be honest with our families. Yes, people will go apeshit that Gideon Shaw is settling down, but there’s to be none of that in our real lives.”
She was gearing up for a response when he cut her off. “No, babe. Nuh-uh.” He shook his head. “No bullshit. You’re kind of in love with me, and I’m more than kind of in love with you.”
Her mouth made a sound when it snapped shut. Maybe he shouldn’t have pressed his advantage, but he did. It was the shoes. Definitely the shoes. They were making him nucking futz.
Pulling her close, he claimed her mouth and went deep without any buildup. His hands roamed as he mapped her back and waist through the slinky fabric of the dress and then used both hands to grasp her bottom and lift her into the perfect position. Swirling tongues created a rhythm that he mirrored in the touch of his hands, massaging and squeezing.
Unf. The desire was near to overwhelming. When he couldn’t take anymore and stay standing, he gentled the kiss until their mouths reluctantly separated. Putting his lips close to her ear, he husked, "I’ll take care of you, Paige. That’s a promise. You can trust me to put what’s best for you first.”
In a voice he’d never heard before, she murmured, “If I end up regretting this, Edward … it’ll kill me.”
For some reason, that was just what he’d wanted to hear.
Getting from WeHo to Malibu took a dog’s age in the never-ending traffic. Paige was surprised when Edward said they were going to Nobu and not any of the conspicuous see-and-be-seen eateries in town, which would have been easier to get to.
She was flabbergasted because the guy hated sushi. HATED. Surf and Turf, yeah. Steamer pot on the beach? He’d be all in. But sushi? That was a big fat NO.
They chatted about nothing on the drive. She pulled out her mental soapbox and went off on a political rant. He bitched about some sports scandal, and they debated a thousand ways to magically make the traffic better.
Creeping along Pacific Coast Highway, he put the blinker on right before the driveway to the restaurant and turned to her. “You ready?”
They’d been out to dinner together countless times but never like this. Paige knew how these situations worked. Someone, who she suspected was Carolyn, would tip off the celebrity paparazzi that Gideon Shaw and a lady friend would be at Nobu. A spotter was keeping an eye on the comings and goings at the well-known waterfront restaurant in downtown Malibu.
The first sighting when they arrived would set up what came after. By the time they had exited the place, a dozen photogs would be hovering and it’d be showtime. Within hours, pictures of the two of them would appear on social media sites.
Well, crap on a stale cracker. Edward was right. She’d have to call home and give her family the heads-up before they saw anything. Her mom loved attention, but she would so not enjoy being blindsided and made an ignorant fool.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she muttered tersely. Unsteady fingers checked out her hair and fiddled with an earring. Taking a deep, slow breath, she willed the square dancers in her belly to settle the hell down.