Reality Check

Tommaso

My brain shut off. Paige’s lips were on mine, moving with that same sinuous grace I’d seen in her body under the sheets. How long had I been dreaming of this? I cupped her face, ran my had through her hair, and she opened her mouth on mine. She tasted like rich, dark fruit and—

And wine. Because she’d been drinking at dinner, at least three glasses. On a tolerance so low, she would’ve reacted to a single shot of scotch. I mustered every ounce of willpower I’d ever had and pulled back.

Paige blinked at me, hurt in her dark eyes. On the tail of the hurt quickly came the humiliation I’d grown used to. Her pale skin started to turn red.

“You’re upset,” I said. “You’ve been drinking.”

“I’m upset. I’ve been drinking.” She nodded as though confirming to herself.

“I’m gonna go.” I glanced at the door as a burst of laughter floated up the stairs. We—I--still had guests. Even if I didn’t know the wine was making Paige do this, I wouldn’t be able to stay here. “You get some sleep.”

“I wi