Read Online The Magnolia Affair by T. A. Foster - Free Book Online Page B

change our situation?” He refilled my glass.
    “Change it? What do you mean?”
    “I want this, Audrey. I want you.”
    My heart raced the same way it did when his hands were on me. “Are you asking me to leave Spencer?”
    “I thought that was the direction we were headed.” He stated it matter-of-factly.
    “Is it?” I asked. When the affair started, I assumed it would end. Affairs end. But the ending was never clear to me. I couldn’t picture how I would leave Paxton.
    “Yes. It is.” He cleared the table, dropping the plates in the sink. “Finish your wine.”
    I did as he asked.
    He blew out the candle. “Come with me.” He walked out of the kitchen.
    I chased him, trying to catch up. He walked through the living room and the hallway. He climbed the stairs. I had never seen the rooms on the second story. The master suite was on the first floor. I took each step after him.
    It was dark. I reached the top and I couldn’t see which direction he turned. “Paxton?” I moved slowly, expecting him to answer me. “Pax? Where are you?” I listened for the sound of his breathing. “Really, where are you? I’m going back downstairs.”
    I placed a hand on the banister when I felt rough arms circle my waist. His mouth pressed against my ear. “Tell me you love me.” His hand trailed against my throat, squeezing a breast, then sliding along my stomach. “Tell me.”
    Seized with fire, I pressed against him, wanting him to take me right there. His teeth sank into the back of my neck, his hands spreading my legs.
    “Tell me, Audrey.”
    “I love you.” I had never said those words to him before. It was more surreal than the kiss under the magnolia.
    He gripped my hips, rocking me against him. He was hard. “Tell me you want to be mine.”
    I closed my eyes. It was a test. I didn’t want to fail. His hands shoved my shorts to the floor. “Tell me,” he breathed.
    I whispered in the dark, “I want to be yours.”
    “That’s all I needed to hear.” He picked me up and carried me through the hallway, laying me on a bed.
    In the darkness, we found each other. Desperate for him, I whimpered and begged until I felt his skin slide against mine. He was urgent and forceful, claiming me. I panted with exhaustion and screamed his name as we collapsed in unison. I drifted off to sleep, Pax still inside me, his weight canvassing my body.
    When I awoke, I reached for him but the covers were flat. It was still dark. I rolled on my side, closing my eyes as sleep found my sated body again.
    I stretched my arms, my naked body sore and satisfied. I sat forward and looked around the room. It was a standard guest room. I didn’t know why he had taken me here last night, but I picked up his shirt and slipped it over my head. I wandered downstairs, hoping he had made coffee.
    I stopped in front of his office. “Good morning,” he mouthed. He was on a call.
    I pointed to the kitchen and he smiled. I hoped he had good news about the accusations facing him. What kind of person would make up such garbage? I was glad I was able to keep him distracted. The campaign was getting nastier, and Pax needed someone he could talk to about everything. Someone he could trust. He needed me.
    There was creamer and sugar on the counter. I added them to my mug.
    I held the mug near my chin. Was he serious last night? Did he want me to leave Spencer? Was I the kind of woman who could leave her husband? If I was the kind who could cheat, maybe I was. Then I thought about the glimmer of hope in this. Maybe all along I was supposed to meet Pax. Maybe I wasn’t a cheater. Maybe this was a true love story, our love story. Then I thought about Spence and closed my eyes. I had a love story with him too.
    Paxton’s call lasted thirty minutes. I showered, then dressed and rinsed out my coffee cup. I poked my head in the office. “I’m going to run over and let Pepper out.”
    “Ok. But hurry back. I want to spend some time with you this