Love in Lockdown

Crossing a Line

It had been two days since their meeting in the stairwell and Paige and Nate had spent most of the nights texting or talking on FaceTime. She didn’t see him during the days as she moved through the hotel supporting teams as staff members took days off. The results of the virus had come back negative for everyone in the hotel, which meant the end of lockdown was just days away.

Hotel and team management had prepared a flyer of rules for the players once they were free to come and go, and Paige had volunteered to deliver a copy under every door. After days of just talking Paige was anxious to see Nate again. It felt surreal being locked in the same building yet having to actively avoid each other.

Paige finally made it to Nate’s door and instead of slipping the envelope under the door, she knocked. Within moments he was before her looking devastatingly gorgeous in black sweats and no shirt.

‘It’s about time you knocked on my door again beautiful. Coming in?’

Paige nodded and stepped into his room and into his arms. ‘I can’t stay long. I just wanted to see you.’

Nate hummed against the nape of her neck as he walked them backwards towards the couch. ‘I’ll take what I can get.’

Paige let him lead her back and down, settling her into his lap as he pushed the waves of her hair back and off her shoulders, leaving her chest and neck exposed.

‘I love how you taste, how you smell, how you feel.’ He whispered against her skin. She closed her eyes and melted into his touch, letting his hands guide her when and how to react as he busied himself exploring her body. ‘The things I want to do to you Paige. Shall I tell you?’

Paige moaned a yes as he ran his hands up her spine, causing her to straighten up and take hold of the couch behind his head for support. The heat of his lips was burning along her chest, and with a quick movement he flicked the straps of her singlet and bra off her shoulders. Nerves took hold in her stomach while warmth spread even lower.

Nate cupped her breast, releasing it from the now loose fabric of her bra as he reverently kissed his way to her n****e. Paige could feel her hands moving across his chest, running through his hair, pulling herself closer to his mouth which promised an escape.

Running his thumbs across both n*****s Nate groaned, lifting his hips up into her core as she met the movement. The moan that escaped from her throat flicked a switch and Nate returned to her breast with a desperation that left Paige longing for more. Nate teased her n****e with his tongue, gently biting and intensifying the ache between her legs.

Before Paige realised what was happening, Nate lifted them both from the couch and turned to lay Paige on the bed, sliding her skirt up her thighs.

Perching himself above her, his green eyes holding her, filled with a desire that left Paige feeling both empowered and overwhelmed.

‘I want so much more Paige. Let me taste you.’

Before she could speak Nate took her mouth, crashing his lips to hers in a dominating kiss, all the while his hand teased at the lace edges of her underwear. Paige lifted her hips into his hand, begging him to go further but he held back, working against her movements.

Breaking the kiss and the moment, Nate sat up and looked away from the bed. ‘I don’t think we should do this now. I want you Paige, but I don’t want to rush anything here while you feel like you’re being watched.’

Paige sat up and slipped her arms back through the straps of her bra and singlet. ‘Lockdown is over in a few days but when you leave here Australia will still be watching you. You’re Nate Howard, Taipan star player. There will always be eyes.’

Nate turned to fave her and again she was taken aback by the rawness of his expression. He wasn’t what she had expected, and with every moment, touch or conversation, she felt herself falling a little deeper. It was a reality that inspired more fear than joy as Paige couldn’t see how this situation could end well.

‘I’ll think of something Paige. Please don’t worry. Trust me.’

It was too soon for trust, but Paige felt herself soften to the idea of trusting Nate Howard. She smiled and leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on his lips. His hand came up to cup her cheek and soon found its way into her hair. Paige knew she should end the kiss but instead she flicked her tongue forward, teasing and tempting him to take it further. He didn’t disappoint and with a slight tilt of her head, Nate had taken over.

Nate’s ringtone broke the moment and as he stood up to check the caller Paige fixed her appearance and collected the remaining envelopes from the coffee table.

‘It’s my dad. I’ll call him back after you leave.’ Nate walked to the closet and pulled on a shirt, leaving Paige mourning the loss of his abs. ‘When can I see you again beautiful?’

‘I’m not sure. Maybe we can chat tonight and plan something?’

Nate leaned down and kissed her forehead as she went to open the door and slip back i to the hallway as though she had never disappeared.

‘I’ll talk to you later. Message me when you get to your room tonight.’

A final kiss and Paige found herself walking along the hallway sliding envelopes under doors, her mind stuck on the bare chest and green eyes of the man a few doors away.

She was so lost in her own thoughts she didn’t notice which door she was outside of until it swung open and she found herself face to face with Jason ‘Striker’ Powell.

‘I see you reconsidered my offer to provide some distraction,’ he said leaning against his doorframe.

Paige straightened up and stepped back. ‘You might to read what’s in the envelope. It’s a guide on appropriate behaviour once lockdown is finished. I get the impression you need a little more guidance than others.’

Jason chuckled and started stalking towards her in the same easy, slow movements as their previous meeting. Paige wanted to hold her ground, to stay strong in her space and show he didn’t affect her, but her body betrayed her intention as she involuntarily stepped back.

‘I love a woman with a bit of spark. Just makes the game more fun.’

‘You are the only one playing a game Striker,’ Paige could feel the anger dripping from her words. She was sick of dealing with men who wanted to make women feel small, like prey.

‘I know a lot of games, and I’d be willing to teach you the rules of a few.’

Paige’s heel tapped the wall behind her, she’d been stepping backwards and had walked herself into the wall. She fought against her instincts to run and instead closed the distance between herself and Jason. ‘Move away from me now.’

‘Jason. Back off now.’ Nate’s voice boomed down the hall as he appeared from the direction of his room. His eyes locked on his teammate, and his hands were fisted by his sides.

‘We were just chatting about our evening hobbies,’ Jason smiled and looked back and forth between them both. ‘Although now I see why she is so busy and not in need of company...’

As if it were possible, Jason’s smile became even more satisfied. He gave Paige a wink and turned for his door calling over to Nate. ‘I didn’t mean to overstep.’

Nate strode towards Paige, placing his hand on the small of her back. ‘Paige, are you okay?’ His voice was gentle, and he started rubbing slow, firm circles on her back.

She wanted to lean into him, she wanted to be comforted by him. He smelled so good, and hearing his voice say her name that way did confusing things in her chest. But her heart was still hammering and her cheeks were on fire, and not with lust.

‘What is wrong with you? Why would you do that?’ Paige stepped away from Nate and the protection he offered. Her anger at Jason streaming off her in waves, and with nowhere to place it she directed it at the man before her. Her tone wiped the satisfied expression from his face, and he stepped back, eyes wide.

‘You’re serious.’ It wasn’t a question.

‘Yes. Now he’s going to think something is going on between us. He’s going to tell people and I cannot have that Nate.’

Nate’s expression changed from concern to pure frustration. ‘So what? There is something going on between us and I am not going to just stand there and watch him treat you like that. You don’t know him like I do. You don’t know how he operates - that would not be the end of it Paige.’

Nate shook his head and huffed out a breath. He turned his back to her. He still wasn’t wearing a shirt, and she could see the tension in his shoulders. Her anger started to falter. Only moments ago she had lost herself in those arms, lost her perspective. This was wrong.

The silence stretched out and Paige turned to leave. Without a word Nate spun around and had her by the waist and against his chest before she could react. He lifted her chin to meet his eyes. She didn’t fight him but she didn’t soften into him either.

‘Nate, there is nothing between us.’ There was no heat behind her words.

‘So, I am imagining this?’ He closed the distance and Paige’s back hit the wall. His mouth was millimeters from her neck, his body centimeters from hers. Paige was fighting with herself, but with Nate’s breath dancing along her collarbone, she couldn’t remember why this was wrong.

‘I know you feel this Paige. I can feel it...’ His lips came to hover over hers.

‘It just can’t happen.’

‘Tell me to stop Paige, and I will.’ Nate whispered against her lips. Her body betrayed her, softening against him, a small sigh escaping her. Paige knew she should push away, she knew Nate would do whatever she asked, but right now all she wanted was to lose herself in him again.

Her body was still tingling, his mouth was leaving a trail of fire on her skin.

‘I will lose my job, and this is all I have right now. I will lose so much more than you will,’ she whispered.

Nate met her gaze and stepped back. She needed to get away, now. Paige opened her mouth to say something, anything, but the best she could do was a breathy ‘I...’

Paige pushed the heel of her hand into her chest and turned for the stairwell - there was no way she was waiting for the elevator. She could feel him watching her every step until the heavy door whipped closed behind her.

What was wrong with me?

Her heart burned in her chest and she fought back tears. This was too much for one week, no matter how good the kissing was.

Approaching voices snapped her into a superficial calm as she took a shaky breath. She needed time to herself and the only space she had was her room, so it would have to do.