Love in Lockdown

Just Lust

'Hey,' Nate said as he leaned against the door frame, his green eyes sparkling. 'I keep trying to think of something I need so I have a reason to call down and speak to you.'

He gave Paige a half smile and let his eyes move across her face just as he had earlier that morning. Paige forgot what she had planned to say, instead feeling a fluttering heat of anger and lust low in her abdomen.

'We need to talk.' Nate's eyes jumped up. Paige smirked, enjoying the feeling of shocking him for once.

'Do you want to come inside. To talk?' He stepped aside and Paige walked by, enjoying the smell of him as she passed. Earthy and male.

'We have to stop playing this game. Staff aren't allowed to engage with the guests. This is distracting me. You're distracting me Nate.'

Paige centered herself in the room, giving distance to the bed. Nate met her eyes directly, They were dark, challenging her to play as he ran a hand through his wavy dark hair, the edge of his shirt lifting just enough to flash the abs Paige knew were hiding under his grey cotton tee.

Being near him only strengthened her epiphany. She couldn't trust herself with him. If he were to pull her against him she wouldn't fight it. As though he could read her mind he leaned forward and stopped in her space.

'So, I can only engage with you if I need something?'

'Yes.'

'I can't ask you to have a coffee with me on your break?'

'You can. But I have to say no.'

'And after the lockdown, the same rules apply?'

'They do.'

Paige knew she should step back, but she didn't want to. She could feel herself holding her breath and her eyes kept dropping to his lips. The moment lasted seconds, but felt like minutes, until finally, he straightened up, his eyes scanning the room around him.

His reaction surprised her and he looked genuinely disappointed. Paige moved for the door, pausing as he broke the silence, his voice like gravel.

'You distract me too Paige. This isn't a game I play.' He closed the distance between them, stopping his hands as they went for her waist. 'But I hear what you're saying. I'll stop because you want me to.'

Paige looked up into his eyes. If she leaned forward they would be touching. It was too intimate, and not communicating the message she came to deliver.

'I don't want you to stop. But we need to follow the rules. This is just lust.'

A determined glint entered his eyes and he leaned down, bringing his lips against hers.

'I've never been one to follow all the rules.' Paige could feel him asking permission, and as her mind said to step back, her body moved forward.

It was all the encouragement Nate needed as he deepened the kiss, his hands pulling her against him as he walked them towards the wall. Her back made contact and he broke the kiss to run his lips along her neck, his hand in her hair drawing her head back to expose her throat. He was pressed against her, his mouth moving along her jaw. Paige pulled him closer, her hands in his hair.

As he nibbled the sensitive spot where her jaw joined her neck, she moaned, lifting her chest into his. He growled, moving back to take her mouth, his tongue exploring, his hands lifting and molding her against his body. He broke the kiss, whispering against her lips as her fingers curled into the back of his shirt.

'Paige, what I want to do to you. Tell me to stop or keep going.' He looked into her eyes and panic bubbled up with what she saw.

'You have to stop Nate. We shouldn't have done this. You might not follow the rules, but I do.'

He dropped her feet gently to the floor, his hands lingering on her waist as he stepped back. Paige smoothed down her skirt and tried to fix her hair. She didn't want to step out into the corridor looking like she had just had the best kiss of her life. Because she had.

'Paige, I'm sorry.' Nate stepped forward and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

'It wasn't just you. I have to get back to work.'

Nate led the way to the door, reaching out to brush her cheek with his thumb. 'I'll see you around.'

After the kiss in Nate's room, Paige didn't see any sign of him for the rest of the week. Each day passed in the same rhythm as the one before, with no shortage of requests coming down from the guests.

Although she also wanted to avoid him, she was disappointed he had just disappeared after their kiss. The truth was Nate Howard affected Paige a whole lot and she couldn't make sense of it.

The hotel was full of fit, good-looking, rich footballers, and none of them even triggered a second glance, but there was something about Nate that drew her to him and she wondered if he was affected by her.

By Friday Paul and the team managers were dealing with whispers of unrest. The players needed a release. They were calling for a night of more booze, penthouse parties, and some permitted time in the courtyard with cocktails.

None of those options were possible, but Paige managed to talk Paul into opening the rooftop bar for an evening.

Ethan jumped on board offering to be bartender and DJ, and the night was promoted as the Halfway Party. The alcoholic drinks would stilled be capped and the party would be contained, but the players and their families would be able to spend a few hours in the fresh evening air and break the monotony of training, eating, and sitting around in their rooms all day.

Ethan distributed the invites and within hours the mood of the hotel had lifted. Paige still felt flat and was craving some time alone. With the minimal catering staff busy all day she put up her hand up to set up and stock up the bar.

Armed with a comprehensive to do list from Ethan she unlocked the elevator to allow it to stop at the rooftop. As the doors slid open she was hit with the ecstasy of fresh air. Even right in the middle of Brisbane city, the air felt pure, clean and every cell in her body was soaking it in.

Paige stood at the edge of the rooftop, looking down at the streets almost clear of cars, and just a scattering of people. She looked around the empty bar. It felt hollow. She didn't know if it was the overwhelming sensation of being outside, the quiet city centre, or just the events of the past week, but as she looked out at a different world to the one she was used to, she broke down.

Crying was not something Paige allowed herself to indulge in. Instead she focused on solutions. Even when her mother died, Paige threw herself into supporting her father, allowing herself one moment to fall apart.

But as tears formed in her eyes, she didn't fight to hold them back. Her chest was burning and she was struggling to take a full breath.

Paige crouched down and curled her head between her knees as she sucked in deep raking breaths, tears streaming down her cheeks. With each breath, the burning in her chest eased, and she straightened up to look over the skyline.

She'd been so lost in her own tears she hadn't heard the elevator open, or the footsteps, and it wasn't until someone placed a hand on her shoulder that Paige realised she wasn't alone.

She knew who it was without looking up, and as he sat beside her and pulled her into his side, she didn't resist.

'What are you doing up here?' Paige whispered as she pressed into Nate's shoulder. She inhaled his scent, letting herself pretend for just a moment that he was hers. Not seeing him the past few days had given her a chance to convince herself that her attraction to him was a shallow distraction from everything else, but at that moment she knew it wasn't true. There was a tangible connection tethering her to him.

Nate was still holding her firmly against him, his face pressed into her hair as he gently kissed her.

'I press the rooftop button in the elevator a few times a day hoping it will actually open here. Just for a minute fresh air.'

A slightly hysterical chuckle bubbled out of Paige as she pushed away to look into his eyes. 'Oh...'

His eyes held an expression she wasn't expecting, and just as quickly they flickered. Nate reached out and cupped her cheek, brushing a tear away with his thumb. Paige closed her eyes again, afraid of the softness of his expression.

He curled his arms around Paige, pulling her against him. Even as she softened into his arms and pressed her face against his hard chest, Paige knew she was crossing a line.

His heart was thumping under her ear, and Paige breathed him in.

'Paige, are you okay?'

'Yes. I'm not sure what's wrong. I just felt so overwhelmed.'

Nate pressed another gentle kiss on Paige's head, letting it linger a little longer as he traced a circle in the middle of her back with one of his hands. With each slow movement the energy thickened between them, until Paige felt like she needed to crawl out of her skin.

His hold felt heavy and yet not enough. Paige wanted more, but she had already let things go too far. She was sending mixed messages. Paige brought her palms to Nate's chest and fighting the urge to explore him further, gently pushed away. He didn't resist and instead stood up and moved three paces back.

Space was good. Paige wiped her face as she stood up and moved behind the bar.

'I've never been to Brisbane before. Do you like living here?'

Grateful for a change in topic, Paige started unpacking the box of spirits onto the shelves, the late afternoon light streaming through them.

'I grew up here, in West End. I like it, but it's not as exciting as Melbourne.'

'Exciting is overrated.' Nate sat at the bar and tossed a lemon up and down like a ball.

'I'm supposed to be prepping the bar for the Halfway Party tonight. It feels like it has been so much longer than a week.'

'Tell me about it. Are hotel staff joining?' Nate gave Paige a half smile.

'No.' Paige returned his half smile, but couldn't keep the disappointment from her voice. Not on behalf of the other staff members, but selfishly she wanted nothing more than a night under the stars, and preferably with the freedom to be with the man sitting across from her.

'Can I help you get ready? Is that allowed?' His tone was teasing and he lifted an eyebrow to lighten the question.

'Probably not. But I'd love the company.' Paige handed him the slip of paper from Ethan. 'You can tell me what needs to be done.'

Nate leaned forward over the bar. 'You'd love my company, or any company?'

Paige met his eyes, surprised to see a flash of vulnerability in his strong face. It made him look almost boyish, even with his strong jaw, green eyes, and all angular lines from his broad chest down.

'Your company.' Her reply acknowledged so much more than the question he posed, and his eyes darkened as he nodded and moved back.