Chapter 10

"Good morning, beautiful."

The hairs on the back of Juliet's neck stood on end as Paige's voice whispered in her ear. She grinned against the pillow, never wanting to leave the warmth of the bed.

"I woke up thinking about you. Then I realised you were here right beside me…"

Juliet's smile spread wider, a shiver rolling through her when Paige stroked her fingertips up her back. "Mmm. Keep doing that."

"I can think of other things to do…"

Unsurprisingly, heat shot through Juliet at those words. Paige's soft, sultry voice always brought her to life in the morning. She remained in her position, gasping lightly when Paige's hand moved lower and over the curve of her hip. Sensitive didn't begin to describe how she felt this morning.

"I just want to spend every moment I can with you this morning. Touching you, tasting you," Paige whispered, poking her tongue out and teasing Juliet's earlobe. "I've missed hearing you moan my name."

Oh, God. That was sure to get the ball rolling much faster than Juliet had expected.

"Have you missed me being inside you, babe?"

Juliet felt Paige smile against her, her lips pressed to Juliet's shoulder. "Mmhmm. I've missed all of you, Paige."

Paige dipped her hand between Juliet's legs from behind, moaning her approval when she gathered Juliet's wetness on the tips of her fingers.

"I know how much you love morning sex, but I didn't expect you to be so wet for me."

"Then maybe you should do something about it before I take care of myself. You know, the way I have been for the last week."

"Fuck, that's hot." Paige sunk her teeth into Juliet's shoulder, eliciting a moan in response. "Next time, I want you to call me. I don't care if I should be sleeping. I want to hear you come for me, okay?" Paige slowly rolled her fingertips over Juliet's clit.

"O-okay."

"Turn over, babe. I want to see you."

Juliet rolled onto her back, those grey eyes boring into her soul as Paige lay on her side, propped up by her elbow. "Hi."

Paige leaned down and kissed her way along Juliet's jawline. "Hi." Her hand found its way back to where Juliet wanted it, her legs spread and giving Paige all the access she needed. "Thank you for being here last night."

Juliet was mindful of how different last night could have ended. Thankfully, Paige had allowed her to speak her fears without dismissing them. Part of Juliet understood Paige's initial reaction, her slight anger, but she hadn't intended to say it in a way that would hurt Paige.

"You always look so perfect in the morning." Paige took one of Juliet's nipples between her lips, sucking gently. Those fingers were going to work her up much too quickly for Juliet's liking. All she had craved recently was Paige. They had a very good sex life; for it to come to a halt so suddenly, Juliet's body hadn't known what had hit it. "And now I need to be inside you."

Juliet lifted her head and captured Paige's mouth. Her fingers slid inside with ease, that feeling of being filled the most joyous sensation. "Oh, fuck." Juliet thrust against Paige's hand. "Mm. I've missed you."

"Yeah?" Paige slid an arm under Juliet's shoulders, almost cradling her. She smirked into a kiss as she moaned, "I had no idea."

"Oh, I think you know exactly what you do to me." Juliet needed more. If this was all she could have with Paige for another week, she wanted to ache before this morning was over. "Do you feel how much I need you?"

"Fuck, yes." Paige's eyelids fluttered closed, her lips parted when she sunk deeper. "So wet and so tight for me."

Those words had Juliet gripping the back of Paige's neck and pulling her impossibly close. She spread her legs as much as she could and took Paige's bottom lip between her teeth. As she slowly released it, a hint of blue in Paige's eyes, Juliet fell in love all over again. "Then give me more, Paige. Fuck me like you really mean it."

Paige grinned, almost slipping out of Juliet. But she knew exactly what Paige was doing. This woman was the ultimate tease when she wanted to be. "You really do need me, don't you?" Paige slowly eased a third finger inside Juliet. "Mm. That's better."

Juliet locked her gaze on Paige. "More."

Paige quirked a brow, her head cocked slightly. "More?"

"Mmhmm." Juliet pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded.

"Maybe I should go away more often if this is the response." Another finger inside, and Juliet's head lolled back on her shoulders. Paige thrust slowly.

"Y-yes. Oh, fuck." Juliet edged towards her orgasm, fucking Paige's hand. "Please, harder, Paige." Paige wrapped Juliet up with the arm that was cradling her, thrusting hard and fast. Whatever may have been said last night, they knew what they had with one another. What they meant to one another. Paige Ashburn was Juliet's forever. She forced her hand between them, Juliet's fingertips lashing her clit. She tightened, her toes curling as Paige's heavy breathing became more prominent. "Paige, I-I…"

"Oh, fuck. Come for me, babe." Paige touched her forehead to Juliet's, those bright eyes forcing her over the edge. "Mm. That's it." Juliet rode out her orgasm, praying another one would be just around the corner, her body spent as Paige slowed inside her. Paige slumped against Juliet, a lazy grin spread on her mouth. "Can we just pretend I don't have to leave this city and stay here until it's all over?"

Oh, wouldn't that be a fine idea. Juliet would love nothing more than to laze around with Paige. But there wasn't much longer to go now. Thankfully. "Should I order some breakfast for us?"

"Mmhmm. Soon." Paige reached behind her for her phone, checking the screen. A message was waiting. "I have another four hours before I need to meet them out front, so…maybe I should stay naked for a little while longer."

Juliet rolled on top of Paige, staring down at her as she brushed her soft blonde hair from her face. "I think that's a very good idea." Juliet ground against Paige's thigh, not quite satisfied just yet. They had a lot of catching up to do. "You're not leaving this bed until I'm done with you. Everyone else can wait."

Paige wheeled her luggage out of the main entrance, sighing when she stopped and turned to Juliet. She didn't want to leave her, not after the morning they'd just had together. But this would all be over soon, and Paige wouldn't have to worry about leaving Juliet ever again. If she'd come to realise anything in the last twenty-four hours, it was that her relationship meant far more than any song in any venue.

"Do you have everything?" Juliet asked, her sunglasses hiding those beautiful eyes. "Enough cash and stuff?"

"I have everything." Paige chewed her lip, feeling a little unsure about moving on to the next venue. While Juliet maintained she hadn't come here solely because of trust issues, the idea of it remained firm in her mind. "I…are you sure you don't want to come to the next venue with us? It's not like you have to get back for work."

"You're right, I don't. But I think it's important that I go back home and allow you this opportunity without me. I put my foot in it last night, and this is me showing you that I do trust you, Paige. Because I know it's on your mind now."

Paige offered a faint smile. "Yeah. Kind of."

Juliet stepped forward and cradled Paige's jaw in her palm. "You know I love you. And I know you'd never look at another woman. Enjoy this because one day it could all be over."

"It…will all be over. Very soon."

Juliet nodded. "Until the next time."

There wouldn't be a next time. Paige knew that with certainty. Soraya could offer whatever she wanted, but Paige's priorities lay in Liverpool. Nowhere else. And with nobody else. "I'll be home next week. And then I'm done ."

Juliet drew Paige into a kiss, one hand on her hip. She didn't want to let her go, neither of them did, but Paige had a soundcheck to get to, and Juliet should leave now if she didn't want to spend all afternoon on the motorway in traffic. "I'll talk to you when you're free, okay?"

"Call me when you get back to Liverpool."

Juliet offered one final kiss, stroking her thumb across Paige's jawline. "I will. Be careful, okay? Keep your wits about you."

"Always, babe."

"Come on! We need to get moving." Paige winced at the sound of Soraya's voice.

Juliet looked over Paige's shoulder, scoffing. "She does realise that I'll just take twice as long to say goodbye the more she yells, right?"

"Behave yourself. You're too classy to play stupid games with her." Paige took Juliet's hand and squeezed, taking a step back. "I love you, and I'll see you soon."

"Bye, baby. I love you, too."

Paige puffed out her cheeks as she wheeled her luggage towards Soraya's tour bus. She was beginning to wish she'd driven here herself. At least then, she wouldn't have to be on everyone else's time. Soraya always liked to leave an hour earlier than necessary; Paige supposed it was the diva in her.

"About fucking time. Anyone would think you were leaving for war!" Soraya clapped as she rose from her seat at the back of the bus, grinning at Paige. "Come and sit up here. We have things to discuss."

Yeah, we do, Paige thought. She smiled at the band members scattered about, taking a seat facing Soraya. "What's up?"

"About the duet…"

Paige wrinkled her nose. "Yeah, I'm not sure I'm feeling it."

"Excuse me? You don't want to duet with me? Why not?!"

Paige rested her ankle on her knee, twisting her bottle of water in her hand. "First of all, this bullshit with the fans needs to stop. You have to shut down any rumours."

"I'm sorry?" Soraya stared back at Paige, apparently oblivious. Only Paige was almost sure Soraya knew exactly what she was talking about.

"The rumours. The insinuation that you and I are together."

Soraya laughed. "Oh, that! Don't worry about it. If nothing else, it's good for the tour and our image."

"Come again?"

"The fans love the idea of some secret relationship between us. Let them have their fun. I've been accused of fucking worse people." Soraya winked, reaching out and squeezing Paige's knee. But Paige instantly pulled back, now fully aware of the game Soraya was playing. "Don't tell me you don't love it too!"

"No, I really don't love it. I have a partner at home."

"Oh, we know. She made sure we all saw who she was just then." Soraya rolled her eyes, her attention now on the phone in her hand. "It's not cool that she just shows up, either. It would have been nice to know beforehand."

"Why? She wasn't there to see you." Paige got the impression that Juliet's lack of awe was bothering Soraya. "She was there to support me."

"It's just not what we do around here. Any…partners usually stay away."

Well, it was a good job this tour was coming to an end. Paige didn't have time for bullshit like this.

"Good to know. But since the tour is almost over, I guess it doesn't really matter. Juliet has our business to take care of back home, so she won't be joining me again."

Soraya nodded slowly, still focused on her phone. "Sounds great. Is she planning to follow you to the States and South America, too?"

"I'm sorry?"

"The world tour," Soraya said as though the information had been out there for a while. "You didn't think I'd drop you from my support, did you?" Soraya knew Paige had no plans to turn this into something more. Why she had bothered mentioning a world tour to Paige was a mystery.

"I won't be available for a world tour. I agreed to the UK tour because it suited me, you needed an act last minute, and I wouldn't be far from home. But a world tour? No, that just isn't going to work for me."

"Under the thumb at home?"

"Far from it, actually. But this was never going to be a huge thing for me. I have plans and a business to run. I'm happy with my quiet life back at home."

Soraya studied Paige, her eyes narrowed. "You're telling me that you'd rather clean alcohol up every night than tour the world?"

"Yes, I am. I'm telling you exactly that."

Soraya scoffed, waving Paige off. "I think we need to talk about this properly. Not right now, I have social media things to deal with, but a discussion is important."

Paige relaxed into her seat. They could discuss it all night long. It wouldn't make any difference to Paige's decision. "Sure. But I won't change my mind, so don't hold your breath."