I know I could be better
Chapter three: Obsessed with you
Collegestudent!paige x dadsgirlfriend!azzi, forbidden romance, cheating, age gap.
Warnings: explicit sexual content (masturbation), physical and emotional cheating, jealousy, angst if you squint really hard
A/n: I really love this chapter and just this story in general and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on the chapter! Thank you for reading 🩷
Word count: 11k
The house was completely dark, Azzi moved like a ghost. Her bare feet made absolutely no sound against the hardwood floor as she crept down the hallway, her heart hammering against her ribs. When she reached Paige’s door, she didn't knock; she simply turned the knob and slipped inside, shutting the door behind her.
Paige was already waiting for her. She was sitting up against her headboard enveloped in an oversized t-shirt, the covers pulled down to her waist. The moment she saw Azzi a relaxed, incredibly warm smile broke across her face. She immediately shifted over, lifting the heavy comforter to make room for her.
"Hey," Paige whispered.
Azzi didn't answer right away. She walked over to the edge of the mattress, but instead of climbing under the covers, she froze. The reality of what they were doing hit her right in the chest. Just an hour ago, she had been lying next to Peter, waiting for him to fall asleep, and the sheer deceit of this made her feel nauseous.
"Paige..." Azzi murmured, her voice trembling slightly as she wrapped her arms tightly around her own ribs. "I don't know if I can do this tonight. I feel like... I feel like I'm cheating on your dad. This is wrong."
Paige looked up at her, her blue eyes steady and incredibly grounding. She reached out her hand gently taking hold of Azzi’s wrist, her thumb brushing over the soft skin to soothe her racing pulse.
"Azzi," Paige whispered softly, pulling her a fraction closer to the bed. "We're just hanging out. Friends cuddle all the time. It's not bad. Just laying together."
The words were an excuse and they both knew it. They both knew that the pull between them had already gone far past the boundaries of a normal friendship, but the justification was the only thing keeping them from drowning in the guilt.
Azzi let out a long, shuddering sigh, the resistance melting out of her shoulders as she finally climbed onto the mattress. But before she could slide under the comforter, Paige shifted.
"Come here," Paige murmured.
Paige swung her legs over the side of the mattress, sitting firmly on the edge of the bed. She patted her thighs, looking up at Azzi with a quiet, pleading earnestness. "Sit right here."
Azzi’s breath hitched, but she didn't hesitate. Moving in the dim light, she stepped between Paige's knees and climbed onto her lap, straddling Paige's hips. The immediate, full-body contact sent a sharp jolt straight down Azzi's spine. Paige’s arms instantly wrapped securely around Azzi’s waist, locking her in close, while Azzi’s hands found a home on Paige’s shoulders.
For a few breaths, they just sat there, absorbing the warmth of each other's bodies.
"I have to tell you something," Azzi whispered, her dark eyes wide as she traced the line of Paige's jaw. "Next week... I'm going to have a super busy week at the hospital. My schedule is completely packed with double shifts, and I won't be around the house at all."
The giant, happy expression on Paige's face instantly fractured. Her shoulders slouched, and her jaw tightened, disappointment washing over her features. Her fingers tightened instinctively in the fabric of Azzi’s shirt, pulling her closer as if she could stop her from leaving.
"What?" Paige muttered, her voice dropping into a low, thoroughly disappointed pout. "Like, not at all? You won't even be here for dinner?"
"No, baby," Azzi murmured softly, her heart aching at the immediate sadness in the younger girl’s eyes. She reached up, gently scratching the back of Paige's neck to comfort her. "It's just going to be you and your dad for a while."
Paige let out a long, heavy exhale, her forehead dropping forward until it rested against Azzi's shoulder. "That sucks," she whispered miserably against her skin. "I'm really gonna miss you, Az."
"I'm gonna miss you too," Azzi whispered back, tightening her arms around Paige’s neck.
Slowly, Paige lifted one of her hands away from Azzi’s hip. Her fingers moved deliberately reaching up until they brushed against the side of Azzi’s face. Gently, almost tentatively, Paige slid her fingers into the thick, dark curls falling over Azzi’s shoulder. She twirled a tight curl around her index finger, her blue eyes wide and completely captivated.
"I love your curls, Az," Paige whispered, her voice low and soft. "They’re so soft. I’ve noticed them since the day I met you, but getting to actually feel them... they’re perfect."
Before Azzi could even formulate a response, Paige leaned forward. She pressed a giant, lingering kiss right against the center of Azzi’s cheek. The kiss was loud, warm, and full of enthusiasm.
The sweetness of the gesture caught Azzi completely off guard. A bright, breathless laugh bubbled out of her throat.
"Okay, okay," Azzi laughed softly, her dark eyes crinkling at the corners as she leaned her forehead against Paige's shoulder, her hands sliding up to gently cup the back of Paige's neck. "Thank you, P. I appreciate it. I really do."
Paige’s hand slid slowly down from Azzi’s curls, tracing the line of her spine before settling firmly at the small of her back. Then, with a flash of confidence, her hand slipped lower. She gripped Azzi’s ass, her fingers squeezing with a intensity that pulled Azzi’s hips flush against her lap.
"I love this part of you too," Paige murmured, her voice so low it ran straight down Azzi’s spine.
Azzi’s breath hitched sharply, her eyes widening as a sudden rush of heat flooded her cheeks. She let out a breathless, mocking gasp, though she didn’t make a single move to pull away from the grip.
"Wow," Azzi whispered, a playful smirk cutting through her surprise as she looked down into Paige's eyes. "So much for friendship."
Paige didn't flinch. Instead, the bold smirk stayed right on her face. She leaned forward, her long frame shifting until her lips were brushing directly against the shell of Azzi’s ear. Her hands tightened their grip on Azzi’s ass, holding her down.
"I’m just appreciating the very beautiful woman on my lap," Paige whispered. "And you know I don’t want to be just friends with you, I want you in my bed every single night. I want to feel every inch of you."
Azzi’s heart hammered a frantic, breathless rhythm against her ribs. She closed her eyes for a brief second, her fingers automatically tangling deeper into Paige’s sweatshirt.
She didn't argue. She didn't remind Paige about Peter, or the danger. Because the truth was, as she looked back down at the girl holding her so tightly, Azzi already knew that. She had known it from the moment she walked into the room, and she didn't want to be just friends either.
—
The next seven days turned into a slow test of patience for both of them. Between Azzi’s brutal, back to back shift rotation at the hospital she didn't come over once.
But while the physical distance was firmly in place, the emotional space between them had never felt smaller. Without the ability to see each other in person, their phones became an absolute lifeline; a constant, quiet dialogue running beneath the surface of their separate, exhausting routines.
Monday, 8:14 AM
Paige: Dad just left for work. The kitchen is completely empty. It feels weird here without you.
Azzi: I’m sorry. I’m already at the hospital prepping for rounds. I hope your classes go well today. Don't forget your umbrella, it looks like rain.
Paige: I forgot it.
Azzi: Of course you did.
Monday, 10:14 AM
Paige: Stuck in materials science. Professor has been talking about the same thing for an hour. Pretty sure my brain is permanently deformed.
Azzi: Just sat down for my first charting break. Did you eat the lunch I left in the freezer?
Paige: Yeah. It was good. Thanks baby.
Tuesday, 2:15 PM
Paige: Lab is a disaster. My lab partner spilled dye all over our rig. I want to pull my hair out.
Azzi: Let him clean up his mess and just focus on your calculations. I’m proud of how hard you work.
Paige: Thanks.
Wednesday, 6:00 PM
Azzi: Just finished my shift. Your dad texted me asking if I wanted to come over for dinner tonight, but I told him I was too backed up with paperwork. I feel terrible.
Paige: Don't feel bad. You really are tired. He's just making frozen lasagna anyway. You aren't missing anything.
Paige: I miss you though.
Azzi: I miss you so much.
Wednesday, 11:45 PM
Azzi: Just got to my car. Unbelievably exhausting shift. How is the lab report coming along?
Paige: I'm on page twelve. I can't sleep.
Azzi: Go to bed. You need rest. The report is already perfect, I promise.
Paige: Can't. My bed feels too big.
Azzi: Mine does too.
Thursday, 4:10 PM
Paige: I saw a stray cat on campus today. It had a little white paw. I want one.
Azzi: Did you take a picture?
Paige: No ☹️
Friday, 3:30 PM
Paige: [Sent an image: A close-up of the flowers on her desk]
Paige: Still alive. I change the water every morning.
Azzi They look beautiful, P. Just like the girl taking care of them.
Friday, 9:15 PM
Azzi: Your dad is asleep on my couch right now. He’s snoring so loudly I can hear it from the kitchen. I’m just sitting here staring at my phone.
Paige: I wish you were staring at me instead.
Azzi: Don't say that when I can't come to you. It's torturous.
Paige: Sorry. I just mean it.
Friday, 11:30 PM
Paige: Dad just got home and went straight to bed. The house is quiet.
Azzi: Good. He was exhausted. You alright?
Paige: Yeah. Still wishing you were here.
Azzi: I know, I do too.
Paige: Counting down the hours. Goodnight beautiful.
Azzi: Goodnight baby.
Saturday, 9:00 AM
Paige: Morning. Dad’s making a grocery list. Want anything specific for next week?
Azzi: Morning! Just the oat milk creamer I like. Did you sleep okay?
Paige: A little bit. Still felt empty. What time is your shift today?
Azzi: I have to be there by ten. My last twelve-hour stretch, thank goodness.
Paige: You can do it. I’ll make sure Dad gets your creamer.
Azzi: Thank you, angel. Have a good morning.
Saturday, 2:15 PM
Paige: Dad went to watch the game at a friend's house. Just doing laundry. It’s freezing today.
Azzi: Just got a quick minute for lunch. Make some tea.
Paige: Doesn’t keep me as warm as you do.
Azzi: You are terrible for my concentration pretty. Back to the floor now. Keep warm for me.
Paige: I’ll try. Stay safe.
Paige found herself checking her screen under the table during every single lecture, completely unable to focus on equations or diagrams when Azzi’s soft words were waiting for her.
For Azzi, the texts were both a beautiful and terrifying. Every sweet thing she typed to Paige flowed out of her with total honesty. But looking up from her screen to see Peter missed calls, or realizing just how deeply she was slipping into this secret life, made the guilt roar right back to consciousness.
—
Monday night did nothing to soothe the restlessness beneath Paige’s skin.
She was sitting at her desk, staring at a blank document on her laptop screen, but her focus was entirely elsewhere. Her phone sat right next to the keyboard, dark and silent. The house downstairs was quiet, leaving Paige completely alone with her thoughts. And right now, her thoughts were consumed by Azzi.
The frustration had been building for days. It was a dizzying, torturous cycle. They texted constantly, Azzi called her sweetheart and baby, but they hadn't crossed the physical line yet. They hadn’t even kissed.
Paige paced across her bedroom, running a hand through her blonde hair. She wanted a reaction. She wanted to shatter Azzi's composure the same way Azzi shattered hers.
Paige walked over to her mirror. Her heart began to hammer violently against her ribs, the audacity of what she was about to do making her breath hitch.
She took off her hoodie, tossing it onto her bed, leaving herself in just a tight, slightly cropped black tank top and a pair of gray sweatpants.
Holding her phone up, she slid her hands down to the waistband of her sweatpants, gently tugging the soft fabric down just an inch or two over her hips, exposing the sharp, pale line of her hip bone and the subtle curve of her waist. She adjusted the angle, framing the camera from her collarbones down to her hips.
The flash lit up the dim room for a fraction of a second.
Paige stared at the image. Her fingers were shaking so violently she almost dropped the phone. It was undeniably provocative. Anxiety crashed through her chest, fighting against the heat. We haven't even kissed, her brain screamed at her. What if she thinks this is too much? What if she gets icked out and stops whatever’s going on between them completely?
With trembling thumbs, she pulled up their message thread and attached the photo.
Paige: Send something back pretty. I want to look at you while I take care of myself tonight.
She pressed send before she could overthink it, throwing the phone face down onto her mattress.
Paige practically collapsed onto her bed, her chest heaving as she buried her face in her hands. The adrenaline rush was dizzying.
Every second that passed without a vibration made her stomach twist into tighter, more painful knots.
And then, her phone buzzed.
Paige practically threw herself across the bed, grabbing the device and flipping it over, her eyes scanning the screen.
Azzi: Baby
Azzi: Omg
Azzi: So beautiful baby
Paige let out a long, shaky breath. The tips of her ears burned bright pink, a vibrant smile taking over her face as she gripped the phone tight.
Paige: I meant what I said. Don't leave me hanging.
Azzi: Needy girl. Give me two minutes.
The two minutes felt like two hours. Paige sat with her eyes glued to the screen.
Every worst case scenario spun through her head. What if she changes her mind? What if she thinks I’m moving too fast? Then, the phone buzzed, vibrating so hard against her skin that she practically jumped.
Paige’s thumb flew to tap it open.
The photo was taken from a slightly low angle in what looked like Azzi’s bedroom. Azzi was standing in front of a mirror, holding her phone up to block her face, she was holding her sweater up with her other hand.
Paige’s eyes dropped lower, and her jaw literally slackened.
Azzi wasn't just toned; she was incredibly, beautifully defined. The warm overhead light cast a deep shadow on the carved lines going down the center and sides of her stomach, showcasing a tight, prominent set of abs that tapered perfectly down into the waistband of a low slung pair of black pants.
Paige thought she was going to lose her mind. Azzi has abs? Since when does Azzi have abs?! She knew Azzi was gorgeous, but she had absolutely no idea her body that looked like that.
Before she could even think to type a reply, another text popped up right beneath the photo.
Azzi: Is this what you wanted baby?
Paige swallowed hard, her mouth completely dry.
The shyness evaporated, replaced by a reckless, needy hunger. She slipped one hand down the front of her sweatpants, and began to rub slow, tight circles against her center; the friction instantly making her gasp into the quiet room. Her eyes never left the photo of Azzi’s stomach as her fingers found exactly what they were looking for.
With her left hand, her thumbs trembling with adrenaline, she typed out a response.
Paige: You are so perfect. I’m touching myself right now. I’m staring right at your stomach and imagining tracing those lines with my tongue until you’re begging me to stop.
She hit send, not even caring how it sounded. She needed Azzi to know exactly what she was doing to her.
She closed her eyes for a split second as she let out a low, ragged whine.
She picked up the pace, her hips tilting up off the mattress slightly as the pleasure began to coil tight and sharp in her lower stomach. It was an entirely different experience tonight. It wasn't just a release to get rid of stress; it was consuming. She imagined Azzi’s hands gripping her hips, imagined Azzi’s abs pressing flat against her, holding her down to the bed.
"Azzi," Paige whimpered, the older woman’s name slipping past her lips, sounding incredibly loud in the empty bedroom.
She stared back at the screen, the pressure built rapidly, a sweet, agonizing ache that made her breath hitch over and over again.
With a final, desperate friction and a sharp, breathless cry, the coil snapped. Release crashed through Paige’s body, making her back arch off the mattress as a deep, trembling warmth flooded her entire core. Her muscles went entirely limp, her hand slipping away as she let out a long, shaky exhale, her chest heaving heavily against the quiet air.
For a few minutes, she just lay there, the aftershocks rolling through her thighs, her skin flushed and covered in a light layer of sweat.
Slowly, her heart rate began to ease from its frantic pace. She stared at the picture of Azzi one more time, a quiet, completely ruined smile spreading across her lips.
Paige: I think I’m obsessed with you.
—
The restaurant was beautiful, the kind of dimly lit, upscale steakhouse you only went to on special occasions. He sat across from her in a crisp button-down shirt that made his shoulders look broad and dependable, the lines around his eyes crinkling as he laughed at something the waiter said. He was in his element tonight; relaxed, attentive, and completely focused on her.
For the first hour, Azzi felt a familiar, grounding warmth settle into her chest. Listening to him talk passionately about his job, watching the easy, confident way he handled himself, she was vividly reminded of why she had fallen for him in the first place.
Peter was steady. He was a good man who had built a life with his bare hands, a man who looked at her like she hung the moon. When he reached across the white tablecloth and squeezed her hand, his palm rough and warm, her heart gave a familiar, affectionate squeeze. She loved him. She really did.
But then, Peter ordered a glass of Pinot Noir for her, casually remarking, "I know how much you love a good red."
And just like that, the trapdoor in her chest swung wide open.
A good red. Azzi swallowed hard, staring at the dark liquid swirling in the glass. Her mind instantly, violently flashed back to a warm kitchen, to a pair of bright blue eyes, and a quiet voice asking questions about the hospital. Paige knew she didn't drink red wine; Paige had teased her about drinking her weight in iced coffee and water.
Guilt roared through Azzi, so intense it made her nauseous.
"Everything okay, babe?" Peter asked, his brow furrowing with genuine, protective concern that used to be her absolute favorite thing. "You look a million miles away."
"I'm okay," Azzi forced a soft, reassuring smile, squeezing his hand back before gently pulling hers away to rest in her lap. "Just a long week at work. I'm right here."
But she wasn't. She was completely, entirely torn in half.
Looking at Peter, she felt the weight of a good, stable life she was actively destroying. He didn't deserve this. He was planning a future with her, looking for a partner to share his life with. Azzi wanted to scream at herself. She wanted to force her brain to just be content with the good man in front of her.
But then her phone vibrated in her bag.
A single, sharp buzz against the leather. Azzi didn't even have to look at the screen to know who it was. The memory of opening a picture that left her breathless; the dirty, desperate words Paige had sent, flashed through her mind, making her ache.
She was drowning. Peter was comfortable, predictable, but Paige... Paige was brilliant, beautiful, and absolutely intoxicating.
"I have to use the bathroom," Azzi murmured, her voice sounding a little too breathless to her own ears.
"Take your time, beautiful," Peter said, his eyes tracking her with absolute devotion.
Azzi practically fled the table, her heels clicking sharply against the hardwood floor as she made her way into the quiet restroom. She locked herself inside a stall, her back hitting the door as she let out a shaky, ragged exhale. Her hands were trembling as she dug her phone out of her bag.
There was a text waiting for her, sent just ten minutes ago.
Paige: I miss you so much. Come home soon.
Azzi closed her eyes, a sweet, agonizing pain blooming in her chest. She could picture it perfectly: Paige swallowed up in an oversized sweatshirt, sitting at the dining room table, waiting.
—
The car ride back to the house was torture. Peter drove with one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting comfortably on Azzi’s thigh, occasionally rubbing his thumb through the fabric of her dress as he hummed along to the radio. He was completely content. Every time he spoke about their plans for the upcoming weekend, Azzi felt the walls closing in a little tighter.
When Peter unlocked the front door, the familiar stillness of the house rushed out to meet them.
"Hey," a quiet voice rasped from the darkness of the dining room.
Azzi’s breath immediately hitched. Paige was standing by the edge of the table, her blonde hair a little messy.
"Hey, P," Peter said, hanging his coat up in the closet. "Still up?"
"I was just finishing up some work," Paige murmured, her eyes completely ignoring her father, locking onto Azzi with a heavy, unblinking intensity that made the air in the room turn thick. She swallowed hard, her chest rising under the soft wool of the hoodie. "Um, Azzi? Before you guys go to bed, can I show you something in my room? My laptop is doing this weird looping error on the hospital simulation software we’re using for class, and I know you use it every day. I just... I can’t get it to work."
Peter chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of Azzi’s head. "Go ahead, I’m gonna go change and pass out. I’m dead on my feet."
"Okay," Azzi breathed, her voice barely a whisper. She couldn't look at Peter as he walked up the stairs toward the master bedroom. She had spent the last few hours remembering why she loved him, trying to convince herself to be steady, to be good.
But as Peter's bedroom door clicked shut, Paige took a single step towards her.
"Come on," Paige whispered, turning on her heel and leading the way upstairs.
Azzi followed her, her heels clicking softly against the steps, her pulse hammering in her ears.
The moment Azzi stepped across the threshold of Paige's bedroom, the trap snapped shut.
Paige didn't even bother turning on the light. She closed the bedroom door with a swift, decisive motion, she turned around, reached down to tangle her hands desperately into the fabric of Azzi's dress, and pulled the older woman into her. Before Azzi could even find her footing, Paige crashed her lips against hers.
Azzi let out a sharp, muffled gasp against Paige’s mouth, her body going entirely rigid with shock. But the hesitation lasted for only a fraction of a second. As the realization hit her, Azzi’s hands flew up, her fingers clutching frantically at the sweatshirt Paige was wearing.
It was their first kiss, and it was desperate, heavy, and frantic. Paige poured every ounce of her reckless, consuming hunger into the press of her lips, her heart pounding violently against her ribs as she finally tasted the woman she had been dreaming about for weeks.
A ragged, breathless whimper tore from the back of Azzi’s throat, but instead of pulling back, she pressed herself even deeper into the embrace.
She tangled her fingers into Paige’s hair, tilting the younger girl's head back to alter the angle, deepening the kiss with desperation that left Paige gasping. Azzi’s mind went completely, beautifully blank.
When they finally broke apart for air, Azzi didn't step back. She couldn't. Her hands slid down Paige’s face, her palms cupping her jaw, her thumbs tracing the flushed lines of Paige’s cheekbones with a trembling, worshipful intensity. Her eyes were wide and glittering in the dim room, staring at Paige as if she were the only person in the world.
"Baby," Azzi breathed, her voice a completely ruined whisper against Paige’s lips. "You feel so good."
Paige’s heart hammered against her ribs, her own breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps as she kept her arms locked tightly around Azzi's waist.
"I missed you," Paige murmured, a confident smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Missed you more," Azzi whispered, leaning forward to press another deep, bruising kiss to Paige’s lips, then another to the corner of her mouth, completely unable to stop herself from reaching for her. She was completely under her spell, utterly and irreversibly obsessed. "You’re so pretty, I'm never going to let you go."
Paige tightened her grip on Azzi's waist, pulling her so close there wasn't a single ounce of air left between them. "I like how desperate you are for me."
Azzi couldn't take it anymore. With a low, defeated groan, she buried her face in Paige's neck.
—
Azzi smoothed down the front of her dress as she walked across the hall, her heart doing a nervous flutter. She forced her breathing to steady as she pushed open the door to the master bedroom.
Peter was propped up against the pillows, scrolling through his phone, but he looked up and smiled warmly the moment she walked in.
"Hey," Azzi said sweetly, leaning against the doorframe with an easy, bright expression. "So, the software is going to take a while. And honestly, Paige and I started talking, and we were thinking about having a little girls' night. We want to put on a movie, and I was actually going to teach her how to braid since she was complaining about her hair earlier."
Peter’s face completely lit up. A soft, incredibly touched look came over his eyes, and he set his phone down on the nightstand. "Are you serious? That’s amazing." He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Honestly, you should just turn it into a sleepover. Grab your pajamas and stay there tonight. Paige never really had girls' nights growing up, you know? She missed out on all of that stuff. It makes me so happy to see you two like this."
The utter innocence and relief in his voice made a tiny bit of guilt attempt to flare up in Azzi's chest, but the obsession with the girl across the hall instantly choked it out.
"Thanks. I think I'll do that," Azzi murmured, offering him a sweet, reassuring smile. "Get some sleep, okay?"
"Goodnight, beautiful," Peter said, completely believing every word.
The moment the bedroom door clicked shut behind her, Azzi’s composure completely shattered. She practically raced back down the hall, her heart hammering against her ribs.
She burst into Paige's bedroom, shutting the door and locking it.
Paige was sprawling back on the mattress, her long legs tangled in her gray sweatpants, the hoodie she was wearing falling off one of her shoulders. She looked up, her blue eyes dark and heavy with anticipation, but before she could open her mouth to speak, Azzi threw herself onto the bed.
She straddled Paige’s lap, her hands framing Paige's face as she hovered over her, completely breathless.
"You're mine," Azzi gasped out, a wild, ecstatic laugh catching in her throat as she leaned down. She didn't even go for Paige's mouth first; instead, she began kissing her all over her face. She pressed hot, frantic kisses to Paige’s forehead, down the bridge of her nose, over her flushed cheeks, and along her jawline, her dark hair falling forward like a curtain around them. "You are completely mine for the rest of the night."
Paige let out a surprised laugh, her hands instantly flying up to grip Azzi’s waist, tilting her hips up into the mattress as she absorbed the heat of Azzi's mouth. "Yeah? What did he say?"
"He told me to stay," Azzi whispered fiercely against Paige's skin, pressing another deep, bruising kiss right beneath her ear that made Paige shiver. "He thinks we're doing hair and watching movies. He thinks it's a sleepover. I don't have to leave this room until morning.“
A slow, intensely satisfied smile spread across Paige’s face. She tightened her grip on Azzi's hips, pulling her down flush against her chest.
"All mine," Paige murmured as she tilted her head back, inviting Azzi to keep worshiping her skin. "Now shut up and kiss me again."
—
The glow of the tv screen was the only light left in the bedroom as the opening credits of The Hunger Games began to play.
Azzi was curled up tightly against Paige’s side, her head resting comfortably in the crook of Paige’s shoulder. She had completely discarded the dress from her date, now wearing a soft, oversized t-shirt of Paige’s that smelled faintly of laundry detergent. Her dark hair was scattered across Paige’s chest, and one of her legs was hooked over Paige’s thighs.
Paige’s left arm was wrapped securely around Azzi’s shoulders, her fingers unconsciously playing with Azzi's hair, while her right hand rested on the soft curve of Azzi’s waist beneath the blanket.
Paige wasn't watching the movie. She was looking down at Azzi, completely mesmerized by how perfectly the older woman fitted against her body.
She closed her eyes for a moment, and began to build a life for them.
In her head, they weren't hiding anymore. There were no hushed whispers in the hallway, no lies about girls' nights or school work. Paige imagined the two of them walking into a house that belonged entirely to them; something with huge windows that let in the sun, maybe a small garden in the back where Azzi could sit with her iced coffee on weekends. She could see them coming home after a long of work, Paige dropping her bags by the door and being greeted by a fat, lazy cat curling around her ankles waiting to be fed.
She imagined what it would feel like to slide a ring onto Azzi’s finger in front of people who actually knew the truth and celebrated it. A small wedding, somewhere outside, where Azzi wouldn't have to look over her shoulder. They would travel; really travel. Spend weeks in European cities or exploring beaches in the Caribbean, completely free.
And then, the dream shifted, dropping lower into Paige’s chest. She imagined children. She could picture a little girl with Azzi’s dark, expressive eyes and curly hair, or a little boy running down the hallway of their home, his laughter filling the quiet spaces. She saw her and Azzi parenting, holding hands over a kitchen island covered in toys and school permission slips. She saw them growing old together, the lines around Azzi’s eyes deepening with age, her dark hair streaked with silver, but still cuddling Paige just like this every night.
She knew it was unrealistic; delusional even, but it was the most beautiful dream Paige had ever had.
She opened her eyes, the flickering blue light of the tv bringing her back to reality.
Azzi shifted slightly, pressing a soft kiss against Paige’s collarbone before settling back down, her eyes tracking the screen as the reaping scene began.
Paige swallowed the lump in her throat, her hand smoothing over Azzi’s waist. The question had been bouncing around in her head for days, buried under the secrecy, but looking at Azzi right now, wrapped in her blankets, she couldn't keep it behind her teeth anymore.
"Mama?" Paige murmured.
"Hmm?" Azzi hummed, not looking up immediately, her thumb tracing a lazy circle against Paige’s ribs.
"Do you want kids?"
The movement of Azzi’s thumb stopped instantly. The stillness in her body was palpable, her body tensing just a fraction against Paige’s side. Slowly, Azzi tilted her head back, her eyes looking up to meet Paige’s.
"Why are you asking me that right now?" Azzi whispered, her voice tight, caution settling over her features.
Paige didn't blink. She kept her grip steady on Azzi’s waist, her blue eyes unblinking. "Because you're dating my dad. And he's done having kids. He raised me, he’s got his routine, and he would never have any more. He's made that clear enough over the years." She paused, her chest rising sharply as she let the unspoken reality hang in the air between them. "So I want to know. Do you want them?"
Slowly, Azzi let out a long, heavy breath, her shoulders losing their tension as she looked back down at Paige’s chest. Her fingers reached out, idly tracing the hem of the shirt she had borrowed.
"I do," Azzi whispered, her voice slightly shaky. "I always had a vision of being a young mom so a big part of me thinks I’m too old now. I’d be content living without them. I’ve accepted that."
She paused, a faint, wistful little smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she shook her head against Paige’s shoulder.
"It’s funny, actually," Azzi murmured, her tone dipping into a quiet rasp. "When I first started dating your dad, I thought it was absolutely perfect. I knew he was done having kids, and I was okay with that, because I thought... I thought I could just become a stepmom. I thought I’d get to be a part of your life that way, to have that kind of family dynamic without starting from scratch."
She let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh that sounded dangerously close to a sigh, her hand tightening slightly against Paige’s waist.
"And then... this happened. You happened," Azzi whispered, finally looking back up, her eyes swimming with a complex mix of adoration and bewilderment. "And now I just don't know anything anymore. Everything I mapped out is completely upside down."
Paige listened, but she didn't let the mention of her dad pull them backward. Instead, Azzi's words seemed to unlock something massive inside her chest. The blueprints she had been building in her head suddenly rushed to the surface before she could stop them, completely taking over. Her grip tightened on Azzi’s waist, her eyes flashing with a fierce, consuming devotion that borderlined on obsessive.
"Then let your plans change," Paige said, her voice vibrated with absolute conviction. She leaned down, looking directly into Azzi’s eyes. "If you want kids, Azzi, I’d give them to you in a heartbeat. I’ll carry them for you if that’s what you’re worried about. We can have a house, a life that belongs completely to us, and I will give you a family. I'd do it tomorrow if you asked."
The declaration caught Azzi completely off guard. She stared up at Paige, her heart doing a frantic, stunned leap against her ribs. The intensity in the younger girl's face was breathtaking, almost terrifying, but beneath the momentum of Paige's fantasy, Azzi felt nothing but softness.
She shifted her weight, sliding her hand up Paige’s chest until her palm rested over Paige’s heart. She leaned up, pressing a warm, lingering kiss to the corner of Paige’s jaw, her breath soft against her skin.
"Sweetheart," Azzi murmured, her voice dropping into its most comforting, soothing tone. She brushed a stray lock of blonde hair behind Paige's ear, her touch incredibly tender. "You have such a beautiful heart. And you would make an absolutely incredible mom I’m not denying that."
She paused, tilting her head up just enough to look into Paige’s eyes, giving her a reassuring smile that disarmed the sudden urgency in the air.
"But we have so much time, baby," Azzi whispered softly, her thumb gently tracing Paige's cheekbone. "We just met a couple weeks ago, there’s no need to build a whole world tonight. We can think about all of that, and figure it out together, in the future. Okay?"
Paige swallowed hard, the tight tension in her shoulders melting as she looked down at Azzi.
"Okay," Paige murmured, her voice low and entirely content.
—
Azzi’s fingers idly combed through the strands of blonde hair at the back of Paige’s neck, the movement slow and entirely thoughtless. A quiet, sudden laugh bubbled up in Azzi’s chest, the vibration of it rattling right against Paige's cheek.
"What?" Paige murmured against her skin, her voice lazy and thick with content.
"I was just thinking about the night we met," Azzi said softly, looking up at the ceiling as the memory played out in her mind. "When your dad took us to that restaurant downtown."
Paige shifted slightly, tilting her head up just enough to look at Azzi, a faint, amused smirk already tugging at the corner of her lips. "What about it? I remember you looking so professional."
"Shut up," Azzi chuckled, giving the back of Paige's neck a playful squeeze before her expression softened into something incredibly tender, almost vulnerable. "Seriously, Paige. I remember walking into that restaurant with your dad. He had told me so much about his daughter who was studying engineering, I had built up this image of what you’d look like. And then we got to the table."
Azzi lowered her gaze, her eyes locking onto Paige’s with absolute honesty. "You were already sitting there, and I was in absolute awe of how beautiful you were. I just wasn't expecting it at all."
Paige’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, a genuine blush creeping up her neck at the raw sincerity in Azzi’s voice.
"But then," Azzi continued, a dramatic pout instantly replacing her soft expression, "you opened your mouth, and started being the meanest, most defensive little brat I had ever met."
Paige let out a low chuckle, but she had the grace to look slightly apologetic, her fingers tracing a lazy line on Azzi's hip. "I was trying to protect myself, Az. You could’ve been evil."
"I know," Azzi whispered, a breathless laugh escaping her lips as she shook her head. "I was sitting there and all I could think was, Oh my god, I am completely embarrassing myself in front of the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. She hates me. I felt so dumb."
Paige shifted her weight, pushing herself up on her elbows so she was hovering directly over Azzi.
"I didn't hate you," Paige rasped quietly, her voice incredibly sincere as she looked down at her. "I thought you were beautiful, too. From the second I saw you. I’m sorry I was such a bitch to you, baby."
Azzi’s heart did a soft, warm flutter at the apology, her hands coming up to rest gently against Paige's ribs. "You really were bitchy."
"Yeah, well, it worked out," Paige grinned, she leaned down, pressing a heavy, lingering kiss to the center of Azzi's forehead.
"It did," Azzi murmured. She tilted her head up, a smug, knowing smile splitting her face. "Though, I did leave out one detail."
Paige raised an eyebrow, her hands tightening possessively around Azzi's waist. "Oh yeah? What's that?"
"When I got home that night," Azzi whispered, her voice dripping with a playful, teasing cadence, "I spent a solid forty-five minutes stalking your instagram."
Paige frozen, and then a massive, booming laugh erupted from her chest, the sound echoing loudly. She shook her head, completely delighted, a thoroughly satisfied, smirk firmly locking into place on her face.
"No way," Paige crowed, as she leaned closer, her breath warm against Azzi’s cheek. "You thought I was that pretty?"
"I was curious!" Azzi defended herself, trying to push Paige’s chest away. "I wanted to see if you were actually that mean in real life or if it was just an act for me!"
"Right, right, you were just doing research," Paige mocked playfully, completely unbothered by the push. She tilted her head, looking down at Azzi with a devastatingly smug expression. "So tell me, Mama... did you like what you saw? Did you look at all the posts? Did you look at the ones from the lake?"
"Paige, stop it," Azzi hissed, her laugh turning breathless and helpless as the heat of Paige’s body crowded over her.
"Come on, admit it," Paige murmured, her voice dropping into a whisper right against Azzi's ear, her lips brushing the sensitive skin. "You’ve been completely obsessed with me since day one. You sat at that dinner table secretly wanting your boyfriend's daughter, and you went home and fantasized about me. You've been gone for me since the very beginning, haven't you?"
"You are absolutely insufferable," Azzi gasped out, her heart hammering violently against her ribs from the sheer focus in Paige's tone, even as she wrapped her arms securely around Paige's neck to pull her down for a deep, breathless kiss.
"Insufferable, but entirely yours," Paige smirked against her lips, capturing Azzi’s mouth again with a slow, possessive hunger that completely erased the rest of the world outside the bedroom door.
Paige pulled back just an inch.
Before Azzi could even catch her breath or utter a syllable, Paige completely launched an assault on her face.
She leaned down and pressed a loud, smacking kiss directly into the center of Azzi’s right cheek.
"Paige—" Azzi gasped, a breathless laugh immediately bubbling up in her throat.
"You," Paige rasped dynamically, immediately shifting targets and burying her lips into the soft skin of Azzi's jawline, peppering it with three fast, heavy kisses. "Are." Kiss. "So." Kiss. "Perfect." Kiss.
"Paige, stop it!" Azzi squealed, her voice pitching high with genuine laughter. She tried to squirm beneath Paige, her hands coming up to push against Paige’s l shoulders, but Paige was unmovable, pinned directly on top of her.
"Never," Paige grinned against her skin, completely ignoring the half-hearted resistance. She nuzzled her nose aggressively against Azzi’s cheekbone before moving up to kiss her temple, her voice dramatic and exaggerated. "You’re an absolute angel, Mama. Look at you."
She pressed a messy kiss directly to the tip of Azzi’s nose, then another one to her chin, and then two more right on the soft skin under her eyes.
"Oh my god, Paige, you are ridiculous! Get off!" Azzi laughed hysterically, her entire body shaking beneath the younger girl. She caught Paige by the jaw, trying to hold her head still, but Paige just used the opportunity to lean down and plant a loud, ridiculously sloppy kiss right on the center of Azzi’s forehead.
"I’m just telling the truth," Paige murmured, her smirk entirely victorious as she looked down at her. She caught both of Azzi’s wrists in one of her hands, pinning them gently above Azzi's head so she could have free rein again. "You’re perfect."
To prove her point, she buried her face in the side of Azzi’s neck, blowing a loud, playful breath against her skin that made Azzi shriek and twist violently to the side.
"Paige! I mean it, stop! It tickles!" Azzi gasped out, her eyes crinkling shut as she laughed so hard her stomach physically ached. She managed to free one of her hands, immediately reaching up to tangle her fingers in Paige's messy blonde hair, tugging just enough to pull the girl’s face back into view. "You are being insane right now."
"I'm insane and entirely obsessed with you," Paige corrected smoothly, her eyes melting with soft adoration. She softened her weight, letting her chest rest fully against Azzi's, and leaned down to press one final, incredibly sweet, lingering kiss right to the corner of Azzi's mouth. "A total goner for you, Az."
Azzi’s breath hitched, her laughter finally tapering off into a soft, breathless sigh. She looked up at the girl hovering over her, her dark eyes swimming with a profound, consuming warmth. She let her hand slide from Paige's hair down to cup her jaw, her thumb tracing the sharp line of it.
"You’re perfect too," Azzi whispered, a beautiful, adoring smile splitting her face as she pulled Paige down by the neck, trading the chaos for a slow, deep, and beautifully content kiss.
—
Azzi was the first to stir, her eyes fluttering open as the reality of the morning rushed back to meet her. She was still tangled in Paige’s blankets, her head resting on Paige’s chest. The clock on the nightstand read 8:30 AM. Downstairs, the faint, unmistakable sound of the tv and the distant clatter of a coffee pot echoing through the vents signaled that Peter was already awake.
"Paige," Azzi whispered, her voice tight with an immediate, defensive panic. She nudged Paige’s hip beneath the covers. "Paige, wake up. We need to go downstairs."
Paige let out a low groan, her arms tightening instinctively around Azzi's waist, trying to pull her back down into the mattress. "Five more minutes," she mumbled against Azzi’s neck.
"No, now," Azzi insisted, already shifting as she smoothly uncurled herself from Paige’s side. She stood up, quickly smoothing down the t-shirt she had borrowed from Paige, and running her fingers through her messy dark curls. "Your dad is awake. We need to go down."
Paige didn't argue.
The walk down the stairs was a quiet torture. Paige walked a step behind, her eyes locked onto the back of Azzi’s head, her mind entirely consumed by the memory of Azzi’s lips on hers the night before.
As they rounded the corner into the kitchen, the scent of sizzling bacon, brewing coffee, and toasted bagels hit them.
Peter was standing by the stove, the kitchen island was already covered in a massive breakfast spread that included eggs, bacon, fruit, and a fresh carton of the oat milk creamer Paige had made sure he bought.
"Well, look who finally decided to join the living," Peter called out, turning around with a massive, radiant smile. His eyes lit up the moment they landed on Azzi. "Morning, beautiful."
"Good morning," Azzi smiled smoothly, her voice carrying a perfectly practiced, bright warmth that made Paige’s stomach do a violent flip.
Peter stepped away from the stove, walked straight into Azzi’s space, and wrapped his arms around her waist. Right in front of Paige, he leaned down and pressed a deep, solid, lingering kiss directly to Azzi’s lips.
Paige froze at the edge of the kitchen, going entirely rigid. Nausea crashed through her chest, so intense she genuinely felt like she was going to throw up. Watching her dad’s mouth press against the lips she had been bruising hours ago felt like a violation. Dark, possessive anger flared, her fists clenching deeply inside the pockets of her sweatshirt.
She’s mine, Paige’s brain screamed, the thought roaring through her mind with a terrifying, obsessive clarity. She was with me all night. It felt completely, fundamentally wrong. It felt like a glitch in the universe that he could just touch her so casually.
Peter pulled back from the kiss, keeping a warm hand resting on Azzi’s hip as he looked over at his daughter.
"I gotta tell you, babe, I am so incredibly grateful to you," Peter said, his voice thick with genuine emotion that only made the air in the kitchen feel thicker. He looked between the two of them, shaking his head with a soft chuckle. "Seriously. Thank you so much for doing that sleepover last night. Paige has always been so isolated up in her room. Seeing you take the time to do a girls' night with her, teaching her how to handle her hair, watching movies... it means the world to me. Thank you for looking after her."
Azzi’s expression remained perfectly neutral. "Of course, it was really no trouble at all. We had a great time."
Paige felt a fuse blow inside her chest. The sheer absurdity of her dad thanking his girlfriend for hanging out with her was too much to handle. The jealousy, the nausea, and the frustration boiled over, and before she could stop herself, her voice cut through the kitchen, sharp and incredibly snippy.
"I’m twenty years old, Dad. Stop talking about me like I’m a chore," Paige snapped.
Peter blinked, completely caught off guard. He let go of Azzi's hip, turning his full attention to Paige, his brow furrowing with confusion. "What? Paige, I didn't mean it like that—"
"Yeah, well, it sounds like it," Paige interrupted, her eyes flashing with annoyance as she stormed over to the kitchen island, pulling out a barstool with a loud, aggressive scrape against the tile. She slammed herself down onto the seat, shoving her hands back into her hoodie pockets. "You're standing there thanking her like she was doing charity. I don't need a babysitter. It's embarrassing."
The kitchen fell into a suffocating, tense silence.
Peter looked completely deflated, his shoulders slouching as a deep, apologetic look crossed his face. He rubbed the back of his neck, genuinely upset that he had ruined the morning mood. "I didn't mean to make it sound like that. I was just really happy that you and Azzi were spending time together. I know you’ve never had that before. I'm sorry, Paige."
Paige looked down at the marble countertop, her jaw locked tight. The sight of her dad genuinely apologizing to her made a secondary wave of guilt fight against her anger, but the possessive hostility won out. She couldn't look at him, and she definitely couldn't look at Azzi, who was standing perfectly still by the refrigerator.
"Whatever. Just drop it," Paige muttered, her tone still thoroughly annoyed, entirely unappeased by the apology. She grabbed a plain piece of toast from a platter and bit into it aggressively, her eyes staring blindly at the wall, her chest heaving slightly under her sweatshirt as she tried to force her racing pulse to slow down.
Peter let out a quiet sigh, turning back to the stove to turn off the burners, the easy joy completely drained from his face. Beside him, Azzi finally moved, opening the fridge to reach for the orange juice, her eyes catching Paige’s for a split, agonizing second behind Peter's back.
Peter sat down on the barstool next to Azzi, for a few minutes, the only sound was the clinking of forks against ceramic. Paige kept her head down, aggressively cutting into her eggs, her shoulder slouched heavily under her sweatshirt.
Peter took a sip of his coffee, glancing over at his daughter. He let out a low, casual chuckle, trying to break the silence and steer the conversation back to something light; just normal dad talk.
"So, Paige," Peter started casually, leaning his forearms against the marble countertop. "I gotta ask. You seeing any girls on campus lately? Any new faces I should know about?"
Paige froze. Her fork hovered an inch above her plate, her entire body going dead still.
Across the island, Azzi’s composure didn't crack, but her hand tightened noticeably around her mug, her knuckles turning a brief, sharp white.
Paige felt the irritation that had been simmering in her chest worsen. It was getting more insufferable by the second. Her jaw locked so tight her teeth practically ached, her eyes flashing with a dangerous, volatile heat.
Am I seeing anyone? Yeah, Dad. I’m seeing someone. I’m seeing your girlfriend who was wrapped around me in my bed four hours ago. I’m seeing the woman whose skin I was kissing while you were asleep down the hall.
The sheer audacity of the question, combined with the visual of Peter sitting right next to Azzi, made Paige feel like she was losing her mind.
"No," Paige muttered, her voice dropping into a dangerously low, clipped tone. She didn't look up from her plate. "I'm busy."
"Come on, you're always busy," Peter said with a gentle, teasing smile, completely missing the warning signs radiating off his daughter. He reached over, casually placing a hand over Azzi’s knee under the counter; a gesture that made Paige’s eyes violently snap up. "I'm just saying, you should try and put yourself out there a little bit. You’re twenty. You can’t just spend your entire college years staring at a computer. There are plenty of great girls out there. You just gotta make the effort."
That was the absolute breaking point.
Paige’s chair screeched violently against the kitchen tile as she stood up, the loud, jarring sound cutting through the room like a gunshot. She slammed her fork down onto her plate with a sharp, metallic clatter that made the coffee mugs rattle.
"I said I'm busy, Dad. Drop it," Paige murmured.
"Paige, hey—" Peter started, his hands coming up in a defensive, confused gesture.
"I'm not doing this," Paige snapped, her chest heaving heavily under her sweatshirt. She didn't look at Peter, and she deliberately avoided Azzi’s wide, warning dark eyes, terrified of what she would do if she kept staring at them.
Without another word, Paige turned on her heel and stormed out of the kitchen. Her heavy footsteps echoed furiously down the hallway before the front door opened and slammed shut, leaving the kitchen in a suffocating, dead silence.
Peter sat entirely stunned, his fork still hovering over his plate. He looked down at the hallway where his daughter had just vanished, then slowly turned his head to look at Azzi. His shoulders slouched, a look of profound, exhausted confusion washing over his face.
"Jesus," Peter sighed, running a heavy hand over his face. He let out a low, bewildered breath and looked directly into Azzi’s dark eyes. "Was she this irritable last night, Azzi? I mean, did something happen while you guys were hanging out? I feel like I can’t say a single word to her lately."
Beneath the counter, Azzi’s hands were clenched into tight fists against her knees, her heart hammering against her ribs. The guilt of seeing him so genuinely hurt and clueless was a physical ache in her chest.
"No," Azzi said softly, her voice smooth, steady, and perfectly calibrated to soothe him. She forced a reassuring, gentle smile onto her face, reaching across the marble countertop to place a comforting hand over his. "She wasn't like this at all last night. She was actually really happy. I think... I think she's just overwhelmed with school."
Peter let out a long, deflated exhale, squeezing Azzi’s hand back. "Yeah. Yeah, you're probably right. I just hate seeing her like this. I was just trying to do normal dad talk, you know?"
"I know," Azzi murmured. She smoothly withdrew her hand and slid off the barstool, moving with a sudden, purposeful intent. "Let me go check on her. She probably just went out to her car to clear her head. I'll see if I can get her to calm down a little bit."
Peter looked up at her, his eyes swimming with immense gratitude and relief. "Would you? Thank you, beautiful. Seriously. Just... tell her I'm sorry if I pushed her too hard."
"I will," Azzi whispered, the lie tasting like ash in her mouth.
She turned away from the kitchen island before her expression could crack. She walked down the hallway, her pulse roaring in her ears, her composure entirely fracturing the second she was out of Peter's line of sight. She snatched her jacket off the hook by the door, unlocked it, and stepped out into the crisp morning air, her dark eyes scanning the driveway for the girl she was completely, terrifyingly obsessed with.
—
The gravel of the driveway crunched softly beneath Azzi’s sneakers as she hurried out of the house, the crisp morning air doing nothing to cool the frantic heat building in her chest. She scanned the yard, her eyes locking instantly onto the familiar silhouette of Paige’s car parked near the edge of the property line.
Through the windshield, she could see Paige. She was slouched in the driver's seat, her hands resting on the steering wheel as she stared blankly ahead.
Azzi moved quickly, glancing back at the house once before pulling open the passenger door and sliding inside, clicking it shut behind her to lock the two of them in the quiet cabin.
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
"P," Azzi murmured smoothly, her voice soft but carrying a firm, intentional focus. She shifted in the passenger seat, turning to face the younger girl. "What happened in there?"
Paige let out a long, slow exhale, her shoulders dropping slightly under her sweatshirt. She finally turned her head, her blue eyes steady but guarded.
"I just needed a second," Paige rasped, her voice dropping into a low, quiet murmur. She gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, staring out at the dashboard. "It’s just... it's hard to see you and my dad together. Sitting there at breakfast, listening to him talk about you, watching him put his hands on you... it just makes my stomach tie up in knots."
Azzi felt a heavy wave of sympathy and shared guilt pull tight in her chest. She reached across the center console, gently placing her warm palm over Paige’s forearm, her thumb rubbing a slow, soothing circle against the soft fabric of her sleeve.
"I know, baby," Azzi whispered, her dark eyes wide and full of an undeniable softness. "But we have to be careful. We have to keep our composure when he's around, okay?"
Paige looked down at Azzi’s hand on her arm. The frustration was still there, but the anger had softened into a quiet, resigned sigh.
"I know," Paige muttered, a small, slightly guarded smirk finally tugging at the corner of her lips as she looked over at the older woman. "I'm trying, Az. But it's not exactly easy to watch someone else kiss you."
Azzi let out a soft, breathless laugh. She leaned across the console just a fraction closer, her thumb shifting to trace the bare skin of Paige's wrist. "You are terrible, you know that?"
"Just being honest," Paige murmured, her chest rising in a relaxed, deep breath as the warmth of Azzi's presence completely melted the tension from the kitchen. She turned her hand over, intertwining her fingers with Azzi’s, holding her tight.
Outside, the sun was climbing higher, catching the dew on the windshield and casting a bright, fractured light across the dashboard.
Azzi kept her eyes locked on their joined hands for a long moment, her thumb tracing the back of Paige’s knuckles.
"Are you ready to go back inside?" Azzi asked softly, her voice a low, private murmur in the small space. She shifted slightly against the passenger seat, glancing back toward the house through the side mirror. "Your dad is worried about you. If we stay out here too much longer, he’s going to get suspicious, and I don't want him coming down the driveway."
Paige didn't look toward the house. She didn't even flinch at the mention of her father. Instead the slouched, defeated posture vanished as she turned to face squarely toward the passenger side.
"I need a kiss first," Paige rasped, her voice dropping into that low, heavy register that made the hair on the back of Azzi’s neck stand up.
Azzi’s breath hitched sharply, a sudden, reckless heat flooding her cheeks. "Quickly Paige, we're out in the driveway. The kitchen window—"
Paige tightened her grip on Azzi’s hand, she used her other arm to reach across the center console, her palm wrapping firmly around the back of Azzi’s neck, her fingers tangling into the soft, dark curls at her nape. She pulled.
Azzi didn't fight the momentum. With a low, defeated sigh, she leaned completely over the center console, her free hand coming up to grip Paige’s shoulder.
The kiss wasn't gentle, and it wasn't tentative reassurance, it was deep, bruising, and heavy with the hunger that had been building since they woke up. Paige poured every ounce of her frustration into the kiss, her lips parting Azzi’s with a reckless certainty that left them both breathless. Azzi whimpered softly against Paige's mouth, pulling herself as close as the cramped space would allow.
Paige tilted her head, deepening the angle, her thumb pressing firmly against the sharp line of Azzi’s jaw to hold her completely still. She drank in the sweet, intoxicating taste of her, completely erasing the image of her father from her mind.
When they finally broke apart for air, their foreheads remained rested together, their rapid, uneven breathing echoing loudly in the quiet car. Azzi’s eyes were wide and dark, heavy with absolute, undeniable adoration as she stared up at the younger girl.
Paige didn't let go of her neck. Her thumb slid down to trace the frantic, heavy thudding of the pulse in Azzi's throat, her blue eyes flashing with a fierce, consuming devotion that bordered on obsessive.
"You're mine," Paige murmured, her voice vibrating directly against Azzi’s lips. It wasn't a question; it was a fact.
Azzi swallowed hard, her fingers trembling slightly against Paige's shoulder. "Paige..."
"I mean it, Azzi," Paige cut her off, her gaze unblinking. A slow, intensely satisfied smile finally tugged at the corner of her mouth, completely replacing the irritation from the kitchen. "It doesn't matter what my dad does. It doesn't matter if he kisses you in front of me, or puts his hands on you, or thinks he's building a life with you. You aren’t his anymore. You haven't been his since the second you walked into my room."
The audacity of the words sent a jolt straight down Azzi’s spine. She knew Paige was right. The boundary had been permanently crossed, and no matter how hard she tried to perform for Peter.
"You are so bad for me." Azzi whispered, a breathless, ruined laugh catching in her throat as she reached up to gently cup Paige’s cheek, her thumb smoothing over the sharp angle of her cheekbone.
"Good," Paige murmured, leaning into the touch, her eyes locking onto Azzi's mouth again. "Just remember who you actually belong to when we walk back through that door."
"I’ll remember," Azzi whispered back, unable to resist leaning forward to press one last, lingering kiss to the corner of Paige’s mouth before she finally forced herself to slide back into the passenger seat, her heart hammering a frantic, wild rhythm as they both prepared to face the house again.
