Chapter 46: Attraction and Feelings

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

Hi, I've been sick and under the weather. Hence the slow update. Kindly bear with me. I am gradually getting better and I hope to continue with the steady update in no time. Thank you so much. Don't forget to drop your reviews and give the story a good rating too. I am most grateful to you all for sticking around and I promise you wouldn't regret you did. 

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Paige woke to up to the sun shining through her silk curtain and as usual forming a unique pattern on her soft skin. She stretched out her body and yawned. She tried to remember the events of the previous day. She had fun except for the threat she got. She wondered if Simon have been able to trace the source of the threat. She also wondered why anybody would think she was dating Simon. She wasn't even his type of woman neither was he her type of man. She stepped into the bathroom to take a cool shower which lasted close to an hour as a result of her reluctance to step out of the marble tub.

Finally stepping out of the shower, she applied her moisturizer with coconut fragrance, wore an orange swimsuit and clipped her hair to the sides with the help of a hair pin. She then made her way downstairs for breakfast.  She walked into the dinning hall but met it empty. "My Boss is in the kitchen ma." Sherman told her after greeting her. She turned and headed to the kitchen. There she met Simon slicing a chunk of a medium sized cabbage.

"Good morning Sunflower." He greeted with his back to her. He already instructed the kitchen staff to leave the kitchen. So he knew Paige was the only person that would step into the kitchen. Even if there was an emergency, Sherman would be forced to knock hurriedly on the kitchen door before opening it.

"Good morning Simon." She replied. "I never knew you'll be doing the cooking today." She told him. "Do you need help with anything?" 

"Not really. But your presence alone is okay. I love seeing you around me and I love hearing your voice. And I'm hoping that one day you'll love these things about me too and maybe be mine." He told her finally facing her with a charming smile.

"Hahahaha," Paige laughed hilariously. "Stop being funny dear. Always straight to the point ain't you? But I'd love to know, how are you going to make or convince me to be yours?" She asked looking at him. Simon abandoned what he was doing and took three steps, bringing him just inches away from her. He was surprised when she didn't take a backwards step. His right thumb touched her curved cheekbone, inching slowly down to her mouth. He slid in down touching her lips gently.

His eyes never wavered as they held her steady gaze. When it appeared that none of them will back down, he finally said, "I'd love to show you, Sunflower."

Her tongue wet her lower lip drawing Simon's gaze to that spot. "I don't think so Simon," she started. "Because, you'll never get that opportunity."

Her reply struck his heart. He felt humiliated but he hid the feeling so perfectly and went back to what he was doing previously. Suddenly, he seem to change his mind. "Do we really need a salad." He said to himself before turning to Paige. "Do you really want a salad?" He asked her. 

"No please. I'm actually very hungry. If the main meal is ready, please let's eat." She replied. "I can fix the salad myself for lunch." Simon scooped the chopped cabbage into a plastic strainer and the remaining chunck, he wrapped it up. He turned to the sink to wash the knife and chopboard. "Let me put those in the fridge." Paige offered and walked up to him to carry the chopped cabbage and the left over chunk. A quick turn around from Simon after washing got Paige falling into his arms. Her hands fell to his shoulders as she tried regaining her balance while Simon's left arm curved around her waist, helping steady her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were standing over there." He said, lowering his head until their mouths were inches apart. Paige was trapped by his solid arm. 

"I've regained my balance now Simon, You're still holding me." She told him.

"Do you want me to leave you?" He asked her in reply.

Her pulse quickened. "Please Simon." She said.

His gaze widened taking in her increased breath sound. "Please what?" He whispered. Paige could not ignore the solid feel of his chest against her breasts. "Please what Sunflower?" Simon repeated his question. She couldn't move, she dared not to. The strong urge to wrap her arms round his check and draw his lips to a kiss couldn't be denied. She wanted to have a taste of his mouth, his throat, his ears, his whole face. She wanted to see and feel his bare chest, she wanted the feel of it on her bare back with his fingers doing a perfect work with her nipples. She wanted the have a feel of their naked body touching and craving for each other. But she couldn't and she wouldn't. The only thing stopping her was the little self image she has already created in her head that she was determined to protect.

"Please, let's eat." She finally replied causing Simon to smile. 

He reduced his hold on her looking at her with a smile. "You don't want me to leave you. But it's just so hard for you to admit. Isn't it?" He asked her.

Paige tilted her chin, returning his smile. If you want to eat just like I do, then you'll have to let me go." She replied. Simon finally released his hands and she managed to make it to the fridge carrying the cabbage. After putting them in the fridge, she brought out water for their meal as well. She turned and caught a glimpse of Simon's back view. Once again, Simon had his back to her and she took in his perfect body. His well toned legs were in full display as he was putting on a gery short. Everything about his body was perfect. She couldn't help but understand why she got threatened by another woman because of him. Who wouldn't want Simon all to themself? He was like the best and hottest cake in town.

"Would you mind helping me rinse out two wine glasses?" He asked as he started scooping out their food."

"Of course not." She replied and took out two glasses from the rack and started rinsing them out under the sink. This action brought her closer to Simon once again as the stood side to side beside each other. Simon took in the smell of Coconut from her skin. He closed his eyes grateful that she was beside him once again. 

He caught several glimpses of her cute well curved lips and gorgeous fingers as she rinsed the glasses. "You are an incredibly beautiful woman, Paige Patterson. I envy your boyfriend." He said with sad smile.

"You shouldn't Simon." She retorted quickly turning back to face him. 

"Why shouldn't I?" He questioned her.

"You are Simon Kentley, the youngest and most influential business mogul in the South East. You are many people's perfect definition of a dream man Simon. You shouldn't be envious of Stefan." She replied.

"Am I your perfect definition of a dream man?" He asked seriously. Everything she just said will only make sense to him If she answers in affirmative to his question.

"I can't really say for now." She replied.

"Okay, I get it. It's okay that you don't want to say anything for now. I'll prefer you answer later anyway. When you're sure about me." He replied. "So your boyfriend, you guys are still together?" He asked.

"No, but we're yet to end it formally. There is nothing left of the relationship from my end. I'm done." 

"Now, that's the confirmation I've been waiting for." He said smiling. Now I can shoot my shot shamelessly." He said laughing.

"You don't have to. You really do not stand a chance and this is coming from a place of love." She told him smiling.

"That can't be true. It's coming from a very deep place of hate. How can a beauty like you have such a foul mouth. It's so worrisome." He feigned seriousness.

"Oh please....." She stressed. "Could you tell more about your business. I'll love to know how it works, how do you transform a precious stone. What process does it take before it gets to it's final finish product." She told him.

"I sure will. Let's go eat now. I'll gist you about it later." He replied.

Paige placed the bottles of water on a tray and carried to the dinning table. She was followed closely behind by Simon who carried their food in another tray. He made stir fry macaroni and the aroma was enough to make the stomach grumble. He dropped the tray of food and went to the bar to get a bottle of wine. On returning, He served Paige's food from the big bowl where the food was kept and added lots of tiny minced chicken sauce on the side for her after which he dished out his own food and they started eating.