P.O.V. MASON
It's been a long time since the last time. Things have changed too much. Peyton went abroad to study; thanks to some favors I pulled off. She doesn't know that I helped her arrange that trip, it's something she doesn't need to know. I only want what's best for her.
I'm married now. Paige is an amazing woman. Every day I get to know her a little more, and I fear that I might start feeling something more than just sibling affection, as I promised her wouldn't happen. I don't want her to feel uncomfortable around me. We still have over two years of marriage ahead of us.
I really like her friendship with Sarah, Riley, and Ethan. I've also become friends with Riley, and she's a great girl. A bit crazy, but who doesn't have a touch of madness inside them, right?
Our parents gave us a house, as you may already know, with a baby and a dog. Paige named him Simba. It's not the best name, but seeing Paige fall in love with the puppy at first sight, I couldn't deny her anything regarding her baby. We're living in the house my parents gave us. At first, I thought about giving her the master bedroom since it's the biggest. However, when I saw the room, I felt like it was ideal for both of us. I'm not saying we'll be a real married couple, but why not share a bed without touching each other? It's not impossible. Besides, Paige is and will always be like a younger sister to me.
The housewarming party was Sarah's idea. My wife isn't one for such things. I agreed because, after all, we're a newlywed couple in love. Not even my friends know that this is an arrangement. I don't want to break the agreement and have both of us lose.
The night with our friends was better than I expected. It was just us and my parents. They took Simba with them since they were going to the countryside house. Alcohol was not lacking that night. Actually, there was probably too much.
Seeing Paige in this condition makes me wish she was my real wife. In these past few days, I've noticed more about her, like how much she enjoys reading, especially romance novels. Her favorite scene is reading on the terrace while Simba plays and runs around. Sometimes I forget that it's not real, and I instinctively wrap my arm around her waist or hold her hand. She has never complained about it, but I think it's best if I distance myself a little from her. I'm getting things confused.
After saying goodbye to Ethan, who was carrying a very drunk Sarah, I look at my wife and say,
“Let's go to bed," she smiles and responds with something I didn't expect from her.
"Are you proposing something naughty, husband?" I look at her with my eyes wider than usual.
I never thought alcohol would loosen her tongue. She looks so adorable with her flushed cheeks that I feel tempted to kiss her, but I can't do that.
"Not something necessarily naughty, we're married after all," I say, winking at her.
"I don't believe you're capable of doing something with me. You say I'm like a sister to you. You don't look like someone into incest," she says with slurred speech.
"Don't tempt me when you're not in a condition to do anything. Let's go to sleep, tomorrow you won't remember a thing," I tell her, lifting her up like a sack of potatoes on my shoulder.
"Hah, you're not capable of anything. I'm perfectly fine. If I could, I'd find a guy to relieve this heat I'm feeling," she sighs, trying to take off her blouse.
I don't respond and close the door to our room. Only Ethan could hear, but he's the only one conscious at the moment. I bring my wife down from my shoulder, and she wobbles, losing her balance. I hold her waist to keep her steady, but she's not in her right mind, closing her eyes and offering her face to mine.
Her hands rest on my shoulders, and it's not hard to see that she thinks I'm going to kiss her. My body wants to, I swear. But my mind is more honest, telling me not to kiss her, that our first kiss (that isn't in public) shouldn't be like this. Tomorrow, she won't remember anything that happened today. I couldn't live with myself knowing that I took advantage of her, not when Paige has been such a perfect wife and friend.
I slowly bring her to bed, gently laying her down as she keeps her eyes closed. When I see her settled, I take off her shoes and tuck her in so she can rest. She doesn't open her eyes again, so I assume she fell asleep.
I think it's for the best. I wouldn't have been able to resist the temptation to kiss her and stop there, not when she's so beautiful and sexy. So innocent yet daring at the same time. Every day, I discover a new side of my wife, and the worst part is that with each new facet, I like her more. And that's not good at all.
Remember Peyton, I tell myself when I feel I'm falling into the confusion of love. That's what I've named the feelings I get day by day with Paige, maybe it's just the routine of seeing each other every day or sleeping together as friends. Maybe I should go to another room, but what will I tell her, what excuse will I use for this, I don't want to get away from her and at the same time stay so close to her. Fuck I'm getting more and more confused.
I get to Riley who is still asleep, I try to wake her up, but she doesn't even come close. I take her to the room she will be using and lay her down on the bed, clothes, and all, she had taken her shoes off while we were drinking on the second floor of the house.
I go out and think about going to see Paige, but she is asleep, I don't want to wake her up. I decide to go downstairs to get some air, I have to calm my mind about not kissing a few minutes ago, keep a cool head so I don't screw up the relationship I have with my wife, not to lose what we are forming, the friendship and trust we can have at the end of these three years.