8. CHARLIE
8
CHARLIE
R ight now, I wish I had some kind of mind-erasing device.
Not even the smell of greasy burgers and curly fries can distract me from the memory of Hayden Scott, with water droplets sliding over every inch of his muscles. It doesnt matter how muddy the water was.
The force of it weighed down his sweatpants, causing them to hang even lower, and I wont get started on his chest. I dont have an intelligible sentence to say about it. I remember how it felt last night, his abs underneath my fingertipsthe way he shivered.
I let out a small sigh, relaxing my shoulders. Hope resurfaced in my chest earlier today when we spoke. When he told me that he had asked about mewhen he reassured me, maybe its the scenery or the muddy water, but Hayden seems calmer.
His brows unfurl. And even the corner of his lips curve slightly upward.
I bring my bottom lip into my mouth, deciding not to ruin it with whatever else is on my mind. Maybe right now, all we need to do is sit and enjoy some fast food. Perhaps he had been right . . . there is nothing to discuss.
Thank you for driving me here, I blurt, leaning forward on the booths table. He raises his eyes over the menu.
Youre welcome.
The sound of oil sizzling on a frying pan fills the air, blending with the indistinct chatter around us. Woodfield Diner hasnt changed at all. The wallpaper still sags against the wall, the leather beneath our bodies is as stiff as a board, and Im pretty sure the cashier has been around since I was ten.
Why havent I seen you with any friends? You had so many in high school, Hayden asks, folding the menu. He clasps his hands tightly. Or . . . or with a boyfriend?
I raise my hand to rub the back of my neck.
I have friends.
At least, I hope I do. I know a few people from college whom I stayed in touch with, but I havent spoken to them in a very long time.
I just dont have much leisure time to spend with them. After Prime Properties crashed, it became my top priority.
Hayden nods, now drumming his hand against the table. And a boyfriend?
I raise an eyebrow at his persistence. Ive had a few relationships in college, but nothing too serious or long-term. Like friends, I just havent had the time to prioritize dating.
I see . . . he murmurs. And these boyfriends . . . were they good to you?
I scoff. They were college frat boysjust put two and two together.
So youve always had horrible taste in men then; its not just me. A ghost smile appears across Haydens lips. My heart flutters, my stomach swirling.
Youre asking me all of this; what about you? I deflect, my heart drumming in my chest. Im unsure if its because I asked or I dont want to know the answer.
Hayden chuckles bitterly, shaking his head. No friends, no girlfriend.
There wasnt anyone you were interested in wherever you traveled?
Haydens eyes flicker, and his lips twitch. No.
The server brings our food before we can say anything else. And I inhale happily at the smell of burgers, my stomach growling.
I take the first bite, closing my eyes and savoring it in my mouth with a moan. Sauce drips onto my fingers, and I lift my hand, pressing the goodness against my tongue subtly.
When I look back at Hayden, his unbitten burger hangs midair, his lips parted as he stares at me with insatiable hunger in his eyes.
I slowly put the burger down, swallowing hard. Heat rises in my neck.
The doorbell jingles loudly, snapping the both of us out of our trance, and the man from the gas station steps inthe one who whistled at me.
Hayden notices as well. His entire body stiffens. Hes squeezing the burger so hard that the contents begin spilling.
As if feeling our gaze, the man darts his eyes at us. They land on Haydens before landing on me. Then, back to Hayden, a slow, ugly smile grows on his face.
I swallow hard, averting my eyes from the burly mans gaze.
Maybe if I stop looking, hell waltz past.
The mans boots halt at our table, and I shut my eyes tightly for a moment.
Arent you that gorgeous woman from the gas station? He asks.
Keep moving, Hayden growls across from me before I answer. The man raises his eyebrows.
I dont remember speaking to you.
Yeah, well, I spoke to you. Go the fuck away!
My stomach drops as the mans eyebrows furrow together, his lips draw into a thin line, and his fists clench at his sides. I quickly look at Hayden, trying to shake my head, but he ignores me. The veins in the side of his neck are throbbing, and he clenches his hand on top of the table.
My bets are, youre not from around these parts, the man says, placing both hands loudly on the table. I lean back, my mouth drying up. Because you dont know who I am, Ill let this pass, just this once. So Im going to advise you to never . . . ever fucking disrespect me again, you and your little slu
The man doesnt even get to finish his sentence. Hayden rises from the booth with so much speed that I barely have time to process it. He lands the first punch into the mans face and doesnt stop.
A scream escapes my lips as the man falls over, clearly caught off guard. People scramble away from the scene, eyes lit with terror.
Hayden, stop! I scream over the noise, the cashier holding her phone to her ears, most likely calling the sheriff.
The man only eats so many punches before he fires one back, but its like . . . Hayden doesnt even feel it. No matter how often the man tries to defend himself, Hayden may stumble, but its not enough to make him stop.
Tears fill my eyes as the man sluggishly stops fighting back. My screams drown out; the mask of rage on Haydens face is horrifying. Its as if hes not even in there.
A sob bursts from my lips, my fingers digging into the leather seat as my body remains paralyzed from fear. Hayden finally freezes, looking over at me, his eyes bloodshot, before looking around the room.
The man spits out the blood from his mouth, his eyes swollen shut.
Hayden stands, pulling his wallet from his pocket and dumping cash on the counter.
Lets go.
He grabs my arm, pulling me out of the booth and the diner. I all but stagger behind him, tears streaming down my face.
He opens up my door. Get in.
I wipe the tears, shaking my head. No.
He pauses on the other side of the vehicle, his door open. Charlie, get into the vehicle.
Not until you tell me what the hell that was.
Charlie, get into the vehicle.
Hayden
Charlie, get into the fucking vehicle, he slams his hand against the hood, his voice echoing in the parking lot.
Dont you raise your voice at me, I scream back, my voice raw as more tears streak down my face. Im the only one with the right to be mad here!
Oh, youre the only one? Didnt I tell you not to parade in those fucking shorts? Look where its fucking gotten us.
Oh, so its because of me that this entire thing happened? Not because you put your hands on that man because your little ego was bruised.
I was defending you! He seethes, shaking his head. He mustve thought you were a fucking prostitute, Charlie. Your nipplespiercing through a flimsy tank tophalf your ass hanging out, leaning over my vehicle like youre begging to fuck for 40 bucks.
Silence falls in the air. Haydens tone is so rough and raw that I dont know how to respond. He reopens his door.
Now get in.
Thank you for coming, but you can leave now.
Im out of the vehicle the moment Hayden pulls into the driveway. Im so sick and tired of this back and forth. Im so sick and tired of seeing glimpses of him, only for them to disappear, and then Im left with someone I dont know, someone I cant understand.
I wrap my arms around myself, jogging up the stairs and hoping he drives away. His door shuts behind me instead.
Charlie, wait.
Hayden, please, I strain, pushing the cabin door open. Im tired; I just want to sleep.
I walk past the living room, making my way into the hall.
Charlie, just give me a second.
I continue walking. His footsteps are heavy behind mine. Why does my room have to be down the hall?
Charlie
I step into my room, turning around to close the door, but he pushes in, using his strength as an advantage.
For fucks sake, I drive my hand through my hair. Cant you just leave me the hell alone, Hayden? From the moment you got here, youve been spinning me in circles. Have some self-respect, but then you threaten to fuck me against some shelves at a gas station. Theres nothing to address, but then you play in the fucking mud with me and then nearly beat a man to death because he said something you didnt like. And then you call me a $40 prostitute when I try to find out what the hell is wrong with you.
My chest rises and falls dramatically. And all he can do is stare at me with those stupid blank eyes.
I dont want to do this anymore! Youre right; I should have more self-respect; I should know that I deserve more than whatever this is because youre just toying with my mind.
Youre right, he shrugs. You do deserve more than this. Thats what Ive been trying to tell you.
Well, I hear you now, Hayden, loud and fucking clear.
Stop cursing, he grunts. That isnt like you.
Oh fuck off, I snap. You dont know me. Youve never known me. If you can leave me behind five years ago, come back, and expect me to forget about you with the snap of a finger, then you dont know me, Hayden. God, I hate you.
Haydens hands wrap around my cheeks. And I try to push him off, but the sparks that light up from his touch only fuel my anger.
He pushes me against the wall instead as I struggle, knowing that theres nothing I can do to push him off. I eventually give up, tears running down my face, my lips trembling as I shake my head.
Im sorry, he says quietly. Im sorry, Princess.
Dont call me that, I choke weakly.
If you think you hate me now, youd despise me if you knew about the things Ive done, Charlie.
Youve never given me a chance to decide, I murmur, his lips lowering to my cheeks.
Its too big of a risk.
I close my eyes, blowing out a breath, my body growing tired from all the fighting.
You need to let me decide, I say firmly. Hayden pulls away, staring at me with fear riddled in his eyes.
His hands are still on my face. His body inches away from mine. Our fragrances mix in the air. Haydens lips part, and the electricity crackles in the air.
I press my lips against his. It can wait. Right now, my body physically aches with a burning need for him. He kisses me right back, pressing me further into the wall.
I melt into the familiarity of his embrace. Of his scent. Of his taste. Of the weight of his lips against mine. It feels so good. It shouldnt.
Hayden reaches between us. He understands that this isnt the time for making love. Were angry. Frustrated. We need release. With a single tug, he shoves my leggings off my thighs. The cold breeze hits my skin, and I hiss quietly.
Hayden, I groan, shutting my eyes as he moves his hungry lips to my neck. I run my hand down the front of his pants, and my fingers tease his rock-hard cock, trailing down the length.
He rasps against my lips, and without a moment of hesitation, he rips my panties off my body. I gasp airily; my shaky fingers are undoing the button of his jeans. Were both so aggressive. So needy.
Haydens cock springs in the airthicker than I remember. My eyes flicker back up to him, his face riddled with needy desire.
Disapproval tries to enter my headreasons why we shouldnt be doing this. But I shut it all down. Im not interested in logic. All I want to do is feel. His hands wrap around the bottom of my shirt, pulling it off and leaving me in nothing but my bra.
Youre so fucking perfect, Charlie.
He lowers his head and greedily pulls my nipple out of my bra and into his mouth; I gasp, feeling my eyes roll back into my head. Fuck, Hayden grumbles against my chest. Then his lips shift to my other nipple, sucking and tugging on the bud.
His hands travel down my back. He grasps my ass cheeks in his starving palms, those strong arms effortlessly hoisting me up and throwing me onto the bed. His tip nestles at my entrance.
For five yearsIve thought about him in many waysincluding this. My pussy throbs ceaselessly, begging to feel him inside me. His eyes fixate on mine, still scouring his brain for the right decision.
Hayden . . . please, I beg, my lips pouting. That is all he needs.
He grasps my waist, aligning himself perfectly with my opening. The stretching sensation of his cock steals the air from my lungs, and I arch my back against the bed, so desperate and needy for more.
I cry out his name as he holds onto me, his lips latching on my neck, my breastsevery inch of me as he continues to pump inside of me. Hayden fills me so perfectly, like the right key to a lock. I nearly cry under his grip, desperate to take him all in.
My arms wrap around his body, needing to be close. To feel him, to know that this is real. Please dont stop, I beg. Please, please, please.
For fucks sake, Charlie, he groans, his strokes quickening as he drops his head. Haydens ramming me against the bed so harshly that it protests. Right there . . . I moan, my mouth falling open as I lose my fingers in his thick waves.
He lifts his head, his gaze scans my face, thats it, Princess, he strains knowingly. Thats it, Princess. Cum all over my fucking dick.
He lowers his lips onto mine again. My eyes roll back into my head. My breasts bounce against his chest. Its too fucking much.
You undo me effortlessly every time. You are my weakness, yet you are my strength. You will always belong to me.
I can hardly process his words. He fucks me harder. Hayden tilts his hips back and surges forward with one final thrust that rubs against my clit and sends sparks soaring through my body.
The orgasm bursts through me, making me convulse and sink my nails into him. I toss my head back and scream his name out in pleasure. A thick fog muddles my mind, and my eyes squeeze closed. Haydens body clenches against mine, his grunts growing louder.
He drops his forehead to my shoulder. Shit . . . he grunts against my neck and yanks himself from inside me, emptying himself on the side of my bed.
My brain is having a hard time processing what happened between us here.
My sheets, I say with a slight smile, not knowing what else to do.
Thats merely a sign for you to come to sleep in my bed.
Hayden wastes no time, fixing himself as he lifts me and throws me over his shoulder. I squeal, my hands laying flat against his t-shirt. A slight frown dawns on me as I realize he never took it off. Reality crashes.
Hayden
Shh, he hums, kicking open his door. Lets leave it all for tomorrow.