41. Knox
Easton’s expression closed down at Hayden’s words. “You weren’t forced on me.”
She arched a brow in challenge. “Really? Because that’s what you’ve treated me like from day one.”
He snapped his mouth closed. Because there wasn’t any argument to be made. Hayden was completely right. Easton might be coming around now, but his actions had consequences.
He shoved off the bed and stalked toward the door, slamming it behind him.
Hayden’s shoulders slumped as she curled in on herself.
I had the burning urge to deck Easton all over again. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled Hayden into me. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Am I a massive bitch?”
“Hey, don’t talk about my mate that way.” My fingers stroked over my claiming mark and down to the swirl of air below it. I’d never get tired of seeing my brand on her skin.
“He was sort of trying, in his own way,” Hayden mumbled against my chest.
“He hurt you,” I said softly. Just saying the words killed. To know that my brother, my twin, had done such damage to the woman I loved.
Hayden’s fingers traced the gemstone on my bicep, sending a shiver of pure pleasure through me. “He did. I know it’s complicated, though. Hurting me wasn’t personal. But I can’t just magically forget that it ever happened. And he hasn’t taken the time to get to know me.”
I held her tighter. “I get that.” My lips brushed over her temple again. “Just give him a chance to get to know you, okay?”
I didn’t have any right to ask this of Hayden, but I did it anyway. Because I couldn’t stand seeing her or my brother in pain. And they both would be until they figured this thing out.
Hayden tipped her head back so that she could see my eyes. “You’re a softie, you know that?”
I gave her a mock scowl. “No. I’m ferocious and terrifying.”
She giggled. “I’m shaking in my boots.”
Leaning in, I nipped her bottom lip lightly. “You should be.”
Hayden answered the nip by pressing her mouth to mine. My tongue stroked in on instinct, but I forced myself not to take things any further. She’d been through too much yesterday. When I finally pulled away, Hayden’s eyes were slightly glassy.
“You’re good at kissing.”
I chuckled. “Glad you think so.” The humor left my tone. “How are you feeling? Really?”
Hayden reached up and stroked my jaw. “I’m okay. I know I’ll have to deal more with the emotional side of things, but having you and the rest of our bond…it makes me feel safe.”
I pressed my forehead to hers, breathing in her jasmine scent. “I’m glad. But you know that if you ever need to talk about anything, I’m always here.”
“I know,” Hayden whispered. “I love you, Knox. Thank you for helping me feel like I belong. For giving me a home.”
My heart jerked in my chest. My brave, beautiful girl. She’d been through so much. I wished I could erase it all. “Wish you could feel how much I love you.”
“I do. I feel it every single day in everything you do.”
Everything in me twisted. “I need to let you go or we’re never going to leave this bed.”
Hayden’s stomach growled at that.
I laughed. “Okay, you get ready. I’ll meet you in the dining room. I need to go find East.”
Her brows pulled together. “He doesn’t hate me, right?”
“No. He doesn’t hate you.”
The problem was that Easton was falling in love with Hayden, and it was freaking him the hell out.
She nodded and slid out of bed. “I’ll meet you for breakfast.”
Hayden disappeared into the bathroom, and I hurried to pull on my jeans. I followed Easton’s scent down the hall to his bedroom. I didn’t bother knocking. I knew he’d just tell me to go away.
Opening the door, I found him staring out the window at the forest.
“I know Mom taught you to knock.”
“You’d just tell me to fuck off.”
“You said it, not me,” Easton muttered.
I crossed to him and gave him a little shove. “Stop being a sulky baby.”
Easton glared at me, the gold in his eyes sparking. “I told her I wanted to be with her, and she rejected me.”
I scoffed. “You basically told her that you wanted nothing to do with her, but the bond broke down your defenses, and you expected her to fall at your feet.”
“I didn’t?—”
“You did.” I sighed. “You know I love you, East. But you’ve been a real asshole to Hayden. You’ve hurt her. It’s going to take time to prove that you’re truly in this. And for her and not just the bond.”
Pain streaked across Easton’s face. “I didn’t mean to hurt her. I just—I couldn’t?—”
“You were scared.”
His gaze connected with mine. “I was fucking terrified. I still am.”
I gripped my twin’s shoulder. “Don’t let the fear win.”
“I’m trying. But it’s hard. When I saw her yesterday, everything in me shredded. It was the worst kind of pain.”
“Because you care about her.”
“And there’s a part of me that wishes I didn’t.”
My back teeth ground together. “She feels that, East. We’re too connected for her not to.”
Easton cursed and began to pace. “I can’t just turn it off.”
“I know that. But you do have control of your actions. Get to know her. Spend time with her. Make her feel like you’re invested in the relationship. Even if it’s hard for you.”
Easton’s pacing slowed, and he finally came to a stop. “Why do I feel like you’re telling me to grow some balls?”
I grinned. “Because I am.”
This time, Easton gave me a shove. “You’re such an ass.”
“No, I’m a good brother who’s going to give you the hard truth. If you want Hayden, you’re going to have to win her.”