13. Hazel #2
“Easton, this is…” The words dry up as my eyes begin to water. I really didn’t expect him to do all this just for me. “Thank you.”
He brings his hand up to the back of his head, rubbing over the short hair there. Easton’s lips curl in for the most awkward smile, and I can see how tense he is.
“Yeah, well. You needed it, right? So, there ya go.”
I’m not sure what comes over me. I want to blame it on the concussion, making me a bit too susceptible to acts of kindness, but I’m not sure I can.
In any case, before I can think better of it, I’m taking the two steps forward to close the distance between us, wrapping my arms around Easton’s neck.
“This was way more than I expected,” I whisper, turning my face to plant a kiss on his cheek.
Easton is rigid as a board in my arms, and then it just melts away. He gives into the hug, wrapping his arm around my waist as the other cups my head gently.
“You’re welcome, Haze.”
His voice sounds tight, like he’s speaking around a lump in his throat.
Something about that hits me hard, and a tiny sob escapes me. I bury the noise in Easton’s neck, not wanting him to react to it.
“Are you alright?” Easton leans back, forcing me to look up at him but taking my chin in his hand.
“I’m great. You really didn’t have to do all this for me. But thanks.” I look over at the basket, also noting the way that he’s made the bed and stacked up a plethora of pillows. “You got me Bugles.”
“I know you like them.”
My eyes find his again, and something has shifted. I’m not sure if it’s the nostalgia or the comfort he’s providing or what, but I look at his lips, remembering how close we’ve gotten.
“You remember things about me, huh?” Easton nods, this expression of drunken wonder on his face even though there’s been no alcohol. “Do you remember I like to tease you, too?”
Where the fuck did that come from? Christ, this is…
But I can’t even dwell on the thought, too wrapped up in the look on Easton’s face, the way his arms around me tighten.
“I do. I do remember that. You…” Easton’s voice is soft, his eyes flicking down to my mouth and staying there. “Hazel, I…”
“What?” I prompt, something inside me needing more from him even though I know it’s not smart. “Tell me.”
“I…I almost lost you. Your head…” His hand drifts up toward the bandage, worry furrowing his brow.
“You didn’t. I’m right here.”
God, why does that sound like I’m talking about something else? Am I? What is even happening right now?
“You can’t do that to me again.” Easton’s palm presses against my cheek, and I lean into his touch, remembering how good it always felt. “I won’t make it if something happens to you.”
My heart is hammering against my ribs. Easton’s words are everything. They’re everything I’ve wanted to hear for so long, and yes, I know this is messy.
And yes, I know this is basically a confession given under duress. Easton and I…we’re so twisted up by everything that’s happened; this is hardly the time to be doing something like this.
But I don’t care.
I can’t.
Every fiber of my being craves his touch, craves the comfort and pleasure I know he can give me because he’s done it before.
I don’t want to be brave and logical right now. I want to give in to the need, the call toward him, even if it’s just this once.
“Kiss me.” The words are a desperate whisper, and Easton’s eyes flare as I say them. “ Please ."
“Hazel, I?—”
“Kiss me, Easton. I need to feel something other than afraid.”
My hands wind up across his chest, pulling on his shirt before I wrap one around the back of his neck, urging him forward.
There’s a beat. This moment of tense silence as neither of us move from that spot.
And then he kisses me.
I melt into the feeling, immediately allowing his tongue entry as the kiss goes from gentle to passionate in seconds. Easton presses me against him, his hand on my waist sinking lower so that it cups my ass before yanking my leg around his waist.
The other one quickly follows it, and suddenly, he’s got me lying on the bed on my back, his thighs forcing mine wide.
Everything is a whirlwind, and I have no idea how we got here. My pulse flickers in my neck, actually noticeable, and I can hear the rush of blood screaming in my ears.
My head is spinning, and I’m not sure if that’s because of the concussion. Worry starts up in my belly, but before it can take over, Easton sweeps his tongue across mine just as he reaches up to cup my breast.
I moan against his mouth. “Oh, fuck.”
I have no idea where the bags are or if we closed the door. I know Easton turned off the stove, but did we forget anything else?
Easton grazes his thumb across my nipple, the bud going instantly hard as the sensation drills through me.
Wandering his kisses down my neck, Easton hums in approval, the vibration rumbling through me. He toys with that nipple, his other hand squeezing my waist so tightly.
Is he holding himself back? Using that grip to keep his hand from going lower?
Do I want that? Or do I want all of him, every inch touching me like it has before? I remember those days when we could hardly keep our hands off each other.
I haven’t had sex since Easton.
Oh god. Where is my fucking head right now?
On instinct, I wrap my legs around his waist, hooking them at the ankle. I arch up into Easton’s palm as he touches me, my body so fucking hungry for more of this.
He surges forward, gripping me by the back of the neck and pulling my lips to his. I love it, but my head reels and a hiss escapes me.
Immediately, Easton pulls back.
“Shit. Hazel, I…are you okay?”
He leans back, that worried look plastered all over his face again. I hate it. But I can also feel the dizziness getting stronger, and my eyes pinch closed without my permission.
“Yeah. I’m…dammit. It’s this fucking concussion.”
I hear his chuckle and manage to crack open one eye as I put my hand to my forehead. Easton smiles down at me, sympathy radiating through his gaze.
“I think we need to slow down. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Sliding backward, Easton sits on the edge of the bed, still close, but it feels like he’s so far away. Stupid head .
“Ugh, you’re probably right. I got lightheaded trying to get stuff from my bathroom before.”
“Hazel,” Easton scolds, “you didn’t say anything. Now I feel like a jerk.”
I smile, lightly shaking my head. “ That’s what makes you feel like a jerk?”
The words are out before I can stop them, and Easton doesn’t answer. Silence hangs between us, and then I hear hurried footsteps rushing down the hallway.
Jade is here.
“Hazel!” she shouts happily as she sprints into the room and right up to the side of the bed. “Can you play? You’re back from the doctor, so?—”
“Honey,” Easton stands up, putting a hand on Jade’s shoulder and angling her toward him, “Hazel is still recovering. She needs some rest.”
“Oh, man.” Jade’s whine goes straight to my heart, and now I feel bad for two reasons.
“How ‘bout this?” I offer, leaning up just a bit so that I can meet Jade’s eyes. “You let me rest for a bit longer, and then we can go swimming?”
“Ooh, okay! Yeah, let’s go swimming!”
At least Jade is easy to appease. I glance up at Easton, and he gives me a tight smile, nodding. We’re going to need to have a discussion about what just happened.
But not today.
Today, I really do need rest, and I’m going to get some right now.