Chapter 5
Over the next week, they settled into a routine with each other. Hayden would get up early, making Whitney coffee and breakfast before he left to chore the animals at Prairie Sky, and then he would open the store, working until late afternoon, at which time his evening staff would take over. Whitney had scheduled meetings with several Winnipeg artists and with Ben and Ever away, she borrowed Ever’s car so she could meet with her clients. She was always dressed to the nines, in killer suits and heels, looking like the professional she was. Although she looked stunning, Hayden liked her most at home in her favorite sweatshirt and jeans, sans makeup, reading on the couch with her sexy librarian glasses on, watching hockey with him, or at the island enjoying a piece of pizza as she laughed at his jokes.
On Friday he came home, as usual, hanging up his keys at the back door and making his way into the kitchen, hoping to see Whitney sitting at the island with her laptop, as she usually did. Not there. He glanced into the living room and a sly smile curled his lips. There she was, downward dog, her amazing backside high in the air. He tilted his head, admiring her rear end, watching her transition into a warrior pose, then into a wheel pose. He knew a little about yoga having taken a beginner class at the Primrose Community Centre. Of course, the only reason he took the class was because he thought it might be a good place to meet women. Turns out all he met were all the ladies from the fifty-five plus Senior Centre. He smiled at the memory of those dirty old birds, hooting and hollering as he did the poses, one giving his butt a hearty pinch. Whitney, still in her wheel pose, opened her eyes to meet his gaze. He grinned at her, his smile stretching ear to ear. “Very bendy,” he commented, waggling his eyebrows at her flirtatiously.
She smiled as she lowered herself to her yoga mat and lay there a moment, taking several deep breaths before sitting up, bowing her namaste and reaching for her water bottle. “How long were you watching me?” she asked, pivoting herself to face him, her legs still crossed on her mat.
“Long enough.” he smirked, leaning both of his elbows casually against the island.
Whitney shook her head and giggled as she asked. “Do you always have sex on the brain?”
“Yeah, pretty much,” he answered honestly, striding over to her, and putting out his hand to help her up.
Shaking her head again, she accepted his offered hand, letting him pull her up. Hayden took that moment to check her out fully and liking very much what he saw. A purple bra top displaying her gorgeous curves and toned midriff and black yoga shorts showing off her toned and shapely legs. Her body was on full display, and he was in awe. “Whit, seriously, your body is incredible,” he complimented.
Whitney smiled, a blush forming on her cheeks, as she took a seat at the island next to him. “Thank you.” She said. “Yoga is a lifesaver. I’m a chronic overthinker and get anxious, so it helps calm my mind.”
“I can see that,” he commented, backtracking to clarify. “I mean, I’m pretty sure I figured that out about you already.”
“Sorry, I know I’m too much.” She said with a wince as she curled up her nose.
He reached for her hand and took it in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “No gorgeous, you’re just enough.”
A smile curved her lips as she took in his sweet compliment. She turned her body to face him and took both of his hands, lacing her fingers with his. He glanced down at their hands, loving the way they looked together. His, large and thick, and hers, small and dainty. Her eyes drifted up to meet his gaze as she rose from her stool, searching his eyes, her hand coming up and smoothing down his hair affectionately. Her gaze softened with appreciation as she took his face between her hands and brushed her lips gently to his.
His heart fluttered wildly in his chest, and he kissed her back, matching her tenderness. They broke apart, and he looked deep into her eyes, now glistening with unshed tears.
“Thank you.” She whispered with an emotional crack in her voice, which made his heart instantly ache. Releasing his hands, she pivoted and strode off towards the bedrooms, her hand touching her cheek to catch a stray tear.
Hayden sat there dumbstruck at what had just happened. He touched his lips, still tingling from her unexpected kiss. What has she been through? Who made her feel like she was not enough? Hayden needed to find out. He needed to hear her story. In his eyes, Whitney was perfect, and he was determined to show how much he cared for her.
* * *
Whitney rolledout of bed and stretched, yawning deeply. Since she had come to Primrose, she had slept better and deeper than she had in her entire life. Maybe it was all the clean air, maybe it was that for the first time in years, she didn’t have to rush into the office. Maybe it was the feeling of contentment her current living arrangement was giving her. It had been exactly one week today since she came to Primrose, and Hayden had been so sweet to her. He was attentive to her needs and always greeted her with a big smile, like he was incredibly happy to see her every day. She anticipated seeing him each morning, the conversation they shared and even their flirtatious banter. Then there was yesterday, his sincere words touching her deeply. She sat back down on her bed and sighed. No one had ever told her she was enough. Something she had longed so deeply to hear from her ex-husband, flowed so freely from Hayden. Staring into his eyes, she could see his genuine feelings for her, and it made her heart swell. Hayden was breaking through, and she could feel her walls slowly coming down. Brick by brick.
Whitney showered, dressed, and put on some light makeup. Having heard his shower earlier, she knew Hayden was up and probably watching TV as he sipped on his morning coffee. Exiting her room, she heard music; the sound growing louder as she made her way down the hall. Rounding the corner of the living room, she stopped in her tracks and a slow smile curled her lips. “Jump” by Van Halen blasted from mobile speakers filling the house with guitar riffs and sharp drumbeats as a shirtless Hayden dressed only in faded low-slung jeans, shook his hips to the music and sang, rather terribly into the turner he held in his hand. She stifled a laugh as he hit the high notes and flipped an egg he’d been cooking in the frying pan on the stove. Hayden turned, his handsome smile growing wider when he spotted her and lifted his makeshift microphone to his lips, then sang at the top of his lungs.
“Might as well jump! JUMP!”
Whitney lost it, keeling over with laughter as he rounded the island and offered her a wooden spoon. Gesturing for her to sing with him, she let out a note that was probably not human and shrugged, joining him in the chorus, not caring how tone deaf she sounded. As the song ended, they both laughed hysterically until Hayden noticed his eggs and bacon still on the stove.
“Hungry?” he asked, drawing his attention back to the frying pan.
“Starved.” she replied, taking a seat at the island, feeling light and buoyant from their impromptu karaoke session.
“We got eggs, bacon and toast and I already poured you your coffee just the way you like it.”
She smiled at how, even after just a short time, he already knew her preferences. Setting a plate in front of her, he paused for a moment, waiting for her to dig in. She picked up a piece of bacon and made a show of taking a bite. “Good,” she mumbled with a nod.
“Oh, and I have something for you,” he said, his eyes flashing with excitement. Hayden rushed into the little hallway between the garage and kitchen and came back with a dozen red roses in a glass vase and an envelope strategically placed between the stems.
Whitney paused mid bite, putting down her piece of bacon as he placed them in front of her. “Hayden, you didn’t need to do this!” she beamed.
“I know, but I wanted to.” he smiled sweetly at her. “You deserve flowers every day, Whit. So, let”s start with today.”
Whitney pushed aside her plate and pulled the vase towards her, burying her nose in the red buds. Taking a deep inhale, she let their sweet smell envelop her. She had always loved red roses, but no one had ever given her any. Even her ex-husband, when they were dating, had never bought her roses. It was like Hayden knew her deepest wishes. Whitney crooked her finger at Hayden and gestured him over to her. He rounded the island and stood in front of her, his coffee mug in hand. She stood up and put her arms around his neck, looking him deep into his eyes. “You are the sweetest.” she said as she went on her tiptoes to kiss his lips tenderly.
The feel of his muscular body against her soft curves made her heart flutter and head spin. He set down his mug, wrapped his powerful arms around her waist and pulled her closer, molding their bodies together as he deepened their kiss, the tip of his tongue teasing her lips to open for him. They parted, allowing him entrance as he softly stroked his tongue against hers. A whimper of approval escaped her throat as he kissed her tenderly, but thoroughly. Pulling away breathless; her lips tingled, and her body shivered. He ran his large hands over her arms as if to warm her and kissed her on the head affectionately.
“Are you going to open the envelope?” he asked, gesturing to it still nestled amongst the roses.
She turned, a huge smile on her face, and plucked the envelope from the bouquet. Opening the envelope, she pulled out two tickets to the NHL game for that night. Her eyes widened with excitement, and she let out a squeal, wrapping her arms around him for another hug.
“So, I guess you’re a yes to going out tonight?” he laughed at her reaction.
“Heck, yes!” she exclaimed, looking at the tickets in her hands.
“How about dinner and drinks beforehand and then the game?”
“Sounds perfect.” She said, settling back down in front of her breakfast.
Her first official date with Hayden. This was a big deal, and she knew exactly who she was going to call to help her get ready.
* * *
Whitney recruitedthe help of the only other person she knew in Primrose, Beatrix Baxter. Bea, who had the day off work, brought with her some “hockey game appropriate attire” as she called it.
Bea was perched on the bed, feet dangling off the end. She was the definition of petite, but what she lacked in size she made up for in personality.
“Whitney, get your ass out here!”
“I don’t know, Bea!” Whitney shouted from the bathroom, apprehension in her tone. “I mean they fit, but they are extremely tight. You’re a lot smaller than me.”
“Oh, stop! Your body rocks! Show me.”
Whitney hesitantly came out of the bathroom and turned to look in the full-length mirror. Taking in her appearance, she was surprised how good she looked.
“Holy crap, you look hot!” Bea exclaimed, hopping off the bed and coming up beside her as she surveyed her reflection in the mirror. “Hayden isn’t going to be able to keep the drool in his mouth.”
“You think?” Whitney questioned, turning to the side as a smile tugged at her lips.
“I know.” Bea answered, nodding her head. “I’ve known Hayden forever and I’m certain you look like his biggest fantasy right now.”
Whitney giggled, turning to Bea. “What’s next?”
Rubbing her hands together, Bea flashed Whitney a coy smile. “Hair and makeup, baby.”
* * *
Hayden leanedagainst the island in the kitchen waiting for Whitney, absentmindedly flipping through his phone. The women had been in her room for over an hour, the sounds of their laughter making him curious as to what they were up to. Taking his time getting ready for his date with Whitney, he had been waiting patiently for the past 20 minutes for them to emerge. Finally, he heard the unmistakable sound of the door opening down the hall, accompanied by their giggles. He stood up straight, shoving his phone into his pocket. Bea walked in first, a look of accomplishment on her face. He cocked an eyebrow at his friend as she approached him.
“Wait for it…” she said, a coy smile on her face.
His eyes darted towards the cased opening just as Whitney rounded the corner and his jaw slacked, his mouth instantly dry as his pulse went into overdrive.
“Hot damn,” he whispered under his breath, his eyes feasting on her, his head feeling a little woozy as all blood rushed south.
Whitney stood before him, in a tight blue long sleeve scoop neck Winnipeg Jets T-shirt that kissed the top of her ample curves and a pair of dark wash skinny jeans that were so tight, they looked like they were painted onto her body. Her outfit was completed with a pair of brown knee-high low heel boots. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was pulled back at the sides and her makeup was sultry and sexy with smoky eyes rimmed by dark full lashes, making her brown eyes pop and glossed, kissable lips. He was speechless as he took in the sexiest woman he had ever seen.
“Well, folks, my work here is done.” Bea said with a laugh, breaking Hayden from his stare. “You two kids have fun tonight!” she exclaimed with a wiggle of her brows as she made her way into the front entrance and saw herself out.
Hayden returned his gaze to Whitney, saliva pooling in his mouth as his eyes raked over her magnificent body.
Whitney glanced down self-consciously and back up to meet his intense gaze. “Are you sure I look, okay?”
He wet his lips and stuttered. “You...you look beyond amazing!” he exclaimed, swallowing down hard. “I’m not sure I want to take you out looking like that. I’ll have to beat the men off with a stick.”
“Stop.” Whitney pleaded, with a giggle as she swatted him with the flannel shirt jacket she was holding.
Hayden grabbed her arm and pulled her into him, settling his hands on her hips. “You are so incredibly beautiful, Whitney.” he said as he lifted her chin up to look into his eyes. “You are beautiful every day, with or without makeup, dressed up for work or on the couch in jeans and a sweatshirt. And now in this hot as hell hockey fan get up…” he paused, spinning her around to take a not-so-subtle peek at her backside. “Nope, I take it back. I demand you live in these jeans from now on.”
“Hayden, you’re ridiculous.” She said with a giggle and a roll of her eyes as she put her arms around his torso, giving him a big hug. “I’ll take the compliment, though. Thank you.”
Hayden folded her into his arms, enjoying how they simply fit, like she was designed just for him. Kissing her on the head, he gave her one last squeeze and released her. “Are you ready to go, gorgeous?”
“Yes, I am!” she replied excitedly, putting on her flannel jacket. “Will this be warm enough?”
“I think so,” he offered, reaching for his keys and turning to give her a sly smile. “If not, I’ll keep you warm.”