37. Hayden
HAYDEN
O ur bedroom is quiet except for the soft rustle of our clothes. Madison is across the room, sliding into a pair of black leggings that hug her body in a way that makes my throat dry. She’s topless, her bare back is to me, and when she bends to smooth out the waistband, her breasts come into view. They’re full, perfect, mine. I stand there for a second, letting the image settle into my brain. It’s hard to believe where we started and where we are now. I don’t give a shit what we just went through, I just want to be with her for a few minutes. I have to go take care of a couple loose ends, but making sure she’s okay is my priority.
I drag my wet shirt over my head and toss it in the bathroom, letting it land on the floor. I’ll pick it up later, because I’m already moving toward her. She’s reaching for the soft pink sweater she loves so much, and I can tell her mind is in a million places. Madison is tough and has had to handle a lot on her own, but I know what she went through tonight wasn’t easy, and it’ll stick with her for a long time. I’m going to be here every step of the way, making sure she forgets that fucking asshole and the way he had her by the throat. I will kiss that spot a million times over, until my lips are the only thing she remembers.
“Not yet,” I tell her, wrapping my arms around her before she can pull the sweater on. One of my hands cups her breast, the other slides across her neck, my fingers brushing her throat, and I’m happy that she doesn’t flinch. She gasps, the kind of sound that makes me want to pin her against the wall and take my time drawing out my favorite noises she makes.
I groan, rolling her nipple between my thumb and forefinger, feeling it pebble at my touch. “You’re so fucking stunning,” I say, my voice low in her ear. “I can’t believe you’re mine.”
Her body melts into me, her breathing shaky as I press my lips to the side of her neck. Her skin is still chilled, and that makes me angry. She didn’t deserve any of the things that have happened, and when I get back tonight, I’m going to spend every second I can worshiping her.
Madison tilts her head slightly, giving me more access, and it’s all the encouragement I need. I kiss her neck again, slower this time, letting my teeth graze just enough to make her shiver. “You feel this, princess?” I ask, pushing my hips forward and letting her feel how fast she makes me impossibly hard. “How you fit against me? Like you’re made for me.”
Her hands come up, covering mine where they rest on her breast and neck, and she leans back into me, trusting, pliant. This girl owns me in every possible way. I frown when she shivers, and I know the cold is probably bone deep at this point. I don’t know exactly how long she was out in the rain tonight. I just know that one second is a second too long. I shift her effortlessly, moving us both to the bed. She’s on my lap now, tucked close, and I dip my face to pepper kisses along her shoulders and collar bones. I use my hands to roam her back, sides, and arms, trying to warm her in a way I know a sweater won’t.
“I know you’re cold and tired,” I breathe the words as I kiss up her neck, my voice is raspier than I intend. “But we’ve got a few things we need to tie up tonight, and I—” I stop mid-sentence when she leans back, her hand lifting to brush the hair out of my eyes.
It’s such a small thing, barely a touch, but it wrecks me. She doesn’t even realize how much I look forward to these little gestures, her soft fingers sweeping over my forehead like I belong to her. “I don’t want you to go,” she says, pouting her lips, and I don’t think I’ve seen her do that before. It’s the cutest fucking thing. I can’t help but lean in and give her a soft kiss.
“I almost lost you,” I admit, and the words feel like gravel in my throat. “And I’m not willing to take you along. I don’t want to be away from you for a single second, but we need to take care of Scott.”
She nods, her eyes soft as they meet mine. Then, without hesitation, she leans in, brushing her lips against mine in a kiss that feels like everything I wanted the moment I saw her. “I don’t want to be without you,” she whispers. “Please come back safe.”
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her flush against me. My hands roam, spreading warmth over her back, keeping her close. She shifts slightly, rocking her hips against me, and I groan, my grip tightening. I know it was innocent on her part, but when any part of Madison is touching me, that’s all it takes for me to be ready for the next round.
“You will never be without me, princess,” I vow to her, my voice dropping lower. I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Never.”
She only nods her understanding, but the way she’s looking at me tells me everything she’s feeling. Madison’s lips part, and her breath hitches, her body melting further into mine. If I hadn’t already decided to ruin anyone who dare try to take her from me, this moment would have sealed it. She’s mine, completely, and I’ll make sure she knows it every day for the rest of our lives.
A knock at the door interrupts the moment, and I let out a frustrated growl. “Wait a fucking minute,” I bark, kissing Madi’s forehead before helping her slide off my lap. She slips her sweater on, moving with that quiet grace she has about her. On one hand I’m glad that I’m the only one she shows the most vulnerable sides of her. On the other hand, I hate that she’s so poised wearing a mask and hiding her emotions from so many years of practice.
When I open the door, it’s Callum, grinning like he doesn’t have a care in the world, and my glower only makes his grin widen.
“Ah, come on, man. I know today was some shit, but I’m hyped up,” he says, lifting his shirt to show the pistol tucked into his waistband. “Haven’t been able to use this thing in a minute.” Literally minutes. How long have we been home? My hair is still wet, for fuck’s sake.
“You need to go back to the Falls and get dragged around by a bull to knock some sense into you,” Tristan drawls as he walks up behind Callum, his tone dry as hell. His hands are shoved into his pockets, and he already looks over this little meeting as he adjusts the hood of his sweatshirt to lay just like way he likes it on his head.
“How’s Winter?” Madi’s voice is soft as she slips under my arm, her hands wrapping around my torso. I fucking love how at ease she is with me.
Tristan’s face tightens at the mention of Winter, and there’s a flicker of something painful flashing in his eyes before he schools his expression. “She’s soaking in a hot bath. We couldn’t get the chill to leave her.” His voice is clipped, and he clears his throat like he’s trying to shoo away whatever emotion he’s feeling right now.
“ANYWAY,” Callum interjects, lifting his hat like he does when he’s agitated and then placing it back on his head. He’s acting like a kid who can’t wait to show you their new train set on Christmas, only he can’t wait to go murder Scott. “My cousin’s going to help us out,” Callum says. “He’s got some guys from the Falls who owe him favors. They’ll come down in the middle of the night, clear out Coach’s office and Kirsten’s room.”
“They should probably take my vehicle too. Make it look like Kirsten took it to have extra space to haul her shit away,” I say quickly, wanting to hear the rest of the plan before I fully interrupt.
“Good call,” Tristan says. “Ramsey’s already been by and is working on their phones. He’ll make it look like they had something serious enough to run off. Dean Jacobs will be so mortified, she won’t want anyone talking about it or snooping around. Remember to grab Scott’s phone so I can get it over to Ramsey.”
“So that leaves…” Madi starts, her voice trailing off.
“Jacobs,” I finish, my tone sharp. He’s not going to go quick like his father did.
“He’s on his way to the cliffs right now,” Tristan says flatly. “Texted him from Kirsten’s phone before handing it off. You two need to head out if we’re taking care of him tonight. Winter isn’t in any condition to be out in the rain again, and I’m not fucking leaving her.”
“You stay with the girls,” Callum says, already bouncing on his heels like he’s ready to jog all the way. “Hayden and I will take care of Skippy.”
The mention of the cliffs makes Madi tighten her grip on me, and I feel the way her fingers clutch the fabric of my shirt. I pull her in front of me, wrapping her in my arms, tilting her chin up so she can see I mean every word. “I’m going to make that fucker pay for everything he put you through,” I promise, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Callum, ever the instigator, chimes in, “If you two need some alone time,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows, but then stops when Tristan whacks him on the back of the head. “Geeze, motherfucker, that hurts. I was just saying Skippy is light work. I can handle him on my own if I need to.”
I stiffen, the possessiveness surging through me at the thought of anyone else dealing with Jacobs. That’s mine to handle. Madi must sense it because she presses her hand to my chest. “It’s okay,” she says softly. “I’d feel better knowing you made sure he was gone.”
I close my eyes, exhaling through my nose before kissing her forehead. “Shower, relax, and I’ll be back before you can even miss me.” I press a kiss to her shoulder, lingering there for a moment before stepping back.
Callum and Tristan are already discussing logistics, their voices a low hum in the background. I hear them say we’re going to pin Bethany’s death on Scott. I don’t know how that will pan out, but as long as it’s taken care of, I don’t give a fuck.
Callum says, “Do you think people will buy that?”
“Ramsey will take care of the details,” Tristan says, his tone clipped. He turns to me and Callum, his eyes narrowing. “Call if you two fuckers get into any shit.”
Then he’s turning, heading down the hallway.
“Are you saying the two of us can’t handle Skippy Jacobs?” Callum calls after him, his voice sing-song.
Tristan doesn’t answer, and Callum snickers before turning back to me. “You ready?”
Madison turns in my arms, her big, curious eyes lock onto mine as she lifts onto her tiptoes, brushing her lips softly against my cheek before asking, “Before you go, how did you guys find us so quickly?”
“Oh shit,” Callum blurts out from behind me, immediately breaking the moment. His laughter echoes down the hall as he throws his hands up and starts walking off. “I’ll be in the car waiting while you get your ass kicked,” he calls over his shoulder. “She’s gonna fuck you up.”
Madison raises an eyebrow, her lips quirking. I try to distract her, leaning down and cupping her waist in both of my hands. “Do you want me to get revenge for Skippy touching you, or do you want to hear a really boring story about after the wedding?” I ask, aiming for cute, hoping she’ll let it go.
Madison doesn’t let anything go. She leans up, her lips brushing mine in a kiss that robs me of breath. “Tell me,” she murmurs, her voice so sweet that I’m already tempted to say yes to anything she wants.
I sigh, my hand moving to the back of her neck, my fingers trailing over the tiny spot where the tracker is embedded. “You’ve got a tracker in your neck,” I admit, my voice steady even though I’m bracing for her reaction. “So does Winter.”
Her expression doesn’t change, so I keep going, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. “I’m not sorry. It saved you, and even if you’re mad at me, I’d do it a hundred more times. I’m never losing you.” My hands shift to cradle her face, my thumbs brushing over her cheeks as I look her straight in the eye. “Never. Do you hear me, Madison?”
I expect her to push me away, to accuse me of crossing a line. But her expression softens, her body leaning into mine as she presses her lips to mine again, a little firmer this time. When she pulls away, she only nods, telling me silently that she understands why I did what I did.
“I knew you’d fight me on it,” I admit. “And with everything going on, it wasn’t something I was willing to take a chance on?—”
Madison cuts me off, her lips brushing against mine again. Her breath mingles with mine, and when she pulls back, her voice is calm. “I trust you. I’m not mad. I love you.” I blink at her, surprised at her response. “Hurry back to me, handsome,” she says, and the way her voice lowers, I know exactly what she means. Hurry home to bury my cock inside of her.
She walks past me, peeling off her top and then her leggings, her long blonde hair falling loose over her bare back. She glances over her shoulder, her eyes catching mine, and then she disappears into the bathroom like she didn’t just flip my entire world upside down.
She’s not mad about the tracker, I’m sure of that much. Getting me worked up and sending me off to fuck Skippy up instead of soapy shower sex with her is definitely Madison’s revenge because I didn’t tell her about it.
“Fuck,” I groan, scrubbing a hand down my face before turning and heading for the door.
That’s my girl.