Chapter 26
HAILEE
Ihate the tension that falls over us as we sit on either end of the couch. I don’t know what I expected, but this wasn’t it.
No, that’s a lie. I might not want to accept it, but deep down, I wanted him to slam me against the wall the second we got into my apartment and continue where we left off.
But this is Hayden we’re talking about. He’s not like some of the other guys who take what they want and fuck what anyone else thinks.
No, I told him that I need control, and he’s putting aside what he wants in favor of following my lead.
It’s incredibly hot and frustrating at the same time.
Damn it, I want him to throw me over his shoulder and carry me to my bedroom just like I read about in my romance books. I’m just fucking terrified. The last time I gave up control…
Reaching forward, I grab my drink from the coffee table, taking a sip as Hayden watches the game playing on the screen.
This was a mistake. I should never have agreed to get in his car. I—
“Oh, you motherfucker,” Hayden suddenly bellows, scaring the ever-loving shit out of me.
My entire body flinches, and I throw iced tea down myself, the cold liquid soaking through my tank and bra.
“Oh shit, I’m so sorry.” He’s on his feet in a flash, grabbing a towel from my kitchen.
He sits on his knees beside me and begins mopping me up. He’s so intent on fixing his mistake that I don’t think he even realizes what he’s doing.
“Hayden,” I whisper as he presses the towel against my breasts.
It takes him a second or two, but his brain must kick into gear because his movements still and his eyes roll up to meet mine.
“Hey.”
His cheeks blaze bright red, and I can’t stop my lips from pulling into a smile at the sight.
“I’m sorry,” he rasps, although considering he hasn’t moved his hand, I’m not entirely sure he is.
“Oh yeah?”
He continues staring at me, and then realization hits.
“Oh shit, I—”
I catch his hand before he can pull it all the way back.
My heart is like a runaway train in my chest, and I pray that Hayden can’t feel the tremor in my hand. So far, he’s shown me that he’s nothing like the men of my past, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to let him see me weak and vulnerable.
He continues to hover on his knees, his eyes bouncing between mine as he waits.
My gaze drops to his mouth, and I watch as his tongue sweeps across his bottom lip.
Gently, I tug his hand, pulling him closer.
He catches himself with his other hand on the back of my couch, his huge body looming over my much smaller one. His fresh man scent fills my nose, and his green eyes darken until they’re almost black.
I don’t think I’ve ever truly been wanted in the way that Hayden wants me, and it’s a rush I shouldn’t be getting this addicted to.
What we’re doing…it’s wrong.
We’re putting everything at risk. But…
For the first time since moving to LA, I’m willing to let go of the tight control I have on every aspect of my life.
And with Hayden gazing down at me the way he is, it keeps the fear at bay. He’s going to take care of me, I just know it.
“Hailee?” he rasps, the roughness of his voice vibrating through me.
“Hayden,” I counter, the word coming out breathy and needy.
He leans closer, his scent getting stronger as my heart slams against my ribs.
“Tell me what to do,” he demands quietly, following my rules, and fuck, if it isn’t a rush.
My breathing is erratic, my body burning with need.
“Kiss me,” I whisper. “Kiss me just like you did in the—”
His lips land on mine, stealing the words straight from my mouth.
My free hand lands on his waist, pulling him closer as his tongue glides against mine, reminding me just how it felt to be consumed by him in that closet earlier today.
I couldn’t allow him to be alone in that moment. And while it might have been the wrong decision professionally, personally, being able to lift him up when he was drowning meant everything to me.
Fire licks through my veins as he deepens our kiss. His fingers slip from mine in favor of sliding his palm down my side.
“Your shirt is wet,” he murmurs without pulling his lips from mine as if he’s just remembering how we ended up like this.
“Take it off then,” I breathe, desire sitting heavy between my thighs.
His eyes pop open as he sits up a little.
“It’s wet, Hayden. Take it off,” I say again.
“Shit. Yeah. I’m sorry, I made a mess,” he says, his fingers fumbling to grasp the fabric around my waist.
“Are you?” I tease, bringing his gaze back to mine.
“Um…” A smirk spreads across his lips. “No, not really.”
Laughter erupts as he peels the wet fabric up my body, leaving me in my black lace bra.
“Fucking hell,” he groans, his eyes wide as he takes me in.
My nipples pebble against the soft fabric, and the second he notices, a deep growl rumbles in his chest.
“Am I dreaming?” he asks, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Sit back,” I demand.
“W-what?”
I can’t help but laugh when his brows pull together.
“Sit back,” I repeat, shoving at his chest, not that I think for a second that I’ll be able to move him.
As understanding dawns, he falls back onto his ass, his arms landing by his sides, but his eyes never leave me, and they only get wider as I climb onto his lap, sitting astride his thick thighs.
“Now, where were we?” I ask, grabbing his hands and placing them on my waist before looping mine around his neck and leaning in to resume our kiss.
The world falls away—my past, my fears, any thoughts of what a massive fucking mistake this might be—because when his lips are on mine, nothing else matters.
“Hayden,” I groan into our kiss, sinking lower onto his lap. “Oh fuck,” I gasp as I brush against his erection.
A deep moan rumbles in his chest.
His head falls back against the couch, and he looks up at me through hooded lids.
“I have to be dreaming,” he rasps, his jaw pulled tight.
Finding his hands still on my waist, I slide them down to my ass, encouraging him to help me move.
“Fuck. Yeah. This is a dream,” he confirms, moving me against him.
I can’t help but laugh. The awe on his face is everything.
“Shit. I need you,” he blurts before one of his hands wraps around the back of my neck and drags my lips back to his.
The fire burning inside me turns into an out-of-control inferno, and from the way Hayden thrusts up against me, and how his touch turns rough and desperate, I don’t think I’m the only one.
“H-Hailee, I—”
“Don’t stop,” I gasp, chasing a high that’s just in reach.
“Never, Hails. Never. Take what you need. Use me. Anything you want, it’s yours.”
I’ve made a point of not believing any word a man has told me since moving here.
I’d learned that none of them could be trusted.
But suddenly, everything shifts, and I can’t help taking every single word that comes out of Hayden’s mouth as the truth.
Promises he fully intends to follow through with.
“Make me come,” I demand, desperate for the relief. My body is coiled so tight; I swear I’m going to shatter if I don’t find the end soon.
“Fucking hell,” he groans before kissing down my throat, one hand tight on my hip, helping me move over him as we grind together, the other brazenly finding my breast.
“Yes,” I gasp as he squeezes me with just the right amount of pressure before pinching my nipple behind the lace. “Oh God, Hayden.”
My entire body trembles, my temperature soaring as I chase down the high.
It’s right there.
Right fucking there.
My grip on his shoulders tightens. He might have his shirt on still, but I have no doubt I’ll leave little crescents in his skin.
“There. Right there,” I chant as my body tightens. “Hayden. Yes. Please. Yes. Yes,” I cry as the release crashes into me.
Wave after wave of pleasure rushes through me, and it goes on and on in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced before. I figure that it must be because it’s man-induced. It’s been a long time since that happened.
I don’t know how much time passes, but eventually my orgasm fades, leaving me lifeless on top of Hayden.
His arms are locked around my waist, pinning me against his hot and hard body.
Hard.
Fuck. He was so fucking hard beneath me.
I suck in a shuddering breath as I wiggle my hips, but the steel rod I was using only moments ago has gone.
Did he…
“Oh my god.”
I pull back and blink against the brightness until I can see him.
His head is tipped back, his eyes closed and his lips parted, allowing his increased breaths to escape.
“Hayden?” I whisper.
The only sign that he’s heard me is the twitch on one side of his mouth.
“Are…are you okay?” I ask, lifting my hand to cup his jaw as his smile grows and his eyes finally crack open.
“Hails,” he rasps. “I’m fucking incredible. I just…I just got to watch the most incredible thing.”
“Did you—”
“Hails,” he warns as his cheeks blaze with heat.
“You’re too fucking cute,” I say, sitting back on his thighs and resting my hands against his chest.
“Great. Cute is what I always aspire to be,” he mutters dejectedly, immediately reminding me of the comment he made about being friend-zoned.
“Hayden.” My eyes lock on his while I hold his face in both my palms. “Your blush is cute,’ I explain. “The rest of you…” I wrap one hand around the back of his neck, anchoring myself to him. “The rest of you is…”
“Is?” he encourages.
“Everything I shouldn’t want.” My confession is a whisper, one that shouldn’t be said, but I’m finding it increasingly hard to hold back with him.
The line I’d drawn between professional and personal is fading, and I can’t seem to do anything to stop it.
“Fuck,” he breathes as I rest my forehead against his.
“Yeah,” I agree before reluctantly climbing from his lap. “I’m gonna clean up,” I say, backing away from him. “There’s a bathroom…” I point over my shoulder. “If you need to do the same.”
A laugh tumbles out of him. “I think I’m beyond that. If I go down to my car for spare clothes, will you let me back in?”
I pretend to think for a moment. “And let you miss out on the wings and ribs? I’m not that cruel.”
“Some might disagree,” he points out as he shifts to the edge of my couch.
“I don’t doubt that. Feel free to use the shower,” I say before finally spinning around. “I’m looking forward to the gray sweatpants,” I add before slipping back into my room.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I whisper to myself as I unhook my still-damp bra. But it doesn’t matter how many times I ask myself that question; I don’t think I have the power to stop.