Chapter 39
HAILEE
It’s still early when I come to, and the first thing—hell, the only thing—I notice is the strong arm that’s wrapped around my waist and the hard body I’m pinned against.
“Please don’t freak out and run away,” Hayden whispers, his warm breath tickling over my neck.
A smile pulls at my lips as I remember that first morning and the panic that hit me.
But this morning, things are very different, and I snuggle back even more against him, accidentally—on purpose—grinding my hips against him.
A deep groan rumbles in his chest.
“It’s early,” he says, surprising me.
“Hmm,” I mumble, cracking an eye open to see that it’s still dark.
“Go back to sleep, baby.”
Unable to argue, I suck in a deep, Hayden-scented breath and do as I’m told, expecting him to do the same behind me.
I drift off again in seconds, and when I wake again, God knows how long later, I feel rested, and the sun is spilling into the room through his thin curtains.
Happiness rushes through me as memories from the night before flicker through my head before I roll over to find the man who made them all happen.
But…the bed is empty, and when I reach over, I find the sheets cold. He’s been gone a while.
Throwing the sheets off, I pad through to his bathroom.
The sight of our toothbrushes sitting side by side in the little cup on the counter does things to me.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve been the second half of a whole, and already this feels so different from my previous experience.
Last time, I was a trophy. Something to look good and do as she was told.
This time, despite it being early days, I’m an equal. Suddenly, I’m important; my thoughts and opinions matter. It’s a heady experience after always feeling unimportant and in the way.
As soon as I’ve freshened up, I slip out of the room and go in search of Hayden.
I hear him before I see him, and I can’t deny that his deep groan hits me right between the thighs.
I might be a little tender after last night, but hearing that…yeah, a little pain isn’t going to stop me from having him again.
My brows pull at the thought of him being out here alone, jerking off when he could be in bed with me. As hot as the image that pops into my head is, there’s also a little disappointment and confusion.
Why would he do that when—
All my thoughts and concerns vanish when I round the corner and discover what he’s doing.
Holy shit.
He’s in a Pilates bridge, one leg pointed toward the ceiling, his hips pumping. Oh, and he’s wearing nothing but a pair of very tight, very small boxer briefs.
I swear, every muscle in his body is engaged, making the definition even more mouthwatering. His skin is glistening with sweat, and the small beam of sun that’s coming from the window makes it glitter deliciously.
Biting down on my bottom lip, I stand there watching, feeding my growing obsession with this man as he switches legs, his deep moans continuing.
My own abs begin to burn just watching him.
“Fuck,” he gasps when he’s finished and collapses on the mat.
His chest heaves, and he looks over his right shoulder as the woman on his cell screen gives instructions for what to do next.
He takes another deep breath before he flips onto his right side, giving me his back and getting into a side plank.
His back and shoulders ripple, and instead of announcing my presence, I shamelessly rest my hip against the wall and just watch. My only regret is not having my cell so that I could film it for later.
He holds himself in position like a pro as he lowers his hip to the ground and back up again for a few reps, and then he adds in leg movements.
Honestly, it’s so seamless, if I didn’t know he was watching a tutorial, I’d think he was filming one himself.
He’s incredible, and his strength is mind-blowing.
I knew he was fit—he’s a hockey player for fuck’s sake. What they put their bodies through on a daily basis is something else. But this…I’m blown away.
With a few more grunts and groans, he brings his foot back to the mat before moving the other side, but instead of keeping his eyes on the screen, he turns his back on it.
My breath catches when his eyes land on me.
“Oh,” he breathes, a smile spreading across his lips.
There’s no covering the fact I’ve been here watching for a while with the way I’m resting against the wall.
But despite having an audience, he doesn’t stop. Instead, he gets straight into position and begins repeating his previous movements—only this time, I get the joy of watching the front of his body.
Insane. Fucking insane.
Our eye contact holds as he works through each exercise, and once he’s done, he lowers his ass to the mat and pulls his AirPods out.
“So, you do Pilates?” I ask.
“It’s Parker’s fault,” he says, crossing his legs and opening his chest as he takes a big breath.
“Right.”
“She dragged us to classes. It’s really fucking hard work.”
“It is,” I agree.
“But I kinda love it. The control, the focus on breathing…and I think it’s helped me on the ice, so…”
“I’m more of a yoga girl,” I explain as I move to his couch.
He smiles. “Yeah?”
“I’m not a fan of inflicting pain on myself.”
“It feels so good, though,” he assures me.
“It looks good,” I comment with a smirk, letting my eyes drop to his sweaty body.
“I don’t usually do it practically naked. I just didn’t want to wake you by getting clothes.”
“I am not complaining. Please,” I say, gesturing to where his cell is still playing the tutorial. “Don’t stop on my account.”
He laughs as he reaches over to stop it.
“How about you join me?” he suggests. “I have another mat.” He gets to his feet and reaches behind his couch before unrolling it beside his.
“I’m…uh…wearing one of your T-shirts and no underwear,” I point out.
“Right?” he asks, unable to see the issue. “Your downward dog is going to be fucking incredible.”
I raise both of my brows.
“If you want me naked, I can think of easier ways than getting me to do Pilates with you.”
His gaze drops down my body, his eyes so dark that anyone would think I’m already bare for him.
“I’ll switch to an easier class,” he offers. “Or straight-up yoga.” I roll my eyes, pretending not to be on board with this.
“I’m gonna need a drink.
“I got you,” he says, hopping to his feet, marching to his kitchen, and pulling the fridge open. “Water okay?”
“Sure,” I agree, taking a moment to look around his apartment. I didn’t really get a chance last night with my emotional breakdown and all.
It’s small, but it has everything he could need.
A small kitchen, space for a couch and a large TV.
But most of the space is taken up with exercise equipment.
He’s got a bike, a rowing machine, a weight bench, and a whole stand of weights of all sizes.
He clearly spends a lot of time working on his fitness, even when he’s not at the arena.
I reach for his cell and type in my favorite instructor before selecting a tutorial.
“Thanks,” I say, accepting the bottle and twisting the top. “How’s your balance?” I ask after taking a sip.
He narrows his eyes at me. “I think we’re about to find out.”
With a chuckle, I get into position and try to forget about the fact that I’m doing this in only a T-shirt.
We move seamlessly side by side through the start of the practice, but as the moves get more challenging, Hayden begins wobbling about.
“Engage that core you’ve been working so hard on,” I tease as he tries to right himself back into warrior one.
“I’ve got this,” he says, getting himself into position just as we shift to another.
He groans but does as he’s told.
We’re almost at the end of the video when the instructor moves into Natarajasana, or dancer pose.
“Oh, she has to be joking. I can’t do that,” Hayden grunts as I reach back for my leg. “How … how is that even possible?”
“I used to dance,” I explain.
“Yeah, well. I didn’t. I’m shit at figure skating, too,” he mutters as he attempts the pose. I focus on my breathing as I keep my awareness and my pose strong.
“Damn, I want to see that.”
“Trust me, you don’t. I’m like a baby elephant out there.”
I giggle, trying desperately to keep my balance.
“Shit,” Hayden hisses.
I glance over a second too late. He topples, crashing straight into me.
“Oh shit,” I gasp as I begin falling. But while his balance might be questionable, his reaction time is fucking incredible, because he has me in his arms and manages to twist himself beneath me long before we hit the floor.
“Are you okay?” I ask in a rush as he pushes my messy hair from my face and gazes up at me.
He smiles up at me, his eyes twinkling.
His hands slide up my thighs until he grabs my bare ass, giving me little choice but to grind down on him.
“Baby, I am so fucking good right now.”
“Are you sure? You didn’t hurt yourself?” I ask, my eyes checking him over, although I’m not sure what kind of injuries I’m really looking for.
“I get hit almost daily by guys who are at least three times your weight, Hails.”
“Yeah, I know but—”
“I’m fine,” he assures me. “Shall we continue?”
“It’s pretty much over,” I explain as I rest myself on my elbow beside his shoulder, our lips only an inch apart.
“Oh, really?”
“If you’re trying to look disappointed, you really need to wipe the smile from your face,” I point out.
“Impossible,” he states. “You’re on top of me, wearing nothing but my name and number. My every filthy dream come to life.”
A laugh tumbles from my lips.
“How are you feeling?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.
A wide smile breaks free. “Amazing.”
He blinks up at me, almost as if he can’t believe I could possibly be saying that to him after everything we’ve experienced together over the last few hours.
“Are you…sore?” he asks nervously.
I bite down on my bottom lip as I roll my hips against him.
He's been rocking a semi down there since he discovered me watching him earlier, but now we’re entangled, he’s fully hard and ready to go.
“A little,” I answer honestly.
“Then we should shower and get ready,” he says without a hint of disappointment. Who is this man, and how am I lucky enough to be lying here with him right now?
“Wait,” I cry when he starts to lift me off him.
He stills.
“I never said it was too much to handle.”
His brow wrinkles.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Hails.”
“How about you don’t do anything?” I suggest before sitting up and dragging his T-shirt from my body.
His eyes drop to my tits, and he swallows thickly.
His mouth opens and closes like he wants to say something, but his words have vanished.
I roll my hips against him again, making him groan.
“Are you sure?” he asks, still torn.
Shimmying down his thighs, I tuck my fingers beneath the elastic of his waistband and drag them with me.
His hard cock springs free, the tip glistening with precum.
“Hails?” he questions, his chest heaving as I stare down at him.
“You’re beautiful, Hayden,” I breathe as I wrap my fingers around him.
“Shit,” he hisses through clenched teeth, his cock swelling in my hold.
Last night was incredible, but while Hayden indulged me in more orgasms than I’ve ever had in one night, I didn’t get the chance to play with him.
That’s all about to change.
I look up, my eyes connecting with his wide ones as I begin to lower myself down.
“Oh God,” he whispers before I stick my tongue out and lick up the length of him.